ThinkFast: March 15, 2006
ThinkFast: March 15, 2006
Stewart Simonson, the Bush administration’s “point man for just about every health emergency that may hit our shores, ranging from anthrax attacks to an avian flu pandemic,” has resigned. It’s about time: Simonson had “no background in medicine, public health, or bioterrorism preparedness.”
The Bush administration “has rejected hurricane disaster-recovery loans at a higher rate than any other administration in the last 15 years.” Katrina victims aren’t taking the neglect sitting down. Yesterday they joined Iraq war veterans in a march against the Bush administration.
The FBI undertook surveillance of a Pennsylvania antiwar group, the Thomas Merton Center. An FBI memo noted that the group passed out leaflets claiming “Iraq does not possess weapons of mass destruction,” and that “one of the leaflet distributors ‘appeared to be of Middle Eastern descent.’”
Conservative Washington state columnist Adele Ferguson promotes school vouchers, defends slavery: “The pony hidden in slavery is the fact that it was the ticket to America for black people.”
Just in time for Sunshine Week, the Pentagon’s NORAD reportedly ordered that a transcript from an open, public hearing in January be removed from the web. “That’s a new one, with Big Brotherish overtones.”
Ann Coulter advocates invading Iran and China.
Sen. John Kerry (D-MA) says Bush’s nominee to head the Federal Highway Administration could be “the Brownie of highways.” Capka oversaw Boston’s “Big Dig” highway project, which was criticized for massive cost overruns and lucrative severance packages for project lawyers.
Federal judge James Ware ruled yesterday that Google “needs to turn over thousands of Web search records to the Department of Justice.†The decision came after Justice Department lawyers “dramatically scaled back their demand for information about Google Inc. search queries.”
The good news: Senate Intelligence Committee Chairman and cover-up expert Pat Roberts (R-KS) says three sections of the Phase II investigation into prewar Iraq intelligence are complete. The bad news: “drafts of the two most controversial sections were the ones that were not finished, and he provided no time frame for completing them.”
The Pentagon asks AMERICAblog to help spread propaganda about Iraq.
And finally: A new film tells the true story of Thomas Jones, who in Aug. 1945, as a 16-year-old messenger in Washington, D.C., “was entrusted to deliver to the White House the cable announcing Japan’s surrender to the United States to end World War II. Unaware of his cargo’s import, the boy, in cavalier teenage fashion, put work on hold to eat pancakes at a diner, hang out with his friends and flirt with waitresses.”
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Adele reminds me of the the guys I’ve met who feel so romantic about the south in the Civil War, and feel so strongly about how white people (especially men) are being discriminated against. And yet they just cannot understand that black people feel no happiness or romance about being kidnapped into slavery, brought over in chgains, had their families destroyed. They just cannot understand how enraged that could make a person feel.
March 15th, 2006 at 9:18 amEven the South Koreans have more pride in their government than we do, and those who shame it go;
South Korean Premier Resigns in Uproar Over Golfing During Rail Strike
SEOUL, South Korea, Wednesday, March 15 (AP) — President Roh Moo Hyun accepted the resignation of his prime minister on Tuesday after the premier had set off a scandal by playing golf during a national railway strike.
Lee Hae Chan came under pressure to leave after his golf outing on a March 1 national holiday that coincided with the start of the walkout. His departure was delayed while Mr. Roh was on a trip to Africa, but he offered to step down Tuesday when the president returned.
Mr. Roh accepted Mr. Lee’s resignation after ruling party leaders urged him to defuse the scandal before local elections in May.
Mr. Lee had also been criticized for golfing in April 2005, when a wildfire destroyed a 1,300-year-old Buddhist temple, and in July, when heavy rains struck southern parts of the country.
Adding to Mr. Lee’s woes this time were his golfing companions, who included a businessman with a criminal record for rigging stock prices.
http://www.nytimes.com/2006/03/15/international/asia/15korea.html
Same playing with corruption, criminals and playing while others suffer, just shame and resignation not promotion as in the Bush white house.
March 15th, 2006 at 9:18 amLooks like 1st Lt. Brian Anderson does work for CentCom!
