ThinkFast: March 8, 2007
ThinkFast: March 8, 2007
The Senate Judiciary Committee is set to “vote today to authorize subpoenas for Justice officials” involved in the purge of U.S. Attorneys, including Michael Battle, who carried out the firings, and Kyle Sampson, chief of staff to Attorney General Alberto A. Gonzales.
Lt. Gen. Raymond Odierno, the day-to-day commander of American forces in Iraq, has recommended in a private memo that President Bush’s escalation of U.S. troop levels “be maintained through February 2008.”
Internal memorandums circulated by the Bush administration’s Federal Fish and Wildlife Service “appear to require government biologists or other employees traveling in countries around the Arctic not to discuss climate change, polar bears or sea ice if they are not designated to do so.”
“The Federal Emergency Management Agency hurriedly bought 145,000 trailers and mobile homes just before and after Katrina hit, spending $2.7 billion largely through no-bid contracts. Now, it is selling off as many as 41,000 of the homes, netting, so far, about 40 cents on each dollar spent by taxpayers.”
Yesterday, C-SPAN announced that it would grant public access to many of its video feeds. The network explained, “These actions are intended to meet the growing demand for video about the federal government and Congress, in an age of explosive growth of video file-sharers, bloggers and online ‘citizen journalists.’“
According to the AARP, the “prices for about 200 prescription drugs commonly used by seniors in the United States rose nearly twice the rate of inflation…making a case for letting the government negotiate drug prices.”
69: Percentage of Americans who feel “less confident” about a “successful conclusion in Iraq.” Only 20 percent express more confidence. A similar number believe the war in Afghanistan is fairing poorly.
188: Death toll in Iraq from “from three consecutive days of attacks on Shiite Muslim pilgrims” who are “streaming to the holy city of Karbala for weekend rites commemorating the death of…one of Shiite Islam’s holiest figures.”
“New House ethics rules that restrict lobbyist-funded travel exempt trips paid for by colleges and universities,” which spent more than hospitals and nursing homes — at least $75 million — on federal lobbying in 2005.
Internal documents show that the Pentagon “lacks a comprehensive plan to identify and treat tens of thousands of troops who may suffer from traumatic brain injury, the signature wound of the Iraq war.” ABC anchor Bob Woodruff reported recently that the Pentagon is “withholding information about how widespread these debilitating wounds have become.”
And finally: You can now offset your own bodily “emissions.” An Australian company is “selling carbon credits for flatulent pets and people.” For just $16, you can make your body carbon neutral for two years, and the company will install “energy-saving fluorescent light bulbs and water-saving shower heads in houses in New South Wales, Australia.”
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Internal memorandums circulated by the Bush administration’s Federal Fish and Wildlife Service “appear to require government biologists or other employees traveling in countries around the Arctic not to discuss climate change, polar bears or sea ice if they are not designated to do so.â€
Wow…nothing like a gag order to validate the theory you’re trying to squelch.
Now, all government biologists need say when asked about these topics is: “I’m sorry, but I’m forbidden by my government to speak on such issues.”. Our Federal Fish and Wildlife Service employees’ inability to speak freely on these topics speaks volumes in and of itself.
March 8th, 2007 at 9:20 am“The Federal Emergency Management Agency hurriedly bought 145,000 trailers and mobile homes just before and after Katrina hit, spending $2.7 billion largely through no-bid contracts. Now, it is selling off as many as 41,000 of the homes, netting, so far, about 40 cents on each dollar spent by taxpayers.â€
From the party that brought you Fiscal Responsibility.
<snicker>
March 8th, 2007 at 9:22 amAnyone really happy to see the Congress doing their job?
It’s nice to see hearings announced every time something just doesn’t seem right.
March 8th, 2007 at 9:23 amLt. Gen. Raymond Odierno, the day-to-day commander of American forces in Iraq, has recommended in a prive memo that President Bush’s escalation of U.S. troop levels “be maintained through February 2008.â€
So two FU or 4 WU. But we all know FU and WU have unlimited rollover.
March 8th, 2007 at 9:25 amI need to get my tax dollars back…
…the Bushite criminals are continuing to simultaneously squander and steal my money…
…and i want it back…
…why is NO ONE saying that the Bushites are STEALING?
