ThinkFast: February 1, 2008
ThinkFast: February 1, 2008
A federal grand jury subpoenaed New York Times reporter James Risen this week, seeking “to force him to reveal his confidential sources for a 2006 book on the Central Intelligence Agency.” The subpoena “sought the source of information” for a chapter on CIA efforts to infiltrate Iran’s nuclear program.
President Bush’s 2009 budget “will total more than $3 trillion, the first time that barrier has been broken.” “The budget plan projects big increases in federal budget deficits, to about $400 billion for both fiscal 2008 and fiscal 2009.” Bush’s “trail of deficits and debt” will “sharply constrain his successor.”
Two female suicide bombers struck separate pet markets in central Baghdad on Friday, killing at least 64 people and wounding dozens. The attacks were the deadliest in the Iraqi capital since the U.S. troop surge last spring.
A U.S. missile strike in Pakistan’s northwestern tribal areas killed Abu Laith al-Libi, a top commander of al Qaeda who had been involved in planning attacks on U.S. and NATO troops in Afghanistan.
“Long lines, a shortage of poll workers and unprecedented numbers of mail-in ballots could delay vote counts in the biggest-ever Super Tuesday in American politics,” a day on which voters in 24 states will cast ballots.
President Bush signed a 15-day extension for a temporary surveillance law. The delay marked a partial concession to Senate Democrats who wanted to continue deliberations over whether to immunize telephone companies from lawsuits for helping the government conduct warrantless wiretaps.
Germany has rejected Defense Secretary Robert Gates’s “urgent” request to send more troops to Afghanistan. Germany’s response was in reply to an “unusually stern” letter from Gates last month, demanding combat troops, helicopters and paratroopers.
And finally: Rambo is banned in Burma. Reuters reports, “Police in Myanmar have given DVD hawkers strict orders not to stock the new Rambo movie, which features the Vietnam War veteran taking on the former Burma’s ruling military junta.” Nevertheless, pirated copies are widely available and people are reportedly “going crazy” for the movie’s tagline, “Live for nothing, die for something.”
What did we miss? Let us know in the comments section.
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Let's hope that McCain destroys the Republican party. it would be a heroic and patriotic act.
February 1st, 2008 at 9:02 amWhat did we miss?
Uber-sucky jobs report. NF Payrolls -17k, worst since August 2003.
But stock market should be happy because Microsoft wants to buy Yahoo... any which way to stop Google, I guess.
http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601087&sid=a6RXEUjetyGE&refer=home
February 1st, 2008 at 9:07 amI thoroughly enjoyed watching Obama & Clinton show unity last night.
Fox Lite really wanted this to be a boxing match, or a war of words. Both candidates knew CNN's agenda & basically moderated the event themselves, while keeping the mood moderate and upbeat.
Meanwhile, back at the Republics, McPain & Rummney are at each other's throats. Rummney's latest flip flop is reversing position on the EPA's ruling against California. That's the 'Real Mitt'...switching positions to stay safe with Republics and siding with the Bushaholics.
It was disturbing to only see two candidates, though. Edwards should still be there. In fact, as the NYT notes this morning, both Dem candidates are using much of Edwards' healthcare ideas as 'their own'.
February 1st, 2008 at 9:14 am"President Bush signed a 15-day extension for a temporary surveillance law."
Whatever happend to Pres. "Veto Anything If I B!tc# about it" Bush? I guess he's waking up to the reality that he's NOT "King"!!!
February 1st, 2008 at 9:16 amPresident Bush’s 2009 budget “will total more than $3 trillion, the first time that barrier has been broken.†“The budget plan projects big increases in federal budget deficits, to about $400 billion for both fiscal 2008 and fiscal 2009.†Bush’s “trail of deficits and debt†will “sharply constrain his successor.â€
How soon after the adults are back in charge do the hypocritical Bush supporters start screeching about the "tax-and-spend" Democrats, while all the while they've ignored the completely destructive "borrow-and-spend" policy that we've been living under for 7 years? One month? Two?
