ThinkFast: April 20, 2007
ThinkFast: April 20, 2007
“In more than five hours of often-combative testimony” yesterday, Alberto Gonzales, “grim-faced, clasping his hands and hunched over, struggled to offer a coherent explanation for the dismissals” of eight U.S. Attorneys. He “appeared frustrated, weary and at times combative,” and “angered” committee members “as he invoked a faulty memory more than 50 times.”
The U.S. military is constructing a 3-mile-long concrete wall in Baghdad “to cut off one of the capital’s most restive Sunni Arab districts from the Shiite Muslim neighborhoods that surround it, raising concern about the further Balkanization of Iraq’s most populous and violent city.”
“A suicide bomber breached Baghdad’s heavy security presence again Thursday, killing a dozen people in a mostly Shiite district a day after more than 230 people died in one of the Iraq war’s deadliest episodes of violence.”
New Hampshire Gov. John Lynch (D) said Thursday “he decided to sign legislation establishing civil unions to prevent and end discrimination against gays in New Hampshire.” The state will become the fourth “to adopt civil unions and the first to do so without first having a court fight over denying gays the right to marry.”
A new national poll shows “a third of Americans say global warming ranks as the world’s single largest environmental problem, double the number who gave it top ranking last year.” Seven in 10 Americans want federal action on global warming, and about half of those surveyed think the government should do “much more” than it is doing now.
“A bill giving Washington, D.C. its first full seat in Congress cleared the House yesterday, marking the city’s biggest legislative victory in its quest for voting rights in nearly three decades.” But the bill doesn’t appear to have enough votes to break a Senate filibuster, and President Bush has vowed a veto.
“The number of returning Iraq and Afghanistan combat veterans visiting Department of Veterans Affairs walk-in clinics has more than doubled since 2004, while the clinics’ staff has increased by less than 10%, agency records show.”
“In an early morning statement Friday, the World Bank’s board said that Thursday’s meeting to discuss issues raised by President Paul Wolfowitz’s handling of the terms of his girlfriend’s employment…ended without a final resolution. The board asked an ad hoc committee for ‘early recommendations‘ on what action, if any, to take.”
Rep. John Dingell (D-MI), a strong proponent of gun-rights who once served on the National Rifle Association’s board of directors, is leading talks with the NRA in hopes of resurrecting a bill to “bolster the national background-check system and potentially block gun purchases by the mentally ill.”
And finally: “Oklahoma already has the strawberry as its official fruit, so the state Senate cleared the way Tuesday to declare the watermelon the state vegetable.” The Senate debated over whether the watermelon is a fruit or vegetable. “I guess it can be both,” State Sen. Don Barrington (R) conceded.
What did we miss? Let us know in the comments section.
Topic Cloud
ArchivesBlog Roll
“The U.S. military is constructing a 3-mile-long concrete wall in Baghdad”
Oh, to be a ladder salesman in Baghdad.
April 20th, 2007 at 9:05 am“The U.S. military is constructing a 3-mile-long concrete wall in Baghdad “to cut off one of the capital’s most restive Sunni Arab districts from the Shiite Muslim neighborhoods that surround it . . . “
George Bush was heard to say, “Mr. al-Maliki, build up that wall.”
April 20th, 2007 at 9:06 amI don’t know, I don’t know, I can’t recall, I misremembered, I forgot, I haven’t a clue, I can’t recall, I misremembered, I forgot, I haven’t a clue,
I don’t know, I can’t recall, I misremembered, I don’t know, I can’t recall, I misremembered, I forgot, I haven’t a clue, I forgot, I haven’t a clue,
I don’t know, I can’t recall, I misremembered, I forgot, I haven’t a clue,
I don’t know, I can’t recall, I misremembered, I forgot, I haven’t a clue, I
I’m so proud of my boy AGAG*sniff*sniff* -\/\/
April 20th, 2007 at 9:07 amAnd even if it *does* become law, it’ll most likely be challenged in court, as it’s against the law.
Change the constitution, then DC can have voting rights in Congress.
April 20th, 2007 at 9:12 amSo the Pentagram has enough greenbacks till EOJ,,,why this gives \/\/ another couple of months to veto supporting the troops. Now what was Joke crying about again?
April 20th, 2007 at 9:13 amHe “appeared frustrated, weary and at times combative,†and “angered†committee members “as he invoked a faulty memory more than 50 times.â€
It’s a sad day in America when the entire country has to watch our top cop & AG lie to congress 50 times. I was most impressed by the fact even Republicans want Ali G to resign.
As usual, Bubble Boy thought Ali G did a ‘good job’.
