ThinkFast: October 10, 2006
ThinkFast: October 10, 2006
Axis of Evil update: “Nearly five years after President Bush introduced the concept of an ‘axis of evil’ comprising Iraq, Iran and North Korea, the administration has reached a crisis point with each nation.”
Three national polls released today find the American public has deep concerns over Iraq. A USA Today poll found a 56 percent majority saying that sending troops to Iraq was a mistake. A WP/ABC poll said only 35 percent approve of Bush’s handling of Iraq. According to a NYT/CBS poll, only 3 percent are saying the war is going very well.
The FBI is “struggling to reinvent itself to fight terror,” a NYT analysis shows. “If you look at, for example, the four key ingredients for counterterrorism success — agents, analysts, managers and computers — the F.B.I. is struggling to get the basics right on all of them,” an analyst says.
Sen. Ted Stevens (R-AK), the Senate’s king of pork, “killed a requirement for the Defense Department to evaluate unauthorized earmarks imposed by members of Congress on the Pentagon,” Bob Novak reports.
Stock options that Sen. George Allen (R-VA) failed to report were “worth as much as $1.1 million at one point,” Bloomberg reports. Allen claimed the options were “worthless” in a story published Sunday.
79 percent of Americans believe the House leadership was more interested in their own political standing than in the safety of the pages as the Foley scandal emerged, according to a New York Times/CBS News poll.
“Hotter temperatures and higher sea levels” caused by climate change “could devastate Asian economies, displace millions of people and put millions more at risk from infectious disease,” Australia’s main research agency found. “Local and regional economies will be hit hard from chronic food and water insecurity and epidemic disease, as well as extreme weather events.”
U.S. Gen. James Jones, the top NATO commander, last week “did not dispute” claims in Woodward’s new book “saying he described the Iraq war as a debacle and considered resigning over the conflict.”
The Foley scandal is sparking political concerns at the highest levels of the White House, with strategist Karl Rove conceding in a private briefing yesterday that the matter “complicates things” for conservative candidates who have been linked to the scandal.
And finally: The Stewart/Colbert dream ticket will have to wait. Jon Stewart dispelled any rumors he would appear with Stephen Colbert on a presidential ballot. Stewart said people wearing “Stewart/Colbert ‘08″ t-shirts “are a real sign of how sad people are” about the country’s direction. “Nothing says ‘I am ashamed of you my government’ more than ‘Stewart/Colbert ‘08,’” he added.
What did we miss? Let us know in the comments section.
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I found this on Fark, are they for real?
October 10th, 2006 at 9:13 amThe Swiftboating of Olbermann has started:
October 10th, 2006 at 9:18 am
That’s right. You don’t call someone “evil” to their face and expect anything good to come from it and you don’t vote to take away Habeas Corpus and expect there to not be repercussions.
October 10th, 2006 at 9:20 amLet’s try that again.
Olbermann Swiftboating
October 10th, 2006 at 9:23 am
What about the Eisenhower battle group sailing for the Gulf on October 2nd? Then watch for whether the Enterprise group already there is extended….
Oh and then there’s the shredding of the Constitution and 800 years of habeas corpus, TP. Just a minor point in all this talk of who’s penis was where and who’s hand was touching it.
October 10th, 2006 at 9:23 amWierdolongo: I found this on Fark, are they for real?
Bottom right column on the site:
Note: Everything posted on this blog is satire and should be read as such.
October 10th, 2006 at 9:26 am#1 – look down in the lower right side:
Note: Everything posted on this blog is satire and should be read as such.
October 10th, 2006 at 9:28 amNow I feel like a bit of a tool…but thank you!
October 10th, 2006 at 9:29 amThis is pathetic:
October 10th, 2006 at 9:30 amhttp://www.nypost.com/seven/10092006/gossip/pagesix/pagesix.htm
The FBI is “struggling to reinvent itself to fight terrorâ€
October 10th, 2006 at 9:41 amI wonder how many good FBI agents with institutional knowledge have been fired or quit because of all the political cronies brought in. It’s frightening: the CIA and FBI is in disarray, their ability to do important work is hampered, and to top it all off, any of us can be arrested and held for years with no trial.
we’ve apparently focused on the wrong corner of the axis of evil…
October 10th, 2006 at 9:44 amNot in the news: “Death of a President” premiered in Britain yesterday (yours truly is in London at the moment, so caught the program).
