ThinkFast: November 8, 2007
ThinkFast: November 8, 2007
The Dow plummeted 360 points and the dollar sank to a record low against the euro yesterday as “investors worldwide grew skittish over rising oil prices and the prospect of a substantial economic slowdown in the United States.” The markets are being “driven down by fear that the troubles in housing are likely to continue well into next year, contributing to further losses in credit markets and spreading pain to the rest of the economy.”
$9 trillion: Amount of publicly held U.S. debt — “the first time ever” it has breached $9 trillion. In September, “President George W. Bush signed a measure to increase the debt limit ceiling to $9.815 trillion from $8.965 trillion, allowing the government to keep issuing debt.”
A coalition of watchdog organizations will today launch Governmentdocs.org, the first online database of government documents that can be browsed, searched, and reviewed. The goal is to “promote greater transparency into the government’s inner workings.”
A new study by the National Alliance to End Homelessness has found that one in four homeless people in America are veterans, including more than 400 who fought in Afghanistan and Iraq. Aid workers say “Iraq and Afghanistan veterans appear to be turning up sooner than the Vietnam veterans did.”
Sen. Arlen Specter (R-PA) “is drafting a compromise” on retroactive immunity for telecoms involved in the administration’s warrantless wiretapping program. Specter’s amendment “would make the federal government — instead of the phone companies” — the defendant in pending lawsuits.
Two separate bills offered by Sens. Joseph Biden (D-DE) and Edward Kennedy (D-MA) would outlaw waterboarding, along with other extreme interrogation techniques. The legislation would make the Army manual the standard for all U.S. interrogators.
FEMA press secretary Aaron Walker yesterday resigned after participating in the agency’s staged press conference on wildfires. Walker is the second press official to “suffer the repercussions” of last month’s stunt.
“Strained by extended tours in Iraq, growing numbers of military reservists say the government is providing little help to soldiers who are denied their old jobs when they return home.” A Pentagon survey of reservists in 2005-2006 “details increasing discontent among returning troops in protecting their legal rights after taking leave from work to fight for their country.”
And finally: Even Congress has cliques. The House floor is like a high school “cafeteria,” a place “where lawmakers gather and sit with the same people every day.” Politico has a map of the seats HERE.
What did we miss? Let us know in the comments section.
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Retroactive immunity for Telecom companies who handed over private phone data will not be observed by the insurgency.
http://www.tshirtinsurgency.com
November 8th, 2007 at 9:02 amIf I break the law, I do not get retroactive immunity, so why should the telecoms get it?
November 8th, 2007 at 9:03 amFEMA press secretary Aaron Walker yesterday resigned after participating in the agency’s staged press conference on wildfires. Walker is the second press official to “suffer the repercussions†of last month’s stunt.
————————————–
Wow — TWO scapegoats? This certainly deviates from the norm. It used to be one person thrown under the bus per outrage. Inflation, perhaps?
November 8th, 2007 at 9:03 amThe insurgency does, however, support Biden and Kennedy’s efforts in regards to waterboarding.
http://www.tshirtinsurgency.com
November 8th, 2007 at 9:03 am“Strained by extended tours in Iraq, growing numbers of military reservists say the government is providing little help to soldiers who are denied their old jobs when they return home.â€
Way to support the troops, Bushie.
November 8th, 2007 at 9:07 am( And an extra, very special Fck you to the businesses violating the law and sh!tting on those serving. )
Back in February, a Blackwater sniper targeted three Iraqis in what everyone but Blackwater and the US government said was an unprovoked attack. Since their cursory investigation, the State Department has essentially ignored the incident.
November 8th, 2007 at 9:09 am“A new study by the National Alliance to End Homelessness has found that one in four homeless people in America are veterans…”
“…the government is providing little help to soldiers who are denied their old jobs when they return home.”
———————————————–
So much for “support the troops.” The administration continues to treat our brave men and women as battle fodder instead of people. Add to the above the inferior conditions wounded soldiers have to put up with at Walter Reed (and, increasingly, at VA centers) and you have a shameful situation our administration needs to care about.
November 8th, 2007 at 9:09 amWait a minute Sen. Spector, the federal government cannot be sued without it granting permission. You know that. You’re an attorney. So why are you attempting to deceive the American people.
This is simple amnesty for telecom companies. The federal government already has a standing amnesty.
November 8th, 2007 at 9:11 am“…a Blackwater sniper targeted three Iraqis in what everyone but Blackwater and the US government said was an unprovoked attack.”
Comment by gummitch — November 8, 2007 @ 9:09 am
It doesn’t matter what “everyone” says — the only opinions that count are from Blackwater, the State Department, or any other Bushney mouthpiece.
