ThinkFast: October 31, 2006
ThinkFast: October 31, 2006
The Interior Department has dropped claims that oil giant Chevron “systematically underpaid the government for natural gas produced in the Gulf of Mexico, a decision that could allow energy companies to avoid paying hundreds of millions of dollars in royalties.”
“Growing numbers of American military officers have begun to privately question” the administration’s resistance to redeploying U.S. troops out of Iraq. “There is a new belief that the biggest problem that we face is that our forces are the sand in the gears creating problems,” said one former Pentagon official. “We are making things worse by giving the Iraqis a false sense of security at the governing level.”
The Bush administration is now “targeting unmarried adults up to age 29” as part of its abstinence-only programs, “which include millions of dollars in federal money that will be available to the states under revised federal grant guidelines for 2007.”
The Las Vegas district attorney “said Monday that authorities have reopened their investigation into a cocktail waitress’ claim that a Republican congressman running for governor” — Rep. Jim Gibbons (R-NV) — “assaulted her in a parking garage after a night of drinking.”
Not surprisingly, the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC), “which holds around two thirds of the world’s oil reserves,” claimed the UK government’s recent report on the catastrophic economic effects of climate change has “no basis in science or economics.”
Rep. Loretta Sanchez (D-CA) said she was briefly denied access to a United Airlines flight last week because her name appeared on a “no fly list” set up after the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks. Previously, Sen. Ted Kennedy (D-MA) and Rep. John Lewis (D-GA) found that they had been ensnared by the program.
A “spasm of violence” seized Baghdad on Monday. “Forty six Iraqis were killed in six bombings across the city,” and the American toll for October “rose to 102, the highest since January 2005.”
“American units training the Iraqi police” believe “it may take decades” for Iraqi security forces to take control of the country. One U.S. Army captain overseeing police training said 70 percent of the Iraqi police force “has been infiltrated by militias.”
And finally: Please don’t share this story with Bill O’Reilly, or we’ll never hear the end of it. After eleven months of debate, Auburn University’s student government has decided the “‘Holiday Tree Lighting’ will now be called the ‘Holiday Celebration Featuring the Lighting of the Christmas Tree.’”
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The Bush administration is now “targeting unmarried adults up to age 29†as part of its abstinence-only programs, “which include millions of dollars in federal money that will be available to the states under revised federal grant guidelines for 2007.â€
Fine use of OUR money. Where do these boneheads get these ideas?
October 31st, 2006 at 9:19 amSo now there’s a Mexican surname on the terrorist watch list. But Hispanic legal immigrants have nothing to fear from the Military Commissions Act of 2006. Do they?
What if the Congresswoman was hauled off into detention at a secret facility to await a determination of whether or not she was an unlawful enemy combatant? No “one phone call.” And no hearing. Ever.
I am curious, has any Republican Congressperson ever been delayed because his/her name was on the terrorist watch list?
October 31st, 2006 at 9:27 amAnother Pagan Holiday taken over by those upstart Christians. Will they never stop?
Return to tradional values: Celebrate Saturnalia!
October 31st, 2006 at 9:30 amSigh. Less money to ease the deficit, more money for stock dividents.
October 31st, 2006 at 9:31 amWe are having some commenting issues, which we are working on. If you notice any problems, please email us.
October 31st, 2006 at 9:41 amSo, we’re above taking Chevron’s money? Bully for us!
October 31st, 2006 at 9:57 amTesting
October 31st, 2006 at 10:05 amThe Bush administration is now “targeting unmarried adults up to age 29†as part of its abstinence-only programs, “which include millions of dollars in federal money that will be available to the states under revised federal grant guidelines for 2007.â€
Why can’t this government mind it’s own f*cking business?
October 31st, 2006 at 10:25 amTesting didn’t work and the email I sent was returned…Hope we are not back to block out……
October 31st, 2006 at 10:27 amWhy can’t this government mind it’s own f*cking business?
Comment by Zooey — October 31, 2006 @ 10:25 am
When I say that I get Slammed for being insensitive and uncaring. There are always a thousand reasons the government can spend money on issues and education that people around here care about, but when it’s an issue that the people on the right care about, it’s government meddling.
October 31st, 2006 at 10:28 amAw, sorry Tundra. Maybe someone will slam me later. :)
October 31st, 2006 at 10:29 amThe Bush administration is now “targeting unmarried adults up to age 29†as part of its abstinence-only programs
I believe in “the sanctity of marriage”, but I also didn’t get married until I was 30. And yes, there was plenty of women before my lovely wife came along.
