ThinkFast: March 10, 2006
ThinkFast: March 10, 2006
The New Yorker examines religious right activists who oppose childhood vaccination for Human papillomavirus (HPV), which causes cervix cancer, because it “removes a disincentive to having sex.” Some conservatives “have even stated that they would feel similarly about an H.I.V. vaccine.”
More than 250 medical experts have signed a letter in the medical journal The Lancet condemning the violent force-feeding of Guantanamo detainees. The letter says “doctors who used restraints and force-feeding should be punished by their professional bodies.”
37: President Bush’s approval rating, tied for his lowest ever in an AP-Ipsos poll. The survey also found “[m]ore and more people, particularly Republicans, …question his character and no longer consider him a strong leader against terrorism.”
Retired Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O’Connor lashed out at conservative leaders — like Rep. Tom DeLay (R-TX) and Sen. John Cornyn (R-TX). O’Connor said right-wing verbal attacks on the courts threaten the American constitutional system.
A second Indian tribal chief represented by Jack Abramoff scored a “White House lunch date and a meeting with the President” in 2001 just days after the tribe paid Grover Norquist’s Americans for Tax Reform $25,000 at Abramoff’s direction.
War profiteer: A federal jury found that Custer Battles, a private security firm, had bilked the U.S.-led interim government in Iraq out of millions of dollars. The company was found to have used shell companies, faked invoices and even stolen forklifts in a scheme to defraud the now-defunct Coalition Provisional Authority.
The good news: Employers added 243,000 jobs in February, the most in three months.
The bad news: the number of Americans filing new claims for unemployment benefits rose unexpectedly last week, to 303,000, the highest level this year. Economists had expected claims to dip to 290,000 from the 294,000 initially reported for the week that ended Feb. 25.
The U.S. trade deficit ballooned to a record $68.5bn in January. “We’re hollowing the economy out,” says Charles McMillion, an economist at MBG Information Services. “It’s having enormous negative consequences for families and individuals.”
And finally: Rush Limbaugh suggests Dubai Ports World sell their operations to Wal-Mart. “Wal-Mart could do it, too. They’ve shown ability to manage and move large amounts of goods with security and a good health care program for the employees.”
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http://www.philly.com/mld/inquirer/14051898.htm
Liberal culture of corruption.
I agree with O'Connor on trashing the Court. Once the Court guts Roe, stops race based preferences, and allows school prayer, I am sure liberals will remember what O'Connor said too.
March 10th, 2006 at 9:10 amIf only Rush had the same pharmacutical coverage that Walmart provides to their employees, he wouldn't have been able to go doctor shoping for his illegal proscription drugs.
#1 - Don't forget the so-called "liberal-biased media" and their hounding of ex-congressman Scarborough. (I'll just hold my breath as I wait for you to fume about this ignored scandal.)
"Unlike Gary Condit, Scarborough got a free ride from the press."
http://www.oldamericancentury.org/lori_klausutis.htm
http://larryflynt.com/articles/scarborough.html
March 10th, 2006 at 9:15 am#2 - Scarborough is not in Congress. The Court will move radically to the right once Ginsburg and Stevens retire and liberals will be attempted to attack justices the way O'Connor described. Please stick to what is relevant.
March 10th, 2006 at 9:20 am"removes a disincentive to having sex..."
Sounds like a good idea for a song. Y'all can sing along.
Condomaniacs?
March 10th, 2006 at 9:22 amIn the meantime the Reverend Billy Graham is in New Orleans to bring salvation to the people who were screwed by the hurricane...
http://katrinamemo.blogspot.com/2006/03/billy-graham-goes-to-new-orleans.html
March 10th, 2006 at 9:28 am#1 -- you agree with O'Connor about right-wing attacks on the courts? Good for you. Note that she said nothing about liberal "attacks". Please stick to what is relevant.
March 10th, 2006 at 9:29 am#2 - Scarborough is not in Congress. The Court will move radically to the right once Ginsburg and Stevens retire and liberals will be attempted to attack justices the way O’Connor described. Please stick to what is relevant.
