ThinkFast: July 24, 2007
“The minimum wage rises 70 cents to $5.85 an hour today, the first increase in a decade. It ends the longest period without an increase since the federal minimum wage was enacted in 1938.”
Attorney General Alberto Gonzales will appear before the Senate Judiciary Committee today. “Armed with the president’s support, Gonzales has made clear that he does not intend to leave office before Bush does.” “This attorney general has a severe credibility problem,” said Chairman Patrick Leahy (D-VT), adding that there is an “acute crisis of leadership that has gripped the department under his watch.”
Members of the Bancroft family, which “controls financial publisher Dow Jones & Co. is expected to decide within days whether it will relinquish its stake and let Rupert Murdoch’s News Corp. get the company for $5 billion.” They assembled “for six hours Monday in Boston to hash out whether to accept Murdoch’s offer.”
“While Washington is mired in political debate over the future of Iraq,” Gen. David Petraeus and Ambassador to Iraq Ryan Crocker have “prepared a detailed plan that foresees a significant American role” through 2009.
“Huge, expensive and dogged by controversy,” the new U.S. Embassy compound in Baghdad epitomizes to many Iraqis the worst of the U.S. tenure in Iraq. “It’s all for them, all of Iraq’s resources, water, electricity, security,” said one Iraqi man. “It’s as if it’s their country, and we are guests staying here.”
“Under a bill the House approved Monday, members of Congress would no longer be able to put their spouses on their campaign payrolls, a practice criticized as a way for lawmakers to profit from political donations.” The act would also require the disclosure of all other immediate family members who are employed by the candidate’s campaign.
“The campaign of the late congressman Charlie Norwood (R-GA) treated his supporters to a $63,000 thank-you weekend at a golf resort two months after he died — the same day that the candidate endorsed by Norwood’s family held a fundraiser at the same resort, reports and interviews show.”
“The worst flooding to hit England in at least 60 years has put tens of thousands of people to flight, many leaving their homes, cars and possessions to the ravages of rising water and looters. Forecasters warned yesterday that more rain is on the way.”
And finally: Ben Affleck stars in “corny” environmental ad. In a new ad for the Clean My Ride campaign, actor Ben Affleck “sports a pointy, yellow foam corn hat with leafy green ears and offers to take down Big Oil. ‘Congress bows to fear,’ Affleck hisses at the hero, who seeks to sweeten lawmakers on corn-based ethanol. ‘I bring the fear. Does big oil sleep around? Got bad credit? I’ll find the dirt. And I will make big oil regret the day it ever uttered the words price gouging!’”
What did we miss? Let us know in the comments section.
Sort Comments By: Top Rated | Date
John Conyers’ Won’t Act on Impeachment…Cites Fear of Fox News
…Conyers and several staffers met with Cindy Sheehan, Ray McGovern, and Rev. Lennox Yearwood. It was a heated discussion.
(Conyers said) if he were to (pursue impeachment) Fox News would go after him and accuse him of being partisan. I kid you not. The Democratic Chairman of the U.S. House Judiciary Committee is basing his decisions on whether a Republican cable TV station would approve.
As Cindy Sheehan told me outside the jail last night: “If I based my decisions on Fox, I would never do anything.” As long as Conyers is working for Fox, maybe our next sit-in needs to be in their studios.
But Conyers expressed another concern as well. He’s concerned about his legacy. I wish there were a kind way to tell him that he is about to flush it down the toilet.
At other times, Conyers told our delegation that they needed to wise up and move from working on justice to doing politics.
information from afterdowningstreet dot org
July 24th, 2007 at 9:11 amAnd this is how we win the hearts and minds of the people in the country we are occupying. It’s such a slap in the face for the poor Iraqi’s across the river, to see this monstrosity going up using their resources and foreign labor.
If there is anyone out there who thinks that we do not intend to occupy Iraq for many years in order to steal their oil, please tell me why we have built this huge embassy and 5 permanent military bases in Iraq.
July 24th, 2007 at 9:15 am“Huge, expensive and dogged by controversy,†the new U.S. Embassy compound in Baghdad epitomizes to many Iraqis the worst of the U.S. tenure in Iraq. “It’s all for them, all of Iraq’s resources, water, electricity, security,†said one Iraqi man. “It’s as if it’s their country, and we are guests staying here.â€
Don’t be silly…you’re not “guests”…”guests” are welcome.
</snark>
July 24th, 2007 at 9:16 amThe minimum wage rises 70 cents to $5.85 an hour today, the first increase in a decade.
That’s something tangible that Congress can point at as an accomplishment that ordinary people understand. Republicans would be happy if the poor suffered and their children starved, I’m sure ~ but not in this country, not if we can help it.
July 24th, 2007 at 9:19 amGive me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to be free, the wretched refuse of your teeming shore, Send these the homeless, tempest-tossed to me
#1 - If this is true about Conyers, send him an e-mail and tell him what you think:
John.Conyers@mail.house.gov
July 24th, 2007 at 9:20 am“Give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to be free, the wretched refuse of your teeming shore, Send these the homeless, tempest-tossed to me”
If only. This only goes to show us how much we have lost as a nation. We seem to have lost our humanity.
July 24th, 2007 at 9:21 am#1–Larry from C: I didn’t think it could get any more depressing, but that did it. These guys are the biggest cowards ever to walk the halls of Congress.
July 24th, 2007 at 9:22 amThe embassy is a waste. Diplomacy is for those who want to find a solution it’s obvious this administration as well as the muslims on all sides of the civil war in Iraq do not want compromise they have all dug in to their vision of Iraq.
The US administration will change, the violence and distruction in Iraq will not and that embassy is likely to be a pile of rubble before it is even finished.
July 24th, 2007 at 9:23 amMinimum wage in Oregon is $7.80 and, no, trolls this does not mean that jobs are fleeing the state. On the contrary, unemployment is down.
The Federal rate is an obscenity.
July 24th, 2007 at 9:23 am“Huge, expensive and dogged by controversy,†the new U.S. Embassy compound in Baghdad.
“Having the ‘heavily fortified Green Zone’ doesn’t matter one iota” when it comes to rocket and mortar attacks, said one senior military officer.