October 31st, 2006 at 10:30 amI just don’t trust anyone, and I mean ANYONE, whose followed the abstinence-only guidelines thru age 29. Way too much “pent up” frustration!
This, is a, total….WASTE OF TAX PAYERS MONEY!
Test.
October 31st, 2006 at 10:37 am“Victory means exit strategy, and it’s important for the President to explain to us what the exit strategy is.”
-Governor George W. Bush (R-TX)
“If we are going to commit American troops, we must be certain they have a clear mission, an achievable goal and an exit strategy.”
-Karen Hughes, speaking on behalf of
presidential candidate George W. Bush
“You think Vietnam was bad? Vietnam is nothing next to Kosovo.”
-Tony Snow, Fox News 3/24/99
“You can support the troops but not the president”
-Representative Tom Delay (R-TX)
“My job as majority leader is be supportive of our troops, try to have input as decisions are made and to look at those decisions after they’re made … not to march in lock step with everything the president decides to do.”
-Senator Trent Lott (R-MS)
“It is a remarkable spectacle to see the Clinton Administration and NATO taking over from the Soviet Union the role of sponsoring “wars of national liberation.”
October 31st, 2006 at 10:39 am-Representative Helen Chenoweth (R-ID)
Aw, sorry Tundra. Maybe someone will slam me later. :)
Comment by Zooey — October 31, 2006 @ 10:29 am
So you don’t want to see an end to STD’s, You want to live in a country where the government isn’t interested in educating the people about potential problems? You just want people to get diseases so that the drug companies can get more money!!! People like you are the reason this country is going to corporate America and the loss of the middle class!! You support a society that enables people to practice non-safe acts and can get hurt, it’s why our healthcare is so bad, people like you!!! And your positions on Iraq are hurting people, you make me sick! Also because of people like you they took Happy Days off the air, and they don’t have the deposits in bottles high enough causing more trash to flood our cities. But your kind likes living in filth and refuse so it’s no big deal RIGHT????
How was that :)
October 31st, 2006 at 10:42 amSo you don’t want to see an end to STD’s, You want to live in a country where the government isn’t interested in educating the people about potential problems? You just want people to get diseases so that the drug companies can get more money!!!
No, but if the government is going to get so overly involved in our personal lives even after we’re ADULTS I’d like them to at least tell people to wear a condom, get the HPV vaccine, don’t have sex if you’ve got cold sores. You know, practical advice that actually works. As opposed to “just say no” which we know does not work. I’d like to see taxpayer money used effectively not just to pander to the extreme right wing.
October 31st, 2006 at 10:50 amEarlier, I believe that satan was trying to prevent me from posting my philosophy about abstinence, but my message will be heard. Thank the lord, it’s so exhilarating that the President plans to instill morality back into our society, based off of biblical standards. Instead of promoting the utilization of condoms via the media, we need to promote abstinence, and inform this young generation that fornication is biblically wrong. If your going to promote HIV prevention, then you must also promote abstinence.
October 31st, 2006 at 10:50 amDaryll,
October 31st, 2006 at 10:53 amLove your sarcasm dude. Love it!
#17 – If the President is so into “Biblical standards” why does he keep lying?
And here I thought that “thou shalt no lie” was one of the ten commandments. i guess “Republican Morality” is relative.
Maybe that’s why there are so many Republican molesters and shild predators! The truth will set you free, but first it’s going to tick you off, Daryll!
October 31st, 2006 at 10:58 amDRxJ, my message shouldn’t be considered sarcastic, I’m being factual.
October 31st, 2006 at 11:18 amNEOCON TEN COMMANDMENTS
1. Power is our Lord and God and we shall have no other god before it, although money is on the right hand.
October 31st, 2006 at 11:27 am2. We shall manipulate all images in order to advance our power.
3. We shall not forsake any name-calling to achieve our vanity.
4. We shall honor whatever we sayeth, even if contradictory, to keep us wholly in power.
5. We shall honor hypocrisy so that are days can be enriched with power and money.
6. We shall not hesitate to send others to kill in our name.
7. We shall commit our adultery or any other act of distrust as long as we can conceal it and shall condemn others for our own gain.
8. We shall not steal what can be gained by lobbying, honorariums, and fees.
9. We shall bear witness to any falsehood which benefits our power.
10. We shall not covet, we shall take.
DRxJ, my message shouldn’t be considered sarcastic, I’m being factual
Comment by Daryll — October 31, 2006 @ 11:18
You’re kidding again, right?
