ThinkFast: December 11, 2007
ThinkFast: December 11, 2007
CIA Director Michael Hayden begins two days of testimony today about the agency’s destruction of videotaped interrogations of terrorist suspects. Hayden will answer questions today from the Senate Intelligence Committee “and Wednesday from its House counterpart. Both are closed sessions.”
“Lawyers within the clandestine branch of the” CIA “gave written approval in advance to the destruction” of hundreds of hours of videotapes documenting interrogations. The revelation of “written documents” is expected to “widen the scope of the inquiries into the matter.”
Last week on ABC’s “The View,” Whoopi Goldberg called the estate tax “horrible.” Anti-tax groups such as Americans For Tax Reform and the American Family Business Institute are already using her words in their campaigns as an “anti-Buffett” tool. “Her statement is all we need,” said John Kartch, a spokesman for Americans for Tax Reform.
Iraq will never allow permanent U.S. military bases on its soil, a top government official said yesterday. “I say one thing, permanent forces or bases in Iraq for any foreign forces is a red line that cannot be accepted by any nationalist Iraqi,” said Iraqi national security adviser Mowaffaq al-Rubaie.
Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad “said a plan is in the works for him to visit Iraq, although he did not reveal a timetable for a trip. ‘I am hoping to do that,’ Ahmadinejad said. ‘We are negotiating to arrange a program.’”
Five years ago, former Gov. Mike Huckabee (R-AR) concluded that the U.S. trade embargo against Cuba was bad for businesses. “Now that he’s a top-tier candidate for president, Huckabee has decided he favors the embargo — so much so that he vowed Monday to outdo even President Bush in strangling the regime of Cuban President Fidel Castro and punishing those who do business there.”
President Bush intends to name conservative commentator James Glassman “to lead the State Department’s struggling efforts to improve the U.S.’s image abroad” and replace Karen Hughes. Glassman is a fellow at the conservative American Enterprise Institute think tank in Washington and publisher of the group’s magazine, The American.
Center for American Progress Senior Fellow Scott Lilly examines the little-known Office of Labor-Management Services, which under the Bush administration, has worked to “undermine the reputation of the labor union movement through a classic political misinformation campaign.” A Labor Department spokesman simply responded that the OLMS “serves a vital purpose in protecting rank-and-file union members.”
And finally: According to the State Department, White House officials — including President Bush — “received thousands of dollars worth of gifts from foreign leaders and friends last year.” For example, former Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi gave Bush the CD “Junichiro Koizumi Presents: My Favorite Elvis Songs,” valued at $50. Vice President Cheney received a “fur-lined cashmere Arabic coat” from Saudi King Abdullah, valued at $400.
What did we miss? Let us know in the comments section.
Whoopi the Tax Specialist. Who knew? Now those rich, fat, lazy Republiscum thieves will whine about how their useless kids won’t be able to start life as multi-millionaires. Boohoo.
December 11th, 2007 at 9:05 amPresident Bush intends to name conservative commentator James Glassman “to lead the State Department’s struggling efforts to improve the U.S.’s image abroad†and replace Karen Hughes. Glassman is a fellow at the conservative American Enterprise Institute think tank in Washington.
Another great idea from the Lame Duck! AEI, yeah, that will improve the State Dept’s image. What a doofus Bush is.
Condi hides out in her Condo, ignoring reality as most Americans see it. She is directly responsible for doubts about the validity of diplomacy efforts, employees refusing to go to Iraq and the lack of any coordinated peace efforts.
If AEI is all that’s left to bolster America’s ‘bad cop’ image, we’re all in a big heap of trouble.
December 11th, 2007 at 9:07 amLast week on ABC’s “The View,†Whoop Goldberg called the estate tax “horrible.â€
This is the same Whoopi Goldberg that defended dogfighting as “part of Michael Vick’s culture”?
December 11th, 2007 at 9:10 amSarkozy cartoon
December 11th, 2007 at 9:11 amIraq will never allow permanent U.S. military bases on its soil, a top government official said yesterday. “I say one thing, permanent forces or bases in Iraq for any foreign forces is a red line that cannot be accepted by any nationalist Iraqi,†said Iraqi national security adviser Mowaffaq al-Rubaie.
But I sense he’ll be willing to accept a long-term lease, renewable in perpetuity at the US’s discretion. Either that or he’ll be leaving government soon.
December 11th, 2007 at 9:12 amWhat did we miss? Let us know in the comments section.
Today, the IAEA will announce that they will seriously consider any information the NCRI brings to them in analyzing Iranian nuclear intentions.
Only the oddest of ducks actually believes Iran isn’t after a nuke bomb.
December 11th, 2007 at 9:14 am“Lawyers within the clandestine branch of the†CIA “gave written approval in advance to the destruction†of hundreds of hours of videotapes documenting interrogations. The revelation of “written documents†is expected to “widen the scope of the inquiries into the matter.â€
Who are these lawyers? That’s a state secret. Where are the documents? They’re classified. Where are the hearings? Behind closed doors? What will the outcome be? That’s none of your business. Ahhh. Freedom!
December 11th, 2007 at 9:15 amWhat did we miss? Let us know in the comments section.
After the Virginia Tech shooting, people asked whether a CCL holder could have made a difference once the shooting started. Jeanne Assam answered that question on Sunday.
Supposed ‘gun free zones’ are simply crime spree zones.
December 11th, 2007 at 9:18 am“Lawyers within the clandestine branch of the†CIA “gave written approval in advance to the destruction†of hundreds of hours of videotapes documenting interrogations. The revelation of “written documents†is expected to “widen the scope of the inquiries into the matter.â€
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What a great idea: Governence via attorneys. What could go wrong?
December 11th, 2007 at 9:18 am#6 - “Either that or he’ll be leaving government soon.” Comment by Menehune — December 11, 2007 @ 9:12 am
Iraqi national security adviser Mowaffaq al-Rubaie won’t be leaving, unless it’s in a body bag. Pres. Bush will never allow an iraqi nay-sayer to his “permanent presence” in Iraq.
Personally, I believe that if the US has a permanent presence in other countries, it’s only fair for them to have a permanent presence in ours.
December 11th, 2007 at 9:20 amLast week on ABC’s “The View,†Whoop Goldberg called the estate tax “horrible.â€
“Her statement is all we need,†said John Kartch, a spokesman for Americans for Tax Reform.
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Whoopi Goldberg is an entertainer. And she’s a good one — I like her entertainment, at any rate. But why do her words on a matter in which she’s no expert carry any more weight than any other non-expert citizen’s?
The simple answer is that WE allow her words to carry more weight. When we allow ourselves to be influenced by the political utterings of Whoopi, Oprah, the Dixie Chicks, Chuck Norris, Charlton Heston, or Ted Nugent, we’re to blame. Professional entertainers and athletes are very good at what they do, and they are no better than the rest of us at what they don’t do. Just because they may have a louder voice and can reach more people does not make them worth listening to on political matters.
December 11th, 2007 at 9:20 am#7 - “Supposed ‘gun free zones’ are simply crime spree zones.” Comment by Shaldag — December 11, 2007 @ 9:18 am
Wow! The US Senate is a crime spree zone?!?! Pres. Bush encourages crime spree zones where ever he goes?!?
Whoda thunk it!
December 11th, 2007 at 9:21 amFive years ago, former Gov. Mike Huckabee (R-AR) concluded that the U.S. trade embargo against Cuba was bad for businesses. “Now that he’s a top-tier candidate for president, Huckabee has decided he favors the embargo — so much so that he vowed Monday to outdo even President Bush in strangling the regime of Cuban President Fidel Castro and punishing those who do business there.â€
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It’s never too early to start pandering for the Cuban-American vote in Florida, it seems.
Add Huckabee to the growing list of Republicans who are madly flip-flopping their past positions to play to a different base — Giuliani, Romney, Huckabee…
December 11th, 2007 at 9:22 am“Supposed ‘gun free zones’ are simply crime spree zones.”
