ThinkFast: October 4, 2007
ThinkFast: October 4, 2007
Despite releasing a legal opinion in Dec. 2004 that declared torture is “abhorrent,” the Alberto Gonzales-led DoJ issued a secret opinion shortly after his arrival in Feb. 2005 that provided “an expansive endorsement of the harshest interrogation techniques ever used” by the CIA. A lengthy NYT exposé describes the Office of Legal Counsel, headed by Steven Bradbury, as having become a politicized tool for the Vice President’s office.
There were “317,000 applications for unemployment benefits last week, an increase of 16,000 from the previous week,” and the biggest jump in four months. Analysts believe the increase “could be a further sign that the labor market is slowing under the impact of the worst slump in housing in 16 years.”
Bush’s veto of SCHIP has divided conservatives. Sen. Charles Grassley (R-IA) said yesterday, “We’ve got to do what we can to try to override” the veto. “If we’re truly compassionate, it seems to me, we’d want to endorse this program,” added Sen. Orrin Hatch (R-UT).
The administration’s “Anbar strategy” holds the perilous possibility “that we just end up arming the Sunnis, who still hate the Shi’a…and that eventually the Sunni tribes end up fighting it out with the central government.” Echoing this concern, the largest Shiite political coalition in Iraq urged the U.S. military to “abandon its recruitment of Sunni tribesmen into the Iraqi police.”
After initial reports that the FBI agents investigating Blackwater in Iraq would be guarded by Blackwater, the agency announced last night that it won’t use security guards employed by that company. The action was taken “to avoid even the appearance of any conflict.”
The Military Religious Freedom Foundation (MRFF), a watchdog group, is arguing that U.S. troops are being force-fed Christianity. MRFF is planning to file a series of lawsuits “to show there is a pattern and practice of constitutionally impermissible promotions of religious beliefs within the Department of Defense.”
3,315: Number of people in Iraq infected with cholera, according to the World Health Organization. Cases of cholera were first detected in Kirkuk on Aug. 14 and have now spread to all of Iraq’s 18 provinces.
“With bipartisan support, the House is expected today to take up legislation that would make it clear that U.S. laws apply to all armed private contractors hired for overseas missions.” The Bush administration opposes the bill, “warning it would have ‘unintended and intolerable consequences’ for national security.”
Senate leaders “have developed a plan that would allow them to move the controversial nomination of Hans von Spakovsky to the FEC to the floor for a separate vote Thursday.” Aides predict his nomination will pass, which would allow senators “move to votes on the other three uncontested FEC nominees.”
And finally: “U2 front man Bono strode through the U.S. Capitol bright and early Wednesday morning, carrying a large bouquet of white and pink long-stemmed roses.” Sources report that he met with House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) about “Africa, global AIDS funding, etc.”
What did we miss? Let us know in the comments section.
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http://uk.reuters.com/article/email/idUKYAT72246420071001?rpc=92
British leave Basra. All Hell breaks loose.
October 4th, 2007 at 9:09 amNot.
By all means, please give us an example. Just one.
October 4th, 2007 at 9:10 amAlberto Gonzales: “We don’t torture. We merely use the harshest interrogation techniques…”
October 4th, 2007 at 9:10 amAnd finally: “U2 front man Bono strode through the U.S. Capitol bright and early Wednesday morning, carrying a large bouquet of white and pink long-stemmed roses.†Sources report that he met with House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) about “Africa, global AIDS funding, etc.â€
You’re wasting your time, Bono. She won’t listen. Not to you, and most assuredly, not to us.
October 4th, 2007 at 9:12 amWorst slump in housing since the Daddy Bush administration. Unemployment on the rise. And the Bush Administration (not to mention the trolls here) still tout how well the economy is doing. I guess they measure “economy” by oil company profits.
October 4th, 2007 at 9:13 amUm…why is Gonzo giving the Black Power salute in that picture?
October 4th, 2007 at 9:13 amThere were “317,000 applications for unemployment benefits last week, an increase of 16,000 from the previous week,†and the biggest jump in four months.
Ya think? Just wait to see what happens when China gets really pissed at us and starts calling in our debt. And don’t say “that will never happen, they are too dependent on our buying their goods”, because there is no guarantee of that. China has a lot of buyers of their goods and don’t necessarily need us. George Bush has put this country in a very perilous position with his vanity war and reckless spending and borrowing. All to make his rich friends richer. When the next depression hits, who do they suppose is going to buy these rich friends goods and services?
October 4th, 2007 at 9:15 am3,315: Number of people in Iraq infected with cholera, according to the World Health Organization. Cases of cholera were first detected in Kirkuk on Aug. 14 and have now spread to all of Iraq’s 18 provinces.
Kinda gives a whole new meaning to the term ’surge’, doesn’t it?
October 4th, 2007 at 9:15 amcaption:
“Give em a T!
Give me an O!
Give me an R!
Give me another T!
Give me a U!
Give me an R!
Give me an E!
What do we want? Torture!”