According to the AMERICAblog, his title is:
Public Affairs Officer
Electronic Media Engagement Team Leader
I wonder if they’ll print all the news, or only cherry-picked news items?
From the stories I’ve heard from my friends who are serving in both Afghanistan and Iraq, we aren’t hearing much good OR bad news out of those two countries!
For instance, do you know that American forces are not allowed to report on the crops of opium they find growing in Afghanistan? They can report the presence of opium crops to the Afghanistan leaders (such as there are), but no official military acknowledgement is allowed.
March 15th, 2006 at 9:33 amWhatever happened to the anthrax terror investigation. Didn’t anthrax kill about 6 postal workers?
March 15th, 2006 at 9:47 amWe have met the enemy, only to discover, lo and behold, that it is us.
March 15th, 2006 at 9:56 am#4 – The majority of targets of the Anthrax mailings were Democrats. Therefore, the current administration doesn’t really care about it that much.
Now, if Pres. Bush, VPres. Cheney, or Rep. DeLay were targeted, THEN they’d have tracked down the person responsible in record time!
March 15th, 2006 at 9:57 amDid Anyone catch Boston Legal? Here’s an excerpt:
http://teocawki.blogspot.com
March 15th, 2006 at 9:58 amThe reason we haven’t heard about the anthrax terror investigation is because it was not a Republican that got hit. One of the Senator was a Democrat Russ Feingold and his staff.
If it would of been a Republican their would of been a full investigation.
March 15th, 2006 at 9:59 amgood point Democrat Soldier, Lt Anderson is under the UCMJ, anything he says or prints could land him in jail…Guilty until proven inocent. OK,Lt. lets talk about torture…opps,can’t do that, hmmmmm. How’s the weather?
March 15th, 2006 at 9:59 amAl Lewis had a radio show on WBAI here a few years ago, around the time that he ran for Governor to get the Green Party on the ballot. He once related this story on the air, and I’ll tell it from memory.
He was booked on a flight to Los Angeles to film the movie version of “Car 54 Where Are You?” When he and his friend got on they were bumped up to first class.
When they took their seats and the plane took off, Al’s friend noticed the gentlman in the seat in front of them speaking in a low German accent. As he listened further he realized that the man was none other than Henry Kissenger, talking to a young assistant.
So he turns to Al with a really low excited whisper: “Hey Al. look it’s Henry Kissinger.”
And Al says in his normal voice: “I know that’s Henry Kissinger. Don’t you think I know a war criminal when I see one!”
Kissenger’s assistant stood up and turned to say something, and Al said. “Sit down, Sonny, I’m not your father.”
No more words were exchanged, but Kissinger was flushed red for the remainder of the flight.
Rest In Peace Grampa.
http://teocawki.blogspot.com/
Al where ever you are, GOD BLESS YOU>>>>>
March 15th, 2006 at 10:04 am#10 – That’s a great story, Clif. I always wanted Grampa to be my real grandfather — makeup and all. He would have been a great match for my grandma, who was a cross between Ethel Merman and Shelly Winters. She died 20 years ago, but I just tok out my ear plugs last week. Ah, memories…
March 15th, 2006 at 10:50 amSam Seder read some of Adele’s op-ed last night on his radio program. I thought it was a joke. Apparently not.
WOW is all I can say.
March 15th, 2006 at 11:06 amSteve, I downloaded the link, she looks like Aunt Bee on crack. Sound like it too…
March 15th, 2006 at 11:09 amWe have met the enemy, only to discover, lo and behold, it is B-us-H
March 15th, 2006 at 11:11 amStewart Simonson, the Bush administration’s “point man for just about every health emergency that may hit our shores, ranging from anthrax attacks to an avian flu pandemic,†has resigned. It’s about time: Simonson had “no background in medicine, public health, or bioterrorism preparedness.â€
********************
For the love of all that’s sacred…! How man other people in high-ranking positions like this will be found to be supremely unqualified for their offices?!? Let’s remember that Michael Brown had virtually no prior experience working with emergency preparedness before being offered the job at FEMA, that the bulk of his previous employment came from working for the International Arabian Horse Association — and he was eventually fired for cause from that position. George Deutsch at NASA, a Bush appointee who held a susprisingly high-ranking position in the public affairs office for someone so young (only 24), had neither education nor experience in astronomy or aeronautics or astrophysics — and had he not resigned his position, he would have been fired because it was discovered that he had lied on his resume about being a college graduate.
