ThinkFast AM: July 6, 2006
ThinkFast AM: July 6, 2006
Rod Nordland, a former Baghdad bureau chief for Newsweek, says the U.S. military “has started censoring many [embedded reporting] arrangements.†“They want to know your slant on a story – they use the word slant – what you intend to write, and what you have written from embed trips before. If they don’t like what you have done before, they refuse to take you.â€
The right-wing American Family Association is suing “to stop Michigan State University from offering health insurance to the partners of gay workers,” claiming the policy violates a 2004 state constitutional amendment banning gay marriage “in substance if not by label.”
$75.19: the closing price of one barrel of crude oil yesterday, a record-high. “The unrelenting demand for oil in the U.S. and Asia and the nuclear standoff with Iran forced up oil prices even before North Korea pushed them into record territory by test-firing missiles.â€
Cyber-insecurity at the FBI: “A government consultant, using computer programs easily found on the Internet, managed to crack the FBI’s classified computer system and gain the passwords of 38,000 employees, including that of FBI Director Robert S. Mueller III.”
Conservative Felipe Calderon has retaken the lead over left-leaning Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador in a recount of Mexico’s “closest ever presidential election.”
Yesterday, Sens. Arlen Specter (R-PA) and Rick Santorum (R-PA) clashed over the definition of amnesty. Santorum: “If I am [mischaracterizing it], then so are…a lot of other folks who read that bill and see it for what it is.” Specter responded: “Sen. Santorum is entitled to his views. … ‘Amnesty’ is a buzz word that is used in derogation…I think we’re moving past that.”
42%: President Bush’s approval rating among non-Hispanic whites, down from 61 percent in June 2004. Bush’s ratings “have remained virtually unchanged among blacks (15%) and Hispanics (38%)” during the same period.
Lawmakers have issued a subpoena demanding internal Pentagon communications about Army Spc. Samuel Provance, a whistleblower who says his rank was reduced after he reported abuses at Abu Ghraib prison. Sec. Rumsfeld did not respond to a letter requesting the documents voluntarily.
And finally: To “google†is now part of the dictionary. “Respectful of the trademark, Merriam-Webster has lowercased the entry but maintains the capitalization while explaining that the verb means ‘to use the Google search engine’ to retrieve online information.â€
What did we miss? Let us know in the comment section.
Topic Cloud
ArchivesBlog Roll
Oil Price Story. Did you mean to say that oil hit $75.19 per BARREL of crude? Right now it says gallon….probably not that far off what it will be in a few months as Bush clears the way for his whores at Exxon to make more record profits. But until that time you might want to change “gallon” to “barrel”.
July 6th, 2006 at 9:23 amTo google
Are you allowed to have multi-word entries in a dictonary? I thought it was a word book, not a words book.
July 6th, 2006 at 9:24 amAre you allowed to have multi-word entries in a dictonary? I thought it was a word book, not a words book.
Comment by squegeeboo — July 6, 2006 @ 9:24 am
I highly recommend purchasing one to find out for yourself first hand…. :)
July 6th, 2006 at 9:26 amSo, another day of good news from the Bush Regime, I see… (sarcasm off)
July 6th, 2006 at 9:27 amThanks #1, the change has been made.
July 6th, 2006 at 9:27 am“I highly recommend purchasing one to find out for yourself first hand…. :)”
And learn something? College is over, time for me to start ’staying the course’ of my life.
July 6th, 2006 at 9:30 amBeen posting on an off here for a while. Need some comments, input from you fellow progressives. The AM and PM posts… i mean.. yeah crazy… we have to do something. I am tired of just yelling on the Net, i want to stand up and fight for something. WE MAKE OUR STAND NOW, peacfull revolution if possible…
http://am4lib.blogspot.com the 2 most recent are the most relevant.
thanks
July 6th, 2006 at 9:30 am“Felipe Calderon had 35.76 percent while Lopez Obrador had 35.42 percent of the vote, based on 99.1 percent of ballots counted by the Federal Electoral Institute.”
So, out of 99.1 percent of the vote tallys, 71.18% has gone for two candidates.
I wonder who the remianing 0.9% of the vote will go for?
July 6th, 2006 at 9:34 am“the unrelenting demand for (foreign) oil in the U.S.” This is our undoing. We have no energy policy, no comprehensive programs to conserve or pursue alternative sources of energy. The greatest security threat to the country is this dangerous reliance on foreign oil and the lemmings don’t see the day of reconing approaching. We consume, consume and consume…..with little heed for the consequences.
July 6th, 2006 at 9:35 am#9 – Mr Baddo:
We don’t need an energy policy for you to start conserving yourself. Comprehensive program? How about you worry about your own consumption.
And by lemmings you must be including yourself as well. Unless of course you’ve sold you car, bought a bicycle, taken yourself off the public grid and erected wind and solar collectors instead.. but I doubt you’ve done that.
