ThinkFast AM: June 28, 2006
ThinkFast AM: June 28, 2006
“Top executives at oil giant Shell have begun a 50-city tour across the United States this summer in hopes of persuading angry consumers that Big Oil is not ripping them off.”
Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist (R-TN) announced the Senate will not vote on a bill reducing the Paris Hilton Tax this week.
The administration sent Deputy Assistant Attorney General Michelle Boardman to the Hill yesterday to defend Bush’s use of signing statements to contravene laws passed by Congress. Sen. Patrick Leahy (D-VT) told her, “[Y]ou know, it’s almost irrelevant what you say because, once again, this administration has said…they don’t care what we think.†Judiciary Committee Chairman Arlen Specter (R-PA) said he is “seriously considering†filing legislation to give Congress legal standing to sue Bush over the issue.
Last October, Wal-Mart CEO Lee Scott made headlines by announcing his support for an minimum wage increase. But now, critics say, “the company has abandoned Scott’s pledge” and “cynically dumped the issue, even as major trade groups it belongs to…help lead the fight against a higher minimum wage.”
Do Nothing Congress: The House will vote on a conservative-backed resolution “today or Thursday” that is expected to attack The New York Times for its recent disclosure of the government’s secret monitoring of Americans’ bank transactions.
Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice met with Afghan President Hamid Karzai and declared, “I don’t know anyone who is more admired and respected in the international community than President Karzai.†Earlier this week, the Washington Post reported, “Many Afghans and some foreign supporters say they are losing faith in President Hamid Karzai’s government.â€
The U.S. Surgeon General has issued the “most detailed statement ever on secondhand smoke,” which found “indisputable” evidence that secondhand smoke “is a serious health hazard that can lead to disease and premature death in children and nonsmoking adults.”
“Warren Buffet’s generosity is the exception, not the rule. Well-heeled Americans are not inclined to fork over their fortunes to charity.†According to a new U.S. Trust Survey of Affluent Americans, 74 percent of the funds go to offspring while just 9 percent would be given to charity.
Army Chief of Staff Peter Schoomaker reprimanded Congress yesterday for its “inability to pass annual and supplemental appropriations on time,” saying it “has forced the service to siphon money from its regular programs to pay for wartime operations for the last two years.”
And finally: Another administration official with a criminal record? “In answer to whether he had ever been arrested,” Treasury Secretary nominee Henry Paulson said that in 1969, “I climbed a fence of a public swimming pool in West Lafayette, Ind., and swam in this pool after-hours. I was arrested for trespassing and fingerprinted. Subsequently, all charges against me were dropped.â€
What did we miss? Let us know in the comments section.
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As long as Congress got it’s pay raise and Haliburton got its overpayments, all is surely right with the world. Screw the law and the working people.
There must be 50 Ways To Dump The Dubya
June 28th, 2006 at 9:09 am“Top executives at oil giant Shell have begun a 50-city tour across the United States this summer in hopes of persuading angry consumers that Big Oil is not ripping them off.â€
What a great opportunity to protest them, and pamphleteer…
We want actions and not empty words Big Oil Gluttons.
June 28th, 2006 at 9:09 amJudiciary Committee Chairman Arlen Specter (R-PA) said he is “seriously considering†filing legislation to give Congress legal standing to sue Bush over the issue.
Let us know when you’re done mulling it over and actually decide to DO something about it there Arlen.
Actions not words.
June 28th, 2006 at 9:11 amSecretary of State Condoleezza Rice met with Afghan President Hamid Karzai and declared, “I don’t know anyone who is more admired and respected in the international community than President Karzai.†Earlier this week, the Washington Post reported, “Many Afghans and some foreign supporters say they are losing faith in President Hamid Karzai’s government.â€
Oh yeah, he’s a real Gandhi… What a total dipshit Condoleeza Rice is. And she has the highest approval rating of that entire Bozo Administration? No wonder historians are predicting this Regiome will go down in history as one of the worst. It’s not difficult to tell.
June 28th, 2006 at 9:16 am#1 Enemy of the Bush Administration: Free Speech. The administration has shown its ire for the Constitutional protections of free speech through the flag burning amendment and by repeatedly attacking those who report on their gutting of other Constitutional protections such as the 4th Amendment and Separation of Powers.
June 28th, 2006 at 9:18 amGood Morning Unbelievable and all, I am shocked, yes shocked at Spectors wanting to introduce such strong measures on baby bush. Sarcasm off……How about impeaching the dictator instead……….Come on Arlen you can do it……Blessings
June 28th, 2006 at 9:19 amDon’t hold your breath waiting for Specter to do anything.
June 28th, 2006 at 9:20 amHe appears to be this administration’s ‘I object & I’m going
to do something’ boy. (As soon as I get permission from the
White House.)
Monitoring of financial records was announced by Bush in ‘02.
What’s the big deal? The fact the NYT shed a little more light
on it doesn’t change a thing.
As Unbelievable so eloquently stated last week, “Let’s not beat
around the Bush here”…I’m much more concerned about Bush’s
signing statements. People should be outraged that he’s decided
he can allow or deny facets of authorized legislation.
BTW, now that Pat Roberts is looking into things, they’ll move at
light speed. How’s that 911 report going, Mr. Wizard?
