Bush Blames Media For Ignoring “Progress,” Matthews “Impressed”
Bush Blames Media For Ignoring “Progress,” Matthews “Impressed”
In his speech this morning, President Bush blamed the media for ignoring the “quiet, steady progress” of reconstruction efforts in Iraq:
This is quiet, steady progress. It doesn’t always make the headlines in the evening news. But it is real and it is important. And it is unmistakable to those who see it close-up.
Afterwards, MSNBC’s Chris Matthews endorsed the remarks:
David Gregory, I was impressed again by the fact that he was taking a shot at the media, saying you are not going to hear about this economic development progress on the evening news.
Of course, it’s easy for Chris Matthews to bemoan the particulars of Iraq coverage from his Washington television studio. The truth is, the same problem that’s hampering Iraq’s reconstruction is also preventing journalists from covering the occassional openings of schools and hospitals: unrelenting insurgent violence. Rajiv Chandrasekaran, former Washington Post Baghdad bureau chief, explains:
I would posit that a lot of these projects — people say, oh, why didn’t you cover the opening of this new power station in Mahmudiyah? Well, it’s “the triangle of death.” You know, as a bureau chief there, I wasn’t going to risk putting my people’s lives on the line to go down for a photo op. As nice as it might have been, it’s simply too unsafe to get around and tell a lot of these stories. And so a lot of the coverage is, unfortunately, skewed by the fact that the on-the-ground realities of committing journalism in Iraq are such that you really can’t get out and do much of anything.
The important issue here isn’t press coverage — it’s that the Bush administration’s military strategy in Iraq is failing.
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126 Responses to “Bush Blames Media For Ignoring “Progress,” Matthews “Impressed””
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Nico- Nice try, the press can get direct reporting from the soldiers themselves. There is one journalist doing the work on the ground, check out Michael Yon. The constant negative slant of the MSM has most soldiers wondering what the hell they're talking about. MSM is dying because everyone checks the facts for themselves and see no relation to the truth.
December 7th, 2005 at 12:17 pmYeah, the fact that the money for infratstructue is being spent on hired guns couldn't have anything to do with this could it?
Washington Post
December 7th, 2005 at 12:18 pmOctober 19, 2005
U.S. Faces Iraq 'Reconstruction Gap'
Security Costs Eat Up Money Intended for Public Services
Republicans look to inner city America and see nothing but criminals, drug dealers and welfare cheats who should not have federal money for after school programs and healthcare.
Republicans look at Iraq and see oppressed people that they are willing to spend endless amounts of money and treasure on to bring their standard of living up and help them stand on their own.
Hmmmmm......
-GSD
December 7th, 2005 at 12:20 pmEnnnnn, wrong.
Just like any company, the Army has media relations people. Any soldier that talks to the press can get a Field Grade Article 15.
When was the last time you were in the military?
December 7th, 2005 at 12:20 pmOh I'm sorry Mr. President.
Did you have some good news for us?
Sorry, all the BOMBS GOING OFF MAKE IT HARD TO HEAR!!!
December 7th, 2005 at 12:25 pmOver seventy journalists have died covering the Iraqi war. Two reasons: 1. It's dangerous out there, as stated and also 2. There have been charges that journalists have been targeted by the US military. Rumsfeld himself (I'd have to dig it out) has said that journalists who free-lance, who choose not to be embedded (and parrot the official line), are in danger. Didn't a CNN exec lose his job over targeting rermarks? And if you work for Al-Jezeera, forget about it, Bush talked to Blair about taking them out, which they have done already (or tried to do) in Baghdad:
---Tariq Ayoub, 8 April 2003, Aljazeera TV channel correspondent; killed in a US air strike at Aljazeera office in Baghdad. This tribute is from his colleagues. "The blood of Tariq was fair game, as was the blood of other journalists working for Al-Jazeera and the Abu Dhabi network; both were bombed at the same time-followed by an attack on journalists in the Palestine Hotel, an attack that occurred probably because of its name. The message we take from Tariq's killing makes CENTCOM spokesman Vincent Brooks' statement seem quite ironic: "We bomb locations with precision, and we pay attention to locations where journalists are present." In reality, Tariq's killing demonstrates that the U.S. military preferred that Tariq and journalists like him ride on the back of an American tank, follow the troops around, eat and drink with them, and write in line with U.S. military desires. His death is a message directed to the remaining journalists and reporters who are still in the field, who are giving alternate perspectives on what is propagated by Bush, Rumsfeld, and others from the U.S. administration.
http://www.kirkbytimes.co.uk/antiwaritems/journalists_killed_iraq.html
December 7th, 2005 at 12:29 pmHey Comment # 1.
December 7th, 2005 at 12:30 pmTry this Independant Journalist website. He WAS There and has the images as proof.http://dahrjamailiraq.com/index.php
http://dahrjamailiraq.com/index.php
Dahr Jamail's Iraq Dispatches
http://dahrjamailiraq.com/gallery/
December 7th, 2005 at 12:32 pmhttp://www.americanprogressaction.org
December 7th, 2005 at 12:39 pmNotice how since last week, when the administration began hammering the media for ignoring the 'good' stuff, the media is scrambling to find something good to report? So now since they still haven't reported anything good, they have to report how junior says it is good.
auto transport
December 7th, 2005 at 12:39 pmProgress? Don't they blow up 3 buildings for every 1 they build or fix or whatever they say they are doing?
December 7th, 2005 at 12:40 pmGreat post #6!!! not enough is being said about this!
