ThinkFast: April 7, 2006
ThinkFast: April 7, 2006
In House testimony yesterday, Attorney General Gonzales “left open the possibility” that calls occuring “solely within the United States” could be wiretapped without a warrant — “a move that would dramatically expand the reach of a controversial National Security Agency surveillance program.”
40 percent: Public approval rating of how President Bush is handling foreign policy and the war on terror, a record low, in a AP-Ipsos poll.
Still hammering away. Atrios has video of DeLay supporters crashing a political event yesterday. “I got pushed. I got hit. I got a sign wadded up in my face and my hat pulled down over my eyes,†one witness said. “They just did it to be nasty.â€
U.S. public diplomacy czar Karen Hughes announced a recent “discovery” on NPR: that “Americans and foreigners must stand in separate lines in airport immigration, and that the process as a whole is not very ‘welcoming.’”
Do Nothing Congress: Despite controlling both branches of Congress, conservatives “suffered two major setbacks on Thursday when their fiscal 2007 budget plan collapsed and they failed to put the finishing touches on $70 billion in tax cuts.”
“U.S. Treasury Secretary John Snow will be on the job some weeks longer, but will leave within the next month or two,” White House sources say.
In the meantime, President Bush is reaching even deeper into his inner circle for Snow’s replacement. The Wall Street Journal reports the current top candidates are Al Hubbard, a White House economic adviser, and former Commerce Secretary Don Evans.
While the average worker is facing pension and wage cuts, “the five best-compensated CEOs will bring in an average of $5.5 million a year from their pensions.” The AFL-CIO looks at the skyrocketing pay of CEOs.
A privacy group has released several internal AT&T documents and a sworn statement by a former technician showing the company “secretly and unlawfully opened its networks to government eavesdroppers.”
And finally: Poor sportsmanship meets poor statesmanship. Illinois State Sen. Rickey Hendon, already under fire for inappropriate behavior towards women, “unexpectedly tackled a south suburban female lawmaker after this week’s House-Senate softball game.†“I was shocked,†state Rep. Robin Kelley said. “It came out of nowhere. We were in a line, saying ‘Good game. Good game. Good game.’ Then, he just came behind me and threw me on the ground.â€
What did we miss? Let us know in the comments section.
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The Republican budgets over the term of the Bush Administration has led to an increase every year of debt as a percentage of GDP. This number went up signficantly over Reagan and Bush 1, went DOWN steadily over Clinton’s strong presidency, and has returned to increasing every year under Bush Jr. Conservatives will argue that the debt-as-percent-of-GDP is now lower than under Clinton, but it’s only lower than what Clinton INHERITED from Papa Bush and, since Bush Jr. can’t seem to even approach balancing the budget, it will soon exceed even the enormous debt Papa Bush left the United States citizens.
April 7th, 2006 at 9:26 amU.S. public diplomacy czar Karen Hughes announced a recent “discovery†on NPR: that “Americans and foreigners must stand in separate lines in airport immigration, and that the process as a whole is not very ‘welcoming.’â€
Not just a U.S. deal. She should go through immigration in other countries to find that this is standard practice.
You know, I’m one of the first to admit when our country is in the wrong, but this nonsense is just outlandish and petty. Go find a real issue, Karen, like the occupation of Iraq, the corruption in the White House, and the many ramifications of the culture of Corruption. Sheesh.
Do Nothing Congress: Despite controlling both branches of Congress, conservatives “suffered two major setbacks on Thursday when their fiscal 2007 budget plan collapsed and they failed to put the finishing touches on $70 billion in tax cuts.â€
Isn’t that the point ot conservativism? Keep the status quo? Do nothing to change the process?
While the average worker is facing pension and wage cuts, “the five best-compensated CEOs will bring in an average of $5.5 million a year from their pensions.†The AFL-CIO looks at the skyrocketing pay of CEOs.
What the hell does anyone need that costs $5.5 million dollars?
April 7th, 2006 at 9:31 amU.S. public diplomacy czar Karen Hughes announced a recent “discovery†on NPR: that “Americans and foreigners must stand in separate lines in airport immigration, and that the process as a whole is not very ‘welcoming.’â€
Interesting. They can differentiate between citizens and ferners at the airport, but they cannot quite figure it out with the domestic vs foreign phone calls….