October 4th, 2007 at 9:16 amDe“an expansive endorsement of the harshest interrogation techniques ever usedâ€
Didn’t we all know this, or at least guess. The have always acted as if anything is what THEY say it is. They just “redefined” torture and expanded the definition of “enhanced interrogation techniques”. After doing that, they declared the new definitions to be state secrets that are protected by Executive Privelege. So we, as a country, can NEVER know exactly what the definitions are.
October 4th, 2007 at 9:17 amSeems libs have tired of the “phony soldiers” attack, and having failed to “Crash the Gate”, are now seeking other targets.
How much backsliding are you going to do before you understand Bubba Clinton’s strategy – if you fail in your attack, compromise so that you can spend time attacking something else. From that strategy, we got Welfare Reform, NAFTA, GATT and on and on …..
October 4th, 2007 at 9:17 am“Bush’s veto of SCHIP has divided conservatives. Sen. Charles Grassley (R-IA) said yesterday, “We’ve got to do what we can to try to override†the veto. “If we’re truly compassionate, it seems to me, we’d want to endorse this program,†added Sen. Orrin Hatch (R-UT).”
I think that Sy Hersch was right when he told Keith Olberman that his contacts in Washington say that Bush “doesn’t give a rats ass about the Republicans and their chance to win the 2009 election”.
What confuses me is why there are still so many Lemming Republicans. They have to know that by following Bush off the cliff they are dooming their chances for re-election. And yet they still walk in lock-step behind Herr Bush. I guess it’s true, you can’t teach and old dog new tricks.
October 4th, 2007 at 9:17 amAhmadinejad had balls to come to New York and speak at Columbia.
Does Bush have the balls to go to Iran to speak at an Iranian University?
What do you think?
http://www.voanews.com/english/2007-10-02-voa29.cfm
That’s ok. I’ve never taken Bush seriously anyway.
October 4th, 2007 at 9:20 amI guess they measure “economy†by oil company profits.
Comment by missmolly
You are correct missmolly. When a Right Wing Loon wants to tout how well our economy is doing they always point to Wall Street. I guess they really don’t understand that most middle class Americans don’t own stocks. That’s pretty much the play pen for the rich.
Personally I would love to see us do away with the stock exchange and selling stock in a company. Much of the ills that are perpetuated on the American worker come from corporations doing what is best for their stock rather than doing what is best for their workers and the country.
October 4th, 2007 at 9:21 amIt’s disturbing news regarding the military and their lack of religious tolerance. The military has always had a pretty good record for allowing their personnel to worship as they pleased — even less-than-mainstream sects (such as Wiccans) have been able to practice their religion without harrassment.
According to the Christian Science Monitor article link, it appears the one religious philosophy not tolerated is atheism. It’s now necessary to believe in SOME god to serve now? I can’t wait for some soldier to challenge this as unconstitutional.
October 4th, 2007 at 9:22 am#5, missmolly,
I don’t think the economy is good. The fundamentals of our economy have been eroding for years, and they have finally hit the segment of the economy that reflects the broadest part of our population yet – home buyers.
It generally follows that the first, most basic skill sets disappear first – manual labor, textiles and commodity manufacturing, then climbs to specialty / high-tech manufacturing. From there, it cuts into the corresponding white collar jobs that service those industries. Eventually, an economy is left similar to England’s – high finance serving growing overseas economies.
To stablize the housing market, the feds should steadily reduce the longest term loans from 30 years to 20 years at a rate of 6 months per year, so that homeowners build equity faster, increasing the savings rate. Government also needs to reverse policy to allow businesses to receive tax incentives for training workers in a skilled trade. These two items are just a start to turning federal/state business policy back to how they were when our economy was growing fastest.
October 4th, 2007 at 9:27 amThe administration’s “Anbar strategy†holds the perilous possibility “that we just end up arming the Sunnis
It is never a good idea for an occupying army to take sides in a civil war. All they do by doing that is to strengthen the opposition and bring in other factions to help the opposition (like Iran). If Iran (and it is still an “if”) is arming the Shiites, do you think they would be doing that if we weren’t arming the Sunnis?
The sad thing about this whole mess is that in the end Iraq will probably end up with another repressive Sunni dictator and they will be right back where they started from, minus a million or so citizens dead and two million citizens displaced in other countries.
October 4th, 2007 at 9:27 ammissmolly sez:
“There are no atheists in foxholes.”
It looks like the military is now enforcing that trite little truism.
October 4th, 2007 at 9:27 amThe NYT article about the level of the Gonzo/Bush secret torture memos is not so astounding as it is anticipated. Saying one thing and doing the opposite is the MO of the Bush Administration of smoke & mirrors. The human mind becomes frozen when it is given the verbal assurance of doing one thing and condemning precisely that which it is covertly doing. This psychobabble extends throughout the GOP and has corrupted it from the outside in. Whether it’s perverts in bathroom stalls insisting that they are “not gay” when they obviously are soliciting gay sex to pedophiles who claim to be protecting our children, to people who torture and employ hired hitmen (Blackwater), this government has become one which no american can stand behind, which no american can condone lest he be a hypocrite himself, and which no american can continue to support any longer.
Both sides of the aisle are playing games – very serious games with dire consequences with not only our money but with the welfare and longevity of this country as well.