/sarc off
November 8th, 2007 at 9:11 amAnd then the federal government raises the “state secrets” doctrine and the lawsuit is dismissed.
It’s like what we tell our children:
November 8th, 2007 at 9:12 am
“In September, “President George W. Bush signed a measure to increase the debt limit ceiling to $9.815 trillion from $8.965 trillion, allowing the government to keep issuing debt.â€
Yep, that’s the “fiscally responsible” Republicans for you. You have a credit card with a limit of $5,000. You reach the limit and then you ask them to raise your limit to $10,000. That’s what Bush is doing. Unfortunately, there will come a time when we have to pay the piper.
November 8th, 2007 at 9:13 amAhh, but will it reach to interogations conducted by Blackwater and other private contractors? Will it reach to the countries to which we conduct extreme renditions?
And will it be somehow “signing-statement” proof?
November 8th, 2007 at 9:15 amone in four homeless people in America are veterans
Once this country is done with soldiers, they kick them to the curb.
Its the conservative way.
It saves taxpayers money, so we can give corporation tax breaks and corporate welfare.
And both parties are guilty in screwing over veterans ( though the Democrats have a slightly better record )
Oh, yeah, Support the Troops! Be sure to buy lots of made in China stickers to show your support.
November 8th, 2007 at 9:16 am=P
Should be a mention, IMO, of Pat Robertson’s endorsement of Rudi.
If only for the fact that a guy who agreed with this statement:
“I really believe that the pagans, and the abortionists, and the feminists, and the gays and the lesbians who are actively trying to make that an alternative lifestyle, the ACLU, People For the American Way–all of them who have tried to secularize America–I point the finger in their face and say “you helped this happen.”
…Is now saying Rudi-Julie is our only savior.
November 8th, 2007 at 9:16 amSpecter’s amendment “would make the federal government — instead of the phone companies†— the defendant in pending lawsuits.
And that’s going to work out real well. The government, meaning George Bush, will ignore any lawsuits filed and state that we can’t have any evidence because of executive privilege. The new definition of “executive privilege” under George Bush is “anything and everything that has anything to do with my government is privileged”. He does think it’s his government. That’s how he refers to OUR government. He says “it’s my government and he also says it’s my country”. And he’s not far from wrong thanks to the spineless democrats.
November 8th, 2007 at 9:16 am“Strained by extended tours in Iraq, growing numbers of military reservists say the government is providing little help to soldiers who are denied their old jobs when they return home.â€
‘Support the Troops’…America has become a ‘bumper sticker’ mentality.
It is illegal to deny a soldier to return to his former employment. These employers are the ones proudly showing off the ‘Support the Troops’ message while breaking Federal law. Homelessness now finds one in four to be Veterans. Sunday is Veteran’s Day. Is this the way Repukes show their support?
Freedom & Liberty are now being trumped by Profit & Party. Is this the way America is destined to take? I hope not. When we lose sight of the importance of our soldiers, we have lost sight of Freedom & Liberty.
November 8th, 2007 at 9:18 amTwo separate bills offered by Sens. Joseph Biden (D-DE) and Edward Kennedy (D-MA) would outlaw waterboarding, along with other extreme interrogation techniques.
I think this is a very BAD idea. If they pass that law, then Bush can say that it wasn’t illegal when he did it since they had to pass a law to make it illegal. Waterboarding is torture and torture is illegal PERIOD. We don’t need to pass a law to make one specific kind of torture illegal.
November 8th, 2007 at 9:18 am“Sen. Arlen Specter (R-PA) ‘is drafting a compromise’ on retroactive immunity for telecoms involved in the administration’s warrantless wiretapping program.”
I remember when I was in school studying U.S. History, I read about endless “compromises” regarding slavery worked out by Congress in the years leading up to the Civil War. To this 20th century child, it seemed mind-boggling that anyone would be willing to “compromise” on an issue that was so obviously wrong — the ownership of PEOPLE, for heaven’s sake.
Perhaps someday, when the entire Bush presidency has been relegated to the history books, other schoolchildren will be similarly amazed that anyone “compromised” on issues that should have been so obvious.
November 8th, 2007 at 9:19 amBarkeep, please set up a free round of retroactive immunity for everyone.
November 8th, 2007 at 9:22 amWhat happens when these countries stop lending us money to balance our budget? !!
November 8th, 2007 at 9:22 amWhile Bush is giving tax money back to rich people on one hand,on the other hand he is borrowing a lot more money from other countries.
While the war drumbeat for another war with Iran is getting louder,we are sinking deeper and deepr in debt,in a time when our dollar value is also nose- diving,and our energy bill is getting much higher and higher with no end in sight.
Of course the ruling elite will not feel the crunch but the average American will be paying the heavy price for,wars,energy , deficit and national debt,as usual.