…Do you not yet SEE that we the people are being ROBBED?
…Gee whiz what is it going to take to piss you people (in the Congress and Senate) off enough to say…
…ENOUGH!
…BRING THESE CROOKS TO JUSTICE!
…and get us our money back…
March 8th, 2007 at 9:26 am188: Death toll in Iraq from “from three consecutive days of attacks on Shiite Muslim pilgrims†who are “streaming to the holy city of Karbala for weekend rites commemorating the death of…one of Shiite Islam’s holiest figures.â€
Dangit! If we could only stop that one bombing a day, all those civilians would still be alive!
</snark>
March 8th, 2007 at 9:26 amOffseting your own bodily emissions? OMG. Don’t tell me anyone will actually hand over their money to these people. Please people, save the money and use it for stamps. Take the stamps and put them on letters to Bush and Pelosi begging them to adobt a much more aggressive stance on Global Warming. At least that could on an outside chance help. Giving your money to this company is throwing it into the wind.
March 8th, 2007 at 9:33 amthrowing it into the wind.
Comment by Roger_Roger — March 8, 2007 @ 9:33 am
pun intended?
March 8th, 2007 at 9:42 amRoger_Rhetoric sez:
Two things:
First, from the linked article (emphasis mine):
Apparently RR is one of the growing number of humor-impaired persons in this country. This problem has reached epidemic proportions. Won’t you help? For only pennies a day, less than the price of a cup of coffee, you can help to research cures for RR’s devastating condition.
</snark>
Giving your money to this company is throwing it into the wind.
Second, again from the linked article:
That’s hardly ‘throwing it into the wind’, RR.
March 8th, 2007 at 9:42 am#3, YES!! Since there hasn’t been any government oversite for the last 6 years it is nice to see Congress doing their job. It’s about time the will of the majority of Americans is being considered and not just the puny nutjob conservative base.
March 8th, 2007 at 9:50 amYou can now offset your own bodily “emissions.†An Australian company is “selling carbon credits for flatulent pets and people.†For just $16, you can make your body carbon neutral for two years, and the company will install “energy-saving fluorescent light bulbs and water-saving shower heads in houses in New South Wales, Australia.â€
Thanks TP! I needed a laugh this morning.
BTW Rogerx2, were you trying to be so frickin’ hilarious?
March 8th, 2007 at 9:52 amI seem to recall the Republicans did have some oversight hearings. Of course, they didn’t bother to have their witnesses testify under oath. Must have been something about not having any legal consequences for lying to Congress.
There’s a logic to firing Attorneys who pursue Republican ethics violations. The end goal is to eliminate the investigations so that Republicans can claim the moral high ground…. fewer ethics charges investigated than under any other administration in the history of the United States.
I have a feeling that this time, Congress will take testimony given under oath.
BUT WHAT ABOUT IMPEACHMENT HEARINGS?
March 8th, 2007 at 9:54 am69: Percentage of Americans who feel “less confident†about a “successful conclusion in Iraq.†Only 20 percent express more confidence. A similar number believe the war in Afghanistan is fairing poorly.
The 20 percenters also believe Chimpy actually cares about protecting them from….whatever.
March 8th, 2007 at 9:55 amHere at You-Go, we have developed a more direct application of gaseous by-products from digestive processes.
March 8th, 2007 at 9:56 amOur Plug In & Go sedan has a built in tubular collection device in the otherwise comfortable seats, with built in lubricant dispensers on the door panels.
The optional pickup model has stanchions and collection apparatus for larger animals, or up to 6 of your friends!
I heard on the radio yesterday a guest interviewee stating that the outing of Brewster Jennings, the brass-plate cover company for our covert operation keeping tabs on weapons of mass destruction should be considered an impeachable offense committed by the Vice-President.
We need to know how many of our operatives were tortured and/or killed because the VP decided to blow the cover on the whole operation.
Do you realize by doing that, he silenced anyone else who could have come forward with information refuting the false claims of WMDs that led us into War?
March 8th, 2007 at 9:59 amUh, maybe a valid corruption charge? And evidence?
