ThinkFast: December 23, 2006
ThinkFast: December 23, 2006
Rep. Robin Hayes (R-NC), who recently stated that stability in Iraq “depends on spreading the message of Jesus Christ,” is now blaming bloggers for his remarks. “It’s interesting how these bloggers can distort the news,” said his spokeswoman.
A federal court struck down smog rules proposed by the Bush administration in 2004, calling them “too weak” and in violation of the Clean Air Act.
The right wing’s War on Christmas “has never been so profitable.” The conservative American Family Association has “has rung up more than $550,000 in sales of buttons and magnets stamped with the slogan ‘Merry Christmas: It’s Worth Saying’” and the Liberty Counsel “has taken in more than $300,000 with its Help Save Christmas Action Packs.”
76: Number of American troops who have died in Iraq this month, “making December the second deadliest month for U.S. servicemen in 2006.” With “nine days remaining in December, the monthly total of U.S. deaths could meet or exceed the death toll of 105 in October.”
After an “overwhelming negative reaction” from residents, the mayor, and a federal lawmaker, Clear Channel Radio has agreed to keep Air America on air in Madison, WI.
Shiites are remaking “Baghdad in their image.” At least “10 neighborhoods that a year ago were mixed Sunni and Shiite are now almost entirely Shiite, according to residents, American and Iraqi military commanders and local officials.”
And finally: While his brother likes to use “the Google” to “pull up maps,” Florida Gov. Jeb Bush (R) is addicted to his Blackberry. Priding himself on being the first “E-Governor,” Bush’s official portrait unveiled at the governor’s mansion “shows him in his office standing next to a picture of his family with his trustworthy BlackBerry.”
What did we miss? Let us know in the comments section.
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That's the problem: It's the toxic smog which is covering Washington and the White House - as Lucy would say: "That 'slains everything"....well, almost everything......add in the alcoholic haze to the toxic smog and you've got the present prescription for disease and disaster.
December 23rd, 2006 at 10:25 amThey are loading us up with more toxic waste dumps here in New Mexico. They figure since we are in the desert nothing will matter. They want to drill for oil and ruin precious beauty and wildlife. In New Mexico most areas are undeveloped. We like it like that. Finally George W. Moron signed the bill to protect the Valles Caldera--an ancient valley and crater created millions of years ago. NM is filled with dormant volcanos. They left the landscape scarred and beautiful in some areas. The lava flows near Mt. Taylor can be seen from I-40 and through the Indian reservations and pueblos.
Come to New Mexico and see the beauty. Have a tamale, posole and some chile colorado. It is the best in the west.
Happy Holidays everyone. I am off to make some more tamales. Kids and grandkid is on their way from up in Northern NM. It's snowing up there, so they better hurry.
December 23rd, 2006 at 10:34 am'Saving Christmas' based on nonsense claims became a big money maker ...and Fox Network did its part of the scaring scheme . John Gibson , O'Reilly and Cavuto made people scare to death that there is a big war on Christmas by writing books and attacking enemies of Christmas...that according to Fox are trying to deny us and steal this lovely celebration from us..they accused without providing any evidence people whom they call 'leftists' and 'Liberals' for plotting this war planned against Christmas.
December 23rd, 2006 at 10:52 amThe willingness to believe that there is some kind of war on Christmas despite pervasive evidence to the contrary shows that a lot of these people are capable of believing just about any reality-distorting lie their charlatan leaders tell them. Wearing a "save Christmas" button is like branding oneself on the forehead with "lobotomy" or "IQ = 75".
December 23rd, 2006 at 11:07 amThe only berry that is applicable to the entire Bush family is the raspberry, more commonly known as the bronx cheer.
December 23rd, 2006 at 11:09 amThe only berry that is applicable to the entire Bush family is the raspberry, more commonly known as the bronx cheer.
December 23rd, 2006 at 11:09 amClyde,
I beg to differ. The dingleberry is certainly suitable for the whole Bush Klan.
-GSD
December 23rd, 2006 at 11:13 amWhat did we miss? Let us know in the comments section.
You missed the LA Times story about how the Bush administration has gotten the commanders in Iraq to go along with escalating the war. Now they can claim that "the soldiers", "the commanders", and "the Iraqis" all support escalation. Interesting how quickly they stage-managed all of this, and how Gates is going right along with it. I guess the Decider-in-Chief was kidding (lying) when he said he would consider those other studies on what to do about the war, studies which have not been completed or even leaked yet. But to hell with studies, even his hand-picked ones, because Bush doesn't read anyway. Besides, his gut is always right. Jesus talks to Bush, and his gut listens.
