ThinkFast: August 8, 2007
ThinkFast: August 8, 2007
During the debate over FISA last week, DNI Mike McConnell told congressional leaders he was getting intense pressure from “the other side.” His changes of position left some members suggesting that he “had become a puppet for the White House.” Rep. Rush Holt (D-NJ) called McConnell’s role in the debate an “unsatisfactory, even embarrassing performance.”
“The Americans Against Escalation in Iraq, a coalition that includes MoveOn, is mounting a multimillion-dollar campaign aimed at 23 senators and 70 representatives to chip away at support for Bush’s war strategy. The 10-week-long campaign includes nearly 100 organizers in 15 states.”
“Four U.S. military personnel and a British soldier have been killed in attacks [in Iraq], military officials said yesterday, raising the number of U.S. deaths in August to 19 in a possible sign that extremists are regrouping after a decline in U.S. casualties last month.”
The AP writes that President Bush “need only look in the mirror” to see the type of American who still supports him: “a conservative, white, Republican man, an evangelical Christian who goes to church regularly.” Bush’s approval rating is now at just 29 percent.
“Adults aged 19 to 29 are the biggest group of the newly uninsured,” composing “30 percent of the 45 million Americans without health insurance in 2005.”
FEMA “has done an about-face and will immediately stop using, buying and selling disaster-relief trailers because they could be contaminated with formaldehyde.”
“Hurricanes Katrina and Rita caused far more dislocation to Louisiana’s population than previously estimated.” Previous studies of New Orleans suggested that 226,000 residents have left since the storm. The new study finds that about “246,000 left the city, about 50,000 moved from one house in the city to another, and about 20,000 moved in from elsewhere.”
And finally: “At a hearing Wednesday before the House Homeland Security Subcommittee on Management, Investigations and Oversight, Chairman Christopher Carney (D-Pa.) made an awkward foray into hip-hop parlance when he gave special props to one of the witnesses testifying before his panel. ‘Tip of the hat to the homies here,’ was his greeting to a subcommittee guest.”
What did we miss? Let us know in the comments section.
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“During the debate over FISA last week, NID Mike McConnell told congressional leaders he was getting intense pressure from “the other side.†His changes of position left some members suggesting that he “had become a puppet for the White House.â€
Of course he is a puppet for the White House. Puppet master Bush only hires puppets. If you are someone with critical thinking skills and a conscience, you need not apply.
It is totally disgusting what Bush has done to our government. And it is even more disgusting that there are still 26% of the people in this country who think what he has done is OK.
August 8th, 2007 at 9:02 amKucinich is now the Frontrunner, and there’s not even a close second.
The next time a commentator refers to Hillary, Barack and John as the “Frontrunners” please ask them to explain.
Are they the Frontrunners because they’ve raised the most corporate money? Or because they currently have the highest ratings? Or is it because more people agree with them on this issues? OOPS!
None of them are the Frontrunners on this issues, Dennis Kucinich is!…And its not even close!
An Independent Survey on 25 major issues taken by more than 67,000 people has found that Dennis Kucinich is the First Choice of a phenomenal 53% of voters. No other candidate, Democrat or Republican even registers double digits! Hillary and Barack clock in at a measly 3%, John Edwards at 2%.
“When people vote exclusively on the issues that are important to them, without being influenced by name recognition, celebrity or millions of dollars in Advertising, Congressman Kucinich wins in a landslide”, his campaign said today!
August 8th, 2007 at 9:06 amIf a decline in the number of troop deaths in July is “evidence the surge is working”, will the opposite be true if August reverts back to earlier levels?
Don’t count on it.
In years past, EVERYTHING was a sign of improvement. Lower death tools was “proof”, while higher death tolls were also proof “of desperation” (see: “last throes”.)
August 8th, 2007 at 9:07 am“Four U.S. military personnel and a British soldier have been killed in attacks, military officials said yesterday, raising the number of U.S. deaths in August to 19 in a possible sign that extremists are regrouping after a decline in U.S. casualties last month.â€
Let’s start calling these extremists what they really are.. Freedom Fighters, tired of the oppression from USA and the UK for 100+ years while we try to steal their oil.
