ThinkFast: October 12, 2006
ThinkFast: October 12, 2006
Former special assistant to President Bush on faith-based issues, David Kuo, writes in a new book that Karl Rove’s office referred to evangelical leaders as “the nuts.” Kuo said, “National Christian leaders received hugs and smiles in person and then were dismissed behind their backs and described as ‘ridiculous,’ ‘out of control,’ and just plain ‘goofy.’”
On the Tonight Show, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger (R-CA) said, “To link me to George Bush is like linking me to an Oscar.”
“The U.S. trade deficit unexpectedly widened to a record $69.9 billion in August as energy prices rose and the shortfall with China reached an all-time high,” the Commerce Department said yesterday.
“The levels of violence over the last few weeks are as high as they have been,” according to Gen. George Casey, the senior American commander in Iraq. While he anticipates the violence will eventually go down, “it’s not going to be something that we’re going to get done quickly.”
“The Shiite-dominated parliament Wednesday passed a law allowing the formation of federal regions in Iraq, despite opposition from Sunni lawmakers and some Shiites who say it will dismember the country and fuel sectarian violence.”
The Bush administration is blaming the intelligence agency for its North Korea policy failures. Officials tell the Washington Times that classified assessments stated that “Pyongyang did not have nuclear arms and until recently was bluffing about plans for a test.” The analyses in question were produced by senior officials within the office of the Director of National Intelligence John D. Negroponte.
Few major cities are prepared for evacuations. Cities such as New York City, Los Angeles, Chicago, San Diego, Miami, Philadelphia, Denver, Atlanta and Boston received failing grades in the report by the American Highway Users Alliance. The report measured “how well each city can evacuate its population before or after a major disaster.” Only Kansas City received an “A.”
A Washington Post photographer “who shot photos during a cross-country trip for a pro-Wal-Mart web site, broke the paper’s policy about freelancing and has been ordered to remove the photos.”
And finally: Sens. Trent Lott (R-MS) and Larry Craig (R-ID) are getting the band back together — the “Singing Senators” barbershop quartet, which has been silent for the past six years. “[Sen. Bob Bennett] wants to do it,” said Craig. “It’s [Sen. John Thune] who doesn’t know. He thinks it’s a little hokey. He asked if senators do this sort of thing.”
What did we miss? Let us know in the comments section.
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October 12th, 2006 at 9:22 amIt’sw not hard to believe that BushCo leads the Religous Reich around by the nose. They do the same with every one of their constituencies, with the exception of the billionaires.
Goper’s Lament (Hard To Be A Republican)
October 12th, 2006 at 9:34 amKarl Rove’s office referred to evangelical leaders as “the nuts.â€
October 12th, 2006 at 9:37 amLook who’s calling the kettle black!
Neocrook’s rules…
#1. Win at any cost
#2. Blame Clinton when you’ve screwed up
#3. Play the religious right like a fiddle
#4. See #2
omg, Rove actually said something I agree with! let evangelicals read about this and remember it at the polls…
Arnie – zing!!!
October 12th, 2006 at 9:39 amHabeas corpus…….Hello? Anyone?
*crickets chirping*
October 12th, 2006 at 9:40 amFormer special assistant to President Bush on faith-based issues, David Kuo, writes in a new book that Karl Rove’s office referred to evangelical leaders as “the nuts.†Kuo said, “National Christian leaders received hugs and smiles in person and then were dismissed behind their backs and described as ‘ridiculous,’ ‘out of control,’ and just plain ‘goofy.’â€
Keith Olbermann did a segment on this yesterday. It can be nothing but devestating to BushCo. Spin this one Unka Karl…
October 12th, 2006 at 9:41 amThe B-Sharps anyone? “Baby on board, oh how I’ve adored…”
October 12th, 2006 at 9:42 am(gasp)
You mean Karl Rove did it just to win Elections?!?!?
Also, I loved that he’ll “adapt” in regards to Iraq but Not North Korea.
GW’s Entire reason for no direct talks is simply “It’s what NK wants!”, which is bizarre: If it gets what we want, Who Cares?!?!
As Usual He’s missing the Bottom line: 6 years of Ignoring NK is NOT working, despite all his rhetoric.