March 8th, 2007 at 9:59 amThe 3-to-6 month “surge” is already extended to a year.
March 8th, 2007 at 10:00 amThe 21,500 “surge” has also been increased to 28,000.
Petraeus agrees there is no military solution.
A gay porn star was embraced by attendees at CPAC.
March 8th, 2007 at 10:02 am#12 BnF
I do not think this Congress intends to initiate impeachment hearings.
However, one cannot just jump into such hearings right away. They need to build a case and show the public the extent of this administrations corruption. The hearings that are going on now will do this. Otherwise, they are just asking everyone to trust them that they have the information, which is a tactic of this administration which I do not think would be acceptable.
Also, I said this Congress would not initiate impeachment, because they can still impeach without initiating the process. Technically the process is already being started by a grass roots movement. Look at Vermont, and I’m sure other towns across the country have also begun this discussion. I think, if impeachment is going to happen, Congress will pick up the cause, turn their oversight hearings into impeachment hearings, in a year.
I won’t hold my breath though.
March 8th, 2007 at 10:04 amYou can now offset your own bodily “emissions.†An Australian company is “selling carbon credits for flatulent pets and people.â€
First flouride in the water now this. Ladies and gentlemen we must protect our Precious Bodily Fluids.
March 8th, 2007 at 10:08 amBacklash Against Elite In The US?!
Thursday 8th of March 2007
by Jay Randal
A growing resentment against the wealthy elite, in US, is brewing/escalating clash/backlash that may explode into a confrontation nationwide between rich and poor.
Average working Americans will NOT tolerate further tax cuts for the top 10% bracket, of our nation, NOR will they allow the Congress to continue favoring rich.
The economy in the United States is bordering on the verge of complete collapse, because of Bush Regime’s stupid fiscal policies, so unrest is percolating rapidly.
Another “Great Depression” is now seriously looming, as more Americans become unemployed or forced to work longer hours for less pay, so bread-lines again.
Wide-open border with Mexico is fueling the economic decline, draining the Welfare system’s viability to help US citizens, and flooding the nation with cheap labor.
A economically starving population creats conditions for social upheaval, potential for mass riots, and even sows the seeds for insurrection against the government.
( Jay Randal, political activist and writer in Georgia, USA.)
PS: Contact Reps and Senators in DC to impeach Bush now!
March 8th, 2007 at 10:11 amA gay porn star was embraced by attendees at CPAC.
Comment by Marie
Rethug men loves themselves some gay porn stars
March 8th, 2007 at 10:19 amWow…nothing like a gag order to validate the theory you’re trying to squelch.
Now, all government biologists need say when asked about these topics is: “I’m sorry, but I’m forbidden by my government to speak on such issues.â€. Our Federal Fish and Wildlife Service employees’ inability to speak freely on these topics speaks volumes in and of itself.
Comment by TripMaster Monkey — March 8, 2007 @ 9:20 am
Doesn’t sound like a gag order. It sounds like the administration is trying to identify who might be speaking, possibly so they can be given a ‘talking to’ off the record.
March 8th, 2007 at 10:29 am#12, lying to congress whether under oath or not is a criime. Way back after Rafe’ turned up positive, there was much discussion about his congressional testemony and whether he would be chraged with lying to congress and somewhere I read the federal statute that pretty much laid it out that lying to congress under any circumstances is a crime. So being under oath is nto a problem. Ultimately Rice/Gonzo annd Rumsfeld could be in a world of hurt because they testified so many times not under oath, and you know none of them can talk without lying.
March 8th, 2007 at 10:30 amPetraeus: Force will not solve Iraq
Head of US forces in Iraq says deals must be made with armed groups to end crisis.
2.5 per cent of the population, have been killed as a result of the invasion,
Get out NOW
March 8th, 2007 at 10:33 amA gay porn star was embraced by attendees at CPAC.
Comment by Marie
Yeah I posted on a thread last night after he was outed on Countdown.
pasting last night’s post
————————————
Offtopic, but Damn…..