April 7th, 2006 at 9:32 amThe Republicans are total fools. They don’t understand that the American people are the world’s newest ’sleeping giant.’ The will learn the hard way come November.
April 7th, 2006 at 9:32 amI SEE 40 PEOPLE KILLED IN IRAQ TODAY…
THATS STILL NOT CIVIL WAR HUH?
NICE JOB LAST WEEK CONDI – YOU REALLY BROUGHT THEM TOGETHER.
AND WHEN WILL BUSH ADMIT HIS ROAD TO CIVIL WAR WAS PAVED WITH VISIONS OF A DEMOCRATIC IRAQ?
April 7th, 2006 at 9:34 amRon, I admire your optimism. Unfortunately, I don’t share it. People believe what the teevee tells them–and the teevee is controlled by the corporate media who seem to exist mainly to promote the official line. Or to show idiotic “reality” shows.
And if the media fails to keep a lid on the scandals and crimes of this administration, there’s always rigged voting machines and other ways of making sure only the “right” people vote in the elections.
Anyone who still thinks this country’s gubbmint functions as a representative democracy had better stop knocking back those glasses of kool-aide.
April 7th, 2006 at 9:37 am#2 – “What the hell does anyone need that costs $5.5 million dollars?”
I was about to say “A Republican Congressman”, but they usually go for less than $5.5 million. ;-)
Since the Republican party has now become the “best political party that money can buy”, I’m hoping that the American public realizes how morally corrupt and ethically bankrupt they truly are before mid-term elections this November. We really need less Republican representation in our federal government.
April 7th, 2006 at 9:37 amI think the only hope for Republican Congressman to keep their seats is to start an impeachment of the President for Leaking Valerie Plame’s name. They could do this whole stand off of national security and the importance of keeping secrets secret during a time of war and look real good to the American public.
To bad there is no money in it. Because this Congress is the most currupt congress America has ever had. They will never make a rational decision. They only look at how to line their pocket.
I guess we have to wait until after November to start the impeachment.
April 7th, 2006 at 9:40 amSoldier if this is the best that money can buy, I am afraid to see what a congress that is not bought and paid for will look like! I mean, don’t you get what you paid for? Oh, I forgot, the lobbyists are getting what they paid for. Silly me!
April 7th, 2006 at 9:40 amI was about to say “A Republican Congressmanâ€, but they usually go for less than $5.5 million. ;-)
Good one :)
Since the Republican party has now become the “best political party that money can buyâ€, I’m hoping that the American public realizes how morally corrupt and ethically bankrupt they truly are before mid-term elections this November. We really need less Republican representation in our federal government.
Comment by Democrat Soldier — April 7, 2006 @ 9:37 am
You know, I think it’s not necessarily Republicans, but the extreme Republicans who have made a mess of everything. My Dad was a conservative, and as the saying goes ‘This is not my father’s Republican Party’. These guys are out-of-control on spending and increasing government. not conservative traits. It’s the extremists who need to go. I don’t know how we ever let them in the door to begin with, but I really hope we’ve learned our lesson. And i think it is – Everything on moderation.
April 7th, 2006 at 9:42 amI mean, don’t you get what you paid for? Oh, I forgot, the lobbyists are getting what they paid for. Silly me!
Comment by Jules — April 7, 2006 @ 9:40 am
I haven’tsaid this lately, but it’s one of my biggest issues. We have to get the outside money OUT of politics.
If the public funds campaigns with tax dollars, in the long run, it will cost us less. And, I think it will give us truer representation, because we will have middle class representatives who are afforded the right they currently do not have.
I could go on and on, but I’ll leave it with that for now. :)
April 7th, 2006 at 9:46 amI had a conversation with a Republican voter a couple of weeks ago. “I am NOT going to vote for a single Republican this fall,” he emphatically stated.
I hear it from more than one person. They are going to vote for Donald Duck. I do think the American people are fed up to their ears with the ‘Republicans.’
People have had enough.