October 31st, 2006 at 11:35 amI mean, no one could seriously say this and not be joking: Thank the lord, it’s so exhilarating that the President plans to instill morality back into our society, based off of biblical standards
First off, a true Christian, out of respect, capitalizes any reference to Jesus and his Father. Thus, a true Christian will type Thank the Lord.
Secondly, you capitalized the president, but not the Lord? Freudian moment p’haps?
Third, to instill morality back into our society, one would need not lie to start a war. One would not innocently kill 600,000. One would not turn his back on the poor (poor as in situation, not monetary) as they suffered (Katrina). One would not cater to the rich (monetary), even if they’ve been guilty of stealing.
Only a brain washed pseudoChristian would not be sarcastic with that above posting.
So, you’re joking, right?
Christians have no right to instill anything in America. In America we have freedom to be complete assholes if we so choose. Christians ONLY have the right to try to convince me to do things their way and if I choose not to then they can just get bent … and that is my rights under the U.S. Constitution and the Bill of Rights.
October 31st, 2006 at 11:46 amIn America we have freedom to be complete assholes if we so choose.
Agree Fully!!
Christians ONLY have the right to try to convince me to do things their way
This works for anyone!!
If I don’t want to give more of MY MONEY to any stupid little program that either side chooses I shouldn’t have to.
October 31st, 2006 at 11:58 amggibson, then enjoy hell, which is consisted of fire and brimstone. I bet you plan to celebrate, the satanist holiday, Halloween.
October 31st, 2006 at 11:58 amTundra, STD’s are real.
October 31st, 2006 at 11:59 amTundra, STD’s are real.
Comment by Daryll — October 31, 2006 @ 11:59 am
Umm Yes. I was joking with Zoo about how anytime I ask the government to stay out of my life, people run around and pull issues from the wind and slam me for it. Putting their own associations with it and assuming all kinds of things.
October 31st, 2006 at 12:03 pm#13 is Daryll’s most coherent post to date.
October 31st, 2006 at 12:04 pmDaryll, I am specifically complaining that our government should focus on all sides of health care messaging. To advocate abstinence only, without also informing those who wish to decide to have sexual intercourse how to protect themselves is a misuse of MY tax dollars.
October 31st, 2006 at 12:08 pmI wouldn’t expect you to be able to understand such a complex issue though, as your one message fits all mentality reduces you to a parrot.
Happy Halloween (night before all Hallows day!)
28 – yeah, and he failed the test.
Daryll, why don’t you research Hallowe’en before you post? Hallowe’en predates Satanism.
October 31st, 2006 at 12:09 pmHey Daryll, how was UML class?
October 31st, 2006 at 12:12 pmAll Hallows Day – ANOTHER Christian hijacking of a Pagan Tradition!
Is nothing sacred to these people?
October 31st, 2006 at 12:18 pmRUCerious, the DIA/IATAC class occurs in January. Also, we don’t need to fund the advocation of safe sex. There’s only one solution for this problem, wait until marriage. Now that’s safe sex! Briseadh+na+Faire, don’t worry, I’m waiting for the kids to knock on my door tonight. I have biblical leaflets for them. Instead of giving them candy to celebrate witchcraft, I will give them biblical sources to enhance their lives morally.
October 31st, 2006 at 12:19 pmInstead of giving them candy to celebrate witchcraft, I will give them biblical sources to enhance their lives morally.
BWWAAAHAHAAHAHAH!
October 31st, 2006 at 12:21 pmDo you know how to get wet toilet paper off your lawn trees, shrubs, house, car, etc????
Oh, and don’t let the egg drippings dry…
Today is Halloween, and one week away from election spooky show, so on day of ghouls and goblins we ponder the outcome of next Tuesday, so wonder about future?
Karl Rove the chubby faced troll predicts Democrats gain 8 to 10 House seats, so about 5 shy of control, and gain of 3 to 4 Senate seats, so at least 2 shy of control?
How come Dubya Dunce Decider Despot’s brain-man proclaims such confidence in the GOP keeping control of the Congress and believes the Democrats will lose?
Could it be because he knows that Diebold machines are rigged for the GOP Representatives, and Senators, so Democrats are just being allowed some small gains?
Or does he have some other foul plan up his sleeve to sway voters at the last moment to vote stupidly for the Republicans and to keep their lock on the government?
What devious sinister plot is being contrived prior to the election, to tilt the outcome to the GOP, so how far out is the Bush Regime willing to go to keep the Congress?
