ThinkFast: December 7, 2007
ThinkFast: December 7, 2007
37 percent: Number of military-family members who “approve of the job Bush is doing as president,” according to a new Bloomberg/LA Times poll. Just 36 percent of active-duty military, veterans, and their families believe “it was worth going to war in Iraq,” compared to a 2004 survey that found “64 percent of service members and their families supported the war.” VetVoice has more.
President Bush’s mortgage relief plan was “set by the mortgage industry and Wall Street firms. The effort is voluntary and it leaves plenty of wiggle room for lenders. Moreover, it would affect only a small number of subprime borrowers.”
“Senate Republicans are planning to call for a congressional commission to investigate the conclusions of the new National Intelligence Estimate on Iran as well as the specific intelligence that went into it.”
“In a sharp rebuke to White House counterterrorism policy,” the Senate and House intelligence committees agreed last night “to require all American interrogators to abide by the Army Field Manual, which prohibits coercive methods,” effectively outlawing harsh techniques used by the CIA.
With just a week before News Corporation takes control of Dow Jones & Company, Rupert Murdoch plans to remove many executives in the “upper echelon at Dow Jones” and replace them with his “trusted lieutenants.”
Late last night, the Senate “passed a one-year fix to the alternative minimum tax (AMT), setting up a potential confrontation with the House, which passed a much different version of the bill earlier.” Due to GOP and White House pressure, the bill that passed does not offset the $50 billion cost of the patch.
The Federal Reserve yesterday revealed that “the amount of equity that U.S. homeowners hold in their homes slipped in the third quarter to the lowest level on record, just above 50 percent.”
“House and Senate votes on the 2008 defense authorization bill could be held as early as next week after conferees agreed Thursday” to strip a provision extending hate-crimes protections to gays from the bill.
“At least 46,600 children along the Gulf Coast are still struggling with mental health problems and other serious aftereffects of 2005 hurricanes, according to a new study by the Mailman School of Public Health at Columbia University and the Children’s Health Fund.”
And finally: World Bank staffers are “cheering the return of their traditional holiday parties under new President Robert Zoellick.” Reportedly, former president Paul Wolfowitz “pulled the plug on holiday festivities” because they “were unseemly at an institution dedicated to fighting poverty. But the natives of 1818 H Street objected: ‘Many employees groused that the parties had been a rare chance to socialize with colleagues.’”
What did we miss? Let us know in the comments section.
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AMT makes ordinary taxpayers an ATM
December 7th, 2007 at 9:06 amPresident Bush’s mortgage relief plan was “set by the mortgage industry and Wall Street firms. The effort is voluntary and it leaves plenty of wiggle room for lenders. Moreover, it would affect only a small number of subprime borrowers.â€
Have they even said what happens to people’s rates after the freeze ends? Perhaps they don’t really care, because that suffering will be blamed on the democrats in office at the time. And what is this “wiggle room”– that probably translates into fine print that reads “all the interest that you would be paying us during these five years gets tacked on to your principal.”
December 7th, 2007 at 9:10 amMilitary families are finally bailing on Bush, giving the lie to all of our trolls’ claims of a majority. Bush is reviled and hated throughout the workaday world, worshipped by the rich and very stupid not-rich.
December 7th, 2007 at 9:11 am“Senate Republicans are planning to call for a congressional commission to investigate the conclusions of the new National Intelligence Estimate on Iran as well as the specific intelligence that went into it.â€
Hmmm, the obstructionists can take pretty quick action when a report they don’t like comes out, eh?
Yuckabee probably won’t object, given the fact he doesn’t even know what NIE is.
Fruity Rudy was ready to nuke Iran as soon as he got into office.
Romney, while doubling the size of Gitmo, will not like the Army Field Manual used as protocol for interrogation. But he’ll pray they overturn that ruling.
Thompson is still asleep, & Tancredo is hiding from the immigrants in his basement.
You can always tell a Neoturd, but you can’t tell them much.
December 7th, 2007 at 9:11 am“In a sharp rebuke to White House counterterrorism policy…”
I guess that means that if this criminal administration does continue to torture, the Senate and House intelligence committees will issue disapproving looks to all of those involved.
December 7th, 2007 at 9:11 amGood morning, campers.
This is one veteran who was against invading Iraq before the 1st shot was fired. I said it before this illegal, immoral, and unjust war began, and will repeat it now, invading Iraq is an EXTREMELY BAD idea.
December 7th, 2007 at 9:13 amThe Federal Reserve yesterday revealed that “the amount of equity that U.S. homeowners hold in their homes slipped in the third quarter to the lowest level on record, just above 50 percent.â€
But… but… we absolutely NEEDED that third SUV, that flat screen TV and those marble countertops. At least that’s what they were saying on the tee vee.
December 7th, 2007 at 9:13 amTwo words:
December 7th, 2007 at 9:13 am
“effectively outlawing harsh techniques used by the CIA.” Ah, sorry, these techniques were already outlawed, by US and international law. All this legislation does is provide an extra layer of argument for those defendants (if there ever will be any) who wish to maintain that what they have been doing (even if ordered, it doesn’t matter as we all are required to disobey unlawful orders) was lawful. Just go look at those CIA tapes . . . oh, yeah, they’re gone.