July 6th, 2006 at 9:40 am“…censoring many [embedded reporting] arrangements…If they don’t like what you have done before, they refuse to take you.â€
think that time reporting about haditha had an impact on that?
thing is, time got the story of the november killings in january from “a budding Iraqi journalist and human-rights activist” who was there and recorded what he knew and saw. time published that story in march, but it took another few months to blow up…
control control control…
July 6th, 2006 at 9:43 amAm4Lib
“Been posting on an off here for a while. Need some comments, input from you fellow progressives. The AM and PM posts… i mean.. yeah crazy… we have to do something.”
You can always start voting Conservative, that would be doing something to help.
July 6th, 2006 at 9:44 am“We have no energy policy”…….at least no energy policy that benifits ALL Americans
July 6th, 2006 at 9:45 amyea – listen to swueegee – you’ll be better assured as to why you are a progressive…
July 6th, 2006 at 9:46 am#10 – I think he means you as well by “lemmings”. Me too, since I still drive.
;-)
July 6th, 2006 at 9:46 amAre you allowed to have multi-word entries in a dictonary? I thought it was a word book, not a words book.
Comment by squegeeboo
I think so, squeeze. For instance in The American Heritage Dictionary, Second College Edition, I found lots of multi-word listings. Like Letters of administraton and chopping block.
Here are some more multi-word entries in the dictionary:
lame duck, right wing, Republican Party, out spend, power politics, over burden.
And all come easily to mind, I might add.
July 6th, 2006 at 9:51 am“You can always start voting Conservative”
Conservative or republican? There are very few republicans that I know of that are conservative
July 6th, 2006 at 9:51 amHeadline on CNN
July 6th, 2006 at 9:51 amNEW YORK (Reuters) — The New York State Court of Appeals refused to recognize same-sex marriage in an order issued on Thursday, deciding that the issue should be addressed by the Legislature.
Under 97-year-old state law, marriage is defined as between a man and woman.
#15 – In that case I’m one hell of a lemming. I drive (a lot!), I leave all kinds of lights on, I keep the TV when I leave the room… hell, I’m out of control! Someone’s gotta stop me!
But, like any addiction, I can stop anytime I want. I swear.
July 6th, 2006 at 9:52 amCyber-insecurity — gee, that homeland security department is doing great!
July 6th, 2006 at 9:53 amComment by Am4Lib — July 6, 2006 @ 9:30 am
huh… didn’t see your posts last night… it was pretty slow – could have used some relative ideas and comments…
July 6th, 2006 at 9:55 amAnd learn something? College is over, time for me to start ’staying the course’ of my life.
Comment by squegeeboo — July 6, 2006 @ 9:30 am
Except that it doesn’t seem like you learned all that much in college…
I’m curious – how does your liberal mother feel about having raised such an self-absorbed and self-centered neocon? (a couple more double word entries you can look up in the dictionary, by the way).
July 6th, 2006 at 9:59 amSo why do some religious types think they are closer to god than the rest of us? Where in what holy book does it tell them they are above others. The whole trying to make life miserable for gays thing, it doesn’t speak very highly of their god.
July 6th, 2006 at 9:59 am“how does your liberal mother feel about having raised such an self-absorbed and self-centered neocon? (a couple more double word entries you can look up in the dictionary, by the way).”
Those are hyphenated, completly different. She’s mostly happy with how I turned out, I may come off as self-absorbed/self-centered, but my actual actions are generally anything but.
July 6th, 2006 at 10:02 amCyber-insecurity — gee, that homeland security department is doing great!
Comment by Marie — July 6, 2006 @ 9:53 am
congratulations, marie – you “broke” that story on PM thread last night!
July 6th, 2006 at 10:04 amNearly a year after Homeland Security Secretary Chertoff announced the creation of a Cabinet-level cybersecurity czar, the position remains vacant.
“So Homeland Security is working, right?”
riiiiiiiiight.
Unbelievable – I finally gave my notice yesterday – they were more than thrilled. I work for a construction company and they have a very difficult time dealing with a loud, opinionated, intelligent woman. Well loud and opinionated anyway!!!
Spongebob reminds me of some guys I knew in the military. Most of the stuff thsat comes out of their mouths is pure BS. They are just trying to get a reaction.
July 6th, 2006 at 10:09 am“Spongebob reminds me of some guys I knew in the military. Most of the stuff thsat comes out of their mouths is pure BS. They are just trying to get a reaction.”
Thats so not me, all of my views are well thought out AND articulated……
July 6th, 2006 at 10:13 amJules, I thought you were a teacher? Or was it just that you’ve been one in the past, or am I just confused and wrong(1st time ever if thats the case)
Those are hyphenated, completly different. She’s mostly happy with how I turned out, I may come off as self-absorbed/self-centered, but my actual actions are generally anything but.
Comment by squegeeboo — July 6, 2006 @ 10:02 am
self is an idependent word, as are centered and absorbed…
How so?
July 6th, 2006 at 10:15 am“self is an idependent word, as are centered and absorbed…”
your the one who used the hyphens, not me.
“How so?”
July 6th, 2006 at 10:21 amI donate to charity, money mostly, time when I have it free, help out my friends/co-workers however I can, it’s just that I’m good at putting my foot in my mouth, and my #1 believes in life tend to be based off of personal responisbilty/choice as opposed to good/bad luck.
finally gave my notice yesterday – they were more than thrilled. I work for a construction company and they have a very difficult time dealing with a loud, opinionated, intelligent woman. Well loud and opinionated anyway!!!
