ThinkFast: February 12, 2008
ThinkFast: February 12, 2008
A Department of Veterans Affairs analysis finds that “National Guard and Reserve troops who have fought in Iraq and Afghanistan make up more than half of veterans who committed suicide after returning home from those wars.” In 2006, the Army’s suicide rate was 17.3 per 100,000 troops, “the highest level in 26 years of record-keeping.”
According to a Rand Corp. report, the U.S. military is seriously deficient in meeting “the threat of Islamist insurgencies.” The report states that “U.S. military intervention and occupation in the Muslim world” is “at best inadequate, at worst counter-productive, and, on the whole, infeasible.”
“As home prices fall and banks tighten lending standards, people with good, or prime, credit histories are falling behind on their payments for home loans, auto loans and credit cards at a quickening pace, according to industry data and economists.”
Six major U.S. banks — Bank of America, Citigroup, Countrywide Financial, JP Morgan Chase, Washington Mutual, and Wells Fargo — have announced that they will be taking part in “Project Lifeline,” which will give homeowners an extra 30 days to renegotiate their mortgage payments.
Two CBS journalists have gone missing in the southern Iraqi city of Basra, the network said in statement yesterday. Iraqi police say “the abductees were a reporter and a translator, and that they were taken away in what appeared to be official police vehicles.” “All efforts are under way to find them,” said CBS in a statement.
“Virgin CEO Richard Branson offered Monday to set up an ‘environmental war room‘ to lead the world’s efforts to find a fix for global warming,” a “tool for the U.N.” to push out good ideas and calculate each nation’s costs.
Former Rep. Bob Ney (R-OH), who went to jail in 2007 for corruption charges connected to Jack Abramoff, “may soon be moved from his federal prison in Morgantown, W.Va., to a ‘halfway house,’” according to his attorney. “Ney’s overall projected release date is Aug. 16, 2008.”
Due to a backlog of immigration cases, “the Bush administration will grant permanent residency to tens of thousands of legal U.S. immigrants without first completing required background checks against the FBI’s investigative files.” Only immigrants “whose cases are otherwise complete but whose FBI checks have been pending for more than six months” will be affected.
The king penguin, which “rebounded from near-extinction over the last century, could be wiped out in coming decades due to global warming.”
And finally: Don’t get in the way of Sen. Robert Byrd (D-WV). Last week, the 90-year old senator “made quite a scene” as he “made his way from the Senate Chamber to the elevators after a vote.” Walking with “two canes and an entourage of staffers,” Byrd yelled, “Make way for liberty!” Roll Call reports, “With that, the elevator doors opened, and ‘liberty’ disappeared.”
What did we miss? Let us know in the comments section.
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The Ticking Time Bomb Thought-Experiment
Here’s how three candidates said they’d handle the “ticking time bomb should we torture to save the country†thought-experiment:
McCain: “Should [an interrogator use torture] and thereby save an American city or prevent another 9/11, authorities and the public would surely take this into account when judging his actions and recognize the extremely dire situation he confronted.â€
Hillary Clinton: “Those are very rare, but if they occur, there has to be some lawful authority for pursuing it ….[If] we have sufficient basis to believe that there is something imminent, yeah, but then we’ve got to have a check and balance on that.â€
Obama : â€The secret authorization of brutal interrogations is an outrageous betrayal of our core values, and a grave danger to our security …torture is not a part of the answer – it is a fundamental part of the problem …. Torture is how you create enemies, not how you defeat them. Torture is how you get bad information, not good intelligence … When I am president America will …[stand] up to these deplorable tactics. When I am president we won’t work in secret to avoid honoring our laws and Constitution, we will be straight with the American people and true to our values.â€
http://www.commondreams.org/archive/2008/02/07/6889/
February 12th, 2008 at 9:02 amKucinich: The Incident Did Not Happen
“Before the Nevada primary, Dennis was visited by representatives of Nancy Pelosi and the American Israel Public Affairs Committee — AIPAC. They told Dennis that if he would drop his campaigns to impeach Cheney and Bush, they would guarantee his re-election to the House of Representatives. Kucinich threw them out of his office.”
According to Kucinich, “The incident did not happen.”
http://www.afterdowningstreet.org/?q=node/30931
February 12th, 2008 at 9:05 amJoin the Guard/Reserves and travel to exotic places. Meet new people in strange cultures and kill them…..but only on weekends. Then commit suicide.