Comment by Liberals are Lying Bigots
America will not accept "radical right" we will do to "radical right" what was done to the Taliban. But keep pushing ..the fires will light up the sky nicely.
March 10th, 2006 at 9:31 am#7 - you don't have the votes to stop us. You won't have them this summer and even with Bush in the tank it's questionable whether the American people will let morons like Howard Dean and Nancy Pelosi lead at the helm come November.
With impeachment as an issue, the Republicans can't lose this fall.
March 10th, 2006 at 9:33 amWho needs votes? George Washington didnt.
March 10th, 2006 at 9:34 am#8 -- The votes where? With the American people, or in Congress?
If the former, are you really so foolish as to assume all the polls are wrong, and everyone is behind you?
And if the latter, why do you assume that there will be more SCOTUS retirements, and even then, that the GOP will want to show it's extremist side right before November?
Sounds to me like you're living deep in a delusion.
March 10th, 2006 at 9:36 am8- If Howard Dean is a moron, what does that make Chimpy McCodpiece?
March 10th, 2006 at 9:37 amIn fact, re-reading your post, I'd say that's deep, deep in delusion.
And that's one thing the right is never lacking in.
March 10th, 2006 at 9:37 am#11 -- this is the sound of wingnuts whining in the morning. They know that they're in deep shit, and all they have left is trolling with tough talk on liberal message boards.
Rather pathetic, really.
March 10th, 2006 at 9:39 am#10 - That is all they have left - their delusional world!
March 10th, 2006 at 9:39 amSorry, just the thught of Howard Dean makes me wanna sing!
There must be 50 Ways to Dump the Dubya!
March 10th, 2006 at 9:40 am#10 - "the extremist side" you speak of with respect to judges is actually where the votes are, dipshit. Did you miss the whole 2004 wipeout thanks to the judicial filibuster - maybe you should talk to Tommy Dash-hole. As for a retirement, those in the know say Stevens is ready to leave and that is why there have so many unanimous opinions on usually contentious issues.
As for polls, they can change on a dime. For instance, if there is a showdown with Iran and Democrats attack Bush over it (after saying he was too soft on them), that could cost the left more capital.
You don't hold the cards. You can continue to pray for gloom and doom til November and you might pull it out. But careful what you wish. Exposing the radical left right before 2008 should not be a goal for Democrats.
March 10th, 2006 at 9:41 amOn NPR this mornig they were talking about how much trouble the repugnant party is in as they lost their only edge - security (which frankly I find a joke since the repugs have done nothing to protect the American people). A republican pollster said this would not be an issue in November as the democrats do not have a solitary plan to end the war in Iraq. That is so stupid. What is wrong with bringing all ideas to the table and working to find the best plan? I am so tired of repugs falling in line like lemmings.
March 10th, 2006 at 9:45 amOh - and "stay the course" is an actual plan? What a joke!
March 10th, 2006 at 9:46 amhttp://www.historyplace.com/unitedstates/revolution/rev-prel.htm
Patrick Henry, March 23, 1775.
They tell us, sir, that we are weak; unable to cope with so formidable an adversary. But when shall we be stronger? Will it be the next week, or the next year? Will it be when we are totally disarmed, and when a British guard shall be stationed in every house? Shall we gather strength by irresolution and inaction? Shall we acquire the means of effectual resistance by lying supinely on our backs and hugging the delusive phantom of hope, until our enemies shall have bound us hand and foot? Sir, we are not weak if we make a proper use of those means which the God of nature hath placed in our power. The millions of people, armed in the holy cause of liberty, and in such a country as that which we possess, are invincible by any force which our enemy can send against us. Besides, sir, we shall not fight our battles alone. There is a just God who presides over the destinies of nations, and who will raise up friends to fight our battles for us. The battle, sir, is not to the strong alone; it is to the vigilant, the active, the brave. Besides, sir, we have no election. If we were base enough to desire it, it is now too late to retire from the contest. There is no retreat but in submission and slavery! Our chains are forged! Their clanking may be heard on the plains of Boston! The war is inevitable  and let it come! I repeat it, sir, let it come.