And when we DO finally vacate Iraq in ‘08, ‘09, or whenever, this “Huge, expensive” building will be the first thing burnt to the ground. Way to spend tax dollars wisely.
July 24th, 2007 at 9:24 amIf Obama wants to get back into the primary race, then he has to be willing to take off the gloves when comparing / contrasting himself with Hill’reh and Edwards. In last night’s debate, he can’t simply imply that Hill’reh and Edwards voted for the Iraq War, he has to start stating it explicitly. Hill’reh has the MSM doing her dirty work for her, trying to create an environment that favors her candidacy as inevitable, so Obama has to disrupt that path, and start calling her out by name for her unpopular votes. Otherwise, it is clear that Obama simply isn’t ready for prime time.
July 24th, 2007 at 9:25 amCall John Conyers and tell him to charge Harriet Miers with INHERENT CONTEMPT. There’s still time. The vote on Contempt charges in Conyer’s Judiciary Committe is TOMORROW.
Don’t give up. Call Conyers and DEMAND Harriet Miers be charged with INHERENT CONTEMPT. Make his phone line break.
John Conyers: 1-202-225-5126
July 24th, 2007 at 9:25 amLarry @ 1,
Do you have a citation for Conyers’ statements? I’d like to read them.
Thanks,
July 24th, 2007 at 9:30 am#1, #13:
July 24th, 2007 at 9:32 amUnsourced statement in this article:
http://www.afterdowningstreet.org/?q=node/25021
Here in Ontario the minimum wage is $8.00! And the Canadian dollar is about to creep past the American!
Give us your tired, your poor,
July 24th, 2007 at 9:33 amYour huddled masses yearning to breathe free,
The wretched refuse of your teeming shore.
Send these, the homeless, tempest-tost to me,
We lift our lamp beside the golden door!
#15, Michael,
DEAL! No takebacks ….
July 24th, 2007 at 9:35 amI am in favor a higher min wage and in fact 31 states have min wages higher than the new fed min wage. 5 states have no min wage law and 1 is lower.
This should be a state issue.
July 24th, 2007 at 9:36 amAnd now, ladies and gentlemen of TP, for your amusement - the worst political prognosticator, the neocon with the answers for the Democrats, the caveman in a tuxedo, the one, the only, JMH!!! Give it up!!
July 24th, 2007 at 9:37 amHah! What’s with the photo of Ted? You still look up to that old drunk whoremonger?
July 24th, 2007 at 9:39 amAnd when we DO finally vacate Iraq in ‘08, ‘09, or whenever, this “Huge, expensive†building will be the first thing burnt to the ground. Way to spend tax dollars wisely.
Comment by SGT Higgins — July 24, 2007 @ 9:24 am
Unless we sever all diplomatic ties with Iraq, I doubt we’ll be vacating the embassy any time in the distant future.
July 24th, 2007 at 9:42 amDEAL! No takebacks ….
Comment by Jason Misogynist Hendler — July 24, 2007 @ 9:35 am
I’m sorry. How old are you again?
July 24th, 2007 at 9:44 am“It’s as if it’s their country, and we are guests staying here.â€
Don’t be silly…you’re not “guestsâ€â€¦â€guests†are welcome.
Comment by TripMaster Monkey — July 24, 2007 @ 9:16 am
And hospitality is very important in Iraqi culture. I hope we’re at least serving our guests Turkish coffee and baklawa at our nice big embassy.
July 24th, 2007 at 9:48 amAll of the white house administration (president, vice president, secretary of treasury, foreign affairs, etc.) including members of the senate and the house of representatives should all be paid minimum wage. And have to pay their own health insurance. i would like to see the political agendas once all the washington elite started living like real people. It certainly wouldn’t take another decade for a minimum wage hike to be enacted.
July 24th, 2007 at 9:49 amAnd now, ladies and gentlemen of TP, for your amusement - the worst political prognosticator, the neocon with the answers for the Democrats, the caveman in a tuxedo, the one, the only, JMH!!! Give it up!!
Comment by PatrioticLiberalChristian(PLC)
**crickets chirping**
July 24th, 2007 at 9:49 am#13 Peter C. - As I show in my post the information is from afterdowningstreet dot org. The link from Jeremy in #14 should take you there.
July 24th, 2007 at 9:50 amthe Iraqis must feel a little like the Native Americans after we got here….
July 24th, 2007 at 9:51 amthe Iraqis must feel a little like the Native Americans after we got here….
Comment by loretta — July 24, 2007 @ 9:51 am
You should see the hotel and casino they’re opening in Tikrit.
July 24th, 2007 at 9:53 amis the bancroft family in dire straights financially?
i mean, what is there to think about?
how long do they need to JUST SAY NO!!!
July 24th, 2007 at 9:56 amI certainly hope that when the AG testifies, they ask him about his opinion on not following up on contempt of Congress charges!
July 24th, 2007 at 9:56 amIf Murdoch does buy the WJ, I would expect it to deteriorate to a neocon tabloid. Then, hopefully, a phoenix will rise from the ashes to replace it.
July 24th, 2007 at 10:01 amI was really pissed that during the CNN debate they didn’t allow Dennis Kucinich to respond to the question about Health Care. Kucinich is the only candidate offering a SINGLE PAYER NOT FOR PROFIT PLAN. His plan is praised by Michael Moore.
Obviously CNN takes a lot of money from Healthcare Providers & Insurers and made sure Kucinich wasn’t allowed to speak.
Hillary, John and Barack got tons of time on the topic. And their millions in contributions from the Healthcare companies & insurers went unquestioned.
July 24th, 2007 at 10:02 amI’ve been waiting for a pheonix to rise from the ashes of all the destruction Bush has laid forth, but yet to see one truly rise… Could Murdoch owning all American media be the straw that broke the camel’s back, or could it be America’s Night of Long Knives?
I used to be optimistic. Not so much now! Maybe when the ‘08 election draws closer, I’ll get more energized and optimistic again. Afterall, with a larger Dem majority and Dem president, maybe they’ll stop chickening out.
July 24th, 2007 at 10:04 amI hear ya, but even the for-profit single payer plans are better than what we have now. Also, arguably, it’s easier to transition to a not-for-profit system from there than it is from where we are. Not saying I’m really jazzed about Edwards et al plans, but it’s a hell of a lot better than what we got now!
