ThinkFast: December 12, 2007
ThinkFast: December 12, 2007
Days after the CIA admitted it destroyed interrogation tapes, a U.S. appeals court ordered the Bush administration “to preserve any evidence relevant” to the case involving Majid Khan, a U.S. national held at Guantanamo Bay who alleges he was tortured while in CIA hands.
According to NASA scientists, “Through the first 11 months, 2007 is the second warmest year in the period of instrumental data, behind the record warmth of 2005.”
“Forty people were killed and more than 125 wounded when three car bombs exploded in quick succession in the Shi’ite city of Amara in southern Iraq on Wednesday.” The attacks “were among the deadliest this year in southern Iraq and came as tensions ran high across the region.”
Chairman of the House Judiciary Committee John Conyers (D-MI) and Committee member Rep. Steve Chabot (R-OH) struck a deal “on a piece of housing legislation that would give bankruptcy-court judges more flexibility to alter the terms of certain mortgages.” A markup of the bill will be held today.
Attempting to break a congressional impasse on appropriations legislation, Rep. David Obey (D-WI) advocated eliminating all congressional earmarks. While Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) said she was open to the idea, the plan “ran into deeply skeptical senators from both parties.”
Yesterday, Rep. Rush Holt (D-NJ) wrote to Attorney General Mike Mukasey requesting that he “immediately appoint an independent counsel to investigate the circumstances surrounding” the destruction of interrogation tapes by the CIA.
The U.S. Sentencing Commission voted unanimously yesterday to reduce the large disparity between punishments for crack and powder cocaine offenders, giving approximately 20,000 federal inmates incarcerated for crack offenses a chance to reduce their sentences. The Bush administration strongly opposed the vote, arguing “it will make thousands of dangerous prisoners, many of them violent gang members, eligible for immediate release.”
“Our main focus, militarily, in the region and in the world right now is rightly and firmly in Iraq,” Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Mike Mullen testified yesterday. “It is simply a matter of resources, of capacity. In Afghanistan, we do what we can. In Iraq, we do what we must.”
“President Bush hailed a decade-long decline in teen drug use as proof that his administration’s drug interdiction efforts are working. … Bush said he wanted to ‘celebrate progress’ while acknowledging that there is still work to be done on curbing teen drug use.”
And finally: Colbert is getting bored. “With his show in reruns while the writers continue to strike, Stephen Colbert needs something to do.” The comedian was spotted walking across the National Mall in Washington, D.C. on Tuesday “with a large portrait of himself on his back.”
What did we miss? Let us know in the comments section.
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According to NASA scientists, “Through the first 11 months, 2007 is the second warmest year in the period of instrumental data, behind the record warmth of 2005.â€
And freakishly warm out today in NYC too, but remember, trolls–look at the overall trend line and not any specific year.
December 12th, 2007 at 9:04 amHow’s that there Surge going, Bushbots?
December 12th, 2007 at 9:05 am“Our main focus, militarily, in the region and in the world right now is rightly and firmly in Iraq,†Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Mike Mullen testified yesterday.
I think this pretty well describes America’s problem right now.
We’re still in ‘Iraq Think’ mode, while the rest of the world slowly passes us by.
While the Taliban grows in numbers & resources, we continue to spend billions of dollars & lose lives in a quagmire.
Will America continue to allow Neocons & military interests to rule policy?
Stay tuned…
December 12th, 2007 at 9:06 am40 killed/125 wounded?
This is the “mission accomplished” and the success of “the surge”.
Bushit, isn’t it?
December 12th, 2007 at 9:10 am“President Bush hailed a decade-long decline in teen drug use as proof that his administration’s drug interdiction efforts are working. … Bush said he wanted to ‘celebrate progress’ while acknowledging that there is still work to be done on curbing teen drug use.â€
That’s simple, George. Lower the birth rate. less teens = less drug use. By the way, that’s a decade-long decline in illicit drug use. The abuse of prescription meds is up over that same decade. With doctors prescribing uppers and downers all over the place, it’s real easy to find someone to sell you one of the pills they get to treat their “condition”.
December 12th, 2007 at 9:19 amAccording to NASA scientists, “Through the first 11 months, 2007 is the second warmest year in the period of instrumental data, behind the record warmth of 2005.â€
hmmm. must be faulty instruments. I’m sure if NASA tries harder they can find instrumental data which shows the earth is cooling. Lazy liberal NASA scientist bastards.