February 12th, 2008 at 9:07 am“U.S. military intervention and occupation in the Muslim world†is “at best inadequate, at worst counter-productive, and, on the whole, infeasible.â€
The Rand Corp. nailed this one. It doesn’t fit Bush’s rape, pillage & plunder approach to peace, but clearly points out the WH’s approach is causing more harm, hate & hysteria than overall good.
-343 days…
February 12th, 2008 at 9:08 amTo all there out there who risk a default on their home because of an adjustable rate, TALK TO YOUR LENDER! When a mortgage goes into default, everyone loses.
1-888-995-HOPE.
I know Bush mangled the number when he made his public announcement, but counselors at the Homeownership Preservation Foundation really can help. Help yourselves.
1-888-995-HOPE.
February 12th, 2008 at 9:08 amThe majority of the Guard and Reserves never thought they’d be policing a civil war resulting from their presence when they enlisted.
FCUK YOU GEORGE DUMBYA.
February 12th, 2008 at 9:12 am#1 – on that subject, again, Obama wins.
February 12th, 2008 at 9:16 amJustice Scalia loves police brutality and state sanctioned torture:
“Justice Scalia says that it is far from clear that torture is unconstitutional and says that it may be legal to “smack [a suspect] in the face” if the suspect is concealing information which could endanger the public.”
Looks like Bush has at least one ringer on this cause if it gets kicked up to the DC.
-GSD
P.S. Ron Paul said he won’t vote for a warmonger like John McCain.
February 12th, 2008 at 9:17 amThe effects of trickle-down economics, NAFTA, gas prices, etc:
GM offers buyouts to all U.S. workers
Maybe they should try concentrating on building cars people actually WANT, IDIOTS.
February 12th, 2008 at 9:17 am#1 – on that subject, again, Obama wins.
Comment by DieNowForPeace — February 12, 2008 @ 9:16 am
Based on what he said I agree. However, it doesn’t match his record. Why then did he vote for Patriot Act 2?
February 12th, 2008 at 9:20 amA Department of Veterans Affairs analysis finds that “National Guard and Reserve troops who have fought in Iraq and Afghanistan make up more than half of veterans who committed suicide after returning home from those wars.â€
That really makes sense. These were people who had a life before Bush snatched them and put them in Iraq. They didn’t join the Army, they joined the National Guard thinking that the guard would be used for what it was created for, to defend and assist our country on our soil. They had no idea that Bush would make them into regular army troops. They had jobs and stable families. Now, they have no job when they come home and their families have been thrown into chaos.
I’m willing to bet that the National Guard is having as much trouble recruiting as the regular military and will have for a very long time into the future.
Shame on the Bush Crime Family for what they have done to our military and our ability to protect ourselves.
February 12th, 2008 at 9:22 am“U.S. military intervention and occupation in the Muslim world†is “at best inadequate, at worst counter-productive, and, on the whole, infeasible.â€
Yup. And it’s been that way since day one.
You see, when a bunch of ragtag fundies manage to whack you, you hunt them down and whack them.
You don’t invade and occupy countries that had nothing to do with the whackers, lest you become the whackee on a grander scale.
February 12th, 2008 at 9:23 amThe report states that “U.S. military intervention and occupation in the Muslim world†is “at best inadequate, at worst counter-productive, and, on the whole, infeasible.â€
We don’t have the manpower to take over the middle east and without it, we are spitting in the wind. All we have done thus far is to make thousands of new terrorists, trash our standing in the world community and destroy our economy. NOTHING positive has come out of our invading and occupation of Iraq. I’m glad that people are starting to see that.
On that note, I was very surprised to see that 40% of the people in this country would vote for John McCain in a national poll. I guess that’s the 40% who don’t think that going into Iraq was a mistake and wanting us out.
February 12th, 2008 at 9:25 amAnd, congratulations to the BushitCo for the end result of their never ending war, with the extended tours breaking down our soldiers like never before.
You go to war with the idiot pretZeldent you have, not with the capable leadership you need.
February 12th, 2008 at 9:25 amre 10:
So, what’s your point? that we should vote for someone who actually endorses torture?
February 12th, 2008 at 9:27 am“As home prices fall and banks tighten lending standards, people with good, or prime, credit histories are falling behind on their payments for home loans, auto loans and credit cards at a quickening pace, according to industry data and economists.â€
That’s not surprising. The home they could once afford is becoming unaffordable because so much of their disposable income is going to the increased prices for gasoline, groceries and utility bills. Not to mention the fact that they haven’t had a raise in years.
