ThinkFast: September 6, 2007
ThinkFast: September 6, 2007
Al Gore is working on a new environmental book titled The Path to Survival, a sequel to An Inconvenient Truth that offers a blueprint on what can be done to fight global warming. The book will be released on Earth Day, April 22, 2008.
Intelligence analysts dispute the Bush administration’s claims that sectarian violence has dropped in Iraq, noting the selective way the military categorizes deaths. “If a bullet went through the back of the head, it’s sectarian,” a senior intelligence official said. “If it went through the front, it’s criminal.”
Global warming “is already affecting the nation’s parks, forests, marine sanctuaries and monuments” and the federal government needs to do a “better job” addressing the issue, according to a new Government Accountability Office report to be released today.
“[T]he program devised to rebuild Iraq at the provincial level has gone through three directors in the past four months, and much of the staff hired to organize the effort in Baghdad has left.” Just “29 of the 610 people deployed in Iraq as part of the provincial reconstruction program have extensive knowledge of Arabic culture, history and language.”
“One day after Rep. John Doolittle’s (R-Calif.) top two aides revealed that they had been subpoenaed to testify before a grand jury” in the Jack Abramoff corruption probe, “Alisha Perkins, Doolittle’s office manager, told the chamber Wednesday that she too had been called by the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia to give testimony.”
Responding to Sen. Tom Coburn’s (R-OK) hold on “a measure mandating the screening of all veterans for suicide risk,” Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) promised yesterday that he would bring the bill, known as the Joshua Omvig Suicide Prevention Act, to the Senate floor for a vote.
Identifying 171 “performance expectations,” a new report from the Government Accountability Office concludes that the “Homeland Security Department has failed to meet even half its performance expectations in the four years it has been in existence.”
And finally: Move over, Singing Senators. Seven House members “backed up gospel singer BeBe Winans in a rendition of ‘America the Beautiful’” on Wednesday during a tribute to music legend Quincy Jones. One observer reported that Rep. Maxine Waters (D-CA) “ducked into the event to give Jones a bear hug that seemed to last eons.”
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Intelligence analysts dispute the Bush administration’s claims that sectarian violence has dropped in Iraq, noting the selective way the military categorizes deaths. “If a bullet went through the back of the head, it’s sectarian,†a senior intelligence official said. “If it went through the front, it’s criminal.
It’s ALL criminal.
September 6th, 2007 at 9:09 amYeah, Al!
September 6th, 2007 at 9:13 amFrom the Washington Post Article:
“Challenges to how military and intelligence statistics are tallied and used have been a staple of the Iraq war. In its December 2006 report, the bipartisan Iraq Study Group identified “significant underreporting of violence,” noting that “a murder of an Iraqi is not necessarily counted as an attack. If we cannot determine the sources of a sectarian attack, that assault does not make it into the data base.” The report concluded that “good policy is difficult to make when information is systematically collected in a way that minimizes its discrepancy with policy goals.”
The Petrayas Report will clearly fit this trend for systematically collecting only what the administration wants to hear. Good policy has never been the objective of this administration; chaos and wholesale profiteering has always been the objective.
September 6th, 2007 at 9:20 amNo mention of Israel dropping munitions on Syria and Syria retaliating?
http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?cid=1188392553869&pagename=JPost%2FJPArticle%2FShowFull
Of course the Neocon moron Matt Drudge is playing it like Syria is the aggressor.
September 6th, 2007 at 9:25 amI’m glad to see the GAO bringing some of these issues to the public agenda.
September 6th, 2007 at 9:29 amThe Path to Survival, a sequel to An Inconvenient Truth that offers a blueprint on what can be done to fight global warming.
Actually two paths. One for all you poor people to take, and a different one for Al.
September 6th, 2007 at 9:40 amIf it goes through the foot, it’s funny. If it goes through the butt, it’s weird.
Government cynicism at its worst.
September 6th, 2007 at 9:43 amAt least we have paths to take,
September 6th, 2007 at 9:44 amAs opposed to stumbling around like the neo-con sheep, earpieces affixed and eyes glued shut.
#6 – “Actually two paths.” Comment by r — September 6, 2007 @ 9:40 am
One for people who want to address the problem, and another for neo-cons that don’t care about the environment at all.
See, I corrected your mistake. No need to thank me.
September 6th, 2007 at 9:44 amFrom Above:
…
September 6th, 2007 at 9:49 am…
While I would NOT be surprised in the slightest, I’m Soooooo hoping thats Sarcasm.
JPV,
September 6th, 2007 at 9:49 amI am surprised that your post stayed at all, what with the mention that Isreal might have done something naughty. Yeah, eerily silent, eh?
al gore funny!
September 6th, 2007 at 9:49 ami make tinkle!
Just a pet peeve. Books aren’t “entitled” they are “titled.”
September 6th, 2007 at 9:50 amSee, I corrected your mistake. No need to thank me.
Comment by Democrat Soldier — September 6, 2007 @ 9:44 am
I’m'a go ahead and thank you anyway. Thank you!
September 6th, 2007 at 9:50 amAs opposed to stumbling around like the neo-con sheep, earpieces affixed and eyes glued shut.
