ThinkFast: September 20, 2006
ThinkFast: September 20, 2006
The Bush administration “has dropped its insistence” on redefining the obligations of the U.S. under the Geneva Conventions, congressional aides say, suggesting the White House “blinked first” in its standoff with senators over detainee policy.
Mideast commander John Abizaid said yesterday that the current level of 140,000 troops in Iraq will likely remain stable through next spring. The assessment runs counter to previous predictions of a sharp drawdown by the end of this year, underscoring “how unstable the country remains.”
“There is so much political corruption on Capitol Hill that the FBI has had to triple the number of squads investigating lobbyists, lawmakers and influence peddlers.”
Iraq is the deadliest place for journalists to work, a new study by the Committee to Protect Journalists found. Of the 580 journalists who have been killed over the last 15 years, 78 reporters died in Iraq.
“A state judge yesterday rejected a Georgia law requiring voters to show government-issued photo identification, writing in his decision, ‘This cannot be.‘” The judge said the law, which critics call a modern day poll tax, “disenfranchises citizens who are otherwise qualified to vote.”
Restricting or taxing greenhouse gas emissions would be the “most cost-effective” global warming policy, according to a new Congressional Budget Office report. The report says climate change policy should “reduce carbon emissions by increasing the costs of emitting carbon… to reflect the damages that those emissions are expected to cause.”
“Federal judges decided Tuesday to require faster and fuller disclosure of their expense-paid trips, a response to criticism that the travel could undermine the public’s faith in an impartial judiciary.”
“The nation’s airports face a looming crisis in their ability to screen checked luggage for bombs that will require billions of dollars to avert,” a new GAO report shows. Many airports “have too few screeners and use slow, labor-intensive bomb detectors that are being overwhelmed.”
And finally: Unibrow-gate drops in Pennsylvania. An anonymous tipster alerted Roll Call that someone on gubernatorial candidate Bob Casey’s “official Web site, apparently doctored an old photo of Casey to make it look as if he had normal eyebrows.” (Casey has a unibrow.) When presented with the ironclad proof, a Casey spokesperson responded, “I think we’ve hit upon the next great debate: to pluck or to wax.”
What did we miss? Let us know in the comments section.
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“There is so much political corruption on Capitol Hill that the FBI has had to triple the number of squads investigating lobbyists, lawmakers and influence peddlers.â€
So much for “returning honorism and dignitude” back to politics! ;-)
September 20th, 2006 at 9:15 amBushCo’s job creation program.
September 20th, 2006 at 9:28 amThe Bush administration “has dropped its insistence†on redefining the obligations of the U.S. under the Geneva Conventions.
They never stop. They never give up. They always do the wrong thing the wrong way and they never stop when caught. They don’t believe in the Law or the Constitution. They will circumvent both in some underhanded way always to get what they want. They will continue to torture people though it is not an effective means of gaining reliable information. This is well known but ignored. They will torture people even though it creates terrorists and would create conditions which would subject our own troops to torture. They will torture people which will make surrender to the US an impossible choice for our enemies. They will torture even though it is Immoral and inhumane, and entirely un-American.
These are truly evil people and they will continue to torture human beings because they want to.
September 20th, 2006 at 9:36 amWhen is Ney going to resign?
September 20th, 2006 at 9:39 am“There is so much political corruption on Capitol Hill that the FBI has had to triple the number of squads investigating lobbyists, lawmakers and influence peddlers.â€
Not unlike the Roman Empire that destroyed itself from within due to the greed and corruption of the ruling elite. America’s days are truly numbered with no one in sight to save her.
September 20th, 2006 at 9:43 amis Ney going to resign? Comment by The+DLC+are+Frauds
The Weather Channel might have the answer - what’s the forecast for hell.
September 20th, 2006 at 9:44 amHas Congressman Bob Ney, REPUBLICAN , Representing Ohio’s 18th District
resigned yet?????
He is, after all, on his way to prison.
September 20th, 2006 at 9:50 amRe Bob Casey
“I think we’ve hit upon the next great debate: to pluck or to wax.â€
I think a lawnmower would be in order….Damn! That’s one fine unibrow!
September 20th, 2006 at 9:55 amThe Bush administration “has dropped its insistence†on redefining the obligations of the U.S. under the Geneva Conventions, congressional aides say, suggesting the White House “blinked first†in its standoff with senators over detainee policy.
I agree with mparker, these people never stop. They will do whatever they damn well please. They’ve just gone underground.