April 7th, 2006 at 9:47 amIt is not the separate lines that is unwelcoming. That is standard practice all over the world. I am an immigrant myself, and have never met one who had any objections to this practice. What I do see and exerience is that some – not all – immigration officers treat immigrants as if they were beggars and petty thieves. That is what creates instant illwill. Ms.Hughes would do well to invest her energies in tackling the real issues rather than imagined ones – but then, nothing in recent history suggests that any one in this administration would do anything but fight strawmen…
April 7th, 2006 at 9:47 amHere are 2 links worth reading. basically Sen. Schumer (D-NY) has a bill cooking to delay any changes in FISA before some law suits can be seen through to completion. Please call your Sen. today and ask them to support S.2468. Thanks to Glenn Greenwald and Booman. Enjoy http://www.boomantribune.com/story/2006/4/6/155527/7776
April 7th, 2006 at 9:51 amhttp://balkin.blogspot.com/2006/03/schumer-nsa-bill-and-feingold-censure.html
I have to ask… How is this a discovery? It’s pretty dang obvious when you arrive at the airport. Does Karen Hughes not fly?
While it might be standard practice to separate people at immigration in other countries (EU/Non-EU seems to be common within the European Union) it doesn’t have to be un-friendly.
When I immigrated here I waited in line, got to the front and was told “go back there, through the door on your right and someone will tkae care of you” As I approached the door, a security guard/cop/INS agent/something like that came through from the other side and said in an aggressive tone “Where do you think that you are going?” He then took my paperwork from me, escorted me through the door, said “sit here”, talked to someone else and went away. At no point did anyone tell me what was going on….
After about fifteen minutes someone else called me up, got me to sign a piece of paper and took my fingerprints. Then I was free to go and collect my baggage.
If when I arrived the second guy had said “wait here, someone will call you shortly to get your fingerprints” it would have made a huge difference.
The first time I ever came to the States, I was wearing a kilt (to make it easy for the person I’m meeting to recognise me) and went through immigration and then had the indignity of a female customs officer telling me to “just stand still” when I moved to find out why a German Shepherd was shoving his nose up under my kilt from behind.
There are a lot of things that they could do to make the experience of arriving in the US more pleasant without making it any less secure. People skills would be a big one.
Z.
April 7th, 2006 at 9:51 amBest not to take anything Karen “Big Boy” Huge says seriously. It’s hazardous to your mental health.
April 7th, 2006 at 9:56 amUnbelievable,
Good call.
What we are seeing is not conservatism but neo-conservativism which is a hybrid of the left and the right. Conservative liberals who reacted to the Dems abandonment of traditional morality, obsession with abortion on demand and embracement of the radical gay agenda vote against that nut Gore and that pretentious windbag Kerry.
Put forth a common sense Democrat next time who is not ready to surrender our national sovereignty to the UN and the Dems may win some ground. You should support a Kennedy Democrat like Lieberman but it wont happen cause the base is too far left.
April 7th, 2006 at 10:00 amThere are a lot of things that they could do to make the experience of arriving in the US more pleasant without making it any less secure. People skills would be a big one.
Comment by Zwack — April 7, 2006 @ 9:51 am
If it helps to know, they don’t treat us any better.
When I was returning to the U.S. after 3 months in Europe with a backpack, I was a little underweight from all the walking, and my clothes were a little worn from the trip, but I was talking to other passengers as we waited for our baggage. Just as I grabbed mine, a scary woman in uniform snatched my customs form from my hand and began barking at me as if I were guilty of something horrific. I went to the line where she had rudely directed me to have my possessions searched. Fortunately the guys running the search line were reasonable and I was sent on my merry way. But it happens to us to. I think they just like to hire people of that sort of mentality for government jobs.
April 7th, 2006 at 10:02 amTroll,
I consider myself to be left of center. I have some conservative beliefs, but most are liberal or moderate. Adn while I believe that a liberal ideology works for me personally, I am willing to respect the fact that this country is a blend of cultures and viewpoints that requires moderate leadership – not extremists.
Maybe we’ve learned that now. Maybe we’ll do better in our upcoming elections and pick more moderate Democrats, Conservatives and Independents to run our country. I just don’t know if people like that will be availabe to us, since Corporate America does the selecting with campaign contributions. And we know they like the extremists.
But we all need to remember that it is We the People – not We the Republicans and Democrats. Until we come togther as a population, I don’t see anything improving. But, as an Optimist, I will continue to hope for the best, and well, vote.
Thanks for your thoughts.
April 7th, 2006 at 10:08 amThe three most disgusting elected officials in the US are Bush, Cheney and McCain.
McCain is gutting his own bill to benefit his own campaign in the up-coming 2008 set to.
Now, two of the above have always been disgusting, the third just joined the ranks.