Congrats on that! You must be relieved to see the light at the end of that tunnel. Construction is still mostly a male-dominated profession. I mean, they do ‘erect’ things… :)
You said you were taking some time off? Doing anything? Or just relaxing? :)
A week from Sunday I have to go to a four day conference, then I have two days of ‘new teacher orientation’ and another three of pre-planning. Two solid weeks of meetings… ugh. But I’m looking forward to class starting August 1st.
Spongebob reminds me of some guys I knew in the military. Most of the stuff thsat comes out of their mouths is pure BS. They are just trying to get a reaction.
Comment by jules — July 6, 2006 @ 10:09 am
You know, that probably applies to all the neocons around here. They just want the reaction. Though, at least he’s not crude or vile… I will give him that. I don’t think he takes me anymore seriously than I take him. Or anyone takes him really.
July 6th, 2006 at 10:22 amSqueegy is a bullshitter extraordinaire. His primary goal here has been to stir things up. Am I right, dearest?
July 6th, 2006 at 10:23 am#29 – Oh. My. GOD! You sound like the Republicans used to back before the neo-cons hijacked their party and turned “conservative” into one of the vilest insults ever to happen in the new millennium!!!! Now “conservative†is synonymous with “liar†and “fiscal irresponsibility†and “pro-big-government†and “hypocrisy†and “anti-Constitutionâ€.
“Morning!” by the way!
July 6th, 2006 at 10:26 ammy #1 believes in life tend to be based off of personal responisbilty/choice as opposed to good/bad luck.
Comment by squegeeboo — July 6, 2006 @ 10:21 am
I don’t disagree with that. I just think we define the playfield differently. Yours is much smaller. But, as we’ve said, most of think that will expand with life experiences. I guess time will tell.
July 6th, 2006 at 10:26 amLady Liberty finds Jesus.
July 6th, 2006 at 10:27 amJules, I thought you were a teacher? Or was it just that you’ve been one in the past, or am I just confused and wrong(1st time ever if thats the case)
Comment by squegeeboo — July 6, 2006 @ 10:13 am
Sorry for the confusion. I am actually a lawyer. I became a teacher so I could have the same hours as my daughter (with the exception of the vast amount of prep and grading and parent contacts, etc. but most of that could be done at home) and I was always really good with kids. I fell in love with teaching and I am really good at it. When my daughter turned 16 I left for…the cash (how embarrassing) but I was not happy…so I am returning to my kids!!!
July 6th, 2006 at 10:29 amCongrats Jules! Do you have another job lined up or still looking?
Unbelievable, hope your class(es?) go well! My mom & dad are retired teachers, and my sister is still teaching. It’s a tough job with very little public support, but one that is a calling. I wish you well!
July 6th, 2006 at 10:32 am““Morning!†by the way!”
And a fine morning to you. Like I say, the only reason why I’m registered Repub instead of Indy, is so I can vote in the primary in NY.
“Squeegy is a bullshitter extraordinaire. His primary goal here has been to stir things up. Am I right, dearest?”
Main goal was innitially to learn the lib. position from someone other then the lib. trolls on conservative sites, seeing how as they tend to be there to just stir stuff up also, since then, its also been to stir things up, I can think of a few threads that would have died due to everyone agreeing with out me or my kind around, also anouther goal was to write the longest run on sentence ever, a goal to which I am currently trying to achieve, in this current sentence that I am writing currently, where I explained what my main goals on this website were.
“I guess time will tell.”
July 6th, 2006 at 10:32 amVoting patterns show a trend towards conservativeness as people get older, so odds are I’ll become even more bitter/angry at life in general.
Congrats Jules! Do you have another job lined up or still looking?
Comment by Democratic Soldier — July 6, 2006 @ 10:32 am
My old school hired me back. I am very excited. My last day with my present employer is Aug 3rd. I start “in-service” on August 14th and the kids return on the 21st.
July 6th, 2006 at 10:34 amfrom the link:
The subpoena, issued Friday, was necessary because lawmakers got no response from a March 7 letter to Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld requesting the information, according to a statement from Rep. Christopher Shays, R-Conn., chairman of the panel’s national security subcommittee.
“If the department won’t even return a call, after three months … we really have no choice but to subpoena the material and compel their attention to our request,” added the committee chairman, Rep. Tom Davis, R-Va., who signed the subpoena.
…
The subpoena, issued at the request of Shays and Rep. Henry Waxman, D-Calif., the committee’s top Democrat, gives the Pentagon until 5 p.m. July 14 to produce the documents.
uh huh… and a friday even…
July 6th, 2006 at 10:38 amMEXICAN ELECTION
Over a year ago there was a huge voter registration drive by the Obrador people. Hundreds of thousands registered to vote, or at least thought they did. What transpired was this; one must have a photo ID to vote. The ID card is entered into a booklet. There were so many registrations that the Federal Election Institute could not issue all of the IDs before election time. As a result over 300 thousand people were not allowed to vote.