I feel bad for the soldiers families that our govt fooled us into invading a country that had no WMD, no ties to Osama, no ties to 9-11.
But I feel bad for the citizens of Iraq who have it worse now than under Saddam.
August 8th, 2007 at 9:08 am“Adults aged 19 to 29 are the biggest group of the newly uninsured,†composing “30 percent of the 45 million Americans without health insurance in 2005.â€
Hmmm, just wait until they have to start paying for Bush’s illegal invasion; healthcare will have to take a back seat.
Young Americans don’t have a clue what our legacy will be, let’s hope they stay healthy!
August 8th, 2007 at 9:13 amIf I looked into the mirror and saw just what george sees, I’d throw up.
August 8th, 2007 at 9:14 amHe said this while looking into a mirror, right?
August 8th, 2007 at 9:16 amThat poll link you have is outdated. Bush’s approval is now 34% with more people saying the surge is working.
Now, don’t get too upset, TP. You can still pray for more dead soldiers and hope to win the 2008 election. Unfortunate for you, your spineless party is too wimpy to try to impeach.
What are you waiting for – I dare you to impeach Bush.
August 8th, 2007 at 9:16 amBut I feel bad for the citizens of Iraq who have it worse now than under Saddam.
Comment by Truthiness
Remember the Beirut barracks bombing? Of course, it is a despicable action…but my question has always been…what are foreign troops doing in another country? Would it be great if US had Iraqi military strolling the streets?
Sadly, war propagandists are very effective when it comes to deceive (stupid) people.
August 8th, 2007 at 9:20 amThat poll link you have is outdated. Bush’s approval is now 34% with more people saying the surge is working.
Comment by Democrats are LIARS
Hey…try the whole world saying: There is no gravity, there is no gravity…and wait for things to float. I mean, if more people are saying it, it should be true.
August 8th, 2007 at 9:21 amIf the Chimp did look in the mirror : he’d be staring at Pure Evil. A son born into a storied Crime Family he eventually was appointed President by his daddie’s rich friends, his influential cousin in Fla. that worked for FAUX news and his gov-bro in Fla.
He eventually through his complete disdain for the Constiution and the Bill of Rights became the worst president in the history of the US. Chimpy and his cohorts in crime hijacked this country 6 years ago on a sunny, Tuesday morning : configuring a phony war on terrorism.
Hence, dismantling all the principles this great country was founded on.
If Chimpy looked in the mirror : he would see a man with no curiosity about the world. A stupid man surrounded by smart NeoCONS trying to destroy this country.
August 8th, 2007 at 9:21 amAmen to that, Truthiness. And no one seems to want to talk about the fact that not only have Iraqis been living with sporadic to no electricity, now there’s NO WATER, and something like 120 degrees….and their glorious parliament is on vacation for the month of August.
August 8th, 2007 at 9:21 amSo basically you have the majority of the population sitting around hot, stinking, thirsty, sexually repressed and unemployed–the perfect storm for the creation of new “insurgents”.
Stability will come to Iraq when and if their infrastructure can be repaired and some of these poor people can get back to work.
Instead, according to Bush/Cheney, we need to contract Halliburton or Bechtel or whoever to do the work that I bet some Iraqis would do, given the chance–at cost plus, of course.
Admiral McConnell should have known that those that don’t go along with the Bush program either quit or are destroyed by Bush/Rove and their willing dupes in the media.
So Admiral McConnell, are you going to become an Alberto Gonzales or a Colin Powell.
-GSD
August 8th, 2007 at 9:24 amMethinks the use of the so-called approval rating should be changed to “Disapproval Rating”.
This would reflect, properly, the 71% disapproval of the American public on this most corrupt, immoral, incompetent administration.
August 8th, 2007 at 9:25 amThe Drudge Report is whoring a new “Chimp is surging” report by citing a poll that has Bush at 34%.
Talk about the soft bigotry of low expectations, they are cheering a 34% loser.
Not to mention that white, male, Christian, Bush Clones always say that polls don’t matter or that they are skewed by the Bush hating media.
Funny stuff.
The Bush Clones are hoping for a continued war in Iraq to line their greedy pockets and they are hoping for a new terrorist attack in America so Bush can enact the Chimpy Option and declare martial law.