December 12th, 2007 at 9:20 amChairman of the House Judiciary Committee John Conyers (D-MI) and Committee member Rep. Steve Chabot (R-OH) struck a deal “on a piece of housing legislation that would give bankruptcy-court judges more flexibility to alter the terms of certain mortgages.â€
Good luck getting that one past Bush and the remainder of the Republiscums. That is a piece of legislation which might actually help the homeowners and they can’t have that. They only want to help the corporations who made the sub-prime leans, to hell with the homeowner who got screwed.
December 12th, 2007 at 9:22 amAttempting to break a congressional impasse on appropriations legislation, Rep. David Obey (D-WI) advocated eliminating all congressional earmarks.
Why don’t we outlaw earmarks altogether. Then once a year have one “earmark” bill that will fund various projects in the home districts of the representatives. That funding bill, though, should be completely transparent with the public knowing who is getting money for what.
Not all earmarks are pork. A lot of it is, but not all.
December 12th, 2007 at 9:23 amRe: waterboarding- it’s a convenient misperception that waterboarding simulates drowning. IT IS DROWNING. Drowning victims can be repeatedly resuscitated, which is what occurs during waterboarding.
The cute idea that waterboarding drawings & photos promote, that water is made to fill the stomach until full, is utter crap. Water is made to fill the breathing passages until the lungs start to fill up. The brain tells you you are drowning because you are in fact drowning.
Who wouldn’t admit to anything they were asked during such an interrogation?
December 12th, 2007 at 9:24 am5, Menehune,
You hit the nail on the head. Prescription drug abuse has skyrocketed in illicit use. While teens may be using less illegal drugs, raiding Mom’s medicine cabinet for some painkillers, particularly Oxycontin, has reached proportions most Americans wouldn’t believe. Kids using these drugs usually are not ’spotted’ at school or other places because they don’t appear to be impaired.
ER records are confidential, but if they did a thorough analysis of admissions, we’d see many teens overdosing on prescription drugs.
Meanwhile, big pharma is targeting expensive ads that basically tell you to tell your Dr. you want what they’re selling.
December 12th, 2007 at 9:24 amYesterday, Rep. Rush Holt (D-NJ) wrote to Attorney General Mike Mukasey requesting that he “immediately appoint an independent counsel to investigate the circumstances surrounding†the destruction of interrogation tapes by the CIA.
It’s never going to happen. Bush will not allow Mulkasey to appoint a independent council for anything. He knows that once there is a independent council appointed, his goose will be cooked.
And, for all our resident loon trolls, Clinton did it! Clinton allowed his AJ to appoint an independent council (you do remember Ken Starr, don’t you) to investigate him.
December 12th, 2007 at 9:25 amThe Bush administration strongly opposed the vote, arguing “it will make thousands of dangerous prisoners, many of them violent gang members, eligible for immediate release.â€
Oh I see, people who do crack cocaine are “dangerous” but people who do power cocaine are not. I assume you have proof to back up that contention, Mr. Bush.
December 12th, 2007 at 9:26 amGood morning everyone.
December 12th, 2007 at 9:26 amIn Afghanistan, we do what we can. In Iraq, we do what we must.â€
So, what’s the difference between Afghanistan and Iraq? Could it be OIL? Yep, that’s it.
December 12th, 2007 at 9:28 amBilbo,
If Ken Starr’s investigation was worth $44 million over a blowjob, you’d think Mukasey would jump all over installing an independent council to investigate such a serious matter as destroying evidence of torture, eh?
I know, I know, this is Bushit world…
December 12th, 2007 at 9:28 amre 10:
December 12th, 2007 at 9:30 amthe troll response, if they even choose to respond, will be Witchhunt!!! Their definiton of witchunt being any investigation of a republican.
Good morning, Cupcake!
(I’ve wanted to say that for awhile now.)
December 12th, 2007 at 9:30 amWho wouldn’t admit to anything they were asked during such an interrogation?
Comment by And Yet.
Or who wouldn’t make up anything and everything to make them stop. Those people are probably in panic mode. In panic mode you are probably going to say the first thing that comes into your mind, not necessarily the truth. And, I wouldn’t care if it was definitively proven that waterboarding produced good intel, it is still the wrong thing to do and it makes us no better than our enemies.
December 12th, 2007 at 9:34 amGood luck getting that one past Bush and the remainder of the Republiscums. That is a piece of legislation which might actually help the homeowners and they can’t have that. They only want to help the corporations who made the sub-prime leans, to hell with the homeowner who got screwed.