September 20th, 2006 at 9:57 am“There is so much political corruption on Capitol Hill that the FBI has had to triple the number of squads investigating lobbyists, lawmakers and influence peddlers.â€
Ah yes, now that the “adults” are in charge…
September 20th, 2006 at 9:58 am“A state judge yesterday rejected a Georgia law requiring voters to show government-issued photo identification, writing in his decision, ‘This cannot be.ԠThe judge said the law, which critics call a modern day poll tax, “disenfranchises citizens who are otherwise qualified to vote.â€
Yay Judge! Who will be the first to call him/her an activist judge….?
September 20th, 2006 at 9:59 amMornin’ Zooey.
What a uni-brow!
Miniblue’s back in school. (sigh of relief)
Bush needs to be taken out, and soon. We can’t afford to go against Iran.
September 20th, 2006 at 10:10 amTake the new poll on my blog. Which group will George Allen insult next?
September 20th, 2006 at 10:13 amHi true,
Glad Mini’s feeling better.
I agree. GWB needs to be gone — along with the rest of them.
September 20th, 2006 at 10:17 amEnough is enough, already.
Is it just me or is it completely insane that the judge ruled that we don’t need to show any form of ID to vote. Forgetting the fact that people from other countries could get away with voting (Hell, terrorists could come over simply to pump up the vote for the canidates that are soft on terrorism), people could also vote many many times.
I guess in this case we need the Federal congress to pass a federal law mandating every single state must ask for a Government issue Photo ID for anyone that wants to vote. If you can’t prove who you are, you really shouldn’t be allowed to vote. This seems like an issue that the Dems and Repugs could come together on.
September 20th, 2006 at 10:23 amWhen is the last time you voted, Roger?
When you register, you provide proof of residency.
When you vote, the volunteer asks for your address, then crosses your name out. After you vote, the same thing.
BTW:
September 20th, 2006 at 10:27 amGo Deval Patrick! (he won last night’s primary)
It’s just you, Rogerx2.
One must show ID in order to register, so if one is a registered voter, there is no need for ID at the time of voting.
Try not to be frightened.
September 20th, 2006 at 10:28 amRoger,Roger, Roger…how will the Dems be able to vote more than once? This is not about disenfranchising voters but interfering with their ability to cheat.
September 20th, 2006 at 10:34 am#16 - trueblue - while I don’t know much about Georgia’s situation, I had to show ID when I last voted (in PA). Now, when I registered, I was provided a voter-id card which was enough “ID” to vote.
September 20th, 2006 at 10:37 amR_R,
September 20th, 2006 at 10:38 amI don’t even show up to vote, I vote absentee. Paper ballot every time.
So Zooey if I have to show ID when I register what is the problem with showing the ID when I vote? Really what is the problem? Maybe they can use the same excuse if they are stopped for a traffic violation. You know, they showed ID when they got their license so they should not have to show it again. They can merely tell the officer who they are. What’s the problem?
September 20th, 2006 at 10:39 amtest
September 20th, 2006 at 10:39 amSomeone please explain what is the problem with requiring a photo ID to vote. In my area you need a photo ID to cash a check at the bank, rent a car, and in some cases to rent a movie video. I’ m sure there are probably many instances in our daily lives where a photo ID is nesessary.
September 20th, 2006 at 10:41 amWhat is the big deal in having to show a driver license or some similar form of ID?
This voting i.d. stuff is irritating. Just yesterday, I got my notice here in Ohio about our requirement for government issued photo i.d. to vote. The i.d. must have current voting address. Well, mine doesn’t because my family does not use our residence for mailing. So, I’ll have to hunt up other proof of residence - as if the fact that half the polling workers are my neighbors and know where I live!
Forget the massive voter fraud suspicions - go after the individual voters and make it more difficult for them. What a strategy. What a tragedy.
September 20th, 2006 at 10:43 amthe White House “blinked first†in its standoff with senators over detainee policy. - - Either the Senate or Bush is going to change our interpretation of Article 3, which has stood unchallenged by the rest of the world community for almost 60 years. Different degrees of disgracefulness defined.
September 20th, 2006 at 10:44 amMrTimPA,
MA does it differently.
We fill out a form that is mailed to us every year. (It’s their way to keep up on the registration rolls)
If it’s not filled out and mailed back, then when you vote you’ll be asked for an ID. But either way, the name and address is crossed of when you show up to vote.
September 20th, 2006 at 10:44 amMy point to Roger was that it’s really pretty difficult to cheat the way he said.
The problem with an ID is that the poorer Americans don’t always have an ID. It’s too expensive.
September 20th, 2006 at 10:47 amTherefore showing an ID is tantamount to a voter tax.