End the War for Oil.
June 28th, 2006 at 9:25 amOh, please, you have done enough, already. How about stop plundering the earth or having the double hull lining of your oil ships washed right at your door?
June 28th, 2006 at 9:28 amOff topic, but interesting…
June 28th, 2006 at 9:36 amApparently Rush was using ‘Mycoxafloppin’, the new generic
equivalent of Viagra. Or, it may have been ‘Mydixuhfallin’, another
substitute. Oh wait, it was ‘Ibepokin’, which is quite expensive.
He had big plans in the Carribean to look up some teenage boys.
Too bad he got busted at the airport.
Has anyone out there ever had a Dr.’s name on a prescription?
Privacy? For what? How many people look at your prescriptions?
Given he’s on probation, maybe we can finally see him get some
much needed rest in a cozy cell.
Why are
Come on Arlen you can do it……Blessings
Comment by Sharon Cox — June 28, 2006 @ 9:19 am
Hi Sharon,
Yeah, Specter has one too many times shown that his bark is worse than his bite… I’m at the point that when they talk, I think “Yeah, yeah, yeah. I’ll believe it when I see it…”
Impeach the bastards, and then I’ll be impressed. Otherwise, they sorta lost me with teh flag burning and anti-gay nonsense. Which, according to the thread, seems they’ve found a new red herring… NYT’s freedom of press.
I saw some talking Republicon head on CNN last night being interviewed by Wolf Blitzer – who actually asked him if it weren’t more a matter of the Administration making the leak than the NYT simply printing the informtaion per the First Amendment,and got the guy to admit that it was. I was slightly impressed. I didn’t think Wolf’s spine was that strong…
June 28th, 2006 at 9:38 am“Warren Buffet’s generosity is the exception, not the rule. Well-heeled Americans are not inclined to fork over their fortunes to charity.†According to a new U.S. Trust Survey of Affluent Americans, 74 percent of the funds go to offspring while just 9 percent would be given to charity.
No surprise at all.
June 28th, 2006 at 9:39 amExcuse the unfinished post at #10.
June 28th, 2006 at 9:39 amI couldn’t stop laughing!
You know, Paulson is one of the few decent appointees Bush has made. I’ll take a juvenile delinquent any day over the full-grown crooks Bush has scattered throught the government.
June 28th, 2006 at 9:41 am~The do nothing congress and the null and void stamp crazy chimpster~
So, If Specter makes legislation to sue then won’t that also get the bush stamp of non approval?~
June 28th, 2006 at 9:41 amSo, If Specter makes legislation to sue then won’t that also get the bush stamp of non approval?~
Comment by ][ RIGHT ][ — June 28, 2006 @ 9:41 am
Yeah...I can see that signing statement!!
Let's all beat around the Bush!!!
June 28th, 2006 at 9:44 amApparently Rush was using ‘Mycoxafloppin’, the new generic equivalent of Viagra.
Comment by Zimzone — June 28, 2006 @ 9:36 am
Hilarious, but the visual is seriously making me gag…
June 28th, 2006 at 9:44 amI have a feeling Frozen Scandal Man is going to show up and freeze this secret non-secret program that is really just the TIA [Total Information Awareness] split up in pieces and renamed.
June 28th, 2006 at 9:47 amIsn’t there already a law of some sort that prohibits the pharmacy from releasing privileged customer information to the public. Isn’t it reasonable to believe that any pharmacy would fear the wrath of a wealthy national radio comedian? I think, and I think the pharmacy would think, that Limbaugh could block the doors of the store with injunctions and subpeonas. On top of that, he could relentlessly denounce the pharmacy on the radio every day. Isn’t the “privacy defense” just more BS?
June 28th, 2006 at 9:47 amApparently Rush was using ‘Mycoxafloppin’, the new generic equivalent of Viagra.
funny. =)
I thought it was dikgozinya.
June 28th, 2006 at 9:49 amI haven’t bought Shell gas for years and never will. Why?
“Since the Nigerian government hanged 9 environmental activists in 1995 for speaking out against exploitation by Royal Dutch/Shell and the Nigeria government, outrage has exploded worldwide. The tribunal which convicted the men was part of a joint effort by the government and Shell to suppress a growing movement among the Ogoni people: a movement for environmental justice, for recognition of their human rights and for economic justice. Shell has brought extreme, irreparable environmental devastation to Ogoniland. Please note that although the case of the Ogoni is the best known of communities in Shell’s areas of operation, dozens of other groups suffer the same exploitation of resources and injustices.”
http://www.essentialaction.org/shell/issues.html
June 28th, 2006 at 9:49 amewww, don’t go there w/ Limbaugh…
Specter, Specter, Specter. If for once you’d actually do something other than talk big and then trun around and throw yourself down at king dumbya’s feet to be his loyal fluffer, I’d pay more heed to anything you might say….
Morning all.
June 28th, 2006 at 9:50 amIsn’t there already a law of some sort that prohibits the pharmacy from releasing privileged customer information to the public.
yes there is: The Health Information Protection Act (HIPA)
June 28th, 2006 at 9:51 amGood morning everyone!
I love the signing statements that Bush uses. If any libs have a problem with them, then bring it before the Supreme Court, which is the intent of the signing statement.