You mean like in church’s. Oh, wait. There were guns there.
December 11th, 2007 at 9:25 amWow! The US Senate is a crime spree zone?!?! Pres. Bush encourages crime spree zones where ever he goes?!?
Capitol Police.
December 11th, 2007 at 9:27 amYou mean like in church’s. Oh, wait. There were guns there.
Comment by Proud American Liberal — December 11, 2007 @ 9:25 am
Yes and Ms. Assam used hers to stop a psychopath.
December 11th, 2007 at 9:28 amAfter the Virginia Tech shooting, people asked whether a CCL holder could have made a difference once the shooting started. Jeanne Assam answered that question on Sunday.
Supposed ‘gun free zones’ are simply crime spree zones.
Comment by Shaldag — December 11, 2007 @ 9:18 am
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Realy?
“The first attack took place at Youth With a Mission, a training center for missionaries in the Denver suburb of Arvada; the other occurred at the New Life Church in Colorado Springs, where Murray was shot by a security guard, though investigators said he may have died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound..”
Then again thats from this “ultra liberal” media site:
http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,316322,00.html
December 11th, 2007 at 9:29 amFive years ago, former Gov. Mike Huckabee (R-AR) concluded that the U.S. trade embargo against Cuba was bad for businesses. “Now that he’s a top-tier candidate for president, Huckabee has decided he favors the embargo — so much so that he vowed Monday to outdo even President Bush in strangling the regime of Cuban President Fidel Castro and punishing those who do business there.â€
Can we finally let the Cuban thing go, please? Hey, we were willing to engage the Chinese and Russians and they ended up owning half this country. Meanwhile Cuba lingers on as a festering reminder of boogeymen past. Soon Europe and Russia will be developing new oilfields in Cuba’s offshore waters and we will be wondering why the Cubans don’t want to sell us any.
December 11th, 2007 at 9:30 amComment by Menehune — December 11, 2007 @ 9:30 am
We will not let this issue go as long as there remains a voting block to be pandered to.
December 11th, 2007 at 9:33 amWhat did we miss? Let us know in the comments section.
45 people were killed today by dual bombings in Algiers.
The AP reports that not a single American soldier was anywhere near the city.
December 11th, 2007 at 9:33 am“Lawyers within the clandestine branch of the†CIA “gave written approval in advance to the destruction†of hundreds of hours of videotapes documenting interrogations.”
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When you ask a lawyer if it’s OK to do something, you are asking him about the legality of the action. If lawyers gave approval to destroy these videotapes, they were saying that it was within the law to do so.
Was it within the law at the time? I assume these lawyers will step forward and defend their position? This should be good theater.
December 11th, 2007 at 9:35 amSupposed ‘gun free zones’ are simply crime spree zones.
Comment by Shaldag — December 11, 2007 @ 9:18 am
I wonder if this over-compensating idiot knows that Assam is a former police officer, and therefore has had extensive law enforcement training in the use of firearms under just such circumstances, unlike all the clueless would be Rambos who want conceal and carry laws because they imagine in their Charles Bronson fantasy world that they could be the big hero.
December 11th, 2007 at 9:37 amHayden will answer questions today from the Senate Intelligence Committee “and Wednesday from its House counterpart. Both are closed sessions.â€
Once again, a Bush Admin lackey is testifying behind closed doors and not under oath. Has there ever been a Bushie who testified in the open under oath? I don’t think so. This must be setting some kind of a record not to mention be setting a horrible precedent.
December 11th, 2007 at 9:37 am18…It’s not like the Cubans in Florida would EVER vote for the Democratic candidate!
December 11th, 2007 at 9:38 amIraq will never allow permanent U.S. military bases on its soil, a top government official said yesterday. “I say one thing, permanent forces or bases in Iraq for any foreign forces is a red line that cannot be accepted by any nationalist Iraqi,†said Iraqi national security adviser Mowaffaq al-Rubaie.
BWAAAHAHAHAHA! Guess what stooge! If the Bushits had their way, the ‘enduring colony’ principle guarantees that permanent bases are there to stay. Talk to Al Maliki, and have him call the chymp.
And good luck with all that.
December 11th, 2007 at 9:38 amBut this is a non-issue, as the next administration will be effecting a withdrawal, or the next Congress will look very, very different from the one now sitting.
The more I see of Huckabee the less I like him (and I started out thinking he was a loon). He’s been covering up the loon religious angle by refusing to directly answer questions about his faith (and evolution, etc.). Now he’s clearly reversed himself entirely just to suck up to the Cuban-Americans. The embargo is a bad joke, a stupid JFK policy that has only succeeded in keeping Cubans in poverty. It needs to be ended immediately.
December 11th, 2007 at 9:38 amThe AP reports that not a single American soldier was anywhere near the city.
Comment by Shaldag — December 11, 2007 @ 9:33 am
Looks like we’ve got a live one today. Another bedwetter here to erect straw men. Knock ‘em down, guy!
December 11th, 2007 at 9:38 am“Lawyers within the clandestine branch of the†CIA “gave written approval in advance to the destruction†of hundreds of hours of videotapes documenting interrogations.
Lawyers gave Rodriguez approval to destroy the tapes and Porter Goss didn’t know about it. Anyone but me find that VERY hard to believe?
December 11th, 2007 at 9:38 amComment by dim wit — December 11, 2007 @ 9:29 am
“Murray was carrying two handguns, an assault rifle and over 1,000 rounds of ammunition,” said Sgt. Jeff Johnson of the Colorado Springs Police Department.
Murray had a plan to kill more than four people but that plan fell apart when confronted by an armed opponent.
December 11th, 2007 at 9:39 amPresident Bush intends to name conservative commentator James Glassman “to lead the State Department’s struggling efforts to improve the U.S.’s image abroad†and replace Karen Hughes. Glassman is a fellow at the conservative American Enterprise Institute think tank in Washington and publisher of the group’s magazine, The American.
President Bush seems to think that lobbing a stink bomb into a party is the way to get people to like him. And that doing it repeatedly will get him laid.
December 11th, 2007 at 9:41 am“Her statement is all we need,†said John Kartch, a spokesman for Americans for Tax Reform.
The right normally vilifies Whoopi Goldberg, but when it suits their agenda, they have no problem using her words. Who gives a fu(k what Whoppi Goldberg thinks about the estate tax. She’s rich so naturally she is going to be opposed to it. It’s only rich people with a conscience like Warren Buffett who support estate taxes.
December 11th, 2007 at 9:41 amAnd finally: According to the State Department, White House officials — including President Bush — “received thousands of dollars worth of gifts from foreign leaders and friends last year.”
I guess I didn’t realize Bush had any friends outside of his Neoturd circle. State employees here in MN cannot accept gifts as a politician, but perhaps Bush makes his own rules.
Makes me wonder, what would one give Cheney for Christmas?
December 11th, 2007 at 9:41 amZim ~ A heart attack?
December 11th, 2007 at 9:43 amThe AP reports that not a single American soldier was anywhere near the city.
Comment by Shaldag — December 11, 2007 @ 9:33 am
However, one inane troll was spotted embarrassing him/herself at TP.
December 11th, 2007 at 9:43 am“I say one thing, permanent forces or bases in Iraq for any foreign forces is a red line that cannot be accepted by any nationalist Iraqi,†said Iraqi national security adviser Mowaffaq al-Rubaie.
Well, I guess this guy needs to have a talk with Malaki since he is making secret deals with the Bush Administration. There is no way the people of Iraq are going to tolerate a permanent US presence in their country. If they have to dispose of Maliki to make sure that doesn’t happen, that’s what they will do.