I wonder what Poppy and the Baker boys think about their attempt to throw Junior a life ring. Do they realize now that it was hopeless to begin with? And how long will it take the Republicans in Congress to realize that impeaching Bush is the only way to save their party from completing its plunge into irrelevancy?
December 23rd, 2006 at 11:18 amBut the American People want our troops home.
I thought WE THE PEOPLE were actually the DECIDERS?
Stupid Bush administration--Creeps!!
Democrats: cut the frigging funding. Let Halliburton and KBR and Bechtel pay for this out of their own pockets, and sure as hell the troops will come on home.
Pull the FUNDING ON JANUARY 4, 2007. SHOW THEM WHO IS RELEVANT--THE AMERICAN PEOPLE WHO GAVE YOU A MANDATE ON NOVEMBER 7TH--TO BRING THE TROOPS HOME NOW!!
December 23rd, 2006 at 11:27 amAnother, "That's not what I said" guy.
December 23rd, 2006 at 11:27 amVerbalKint: I guess since we are standing back up,the Iraqi's are standing down.
December 23rd, 2006 at 11:31 amIf this is such a good idea,why didn't they do it years ago?
Iraq is lost,has been since day one.
And finally: While his brother likes to use “the Google†to “pull up maps,†Florida Gov. Jeb Bush (R) is addicted to his Blackberry. Priding himself on being the first “E-Governor,†Bush’s official portrait unveiled at the governor’s mansion “shows him in his office standing next to a picture of his family with his trustworthy BlackBerry.â€
That affirms my opinion that Jeb's the one with the brain. Which is why I think Georgie Sr. was sobbing over him so much recently. Chimpy makes Jeb look pretty good.
December 23rd, 2006 at 11:34 amIf this is such a good idea,why didn’t they do it years ago?
Iraq is lost,has been since day one.
Comment by [B!] — December 23, 2006 @ 11:31 am
Their big plan, apparently, is to "clear" neighborhoods, then rush in with reconstruction aid. It took these jackasses 4.5 years and half a million dead to come up with this plan?
In one sense, Iraq was lost the day that Rummy green-lighted the looters. But in another, deeper sense, Iraq was lost when Bush was elected in 2000.
December 23rd, 2006 at 11:38 amWhen I look at how f***ed up the Bush clan is from top to bottom, it convinces me that some evil must lurk inside of Jeb. He just covers it up better.
December 23rd, 2006 at 11:39 amGSD
I totally agree but I was hesitant to use the term as I doubted that it would be recognized. I tried to find the term in my dictionaries. The Dictionary of Slang did not have an entry and the Websters claims it to be a dark red edible berry. Not hardly in accordance with my recollection, which is probably close to yours.
December 23rd, 2006 at 11:49 amGSD
I totally agree but I was hesitant to use the term as I doubted that it would be recognized. I tried to find the term in my dictionaries. The Dictionary of Slang did not have an entry and the Websters claims it to be a dark red edible berry. Not hardly in accordance with my recollection, which is probably close to yours.
December 23rd, 2006 at 11:50 amNo Peace On Earth For Next Year?
by Jay Randal
The Bush Regime intends to escalate the Iraq war next year, so unless the new Congress cuts off the funding for it, then expect another 1,000+ US troops killed in the fighting, another 10,000+ wounded/maimed, and at least 100,000 more additional Iraqis slain in 2007!
If the horrific fiasco occupation is allowed to continue in Iraq, for all of 2007, then the entire membership of the US Congress would share the blame with the Bush Regime in committing war crimes on the Iraqi citizens!
Up till the present the Iraq debacle has been President Bush's responsibility, and the blame for it entirely on him, but starting next year the Democrats in Congress will take the blame if they do not cut funding to end it!
A clear-cut majority of the American citizenry wants the Iraq quagmire ended ASAP, so for the Congress to refuse to comply with their wishes would be complete dereliction of duty, and violation of the Constitution!
As an American Citizen I call upon every member of the Congress to take a stand to end Iraq mistake now!
( Jay Randal, political activist and writer in Georgia, USA.)
PS: Send Faxes to your Reps and Senators to end the Iraq fiasco!
December 23rd, 2006 at 11:50 amVerbalKint:
I lean more toward the 'deeper sense' side of the equation.
"There is no right way to do the wrong thing.".