Comment by Polly Mathe — September 6, 2007 @ 9:44 am
One for people who want to address the problem, and another for neo-cons that don’t care about the environment at all.
Comment by Democrat Soldier — September 6, 2007 @ 9:44 am
According to Al, if you drive a car, you owe him money for carbon offsets. I suppose it’s a living if you can get the sheep to follow.
September 6th, 2007 at 9:55 am————-
Another day and more Global Warming BS propaganda.
Typical TP morning.
Feminists certainly feel “entitled” to whatever lie they can make up.
————-
September 6th, 2007 at 9:57 am“If a bullet went through the back of the head, it’s sectarian,†a senior intelligence official said. “If it went through the front, it’s criminal.â€
That’s similar to how they calculate American deaths. If you die with your boots on the ground in Iraq, you are counted. If you die on the helicopter to Germany or later in Germany from your wounds, you are not counted. If you die later in this country from wounds you suffered you don’t count. And if you die by your own hand because of PTSD, you certainly don’t count. Experts have estimated that true number of deaths due to the Iraq war are more like 10,000.
The Bush Administration is a master at fuzzy math and “how to lie with statistics”.
September 6th, 2007 at 9:57 amJPV,
I am surprised that your post stayed at all, what with the mention that Isreal might have done something naughty. Yeah, eerily silent, eh?
Comment by Bluedahlia
Yeah, any criticism of Israel and you’re immediately tagged a Nazi. Bear in mind that 70% of the Israeli’s don’t even agree with their governments policy regarding these matters.
Anyway, if any other country had done the same thing, to its neighbor, it would have been considered an act of war. IMO, Syria is being VERY restrained in the matter.
September 6th, 2007 at 10:00 am“If a bullet went through the back of the head, it’s sectarian,†a senior intelligence official said. “If it went through the front, it’s criminal.â€
The very day this gets recognized, SOPs change for hit squads to affect the outcome in the manner of their choosing.
People really don’t understand terrorism. It’s not a movement or a cabal, it’s a method. It’s marketing for the lawless.
September 6th, 2007 at 10:02 amComment by r
Please folks, lets ignore the fool. We all know that he has absolutely nothing to say. If they took the RNC talking points out of the English language, r would be mute.
September 6th, 2007 at 10:04 am“Global warming “is already affecting the nation’s parks, forests, marine sanctuaries and monuments†and the federal government needs to do a “better job†addressing the issue, according to a new Government Accountability Office report to be released today.”
There’s that damn GAO telling the truth again. My bet is on Bush abolishing the agency very soon.
September 6th, 2007 at 10:06 amInstead of arguing Climate change is real/unreal , why not use greener energies anyway just for the fun of gaining something almost FREE
September 6th, 2007 at 10:06 amThoe nukes that went to LA –
September 6th, 2007 at 10:07 amWhat is going to happen to them now? Will they be flown BACK across the US to Minot? Will they remain in LA? (Barksdale is the launching point for the middle east)
Was this really an accident? The chain of command and red tape involved makes that hard to believe.
Who leaked this story? Why? Commenters on many blogs are asking these questions, but the MSM is satisfied with the official report. (surprise!)
Is is a coincidence that this incident, the capture of terrorists in Germany, and the Petraeus report are all coming this week?
What is the truth?
“If a bullet went through the back of the head, it’s sectarian,†a senior intelligence official said. “If it went through the front, it’s criminal.â€
So, Pat Tillman’s death was criminal. Thanks for clearing that up.
September 6th, 2007 at 10:07 am“Responding to Sen. Tom Coburn’s (R-OK) hold on “a measure mandating the screening of all veterans for suicide risk,â€
Don’t you just love how those Rethugs support our troops! This is beyond disgusting. How anyone can say that these people support the troops is beyond me. I bet Mr. Coburn wants these guys to commit suicide, that way they are off the VA’s hands and the VA won’t have to pay for anything except for maybe the funeral.
September 6th, 2007 at 10:09 am“According to Al, if you drive a car, you owe him money for carbon offsets. I suppose it’s a living if you can get the sheep to follow.
Comment by r ”
Site your source or admit you’re a right wing stooge who is too stupid to think beyond your next cheeseburger. or continue posting crap.
September 6th, 2007 at 10:10 amIdentifying 171 “performance expectations,†a new report from the Government Accountability Office concludes that the “Homeland Security Department has failed to meet even half its performance expectations in the four years it has been in existence.â€
Perfect qualifications for the helm of the DOJ, wouldn’t you say?
September 6th, 2007 at 10:10 amBush knew Saddam had no weapons of mass destruction : On Sept. 18, 2002, CIA director George Tenet briefed President Bush in the Oval Office on top-secret intelligence that Saddam Hussein did not have weapons of mass destruction, according to two former senior CIA officers. Bush dismissed as worthless this information from the Iraqi foreign minister, a member of Saddam’s inner circle, although it turned out to be accurate in every detail. Tenet never brought it up again. http://www.salon.com/opinion/blumenthal/2007/09/06/bush_wmd/index_np.html?source=whitelist
September 6th, 2007 at 10:10 amOne for people who want to address the problem, and another for neo-cons that don’t care about the environment at all.