July 24th, 2007 at 10:07 amYou still look up to that old drunk whoremonger?
Comment by GodSmoteTheSodomites
Good point. We should all switch over to paragons of virtue like Vitter, Foley & Haggard.
July 24th, 2007 at 10:07 amthe Iraqis must feel a little like the Native Americans after we got here….
Comment by loretta
Well. the Iraqis are much better armed…
July 24th, 2007 at 10:09 amAlso, none of the Candidates, when addressing our troops in Iraq, mentioned the Blackwater Mercenaries/Soldiers.
Why are the Candidates pretending the Blackwater troops aren’t there? Why didn’t CNN moderator Anderson Cooper follow up and ask the Candidates if they’d remove the Blackwater troops as well? I believe there’s 25,000 to 50,000 Blackwater troops in Iraq. They’re paid by OUR TAXES.
Oh yeah, because then someone would have to explain why Bush has his own PRIVATE right-wing radical Mercenary Army! Silly me, its supposed to be a SECRET!
July 24th, 2007 at 10:10 amLeaky Leahy claims Gonzales has a credibility problem… that’s just too funny.
July 24th, 2007 at 10:10 amThe walled site in the middle of Baghdad is also within easy range of Sunni and Shiite Muslim militants, whose attacks on the Green Zone are becoming more frequent and deadly. The U.S. military refuses to provide figures on the strikes, saying it would aid the assailants.
How does providing fiures on the number of strikes “aid the assailants”? I seriously do not understand the reasoning beind this thought.
July 24th, 2007 at 10:12 am#38 Parrotlover. I fear if we moved to a for-profit single-payer plan like Edward’s…within a few years we’d slip back into the profit-ONLY system we have today. As long as the insurance companies are involved they’ll ALWAYS be looking to cut costs to improve profits. And before you know it we’ll be right back to where we are now. The insurance companies need to go. Its best to do it all at once.
July 24th, 2007 at 10:13 amover & over & over I see the Democrats called “chicken” or “timid”–not getting anything done after we, the people, mandated change in 2006.
July 24th, 2007 at 10:13 amThe bottom line here is that the House has a larger majority, but NOTHING WILL GET DONE because the majority is just not there in the Senate, and won’t be until
#1 either McConnell and the other Presidential water carriers stop playing games, or
#2 they are wiped out (Republican obstructionists) in 2008.
The people who can act as a catalyst to make it happen sooner are really those with Republican Sentaors who are up for re-election in 2008. Believe me, I have written scathing letters and made phone calls, but what the f*ck do they care what I think? I’m not someone who has a say as to whether or not they keep their jobs….
larry from c -
is there a reason why you only put out the toll number?
i wonder if that is a better line to the offices…
because when i use the TOLL FREE numbers, i get there fine…
just curious…
here are the members of the judiciary committee:
http://judiciary.house.gov/fullcommittee.aspx
CAPITOL SWITCHBOARD
8 0 0 . 8 2 8 . 0 4 9 8
8 0 0 . 4 5 9 . 1 8 8 7
8 0 0 . 6 1 4 . 2 8 0 3
8 6 6 . 3 4 0 . 2 9 8 1
8 6 6 . 2 2 0 . 0 0 4 4
8 6 6 . 3 3 8 . 1 0 1 5
8 7 7 . 8 5 1 . 6 4 3 7
July 24th, 2007 at 10:14 am.
#1 –
Well, this is truly alarming. The neocons have gone from “trying to set up a dictatorship” to “we’ve got the dictatorship set up”. It’s bad enough that the Republicans in the House and the Senate have surrendered all power of the legislative branch to keep the executive branch in check, but the Democrats have done so as well. Who knew they would be brought to their knees by Fox Noise?
I suggest we replace all these spineless cowards. Of BOTH parties. But who could we find that would be brave enough? I look to our soldiers in Iraq, who face bullets, rockets, and mortar fire on a regular basis. If they can deal with that, surely they can deal with Brit Hume and Bill O’Reilly without quivering. Let’s pull some of them home and put them in the Capitol.
July 24th, 2007 at 10:14 amthe Iraqis must feel a little like the Native Americans after we got here….
Comment by loretta
Well. the Iraqis are much better armed…
Comment by The Republic of Stupidity — July 24, 2007 @ 10:09 am
Yeah, well so are WE.
July 24th, 2007 at 10:18 am#41. katy, its the number I’ve been calling. Thanks for the toll-free number.
July 24th, 2007 at 10:21 am“All of the white house administration (president, vice president, secretary of treasury, foreign affairs, etc.) including members of the senate and the house of representatives should all be paid minimum wage. And have to pay their own health insurance. i would like to see the political agendas once all the washington elite started living like real people. It certainly wouldn’t take another decade for a minimum wage hike to be enacted.”
Comment by sharon — July 24, 2007 @ 9:49 am
The White House would never go for this, but four members of Congress did something similar — they vowed to live on a food stamp budget for food for a week, as a test. It’s too bad only four representatives accepted the challenge, but even so, there was a lesson learned.
http://foodstampchallenge.typepad.com/
July 24th, 2007 at 10:21 amNow the people of Iraq actually hate George W Bush more than they hated Saddam….just how evil is George W Bush?
July 24th, 2007 at 10:22 amWow, the dems passed a min wage increase.
What else have they done, you ask? Well, they have managed to get a slew of post offices renamed.
Impressive showing for the new dem-controlled houses.
Post offices. LOL
July 24th, 2007 at 10:24 amYeah, Ben Affleck, corn traders would never price gouge.
July 24th, 2007 at 10:25 amLarry, please tell me why Kucinich deserves to be on that stage when he refuses to ever debate any challengers for his house seat
July 24th, 2007 at 10:26 amSenator Obama: “Preventing genocide in Iraq isnt a national-security issue”.
Good luck Iraqis, youre just the anvil against which the dems choose to hammer Bush but apparently you arent worth the effort of actually keeping alive once youre usefulness has expired.
Rwanda redux, courtesy of the DFL.
July 24th, 2007 at 10:28 amLeaky Leahy claims Gonzales has a credibility problem… that’s just too funny. -Swordless
It is funny…Gonzales, credibility? You actually put those words in the same sentence? WTF?