We can no longer sit back and expect “others to do it for us”. Each of us needs to take the initiative and do something about the horrendous mess this country currently finds itself in or sit back and allow the fascists to dictate to us what our next move WILL BE.
The choice right now is ours to make.
October 4th, 2007 at 9:28 amThere were “317,000 applications for unemployment benefits last week, an increase of 16,000 from the previous week,†and the biggest jump in four months. Analysts believe the increase “could be a further sign that the labor market is slowing under the impact of the worst slump in housing in 16 years.â€
Meanwhile, CNN continues to breathlessly report on the South African mine rescue. Ferchrissakes…they were stuck in the mine because the elevator broke, not because of a collapse. So the miners are taking shifts coming out through a back-up elevator. Am I missing why this deserves the Breaking News reporting?
October 4th, 2007 at 9:29 amAppearance of any conflict? How about the appearance of coersion?
Imagine you’re an FBI agent in Iraq, investigating the site of a Blackwater shooting. You’re guarded by Blackwater Mercs. You uncover evidence in the field that the shooting was unjustified. You look around for your Blackwater Mercs…..
What’s the life expectancy of an unguarded FBI agent outside the GreenZone these days?
October 4th, 2007 at 9:30 amMy question right now is this: Where is Gonzo?? And what can we do about Bush’s classified opinions on torture? (head slapping, simulated drowning, and frigid temperatures). Can the long arm of the law reel him back in for a trial maybe?
October 4th, 2007 at 9:31 amBrise: I suspect it’s always a case of CYA – I’ll cover yours (and your crimes) and in exchange you cover mine. It’s the unwritten code of mercenary ethics.
October 4th, 2007 at 9:32 amFor far too long we have allowed other countries to be first in certain arenas on the World Stage. It is high time America became First in Human Rights Abuses!
/sarc
October 4th, 2007 at 9:32 amAfter initial reports that the FBI agents investigating Blackwater in Iraq would be guarded by Blackwater, the agency announced last night that it won’t use security guards employed by that company. The action was taken “to avoid even the appearance of any conflict.â€
The hubris of the Bush Administration is stunning. The fact that this conflict of interest never occurred to them is unbelievable. I am somewhat encouraged that the FBI is investigating Blackwater. Mueller seems to be somewhat objective and not totally a Bush sycophant.
When I heard that the initial State Department report on the Blackwater incident was written by a Blackwater consultant I was stunned. It’s too bad that the WaPo didn’t do a little homework before they printed their article on the report, taking the State Department’s version as gospel. If they had known who wrote the report, hopefully they would not have written the article.
October 4th, 2007 at 9:33 amWhat’s the life expectancy of an unguarded FBI agent outside the GreenZone these days?
Comment by Briseadh na Faire — October 4, 2007 @ 9:30 am
Boy, is this ever a film script waitin’ ta happen…
October 4th, 2007 at 9:34 amNot likely under U.S. Domestic Law. The Military Commissions Act of 2006, passed without so much as a filibuster attempt by the Democrats, insulates Americans from war crimes charges.
October 4th, 2007 at 9:34 amBono’s courting Nancy Pelosi with flowers? Maybe that will get her attention since nothing else will. She’s been noticeably absent from the scene lately. I guess I would be too if I knew that I’d sold the people down the river.
October 4th, 2007 at 9:35 amBrise: This is very sad. How did we ever permit these criminals to dupe us? I guess we placed all of our eggs in one basket with the dems in the midterms. I recognize that they may not always have the votes or the 2/3 majority to override a veto, however, it certainly would be nice for them – if only for appearances sake – to stand up with some spine against this corrupt GOP for a change. That’s what’s galling the people most at this point and resulting in their low numbers.
October 4th, 2007 at 9:36 amI am rush dumball_S
I possess the most excellent
And solemn graces of a pubic-louse
With an IQ-rating to match
I thrive on pushing the limits
Like my ‘phony soldier_S’ quip
They can’t touch me and the..click (HAK! HAK!) grriiinnd
Where’s my gaddem drugs!
Here’s the trick…WINK NOD..a-OK!
Punish the left for stealing my ‘Senator Betrayus’
Without asking my permission
The gaddem nerve!
Double the gaddem dose!
I better not be on the hot-air yet, Ann!
Bill, have you visited the target restaurant yet?
Hey Karl, they’re all eating outta my hands
I told MY senators to ignore ol’ Harry’s letter
They obeyed me: “akin to a puppet on a string”
Hot damn! He dares to cross ME
That’s enough, Ann! That’s all you gaddem get!
I am the champion of the WORLD!
October 4th, 2007 at 9:37 aman increase of 16,000 from the previous week
Good news, another 16k D voters.
October 4th, 2007 at 9:38 amBriseadh na Faire sez:
If such a situation were to develop, I strongly doubt that the mercs would leave anything to chance. Pat Tillman comes strongly to mind…and the perps in that situation were regular military. Somehow, I can’t see Blackwater mercs possessing any more scruples.