February 1st, 2008 at 9:16 am#2 - "Excellent." Comment by good_golly — February 1, 2008 @ 9:06 am
So, this makes the 8,459-th "top commander of al Quida" that has been killed.
No wonder they suck! They're more top-heavy than a failed Bush Business! ;-)
February 1st, 2008 at 9:18 amPresident Bush signed a 15-day extension for a temporary surveillance law. The delay marked a partial concession to Senate Democrats who wanted to continue deliberations over whether to immunize telephone companies from lawsuits for helping the government conduct warrantless wiretaps.
So, while George W. Bush continues to refuse to acknowledge that the telcoms may have broken the law, Dick Cheney went ahead and confoirmed that they did. Bush wants them to be "protected from lawsuits" even though he won't admit that they did anything illegal.
Geotrge Bush is putting protection of the telecom giants ahead of the protection of the American people. If the FISA law that he wants extended is so vital to our protection, why does it have to come with liability protection for those who helped him violate the constitution? Whose protection is more important to Bush, ours or the telecoms'?
February 1st, 2008 at 9:20 am#6 - "How soon after the adults are back in charge do the hypocritical Bush supporters start screeching about the “tax-and-spend†Democrats, while all the while they’ve ignored the completely destructive “borrow-and-spend†policy that we’ve been living under for 7 years? One month? Two?" Comment by bluefish — February 1, 2008 @ 9:16 am
Haven't they already started to complain about it now? It's easy to complain about the other side when they ignore the excesses of their own party by shoving their heads in the sand. Or somewhere else. . . ;-)
February 1st, 2008 at 9:20 am“Long lines, a shortage of poll workers and unprecedented numbers of mail-in ballots could delay vote counts in the biggest-ever Super Tuesday in American politics,†a day on which voters in 24 states will cast ballots.
---------------------------------
Not that it will matter to the media -- the networks will project winners as soon as polls close, based on their exit polling and/or the very first precinct returns. If the networks are wrong, they'll somehow get it all sorted out later.
It doesn't matter if you're right as much as it matters to be first -- despite Florida 2000.
February 1st, 2008 at 9:21 amWas the Al Queda commander killed in Pakistan?
If so, will America face any consequences from them for bombing inside the border? I realize it was a drone, but am curious how Musharef & company will react to this.
If AQ want to hang just inside Pakistan's border, so be it...bombs away!
February 1st, 2008 at 9:21 amHow soon after the adults are back in charge do the hypocritical Bush supporters start screeching about the “tax-and-spend†Democrats, while all the while they’ve ignored the completely destructive “borrow-and-spend†policy that we’ve been living under for 7 years? One month? Two?
Comment by bluefish — February 1, 2008 @ 9:16 am
Whatever people may think of the phrase, at least "taxing and spending" doesn't put you nine trillion dollars in debt.
February 1st, 2008 at 9:21 am"Two female suicide bombers struck separate pet markets in central Baghdad on Friday."
I guess the suicide bombers are running out of males to use.
This could be considered "progress" that the Bush Admiistration keeps claiming. "Yeah, we keep giving them targets and eventually they'll run out of boms and suicide bombers! Darn the US casualties, 'suge' ahead!"
/sarcasm
February 1st, 2008 at 9:23 am#11 - "am curious how Musharef & company will react to this." Comment by Zimzone — February 1, 2008 @ 9:21 am
Considering how convenient the Benazir Bhutto assassination was, I think he'll keep his mouth shut.
That is, if he doesn't want to be "mysteriously" assassinated for questioning Pres. Bush.
February 1st, 2008 at 9:26 am14, Democrat Soldier, I agree.
In addition, we have a 'killer drone' as VP.
February 1st, 2008 at 9:28 amA federal grand jury subpoenaed New York Times reporter James Risen this week, seeking “to force him to reveal his confidential sources for a 2006 book on the Central Intelligence Agency.â€
This is too funny. The most secret government this country has ever had is trying to force secrets out of a reporter. They really want to have it their way, don't they.