Alberto’s credibility left town with Harriet and moved back to Texas.
He has none. Zilch. Nada. Extincto.
Either he has Alzheimer’s or his memory equals his boss’s intelligence.
July 24th, 2007 at 10:28 amLeaky Leahy claims Gonzales has a credibility problem… that’s just too funny.
Comment by 20wordsorless — July 24, 2007 @ 10:10 am
How can a member of Congress leak information, exactly?
July 24th, 2007 at 10:30 amAlejandro
Yeah, Ben Affleck, corn traders would never price gouge.
Corn has already doubled in price over the past 1-2 years as demand goes up due to ethanol requirements in the US. Why is no one complaining of the corn growers exploding profits/profit margins?
July 24th, 2007 at 10:30 amFALSE QUOTE… imagine that…
Obama: Don’t stay in Iraq over genocide
Democrat says Romney trying to score ‘cheap political points’ over sex ed
Updated: 2:58 a.m. CT July 20, 2007
SUNAPEE, N.H. - Democratic presidential hopeful Barack Obama said Thursday the United States cannot use its military to solve humanitarian problems and that preventing a potential genocide in Iraq isn’t a good enough reason to keep U.S. forces there.
“Well, look, if that’s the criteria by which we are making decisions on the deployment of U.S. forces, then by that argument you would have 300,000 troops in the Congo right now — where millions have been slaughtered as a consequence of ethnic strife — which we haven’t done,†Obama said in an interview with The Associated Press.
“We would be deploying unilaterally and occupying the Sudan, which we haven’t done. Those of us who care about Darfur don’t think it would be a good idea,†he said.
Story continues below
July 24th, 2007 at 10:34 amhttp://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/19862711/
…
I hear you 100% and share the same fears. Rethugs will say “see socialized health care won’t work” and people will buy the party line instead of realizing we just didn’t go far enough. I share that fear! I guess I’m just hopeful that “something” is better than “nothing.” And maybe, just maybe, a few years into it people will realize how good it could be if we just took it a step further. Edwards actually claims that’s what he wants to happen ultimately.
Looking forward to my late august Open Enrollment where I get to hear how much my insurance rates are going up, FUD about how litigation is the “real” reason they are going up, and how “sorry” my benefits manager is that coverage is going down. All the while wondering if my little pay raise earlier this year will even come close to offsetting the increased costs, let alone actually be a raise when calculated with respect to Cost of Living adjustments…
July 24th, 2007 at 10:34 amWhy is no one complaining of the corn growers exploding profits/profit margins?
Comment by squegeeboo — July 24, 2007 @ 10:30 am
you’re kidding, right?
July 24th, 2007 at 10:36 amTed Kennedy is a MURDERER. It’s disgusting the way liberals fawn over a man who let a woman drown to death. If he was a Republican, he would have had to resign.
John Conyers is a race baiting hatemonger, but I am glad he is standing up to the left on impeachment. You don’t have the votes so please move on.
AND please tout Hollywood hypocrites who care about the environment. They will be great to bash in 2008.
July 24th, 2007 at 10:40 amDoes it bother liberals that your own party has abandoned you on impeachment? LOL! I mock you fools for supporting your spineless DemocRAT leaders.
July 24th, 2007 at 10:41 amyou’re kidding, right?
Comment by katy — July 24, 2007 @ 10:36 am
And now who’s replying to inane trolls?
July 24th, 2007 at 10:42 amWilco, he has yet to debate one lady who may or may not be running. Let me know when she’s met her goals to actually run.
“(Rosemary) Palmer said it would take at least a million dollars to fund a campaign to bring down Kucinich in the primary. She said she has a plan to raise that money, but she declined to elaborate on it at this time.”
But I turn around and ask you the same question. Why should Kucinich be excluded from the Presidential Debate when he has a base of entusiastic supporters? When he represents views that no one else in the party does. Without him its a stage of centrists representing monied interests.
July 24th, 2007 at 10:42 amits very helpeful for me, big thx!
July 24th, 2007 at 10:43 am“AND please tout Hollywood hypocrites…”
How come trolls think “hypocrites” means “people I disagree with?”
July 24th, 2007 at 10:44 am#54 Parrotlover…Best of luck to you and all Americans caught in the Health Care trap.
July 24th, 2007 at 10:45 amkaty
you’re kidding, right?
Nope. the oil industry saw their profit margins go up 3%ish over the past 2 years. Corn has seen it’s profit margins go up much higher, why is no one complaining about corn?
July 24th, 2007 at 10:46 amLarry, I don’t think he should be excluded.
July 24th, 2007 at 10:47 amBut he historically refuses to debate anyone. His excuse is that his constituents already knows his positions.
I don’t think he should be excluded and I don’t think he should exclude himself.
Possibly Squegee, because a doubling in the price of corn has raised it to $2 a bushel, instead of $1 a bushel.
hehehe
July 24th, 2007 at 10:48 amOkay. I’m confused. Are we not allowed to quote the Bible on TP?
I’m just trying to figure why my post was deleted, is all.
Seems to be happenin’ alot lately
‘Sup widat, TP?
July 24th, 2007 at 10:53 amI mock you fools for supporting your spineless DemocRAT leaders.
Comment by God Help Us
Riiiight… so much better to continue supporting your corrupt, warmongering RepubliCON criminals.
July 24th, 2007 at 10:54 amwhy is no one complaining about corn?
Comment by squegeeboo
Can we start growing more oil?
July 24th, 2007 at 10:57 am#55 Squegeboo…Why is no one talking about the fact that 50% of all corn in America is Genetically Modified. I’ve given up eating any product with corn because it makes me violently ill. There’s been ZERO testing on humans of the effect of GM food. It was just foisted on all of us by the agri-bus. companies. Its not labeled. We’re all lab rats in a giant experiment. This story is bigger than Global Warming but gets NO COVERAGE whatsoever.
July 24th, 2007 at 10:58 amKrazny
Possibly Squegee, because a doubling in the price of corn has raised it to $2 a bushel, instead of $1 a bushel.
Also, there is no huge corn company with Billions in profits to point too, as an easy target, that doesn’t require the layperson to actually understand profit margins vs. gross vs. net profit.