MSNBC’s Countdown just outed Cpl. Matt Sanchez, the darling of the CPAC meeting. the “reservist who recently made the rounds of right-wing talk shows like O’Reilly Factor and Hannity & Colmes, where he received praise for coming forward and complaining about his treatment at the hands of Columbia’s “radical anti-military students†who called him names and mocked his military service.â€, as Gay Porn Star Rod Majors. He was also a “$200 a pop†gay escort.
The same guy that even Ann “Edwards is a faggot†Coulter posed with him in the photo op.
What fscking hypocricy!!
Damn……
——————————————————
What the hell is going on with the so called conservatives?
March 8th, 2007 at 10:34 amFirst Gannon, now Rod Majors, lmao
Right-Wing Hero Has Porn Past, Claim Gays
March 8th, 2007 at 10:36 amMatt Sanchez, a 36-year-old Columbia student and Marine Corps reservist, has been appearing on all sorts of conservative talk shows like the O’Reilly Factor and Hannity & Colmes, whining about being mocked for military service by those lefties up at Columbia. And then Sanchez was feted at the CPAC conference— the one where Ann Coulter made her “faggot” remark. That must have been a weird experience, since all the gays have now fingered him as a former gay porn star.
[...]
http://gawker.com/news/the-gays/rightwing-hero-has-porn-past-claim-gays-241948.php#c1026278
China hits back at US over rights
China has told the US to get its own house in order before accusing other countries of human rights abuses.
In its annual response to Washington’s criticism of Beijing’s rights record, China accused the US of hypocrisy.
“As in previous years, the [US] State Department pointed the finger at human rights conditions in more than 190 countries and regions, including China, but avoided touching on the human rights situation in the United States,” said a report, carried by the official Xinhua news agency.
HOW VERY TRUE
March 8th, 2007 at 10:37 am#26 Wayne
Gannon, Haggard, Foley, Kolbe, Sanchez … there’s a much longer list than that but I’m drawing a blank right now.
I think Mann Coulter and Sanchez are made for each other.
March 8th, 2007 at 10:42 amIt’s my understanding that this administration together with the Pentagon has “redefined” post-traumatic stress, making it more difficult to prove such. It was hard before and almost impossible, now, to adequately make claim to the illness.
March 8th, 2007 at 11:34 amOy. First class cancelled with no notice, and TP having a dry day.
Got anymore on the War on Easter? The War on St Patrick’s Day?
Hey — The War on Spring Break — That will get the masses out.
Countdown to my Spring Break…..3 hours…..
Heh.
March 8th, 2007 at 12:00 pmGot anymore on the War on Easter? The War on St Patrick’s Day?
Hey — The War on Spring Break
– Zoo
Well, we have found where St Paddy sent the snakes.
March 8th, 2007 at 12:06 pmTo America and they all joined the Republican Party, heh.
#5 BIG papa
March 8th, 2007 at 12:42 pmIf I’d bought this government at Costco, I’da returned it years ago.
George Bush, the US president, is beginning a tour of Latin America – where he has been rated the worst US leader in recent memory.
Washington has lost its once undisputed economic and political influence there and the trip, which begins on Thursday in Brazil, is intended to dispel feelings that the US has been neglecting its regional neighbours.
To all you republicans YOU have made YOUR country laughing stock of the world HA Ha
March 8th, 2007 at 2:32 pmWell, we have found where St Paddy sent the snakes.
To America and they all joined the Republican Party, heh.
Comment by Wayne
They must be the extra nasty snakes — like the ones from “Snakes on a Plane!”
Ahhhhhh, Spring Break……
March 8th, 2007 at 5:09 pmhttp://www.peace-action.org/
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the tools to change the world.
About Peace Action
Peace Action, the merger of SANE and The Nuclear Freeze, has effectively mobilized for peace and disarmament for nearly fifty years.
As the nation’s largest grassroots peace group we get results: from the 1963 treaty to ban above ground nuclear testing, to the 1996 signing of the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty, from ending the war in Vietnam, to blocking weapons sales to human rights abusing countries, and eliminating funding for new nuclear weapons, Peace Action and its 100,000 members have been, and continue to be, at the forefront of the international movement for peace.
At Peace Action we believe…
…that war is not a suitable response to conflict.