February 1st, 2008 at 9:30 amGermany has rejected Defense Secretary Robert Gates’s “urgent†request to send more troops to Afghanistan. Germany’s response was in reply to an “unusually stern†letter from Gates last month, demanding combat troops, helicopters and paratroopers.
Thank you for bringing this up. There is a fundamental flaw in Gates' thinking. Germany's defense secretary Jung cannot comply to Gates' demand, even if he wanted to. In Germany it takes a parliamentary decision on the troops' missions. And the parliamentary decision, which allowed to deploy troops to Afghanistan, rules out a combat mission categorically. Period.
Jung will never violate that. And bringing up another parliamentary vote to get combat troops to Afghanistan would never stand a chnce in Parliament. Germany had state elections last week and the Left has gained, even the former communists have entered both state parliaments. From the Social Democrats to the Left Party noone will vote for a combat mission.
Jung's party the Christian Democrats are senior partner in a grand coalition with the Social Democrats, would definitely lose the next elections if they'd push for a combat mission in a losing war.
All Gates did, was alienate another nation. But, well what does Gates or any member of the Bush Administration know about obeying the rule of constitution and law?
February 1st, 2008 at 9:31 am"The Protect America Act"--god, how I hate the Orweillian names they come up with--was passed by a scared, politically-motivated Congress before they went on vacation last August. It SHOULD expire. "The Protect America Act" allows the administration to listen to the phone calls and read the emails of all American citizens. I remember the outrage when they passed it. Now it's a good thing that Bush agreed to extend it? What nasty, frightening turn of events.
February 1st, 2008 at 9:31 amBush’s “trail of deficits and debt†will “sharply constrain his successor.â€
And the sad thing about it is that a large source of this increase in the budget and in the deficit is due to the increased cost for our military, all so we can be the world's bully.
Well, it's only fair that the new Democratic president will have to deal with this because the Democrats in Congress did nothing to rein in the military spending.
February 1st, 2008 at 9:32 amTwo female suicide bombers struck separate pet markets in central Baghdad on Friday, killing at least 64 people and wounding dozens.
So, how's that surge working guys? I thought that Baghdad was no longer violent.
The only way this violence is going to stop is when the people of Iraq decide is is going to stop. And they are unlikely to do that as long as they are an occupied nation.
February 1st, 2008 at 9:33 amThis is too funny. The most secret government this country has ever had is trying to force secrets out of a reporter. They really want to have it their way, don’t they. -bilbobaggins
Risen should just ignore the subpoena...Lord knows he has plenty of precedent, established by Sec/State, WH lawyers, Meirs, Gonzales.
Tell the Court he'll comply as soon as those Republics honor the same.
February 1st, 2008 at 9:33 am“Long lines, a shortage of poll workers and unprecedented numbers of mail-in ballots could delay vote counts in the biggest-ever Super Tuesday in American politics,†a day on which voters in 24 states will cast ballots.
Gawd I wish this country would go to vote by mail. It would solve so many problems. We wouldn't have to worry about the Republiscums hacking voting machines, just about their hacking the counting machines. Voting by mail will also make it possible for every American who is registered to vote to cast that vote without having to worry about getting off work or standing in line at the voting booth.
February 1st, 2008 at 9:35 amSenate Democrats who wanted to continue deliberations over whether to immunize telephone companies from lawsuits for helping the government conduct warrantless wiretaps.
If the Senate Democrats allow a bill to pass with immunity for the telecoms, they will be doing innumerable damage to their party. I almost wouldn't have a problem with the immunity if the telcoms had started spying on us AFTER 911. But since we know now that they started spying on us BEFORE 911, there is no excuse for granting them immunity.