Larry from C
July 24th, 2007 at 10:59 amWhy is no one talking about the fact that 50% of all corn in America is Genetically Modified.
Couldn’t tell you, never been a huge interest of mine, so never done that much research, although the farm lobby, especially in the midwest is somewhat powerful from what I understand.
#64 Wilco, I too believe no candidate, who truly, seriously wants a postion, who has some degree of measurable support, should be excluded. If Kucinich avoids debating such a candiate than I disagree with him.
July 24th, 2007 at 11:00 amThis story is bigger than Global Warming but gets NO COVERAGE whatsoever.
Comment by Larry from C
Oh come on, man. What do you have against vegetables w/ spider and fish genes spliced into them?
July 24th, 2007 at 11:01 amCorn is typically grown by farmers. I used to live in a rural area, and corn and dairy farming were the two biggest staples. A few years ago, corn was so underpriced however many farmers stopped growing it in favor of other crops. Many have since changed back, since it is now profitable to grow corn again.
July 24th, 2007 at 11:02 amNope. the oil industry saw their profit margins go up 3%ish over the past 2 years. Corn has seen it’s profit margins go up much higher, why is no one complaining about corn?
Comment by squegeeboo
That’s an awfully broad statement. Pls go into more details. Refiners profit margin? Retailers? Producers?
July 24th, 2007 at 11:04 am#70 Squegeeboo…When the food that humanity EVOLVED on is changed at the genetic level (in a 10 year period) we should all be outraged. Especially when no testing was ever done to determine if it is safe for humans to eat. Global Warming will begin to wreak its worst havoc in 50 to 100 years. I gotta eat breakfast this morning. Tell me which is most immediately important? Maybe Al Gore’s got to wirte a book about it to wake people up.
July 24th, 2007 at 11:04 amI don’t disagree with your ultimate point, but it’s not true that there’s no testing. There is testing. However, there is LESS testing because it’s based on corn, which is already “generally recognized as safe” by the FDA. I think there should be more testing mandated, but saying it’s just sent to market with no testing is simply not true.
As for your illness/allergy, are you sure it’s the GMO corn? Have you tried growing your own corn from non-GMO seeds?
Remember that we’ve been “genetically modifying” crops for thousands of years through random mutation and selective breeding. I’m not ready to say that GMO is exactly the same, mind you, but even organic corn is very far from it’s “wild” origins nowadays.
Just to make it clear that I’m not defending all the questionable Ag practices, especially with respect to the overuse of chemicals and hormones, but if GMO is regulated correctly, it doesn’t have to be a bad thing. Less land, less chemicals, higher yield is actually good for the environment as long as it’s done with the proper regulation to make sure no shortcuts are taken!
July 24th, 2007 at 11:06 amLarry, don’t you then find it hypocritical of him to rail against the suggestion of his exclusion?
July 24th, 2007 at 11:07 amTell me which is most immediately important? Maybe Al Gore’s got to wirte a book about it to wake people up.
Comment by Larry from C
Haven’t alot of European countires banned genetically modified crops? I thought modified corn killed monarch butterflies. Sorry, but I find that scary, and sad.
July 24th, 2007 at 11:07 amWhoops! Sorry about that double post, folks. I thought my earlier post had dissapeared into the “null” void when I saw it didn’t show up for about 5 minutes and the “null” had taken the place of my username in the “Leave a comment” section.
But hey, the addition that jobs are available at Halliburton might be good news for some of you who happen to be currently unemployed….hardy har har!
July 24th, 2007 at 11:07 amJohn Conyers is a race baiting hatemonger, but I am glad he is standing up to the left on impeachment.
Some validation, please. Quotes? References?
AND please tout Hollywood hypocrites… they will be great to bash in 2008.
Hollywood hypocrits… you mean, like Cyrus Nowasteh or Fred Thompson?
Comment by God Help Us
July 24th, 2007 at 11:10 amBut hey, the addition that jobs are available at Halliburton might be good news for some of you who happen to be currently unemployed….hardy har har!
Comment by O. Bigfoot
I hear Ted Haggard and Mark Foley are looking for jobs. You’ve probably got Foley’s ph number on your speed dialer. And David Vitter will probably need a new job soon, too. Do ‘em a favor and let ‘em know!
July 24th, 2007 at 11:13 amNever mind the double posts, folks, it appears my posts are getting deleted here also, along with many others…even some who agree with you all! I guess my well-thought out, common sense opposing viewpoints here on TP can no longer be tolerated.
July 24th, 2007 at 11:13 amLarry from C-
Why is no one talking about the fact that 50% of all corn in America is Genetically Modified?
Great point, Larry. Genetically Modified Organisms, or GMO, are not being accepted by the rest of the planet. As you state, we’re all part of a very large experiment.
Ironic that while Bush vetoes anything with Stem Cell research, we’re all part of genetic testing by agri / chemical entities.
Don’t let ‘Green Talk’ sway you completely. Ethanol is not the answer. These plants are using 4-5 gallons of fresh water for every gallon of fuel produced. Many have a deficit value in alternative fuel ratings.
Why not alcohol? It burns cleaner, it can be made locally. It has zero emissions and Henry Ford designed cars to run on alcohol.
Anyone?…
July 24th, 2007 at 11:14 amPoor God Help Us. What a tool.
My grandma used to say.
God helps them that help themselves.
that would preclude GHU from any help whatsoever.
July 24th, 2007 at 11:15 amGood grief! I don’t know if the posts are getting deleted or not…now the posts are back again….something funny going on with the software, I guess. I’m going to sit back awhile and let the chips fall where they may.
July 24th, 2007 at 11:16 amWhy not alcohol? It burns cleaner, it can be made locally. It has zero emissions and Henry Ford designed cars to run on alcohol.
Anyone?…
Comment by Zimzone — July 24, 2007 @ 11:14 am
The government, and especially big oil, is not going to approve a fuel source that you can literally make at home.
July 24th, 2007 at 11:18 amThe government, and especially big oil, is not going to approve a fuel source that you can literally make at home.
Comment by Krazny
And drink, too…
July 24th, 2007 at 11:21 amI’m going to sit back awhile and let the chips fall where they may.
Comment by O. Bigfoot
Good idea.