I can still make my mortgage payment, but I have relatively little left over at the end of the month to spend on consumer goods. And if I don’t buy consumer goods, the economy suffers. It’s a real catch-22.
February 12th, 2008 at 9:30 amWhy then did he vote for Patriot Act 2?
Comment by 2MillionLightYearsToAndromeda
Political expediency, inexperience.
He seems to be refining his position(s) in line with becoming a President, not a part of Congress.
February 12th, 2008 at 9:30 amhave announced that they will be taking part in “Project Lifeline,†which will give homeowners an extra 30 days to renegotiate their mortgage payments.
How big of them. I’m sure that the homeowners are eternally grateful that they have an extra 30 days to live in their home before the bank takes it. They created this mess in the first place, they have a moral obligation to do the right thing and help the homeowners refinance at a rate they can afford.
February 12th, 2008 at 9:31 amCountdown for reminder from troll that Sen. Byrd was “once a member of the KKK”…3…2…1…
February 12th, 2008 at 9:31 amInteresting looking at how Edwards supporters have swung their votes
In the USA Gallup poll…
During the polling period 1/10 – 1/13 Edwards was getting 13%, Obama 33% and Clinton 45%.
After Edwards dropped out, the next polling period, 1/30 – 2/2 showed
Obama 44%, Clinton 45%.
The latest polling period 2/8 – 2/10 Obama 47% Clinton 44%.
Today’s elections in Va, Md and DC should be interesting…
February 12th, 2008 at 9:32 amVirgin CEO Richard Branson
That should probably read “Virgin Airlines CEO”. I doubt that Richard Branson is a virgin.
February 12th, 2008 at 9:32 amBilbo, I thought he just had never been a CEO before ;}
February 12th, 2008 at 9:33 amMcCain: “Should [an interrogator use torture] and thereby save an American city or prevent another 9/11, authorities and the public would surely take this into account when judging his actions and recognize the extremely dire situation he confronted.â€
So where is McCains “no torture” moral stance? It looks like he will flip-flop on torture the same way he has flip-flopped on just about every issue in pursuit of the neoCON vote.
And Hillary’s answer is one of the reasons why I will find it very hard to vote for her. She’s way too slippery.
February 12th, 2008 at 9:36 amAccording to Kucinich, “The incident did not happen.â€
http://www.afterdowningstreet.org/?q=node/30931
Comment by 2MillionLightYearsToAndromeda
I was fairly sure that it didn’t happen. I’m not real fond of Pelosi, but I don’t think she is so stupid that she would do something like what was reported. Isn’t it amazing how these kind of rumors can become “fact” on the internet. Think about how many people read the first story and will miss the retraction. They will continue to think that Pelosi did it.
February 12th, 2008 at 9:38 amWhy then did he vote for Patriot Act 2?
Comment by 2MillionLightYearsToAndromeda
Hillary voted for the 2006 reauthorization too as well as (un)Patriot Act I
Hillary and Obama voted no on the horrendous Military Commissions Act of 2006, so there is some hope for both.
February 12th, 2008 at 9:40 amBased on what he said I agree. However, it doesn’t match his record. Why then did he vote for Patriot Act 2?
Comment by 2MillionLightYearsToAndromeda
Would you like to show us where, in the Patriot Act 2, torture is accepted and deemed lawful?
February 12th, 2008 at 9:41 amThe RAND report – more evidence of Bush’s continuous “cherry picking” of intelligence – this is getting pretty embarrassing since he’s been permitted to continue this form of deceit for now 7 years. WTF is going on in Congress? If Conyers doesn’t begin impeachment proceedings, we need to boycott the candidate who does not press for impeachment, regardless of who that might be.
Impeachment is more critical to the future of this democracy than even the next election. Once these barriers have been broken and the laws bastardized, there will be no possibility of turning back the clock.
February 12th, 2008 at 9:44 amThey will continue to think that Pelosi did it.
Comment by bilbobaggins — February 12, 2008 @ 9:38 am
I only blame Pelosi for what I know the facts on.
“Got Table?”
February 12th, 2008 at 9:44 amI hear Huckabee’s insertion of the “I” word in one of his recent speeches. Without providing details, he said that any official who lies to the people should be “summarily impeached”. Maybe this is why there’s a sudden interest in impeachment by Conyers? Conyers is also planning a lawsuit against Bush. Write to him today and press Conyers to begin impeachment proceedings immediately. This is the ONLY way to ensure that this man does no further damage to this country. This is the only way to stop Bush’s crime spree.
