ThinkFast: February 14, 2007
ThinkFast: February 14, 2007
The California Senate became the “first state legislative body in the nation” to pass a resolution opposing Bush’s escalation plan. “Progressive political organizations are pushing statehouses across the country to approve resolutions opposing the proposed troop surge. Resolutions have been introduced in about 20 states.”
The Swiss ambassador to Iran informed American officials in 2003 that an Iranian proposal for comprehensive talks with the U.S. had been reviewed and approved by the highest levels of the Iranian government. Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, then-President Mohammad Khatami, and then-Foreign Minister Kamal Kharrazi all signed off on the negotiations proposal.
“The number of waivers granted to Army recruits with criminal backgrounds has grown about 65 percent in the last three years, increasing to 8,129 in 2006 from 4,918 in 2003.”
At a Senate Environment and Public Works Committee hearing yesterday on climate change, Sen. James Inhofe (R-OK) attacked what he called the “climate profiteers” — “companies who support economy-wide emissions limits to fight global warming.” Meanwhile, Sen. John Warner (R-VA), a “key swing vote” on the issue, said this about the testimony from corporate leaders who support emissions limits: “You’ve got my attention.”
The U.S. military has acknowledged that a Marine helicopter that crashed last week in northwest Baghdad was shot down, after initially denying that it was downed by insurgents. This incident marks seventh downing of a helicopter in the past month.
The chief U.S. military spokesman in Iraq said that Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr has left the country and is believed to be in Iran. But, an Iraqi government official claimed Sadr was in Iraq as recently as Tuesday night, when he received delegates from several government departments.
The New York Times reports that at least 24 conservatives in the House of Representatives are expected to vote for the anti-escalation resolution.
The White House is resisting a congressional request for Al Hubbard, the director of the National Economic Council, to testify about the administration’s fuel economy proposal. House Energy and Commerce Committee Chairman John Dingell (D-MI) plans to hold a hearing to discuss Bush’s plan to upgrade the federal fuel efficiency requirements for new passenger cars.
And finally: Happy Valentine’s Day! Political matchmaking sites are springing up to help you “find Mr. Right (or Ms. Left).” Sites like ActForLove.org help progressives find love, while ConservativeDates.com help conservatives. “It would get a little tiring if I had to sleep on the couch every time my girlfriend and I got into an argument over watching Fox News or listening to Air America,” said conservativematch.com user Michael Cunningham.
What did we miss? Let us know in the comments section.
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The California Senate became the “first state legislative body in the nation†to pass a resolution opposing Bush’s escalation plan.
I am pleased.
February 14th, 2007 at 9:07 am“The number of waivers granted to Army recruits with criminal backgrounds has grown about 65 percent in the last three years, increasing to 8,129 in 2006 from 4,918 in 2003.â€
The "few bad apples" are growing day after day.
February 14th, 2007 at 9:07 am“climate profiteers†at least have a noble cause at heart and their actions will benefit all of mankind. Unlike pork barrel spending these thugs prefer which only benefits a few.
Look out! It's James Inhoff-gar, unfrozen caveman politician.
February 14th, 2007 at 9:10 amSounds like Kerry's botched joke hit a little too close to home for some people.
February 14th, 2007 at 9:12 amHAPPY V.D. TO ALL!!!
February 14th, 2007 at 9:13 amJust the kind of soldier we want patroling the streets of Baghdad.
/sarc
February 14th, 2007 at 9:13 amIt looks like the Army will meet their recruiting quotas after all, by emptying out the prisons. Charles Manson with a M-16?
Rare appearance by me at this time of day-snow day:office closed.
February 14th, 2007 at 9:15 amThis is a really sad statement about our youth. Now, while studies have shown that aproximately 10% of the population is homosexual, that only accounts for 1 out of 10. That means 6 out of 10 are unfit intellectually or physically. That's a concern.
February 14th, 2007 at 9:17 am“It would get a little tiring if I had to sleep on the couch every time my girlfriend and I got into an argument over watching Fox News or listening to Air America,†said conservativematch.com user Michael Cunningham.
February 14th, 2007 at 9:20 amNotice a conservative said this!
In my past, it was a woman's party affiliation that was the very last thing I was looking for!
In fact, my sordid past involved many a right wing female.
Never was afraid to actually converse with one.
You know, the key to a relationship....that communication thingy
“The number of waivers granted to Army recruits with criminal backgrounds has grown about 65 percent in the last three years, increasing to 8,129 in 2006 from 4,918 in 2003.â€
Well, I guess the gov't finally got some people they can relate to.
February 14th, 2007 at 9:22 amOpen thread alert:
Love this link:
http://www.tpmmuckraker.com/archives/002517.php
Especially what Tommy Franks says!
February 14th, 2007 at 9:25 amRegarding the relaxed standards of military service.... and gazing into the future.......