The Constitution warned that Congress would try to pass laws to take power from the other two branches, and Bush’s use of the signing statements is a way to keep Congress in check, with the Supreme Court being the final arbitor, as the Constitution prescribes.
Trust the process. If you feel you have a valid gripe, don’t flap your jowls here, file a suit in federal court. I notice no Dems are doing anything about it, and since they bring suits against ALL their opponents, you know they would if they had the slightest chance of winning, but they don’t, so they won’t, and all you can do is gripe.
June 28th, 2006 at 9:54 am#23. ][ RIGHT ][ — June 28, 2006 @ 9:51 am
OK. What pharmacist in his right mind would invite the shitstorm that would ensue if he released the info that Limbaugh is using Viagra? I think none.
June 28th, 2006 at 9:56 amI, for one, find it very funny that Limp-baugh uses Viagra. I am not the least sorry for that fat ass that he has a “problem.” It is Karma pure and simple!
However, what amazes me is that he could ever need the use for it. I guess with enough money someone will close their eyes for even this!
June 28th, 2006 at 9:57 amTop executives at oil giant Shell have begun a 50-city tour across the United States this summer in hopes of persuading angry consumers that Big Oil is not ripping them off.â€
hmm, I just don’t see, my view, how a bunch of multimillionaires, wasting alot of fuel, vacationing around the 50 states in luxurious fashion and then talking propaganda is gonna make them happy.
Another Tragicomic bus wreck heading for the cliffs edge.
June 28th, 2006 at 10:01 amIt is Karma pure and simple!
June 28th, 2006 at 10:03 amComment by Jules
Double moral standard at its climax. Repression = no erection.
#24 Jason,,,,,,,,,,Geeeeeeees I am so very sorry for the gripeing here on our progressive site……Not……Is it not still a freedom of speech thing and are we not still trying to prevent a total dictatorship by your decider dumb ass bush the war starter……MAY I SUGEST SIR, IF YOU DON’T LIKE READING OUR POSTS, LEAVE AND GO BACK TO YOUR RED STATE REICH WINGED LOCK STEP SIGHT AND DONT FORGET YOUR GALLON OF KOOL AID….
June 28th, 2006 at 10:04 amAnother Tragicomic bus wreck heading for the cliffs edge.
Comment by ][ RIGHT ][ — June 28, 2006 @ 10:01 am
THIS would be another example of Karma!!
June 28th, 2006 at 10:05 am24 Jason
June 28th, 2006 at 10:07 amRe: “If you feel you have a valid gripe, don’t flap your jowls here, file a suit in federal court.”
To you and Bush: “If you feel you have a valid gripe, don’t flap your pen on a signing statement, file a suit in federal court.”
I trust the process, I don’t trust the man.
What pharmacist in his right mind would invite the shitstorm that would ensue if he released the info that Limbaugh is using Viagra?
once the law got involved it became public record whos name was on the pill bottle.
Why did the pharmacist put the Dr name on the bottle? I don’t know. Maybe the pharmacist thought Limbaugh was the doctor. I have picked up many drugs for other people at the pharmacist.,…
A girl I knew got arrested for the same thing not so long ago, she had a prescription drug, a relaxant, a friend had given her, when she got pulled over the police went thru her things and found it.
June 28th, 2006 at 10:07 amIf it aint got your name on the bottle..well the, thats the law, she went to jail for it, and it was put on the public record for all to see.
Well heeled Amrican don’t give away their family fortunes? Well hells bells why not? maybe Congress should pass a bill that requires rich people to give away their fortunes at the time of their passing? I don’t know about the fever swamp but I work hard to provide for my family and that includes after my death. You guys are sounding more and more like communists.
June 28th, 2006 at 10:09 amSharon – blessings, remember? I am trying to ignore most of the trolls posts now. They are just trying to piss in our post toasties and I for one only like milk in my post toasties.
They are pathetic and scared because they foresee what will happen in November. They are trying to pull out all the stops to try to bring back former kool aid drinkers to the dark side but they are sadly losing. Look for this to really pick up in the fall. That is when the reougnuts really start handing out the paychecks to these trolls.
June 28th, 2006 at 10:11 amYou guys are sounding more and more like communists.
June 28th, 2006 at 10:16 amComment by Retired Republican Soldier
Again, Paranoia. What is a well heeled American, anyway?
I really feel pity for those rich guys over there, who work their asses off, and now somebody (I guess soviets!) want them to pay taxes. And, please, describe me, in your own words (dont use the Rambo script) how communism is a threat to you.
#34 – I don’t know about you, Jules, but I like Jason more than RRS. Jason is articulate, genuinely seems to believe what he writes, and is polite; RRS is just a mean old crank.
June 28th, 2006 at 10:18 amIN other news, in my city here in Canada, this coming weekend is Canada Day long weekend. Gas prices have been steady at $1.09 per litre (aprox. $4.40 gallon). Well, there must have been a crazy spike in demand all of a sudden because the price jump to $1.12/l yesterday. I’m sure the fact the biggest long weeken in the country is approachnig had nothing to do with it.
It’s all about supply the oilc ompanies and apologists say. Well, I find it funny how they are able to pre-anticipate that upcoming demand and raise prices early. To me that is proof there is no “supply and demand” dictating the price at the pumps any more. It is all about greed and control.