About 1 million ballots were nullified. An analysis of those by Obradors people showed that over 700 thousand were votes for Obrador.
Raw Story is reporting that thousands of ballot marked Obrador were found in a dump in Mexico City.
Many of the federal election officials are on the Calderon team. Sound familiar?
The PAN party has been taking insstructions from the puke party. They were paying people to vote. They were calling voters in the Obrador strongholds and telling them the polling places had been moved. The polling places in Calderon strongholds opened on time and everyone got to vote, but in the Obrador strongholds the polling places did not open in some cases until 10AM, and the voting procedure was slowed and thousands did not get to vote. Ohio anyone?
Obrador is going to demand that the election be done all over again. Good for him.
July 6th, 2006 at 10:40 amCongrats, Squeegy, on meeting your goal of creating a run-on sentence. I have seen longer run-on sentences, but none so clear and concise. ;)
July 6th, 2006 at 10:43 amNot politics related at all, but CNN has the cat lover feel good story of the year on its home page, and most of you seem to like cats for some reason……
Cat Saved From WoodChipper
not sure if the link will work, cause its a video, but like i said, its on the cnn main page.
July 6th, 2006 at 10:44 amUnbelievable, hope your class(es?) go well! My mom & dad are retired teachers, and my sister is still teaching. It’s a tough job with very little public support, but one that is a calling. I wish you well!
Comment by Democratic Soldier — July 6, 2006 @ 10:32 am
Sounds like they have a lot of stories :).
Thanks. I’m teaching just 11th and 12th graders in two Architecture classes. I don’t know how many – but guess there will only be about 20 in each class or less as they are reqiured to have passed a year of drafting prior. Then I’m teaching a community college drafting course to high school graduates. All at the same school. Should be vastly different from the 120 students I had last year in a required Science class in a district where the Administration always took the side of the parents over the teachers. At least I hope so :). Thanks!
Fortunatley, I graduated high school from this new district. It’s a rare place where the parents tend to support the teachers, and fortunately, I went to high school with some of these kids parents or aunts and uncles, so I have a bit more credibility than someone unknown. My new boss was a teacher at my high school when I went there. So, I’m looking forward to it.
My goal is to teach college eventually. And when I get much older, be a guide at a national park.
July 6th, 2006 at 10:44 amSpongebob you live in NY right? I went to undergrad and law school in upstae NY. I miss it sooooooo much!!!
July 6th, 2006 at 10:45 amVoting patterns show a trend towards conservativeness as people get older, so odds are I’ll become even more bitter/angry at life in general.
Comment by squegeeboo — July 6, 2006 @ 10:32 am
That’s just a conservative urban legend. It’s not true. If anything, I think people tend to become more aware as they get older simply from life experience, and since reality has a liberal bias…
July 6th, 2006 at 10:47 am#37 – “Voting patterns show a trend towards conservativeness as people get older, so odds are I’ll become even more bitter/angry at life in general.”
Actually, I think the trends are that younger people tend to vote more liberally as time progresses. Thus, if you’re “center” right now, yoiu’ll be “right” in about 20-30 years.
My grandfather hated Jews and thought blacks should be sent back to Africa. He thought that way in 1915 when he was 13 years old and thought that way when he died at 97. He was considered a “liberal” when he thought women should be allowed to vote in 1915.
Here’s looking forward to you being an “ultra-conservative old man” when you hit 70 and your political views don’t change one bit! ;-)
July 6th, 2006 at 10:47 amMy goal is to teach college eventually. And when I get much older, be a guide at a national park.
Comment by unbelievable — July 6, 2006 @ 10:44 am
I was an adjunct at a college for two years (part-time) and believe it or not I enjoy teaching HS so much more.
July 6th, 2006 at 10:48 amJules
July 6th, 2006 at 10:49 amI grew up in between Albany and Saratoga, and went to college/now live in Rochester, its a good time, esp. if you like snow, sounds like it’s time to move on back, except for its silly tax’s etc, consistently rated second in the nation for cost of living (NY,not rochester, who knows how much is just NYC and not the whole state)
Yeah! Why should parents have say so over teachers. Just medicate em and send em home
July 6th, 2006 at 10:49 amwow… so dubya looks into putins eyes and turns into a dick-tater, and fox gets chummy with dubya and mexico slides further into decline and the elections are rigged…
July 6th, 2006 at 10:50 amsay, these leaders are a wealth of contraditions…
Democratic Soldier
“Here’s looking forward to you being an “ultra-conservative old man†when you hit 70 and your political views don’t change one bit! ;-)”
Now thats an interesting way to look at it that makes a good amount of sense, all I’m really looking forward to at 70 though is shouting at the damn kids to get off my lawn.
July 6th, 2006 at 10:51 amObrador is going to demand that the election be done all over again. Good for him.
Comment by Rebel With A Cause — July 6, 2006 @ 10:40 am
Good! I hope the spines of Mexican liberals are stronger than those of the American variety.
What do you think will happen?
July 6th, 2006 at 10:51 amI was an adjunct at a college for two years (part-time) and believe it or not I enjoy teaching HS so much more.
