Bush’s Agencies Of Mass Politicization
Bush’s Agencies Of Mass Politicization
This week’s report that officials in the Office of National Drug Control Policy made politically motivated appearances in the months leading up to the 2006 elections are only the latest example of the Bush administration’s misuse of federal employees.
For example, the Wall Street Journal reported in 2003 that Karl Rove or his top aide, Ken Mehlman, “visited nearly every agency to outline White House campaign priorities, review polling data and, on occasion, call attention to tight House, Senate and gubernatorial races that could be affected by regulatory action.”
Partisan campaign or electoral activities on federal government property are illegal. This prohibition, however, has not stopped the Bush administration from politicizing virtually every agency under its control. Below is a quick review of the extent of the White House’s efforts to politicize the federal agencies:
Office of Faith Based Initiatives: The office was “used almost exclusively to win political points with both evangelical Christians and traditionally Democratic minorities. The office’s primary mission, providing financial support to charities that serve the poor, never got the presidential support it needed to succeed.” [MSNBC, 10/13/06]
General Services Administration: After a GSA meeting during which White House deputy director of political affairs Scott Jennings gave a PowerPoint presentation that included slides listing Democratic and Republican seats the White House viewed as vulnerable in 2008, a map of contested Senate seats and other information on 2008 election strategy, GSA Administrator Lurita Doan asked how GSA could help “our candidates.” Special Counsel Scott Bloch has since advised the President that Doan should “be disciplined to the fullest extent for her serious violation of the Hatch Act.” [Congress Daily, 6/12/07]
Department of Justice:
“Unlike federal judges, immigration judges are civil service employees, to be appointed by the attorney general based on professional qualifications, not their politics. [During Attorney General Alberto Gonzales's aide Monica Goodling's] tenure, vacancies were apparently not always posted and she selected lawyers to be considered for interviews based in part on their loyalty to the Republican Party and the Bush administration.” [New York Times, 5/25/07]
Department of Justice: “After the 2004 election, administration officials quietly began drawing up a list of US attorneys to replace. Considerations included their perceived loyalty to Bush and a desire by White House political adviser Karl Rove to increase voter fraud prosecutions, documents and testimony have shown. Most of the proposed firings were for US attorneys in states with closely divided elections. Among those later fired was David Iglesias, from the battleground state of New Mexico, where many of his fellow Republicans had demanded more aggressive voter fraud probes.” [Boston Globe, 5/6/07]
Interior Department: “A midlevel Interior Department official” received a “phone call from [Vice President Dick] Cheney in 2001, setting in motion a secret move to undermine the science of federal biologists who had said diverting water from the Klamath would violate the Endangered Species Act and devastate two imperiled species of fish.” [The Oregonian, 6/30/07]
Interior Department: Deputy Assistant Secretary for Fish and Wildlife and Parks Julie MacDonald has consistently “rejected staff scientists’ recommendations to protect imperiled animals and plants under the Endangered Species Act.” A civil engineer with no training in biology, she has “overruled and disparaged” the findings of her staff, instead relying on the recommendations of political and industry groups. [Washington Post, 10/30/06]
Defense Department: “[T]he Pentagon’s public affairs division has become a dumping ground for administration cronies…seek[ing] to bypass the traditional media and work directly with talk radio and bloggers, mostly those with a heavily conservative tilt.” [Harper's Magazine, 7/16/07]
Defense Department: “The Defense Department…has stepped up intelligence collection inside this country since 9/11, which now includes the monitoring of peaceful anti-war and counter-military recruitment groups.” [MSNBC, 9/14/05]
NASA: “The top climate scientist at NASA says the Bush administration has tried to stop him from speaking out since he gave a lecture last month calling for prompt reductions in emissions of greenhouse gases linked to global warming…officials at NASA headquarters had ordered the public affairs staff to review his coming lectures, papers, postings on the Goddard [Institute for Space Studies] Web site and requests for interviews from journalists.” [New York Times, 1/29/06]
Food and Drug Administration: “The top Food and Drug Administration official in charge of women’s health issues…resigned in protest against the agency’s decision to further delay a final ruling on whether the ‘morning-after pill’ should be made more easily accessible. ‘I can no longer serve as staff when scientific and clinical evidence, fully evaluated and recommended for approval by the professional staff here, has been overruled,’ she wrote in an e-mail to her staff and FDA colleagues.” [Washington Post, 9/1/05]
Health and Human Services: “An internal investigation by the Department of Health and Human Services confirms that the top Medicare official threatened to fire the program’s chief actuary if he told Congress that drug benefits would probably cost much more than the White House acknowledged.” [New York Times, 7/7/04]
Health and Human Services: “The Department of Health and Human Services recently revised its website, 4Parents.gov, and replaced factual data designed to help parents talk about preventing teen pregnancy with biased and misleading claims” reflecting administration policy. [NARAL, 7/10/07]
Office of the Surgeon General: “The first U.S. surgeon general appointed by President George W. Bush accused the administration on Tuesday of political interference and muzzling him on key issues like embryonic stem cell research.” [Reuters, 7/10/07]
Environmental Protection Agency: In a government report on the state of the environment, strong language that “climate change has global consequences for human health and the environment” was stricken by the White House, as was government research that suggests recent climate change is “likely mostly due to human activities.” The changes were protested by EPA staffers, who wrote in a confidential memo that the report “no longer accurately represents scientific consensus on climate change.” [CBS, 6/19/03]
Office of National Drug Control Policy: “At the request of Sara Taylor, the former White House Director of Political Affairs, John Walters, the nation’s drug czar, and his deputies traveled to 20 events with vulnerable Republican members of Congress in the months prior to the 2006 elections. The trips were paid for by federal taxpayers and several were combined with the announcement of federal grants or actions that benefited the districts of the Republican members.” [House Committee on Government Oversight and Reform, 6/17/07]
Corporation for Public Broadcasting: During his tenure, former CPB chairman Kenneth Tomlinson “moved to address what he contend[ed was] the left-leaning lineup of news programs at PBS by advocating the addition of new shows with a conservative outlook.” He “failed to strike a proper balance by infusing politics into so many decisions at CPB” and by “in essence, allowing the White House to help direct plans of the CPB.” According to Jeffrey Chester, executive director of the Center for Digital Democracy, this extreme politicization was “unprecedented.” [National Public Radio, 6/20/05]
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Shocking! There is gambling going on here!