Comment by bilbobaggins
Hey Bilbo, he actually might not veto this. His buddies at the banks really don’t want to become landlords, especially of the tons of way over-valued
December 12th, 2007 at 9:36 ammarginal housing that is likely to go on their books through the next round of bankruptcies. I can see them telling Bush to let this slide through now–probably once everything has shaken out in the housing market the Banks will start lobbying Congress to change the law back to what it was. Right now, this might actually benefit the banks.
AAAAAAAAAaaaaaaaaaaaaaahhhhh……………
81 degrees in NC today….
nice breeze…
Sunshine….
Bless my heart, give me a mint julip and I’m ready steady for the day!
:D
December 12th, 2007 at 9:42 amAnd, I wouldn’t care if it was definitively proven that waterboarding produced good intel, it is still the wrong thing to do and it makes us no better than our enemies.
Comment by bilbobaggins
Yes! it’s wrong on moral grounds. If we set aside our values when they become inconvienent then we don’t have values.
And, if that argument doesn’t “hold water” for you, on a practical level, even if it can be proven that torture does produce good intel, it will also produce bad intel and there is no way to tell the difference.
Yet, the trolls will show up and regurgitate their whitehouse planted talking points from the wingnut websites that we hate america, that we don’t understand the threat of islamofacism, that we don’t torture, that we only torture the bad guys.
December 12th, 2007 at 9:43 ammornin Frosty!!
December 12th, 2007 at 9:43 amre 19,
BBBbbbbrrrrrRRRRHHHHH!
It’s a chilly 30 degrees here in the upper midwest, but it’s not pelting freezing rain. and I prefer a couple of ounces of Kalula in my coffee during the holiday season.
December 12th, 2007 at 9:45 amThomas Friedman once again hits the nail on the head in this article:
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/12/12/opinion/12friedman.html?_r=2&ref=opinion&oref=slogin&oref=slogin
Clearly, lefties in the state department tried to produce an NIE report that parses words to make an obvious criminal and security threat, Iran, look like a misunderstood child.
Liberals just can’t help running to the aid of any child molester, rapist, murderer, etc., when conservatives are trying to deal with them.
December 12th, 2007 at 9:48 amBobwurst,
We’re looking at -15 to -20 Friday morning here in Northern MN.
Now that’s a big BRRRRRR!
OTOH, that ice storm that hit you folks was super nasty, eh?
December 12th, 2007 at 9:49 amfrom the news.google:
Calif. town recalls planning board that endorsed Blackwater plan
December 12th, 2007 at 9:49 amSan Jose Mercury News – 3 hours ago
AP POTRERO, Calif.—This small town in San Diego County won a skirmish with Blackwater Worldwide on Wednesday, as residents voted to recall five members of a planning board that endorsed the global security contractor’s plan to build a firing range in a …
Democracy Won; Blackwater Zero Huffington Post
5 planning group members out over Blackwater San Diego Union Tribune
.
Wow, the New Republic follows up Thomas Friedman’s article on the same point:
http://www.tnr.com/politics/story.html?id=e240cac9-e666-4092-ba87-2c4e703b3e6d
December 12th, 2007 at 9:50 amManhandler spewing shit this early in the morning is enough to make you lose breakfast.
‘Lefties in the State Department’, indeed. Jesus H. Christ, Jason, Condi just appointed Paul F’n Wolfowitz to head up the WMD section. Are you calling Wolfie a leftie?
Retardation is a chromosomal anomaly. Are you enjoying that extra ‘X’ chromosome, Jason? That’s the only explanation I can come up with.
Jason: ‘Born stupid and living up to low expectations’
December 12th, 2007 at 9:52 amLiberals just can’t help running to the aid of any child molester, rapist, murderer, etc., when conservatives are trying to deal with them.
Comment by Jason M. Hendler
Sounds more like Huckabee, to tell the truth.
December 12th, 2007 at 9:55 amheh…
The wisdom of crowds: “w00t!” voted word of the year
December 12th, 2007 at 9:55 amArs Technica – 8 hours ago
By Nate Anderson | Published: December 11, 2007 – 11:58PM CT Had Merriam-Webster asked me (they did not), the 2007 “word of the year” might have been git, huckster, or, possibly, toadeater.