Comment by jules — July 6, 2006 @ 10:48 am
Any particular reasons?
July 6th, 2006 at 10:56 amThe mexican lefties are learning not to lose elections. They will all be stolen. They will be forever the victim
July 6th, 2006 at 10:57 am“That’s just a conservative urban legend. It’s not true. If anything, I think people tend to become more aware as they get older simply from life experience, and since reality has a liberal bias…”
Look at voting records from any election, they all show a gradual increase in voting for the conservative candidate as age goes up, but I think Democrat Soldier hit the real reason on the nose, we dont get conservative, those youngins who don’t know who good they had it, unlike in our day, are more and more liberal with each generation.
July 6th, 2006 at 11:02 amSpongebob – I would move back in a heartbeat but I have to wait until my daughter finishes HS.
Unbelievable – I taught seniors and they were already jaded (hey…kind of like spngebob!). I felt I could reach HS students and they would listen, most anyway. Kids act like they know it all to their parents but I have met few who were not open to learning at least something.
July 6th, 2006 at 11:04 amLook at voting records from any election, they all show a gradual increase in voting for the conservative candidate as age goes up
Comment by squegeeboo — July 6, 2006 @ 11:02 am
That doesn’t mean anything actually. It’s not following the same people… Just a broad spectrum.
I’m guessing a lot of women don’t always vote when they have children due to the demands of that – which would skew the statistics to the right since most women lean left.
July 6th, 2006 at 11:11 am#37 squeegeebo sez……”Like I say, the only reason why I’m registered Repub instead of Indy, is so I can vote in the primary in NY.”
sounds kinda dishonest to me By that twisted logic democrates should register as republicans so they can skew the results of the republican primary.
wtf ever happened to being honest?
July 6th, 2006 at 11:14 amKids act like they know it all to their parents but I have met few who were not open to learning at least something.
Comment by jules — July 6, 2006 @ 11:04 am
How was it different from college?
I’ve always believed that because the college students were studying their chosen field that it would be more enjoyable to teach as they’d be more amenable to learning. Though I may see that now since I’ll be teaching an elective course with pre-requisites. And I think the school is willing to kick out kids who aren’t serious about learning. They really want the program to suceed.
July 6th, 2006 at 11:17 amMEXICAN ELECTION
Every hour down here there are more revelations about how Calderon apparently is sstealing the election.
What is going on down here now is not a recout but merely an adding up of the votes again. Initial reports had Calderon winning by as much as 3% but this was shot down.
The elections commission wont admit its errors, and maintains that there will not be a recount. Thousands of ballots marked OBRADOR have been found in a dump in Mexico City per RAW STORY.
I dont know what will happen down here but something has got to be done quickly before this turns into a crisis of major proportions. The stock market fell yesterday and my peso lost a lot of value.
The Calderon forces were given the Rove playbook for “HOW TO STEAL AN ELECTION” and are using it to the max. Well, at least they are not shooting each other down here – not yet.
July 6th, 2006 at 11:18 amWhen I lived in California, you had to declare a party. I refused. The Democrats and Greens always let me vote in their primaries as an Independent. The Repugs would only let registered Repuigs vote in their primaries.
Guess it shows where the honesty and trust lies…
July 6th, 2006 at 11:20 amWalter666
“sounds kinda dishonest to me By that twisted logic democrates should register as republicans so they can skew the results of the republican primary.”
Except then they don’t get to vote in the democratic primary, its a trade off, I can either vote for the closest match to my beliefs who has a chance of winning, being the republican primaries, or I can vote for the person furthest from my beliefs who has the least chance of winning, being the democrat primaries, or I can go ahead and throw my vote away on a third party. At least thats how I look at it.
July 6th, 2006 at 11:20 am“When I lived in California, you had to declare a party. I refused. The Democrats and Greens always let me vote in their primaries as an Independent. The Repugs would only let registered Repuigs vote in their primaries.”
Well in that case from my understanding, either the repubs, or the Dems are violating state primary law. I would think that you either have an open-primary or a closed primary for every party in the sate, as opposed to whichever version each party wants.
July 6th, 2006 at 11:36 amIf the link for the “cat isaved from woodchipper” story is supposed to go to CNN, why does it start to load a page called climatecrisis.net? Which freezes? Squeege, is this some sort of joke or are you just not linking as you intend?
July 6th, 2006 at 11:36 amBTW,I often think you’re beyond hope, then once in a while you say something sensible or funny… so you’re not really a troll. Maybe Troll Lite.
SkdeA
Yah, the link does seem to be wrong, like I said, I didnt know if it would work or not, becuase it goes straight to a cnn pop-up,but as of right now, the link is still on the CNN main page under latest news, so its easy enough to find.
Thanks, on occasion, despite my best effforts, I can actually add to the debate, apparently I need to brush up on my trolling skills.
July 6th, 2006 at 11:40 amSqueegy, you’re making me sick with this cat story. I saw it on the CNN homepage, but I can’t look at the video. I can just imagine that little cat with no feet. Aaaaccckkk! Now link to a basket of LIVE bunnies. Hurry!
July 6th, 2006 at 11:53 amThe cat has feet, it appears to be fully there, just a bit hurt(broken neck and front legs) currently.