I firmly believe the oil industry in NOrth America is actively preventing alternative fuel sources from being made possible. They have us bent over the pumps and they love treating us like idiots. They control the options and then they jack up the prices all they want knowing we have no choice but to pay.
June 28th, 2006 at 10:20 amI know and agree Jules, but every now and then I must respond…..Just like R.R.S saying we are sounding like communests. He is so full of his crap he fails to see that the left is predomitely for social programs and bringing every one up to a better standard in life. He has baught into the reich winged crap, got his and now doesn’t want any one else to progress…….I get so tired of their lies and bull s***…To think they are suposto be reasonable thinking people, there should be a test one has to take before they are allowed to vote…….Blessings
June 28th, 2006 at 10:21 amWhat Jules said.
It’s not about them wanting to have a dialog – it’s about them wanting to stand on their holy soapboxes and convert the heathens. And when that fails, they just spout a lot of nonsense to distract us from the issues. I’ve stopped reading most of their nonsense. It’s pointless.
June 28th, 2006 at 10:23 am#32 –
absolutely not. “when the law became involved, it was a matter of public record?” what is that horseshit?
HIPAA certainly applies throughout.
and dad013201 or whatever:
“What pharmacist in his right mind would invite the shitstorm that would ensue if he released the info that Limbaugh is using Viagra?”
By ’shitstorm’, you mean criminal and civil charges in addition to losing one’s license to practice, right?
June 28th, 2006 at 10:24 amOh geez, I’m going to puke. The two blond bimbos reading the news on MSNBC were just GUSHING about GWB jogging with the Army guy who lost his legs in Iraq. They were just giddy about how they were going to talk to Army guy about how lucky he was to jog with GWB, and how GWB must have had to “scale back” his pace. Ugh…
June 28th, 2006 at 10:25 am“Top executives at oil giant Shell have begun a 50-city tour across the United States this summer in hopes of persuading angry consumers that Big Oil is not ripping them off.â€
Here’s food for thought regarding gas prices.
In the section of Northeast TN where I live, we have 3 good-sized cities, each with or near 50,000 people. In the county where I live and in which 2 of these cities are located, the population has been around 150,000 for the past few years. We have 2 interstates running through our area, I-26 and I-81. We have several major industries, an airport, and several oil companies that supply the fuel needs.
Contrast this with the rural area of Southwest VA where my parents are from, about a 2 hour drive and where we still have relatives living. There is one 4-lane highway that is about an hour’s drive from where my family lives, which connects with I-26 in TN and runs into KY. Otherwise there are two main 2-lane roads running through the area, quite curvy, and quite hilly in some sections. The population of the county as taken in the year 2000 was a little over 16,000. There are no nearby oil companies. Other than coal, which continues to dwindle, there are no major industries in the county. As for main career opportunities, those that work do so as a farmer, in the coal industry, or in the school system.
Now…in TN demand is obviously high compared to VA and it’s easy to get trucks to the stations to resupply. As for competition, there’s plenty.
In VA demand is low and it is much more difficult to get the tankers into the area to provide fuel for the stations. Also, there aren’t many stations, so competition is pretty much non-existent.
Historically speaking, and this is from observation over the years and not from any scientific study, gasoline prices have generally been, on average, about 15-20 cents higher in the VA area as compared to TN. No surprise there.
Recently? The price difference is about 5 cents, and from recent observation several stations, one in a town of 500 people, have matched what we pay at many stations here in TN.
So…either there’s been a major shift in economic conditions in VA (umm..no), or the stations and oil companies in TN are gouging. Just my perspective.
June 28th, 2006 at 10:25 am#29 and #31,
Bush’s signing statements ARE intended to get these individual pieces of legislation reviewed by the Supreme Court. These signing statements are designed to create a case for executive powers that the Supreme Court will likely uphold.
Again, Dems won’t file suits, because Bush is on strong legal footing, and they realize they’ve overstepped their constitutional powers.
June 28th, 2006 at 10:26 amRosencrantz – OMG – I was thinking the same thing driving to work this AM. The Kroger down the street went from $2.73 yesterday to $2.77 today. I was wondering if I had missed something in the news. Forgot about the upcoming holiday and how much those oil executives love us and want us to be happy.
June 28th, 2006 at 10:27 amContinuing #41 – I mean Army guy wuold STILL HAVE HIS LEGS if it weren’t for GWB and his….IF IT WEREN’T FOR GWB!! Everytime I think about GWB or hear his voice, I picture him and he is dripping with blood.
June 28th, 2006 at 10:28 amRosencrantz:
The price of gas at the pump is controlled in large part by the price of crude oil futures. When speculators start buying and the price spikes (like it did the other day, after Iran spoke out against concessions), gas prices will also spike.
But no, it’s the oil companies and gas stations, arbitrarily raising the prices, isn’t it?
June 28th, 2006 at 10:29 am#44 – Wow, Jules. $2.77? Yesterday our gas price for regular was $2.97, and it hasn’t gone up for the holiday weekend — yet.