December 7th, 2005 at 12:40 pmFrom Salon. The 'bad press' comes from reality, and not the fantasy world of 'wishcraft' that the pollyanna republicans live in.
"Water and energy delivery as well as schools are worse off than before the U.S. invasion. Ditto for the state of hospitals (and medical supplies), highways and oil production. Elections are a positive change, but the elected government does not have more than a semblance of actual sovereignty, and therefore the Iraqi people have no power to make real choices about their future."
December 7th, 2005 at 12:43 pmThe Uniter, not the Divider..
Why is it that everything these people say is JUST the opposite.
Ok, I'll Bite, SO if the MEDIA doesn't report the 'Slow Progress', (would that be the AEGIS type incidents and the incredible graft that is slowing progress?), and the Senate apparently doesnt even see the trainwreck in House, The President gives us Propaganda and not 'Progress' nor progress reports, instead we are being FED campaign trial Rhetoric, that SHOULD have stopped the Day the PrezNut took office.
How are We supposed to form a Visual of this Progress?
Eveything about the Current Bush Regime reeks of Mind Games, and Childish Tricks, you did this, he did that, you did it First, No he did it, they are ALL doing it...Shell and Ball. Hide and seek.
Thats It to your ROOMS, No Supperand dont come out until you make up and shake hands. --Aj
December 7th, 2005 at 12:46 pmHow about this? I don't care about the electricity rates or progress of schools in Iraq. This was why we preemptively invaded another country? To tout Iraq economic progress? OUR country is on a slow steady decline towards never ending pessimism because of the massive amounts of resources and attention over the last three years to IRAQ. I think I represent a majority of american people in my utter indifference to the stability of Iraq.
December 7th, 2005 at 12:48 pmIt's not the MSM's fault!...What are they paying the Lincoln group for???
The administration wants iraq's democracy to mirror the US, so if we are planting stories there to head off bad news, why not here, it is the only logical step!
I know i know, they cost more, but c'mon you all make the money, so just have a midnight pressing and give a couple of pallots of greenbacks to those controling the news
/sarcasm
December 7th, 2005 at 12:50 pm#6 & #12
I am wondering why this didn't get more coverage:
CNN
December 6, 2005
110 killed in Iran plane crash
"Everyone on board the plane was killed, including 47 journalists who planned to witness the Iranian navy's maneuvers in the Persian Gulf, officials said."
Coincidence?
Hmmmmmmmmmm.
December 7th, 2005 at 12:52 pmWhen are we gonna hear good news from the US (even though I am happy to see the republican machine begin to fall apart, this is not "good news" - it is usually pretty scary $hit when it all comes to light, and quite depressing as a whole)
Don't start with the economy, corporations making higher profits by shipping jobs overseas and being held unaccountable is not good news
December 7th, 2005 at 12:54 pmChris would be just as impressed if on camera Bush pulled his underwear out from between the cheeks of his ass, where Cheney packed it.
December 7th, 2005 at 12:57 pmWhen republicans list 'progress' in Iraq, they do so in relation to the post-war bombing condition of the country. They never bother to remind anyone that things were actually better infrastructure wise under Saddam, than in current Iraq.
So 'progress' in this case is really 'regress', but it's not what the fantasy world of the propagandists and apologists want to believe, so they can't deal with it.
December 7th, 2005 at 12:58 pmHow about this? I don’t care about the electricity rates or progress of schools in Iraq. This was why we preemptively invaded another country? To tout Iraq economic progress? OUR country is on a slow steady decline towards never ending pessimism because of the massive amounts of resources and attention over the last three years to IRAQ. I think I represent a majority of american people in my utter indifference to the stability of Iraq.
Comment by greg wirth — December 7, 2005 @ 12:
Greets, Greg,
(tossing out my Herring Net of Bias.. =)
While pulling the troops out quickly seems like a solution, it is not, WE in effect have bought the whole enchilada..
December 7th, 2005 at 1:01 pmAn Enchilada, aka Gut Bomb, its not worth it when you put a HUMAN or Monetary figure on, it. However since WE have bought this enchilada WE cant just toss it aside, and hope it will wash down the Memory Hole.
Let us look to successful past troop drawdowns and what it took to win the publics heart, because THAT after ALL is what decides the Fate of these Peoples dilemma, brought on by, US Social Experimentation and Enterprise, when it was well KNOWN that bringing Modernity into society at such a RAPID rate creates Terrorism. As you can toss a used Car, we cannot do so with humanity. Would we not become that we wished to remove in the First Place?
In My View Of Course -Aj
the president could fart and matthews would get teary-eyed and launch into some romanticized (and somehow relevant) yarn about when he was working for tip o'neil...
December 7th, 2005 at 1:02 pmYea, that pesky "free" media.
If they would just print what he wants them to say.
December 7th, 2005 at 1:02 pmReuters says U.S. troops obstruct reporting of Iraq
September 28, 2005
by Barry Moody
Reuters
LONDON, Sept 28 (Reuters) - The conduct of U.S. troops in Iraq, including increasing detention and accidental shootings of journalists, is preventing full coverage of the war reaching the American public, Reuters said on Wednesday.
In a letter to Virginia Republican Sen. John Warner, head of the Senate Armed Services Committee, Reuters said U.S. forces were limiting the ability of independent journalists to operate. The letter from Reuters Global Managing Editor David Schlesinger called on Warner to raise widespread media concerns about the conduct of U.S. troops with Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld, who is due to testify to the committee on Thursday.