Do watch where you step — those are cow chips.
July 24th, 2007 at 11:22 amMy dad did some research into alcohol engines for trucks. I don’t think you would want to drink the stuff you would put into a vehicle. The stuff you need to run a car would be almost pure alcohol. you can’t have much water in it, or you risk damaging the engine. There are some other issues with alcohol engines, but overall they are far more efficient, with similar power to a gasoline engine.
July 24th, 2007 at 11:24 amthose are cow chips.
Comment by Zooey
And big cow chips at that.
July 24th, 2007 at 11:25 amWilco, read my last sentence in post #71. That’s my answer.
July 24th, 2007 at 11:26 amAnd Ted Kennedy is still a murderer. Every time I see a picture of the disgusting pig it reminds me how bad and hypocritical the DemocRat party is.
July 24th, 2007 at 11:26 amCorn is typically grown by farmers.
Comment by Krazny
You say! Proof???
July 24th, 2007 at 11:29 amHappy Guy,
Need a tissue?
July 24th, 2007 at 11:29 amAnd Ted Kennedy is still a murderer. Every time I see a picture of the disgusting pig it reminds me how bad and hypocritical the DemocRat party is.
Comment by Happy Guy
When was Mr Kennedy charged w/ this crime? Some facts please?
July 24th, 2007 at 11:30 amI just want to convert you away from him, Larry.
July 24th, 2007 at 11:32 amI don’t trust the guy. But I liked some of his answers last night.
The Republic of Stupidity - ever hear of Mary Jo? AND no, he was not charged with a crime because he was from the Kennedy dynasty, but he is a murderer and you know it. He left Mary Jo there to die. How can you defend him, you pig.
John Conyers is the CBC - possibly, the most ignorant, hateful and race-baiting group in Congress. They are thugs and doing the black community a disservice through their lies and hate.
July 24th, 2007 at 11:34 amCorn is typically grown by farmers.
Comment by Krazny
You say! Proof???
Comment by The Republic of Stupidity — July 24, 2007 @ 11:29am
hehe I admit it, a poorly crafted sentence. I meant to say, at least in the rural area I grew up in, corn was grown on family owned farms.
Let me see if I can find some pictures.
July 24th, 2007 at 11:34 amThe Republic of Stupidity
July 24th, 2007 at 11:34 amThat’s an awfully broad statement. Pls go into more details. Refiners profit margin? Retailers? Producers?
If we’re talking Oil, I’m referring to the released profit statements of the major companies (Exxon, etc) over the past few years.
As a side note, GM corn is developed by (drums…) none other than Monsanto. Other developments of Monsanto in the past? Napalm. I’m loving the USA megacorporations… all for benefits, f#ck the people…
July 24th, 2007 at 11:35 amDRxJ
I notice that my post was deleted along with yours. I wonder why. I insulted JMH and it’s still there. Posts calling Kennedy a “murderer” are still there. Our posts were mild in comparison with those and yet they are deleted. I wonder why.
July 24th, 2007 at 11:35 amThe Republic of Stupidity
That’s an awfully broad statement. Pls go into more details. Refiners profit margin? Retailers? Producers?
Also, I just realized an error in my 3% increase. It was not an increase of 3%ish, but rather an increase from 7ish% to 10ish%, so a much larger % increase, but 3% higher on a scale of 1-100% in terms of profit margin. My bad.
July 24th, 2007 at 11:39 am#96 Wilco, I don’t mind criticism (well founded) about anything or anyone. Seeing faults in people or their logic is a means toward growth. Kucinich is not perfect. No one is. But his Presidential platform contains elements that I strongly endorse and believe the public would greatly benefit from hearing.
When I have time I’ll post why Kucinich’s Dept. of Peace idea is perhaps the greatest idea in government in 100 years.
July 24th, 2007 at 11:39 amYes, I posted a long piece wth quotes from scientists about how dangerous GM food is and it never showed up.
July 24th, 2007 at 11:41 amI know this is a bit off-topic but it’s my birthday and I don’t care. I for one would really like to see Tom Waits do an album of all Leonard Cohen covers. If I could hear him gravelly warble through “Suzanne” I’d be a happy man.
There. Now you know my terrible secret.
July 24th, 2007 at 11:41 amIf we’re talking Oil, I’m referring to the released profit statements of the major companies (Exxon, etc) over the past few years.
Comment by squegeeboo
Just out of curiosity, when the price goes so high, who’s making all the money? Why do big oil companies keep reporting record profits?
I would thin one reason people distrust oil companies is because control of the petroleum industry appears to be more centralized in the hands of a few. There was a price fixng scandal in agribiz ten yrs ago or so. A bunch of guys from AMD, if I’m not mistaken, did get busted for trying to fix prices.
July 24th, 2007 at 11:43 amabout GM food…
“Next time you hear a scientist asserting that gene splicing is safe, remind yourself that there is no scientific evidence for that statement. We are profoundly ignorant about what we are doing to the code that generates all life. And unfortunately some scientists, including those entrusted with public safety, are willing to lie”.
-Donella H. Meadows is an adjunct professor of environmental studies at Dartmouth College.
“The genetic modification of food is intrinsically dangerous. It involves making irreversible changes in a random manner to a complex level of life about which little is known. It is inevitable that this hit-and-miss approach will lead to disasters. It must disrupt the natural intelligence of the plant or animal to which it is applied, and lead to health-damaging side-effects.”
-Dr Geoffrey Clements, leader of the Natural Law Party, UK.
“If you look at the simple principle of genetic modification it spells ecological disaster. There are no ways of quantifying the risks……The solution is simply to ban the use of genetic modification in food.”
-Dr Harash Narang, microbiologist and senior research associate at the University of Leeds, who originally caused a scientific and political storm by claiming a link between mad cow disease and CJD in humans.
“We believe the time has come for the technology to be assessed on how safe it is for the environment and for sustainable farming. The current research is not designed to evaluate risk, only to find out how to make it work.”
-Dr Neil Macgregor, a soil microbiologist, is an academic member of the Soil & Earth Sciences group in the Institute of Natural Resources, Massey University, New Zealand.
July 24th, 2007 at 11:43 amWhen I have time I’ll post why Kucinich’s Dept. of Peace idea is perhaps the greatest idea in government in 100 years.