This nation is withering on the vine.
-GSD
August 8th, 2007 at 9:28 amNAW! Not McConnell he’s such a good republican!
August 8th, 2007 at 9:29 amWhat did TP miss?
August 8th, 2007 at 9:29 amHow about the biggest news of the year!
Mexico has dropped charges against Dog Chapman and his people!
#2 – Kucinich is the man…. the only one with balls to impeach.
August 8th, 2007 at 9:32 amnobody gets to be an admiral without learning to kiss ass and lie for their superiors.
if this paragon of virtue is willing to to do backflips over this stuff he is prima fascia not qualified to be the Director of intelligence and ought instead be labeled as George Bush’s ball sucker.
August 8th, 2007 at 9:34 amBut does that explain what happened to the Unicorns?
August 8th, 2007 at 9:34 amThe Americans Against Escalation in Iraq, a coalition that includes MoveOn, is mounting a multimillion-dollar campaign aimed at 23 senators and 70 representatives to chip away at support for Bush’s war strategy.
Maybe they could use that money to support the troops by getting them supplies or helping their families at home, instead of trying to undermine their mission.
“Adults aged 19 to 29 are the biggest group of the newly uninsured,†composing “30 percent of the 45 million Americans without health insurance in 2005.â€
August 8th, 2007 at 9:36 amSure, they’re the young people who would rather have a little extra bar money than get health care, after all, they think their invincible. I’ve had quite a few friends screw themselves because they ‘knew’ they wouldnt get hurt.
23 senators, 70 representatives, 19 to 29, 30 percent, 45 million, 2005.
You do the math.
August 8th, 2007 at 9:40 amsqueege, do you know how much insurance costs for someone unemployed or working for an employer who doesn’t offer coverage?
August 8th, 2007 at 9:41 amit’s a lot more than “a little extra bar money”
It’s hundreds of dollars each month.
Bush’s approval is now 34% with more people saying the surge is working.
Comment by Democrats are LIARS — August 8, 2007 @ 9:16 am
34%. Whoop it up, numbskull.
August 8th, 2007 at 9:45 amToday in History:
In 1964, Congress passed the Gulf of Tonkin resolution,
giving President Lyndon Johnson broad powers in dealing with
reported North Vietnamese attacks on U.S. forces.
…
i’m out of town today…
August 8th, 2007 at 9:45 amsee yas!
.
It’s hundreds of dollars each month.
Comment by Wilco — August 8, 2007 @ 9:41 am
Around $400 for an individual and $800 for a family, per month.
August 8th, 2007 at 9:46 am#24 – you don’t have the votes to impeach. Does that upset you? Do you feel betrayed by the LIARS in your party?
Poor lefties. They’re killing the GOP in polls. Only problem is the election is still fifteen months away.
August 8th, 2007 at 9:46 amWilco
do you know how much insurance costs for someone unemployed or working for an employer who doesn’t offer coverage?
You mean like my coverage?
August 8th, 2007 at 9:47 amit’s a lot more than “a little extra bar moneyâ€
It’s hundreds of dollars each month.
Depending on the plan and the area you live in and if you have dependents or not, but in many areas you can get basic plans for 100-200 a month.
Comment by VerbalKint
And that doesn’t include copays or deductibles. Through my employer, I pay about $15/month for my coverage.
August 8th, 2007 at 9:48 amsqueege, you need to talk to your friends about their alcoholism if $100-200/month is a little extra drinking money.
August 8th, 2007 at 9:50 amWilco
squeege, you need to talk to your friends about their alcoholism if $100-200/month is a little extra drinking money.
Not for that age group, thats just an extra couple of drinks at the better bars(assuming you go out 2 times a week) and then if you buy a few for a lady friend, it all adds up.
August 8th, 2007 at 9:51 amHey all, check this article out.
Surfing the web in Michigan’s Senate is not allowed, unless of course it’s a right wing blog!
http://www.wwmt.com/news/senate_37337___article.html/leaning_web.html
August 8th, 2007 at 9:52 amThe only thing a lawyer won’t question is the legitimacy of his mother.
August 8th, 2007 at 9:57 amLife seems to be full of trials of this type which test our inner strength, and more importantly, our devotion and love for one another.