April 20th, 2007 at 9:15 amChange the constitution, then DC can have voting rights in Congress.
Comment by Dale
Looks like maybe half of DC may be sharing a cell with Abramoff, at least the value voter *cough hack wheeze* moral majority half of iit…..
April 20th, 2007 at 9:20 amMajor props to Al Gore for highlighting global warming as a crucial issue, not only in the context of the environment but across the broader spectra of politics and society. The doubling is at least 95% thanks to his efforts.
April 20th, 2007 at 9:23 amI would like to suggest Patrick Fitzgerald be nominated to replace Gonzales as Attorney General.
April 20th, 2007 at 9:26 amFor my thesis and dissertation, I’m going to try the Abu Gonzo defense – “I can only answer questions on things that I know. I can’t answer questions on stuff that I don’t know.” If it’s good enough for our AG, it should fly with the committee, right?
He’s either lying or incompetent…and since he seemed to remember a lot of other ancillary and trivial facts regarding things he couldn’t be busted for, I’m inclined to believe he’s a bald-faced liar that lacks any kind of self-respect or dignity.
April 20th, 2007 at 9:28 amThe U.S. military is constructing a 3-mile-long concrete wall in Baghdad “to cut off one of the capital’s most restive Sunni Arab districts from the Shiite Muslim neighborhoods that surround it, raising concern about the further Balkanization of Iraq’s most populous and violent city.â€
But rebuilding the levees of New Orleans must not be done with federal funds, isn’t, “fiscal conservatives” out there?
April 20th, 2007 at 9:30 amRep. John Dingell (D-MI), a strong proponent of gun-rights who once served on the National Rifle Association’s board of directors, is leading talks with the NRA in hopes of resurrecting a bill to “bolster the national background-check system and potentially block gun purchases by the mentally ill.â€
A FIRST BABY STEP. A lot more must be done.
April 20th, 2007 at 9:32 amThe U.S. military is constructing a 3-mile-long concrete wall in Baghdad
China had a wall. (Predominantly Buddist)
Berlin had a wall. (Predominantly Christian)
Israel has a wall. (Predominantly Jewish)
Now Baghdad is getting a wall. This way Muslims won’t feel left out.
April 20th, 2007 at 9:32 amIf Abu’s memory is that bad, clearly he’s far too incompetent to hold the position of Attorney General. If he had a real job in the corporate world, he would have been fired long ago.
April 20th, 2007 at 9:32 amMethinks McCain and Gonzales are partaking the same “medications.” With that many “memory” problems, I’m surprised Gonzales wasn’t munching down on Twinkies.
April 20th, 2007 at 9:36 amHe “appeared frustrated, weary and at times combative,†and “angered†committee members “as he invoked a faulty memory more than 50 times.â€
Gonzales’ explanation for having said things before that turned out not to be true: “I misspoke.”
My parting questions to him would have been:
1) What do you mean by “misspoke”? Did you accidentally say something you knew wasn’t true? If so, when did you realize that you said something that wasn’t true? Did you make any attempt to rectify it when you realized you gave false testimony?
2) What assurance can you give us that you won’t be saying a month from now that you “misspoke” during this hearing? Are you certain that everything you told this committee is true to the best of your knowledge? Can you think of any way that your statements might turn out to be false?
3) Would you please take a copy of the transcript of this hearing home with you and read it over the weekend? And, on Monday morning, please let us know if you have discovered any more instances of your having “misspoke”. If you have not discovered any by that time, we will consider any question of “misspeaking” to be settled, and any further inconsistencies in your testimony will be treated as deliberate attempts to deceive this committee and the American people.
4) Please answer the questions and stop dancing around them and saying “I have tried…” and “I will try…” Anyone can “try”. You’re required to “do”.
April 20th, 2007 at 9:36 amdude that picture is priceless.
April 20th, 2007 at 9:38 amMorning all…
April 20th, 2007 at 9:40 amInteresting developments here in Southwest Michigan.
We get the honor (pfft!) of having our Commander in Thief visit this morning, but he will be speaking in Grand Rapids, a primary conservative city.
Here in Kalamazoo, there have been plenty of peaceful protests on the street corners every day around 5pm. What I love, is the amount of approval honking as I drive by. Not once have I seen the middle finger wave!
Sadly, yesterday our community college was closed down because of what was deemed a threat by a blogger, but was later revealed to be a hypothetical, concerned hope this never happens post.
They closed the campus until Monday, which I feel is quite extreme, but because of current events, I understand. Unfortunately, this is happening all over the country. We as a nation are a little jumpy, especially since copy cat wannabe jokesters turn a tragic event into their own little attention getter.