Well-made film, some really excellent editing, and good portrayal of the complex characters. Must be said that the plot, however, was a little predictable.
But was it a good film? Well, to the extent a film is good by messing with your head, this one was off the charts. I felt genuinely shocked at Bush’s assassination and funeral – the dramatization impacted me far more than I would have expected. The rest of the film I just kind of took at face value, and appreciated for what it was. But the “death” put a wierd and sinister undercurrent into the plot… I imagine, exactly as the makers intended.
October 10th, 2006 at 9:44 amWell here we are again, just another twisted tuesday in bush bizarro world.. It doe’s appear that our maniac in charge and the equaly crazy NK leader are bent on bombing and showing their non manliness with threat’s, no negotiations and demand’s for respect….Saber ratelling, war drum’s and lack of caring for the people of the world have brought us to this terrible place in time….
Considering our track record of past take overs, killing and domination, this seems to be rove’s october surprise alright….If anything survives all this madness surely the history book’s will be full of critical remarks about our total disregard for human life and the administration’s total love afair with money and power….Karma is going to deal with us in many way’s and it will not be good……..Blessings All
October 10th, 2006 at 9:46 am#9 – That’s crap. Keith Olbermann doesn’t answer his email.
October 10th, 2006 at 9:48 am“A couple of days ago, Americablog reported rumors of another secretly gay Republican congressperson involved in scandal. John Aravosis refused to divulge the name (even in private correspondence — yes, I was nebby enough to ask), although his published piece cleverly hinted that the “mystery gay” was House Speaker Denny Hastert himself. Now, a number of web sites — and even Randi Rhodes! — have reported that Hastert is indeed the man on the hot seat.”
Snip.
“Many chiefs of staff are close, very close, to their bosses on Capitol Hill. But none are closer than Scott Palmer is to Denny Hastert. They don’t just work together all day, they live together.
There are plenty of odd couple Congressmen who have roomed together on Capitol Hill, but I have never heard of a chief of staff who rooms with his boss. It is beyond unusual. But it must have its advantages. Anything they forget to tell each other at the office, they have until bedtime to catch up on. And then there’s breakfast for anything they forgot to tell each other before falling asleep. And then there’s all day at the office.”
Snip…
“It’s a rare D.C. appearence for Mrs. Hastert. She was here a few weeks ago for President Bush’s State of the Union address. She was off to an afternoon tea, at an ambassador’s residence, sponsored by some international group.
When in Washington, the speaker lives in a group house with his chief of staff, Scott Palmer and top deputy, Mike Stokke.
I asked her if she is bunking with the guys.
She is not. She stays in a hotel.”
Snip..
“WMR’s State Department sources have also reported that the visits of Hastert and other congressional leaders and staff members to certain Southeast Asian nations and the Northern Marianas should come under the scrutiny of the House Ethics Committee, now officially investigating “Pagegate.” The Northern Marianas became infamous in the scandals involving Tom DeLay and Jack Abramoff because of the presence in the US slave labor territory of Asian children being used as prostitutes. Conveniently, Foley co-chaired the House Caucus on Missing and Exploited Children, which would have had authority to investigate charges of child prostitution in the Northern Marianas.”
http://cannonfire.blogspot.com/2006/10/flaggots.html
Oh my God.
October 10th, 2006 at 9:48 am79 percent of Americans believe the House leadership was more interested in their own political standing than in the safety of the pages as the Foley scandal emerged, according to a New York Times/CBS News poll.
Now that’s the kind of number I like to see. I do hope Denny Hastert holds on to his job a bit longer…. :)
October 10th, 2006 at 9:52 amChimpy couldn’t spell diplomacy if it was on a goddamn piece of paper right in front of his face.
October 10th, 2006 at 9:56 amGood morning all. Still waiting for Bush’s Torture Bill to become law. Could it be he will allow it to become law without his signature? I’ve been looking up “Pocket Veto” and it looks possible. I can see a rationale for that course of action. Congress alone would get the blame for the destruction of our Constitution and our abandonment of international rule of law.
Bush has another diplomatic success story: North Korea has joined the Nuclear Club. Yup, a member of “The Axis of Evil” has weapons of mass destruction. Who could have possibly foreseen that happening?