See, I corrected your mistake. No need to thank me.
Comment by Democrat Soldier — September 6, 2007 @ 9:44 am
Those that are rolling the dice that what the BushCo Corporatists say is true, are putting their children, grandchildren and all future generations at great risk.
But then, family values has only been a Repug/BushCo campaign slogan.
September 6th, 2007 at 10:11 amBush knew Saddam had no weapons of mass destruction : Salon exclusive: Two former CIA officers say the president squelched top-secret intelligence, and a briefing by George Tenet, months before invading Iraq. http://www.salon.com/opinion/blumenthal/2007/09/06/bush_wmd/index_np.html?source=whitelist
September 6th, 2007 at 10:11 amIdentifying 171 “performance expectations,†a new report from the Government Accountability Office concludes that the “Homeland Security Department has failed to meet even half its performance expectations in the four years it has been in existence.â€
And boy, I feel so much safer knowing that Homeland Security is there taking care of me. When you get right down to it, what has the Bush Admin done to ensure our safety here at home? Our ports are wide open, our power plants are unguarded, none of the 911 commission recommendations have been implemented and last, but not least, our National Guard is not here to protect us, because they are in Iraq.
September 6th, 2007 at 10:11 am“Feminists certainly feel “entitled†to whatever lie they can make up.
Comment by tort_feasor ”
Why do you hate your mother?
September 6th, 2007 at 10:11 amRe # 30
I saw that this morning too, it’s pretty incriminating, it makes me wonder about card saying that but still thought Iraq had WMD in 2006 though. It’s possible that both can be true: I can see bush believing in something that has no basis in fact, even if he’s been presented with proof of the opposite, or could card be putting out a smoke screen to create doubt and give the trolls something to spew?
September 6th, 2007 at 10:14 amWas this really an accident? The chain of command and red tape involved makes that hard to believe.
Comment by Marie — September 6, 2007 @ 10:07 am
My opinion – it’s just more sabre-rattling to push forward UN action on Iran. Iranian intelligence knows full well that Barksdale is a launching point for Middle East action, and this is a move calculated to get them to blink.
If we were really going to launch a nuclear attack on Iran, I think we’d be sending nuclear-equipped submarines to the Gulf rather than flying missiles across the country.
September 6th, 2007 at 10:15 amOverthrow the Punditocracy!
September 6th, 2007 at 10:20 amhttp://leftopia.blogspot.com/
I cant wait for Gore to advise us peasants on how WE can combat the scourge of global warming.
I look forward to moving my family into his TN mansion along with 99 other families, since his place uses 100 standard households worth of energy every year.
First dibs on the olympic-size pool!
September 6th, 2007 at 10:26 amAs opposed to stumbling around like the neo-con sheep, earpieces affixed and eyes glued shut.
Comment by Polly Mathe — September 6, 2007 @ 9:44 am
Lemme fix that a little, Polly…
“CODPIECES affixed and eyes glued shut…”
See… makes a little more sense now, huh?
September 6th, 2007 at 10:28 amAnother day and more Global Warming BS propaganda.
Typical TP morning.
Feminists certainly feel “entitled†to whatever lie they can make up.
————-
Comment by tort_feasor — September 6, 2007 @ 9:57 am
WTF???? Little bit incoherent here. Try making a “real point” next time.
September 6th, 2007 at 10:35 am#15 – “I suppose it’s a living if you can get the sheep to follow.” Comment by r — September 6, 2007 @ 9:55 am
Well, the right-whiners have made a bucket-load off this behavior!
September 6th, 2007 at 10:37 am#27 – “Perfect qualifications for the helm of the DOJ, wouldn’t you say?” Comment by James Saville Row — September 6, 2007 @ 10:10 am
I agree! Give that man a Medal of Freedom!!!
September 6th, 2007 at 10:40 amHypocrisy Must End In Washington!
6th of September 2007
by Jay Randal
I watched the Larry King show, on Wednesday night, and the 2nd half after interview with former President Bill Clinton was about Sen. Larry Craig’s bad conduct.
Upon hearing James Carville defending Craig’s sleazy behavior, cruising for sexual acts in public restrooms, I was sickened that James would call it a traffic ticket.
Engaging in unlawful sex activities in public facilities are not the same thing as traffic citations, nor a petty crime that can be ignored, nor something to cover-up.
Public restrooms are used by children and teenagers, so there is NO justification to expose them to sex acts in toilet stalls, nor to witness men exposing themselves.
James has young daughters, not any sons, so he should not defend a pervert like Larry Craig and he is wrong to say the Senator should not resign for vile behavior.
Most Americans detest hypocrisy in Washington, DC, so members of both political parties are on notice that lewd sex acts will not be tolerated, nor forgotten either.
(Jay Randal, political activist and writer in Georgia, USA.)
September 6th, 2007 at 10:44 amAs a veteran, the notion of “a measure mandating the screening of all veterans for suicide risk,” has me pissed off.
Why not just screen the whole damned population and lock up any of us who violate your notions of proper cheerfulness?
September 6th, 2007 at 10:46 am52% of Australians believe Chimpya to be the worst president – trumped by about 70% of Americans who believe the same thing.