Deep Thinker
September 20th, 2006 at 10:47 amDo you have to have a photo i.d. for an absentee ballot? If not, is this equitable? If so, how does a home-bound elderly or physically impaired person get a government photo i.d.? Is this voter protection or voter suppression?
#23 - Deep+Thinker,
September 20th, 2006 at 10:49 amThe problem with the photo ID is that the people who they are attempting to disenfranchise are those most likely not to have to use or have photo IDs. On top of that, the availability of state facilities that provided photo IDs are restricted to middle class and wealthy areas of the state. If memory serves me, correctly, photo IDs also did not come free in Georgia.
1. MAKE THE I.D. FREE
2. MAKE IT EASY TO GET
3. HAVE A TRAVELLING VAN FOR PEOPLE WHO CAN’T GET TO THE POST OFFICE/GOV’T BUILDING WHEREVER TO GET IT
4. ENJOY LESS ELECTORAL FRAUD
5. LET US MOVE ON TO THE NEXT TOPIC
September 20th, 2006 at 10:54 amanything else we can do for you, Dave?
It’s a topic on ThinkFast.
If you don’t care to discuss it, then don’t.
September 20th, 2006 at 10:57 am1. HAVE PLENTY OF VOTING MACHINES, EVEN IN DEMOCRATIC PRECINCTS
2. DON’T ALLOW SECRETARY OF STATE OVERSEE ELECTIONS AND BE THE
STATE CAMPAIGN CHAIR FOR A CANDIDATE SIMULTANEOUSLY
3. DON’T LET ANYONE TAKE HOME VOTING MACHINES
4. ENJOY LESS ELECTORAL FRAUD
5. LET US MOVE ON TO THE NEXT TOPIC
Gee, all those caps were fun!
September 20th, 2006 at 11:01 amRepublicans love to suppress votes.
September 20th, 2006 at 11:04 amAWESOME, PATRIOTICLIBERALCHRISTIAN!
September 20th, 2006 at 11:06 amTHE LIST OF BRILLIANT IDEAS IS GROWING.
DAMN CAPSLOCK
lol, PLC!
Sorry,… LOL! PLC!
September 20th, 2006 at 11:06 amRepublicans love to suppress votes.
Comment by ForTruth
They love to suppress votes, and the voters!
September 20th, 2006 at 11:08 am#18 - Ben is pretty close in his statements, but he’s confusing Dems with the Reps that violate voting laws and Reps who suppress the vote.
It’s the Reps that are wanting Reps to vote more than once and to cheat their way into office.
I can see how it’s easy for Ben to confuse the issue when he’s been swigging the kool-aide.
September 20th, 2006 at 11:14 amCasey was for UNIBROW before he was against it!!!!!!
Dont put it pasat a desparate Santorum to use this as a campaign issue
September 20th, 2006 at 11:21 amRestricting or taxing greenhouse gas emissions would be the “most cost-effective†global warming policy, according to a new Congressional Budget Office report. The report says climate change policy should “reduce carbon emissions by increasing the costs of emitting carbon… to reflect the damages that those emissions are expected to cause.â€
This is what Gore is proposing and I personally think its awesome!
September 20th, 2006 at 11:22 amLooks like the Bushites are discovering what the meaning of
September 20th, 2006 at 11:37 am“diminished capacity” is like when it comes to wielding of political power that they have pissed away.
It’s very revealing that the Righties first impulse is to accuse others of wanting to commit voter fraud, when the issue is not discriminating against a certain sector of the population, and their ability to vote. Those Righties are projecting again!! Of course people want to ‘cheat’, it’s what THEY would do, after all. We don’t need to ‘cheat’ to win. That’s all your side.
September 20th, 2006 at 11:39 amOff topic’s, sorry,,,,Is any one else still having major problem’s with the TP site.?……What’s up?……It is as though the site has infected my computer, don’t get the post’s untill an hour after they have gone up, computer run’s slow and takes forever for a post I make to show up…Name and email not working still……Other sites I viset have not changed and load quickly…..Anyone.?…Blessings
September 20th, 2006 at 11:39 amCan The US Survive Bush Regime?
20th of September 2006
by Jay Randal
The Bush Regime is becoming more irrational daily, and demands more executive power from the Repub Congress, which means Americans are forfeiting their Human Rights and freedoms to a despotic government!
President George W. Bush is not protecting anybody, from real terrorists, but he is turning America into a “Police State” to shield his administration from being held accountable for any wrongdoing or criminal acts!
Only the wealthy elite are benefiting from the policies being promulgated, by the Bush Regime, which harms average tax-paying Americans, and causing more families to declare bankruptcy and more poverty!