We don’t need to pass a law to make one specific kind of torture illegal.
Comment by bilbobaggins — November 8, 2007 @ 9:18 am
Being as we, the US, has already prosecuted people for waterboarding, the precedent is already set legally. It is illegal, the “debate” is false.
November 8th, 2007 at 9:22 amhttp://www.tshirtinsurgency.com
Comment by desaparecido
Posting on a blog simply to advertise your commercial website is frowned upon. Please stop doing it.
November 8th, 2007 at 9:23 am“Strained by extended tours in Iraq, growing numbers of military reservists say the government is providing little help to soldiers who are denied their old jobs when they return home.â€
So, is our government prosecuting the employers who deny our veterans their jobs back? My guess is that they aren’t. This government is not about consequences of your actions. We have contractors who rip us off and suffer no consequences so why would the government go after an employer who violates the law. We have become a lawless country. It’s no wonder that crime is on the rise in our country.
November 8th, 2007 at 9:27 am“I really believe that the pagans, and the abortionists, and the feminists, and the gays and the lesbians who are actively trying to make that an alternative lifestyle, the ACLU, People For the American Way–all of them who have tried to secularize America–I point the finger in their face and say “you helped this happen.†— (statement agreed to by Pat Robertson, endorser of Rudy Giuliani)
Comment by Dumb_Fox — November 8, 2007 @ 9:16 am
I guess, then, that going through wives like Kleenex, committing adultery, and bringing your mistress home to where your wife and children live — that’s all OK, as long as you are doing your fooling around with a member of the opposite sex.
Pat Robertson is just another hypocrite with an agenda, and he’s not worth paying attention to.
November 8th, 2007 at 9:28 amThis guy ran every business in which he was ever involved into the ground – while he skimmed the profits and assets. He left others holding a bag of debt and bad promises. This information was widely available before he ran for President. Thanks to everybody who ignored the facts and engaged in faith-based voting, he got the chance to rip off and mismanage our National Treasury, and he took it. Morons.
November 8th, 2007 at 9:29 ama Blackwater sniper targeted three Iraqis in what everyone but Blackwater and the US government…
CodePink and the whaaackjob troofers don’t constitute “everyone” no matter how much you wish it to be.
November 8th, 2007 at 9:29 amYep, that’s the “fiscally responsible†Republicans for you. You have a credit card with a limit of $5,000. You reach the limit and then you ask them to raise your limit to $10,000. That’s what Bush is doing. Unfortunately, there will come a time when we have to pay the piper.
Comment by bilbobaggins — November 8, 2007 @ 9:13 am
The Republicans have taken “borrow-and-spend” to extreme dimensions just to avoid being the “tax-and-spend” party. They have yet to explain why their way is better.
November 8th, 2007 at 9:30 amWow, the Dow dropping gets first dibs on TF; too bad it never gets mentioned when it makes big gains.
November 8th, 2007 at 9:34 ama Blackwater sniper targeted three Iraqis in what everyone but Blackwater and the US government…
CodePink and the whaaackjob troofers don’t constitute “everyone†no matter how much you wish it to be.
Comment by Minotaur — November 8, 2007 @ 9:29 am
From the linked article: “Eight people who responded to the shootings — including media network and Justice Ministry guards and an Iraqi army commander — and five network officials in the compound said none of the slain guards had fired on the Justice Ministry, where a U.S. diplomat was in a meeting. An Iraqi police report described the shootings as ‘an act of terrorism’ and said Blackwater ’caused the incident.’ ”
This isn’t CodePink talking, it was the Iraqis being shot at, the Iraqi military, the Iraqi media network, the Justice Ministry, and an Iraqi police report.
I suppose you think Iraqi opinions and comments are irrelevant.
November 8th, 2007 at 9:36 am“Strained by extended tours in Iraq, growing numbers of military reservists say the government is providing little help to soldiers who are denied their old jobs when they return home.â€
We have a department of 25 people, and five of them are veterans. One employee was an Army reservist who was deployed to Iraq. We held his job open for the entire tour, and he returned to work when he got back. Since then he’s also been promoted, due to his work ethic and leadership skills.
November 8th, 2007 at 9:37 amA coalition of watchdog organizations will today launch Governmentdocs.org, the first online database of government documents that can be browsed, searched, and reviewed. The goal is to “promote greater transparency into the government’s inner workings.â€
This is good. Now we just need to be able to populate the database with White House e-mails, the redacted parts of government reports, and whatever is in Cheney’s man-sized safe.
November 8th, 2007 at 9:39 amWe have a department of 25 people, and five of them are veterans. One employee was an Army reservist who was deployed to Iraq. We held his job open for the entire tour, and he returned to work when he got back. Since then he’s also been promoted, due to his work ethic and leadership skills.