June 28th, 2006 at 10:31 amGood morning Unbelievable, Zoo, Jules and all. I see Specter is threatening to be a real senator again. No doubt it would sail through the repug congress and straight to the chimpster’s desk. I wonder what the chances of bush signing such legislation into law would be? I’d love to see the signing statement on that one.
June 28th, 2006 at 10:33 amIt was $2.68 the other day when I filled up. Yesterday it jumped to $2.72. Georgia routinely has the lower prices in the country though.
June 28th, 2006 at 10:35 amSuits are being filed in federal court. The response? The government asks the court to dismiss the lawsuit using the “State Secrets” – we can neither confirm nor deny the existence of the program that the plaintiff alleges violates his/her civil rights, therefore the court must dismiss all charges. This will eventually work its way to the Supreme Court.
Meanwhile Jason, you should be grateful people are allowed to voice discontent. When voices are silenced, and “the process” is ineffectual, people express their discontent in more violent fashion. And thus far the extreme reich still supports the people’s right to bear arms and argues for unfettered access to assault rifles.
The question remains, Is the process no longer functioning as it was designed to do? See:
June 28th, 2006 at 10:39 amhttp://www.freepressinternational.com/pete.299880.ny.129501.html
#43…..You have your opinion and I have mine….The dem’s do not file suits because everything is rep controled at this point in time. That will not always be the case.. Sooner or later the left or oposit of the present administration will shift back……The public has already come to realize the corruption and illegal game playing of the present administration…..The illegal war among all the other evil dealings will be the demise of the reich winged party….
June 28th, 2006 at 10:41 amGood morning Quadrajet, unbelievable, Jules, Briseadh na Faire, Sharon et al. I’m going to work now, and I will gather myself together and stop doing my Santo impression. Breathe…
June 28th, 2006 at 10:43 amMaybe the “Dems” couldn’t file suit because they lacked standing.
Judiciary Committee Chairman Arlen Specter (R-PA) said he is “seriously considering†filing legislation to give Congress legal standing to sue Bush over the issue.
So, Jason, your argument is sophist.
June 28th, 2006 at 10:44 amJason, you may well feel that way but even the Senate Majority Leader ( a republican) yesterday said that signing statements hold no weight in any legal terms.
It isn’t illegal that he’s putting bullshit on the end of bills he’s signing. We don’t deny him the right to write whatever crap he wants. It’s illegal to not carry out his duty as President and obey the laws of the land. THAT is what we disagree with and feel that both the Senate and the House need to address in order to make this government one of both checks and balances. Right now, it’s a tyranny with the Executive branch holding all the power. It’s a tyranny because the majority of both the House and the Senate have purposefully chosen to ignore their roles in government.
It’s OK. Come November, we’ll really enjoy watching you eat crow and kvetch about it the whole time.
Why are you watching MSNBC? I hardly go to their website. The only redeeming thing there is Keith Oberman.
June 28th, 2006 at 10:46 amDictators always are, until their regime collapses.
June 28th, 2006 at 10:48 am43 Jason
June 28th, 2006 at 10:48 amOh, come on. Why doesn’t Bush just file his own suit, state his case clearly and let’s have at it? The Dems are overstepping Constitutional powers? No, Bush is an EXECUTIVE who is supposed to be upholding the Constitution and all the laws of the U.S. by insuring that they are followed in procedures and related policies. He has the veto as his ONLY Constitutional power in the legislative process. Why is he trying to “legislate from the White House”?
It’s unfair to call this the “do-nothing Congress”. They spend all their time looking for new ways to violate their oath of office. When was the last time you saw Congress “preserve, protect and defend” the Constitution?
June 28th, 2006 at 10:50 am#56 – It’s not *exactly* accurate to say veto is the only Constitutional check the Executive branch has over the Legislature…
Veto power (Art I, Sec 7)
Vice President is President of the Senate (Art I, Sec 3)
Commander in chief of the military (Art II, Sec 2)
Recess appointments (Art II, Sec 2)
Emergency calling into session of one or both houses of Congress (Art II, Sec 3)
May force adjournment when both houses cannot agree on adjournment (Art II, Sec 3)
Compensation cannot be diminished (Art II, Sec 1)
I love being nit-picky.
June 28th, 2006 at 11:00 amGas prices in the Seattle suburbs are at $3.03 a gallon………Just a note on this……In the 70’s I was married to a Union 76 Oil Co. Rep. One of his jobs was to call the station owners weekly and tell them their buying price of gas, hence raising and lowering their prices dictated by the oil companies. During that same time frame we were going through the suposid oil shortage….Remember.? Yah! Right. Odd or even licenses and long lines. Well I also had an inlaw who worked for Shell oil…..All the unleased gas stations had full underground tanks and Shell oil was sending their tankers up to Canada because there was no more storage room for all the excess fuel…….At that time I had 6…55 gallon gas tanks filled on my property and people calling me to give me free gas…….In my life I have never had so much fuel available……The way to end this madness is cut your consumption. I have..Conserve and stop the buying……..Car pool where you can and only use what is absolutely necessary…..Remember how much money is going into cheney and bushes pockets along with bushes saudi friends….Blessings
June 28th, 2006 at 11:04 amJason, you remind me of a song I heard many, many years ago:
When Der Führer says, “We ist der master race”
We HEIL! (raspberry) HEIL! (raspberry) Right in Der Führer’s face
Not to love Der Führer is a great disgrace
So we HEIL! (raspberry) HEIL! (raspberry) Right in Der Führer’s face
When Herr Gobbels says, “We own der world und space”
We HEIL! (raspberry) HEIL! (raspberry) Right in Herr Goring’s face
When Herr Goring says they’ll never bomb this place
We HEIL! (raspberry) HEIL! (raspberry) Right in Herr Goring’s face
Are we not the supermen
Aryan pure supermen?