Criminal warmongering is sucking the US Treasury dry, escalating the debt of the entire nation, as more conflicts are being contemplated soon, which could ignite global WWIII dooming our Earth to calamity!
The US can’t survive this level of massive corruption thrust upon our nation, by Bush and Cheney, so if the Congress will not impeach them, then it’s revolution?
( Jay Randal, political activist and writer in Stone Mountain, Georgia.)
September 20th, 2006 at 11:40 amGreat post Jay, I’m with you, now we need to get the public informed enough that even if this evil bunch declare marshall law we will be able to get our country back……Blessings, we need them…Peace, demand it right after impeachment…Fear, eliminate it.
September 20th, 2006 at 11:56 amHey, Exley, MA and company, get a load of this:
Wave of Party Switchers Hits Republicans
September 20th, 2006 at 12:09 pmCiting extremism, more GOPers are joining the Democrats
Iraq is the deadliest place for journalists to work, a new study by the Committee to Protect Journalists found. Of the 580 journalists who have been killed over the last 15 years, 78 reporters died in Iraq.
Hey, wait a minute. I thought Washington DC was more dangerous than Iraq. [/sarcasm]
September 20th, 2006 at 12:26 pm#46 - Only for incumbents this Nov. Heh.
September 20th, 2006 at 1:27 pmCorrection: Bob Casey is a Senatorial candidate, not gubanatorial.
September 20th, 2006 at 1:42 pmBob Casey is a Senatorial candidate not gubanatorial.
September 20th, 2006 at 1:43 pmThe Bush administration “has dropped its insistence†on redefining the obligations of the U.S. under the Geneva Conventions.
Of course and do you smell another “signing statement” down the pike?
September 20th, 2006 at 1:44 pm# 15 wrote: “Hell, terrorists could come over simply to pump up the vote for the canidates that are soft on terrorism”
oh man, stop. I’m trying to work here, and reading that just made me laugh out loud! You’re going to get me in trouble! Soft on terrorism candidates! That’s hilarious!
September 20th, 2006 at 2:01 pmMideast commander John Abizaid said yesterday that the current level of 140,000 troops in Iraq
—————————-
The troop total has actually risen to 147,000. The Admin. has added 20,000 in the past 2 months, that’s a 16% increase……..and things haven’t gotten any better, in fact they’ve become worse. The US Troop death and attacks on our troops is actually on the rise.
September 20th, 2006 at 2:20 pmYou gotta hand it to ‘em, if there’s a way to build bigotry into a law, the deep south of the USA will find it and try.
September 20th, 2006 at 2:37 pmSharon, I’ve been having the same kind of problem with my posts.
September 20th, 2006 at 2:38 pmSharon-
I don’t know what browser you’re using, but you might try clearing your browser’s temporary data (cookies, cache, etc. - this is usually under a “tools” or “options” or “preferences” menu) and then relaunch the browser and try again.
I’ve got a fairly fast connection and my posts take some time to show up too. Perhaps TP is manually validating or reviewing posts these days. I suspect the site has been the target of nefarious hacking recently and they’re trying to recover.
Be of good cheer!
September 20th, 2006 at 3:11 pmSharon Cox,
You’re not the only one with strange TP behavior. (I did mean that only one way.) Occasionally one of my posts shows up “instantly” when the screen refreshes, but most of the time there is a delay, sometimes several minutes long, before I see what I wrote. And who could be in favor of a DeLay?
Hang in there, Sharon. You have a good heart and a good mind, so we like having you around.
September 20th, 2006 at 3:23 pmThank You!, All, for you’re advice, support and kind word’s….Six week’s into this little madness is in 2nd place to the six year’s of crap bull shit bush has put us through……Blessings, pass them around……Peace, demand it for the children of the world……No more bush war’s…Now
September 20th, 2006 at 5:00 pm[…] Think Progress […]
September 20th, 2006 at 6:16 pmlast nite
he - “white people don’t riot”
she - “what about Hungary?”
:|
September 21st, 2006 at 2:55 amSharon,
many of my posts have been wiped out by TP…
…especially when I challenged the “Jewish” question…
…they do control the debate…
…they DON”T control your mind…
…once you’re FREE…
…they can never bring you down…
…unless…
…you let them…
September 21st, 2006 at 2:12 pmDanica Patrick
Man i love reading your blog, interesting posts !
March 22nd, 2008 at 10:03 amLakita
The more you are willing to accept responsibility for your actions, the more credibility you will have.
April 6th, 2008 at 10:24 am