It is in vain, sir, to extenuate the matter. Gentlemen may cry, Peace, Peace  but there is no peace. The war is actually begun! The next gale that sweeps from the north will bring to our ears the clash of resounding arms! Our brethren are already in the field! Why stand we here idle? What is it that gentlemen wish? What would they have? Is life so dear, or peace so sweet, as to be purchased at the price of chains and slavery? Forbid it, Almighty God! I know not what course others may take; but as for me, give me liberty or give me death!
March 10th, 2006 at 9:47 am#8 - "you don’t have the votes to stop us."
Correct, as of today there are more radical-right wing votes to favor special rights and anti-civil rights over the rights that average Americans value.
Come the mid-term elections, there will be fewer Republicans in office. What will you say about that "mandate" then?
March 10th, 2006 at 9:51 amWar profiteer: A federal jury found that Custer Battles, a private security firm, had bilked the U.S.-led interim government in Iraq out of millions of dollars. The company was found to have used shell companies, faked invoices and even stolen forklifts in a scheme to defraud the now-defunct Coalition Provisional Authority.
This isn't news. It's in Al Franken's book. This company would steal forklifts, repaint them, and then resell them to the US Army.
Whoopee! Privatization of military security!
I mean, if you can't trust the private companies that the Republicans give no-bid contracts with no Congressional oversight, who can you trust?
March 10th, 2006 at 9:52 amReligious right activists have attempted tp invade ,change himan behaviour since the invention of religion . Thru out history they have benn nothing but thieves and murderers , in mpder times the popes , Luther ad Calvin and the Ayatollas . In our country the solution to temper their enthousiasm for behaviour modification is TAXES. :Let'tax the sobs until it hurts , all preachers and churches of all denominations .
March 10th, 2006 at 9:53 amit this the best the trolls have?...hahahahahahahh. their not getting their moneys worth...
March 10th, 2006 at 9:54 amI'm waiting for a neo-conservative to come on here and claim that at least Bush makes the trains run on time.
March 10th, 2006 at 9:59 amDear Average Neo-Conservative:
Please give me one example in history where one group of people have imposed their religous views on another through force or law that ended well for everyone involved.
Sincerely,
March 10th, 2006 at 10:02 amHumanity
#23 - no they don't. My husband takes the train and they are often late.
Before you write anything I do recognize sarcasm when I hear (read) it!
March 10th, 2006 at 10:02 am[url=http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/11751418/]PENTAGON MADE ANOTHER OOPSIE[/url]
March 10th, 2006 at 10:03 am#23 - no they don’t. My husband takes the train and they are often late.
Before you write anything I do recognize sarcasm when I hear (read) it!
Jules - I think intelligent liberals/progressives/history buffs will get the reference. But that's about it. :)
March 10th, 2006 at 10:04 amJules...true, because the 'impeachment train' is really late,but it will get here.
March 10th, 2006 at 10:15 am"The survey also found “[m]ore and more people, particularly Republicans, …question his character and no longer consider him a strong leader against terrorism.â€
The koolade pitcher has sprung a leak and the wheels are flying off the bus!
March 10th, 2006 at 10:16 amInteresting argument here. Of course the dems won't win elections this year because too many Dibold voting machines are out there. Ever read the report on Ohio and the funky things going on with those machines. But the right is already starting their gear up towards elevating non-issues strictly for politics. This summer White House intern Bill Frist said he will bring before congress an anti-flag burning amendment. This has nothing to do with burning the flag or protecting the flag, it has everything to do with getting votes on the record to tote out in October and toss around…so and so hates America, they didn't vote for the flag burning amendment. They will never poison the discussion with facts such as…when was the last time anyone saw a flag burned in the US as a political protest? Or the fact that the founders wanted political speech protected, and this is a form of political speech. Or the fact that while protecting the flag the republicans are burning the constitution and burying the ashes. Sad sad people.