Ja we ist der supermen
Super-duper supermen!
Ist this Nutzi land not good?
Would you leave it if you could?
Ja this Nutzi land is good!
Vee would leave it if we could!
We bring the world new order
Heil Hitler’s world New Order!
Everyone of foreign race will love Der Führer’s face
When we bring to der world disorder!
When Der Führer says, “We ist der master race”
We HEIL! (raspberry) HEIL! (raspberry) Right in Der Führer’s face
Not to love Der Führer is a great disgrace
So we HEIL! (raspberry) HEIL! (raspberry) Right in Der Führer’s
face.
[credit: DER FÃœHRER'S FACE
(Oliver Wallace)
Spike Jones & his City Slickers - 1942]
June 28th, 2006 at 11:05 amChase, and which of the items on your list covers bush exempting himself from the law through signing statements?
June 28th, 2006 at 11:06 am#60 – That did it, Briseadh na Faire.
June 28th, 2006 at 11:07 amI feel better this morning. :-D
Israel Invades Gaza Again?
28th of June 2006
by Jay Randal
Yesterday Israel invaded the Gaza Strip with tanks, and bulldozers, to punish the Palestinian population for the kidnapping of one Israeli soldier by gunmen!
The entire citizenry is being collectively punished for the act of a handful of thugs, so Israeli jets bomb the power station for Gaza cutting off electricity to all?
Israel’s actions are proportionately unjustified, for a single soldier being kidnapped, so the operation reeks of militaristic barbarity and horrendous criminality!
How many innocent men, women, and children must die in Gaza to avenge the pride of a bloodthirsty and incompetent Israeli government who acts like fascists?
NO government of any so-called civilized democratic nation has a right to invade another sovereign nation to punish its population collectively for a kidnapping!
Who in the US Congress have the guts to demand the condemnation of Israel and their withdrawal from Gaza ASAP?
( Jay Randal, political activist and writer in Stone Mountain, Georgia.)
June 28th, 2006 at 11:08 amComment by Briseadh na Faire — June 28, 2006 @ 11:05 am
That was beautiful…*tear*
June 28th, 2006 at 11:10 amI love being nit-picky.
Comment by Chase — June 28, 2006
Then look at your list again.
Veto power (Art I, Sec 7) – Legislative process.
June 28th, 2006 at 11:15 amVice President is President of the Senate (Art I, Sec 3)Last I checked, Bush was not the Vice-President.
Commander in chief of the military (Art II, Sec 2) – Not part of the legislative process.
Recess appointments (Art II, Sec 2) – circumventing the legislative process, albeit temporarily.
Emergency calling into session of one or both houses of Congress (Art II, Sec 3) – Not part of the legislative process as convening Congress does not guarantee a bill will be passed. They could sit in session and do nothing.
May force adjournment when both houses cannot agree on adjournment (Art II, Sec 3) – hard to see how this is part of the legislative process.
Compensation cannot be diminished (Art II, Sec 1) this gives the President no power in the legislative process, only a right to take Congress to Court should Congress attempt to diminish his compensation.
GOPer’s Pro-aristocracy bill is a pathetic anti-american piece of legislation that should never have seen the light of day. Fascism has definitely made it into the mainstream. The merger of the American Empire with multinational banks and corporations has been a complete “success”. There is little point in celebrating July 4th anymore. No more constitution, bill of rights and the emergence of the Secret State of America has killed that date as any reason to celebrate.
June 28th, 2006 at 11:16 am58 Chase
OK, my turn to be “picky”. I didn’t say that the veto was the only check and balance that the executive had over the legislative branch. I said it was the only power it had in the legislative process. But then, you did get me with the whole President of the Senate thing.
61 Quadrajet
June 28th, 2006 at 11:18 amWhat you said
Bush won’t use the veto power which is the President’s prerogative; instead he prefers to legislate through the “back door” with his signing statements. He wants control of the legislative and judicial branches of government concentrated in the executive branch. Those are the actions of a dictator.
#60, BnF
June 28th, 2006 at 11:21 amThanks for the old Spike Jones song.
Be patient PLC, I’m sure that chase is out looking that up for us:).
June 28th, 2006 at 11:26 am#63 Jay, As usual a great post………Sadly there will probably be no mention of this in the congress or news…. Like our own war mongers the Israeles are joined at the hip…..Kill off the very group of people who provided them a safe haven in the past…..Madness is what affects them all, ours and theirs……Blessings
June 28th, 2006 at 11:36 amThere is little point in celebrating July 4th anymore.
Comment by Just plain mad — June 28, 2006 @ 11:16 am
morning all…
June 28th, 2006 at 11:44 amthat comment gave me an idea: what kind of “trouble”, except to myself, would ensue if i hung my flag on the 4th, as usual, EXCEPT UpSideDown…? i understand that means “distress” – would it be WRONG to do so at that time?
seriously – any thoughts, suggestions about that idea?