July 18th, 2007 at 5:58 pmTP, that picture is burning my soul!
July 18th, 2007 at 6:01 pmThat Rove sure is happy in that picture!
I wonder if Jeff Gannon was visiting.
July 18th, 2007 at 6:01 pmThat was a tie, Zooey.
July 18th, 2007 at 6:04 pmFrank J: It's not just gambling; it's a wholesale destruction of our Democracy.
July 18th, 2007 at 6:04 pmSo what? Clinton hired democrats.
July 18th, 2007 at 6:04 pmMr. Pee's tube sock needs to be stuffed in Rove's mouth.
July 18th, 2007 at 6:05 pmSo if what is going on has been illegal, why isn't the Democratic Congress screaming "impeachment"? When are the Dems going to get some guts and take off the kid gloves?
July 18th, 2007 at 6:05 pmHey Pelosi, would impeachment be off the table for the anti-christ too? I can't say whether or not Bush is he, but he sure is playing the part...
July 18th, 2007 at 6:05 pmThat was a tie, Zooey.
Comment by Egreggious
I can't stop shaking -- it's terrifying! :D
July 18th, 2007 at 6:06 pmwow that picture... i will never sleep again!
July 18th, 2007 at 6:07 pmCaption:
"Georgie? the Decider?
July 18th, 2007 at 6:09 pmBWWAAAAAAhhaaaahhaaaaahaaaaaa"
Preemptive post (for the trolls):
No, Clinton did not do it too.
And even if he did, two wrongs don't make a right.
Carry on now.
July 18th, 2007 at 6:10 pmrove's permanant republican majority.
Question: Which current group of people on the planet has caused the most death? I think it is team Bush. Who rivals even?
July 18th, 2007 at 6:11 pmMr. Pee’s tube sock needs to be stuffed in Rove’s mouth.
Comment by Marcus Aurelius — July 18, 2007 @ 6:05 pm
Probably wouldn't be the first time.
July 18th, 2007 at 6:11 pmEgg,
What is up with this rain? It's not supposed to rain in summer!
July 18th, 2007 at 6:12 pmWhat will it take? Last Friday Bill Moyers had two constitutional scholars who gave all the reasons both Bush and Cheney should be impeached immediately. There was no yelling, no talking over someone - in fact, Bill Moyers played devil's advocate to illustrate possible objections - just two serious, intelligent men (one of whom, Bruce Fein, wrote the articles of impeachment against Clinton) pointing out that not impeaching them will be the death of Constitutional government in the United States. It was simultaneously the most encouraging and disheartening thing I have ever seen on TV.
July 18th, 2007 at 6:13 pmAny bets, whether "The Decider" will be invited to speak a the Grand Old Perverts convention in 2008. In Prime time?
July 18th, 2007 at 6:13 pmThe fine whine of wingnuttia -- Clinton, waaaaahhhhh, Clinton, waaaahhhh -- bunch of WATBs; hey wingnut -- Bush can hire Republicans as political appointees til the cows come home, just as Clinton hired Dems, and Ray-gun and Bush I hired R's - -- the administration CANNOT use government resources and employees (appointees or otherwise) as political props or for campaign purposes -- I know it is a great deal for your pea-sized brain to process, given your heavy brow ridge and freakishly large occipital lobe. But do try.
July 18th, 2007 at 6:15 pmWhat is up with this rain? It’s not supposed to rain in summer!
Comment by Zooey — July 18, 2007 @ 6:12 pm
Ask the Goracle.
July 18th, 2007 at 6:15 pmAny bets, whether “The Decider†will be invited to speak a the Grand Old Perverts convention in 2008. In Prime time?
Comment by heckofajobbushie — July 18, 2007 @ 6:13 pm
He'll be invited.
But, strangely, he will discover he has a previous engagement.
July 18th, 2007 at 6:17 pmOh, and yeah, what's up with posting FAT Karl's pig face during the dinner hour -- when that picture was taken was FAT Karl about to go down on the Decider's limp tool in satisfaction of his Bush man-crush?
July 18th, 2007 at 6:18 pmAsk the Goracle.
Comment by Egreggious
Grrrr.....
I'll go home tomorrow, and it will be one million degrees.
July 18th, 2007 at 6:21 pmOne more bit for the Trolls: Do you honestly (I know it's a new word for you, look it up) think (probably safer looking this one up as well) that the Republican Congress Clinton faced would have just shrugged something like this off if Clinton's folks were doing anything like this? How long was the investigation over the travel agents? This is, well, bigger, don't you think? Anyone? Anyone? Bueller?
July 18th, 2007 at 6:21 pmEgg,
What is up with this rain? It’s not supposed to rain in summer!
Comment by Zooey
Kvetch, kvetch, kvetc. It was too hot in Idaho and now it's too wet in Portland. Sheesh.
This is, indeed, very unusual for July here. Unusually cool, too, maybe a record low high. ? That looks weird, but it's true.
Easy to spot the newcomers on the morning commute, all bundled up in their parkas like it was mid-winter. Bah. Go back to California!
July 18th, 2007 at 6:23 pm#14 rove’s permanant republican majority.
Question: Which current group of people on the planet has caused the most death? I think it is team Bush. Who rivals even?
Comment by kindness = wealth
An ironic twist is that in PudgeBoy Rover's quest to create a "100 Year Republican Majority", he may have actually destroyed the party and created a "100 Year Democratic Majority"!!!
He will be studied in future Poly Sci classes as the man who let his teeny weinie and his ego destroy his Party. Couldn't happen to a better person!!