October 4th, 2007 at 9:39 amU.S. laws apply to all armed private contractors hired for overseas missions.†The Bush administration opposes the bill, “warning it would have ‘unintended and intolerable consequences’ for national security.â€
Why would putting the mercernaries in Iraq have “unintended consequences” for national security. These people are guarding dignitaries in Iraq. How does that affect our national security.
John Edwards was on Olberman last night and he thinks that all the contractors should immediately be put under the supervision of our military and should be held to the same standards as our troops. I believe he is correct. If we have to have mercenaries in Iraq, putting them under the command of the military is the only way we will be able to keep them under control. Plus it would be very interesting since our military resent the hell out of these guys.
October 4th, 2007 at 9:40 amRegarding Blackwater, does anyone know how they stack up against other merc groups in Iraq, regarding shooting incidents?
October 4th, 2007 at 9:40 amAre they so much worse than the others or just so much more prominent?
Good news, another 16k D voters.
Comment by Squegeeboo
You’re certain they aren’t real estate agents?
October 4th, 2007 at 9:41 amThe Bush administration opposes the bill, warning it would have “unintended and intolerable consequences” for national security
GDumbya has certainly gotten more cautious over the years. If only he had recognized the unintended and intolerable consequences of his dirty little war in Iraq five years ago.
October 4th, 2007 at 9:41 amAfter initial reports that the FBI agents investigating Blackwater in Iraq would be guarded by Blackwater, the agency announced last night that it won’t use security guards employed by that company. The action was taken “to avoid even the appearance of any conflict.â€
————————————————–
Translation: Geez — we didn’t know anyone would be paying any attention, and we thought we could get away with a sham of an investigation. You know, just so it would say on paper that one was conducted.
October 4th, 2007 at 9:42 amPat Tillman comes strongly to mind…and the perps in that situation were regular military. Somehow, I can’t see Blackwater mercs possessing any more scruples.
Comment by TripMaster Monkey
Actually, I suspect that it was a Blackwater employee (or some other mercenary group) who shot Pat Tillman. I doubt that they could have convinced anyone in the military to execute a hero like Tillman. The thing I find most odd about the Pat Tillman case (out of the many odd things) is that they have never identified who shot him. It would be very easy to match the bullet to the gun, but they never did that. Why?
October 4th, 2007 at 9:43 amUm…why is Gonzo giving the Black Power salute in that picture?
Comment by TripMaster Monkey — October 4, 2007 @ 9:13 am
Powerrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr
to the peeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeople!
Powerrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr
to the peeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeople!!!!!!
(everybody now!)
:D
October 4th, 2007 at 9:44 am“John Edwards was on Olberman last night and he thinks that all the contractors should immediately be put under the supervision of our military and should be held to the same standards as our troops.”
Comment by bilbobaggins — October 4, 2007 @ 9:40 am
It’s mind-boggling to know that they HAVEN’T been. How was this ever justified? My guess is that it never was — the administration just figured that the public wasn’t paying attention.
October 4th, 2007 at 9:45 amDoes anyone know why Bremer’s order can’t be rescinded, the one denying Iraqis the right to prosecute mercenaries?
October 4th, 2007 at 9:46 amI’d think that would resolve the whole mess.
Before I leave, here’s my pitch for the day: Do not be seduced into believing that changing your party to Independent or Unaffiliated will split or splinter the democratic vote as the naysayers would have you believe. Quite the contrary is true since most I’s are previous Democrats and share the democrat mindset.
At this point in time where it appears that our two party system is seriously damaged and impotent to fulfill the wishes of the people, changing one’s voting status to Independent provides a vehicle for “voice” for the people.
The group of Registered Independent Voters has now reached 35% and is growing rapidly with the disgust and disillusionment of the people who expected change following the midterms. Instead, we find it to be “business as usual” in Washington with little or nothing being done to halt this corruption within.
When the number of Independents grows to a point where the MSM can no longer hide it’s head in the sand and pretend that this group does not exist, this new group will have power – great power. We will have power over the candidates to hear our views if they desire our votes.
There is power in numbers and if each of these two parties realized that the people who are ‘unaffiliated’ now have a voice in their government, perhaps they will realize that their “gig” is up.
As for voting in the primaries, many I’s simply switch back to their previous affiliation so that argument becomes moot as well.
If you’re just giving lip service to the concept of abhorence of “partisan politics” then you will probably find excuses to not take the leap. It reminds me of how we each sell our own soul here by not dissing the dems when they deserve it because we don’t want to give the rethugs something to gloat about. How is this any different than that which we are condemning?
At least consider making the move if you find youself increasingly angry about the status quo in Washington. Find your voice today and become Unaffiliated. Send the clear message to our representatives that the ultimate power will again rest with the people.
October 4th, 2007 at 9:46 amI find most odd about the Pat Tillman case (out of the many odd things) is that they have never identified who shot him. It would be very easy to match the bullet to the gun, but they never did that. Why?
Comment by bilbobaggins — October 4, 2007 @ 9:43 am
————————————
Probably for the same reason why it was never investigated why his uniform, his gear, and his diary were burned.
October 4th, 2007 at 9:46 am(everybody now!)
:D
Comment by whiteyfresh
…. right on.
October 4th, 2007 at 9:46 amthe administration just figured that the public wasn’t paying attention.