Thanks post 70 Sharon > yep you will not hear very much about the Gaza invasion in the news or in DC either > reason why I decided to bring it up on here and to send my article as a fax to several House members in DC too!
June 28th, 2006 at 11:50 am#71 – katy, I think you should do it, unless you think it might risk your safety in your neighborhood. It is a bold statement. I’d do it, but my homeowner’s association doesn’t permit flag flying — go figure. I have been seeing small flag stickers on bumpers lately, which are upside down.
June 28th, 2006 at 11:52 am#73
Curious…what is your homeowner’s association’s reason for not letting you fly the flag?
And relative to the feelings of some that burning a flag or 2 every year is going to destroy the ideals this country was founded on, does the inability to fly your flag in any way make you feel like our country’s existence is threatened?
June 28th, 2006 at 11:57 am71. Do you remember about a year ago, someone hung the Capital building in DC’s flag upside down….I thought that was GREAT!
June 28th, 2006 at 12:06 pm#74 – WC, something about not letting flag flying get out of hand. My condo is in an area where mostly university students live. Being students they come up with all kinds of “crazy” ideas, and this being Idaho that could get a bit out hand, so none of that flag stuff. There are plenty of flags in the parking lot, none of them upside down, if you get my drift.
June 28th, 2006 at 12:11 pmJay, I am glad I was wrong about the coverage of the invasion by Israel…CNN is doing a lot of coverage as I write…..The leader of Israel is as crazy as bush….
Another note of intrest to all…8,000 U.S. troops are AWOL. Quote from the defence dept on truthout site…..Woulden’t it be a great thing if all the troops threw down and came home for the unjust war in Iraq…. There is no shame in disagreeing with a madman and his folly…..The time to take back america is long past, but as long as we are all alive it is not to late…..
On the upside down flag flying……I don’t have my flag edicate sheet handy today. I thought if you hung it upside down it ment you disagreed with the present administration or something like that……….Any one know the rule on this one?….I may fly mine upside down at any rate…Blessings
June 28th, 2006 at 12:13 pmThey said burning – right? Not shredding?
June 28th, 2006 at 12:13 pmSharon – after the incident in DC, I heard it meant state of distress.
June 28th, 2006 at 12:14 pmThank’s Madashell,,,,Well I’m not distressed, just pissed off at this entire bunch of liers and thieves……LOL…..Guess to some that is the same thing……Yep! it will be upside down this year for me…It should cover the entire front of my motor home, not good flag edicate I am sure, but it’s my flag and I will do what I want this year as long as it doesn’t touch the ground…….Blessings…..Tree hugging time…..Over and outa here
June 28th, 2006 at 12:23 pm“Top executives at oil giant Shell have begun a 50-city tour across the United States this summer in hopes of persuading angry consumers that Big Oil is not ripping them off.â€
This is proof of the fact that big oil is just as involved in politics as the government. This behavior coming from a corporation is political stumping.
June 28th, 2006 at 12:24 pmIf Exxon wanted to get some good press, they could finally pay the fines levied on them for the Exxon-Valdez spill. I know it would hurt the bottom line by 2 or 3%, but it would make people happy.
June 28th, 2006 at 12:28 pm#76
Has anyone complained that there should be an exception and the American flag should be allowed? If not, it seems this proves a point…that it’s not that big of a deal. Same with flag burning, IMO. Now if the association said that any flag except the American flag could be flown, then you’d have a problem.
June 28th, 2006 at 12:30 pmwell, thanks for the input… i’m surprised there were so few opinions on that…
June 28th, 2006 at 12:57 pmi’ll see how brave i feel come tuesday…
oh! i almost forgot – did you all catch the daily show, with Helen Thomas, and the colbert report??? both in TOP FORM!!! such fun!
here is a clip from crooksandliars
June 28th, 2006 at 1:07 pmHelen Thomas with Jon Stewart
My grandmother, on my mother’s side, owned a flag factory during WWII > she did a lot of flags for American Legion posts, etc. > several years ago an American Legion group contacted my mother that they were going to retire a flag my grandmother made because it had a stain on the bottom of it, so they gave it to my mother > it’s the only flag she did that is 100% silk and the only flag we know off that still exists, so we took it to be framed and one framer refused to do it saying it had a small stain so he suggested we burn it > my mother told him that flag was hand made by my grandmother and no way would we burn it > that flag hangs in my bedroom at my house this very day!
June 28th, 2006 at 1:17 pmIt’s curious, some time ago Republicans were mad at the idea of Democrats stopping resolutions thanks to filibusters. The Reps asserted that was unfair, and a dirty trick to change the vote. Then both Republicans and Democrats agreed to be fair and don’t use this trick (thanks to some DINOs, too).
Now, Republicans have nothing to say to the fact that the President uses very irregularly his privilege (one privilege meant to be a rare one, exceptional), every short time and again, to do signing statements, all the time.
Ethics, anyone?
June 28th, 2006 at 1:19 pmJay,
That’s a cool story.