December 7th, 2007 at 9:15 am“Senate Republicans are planning to call for a congressional commission to investigate the conclusions of the new National Intelligence Estimate on Iran as well as the specific intelligence that went into it.â€
Democrats should call their bluff. They would welcome such a commission… scoped to look at Iran NIE 2007 as well as Iraq NIE 2002/3.
If you reckon the Iran NIE may be wrong, isn’t it a good idea to be able to compare it to a NIE we now know was wrong?
December 7th, 2007 at 9:16 am“In a sharp rebuke to White House counterterrorism policy,â€
sharp rebuke, my ass. they should be mortified beyond relief that the senate of the united states has had to write up a bill outlawing torture — acts already defined as criminal by the international agreements to which this country had proudly cast its name. instead these useless jackasses beat their chests at their proud ‘accomplishment’.
what i see is a country damaged beyond repair and without any sign of leadership anywhere in sight.
December 7th, 2007 at 9:16 am“House and Senate votes on the 2008 defense authorization bill could be held as early as next week after conferees agreed Thursday†to strip a provision extending hate-crimes protections to gays from the bill.
Looks like the GOP refuses to stop their pandering to the hate-crowd in a sad attempt to remain “relevant”.
December 7th, 2007 at 9:18 amBTW: I cannot voice my disapproval of this administration of war criminals too strongly. Hang every one of these mkotherf*(kers.
December 7th, 2007 at 9:18 amI said it before this illegal, immoral, and unjust war began, and will repeat it now, invading Iraq is an EXTREMELY BAD idea.
Comment by Uncle Ho — December 7, 2007 @ 9:13 am
Yes, and you were right. Apparently a majority of military families now agree with you. And obliviously on Bush sails.
December 7th, 2007 at 9:19 amBush and Cheney will hang as the final chapter to their horrible, hateful, antiAmerican lives. it can’t come too soon.
December 7th, 2007 at 9:21 am“House and Senate votes on the 2008 defense authorization bill could be held as early as next week after conferees agreed Thursday†to strip a provision extending hate-crimes protections to gays from the bill.
Well, one positive to getting thrown under the bus every other day is that you eventually stop feeling it…
December 7th, 2007 at 9:21 am37 percent: Number of military-family members who “approve of the job Bush is doing as president,†according to a new Bloomberg/LA Times poll.
This is so sad. And all those military families who have lost a loved one in this occupation are now finally realizing that their love one died for oil, not for a noble cause.
December 7th, 2007 at 9:22 amPresident Bush’s mortgage relief plan was “set by the mortgage industry and Wall Street firms. The effort is voluntary and it leaves plenty of wiggle room for lenders. Moreover, it would affect only a small number of subprime borrowers.â€
Why does this not surprise me? I was amazed when I heard that Bush was doing something to help the homeowners. Now it turns out to just be another giveaway to corporate interests. I’ll bet the only subprime borrowers who will qualify are those who would be a money-losing proposition for the lender.
December 7th, 2007 at 9:23 am“Military families are finally bailing on Bush, giving the lie to all of our trolls’ claims of a majority. Bush is reviled and hated throughout the workaday world, worshipped by the rich and very stupid not-rich.
Comment by Lefty Patriot ”
Yeah, and I’m sure that they’ll be “supporting the troops” now rather than supporting their evil overlords. Now that the shoe is on the other foot, and they’re the ones who hate the troops they’ll have two choices: one, pretend that the troops and their families are still behind the deserter in chief or ignore the troops.
December 7th, 2007 at 9:24 amWar? How about an wreckless invasion and a failed occupation. America knows that it was Osama bin Laden and not Saddam Hussein who killed Americans on US soil. No amount of Josh Bolton bluster, Donald Rumsfeld wishes, and Karl Rove propaganda can change that fact.
December 7th, 2007 at 9:24 amI found this hysterical post on subprime lending on another website. Enjoy!
Dear Subprime Lender:
Our household has not been immune from this ‘economy thing’ and, as a result, our mortgage check will be somewhat delayed. Our financial resources have finally dwindled to the point where our ability to make payment is affected. Our living expenses have been cut back to the basics and we’re still cash short to cover the mortgage payment, which is our largest expense next to taxes. We will resume paying the mortgage when our financial situation improves. It’s not like we haven’t been trying. It has been and continues to be very frustrating.
You may decide to proceed with eviction. Before doing so, you should know that we consider the dwelling our home and home is very important to us. Since those events that control the economy are way beyond our control, we don’t plan to suffer disproportionately for something that’s not entirely our fault, and since there is no safe haven from this ‘economic thing’, we prefer to stay in our home until whenever. You have the power to initiate or to not initiate the use of legal force that will be required to remove us from our home. Should you initiate the use of force or harassment, at whatever level, you will share proportionately. Friends who share our outlook and temperament are aware of our situation. The level of escalation is your call.
Please don’t take this personally, these are just business risks that the bank must have, or should have, considered when investing in people’s homes. The business climate has certainly changed.