Comment by Bush is a four letter word — November 8, 2007 @ 9:37 am
Your employer deserves to be lauded, even though your organization did what every employer should be expected to do.
Your employer has no doubt discovered the value of the experience, knowledge, and maturity a veteran contributes to an organization — an added bonus.
November 8th, 2007 at 9:41 amThis isn’t CodePink talking, it was the Iraqis being shot at, the Iraqi military, the Iraqi media network, the Justice Ministry, and an Iraqi police report.
I suppose you think Iraqi opinions and comments are irrelevant.
Comment by missmolly — November 8, 2007 @ 9:36 am
This would have required the troll to actually read the linked article, which is above and beyond. They’re only required to regurgitate the latest buzz words and phrases like “Code Pink” — which the troll probably doesn’t really understand anyway.
November 8th, 2007 at 9:43 amSen. Arlen Specter (R-PA) “is drafting a compromise†on retroactive immunity for telecoms involved in the administration’s warrantless wiretapping program.
Senator Sphinctor, we’ll offer you a compromise. Take your half baked plan, resign from office and leave the heavy lifting to those who don’t have their head up Bush’s ass.
November 8th, 2007 at 9:43 amI am a veteran(for those of you who may not already know it), am thankfully I’m not homeless or not lacking health insurance(see threads from a few weeks back).
Basically, there but for the grace of God go I.
What I DO find lately really weirds me out though. People-mostly strangers, thanking me for my service. Really strange after decades of silent indifference at best and jeers at worst. The times are a-changing-really.
November 8th, 2007 at 9:44 amI suppose you think Iraqi opinions and comments are irrelevant.
The list of “everyone” now includes CodePink, troofers (who will obviously believe anything) and..uh..thirteen other people.
Hooo, that group has almost as many as the list which says “everyone” supports Hillary Clinton.
November 8th, 2007 at 9:44 amYour employer deserves to be lauded, even though your organization did what every employer should be expected to do.
My employer is an Indian tribe. Very high percentage of military service among tribal folk, men and women alike. The path of the warrior is still highly respected in Indian country.
November 8th, 2007 at 9:45 amSpecter’s amendment “would make the federal government — instead of the phone companies†— the defendant in pending lawsuits.
and we all know how well THAT will work out…
US gov. to people: so sue me.
riiiight…
November 8th, 2007 at 9:47 amI suppose you think Iraqi opinions and comments are irrelevant.
The list of “everyone†now includes CodePink, troofers (who will obviously believe anything) and..uh..thirteen other people.
Hooo, that group has almost as many as the list which says “everyone†supports Hillary Clinton.
Comment by Minotaur — November 8, 2007 @ 9:44 am
You are correct, it was poor phrasing on my part. It should have read “everyone with actual knowledge of the incident, everyone paying attention and everyone who isn’t an idiot troll from Virginia” . . .
It’s early on the west coast, so I do apologize for inadvertently using too broad a brush.
November 8th, 2007 at 9:49 ammost unfortunate:
AIDS Vaccine Seemed to Increase Risk
November 8th, 2007 at 9:50 amNew York Times – 11 hours ago
By LAWRENCE K. ALTMAN and ANDREW POLLACK In a puzzling and potentially troubling development, an AIDS vaccine tested in a closely watched trial might have increased the risk among vaccine recipients of becoming infected with HIV, researchers reported …
HIV Vaccine Trial Halted Because It Failed To Reduce Risk Medical News Today
AIDS vaccine tested in Seattle may increase infection risk Seattle Post Intelligencer
-google news
“a Blackwater sniper targeted three Iraqis in what everyone but Blackwater and the US government…
CodePink and the whaaackjob troofers don’t constitute “everyone†no matter how much you wish it to be.
Comment by Minotaur ”
You’re right, everyone doesn’t include goosestepping sychophants and facist toadies. Let’s revise the statement to “everyon who is a rational adult”? or “everyone who doesn’t have their head up GW’s ass”?
November 8th, 2007 at 9:50 amSen. Arlen Specter (R-PA) “is drafting a compromise†on retroactive immunity for telecoms involved in the administration’s warrantless wiretapping program. Specter’s amendment “would make the federal government — instead of the phone companies†— the defendant in pending lawsuits.
NO IMMUNITY PERIOD! They knew what they were doing was illegal ALONG with the govt. To make the govt accountable? jesus christ i’ve heard it all…..