Another factor in the Dems loss this November will be Iran. Like Iraq the administration seems to be on the same track. Throughout the summer they will continually raise the level of fear throughout the country until they get the unwashed masses to a fever pitch screaming for the blood of more rag heads in order to save us from a mushroom cloud occurring over New York. The republicans will then force a vote on the use of force sometime in mid October, and use the results for political purposes once again, similar to the way they used the Iraq vote in 2002. I can almost imagine that they already have their attack ads prepared and ready to air. They know how to win elections, you've got to give them credit on that front.
Where they have problems they attack the dems. For instance them dems are continually attacked for not having a cohesive message and a united front. These attacks continually ignore the fact that the republicans have a united front and a cohesive message. Yep they steer away from that because their cohesive message is one that is actually leading to the ruination of the country. They have a decisive leader who will act and do what the party generally wants, that is better than having a leader who will measure the facts and formulate a response, better to have a cohesive plan and act decisively than it is to be right. Forget the fact that the decisive action has been consistently wrong and that the cohesive message is ruining the country. It's better to win and get your way than anything else.
March 10th, 2006 at 10:17 am#73 Are these the camps you ask for?
On January 24th it was announced that a subsidiary of Halliburton KBR was awarded a $385 million contract by the Department of Homeland Security to build detention centers in the US. These centers might be used for immigration, or for disaster relief, or vaguely "...to support the rapid development of new programs."
http://www.altmuslim.com/perm.php?id=1665_0_25_0_C
SAN FRANCISCO (MarketWatch) -- KBR, the engineering and construction subsidiary of Halliburton Co. (HAL) , said Tuesday it has been awarded a contingency contract from the Department of Homeland Security to supports its Immigration and Customs Enforcement facilities in the event of an emergency. The maximum total value of the contract is $385 million and consists of a 1-year base period with four 1-year options. KBR held the previous ICE contract from 2000 through 2005. The contract, which is effective immediately, provides for establishing temporary detention and processing capabilities to expand existing ICE Detention and Removal Operations Program facilities in the event of an emergency influx of immigrants into the U.S., or to support the rapid development of new programs, KBR said. The contract may also provide migrant detention support to other government organizations in the event of an immigration emergency, as well as the development of a plan to react to a national emergency, such as a natural disaster, the company said.
http://www.marketwatch.com/news/newsfinder/pulseone.asp...
Are these camps the ones that KBR got the federal government cobntract to build the ones you asked about?
March 10th, 2006 at 10:17 amGood for Sandra Day OConnor.
The Custer Battles thing is the worst. The Pentagon knew what was going on, and did absolutely nothing. Bush knew, and cared less. It took a civil lawsuit to settle the matter and bring it, more or less, to light.
They did not dig deep enough though. There were kickbacks to highly placed Pentagon officials and probably all the way up to the oval office.
Remember the 8.9 billion missing from the provisional autjprotu in Iraq? Bush got a big hunk of this, along with all of his neocon cohorts.
It will all come out someday.
March 10th, 2006 at 10:19 amSorry wrong thread>>>OOOOPPs
March 10th, 2006 at 10:19 am#3 Hey there NeD. Just post as NeD, your anger and constant talk of "the Courts" always gives you away. Abortion will never go away whether it is legal or not. You don't want the criminalization of politics, what about the criminalization of healthcare.
Troll.
March 10th, 2006 at 10:24 am#3 - Once the liberal-leaning Justices on the Supreme Court retire, there will be a completely different person in the White House, and you won't be able to depend on your special interests and pro-big-government Pres. Bush to stack the deck against the American citizens.
As for the "culture of corruption", it's the GOP that stands head and shoulders above any Democrat. How about you talk about Roy Blunt, The White House, Mike Scanlon, Jack Abramoff, Ralph Reed, Grover Norquist, RNC, House GOP Conference, Jim Ellis, John Colyandro??? (I wouldn't go throwing stones while you're living in your glass house.)
http://www.alternet.org/story/28891/
http://www.dccc.org/houseofscandal/main.html
http://www.dailykos.com/storyonly/2005/9/30/144745/589
http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php?title=Republican_'culture_of_corruption'
http://www.mydd.com/story/2006/2/21/19222/3684
http://www.coingate.info/
March 10th, 2006 at 10:34 amChoose who you spend your money with wisely.