Take care all
and
ITMFA!!!
Perhaps Gonzales has mastered the art of doublethink; to consciously forget something, and then to forget the mental act of forgetting, and then be able to recall what was once consciously forgotten, forgetting the fact that what was recalled was ever forgotten in the first place, only to regalate the recalled fact back to being forgotten, as the occasion calls for, all the while never cognizant of the mental gymnastics required to accomplish the feat; to be consciously insane, and unconsciously cognizant of the insanity.
April 20th, 2007 at 9:42 am
Many legal scholars believe Congress has the power to give the citizens of DC the right to vote (Kenneth Starr, for example). Basically, the argument is that Article I gives Congress one of its most sweeping powers — that of legislation over the District of Columbia. Justice Scalia has said the Article gives Congress “extraordinary and plenary” power over our nation’s capital.
In fact, Congress earlier used that power to grant DC residents the right to bring suits against residents of other jurisdictions in federal court — something the Constitution expressly gives to all other citizens but not expressly to citizens of the District.
Finally, when the Constitution was ratified in 1879, all U.S. citizens lived in a state. There is no reason to believe the framers of the Constitution intended for other citizens of the United States to be excluded.
In the end, it is not “against the law” as the uneducated Dale says, without any evidence. But it has not been decided and DC certainly has a strong argument why the Supreme Court should find it to be Constitutional.
GO DC CITIZENS!
April 20th, 2007 at 9:43 amTo clarify, in #20, I am referring to DC residents’ right to voting representation in Congress. … now, where’s that coffee?
April 20th, 2007 at 9:54 am#9
Although I think Fitzgerald would be great for the job, you’re forgetting ONE HUGE item.
At one time Fitzgerald’s name appeared on the list of AGs to be fired.
There’s absolutely no way Karl Rove would allow Fitzgerald to get into that office. From my biased perspective, Fitzgerald is way too independent for them.
April 20th, 2007 at 9:59 amthe NRA won’t go for it… lets face it, many (not all) people who keep guns for anything other than self defense probably have alot of violent/sadistic/murderous tendencies….the arms dealers who run the NRA would lose half thier customer base. not sure how hunting defenseless creatures for sport is the mark of a stable personality. these were the people who were against banning armor piercing “cop killer” bullets… can anyone tell me how many deer, street thugs, or home burglars are wearing bulletproof vests?
and i love these idiots screaming about how we should have guns on campus.. yes… im sure a nice dormful of firearms would go over splendidly at the campus keggers and frat parties…. minors, hazing, alchohol, and firearms.. now there a real recipe for something positive happening!!… maybe they wouldnt all die in one place, but i can guarantee you such a policy would result in alot more than 32 deaths…
and no dale, bubba and jeb.. your sawed off shotgun isnt going to keep you safe from domestic tyrants…..all anyone has to do to keep control of your slack jawed inbred gun toting brethern is start a war somewhere else and you neanderthals will fall in line and start humping the flag…. in the modern age control of the populace will be through propanda and brainwashing… you remington won’t protect you from that… if anything, whatever personality disorder has spawned your love of firearms will probably give you a chubby for any domestic tryrant who claims he needs your help killing brown people so your children can be safe.. lets face it.. high IQ and guns don’t usually go hand in hand..and even if you idiots had the cahones to wake up and rebel, i can guarante, blackwater would put you fools down in a an instant.. they’ve got all the resources of the military behind them…
Oh and Dale… so now your a constitutional scholar too? So you understand a concept called “standing”… who exactly is it that would have standing to sue if D.C. got a vote? I’m a texas resident, I didnt know I could sue election officials in Ohio because their incorrect voting procedures caused the guy I voted for not to get elected…..glad to know you cleared that one up for me..
April 20th, 2007 at 10:00 amI like that banner….a code pink activist perhaps?
April 20th, 2007 at 10:10 am“Oklahoma already has the strawberry as its official fruit, so the state Senate cleared the way Tuesday to declare the watermelon the state vegetable.â€
Hmm… and all this time I thought Sen. Inhofe was Oklahoma’s state vegetable.
April 20th, 2007 at 10:15 amApparently there were numerous protesters in the gallery wearing pink, I listened to NPR coverage, they gave no indication of whether they were part of any group.
April 20th, 2007 at 10:18 amLikely call, Hector.