April 7th, 2006 at 10:10 amTwo items:
Charles Krauthammer takes thi immigraton debate into the sewer.
Daniel Pipes must be enjoying the latest news from Iraq.
April 7th, 2006 at 10:11 amWhat the hell does anyone need that costs $5.5 million dollars?
Comment by unbelievable
* Gold plated toliet paper rollers
* $6000 shower curtains
* 13-room, Fifth Avenue duplex in Manhattan, complete with four fireplaces and picture-window views of Central Park
* Just eight months before Enron started to collapse, an in-house art committee was handed $20-million and told to buy contemporary art. Among the purchases: a vinyl sculptured light switch for $590,000
* $5000/hr hookers
* Lamborghini
* $10,000,000 Yacht
* $65,000,000 private jet
* on and on and on …you can blow 5 mil in 5 minutes ..well I can not …but SOME people can ..AND …without guilt! …
April 7th, 2006 at 10:12 amI see the thread jacking has already commenced this AM. Tool. Democrats stand for the right for an individual to choose. Republithugs are the ones that want to limit your freedoms as far as birth control is concerned.
The DeLay thugs at the Lamont rally video sucks. The still shots that came out yesterday were much better.
Happy Friday all.
April 7th, 2006 at 10:12 amAdolph Delay, and the ‘Storm Troopers’, where were the police to arrest the idiots knocking around women? Folks in prison get news too,welcome mr. delay.
April 7th, 2006 at 10:15 amThere are a lot of things that they could do to make the experience of arriving in the US more pleasant without making it any less secure. People skills would be a big one.
Z.
Comment by Zwack
You will not find that in Americas cops… they are rambo and everyone not in a uniform are criminals
April 7th, 2006 at 10:19 amComment by troll
blah blah blah … surrendering sovereinty to the UN!?
We dont even want to surrender it to the Neo Con Israeli spies… let alone the UN… you need to stop listening to Rush…. it makes you sound really stupid.
April 7th, 2006 at 10:21 am* on and on and on …you can blow 5 mil in 5 minutes ..well I can not …but SOME people can ..AND …without guilt! …
Comment by Gerald Gibson — April 7, 2006 @ 10:12 am
But they don’t need those things. Certainly not at the expense of someone else’s going hungry. Or do these people not understand ‘limited resources’?
By the way, what do you do to a shower curtain to make it cost $6000?
April 7th, 2006 at 10:21 amKoolaid anyone? its’ delicious.
April 7th, 2006 at 10:28 amFrankly, this sort of thing is how the Nazi party got its start. No, I’m not saying they’re Nazis. I’m saying that when we resort to physical violence in a democracy, we’re in a scary, scary place.
April 7th, 2006 at 10:33 amGonzalez leaves open the possibility that calls solely within the US could be wiretapped without warrants
Sounds like pre-defense rationale. No doubt they’re already doing it and our veracious Attorney General thinks it’s time to set up the opening argument for the defense.
April 7th, 2006 at 10:33 amGood morning all, a question for you. off topic, sorry about that. Is any one else as weary of all this BS as I am.? My thoughts and votes don’t matter to my party, the present regime is so corrupt there is daily new news about all their wrong doing, a self imposed dictator who does what ever he wants including starting wars and killing people and is allowed to continue with lieing, leaking and peaking on our citizens and nothing is done to punish this administration…..Geeeeeees I am so sick of this mess…..How about all of you.?……Blessings, we need them.
April 7th, 2006 at 10:43 amWally
April 7th, 2006 at 10:44 amThe left got a taste of its own medicine at the Delay supporter protest thing. Look up http://www.protestwarrior.com/ watch the videos and see what happens to people who oppose the “Pacifists”.
I want to know haw a hooker makes $5,000 per hour? Are there really hookers out there that make that much? Pretty sad when you think about what we pay our teachers!!
April 7th, 2006 at 10:44 amGonzalez leaves open the possibility that calls solely within the US could be wiretapped without warrants
Sounds like pre-defense rationale. No doubt they’re already doing it and our veracious Attorney General thinks it’s time to set up the opening argument for the defense.
Comment by Tigris Lily
Who needs a defense when your “truth” work slike this…
CongressMan1: “Mr. Gonzalez. Did anyone in this administration order AT&T to tap the communications of American political desenters?”
In the mind of Attorney Genral Gonzalez: “Do I like ice cream with liver on top?”