December 11th, 2007 at 9:43 amIraq will never allow permanent U.S. military bases on its soil
The British gave in to Sadr , After 70 mortars landing a day in Basra Palace starting at 6 am to midnight and suppy convoys being struck many times a day, the Birtish made a Deal to leave Basra Palace alive , they had to release 85 of Sadrs militia men , the video of Sadr picking up his men from Jail in ques of white cars is spectacular,
meanwhile
The Surge is NOT working , whats working is Sadrs ceasefire on US troops , your commanders are making deals just to get out of Iraq,
The wars lost for America now, The Oil is also Lost
YOU HAVE LOST and Bush is Staying the course as president rather than loose face
December 11th, 2007 at 9:43 amPresident Bush intends to name conservative commentator James Glassman “to lead the State Department’s struggling efforts to improve the U.S.’s image abroad†and replace Karen Hughes. Glassman is a fellow at the conservative American Enterprise Institute think tank in Washington and publisher of the group’s magazine, The American.
A bush/cheney suicide would be a GREAT start!
December 11th, 2007 at 9:43 amLOL, RUCeriuos,
Or, a trick gun that shoots out of the back end?
December 11th, 2007 at 9:44 amFive years ago, former Gov. Mike Huckabee (R-AR) concluded that the U.S. trade embargo against Cuba was bad for businesses. “Now that he’s a top-tier candidate for president, Huckabee has decided he favors the embargo..
Huckabee is turning out to be another pandering Republiscum who will say anything to get elected. He’s not very good at defending his former words and deeds, though.
December 11th, 2007 at 9:44 amCapitol Police.
Comment by Shaldag — December 11, 2007 @ 9:27 am
Police are supposed to have guns, stupid.
Sheez… the RNC continues to outsource its trolling to the cheapest bidder.
December 11th, 2007 at 9:44 amCan we finally let the Cuban thing go, please?
Comment by Menehune — December 11, 2007 @ 9:30 am
You would think we would have “let the Cuban thing go” a long time ago. After all, we have made peace with many other Communist regimes — even those we’ve battled.
So what’s so special about Cuba? It all comes down to a bloc of Cuban Americans, who — because of the Electoral College system we have — wield a disproportionate amount of power in this country.
Florida is a swing state, with enough electoral votes to matter in national elections. Cuban Americans are numerous enough in Florida to keep things red in a state where otherwise the vote would be fairly evenly split. If not for Cuban Americans, Gore would have been the victor in 2000.
The Republicans badly need to keep these votes. The Democrats don’t want to offend them, either.
If we elected our presidents by popular vote nationwide, Cuban Americans would revert to just being a small percentage of 250 million Americans total. Their voting power would be lost, and the issue of Cuba would then be looked at from business interests.
The Electoral College system needs to be abolished.
December 11th, 2007 at 9:44 amGlassman is a fellow at the conservative American Enterprise Institute think tank in Washington and publisher of the group’s magazine, The American.
Just what we need to improve the image of the US around the world, another Bush sycophant.
December 11th, 2007 at 9:45 amPresident Bush intends to name conservative commentator James Glassman “to lead the State Department’s struggling efforts to improve the U.S.’s image abroadâ€
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Just sending another Bush apologist to polish the Bush turd and attempt to make it shiny will have about as much positive effect as Karen Hughes’ efforts did.
Some problems cannot be solved solely with marketing.
December 11th, 2007 at 9:47 amPolice are supposed to have guns, stupid.
Which means the senate isn’t a gun free zone.
Welcome to Omaha where even the security guards have to run.
December 11th, 2007 at 9:47 amCenter for American Progress Senior Fellow Scott Lilly examines the little-known Office of Labor-Management Services, which under the Bush administration, has worked to “undermine the reputation of the labor union movement
The labor unions don’t need any help in that regard, they are doing a fine job all by themselves.
December 11th, 2007 at 9:49 am“Murray was carrying two handguns, an assault rifle and over 1,000 rounds of ammunition,†said Sgt. Jeff Johnson of the Colorado Springs Police Department.
Murray had a plan to kill more than four people but that plan fell apart when confronted by an armed opponent.
Comment by Shaldag”
He was another “gun-toting idiot who asked, “who would jesus shoot?” If he was a homophobic closet case he’d have hit the republican trifecta.
December 11th, 2007 at 9:50 amThe radio interview I heard yesterday indicated that there was a security guard who had his weapon drawn, but wouldn’t fire it. A former military guy tried to get him to give it to him, but the guard just froze.
I guess that’s better than shooting one’s leg off, but goes to show that even having a gun is no guarantee that in a combat situation, one will know how to take the enemy out.
December 11th, 2007 at 9:51 amShaldog,
Do guns make people crazy or is crazy just attracted to guns? Inquiring minds want to know.
December 11th, 2007 at 9:51 amWelcome to Omaha where even the security guards have to run.
Comment by Shaldag — December 11, 2007 @ 9:47 am
And the Senators aren’t supposed to carry guns…
But.. but… Webb!! Waaay too easy to see ya trying to set that one up.
And welcome to the Republic of Stupidity… you were born to be a citizen.
December 11th, 2007 at 9:53 amWould this Glassman fellow be related to Kramer of Seinfeld fame, you know, the ‘AssMan’??
December 11th, 2007 at 9:53 amWhat did we miss? Let us know in the comments section.
Barack Obama (aka Mr. Positive) just took a cheat shot at Edwards by saying that Edwards somehow has something to do with Whirlpool when the company was closing down Maytag plants in Iowa, Illinois, and Arkansas.
Obama chief strategist David Axelrod told ABC News that “One of the things people appreciate about (Obama) is he’s not a cheap-shot artist”.
December 11th, 2007 at 9:54 amComment by Shaldag — December 11, 2007 @ 9:39 am
are you psychic? Can you honestly tell me what the shooter was thinking?
I should note the shooter in Omaha killed himself, as did the one at VT, as did the ones in Columbine, as did the shooter in the Amish school shooting. . . .
December 11th, 2007 at 9:54 am“… is crazy just attracted to guns?”
Comment by Bobwurst — December 11, 2007 @ 9:51 am
Me’thinks some of them, such as Li’l Shaldag here, are compensating for a self-perceived “shortcoming”…
December 11th, 2007 at 9:54 amHe was another “gun-toting idiot who asked, “who would jesus shoot?†If he was a homophobic closet case he’d have hit the republican trifecta.
Comment by Bobwurst — December 11, 2007 @ 9:50 am
who’s to say he wasn’t? Guaranteed he was a registered Republiscum.
The labor unions don’t need any help in that regard, they are doing a fine job all by themselves.
Comment by Shaldag — December 11, 2007 @ 9:49 am
well, that news item puts the lie to your bullshit, doesn’t it? If they were doing it “all by themselves”, the administration wouldn’t need a hidden group of traitors to undermine the unions. why do you hate the working people of America?
December 11th, 2007 at 9:54 amShaggydog= CHL’s most recent reincarnation.
The shooter in Colorado was himself a religious psycopath who had been kicked out of the church. Rather than spinning this as a gun toting right, it should be looked at as another manifestation of the religious zealot right.
December 11th, 2007 at 9:54 amI wonder if Daryll has made it to that homosexual beach in Brazil yet?
Daryll, if it’s not too much bother, could you keep TPers updated? We have some grave concerns about your well-being, particularly if any Republican congresscritters are on that beach or near the restrooms.
December 11th, 2007 at 9:55 am18…It’s not like the Cubans in Florida would EVER vote for the Democratic candidate!
Comment by Menehune — December 11, 2007 @ 9:38 am
You’re absolutely right — so you would think that a Dem administration would have done something about Cuba, since they had nothing to lose by it.
But it appears that the Dems are as afraid as the Repubs to offend Cuban Americans — maybe they think there are Dem votes out there they would lose. Or maybe both Clinton and Carter believed there were more pressing issues on their plate.
It’s such an old issue now. Even the White House Press Secretary knows nothing about events that caused our current relationship with Cuba in the first place. The Cold War is over. Cuba doesn’t have any power to hurt us. Castro is practically dead.