Schlesinger referred to "a long parade of disturbing incidents whereby professional journalists have been killed, wrongfully detained, and/or illegally abused by U.S. forces in Iraq."
http://www.tbrnews.org/Archives/a1869.htm
December 7th, 2005 at 1:10 pmThis is all on Tweety's weekly schedule.
December 7th, 2005 at 1:14 pmOn Monday/Wednesday/Friday, he leans right
On Tuesdays and Thursdays, he lean left.
Here's some progress for you:
Iraq Unemployment rate: 27 to 40%
About.com
December 7th, 2005 at 1:19 pmDecember 3, 2005
Iraq War Made Simple - Results & Statistics as of October 2005
if he's talking about progress he needs to substantiate those claims... specifics... then vs. now type stuff... he always talks in generalities, which are worthless as they typically denote a lack of substance...
December 7th, 2005 at 1:19 pmI want to see this poll:
"If given the choice between reconstruction in Iraq or rebuilding of the Gulf Coast and american infastructure how would you want your federal tax dollars spent?"
December 7th, 2005 at 1:27 pmRyan,
How much longer are you going to wait to propose that we put Saddam back in charge? You seem to think that things would be better under his reign. You claim that Bush lied us into this war and that Saddam was unjustly removed from office. We need to right this wrong. No matter that Clinton was proposing regime change back in '98 for the same reasons as Bush. We can't talk about what Clinton did because that was in the past and it doesn't matter what he did. Well, be the first on your block to say it.
December 7th, 2005 at 1:28 pmLHA,
Saddam was a RightWing fascist like you. The problem isn't that he was removed, but that he was removed by foreign people who think just like him (that would be you)...
My question is when you are going to propose that we start using the same torture in Iraq on liberals. Clearly it's what you and the rest of the fascists would like to do...
December 7th, 2005 at 1:34 pmLHA,
Don't you think you and the rest of your reichwing buddies should have been a little smarter when you sold WMDs and advanced weapons to Saddam and his fascist dictatorship? We're in this mess because of your incompetence in both instances... Your 'strawman' response is just pathetic, but expected from a group that 'has no ideas' other than bomb, torture, kill and steal...
December 7th, 2005 at 1:35 pmDear "Liberals hate America,"
Please take a look at my poll question: #29
As far as Saddam is concerned, do you feel he should be tried in Iraq in front of a Kurdish jury or should he held accountable for his crimes in front of a UN tribunal where we won't see the mafia style arguing we are now seeing?
December 7th, 2005 at 1:39 pmI give up. Where IS the army on this?
Every time there's a naked human pyramid. a living Christmas tree attached to wires or a dead Iraqi prisoner getting the wink-wink-finger-pistol treatment, some GI has a CoolPix or a video camera handy.
Is there some reason these folks can't squeeze off a shot of the occasional well-pump or non-bullet-ridden schoolroom?
Just asking.
December 7th, 2005 at 1:39 pm#30
Actually, the Iraqis already requested that Saddam be in charge.
Yahoo News
December 7th, 2005 at 1:44 pmNovember 30, 2005
Iraqis want Saddam to run for election
"...it’s simply too unsafe to get around and tell a lot of these stories. And so a lot of the coverage is, unfortunately, skewed..."
That spinning sound you hear is coming from the grave of Ernie Pyle.
December 7th, 2005 at 1:45 pm#32
Ryan,
Are you talking about this:
December 7th, 2005 at 1:45 pmWhat did Clinton do, according to your post he simply suggested (granted you did not mention that he fired off some missles) but he knew well enough not to get our country invovled in such a quagmire...if only Bush had a brain!
December 7th, 2005 at 1:46 pmgreg wirth,
I'd like to see a poll indicating who should be trusted with our national security. Oh wait... we did that in '04. George Bush was heavily favored.
December 7th, 2005 at 1:47 pmIf this were a democracy, the Iraqi's themselves could put in charge whomever they like.
I guess Saddam shaking hands with Donald Rumsfeld was the "kiss of death" for his former friend. During the trip Don assured Saddam we wouldn't punish him for his use of chemical weapons on the Kurds, even though the Reagan Administration were saying something different publically.
Now if the "press" is impressed by Bush, I'd hate to see how they'd respond to a true statesman or a real leader.
December 7th, 2005 at 1:49 pmHow much longer are you going to wait to propose that we put Saddam back in charge?
Comment by Liberals Hate America — December 7, 2005 @ 1:28 pm
This is a loaded question. It's akin to us asking you: "So, LHA, when are you going to stop beating your wife?"
You seem to think that things would be better under his reign.
Hussein was not a king, but a dictator. "Regime" better describes his rule over Iraq. Nothing Ryan has said so far points to that. The closest thing to that effect he has posted is: "They never bother to remind anyone that things were actually better infrastructure wise under Saddam, than in current Iraq."
Meaning, the physical infrastructure was in better shape. I tend to agree: Iraqis had electricity, potable water, and drivable roads. Fallujah, Tal Afar, and Ramadi were more than heaps of rubble on the side of the road.
You claim that Bush lied us into this war and that Saddam was unjustly removed from office. We need to right this wrong.
Bush did lie, distort, and misrepresent. I would not say "unjustly removed" but "illegally deposed".
No matter that Clinton was proposing regime change back in ‘98 for the same reasons as Bush. We can’t talk about what Clinton did because that was in the past and it doesn’t matter what he did. Well, be the first on your block to say it.
Even if Clinton did propose regime change in Iraq -who ordered the invasion in 2003? Whose administration said that the US troops would be greeted as liberators? Who set expectations of a few weeks of fight in Iraq?