September 6th, 2007 at 10:47 amWhy not just screen the whole damned population and lock up any of us who violate your notions of proper cheerfulness?
Comment by just john — September 6, 2007 @ 10:46 am
WTF? I think yer a phony.
September 6th, 2007 at 10:49 amLast evening Sean Hannity, in his usual stupor, HAD to admit that Ron Paul won the voting at 33% as compared to the GOP Forerunners at 16% and 15% respectively. He almost gagged having to admit this. This was a very funny moment in newsmaking history. He was hoist on his own pitard and looked like a buffoon.
Also, Ron Paul was making a very factual statement whenhe mentioned, casually (haha), that the Republican Party’s membership is very low right now; in fact, if the Independents formed their own party right now based on numbers of registered independents, the GOP would actually become “the third party” with the Democratic Party and the Independent Party comprising the majority of americans.
This fact needs to be brought out in our news reporting – The “I’s” now number 35-37% of registered voters with the Dems having about the same numbers which means that it leaves a paltry 20-something percent to the Republicsum.
September 6th, 2007 at 10:51 amveritas, Fox was reporting this morning that Paul sounded just like a Democrat…
September 6th, 2007 at 10:53 amAs a veteran, the notion of “a measure mandating the screening of all veterans for suicide risk,†has me pissed off.
Why not just screen the whole damned population and lock up any of us who violate your notions of proper cheerfulness?
Comment by just john — September 6, 2007 @ 10:46 am
I don’t understand your objection. Why don’t you think it’s a good idea to make sure people who have served in a war zone are not suffering mental trauma that could lead to them harming themselves or others? It’s not about expecting them to be “cheery,” it’s about doing the very least we can to protect their health.
September 6th, 2007 at 10:53 amOh, that’ll keep me awake at nights, worrying.
September 6th, 2007 at 10:53 amRon Paul is being attacked by the republicans because he called the Iraq war Illegal and immoral during the debate last night. They will most likely be throwing him under the bus any moment now.
September 6th, 2007 at 10:54 amI’m hearing very strong rumblings out there vis-a-vis a Bloomberg/Hagel ticket which has the sound of a “slam dunk” to me. Or perhaps it could be a Bloomberg/Paul ticket and be even better?
Bloomberg doesn’t have to move a finger and can enter the race in the Spring and garner the necessary signatures to get himself on the ballots. This could make things very dicey for those “pro-war” democrats like Obama and/or Clinton, if one of them becomes the “nominee”. Can’t wait to see the fireworks.
Right now those registered Independents would salivate for a ticket of their own and could really rock the election of 08 if it occurred. Personally, I believe it’s time has come. The GOP’s numbers are tanking by the day – the longer these pedophiles & perverts, crooks & liars keep their ugly mugs front and center, the more damage it is doing to the GOP. Look what happened to John McCain if you want to see how dangerous it is to do idiotic things and make a fool of yourself. Go Craig, go!
September 6th, 2007 at 10:55 amKrazny: Don’t you love the reaction to Ron Paul by americans???
He was clapped while Brownback was booed. Ron Paul speaks the truth and the expressions of his comerades standing near him was priceless as he launched into his litany of wrongdoing by this administration.
His poll number last night was 33% which was a (he-hem) “fair & unbiased” Faux News poll which the moderators could not control. They got their arsses handed to them as they had to read off the numbers…..Hunter 2%, Brownback 2%…..Ron Paul blew them all out of the water.
September 6th, 2007 at 10:57 amIt’s funny when you think about it… Al Gore would save the world if you’d only give him a chance while GWB would destroy it if given the same chance. And Rep voters (on this board at least) will defend GWB’s right to destroy the world regardless of how badly he’s f&cked up everything he’s touched so far.
September 6th, 2007 at 10:57 amI really don’t get why so many Dems love Ron Paul. If you look past his war stance, he’s a hardline libertarian who wants to do away with absolutely all entitlements, including medicaid, medicare and even federal funding for education.
September 6th, 2007 at 10:57 amOh, that’ll keep me awake at nights, worrying.
Comment by just john — September 6, 2007 @ 10:53
What makes you think anyone cares what you do at night? Yer… a… phony.
September 6th, 2007 at 10:59 amSean Hannity is beginning to look like a blowfish these days. We already know he’s a blowhard and he tried to “teach Ron Paul a few things” but Paul is more sophisticated and intelligent and did not fall for Sean’s bait. It was priceless to see Hannity being ignored and outed for his bullying tactics by a “prince” like Ron Paul who simply didn’t bite. In fact, Ron Paul clarified the lies which Hannity was attempting to spin quite handily and ended up teaching Hannity more than a few things…..
September 6th, 2007 at 10:59 am“People who have served in a war zone” is not the same as “veterans.”
“Veteran” is a legal status that applies to any who have been in the military. If you’re talking combat vets getting screened, that would be different, tho I still think any of that should be voluntary.
Me, I’m just another one who served domestically, and the only useful stuff I expect from the Government regarding that is along the lines of the two letters I got last year saying my personal data may have been compromised on a lost laptop.