July 18th, 2007 at 6:25 pmNew Flash: Larry Flynt has the name of another Grand Old Pervert Senator, who used the services of the D.C. Madame.
July 18th, 2007 at 6:25 pmI’ll go home tomorrow, and it will be one million degrees.
Comment by Zooey
Live in the center of the sun? You must have very impressive tan.
July 18th, 2007 at 6:27 pmWhat will it take? Last Friday Bill Moyers had two constitutional scholars who gave all the reasons both Bush and Cheney should be impeached immediately. There was no yelling, no talking over someone - in fact, Bill Moyers played devil’s advocate to illustrate possible objections - just two serious, intelligent men (one of whom, Bruce Fein, wrote the articles of impeachment against Clinton) pointing out that not impeaching them will be the death of Constitutional government in the United States. It was simultaneously the most encouraging and disheartening thing I have ever seen on TV.
Comment by Powkat — July 18, 2007 @ 6:13 pm
QFT. Also, anyone who wants can see this discussion here...
http://www.pbs.org/moyers/journal/07132007/profile.html
July 18th, 2007 at 6:27 pmKvetch, kvetch, kvetc. It was too hot in Idaho and now it’s too wet in Portland. Sheesh.
...
Easy to spot the newcomers on the morning commute, all bundled up in their parkas like it was mid-winter. Bah. Go back to California!
Comment by gummitch
*sniff*
**slipping off jacket**
July 18th, 2007 at 6:27 pmLive in the center of the sun? You must have very impressive tan.
Comment by The Republic of Stupidity
Are you kidding? My skin burns off my bones!
I'm pale as a ghost. Sunscreen!
July 18th, 2007 at 6:29 pmZooey -
It is over 90 here in the Rockies too!!! Guess Big Al knows of what he speaks!!
July 18th, 2007 at 6:30 pmIs Zooey disrobing?
July 18th, 2007 at 6:31 pmFunny how the Republican mantra for 30 years has been "government is the enemy" yet they have spent the last 6 years making money off the government and joining the government in droves. Even Pat Robertson was boasting about all of his flunkies who were in the federal government.
-GSD
July 18th, 2007 at 6:32 pmThis is the picture of the epitome of pure evil embodied in a Pillsbury Dough Boy get up. I don't know who dressed him for it though - my guess would be Jiffy Lube Gannon.
July 18th, 2007 at 6:33 pmIs Zooey disrobing?
Comment by ForTruth
Dis-jacketing. :D
July 18th, 2007 at 6:33 pmI'm seriously leaning towards not doing anything now, just waiting until Little George is out of office to arrest, convict and imprison TrudBlossom and the Cronies - putting them beyond any pardon or commutation.
July 18th, 2007 at 6:34 pm#27 Is that so? Can you provide a link for us to see who the new whoremaster is?
July 18th, 2007 at 6:34 pmAn ironic twist is that in PudgeBoy Rover’s quest to create a “100 Year Republican Majorityâ€, he may have actually destroyed the party and created a “100 Year Democratic Majorityâ€!!!
Comment by upside00 — July 18, 2007 @ 6:25 pm
I totally agree. Rove was thinking every situation was a political situation. He got Bush reelected (maybe) but his team was a tragic failure at war planning. In the end, even a genius at propaganda couldn't overcome the facts on the ground in Iraq.
July 18th, 2007 at 6:35 pmAs far as a 100 year Democratic Majority...that depends on what the Democrats do.
Dis-jacketing. :D
Comment by Zooey — July 18, 2007 @ 6:33 pm
Please see yesterday's thread on condom advertising.
July 18th, 2007 at 6:36 pmVeritas -
We are witnessing the American version of "The Boys of Brazil". But instead of all the boys looking like perfect Arian specimens.... all the Repug specimens look like Rove or his younger brother!!! Three chins, 4 eyes, pasty, balding testosterone-challenged NERDS!!!
July 18th, 2007 at 6:36 pm38: Go to Crooks and Liars: Name has yet to be revealed (darn).
July 18th, 2007 at 6:37 pmIf we're talking about a Republican, wouldn't it be WhoreCzar?
July 18th, 2007 at 6:37 pmI’m seriously leaning towards not doing anything now, just waiting until Little George is out of office to arrest, convict and imprison TrudBlossom and the Cronies - putting them beyond any pardon or commutation.
Comment by bcinaz — July 18, 2007 @ 6:34 pm
But this is the pre-emptive president. Can't he pre-emptvely pardon?
July 18th, 2007 at 6:37 pmTP, that picture is burning my soul!
Comment by Zooey
Zooey, that picture was taken at the very instant that Jeff Gannon found his wrist watch, and it tickled...
July 18th, 2007 at 6:39 pmmr. p,
What's wrong, this one hitting too close to home?
July 18th, 2007 at 6:39 pmfarewell then..............
July 18th, 2007 at 6:40 pmPlease see yesterday’s thread on condom advertising.
Comment by Egreggious
No! I won't do it! :D
July 18th, 2007 at 6:40 pmWell, this is a worthless thread.
Comment by Mr. President
Hiding over here, Mr "Saudis Ain't Moslems" P?
July 18th, 2007 at 6:40 pmYour paragraph on the Office of Faith Based Initiatives says the quote was made 10/13/07. Was that 1907?
July 18th, 2007 at 6:41 pmWell, this is a worthless thread.
Comment by Mr. President
Spark it up, Mr P. Tell us how Saudis aren't Muslims.
July 18th, 2007 at 6:41 pmThere's a YouTube of Rove (4 minutes in - you gotta see him) as a snot-nosed young Republican, working for the Re-elect Nixon campaign. He was just as smarmy then as now. He was just some young kid who was willing to do anything for a piece of the power pie, and he's still doing it to this day. Rove started out as a little criminal:
In the fall of 1970, Rove used a false identity to enter the campaign office of Democrat Alan J. Dixon, who was running for Illinois State Treasurer, and stole 1000 sheets of paper with campaign letterhead. Rove then printed fake campaign rally fliers promising "free beer, free food, girls and a good time for nothing", and distributed them at rock concerts and homeless shelters, with the effect of disrupting Dixon's rally (Dixon eventually won the election). Rove's role would not become publicly known until August 1973. Rove told the Dallas Morning News in 1999, "It was a youthful prank at the age of 19 and I regret it."