November 8th, 2007 at 9:53 amUS Will Ask a Grand Jury to Indict Kerik
New York Times – 2 hours ago
By WILLIAM K. RASHBAUM and RUSS BUETTNER Federal prosecutors will ask a grand jury today to indict Bernard B. Kerik, the former New York police commissioner, on charges that include tax fraud, corruption and conspiracy counts, according to people who …
Feds will press grand jury to indict Bernie Kerik, say sources New York Daily News
Kerik Indictment on Tax and Corruption Charges Imminent Washington Post
-google news
November 8th, 2007 at 9:53 amYou are correct, it was poor phrasing on my part. It should have read “everyone with actual knowledge of the incident, everyone paying attention and everyone who isn’t an idiot troll from Virginia†. . .
You are forgiven.
November 8th, 2007 at 9:53 amRobertson’s Support of Giuliani Underscores Evangelical Divide
Wall Street Journal – 6 hours ago
By MARY JACOBY and SUSAN DAVIS WASHINGTON — In the latest evidence that evangelical Christians are as split as the rest of the Republican voters, Christian broadcaster Pat Robertson endorsed Rudy Giuliani, who has been divorced twice and supports …
Moves underscore divided Christian conservative vote Boston Globe
news.google.com
November 8th, 2007 at 9:55 amLet’s revise the statement to “everyon who is a rational adult� or “everyone who doesn’t have their head up GW’s ass�
Presumably you don’t fit the bill, unless you believe that saying things such as “everyone who doesn’t have their head up GW’s a$$” is normal for a rational adult.
Is your circle small?
November 8th, 2007 at 9:56 amWhat I DO find lately really weirds me out though. People-mostly strangers, thanking me for my service. Really strange after decades of silent indifference at best and jeers at worst. The times are a-changing-really.
Comment by Uncle Ho — November 8, 2007 @ 9:44 am
That’s OK — accept the thanks. You’ve earned it.
Back in 1991, for the first Veteran’s Day following the first Gulf War, my employer at that time decided to do something to honor ALL veterans. Prior to November 11, they sent a special red-white-and-blue pin to every employee who had served in the military — at least as many as they were able to know about based upon resumes and job applications on file. The pin was accompanied by a note requesting that it be worn on November 11 to work.
I was one of those who received a pin, as I served in the U.S. Navy prior to my employment there. I proudly wore it on November 11, along with many of my fellow employees — several of whom had military experience I was unaware of.
There were veterans who had recently returned home from fighting in Desert Storm. There were people like me who had served during peacetime and had never seen combat. And there were a LOT of people who had served in Vietnam, and had never received any kind of recognition for their service from the civilian sector until that day.
I think it left all of us appreciative of our fighting men and women, regardless of when and where they served. And this IS a change for the better.
November 8th, 2007 at 9:56 amPakistan Opposition Party Members Arrested
New York Times – 2 hours ago
By JANE PERLEZ and DAVID ROHDE ISLAMABAD, Pakistan, Nov. 8 — Amid signs that Gen. Pervez Musharraf is toughening emergency rule, the government arrested as many as 500 members of the main opposition party led by Benazir Bhutto late Wednesday and early …
Pakistani government arrests hundreds of Bhutto supporters International Herald Tribune
Reports: Pakistan Elections In February CBS News
google news
November 8th, 2007 at 9:56 amCongressional Democrats Grow Wary of Spitzer License Plan
By RAYMOND HERNANDEZ
Published: November 8, 2007
‘Democratic members of Congress, having watched Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton stumble on the question of whether states should give driver’s licenses to illegal immigrants, are growing increasingly agitated over Gov. Eliot Spitzer’s plan to do so and are calling for him to shelve the idea.
The opposition is especially strong among Democrats bracing for the prospect of tough re-election battles next year in politically moderate and conservative regions of New York; they have begun to speak out on the issue and, in many cases, have disavowed the plan.’
November 8th, 2007 at 10:00 amI suppose you think Iraqi opinions and comments are irrelevant.
Comment by missmolly
Of course he does. He’s a whack job neoCON. They think that people with skin that is not lily white are less than human and don’t deserve any consideration. They are all a bunch of bigots.
November 8th, 2007 at 10:03 amComment by Minotaur — November 8, 2007 @ 10:00 am
This should be scrutinized. While the intentions may be good, the practice of giving illegal immigrants licenses to drive without understanding any of the safeguards and monitoring is something that needs to be discussed in an open forum. That’s how democracy works.
November 8th, 2007 at 10:04 amPresumably you don’t fit the bill, unless you believe that saying things such as “everyone who doesn’t have their head up GW’s a$$†is normal for a rational adult.
Is your circle small?
Comment by Minotaur
No, yours is. It is currently at, I believe, 24%.
November 8th, 2007 at 10:05 amSorry minotaur,
You seem touchy today, but I guess jamming that bull’s head, complete with horns, into that dark brown hole takes a lot out of a mythical beast…On on a serious note, why is it ok for you to throw around ad hominen attacks and not expect them to come back at you? I guess that’s why you’re a republican.