February 14th, 2007 at 9:26 amThere is a very dark and sinister aspect of the Halliburton (etal) building of new detention facilities, and the privitization of the prison system, and the military.
The corporate militarists standing in the shadows behind Chainee and Boosch will fill up these facilities with 'Children left Behind', immigration law violaters, drug offenders and gang members.
They will then offer the inmates a "way out" if they go to work for them as mercenaries.
With the help of the pharmaceutical industry, they will control thru drugs, and force of arms, an army of ill educated and sociopathic thugs........
Condoleeza Rice in her testimony before the Senate last week said she does not remember an Iranian proposal to solve political problems with Iran in a comprehensive way.
Now the Swiss ambassador to Iran says he informed the US government about the proposal in year 2003.....
Condi said there was no such thing...!!
February 14th, 2007 at 9:28 am“It would get a little tiring if I had to sleep on the couch every time my girlfriend and I got into an argument over watching Fox News or listening to Air America,†said conservativematch.com user Michael Cunningham.
What about that "defense of marriage" platform there, Mikey? Shouldn't you be marrying that girl before you worry about sleeping with her or not? Maybe your hypocrisy is what ticks her off and why you are arguing.
February 14th, 2007 at 9:29 amThe sharpest increase was in waivers for serious misdemeanors, which make up the bulk of all the Army’s moral waivers. These include aggravated assault, burglary, robbery and vehicular homicide.
Yeah, the antisocial types; just the sort to faithfully apply the Geneva Conventions in high-stress situations.
February 14th, 2007 at 9:30 am“The number of waivers granted to Army recruits with criminal backgrounds has grown about 65 percent in the last three years, increasing to 8,129 in 2006 from 4,918 in 2003.â€
I guess they'll fit right in with the criminals running our country.
February 14th, 2007 at 9:31 amComment by tarazan — February 14, 2007 @ 9:28 am
This looks like an emerging pattern. Vice-President Cheney hired a Chief-of-Staff with memory problems.
Now it looks like Bush appointed a National Security Advisor cum Secretary of State with memory problems.
What is it? Is there a checkbox on High-Level job applications? "Do you have difficulty remembering things of the highest importance? Check, yes___, no___, or What was the question?___"
February 14th, 2007 at 9:36 amI can just see a new recruiting poster here:
THE FEW, THE PROUD, THE MORONS.
February 14th, 2007 at 9:37 amRemember this soldier? "U.S. Army Sgt. Ahmed K. Altaie was kidnapped October 23 while serving as a translator for the U.S. military and has since been listed as "duty status whereabouts unknown." "
"U.S. troops immediately began a search. They launched raids, including operations at a TV station and a mosque, closed down roads and checked vehicles."
But we called that all off. Why? It was at the the request of "radical Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr." Now, a group alligned with the cleric has claimed it has this captured soldier.
February 14th, 2007 at 9:42 amFox, MSNBC, ABC and some more TV Stations are planning a new TV show for the next season: "Iraq Break"
February 14th, 2007 at 9:45 am#20..E. Spaniard > And to sell the 'Iraq Break' show, the networks decided to link it to Anna Nicole Smith......
February 14th, 2007 at 9:57 am#20 and 21
February 14th, 2007 at 10:03 amAre you guys being funny? If not, what the heck? I don't watch tv, so I really don't know.
To:
Senator James Inhofe (R) Oklahoma
Dear Senator
Only briefly will I mention here your complaint that climate controls would be bad for the economy, however, in light of your current castigation of climate profiteers, I need to acknowledge your complete hypocrisy.
My primary reason for writing you, is to offer you my profuse and heartfelt thanks for coining this term Climate Profiteer.
February 14th, 2007 at 10:04 amAs soon as I finish here, I am going to work on the T-shirt design.
You may be assured that by July, you will see millions around the world proudly carrying signs, passing out business cards and putting up new websites.
Look closely at the crowds attending Al Gores Climate Awareness Concerts this summer, and you'll see what a stroke of absolute genius your concept of Climate Capitalism has become.
Again, thank you most sincerely.
From the wealth I expect to aquire from T-shirt sales, I pledge to donate 10% of after (health care) taxes to the rehabilitation of Oklahoma grasslands.
Sincerely,
Raven
American terrorist operations I'll BET
Explosion kills 18 in Iran
A car loaded with explosives blew up near a bus carrying members of Iran's elite Revolutionary Guards in southeastern Iran, killing 18 of them, the state-run news agency reported today.
The car stopped in front of the bus near Zahedan, the capital of Sistan-Baluchestan Province, the official Islamic Republic News Agency reported. It called the attack a terrorist operation and said the car's occupants fled on motorbikes seconds before the car exploded.
February 14th, 2007 at 10:06 amRemember the "Smoking Guns" from Iran story the right were so gleeful about yesterday?
There's something funny about that story.
Notice that every other version of the story cites the original Daily Telegraph report?