Liberals just can’t help running to the aid of any child molester, rapist, murderer, etc., when conservatives are trying to deal with them.
Comment by Jason M. Hendler — December 12, 2007 @ 9:48 am
Sweet Jesus, Hendler, you soil yourself everytime you show up here.
“It’s… it’s all the work of a secret Commie Cabal hiding in the State Dept!!!”
Commies, Jason, Commies!!! Commies, commies, commies!!!
Commies everywhere!!!!
Child molesters? Ya mean, like Mark Foley, Fla (R)?
December 12th, 2007 at 9:56 amThe Bush administration strongly opposed the vote, arguing “it will make thousands of dangerous prisoners, many of them violent gang members, eligible for immediate release.â€
– - – -
Well if they are committing violent crimes than convict them for the violent crimes and not the crack offense.
and
GM Frosty
December 12th, 2007 at 9:56 amLiberals just can’t help running to the aid of any child molester, rapist, murderer, etc., when conservatives are trying to deal with them.
Comment by Jason M. Hendler — December 12, 2007 @ 9:48 am
Dumont, Foley, Blackwater – enough said. Troll dismissed (unless he wants to entertain us with explanation of urban heat, definition of sexual harassment, election predictions, or “name the Ivy League universities” game show.
December 12th, 2007 at 9:57 amSo Bush wants to keep crack users in prison because they are violent gang members? I’m confused. What are they serving their sentences for — crack use, or acts of violence? If they are in there for committing an act of violence, it seems they would stay there no matter what happens with drug sentencing. On the other hand, if they are in there for crack use and nothing else, I assume they have not been convicted of any violent acts. And if that’s the case, “innocent until proven guilty” comes into play.
I assume that Bush wants to keep them behind bars because they are mostly scary black people who MIGHT commit acts of violence. Sort of like his attitude toward scary brown people.
This could have been avoided if, instead of reducing sentences for crack users, the disparity was eliminated by increasing sentences for the richer powder cocaine users.
December 12th, 2007 at 10:00 amAnd finally: Colbert is getting bored. “With his show in reruns while the writers continue to strike, Stephen Colbert needs something to do.†The comedian was spotted walking across the National Mall in Washington, D.C. on Tuesday “with a large portrait of himself on his back.â€
December 12th, 2007 at 10:00 amWhat did we miss? Let us know in the comments section.
Forgot to report the landslide Dem victories in Ohio and Virginia.
December 12th, 2007 at 10:01 amLet’s take a closer look at Hendler’s “man crush” on Thomas Friedman’s latest screed about the ME… here’s a sample:
“Right now, the Arab Gulf states are all sizing up America, their protector, and are wondering just how much Uncle Sam weighs in the standoff with Iran — and whether it will be enough to keep Iran at bay.”
“America, their protector”??? WTF??? Hey, Manhandle which Arab Gulf states would that be? Quite an insightful article on Friedman’s part, wouldn’t you say? Sheez…
December 12th, 2007 at 10:03 amsize THIS up:
ECONOMIC REPORT Trade gap widens in October on high oil prices
December 12th, 2007 at 10:07 amMarketWatch – 44 minutes ago
By Greg Robb, marketwatch WASHINGTON (marketwatch) — The US trade deficit widened in October, suggesting the trade sector will subtract from economic growth in the fourth quarter.
US Trade Gap Widened in October as Crude Oil Rose (Update2) Bloomberg
Trade Deficit Widens on Oil Costs Wall Street Journal
Liberals just can’t help running to the aid of any child molester, rapist, murderer, etc., when conservatives are trying to deal with them.
Comment by Jason M. Hendler — December 12, 2007 @ 9:48 am
Conservative ARE them, Jason Hitler.
December 12th, 2007 at 10:07 amTrade Deficit Widens on Oil Costs Wall Street Journal
Comment by katy — December 12, 2007 @ 10:07 am
People slowly bleed to death… gee, ya think… nah… couldn’t happen here.
December 12th, 2007 at 10:08 amLefties at State, that’s worth a good laugh in Jason Hitler’s face. If there were more lefties at state, we’d have a free country instead of a banana republic led by sociopathic mass-murderers.