February 12th, 2008 at 9:46 amWould you like to show us where, in the Patriot Act 2, torture is accepted and deemed lawful?
Comment by bilbobaggins — February 12, 2008 @ 9:41 am
Patriot acts didn’t deal with torture, unless you mean the torture both versions committed on the Constitution…….
February 12th, 2008 at 9:46 amWayne: Pelosi’s another AIPAC “shill”.
February 12th, 2008 at 9:46 amIs it me or does Obama seem far more intelligent than any of his competitors. It almost seems unfair that at some point McCain will have to debate with him. The man (Obama) is presidential machine.
February 12th, 2008 at 9:47 amAfter voting for the Kyl_Lieberman(I-Israel) amendment, Clinton immediately put out a press release:
September 26, 2007
Statement of Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton on the Kyl-Lieberman Amendment
Washington, DC – “Earlier today, I voted for a non-binding resolution that designates the Iranian Revolutionary Guard as a terrorist organization. The Revolutionary Guards are deeply involved in Iran’s nuclear program and have substantial links with Hezbollah.
“I voted for this resolution in order to apply greater diplomatic pressure on Iran. This resolution in no way authorizes or sanctions military action against Iran and instead seeks to end the Bush Administration’s diplomatic inaction in the region.
So she gave BushitCo the smoking gun, and assumes he won’t use it…
February 12th, 2008 at 9:47 am“Virgin CEO Richard Branson offered Monday to set up an ‘environmental war room‘ to lead the world’s efforts to find a fix for global warming.
Branson also explained how we’re on the wrong track with Ethanol production. Row crops are 7 times less efficient than switchgrass or other non-cultivated applications. Row crops remove all natural cover from the Earth, allowing phosphate, fertilizer & pesticide runoffs into our aquafers. They also remove the natural organic base from the land which ingests CO2 from our atmosphere.
Mega Agri-corporations & utilities didn’t get ‘behind’ Ethanol production until they found a way to dominate or monopolize the market. Some estimates show current Ethanol production actually costs more than regular oil does to refine or distill.
Another side effect is the price of commodities like corn & wheat. Have you noticed what bread costs? Corn & wheat are at record high prices & we’re paying for it at the grocery store. If we had alternative sources for Ethanol production, we’d be headed in the right direction.
February 12th, 2008 at 9:47 amDavid Brooks has nailed it:
http://www.nytimes.com/ 2008/ 02/ 12/ opinion/ 12brooks.html?_r=2&hp&oref=slogin&oref=slogin
Dems should just focus on energy policy, because the wind is at their backs. The phrase “energy independence†is a winner, where “global warming†is a punchline. Dems should pick the low hanging fruit and work to reduce foreign energy imports by any and all means (leaving the CAFE standard as the federal rule, ignoring states’ attempts to alter them), and leave further emissions reductions to future leaders, who will have a clearer picture of what today’s policies have achieved.
This means Dems should leave domestic coal usage alone, while they address the importing of oil and natural gas – hate to spell that out, but sometimes the obvious isn’t obvious to everyone.
February 12th, 2008 at 9:48 amSince Pelosi has let the people who put her in power down so drastically with taking impeachment off the table, no one will give her the benefit of the doubt any more. Pelosi’s a disgrace, as is Harry Reid. Having said that, their complicity in abetting criminal activities still pales in comparison to that of the typical Repuke.
It’s a sad state of affairs when we have to agrue for the lesser of two evils.
February 12th, 2008 at 9:49 amWayne: Pelosi’s another AIPAC “shillâ€.
Comment by whatevah — February 12, 2008 @ 9:46 am
Impeachment “off the table” tells me she is Bush’s pet lapdog.
February 12th, 2008 at 9:49 amWhy didn’t Hillary’s supporters have a problem with caucuses before she began to lose them? I wonder what their excuse will be when Obama takes all 3 of the Potomac primaries?
February 12th, 2008 at 9:50 amComment by Jason M. Hendler — February 12, 2008 @ 9:48 am
You have spammed that crap on several threads, troll
February 12th, 2008 at 9:52 amHere’s what Glenn Greenwald wrote today:
“The Senate today — led by Jay Rockefeller, enabled by Harry Reid, and with the active support of at least 12 (and probably more) Democrats, in conjunction with an as-always lockstep GOP caucus — will vote to legalize warrantless spying on the telephone calls and emails of Americans, and will also provide full retroactive amnesty to lawbreaking telecoms, thus forever putting an end to any efforts to investigate and obtain a judicial ruling regarding the Bush administration’s years-long illegal spying programs…”
A sad day indeed.