By opening up Cuba for trade, we could improve their lot, make them a strategic ally, and help our own business interests. Not to mention making American cigar smokers absolutely ecstatic.
December 11th, 2007 at 9:55 amas did the shooter in the Amish school shooting. . . .
Comment by dim wit — December 11, 2007 @ 9:54 am
The vast majority of mass murderers are angry, alienated white men - the core of the GOOP’s constituency.
December 11th, 2007 at 9:55 amI’m also reminded of the Tacoma mall shooting last year.
December 11th, 2007 at 9:56 amOne citizenRambo with a concealed weapons permit who stated that he’d always wanted to be a hero, when finally given the opportunity to take out a mall shooter, wound up as a target dummy. His wounds healed, but his pride, maybe never.
Do guns make people crazy or is crazy just attracted to guns? Inquiring minds want to know.
Hard to say since people were maliciously killing one another long before guns came along.
December 11th, 2007 at 9:56 amNot to mention making American cigar smokers absolutely ecstatic.
Comment by missmolly — December 11, 2007 @ 9:55 am
But… but… you’re making “sense”…
Why does “sense” hate America so?
December 11th, 2007 at 9:56 amWhat did we miss?
__________________
Iraqi policewomen are told to surrender their weapons
Iraq has ordered policewomen to turn in their weapons, undermining a U.S. initiative. Critics note that pat-down searches will be hampered, as will rape investigations.
The move is a sign of the religious and cultural conservatism that has taken hold since Hussein’s ouster.
By Tina Susman, Los Angeles Times Staff Writer
December 11, 2007
BAGHDAD — The Iraqi government has ordered all policewomen to hand in their guns for redistribution to men or face having their pay withheld, thwarting a U.S. initiative to bring women into the nation’s police force.
The Interior Ministry, which oversees the police, issued the order late last month, according to ministry documents, U.S. officials and several of the women. It affects all officers who have earned the title “policewoman” by graduating from the police academy. It does not apply to men in the same type of jobs.
Critics say the move is the latest sign of the religious and cultural conservatism that has taken hold in Iraq since Saddam Hussein’s ouster ushered in a government dominated by Shiite Muslims. Now, that tendency is hampering efforts to bring stability to Iraq by driving women from the force, said U.S. Army Brig. Gen. David Phillips, who has led the effort to recruit female officers.
“We nursed it along,” he said last week, referring to the recruiting effort. “We saw this as: ‘If we could get 50% of the brain power in this country that is not being utilized engaged, how much further along would we be?’ ”
Without policewomen, Phillips said, there will be no officers to give pat-down searches to female suspects, even though women have joined the ranks of suicide bombers in Iraq. Last week, a female bomber killed at least 16 people north of Baghdad, at least the fifth such attack in Iraq this year.
December 11th, 2007 at 9:56 am40 Comment by missmolly
If the Cubans over here were living as an underclass in squalor, I could understand the continued hatred. But they are quite a wealthy and respected segment of our population. The minute we open up relations with Cuba again, I predict that the communist regime would fade away in a surprisingly short time. And many Cuban-Americans are now so wealthy that they could buy back everything they lost in Cuba and way way more. Who knows, someone is profiting from this embargo–and consequently they fight to keep it in place.
December 11th, 2007 at 9:57 am“… long before guns came along.”
Comment by Shaldag — December 11, 2007 @ 9:56 am
Does anyone understand what this abysmal idiot is saying?
December 11th, 2007 at 9:58 amSo much to comment on. Of what value is it that members of Congress get briefed on what the cia does if there can be no comments or actions that can be taken. All that can be done, according to the reports, is that they can be told about the cia actions, but cannot do anything to stop the actions if the congresscritters feel that the actions are wrong or illegal. What is the point of members of congress being briefed about cia actions other than to make the congress willing accomplices?
I see that whoopi continues to step on her tongue. What evidence did she give to support her views? I’m sure that her extensive research has a great deal of documentation.
The church killer has driven the mall killer from the news. Why are we not looking at the similarities between them? One is not more important than the other. A backward look at the previous mass killers in big shootings need to be analyzed with all of this recent action in mind.
December 11th, 2007 at 9:59 amThe shooter in Colorado was himself a religious psycopath who had been kicked out of the church.
Actually the shooter was an anti-religious psychopath, or at least anti-Christian, as one of his hate rants contained the phrase “All I want to do is kill and injure as many of you … as I can especially Christians who are to blame for most of the problems in the world.”
December 11th, 2007 at 10:01 amI guess I didn’t realize Bush had any friends outside of his Neoturd circle. State employees here in MN cannot accept gifts as a politician, but perhaps Bush makes his own rules.
Comment by Zimzone — December 11, 2007 @ 9:41 am
Presidents, First Ladies, Vice Presidents, and other elected officials have always received gifts from foreign governments — as much as Bush and Cheney can be blamed for, they get a pass on this one.
Recipients of gifts from foreign governments and heads of states may keep them up to a certain value, and the pricier items revert to our government instead of the individual (if someone received, for example, a jewel-encrusted vase worth $100,000, it would wind up as a permanent objet d’art in the White House or in the Smithsonian, most likely).
I don’t know at what dollar amount the line is drawn, though. Maybe somebody could look that up.
December 11th, 2007 at 10:01 amWho knows, someone is profiting from this embargo–and consequently they fight to keep it in place.
Comment by Menehune — December 11, 2007 @ 9:57 am
The “emabargo” is nothing more than a facade anyway. You can fly or ship anything you want to Cuba via Mexico and South America.
December 11th, 2007 at 10:02 amI wonder if Daryll has made it to that homosexual beach in Brazil yet?
Daryll, if it’s not too much bother, could you keep TPers updated? We have some grave concerns about your well-being, particularly if any Republican congresscritters are on that beach or near the restrooms.
Comment by Zimzone
Yes, Drywall, keep us informed, and don’t forget to use condoms….
December 11th, 2007 at 10:02 amYa’ gotta’ love that Iraqi style democracy. It will be a shining beacon of freedom and equality in the region - except for women.
December 11th, 2007 at 10:03 amActually the shooter was an anti-religious psychopath, or at least anti-Christian, as one of his hate rants contained the phrase “All I want to do is kill and injure as many of you … as I can especially Christians who are to blame for most of the problems in the world.â€
Comment by Shaldag — December 11, 2007 @ 10:01 am
Actually, and unsurprisingly, you’re completely wrong. Matthew Murray was a religious nut who was rejected from his missionary school beause he was too crazy even for them. He was an avowed Christian, a self-hater.
December 11th, 2007 at 10:05 am“Actually the shooter was an anti-religious psychopath, or at least anti-Christian, as one of his hate rants contained the phrase “All I want to do is kill and injure as many of you … as I can especially Christians who are to blame for most of the problems in the world.â€
Comment by Shaldag”
He was a homeschooled in an ultra religious home and community and was rejected by those same compassionate christians. If anyone made him anti christian, it was his christian brethren. If anyone is responsible for his violent behavior, it is his christian brethren. If anyone is responsible for his having guns, it is the NRA and idiots like you shaggy.
December 11th, 2007 at 10:06 amOnly a neandertal like bush could have made things worse in the Middle east. He has set back the USA a hundred years, and Iraq a thousand.
December 11th, 2007 at 10:06 amComment by Shaldag — December 11, 2007 @ 10:01 am
“The gunman was identified as Matthew Murray, 24, who was home-schooled in what a friend said was a deeply religious Christian household.”
hmmmm…….
Don’t think too hard about this one Shaldag.
December 11th, 2007 at 10:07 amWord is Drywall, (thanks, Bobwurst), is actually on a secret mission to try and find the missing CIA tapes, and by God, he’s going to check every beach & bathroom in Brazil, even if it is hard.
December 11th, 2007 at 10:07 amare you psychic? Can you honestly tell me what the shooter was thinking?