July 6th, 2006 at 11:58 amAs for bunnies, check out savetoby Apparently he was finally saved from being eaten by his owner, so hooray.
For anyone who didn’t like the CNN Story.
http://www.cuteoverload.com/
July 6th, 2006 at 12:01 pmSqueegy, nice try…who could eat a rabbit? :P
Krazny, great site! I love the pic of the polar bear. Thanks!
July 6th, 2006 at 12:43 pmDespite New Jersey’s clamp-down on state services, including gambling, Bob Herbert details an even more dysfunctional state government than New Jersey’s: Namely New York.
July 6th, 2006 at 12:48 pmLook at voting records from any election, they all show a gradual increase in voting for the conservative candidate as age goes up
Comment by squegeeboo — July 6, 2006 @ 11:02 am
Just curious. Who was the “conservative” candidate in the last two Presidential elections? (The Outstanding Public Debt as of 06 Jul 2006 at 04:53:24 PM GMT is: $8,418,112,477,043.27)
July 6th, 2006 at 12:54 pmOn Thursday, George W. Bush celebrates his 60th birthday. This President’s birthday may well be historically unprecedented, with his age, his disapproval ratings and seemingly even his IQ all converging at 60.
For the discussion, see:
July 6th, 2006 at 1:11 pm“Happy Birthday, Mr. President!”
#62 squegeebo…..so let me get this straight…….an independent is someone who registers as a republican, votes in the republican primary and holds republican core beliefs?
what’s your definition of a republican then?
If you see nothing wrong about being dis-honest about your party affiliation then you couldn’t see anything wrong with someone not being truthful about their home address…..right?
July 6th, 2006 at 1:15 pmGood news Jules!
July 6th, 2006 at 1:30 pmWish you well as you return to teaching. Lucky students.
squegeebo…..so let me get this straight…….an independent is someone who registers as a republican, votes in the republican primary and holds republican core beliefs?
I have core economic conservative beliefs, many of which republicans share, many of their views however I do not share, and tend towards libertarian views, abortion for example, personally against, but if its not my future kid go ahead and kill it, or even liberal view points when it comes to things like drug use. But my most important beliefs tend to be my economic ones, so I side towards the republican side, as opposed to the democratic side. I do not believe in the power of 3rd parties except to harm, I feel they are a waste of a vote in any presidential race(or worse, helping the side you hate most of all win, such as Perot in ‘92 screwing Bush, or Hippy guy in ‘00 screwing Gore), and 95% of the time a waste in state wide races.
If I don’t register for a party, I don’t get to vote in primaries in NY State, so to make sure I remain a part of the process all the way thru, I had to choose one of the 2 big parties.
To me a republican is:
Tax Cuts
Jesus
Making Abortion illegal
Making all drugs illegal
Pro-American Business
“If you see nothing wrong about being dis-honest about your party affiliation ”
I have not been dishonest; I am a conservative-leaning independent that was forced to register to vote in primaries.
“you couldn’t see anything wrong with someone not being truthful about their home address…..right?”
July 6th, 2006 at 1:32 pmThat would depend on if it helps or hurts me.
#75 squegeebo…..so, it is OK to be dishonest about your home address
I can tell the voting official that I was “forced” to lie about my address because I wanted to vote in that other precient……right
July 6th, 2006 at 1:40 pmThey recently changed the primaries in Washington state. You know have to declare a political affiliation in order to vote. Personally I don’t like it. The biggest supporters of the party primary are the political parties themeselves, not the voters.
I think you should be able to vote based upon who you like, not on which party you support.
July 6th, 2006 at 1:41 pmI can tell the voting official that I was “forced†to lie about my address because I wanted to vote in that other precient……right
Go for it Walt, let me know how it works out for you, you can even tell the judge that Squegee said it was all right to do.
July 6th, 2006 at 1:46 pmSpongebob – what do you consider democratic values to be?
I ask because I have nothing against tax cuts if they do not hurt the “other” 90% of us, I believe in God, I cannot really imagine you mean ALL drugs being illegal, perhaps you mean just the ones republicans think are bad, and I am not anti-american business just because I do not believe in corporate welfare.
I am, however, definetly pro-choice. I, unlike republicans, do not like to butt into other peoples business!!
July 6th, 2006 at 1:49 pmyou can even tell the judge that Squegee said it was all right to do.
Comment by squegeeboo
Well then, Squeegy, can you write a note to the judge for me? I have this ticket…
July 6th, 2006 at 1:51 pmSpongebob – what do you consider democratic values to be?
Here you go Jules
1. Hate america
2. Hate our troops
3. Hate successful people
Ok, so heres my real list:
July 6th, 2006 at 1:54 pm1. Pro-Choice
2. Making the majority of drugs controlled legal substances, sort of like where cigs/alchohol is now
3. Increased Taxation with an increase in the progressiveness of the current tax system
4. Anti-school reform(specifically vouchers/charter schools)
5. Increases to ’safety net’ programs like welfare, medicade
6. Universal health care
7. More stringent regulations on industry
oh right, and against private gun ownership
July 6th, 2006 at 1:55 pmwell squegee, I am glad that you have admitted and shown us just how dis-honest you truly are. Dis-honesty, conservative or republican core belief?