Comment by missmolly
And how right they were. It’s sad that it took the deaths of 20+ innocent Iraqi’s to get the public riled up about something that has been obvious from the beginning.
October 4th, 2007 at 9:47 am“U2 front man Bono strode through the U.S. Capitol bright and early Wednesday morning, carrying a large bouquet of white and pink long-stemmed roses.†Sources report that he met with House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) about “Africa, global AIDS funding, etc.â€
Man, stuff like this always annoys me. But just because any time Bono spends ‘doing good’ means less time coming out with new albums.
October 4th, 2007 at 9:48 amHi Bilbo/Molly: I find it unbelievable that these hired mercenaries have NOT been under the direction of our military. I think this is big news to the people. Bremer needs to be castrated for this mess he’s created.
October 4th, 2007 at 9:49 amNevar
October 4th, 2007 at 9:49 amYou’re certain they aren’t real estate agents?
Ha, they might be.
There is power in numbers and if each of these two parties realized that the people who are ‘unaffiliated’ now have a voice in their government, perhaps they will realize that their “gig†is up.
As for voting in the primaries, many I’s simply switch back to their previous affiliation so that argument becomes moot as well.Veritas
How right you are Veritas. If enough disenfranchised Democrats left the party to become an Independent, I believe that the party would finally wake up and take a hard look at their policies. The best thing that could ever happen to the Democratic party would be to get rid of the DLC and Rom Emannuel. Both are repressing the party and playing into the hands of the Republicans.
October 4th, 2007 at 9:51 amBilbo: Is it a case of the white house thinking that people weren’t paying attention or is it a case of the white house sliding some slime through and keeping it a guarded secret from the people? Surely, everyone in the last congress must have known about it (as well as this congress) so I think we need to begin holding their feet to the fire as well. GOP congressmen are dropping like flies these days. I’m sure we can dig up a few more with a vested interest (ahem….stock in Blackwater for instance??) to gather some conflict of interest evidence on, can’t we?
October 4th, 2007 at 9:51 amMuch of the ills that are perpetuated on the American worker come from corporations doing what is best for their stock rather than doing what is best for their workers and the country.
Comment by bilbobaggins — October 4, 2007 @ 9:21 am
I couldn’t agree with you more. The stock market has become nothing more than a gambling hall, and corporations now whore themselves to it at the sacrifice of producing quality goods and services, or valuing their customers.
It’s really no more an accurate barometer of our economy than the Santa Anita Racetrack is.
October 4th, 2007 at 9:52 amBilbo: I have a very strong inkling that everyone will be in for a huge surprise after the candidates are selected. It may become clear by then that these two individuals are far from representing the majority of americans and a dark horse will appear on the horizon from the Independent party. Hell, I just read where the disgusted Republicans are considering running an Independent candidate because of the disgusting group of uninformed ignorants currently in the race. It could, indeed, be a case where the people will renounce the traditional two party system and their candidates and change the Washington establishment.
October 4th, 2007 at 9:54 am“We don’t torture” … as Snidley Whiplash ties the fair young maiden to the train tracks….The Bush White House has redefined the semantics of this country.
October 4th, 2007 at 9:56 amRe: “With bipartisan support, the House is expected today to take up legislation that would make it clear that U.S. laws apply to all armed private contractors hired for overseas missions.†The Bush administration opposes the bill, “warning it would have ‘unintended and intolerable consequences’ for national security.â€
What? No “it’ll embolden the terrorists” charges?
October 4th, 2007 at 9:59 amComment by Veritas — October 4, 2007 @ 9:46 am
Comment by bilbobaggins — October 4, 2007 @ 9:51 am
Good point about progressives leaving the Democrat party in droves to force a wake-up call within the party. What’s amazing is that more Republicans aren’t doing the same thing. Surely there are still Repubs out there who stand for fiscal responsibility, less government intrusion in people’s private lives, and other conservative values that have all but vanished from the neocon version of the party.
But no — Republicans still defend the failed policies of this administration, from elected officials to right-wing talking heads. I guess sheeple exist on both sides.
October 4th, 2007 at 10:01 amVeritas Says:
Before I leave, here’s my pitch for the day: Do not be seduced into believing that changing your party to Independent or Unaffiliated will split or splinter the democratic vote as the naysayers would have you believe. Quite the contrary is true since most I’s are previous Democrats and share the democrat mindset.
At this point in time where it appears that our two party system is seriously damaged and impotent to fulfill the wishes of the people, changing one’s voting status to Independent provides a vehicle for “voice†for the people.
The group of Registered Independent Voters has now reached 35% and is growing rapidly with the disgust and disillusionment of the people who expected change following the midterms. Instead, we find it to be “business as usual†in Washington with little or nothing being done to halt this corruption within.
When the number of Independents grows to a point where the MSM can no longer hide it’s head in the sand and pretend that this group does not exist, this new group will have power – great power. We will have power over the candidates to hear our views if they desire our votes.
There is power in numbers and if each of these two parties realized that the people who are ‘unaffiliated’ now have a voice in their government, perhaps they will realize that their “gig†is up.