From the mouth of Attorney Genral Gonzalez: “No way thats gross!”
CongressMan2: “Mr. Gonzalez. Did this administration willfully leak classified information in order to politically punish those that were proving the justification of the Iraq war was based on lies?”
In the mind of Attorney Genral Gonzalez: “Have I ever sky dived into the middle of an active volcanoe?”
From the mouth of Attorney Genral Gonzalez: “Nope never.”
… and on and on…
April 7th, 2006 at 10:45 amGood morning all, a question for you. off topic, sorry about that. Is any one else as weary of all this BS as I am.? My thoughts and votes don’t matter to my party, the present regime is so corrupt there is daily new news about all their wrong doing, a self imposed dictator who does what ever he wants including starting wars and killing people and is allowed to continue with lieing, leaking and peaking on our citizens and nothing is done to punish this administration…..Geeeeeees I am so sick of this mess…..How about all of you.?……Blessings, we need them.
Comment by Sharon Cox
This is just setting the precidents … wait till you see what we get next if this kind of conduct is allowed to become status quo…
April 7th, 2006 at 10:47 amSharon – I so agree with you. I find my anxiety reaching a point of raising my blood pressure. It sickens me when I hear these apologists explaining away what this asshole in the white house is doing to our country. Every day it is something new with these people and every day I tell my husband that this has to be the point where even the trolls will realize what they have for a president and realize they have backed a criminal, but it never happens.
April 7th, 2006 at 10:49 am“This is just setting the precidents … wait till you see what we get next if this kind of conduct is allowed to become status quo… ”
Comment by Gerald Gibson — April 7, 2006 @ 10:47 am
Particularly if a Dem gets in office. We saw what the jack booted thugs did under Reno.
April 7th, 2006 at 10:49 amThis is just setting the precidents … wait till you see what we get next if this kind of conduct is allowed to become status quo…
Comment by Gerald Gibson — April 7, 2006 @ 10:47 am
Sharon and Gerald – I frequently wonder if this is what it felt like in Germany in their ‘calm before the storm’…
April 7th, 2006 at 10:50 amSo troll supports a goon squad to squelch free speech at a political rally.
What version of democracy do you support? It appears from all your writing that you support the fascist version. You are right in line with the rest of the bushco Kool-Aide swillers. And it certainly does mimic how the Nazi’s came to power in Germany. Not only that, here we have a President who is claiming that laws don’t apply to him. he isn’t just above the law, he IS the law! Why….he is King dumbya.
btw – we are progressives and liberals. But you fail to see that we are also libertarians. I don’t want the government telling me what to do on everything. I don’t want a nanny state. Today’s troll supports a new Chrystalnacht. This time against all the “unclean” people who aren’t “really” Americans. Pig.
April 7th, 2006 at 10:52 amParticularly if a Dem gets in office. We saw what the jack booted thugs did under Reno.
Comment by troll
You know what is sad you neo con appoligist?
When Rome lost its people representatives it started off with a “conservative” claiming extra ordinary powers … then the next leader was a “liberal” that claimed even MORE extra ordinary powers…. then a “conservative” got in power and was so pissed at the last leader that he claimed ALL powers to smash the senate….
The precident set by YOUR neo cons are setting the state for abuse by WHOEVER comes next …and you can bet that YOU will get abused also…
Sooooo are you going to let this destruction of the Constitution stand? Just because it favors you TEAM right now….even though that means a mad man (left or right) can take over and swing the pendulum so far that the entire system breaks?
April 7th, 2006 at 11:01 amUnbelievable and all who read, learn and listen…….Noam Chomsky’s new book Failed States is a good read. Only on page 20 and glad I bought it…….I agree with you that this must be like what Nazi Germany went through. I’m getting tired of the continued hard work trying to fix the messes this entire bunch in office have created from the war to dismanteling our country. Can’t hardly stand to watch the liers, they all look and sound the same……Going to switch off the TV and puter for the day and work in the yard. Am hopeful by Monday a good person will bring charges against the whold bunch and we can put them all in jail……Blessings
April 7th, 2006 at 11:07 amComment by troll
Too bad it’s not the posters here that “put forth” democratic candidates.
You need to turn off your radio and open your eyes.
BTW- I seriously hope you’re of draft age.
April 7th, 2006 at 11:08 amActually, I hope his kids are of draft age. They can go fight Bush’s war because my daughter is not!!!