September 6th, 2007 at 10:59 amWilco: Democrats stand for Truth, that’s why. Ron Paul is a beacon of Truth among a den of thieves, liars, and spinmeisters. He’s not necessarily the golden boy among Dems but Dems admire his candor in bringing the ugly truth about his party and this government to the light.
September 6th, 2007 at 11:00 amPersonally, I found it most hypocritical to see these “war mongers” standing up there discussing the sanctity of human life. They’re more concerned about a cluster of cells which may or may not become a human being than those human beings being slaughtered for nothing in Iraq. Do they realize how hypocritical they sound?
September 6th, 2007 at 11:02 amAnd, as a paid-up SubGenius, I have to say your attempt at know-nothing razzing is pretty lame and ineffective. A TRUE know-nothing would be even more idiotic.
September 6th, 2007 at 11:02 amveritas, my opinion is that you need more than one issue when running for President. He’s a novelty for Dems, is what it seems. He’s a Republican who’s against the war. Good for him.
September 6th, 2007 at 11:06 amBut that’s just one policy. His others go against the Democratic planks, against the beliefs of liberalism.
You say he is a “beacon of Truth”, but what truth? That the federal government isn’t constitutionally empowered to fund education? He says that, too. Or is he a beacon of select truths, limited to those of “his party and this government.”
I have no problem even admiring him for this position. It’s a tough one to have in his party right now. But desiring him on a legitimate presidential ticket? He’d roll back 200 years of progress with his policies.
> Ron Paul won the voting at 33%
Paul had an unfair advantage…people who support him know how to read and get on the internets without the help of the now defunct webtv…
Seriously, the mouthbreathers that find all the other repug candidates machoistic jingoism appealling, by and large..are the ones who are hopelessly hitchhiking along the information highway.
republicans generally fall into 2 categories.. intellectuals seduced by money and inbred hicks who love a man who talks tough and promises to do dirty dirty things to the terrorists….
September 6th, 2007 at 11:09 amIt’s marketing for the lawless.
Comment by DM — September 6, 2007 @ 10:
Sounds like the GOP to me.
September 6th, 2007 at 11:11 am“Veteran†is a legal status that applies to any who have been in the military. If you’re talking combat vets getting screened, that would be different, tho I still think any of that should be voluntary.
Comment by just john — September 6, 2007 @ 10:59 am
The bill just puts into law what the VA is already starting to do anyway – make more suicide prevention counselors available, crate a 24-hour suicide prevention hotline, train VA staff on how to spot risk factors, and include screenings for suicide risk factors such as depression and alcohol abuse in VA physicians’ routine checkups. Nobody is forcing veterans to use VA hospitals or get screened, though the bill does authorize VA to increase public education and improve coordination with outside medical providers to reach veterans who may not be using the VA system.
Nobody’s forcing you to get screened. But you may get a few questions about your well-being when you go in for your flu shot. Is that so terrible?
September 6th, 2007 at 11:16 am>Do they realize how hypocritical they sound?
no. never. hipocracy is an inconceivable concept to a right wing mind.
according to our friend scooter, for instance, if YOU are a senator who have the right of a FAT CAMEL, its ok for you the be against LAWS for FAT CAMEL rights of OTHERS (UNLESS THEY ARE NEGROES in AL-ORLEANS, or ASIANS)
clearer now?
September 6th, 2007 at 11:18 am“Flu shot”?
Paid for by whom?
September 6th, 2007 at 11:18 amFlu shot�
Paid for by whom?
Comment by just john — September 6, 2007 @ 11:18 am
These soldiers put their lives on the line for the US, think the least we can do is to help prevent the psychological problems that occur from combat stress. Course that is just me as a bleeding heart liberal.
September 6th, 2007 at 11:21 amAnd, as a paid-up SubGenius, I have to say your attempt at know-nothing razzing is pretty lame and ineffective. A TRUE know-nothing would be even more idiotic.
Comment by just john — September 6, 2007 @ 11:02 am
And I have to say, that you’re STILL a phony. This isn’t “razzing”, it’s a statement of fact. Live w/ it.
You made an snide, dishonest comment about a painful subject matter. I claeed you a phony and I meant it. You are.
September 6th, 2007 at 11:22 amPaid for by whom?
Comment by just john — September 6, 2007 @ 11:18 am
Right… now we get to the bottom line. What’s it going to cost?
YOU’RE a phony!
September 6th, 2007 at 11:23 am“Flu shot�
Paid for by whom?
Comment by just john — September 6, 2007 @ 11:18 am
The Veterans Administration, I believe. Maybe there’s a $5 co-pay. Is that really relevant to anything?
September 6th, 2007 at 11:25 amIs that really relevant to anything?
Comment by toasterhead — September 6, 2007 @ 11:25 am
No, it’s not. That’s how you can tell this idjit is just that… an intellecutally dishonest idjit w/ no real point to make. In the end, it’s ALWAYS about the money.
September 6th, 2007 at 11:27 amThat’s better. Now you’re entering the retard zone. Stick with it! Yup, make fun of my lack health coverage.
September 6th, 2007 at 11:27 amMy understanding is my VA health benefits ran out about twenty years ago.