October 12th, 2006 at 9:43 amSens. Trent Lott (R-MS) and Larry Craig (R-ID) are getting the band back together — the “Singing Senators†barbershop quartet, which has been silent for the past six years. “[Sen. Bob Bennett] wants to do it,†said Craig. “It’s [Sen. John Thune] who doesn’t know. He thinks it’s a little hokey. He asked if senators do this sort of thing.â€
Oy, the shame…
October 12th, 2006 at 9:43 am“The Shiite-dominated parliament Wednesday passed a law allowing the formation of federal regions in Iraq, despite opposition from Sunni lawmakers and some Shiites who say it will dismember the country and fuel sectarian violence.â€
But…but, democracy……is on the……march….?
October 12th, 2006 at 9:44 amGood Morning Zooey, You beat me to the punch, line….You are so quick I am amazed…More good weather on the way……Think I will bail and just check in once in awhile……I question TP’s action’s and backing considering we have been asking for weeks now about their lack of coverage of these bill’s…That and their allowing some trolls to stick around……Blessing’s
October 12th, 2006 at 9:46 amDemocracy is on the march, alright, Zooey. Problem is it’s marching away. Away from Iraq. Away from the U.S….
October 12th, 2006 at 9:47 amGood morning Sharon,
I understand your feeling completely, great lady. Your wisdom is always welcome around here, by those of us with brains, anyway.
Scratch Bear’s ears for me, and hug that cedar.
October 12th, 2006 at 9:50 amGov Arnold linked himself to George Bush at the RNC in August 2004. I saw it right there on my TV. He was talking to the folks with the purple heart band-aids.
October 12th, 2006 at 9:51 amAnother shining example from the party of personal responsibility…
October 12th, 2006 at 9:51 amWhat did you miss? How about the latest installment of Foleygate:
http://www.cnn.com/2006/POLITICS/10/11/shays.kennedy.ap/index.html
That’s right, folks. The Republicans are excusing their behavior in covering for Foley by bringing back the 37 year old scandel of Ted Kennedy and Chappaquiddick.
October 12th, 2006 at 9:52 amGood morning Briseadh na Faire,
You are right. At one time in my life, not too long ago, I never thought this would happen to our country. I was wrong.
October 12th, 2006 at 9:52 amMore like the “A-Minors.”
October 12th, 2006 at 9:53 amGood Morning Briseadh na Faire, Off topic, sorry…Check out the cd “Thunder Dance” by Scott Fitzgerald….Baught it a couple of year’s ago and it is great…Blessings
October 12th, 2006 at 9:55 amPete Bogs & Briseadh na Faire — Isn’t it bad enough already!?
October 12th, 2006 at 9:56 amSo ashamed…
#5–Is it possible to rescind the habeus corpus and the torture bills? If Demcorats gain a majoirty, will they be able to do something like this? If this abomination goes to the Surpreme Court, I think they should hold Congress in contempt for passing bills that defy the Supreme Court decision and are clearly illegal according to our own Constitution and the standards set by the Geneva Convention statutes. Don’t know if the Supremem Court can do that or what the implictations would be, but I’m hoping something (anything!) will be done. Impeachment and the ousting of Bush and Cheney, of course, would take care of a lot of problems.
October 12th, 2006 at 9:58 amArnie…your ‘actions’ speak louder than your words.
October 12th, 2006 at 9:58 amGood Christians have been suckered, and now you scum are going to pay the price.
Zooey, not quite. They could be bi-tonal:
C-A Minor. For you non-musicians, that an interval of a third apart.
(and for those who have followed my posts, I used to be a music teacher before my school eliminated the program and reassigned me to teach history and language arts.)
October 12th, 2006 at 10:00 amWhat could (so called) Christans expect when you trade Jesus’ teachings for money and power.
Followers of organized religion need to read some history along with their Bible.
October 12th, 2006 at 10:00 amMidwest – it is possible to write new legislation repealing those laws. But it is likely that the insulation from crimes written into Bush’s Torture Bill will not be repealable.
October 12th, 2006 at 10:01 amIsnt the National Debt more like 699.0 Billion or in reality in the Trillions?
October 12th, 2006 at 10:02 amZooey, not quite. They could be bi-tonal:
C-A Minor. For you non-musicians, that an interval of a third apart.
Ugh, worse and worse…
Heh heh, you said bi-tonal, heh heh.