July 6th, 2006 at 1:56 pmAh right walt, I must be dishonest, because I won’t play into a strawman comparing living address to party registration….how clever you are.
July 6th, 2006 at 1:59 pmSqueegy, you’ve been keeping secrets…
1. Pro-Choice – good man
2. Making the majority of drugs controlled legal substances, sort of like where cigs/alchohol is now – what a logistical nightmare, but really could it be worse than it is now?
3. Increased Taxation with an increase in the progressiveness of the current tax system – good
4. Anti-school reform(specifically vouchers/charter schools) – lost me on this one, Squeegy
5. Increases to ’safety net’ programs like welfare, medicade – good – but they must have some efficiency
6. Universal health care – excellent
7. More stringent regulations on industry – excellent, and no more corporate welfare
8. oh right, and against private gun ownership – touchy subject, my good man – I support limitations, but not outright ban
Can’t pidgeon hole you, Squeegy. Good!
July 6th, 2006 at 2:06 pmSpongebob –
1. Agreed
2. Never knew that was on our “agenda” I would only look into medicinial uses of pot.
3. Well, I for one was better off under the Clinton Admin than now, so I am not seeing the downside here.
4. Not so…school reform is fine…but if you mandate it you should fund it.
5. Clinton was the one who initiated welfare reform.
6. Even corporate america is climbing on board this particular train.
7. Yeah…nothing like wanting to save life and limb. How can we be so short-sighted.
But…thanks for taking the question seriously.
I understand your position on the primary vote. In TX if you vote in a primary you cannot sign a petition for an independent. An independent candidate needs a certain number of registered voters to sign a petition or they will not be placed on the ballot. So I did not vote in the primary so I could sign Kinky Friedmans petition. This is one case where a “third party” stands a chance. Perry is an ass. Even republicans hate him. It is unlikely a democrat could win in this state. Kinky is the closest thing we have!!
July 6th, 2006 at 2:10 pmNo No, Zoo, that was my list of what I think Democracts stand for, if you want my personal list:
1. Could care less about abortion, as long as it’s not mine, then I’m against it (So personally against, but pro-choice when it comes to other people)
July 6th, 2006 at 2:16 pm2. Legalize the majority of them, but under gov’t control (at least initially)
3. Fair Tax amendment pushed by Boortz and Congressman Linder
4. For Vouchers
5. Keep saftey nets, but re-work them to make sure people who need help get it, but easier to monitor abuse
6. Universal Health Care-generally against, although MA’s new one looks interesting
7. Keep industry regulations roughly where they are but end corporate welfare
8. All for private gun ownership (even my hippy mom has a bakers dozen between her and the life-mate)
9. Keep jebus out of the gov’t, but don’t be mean to him and nice to muhammid or vishnu, etc.
10. Make incumbents win 60% of the vote to stay in office (A nice way to deal with them always staying in office with out the inherint limitations of term limits)
“Kinky is the closest thing we have!!”
And everyone likes it Kinky…..except for the Jebus freaks, who just won’t admit it.
July 6th, 2006 at 2:17 pmDang Spongebob – I knew that crap you sometimes spew was, well, crap!!!
Scary how much we agree on. I could never agree with vouchers though. This is only a way for rich people to have government help them pay for private schools.
Have you ever heard of “choice of school districts?” The district where I live, and teach is one. Every Feb. parents fill out the choice of school in the district for their child to attend. This way if yu do not care for a particular elementary, middle, or high school that is the one your child would be assigned to then you can choose another.
We have 7 high schools (with another on the way) and I do not even know how many middle and elementary schools (lots to choose from).
July 6th, 2006 at 2:24 pmAnd everyone likes it Kinky…..except for the Jebus freaks, who just won’t admit it.
Comment by squegeeboo — July 6, 2006 @ 2:17 pm
The bumper stickers are great, like “My governor is Kinky” and “Kinky…why the hell not”
He is a riot. In answer to a question regarding gay marriage he said, “I think gays should be allowed to marry. Why shouldn’t they have to suffer just like the rest of us?”
July 6th, 2006 at 2:27 pmHas anyone seen the recent ruling on Delay? The rupublicans cannot replace him on the ballot.
See…crime doesn’t pay!!!
July 6th, 2006 at 2:30 pmJoe ‘Benedict Arnold’ Lieberman
Thursday 6th of July 2006
By Jay Randal
Sen. Joseph Lieberman has never been a Democrat, but has always been a “Trojan Horse” Republican, who masqueraded as a Dem. to get into the Senate!
Since the appointment of George Bush as president, by the Supreme Court in 2001, Sen. Lieberman has been his faithful defender on the Iraq War debacle!
Joseph has openly criticized the Democratic Party on numerous occasions, as well as flagrantly voting for any fool that Dubya nominates for any position too!
He was the Senator who claimed that Michael Brown was highly qualified to be the Director of FEMA, but ends up Brownie was just an Arabian Horse expert!