December 12th, 2007 at 10:10 amGunman killed himself after being shot
December 12th, 2007 at 10:10 amLos Angeles Times – 6 hours ago
Volunteer security guard shot Matthew Murray, who had killed four, several times before he committed suicide, autopsy shows. By Nicholas Riccardi, Los Angeles Times Staff Writer DENVER — The gunman who killed four people in shooting rampages at two …
Colo. gunman killed self, autopsy finds USA Today
US church gunman killed himself BBC News
Comment by Lefty Patriot — December 12, 2007 @ 10:07 am
Right you are, Lefty! We’re just trying to help the CONS out… of the pickle they’ve gotten themselves into, over and over and over again.
Geez… try to do a GOOPer a favor, they turn around and claim yer soft on crime. Ooookay, Manhandler, from now on we lock up GOOPer perverts and give’m the maximum allowable sentences.
December 12th, 2007 at 10:11 amHow many Freidman Units will it take for Jason to grow up?
December 12th, 2007 at 10:12 amCalif. town recalls planning board that endorsed Blackwater plan.
December 12th, 2007 at 10:12 amKaty- Blackwater’s response was they don’t care about the recall in Potrero. They know that is left up to the County Board of Supervisors.
they need mo money:
Public Not Ready for Over-the-Counter Statins [says WHO?!?]
December 12th, 2007 at 10:12 amABC News – 12 hours ago
The US Food and Drug Administration will decide whether consumers should have access to a cholesterol-lowering drug without a prescription.
FDA Reviewer Raises Concerns Over Proposed Merck Statin Wall Street Journal
FDA panel weighing Merck’s over-counter cholesterol drug Chicago Tribune
WW2 intelligence interrogators recently spoke out in a WaPo article on their successful use of non-torture techniques (& their total non-consideration of using torture techniques such as waterboarding) in eliciting useful information.
According to Sen. Kit Bond on the PBS NewsHour last night, they know nothing, apparently.
December 12th, 2007 at 10:13 amDon’t stop, Jason. Keep at em’
Your doing well.
December 12th, 2007 at 10:14 amHow many Freidman Units will it take for Jason to grow up?
Comment by Zimzone — December 12, 2007 @ 10:12 am
Sadly, I think Jason Pan is as grown up as he’ll ever be.
December 12th, 2007 at 10:16 amThe U.S. Sentencing Commission voted unanimously yesterday to reduce the large disparity between punishments for crack and powder cocaine offenders…
Bush: “it will make thousands of dangerous prisoners, many of them violent gang members, eligible for immediate release.â€
If they are dangerous then why weren’t they put away for their “dangerous” crimes instead of crack?
December 12th, 2007 at 10:17 amAccording to NASA scientists, “Through the first 11 months, 2007 is the second warmest year in the period of instrumental data, behind the record warmth of 2005.â€
Coincidence, I tell ya, pure, sheer, unmitigated, unadulterated coincidence!
December 12th, 2007 at 10:19 amComment by Jason M. Hendler — December 12, 2007 @ 9:48 am
Is just trash, ignorant human garbage. If I were a tenth as dumb, mean, and ignorant as you I would have had the common decency to have put a gun in my mouth a long time ago. You are also a coward, why aren’t you in Iraq? Please just go away and let the intelligent people talk.
December 12th, 2007 at 10:20 amComment by leftcoast — December 12, 2007 @ 10:17 am
One could also ask “How does it make them eligible for immediate release”?
December 12th, 2007 at 10:20 amThe attacks “were among the deadliest this year in southern Iraq and came as tensions ran high across the region.â€
OK, we know this can’t possibly be true, as the surge has been SO successful.
December 12th, 2007 at 10:21 amThey must be making this up.
Liberals just can’t help running to the aid of any child molester, rapist, murderer, etc., when conservatives are trying to deal with them.
Comment by Jason M. Hendler — December 12, 2007 @ 9:48 am
When conservatives are electing them to office?
December 12th, 2007 at 10:23 amWhat did we miss? Let us know in the comments section.
Republicans retained two House seats in special elections Tuesday, including a hotly contested Ohio race that the two parties spent nearly $700,000 trying to win.
State legislator Bob Latta decisively defeated Democrat Robin Weirauch in Ohio’s 5th District. The special election was held to replace the late Rep. Paul Gillmor (R).
In Virginia’s 1st District, GOP state Del. Rob Wittman won a landslide victory over Iraq war veteran Phil Forgit (D) in the race to succeed the late Rep. Jo Ann Davis (R).
December 12th, 2007 at 10:28 amWhat kind of idiot punishes someone for the violent crimes committed by others? Calling these people “violent gang members” is a stereotype and completely irrelevant. They aren’t being punished for being violent gang members, so what kind of argument is that? Oh wait- I forgot we were dealing with Conservatives. Does Justice actually mean anything to you morons?