November 8th, 2007 at 10:08 amAnd how’s the consumer products safety commission doing while conservatives are in control of the government? Not so good:
http://www.10news.com/family/14536470/detail.html
I guess it’s one way to get kids to go to bed – just drug ‘em!
November 8th, 2007 at 10:09 amThis should be scrutinized. While the intentions may be good, the practice of giving illegal immigrants licenses to drive without understanding any of the safeguards and monitoring is something that needs to be discussed in an open forum. That’s how democracy works.
Comment by hellinabucket
I think you have it backwards. The reason why Spitzer wants to give them driver’s licenses is because he wants to make sure that they know the rules of the road and know what is expected of them as a driver. The fact is that these people are going to drive no matter what. Which would you rather have, drivers with no license or insurance, or drivers with a license and insurance? I lived in California for many years and I can tell you that the undocumented workers all drove vehicles. I can’t remember if California issued them drivers licenses, but I believe they did. Personally, I would rather know that the undocumented worker who is driving has a license and insurance.
Then you can get to the issue of whether or not they should even be here. That’s a different issue. In New York, if you were somehow able to get rid of every undocumented worker, there wouldn’t be a restaurant or a hotel open since there would be no one to wash their dishes or clean their rooms.
November 8th, 2007 at 10:09 amNo, yours is. It is currently at, I believe, 24%.
Comment by bilbobaggins — November 8, 2007 @ 10:05 am
He shoots, he scores, and another neocon puppet goes down in flames. Now if somebody would provide this poor twit minitaur with some education on how a representative democracy works, he’ might be able to write something relevant.
or not.
November 8th, 2007 at 10:12 amre 55
Bill Richardson was on the Jim Leher Newshour sometime in the recent past and this is one of the issues he talked about. In NM he instituted the same thing and there was a measurable reduction in accidents because of it. I’m sorry I don’t have the link, so feel free to dismiss this post.
November 8th, 2007 at 10:15 amCodePink and the whaaackjob troofers don’t constitute “everyone†no matter how much you wish it to be.
Comment by Minotaur — November 8, 2007 @ 9:29 am
And you don’t constitute anybody, no matter how much you piss into the wind. Especially if you’re not posting from Iraq.
Oh, I made a funny. A rightard actually fighting for his ideals. How ridiculous.
November 8th, 2007 at 10:16 amCongressional Democrats Grow Wary of Spitzer License Plan
By RAYMOND HERNANDEZ
Published: November 8, 2007
Comment by Minotaur — November 8, 2007 @ 10:00 am
While we’re in the mood for correcting other people’s comments . . . there is no attribution in this comment to the original source, nor is there a link.
Once you get that GED and find a “school” that will accept you, you will have to do better.
November 8th, 2007 at 10:17 amMy fellow Progressives-I posted this on an earlier thread but deserves repeating:
Lulu the wonder troll posted from 8:55pm-3:36am. Looks like he/she spent his entire shift at the RNC disrupting this thread thanks to you contributers who just can’t help taking the trollbait. An important topic’s discussions were waisted discussing off topic/strawman arguments and slinging insults. Do you expect first time curious progressives to actually read through this BS and come back to contribute to an intelligent conversation when every other post is not relevant to the topic? PLEASE DO NOT FEED THE TROLLS! I KNOW HOW HARD IT IS TO RESIST COUNTERING THEIR STUPIDITY BUT THERE ARE WAYS TO ACCOMPLISH THIS SWIFTLY WITHOUT DIRECTLY ENGAGING THESE PAID, DISRUPTING FLYING MONKEYS. They NEVER have a valid point and intentionally move off topic. Keep your focus friends and by all means DO NOT GIVE THE TROLLS WHAT THEY CRAVE MOST…ATTENTION.
Looks like the day shift has punched in (Minotaur). Funny…half man/half bull, huh. Sounds more like ALL bull(sh!t) to me. Please refrain from feeding this troll. They incite anger with their passive-aggressive droppings and HOPE you will respond in anger, They then act surprised that their ignorance incites frustration. They are nothing more than Administration strawmen by proxy and I well understand the temptation to vent all your frustrations to them. THIS IS WHAT THEY ARE HERE FOR. Please don’t fall for their act. They are well aware that their postings are factless and inciteful. Show some restraint, stick to the topic and remember… facts are the GOP’s enemy!
November 8th, 2007 at 10:19 amComment by bilbobaggins — November 8, 2007 @ 10:09 am
I understand the rationale for Spitzer wanting to do this and it has merit. My point was more for the general public in knowing how will this be implemented? Will this be linked with any “amnesty”? Obama gave a reasoned response during the last debate that reflects what you say. Dodd also had a point where driving is a priviledge.