July 18th, 2007 at 6:41 pmMr. P: You think bushie will speak at the Grand Old Pervert convention?
July 18th, 2007 at 6:41 pmLMAO
Hiding over here, Mr “Saudis Ain’t Moslems†P?
Comment by The Republic of Stupidity — July 18, 2007 @ 6:40 pm
He is right in one sense they aren't Moslems there are however Muslims.
July 18th, 2007 at 6:42 pm#46 TP, that picture is burning my soul!
Comment by Zooey
Zooey, that picture was taken at the very instant that Jeff Gannon found his wrist watch, and it tickled…
Comment by The Republic of Stupidity
I thought it was that poor little gerbil trying to claw his way out of his ass!!
July 18th, 2007 at 6:42 pmZooey, that picture was taken at the very instant that Jeff Gannon found his wrist watch, and it tickled…
Comment by The Republic of Stupidity
Apply brillo pads to eyes. Repeat....
July 18th, 2007 at 6:43 pmfarewell then…………..
Comment by Raven
Raven, stay safe.
July 18th, 2007 at 6:44 pmGee, Golly.
You don't think George and Dick and Karl and Condaleeza and Alberto and Donald and all the other clowns have been trying to deceive us???????????
Surely not. These are devout, honest, caring, compassionate, truthful, moral, self-righteous, conservative...... dupa yashes.
July 18th, 2007 at 6:44 pmGo to crooksandliars.com - article #2 regarding Larry Flynt's new finds. He says that his ad has netted ten times more calls than he did with Clinton and that 30 names of prominent Republicans are on the Madam's list. He said that one Senator in particular really surprised him....wonder who? Let's look at the one throwing the biggest stones at others maybe for starters....
Check it out. It's a very juicy interview.
July 18th, 2007 at 6:44 pmMr. P - What iceberg? We didn't hit an iceberg. That was not an iceberg back there. The ship is fine. It always tilts to one side like that.
No no no... you've got it all wrong. This ship is built to go underwater. That's why it's called a "submersible".
Now, if you'll excuse me, I need to slip into a dress, so I can hide amongst the women and children... the Moslems will never find me there.
July 18th, 2007 at 6:45 pmCandyce: Thanks for the utube link. Rove's been a jumping lockstep jackass for a very long time.
July 18th, 2007 at 6:45 pmApply brillo pads to eyes. Repeat….
Comment by Zooey
Sorry... I couldn't help. It had to be said.
July 18th, 2007 at 6:46 pm( I was kindly wishing Mr.P(P) farewell, as he found this thread to be worthless.....)
I'm all repacked, and just waiting for the phone call...
July 18th, 2007 at 6:47 pmupside00: I think we're both right about the photo. I say it was at the tail end of a 'bead job' myself.
July 18th, 2007 at 6:47 pmDo the republicans realize we have dentists here in America?
July 18th, 2007 at 6:48 pmCaption ~
That's the last leg off THAT fly!
July 18th, 2007 at 6:48 pmI think the look in Karls eyes is anticipatory, there is something coming his way just out of the camera frame.....
July 18th, 2007 at 6:49 pmVeritas, check out my post to you at # 41 and tell me what you think. Or is it just me?
July 18th, 2007 at 6:50 pmI’m all repacked, and just waiting for the phone call…
Comment by Raven
Sorry about the premature farewell. You can keep it with you, in case you have to go in a hurry. :)
July 18th, 2007 at 6:50 pmI think the look in Karls eyes is anticipatory, there is something coming his way just out of the camera frame…..
Comment by Raven
And his mouth is... open... and waiting...
July 18th, 2007 at 6:51 pmSorry… I couldn’t help. It had to be said.
Comment by The Republic of Stupidity
I probably would have done it, too. :)
July 18th, 2007 at 6:52 pmVeritas, check out my post to you at # 41 and tell me what you think. Or is it just me?
Comment by upside00
I've noticed that too. Creepy.... How do you say "Pillsbury Doughboy" in German? Er, make that, "Blowboy"...
July 18th, 2007 at 6:53 pmSaudis aren’t Muslims, they are our allies.
Comment by Mr. President — July 18, 2007 @ 6:46 pm
I am thinking the Saudis whose country contains the holiest of cities, Mecca, to Muslims, might be a bit surprised that they aren't Muslims.
July 18th, 2007 at 6:53 pmI say it was at the tail end of a ‘bead job’ myself.
Comment by veritas
Riiight... the size of softballs...
July 18th, 2007 at 6:54 pmKraz, just when you think Mr Pee can't say anything stupider, he proves us wrong.
July 18th, 2007 at 6:55 pmI thought it was that poor little gerbil trying to claw his way out of his ass!!
Comment by upside00
Ewww... somebody call the SPCA quick. Mr P, can you do "mouth-to-mouth" resuscitation? Don't quibble, man. It's your chance to redeem your reputation around here. That poor gerbil is dying!
July 18th, 2007 at 6:56 pmThanks, Zooey....
(I'll be styling this trip, I sewed the souvenir patch I got from the Grand Canyon onto my travel bag, and polished my Pulaski to a mirror finish...)
July 18th, 2007 at 6:56 pm#76 Saudis aren’t Muslims, they are our allies.
Comment by Mr. President — July 18, 2007 @ 6:46 pm
I am thinking the Saudis whose country contains the holiest of cities, Mecca, to Muslims, might be a bit surprised that they aren’t Muslims.
Comment by Krazny
Krasny, Mr. p has just admitted that since the Saudi's are our allies and 45% of all foreign insurgents and most of the funding comes from Saudi, then BushCo is in bed with the enemy! Way to go, mr. p! You have done us all a great service today!