December 12th, 2007 at 10:43 am“A car bomb attack killed one of Lebanon’s top military generals and at least two others Wednesday”, the military and state media said.
The surge in Iraq was blamed. Time to fold-up the middle east and go home.
December 12th, 2007 at 10:46 amComment by Shaldag — December 12, 2007 @ 10:28 am
GOOPers were heavily favored in both elections going in. Both elections were in long-time GOOPer strongholds. The GOOP spent nearly twice as much in Ohio as the Dems, leaving them w/ $2.9MM, whilst the Dems are holding $29MM.
December 12th, 2007 at 10:46 amComment by Shaldag — December 12, 2007 @ 10:28 am
Isn’t it time fer yer remedial ed class?
December 12th, 2007 at 10:47 amcaption contest:
Bush, “Ok Hayden, you grab the frank I’ll grab the beans and I’ll be in Scotland before ye!”
December 12th, 2007 at 10:49 am33…. Molly
I suggest you cruise the hood and see what crack cocaine his done versus cocaine in the burbs. Then ask the law abiding citizens if the want the gang bangers out on “good behavior”.
Is crack propotionately a poor, black, drug of choice: mostly, yes
Is cocaine proportionately a middle class/ upperclass “white” drug: mostly yes
Is sentencing harsher for crack vs. cocaine? Absolutley! And it should be. Drug charges shouldn’t be stratified and “affirmative actioned” It should be judged by results.
If i were to look at the result:
Cocaine: Do a line go to work
Crack: Puff the rock and go to sleep
Cocaine: sell your house, cars, 401k to get it.
Crack: sell you Baby, your welfare check, and tunr tricks to get it.
Cocaine: The joes kill the ones who owe them or get killed by their supplier if they are short
Crack: The joes will shoot up an entire neighborhood because of the competition. In other words it is an extension that effects even Suzy riding her bicycle down the street during a drive-by.
So do i want these pieces of crap put away for a long time in effort to curb the violence and deprevity that is the extension of crack. Damn straight I do.
I feel bad for Susan in her school girl uniform at the private school doing a line in the girls room at her private school and hate the local dealer in the mercedes. But she can afford rehab: see Lohan
But I feel ultimate sadness for Susan, the A student trying to make it in a crappy neighborhood and school system who comes across a Joe rolling up in his 22’s who introduces her to crack and eventually is pimping her off so she can get her next fix all the while pregnant. There is no rehab for her until her pulse stops.
My version of affirmative action comes with studying the results and ultimate outcome. Do you deserve it based on the merit of your work and potential effect on you community? YUP!
One thing I love abou that report is that is doesn’t parse the definition of offender. Are they rolling the dealer and the user all into one. Lets speak to the real victims and not lump them together. To further that, why aren’t these same legislators working a true mandatory commital for these users. A serious unabated detox program to get them back on their feet if they want reduced sentences. I beleive the majority of them all want to change their lives for the better, they just need direction. Not just band-aid where they get out and relapse because lax social work. I will happily see my tax money go to strict programs to help these people. The ones who agree to take it on are one step closer to redemption. That could help alleviate the system. Those who don’t, let them stay where they are. At least they are off the street and away from my family.
December 12th, 2007 at 10:52 amThe Democrats poured money and effort into OH-05. Governor Ted Strickland campaigned personally in the district whileLabor sent its activists to bolster Weirauch’s ground game. The national DCCC spent almost a quarter-million dollars attempting to tie Latta to the past scandals of state GOP officials.
Despite all of the attention, Latta won the seat by the same margin as the late Dan Gillmore did in 2006 with the advantage of incumbency.
December 12th, 2007 at 10:57 amGlad to see the values of Ohio remain.
December 12th, 2007 at 10:57 amBush: “it will make thousands of dangerous prisoners, many of them violent gang members, eligible for immediate release.â€
There is no guarantee for their release. They must petition the court for resentencing. Appx 3800 would be eligible in the next year starting March 3rd. But, judges will have wide discretion over which inmates will be granted leniency.
December 12th, 2007 at 11:02 amDespite all of the attention, Latta won the seat by the same margin as the late Dan Gillmore did in 2006 with the advantage of incumbency.