December 7th, 2005 at 1:50 pmClinton supported regime change, NOT by invasion, but by supporting opposition within Iraq.
Big difference.
US citizens now get to die for a lie in the burning sands of Iraq.
December 7th, 2005 at 1:52 pm"It's someone else's fault"... the mantra of the administration for the past 5 years.
December 7th, 2005 at 1:53 pmThis guy's excuse for skewed reporting is pretty lame. "You know, as a bureau chief there, I wasn’t going to risk putting my people’s lives on the line to go down for a photo op. As nice as it might have been, it’s simply too unsafe to get around and tell a lot of these stories."
So you can only report on developments if they are accompanied by a picture? Really? Since when?
Very lame -- and essentially he is admitting to skewed reporting.
December 7th, 2005 at 1:57 pmVery lame — and essentially he is admitting to skewed reporting.
Comment by cynicon implant — December 7, 2005 @ 1:57 pm
Sure he is admitting to skewed reporting... due to the unsafe conditions on the ground in Iraq. The unsafe conditions undermine the administration's argument of "good progress". How can there be "good progress" when it is still not safe for reporters to do their job? Wouldn't security be a good benchmark for progress?
December 7th, 2005 at 2:02 pm#45 -- How can they build a new power plant of it is that unsafe?
December 7th, 2005 at 2:03 pmIt beats the hell out of me how we are going to win the hearts and minds of the people of Iraq while shooting, shelling and bombing them back to the dark ages.
I just watched Rep.Murtha on television. He tore down all of the Bushlandia crap you heard earlier, all the propaganda spweing out of the butthole of Bush. Good for him, I love the way he is doing it. He dont attack Bush personally, as Bush goons attack him. He attacks the entre administration that led us into this idiotic war. He points out their shortcomings, their ignorance.
Interstingly enough, he is dead right, not dead wrong. All that was said prior to the invasion has proven to be lies. He also points out that Bushlandia keeps calling the insurgents terrist, when indeed they are insurgents. The inssurgents are Iraqis, and they dont want us there. Tjos os something that Bushlandia does not seem to be able to grasp. What a shame, what a shame.
December 7th, 2005 at 2:03 pmdarn press should only report what we tell them to...eh bushie???? what a joke for a pres. Now go READ THE FIRST AMENDMENT: "FREEDOM OF THE PRESS"...and it's YOUR JOB to DEFEND IT BUSH!
December 7th, 2005 at 2:04 pmRush "King Oxycontin" Limbaugh blamed the peace activists in Iraq for getting abducted, because they were "asking for trouble" by not having protection.
So, folks go to Iraq to help poor Iraqis and the situation is so dangerous that they need constant military guarding. However, if the press reports that it is dangerous to be in Iraq with armed guards it is badmouthing the reconstruction effort.
Why does the press hate America. Why doesn't fat-shit Limbaugh go to Iraq...Why isn't Ann Coulter reporting live from Fallujah? How about Sean Hannity in Mosul?
-Hmmmm....Pussies.
-GSD
December 7th, 2005 at 2:06 pmSo let me get this right... reporters can only go to "safe" areas and thus can't report on the "unsafe" areas. Yet the news says that there is no progress and things are not safe.
Huh? Seems to me the most progress would be happening in the safe areas and that the reporters' perception (if they weren't biased) would be that things are looking pretty good.
December 7th, 2005 at 2:07 pmBush is doing what he needs to do - trashing the press. The MSM wants everyone thinking it's the Great Depression 2. It's not and it's needs to be pointed out.
The lying left is in trouble. The GOP has turned the tables and with Kerry trashing the troops and Dean promising defeat - the tide is going to change.
Couple that with Hollywood's resistance to Alito and I would say the GOP is going to have a wonderful New Year. Thanks ThinkProgress - we couldn't do it without your hatred and stupidity!!
December 7th, 2005 at 2:08 pmGSD - please stop hating. It's a free country and some people actually love it.
December 7th, 2005 at 2:09 pmHow can they build a new power plant of it is that unsafe?
Comment by cynicon implant — December 7, 2005 @ 2:03 pm
I want to believe you are just being contrarian and not disingenuous. The security costs average around 20% of the reconstruction budget in Iraq. Security is provided by contractors who charge up to US$1000 a day.
Iraq rebuilding slows as U.S. money for projects dries up
Iraq rebuilding under threat as US runs out of money
Security Costs Slow Iraq Reconstruction
(...)reporters can only go to “safe†areas and thus can’t report on the “unsafe†areas. Yet the news says that there is no progress and things are not safe.
Comment by cynicon implant — December 7, 2005 @ 2:07 pm
The safe areas are the Green Zone, which is heavily guarded by the US military and the hotels where foreign journalists stay, also heavily guarded.
The reporters are not saying there is no progress at all. What they are saying is that the cannot report on whatever progress there is because it is not safe for them to travel alone. They cannot afford "security contractors" for their safety.
Again, isn't security a good benchmark for progress? Given the lack of security, it is hard for them to give the administration any credibility on the "good progress" they want to tout.
December 7th, 2005 at 2:16 pm#50
You are missing the point here.
There are no safe areas. There are safer areas, but those are still like a white guy going into Compten in the middle of the night yelling racial slurs. Not safe, safer. Get it.
December 7th, 2005 at 2:17 pm#51
danny k
Do you really believe what you just posted? I am asking seriously.
December 7th, 2005 at 2:19 pmHey, I'm Impressed too. Frankly, I'm impressed that he managed to spin this Bull and have people believe it.
Forgive me if I'm wrong, but why try and reconstruct if you're still in a war. All that means is you have a sisyphean task ahead of you. Wait until the fighting has stopped, then reconstruct.