There’s no place like home.
December 7th, 2007 at 9:24 amSincerely yours,
Subprime Debtor
I can see it now: the dims will roll over for the rethugs and pronounce the NIE was fraudulent because the CIA is in revolt against w. The destroyed CIA tapes are proof of that revolt; if they really believed in w, they would have maintained the tapes to show what a frat hazing was being done. In stead, everyone is now free to speculate on whether the interrogations were torture.
What changed after Nov. 2006? Why, of course, NOTHING!
December 7th, 2007 at 9:25 amwhy do military families hate the troops?
December 7th, 2007 at 9:26 am(couldn’t resist)
“In a sharp rebuke to White House counterterrorism policy,†the Senate and House intelligence committees agreed last night “to require all American interrogators to abide by the Army Field Manual, which prohibits coercive methods,†effectively outlawing harsh techniques used by the CIA.
Don’t we already have a law that requires this? Wasn’t it sponsored by McCain. And didn’t Bush do a signing statement saying he could ignore the law. I really do wish that Congress would get some spine and challenge Bush’s signing statements. Bush has set a terrible precedent with his signing statements and I don’t want any president to follow in his footsteps, even a Democratic president.
December 7th, 2007 at 9:26 amThe Federal Reserve yesterday revealed that “the amount of equity that U.S. homeowners hold in their homes slipped in the third quarter to the lowest level on record, just above 50 percent.â€
——————————————-
Hey, lenders, retailers, car dealers, time-share companies, etc.! There’s still a lot of home equity out there you haven’t gotten your greedy hands on! Ramp up the ads! Convince people to spend their equity! The well ain’t dry yet!
December 7th, 2007 at 9:26 amBush said he hopes the UN will adopt ‘necessary action’ to persuade Iran to halt its uranium enrichment program.
Bush would you STFU , and open direct talks , You sound like a stubborn jackass
December 7th, 2007 at 9:27 amDue GOP and White House pressure, the bill that passed does not offset the $50 billion cost of the patch.
Oh, once again the GOP proves what a bunch of hypocrites they are. What happened to the “small government” GOP? When did it become the “borrow and spend” party?
December 7th, 2007 at 9:28 amI really do wish that Congress would get some spine and challenge Bush’s signing statements.
Comment by bilbobaggins — December 7, 2007 @ 9:26 am
In 2008, I suppose we could elect representatives who will fight for a bill regarding signing statements. Unfortunately, most Americans have no idea what a “signing statement” is, so I don’t know how this would go over as a campaign slogan.
December 7th, 2007 at 9:28 amThe irony of stripping language outlawing hate crimes against a segment of the population from the U.S. National Defense Authorization bill is enormous and shameful. It reflects strongly on those who would rule by divisiness and hate-mongering. Perhaps we should change the department’s name to the “Department of War, Hate, and Bigotry”!
December 7th, 2007 at 9:30 amthis will be big soon
Kosovo: A declaration of independence – or war?
Serbs: ‘We are defending Europe against Muslim aggression’
*Monday: Deadline for international mediators to submit report to UN secretary general who hands it to the security council. Declaration of Kosovo independence could come at any time after Monday, although Hashim Thaci, set to become Kosovo’s Prime Minister, has promised to do so in consultation with US and Europe.
* 14 December: EU summit. Kosovo expects a signal from the EU on prospects for internationally-supervised independence.
* 19 December: UN security council discusses Kosovo, with Russia remaining opposed to independence.
THE SHITS GONNA HIT THE FAN HERE
http://www.independent.co.uk/
December 7th, 2007 at 9:31 amAt least 46,600 children along the Gulf Coast are still struggling with mental health problems and other serious aftereffects of 2005 hurricanes, according to a new study by the Mailman School of Public Health at Columbia University and the Children’s Health Fund.â€
– - – - -
The gov’t should outlaw hurricanes.
December 7th, 2007 at 9:32 amThe Federal Reserve yesterday revealed that “the amount of equity that U.S. homeowners hold in their homes slipped in the third quarter to the lowest level on record, just above 50 percent.â€
And this is because Americans have been refinancing their homes and taking out equity to keep our economy going. They have followed Bush’s mantra, “don’t worry, go shopping”.
December 7th, 2007 at 9:32 am#21…that sounds pretty close to the letter GWB will have to send to China soon.
December 7th, 2007 at 9:36 am33 CHL…for once, we agree.
December 7th, 2007 at 9:37 am“House and Senate votes on the 2008 defense authorization bill could be held as early as next week after conferees agreed Thursday†to strip a provision extending hate-crimes protections to gays from the bill.
- – - –
Why is it so important for the Repubs to hate gays? What is it about gay people that makes the Repubs so diligent in their work to discriminate against them?
December 7th, 2007 at 9:37 amNATO currently has 16,000 troops stationed in the province.
The deadline for a United Nations-brokered peace deal on its future expires this weekend. It is widely expected that diplomats will announce Monday they have been unable to secure a deal after four months of negotiations.