And the focus has shifted from what Foley did or did not do to the cover-up perpetuated by the Republican leadership in the House. It’s like the butler covering for a member of the household staff, forgetting that his first loyalty is to his employer, the owner of the house. We The People are the owner of the House. It’s time to fire the butler and any other member of the staff who aided and abetted Foley in his private “pursuit of happiness.”
Why is it such a noble thing when a Republican resigns after getting caught?
And now we have a new Aircraft Carrier named Bush. Now wouldn’t that be a tempting target for “terrorists?” I feel sorry for the sailors…what can they say, “I was a seaman on the Bush!” In dress whites.
Interesting day ahead….
October 10th, 2006 at 9:57 amGeneric Congressional Ballot CNN 10/06 – 10/08 543 LV GOP (R) 37% , Dems (D) 58% Dems +21.0%
Generic Congressional Ballot USA Today/Gallup 10/06 – 10/08 622 LV GOP (R) 36% , Dems (D) 59% Dems +23.0%
Denny’s doin a heckuva job!
October 10th, 2006 at 9:58 am“I was a seaman on the Bush!â€
Comment by Briseadh na Faire
That’s the filthiest thing you’ve ever said.
Well done! :)
October 10th, 2006 at 10:00 amThe FBI is “struggling to reinvent itself to fight terror,†a NYT analysis shows. “If you look at, for example, the four key ingredients for counterterrorism success — agents, analysts, managers and computers — the F.B.I. is struggling to get the basics right on all of them,†an analyst says.
I don’t understand the struggle. Underfunding? Poor leadership?
October 10th, 2006 at 10:03 amThis is pathetic:
Comment by DDB
Thanks for being persistant with the Kieth Olbermann article and finally getting that story posted. I am a huge fan and try to catch his news show every evening.
I mean, he’s the man! I like the way he is not afraid to risk his ratings to kick the crap out of Bill O’Lielly and the Faux News channel, and especially how he sticks his neck out there and holds the idiot-in-chief accountable while the other news pundits gives daddy’s little squirt a pass.
Thanks again.
October 10th, 2006 at 10:03 amJoe Sixpack,
I’d believe that story if it was about Bill O. He can only manage over the phone, and with a falafel.
October 10th, 2006 at 10:06 amDo you guys know how to get lastnight’s comment? I was watching the game, and couldn’t talk the entire bar into watching Olbermann instead of pre-game. MSNBC video won’t load for some reason. I don’t think it’s been posted on YouTube yet.
HELP!!
October 10th, 2006 at 10:09 am#22 – I love Keith as well.
The fact that they published this shite with an anonymous source shows just how moronic the Goopers are.
October 10th, 2006 at 10:10 amWow! BnF, that was way funny, disgusting but funny. I do like things funny and disgusting..LOL…Bravo….Blessings
October 10th, 2006 at 10:12 amStock options that Sen. George Allen (R-VA) failed to report were “worth as much as $1.1 million at one point,†Bloomberg reports. Allen claimed the options were “worthless†in a story published Sunday.
Allen was misquoted.
He meant to say that he is worthless.
October 10th, 2006 at 10:13 amSouthpaw,
If you’re concerned about the habeas corpus segment his was going to do, don’t worry. He moved it back to today.
October 10th, 2006 at 10:15 amYup! That was what I wanted to hear, Zooey. Thanks!
October 10th, 2006 at 10:19 amAnytime, Southpaw.
I just can’t believe you couldn’t get your bar mates to skip the game. Afterall, it’s Keith!
October 10th, 2006 at 10:24 amHow are you feeling Zooey.? Still off work today.?…Hope you are better. How’s Cyra.? Any one.?…..
Look’s like TP is still not going to put up a thread on the dreadful bill’s….
The Bear is doing well after the removal of a tree from his mouth. Go figure, the tree hugger has a dog who loves to eat wood, or small trees. I am being punished and don’t know what for….LOL…Blessings
October 10th, 2006 at 10:47 amSharon –
October 10th, 2006 at 10:59 amBe thankful your pooch isn’t fixated on porcupines.