February 12th, 2008 at 9:53 am#37, klide,
Simple answer, because the caucus system worked to her advantage before.
If you want a nomination system indicative of who would win in a general election, then it only makes sense to use whatever system is used in the general election, which differs state to state.
February 12th, 2008 at 9:54 am#38, Wayne,
No, I only posted it on the previous thread (that means one other thread), because TP didn’t have a thinkfast thread available.
It is such good advice to Dems, that it does deserve several threads, but this should do the trick.
February 12th, 2008 at 9:55 amObama is a professor of Constitutional law.
February 12th, 2008 at 9:57 amI don’t think it is in his character to defile the Constitution and what it represents, a la GWB and the repugnicans..
If you want a nomination system indicative of who would win in a general election, then it only makes sense to use whatever system is used in the general election, which differs state to state.
-Jason M. Hendler
WTF? Does anyone else find this circular logic similar to a circle jerk?
Speaking of jerks, why is ManHandler already trying to hijack this thread?
February 12th, 2008 at 9:58 am“The Senate today — led by Jay Rockefeller, enabled by Harry Reid, and with the active support of at least 12 (and probably more) Democrats, in conjunction with an as-always lockstep GOP caucus — will vote to legalize warrantless spying…”
A sad day indeed.
Comment by lefttown — February 12, 2008 @ 9:53 am
“The day
February 12th, 2008 at 9:59 amthe musicDemocracy died….”Please, JMH, continue to enlighten us. I can’t get enough of the wisdom of an “Ivy League” Stanford graduate who is an expert in urban heat, sexual harassment, and electoral predictions. Your information has been perfect – wrong, but perfectly so, and, therefore, very useful.
February 12th, 2008 at 10:00 amWould you like to show us where, in the Patriot Act 2, torture is accepted and deemed lawful?
Comment by bilbobaggins — February 12, 2008 @ 9:41 am
You’re correct. The Patriot Act 2 doesn’t deal with torture specifically. However, the case MAY be made that the violations that Patriot Act 2 allows could LEAD to torture.
Also, couldn’t Obama have filibustered or used some other Senatorial procedure to stop the confirmation of Mukasey, who wouldn’t say that waterboarding is torture?
February 12th, 2008 at 10:00 amAnother side effect is the price of commodities like corn & wheat. Have you noticed what bread costs? Corn & wheat are at record high prices & we’re paying for it at the grocery store. If we had alternative sources for Ethanol production, we’d be headed in the right direction.
Comment by Zimzone — February 12, 2008 @ 9:47 am
There was an interesting article in the NYT recently regarding the environmental impact of biofuels.
“These studies for the first time take a detailed, comprehensive look at the emissions effects of the huge amount of natural land that is being converted to cropland globally to support biofuels development.
The destruction of natural ecosystems — whether rain forest in the tropics or grasslands in South America — not only releases greenhouse gases into the atmosphere when they are burned and plowed, but also deprives the planet of natural sponges to absorb carbon emissions. Cropland also absorbs far less carbon than the rain forests or even scrubland that it replaces.
Together the two studies offer sweeping conclusions: It does not matter if it is rain forest or scrubland that is cleared, the greenhouse gas contribution is significant. More important, they discovered that, taken globally, the production of almost all biofuels resulted, directly or indirectly, intentionally or not, in new lands being cleared, either for food or fuel.”
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/02/08/science/earth/08wbiofuels.html?_r=1&oref=slogin
February 12th, 2008 at 10:03 amWhat did we miss?
How about the collapse of democracy, and respect for the rule of law in Iraq?
Twin car bombs kill 22 in Baghdad
Twin Car Bombs Target U.S.-Allied Sunnis Meeting in Baghdad; at Least 22 Killed
Twin car bombs targeted a meeting of Sunni tribal leaders Monday, killing as many as 22 people in the latest attack against U.S. allies who have turned against al-Qaida in Iraq.
The attackers managed to penetrate heavy security to leave bomb-rigged cars near a Baghdad compound hosting chieftains from the western Anbar province, where the so-called Awakening Council movement against al-Qaida emerged last year.
The blasts were also near the offices of one of Iraq’s most powerful Shiite politicians, Abdul-Aziz al-Hakim. But Iraqi authorities said the apparent target was the Sunni tribal heads.
Insurgents — either led or inspired by al-Qaida — have stepped up assaults against fellow Sunnis who are credited with helping drive out extremists from key parts of Baghdad and surrounding areas.