An adviser to Serbia’s prime minister ratcheted up the rhetoric Thursday, telling Serbian state television his country would defend its sovereignty “using all means” at its disposal.
December 7th, 2007 at 9:38 amPaul Wolfowitz “pulled the plug on holiday festivities†because they “were unseemly at an institution dedicated to fighting poverty.
But gave his girlfriend huge raises that got his ass fired.
And this is who Condi was told to put in charge of WMD issues at the State Department?
Think about that, America. It’s right back at ‘ya…in the face.
Wolfowitz should be in jail with KKKarl, Perle, DeLay, Hunter, Lewis, Hasturd, Abramoff, Doolittle, Foley, Sanitarium, Frist…I could go on, but you get my point.
December 7th, 2007 at 9:40 amThe real reason the GOP is afraid of the Mexican influx:
Latinos’ support of GOP is falling, poll finds
December 7th, 2007 at 9:40 amReport says Hispanics side with Democrats on immigration issues
Great photo of a VFW up top.
In regard to this being Pearl Harbor Day, let’s not forget how BushCo decided to celebrate PH Day in 2006- seven phone calls from Mike Battle informed seven United States Attorneys that they were being shit canned. The only explanation given @ the time was “we want to take the office in a new directionâ€â€¦
December 7th, 2007 at 9:42 am33 CHL…for once, we agree.
Comment by Menehune
I’ll be rolling “Tora, Tora, Tora!” all day on my DVD.
December 7th, 2007 at 9:43 am“Bush has set a terrible precedent with his signing statements and I don’t want any president to follow in his footsteps, even a Democratic president.”
Comment by bilbobaggins — December 7, 2007 @ 9:26 am
I’m convinced that’s why they’ve done nothing about signing statements.
December 7th, 2007 at 9:44 amNew stem cells from skin cell method has cured Sickle Cell anemia:
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/12/06/AR2007120602444.html
True, the known risks still need to be addressed, but at least the potency of the approach is validated.
December 7th, 2007 at 9:45 am32…Bilbo. I fear how this whole mortgage thing will play out. Now, they’ve pulled a certain number of resets out of the equation. The banks probably had projected future revenues based on the probable resets, so who know what kind of future earnings garbage the banks have been feeding Wall Street. Anyhow, I don’t see them doing this without some gain for them–not having to make a ton of foreclosures and try selling properties in already-glutted is certainly a plus, but I want to see the fine print on what the borrowers are signing! And in five years, when these mortgages do reset who knows what the rates will be–the Fed then might be battling inflation and raising rates like in the 70s. So the banks might be still figuring that they’ll end up owning these properties but are going to keep bleeding some people for five more years. That way the banks have time to get their finances in order for the day they do take back these homes. I have heard in some cases that people are better just walking from these properties–why pay for 5 more years and STILL have to declare bankruptcy? In some cases, do it now and use those five years to get turned around.
December 7th, 2007 at 9:47 amNew stem cells from skin cell method has cured Sickle Cell anemia:
THANK GOD, we’ll have no more rats with Sickle Cell!!!!
That’s a far cry from CURING the disease in humans, stupid wingnut.
Go hump yer bible loser.
December 7th, 2007 at 9:47 amWhat did we forget?
__________________________
Let us not forget that in 1787, Delaware became the first state to ratify the Consitution, unaware that a mere 220 years later the President of the USA would $hit all over it.
December 7th, 2007 at 9:49 am43. Yes…possibly, and the Japanese have some of the patents that would have been owned by Americans because of GWB’s stem cell obstinance.
December 7th, 2007 at 9:50 amI’m convinced that’s why they’ve done nothing about signing statements.
Comment by Frosty Cupcake — December 7, 2007 @ 9:44 am
What can they do, exactly? Even if they pass a law limiting the scope of signing statements, Bush will either veto it or nullify it with a signing statement.
December 7th, 2007 at 9:52 amI’m convinced that’s why they’ve done nothing about signing statements.
Comment by Frosty Cupcake
I am sadly becoming convinced that is why they haven’t done anything about any of Bush’s power grabs. I fear that they want the same power for themselves.
Oh well, if they do grab and use all the powers that Bush has anointed himself with, it will be amusing to watch the right implode. They have spent the last 4 years saying “Clinton did it too”, so the left will be able to spend much longer saying “Bush did it first, why wasn’t it a problem then?”.
December 7th, 2007 at 9:52 amOn this historic 66th anniversary of the attack on Pearl Harbor, let us not forget to thank the few remaining veterans of that “day that will live in infamy.â€
Comment by cold_hard_left — December 7, 2007 @ 9:34 am
whole the right forgets the newly-minted vets of the clusterf((k in the ME. sure, CHL, anything you can use to distract from your failure. Using the vets for your own purposes, what a surprise.
December 7th, 2007 at 9:53 am#21…that sounds pretty close to the letter GWB will have to send to China soon.
Comment by Menehune — December 7, 2007 @ 9:36 am
Excellent point. Unfortunately we’ll be the ones caught in the middle.