*hanging head in shame*
October 12th, 2006 at 10:03 amMidwestblue,
I’m no expert on this, but if GWB signs the bill, a restraining order may be obtained in any court challenge filed. The Legislature makes the laws, and the Supreme Court enforces the laws (or finds them un-Constitutional). The lines are all blurry now because the Executive branch has too much power. The Dems really need to take power in November, start impeachment proceedings, and clean up this mess.
October 12th, 2006 at 10:08 amThe Media squashed the story, MSNBC took it off the front of it’s website and nobody else has it in major papers or news media.
October 12th, 2006 at 10:17 amAnother off topic note to BnF..Wow! I did not know that you were a music teacher..Me, I finelly found C on my new little key board I baught my self and beginners book on learning….Funny, have wanted my entire life to learn to play….Eclectic (sp) music lover but never had the time to learn…With Michael’s passing it became a must.. I am finelly going to teach my self to play and read music. Less time on the computer and more time with fun things.
Hugged the Bear and a tree for you Zooey…Blessings all.
October 12th, 2006 at 10:26 amWhat is worse? Evangelicals being “nuts” and “goofy” and “out of control”…or a Government that panders to them and forms all their policies to appease people it doesn’t like, agree with or respect.
Not that Republicans have any respect for anybody anyway…but it takes a special kind of idiot to form all policies around making those nuts happy at the expense of the rest of the country.
October 12th, 2006 at 10:33 amTrent Lott (R-MS) and Larry Craig (R-ID) are getting the band back together — the “Singing Senators†barbershop quartet, which has been silent for the past six years. “[Sen. Bob Bennett] wants to do it,†said Craig. “It’s [Sen. John Thune] who doesn’t know. He thinks it’s a little hokey. He asked if senators do this sort of thing.â€
They had a band that kept playing on the sinking Titanic also…seems fitting.
October 12th, 2006 at 10:36 amHabeas corpus…….Hello? Anyone?
*crickets chirping*
Comment by Zooey
Yes I agree, anyone, hello, can you hear me now?
October 12th, 2006 at 11:33 amHay, TP, can you hear us now…..We know you read us but do you get what you hear and read.? You have to know this is not going away…..Most of us will just up and leave the site first, we will not let go of this….Put up thread’s on those miserable bill’s……Were tired of the potatoes and gravy, we are asking for meat and salad with our meal’s…..Blessings
October 12th, 2006 at 11:48 amI certainly hope this David Kuo story and book gets picked up by (and aired on) the major networks…
…then the Bush worshippers can be confronted by their misguided worship of FALSE PROPHETS…
…time to turn on some lights…
October 12th, 2006 at 11:50 amZooey, Your grasp of the system of checks-and-balances is…well, let’s just say….interesting.
You are, in fact, incorrect. It is the role of the Executive Branch to “enforce” the laws, not that of the judicial branch. The judiciary is charged with “interpreting” the law….But hey, you were right when you said the legislature makes the laws….One out of three ain’t bad. I’ll give you a C- on that posting.
You’re welcome.
October 12th, 2006 at 11:52 amSince C (assume Ionian) and A minor(assume aeolian) are diatonically indistinguishable and since A minor(aeolian) is the relative minor of C major I don’t think bi-tonal is an accurate description.
October 12th, 2006 at 11:57 amWant a REALLY great laugh?
George W. Bush is questioning the methods of MIT scholars…
…on how they compiled the data they published concerning unnecessary Iraqi casualties (655,000 of them)…
…hahahahahahahahahahahahahaha!!!!
October 12th, 2006 at 12:38 pmWow…you mean Karl Rove said something I agree with?
October 12th, 2006 at 12:57 pmShocking!
Regarding the methodology of the Lancet study….the researchers used random sampling to extrapolate data nation-wide. In the U.S. pollsters use random sampling to extrapolate data nation-wide. Hence the method is nothing new, and has been judged reliable by statisticians, and politicians, for years.
Next, the subject matter, Iraqi deaths during the invasion and occupation of Iraq by coalition forces. A much lower death total is obtained when using only “official” talleys and/or media reported deaths. The discrepancy is attributable to unreported deaths. For example, under Saddam’s regime, thousands of deaths were not reported officially, nor were there any media reports of their deaths. If we were to go by only the official tally under Saddam, or by the official tally plus the then available media reports, the number of people killed in Iraq under Saddam’s regime would be far less than the actual total.
Hence the Lancet study, even given the study’s margin of error of between 400,000 and 800,000 deaths, is a better indicator of the measure of carnage in Iraq than the official and media reports to date.