Comment by Larry from C — July 24, 2007 @ 11:39 am
I think you already have. How could something with a name like that be anything else. Kucinich’s has some really good ideas but he needs a better way to get them before the masses
July 24th, 2007 at 11:44 amThe Iraqis people and the American people seem to have one thing in common. The fact that George Bush thinks nothing of either.
July 24th, 2007 at 11:44 amHe owns the controlling interests of both and he appears to disregard any others thought process as told by the Man and Machine business person who was frustrated by his big mouth effort to control the conversation. Plane and simple, George is a blowhard full of lies.
Larry, I hope it’s a heckuva post because I think it’s one of the most foolish suggestions in years. It seems the Dept of Peace would have the same job as the State Dept, thus a waste of taxpayer money.
July 24th, 2007 at 11:46 am#110 Wilco…Its has to do with the latest research in Quantum Physics, the discovery of the Unified Field and Consciousness. And its supported with over 20 scientific papers!
July 24th, 2007 at 11:51 am-Dr Neil Macgregor, a soil microbiologist, is an academic member of the Soil & Earth Sciences group in the Institute of Natural Resources, Massey University, New Zealand.
Comment by Larry from C
I was never quite sure waht was wrong w/ “corn” the way it was. It had been working pretty well for the last 6 or 8 thousand years as it was. Shucks, it was working so well that the gov was actually paying some guys to not grow anymore of the damned stuff, right?
Oh wait, Monsanto couldn’t patent “corn”, could they?
July 24th, 2007 at 11:52 amI’m glad to see so many here knowledgeable abut GM food. I gotta take a break but I’ll be glad to discuss it more in the future!
July 24th, 2007 at 11:54 am#113 Republic…The US media is owned by 3-4 companies. World Oil is principally owned by 4-5 companies. Now even Food is fundamentally owned by 4-5 bio-tech companies. And its just as evil and wrong and dangerous.
July 24th, 2007 at 11:58 amLarry, your post didn’t address mine. It had nothing to do with science.
July 24th, 2007 at 12:01 pmWere you namejacked or just confuse my post with someone else’s?
I don’t argue science as I am scientifically ignorant.
July 24th, 2007 at 12:02 pmNo problem “Fing” with the corn but leave those undifferentiated cellular masses with 48 chromosomes alone! Does anyone have an update on Monsantos attempts to control rice production overseas with their GM strains?
July 24th, 2007 at 12:03 pmAnd its just as evil and wrong and dangerous.
Comment by Larry from C
And we’d all be so much better off w/ privatized water too… and air, don’t forget the air, and sunlight… yeah gotta cover that…
July 24th, 2007 at 12:03 pmDoes anyone have an update on Monsantos attempts to control rice production overseas with their GM strains?
Comment by dbadass
I thought Japan refused to let GM rice into the country?
July 24th, 2007 at 12:04 pmSo why do so many people like Kucinich’s Department of Peace proposal?
July 24th, 2007 at 12:09 pmWhy would peace be best served by increased bureaucracy and more taxpayer money than for the president to just tell his already existing departments to do everything in their power to foster peace?
Why is a new department so vital to the country’s future?
What am I missing?
I’m afraid that there are some problems with ethanol from corn.
1: Ethanol has a lower specific energy content than gas so, you get lower mileage.
2: It takes a lot of energy to grow corn and more to make it into ethanol.
3: Ethanol actually releases more CO2 than gas when burned.
4: Ethanol tends to take up moisture from the air making it more expensive to store.
5: Corn growing isn’t terribly eco-friendly.
I’m all for alternative energy and conservation but ethanol from corn isn’t all that great. The only way it beats gas is in it’s emission of pollution other than CO2. Bottom line? Ethanol is NOT efficient for reduction of greenhouse gases.
July 24th, 2007 at 12:11 pm“The minimum wage rises 70 cents to $5.85 an hour today
PATHETIC
UK minimum wage is $10.30 even to foreign fruit pickers
July 24th, 2007 at 12:11 pmI thought Japan refused to let GM rice into the country?
Comment by The Republic of Stupidity — July 24, 2007 @ 12:04 pm
Did they? I was more thinking about Bangladesh, Laos, etc…
July 24th, 2007 at 12:12 pmI read a very diturbing article a few months ago relative to the privatization of water. So bizarre and disturbing.
future of Iraq
every year you stay 40,000 die ……… just friggin leave Iraq alone
July 24th, 2007 at 12:13 pmGood Morning all,..Great post’s..Larry from C, we agree on many issues, including Kucenich…The corn and modafied food is another biggie…Monsanto is one of the main modafier’s to date and I’m not likeing what I have thus far read…More on this issue later when I have more time…F&*#, bull shit bush is on the new’s again, time to turn the tube off and go out side..
Note #23 sharon is not me, although I like the post…Some one new perhap’s.?
Can I drop a little turd for the troll’s today…Regarding Kerry’s military paper’s, they did show up..Bull shit’s were scrubbed altogether..No suprise there…Next regarding Kennedy..He’s the tat, here’s your tit..Laura the lovely queen of the white house ran over and killed her x boy friend….bull shit bush is the king pupett that has caused hundred’s of thousand’s of death’s of innocent people here and over there…The miserable murderer is on cnn as I type spouting more orwelian bull shit….Some speech writer has given him some new word’s to stumble over and I’m about to loose my breakfast….
Please do ramdom act’s of kindness, plant tree’s and flower’s. call all the rep’s and continue with our work to restore our constitution, remove the rogue government and get our country back on track of peace, not war…Blessings..P.S. Jane, sorry I forgot to address you by name in last night’s post…Planted baby cedar’s for you, Wayne. Lady Z, RU and BnF yesterday….Gave Bear the ear rub’s Lady Z, he is such a pretty pup, all 131 pound’s +..Later..
July 24th, 2007 at 12:20 pmI saw that Obama has responded to more CNN/YouTube debates questions online on News Groper. Although he seemed a bit out of character.
July 24th, 2007 at 12:26 pmSharon (or fatso) - Kennedy was negligent - our very popular First Lady was not. AND everything drunken Kennedy has done since then has been pretty negative. Ever hear of his waitress sandwich?