If you built a sandcastle on the beach and the tide started coming in, would you stand there trying to rebuild it, or wait until the tide had gone out? Substitute bombs for waves and ask the same question about Iraq.
Z.
December 7th, 2005 at 2:23 pmMichael,
If you trust Bush with our national security, move to New Orleans or any of the Gulf states. Also, you might write him to adapt the changes recommended by the 9/11 commission who still believe we are vulnerable to a terrorist attack. Then you might want to discuss the PATRIOT ACT and its ability to monitor your every move.
December 7th, 2005 at 2:24 pmSpudgeboy, remember, with the rabid right, every day is "opposites day"...
They always accuse everyone of what they are guilty of. Accuse early, accuse often. That way when people point out the truth they can dismiss it as "We've been saying they did that for months"... Without admitting that they were lying and their opponents telling the truth.
It almost reminds me of Pravda and Izvestia. Pravda means Truth and Izvestia means News. The Truth isn't News and the News isn't Truth.
Of course the fact that I know that will make me a "dirty pinko commie sympathiser faggot" or something...
Z.
December 7th, 2005 at 2:29 pm#17: Everyone on board the plane was killed, including 47 journalists who planned to witness the Iranian navy’s maneuvers in the Persian Gulf, officials said.
Coincidence?
Comment by SpudgeBoy — December 7, 2005 @ 12:52 pm
Spudge,
December 7th, 2005 at 2:30 pmI for one, don't think so.
My theories? I don't have any yet. I just think there had to be foul play.
#55- yes - I do. AND so does at least half of this country. In a free society, it is not just one side who gets to trash the other. It works both ways. You have been trashing Bush for months now. Well, guess what? Now, we go after your guys.
John Kerry slandered the troops and Howard Dean is resigned to defeat. Let's take that to the American people and see how they feel about that.
December 7th, 2005 at 2:30 pmYou're kind of thick aren't you SpudgeBoy. America is getting sick and tired of the left wing oppositional defiance without merit syndrome. All of the Democrat views are filtered through their hate Bush rhetoric. Everyone can see right through that, and the left is looking dumber every day.
December 7th, 2005 at 2:34 pmZwack,
Your comments only say that you are divorced from reality.
December 7th, 2005 at 2:36 pm#62 - this entire blog is divorced from reality. It's the best timewaster in America. You don't even have to think, just hate the right!!
December 7th, 2005 at 2:39 pmnew poll
Live Vote
The Supreme Court ruled that the government can seize a person's Social Security benefits to pay old student loans. Do you agree with the decision? * 23200 responses
Yes. People should always be held accountable for all their debts.
55%
No. There are times when food, housing or medical expenses are more important.
41%
Not sure.
4%
Not a scientifically valid survey. Click to learn more.
December 7th, 2005 at 2:41 pm#59
You mean 36% don't you, since that is the number of people that support Bush.
CNN
December 6, 2005
Cheney: Terrorists win if U.S. loses 'nerve' in Iraq
Even your guys didn't spin this one.
Fox News
December 6, 2005
Cheney Rallies Troops at Fort Drum
BTW, I have been bashing Bush for years not months. I started bashing Bush when I found out he would be the 2000 Republican candidate for president.
December 7th, 2005 at 2:42 pmThe lying left is in trouble. The GOP has turned the tables and with Kerry trashing the troops and Dean promising defeat - the tide is going to change.
Lying left? While I can't claim that all left wingers are honest, it certainly seems that the right is at least as dishonest. So why label the left that way? When did Kerry trash the troops? Are you still talking about Vietnam? We're on a different war now I'm afraid. Dean promised defeat? But Bush said much the same thing a while back...
Hollywood's resistance? What about the Christian groups that are opposed to him? Have they been making movies recently? The only "wonderful New Year" that the GOp can have is if Bush issues pardons all around... and it isn't my stupidity or hatred that requires that.
Well, according to the latest poll I saw 60% think we should bring the troops home and 40% think we should start immediately. I guess that means between 40% and 60% agree with Howard Dean that "we can't win this war"... Oh, and Bush said something remarkably similar in the past.
Still, have a happy Holidays.
Z.
December 7th, 2005 at 2:42 pmAll I want for Christmas, Is Soldiers Coming Home.
December 7th, 2005 at 2:43 pmSong By "Xmas balls".
Great Video too.
Has anyone seen it yet? Besides me of coures.
Okay. You go with that and I will stick with Bush is a terrible president just like 63% of the country.
December 7th, 2005 at 2:44 pmI'm divorced from Reality? Thank god for that... That must mean that this is a nightmare...
Z.
December 7th, 2005 at 2:44 pmKeep reading polls. The only one that matters is on Election Day and you haven't been able to crack that, now have ya?
December 7th, 2005 at 2:49 pmZwack is coming through. He is Just now Realizing that?
December 7th, 2005 at 2:49 pmThis is The Nightmare.
( But dont worry Zwack, The Earthquake should be along soon to end your nightmare).
REVELATION CHAPTER 16
and there was a great earthquake, such as was not since men were upon the earth, so mighty an earthquake, and so great.
how is iraq central front on war on terror, when cia recently revealed obls whereabouts?
December 7th, 2005 at 2:55 pmwhat a dorfy resident bush is.
iraq central front for oil .
December 7th, 2005 at 2:56 pmyes dannk. how did they rig the votes anyway? care to enlighten us how you all cheated?