December 7th, 2007 at 9:54 amThe real reason the GOP is afraid of the Mexican influx:
Latinos’ support of GOP is falling, poll finds
Report says Hispanics side with Democrats on immigration issues
Comment by DieNowForPeace — December 7, 2007 @ 9:40 am
Why would the GOP be afraid? It’s not like the provisional ballots cast in Hispanic districts are counted.
December 7th, 2007 at 9:55 amWhen did it become the “borrow and spend†party?
Comment by bilbobaggins — December 7, 2007 @ 9:28 am
Um…that would have been under Ronald Reagan. Which means it’s been borrowing and spending like crazy for 27 years now. But the loyal GOPers have scarcely noticed, even though the national debt is almost up to 10 TRILLION dollars. There are still a lot of Americans who happily cheer the spending on follies like Iraq and possibly Iran, and are completely oblivious to the fact that a huge percentage of their taxes is going just to pay the interest on the debt.
December 7th, 2007 at 9:55 amThe real reason the GOP is afraid of the Mexican influx:
Latinos’ support of GOP is falling, poll finds
Report says Hispanics side with Democrats on immigration issues
Comment by DieNowForPeace — December 7, 2007 @ 9:40 am
No, the GOP only wants loyal, Republican Hispanics. Which is why they LOVE Cuban immigrants.
December 7th, 2007 at 9:58 ammissmolly, not that I embrace the “Clinton did it too” argument or the “dems did it too”, but regarding raising the debt, the Dems did it too.
December 7th, 2007 at 9:59 amThey’re not afraid of ridiculous spending, either. Remember, they’re the ones who just approved the debt limit be raised to almost 10 trillion.
The Reps haven’t been in control all these last 27 years. Though they have absolutely done the most damage to the debt, they have had accomplices.
No, the GOP only wants loyal, Republican Hispanics. Which is why they LOVE Cuban immigrants.
Comment by missmolly — December 7, 2007 @ 9:58 am
I think with enough time even the Cubans can be turned away from the dark side. They have to forgive the Democrats for JFK eventually.
December 7th, 2007 at 10:03 amComment by Wilco — December 7, 2007 @ 9:59 am
I agree that neither party is blameless. But your “the Dems did it too” argument kind of pales when you compare the rise in spending during the terms of Reagan, Bush 41, Clinton, and Bush 43.
Take a look at Figure 1 at this site:
http://www.cedarcomm.com/~stevelm1/usdebt.htm
Notice that the debt started its rapid rise under Reagan (when he gave tax cuts to the rich and sold us on his “trickle-down” theory), and continued under Bush 41. It slowed and even leveled off under Clinton (when he eliminated Reagan’s tax cuts). Then it skyrocketed at an unprecedented steep climb under Bush 43, when he restored Reagan’s tax cuts AND started spending like crazy on stupid wars.
And I agree that the Dems haven’t done enough to stop this craziness.
December 7th, 2007 at 10:08 amI think with enough time even the Cubans can be turned away from the dark side. They have to forgive the Democrats for JFK eventually.
Comment by toasterhead — December 7, 2007 @ 10:03 am
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Having lived in Miami, I can’t agree with you on this. The Cubans are fervent Republicans and agree with them on more issues than just Castro.
Then again, once Castro is gone, a lot of the Cubans will simply return to Cuba anyway.
December 7th, 2007 at 10:09 amHuman Rights Watch (HRW) has said that the United States imprisons more people per capita than any other country in the world.
At the end of 2006 more than 2.25 million persons were behind bars in US prisons and jails, an all-time high, the rights group said Wednesday, citing figures from the Bureau of Justice Statistics (BJS), a branch of the US Department of Justice.
HRW said the 2006 increase was the largest one-year jump in the last six years.
The number represents an incarceration rate of 751 per 100,000 US residents, “substantially higher than that of Libya (217 per 100,000), and China (119),” HRW said in a statement.
For comparison, France’s incarceration rate is 85 per 100,000, while the rate in Britain’s is 148 and Canada is 107, HRW said.
“These figures confirm an unenviable record: the United States is the world’s leading prison
December 7th, 2007 at 10:20 amThen again, once Castro is gone, a lot of the Cubans will simply return to Cuba anyway.
Comment by dim wit — December 7, 2007 @ 10:09 am
To live? I find that difficult to believe. The generation that actually lived in Cuba has to be getting pretty old by now, and the younger generations have grown up with American infrastructure and wealth. I can see them eagerly visiting Cuba, and vacationing there, but moving? It seems very unlikely.
December 7th, 2007 at 10:24 amDumb Question:
Knowing military wages for the lower ranks, how does the sub-prime mortgage fiasco interact with the full-time military / reserves / guard troops sent to Iraq ?
December 7th, 2007 at 10:24 ammissmolly, I absolutely agree. Republicans have been more fiscally irresponsible, despite their rhetoric.
December 7th, 2007 at 10:26 amI in no way place equal blame with the Dems on this issue. But I think it’s wrong to ignore the Dems complicity.
I can see them eagerly visiting Cuba, and vacationing there, but moving? It seems very unlikely.