April 7th, 2006 at 11:15 amJules,
I don’t think women have to worry about it.
http://www.sss.gov/
My comment was made to give this “ditto head/great American” something to think about. Folks like him aren’t going to care unless BushCo’s policies affect them personally. A draft would have that effect.
April 7th, 2006 at 11:26 amSharon,
Good idea… go focus on something else. I did that a lot this week. Enjoy your yard.
I have 3 Chomsky books to finish before I pick up another one… but will keep Failed States on my wish list. Thanks for the tip. Enjoy your day! I’m sure we’ll all be here when you get back.
April 7th, 2006 at 11:30 amDeLay will be gone soon, but Congress is still corrupt… anything other than real lobbying reform is unacceptable… tell your Congressmen!
http://blogdebogs.blogspot.com/2006/04/bring-on-reformation.html
April 7th, 2006 at 11:32 amSure glad to have Russ Feingold as my senator.
April 7th, 2006 at 11:36 amWisco – I do not believe for one minute that his administration would adhere to ANY law. This would be changed in a heartbeat if it fit Bush’s agenda!
April 7th, 2006 at 11:45 amAnybody notice that a certain Mr. Harry Taylor was missing from the news last night? Maybe I missed it, but I saw no hint of him. The only hope I have left is the Daily Show, which I missed last night.
April 7th, 2006 at 11:54 amThe TRAITOR Bushiva is ALREADY wiretapping domestic calls…
…why do you think Pat Roberts and the other Republiscum TRAITORS on the Intelligence Committee are trying to change the law to accommodate him?
…wilfull blindness is leading the American people off the precipice of democracy…
…into the pit of facism and totalitarianism…
…I’m ashamed to know that people in third world countries are MORE courageous than Americans…
…as make no mistake, were this criminal junta in Indonesia, Thailand, France, Korea or any other country…
…the PEOPLE would be in the streets by the millions!
…we’re too soft here in America…
April 7th, 2006 at 12:21 pm#37 – So, Troll, what “jack boot thuggery” are you blaming on Janet Reno?
April 7th, 2006 at 12:29 pm“Still hammering away”
How juvenile!
The Republicans are acting like spoiled rotten children.
Dalay is afraid, so he drops out of the race. He is afraid afraid so he sends his goons. Delay is so afraid that he can not dare let the other side be heard, because he knows he is 99% full of BS and the only way the Delay Republican plan works is to silence the people. Delay is attacking the principles of our Democracy. Yeh, you can have free speech, over my f* blow horn, is what they are saying. Our problems will never get solved if we let the Republican children run the country.
I often hear from the far right that the left has no plan. Well, dah, maybe if the Republicans listened, rather than use blow horns, jam phone lines, or send goons out. Obviously, it isn’t that the left has no plan, it is the right would rather send goons out to attack people, block phone lines, or have a temper tantrum than listen.
I read one of them had a blown horn. Dn’t most neighborhoods have noise laws? The decibels of a blow horn could hurt someone’s hearing. What next, the Republican goons will use Mace so attendees can’t see the opponents speeches.
April 7th, 2006 at 12:40 pmAddition:
Liberal Media?
From Democracy Now:
Village Voice Staffers Protest Firing of James Ridgeway
+++
In media news, about 20 staffers at the Village Voice have written a letter of protest over the firing of investigative reporter James Ridgeway. Ridgeway, who wrote for the paper for 30 years, was fired just months after the Voice was bought out by New Times Media, a chain of weekly newspapers based in Phoenix. The Voice staffers wrote the firing “sends a terrible message as to the sort of coverage that the new ownership portends.” Major changes have already been seen at the paper since February 1 when the new owner of the paper Mike Lacey first traveled to New York to meet with Voice staffers. After that initial meeting the Voice’s prize winning press critic Sidney Schanberg quit. Veteran columnist Nat Hentoff reportedly also resigned and then reconsidered. According to one account of the meeting, the new owner criticized the news section of the Voice because it was full of commentary and criticism of the Bush administration. That same week the new owners cancelled the Voices’ online blog called “The Bush Beat.”
+++
I never thought of the media as being right or left, until the Republicans started saying it over and over, and brought us Rush Limbaugh, Fox, Clear Channel… they have a very clear and agressive political point of view. My 95 year old church going neighbor received a church news letter with the Republican talking points, and she believes this crap. My concern, if the right controls all the distribution and all the outlets in most of the media, will our Democracy survive.