As for voting in the primaries, many I’s simply switch back to their previous affiliation so that argument becomes moot as well.
If you’re just giving lip service to the concept of abhorence of “partisan politics†then you will probably find excuses to not take the leap. It reminds me of how we each sell our own soul here by not dissing the dems when they deserve it because we don’t want to give the rethugs something to gloat about. How is this any different than that which we are condemning?
At least consider making the move if you find youself increasingly angry about the status quo in Washington. Find your voice today and become Unaffiliated. Send the clear message to our representatives that the ultimate power will again rest with the people.
Veritas,
Threats to vote for someone else are meaningless when you keep voting for the same people. Stephen Colbert aptly named your movement Solitarity, in that you are quick to passively defy, but don’t follow through with aggressive counter-action. Until you run a 3rd party candidate that sincerely represents your views, Dems will not heed you – just ask the black community.
October 4th, 2007 at 10:02 amhttp://uk.reuters.com/ article/ email/ idUKYAT72246420071001?rpc=92
British leave Basra. All Hell breaks loose.
Not.
Comment by Alejandro
moron. do you read more than headlines?
“not loud” does not equal “no conflict”
from the 2nd and 3rd pages of the same article you cited:
While the British were frequent targets — 41 soldiers were killed this year, the most since 2003 — Basra has also been the centre of a turf war between rival Shi’ite groups.
ASSASSINATIONS
Even before those attacks some disagreed over whether the city was now safer than anywhere else in the volatile south. Two SIIC governors were assassinated in the southern provinces of Muthanna and Diwaniya in August.
Basra city councillor Munadhil al-Mayahi said security had deteriorated over the past three months.
Basra city councillor Munadhil al-Mayahi said security had deteriorated over the past three months.
“Political assassinations have increased, armed robberies have increased, kidnappings have increased,” he said.
…A recent quarterly Pentagon report said security in southern Iraq had taken a “notable turn for the worse” in August, adding that there could be an increase in intra-Shi’ite fighting, once centred in Basra, across the south.
mixed picture at best. your article pretty much proves theres disagreement about how well Basra is going.. wow… what a shock!
October 4th, 2007 at 10:02 am“With bipartisan support, the House is expected today to take up legislation that would make it clear that U.S. laws apply to all armed private contractors hired for overseas missions.†The Bush administration opposes the bill, “warning it would have ‘unintended and intolerable consequences’ for national security.â€
BUSH: “…but…but…but if they have to follow the law, they can’t do my crooked bidding!”
October 4th, 2007 at 10:03 am(AP) Stocks rose in early trading Thursday, as some investors read a larger-than-expected increase in unemployment claims as supporting the case for another interest rate cut.
Madness. The Market is insane…there is no connection any more between Wall Street and Main Street.
October 4th, 2007 at 10:03 amIf I’m not mistaken, the State Department is the government agency who is awarding Blackwater their no-bid contracts, and not the Department of Defense. If that is the case, then their actions and missions presumably would be based on State Department direction. Supposedly, Blackwater’s contract with State is to provide security detail for government civilian employees.
However, it seems that somehow Blackwater is also involved in “military” missions. What needs to be determined is WHO is assigning these missions to Blackwater? Is it State? If so, then State should be held to task for interfering with military operations. If not State, and the Defense Department, then Blackwater should be accountable under military jurisprudence and the chain of command.
October 4th, 2007 at 10:04 amAfter reading the 5 page article in the NYT this morning about inhumane interrogation techniques I found myself wishing Alberto was there, along with Addington & Hadley…I would have taken on all 3 at that moment.
America, when the Attorney General covers up information like this and our President approves it ’secretly’, what do we have left?
Comey should be getting the Medal of Freedom. Alberto should be in jail, along with Bush & his ‘inner circle jerk’ cohorts.
This is not OK. This is the shit that the rest of the world sees and asks, WTF? This isn’t the shining beacon of light that America is. This is the stuff of some 3rd world dictator, feathering his own nest while poor people starve to death and are interrogated and beaten by the dictator’s henchmen.
National Security? America, leading by example is our National Security! Once we stray from that path, we become just as depraved & deprived as the rogue nations. We also become vulnerable to have those same techniques used on our soldiers.
Soldiers do not make policy. Blame rests squarely in the laps of those who wrote and support these illegal & immoral practices.
Today they’re telling us Blackwater & other contractors cannot even be held responsible for their atrocities. Bullshit! They must be accountable, or everything we’ve worked for these past 230 years will vanish.
Wake up, America. Thieves and perverts are running away with our country.
October 4th, 2007 at 10:05 amlook guys a picture of our very own Bigfoot.
http://z.about.com/d/politicalhumor/1/0/n/U/moran.jpg
seems neither his spelling nor his ability to detect irony has improved
October 4th, 2007 at 10:06 amCholera? who care? who needs health when the iraqis have our purple finger of freedom? I certainly hope none of our tax dollars are going to pay for their healthcare, after all, even our own children don’t deserve such a handout…
October 4th, 2007 at 10:08 amIf Blackwater is breaking Iraqi law on Iraqi soil, then the Iraqis should be able to prosecute them.