I should note the shooter in Omaha killed himself, as did the one at VT, as did the ones in Columbine, as did the shooter in the Amish school shooting. . . .
Nope, I’m not a psychic though one could believe that arming to the teeth before attacking wasn’t a sudden, crazed impulse to kill someone.
The shooter in Omaha went to the third floor so as to have a nice wide view of his victim pool. The VT shooter chained the doors and methodically stalked each classroom. The Amish school shooter attacked children at a building in the middle of nowhere.
The church shooter didn’t grab his gun from the glove compartment, he loaded down with a few guns and 1000 rounds.
December 11th, 2007 at 10:08 amBy opening up Cuba for trade, we could improve their lot, make them a strategic ally, and help our own business interests. Not to mention making American cigar smokers absolutely ecstatic.
Comment by missmolly — December 11, 2007 @ 9:55 am
Erm, well, maybe not so much. Some habano lovers are concerned that an explosion in Cuban production would dramatically reduce the quality of the cigars, not to mention sky-rocketing prices while demand was high and supplies low. Oddly enough, this means there are American cigar lovers who support the embargo, just as long as they can continue to order them from overseas.
December 11th, 2007 at 10:09 amCIA-Gate begins today with a rather indicting piece printed by the NYTimes today quoting an anonymous former senior official who is placing the blame right at the top - the desk of the Chimp - who never told them “not to destroy the tapes”. Bush knew about it and looked the other way. In my book, this is tacit approval of a crime making Bush an accessory to the crime of “obstruction of justice”.
There is NO WAY Bush is going to slime his way off this hook which is taking down his administration. Even his bedbuddy, Harriet Miers, is in on it. And he nominated her to be Attorney General?
Now we also can connect the dots about WHY Mukasey refused to answer the question specifically on waterboarding.
As for as the obstruction of justice charge against this white house goes, the dot can be connected way back to the 911 commission who subpoenaed these tapes and never got them. They can thank the Chimp for that.
This is all about saving Bush’s a$$ because according to national law, this is a crime; according to international law, torture is also a crime. He’s cooked - medium rare!
December 11th, 2007 at 10:10 amShaggyDog,
Maybe God is to blame for the CO killings? I mean, doesn’t he attend church? If he was there, he should have intervened, eh?
Have Mike Hyuckabee give him a call. Or Bush. They both have his cell #, and God should step up to the plate on this one.
December 11th, 2007 at 10:11 amDon’t think too hard about this one Shaldag.
Ok, I won’t. His upbringing didn’t exactly jive with his statements about Christians being responsible for all the world’s ills.
You would think that a “religious psychopath” would be screaming ‘Praise Jesus’ or something as he killed, ala the muslim religious psychopaths who reference Allah on their way to martyrdom.
December 11th, 2007 at 10:12 amShaggy,
“Peter Warren, director of Youth With A Mission, said Monday that Murray did not go on the mission he was training for in 2002 because managers thought that “issues relating to his health made it unsafe for him to do so.”
Another source — a longtime member of New Life church, site of the second shooting — told CNN that Murray had a falling out with Youth With A Mission after working with the organization a couple of years ago, and that he sent antagonistic and threatening correspondence afterward.”
The shooter was a psycopath who struggled with the voices in his head and, like others that have wires touching, was going down the familiar path of fundamental Christian training when he was rightfully kicked out of the program.
I think this is a bigger part of the story than gun rights.
December 11th, 2007 at 10:13 amSo if Bush’s obstruction of justice crime goes back to the days of the 911 commission, we really don’t even need these hearings to determine that Bush has committed a national crime, an international crime, as well as a highly impeachable offense.
Let’s go, Pelosi - $hit or get off the pot. Impeach or step down so someone else can save this democracy. As I see it, Nancy’s part of the problem - not part of the solution - with her own complicity in all of this.
I wonder if she received “hush money” or if the blackmail aspect against her reputation was enough to silence her??
December 11th, 2007 at 10:13 amMaybe God is to blame for the CO killings? I mean, doesn’t he attend church? If he was there, he should have intervened, eh?
Sure, maybe he is. I suppose it depends on your religious viewpoint as to whether or not you choose to blame God for an act like this.
December 11th, 2007 at 10:14 am“What did we miss? Let us know in the comment section”
Ask.com’s eraser
December 11th, 2007 at 10:15 amThe article I posted demonstrates one reason why the Iraq failure has occurred: while the US military has achieved some small reductions in violence in Iraq, the country’s elected leaders no longer follow the Bush script. Disarming the women police officers will only create friction internally, and send the message that it’s open season on women officers. It also hampers investigations, as 50% of informants (women) will think twice before talking to women officers, given they have so little authority they aren’t even able to carry weapons to protect themselves.
December 11th, 2007 at 10:18 ameven if it is hard.
Comment by Zimzone — December 11, 2007 @ 10:07 am
I’d bet on flaccid…
December 11th, 2007 at 10:18 amthink this is a bigger part of the story than gun rights.
Comment by nanlichi — December 11, 2007 @ 10:13 am
Absolutely it is bigger, gun rights or psychopathic rage don’t exist in a vacuum.
Murray killed in a church, the VT shooter killed on campus, the loner kid killed in a mall. Simply put, those attacks can obviously happen anywhere as they did; I would like to adequately defend myself rather than finding that my only options are running or hiding which may not be viable options at all.
December 11th, 2007 at 10:20 amLike the Tacoma Mall Rambo, shaggy, your chances of getting to be a hero would be much greater if you were, say, in Iraq.
December 11th, 2007 at 10:21 amSure, maybe he is. I suppose it depends on your religious viewpoint as to whether or not you choose to blame God for an act like this.
Comment by Shaldag
Why not? you blame an absense of god for it. Your kind is more than willing to blame someone else’s god for their bad behavior. If God is omnipresent why didn’t he do something? Maybe he couldn’t get a concealed weapon permit, is that it? Face it shaggy, your kind is crazy, christ-ridden and armed. it’s a bad combo.
December 11th, 2007 at 10:22 amIn researching the recent church killings in CO, the fact that this young man was obviously deranged at the time of his crime which is obvious. But what contributed to his mindset which predisposed his narrow mind into feeling rejected, cornered and the need for revenge??. He was home schooled by radical religious parents. That, in itself, can be the catalyst. Home schooling is only as good as the individuals charged with the responsibility of providing it for their child. The fact that this boy was essentially brainwashed with extremist religious principles from a young impressionable age, without the benefit of a larger world view replete with the myriad belief systems of others, upon repudiation and denial of membership in what he believed to be “the only salvation” for himself, provided the impetus to sent him skyrocketing over the edge of sanity.
The combination of home schooling coupled with the inculcation of a singular extremist religious mindset can create one very narrow-minded, bigoted, hate-filled invidual who is unable to ameliorate or expand his consciousness to accommodate the fact that other belief systems exist.
Isn’t this precisely what we see in radical Islam? How can we see it there and not see it in ourselves? I guess to some “De-nile” is simply a large river in Egypt.
December 11th, 2007 at 10:23 amI would like to adequately defend myself rather than finding that my only options are running or hiding which may not be viable options at all.
Comment by Shaldag
And you’re free to break the law if you so choose. Please, carry your handguns in your shoulder holster, or purse, stand in front of a mirror and ask your self, “who you lookin at?” fantasize about “capping some dirtbag” all you want. But be sure to wear your depends too, because you’re going to pee in your pants while you cower, loser.
December 11th, 2007 at 10:25 amBobwurst: Ask these same individuals what “God’s Will” is all about then. “Not my will but thy will be done” - their mantra. If God’s Will is in everything (and the polarity of right vs. wrong is a cultural phenom and based on semantics most of the time anyway) then everything which occurs is according to some “divine plan” aka “god’s will”. So where is their argument?
December 11th, 2007 at 10:26 amI would like to adequately defend myself rather than finding that my only options are running or hiding which may not be viable options at all.