April 7th, 2006 at 1:28 pmKaren Hughes can’t do shit about the problems she is charged with solving, that would mean she would have to recommend Bush resign. Another out of touch, unable to do anything positive member of the Admin.
April 7th, 2006 at 2:13 pmYes, typical vision and forsight of Repubs, lets give our President whatever he wants cuz its what we want NOW. But these little babies aren’t thinking about the precedence being established for future leaders to have the same power, and these leaders may be ones the little babies may not like, it will come back to bite them.
April 7th, 2006 at 2:20 pmBush has the authority to order warrantless wiretapping of calls, emails of Americans
http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060407/NEWS07/604070472/1009
Critics have said that program violates the Fourth Amendment’s requirement for reasonable searches and the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act of 1978, which requires the secret court to approve surveillance of U.S. citizens.
U.S. Constitution: Fourth Amendment – Search and Seizure The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no Warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by Oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized.
April 7th, 2006 at 4:21 pmWith this grouping of information, try looking at this from another point of view — That what you’re really looking at is the results of “The World’s Largest Criminal Systemâ€!
Wiretapping, which by the way is leaking out more as time goes by that it’s wider than we all thought, is a required criminal activity to monitor and secure their criminal enterprise.
I was in a family for more than 26 years who joined Organized Crime, but this wasn’t any ordinary Crime System. They considered it “The World’s Largest Criminal System†and for good reason. I know about the extensive wiretapping as it’s been going on for a lot longer than 9/11. But there are many more criminal activities than just wiretapping that you don’t know about.
I’m sure as the mammoth web of lies continues to untangle, we’ll all learn more about the many other criminal activities. With what I know, you better have your seatbelts fastened while reading your Internet news! Wiretapping and corruption is nothing compared to what’s coming up!
April 7th, 2006 at 5:00 pm“skyrocketing pay of CEOs”
If people are not saving between 30 to 50% of their gross wages for retirement and protecting it from catastrophies like a major medical needs, they are setting themselves up for failure in retirement in today’s environment because our Representatives in Congress are destroying the America we know. It is a sad state of affairs that we have let our political discourse be dominated by abortion, guns, and gays, at our peril. As Bill Maher said those that are yelling the loudest on these issues are mostly demagogues, conmen, and scolds. They do not have the best interest of America at heart.
Insurance companies are making record profits off of us. Whens the last time any of your insurance went down? And does it increase more than inflation?
Many of the first baby boomers will still have the 3 legs of retirement, which includes a more secure, risk diversified, professional managed, defined benefit retirement plan, but as time goes on, more and more retirees will depend on the stock market and fixed income investments. Financial predators will be out there in full force disguised sometimes as trusted institutions. Professionals like Warren Buffett are predicting single digit returns because of current levels.
More risk is being pushed onto the average worker, except when it comes to CEO’s, who are making multi-millions, hundreds of millions, and guaranteeing themselves a rich retirement for 50 lifetimes. While the average worker is losing their defined benefit pensions, and having to rely on the stock market for retirement, the CEO’s are making sure they have a guaranteed returns, plus multiple benefits like tax preparation, financial advise, jets, season sport tickets, apartments, flowers in the apartment, healthcare. They are going to make sure that the market does not impact them, and they will have true freedom at our expense. We’ll all be bowing to corporations and the stock market, hoping we won’t lose are retirement, or out live it.
The dichotomy between CEO’s and average workers, does not stop at wages. It will impact politics, society, and our core lifestyle.
Directors of corporations are still not doing their job, and our social institutions that we expect to work in a civil Democratic society are failing us (includes the press).
John Bogle wrote an excellent book, “The Battle for the Soul of Capitalism”. A must read that discussions the ethics of today’s American corporation.
April 7th, 2006 at 5:37 pmThe dichotomy between CEO’s and average workers, does not stop at wages. It will impact politics, society, and our core lifestyle.
Comment by Jack
Jack, the difference between “workers” and “managers” has always been like the difference between the sun and moon. However, God in His infinite wisdom has seen to it that neither pose a greater impact or if you will, threat on the created order which we are a part. They simply fulfill their intended tasks. One balances out the other and both provide what is necessary for human survival and the ability to comprehend the divine will of a living God. It’s really good stuff unless you’re a Walking Deal Loser.