October 4th, 2007 at 10:10 amThey are civilians and not diplomats, so they should be punishable through the Iraqi justice system.
If you or I were to break Iraqi law, we would be held accountable by them, no questions asked. Why should Blackwater be different?
Why should Blackwater be different?
Comment by Wilco — October 4, 2007 @ 10:10 am
Because the Deciderer has decidered!
October 4th, 2007 at 10:11 amBecause the Deciderer has decidered!
Comment by The Republic of Stupidity
Which is funny since he’s the leader of the law and order party. So if he doesn’t support Blackwater being prosecuted for national security reasons, why doesn’t he feel the same way about the military? Why should Blackwater’s crimes be covered under “national security” concerns but not our own troops’?
October 4th, 2007 at 10:16 amIf Blackwater is breaking Iraqi law on Iraqi soil, then the Iraqis should be able to prosecute them.
Comment by Wilco — October 4, 2007 @ 10:10 am
#
They should at least be held to thae same SOFA as the military.
October 4th, 2007 at 10:20 amWhy should Blackwater’s crimes be covered under “national security†concerns but not our own troops’?
Comment by Wilco — October 4, 2007 @ 10:16 am
Right… “rule of law”… **cough… cough**
This has gotten so bizarre over the last few yrs it’s almost impossible to keep track of anymore. Herr Brusch is mentally ill. It’s like the Emperor’s new Clothers, and in this case, the Emperor just isn’t vain and gullible, he’s crazy to boot. Everyone around him is afraid to contradict him, so they just all nod their heads and pretend this all makes sense and is okay.
(They’re also hoping to cover thier own *sses when the time comes…)
October 4th, 2007 at 10:20 amIf Blackwater is breaking Iraqi law on Iraqi soil, then the Iraqis should be able to prosecute them.
They are civilians and not diplomats, so they should be punishable through the Iraqi justice system.
If you or I were to break Iraqi law, we would be held accountable by them, no questions asked. Why should Blackwater be different?
Comment by Wilco — October 4, 2007 @ 10:10 am
Indeed. But as we’ve seen in America, the law only applies to everyone except the Bush regime, even when he otherwise is such a big supporter of spreading our style of democracy around the world.
October 4th, 2007 at 10:21 amThey should at least be held to thae same SOFA as the military.
Comment by Chris L — October 4, 2007 @ 10:20 am
But they put them under the umbrella of the State Dept, not the DOD. I guess they have some kind of diplomatic immunity.
October 4th, 2007 at 10:21 amBlackwater are illegal combatants. Period. Watch bush + co FREAK out at congress trying to put ANY accountability on thier shoulders? why? because guess what.. anything the whitehaus wants to do, thats illegal.. they just have these guys do it, and since they’re immune, they never have to worry about them narcing….some of the Blackwater folks have worked as interrogators also…. these guys start getting prosecuted, I GUARANTEE you will see some of the accused start singing like canaries and claiming .. “BUT bUT I was only following thier orders…”
October 4th, 2007 at 10:29 amRe: Blackwater.
Is Bush afraid that the Iraqis will arrest them and detain them indefinitely without cause and put them on trial and withhold key evidence?
He did say that the world would be a better place if other countries adopt the measures in the Military Detainee Act.
October 4th, 2007 at 10:35 amre. Gonzales & torture
The thing that bothers me the MOST about all of this, is that all of those involved in this may never be brought to justice. What type of precedent does that set?
This is one of the most basic rights of humans on this planet, and yet there is a strong possibility that this administration violated those rights. And then the courts appear to turn a blind eye ever time a case is brought forward. They don’t have the jurisdiction, or the administration claims executive privilege, or that it can be hidden because of national security.
People ask how Hitler and the Nazis were able to commit the atrocities that they committed and wonder why the citizens of Germany didn’t do anything.
So folks, can anyone tell me what the difference is between then and now?
October 4th, 2007 at 10:41 amBurma’s Generals Are Thugs!
4th of October 2007
by Jay Randal
If President George W. Bush had a shred of decency, then he would demand that China turns over military junta leadership of Burma to the Hague to be tried for crimes against humanity, but W. doesn’t care about it.
Burma, or Myanmar as the Generals call it, requires international condemnation for brutally suppressing its population who want civilian rule and democracy.
News reports out of Burma claim that military junta has been executing hundreds/thousands of monks who dared to peacefully protest and jailing the rest of them.
Soldiers are savagely beating men, women, and children in the largest city of Rangoon, plus carting people off to be tortured in prisons, and bodies dumped in rivers.
Gen. Than Shwe, the junta leader, should be arrested or apprehended for barbaric crimes, and the Burmese military should be disbanded or its officers cashiered.
NOTE: The US Congress must step forward to demand that Chinese government ends trade with Burma until the military junta removed.
(Jay Randal, political activist and writer in Georgia, USA.)
October 4th, 2007 at 10:46 amThe NYT article on secret legal opinions regarding the goverment use of inhumane torture is an informative article that we have waited years for. It’s about time we learn what our not so elected president is doing behind closed doors.