December 7th, 2005 at 2:58 pm#73 - what do you have against oil? We need oil. You don't want to drill domestically, you want your SUVs and 4 bedroom homes? Why not go to war for oil so Americans can live their selfish lifestyle, conservatives AND liberals?
December 7th, 2005 at 2:59 pmBoy, I get the feeling that things aren't going too well for us conservatives, regardless of what wwallace, NED or aphrodite say.
Correct me if I'm wrong, but does this mean Bush's Social Security overhaul is in trouble?
December 7th, 2005 at 3:02 pm#75
Because it makes you a thief, something you and your fellow republicans are obviously comfortable with (corruption scandals anyone). However, it's bad business, bad politics, and bad policy.
December 7th, 2005 at 3:07 pm#70
No, we haven't cracked it, but you guys hacked it.
C|Net.com
April 21, 2004
Voting panel grills Diebold
"Over the past year, the company's reputation has sustained a series of blows: Its chief executive took fire for promising in an August 2003 Republican fund-raising letter to deliver Ohio's electoral votes to President Bush. E-vote critics discovered the company's elections equipment source code sitting unprotected on a public FTP server."
December 7th, 2005 at 3:08 pmHey Danny K.
How about I take a crap on a dinner plate, pour a little ketchup on it, and tell you it's meatloaf.
You gonna "dig in"?
Because thats what your doing with Bush's crap.
December 7th, 2005 at 3:08 pm"Keep reading polls. The only one that matters is on Election Day and you haven’t been able to crack that, now have ya?
Comment by danny k "
Hmmm... Gore received 1/2 million more votes than Bush, and according to Exit Polls, Kerry received even more. 'Cracking' the election day is more of a matter of disrupting Diebold, and preventing you and your republican corrupt crooks from stealing another election, than it is a matter of 'winning' america.
Those who 'cheat' like yourselves believe you are immune from the 'polls'. Thieves and crooks never worry about how popular they are.
December 7th, 2005 at 3:10 pmThat would be democrats don't want to drill in ANWR.
The republicans drive Hummers and own houses to large for their family.
Get you facts straight if you want people to take you even remotely serious.
December 7th, 2005 at 3:11 pmDiebold insider speaks out on Diebold Election fraud, and stolen elections in Ohio and Georgia.
http://rawstory.com/news/2005/Diebold_insider__alleges_company_plagued_1206.html
December 7th, 2005 at 3:11 pmLike I said yesterday danny k, if the "truth" ever comes out about what happened in 2004, you guys will be looking for asylum in China.
December 7th, 2005 at 3:11 pmAir safety experts say Iran has an aging, poorly maintained fleet of aircraft due in part to U.S. sanctions imposed in the 1990s that prevent it from buying U.S.-built planes or spare parts.
"These planes were out of date 15 years ago," said Hassan, whose brother died in the apartment block struck by the plane. "I'm a military man and I know they don't pay enough for the planes' maintenance. Also, due to the U.S. embargo we don't have enough parts. They take parts from this plane and that plane and then pray to God for a safe landing."
December 7th, 2005 at 3:15 pmhttp://www.reuters.com/
December 7th, 2005 at 3:15 pmThe important issue here isn’t press coverage — it’s that the Bush administration’s military strategy in Iraq is failing.
What strategy?
"Failed" after we accomplished the first stage of the mission... regime change and toppling Saddam.
December 7th, 2005 at 3:17 pmhttp://today.reuters.com/news/newsArticle.aspx?type=fundLaunches&storyID=2005-12-07T195852Z_01_HO736212_RTRUKOC_0_US-USA-TORTURE.xml
December 7th, 2005 at 3:17 pmwhat do you have against oil?
Comment by danny k — December 7, 2005 @ 2:59 pm
Nothing. I love olive oil, for example.
(...)you want your SUVs and 4 bedroom homes?
If you have one of each to spare, I'll take them. Oh, I could also use a yacht if you have one.
Why not go to war for oil so Americans can live their selfish lifestyle, conservatives AND liberals?
You just responded your own question: Because it is selfish. Specially if someone else's oil is taken by force (theft), instead of paying for it like an honest person would do.
Is theft ok? And are you saying you are ok with GIs and Iraqis dying in Iraq so you can have your selfish lifestyle?
December 7th, 2005 at 3:31 pmMatthews, Lieberman, McCain
What do they have in common?
FLIPFLOPFLIPFLOOPFLIPFLOPFLIPFLOPFLIPFLOPFLIPFLOP
December 7th, 2005 at 3:47 pmdanny K,
Where do you get your lies? Are they just part of your troll talking points from some republican neocon puke? I mean do you actually believe the stuff you post?
Dude, get your medication levels adjusted, you have some serious reality issues.
December 7th, 2005 at 3:48 pm#83
For the last time and for the love of God, would you please put to rest the results of the election. Bush received more votes than Kerry, 3 million. Not only did he recieve more, he got them in the right states with electorial votes to win the presidency. While he didn't get a majority in 2000, he got them in the right states to win. If there was any wrong doing, don't you think that the media would have picked up on it by now? Think about for this is called Think Progress isn't it?
December 7th, 2005 at 3:51 pm"For the last time and for the love of God, would you please put to rest the results of the election. " LHA
We already have, the election was stolen. That's why 2 election officials have already been indicted in Ohio, and more will be eventually.
Republicans stole the election, and your 'pandering' to their thievery is just more 'wishcraft' of republicans who want to believe they're popular in the face of all evidence to the contrary.
December 7th, 2005 at 4:02 pmDavid B,
Where do you get your lies? Are they just part of your troll talking points from some republican neocon puke?