Look, there’s a huge difference between what was implied by the story — that the VA has to go out and round us up and screen us — and what you described it as.
September 6th, 2007 at 11:29 amYup, make fun of my lack health coverage.
Comment by just john — September 6, 2007 @ 11:27 am
Making fun of your lack of health coverage? WTF are you talking about?
Going in complete circles isn’t going to convince anyone you have a “point” to make. Try making a “real point”, if you possibly can, “Sub-genius”.
September 6th, 2007 at 11:29 amThat’s better! You’ll be working for Robert Novak in no time!
September 6th, 2007 at 11:32 amThat’s better. Now you’re entering the retard zone. Stick with it! Yup, make fun of my lack health coverage.
Comment by just john — September 6, 2007 @ 11:27 am
Now I’m just confused. Are you covered by VA benefits or not? If you served in the military on active duty, you should be eligible, right? FYI- I’m not asking to challenge your service, I’m asking for clarification because I don’t know how the VA system works and how they decide who’s eligible or not.
September 6th, 2007 at 11:32 amThat’s better! You’ll be working for Robert Novak in no time!
Comment by just john — September 6, 2007 @ 11:32 am
Look out. This *sshole isn’t out to make sense. He’s just here to yank yer chain. He’s going in circles. Just ANOTHER troll out to slime a thread.
September 6th, 2007 at 11:34 amtoasterhead — As I said, I’m under the impression that I have NO further VA benefits coming to me. (I’m not complaining.)
September 6th, 2007 at 11:35 amAnd you even advertise your intentions! Great! Keep it coming!
September 6th, 2007 at 11:36 amMy understanding is my VA health benefits ran out about twenty years ago.
Look, there’s a huge difference between what was implied by the story — that the VA has to go out and round us up and screen us — and what you described it as.
Comment by just john — September 6, 2007 @ 11:29 am
My information on the bill came from here: http://www.cbo.gov/ftpdocs/83xx/doc8312/s479.pdf .
I thought veterans were covered for life – I didn’t realize VA benefits ran out after a period of time. To me, that seems like the least the country owes people who’ve served. It’s especially important for mental health, since PTSD symptoms can sometimes show up 20 years after active duty.
September 6th, 2007 at 11:38 amAnd you even advertise your intentions! Great! Keep it coming!
Comment by just john — September 6, 2007 @ 11:36 am
You sure gave it up completely here. I gott a run, “Jonnny”. Keep spinnin’. I’m sure you’ll find someone to play w/ all morning. You trolls have no idea how obvious you are after a while.
Making fun of your lack of health coverage? Working for Bob Novak?
BWAHAHAHAHAHAHA… thanx for tha laffs. Yer funny too!
September 6th, 2007 at 11:42 am#75 – “Are you covered by VA benefits or not? If you served in the military on active duty, you should be eligible, right?” Comment by toasterhead — September 6, 2007 @ 11:32 am
Just to help you out: If anyone has served in the military, they can go to the VA for help.
The VA will look at your service, and depnding on what your “priority group” is will determine what you have to pay for and what the VA will pay for.
These are the current Priority Levels as defined by the VA: (SC stands for Service Connected)
1a: Veterans with SC Conditions rated 70% or more disabling
1b: Veterans with SC Conditions rated 50% or more disabling
2: Veterans with SC Conditions rated 30% or 40% disabling
3: Veterans with SC Conditions rated 10% or 20% disabling
4: Veterans who are catastrophically disabled, plus others
5: Non-service connected veterans whose income & net worth are below the established dollar threshold, plus others
6: Catastrophically disabled
7: Veterans with income above VA Means Test Threshold but below the applicable Geographic Means Test threshold
8: Veterans not included in priority group 4,6 or 7
The lower your Priority Level, the less you have to pay for services. (Excepting Priority Level 6, and then they look at any other coverage you may have.)
September 6th, 2007 at 11:42 amtoasterhead, if given one health-coverage thing I could change about my life, it’d be that my CURRENT job featured affordable health coverage.
I feel I got plenty of value in return for my enlisted time. Of course, this time was spent at a desk, not in combat.
September 6th, 2007 at 11:42 amPTSD symptoms can sometimes show up 20 years after active duty.
Comment by toasterhead — September 6, 2007 @ 11:38 am
Some of those symptoms would appear to manifesting themselves right on this thread this morning!
September 6th, 2007 at 11:43 am#82 – “I feel I got plenty of value in return for my enlisted time. Of course, this time was spent at a desk, not in combat.” Comment by just john — September 6, 2007 @ 11:42 am
Mine was spent behind a computer terminal! ;-) (MOS: 74D)
I’ve used the VA Hospital in San Antonio (Audie Murphy Memorial) for a short period before I moved away, and I’m on a clinical trial that was based out of that hospital.
September 6th, 2007 at 11:45 amDemocrat Soldier — Yeah, I’d have to say I’m probably in group 8 of your list, except during a period of unemployment when I’d have been in group 7. So there’d be a ton of deserving people in line ahead of me if I tried for coverage.
(And let’s see if “Republic of Stupidity”’s exit is a Beckett one, in that he doesn’t actually MOVE despite announcing his departure. )
September 6th, 2007 at 11:47 amI called it! RoS did not leave, because his(?) entire contribution to this thread — razzing posters — has been too much fun for him.