August 8th, 2007 at 9:59 amToo bad all those DEMOCRATS voted for the White House FISA bill, huh?
August 8th, 2007 at 10:00 amDRxJ
Surfing the web in Michigan’s Senate is not allowed, unless of course it’s a right wing blog!
Cool article, as an update it looks like the Senate dude that blocked it unblocked it yesterday.
August 8th, 2007 at 10:02 amPoor lefties. They’re killing the GOP in polls. Only problem is the election is still fifteen months away.
Comment by Democrats are LIARS (I use bold to justify my baseless, factless attacks) — August 8, 2007 @ 9:46 am
The next time athlete’s foot flares up, GET TOUGH! Use Tinactin!
Tough actin’ Tinactin!
August 8th, 2007 at 10:02 amMarcus Aurelius
Life seems to be full of trials of this type which test our inner strength, and more importantly, our devotion and love for one another.
Come again?
August 8th, 2007 at 10:02 amWhat’s that supposed to mean in the context of fishing for menhaden?
August 8th, 2007 at 10:02 amWilco
squeege, you need to talk to your friends about their alcoholism if $100-200/month is a little extra drinking money.
Not for that age group, thats just an extra couple of drinks at the better bars(assuming you go out 2 times a week) and then if you buy a few for a lady friend, it all adds up.
Comment by squegeeboo — August 8, 2007 @ 9:51 am
While I disagree that $100-200/month will get any real health coverage, at least anywhere outside Arkansas, I’d have to agree that young people can go through that kind of money without any effort and it is true that they’re more likely to spend it on booze and cigarettes than on health coverage.
Unless you’ve seen the effects of long-term illness and are unusually introspective, when you’re in your 20s you think of yourself as invulnerable.
The culture still hasn’t caught up with the fact that the number of decent jobs with health coverage are vanishing, outside the public sector. When I was that age, it wasn’t terribly important to get coverage because I was never going to be sick and would live forever, and because all I needed to do was make a choice and “settle down” and the benefits would be there.
But in the civilized world, aka Europe, health coverage follows you from job to job and they seem to make it work.
August 8th, 2007 at 10:03 amI already did. It’ be a while before I can do it again, though. I have quite a long refractory period.
August 8th, 2007 at 10:03 am“That poll link you have is outdated. Bush’s approval is now 34% with more people saying the surge is working.”
Oh really, do you care to link to that poll. I love it that you say the poll the link is to is outdated, but you neglect to put in a link to the poll you are quoting. Typical troll tactic. Just because we say it, then it must be true.
August 8th, 2007 at 10:04 amToo bad all those DEMOCRATS voted for the White House FISA bill, huh?
Comment by Jake Da Fake. — August 8, 2007 @ 10:00 am
Too bad you plageurize real American heroes to defend your fantasy life in the armed service.
Too bad you can’t debate and rely on your stupid Ignore List.
For the record, too bad you offer nothing to this, and other threads.
Too bad you hijack other poster’s names.
Sux to be you, huh Jake?
August 8th, 2007 at 10:07 amWell, TOO BAD!!!
23 senators, 70 representatives, 19 to 29, 30 percent, 45 million, 2005.
You do the math.
Comment by Marcus Aurelius — August 8, 2007 @ 9:40 am
I’ve never been good ad geography.
August 8th, 2007 at 10:11 amTo all of you that say the TSA is useless(me included):
Man hides monkey in hat, smuggles it into N.Y.
Airport police were waiting for the man and his monkey when the plane landed about 3 p.m., and the man was taken away for questioning.
I think we should all take a moment to thank George W. for keeping this country safe from “fist-size primate”s
August 8th, 2007 at 10:11 amFor the record, my real name is James Dort, I served in the Army during the Korean War, and I have never “hijacked” anyone else’s name. My comment above, about all those DEMOCRATS voting for the White House FISA bill was in direct response to the following about McConnell: “His changes of position left some members suggesting that he “had become a puppet for the White House.†Rep. Rush Holt (D-NJ) called McConnell’s role in the debate an “unsatisfactory, even embarrassing performance.†Yet, they voted for it anyways. Sux to be you guys, huh?