Sheik Ali Hatem al-Sulaiman, deputy chief of Anbar province’s biggest Sunni tribe and a leading member of the Anbar Awakening Council, said six of their bodyguards were among those killed. At least 20 were wounded, he said.
He blamed al-Qaida in Iraq, which has increasingly targeted Sunnis who have turned against it.
The Anbar sheiks often meet in Baghdad. They also have lobbied parliament in recent days over stalled draft legislation that would set a date for provincial elections.
“Al-Qaida and those who assist al-Qaida are targeting our offices. We ask the government not to diminish our role,” al-Sulaiman told The Associated Press, insisting on a tribal right to revenge.
“It has become a reprisal issue now and we don’t want the government or the U.S. forces to interfere,” he said. “It is an open war against those criminals, and we will fight in our own way.”
[. . .]
February 12th, 2008 at 10:06 amA sad day indeed.
Comment by lefttown — February 12, 2008 @ 9:53 am
We can only hope for two things. Hillary and Barack join Dodd in his filibuster. They will bring media coverage to this issue which is being censored. If the country knew what was happening they’d be outraged and take action. As long as this happens in a vaccum nothing can stop it. Two, the House refuses to put immunity in the bill when they meet with the Senate committee.
Are you listening Hillary and Barack? You’re the “change” candidates right? Will you two sit by and let the 4th amendment die? You want to win my vote and the votes of millions of others who think you’re nothing but hot air? Get your ass(es) to the Senate and start filibustering until your last breath.
February 12th, 2008 at 10:06 amimpeachcheneythenbush — February 12, 2008 @ 10:03 am
Thank you. You portrayed this issue much clearer than I was able to.
Bottom line is, row crops aren’t ‘naturally sustainable’ & consume more resources to grow than benefits reaped.
February 12th, 2008 at 10:07 amComment by good_golly
Got horse shit?
February 12th, 2008 at 10:08 amSo she gave BushitCo the smoking gun, and assumes he won’t use it…
Comment by RUCerious
Which is pretty much what she did by voting for the initial war authorization bill with Iraq. She still hasn’t said that she was wrong to make that vote and has, on numerous occasions, told lies to support her position.
February 12th, 2008 at 10:08 amThis means Dems should leave domestic coal usage alone, while they address the importing of oil and natural gas – hate to spell that out, but sometimes the obvious isn’t obvious to everyone.
Comment by Jason M. Hendler
Wow, I didn’t know that the idiot troll Hendler was so much smarter than everyone else. He’s the one who sees the obvious while we all miss it. NOT. Go away Hendler, we’ve all heard your idiot views ad nausium and are no longer interested in anything you have to say.
February 12th, 2008 at 10:10 amBilbo, that’s exactly what I told my parents, who are Clinton supporters, last night. My Mom just won’t trust any Muslim educated anybody… See, the propaganda works…
February 12th, 2008 at 10:12 amIt is such good advice to Dems, that it does deserve several threads, but this should do the trick.
Comment by Jason M. Hendler
Wow, idiot troll Hendler actually thinks we give a $hit about his advice. His idiocy and ego knows no bounds.
February 12th, 2008 at 10:12 amDems need advice from Ivy Leage trolls like the Sonics need to move to Oklahoma City.
February 12th, 2008 at 10:16 am“The VA has said there does not appear to be an epidemic of suicide among returning veterans, and that suicide among the Iraq and Afghanistan veterans is comparable to the same demographic group in the general population.â€
This would be the same VA that allowed it’s patients to lie in their own waste.
Yeah, they’re credible.
February 12th, 2008 at 10:17 amAlso, couldn’t Obama have filibustered or used some other Senatorial procedure to stop the confirmation of Mukasey, who wouldn’t say that waterboarding is torture?
Comment by 2MillionLightYearsToAndromeda
Sorry, I am not going to participate in your couda, shoulda, woulda attacks on Obama.
The post was about torture and Obama’s declaration that he would not use it. You threw in the straw-man of his voting on the Patriot Act 2 to try to deflect the damage Hillary has done to herself by her positions. You are beginning to sound like a troll.
February 12th, 2008 at 10:20 amThe same VA who made my friend fight with them for several years on his agent orange symptoms.