Comment by gummitch — December 7, 2007 @ 10:24 am
No, don’t get me wrong, there will be a sizable population still here in the states. However, there will be many who leave to “go home” and the majority of the one who stay will continue to vote Republican.
December 7th, 2007 at 10:30 amAnd obliviously on Bush sails.
Comment by missmolly — December 7, 2007 @ 9:19 am
How can a ship sail when it’s already on the bottom?
Sink, sank, sunk, SUNKEN…
December 7th, 2007 at 10:40 amHaving lived in Miami, I can’t agree with you on this. The Cubans are fervent Republicans and agree with them on more issues than just Castro.
Then again, once Castro is gone, a lot of the Cubans will simply return to Cuba anyway.
Comment by dim wit — December 7, 2007 @ 10:09 am
The older Cubans, yes, absolutely I think second-generation Cubans are more likely to lean liberal. It’s not a large percentage yet, but there are some liberal Cubans out there. I’m marrying one of them next week, so I know for a fact that there’s at least one. :)
December 7th, 2007 at 10:45 amWhat did we miss?
A Guardian Op-ed that puts thing in perspective:
____________________
http://www.guardian.co.uk/comment/story/0,,2223472,00.html?gusrc=rss&feed=12
The surge is a sideshow. Only total US pullout can succeed
[snip]
“Sunni concerns over Shia militias also explain the Awakening movement. Although Sunni tribal leaders are taking US arms and cash, ostensibly to confront al-Qaida, they see value in getting organised to protect their suburbs from Shia raids. The Americans may be temporarily helping to reduce violence, but their tactics help to build up Sunni militias for possible attacks on Shias in the future. Once again the Americans are looking for a military solution to what is essentially a political problem. Without national reconciliation and dialogue between Sunni and Shia community leaders – a process which neither the government of Nuri al-Maliki nor General Petraeus seems able or willing to broker – the underlying issues remain unresolved.” [. . .]
December 7th, 2007 at 10:47 amIf you could vote in the 2008 U.S. presidential election, who would you choose?
Clinton 32.1% ( 199 )
Edwards 9.4% ( 58 )
Obama 40.2% ( 249 )
Giuliani 10.3% ( 64 )
McCain 3.9% ( 24 )
Thompson 4.2% ( 26 )
http://english.ohmynews.com/
The South Korean free press
December 7th, 2007 at 10:55 amlooks like much of the world Prefer Obama to Clinton
December 7th, 2007 at 10:56 am“Even if they pass a law limiting the scope of signing statements, Bush will either veto it or nullify it with a signing statement.”
Comment by toasterhead — December 7, 2007 @ 9:52 am
My husband says the same thing, but. . .Do we know how that would work? If Congress passed a law specifically outlawing signing statements, could Bush use a signing statement to void it?
At any rate, I’ve seen no discussion in Congress about this at all.
December 7th, 2007 at 11:02 am“Oh well, if they do grab and use all the powers that Bush has anointed himself with, it will be amusing to watch the right implode.”
Comment by bilbobaggins — December 7, 2007 @ 9:52 am
Conveniently for right wing politicians, their supporters have very short memories. And few critical thinking skills.
December 7th, 2007 at 11:04 amThe best man in my wedding is a Cuban. And he’s gay, so I’ll agree there are some liberal Cubans, though I believe they are the minority.
I don’t know where you live, but I have found the Miami Cubans to be more Republican then Cubans who have moved to other parts of the country.
Of course, everything I say is a generalization.
Damn, all this talk of Cubans has made me want a mid-morning Cuban sandwich and a colada. . . .
December 7th, 2007 at 11:05 amI’m marrying one of them next week, so I know for a fact that there’s at least one. :)
Comment by toasterhead
Congrats!!!
Cuban women along with Brazilian must have the hottest (in dancing) hips in the world.
December 7th, 2007 at 11:14 amDamn, all this talk of Cubans has made me want a mid-morning Cuban sandwich and a colada. . . .
Comment by dim wit — December 7, 2007 @ 11:05 am
Aww yeah. I could go for a nice medianoche with some tostones and an Ironbeer right now. :)
December 7th, 2007 at 11:14 amAnd about the Cuban issue, I had a friend at elementary school that his family was exiled or displaced Cubans. They were ok, but political views were from the right. I have no doubt that Cubans in Miami hold severe right-wing ideas because they hate Castro’s regime more than anything after they were thrown out of their mansions by the Cuban revolution.
I remember my dad telling me about a Russian friend whose grandpa was an exiled of the Russian Civil war. He hated Bolsheviks, of course, but I guess he didn’t hate when the people were starving to death while he was sipping French wine.
December 7th, 2007 at 11:19 amDamn, all this talk of Cubans has made me want a mid-morning Cuban sandwich and a colada. . . .
Comment by dim wit — December 7, 2007 @ 11:05 am
Aww yeah. I could go for a nice medianoche with some tostones and an Ironbeer right now. :)
Comment by toasterhead — December 7, 2007 @ 11:14 am
Or roasted chicken and plantains. With black beans on the side.
December 7th, 2007 at 11:20 amGonna ram her after the wedding?
Heh.