You guys just keep regurgitating the same old worn out hate-filled phrases...and somehow you still try to assume some position of superiority. You guys are hopelessly lost in your own spin.
December 7th, 2005 at 4:02 pm"If there was any wrong doing, don’t you think that the media would have picked up on it by now? " LHA
Some media has. Vanity Fair did a huge spread on it, so did the Ohio Dispatch. The fact is most corporate media is a fascist tool. Stories that don't get Rovian approval are quickly squashed. The CEO of time personally squashed stories about the supreme court (it was out in a LIMITED expose in the last couple of weeks). You live in an Orwellian future, and are too ignorant of your own cage.
December 7th, 2005 at 4:04 pmHow do you manage to type with that straight-jacket on Ryan?
December 7th, 2005 at 4:08 pmMichael,
Hey, I'm pointing to real stories, and articles, and yet you defy those with an accusation that I'm insane. That's called a cognitive dissonance you know. It's always the insane ones like Michael who believe everyone else is loonie...
I guess you missed the deepthroat at Diebold who spoke out this week.
http://rawstory.com/news/2005/Diebold_insider__alleges_company_plagued_1206.html
Guess they didn't discuss that in your 'creationism' seminar did they?
December 7th, 2005 at 4:14 pm#81 - Howard Dean, Teresa Heinz, and Sheila Jackson Lee all own gas guzzlers. Ms. Heinz has several mansions she has to heat. All are radical, far left liberals. I would argue that our "oil" problem is bi-partisan. So again, why not go to war for oil if the left doesn't want to drill domestically?
The left - lots of bitchin, but no real solutions.
December 7th, 2005 at 4:15 pmHeinz, a radical far left liberal?
Bahaha, now that's the funniest crackpot thing you've said all day old loonie one...
December 7th, 2005 at 4:22 pm#98 - and I quote, "no child should ever die for oil" - Ms. Heinz last year when giving a speech. THK also propogated the Diebold claims. I know to those divorced from reality, that may seem "mainstream", but do an overwhelming majority of America, that is RADICAL!
December 7th, 2005 at 4:33 pmWhat does that have to do with being a 'liberal', unless you believe that liberal means we value the troops, and the sanctity of the lives of american. Well, maybe by those standards she would be a liberal, but by most HUMAN standards, she'd just be a rational person.
Considering your views mirror those of the islamofascists however, I could see how war, violence, murder, torture and hatred would seem more familiar to you than the sanctity of life or the morality in preserving that. And I can almost bet you're anti-abortion, in a classic and bizarre example of republican cognitive disdonance.
December 7th, 2005 at 4:38 pmFor those that don't know, Heinz previous husband was a republican and quite conservative. By 1950s standards she'd probably be an eisenhower republican. To the modern whacko fascists, everyone who isn't a rabid chickenhawk is a commie...
Insane freaks.
December 7th, 2005 at 4:40 pmOk - if we stole the election - where is the investigation? That should be front page news everyday. There should be a recount of all votes scheduled. Bush and co. should be indicted if there was any wrongdoing. This is what you and your wacko friends believe to make yourselves feel better and sleep at night. The reality is, we didn't steal the election, Kerry lost. Got it? Get over it!
December 7th, 2005 at 4:41 pmDanny K kicks and deals ... and Ryan takes him yard.
December 7th, 2005 at 4:42 pmLHA funny you ask about investigations when republicans seem so afraid of them .
December 7th, 2005 at 4:43 pmJust because Tweety said he was "impressed" by no means means he was "FAVORABLY impressed." Here's the definition from Dictionary.com (American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition):
To affect strongly, often favorably: wrote down whatever impressed me during the journey; was impressed by the child's sincerity. See Synonyms at affect.
I think he's a hack, too... but his use of the word does not mean he agreed with Dubya ... this time, at least.
December 7th, 2005 at 4:51 pmLHA...
Go back and read my comments again. I pointed you at legitimate questions that HAVE been raised. Once Kerry and Gore conceded no further questions were raised in most of the mainstream media.
The Republicans are in power in the Administration and both houses of the legislature. Do you think that they would call for an investigation? Legitimate questions have been raised and are still being raised.
The problem with some of the Electronic voting machines is that there is no independent audit trail that can be referred to later. If the machine can play with the numbers you can't tell that they've been changed.
I'm not stating that "the election was stolen" just pointing you at reasons why this won't go away.
Can you give me one valid reason for trusting an electronic voting machine that has no audit trail over a piece of paper locked in a box? I can't think of any reason for trusting it. However it can be a lot faster to count the election if you can trust it.
My solution? Simple, require all electronic voting machines to print out a copy of a completed ballot. The voter can then manually check it and if it is not correct can contest it then and there. If it is correct then the paper copy is inserted into a sealed ballot box. Once the election is over the electronic machine can provide the first count. If that count is challenged then either an optical scan machine can be used to count the paper ballots, or a manual hand count can be done.
Optical scan machines should be even more accurate than they are now as the forms will all be identical and the "filled box" will be uniformly filled.
Extending your argument... Given that New Orleans hasn't been rebuilt yet, why isn't it in the news any more? Because the media are interested in selling their product to their customers, not in reporting the news. Their product is their viewers and their customers is their advertisers. They need viewers, they don't care about the news so much.
Z.
December 7th, 2005 at 5:03 pmHey Z this is funny , I
December 7th, 2005 at 5:14 pmHa Ha bush your so funny the press ignoring you oh my god we should lock them up into cages.