The idea of getting rid of all undocumented workers isn’t going to happen. They are too entrenched in our economy.
My point was that now it’s become a hotbutton issue there will be more debate to discuss it’s merits and it’s shorcomings. That is democracy.
I agree that all who drive on our roads need to understand and obey the laws so we can all drive in a safer environment.
November 8th, 2007 at 10:20 amLicensing illegals is one of the best things to do to protect national security, which is why Repigs are against it. Repigs are very weak on national security, as proven by 9/11, and, like Bush’s dismissal of OBL, would rather not be bothered. It’s getting hard to tell who the Repukes hate more: foreigners or Americans.
November 8th, 2007 at 10:27 ammissmolly; thanks for your thanks and story. but I still find this stuff strange.
As for the ?# homeless and some 47,000,000 insured, I find it morally repugnant that we have this situation regardless of if these people ever served or not.
November 8th, 2007 at 10:28 amshould be UNinsured-sorry
November 8th, 2007 at 10:29 amYep, that’s the “fiscally responsible†Republicans for you. You have a credit card with a limit of $5,000. You reach the limit and then you ask them to raise your limit to $10,000. That’s what Bush is doing. Unfortunately, there will come a time when we have to pay the piper.
Comment by bilbobaggins — November 8, 2007 @ 9:13 am
We already are. The market is becoming increasingly volitile. Yesterday’s meltdown was the result of the plunge of the dollar in reaction to China announcing they will be selling theirs. That’s where the second largest amount of American debt is held, after Japan.
November 8th, 2007 at 10:33 amComment by A Patriot Acting — November 8, 2007 @ 10:19 am
Even though I know trolls like Minotaur are probably RNC paid employees whose objective is to derail threads by sucking people into meaningless nonsensical off-topic arguments, I am willing to put up with it to a certain extent on ThinkFast threads (which I consider to be open threads, and can include topics not mentioned elsewhere).
So far on today’s ThinkFast, we have had topics brought up that didn’t appear on the list — a Blackwater attack on alleged innocents in Iraq, Pat Robinson’s endorsement of Rudi Giuliani, and now driver’s licenses for illegal immigrants (and two of those off-topic topics were introduced by posters I recognize as non-trolls). Still, the thread hasn’t degenerated into a long string of troll-droppings where nobody can find the intelligent comments. Yet.
However, my standards of “stay on topic or be reported for abuse” are a bit higher for non-ThinkFast threads.
November 8th, 2007 at 10:37 amAs for the ?# homeless and some 47,000,000 insured, I find it morally repugnant that we have this situation regardless of if these people ever served or not.
Comment by Uncle Ho — November 8, 2007 @ 10:28 am
You’re right — while I’m all for making sure that vets get their due, there are basic necessities of life that all of our citizens should have whether they are veterans or not — including food, shelter, and health care. That so many of our people here in one of the richest countries on the planet have to do without is shameful.
November 8th, 2007 at 10:40 am“Two separate bills offered by Sens. Joseph Biden (D-DE) and Edward Kennedy (D-MA) would outlaw waterboarding, along with other extreme interrogation techniques. The legislation would make the Army manual the standard for all U.S. interrogators.”
So then, were those the U.S. punished (both Americans and foreign) for waterboarding and other forms of torture then persecuted illegally in years past? This is ridiculous. Torture, including waterboarding, is ALREADY illegal. Will these bills also include “retroactive immunity” for those who both ORDERED it and those who carried it out?
“Sen. Arlen Specter (R-PA) “is drafting a compromise†on retroactive immunity for telecoms involved in the administration’s warrantless wiretapping program. Specter’s amendment “would make the federal government — instead of the phone companies†— the defendant in pending lawsuits.”
Dumb and dumber. Telecoms already have immunity IF THEY ARE PRESENTED WITH APPROPRIATE WARRANTS. This didn’t happen. Instead, they supposedly “took the government’s word” that it WAS legal. It would be interesting and instructive to get the testimony of these corporations’ own fleet of attorneys and see what they may have advised their employer.
November 8th, 2007 at 10:40 amThe US government is a signatory of the Geneva Conventions, thus agreed to abide by all its protocols of which banning torture is one of them, so Bush claiming otherwise is a violation of International law.
November 8th, 2007 at 11:10 amComment by bilbobaggins — November 8, 2007 @ 10:09 am
All that you said is equally as true in Florida. I agree with your reasoning completely.
November 8th, 2007 at 11:13 amYep, that’s the “fiscally responsible†Republicans for you. You have a credit card with a limit of $5,000. You reach the limit and then you ask them to raise your limit to $10,000. That’s what Bush is doing. Unfortunately, there will come a time when we have to pay the piper.