For nearly 50 years Peace Action has worked for an environment where all are free from violence and war. We understand that long standing global conflicts require long-term solutions, and that US foreign policy has a lasting effect on the world. We are working to promote a new US foreign policy that is based on peaceful support for human rights and democracy, reducing the threat from weapons of mass destruction, and cooperation with the world community. We are against pre-emptive war, and call for a full withdrawal of American troops from Iraq.
…that every person has the right to live without the threat from nuclear weapons.
There are still over 30,000 nuclear weapons in the world. The US and Russia still have thousands of nuclear weapons, on hair trigger alert—ready to launch in minutes. While the Cold War may have ended, the nuclear threat has not. The only way to ensure that nuclear weapons will never be used – whether purposefully, or accidentally – is global abolition. The U.S. must lead the way to a safer world by taking our weapons off hair trigger alert, halting our research and development of new nuclear weapons and disarming and demilitarizing our warhead stockpile of over 10,000 nuclear warheads. We can reduce the threat to the world posed by nuclear weapons, but we must start by getting serious about getting rid of our own weapons of mass destruction.
…that America has the resources to both protect and provide for its citizens.
As the Pentagon’s budget soars to $400 billion, 17% of American children live in poverty. Basic infrastructure is crumbling, school are using outdated textbooks, and millions of Americans are without basic health insurance.
For what the US will spend on the War in Iraq, 26,701,621 children could have attended a year of Head Start, we could have built 1,815,194 additional housing units for the poor, we could have hired 3,493,706 additional public school teachers for one year, and we could have provided 9,772,998 students four-year scholarships at public universities(source – National Priorities Project). We believe that these are priorities that should come before war.
What we do at Peace Action…
We are the nation’s largest grassroots Peace network, with over 28 state affiliates, and over 100 local chapters. We organize our grassroots network to place pressure on Congress and the Administration through write-in campaigns, internet actions, citizens lobbying and direct action. Through a close relationship with progressive members of Congress, we play a key role in devising strategies to move forward peace legislation, and, as a leading organizing member of United for Peace and Justice and the Win Without War coalition, we lend our expertise and large network to achieving common goals.
Through our Peace Voter awareness campaigns, we inform citizens about their choices for both local and national campaigns, by highlighting different candidates’ stances on issues relating to peace. Our annual Congressional Voter Guide gives credit to those in Congress who voted for a peaceful future, while holding accountable those who voted for larger Pentagon budgets, spending tax dollars on nuclear weapons, and voted for wars of aggression and occupation.
Given the right tools, ordinary people can change the world.
At Peace Action, we recognize that real change comes from the bottom up and we are committed to educating and organizing at the grassroots level.
When you join Peace Action you become part of an effective citizen movement. We work hard to keep you informed through our quarterly newsletter and publications about the most important news and issues in the peace movement. As a member you can join our Action Alert Network which allows citizens throughout the country to rapidly respond to important legislation online. As a member, you can become an important part of a fast growing national movement, and help us change the direction of our country and the world towards a more sustainable, peaceful future.
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Support Peace.
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March 8th, 2007 at 5:40 pmrachel kinnardi – Be gone!
March 8th, 2007 at 7:35 pm“According to the AARP, the “prices for about 200 prescription drugs commonly used by seniors in the United States rose nearly twice the rate of inflation…making a case for letting the government negotiate drug prices.â€
I’m one of the writers for Gilbert Guide (the foremost resource for everything long-term care). I’m on the fence about this issue. One the one hand, I support government intervention. The pharmaceutical industry is huge, and over-prescribing for profit is, in my opinion, a national epidemic. Perhaps if the government steps in, the focus will shift from profit to providing easy access to people who need medication. On the other hand, taking money from the pharmaceutical giants is tantamount to stalling research on new medications. As with all political issues, there’s no easy answer here. I can only hope that whatever the end result, the proverbial “everyman†is able to care for himself with minimal stress—isn’t dealing with a condition that requires medical treatment stressful enough?
Lori
March 30th, 2007 at 2:37 pmhttp://www.GilbertGuide.com
Gilbert Guide publishes unbiased reviews of long-term care facilities and services, and offers complementary services to help families find the best senior care for their loved ones.