July 18th, 2007 at 6:57 pmI am thinking the Saudis whose country contains the holiest of cities, Mecca, to Muslims, might be a bit surprised that they aren’t Muslims.
Comment by Krazny
Anybody want to kick some money into the pot, buy Mr P a ticket to Mecca, so he can tell the Saudis to their faces?
Let's make sure there's a camera running. I hear the Saudis still flog.
July 18th, 2007 at 6:58 pmComment by upside00
Indeed, upside00, indeed. I wonder how Mr P's Neo-con masters will react when they realize he as outted them!
July 18th, 2007 at 7:00 pm(I’ll be styling this trip, I sewed the souvenir patch I got from the Grand Canyon onto my travel bag, and polished my Pulaski to a mirror finish…)
Comment by Raven
You'll be the envy of the crew. :)
July 18th, 2007 at 7:00 pmGeez, Mr P seems to have fled this thread too.
July 18th, 2007 at 7:01 pmKrasny, Mr. p has just admitted that since the Saudi’s are our allies and 45% of all foreign insurgents and most of the funding comes from Saudi, then BushCo is in bed with the enemy! Way to go, mr. p! You have done us all a great service today!
Comment by upside00
Just don't tell him that Pakistan is also our ally, they are muslum and the real Al Qaeda is hiding there. His head might explode
July 18th, 2007 at 7:02 pmI may not be the sharpest tool, but I'm certainly the shiniest!
July 18th, 2007 at 7:04 pmpolished my Pulaski
Comment by Raven
I wonder if that's what our favorite troll is up to.
July 18th, 2007 at 7:04 pm#85 I think he had to go to dinner.... his mommy called down the basement stairs and said his Kraft Mac & Cheese with strawwberry milk was ready.
July 18th, 2007 at 7:04 pmFrank J.
You forgot your winnings.
July 18th, 2007 at 7:05 pmHis head might explode
Comment by Wayne
Yeah, but we'll be safe. As usual, he's got his head up his a**, and he's wearing his Kevlar undies today.
July 18th, 2007 at 7:06 pmLet’s make sure there’s a camera running. I hear the Saudis still flog.
Comment by The Republic of Stupidity
They still cut the hands off thieves and behead adulterers, infidels, etc. too.
July 18th, 2007 at 7:06 pmI may not be the sharpest tool, but I’m certainly the shiniest!
Comment by Raven
Mr P is a tool, and he's definitely NOT the sharpest one, either.
July 18th, 2007 at 7:07 pmI may not be the sharpest tool, but I’m certainly the shiniest!
Comment by Raven
People will only remember your sparkle -- not your sharpness. :)
July 18th, 2007 at 7:07 pmpolished my Pulaski
Comment by Raven
I wonder if that’s what our favorite troll is up to.
Comment by Egreggious
He would more likely be cuffing his carrot.
July 18th, 2007 at 7:08 pmMr P is definitely no Pulaski.....
July 18th, 2007 at 7:08 pmThey still cut the hands off thieves and behead adulterers, infidels, etc. too.
Comment by Wayne
I know, they're very harsh. Do they still stone people? Probably wiser for Mr P to stay in the States. We may hurt his feelings, but we don't cut off hands.
July 18th, 2007 at 7:09 pmNew! Al-Quaida in Iran. Another hillarios product of oriental patch (Orrin Hatch, famous polygamist) and the irreplaceble Bush administration.
http://ccoaler.blogspot.com/2007/07/i-guess-bush-better-had-shot-oussama-in.html
July 18th, 2007 at 7:09 pm#96 Ya think not? Maybe we should "axe" him!!
July 18th, 2007 at 7:09 pmComment by Mr. President — July 18, 2007 @ 6:46 pm
Saudis aren’t Muslims, they are our allies.
So, how do you tell a Saudi from a Muslim in a police line up, Pee? Or even in a Mosque?
July 18th, 2007 at 7:10 pmJust came back from ironing shirts :-(
First thing I see is this picture :-((
I'm off, maybe tomorrow is a better day for me.
July 18th, 2007 at 7:11 pmHe would more likely be cuffing his carrot.
Comment by Raven — July 18, 2007 @ 7:08 pm
Mr. Tube Sock? Anything to contribute?
July 18th, 2007 at 7:12 pmRaven, your reference to 'polished Pulaski' indicates, to me, wildfire fighter ~ I thank you if that is indeed what you do ~!~
July 18th, 2007 at 7:13 pmGeez....
MSNBC is obsessing over a steam pipe break in NY.
July 18th, 2007 at 7:14 pmOOOOOOOOWEEEEEEEOOOOOOOO
July 18th, 2007 at 7:14 pmMr P would appear to have gone into hiding.
July 18th, 2007 at 7:14 pmCaption Contest Entry:
See if you can hit my mouth with out getting any on my face.
July 18th, 2007 at 7:15 pmMr Pee better learn how to piss the muslim way (left handed) as he might lose the other hand flipping the bird to the Saudis once he finds out they are, dare I say it, .....Muuuuuuussssslliiiiims.
July 18th, 2007 at 7:15 pm~ I thank you if that is indeed what you do ~!~
Comment by justWondering
That's an affirmative!
July 18th, 2007 at 7:16 pmyou're most welcome....
Raven, you're a lot braver than I. I get smoke in my eyes BBQing and whine like a sissy.
July 18th, 2007 at 7:17 pmThe Saudis = Mushriks (or something like that I forget the exact word)
Comment by Mr. President
Wahabist Muslims
July 18th, 2007 at 7:19 pmI get smoke in my eyes BBQing and whine like a sissy.
Comment by RUCerious
Reminds of the crew member this last trip who found a roasted rattlesnake and complained that it was overcooked.
July 18th, 2007 at 7:20 pmSnivel, snivel....
This is not a Rove issue. This is the course that the Republican party has pursued since Goldwater's loss. (Although Goldwater would be appalled by the tactics and allies that the Republicans have gathered.) The Republican elite have been seeking nothing less than a one party state in the tradition of most fascist countries. They have played the long game and have been getting closer to their objective each time. The great mistake in their game was Bush. Bush could not resist overplaying his hand after 9/11. However, the Republican strategy allows for these set backs.