February 12th, 2008 at 10:22 amGot news for you good goofy, more than a few vets don’t trust the VA for anything
take care
tony and guidedog Lido
“The VA has said there does not appear to be an epidemic of suicide among returning veterans, and that suicide among the Iraq and Afghanistan veterans is comparable to the same demographic group in the general population.â€
Comment by good_golly — February 12, 2008 @ 10:01 am
Well then the VA needs to talk to their coworkers over at the CDC, because 17.3 suicides per 100,000 is a lot higher than the U.S. national average of 12.26 suicides per 100,000 in the 20-29 age group.
February 12th, 2008 at 10:23 amBilbo, that’s exactly what I told my parents, who are Clinton supporters, last night. My Mom just won’t trust any Muslim educated anybody… See, the propaganda works…
Comment by RUCerious
Bending the truth (telling lies) to support her Iraq war vote is one of the reasons why Hillary is so offended by MSNBC. They have exposed her lies and she doesn’t like it. Olbermann did it last week after she gave an interview to one of the talking heads and told lies about her vote authorizing Bush to invade Iraq. I really wish I could remember what the lies were. Maybe I’ll go find them and post them. That will probably make 2MillionLightYearsToAndromeda’s head explode.
February 12th, 2008 at 10:23 amwhatevah; another solution
Have Revolution: Will Travel
February 12th, 2008 at 10:25 amDue to a backlog of immigration cases, “the Bush administration will grant permanent residency to tens of thousands of legal U.S. immigrants without first completing required background checks against the FBI’s investigative files.†Only immigrants “whose cases are otherwise complete but whose FBI checks have been pending for more than six months†will be affected.
That’s our Chimperor “protecting” us.
I wonder how Tancredo feels about this….?
February 12th, 2008 at 10:28 amExley must be having trouble finding his Bush goggles, this morn. He’s usually here with a double shot of blue-sky idealism by now. I guess today there are no feel-good stories about Iraq.
February 12th, 2008 at 10:38 amAccording to Kucinich, “The incident did not happen.â€
http://www.afterdowningstreet.org/?q=node/30931
Comment by 2MillionLightYearsToAndromeda
I was fairly sure that it didn’t happen.[...] Think about how many people read the first story and will miss the retraction. They will continue to think that Pelosi did it.
Comment by bilbobaggins — February 12, 2008 @ 9:38 am
and, sorry 2million, but you are part of that problem…
posting unsubstantiated stories…
people need to get their emotions in control…
February 12th, 2008 at 10:40 amthink and act pragmatically…
katy ~ EMOTIONS IN CONTROL??
YAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!!!!!
February 12th, 2008 at 10:42 am/snark…
Wanna stop foreclosures… Wanna stop the economic bleeding. The solution is soooo simple, but the corporatists will have none of it. Freeze interest rates. I know Hillary has esposed it, but like she would ever get anything done in office.
It needs to happen now to stop the bleeding!
These companies make enough off the already high interest rates they charge on subprime loans, all they are doing is making it worse for everyone, including themselves by continuing to adjust the rates up.
February 12th, 2008 at 10:43 amwhatevah @ 9:46 am
i’ll repeat this, from yeaterday:
… the only candidate to mention the concept of “summarily impeaching†a president who deserves it is Huckabee …
Comment by whatevah — February 11, 2008 @ 7:32 pm
what!?! where? when?
February 12th, 2008 at 10:45 amlink please!
Comment by katy — February 11, 2008 @ 7:48 pm
“The VA has said there does not appear to be an epidemic of suicide among returning veterans, and that suicide among the Iraq and Afghanistan veterans is comparable to the same demographic group in the general population.â€
http://ap.google.com/ article/ ALeqM5i6GBOG0InqxDzX_TMyxFBWQ1hhQQD8UOLFTO0
Comment by good_golly
The same VA that denied that Dioxin causes severe heath problems for vets exposed to it, including birth defects?
The same VA that denied that PTSD is real?
The Same VA that denied that Gulf War Syndrome is real?
The same VA that denied that vets in Walter Reed hospital were getting sub-standard care?
That VA?
February 12th, 2008 at 10:48 amThe post was about torture and Obama’s declaration that he would not use it. You threw in the straw-man of his voting on the Patriot Act 2 to try to deflect the damage Hillary has done to herself by her positions. You are beginning to sound like a troll.
Comment by bilbobaggins — February 12, 2008 @ 10:20 am
I’ve posted far more negative information about Hillary than Barack. I try to be fair and stick to facts. If that qualifies as an “attack” to you then so be it.
Leadership, to me, is Mike Gravel filibustering to end the draft during Vietnam. Or Chris Dodd filibustering the FISA legislation.