I really don't think the public completely gets it. It being the fact that our government has been spying on us without a warrant since weeks after Bush took office. They are not just spying on possible phone calls between "terrorists", they are spying on our phone calls and our e-mails WITHOUT A WARRANT!
February 1st, 2008 at 9:39 amGermany’s response was in reply to an “unusually stern†letter from Gates last month, demanding combat troops, helicopters and paratroopers.
Who in the hell does Gates think he is sending stern letters to Germany demanding that they send combat troops? It's not their fight, so why should they send their soldiers to die in our attempt to steal Iraq's oil?
February 1st, 2008 at 9:41 amGeorge Bush is putting protection of the telecom giants ahead of the protection of the American people.
This is a point the Democrats need to hammer home with the public daily. It shows what a hypocrite Bush is and it confirms the fact that he isn't worried about our being "hit".
February 1st, 2008 at 9:44 amPerhaps our resident troll GiGi can tell us why it is more important for Bush to protect the telcoms who broke the law and violated our constitution than it is for him to protect us from "terrorists"?
February 1st, 2008 at 9:47 amIf we keep killing the #3 men in al-Qaeda, the #4 man will stop accepting the promotion.....
February 1st, 2008 at 9:48 amThe "Deficit" is misleading because much of Bush's War Costs are "supplemental" spending bills, thus not included in the defict figure. The true deficit is about twice that reported.
February 1st, 2008 at 9:49 amWhen are we going to make voting important enough to get away from an out-of-date rural American tradition of voting on a mid-week as if we live in towns with 200 people?
It's time to serious looks at how we manage voting in America. Why not look at multi-day voting; weekend voting; more mail in ballots?
Probably because it's more difficult to cage voters, etc. . . but the reality is that this isn't small town America any longer and any Tuesday isn't the only day Americans are capable of voting!
February 1st, 2008 at 9:50 amWhy not look at multi-day voting; weekend voting; more mail in ballots?
Probably because it’s more difficult to cage voters, etc. . . but the reality is that this isn’t small town America any longer and any Tuesday isn’t the only day Americans are capable of voting!
Comment by SWBob — February 1, 2008 @ 9:50 am
Don't be silly. If it were easy to vote, the Repigs would never win another election. ever.
February 1st, 2008 at 9:53 amRisen should just ignore the subpoena…Lord knows he has plenty of precedent, established by Sec/State, WH lawyers, Meirs, Gonzales.
Tell the Court he’ll comply as soon as those Republics honor the same.
Comment by Zimzone
Excellent point. Risen needs to go on the news or the talk show circuit and tell the Bush admin that he won't honor the subpoena until they honor theirs. That will drive home to the American public the bad precedent Bush has set.
February 1st, 2008 at 10:05 ambilbobaggins- I'm with you! The Dems should pose a "concession" that they will offer immunity to the telecoms for any assistance that they gave to the Administration beginning on September 11, 2001. If King George has a problem with that, let him explain to the American people as to why this would be unacceptable to him. Good luck with THAT Chimpy!
February 1st, 2008 at 10:09 amAh yes, the fiscal Republicans and the first MBA leader, the debt and deficit specialists.
February 1st, 2008 at 10:09 amDar al Hayat 10/04/06:
February 1st, 2008 at 10:11 am
... Voting by mail will also make it possible for every American who is registered to vote to cast that vote without having to worry about getting off work or standing in line at the voting booth.
Comment by bilbobaggins — February 1, 2008 @ 9:35 am
EXCEPT - all those early votes for, say, edwards... nill, null, nixed...
i never thought much about it until listening to randi and the arguments AGAINST early voting... it IS a scam and only benefits the front runners...
there are only a few reasons why it would be necessary to vote early...
otherwise, you take a big chance on NOT voting at all...
voting day should be a national holiday.
February 1st, 2008 at 10:18 amVoting expert Mark Crispin Miller lays out a 12 step program to correct voting problems.