Comment by Progresso
With all due respect, Cuban women certainly don’t wait after the wedding to have sex. The magic of the Caribbean.
December 7th, 2007 at 11:21 am“What did we miss? Let us know in the comments section.”
Another Democrat echoes Rep. Murtha and acknowledges the surge is a success.
Pomeroy Discusses Visit to Iraq
http://www.kxmc.com/News
Dec 5 2007
The security situation in Iraq has improved dramatically in the past few months. That’s the assessment of Democratic North Dakota Congressman Earl Pomeroy, who just returned from a visit to Iraq.
Pomeroy says the incidence of roadside bombings and other violence is down because Iraqis are taking a more vigorous part in attacking factions that are causing violence in the nation.
The congressman says his visit proved to him that General David Patraeus, who is in charge of American forces in Iraq, has done an extraordinary job…
“I think he is incorporating four years of lessons learned from mistakes made in a dramatically improved US performance. We have had outstanding performance by our soldiers all along, but the plan has not always been one that has been very well equipped to meet the unfolding circumstance in Iraq.
I think now we’re on the right track in Iraq thanks to the leadership of General Patraeus.”
Pomeroy visited Baghdad and the Anbaar Province of Iraq, as well as refugees in Jordan.
December 7th, 2007 at 11:30 amCongrats!!!
Comment by Juan C. — December 7, 2007 @ 11:14 am
Thankee! :)
And about the Cuban issue, I had a friend at elementary school that his family was exiled or displaced Cubans. They were ok, but political views were from the right. I have no doubt that Cubans in Miami hold severe right-wing ideas because they hate Castro’s regime more than anything after they were thrown out of their mansions by the Cuban revolution.
Comment by Juan C. — December 7, 2007 @ 11:19 am
I find it’s mostly the Bay of Pigs invasion. They feel very strongly that Kennedy abandoned the Cuban people by not sending in the Marines, and the Democratic party has yet to be forgiven.
December 7th, 2007 at 11:33 amComment by Exley — December 7, 2007 @ 11:30 am
Ah, yes, the surge.
Such a huge success.
And will it last?
All three from the NY Times, because Exley is such a huge fan.
December 7th, 2007 at 11:34 amSoon Exley, more Democrats will be reminding us that they were for the surge before they were against it.
Comment by cold_hard_left — December 7, 2007 @ 11:32 am
Keep clinging to those desperate fantasies. Pretty soon it’s all you’ll have.
December 7th, 2007 at 11:36 amThey feel very strongly that Kennedy abandoned the Cuban people by not sending in the Marines, and the Democratic party has yet to be forgiven.
Comment by toasterhead
What Cuban people are you referring to? I thought Cuban people had made the revolution.
December 7th, 2007 at 11:36 amSpeaking of military families not supporting the moron in chief, neither did the godfather of the right wing, Ronald Reagan:
Ronald Reagan had his lucid moments while President:
“A moment I’ve been dreading. George (Vice President George H.W. Bush) brought his ne’er-do-well son around this morning and asked me to find the kid a job. Not the political one who lives in Florida (future Gov. Jeb Bush). The one who hangs around here all the time looking shiftless. This so-called kid is already almost 40 and has never had a real job. Maybe I’ll call Kinsley over at The New Republic and see if they’ll hire him as a contributing editor or something. That looks like easy work.â€
— Ronald Reagan in his recently published diaries, May 17, 1986
That’s what the hero of the right thought about President Chimp!
December 7th, 2007 at 11:37 amWhat Cuban people are you referring to? I thought Cuban people had made the revolution.
Comment by Juan C. — December 7, 2007 @ 11:36 am
Good point…
December 7th, 2007 at 11:38 amOh, the Dems…yeah, I’m really worried about their opinion.
December 7th, 2007 at 11:38 amSoon Exley, more Democrats will be reminding us that they were for the surge before they were against it.
Comment by cold_hard_left — December 7, 2007 @ 11:32 am
Do remind me – which of these benchmarks have been achieved in the last few months of the surge “working?”
(i) Forming a Constitutional Review Committee and then completing the constitutional review.
December 7th, 2007 at 11:43 am(ii) Enacting and implementing legislation on de-Ba’athification reform.
(iii) Enacting and implementing legislation to ensure the equitable distribution of hydrocarbon resources to the people of Iraq without regard to the sect or ethnicity of recipients, and enacting and implementing legislation to ensure that the energy resources of Iraq benefit Sunni Arabs, Shi’a Arabs, Kurds, and other Iraqi citizens in an equitable manner.
(iv) Enacting and implementing legislation on procedures to form semi-autonomous regions.
(v) Enacting and implementing legislation establishing an Independent High Electoral Commission, provincial elections law, provincial council authorities, and a date for provincial elections.
(vi) Enacting and implementing legislation addressing amnesty.
(vii) Enacting and implementing legislation establishing a strong militia disarmament program to ensure that such security forces are accountable only to the central government and loyal to the constitution of Iraq.
(viii) Establishing supporting political, media, economic, and services committees in support of the Baghdad Security Plan.
(ix) Providing three trained and ready Iraqi brigades to support Baghdad operations.