September 6th, 2007 at 11:49 amGood morning TP’ers.
How about a little Clinton-troll bait? From worldnutdaily:
Kathleen Willey, the woman who says Bill Clinton groped her in the Oval Office, claims she was the target of an unusual house burglary over the weekend that nabbed a manuscript for her upcoming book, which promises explosive revelations that could damage Sen. Hillary Clinton’s presidential campaign.
Willey told WND little else was taken from her rural Virginia home as she slept alone upstairs – electronics and jewelry were left behind – and she believes the Clintons were behind it.
The break-in, she said, reminded her of the widely reported incident 10 years ago in which she claimed she was threatened near the same Richmond-area home by a stranger just two days before she was to testify against President Clinton in the Paula Jones sexual harassment case.
The theft of the manuscript early Saturday morning was suspicious, she told WND, coming only days after the first mainstream media mention of her upcoming book, which is expected to include accusations of campaign finance violations and new revelations about harassment and threats by the Clintons and their associates.
“Here we go again; it’s the same thing that happened before,” Willey told WND. “They want you to know they were there. And they got what they wanted. They pretty much managed to terrorize me again. It scared me to death. It’s an awful feeling to know you’re sound asleep upstairs and someone is downstairs.”
The book, “Target: Caught in the Crosshairs of Bill and Hillary Clinton” by World Ahead Publishing, WND Books’ partner, is due for release in November. Willey said the stolen manuscript was not the book’s final copy.
Among its revelations is Willey’s identification of the person who threatened her just prior to her testimony against President Clinton – a man who turned out to be linked to the Clintons.
Willey believes the break-in and theft were prompted by teasers of the book’s contents published last week in U.S. News and World Report’s “Washington Whispers” column and the New York Daily News.
Willey said she is writing the book because of persistent misunderstanding about what happened 10 years ago.
“There is so much misinformation out there, and I had been so badly maligned in the press,” she said. “I had the opportunity to set the record straight.
“And frankly,” she added, “Hillary Clinton is running for president, and it’s a story a lot of people should hear.”
Willey points out her story was deemed credible by the FBI, Independent Counsel Ken Starr and CBS “60 Minutes” producers who allowed her to recount it in front of 29 million viewers.
Longtime Clinton lawyer David Kendall was not available for immediate response to Willey’s new claims, and Sen. Clinton’s presidential campaign has not responded.
Anne Reynolds, crime analyst for the Powhatan County Sheriff’s Department, told WND she could only confirm, due to department restrictions, that there was a break-in and entry reported Saturday in the vicinity of Willey’s address and that an officer responded and turned the case over to the criminal investigations department.
Willey said she has spoken with an investigator. [...]
I wonder if wingnuts now will trumpet the integrity of Sixty Minutes’ news producers?
That would be sublime.
September 6th, 2007 at 11:53 amDemocrat Soldier — Yeah, I did computer stuff too, and being early 80s, that was marketable.
Hope the clinical trial works out okay.
toasterhead — Tried that link, no success (may be error on this end.)
If it’s actually just an offer of improved voluntary screening, I withdraw my complaint and hope future reporting is less dire-sounding.
September 6th, 2007 at 11:53 amAl the Meglomaniac.
September 6th, 2007 at 11:58 amI called it! RoS did not leave, because his(?) entire contribution to this thread — razzing posters — has been too much fun for him.
Comment by just john — September 6, 2007 @ 11:49 am
I’m pretty sure the “RoS” posting this morning is a namejacking troll (Mr P, gauging by the non-sequitir lunacy) who’s insulting you so that he can go back to his ultra-conservative blog and complain that “Think Progress has no respect for veterans.”
On topic, thank you and Democrat Soldier for the explanations!
September 6th, 2007 at 12:02 pmtoasterhead — Tried that link, no success (may be error on this end.)
If it’s actually just an offer of improved voluntary screening, I withdraw my complaint and hope future reporting is less dire-sounding.
Comment by just john — September 6, 2007 @ 11:53 am
CBO seems to be having some site problems at the moment, but you can google the Joshua Omvig Veterans Suicide Prevention Act for more info. It definitely doesn’t look like they’re going to be tracking down veterans and forcing them to have mental health screenings, which the linked editorial seemed to imply. The bill just tells VA to do more of what they’re already starting to do, and take a more proactive approach to PTSD and related mental health issues that have been overlooked for too long.
September 6th, 2007 at 12:07 pmIt’s marketing for the lawless.
Comment by DM — September 6, 2007 @ 10:
Sounds like the GOP to me.
Comment by jb — September 6, 2007 @ 11:
Provided the actions that the Bush Administration perform are unlawful, I think the definition fits.
September 6th, 2007 at 12:14 pmMyWay
September 6th, 2007 at 12:19 pm“Disgraced Democratic fundraiser Norman Hsu was a wanted man again after he failed to show up for a court date Wednesday and a judge issued a new warrant for his arrest.”