The Republicans have learned how to shape and shift the public discussion to the right. First came the attacks on liberalism attacking the underpinnings of the New Deal and Great Society. Those needing public assistance were portrayed as welfare queens and the undeserving poor. Next came the attack on liberals and Democrats as being morally deficit. This was done in large measure through their alliance with the religious right. (Goldwater feared the religious right with good reason.,) Finally came the alliance with corporate interests to build up large campaign coffers and to dole out regulatory and legislative payolla to their supporters. Big business interests now rights the laws and regulations as well as administers them through political appointees.
Some may say that this has changed with the 2006 elections. Do not believe it:
1. Court appointments will guarantee that future Democratic administrations will be ham strung in any number of areas. Do not even expect a right ideological court. They will be active partisans as demonstrated in the 2000 election. The extreme partisanship evidenced in the Bush appointees will guarantee it.
2. Career civil servant appointments have been given to "true believers". They will become a fifth column should Democrats gain control of the administration.
3. As we have seen in Congress, Democrats will be obstructed at every turn in the system.
4. The MSM does lean right. Former GE CEO Jack Welch noted that NBC news should serve the interests of GE. The other major networks are just tied into the system. We need only look at the coverage of Edwards and others to see trivial issues blown into all important clues to character, (Edwards hair cut and house), while such issues are ignored for Gulianni and the others. Instead, Republicans are touted as looking presidential while substantive policy issues are not addressed. (Thompson "looks presidential" and exudes strength having played president and strong leaders on TV)
I honestly do not know what will turn it around for this country. I feel that we will be headed to a downfall like most fascist societies.
July 18th, 2007 at 7:20 pmWahabist Muslims
Comment by Zooey
Yeah... most of the 9/11 hijackers were Wahabists, weren't they? The extreme, hard-core Moslems...
July 18th, 2007 at 7:23 pmYeah… most of the 9/11 hijackers were Wahabists, weren’t they? The extreme, hard-core Moslems…
Comment by The Republic of Stupidity
Very extreme.
July 18th, 2007 at 7:23 pmComment by JMOHR — July 18, 2007 @ 7:20 pm
I'm confused.
You're saying Supreme Court appointees are more important than hairstyle?
I don't remember hearing that on the Today show.
July 18th, 2007 at 7:24 pmComment by JMOHR
Good post, JMHOR. I agree - we're in real trouble.
July 18th, 2007 at 7:24 pmVery extreme.
Comment by Zooey
But, we must be wrong, 'cause Mr P says it ain't so.
July 18th, 2007 at 7:25 pmBut, we must be wrong, ’cause Mr P says it ain’t so.
Comment by The Republic of Stupidity
Oh yeah, we're supposed to suspend all knowledge, so Mr P can feel good about himself. *yawn*
July 18th, 2007 at 7:26 pmI try to remember not to challenge someone with multiple personalities as they shift back and forth.
Better to humor Mr.P(P) etc, or he'll go spankers on us...
July 18th, 2007 at 7:31 pmYeah, and George Bush is Christian!
I get it!!!
Comment by Mr. President
Hmmm... Duh-bya claims he's one... perhaps you need to go tell him, he's actually a Moslem!
July 18th, 2007 at 7:33 pmI get it!!!
Comment by Mr. President
You get what?
July 18th, 2007 at 7:35 pmFunny!
Comment by Mr. President
Well, we've certainly had quite the laugh at it! :-D!!!
BWAHA-ouch-HA-ouch-HA-ouch...
July 18th, 2007 at 7:39 pmBetter to humor Mr.P(P) etc, or he’ll go spankers on us…
Comment by Raven
Too late!!!
July 18th, 2007 at 7:40 pm#114 Comment by JMOHR — July 18, 2007 @ 7:20 pm
I honestly do not know what will turn it around for this country. I feel that we will be headed to a downfall like most fascist societies.
Excellent post. I disagree with your pessimistic or fatalistic feeling. I guess I am simply more optimistic than you, as to the future.
Keep in mind that the "Democrats" disintegrated in the 70s, and a vacuum existed until the DLC was created in 1985. Their ideology was to transform the party into a "right of center" republic light. (One of the founders of the DLC signed the PNAC document.) So the neocons had the run of the field up to 2004, when the progressive push began. The result was evident in the 2006 elections. (And I grant you that they have done a masterful job in pursuing their agenda.)
So, if you don't see any grass roots drive and change, you will be pessimistic. I see it, its growing and I am bouyed by it. The real test will be in 2009. If a DLC person like Hillary gets in, you may be right. If a real Progressive gets in then big changes are going to happen. (Hillary gets only 9% rating to Obama's and Edwards ratings of around 40% each on the DailyKos Progressive monthly poll. I.e. who do you want to see as president.)
July 18th, 2007 at 7:41 pmThe joke, I get the joke!
Funny!
Comment by Mr. President
That's nice. I didn't tell a joke.
Many Saudis are Wahhabist Muslims.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wahhabi
July 18th, 2007 at 7:42 pmI may have given Mr P something new to fear. Sorry.
July 18th, 2007 at 7:44 pmNot at all, it is because the Saudi Princes do NOT follow Wahhabism, that they have become targets, along with the USA (because we are their Masters).
Comment by Mr. President
Yeah....right.
You're still wrong about Saudis not being Muslims.
July 18th, 2007 at 7:50 pmWelcome, Ona Keller!
July 18th, 2007 at 7:51 pmComment by Zooey — July 18, 2007 @ 7:50 pm
Can I have a cyber-hug?
July 18th, 2007 at 7:52 pmComment by Mr. President — July 18, 2007 @ 7:47 pm
Harry's busy meeting with the Muslim masters you speak of, so shhh!
July 18th, 2007 at 7:54 pmComment by Zooey — July 18, 2007 @ 7:42 pm
The joke, I get the joke!
Funny!
Comment by Mr. President
That’s nice. I didn’t tell a joke.