The important thing to notice about the DT story is that it is very unclear where the report is sourced. It says "The Daily Telegraph has learned" and leaves you to assume that it learned from a credible source, say the US Centcom command.
But US Centcom command has nothing on any raid discovering 100 sniper rifles from Iran at the time I write this, even though you would think it would be major Centcom news, given the Sunday briefing of US "evidence" against Iran.
Then further down the page, it says "Over the last six months American forces have found small caches of the £10,000 rifles but in the last 24 hours a raid in Baghdad brought the total to more than 100, US defence sources reported."
Which sources, if not Centcom?
Everyone is simply assuming that the Daily Telegraph is a reliable reporter, a dangerous assumption. But if these weapons were really found by US forces, why has no-one asked the Austrian company that makes them to verify any serial numbers?
Regards, Cernig
February 14th, 2007 at 10:40 amAccording to Democracy Now both houses of the Vermont Legislature have passed a resolution: condemning the escalation, calling for congress to begin an immediate orderly withdrawl of US troops from Iraq and calling on Vermont's Governor to request that the national governors group do the same.
Take that left coasters;).
February 14th, 2007 at 11:03 am"... aggravated assault, burglary, robbery and vehicular homicide ... "
But gays need not apply.
February 14th, 2007 at 11:07 amAh, Vermont.....
February 14th, 2007 at 11:13 amI have fond memories of the annual town meeting and the sugar on snow party which followed.....
Democracy in its essence
Happy Valentine's day Tu U All!
February 14th, 2007 at 11:35 amOn a more serious note, where's the story on the Bush press conference?
February 14th, 2007 at 11:36 amHe holds so few of these, it would seem to be good fodder for discussion!
Listening to it live now, RUC, on NPR.
February 14th, 2007 at 11:39 amDon't listen on an empty stomach, have some Pepto Bismol handy....
Some fruit from the AEI was on Colbert last nite, pimping his "book" about how global warming is a "controversy" It's titled: "The politically incorrect guide...", blah blah blah.....as though it was just some oversensitive minorities creating the whole dust up in the first place. His attempt to make the argument that there were some "profiteers" just looking to "make a buck" was the most comical I've ever seen.
The Army's plan is keenly diabolical: Who's going to feel bad about the troops getting killed, when they know they were "just some kind of criminals anyway". Cheney must've come up with that one.
Some research is indicated on the political matchmaking site. I'd wager the #'s of women on the rightie site is WAY below the # of women on the lefty site (no wonder those wingers are so cranky all the time). We could also post odds on which site will first produce a stalking case......give ya one guess where my money is.
February 14th, 2007 at 12:13 pmHappy Valentines Day to one and all......Now please go out and hug someone...Blessings
February 14th, 2007 at 12:17 pmWell, if someone wants to turn his or her life around by joining the military I've got nothing against that - but at what point do we begin to point out that our all volunteer army now demographically resembles the "dregs and drugs" draftees of the Vietnam era?
February 14th, 2007 at 1:42 pmBNF:
THE FEW, THE PROUD, THE FELONS
February 14th, 2007 at 1:45 pm#20 and 21
Are you guys being funny? If not, what the heck? I don’t watch tv, so I really don’t know.
Comment by Bluedahlia — February 14, 2007 @ 10:03 am
Yes, at least, I was trying to. One of the TV shows more succesful in some countries now is one called "Prison Break", about a guy who goes to jail to free his brother who is in turn imprisoned in the same penitentiary.
Hence, the "Army recruits with criminal backgrounds" caption quickly brought to my mind the TV show, but staged at Iraq, full of ex-convict military personel fleeing from the military and the country.
February 14th, 2007 at 1:46 pmUncle Ho, or:
THE FEW, THE FEWER, THE FEWEST.
February 14th, 2007 at 1:57 pmNow the major oil producers can scare investors into driving up oil futures, and eventually pump prices.
Al Qaeda group calls for attacks on U.S. oil
Well, W did ask for the terrrrrrists to "bring it on". Finally, he gets his wish.
February 14th, 2007 at 2:04 pmwake-n-bake; maybe we should go to work on Madison Ave. : P
February 14th, 2007 at 2:19 pmGO CALIFORNIA, GO!
February 14th, 2007 at 4:13 pmInhofe, GO TO HELL(though he might dispute all the fire and brimstone down below)!
As Sgt. Schultz(a good little Nazi said) "Helicopter? I see nothing, I hear nothing, I know nothing...I'm a GOOD Nazi!"
"The Swiss ambassador to Iran informed American officials in 2003 that an Iranian proposal for comprehensive talks with the U.S. had been reviewed and approved by the highest levels of the Iranian government."
The problem is...
...it hadn't been approved by...
...The House of Saud, Cheney/Halliburton/Carlyle Group, or Israel...
February 14th, 2007 at 6:31 pmComment by Tobey Tall #24
I concur...
February 14th, 2007 at 6:36 pm