October 31st, 2006 at 12:36 pmDaryll – if the abstinance program is so effective, why are more teens who have made the abstinence pledge having oral sex?
October 31st, 2006 at 12:53 pmOn your 30th birthday, you’re allowed to read the soft core porn from hard liners like Lynne Cheney, Bill O’Reilly and Scooter Libby.
For the details, see:
October 31st, 2006 at 1:00 pm“Jim Webb and the Pornographers of the Right.”
ggibson, then enjoy hell, which is consisted of fire and brimstone. I bet you plan to celebrate, the satanist holiday, Halloween.
Comment by Daryll
So what reasoned evidence do you have that this place called Hell exists at all? Anything other than rumor you have heard? Ya didnt think so .. and PS… halloween was around long before your religion and your satan… but for someone that believes in Jesus horses (dinosaurs) being around just a couple thousand years ago I dont suspect you understand time lines very well.
October 31st, 2006 at 1:30 pmIf Married You Can Stay the Course
And yet again the TheoPublicans send our lustful youth off without sufficient body armor. If you’re married, well then, you can “stay the course.’ But advocating an early withdrawal is liturgical “cut and runâ€, an abhorrence. Retreat in the face of orgasm is unpatriotic and may well cause blindness like so many other dirty bodily temptations.
Statistics indicate that you can marry most of the people half of the time but you can’t marry half of the people all of the time.
You just refused adequate funding for medical research for our wounded troops. Is this what you needed the extra $10 million for? Stay the crap out of our bedrooms, you nut bags.
October 31st, 2006 at 1:44 pmYou just refused adequate funding for medical research for our wounded troops. Is this what you needed the extra $10 million for? Stay the crap out of our bedrooms, you nut bags.
Comment by craigajohnson — October 31, 2006 @ 1:44 pm
Excellent point craig! Why would anyone…ANYONE…support extra money for a study of “abstinence til 30″ (I cannot even type that without laughing) when obviously the thousands and thousands of injured soldiers could use that money for medical care.
October 31st, 2006 at 1:48 pmDaryll?
More of the repulsive, extreme fundamentalest reich winged profesed christians sticking their noses and everything else in the publics business. Only good thing about this entire wacko bunch is they keep saying don’t do as we do, do as we dictate…..Otherwise I would have to share my bedroom with someone like cheney’s wife….Yikes…..
Now to the point, this abstanance issue is stupid. Know several young couples that got the no sex pledge rings and said they were waiting untill marriage, Yah! Right……All of them had out of wedlock pregnancies….First and formost is teaching safe guard’s along with morel’s…Provide the tool’s that prevent unwanted pregnancy and disease along with self esteem….Educate, don’t discriminate…..It is a proven fact the higher educated have less unwanted pregnancy and rarely have abortion’s. In fact when Clinton was in noted by some reports that there were far fewer abortions because of the funding for birth control and educating the young……Get real folk’s this is a very old hashed over issue….The reich winger’s will use all this crap for their benefit only, they don’t realy care about this, they only care how many of our grown up troop;s can go fight their made up battles and fuel the radical reich….Blessings
October 31st, 2006 at 1:58 pm#33 – “I will give them biblical sources”
Let me guess, you’re going to completely ignore the contradictions in the Bible, right?
Not very surprised about that!
October 31st, 2006 at 2:32 pmIf you don’t give credence to Daryll……he cannot pass his BRAINWASHED MESSAGES!! They say misery loves company……and Daryll just want some company with his miserable thinking. Ignore his ignorance…….it’s the best way to take his power away!!!
October 31st, 2006 at 2:34 pm#25 Fire & Brimestone….not there is SOME MORTAL BRAINWASHING FOR YOU!! How about a black endless hole….it’s much more believeabler than fire & brimstone
October 31st, 2006 at 2:36 pmHow was that :)
Comment by Tundra
I feel royally slammed, Tundra. You have a true gift… :)
October 31st, 2006 at 3:14 pm[...] Think Progress [...]
October 31st, 2006 at 5:24 pm[...] Shorter WaPo (non-sarcastic variety), via Think Progress: “American units training the Iraqi police” believe “it may take decades” for Iraqi security forces to take control of the country. One U.S. Army captain overseeing police training said 70 percent of the Iraqi police force “has been infiltrated by militias.” [...]
November 1st, 2006 at 12:58 amFor a progressive minister’s take on sex before marriage, check out Rev. Debra Haffner, http://www.debrahaffner.blogspot.com
November 3rd, 2006 at 7:08 am