Old Joe has also been the biggest supporter of the vile extreme far-right government of Israel, and defends any attacks against Palestinians in the Gaza Strip!
Sen. Charles Schumer and Sen. Ken Salazar would be very wise to NOT help Lieberman to get re-elected in CT, because Democrat voters will punish them for it!
( Jay Randal, political activist and writer in Stone Mountain, Georgia.)
PS: Watch the debate on Hardball tonight between Lamont and Lieberman at 7PM!
July 6th, 2006 at 2:36 pmJules
I did see that about Delay, so if he wins, who gets his seat?
Also, that gay marriage quote is great.
July 6th, 2006 at 2:41 pmDang…I had not thought about that. Delay’s polling numbers are extremely low, even among republicans so I am kind of doubting that outcome. However, I do not see any reason he could not take the seat back if he wins. But then again, that is one area of the law I try my hardest to stay away from!!
July 6th, 2006 at 2:49 pmMaybe Bush gets to choose, he is the decider after all……
July 6th, 2006 at 2:53 pmYou’re right…he is the decider. You know, that has got to be a tough job, deciding everything. I thought he walked around with that surprised dopey look on his face cause he was dopey. H is just tired from deciding everything!!
July 6th, 2006 at 3:02 pmso squebee, let me get this straight……….you see absolutly no problem with giving a false statement to the election board so you can vote in that election….yes or no?
July 6th, 2006 at 4:35 pmtoday ,during bush`s press conference he appear drunk or out of it ,he rambled,stated that hiv was a terrorist,he`s an idiot,a lunatic,i could say a lot of things ,but whats the use,this man has his hands on nuke weapons and no one reports this shit.where are the journalists with ball?bj
July 6th, 2006 at 4:38 pmNo No, Zoo, that was my list of what I think Democracts stand for, if you want my personal list
Comment by squegeeboo
Too late, I have counted to 3, and I have decided. ;)
July 6th, 2006 at 4:45 pmZooey – I actually do not have much of a problem with his personal list, not that he would really care if I did, except for the whole voucher thing!!
I stand by my original statement; Spongebob writes whatever comes to mind just to stir things up.
July 6th, 2006 at 4:52 pmWalter66
“so squebee, let me get this straight……….you see absolutly no problem with giving a false statement to the election board so you can vote in that election….yes or no?”
Go to your local election board, see if they can explain the difference between your strawman and what I did.
Zoo
“Too late, I have counted to 3, and I have decided. ;)”
See if I give you that note for the judge now :( (yah, thats right, its an angry face so there)
Jules
July 6th, 2006 at 5:10 pm“I stand by my original statement; Spongebob writes whatever comes to mind just to stir things up.”
Mostly yes, but I also have no prob. being blunt and/or un-PC, preferable both :), and when it comes to things like the welfare reform bit, my idea of abuse of the system is prob. larger then yours would be, for example, from working at a grocery store, I’d estimate the abuse of foodstamps at 60%+ (Things like steak should not be covered, things like chicken should, fruit yes, fruit snacks, no) and that sort of thing.
My biggest problem with the welfare system is not what they buy with foodstamps it is who they are provided to.
I knew this guy who received “assistance” because he could not work. Wanna know why? He SWEAT too much? Huh?
I knew a woman who was receiving disability from SS because she suffered from depression!!! Do not get me wrong. I know depression is real, I am a survivor of it. I have been in such bad shape I did not want to leave my house and did not except to go to work. I lost 15 pounds and slept an average of 2 hours a night for two months….I know it can get bad. But I cannot understand receiving disability for this. She told me it was all in the phrasing used by the physician filling out the paperwork whether or not it will be approved.
These to me are abuses. If I know two, how many are there? These are draining the system for individuals who actually cannot work!!!
July 6th, 2006 at 5:24 pm“These are draining the system for individuals who actually cannot work!!!”
you know, the ones with real problems, like poor work ethic, or do you know what they expect me to do at work? WORK!!!! Can you believe the gal. The secret is to find a desk job so when they think your working your actually on TP harrassing all the hippies.
Allright everyone whos actually still in this thread (Jules) I’m out for the night, enjoy your evening, maybe I’ll check back later.
July 6th, 2006 at 5:28 pmBackatcha buddy!!!
July 6th, 2006 at 5:33 pmPost 103 boo > have a nice evening > see you later!
July 6th, 2006 at 6:20 pmSqueegy,
See if I give you that note for the judge now :( (yah, thats right, its an angry face so there)
I lied, I don’t have a ticket. :-)
July 6th, 2006 at 6:42 pmI don’t care what anyone says about you, Squeegy, you’re alright.
#101 squebee sez……….”Go to your local election board, see if they can explain the difference between your strawman and what I did.”
so let me get this straight, if the poll workers asks you your party affiliation and you told them that you are an independent they would hand you a republican ballot?
July 6th, 2006 at 7:18 pm#10….dumbass, you miss the whole point. Maybe it will take 10 more 9/11’s to shock you imbecilic Americans into reality.
July 8th, 2006 at 1:54 pmMy favorite rick santorum anagrams are: minor suck rat andmoist rank cur
July 25th, 2006 at 1:21 pm