August 8th, 2007 at 10:12 amAl Qaeda will start recruiting fist sized chimps in their terrorist attacks.
Look out Bonzo.
-GSD
August 8th, 2007 at 10:14 amNow if we could only find a solution for the republicans and their damned gerbils.
August 8th, 2007 at 10:14 amThe only thing a lawyer won’t question is the legitimacy of his mother.
Comment by Marcus Aurelius — August 8, 2007 @ 9:57 am
Because a good lawyer never asks a question he/she doesn’t know the answer to.
August 8th, 2007 at 10:15 amThat poll link you have is outdated. Bush’s approval is now 34% with more people saying the surge is working.
Comment by Democrats are LIARS — August 8, 2007 @ 9:16 am
Link to this mythical poll, please.
August 8th, 2007 at 10:15 amLife seems to be full of trials of this type which test our inner strength, and more importantly, our devotion and love for one another.
Comment by Marcus Aurelius — August 8, 2007 @ 9:59 am
Either that or it’s a box of chocolates.
August 8th, 2007 at 10:17 amMy great-aunt Ethel used to quote scripture all the time. She stepped off a curb and got hit by a truck carrying chickens to the processing plant in town. I’m not superstitious, but I do take the old “look both ways before crossing the street” admonition very seriously.
August 8th, 2007 at 10:18 amExactly. Litigation 101.
August 8th, 2007 at 10:19 amI suspect that Bush’s approval ratings have kind of bottomed out in the mid to high 20’s. This percentage mostly represents the Americans who voted for him and will always support him, no matter what (”don’t confuse me with facts, I’ve made up my mind”). Bush could decapitate a puppy in the middle of Pennsylvania Avenue and it won’t change their minds.
The rest of Bush’s approvers are the people who are directly benefitting from his administration — oil people, Halliburton, etc.
These people will vote in November of 2008. Be glad they don’t make a majority.
August 8th, 2007 at 10:21 amToo bad all those DEMOCRATS voted for the White House FISA bill, huh?
Comment by Jake D. — August 8, 2007 @ 10:00 am
Sux to be you guys, huh?
Comment by Jake D. — August 8, 2007 @ 10:12 am
————————————————-
Taunting doesn’t become you, Jake. Surely you can make your points without resorting to playground tactics.
No, I’m not happy with the handful of Democrats to capitulated to the Republican agenda because they were so anxious to begin their vacation. However, far more Repubs voted to spy on us than Dems did.
Yes, being a progressive is a bit frustrating right now, but being morally right still “sux” a lot less than being a Repub in lockstep with the current corrupt power-hungry administration.
August 8th, 2007 at 10:29 amThe only stupid question is the one not asked.
August 8th, 2007 at 10:30 amLatest survey shows that 3 out of 4 people make up 75% of the world’s population.
August 8th, 2007 at 10:33 amJake D.
The only stupid question is the one not asked.
True, but just because the question wasn’t stupid, it doesn’t mean the asker isn’t.
August 8th, 2007 at 10:34 ammissmolly:
Perhaps you missed where I was simply quoting someone else above? And, don’t call me Shirley ; )
August 8th, 2007 at 10:34 amTrue, squegeeboo.
August 8th, 2007 at 10:38 amsqueege, fist-sized monkeys are the #2 threat to national security
August 8th, 2007 at 10:39 amtheir bites really sting!
We’re all discussing Gonzales, McConnel, and FISA over here on this better web wite:
http://www.tpmmuckraker.com/archives/003884.php#comments
http://www.tpmmuckraker.com/archives/003883.php#comments
August 8th, 2007 at 10:40 amwite = site
August 8th, 2007 at 10:41 amJake D.
wite = site
and site = bite, and monkey’s bite. OMG, it all makes sense now.
August 8th, 2007 at 10:46 amand their poo is nucular
August 8th, 2007 at 10:47 amLost arms, ammunition, body armor, etc. is simply a bookkeeping error, according to Petraeus. The $9 billion lost early on was a bookkeeping error too.
August 8th, 2007 at 10:48 amThe most egregious bookkeeping error in history now occupies the White House.