March 15th, 2006 at 11:21 amSo the government that did nothing to shore up the levess PRIOR to Hurricane Katrina, and did nothing to help people get out of the are DURING Hurricane Katrina, is now rejecting loans to help people rebuild their lives AFTER Hurricane Katrina.
Well, they’re incompetent and evil, but at least they’re consistent.
As far as Ann Coulter wanting to invade Iran and China, I think that’s a great idea. Giver her a rifle and some rations and send her on her merry friggin’ way. But I must insist, no take-backs.
March 15th, 2006 at 11:45 amOddly enough, some of the excuses for illegal labor are very similar to the arguments used by slavery supporters in the 1800s.
March 15th, 2006 at 11:45 amlevess=levees
are=area
But you’re all smart people, you would’ve figured it out, I’m sure.
March 15th, 2006 at 11:46 amStewart Simonson, the Bush administration’s “point man for just about every health emergency that may hit our shores, ranging from anthrax attacks to an avian flu pandemic,†has resigned. It’s about time: Simonson had “no background in medicine, public health, or bioterrorism preparedness.â€
I have a 4-year degree in accounting. I’d say that in the Bush administration, I would be qualified to take over as Secretary of Agriculture. Is that spot open?
March 15th, 2006 at 12:01 pm““The pony hidden in slavery is the fact that it was the ticket to America for black people.—
American arrogance at its mindnumbingly cruelest.
March 15th, 2006 at 12:44 pm.
““The pony hidden in slavery is the fact that it was the ticket to America for black people.â€â€
American arrogance at its mindnumbingly cruelest.
.
Comment by gak
Nonsense. It’s not arrogant or cruel to tell the truth.
I just finished a memoir of Charles Stanley’s (Stanley & Livingstone fame) expedition to re-supply a British outpost in Africa and save the city from Muslim headchoppers. (circa late 1800’s) After reading that book it occurred to me that any black African would be lucky to make it to America alive as being under British, Belgium or French colonialization was much worse than being a slave in the South.
Today, thanks to the very unfortunate past reality of the “peculiar institution” the American Negro is the healthiest, best educated and wealthiest Negro on the planet. They also whine and bitch the most…go figure.
March 15th, 2006 at 3:23 pm“Ann Coulter advocates invading Iran and China.”
Too messy, just nuke them.
March 15th, 2006 at 3:26 pmDid Anyone catch Boston Legal? Here’s an excerpt:
http://teocawki.blogspot.com
Comment by Subway Serenade
I did, never miss it unless I’ve got something better to do than watch James Spader smirk his way through a scene or listen to Capt. Kirk’s latest pornographic story. Last night’s show was interesting. Some stupid bimbo with a head full of MSM talking points about missing MWD’s and Abu Grabass prison torture decided she was “embarrassed” to be an American and decided to protest the Bushite Nazi regime by not paying her taxes….nice timing, just in time for tax season.
I think someone is suggesting that all you left wing weenies protest GWB by not paying your taxes this year.
That’s a good idea. Don’t pay. Do you feel lucky?
March 15th, 2006 at 3:45 pm[...] Think Progress [...]
March 15th, 2006 at 5:47 pmHere’s a link to an article about a THING called Slavery: As It Was
http://www.splcenter.org/intel/intelreport/article.jsp?aid=376
An asshat from my town named Doug Wilson wrote the THING, and caused no end of an uproar. He even keeps a confederate flag in the lobby of his “school.”
I-RIGHT-I you’ll love it.
March 15th, 2006 at 6:22 pmI don’t know what topic to put this under, so I’ll comment here.
March 15th, 2006 at 7:41 pmIn Dupage County, Illinois, early voting has been instituted (different from absentee), so I went for early voting today. I saw Diebold machines. I asked questions. There was no one other than me and the judges present. The “big guy” came over. He told me, among other things: “don’t believe the media” “the machines are great” “you have to trust us” “name me one instance where you can prove there has been a problem” and “no one has been indicted.”