Comment by Shaldag — December 12, 2007 @ 10:57 am
Big deal. The concentration of 24% is just higher in this district. Not a surprise outcome. The surprise is the effort by the Democrats, and I am personally glad that we are not surrendering any ground anywhere. A real surprise would have been a Democratic victory. Short answer? SSDD.
December 12th, 2007 at 11:08 amThe Democrats poured money and effort into OH-05. Governor Ted Strickland campaigned personally in the district whileLabor sent its activists to bolster Weirauch’s ground game. The national DCCC spent almost a quarter-million dollars attempting to tie Latta to the past scandals of state GOP officials.
Despite all of the attention, Latta won the seat by the same margin as the late Dan Gillmore did in 2006 with the advantage of incumbency.
Comment by Shaldag — December 12, 2007 @ 10:57 am
An indication there are still districts filled with ignorant trash like you, your point is?
December 12th, 2007 at 11:16 amKeep at him, Shaldag. Were the future of private america.
December 12th, 2007 at 11:19 amAn indication there are still districts filled with ignorant trash like you, your point is?
Comment by Blue Stater — December 12, 2007 @ 11:16 am
The point is that the dems thought that they had Ohio in their corner, especially after seating a dem governor. They were wrong.
December 12th, 2007 at 11:26 amWere the future of private america
BWAAAHAHA! Shouldn’t that be Captain America?
Oh, and BTW, we’re is the proper contraction… Were means was, as in past tense. That makes more sense…
December 12th, 2007 at 11:34 amThey were wrong.
Comment by Shaldag — December 12, 2007 @ 11:26 am
I know this is probably beyond your limited graps on reality, but the that district is a long-time GOOPer stronghold in Ohio, and the GOOP spent twice as much of their extremely limited funds on that election as the Dems.
Would have been ice, but earth-shaking news? HAH!!!
Now, go back to keeping a strong hold on yer…
December 12th, 2007 at 11:47 amThe national DCCC spent almost a quarter-million dollars attempting to tie Latta to the past scandals of state GOP officials.
Despite all of the attention, Latta won the seat by the same margin as the late Dan Gillmore did in 2006 with the advantage of incumbency.
Comment by Shaldag — December 12, 2007 @ 10:57 am
And the GOOP spent twice as much holding onto a seat in a long-time GOOP district.
December 12th, 2007 at 11:49 amComment by Joneser — December 12, 2007 @ 10:52 am
I agree that sentencing should be different for pushers than it is for users. Pushers who get people hooked are scum, regardless of the income level of their users.
But I stand by my assertion that penalties for cocaine should not take into consideration what form it’s in. Pushers of either drug should get stiff punishment, and addicts of either drug should get help.
December 12th, 2007 at 12:13 pmAlmost every time “Joneser” posts, he displays his raging self-loathing.
December 12th, 2007 at 12:38 pmNo, no, Missmolly, Joneser, an African American, of course firmly believes that the drug of choice in the black ghetto should carry much heavier penalties than the drug of choice in the white suburbs. That’s the kind of self-loathing blather I’ve seen him post almost every time he comes around here.
December 12th, 2007 at 12:44 pmJoneser: “Drug charges shouldn’t be stratified and “affirmative actioned†It should be judged by results.”
Results?? We’ve been running this phony “War on Drugs” for over 30 years now. Has it had ANY positive results? Is drug use down?
Sorry, but drug use is an issue for medical professionals, social workers, psycological professionals and possibly the clergy, but in a sane system, it is NOT an issue for law enforcement or the courts. The single most important issue which decides whether or not someone can kick any addictive drug is whether or not that person has a job. All throughout Western Europe this has proven to be the case. We’re 180 degrees off here. If you’re unfortunate enough to be an addict, we make it almost impossible to get a job.
December 12th, 2007 at 12:52 pm75… yes… to a point i agree… the war on drugs… is nuts… but not in terms of the legality or laws. The laws are put in place to punish the people from Drug Dealers and users, not to prevent drug abuse. My wife is a cop and they don’t go after users unless there is a bigger crime committes. They go after the dealers. I think the laws should be scaled back on users. Unless the commit crimes such as DUI etc. or publically under the influence. But again the article lumps them all in together as drug offenders. Drug abuse should never be considered positive of course and therefore (to me) one of the few things the government has any business in my life is protecting me from society and society from me. This means curbing negative behaviors that I might do that will effect the well being of society etc… Therefore I odn’t think a drug abuser should be in the same jail cell as the drug dealer. He needs to be commited to a clinic/ hospital as I said before, and it would be something non-negotiable. We have PC’d things to such a degree, that now when a person is clearly sick, we do nothing as a society to help that person for their own good as well. Instead they are free to stay on the street. SEE L.A.