Comment by Zooey
That's interesting Mr. Pee, trolls and republics don't have a sense of humor. Recognizing humor requires understanding and thought about the subject. And this response of yours proves that point, doesn't it? Total misread of the communication.
Do you often laugh at the wrong things in public and stand silently by as others laugh? Certainly fits your picture!
July 18th, 2007 at 7:55 pmComment by Mr. President — July 18, 2007 @ 7:56 pm
oooOOOoooOOO Can I take a guess?
July 18th, 2007 at 7:57 pmComment by Merlin — July 18, 2007 @ 7:55 pm
You cool, man. You cool.
July 18th, 2007 at 7:58 pmThe resemblance is uncanny:
July 18th, 2007 at 8:02 pmCan I have a cyber-hug?
Comment by CT_V1
No.
July 18th, 2007 at 8:02 pmComment by Mr. President — July 18, 2007 @ 8:02 pm
Good luck, Mr. President.
July 18th, 2007 at 8:04 pmWrong, Mr President.
Osama bin Laden is not the left's hero, he's George W. Bush's best friend.
Where is OBL anyway? He might be trying to kill you.....
July 18th, 2007 at 8:08 pm#139 Comment by CT_V1 — July 18, 2007 @ 7:58 pm
You cool, man. You cool.
Sigh... Another troll who just doesn't get it. Just cause the "troll handbook" says "appeal to their egos, they're too stupid to get it" doesn't mean it will work. You'd think, by now we could get some "good" trolls who know how to do their job at least. I mean, a "point system!" How dumb is that?
I'm surprised that the guy in the picture above, waiting for something warm in his mouth, doesn't straighten out you sad trolls. All you do around here is provide your heads as punching bags.
July 18th, 2007 at 8:11 pmNow, don't get me wrong! I love that you provide us with the soothing sound of the gym. You know. Blappity, blappity, blippity, blap.
Another hint:
General Franks let him escape in the Fight of Tora Bora.
July 18th, 2007 at 8:13 pmThe real test will be in 2009.
Comment by Merlin — July 18, 2007 @ 7:41 pm
Merlin, I think a lot depends on the condition of the country/world in 2009. Timing is everything. Radical problems allow radical solutions. I personally think this country needs to go thru a Glasnost (openness) phase like that in the soviet union after they suffered a humiliating and bankrupting setback in Afghanistan.As long as gas is $1 a gallon, and we think we're the greatest... little change is possible and people like George (anybody can do it) W get elected.
July 18th, 2007 at 8:21 pmIf our economy and world standing and environment have gone to hell in a handbasket, a leader with a progressive plan out of the mess will stand a chance to lead the country.
Wow, the Bush administration is misusing power?? Crazy. I wish our politicians in Washington would admit to themselves that, in today's world, national boundaries no longer define our world. We face common problems and must work together as a world community to fight them. The United Nation’s Millennium Development Goals, which call for cutting world hunger in half by 2015 and eliminating it altogether by 2025, are a good place to start thinking and acting with a global mindset. It is estimated that the expenditure of a mere $19 billion would eliminate starvation and malnutrition worldwide. In a time when the United States’ current defense budget is $522 billion, the goal of eradicating world hunger is clearly well within reach if we act together as one world.
July 18th, 2007 at 8:39 pm#147 Comment by Badger — July 18, 2007 @ 8:21 pm
Merlin, I think a lot depends on the condition of the country/world in 2009. Timing is everything. Radical problems allow radical solutions. I personally think this country needs to go thru a Glasnost (openness) phase...
Badger,
Yes, I agree. And I remember well the things that the strength and power one strong man with a following behind his back can accomplish. JFK and MLK proved to me that it can be done. RFK would have equalled them had history allowed that, IMO. We have a strong field of candidates. I believe Al Gore, although not in the race, would be that kind of strong ethical leader.
Regarding openness, you are right on the money. Without an open and honest administration who truly represents the people, we will have nothing more than BushCo Light, (secrecy is the hallmark of the tyrants.) by a different name. And that is what we will probably have with a Pres. Hillary. 2009 will be a Democratic sweep. Who will be Pres. will determine the course of history. (I.e. a government that supports the people or one that supports corporations.)
July 18th, 2007 at 8:40 pmIf you'd like to see what our trolls aspire to, you might want to check out this entertaining video from the 2007 College Chickenhawk Republican National Convention.
July 18th, 2007 at 8:52 pmPresident Bush, once again, is misusing his presidential power to prevent the public from knowing the truth about this administration. Similar to the dealings with the war in Iraq, this administration has been feeding lies to the public. Now the war has proven to be a failure and is causing more violence, terror and poverty in this world. According to the Borgen Project, it only takes $19 billion dollars annually to eradicate world hunger and poverty. However, our government has already spent more than $450 billion dollars over this fruitless war in Iraq. It is time for the Bush Administration to take a real interest in the lives of the American people as well as people who are in desperate needs around the world. Stop the lies and stop poverty now.
July 18th, 2007 at 9:16 pmThe entire Bush administration should be brought up on charges of "inherent contempt" and hauled before the House of Representatives in chains.
Because everyone in the Bush administration has proven over and over again that they have nothing but "inherent contempt" for our democracy, our Constitution and our Bill of Rights, almost as if this "inherent" contempt is a genetic defect causing them to betray our nation and commit one treasonous act after another.
It is time to try all these "inherent contempt" Bush Republicans before the We The People representatives in our House of Representatives.
And if the Bush "inherent contempt" Republicans somehow skate their way to the end of Bush and Cheney's "inherent contempt" time left in office, then afterward they should still be tried in our House of Representatives, hauled before the "People's Court" and if possible thrown into the House of Representatives jail.