He asked me to defend my questions, and through his interruptions (so typically Republican) I managed to say that the machines are known to be hacked. That the mfr. promised that he would deliver the state of Ohio to Bush in 2004. With that, I was accused of “electioneering” and that is not allowed.
I turned and left. Tomorrow I will call the Election Commission.
BTW, Dupage is historically 90% Republican, in 2004, the Dems gained over 40% maybe 45%. I can’t help but think this is a devious way to ensure that the Dems never reach more than 45%.
Here’s what GWB had to say about slavery: “It’s interesting when you think about it, the slaves who left here to go to America, because of their steadfast and their religion and their belief in freedom, helped change America.” -Dakar, Senegal; July *, 2003
March 15th, 2006 at 8:14 pmWell, well, well. Isn’t that interesting? If, as “I-RIGHT-I” suggests, Adele Ferguson was telling the truth by saying the whole slavery thing worked out pretty well for African-Americans, why did they pull the page from this fascist business rag? I’m embarrassed that I live just across the Puget Sound from this freak. While we’re at it, doesn’t Ferguson’s diatribe remind anyone else of the remarks Babs Bush made about the Katrina refugees?
“I-RIGHT-I” must be extra proud of both of these old bigots.
March 15th, 2006 at 11:02 pm“I-RIGHT-I†must be extra proud of both of these old bigots.
Comment by Wayne
I know nothing about them. I do say without fear of contradiction that the American Negro is the luckiest of all the black folk in the entire world and that America despite some obvious drawbacks to certain minorities is the best place on earth they could possibly live. If it weren’t true then black folk would be trying to leave instead of trying to get in.
There is also the matter of divine intervention concerning the people who were taken away out of Africa to the shores of a new land where they would forget their pagan idols and blood sacrafices and would come to know God and His Son. As Joseph said to his brothers who sold him into slavery in Egypt; ” But as for you, ye thought evil against me; but God meant it unto good, to bring to pass, as it is this day, to save much people alive. ” Gen 50:20
Slavery saved many of these people and gave them a personal connection to the Word of God. There’s the real silver lining, if you don’t believe me visit a black church.
March 16th, 2006 at 9:55 amAn asshat from my town named Doug Wilson wrote the THING, and caused no end of an uproar. He even keeps a confederate flag in the lobby of his “school.â€
I-RIGHT-I you’ll love it.
Comment by Zookeeper
Dabney’s virulent racism ý he saw blacks as a “morally inferior race,” a “sordid, alien taint” marked by “lying, theft, drunkenness, laziness, waste” ý also supported Rushdoony’s dislike for the civil rights movement and ongoing desegregation. Dabney explicitly defended slavery as godly, a theme Wilson and Wilkins would later repeat. ”
Oh my, that is nasty isn’t it? Take out the word “blacks” and insert Liberal and it’s right up to date. The more things change the more they stay the same. Also, I wonder if back then black folk accounted for 60% of violent crime in America like they do now? I bet not. They didn’t have so many morally inferior white Liberals showing them the wrong way to go and helping them rationalize inexcusable behavior.
March 16th, 2006 at 10:32 amThere is also the matter of divine intervention concerning the people who were taken away out of Africa to the shores of a new land where they would forget their pagan idols and blood sacrafices and would come to know God and His Son. As Joseph said to his brothers who sold him into slavery in Egypt; †But as for you, ye thought evil against me; but God meant it unto good, to bring to pass, as it is this day, to save much people alive. †Gen 50:20
Slavery saved many of these people and gave them a personal connection to the Word of God. There’s the real silver lining, if you don’t believe me visit a black church.