Also, Kerry slandered the troops. PERIOD. He went to Vietnam to launch a campaign against his fellow troops - not fight for his country. That’s why he lost.
How’s the diet, Sharon? Still eating those protein bars? You are a PIG.
July 24th, 2007 at 12:44 pmGod Help Us
How’s the diet, Sharon? Still eating those protein bars? You are a PIG.
Way to raise the level of discourse Jerk Face.
Also, Kerry slandered the troops. PERIOD.
July 24th, 2007 at 12:52 pmActually, thats THREE PERIODS if I counted correctly, and a comma.
#129 - Sharon is a disgusting person and should be treated like one.
July 24th, 2007 at 12:58 pmGod helps those who help themselves, and others. Therefore, “God Help Us” (AKA “GodSmoteTheSodomites”??) is not in line for any help I suspect.
July 24th, 2007 at 12:58 pmGod Help Us
#129 - Sharon is a disgusting person and should be treated like one.
Sounds like we agree, she should be treated as a person. Now give it a shot.
PatrioticLiberalChristian(PLC)
Dude, I saw a bumper sticker recently that I think you’d love
July 24th, 2007 at 1:01 pm“I was born right the first time
WTF was wrong with you?”
Sharon is a disgusting person and should be treated like one.
Comment by God Help Us
________________________________
…and up is down, good is bad, wrong is right, failure is success, and neocon’s are morally superior. OK, we got it, so now you can drift off into the sunset contentedly.
July 24th, 2007 at 1:03 pmPatriotic Liberal Christian - lol! Not possible. Liberals hate religion and America.
July 24th, 2007 at 1:04 pmSharon has written vicious lies about the President and wish death on Cheney. She is a bad person and should be tried for treason.
July 24th, 2007 at 1:05 pmPatriotic Liberal Christian - lol! Not possible. Liberals hate religion and America.
Comment by God Help Us
______________________________
see #133
July 24th, 2007 at 1:15 pmReally, now, do you have God’s ability to “see into my heart” and know what I love or hate? Or are you just spewing your own bile of hatred projectilely and projectively?
Conservatives hate the US Constitution.
Why else would they try their darndest to eliminate the freedoms that the Constitution provides , increase corporate welfare, and reduce the money going to our returning veterans?
July 24th, 2007 at 1:40 pm#136 - “Or are you just spewing your own bile of hatred projectilely and projectively?” Comment by PatrioticLiberalChristian(PLC) — July 24, 2007 @ 1:15 pm
You’re right on the money, PLC!
Looks like GHU is just another pick & choose “c”hristian.
July 24th, 2007 at 1:41 pm“The minimum wage rises 70 cents to $5.85 an hour today, the first increase in a decade. It ends the longest period without an increase since the federal minimum wage was enacted in 1938.â€
And it only took a war funding bill to do it! Go Democrats!
July 24th, 2007 at 1:45 pmConservatives hate the US Constitution.
Not so. Sensible people, Conservative and Liberal, know that, when American lives are being threatened, the Constitution is not always capable of anticipating necessary precautions.
July 24th, 2007 at 2:06 pmSharon has written vicious lies about the President and wish death on Cheney. She is a bad person and should be tried for treason.
Comment by God Help Us
You’re an ignorant moronic disgusting twat, and you should be drawn and quartered.
July 24th, 2007 at 2:13 pmAnd now who’s replying to inane trolls?
Comment by The Republic of Stupidity — July 24, 2007 @ 10:42 am
squeegee is a long time regular with many redeeming qualities…
you reponded to an idjit by saying it was not worth responding to…
if you don’t get that… …
July 24th, 2007 at 2:36 pm…
More Hate-Talk from the Left…
July 24th, 2007 at 2:36 pm#140 Sensible people, Conservative and Liberal, know that, when American lives are being threatened, the Constitution is not always capable of anticipating necessary precautions.
And conservative Psycho-Christians believe a 2000 year old book, full of contradictions and inaccuracies, provides timely solutions to present, and future, problems.
July 24th, 2007 at 2:36 pmprovides timely solutions to present, and future, problems.
Comment by pete — July 24, 2007 @ 2:36 pm
July 24th, 2007 at 2:38 pm—————————————–
Well, that ideology is not sensible.
#143 refers to #141
July 24th, 2007 at 2:38 pmtwit, zooey… T W I T …
heh…
sharon, i know you know better… we ALL know better…
but, still, TP should erase such attempted degradation
July 24th, 2007 at 2:39 pmfrom the records…
To the black hearted little troll, ghu….or goo, that is your best shot.? You are a lieing little black soul…I never wished any one dead, ever…Put in jail for war crime’s, asset’s seized yes…Poor little fit throwing troll…I have never commited any crime against any living thing except slug’s….Want a little salt, fool….Blessings to every one else…..LOL..
July 24th, 2007 at 2:54 pmkaty
squeegee is a long time regular with many redeeming qualities…
They like me, they really like me….
Although ‘many’ may be a bit of a stretch :)
July 24th, 2007 at 3:16 pmFinally it’s understood that this govt. has no intention of leaving Iraq even after bush. All the permanent bases and the embassy is all you need to see.
July 24th, 2007 at 6:53 pmRe: Comment #36:
There are more than 100,000 Blackwater mercenaries in Iraq (and that’s just Blackwater, which has 9 subsidiary companies, and there are several other PMCs not associated w/Blackwater). Bush seems to be amassing a sizeable for-profit private military force at taxpayer expense.
But there is something I find even more disturbing, and that is the fact that Blackwater is also expanding its operations in the U.S and building additional private military installations within the U.S in addition to their headquarters in North Carolina (East coast)–a new facility in Illinois (Midwest), and negotiating to build another in California(West coast)–Why????
Personally, I suspect it may have something to do with Bush’s new directive giving him dictatorial power. They have already utilized Blackwater in New Orleans after Katrina for the purposes of, among other things, law enforcement. These guys were patroling the streets with AKs in hand. Think about it, a bunch of highly paid killers, loyal only to the one who pays them, roaming our streets to enforce the law in the event of “civil unrest.”
July 24th, 2007 at 7:27 pmnice article, thx…
August 25th, 2007 at 12:12 pm