Kathleen Willey and Clinton sexual predator
September 6th, 2007 at 12:25 pm“Kathleen Willey, the woman who says Bill Clinton groped her in the Oval Office, claims she was the target of an unusual house burglary over the weekend that nabbed a manuscript for her upcoming book, which promises explosive revelations that could damage Sen. Hillary Clinton’s presidential campaign. “
Also, if a soldier died on the helicopter being taken to the base, he/she would not be classified as died in action. Keeps the count down you know so that makes the soldier less dead (?) I wonder how many young Americans have really died in this illegal war. We will never get the truth until this administration is out of power and maybe not even then. We are still finding out things about Vietnam.
September 6th, 2007 at 12:31 pmHas anyone seen this yet?
His government broke his heart but it could not break Air Force veteran Charles Powell’s spirit. Fighting back tears, the 64 year-old vet stood tall and resolute in front of 400 of his comrades, describing in verse the final steps of a painful disillusionment.
When the veterans gathered in 2002, prior to the invasion of Iraq, Powell, who had served on a Titan ICBM launch crew during the Cuban missile crisis, read his poem titled, “I Won’t Let Them Take My Flag.” He noted the warmongers were “again waving my flag” as a buildup to invasion, and he countered what he felt was a manipulation of the national symbol with the following lines reminiscent of the great Langston Hughes.
“But to me ‘Old Glory’ still stands for the liberty, justice and solidarity yet to come. So I still wave it too. I wave it for health care, education, housing and food for all. I wave it for peace and love and I wave it for hope. Most of all, I wave it for the America yet to be.”
After four and a half years of war in Iraq, Veterans For Peace convened again this summer and Charles Powell was there as always. As his turn came at the Speakout microphone, he struggled a few seconds to compose himself. Then, in a clear voice growing more determined as he spoke, Powell mirrored the pain, regret, and anger in the hearts of so many who listened.
I WILL SALUTE NO MORE FOREVER
As a child I learned to Worship that piece of colored cloth.
My family, my school, the movies, TV taught me to believe that fragment of fabric stood for good things.
I watched my father, a World War II Army veteran, give homage to that wad of material.
As an airman, I saluted that banner for the four years I served in the Air Force where I stood ready to help launch Titan Intercontinental Ballistic Missiles on command.
Then I became aware that the wonderful things for which that clump of colors is suppose to represent, have not been achieved.
I came to know that awful, unlawful, unwise, and immoral acts have occurred under the stars and stripes.
But I still clung onto the belief and hope that someday, somehow conditions would change and the good things for which that rag is still supposed to stand would yet be realized.
However, I’ve been forced to come to my senses.
Now we have: preemptive war, the Patriot Act, the Military Commissions Act, stop loss, neglect of returning veterans, ignored infrastructure, billions of dollars squandered on war and occupation, extraordinary rendition, secret imprisonment, warrantless domestic spying, disenfranchisement of voters, stolen elections, torture, suspension of habeas corpus, and denial of due process.
So, even though hearing “America The Beautiful” still increases my heartbeat.
Although seeing those stripes still brings a lump to my throat.
Even though the sight of those stars continues to bring tears to my eyes.
I won’t pledge to it anymore.
I won’t remove my cap.
I won’t stand in respect.
I won’t wave it.
I will salute no more forever.
September 6th, 2007 at 1:55 pmALL HAIL THE GORACLE!!!!
Although I give due credit for the trolls on this, I rather like it!
September 6th, 2007 at 4:31 pmAnother work of fiction from Al Gore? C’mon, Al. “Global warming” jumped the shark. Scientists are running away from it. It’s over.
September 6th, 2007 at 7:51 pmAnother work of fiction from Al Gore? C’mon, Al. “Global warming†jumped the shark. Scientists are running away from it. It’s over.
Comment by muckdog — September 6, 2007 @ 7:51 pm
No, no, you’re consfused. Michael Crichton, the “Global Warming Skeptic Expert” is the one who earns money writing fiction.
September 7th, 2007 at 8:50 amIn case you thought PETA was just kidding when they wrote to Al Gore urging him to go vegetarian to help stop global warming, maybe this ad will clarify our position for you. (Click URL link above)
The evidence is in, and though it may be a little inconvenient for Mr. Gore to hear, the facts don’t lie. This U.N. report shows that animals raised for food generate more greenhouse gases than all cars and trucks combined, and goes on to say that meat is “one of the top two or three most significant contributors to the most serious environmental problems, at every scale from local to global,” including land degradation, air pollution, water shortage and pollution, loss of biodiversity, and of course climate change. And according to a recent University of Chicago study, switching to a vegan diet is more effective in countering global warming than switching from a standard American car to a Prius. We even went so far as to offer to cook him faux “fried chicken†as an intro to vegetarian meals, since, no matter how many of those cool little energy saving light bulbs you put in, the reality is that there just isn’t such a thing as a meat-eating environmentalist.
A story about the whole issue ran in The New York Times today, but Gore declined to comment. Mr. Gore, you’ve done so much good by putting yourself out there as the face of the anti-global warming movement, and you’re so right on so much of it, but come on, it really is high time to put some substance behind it by leading by example and doing the single most effective thing you can do to address the issue: simply going vegetarian.
September 9th, 2007 at 8:09 am