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=203x496422
*** I hope you're all following Bradblog dot com for the New Hampshire vote recount story. Yesterday Dennis Kucinich sent a letter demanding the vote count be continued even though he ran out of money to pay for it . Discrepancies as high as 10% were reported in parts of counties. None of this is being reported in any corporate press.
February 1st, 2008 at 10:25 amExxon Mobil Profit Sets Record Again
February 1st, 2008 at 10:34 amNew York Times - 41 minutes ago
By JAD MOUAWAD Exxon Mobil delivered its strongest performance ever last year, earning a record $40.6 billion in net income because of surging oil prices, the company said Friday.
Chevron 4th-Quarter Profit Rises on Record Oil Prices (Update1) Bloomberg
Exxon Mobil net climbs 14%; output up slightly MarketWatch
Rights Report: Democracies Not Holding Authoritarian Offenders ...
February 1st, 2008 at 10:36 amVoice of America - 15 hours ago
By Michael Bowman A US-based human rights group says despots around the world are attempting to pass themselves off as democrats, and in far too many cases are not being challenged by the world's established democracies.
Votes often undemocratic, report says Los Angeles Times
Africa: 2008 Report - Democracy Charade Undermines Rights AllAfrica.com
New York Times - Independent - Reuters South Africa - BBC News
Drug-Resistant Flu Virus on the Rise
February 1st, 2008 at 10:39 amTIME - 16 hours ago
This winter's most common flu strain is showing resistance to the frontline anti-flu treatment, new data shows. More than 10% of virus samples taken in Western Europe this winter were resistant to oseltamivir, better known as Tamiflu, according to ...
Mutant Flu Virus Is Found That Resists Popular Drug New York Times
Tamiflu-Resistant Flu Found in Nine European Nations (Update1) Bloomberg
oh for heaven's sake, arlen!
Sen. Specter wants "Spygate" answers from NFL
February 1st, 2008 at 10:41 amUSA Today - 1 hour ago
NFL commissioner Roger Goodell gives his State of NFL address today. Should be a good one. Not only is a potential labor dispute up for discussion, Spygate will be a topic, too.
Report: Senator Wants To Re-Open Pats 'Spygate' Boston Channel.com
Senator wants Patriots to explain themselves Rotoworld.com
President Bush’s 2009 budget “will total more than $3 trillion, the first time that barrier has been broken.â€
---------------------------------------------
Bush claims to be concerned about his legacy, but the superlatives he's achieving shows a rather odd way of setting it. Look at the records he's racked up:
1) Highest national debt ever
2) Highest rate of national debt increase ever
3) First U.S. pre-emptive invasion of another country
4) Worst presidential approval ratings ever
5) Worst president ever
February 1st, 2008 at 10:43 amGeorge Bush is putting protection of the telecom giants ahead of the protection of the American people.
Comment by Wayne A. Schneider — February 1, 2008 @ 9:20 am
I don't think that's the main motivation here -- I think George Bush is putting protection of HIS OWN A$$ ahead of the protection of the American people.
If somebody sues one of the telecom companies that helped this administration, a whole lotta under-the-rock slime is going to ooze out -- creating trouble for this administration and their illegal activities.
If a telecom company gets sued, any competent lawyer will be able to save them -- but it will require putting the blame where it belongs. Which is what the American people deserve to see.
February 1st, 2008 at 10:59 amlots of goodies at C&L this morning:
Mike’s Blog Roundup
By: Mike Finnigan @ 8:00 AM - PST
Sensen No Sen: It’s startling to realize that only a small minority in the Senate are working to form survellance laws within the framework of the Constitution.
Beggars Can Be Choosers: Wikipedia continues to sanitize its Bush content.
Evolution of Security: The TSA’s blog. Got a comment on how they’ve been keeping us safe by confiscating cigar cutters and bottled water…and searching Al Gore’s carry-on? Or a heartwarming anecdote to share? Now’s your chance.
Daily Kos: Former Marine and Naval officer, Montel Williams, lectured the stunned hosts of Fox and Friends on the stupidity of spending hours on the death of Heath Ledger, rather than covering the war in Iraq. A few days later, Fox stations chose not to renew his show.