Comment by I-RIGHT-I — March 16, 2006 @ 9:55 am
So, if Muslims, who believe in Allah, came to America and took you from your home to their country and made you live in squallor while performing slave labor, and forced to practice Islam you’d be okay with it? I mean they have the EXACT same premise as you – wanting to bring you to the truth faith of Islam and away from the sins of being an Infidel…
March 16th, 2006 at 11:46 amSo, if Muslims, who believe in Allah, came to America and took you from your home to their country and made you live in squallor while performing slave labor, and forced to practice Islam you’d be okay with it? I mean they have the EXACT same premise as you – wanting to bring you to the truth faith of Islam and away from the sins of being an Infidel…
Comment by unbelievable
There’s only a few things wrong with your example other than the fact you wrote it. First, my point certainly was not that Christians nabbed black heathens in order to show them the light. My point was that it is entirely possible that God used the evil of men to accomplish His will. Second, Muslims did not nab black heathens in order to turn them into Muslim headchoppers, they nabbed them in order to sell them to slave traders. But since you mention it and since like all good little Leftist fucktards you’d like to highlight the evil White Man and compare him to the Noble Muslim headchopper let me just ax you how many Muslims of African decent who had slaves for ancestors are there in Iraq, Saudi Arabia, Syria or anywhere else in the Mideast. The answer is NONE. Why is that you sheepishly ax? Because, THEY KILLED THEM OR THEY DIED IN SLAVERY.
There was never an emancipation proclamation given by the Muslims. There was no Mohammed Lincoln, in fact they NEVER abolished slavery, not even to this day. So…..you see….I’m not impressed with your reasoning and am offended that you’d even consider making that kind of comparison. It shows me how little you appreciate your Western Anglo/Dago heritage and how easily you are willing to demonize American Christians who are the greatest people God ever put on the planet, be they black or white or red or yellow…or purple, like me.
March 16th, 2006 at 2:26 pmThere’s only a few things wrong with your example other than the fact you wrote it.
You mean besides the fact that you love an Atheist? :)
First, my point certainly was not that Christians nabbed black heathens in order to show them the light. My point was that it is entirely possible that God used the evil of men to accomplish His will.
But why would a being capable of anything use violent means instead of peaceful ones? Allowing people to choose for themselves?
Second, Muslims did not nab black heathens in order to turn them into Muslim headchoppers, they nabbed them in order to sell them to slave traders.
But if that is tehir belief and they belief it is right, then how is it any different from you or anyone else thinking you are right?
It was a hypothetical.
But since you mention it and since like all good little Leftist fucktards you’d like to highlight the evil White Man and compare him to the Noble Muslim headchopper let me just ax you how many Muslims of African decent who had slaves for ancestors are there in Iraq, Saudi Arabia, Syria or anywhere else in the Mideast.
Watch the name calling. I haven’t called you names. If you wanna go there, then find someone else who tolerates that nonsense from you.
I don’t think anyone is evil. Let’s get that out of the way. I think ignorance causes people to do things that aren’t kind. Big difference.
The answer is NONE. Why is that you sheepishly ax? Because, THEY KILLED THEM OR THEY DIED IN SLAVERY.
But if you believe that this life is just a test run, and that life after death is the real show, then weren’t they doing them a favor and sending them to Heaven? I mean, if you can justify anything through ‘faith’, then someone else can justify anything else. You don’t like me using Muslims, then pick a religion of your choice. The example was meant to get you to think about how you would feel if you were treate the way the African slaves were treated. But, as usual, sympathy isn’t a possibility for you.
There was never an emancipation proclamation given by the Muslims. There was no Mohammed Lincoln, in fact they NEVER abolished slavery, not even to this day. So…..you see….I’m not impressed with your reasoning and am offended that you’d even consider making that kind of comparison.
It offends you? You have Got to be kidding me. You’re trying to spin this against me, when I was simply trying to invoke some empathy in you to make you realize how horrible it might have been for those people.
Unlike you, I don’t have blind allegiance to my heritage. There were some Italians and Germans who did horrible things. I am not willing to defend them simply because they are my ancestors. That would be naive. And it would be dangerous.
On the other hand, you know that I believe most people are good people and well intentioned. But it doesn’t stop them from doing horrible things to other people bacuse they don’t know any better. This is exactly why I am such an advocate for tolerance and understanding and acceptance of others. It’s why I don’t believe in forcing our will or way on others. Because look at how passionate you are about this. You wouldn’t like it being done to you, so why would you excuse it being done to others?
I get yuor intention, that there was a “good” that came from a bad situation, but it does not excuse people from doing horrible things to one another.
It shows me how little you appreciate your Western Anglo/Dago heritage and how easily you are willing to demonize American Christians who are the greatest people God ever put on the planet, be they black or white or red or yellow…or purple, like me.