June 28th, 2006 at 1:20 pmMy grandmother’s silk flag has 48 stars on it > hence made before Hawaii and Alaska officially became states, so it is a museum piece! The stain is barely noticable and about 2 inches in diameter > so absolutely no reason to burn it!
June 28th, 2006 at 1:22 pm#83 – No complaints I know of, WC, and I’m on the board. That shows how little an issue it is.
Most of the complaints we get are about entitlement issues. I had to lob a smelly, but able-bodied, boy from downstairs out of the handicapped parking spot he’d been using since he moved in about a week ago. The excuses are so creative. He had the grace to look embarassed. Sounds terrible, but it’s not. We send around a letter to all the units about a week after school starts, laying out all the issues from the last year, and it’s not too bad after that.
June 28th, 2006 at 1:25 pm#86 – A flag made in the USA? That’s a keeper, Jay. Great story.
June 28th, 2006 at 1:28 pmThanks post 88 unbelievable > that flag is one of the few things I have to remember my grandmother, who died when I was about 10 years old! Most beautiful American flag you have ever seen > about 2 1/2 feet wide by 4 feet long with perfect fine stitching > makes me think of Betsy Ross making our first flag!
June 28th, 2006 at 1:29 pmjay – seriously - check with a museum curator or some such – that flag is very valuable and should be framed with a no-acid backer or something!!! being SILK, any moths would love that as a snack…
June 28th, 2006 at 1:32 pmi like to watch Antiques Roadshow – you really should have a professional opinion and preserve that wonderful keepsake!
Thanks Zookeeper > you are right, most of our flags are made in China now, but there is a flag factory in Jacksonville, Florida, called Betsy Ross Flag factory > if you ever need an American flag made in America, then please contact them!
June 28th, 2006 at 1:34 pmJay,
I bet you could find someone to restore the flag, and clean the stain. there is whole industry out there that does stuff like that. I would agree it is a keeper. Do you best to maintain the flag.
June 28th, 2006 at 1:35 pmPost 93 katy > the flag is sealed in a frame behind glass and protected well > no moths have ever penetrated inside > it has been framed about 25 years now! It is a very valuable flag!
June 28th, 2006 at 1:38 pmPost 95 Krazny > the flag was a ceremonial flag at a American Legion post in California, and was actually well cared for, but someone splashed like a thimball of water on a bottom corner, which made a very faint water ring stain > only noticable close up, but yes it could probably be carefully cleaned by an expert! I went to the Smithsonian in Washington, DC, once and one of the flags that flew over a fort is there with bullit holes and burn marks on it, so in some ways maybe the small stain on my grandmothers flag adds to the ambiance about it?!
June 28th, 2006 at 1:47 pmit has been framed about 25 years now! It is a very valuable flag!
Comment by Jay Randal — June 28, 2006 @ 1:38 pm
good that it is framed – after 25 years, you may need to update that – the no-acid backer is very important for most photos and papers – i’m guessing for fabric also…
June 28th, 2006 at 1:50 pmand, as krazny suggests, a cleaning/restoring is possible… that stain may acually contribute to further deterioration, even being framed… it would be worth a look and an estimate at least – peace of mind…
i’m an antique nut! check into Antiques Roadshow – they may be coming to YOUR town!
Isn’t this thread amazing! Progressive who want to protect the right of expression AND protect an American flag. Take that, neocons.
June 28th, 2006 at 2:15 pmEven more, PLC. The liberals are defending the ideas behind the flag, more than mere symbols.
June 28th, 2006 at 2:22 pmIf you burn a flag, you have not actually burned this country. Burn a thousand flags and nothing changes. Why? You’ve only burned some fabric. The foundation of this country is something no one can actually burn. It doesn’t exist in tangible form.
June 28th, 2006 at 2:54 pmSpecter likes to pretend that he’s the anti-administration lightening rod. He is not. He’s a poser who serves this administration very, very well. First, he feigns outrage at his party’s blatant disregard for the rule of law. He harumphs and snorts and paws the ground — and then scratches his ass and goes back into his holding pen. When push comes to shove, he’s the Repub version of Liberman.
June 28th, 2006 at 4:20 pmGood posts Jay and all……I’m expecting maybe 100 people to pass by or walk up to my house on this week end. Any one want to wager a bet on how many will notice my flag up side down and if any will know why….? I bet 1 less critical post there may be 2 out of 100…Any one want to bet me.?…Will give you the answer on the 5th and I promise to tell the truth and you can count on it cuse my last name isn’t bush or cheney………Blessings
June 28th, 2006 at 6:04 pmPost 103 Sharon > I put up a Dove of Peace flag at my business in Florida just before Bush attacked Iraq and someone in St. Augustine filed a complaint with the city and I was forced to take it down, so do not be surprised if some nut calls the police on you over the 4th of July > hopefully not but be prepared!
June 28th, 2006 at 10:04 pmfrom the Hatch thread:
#36, Katy, check this website out:
June 29th, 2006 at 1:36 amFollowing ACLU Intervention, Colorado Business Owner Resumes Upside-Down Flag Display to Protest War
http://www.aclu.org/freespeech/flag/11177prs20030415.html
Comment by not the troll Amy — June 28, 2006 @ 5:22 pm
Thank’s Jay and Katy,…….. I got it covered….Blessings
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