(x) Providing Iraqi commanders with all authorities to execute this plan and to make tactical and operational decisions in consultation with U.S. Commanders without political intervention to include the authority to pursue all extremists including Sunni insurgents and Shiite militias.
(xi) Ensuring that Iraqi Security Forces are providing even-handed enforcement of the law.
(xii) Ensuring that, as Prime Minister Maliki was quoted by President Bush as saying, “the Baghdad Security Plan will not provide a safe haven for any outlaws, regardless of [their] sectarian or political affiliation.â€
(xiii) Reducing the level of sectarian violence in Iraq and eliminating militia control of local security.
(xiv) Establishing all of the planned joint security stations in neighborhoods across Baghdad.
(xv) Increasing the number of Iraqi security forces units capable of operating independently.
(xvi) Ensuring that the rights of minority political parties in the Iraqi legislature are protected.
(xvii) Allocating and spending $10 billion in Iraqi revenues for reconstruction projects, including delivery of essential services, on an equitable basis.
(xviii) Ensuring that Iraq’s political authorities are not undermining or making false accusations against members of the ISF.
Comment by citizen_pain — December 7, 2007 @ 11:37 am
I admit it’s a funny story, and it’s been making its way around e-mail inboxes everywhere, but it ain’t true.
If fairness to both Reagan and Dubya, here’s the scoop –
http://www.snopes.com/politics/satire/kinsley.asp
The conversation was a funny speculation on “what could be possible” from columnist Michael Kinsey.
December 7th, 2007 at 11:56 amReportedly, former president Paul Wolfowitz “pulled the plug on holiday festivitiesâ€
Does this mean that -gasp!- Wolfowitz is part of the War on Christmas?
They have infiltrated the White House too!?
Oh, the humanity!!!
December 7th, 2007 at 12:28 pmI wonder how many Righties believe that the Foreigner who will now control our primary economic engine isn’t going to f it up and screw us blind in the process? Not that I approve much of the greed-soaked m-f’ers who run it now.
December 7th, 2007 at 12:58 pmCornholio !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
How you doin’ t’day Corny????????
We’ve got some TP for ya!!!
December 7th, 2007 at 12:59 pmEx – you’ve got to be stoked to have a new buddy like c_h_l in here. You guys are cut right from the same bolt of cloth, aren’t you???
Finally, Ex has someone here who’s his intellectual peer, and c_h_l has a strong, decisive Dad to help direct his devevlopment. What a touching story.
You guys should go grab some lunch at Red Lobster, and share some stories of your historic triumphs here at TP.
December 7th, 2007 at 1:03 pmI believe if you go back and check, you’ll find that the purpose of the “surge” was to create an atmosphere where it would be possible for the Iraqis to achieve a political settlement. Since no political reconciliation seems to be happening in Iraq, I’m not sure how conservatives can say the “surge” has been a success. Besides, there is ample evidence that the decreased violence in Iraq is NOT due to the surge.
December 7th, 2007 at 1:05 pmI, for one, am definitely going to “cut and run” on this situation, ’cause the prospect of facing down the righteous might of a combined Exley-c_h_l “Coalition of the Spinning” is too much for my tender Lefty sensibilities.
Well, it was a good website while it lasted, but I guess we all knew that eventually, the inherent power and goodness of Righty would bring it down.
(tee hee)
December 7th, 2007 at 1:06 pmHey, Gregor – LAURA BUSH is an SP!!!! They have penetrated to the very TOP of this administration: they have infiltrated the very WHITE HOUSE itself!!!!
She didn’t hang a single baby Jesus on the official White House Holiday Tree – it’s all white lights and National Parks.
Oh, the humanity!!!!!!!!!!!
Fan me, please – I think I’m going to faint. :o/
December 7th, 2007 at 1:07 pm“I’m not sure how conservatives can say the “surge†has been a success.”
Comment by Ret. Col. Jack Ripper — December 7, 2007 @ 1:05 pm
Same way Murtha said it. “Success” is now interpreted as “we successfully did our part — of course, Iraq isn’t doing theirs.”
I wish the surge really WAS a success and Iraq really was achieving a political settlement. Then our troops could come home.
December 7th, 2007 at 1:13 pmComment by Leftside Annie — December 7, 2007 @ 1:07 pm
:-))
Yeah, forget the war on terror -this is the real deal!
;-)
December 7th, 2007 at 1:30 pmHeck, conservatives declare their “success” no matter what happens in the corporeal world. They proclaim it loudest when they’ve been shown up as failures.
Too bad it doesn’t work as well in the looney bin, for all those poor bastards claiming to be the Pope – maybe they just need better suits to wear.
December 7th, 2007 at 3:04 pm“Senate Republicans are planning to call for a congressional commission to investigate the conclusions of the new National Intelligence Estimate ”
Republicans are doing something right for a change, albeit probably for the wrong reasons. I hope they do give this some rigorous investigation. I’m afraid they will be disappointed with the results since it will only back up the arguments against Bush’s actions.
I wish the Dems would have done the same thing in 2002-3003.
December 7th, 2007 at 5:08 pm