December 7th, 2005 at 5:15 pmHey Z , sometimes when I'm up late enough I listen to George Noory . It seems as though his stories are more realistic than the reporting from right wing radio . He had a guest awhile back reporting on the voting machines suspicious flaws , one of them being that there was software in them that it's only intention was for fraud , seems Coasttocoast may not be so spacey afterall
December 7th, 2005 at 5:20 pm"Ok - if we stole the election - where is the investigation? That should be front page news everyday. " LHA
There have been investigations, including 2 indictments in Ohio in August.
http://www.bradblog.com/archives/00001780.htm
And as for why it's not front page news, it's because the reichwing press doesn't want to give it coverage. You guys prefer propaganda and nonsense about the war on christmas and white chicks gone missing in aruba.
"There should be a recount of all votes scheduled. Bush and co. should be indicted if there was any wrongdoing. " LHA
I agree, when will cheats like you on the republican side call for that?
There was also an investigation done by international monitors of the exit polling numbers, and they found that 40 out of 50 states had polling numbers that were out of line with statistically acceptable levels and showed voting fraud. One CNN reporter actually mentioned the voting fraud just after the election, and she has later stated quietly that her job was threatened if she repeated the information.
I can post you lots of links (especially from the international press which DID do lots of coverage) if you'd like. But reichwingers like you prefer to live in your comfortable fascist delusion than to face reality. You live in a lie, covered by the fear of the truth.
December 7th, 2005 at 6:40 pmAnd LHA, last month the GAO issued a SCATHING report from congress about the lack of security and voting machine fraud problems and set a deadline for Jan, 2006 to clean the mess up for states. Of course, there's little possiblity of that happening, otherwise republicans would surely lose their shirts.
The story is cached at truthout, but it's an Associated Press story you can find in numerous locations.
http://www.truthout.org/docs_2005/120705Z.shtml
Here's coverage from the 2004 election from the Baltimore Sun on the fraud:
http://www.truthout.org/docs_04/printer_121104J.shtml
The AP
http://www.truthout.org/docs_04/112804I.shtml
The Columbus Dispatch, and the Free Press
http://www.truthout.org/docs_04/printer_112804I.shtml
Just because you didn't see it on Faux News, doesn't mean it isn't being covered in some news outlets. Unfortunately the MSM is a corporate lapdog of republicans, and much of this never makes it to the lazy, the witless or the information inaccessible.
As the old adage goes, just because you haven't heard of it, doesn't mean it doesn't exist. And just because you have heard of it, doesn't mean that it does.
The problem is that Faux News and the rest of the reichwing blare machine spouts lies that people believe at face values, whereas the truth rarely sees the light of day. It's what happens when the fascists take over the press.
December 7th, 2005 at 6:59 pm“Ok - if we stole the election - where is the investigation? That should be front page news everyday. †LHA
I can't figure if you are a hopelessly naive Bushbot or a hypocrit of the highest order.
Republicans interested in investigating electronic machines owned by Republican Pioneers and RW Evangelicals? Are you shitting me? Republicans and this adsministration will NEVER investigate or reform the system. What they will do is pass laws that more federal money be made available so more of these machines with proprietary code can be used to elect crooked Republicans.
You may enjoy thinking that you are a "winner", but you are a loser with the rest of us. Only difference is, we know it and you haven't figured it out yet.
December 7th, 2005 at 7:20 pmDid any trolls actually look at my post?
I posted a link from C|Net. You know a technology site with no politics on it. Other than things related to Braoband and the FCC. But, from a technology stand point.
Any of the trolls read and register the bold part?
"E-vote critics discovered the company’s elections equipment source code sitting unprotected on a public FTP server."
Do any of the trolls care?
I would think that all people of any political leaning should be shocked at this.
December 7th, 2005 at 7:29 pmBush blames Bush blames Bush blames. It's all about finger pointing with this guy, isn't it. He needs to look in the mirror in order to find the true culprit, and quit implicating everyone else. Constantly the spoiled child who cannot accept responsibility for his own actions.
December 7th, 2005 at 7:31 pmForgot to relink.
C|Net.com
December 7th, 2005 at 7:31 pmApril 21, 2004
Voting panel grills Diebold
BREAKING NEWS:
ABC/ TIME MAG NEW POLL
7 in 10 Iraqis say their own lives are going well, and nearly two-thirds expect things to improve in the year ahead.
December 12th, 2005 at 2:24 pmBREAKING NEWS:
ABC/ TIME MAG NEW POLL
7 in 10 Iraqis say their own lives are going well, and nearly two-thirds expect things to improve in the year ahead.
You lost little liberal cowards are on the wrong side of history!
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January 2nd, 2006 at 12:15 am[...] The White House narrative about Iraq, parroted by conservatives everywhere, is that the media has failed to report the “good news.” Bush has faulted the media for ignoring “the quiet, steady” progress in Iraq. Just last week, Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld recently blasted the media for “exaggerating” Iraq’s security problems. [...]
March 14th, 2006 at 1:38 pm[...] The Bush administration has consistently bashed the media for ignoring all the “good news” in Iraq. In Oct. 2003, President Bush said, “And, listen, we’re making good progress in Iraq. Sometimes it’s hard to tell it when you listen to the filter. We’re making good progress.” [...]
December 7th, 2006 at 3:16 pm[...] The Bush administration has consistently bashed the media for ignoring all the “good news†in Iraq. In Oct. 2003, President Bush said, “And, listen, we’re making good progress in Iraq. Sometimes it’s hard to tell it when you listen to the filter. We’re making good progress.” [...]
December 9th, 2006 at 2:00 pm