October 4th, 2007 at 11:11 amHow has it happened that this cabal can inject secrecy into every part of our goverment and our elected represenatives seem to know no little or nothing of the facts or the consequences of the torture policy, or their many other policies.
What is next? We know this is only the tip of the iceberg. And where will future secrets lead us, to Terhan?
It’s about time the complacent bleu dog democrats and the republicans in congress start to get off their asses and demand and provide answers the PEOPLE need of this and many other questions.
The Bush administration opposes the bill, “warning it would have ‘unintended and intolerable consequences’ for national security.â€
Hehehe. National Security has surely a WIDE SCOPE.
I was laughing at the movie theater when I was recently watching Bourne Ultimatum. The character Noah Vosen mentions at least twice that National Security has been breached by Bourne´s doings.
How? I mean, how? Does the guy that sell hot dogs in NY is facing a terrible threat? Do the whole people in NY? How?
And the terrible thing is that National Security is the perfect excuse in order to justify the greatest atrocities in the world.
October 4th, 2007 at 11:37 amTP: “Senate leaders “have developed a plan that would allow them to move the controversial nomination of Hans von Spakovsky to the FEC to the floor for a separate vote Thursday.†Aides predict his nomination will pass, which would allow senators “move to votes on the other three uncontested FEC nominees.â€
Oh, swell! The House is expected to pass this nomination, so our Bush-enabling Senators can approve this election-rigging creep’s appointment to the FEC. Next year, some Senate DINOs will be back out on the street, sucking their thumbs and wondering why so few minority voters showed up at the polls to vote for them!
Holy Crap! Can you say “Democratic death wish?” I’ll be happy to be wrong, but you can’t underestimate Congressional Democrats’ desire to return to a Republican one-party government!
October 4th, 2007 at 11:44 amMy question is the same as ToonGuy’s: what are these “unintended and intolerable consquences”? Tell us what horrors will happen if we apply our laws to everyone doing work for this nation. The Bushies never give specifics on matters like this, and the MSM never asks for them. Hundreds of thousands of people have already died from this studied collective ignorance–how many more until the press starts asking such questions of Power?
October 4th, 2007 at 11:54 amBilbo: Is it a case of the white house thinking that people weren’t paying attention or is it a case of the white house sliding some slime through and keeping it a guarded secret from the people? Surely, everyone in the last congress must have known about it (as well as this congress) so I think we need to begin holding their feet to the fire as well. GOP congressmen are dropping like flies these days. I’m sure we can dig up a few more with a vested interest (ahem….stock in Blackwater for instance??) to gather some conflict of interest evidence on, can’t we?
Comment by Veritas — October 4, 2007 @ 9:51 am
Unfortunately, Blackwater is privately held…no stock. Vested interest, however, would be donations made to campaigns, and my understanding is that such donations have largely been made to Republicans, with very large sums given to the Bush campaign(s).
October 4th, 2007 at 12:03 pmDay after day, nothing is realy changing…..More bull shit bush madness, more war plan’s on yet another country..The press, all media is telling us Hillery is way ahead, limpball’s, billo’o, coulter all vieing for public notice by using extreme language and increased hate toward’s the very people they say they support…..Our elected leader’s ignore us just as bull shit’s regime ignore’s the rule of law, indeed they change all the law’s so they can not be held accountable, the patriot act like the Iraq war was drawn up long before 9/11….And we watch the vultures circling the capitol day after day.
Yesterday the media was busy touting how Hillery was way ahead and showed past election’s prooving their point, with the exception of the Carter race that she would win the nomination of the Dem’s and infering she will be the next president because suposadely 50+% of the dem’s support her…I like Hillery, but…Hell if I were a delegate or running against this kind of free press I would say to my self, what’s the use, might as well stay home and knit a pair of sock’s..Save my time ,money, energy and look for a new cause to champion…The game’s over…But I want Kucenich, what about that.?…He and the other candidate’s are hardly noticed.
Little to nothing was mentioned untill very late in the day about what the enabeling congress was doing and only slight mention of the veto….Lot’s of star crap about what’s her name loosing her kid’s to featherhead, what ever….I had to look long and hard to ferrit out the real new’s and even then it was peppered with crap……The young soldier that was shot, maybe more intended friendly fire.? The masssive killing’s going on in the world…..This is what has happened to our world and the realy important people that are vieing for the office of president got little to no coverage because according to the people in the know the race is over..
One thing I know for sure is the fact that the majority of the public will not go out in droves to vote…..The majority has become imune to all the media crap and like me are turning it off, just like the war and casuelties they don’t see it so it doe’s not exist, the race is won so why vote….No point in having an opinion because no one listens any way…..”Why get excited about the war or any thing else, you can’t change it” mentalety of the masses…..All part of the grand scheme of thing’s…No one that is guilty of any crime’s is being prosacuted, no notice of impeachment, no ending the war’s, no stopping the funding of these insane war’s, no funding insurance or rebuilding our country or the world……What the hell are we doeing here.?…..Well, you all decide……The Bear and I are going to walk softly in the forest and scream loudly to all the enabeler’s…..Blessings…Peace..Sorry for the OT and length.
October 4th, 2007 at 12:07 pm