Had to put a dog down myself (Easter Sunday) many years ago after his fifth and final go round with one. Sad…:{
You’re right, RUCerious, I had a boxer once that did the porcupine stunt 3 times. I was living in Hayden Lake Idaho then…Great dog otherwise. I didn’t have to put her down, was able to find a family with a huge fenced in yard and no chance to run in the wood’s ever. My vet told me there was no way to stop her behavior, guess they go nut’s and will not stop…..Bear’s other problem’s include trying to eat everything he can get in his huge mouth, much like a shop vac….LOL…..Blessings
October 10th, 2006 at 11:11 amWhat about that good ol’ Habeus Corpus there TP? Just checkin’.
October 10th, 2006 at 11:13 amTed Stevens needs to drive his car off that brige to nowhere..
George Allen is a crook and will never be president.
The FBI is struggling after having millions, if not billions, spent on increasing the size of government. Once again the GOP is weak on National Security.
Who cares what Rove thinks?
Iraq is the quagmire bush was warned about creating, did he listen? No.
79% of America think the GOP leadership sucks. The GOP is oddly, under an illusion that they are doing a good job.
The Axis of evil is in the Whitehouse.
October 10th, 2006 at 11:14 amYep! I agree, Dog….Blessings….P.S. What does DARVO mean.? Noticed it at the end of some of you’re post’s.
October 10th, 2006 at 11:20 amDARVO is a method to turn the table to make the attacker seen as the victim. Deny, Attack, Reverse Victim and Offender.
It’s what the neo-con Pundits use to deflect blame. You see it in use on FOX everyday
October 10th, 2006 at 11:25 am“And now we have a new Aircraft Carrier named Bush. Now wouldn’t that be a tempting target for “terrorists?†”
Nope, this one’s safe, they have already picked the America for their next fals flag operation. I wonder if anyone has told the sailors yet that their own country is going to bomb them and blame it on the terrists?
There is a link, I need to locate it – I first saw it here on TP in a comments section…
October 10th, 2006 at 11:38 amThank’s Dog for filling me in on the DARVO.
October 10th, 2006 at 11:50 amWow! SKdeA, scary stuff but as usual I am not at all suprised, this bunch of maniace will do anything to keep control, even kill their own which I am inclined to believe more each day…….Blessings All, we realy need them.
Today, FedSpending.org was released–go to http://www.fedspending.org to try it out–it’s a searchable database of all federal grants and contracts. it’s a great way to get more informed about how the government spends its money for anyone that’s interested, from novices to policy wonks. Check it out!
October 10th, 2006 at 12:28 pmThank’s for the link Matt, this look’s like a winner for info…Blessings
October 10th, 2006 at 2:27 pmDid anyone hear (or see) the news about the FBI pulling Sen. Arlen Specter’s financial disclosure filings?
…I wonder if it had anything to do with his threats to investigate (or hold hearings on) the warrantless wiretapping the emperor ordered?
October 10th, 2006 at 3:16 pm[...] Think Progress [...]
October 10th, 2006 at 5:57 pm[...] Of course, this has not stopped eager opponents (etc, etc, etc, etc, etc, etc, etc, etc, etc, etc etc) from trying to score political points by misleading their readers. That’s what the Webb campaign and their allies do. Jon Henke – October 10, 2006 – 8:33 PM · Uncategorized [...]
October 10th, 2006 at 8:32 pm[...] Original post by Think Progress Read More… [...]
October 11th, 2006 at 9:29 amDDB #s 2,4 &9
Relax…
…this isn’t political…
…hell, what man hasn’t done the one night stand…
…hell hath no fury bit?
…she’s disgruntled, and (if you ask me) sounds like she wants old Keith for a rematch…
October 11th, 2006 at 3:28 pmAbout the George Allen stock options: Turns out he is correct in saying that the options are worthless. The current price of the stock (XYBRQ) is less than 1 cent. Now when Allen got the options, the stock price may have been around $5 (it spiked to $30 for a little while in 2000) but if his option price is greater than the current value of the stock, then his options are worthless. For example, let’s say that his option price is $5 and the current price is $1, then that means that in order to sell his stock at $1 per share, he first has to buy it at $5 per share. The only way he can make money on the stock is if his option price is less than the current stock price.
Now I don’t like Allen at all, but in this case, he is telling the truth. Still, he should have reported that he had the options even if they are worthless, I suppose.
October 11th, 2006 at 4:37 pm