-Shaldag
I don’t disagree with you here. I don’t particularly care which religion, school, political party or institution you align with or support, but if you’re intending to shoot someone in cold blood and I have a chance to nail your ass I will. So would many others, and some have.
American terrorism, regardless of motive, is alive & well. We all need to be aware of the psycho factor and it behooves us to think that scenario through…and don’t count on ‘Homeland Security’ to be there or help.
We’re on our own…
December 11th, 2007 at 10:26 amLike the Tacoma Mall Rambo, shaggy, your chances of getting to be a hero would be much greater if you were, say, in Iraq.
Comment by RUCerious — December 11, 2007 @ 10:21 am
Never said I wanted to be a hero, just that I would like the option of adequately defending myself and you have no basis for your opinion of my military status.
The Iraq war and random murderers in America are not relevant to one another.
December 11th, 2007 at 10:26 amYou want to have a gun, so that in the one in ten billion chance that you come upon a mass murdering taking place, you can take out the shooter???
December 11th, 2007 at 10:28 amPlease stick to video games. We’ll all be much safer.
The church shooter didn’t grab his gun from the glove compartment, he loaded down with a few guns and 1000 rounds.
Comment by Shaldag — December 11, 2007 @ 10:08 am
What are you talking about? Your original point was something about gun free zones and to defend that you say all of these shooters had premeditated their actions? So what?
I’m not justifying any of these shootings. I’m just saying the person who finished these deeds are the exact same people who started them. It wasn’t some cowboy with a pistol and Hollywood movie in his head.
December 11th, 2007 at 10:29 amAnd you’re free to break the law if you so choose. Please, carry your handguns in your shoulder holster, or purse, stand in front of a mirror and ask your self, “who you lookin at?†fantasize about “capping some dirtbag†all you want. But be sure to wear your depends too, because you’re going to pee in your pants while you cower, loser.
Comment by Bobwurst — December 11, 2007 @ 10:25 am
Or move to a “blue state” like Oregon, where qualified citizens can have a carry permit. Of course, he’d have to prove he wasn’t a felon or a lunatic, so he’d be back to square one.
December 11th, 2007 at 10:30 amRather than get into some ridiculous semantical diatribe about what religion means, it may be time to spend our energies pressing congress toward impeachment. In this week alone, we’ve learned about the lying which Bush has been doing despite the fact that the NIE report was made public by Sy Hersh in November, 2006. His article about this NIE report states that he learned about Iran’s position in the Fall of 2006. How could Bush NOT have known? Is he kept in the dark by his own administration to that extent? I think not. I think that we know this not to be true.
So, we have NIE-gate where a lying president and veep have been exposed, once again. Credibility with the people?? Less than zero, if that’s at all possible.
Then, on it’s coattails we have CIA-gate and the destruction of evidence in the commission of national & international “war crimes” which we are discovering right now goes right to the top once again - Bush and Cheney.
How much more are we going to sit back and tolerate before we do something about it? Call and write to your reps today to fulfill the mandate of the midterms and impeach both of these criminals. After all, they’ve flubbed it on funding the Iraq War (which has cost the Dems many registered voters who have switched to Independent because of their level of disgust with the Dems)…..and now they waffle about impeachment?? Remind them that it is their obligation under their oath of office and not “a choice” at this point - lest they be charged with their own “obstruction of justice”, “derelection of duty” and “overt complicity” in the crimes of the Bush administration for NOT performing the specific duties under their oath of office.
December 11th, 2007 at 10:32 amThe Iraq war and random murderers in America are not relevant to one another.
Comment by Shaldag — December 11, 2007 @ 10:26 am
they are completely relevant. Sick psychopathic Americans on the rampage, both situations. innocents murdered, both situations. the only difference is that one psychopath managed to steal the government from the people.
December 11th, 2007 at 10:34 amYou want to have a gun, so that in the one in ten billion chance that you come upon a mass murdering taking place, you can take out the shooter???
Please stick to video games. We’ll all be much safer.
Comment by RUCerious — December 11, 2007 @ 10:28 am
It isn’t just mass murders taking place, there are plenty of other crimes that victimize innocent people under which the idea of being able to adequately defend yourself would come into play.
That one in ten billion chance shrunk quite a bit for the victims at the church or the mall or the campus, and they too probably thought it would never happen to them.
“One in ten billion” doesn’t mean “never”.
December 11th, 2007 at 10:35 amYes, Veritas, it is time for us to demand justice at the highest level.
I continue to barrage my Congressional representatives demanding action, and get none. When will we be hitting the streets en masse is my big question?
Oh, and by the way, here’s the latest chymp disapproval poll
CBS/New York Times 12/5-9/07
December 11th, 2007 at 10:37 amApprove 28
Disapprove 65
Huh? 7
Diff -37
Well, we liberals hate guns, right? That means we don’t want security guards to have them. That means we don’t want police to have them!
In logic class, that’s called reductio ad absurdum. The result is to refute the premise.
Ergo: we liberals don’t hate guns.
When we would like a background check for gun purchases–when we would like to get handguns registered–when we would like training mandated for gun users–when we would like safety features mandated on new guns–we get screamed at that we’re anti-gun.
We’re not anti-car either, but we want registration, training, and mandated safety features for cars. It’s not the slippery slope to get rid of cars.
But in the same way that we don’t want 14-year-olds driving on the highway,or people who can’t pass an eye test, or cars with bad brakes and no headlights running around, we don’t want untrained, mentally unbalanced, 10-year-old, or Arab terrorist gun owners running around.
And we approve of police owning cars as well.
December 11th, 2007 at 10:37 amHowever, one inane troll was spotted embarrassing him/herself at TP.
Comment by The Republic of Stupidity — December 11, 2007 @ 9:43 am
I guarantee this one is a half-man.
December 11th, 2007 at 10:38 amshaggy, just go join a security guard company if you must, but I get the sense that if you were put in that situation, I wouldn’t want to be anywhere near your trembling, piss soaked, shaky trigger finger…
December 11th, 2007 at 10:38 amComment by Lefty Patriot — December 11, 2007 @ 10:34 am
Not relevant in this context.
December 11th, 2007 at 10:39 amshaggy, just go join a security guard company if you must, but I get the sense that if you were put in that situation, I wouldn’t want to be anywhere near your trembling, piss soaked, shaky trigger finger…
Comment by RUCerious — December 11, 2007 @ 10:38 am
Not the most cogent of responses but I guess it will have to do. :-)
December 11th, 2007 at 10:41 amLet me ask you shaggy, any military combat experience?
December 11th, 2007 at 10:42 amJames Glassman did a fine job discrediting himself when he co-authored “Dow 36,000″ at the peak of the stock bubble. He is an ideological fanatic who spouts the religion of “free markets” and “capitalism”. In other words, he is the perfect Bush appointment, where being spectacularly wrong is considered a sign of success.
December 11th, 2007 at 10:42 amSo, we have NIE-gate where a lying president and veep have been exposed, once again. Credibility with the people?? Less than zero, if that’s at all possible.
Everyone is starting to take a closer look at this thing as the last Iran NIE seems to be raising quite a storm of skepticism.
December 11th, 2007 at 10:44 amLet me ask you shaggy, any military combat experience?
Comment by RUCerious — December 11, 2007 @ 10:42 am
No.
December 11th, 2007 at 10:45 amOK, thanks for answering honestly.
December 11th, 2007 at 10:46 amLet me just say this, and we can drop it.
December 11th, 2007 at 10:48 amAt the moment when the target (human being) is in your sights, and as the finger squeezes the trigger, and the round heads downrange into the target, something changes inside you.
Think about it.
OK, thanks for answering honestly.
Comment by RUCerious — December 11, 2007 @ 10:46 am
Had I answered “yes”, even if it were true, I have the feeling you would not have accepted the answer.
December 11th, 2007 at 10:49 amWould you care to continue the conversation? Or should we just drop it?