And don't you just love how some of these talking heads make it sound so easy to 'clear' these neighborhoods.
December 23rd, 2006 at 11:55 amVerbalKint:
I lean more toward the 'deeper sense' side of the equation.
"There is no right way to do the wrong thing.".
And don't you just love how some of these talking heads make it sound so easy to 'clear' these neighborhoods.
December 23rd, 2006 at 11:55 amI propose Maryland taking Northern Va, say from Mt. Vernon North and just to the East of Winchester, along with the District and give North Carolina to the Rest of Va. and call it the Confederacy of Northern Offendville. The monkey , macacca, their mascot and the vulture as the state bird......
December 23rd, 2006 at 11:57 amSo... HAYES attempted to clarify his remarks by saying he wanted to spread Christian 'principles', and not necessarily 'Christianity', in the Middle East.
Two thoughts:
1. Since when are peace and good will to men uniquely Christian principles?
2. Why does HAYES feel it's necessary for Middle Easterners to learn about "the birth of the savior" if he's only promoting peace and good will?
The guy's a crackpot.
December 23rd, 2006 at 11:57 amI think you missed the Donald pounding on a triple dip minority - Rosie O'Donnell. Wrapping yourselves in victimhood, then using that position as a place from which to attack, has lost all affect. Expect to be pounded mercilessly in the new year.
December 23rd, 2006 at 11:57 amJay:
I suspect if this war goes on through 2007,atleast 2,500 troops will be killed.The violence is escalating,and it won't help by us sending in more troops.
December 23rd, 2006 at 12:03 pmDon't forget,the Baker Report said that the Pentagon is vastly UNDER REPORTING the violence there.
Post 23 [B!] > I used the figure of 1,000+ since the war in Iraq so far has killed around 1,000 troops each year, but the more troops Bush pumps into Iraq, then the more will be killed or wounded, so next year could be twice as many slain as this year.
December 23rd, 2006 at 12:16 pmthere is a quick and decisive way to end the war on Xmas - WWII-style! nuke the consternos...
December 23rd, 2006 at 12:21 pmIn this morning's paper - Generals in Iraq now want more troops.
December 23rd, 2006 at 12:32 pmHow transparent can they get?
Bush floats balloon.
Gates makes visit
Gates relates Cheney demand the generals ask for more troops or their firstborns are dead.
Generals ask for more troops.
Let's assume, for the sake of argument, that Congress cuts off funding for Bush's Wars in Afghanistan and Iraq. What's to prevent Bush from using a signing statement saying, "The President will interpret this bill consistent with his powers as Commander in Chief under the Constitution and under the Authorization to Use Force" meaning he will divert money any way he chooses to keep his Wars going?
December 23rd, 2006 at 12:33 pmAll in the Christmas spirit of course. The Prince of Peace would be thrilled.
December 23rd, 2006 at 12:33 pmRegarding the War on Christmas. If Christians really want to celebrate the birth of their God/Man, why don't they simply move the date to when it most likely occured?
(lately, if I include a link, the post never shows up...you can google the text to find the article)
Yule and Saturnalia were celebrated at the Winter Solstice for hundreds, if not thousands of years before Christians hijacked the season. So, if you are serious about "traditional values" you should be wishing everyone a happy/blessed Yule.
December 23rd, 2006 at 12:43 pmI can only imagine the discourse: The Secretary of Defense tells the top commander in the field that the Commander in Chief has ordered him to request more troops. The general complies with the order?
What else could explain such a turn-around?
Look for an Executive Order whereby the State's Militias are commandeered by the Commander in Chief and thousands are sent to Iraq.
December 23rd, 2006 at 12:51 pmThose darn activist judges. How dare he interpret a law inconsistent with what the Administration wants!
December 23rd, 2006 at 12:56 pm# 24. Jay:
So we are in agreement.
December 23rd, 2006 at 1:00 pmAs a Madison, WI resident, I'm happy to hear Air America will be here to stay...
December 23rd, 2006 at 1:03 pmOh, you also missed the UN acting against Iran this morning, which UN Ambassador Bolton lead through the UN Security Council. He may yet receive the Nobel Prize for this work - that would just kill you, I'm sure.
December 23rd, 2006 at 2:13 pm#29 bnf
Thanks for the history lesson. I thought when they said Yule had survived for thousands of years I thought they were metaphorically speaking about the most recent 39 day $1Mil Survivor.