Below is a list of corporations and their contributions to the Republican party. Included is name, total dollar amount, and then what percentage of their contributions went the Republicans or the Republican party in general.
2004 Corporate Contributions to GOP:
Coca-Cola $510,164 71%
Pepsico Inc, $392,949, 68%
Coors, $227,175, 82%
Chiquita Brands, $175,402, 98%
Dell, $385,393, 77%
Sinclair Broadcast Group, $77,005, 95%
Outback Steakhouse, $501,948, 98%
McDonald's (Boston Market, Chipotle Mexican Grill, Aroma Cafe, Donato's Pizza), $309,918, 80%
Darden Restaurants (Red Lobster, Olive Gardens, Bahama Breeze, Smokey Bones), 208,296, 91%
Yum! Brands (Taco Bell, Pizza Hut, KFC, Long John Silver's, A&W), 155,907, 83%
Brinker International (Chili's, Corner Bakery Cafe, On the Border, Maggiano's, Macaroni Grill, Big Bowl Asian Kitchen, Rockfish Seafood Grill), $148,500, 92%
Waffle House, $96,400, 99%
Wal-Mart Stores, $2 million, 80%
Home Depot, $716,270, 94%
Saks Inc., $119,700, 95%
Circuit City Stores, $117,300, 96%
Hallmark Cards, $287,379, 81%
Scotts (lawncare, garden products) $137,835, 99%
International Paper, $453,907, 93%
Below is a list of corporations and their contributions to the Democratic party. Included is name, total dollar amount, and then what percentage of their contributions went the Democratic or the Democratic party in general.
IBM, $585,200, 68%
Westwood One, $132,800, 79%
Costco Wholesale, $207,803, 98%
Barnes & Noble, $103,850, 98%
Estee Lauder Companies, $123,860, 91%
Many more companies listed:
http://www.populist.com/05.2.corpos.html
Source:
March 10th, 2006 at 10:45 amhttp://www.opensecrets.org/overview/stats.asp?Cycle=2004
About the religious right... fine with me if they don't go for the HIV drugs. Let them all die, it will put me a bit more at ease.
March 10th, 2006 at 10:51 amHow much for the Chimp? The sultry simian with vacancy in his eyes! Bathe him and bring him to me!!!
March 10th, 2006 at 10:54 am.
The righties really confuse me with their "culture of life" platform. All life is sacred, blah, blah, blah, you know the drill. But when you finally read the "small print", after finding a microscope powerful enough to do so, you find the "except for when it's not" part. And you see that they aren't as concerned about life, and living, as they say they are. And they really, really, really want women to suffer. A father tells his daughter, "I love you SO much, that I would rather see you die of cervical cancer, than see you be sexually active before I am ready to deal with it." "Oh sure, I could have allowed you to be vaccinated against it, but I was more afraid that you would take that to mean that I felt it was fine if you started being a tramp at 14." "Yes, honey, I love you too much for that." Each one of them appears to live in an "Me, Me, Me, and ONLY ME!!" self-contained world, where only what THEY think matters. And anything that might "f*ck with their landscape", must be stomped to death, and they ALWAYS wear their "combat boots".
March 10th, 2006 at 11:04 am#39 - Great rant, Cyra. I'll never figure out the "logic" of those idiots. As if sex is the worst thing a person (read: girl) could do! They will control their children into the grave, and be satisfied doing it.
Culture of life? No -- Culture of me.
March 10th, 2006 at 11:19 am#39 - They have a skewed perspective about life: If we don't talk about it, our kids won't do it! Talking about condoms means that they'll rush out to use them! Getting a vaccination to protect against sexually transmitted diseases will encourage our children to have sex!
I was raised by very religous parents in the Southern Baptist faith. We talked about many subjects so that they could explain why they believed in certain perspectives. Our open conversations made the subjects less "scary" and introduced my siblings and myself to considering other perspectives outside the ones I believed.