December 11th, 2007 at 10:50 amEveryone is starting to take a closer look at this thing as the last Iran NIE seems to be raising quite a storm of skepticism.
Comment by Shaldag — December 11, 2007 @ 10:44 am
“Everyone”? “seems to be”?
Someone here seems to be just making sh*t up.
December 11th, 2007 at 10:50 amComment by RUCerious — December 11, 2007 @ 10:48 am
Of that I have no doubt, I just don’t want myself or my family being the downrange target. If it happens I will have to deal with the psychological consequences but at least I will have the chance to deal with them.
December 11th, 2007 at 10:51 amOK, gunslinger, have it your way. Make sure your concealed weapons permit stays valid, and take some lessons, keep current on the range, will you?
December 11th, 2007 at 10:53 amWelcome to Omaha where even the security guards have to run.
Comment by Shaldag — December 11, 2007 @ 9:47 am
New idiot to add to the list. Perhaps if you were to add the troll’s combined IQs you could hit triple digits.
December 11th, 2007 at 10:53 amSomeone here seems to be just making sh*t up.
Comment by VerbalKint — December 11, 2007 @ 10:50 am
The British, French, Israelis and even the IAEA are all reassessing the NIE report.
December 11th, 2007 at 10:55 amEveryone is starting to take a closer look at this thing as the last Iran NIE seems to be raising quite a storm of skepticism.
Comment by Shaldag — December 11, 2007 @ 10:44 am
Among you and your crowd, maybe. Among intelligent people, not so much. Seriously, any “storm” is those neo-cons who have been shown, again, to be liars and are now attacking a report with absolutely no proof that the contents are incorrect. The NIE is the combined opinion of 16 (can you count that high?) intelligence agencies, but I guess Sean Hannity and other people with absolutely no military or intelligence experience know better. Please just turn of the computer, leave mom’s basement, and get a life. Or maybe go to school, though you are being schooled here.
December 11th, 2007 at 10:58 amOK, gunslinger, have it your way. Make sure your concealed weapons permit stays valid, and take some lessons, keep current on the range, will you?
Comment by RUCerious — December 11, 2007 @ 10:53 am
I already have it my way, Minnesota passed the CC law years ago and I have been a permit holder since day one. You will never see a better group than what I can hit at fifteen yards with my P228.
Don’t worry so much about us.
December 11th, 2007 at 10:58 amShaggy, good for you.
December 11th, 2007 at 11:02 amHope you don’t ever have to worry about when the target is shooting back at you…
The British, French, Israelis and even the IAEA are all reassessing the NIE report.
Comment by Shaldag — December 11, 2007 @ 10:55 am
Links?? Just typing it doesn’t make it so.
I already have it my way, Minnesota passed the CC law years ago and I have been a permit holder since day one. You will never see a better group than what I can hit at fifteen yards with my P228.
Don’t worry so much about us.
Comment by Shaldag — December 11, 2007 @ 10:58 am
Another reason not to visit Minnesota
December 11th, 2007 at 11:04 amBetter that I am able to shoot back at him than not.
December 11th, 2007 at 11:04 amHim? What about Her?
December 11th, 2007 at 11:06 amColorado church gunman targeted Christians in particular, spouting rhetoric that is common on TP, dailyKos, etc. Now, Christians aren’t the type to litigate against websites, when they are the victims of violence, but it occurred to me, that given the level of anti-semitism that is rampant on TP, dailyKos, etc., Jews would have a very good case to litigate against you, should any violent attacker spout your talking points against Jews in general, and Israelis in particular.
I am saddened when I think of all the tragedies that occur in our country, driven by the animosity you cultivate and propogate on your website:
- women who kill their children
- women teachers who molest their students
- mass murderers targeting Christians, Amish / Mennonite, Jews
as so on, and can see how they are fueled by those posting on supposedly “liberal” bloggers.
December 11th, 2007 at 11:07 amThe British, French, Israelis and even the IAEA are all reassessing the NIE report.
Comment by Shaldag — December 11, 2007 @ 10:55 am
According to who? You?
December 11th, 2007 at 11:07 amI already have it my way, Minnesota passed the CC law years ago and I have been a permit holder since day one.
Comment by Shaldag — December 11, 2007 @ 10:58 am
The day the law went into effect signs went up in businesses all over Minnesota stating that guns were not allowed. So dipsh*t can yak all he wants about carrying his compensator around, but probably 90% of businesses in the Twin Cities have banned guns in response to this idiotic law.
December 11th, 2007 at 11:09 amThe British, French, Israelis and even the IAEA are all reassessing the NIE report.
Comment by Shaldag — December 11, 2007 @ 10:55 am
This sounds just like the kind of line that psycho pussy Bill Kristol says with that ugly Halloween smile that screams “LIAR!!!” plastered on his face.
December 11th, 2007 at 11:11 amBy the way, the Minnesota law says absolutely nothing about concealing the weapon. There is no reason you can’t strut around on the sidewalks with your six shooters and bandoliers strapped on. Yet no one does it. Why? It would be considered impolite, and if there is one thing that Minnesotans fear, it is impoliteness.
December 11th, 2007 at 11:15 amas so on, and can see how they are fueled by those posting on supposedly “liberal†bloggers.
Comment by Jason M. Hendler — December 11, 2007 @ 11:07 am
Pretty desperate, Hendler, and pathetic.
Sayy… most mass murderers are alienated, angry white men… kinda like YOU, if I’m not mistaken…
Look, Commies!!! Commies, Jason, Commies!!! Everywhere, Commies, Commies, Commies!!!
December 11th, 2007 at 11:18 amThe day the law went into effect signs went up in businesses all over Minnesota stating that guns were not allowed. So dipsh*t can yak all he wants about carrying his compensator around, but probably 90% of businesses in the Twin Cities have banned guns in response to this idiotic law.
A simple walk around town would verify that “90%” isn’t anywhere close to reality. The talk of blood in the streets quietly went away about one month after the law went into effect and has now become a distant memory of hysterical overreaction.
I’m not exactly sure why you are so stridently opposed to such a law.
December 11th, 2007 at 11:19 am#129, tros,
Get ready for the lawsuits once a synagogue gets hit, and someone quotes Kos himself.
December 11th, 2007 at 11:21 amWell it HAS been fun but the shine has worn off today, I can only stand so much.
Cheers from Bill’s Gun Shop and Range.
http://www.billsgs.com/
Good shooting!
December 11th, 2007 at 11:30 amLast week on ABC’s “The View,†Whoopi Goldberg called the estate tax “horrible.†Anti-tax groups such as Americans For Tax Reform and the American Family Business Institute are already using her words in their campaigns as an “anti-Buffett†tool. “Her statement is all we need,†said John Kartch, a spokesman for Americans for Tax Reform.
Yeah, that 1.24% of the 2.4 million people shuffling off this mortal coil subject to the tax (with exemptions for net worth below $2M) is “horrible.”
Hoopie! It is time to get “Back in the Habit” and leave the economics to others. Congratulations on being G. Norquist’s new TOOL!
December 11th, 2007 at 11:36 am#129, tros,
Get ready for the lawsuits once a synagogue gets hit, and someone quotes Kos himself.
Comment by Jason M. Hendler — December 11, 2007 @ 11:21 am
You’re frightening, seriously get on some medication.
December 11th, 2007 at 11:36 amJason M. Hendler!
Please, Uncle Jason, tell us some more about “urban heat”. I love that story. Or, how about predicting the primaries or the 2008 election? You’re 2006 predictions were so much fun. Or, could you tell us about sexual harassment? That was one of your highlights. Or, could you tell us the names of the Ivy League universities? That would be fun, too. You are always so much fun, Uncle Jason.
December 11th, 2007 at 11:39 am- women who kill their children
- women teachers who molest their students
- mass murderers targeting Christians, Amish / Mennonite, Jews
as so on, and can see how they are fueled by those posting on supposedly “liberal†bloggers.