December 23rd, 2006 at 2:59 pm#34
When Bolton wins the Nobel Peace prize, Monica Lewinski will be named the second coming of the Virgin Mary. Dream on!
December 23rd, 2006 at 3:01 pmThis old geezer windbag couldn't find his way out of a paper bag with one way signs on it! what the hell is doing running this country? Why is this irrelevant miserable hate-monger still in office?
December 23rd, 2006 at 3:08 pmVerbalKlint:
I think an IQ of 75 is a level those people will never reach. As a matter of fact I personally believe the IQ of any christian-republican lingers at about 35. And that would need to be proved...
December 23rd, 2006 at 3:29 pmWhat's to distort: he said it!!!
December 23rd, 2006 at 3:53 pmBriseadh na Faire I have a question. Why doesn't the new Congress vote to recend the Authorization of Force? That adn cutting the funding would seem to be the most logical route.
December 23rd, 2006 at 3:59 pmYule and Saturnalia were celebrated at the Winter Solstice for hundreds, if not thousands of years before Christians hijacked the season. So, if you are serious about “traditional values†you should be wishing everyone a happy/blessed Yule.
If you read through the entire history of the Christmas Holiday, you find that during Saturnalia (towards the end on the month long celebration) there was a day celebrated called Juvenalia, which was a feast to honor children. So, it seems by that standard at least we are in a secular way celebrating Christmas at the appropriate time of year.
The "religious" aspect was conveniently tied into this time of year as a time to celebrate the birth of the "Christ Child" and church leaders decided by rolling the two together Christmas would be embraced more by the general population.
December 23rd, 2006 at 4:06 pmRegarding the war in Iraq:
I believe that there are no trustworthy politicians out there. Why? Because it is clear that the American people gave their
December 23rd, 2006 at 4:39 pm'mandate' to the Democratic Party to bring this war to an end.
As we now witness, there is no impeachment and no redeployment of troops. No, there will be an all out escalation instead.
I don't know whether you ever heard about how the USSR came down? It was basically Gorbachov and these folks of the German Democratic Republik going on the streets, every Monday. Those demonstrations were called 'Monday Demonstrations' and they lasted from September 1989 to the end of the Berlin Wall in November 1989.
Millions of people peacefully on the streets will be the only way in our case to stop the war in Iraq and bring justice to those who sacrificed American blood and labor for mere profit.
It may take more than a few million people on the streets. It may take a complete overhaul of the political system, as we can now witness with congress.
Who is that chick in the background? She's kinda hot...
December 23rd, 2006 at 4:42 pmHendler, As usual, you're quick to celebrate the use of force. You were conspicuously absent from the Leverette discussion. I read his original report where he outlined in great detail a diplomatic solution to the entire Middle East situation...the same solution Bush censored from the press.
So, as Christians gather to celebrate the birth of the "Prince of Peace" NeoCons and "evangelical christinas" are beating the drum for more war.
December 23rd, 2006 at 5:43 pmComment by robert — December 23, 2006 @ 3:59 pm
Not a bad idea. The problem is the wording of the Authorization to use Force. It was worded to go after those responsible for 9/11. It is hard to argue for rescinding that. But Bush has taken it to justify Wars against countries which had nothing to do with 9/11. So Bush has already exceeded the Authorization to use Force. Rescinding it might not have any effect on the course of action of this Administration.
Once it was admitted that Saddam had nothing to do with 9/11, the legal underpinnings for the use of force in Iraq no longer existed.
And, if you negate the "official" explanation for 9/11, the use of force should have been directed at individuals within our own government.
I believe that One-Party Rule has devolved the United States into a defacto Dictatorship. If the Democrat-controlled Congress does not reinstate the Constitution, then the only choice may well be to follow Jefferson's advice. Let us hope that We the People still own the government, and We can effect meaningful change through the ballot box.
December 23rd, 2006 at 5:51 pmComment by ItsJustKarma — December 23, 2006 @ 4:39 pm
Patience, Karma. The new Congress hasn't been sworn in yet. Perhaps their actions will prove more powerful than their words.
What do you know about shamanism? You could help make a difference in ways you can't even imagine right now....