The Black Commentator: Larry Pinkney thinks Barack Obama is “bamboozling America.†(h/t Make Them Accountable)
February 1st, 2008 at 11:14 amso why should they send their soldiers to die in our attempt to steal Iraq’s oil?
Comment by bilbobaggins
Well, not to stir the sh1t here and I agree with Doro's comments about Germany but one reason Germany and France opposed Iraq invasion was because they had signed contracts with Saddam, and if he was going to be deposed, those contracts will pass to US, UK and Spain hands.
So it is not like Germany and France did look out the welfare of Iraqis, it just was against their economic interests. Although they seem to have far more common sense and know what diplomacy is about...
February 1st, 2008 at 11:27 amwas very curious about that last item, and so started to read it...
as a white lady in central illinois, i can only imagine to relate to the author's points, but when i got to this line:
No friend of Black and disenfranchised people would have, in any manner whatsoever, praised Ronald Reagan
i knew that it was just another mis/un-informed misguieded ranter...
could even be a liar... i didn't go all the way to find out...
but he LIED about that... so, i guess he is a LIAR...
GO BARACK!
February 1st, 2008 at 11:28 amAgain, for the second time in about a week, an underwater cable has been cut, leaving millions in the middle east without internet. Anyone else worried that someone is planning something over there? I might be just seeing things, but TWO cable breaks in a week when there hasn't been one for years before that? I'll be keeping my eyes peeled.
February 1st, 2008 at 11:31 am†Bush’s 'trail of deficits and debt' will 'sharply constrain his successor.'
Starve the beast, baby!
February 1st, 2008 at 11:36 am"Two female suicide bombers struck separate pet markets in central Baghdad on Friday, killing at least 64 people and wounding dozens."
Mentally disabled women with remotely detonated bombs are NOT SUICIDE BOMBERS! It is MURDER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
February 1st, 2008 at 11:38 am“a shortage of poll workers"
This has to be the worst part. Get out and help at the polls if you can. Locally in my county we have a pilot program to get young kids involved. They come and help at the polls with permission from their respective high schools. It helps us (I am Judge of Elections for my pct.) at the polls and gets the kids a lesson in democracy.
February 1st, 2008 at 11:51 amI'd really, really love to work at the polls and have been offered the training, plus actual American money for doing the work, but the hours are super killer and I'm not well enough to put in more a than 10-hour-long day.
I'd volunteer -- forget the pay -- if it were for shifts of 4 to 6 hours.
Has anyone anywhere ever considered dividing up the time? I'm imagining a lot of folks would be willing to take the morning or the afternoon, or a long lunch's worth of time, off from their paid jobs to work at the polls with no pay attached to the time spent at polling places.
February 1st, 2008 at 3:30 pm#50 Comment by jmgm — February 1, 2008 @ 3:30 pm
True the day is long (13-14 hours) and that does have an effect on people.
I do like your idea of split shift type working. I don't know that it is a violation of any voting law here. I might have to shoot an email off to our county Director of Elections and see if he has an answer.
February 1st, 2008 at 6:19 pmAgain, for the second time in about a week, an underwater cable has been cut, leaving millions in the middle east without internet. Anyone else worried that someone is planning something over there? I might be just seeing things, but TWO cable breaks in a week when there hasn’t been one for years before that? I’ll be keeping my eyes peeled.
Comment by robertoroberto — February 1, 2008 @ 11:31 am
then you probably have heard about this, just found on google news:
Third undersea Internet cable cut in Mideast
February 1st, 2008 at 9:12 pm(CNN) -- An undersea cable carrying Internet traffic was cut off the Persian Gulf emirate of Dubai, officials said Friday, the third loss of a line carrying Internet and telephone traffic in three days.
Ships have been dispatched to repair two undersea cables damaged on Wednesday off Egypt.
[...]