And You Thought REAGAN Was Stupid , i wont be a lawyer for another year, but again, as i mentioned, even if this potential DC law could be challenged in court, I have a serious question about who would have standing to challenge it, because I beleive the constitution dissallows “generalized” complaints (for example, complaints by taxpayers as to how thier money is being used)..there has to be a specific and cognizable harm suffered.. not “well if x congressman voted this way and y congressman voted that way then I wouldnt get the law passed that I wanted” ….theres a causality issue, because any amount of other voting variances could have been what caused your law to not get passed, or whatever…
April 20th, 2007 at 10:21 amits similar to how I, as a Texas resident, have no standing to challenge the presidental election results in Ohio just because the Ohio results caused the guy I voted to unfairly lose the presidency.. (honestly I’m glad Kerry lost tho, they’d be blaming Iraq and everything else on him now)
Hmm… and all this time I thought Sen. Inhofe was Oklahoma’s state vegetable.
Comment by chimpeach — April 20, 2007 @ 10:15 am
The variety “Inhofus Nutis” concretely.
April 20th, 2007 at 10:21 amInhofe could be considered a fruit, as well…
April 20th, 2007 at 10:21 amthe confusion carries on….
#27. Good point. As a lawyer (who doesn’t practice litigation) and former resident of DC, I wonder who could demonstrate “specific harm.” Of course, as you know, an argument can be made for both positions.
April 20th, 2007 at 10:27 am…Fitzgerald is way too independent for them.
Comment by Dogjudge — April 20, 2007 @ 9:59 am
definitely way too competent also… that just won’t work…
April 20th, 2007 at 10:28 amyes Reagan was stupid, its certainly an interesting hypothetical, isnt it??…
although I’d like the outcome in this particular case, being a big fan of the judicial branch (the only branch that you need any real education to be a part of), I must admit I find the concept of a law that was unchallengable in court simply because you couldnt find a discernable plaintiff with standing to be a bit creepy…
April 20th, 2007 at 10:42 amSince it’s impossible to get a decent AG from Bush, it behooves the Dems to not push too hard to kick Gonzales out of his job and to just drag their feet as more and more Republicans stampede to denounce him. He’s fun to watch, after all, and is a splendid source of information about the ineptitude of the current administration.
And, there is a certain sadistic pleasure to be derived from clubbing a baby seal.
April 20th, 2007 at 10:43 amA little off topic, but part of a women’s health initiative. Time to stop the HMO’s from making medical decisions.
http://www.lifetimetv.com/breastcancer/petition/signpetition.php
April 20th, 2007 at 10:51 amWhy don’t we ask our resident “lawyer” mightmethermaphditenus … shes the only lawyer who accepts her legal fees in meth….
April 20th, 2007 at 10:59 amGonzales should be removed from office immediately: no one with such an advanced stage of dementia, as evidenced by extreme forgetfulness, should be in such an important position.
April 20th, 2007 at 11:10 amThe variety “Inhofus Nutis†concretely.
Comment by Evil Spaniard
Priceless….
April 20th, 2007 at 11:10 amThey will go over it, under it, around it. It will not stop them but insight them even more.
The Bush Administration don’t know what the F__K they are doing. Please please get someone in there with some common sense!
April 20th, 2007 at 11:18 amJohn A. Broussard – where are you currently sitting (physically)?
April 20th, 2007 at 11:47 amThe Bush Administration don’t know what the F__K they are doing.
Comment by Aimee — April 20, 2007 @ 11:18 am
Did you happen to see Jack Cafferty on CNN the other night? It was priceless. He was looking into the camera incredulously and said, “What are they doing?!”, referring to the Bush admin.
April 20th, 2007 at 12:13 pm… And if DC was conservative, who wants to guess the odds that this thing would have SAILED through the repugs in Congress YEARS ago and Bush would have signed it with a smile!
NO TAXATION WITHOUT REPRESENTATION. DC deserves AT LEAST a single vote in the House, if not also two seats in the senate (or some sort of compromise where they are represented by and can vote for Maryland and/or Virginia Senators).
April 20th, 2007 at 1:55 pmThe depths of incompetence know no bounds with this administration.
How easily and quickly they forget that building walls only creates more violence (see Berlin and Gaza).
F*cking unbelievable.
April 20th, 2007 at 2:34 pmScientist: Warming not caused by humans.
April 20th, 2007 at 5:05 pm#43
Congrats, you found ONE scientist, from Alabama, who denies global climate change.
Clap.
April 21st, 2007 at 12:27 pmDistance Learning Teachers Having Sex With Students Very Hot School Girls
I can not agree with you in 100% regarding some thoughts, but you got good point of view
March 26th, 2008 at 4:51 amnational background check
Good post. I am looking into these issues on my blog.
April 12th, 2008 at 3:28 pmbackground check fees
I’m with the earlier poster, this seems like a good idea.
April 13th, 2008 at 4:18 am