Re: Bush’s ‘base’- the white, conservative Christian, etc.-
August 8th, 2007 at 10:59 amI think if chimpy wants to truly experience his base, he needs to bend over after he voids his bowels, and take a good look before flushing. For a good idea of his policies, take a big, deep breath.
Perhaps you missed where I was simply quoting someone else above? And, don’t call me Shirley ; )
Comment by Jake D. — August 8, 2007 @ 10:34 am
You’re right — I see that part of your original post was a quote from the TP text. However, the “sux to be you guys” part didn’t appear to be part of that quote. And the other quote from you I referenced appeared to be your words, but if they were somebody else’s, I apologize.
And I won’t call you Shirley any more — but you gotta admit that “Jennifer” just made no sense at all! ;-)
August 8th, 2007 at 11:11 amhundreds of dollars is right, but a lot more than a “few”
for what they call their best policy for PPO “full” coverage, it costs 650 dollars a month, and that isn’t including the cost of all the things they decide not to cover, related tests, scans, etc. I have a life threatening illness and they would NOT cover one of the drugs I need ( the most expensive one, Interferon which runs nearly 5,000 a month) AND on top of that my copays are hundreds a month. I had to go on a mad search begging for assistance to get the second drug ( that only works in conjunction with the one they did finally cover, they only work if both are taken together) here I was too sick to even drive my car but I had to find the energy to apply everywhere I could in the hopes someone would help me with the medications. the system is broken and CORRUPT. I know my story isn’t as bad as many because at least I have coverage, but now I also have a “preexisting condition” so if they dump me, I will have no insurance because no one will take you if you DO become ill.
None of my adult sons can afford health care and they make decent wages, I just pray they don’t have a health concern, once you are 19, your parents can’t keep you on their policy unless you are in college and then only until you are 23.
August 8th, 2007 at 11:21 amWhat a disaster health care is.
Last FIVE approval polls from pollingreport.com
Poller—-dates—–app–dis–duh–diff
Newsweek 8/1-2/07 29 63 8 -34
.
NBC/Wall Street Journal
7/27-30/07 31 63 6 -32
.
Pew 7/25-29/07 29 61 10 -32
.
CBS/New York Times 7/20-22/07 30 62 8 -32
.
Diageo/Hotline RV 7/19-22/07 33 63 4 -30
Where’s the 34% poll??? Trolls, don’t let the facts swat your ass on the way out.
August 8th, 2007 at 11:22 amRUCerious, I heard it was Rasumussen
August 8th, 2007 at 11:24 amWilco, that would explain it as polling report doesn’t consider Rasmussen polls as being non partisan.
August 8th, 2007 at 11:26 amWilco, that would explain it as polling report doesn’t consider Rasmussen polls as being non partisan.
Comment by RUCerious — August 8, 2007 @ 11:26 am
But it’s on Drudge, so that makes it ok, right? :P
August 8th, 2007 at 11:28 am#70
Comment by RUCerious — August 8, 2007 @ 11:22 am
Hey…try the whole world saying: There is no gravity, there is no gravity…and wait for things to float. I mean, if more people are saying it, it should be true.
August 8th, 2007 at 11:38 amComment by Juan C — August 8, 2007 @ 9:21 am
The chimp does not attend church regularly.
August 8th, 2007 at 11:48 amWhat did TP miss?
How about the biggest news of the year!
Mexico has dropped charges against Dog Chapman and his people!
Comment by Wilco — August 8, 2007 @ 9:29 am
Yeah, after Republican Congressmen asked Rice to deny the extradition to Mexico, even though he did break the law here in Mexico.
“Laws and Justice”, American style.
August 8th, 2007 at 11:52 amBush should be pressured to change course in Iraq. Americans are tired of the same old “stay the course” wrapped up in the “new way forward” slogan. Bush’s policy of unilaterally spreading democracy by force in Iraq and the Middle East has been a resounding failure. The surge has failed. The Sunnis members of Maliki’s cabinet have left. Parliament has taken a month long vacation while soldiers continue to die in Iraq. No political progress has been made.
August 8th, 2007 at 4:56 pmwow… how could i miss this:
on this day in history,
nixon announced he would resign…
…
if only history would repeat itself NOW…
August 8th, 2007 at 8:25 pm…