Render unto Caesar what is Caesar’s and render unto God what is God’s and He will see to it that you never suffer a needless calamity. There’s no dichotomy, there’s just a harmony in action of people doing their jobs and making it possible for us all to have the time to consider Him rather than worry about where our next 673 calories are coming from. By the way, please note the word “needless” and consider that the supernatural resources our Creator has at His disposal guarantees fair, equitable, merciful and just treatment for every living creature in the universe. Yes..I believe that, but then I know what the man means when he says God works in mysterious ways. That’s where faith comes in. It doesn’t have to make sense.
Gotta go. I don’t know you but you’re this weeks winner. I haven’t taken my Bourbon and Prozac cocktail yet. Hope this helps.
.
April 7th, 2006 at 9:52 pm#59 Gotta go. I don’t know you but you’re this weeks winner. I haven’t taken my Bourbon and Prozac cocktail yet. Hope this helps.
Why? Madhouse shuts at 10:00 pm, and you’re late, as every night? No fear, if you aren’t there by then, they will send some friends with very long sleeved shirts to bring you to your sleeping room…
April 7th, 2006 at 10:22 pmWhy? Madhouse shuts at 10:00 pm, and you’re late, as every night? No fear, if you aren’t there by then, they will send some friends with very long sleeved shirts to bring you to your sleeping room…
Comment by Evil Spaniard
As long as they are female and better looking than you tell them I’m just about ready to go.
April 7th, 2006 at 10:27 pmThis is the most arrogant presidential ‘charade’ I have seen in my short life. I was a little girl when Nixon resigned and I was not too bright then, just wanting to play and goof off, but even I knew those Watergate hearings were significant. Besides, I couldn’t watch the afterschool specials. So I watched John Dean and the others and knew the president did something very bad. I wonder if there are kids who know something very, very bad is happening in our country that puts their futures in serious doubt.Children being in debt to the tune of thirty-thousand dollars while still in the crib and bankrupting their parents for one year of college is startling enough, but having limited choices after all that…..anyway, I heard somewhere that the presidential ‘digs’ no longer interest Mr. Bush. I’m sure his digs in Crawford would suffice-just leave the office of the Presidency in Washington,D.C. and his resignation would be one definitely for the history books. I would welcome it. And don’t forget Cheney.
April 8th, 2006 at 6:36 am[...] ThinkFast: April 7, 2006Think Progress, DC - 21 hours ago… could be wiretapped without a warrant a move that would dramatically expand the reach of a controversial National Security Agency surveillance program … [...]
April 8th, 2006 at 6:37 amI never thought of the media as being right or left, until the Republicans started saying it over and over, and brought us Rush Limbaugh, Fox, Clear Channel… they have a very clear and agressive political point of view. My 95 year old church going neighbor received a church news letter with the Republican talking points, and she believes this crap. My concern, if the right controls all the distribution and all the outlets in most of the media, will our Democracy survive.
Comment by Jack #53
Jack,
The answer simply put is NO…
…we MUST take back the House and Senate…
…bring Bushiva, L’il Dick and ALL of the conservative war profiteers, and their corporate scumbag co-conspirators to justice…
…then dismantle the corporate owned media…
…return the airwaves to the people…
…only THEN can we save our democracy…
April 8th, 2006 at 10:10 amAs long as they are female and better looking than you tell them I’m just about ready to go.
Comment by I-RIGHT-I #61
I’nvasive-R’ectal-I’mplement
…Quit lying, you know you have no use for females…
…you haven’t since you were ideologically wed to your gods Bushiva and L’il Dick…
…and made high priest of the Gannonite sect…
April 8th, 2006 at 10:16 amI never thought of the media as being right or left, until the Republicans started saying it over and over, and brought us Rush Limbaugh, Fox, Clear Channel…
Comment by Jack #53
That’s because all your life you’ve only heard one side of the argument from the MSM and haven’t looked further than the end of your nose for further information. I wouldn’t worry about the VRWC taking over the MSM anytime soon. The journalism schools in this country have been graduating brainwashed leftwingfucktards for a generation and today 99% of all reporters, journalists and television news people vote Democrat. You have to ask yourself how is that possible if like you say the news slant is neither left or right. Of course you’re full of shit.
April 10th, 2006 at 9:28 am