Comment by I-RIGHT-I — March 16, 2006 @ 2:26 pm
I didn’t demonize anyone. Where did you get that from?
It’s your opinion that American Christians are the greatest people put on this planet. It’s not a fact. There are some horrible American Christians. Want me to tell you about the boyfriend who turned physically violent toward me, but was at church every Sunday and Wednesday? You can’t stereotype good either. It’s not real.
You’re purple? Cool… it’s my favorite color :)
March 16th, 2006 at 4:07 pmP.S. Excuse for the hypos, por favor, classes changed and I had to deal with the cacaphony… Two weeks until Spring Break. If I survive that long….
March 16th, 2006 at 4:09 pmI didn’t demonize anyone. Where did you get that from?
Any time Christians and Muslims are compared by a leftist that is a demonization of Christians.
It’s your opinion that American Christians are the greatest people put on this planet. It’s not a fact.
It is a historical fact. We have been the catalyst for the greatest advances in human achievment and in the humanities that have ever been.
There are some horrible American Christians.
How many? A majority? All through the 200+ years of our history? Don’t think so.
Want me to tell you about the boyfriend who turned physically violent toward me, but was at church every Sunday and Wednesday?
Yes, and I want all the dirt too.
You can’t stereotype good either. It’s not real.
It’s not a stereotype, it’s a Universal Truth.
You’re purple? Cool… it’s my favorite color :)
Comment by unbelievable
I’m a Purple People Eater.
March 16th, 2006 at 5:45 pmAny time Christians and Muslims are compared by a leftist that is a demonization of Christians.
You with those damn absolutes. Stop it. I don’t know why this is so impossible for you to consider – but people are individuals and you cannot broadly catagorize them into ‘all good’ or ‘all bad’. If that were true, then there wouldn’t be Christians in prison. Or on a waiting list to get on the Jerry Springer Show… (no, I do NOT watch that nonsense).
Each person is 100% responsible for his or her behavior. You choose. Not your religion chooses and you automatonically respond. They suggest, you consider and then, ultimately – you choose. That means that there can be bad behavior by anyone – regardless of affliation, national origin or skin color. And we should see the individual for who he or she is rather than assume that one grouping is superior to another. Otherwise, how do you explain me? I’m more ethical than the aggregate of your Bible Study bimbos, after all. Oh, you don’t accept that I’m really an Atheist, do you? You think I’m rebelling against – what? The truth is I am me. No matter what labels I attach to myself, I decide my behavior. Whether I am a liberal or a moderate or a conservative, I still will not degrade myself by being promiscious. Political affliation and religion have nothing to do with my morality.
It is a historical fact. We have been the catalyst for the greatest advances in human achievment and in the humanities that have ever been.
Are you just trying to push my buttons here? I cannot believe a grown man of my generation would actually say such a thing.
Such as what? I need examples.
How many? A majority? All through the 200+ years of our history? Don’t think so.
It doesn’t have to be a majority to dispute the fact that Christianity is not a guarantee of goodness, or philanthropy, or wisdom. It’s simply a pre-defined ideology to which you and many others subscribe by birth. Because even amongst you, you don’t agree on your own religion.
Oh, and by the way, Pascal’s Wager is supposed to lead to Catholicism… thought you might wanna know before you use it again. I can send you the link if you want.
Yes, and I want all the dirt too.
Need some pointers for the next time your blow up doll gets out of line?
He was a very religious person who turned out to be the anti-thesis of what he preached. He disposed a friend of mine for being divorced, but then he had no problems applying a higher standard to himself. And he’s not the only one like that who follows Christianity. The religion does not guarantee goodness. I know you would like for that to be true, but it’s not.
It’s not a stereotype, it’s a Universal Truth.
In context of humans and human behavior, there is no such thing.
I’m a Purple People Eater.
Comment by I-RIGHT-I — March 16, 2006 @ 5:45 pm
That sounds kinky.
March 16th, 2006 at 7:04 pmOh, and by the way, Pascal’s Wager is supposed to lead to Catholicism… thought you might wanna know before you use it again. I can send you the link if you want.
Nevermind, I can’t find it…
March 16th, 2006 at 9:44 pmWWE Lita
Man i love reading your blog, interesting posts !
March 18th, 2008 at 10:28 pm