December 23rd, 2006 at 5:54 pm#45-Briseadh : You are right about the authorization of using force..but the Congress probably will never question Bush about another war. When the subject of war with Iran was raised on the senate floor by a member of Foreign Relations Committee who was questioning Condi Rice who was testifying before the Committee, her answer was:"I think the President has that authority"....No Senator questioned her statement. As far as one Party rule,our system does not allow participation of a good percentage of the population minority in running the government affairs...When Bush was elected in 2000,he won with a very slim electoral margin...but the people who voted for Al-Gore left with nothing,although there were more people voted for Al-Gore than Bush that year,the winner takes all. The same way in the Congress and Senate..the majority sets the agenda and issues for discussions and voting allowed are what the chairman want to hear or not...that is why the 'checks and balances system' was weakened by the one party running the show.
December 23rd, 2006 at 6:58 pmWhen I look at how f***ed up the Bush clan is from top to bottom, it convinces me that some evil must lurk inside of Jeb. He just covers it up better.
Comment by VerbalKint"
Well, I'm a close friend of the Bush family, and I can say in all honesty that Jeb has no personality quirks or other character defects. In fact, when he was a baby, my wife and I babysat him. In giving him a bath, my wife was amazed how perfect his skin was, being blemish free - other than the '999' on his scalp. hHe musta caught some kind of ringworm off of his older dumber brother.
December 23rd, 2006 at 7:44 pmBriseadh na Faire:
In numerology I am a 'Five'.
December 23rd, 2006 at 8:09 pmI love Shamanism.
The Carlos Castaneda point of view.
I believe there are people like Don Juan Matus
out there.
When I look at how f***ed up the Bush clan is from top to bottom, it convinces me that some evil must lurk inside of Jeb. He just covers it up better.
Comment by VerbalKint
I've always thought that Jeb must have a huge skeleton in his closet -- otherwise why on earth would Poppy Bush run Chimpy?
December 23rd, 2006 at 8:14 pmLet them beat the xmas war to death like everything else. No one really believes the republicans anymore and they have no credibility. that is why they just keep getting more and more outrageous.
December 23rd, 2006 at 9:43 pmKarma, there are.
What path are you seeking?
December 23rd, 2006 at 10:14 pmbnf, et. al.
The answer: Impeach the useless bastards and start over.
Don't waste your time and mine citing your cockamamie theories about why it can't be done. Just help us true American Citizens GET IT DONE!
December 23rd, 2006 at 10:29 pmClyde, I am helping. In way's you can't even begin to imagine.
December 24th, 2006 at 1:33 am#53 It can't happen at the moment. Maybe after some investigations.
December 24th, 2006 at 1:55 amGood morning and Merry Christmas to all and, while you're at it, go ahead and have a Happy and Prosperous New Year! Go ahead, you deserve it. Well, go on...
Anyway, in addition to spreading the holiday cheer, I just wanted to let people know that I have finally completed a piece of work I did about George Bush and the theory of the "Unitary Executive". It's a poem done in the style of a famous piece of work which you will all recognize. I call it "The Craving". And I invite everyone to come view it on my blog (just click on my name.)
Thank you and Happy Holidays to all!
December 24th, 2006 at 8:37 amRe#56 I Love Bush
Committing crimes against humanity by starting a war by invading Iraq who did not attack nor was in the process of attacking us, and killing hundreds of thousands of people is as BAD a thing as a person can do!
I guess in your mind Hitler was not as bad as some people make him out to be for invading Poland!
Can you name something worse?
PS: RATIONAL people do not consider Janet Jackson showing a breast to be worse!
December 24th, 2006 at 9:22 am57 - good job!
I also liked Writless Wonderland.
December 24th, 2006 at 9:51 amBnF,
Thank you. I hoped that other one would appeal to the lawyers in the crowd. Happy holidays to you, my friend.
December 24th, 2006 at 10:27 am"The President is not as bad as some here make him out to be."
You are correct, I think. In my considered opinion, GWB is not the Antichrist.
For one, as an atheist I don't believe such a supernatural being exists and, second, I expect that if the Antichrist /did/ exist, he would probably exhibit some smidgen of charisma.
December 24th, 2006 at 11:34 amLast night while watching Lou Dobbs inBuffolo, NY, people were asking how Americans can change the decline of our Middle-class and the outsourcing of our vital manufacturing sector. I, as many on the show, have been contemplating this question for a very long time - and like a bolt of lightning, the answer revealed itself to me, and I think the situation will correct itself.
You be the judge! Merry Christmas - If you can afford it!
December 25th, 2006 at 2:32 pmWilliam, during the second world war we were the arsenal of the West. I wonder what we would be now...the McDonalds of the West? Somehow I don't think that would help defeat Hitler. Tough guy Bush is making us pussies.
December 26th, 2006 at 10:57 pm