Comment by bilbobaggins — November 8, 2007 @ 9:13 am
Chinese piper in fact. Interesting take on the upcoming economic collapse:
http://www.energybulletin.net/23259.html
November 8th, 2007 at 11:25 am
Georgia calls State of Emergency
November 8th, 2007 at 11:30 amSeven countries about to abandon the dollar:
http://www.currencytrading.net/2007/7-countries-considering-abandoning-the-us-dollar-and-what-it-means/
November 8th, 2007 at 11:47 amComment by Brain From Planet Arous — November 8, 2007 @ 11:47 am
Sounds like the dollar may be going the way of the Soviet ruble if the trend continues.
November 8th, 2007 at 11:49 amSounds like the dollar may be going the way of the Soviet ruble if the trend continues.
Comment by missmolly — November 8, 2007 @ 11:49 am
It sure does, and I agree with the one article that says the USA is less prepared than Russia was. The best investments and practices would be precious metals, toilet paper/food companies, get the hell out of stocks, bonds, CDs, and Cash ASAP, and pay any debt as quickly as possible. 401Ks and retirement funds are going to evaporate. I heard General Motors lost $39 billion last quarter. If this keeps up, Khrushchev’s “We will bury you” prediction will come true. On top of it, when I hear Dumbya mumbling how good the economy is, I can’t even laugh it is so sad and out of touch with reality.
November 8th, 2007 at 12:01 pmCan we get a couple hundred thousand trolls to whip out their credit cards and donate a couple of grand each to reducing the debt?
Oh, right, they’re maxed out on their 10,000 dollar limit.
Oh well, at least we tried…
November 8th, 2007 at 12:09 pm#60 – “Looks like the day shift has punched in (Minotaur). Funny…half man/half bull, huh. Sounds more like ALL bull(sh!t) to me. Please refrain from feeding this troll. They incite anger with their passive-aggressive droppings and HOPE you will respond in anger, They then act surprised that their ignorance incites frustration.” Comment by A Patriot Acting — November 8, 2007 @ 10:19 am
I agree. Rovian Stormkeeper Commander is nother one that “claims” to be non-biased, but will use the tired, old “liberals are always wrong” line again and again.
Liberals and progressives aren’t bashing Pres. Bush because we’re told to do so. We’ve done the research and have come to the conclusion that Pres. Bush is a patsy for the neo-con right-whiners!
Feeding trolls only exacerbates the trolling.
November 8th, 2007 at 12:12 pmbrain – this morning on TODAY, mad money jim recommended that people invest in anything that you can eat, drink or smoke… really…
i became disillusioned with a once favorite aunt after she told me that
one of her best investments was phillip morris…
her husband, STILL my favorite uncle, died from lung cancer…
i’ll never understand repugs…
November 8th, 2007 at 12:21 pm.
Half-man, half-bull… what a perfect handle for a pathetic dead-ender trying to pretend that 75% of the American people DON’T disapprove of the direction his cult-leader has taken the nation. Half-man, Half-bull: you keep pretending that drivers licences for illegal immigrants is going to be a defining issue for the next election. I’m sure it will help you sleep at night. Good luck with that!
November 8th, 2007 at 1:15 pmbrain – this morning on TODAY, mad money jim recommended that people invest in anything that you can eat, drink or smoke… really…
i became disillusioned with a once favorite aunt after she told me that
one of her best investments was phillip morris…
her husband, STILL my favorite uncle, died from lung cancer…
i’ll never understand repugs…
.
Comment by katy — November 8, 2007 @ 12:21 pm
katy, we are not supposed to understand Repukes or Demoncrats who vote the same way. Bizarro World logic. Remember LBJ was Demo.
Funny, I had an aunt who said to invest in War Companies, and her husband was killed in WW2. She was a hard core Repuke, and my Dad (her brother), and my mom, both old time Democrats used to fight like crazy with her. Her daughter ran away from home at 16, married a Navy man 10 years her senior, and he turned out to be a Repuke that would force her to make love with other woman in front of him. They eventually divorced, but the moral of the story is……..Repukes are insane and Demos who vote with them are whores.
November 8th, 2007 at 1:50 pmWhere is Perseus when you need it?
November 8th, 2007 at 2:47 pmYesterday’s meltdown was the result of the plunge of the dollar in reaction to China announcing they will be selling theirs.
Comment by impeachcheneythenbush — November 8, 2007 @ 10:33 am
Do you have a link for their announcement?
November 8th, 2007 at 4:31 pmUh guys:
Specter
Compromise
What am I missing other than the connection between them ?
November 8th, 2007 at 7:18 pm