And all of these "inherent contempt" Bush Republicans should also be tried for murder, especially after what they've done to our military, even getting our soldiers killed in some of their lame-brained "inherent contempt" war schemes. Definitely Rumsfeld deserves to be brought up on murder charges, since he was the "inherent contempt" Republican who blew off urgent requests from our troops over in Iraq for Mine Resistant Ambush Protected vehicles that, if ordered under Rumsfeld's "inherent contempt" running of the Pentagon, could have saved countless American G.I.s from being killed over in Iraq or from suffering severe injuries while patrolling Iraq's mean streets in the war that Bush started.
It is time to hold all the "inherent contempt" Bush Republicans accountable.
July 18th, 2007 at 9:19 pm#150 Comment by Egreggious — July 18, 2007 @ 8:52 pm
...check out this entertaining video from the 2007 College Chickenhawk Republican National Convention.
Thanks for the link! Fascinating and terribly sad. Our supposedly great next generation of leaders. The fear in them was palpable.
Republics=people living in fear
July 18th, 2007 at 9:28 pmPeople living in fear=people who can't see reality
People who can't see reality=people in fantasy
People in fantasy=people who make insane decisions
Why is there a taxpayer paid political operation in the white house? Has this been the practice in the past? Wouldn't this in itself be a violation of the Hatch Act? Don't they have enough money and dirty tricks to corrupt elections, the judiciary, science, and public policy without this? Could congress investigate or make a clear and unimpeachable statement about Rove's position? Nah.
July 18th, 2007 at 9:38 pmis it just me,or does rove's image make anyone else want to beat him senseless
July 18th, 2007 at 9:40 pmit's the
office of faith based initiatives
that i have long considered a likely slush fund
and a probable source of enormous bush-sponsored corruption -
a source of what's called in some religious circles
"walk around money" -
money which buys a pastor's allegiance,
which allegiance is duly transferred to the faithful on sunday morning.
it's just one of many rove/bush voting scams,
isn't it?
along with caging,
pressuring u.s attorneys to sue voter registration organizations,
manipulating the tabulation of computer voting machines,
intimidating minority voters at the polls,
using the dept of homeland security and its immigration office to intimidate local voting officials
ensuring that voting is slow and difficult in working class (and democratic)c neighborhoods
etc.
i am baffled as to why those who suspect the bush administration of "criminalizing the federal executive"
have not looked more closely at the money flows from bush's office of faith based initiatives.
July 18th, 2007 at 10:06 pm#156Comment by orionATL — July 18, 2007 @ 10:06 pm
i am baffled as to why those who suspect the bush administration of “criminalizing the federal executive†have not looked more closely at the money flows from bush’s office of faith based initiatives.
Severe overload of criminalizing would one reason.
Think about this!
A Bush advisor told Ron Suskind:
“We’re an empire now, and when we act, we create our own reality. And while you’re studying that reality…we’ll act again, creating other new realities…â€
With an enabling media which keeps the public ignorant, how is it possible to know much less keep up.
July 18th, 2007 at 10:22 pmMerlin, you're depressing me.....
July 18th, 2007 at 10:32 pmIt is a Theatre of the Absurd, and Rove is the mad Dali...
July 18th, 2007 at 10:51 pmComment by Zooey — July 18, 2007 @ 10:32 pm
Merlin, you’re depressing me…..
Whew! I'm not alone...
July 18th, 2007 at 11:10 pmorionATL , the Bush adviser who stated "We're an empire now, and when we act, we create our own reality" was Karl Rove. This ideology explains practically all the actions undertaken by the administration that the country is finally waking up to and find so abhorrent.
July 18th, 2007 at 11:31 pm#155 I'm with you there Ipod...
I would like to slap the shit right outta him!
July 18th, 2007 at 11:39 pm...
Rove looks like that nazi from "Raiders of the lost Ark"
check it out:
http://www.mutantreviewers.com/vraiders12.jpg
....
July 19th, 2007 at 12:22 amWhy should I be surprised?
July 19th, 2007 at 2:52 amAdd Social Security Disability services to the never ending list please..... totally political. Totally against Americans, don't get sick
July 19th, 2007 at 7:33 amI'M GONNA EAT YA! GET IN MY BELLY!!!!!!
July 19th, 2007 at 7:50 amThis is also why Congress has a ca. 15% popularity liking. Spineless.
July 19th, 2007 at 8:51 amthis is exactly like the democrats! remember that time Al Gore may have used the wrong phone? there is no difference whatsoever between that and this.
July 19th, 2007 at 9:07 amBut the stenographers at the New York Times said that the Office of Faith Based Initiatives has given out over a 100 million dollars to MOSQUES, churches, and SYNAGOGUES.
July 19th, 2007 at 9:24 amAnd the Public Editor, Daniel Okrent said that they just haven't finished handing out all the money yet!
caption: Karl Rove undergoing daily prostate exam.
he looks like the type that got beat-up a lot in school.
July 19th, 2007 at 12:00 pmnot enough, though.
We need to rename some agencies so that they reflect their present purpose - let's start with those first three:
July 19th, 2007 at 2:40 pmOffice of Faith Based Pandering
Partisan Services Administration
Department of Constitutional Fantasy
We are just one step behind the total takeover of this country. Bush/Cheney are poised to implement Marshall Law. All it takes is whatever crisis they choose or make. Without IMPEACHMENT proceedings beginning immediately, you can kiss your freedom goodbye and move over for the DICTATOR.
July 19th, 2007 at 6:40 pmI think you mean martial law.
But I agree that it will be seen as a failure of the Democrats if they don't initiate impeachment proceedings against such a massive, illegal abuse of power. It is not so important whether they succeed. John and Joan Q. Public woke up with the stunning failures in the wake of Katrina and in Iraq, but they don't know half of the crimes Bush, Cheney et al are perpetrating, and given the continued complicity of the media, it will take big measures to publicize them and save our republic. Impeachment is not an option, but a duty of Congress in such a situation.
July 20th, 2007 at 1:20 amBig thanks for pulling the list together. If possible, please keep it current and available. Provides a clear reading of the damage, and scale of damage, wrought by Bush. Should be required reading for every person in WDC who stands as representative for the American people and who has sworn to uphold and protect our country.
July 20th, 2007 at 2:53 am