Comment by Jason M. Hendler — December 11, 2007 @ 11:07 am
Since I have never seen posts on TP urging women to kill their children or molest their students, and I haven’t seen anybody here advocate going into churches or synagogues and staging shoot-em-ups, I assume you are implying that nutcases are somehow being driven by TP to commit insane acts of violence in some more indirect way.
This reminds me of Newt Gingrich pontificating about the Susan Smith case in South Carolina (for those of you who don’t remember, Smith was the mother who drowned her two little boys and blamed their disappearance on a carjacking by a black man). Using the case as a campaign point, Gingrich said in 1994, “I think that the mother killing the two children in South Carolina vividly reminds every American how sick the society is getting and how much we need to change things…the only way you get change is to vote Republican.”
And then the day before Election Day, Gingrich defended his comments by saying that violence and related ills arise from a Democratic-controlled political system, and when he was asked if the change he was offering the country would stop killings like those in South Carolina, he replied, ”Yes. In my judgment, there’s no question.”
All predictable blather from a bloviating politician anxious to blame all society’s ills on the other party.
Was Gingrich right? Probably not. A bigger influence on Smith than the Democratic-controlled Congress was her stepfather, who had sexually molested her for years, causing her to attempt suicide at ages 13, 15, and 18. This stepfather was a prominent Republican in South Carolina, and the local leader of Pat Robertson’s Christian Coalition.
Don’t be like Gingrich, Jason. There are many reasons why people go off the deep end and commit acts of violence. It’s hard for me to believe that TP would be at the top of the list.
December 11th, 2007 at 11:45 amdriven by the animosity you cultivate and propogate on your website:
STRAW GIRLIE!
This fundie nutcase was a homeschooled Xian brat who went batshit crazy after being rejected by his homies…
December 11th, 2007 at 11:49 amREAD, Jason, READ!!!!
Get ready for the lawsuits once a synagogue gets hit, and someone quotes Kos himself.
Comment by Jason M. Hendler — December 11, 2007 @ 11:21 am
Do you ever get embarrassed from showing the dark depths of your stupidity for the world to see?
How about them “Urban Heat Islands”, Jason?
December 11th, 2007 at 12:00 pmGet ready for the lawsuits once a synagogue gets hit, and someone quotes Kos himself.
Comment by Jason M. Hendler — December 11, 2007 @ 11:21 am
I’ve seen Hendler post some amazingly idiotic things here in the past, but this takes the cake. This is just sheer lunacy.
December 11th, 2007 at 12:09 pmDo you ever get embarrassed from showing the dark depths of your stupidity for the world to see?
Comment by Wayne
I think this morning he found the inflatable doll out of air.
December 11th, 2007 at 12:10 pm“Her statement is all we need,†said John Kartch, a spokesman for Americans for Tax Reform. ”
I think someone has grossly overestimated the power of Ms Goldberg’s words. If this clown was correct, we’d have had legal weed 15 years ago.
December 11th, 2007 at 12:25 pmI see we’re getting into all the Righty guys’ “self-defense” fantasies today.
Quick poll - who here has ever been in a “self-defense” situation in real life.
I’ll start - I’m 41 years old, and have lived in urban neighborhoods few white people would so much as drive through, and spent a lot of time at nightclubs, bars, etc., and I’ve never so much as had to raise my voice in my own defense. Nary a burglar, a mugger, nor a random violent nut has ever crossed my path.
Do those people who have guns by the bed “just in case” also have a suitcase packed so they can fly to the Bahamas when they hit the lottery?
Do you have a “lightning strike kit” at the ready??
Do you (single guys only) keep 3 pillows on your bed, in case 2 women decide to go home with you??
December 11th, 2007 at 12:35 pmNot everyone’s against you here Shaldag regarding CCW.
I’ve been lurking here since before Ryan Neat used to spank MA all over this forum if anyone else remembers that. And I’m about as progressive as you can get. Don’t confuse “progressive” with “liberal” although this site has become somewhat liberal.
I am, however, a very strong union supporter and could point out MANY instances where the government has worked to undermine union efforts. Don’t speak of something you know absolutely nothing about concerning unions. (IMO, the democrats turned their backs on unions long ago…NAFTA for instance.) The only reason I consider myself a democrat is that I’m damn sure not a republican. (More an independent.) BTW, the current admin aren’t republicans either…they’re NEO-CONS. Check out the PNAC website if you’re not familiar with it.
Why are you all assuming that Shaldag is the “soldier of fortune” type whom spanks his monkey while “playing” with his firearms? Those types are in the minority by far. That’s kinda like believing that anyone who attends church services is a religious nut-job.
CCW? Depends on where you live IMO. I’m a Detroit native whom could tell stories all day about where CCW would have saved innocent lives. A few quick examples. A former neighbor was robbed then killed after his car broke down in a very high crime area. Best example…a high school friend is still in a “mental institution” after being forced to watch his wife being raped by a gang of thugs. She died as a result. (On Belle-Isle after the annual Detroit fireworks show in 89′ for those familiar with the area.) I’m betting that most of you anti’s live in lily white areas where these type of crimes rarely if ever occur.
I live in very “safe†rural Wisconsin now and would still CCW if I could. Violent crime is rare but it still occasionally happens. Wisconsin is one of the few states where CCW is not permitted.
tombaker- just because you have been fortunate is irrelevant. Talk to any victim of a violent crime. BTW, you’ve probably been left alone because of assumption that you are armed.
December 11th, 2007 at 1:00 pmI think it’s a little optimistic to say that “Hayden will answer questions…” - he may be ASKED questions, but when was the last time a Bush appointee actually ANSWERED a question?
December 11th, 2007 at 1:07 pmNebraska does have a CCW law, it’s been around for almost two years.
Personally, I have no problem with it, after reading about the stringent requirements you have to meet just to have your application accepted (it actually requires you to have a legitimate reason for carrying a concealed weapon).
So even with this law, a mentally disturbed teenager took what the police said was an AK-47 and opened fire, sending 30 rounds downrange.
I fired an AK-47 when I was in the Army, and I know that you can empty its 30 round magazine in almost 10 seconds. Anyone who had a concealed weapon would have to first observe this kid take the weapon out from under his coat, free their hands if they were holding something, then draw their own weapon, take a bead on him, and shoot, accurately.
My one question is: Why did he have access to a weapon that was originally designed to assault objectives? What reason does a civilian need a 30 round magazine, or the 18 round magazine of a Glock, for that matter?
December 11th, 2007 at 1:13 pm“My one question is: Why did he have access to a weapon that was originally designed to assault objectives? What reason does a civilian need a 30 round magazine, or the 18 round magazine of a Glock, for that matter?”
Good point(s). W let the assault weapons ban expire and this includes magazine capacity limits for handguns. Strange…Poppy bush is the one who pushed for these bans in the first place. Fear of the NRA is to blame.
I also fully agree with you that CCW would have had little if any effect on the current shootings.
December 11th, 2007 at 1:25 pmCiting examples of crime victims is = citing examples of accidental deaths. Those are the two sides of the one gun coin; not enough to drive a decision for or against. More is needed for either side to claim a “win”. (though there are waaayyy more accidental shootings than there are shootings of victims by bad guys in their homes)
And, shroomer guy, my poll is asking for first-hand experiences. Too many hypotheticals is how we end up in a gun mess in the first place.
[for the record, i am NOT anti-gun ownership]
December 11th, 2007 at 1:32 pmI’m not trying to “win” here. And don’t try to belittle me with the “shroomer guy”.
Have I ever had to defend myself? Several times! Best example…attempted car-jack on 8-mile thwarted by simply showing a revolver.
December 11th, 2007 at 1:45 pmok then - no offense intended, Mycelium - but you know you’re askin’ for it with that handle.
December 11th, 2007 at 1:54 pmand, by your own example, a convincing replica of a revolver would’ve produced the same result, or not?