While I am no longer a member of the SB faith, I still consider myself a Christain and follow my faith as it leads me. Just because someone doesn't believe the same things I do doesn't mean I don't respect their right to a different perspective!
Once the STD rate in Christian children starts to go through the roof, I'm sure it'll be blamed on Pres. Clinton.
March 10th, 2006 at 11:20 am#39 Cyra -
You've summed up a good point with a dash of passion thrown in.
I've thought along the same lines for a while, too, with regards to the conservative's platform. I've yet to hear a good argument to a few inconsistencies.
Killing unborn babies is bad. Killing criminals is good.
Help the downtrodden and poor. But not if they're black in New Orleans.
God loves us all. But he loves people who think like me better.
Honor the sacred sacrement of marriage and treat your wife with respect. But you own her uterus.
Support the troops. But let's cut funding to veteran benefits.
The children are what's most important. Let's not fully fund the No Child Left Behind Act.
Security, terror, boogy-man, be afraid. Na, let's sell those ports to a country with ties to terrorists.
Drugs are bad and evil. Let's ignore the huge opium trade in Afghanistan.
March 10th, 2006 at 11:22 am34- You beat me to it. NED's back, and more incoherently pissed than ever.
March 10th, 2006 at 12:06 pm#43 - And selectively arguing his so-called "case".
He told me "Please stick to what is relevant."
When I replied with proof that the GOP is the party with the most "culture of corruption" he hasn't responded.
Oh well! It's not like he's the first troll to "cut & run" when his argument falls down around his ears like the ethical standard of the currently elected Republican party! ;-)
March 10th, 2006 at 12:10 pm39- It's not about life, it's about control. Winger control issues are right up there with Winger Projection Syndrome. Damn, put the whole lot of them on the couch.
March 10th, 2006 at 12:11 pmmy response to a person who opposes childhood vaccination for Human papillomavirus (HPV) was:
can you honestly believe that when your brand new baby girl is placed in your arms in the delivery room that she will never, ever, beyond a shadow of a doubt, "make a mistake?"
March 10th, 2006 at 12:23 pmhow can you be soooo certain that she will never have pre-marital sex?
Maybe we should stop treating lung cancer. After all if they think it can be treated, it just encourages people to smoke.
March 10th, 2006 at 12:48 pm#18 GG
March 10th, 2006 at 1:42 pmHow nice and appropriate to be reminded of that speech.
#39 CB
March 10th, 2006 at 1:50 pmGreat post.
To- #40, #41, #42, & #49, Thank you all VERY much ! This story appeared in my local paper several months ago, and I went nuts. They did not print my letter to the editor. As with abortion, I am certain that if they had a vaccine capable of erradicating Prostate Cancer, you wouldn't be hearing any of these, "they'll just want to have teen sex", stories they keep telling. It would be all about "bring it on!"
March 10th, 2006 at 2:23 pm#45- I am aware of this, I was just using their terminology. But the result is the same.
#1 - Still waiting to hear your response to my post #35 that provides proof that the GOP is THE political party with a stranglehold on the "culture of corruption".
Of course, I'm not holding my breath. I don't expect trolls to do much except "cut & run" when they've been given a case of red-a$$ over their calumny and mendacity.
March 10th, 2006 at 2:39 pmRepresentative Charles Taylor (R-NC11) has a "church and religious advisor" who is leading a hate rally in Downtown Asheville tomorrow following a prayer breakfast with the Congressman.
Read here for more details.
ThinkProgress, would you please help give this story some traction?
March 10th, 2006 at 3:03 pmWhat more would you expect from fearful, hypocritical, in- denial, close minded, sheltered, victims of abuse, controlling, bigoted, sexist, ingnorant, fundamental religious types.
March 10th, 2006 at 4:02 pmLet them die and decrease the surplus population!" compassionate conservatism and christian values at work.
March 10th, 2006 at 6:00 pm[...] Think Progress [...]
March 10th, 2006 at 6:04 pmBout time for another terrist alert. Heh heh.
March 10th, 2006 at 9:11 pm