October 12th, 2006 at 1:11 pmZooey, you’re right about the Supreme Court having the authority to find a law un-Consitutional. That dates back to Marbury v. Madison (1803). I had the pleasure of discussing that case with a Supreme Court Justice 200 years later.
I do find it interesting that the Supreme Court sharply rebuked the Executive Branch in its ruling against Bush’s treatment of the prisoners at Guantanamo. I find the President’s response in his Military Commission Bill predictable, and Congress’s passage of that bill, disturbing. I expect the Supreme Court to strike it down with equal force. And I expect Bush to implement it anyway, under his “implied authority as Commander in Chief.” Or, worse yet, implement it under the secret cloak of “national security” and as such, immune from judicial review.
It may yet come to a situation where the only way to check Bush’s dictatorial powers will be through an international war crimes tribunal.
October 12th, 2006 at 1:22 pmExley,
I have it on good authority that you need to go piss up a rope.
I do think the executive is trying to give themselves too much power, with the Habeus Corpus bill. The executive will be interpreting and enforcing the law with this, because there will be no chance for a court to hear it now.
October 12th, 2006 at 1:25 pmThe Shiite-dominated parliament Wednesday passed a law allowing the formation of federal regions in Iraq, despite opposition from Sunni lawmakers and some Shiites who say it will dismember the country and fuel sectarian violence
Some say the country should dismember itself. The real big problem is the Sunnis getting their fair share of the natural resources.
October 12th, 2006 at 1:30 pmPlease no audio links to any singing senetors TP.
October 12th, 2006 at 1:31 pmThe Bush administration is blaming the intelligence agency for its North Korea policy failures
Era of accountability at its finest.
October 12th, 2006 at 1:32 pm“We expect violence in Iraq to taper off dramatically, right after the last Iraqis are killed”
October 12th, 2006 at 1:52 pmHas Bush ass pushed the red nuclear button yet today? He might do it tomorrow, so each day we remain alive is a miracle with Dubya in power!
October 12th, 2006 at 2:26 pmTritone –
If they were singing the same songs simultaneously in the two different keys, there would definitely be bitonality. A-minor has no flats or sharps, being the relative minor to C major. However, C-minor would have four flats (Bb-Eb-Ab-Db), being the relative minor to Eb Major.
However, being parallel keys a minor third apart, the bitonality would result in harmony. However, that would only apply if they were singing the melody. The moment they would harmonize in bitonal singing, there would be some extreme clashes as some would sing notes a minor second apart.
The musical lesson here is plain. Congressmen should avoid minors in key places, lest their actions result in extreme dissonance amongst voters. Those who don’t will soon find out it is the staff which does the singing.
October 12th, 2006 at 2:27 pm#25- Briseadh, I’m flabergasted the Torture Bill insulates Bush like that. I read in some column that a law cannot be passed that exonerates someone from crimes that have already been committed. Geesh, he could kill Laura on t.v., and Congress could just pass a law saying he’s exonerated. Evidently, this law verifies that Bush is indeed above the law.
October 12th, 2006 at 2:30 pm49 – it could ultimately be up to the Supreme Court to decide that question. However, no domestic law can exempt a person from an international war crime tribunal, and the prohibition against torture is a jus cogens of international law.
October 12th, 2006 at 2:38 pmBriseadh na Faire & ForTruth:
:-)
October 12th, 2006 at 3:24 pm[...] Think Progress [...]
October 12th, 2006 at 5:22 pmSorry BNF,
Mighty does bring you up a lot, she might like you.
October 12th, 2006 at 5:54 pmThanks for the compliment Zooey :-)
October 12th, 2006 at 5:57 pmMighty does bring you up a lot, she might like you.
Comment by ForTruth
I’m not sure Briseadh na Faire is into the “Crypt Keeper” look.
October 12th, 2006 at 8:25 pm[...] ThinkFast: October 12, 2006Think Progress, DC - 12 hours ago… Officials tell the Washington Times that classified assessments stated that Pyongyang did not have nuclear arms and until recently was bluffing about plans … [...]
October 12th, 2006 at 9:50 pm#28 and#50—Zooey and Briseadh, thanks for the information. A restraining order and then, I guess, one looks forward to a day when the ICC would start proceedings. Perhaps, just perhaps, public outrage will mount, and he’ll be ousted from office.
October 12th, 2006 at 10:00 pm