December 12th, 2007 at 2:33 pmThe social and healthcare programs in western europe accomidate for someone to continue to be an addict and work… This is what happens when you have government controlling too many aspects of peoples lives. If I own my own company I have the right to descriminate with my employess plain and simple. Look at France and there employment situation, insane. If i choice not to have drug addicts representing my company to clients, its my right. Let the market determine if my company will rise and fall, not the government. If I wanted to higher an entire pigmy work force to install ceiling fans for my company, its my right.
As for the self loathing….
December 12th, 2007 at 2:46 pmNo Ripper. I don’t. What I believe in is accountability. And I look at the devastation caused by crack deals over cocaine deals. It has nothing to do with race. So it disgusts me to see people playing race as an issue when a wrong is commited. Cocaine’s results are far different than crack.
Read carefully what I said Ripper before laying down the usual cliche diatribes about self loathing conservative blacks. It isn’t self loathing when I can see something wrong in the culture and speak to its lack of accountability. Its way easier to toe the line my friend rather than go against the grain. To shine the light on the ugly side rather than blame “whitey” judges. When the blame is on “me” for playing the game in the first place. If we are to believe the justice sytem in america is stacked against us and we are victims? Why get in line with the handcuffs on in the first place.
My issue is about saving the users and damn the dealers. I odn’t care if you black, white, whatever. I’m an American first who happens to be black.
Jonser, the laws criminalizing drugs are what creates the environment in which drug dealers flourish. Without those prohibitions, there would be no street trade and no out of kilter economic environment anywhere, especially in the ghetto. I would think we would have learned that when we created modern organized crime with the prohibition of alcohol. And, when we criminalized heroin and cocaine, organized crime filled that vacume as well. And, please remember that there would be no crack without laws against cocaine. There would be no reason for it. We’ve already had a major cocaine problem in this country in the late 19th and early 20th. It was solved strictly through education.
And nobody is suggesting that an employer be required to hire drug addicts. I am also an employer and my standard is performance. I couldn’t care less if an employee does whatever in the privacy of his own home. If he’s stumbling around the office high on drugs, he’s out. If he performs, he’s in. Whether or not he does drugs is none of my business.
December 12th, 2007 at 5:25 pmOne more thing about this issue, Jonser because I seem to recall that you are a libertarian. Both major prohibitions, alcohol and marijuana, have been about unregulated corporate power and corporate interests. The reason John D. Rockefeller poured millions into alcohol prohibition was because he wanted cars to run on oil. The first cars ran on alcohol. The reason Hearst poured millions into marijuana prohibition is because he wanted his lumber industry to continue making paper as a “yield extender” and his interests in the synthetic fiber industry to not have to compete with hemp fiber. Public health or public policy had very little to do with why the big money was behind both prohibitions.
December 12th, 2007 at 5:47 pmComment by Ret. Col. Jack Ripper — December 12, 2007 @ 5:47 pm
INteresting. I was aware of the oil vs alcohol, where can I read up on the marijuana vs forest thing?
December 12th, 2007 at 6:25 pmThere are a number of sources for this. The only one I can remember off the top of my head is a book called “The Emperor Wears No Clothes” by Jack Herer (spelling?), but I haven’t seen the book anywhere for 20 years.
But, the corporate interests involved in lobbying for the continued prohibition of that herb are timber, synthetic fiber, tobacco, alcohol, pharmaceuticals and oil, and all of it has to do with industrial uses of hemp and nothing to do with public health.
December 12th, 2007 at 6:36 pmActually, no, the pharmaceutical industry’s lobbying isn’t related to industrial hemp. it’s related to the fact that addictive, daily-dosage, mood altering drugs are a $20 billion market segment for them.
December 12th, 2007 at 6:39 pmComment by Ret. Col. Jack Ripper — December 12, 2007 @ 6:36 pm
Thank you. I’ve never fully understood the mentality of those advocating keeping drugs illegal. Prohibition proved it doesn’t work and secondly…the revenue (via taxes) stream (specifically earmarked), could do more through education and treatment than using the legal system.
Again, thanks for the start of the trail.
December 12th, 2007 at 6:43 pm