Millions of people are like me in that respect. We want to SEE action. Words alone don’t cut it.
If you’re an Obama supporter my suggestion to you is this: Get on the phone and call his office. Tell him you have a sure way for him to win thousands more votes and secure the nomination. Tell him to join Chris Dodd in his filibuster of the FISA legislation. Tell him to use the immense media coverage he receives to inform the people that they’re about to lose the 4th amendment.
G*d knows I’ve called his office at least ten times saying this same thing.
If I see him out there actually doing something I CAN be convinced to vote for him.
My vote is valuable to me. You gotta earn it.
February 12th, 2008 at 10:48 amyup, the same VA said that there were no adverse health problems from Agent Orange. THAT VA!
February 12th, 2008 at 10:50 amand, sorry 2million, but you are part of that problem…
posting unsubstantiated stories…
people need to get their emotions in control…
think and act pragmatically…
Comment by katy — February 12, 2008 @ 10:40 am
As I said yesterday, when somebody questioned the story, I agreed it was unsubstantiated.
And I was quick to post the updated information today.
But your criticism is certainly valid.
February 12th, 2008 at 10:51 amThat will probably make 2MillionLightYearsToAndromeda’s head explode.
Comment by bilbobaggins — February 12, 2008 @ 10:23 am
You think I’m a Hillary supporter? Ha! I was for 100% for Kucinich. I was willing to give Edwards a shot but he folded. I think the only Democrat deserving of my vote is Mike Gravel. If Barack can show some leadership (any!) I’d be willing to consider him. As of yet that has not happened.
I’m currently looking third party. Cynthia McKinney or Ralph Nader. (Nader was on the Thom Hartmann show yesterday and addressed virtually every issue that I consider important).
February 12th, 2008 at 10:57 amHe’s usually here with a double shot of blue-sky idealism by now. I guess today there are no feel-good stories about Iraq.
Comment by barfly — February 12, 2008 @ 10:38 am
Uh, wouldn’t that be more like blood-red idealism, barfly… more specifically “somebody else’s blood-red”?
February 12th, 2008 at 10:59 amYeah, the same VA that took 30 + years to recognize my brother’s PSTD, even though he spent his last 8 months in the navy in a mental ward…
February 12th, 2008 at 11:00 ambig brother…
Blue Cross Asks Docs to Report Patients’ Omissions
February 12th, 2008 at 11:04 amWall Street Journal – 2 hours ago
Blue Cross of California is trying to enlist doctors’ help in finding patients who failed to report medical conditions when they applied for insurance, the LA Times reports.
Doctors balk at request for data Los Angeles Times
Health insurer’s letter seeks to get coverage canceled San Jose Mercury News
and, sorry 2million, but you are part of that problem…
posting unsubstantiated stories…
people need to get their emotions in control…
think and act pragmatically…
Comment by katy — February 12, 2008 @ 10:40 am
BTW Here’s the exchange between me and biloboggins yesterday:
If that story about Kucinich and Pelosi is true, kudos to Kucinich. But, I find it rather suspect. I can’t believe that Pelosi would stoop that low. She would have to know that she would be outed if she did something that stupid. But, considering the things she has done already, I guess it is possible.
Comment by bilbobaggins — February 11, 2008 @ 9:54 am
When I copied the story in my files I put “Unsubstantiated†next to it. Nevertheless, Dennis needs our help. Please contribute to his campaign if you can. http://www.Kucinich.us.
Comment by 2MillionLightYearsToAndromeda — February 11, 2008 @ 10:06 am
** I couldn’t find the link to the story at the time. I usually put a link in every piece I post.
February 12th, 2008 at 11:05 amGeeze,I appreciate 2 millions comments a heck of a lot more than katy’s spamming from other news sources. (gee, I could have looked on the news page too!) or bilbo’s “agree with me or you you are now a troll scum” train of thought. He at least is informative and knowledgeable. You two need to quit being the hall monitors of the other progressives.
February 12th, 2008 at 11:10 amMy vote is valuable to me. You gotta earn it.
Comment by 2MillionLightYearsToAndromeda — February 12, 2008 @ 10:48 am
Amen to that.
February 12th, 2008 at 11:14 amUK’s ‘concerns’ over 9/11 trials
BBC News – 43 minutes ago
Foreign Secretary David Miliband has said he has “some concerns” over US military tribunals for six men charged with involvement in the 9/11 attacks.
9/11 suspects may face death penalty Los Angeles Times
Trial of 9/11 Plotters Faces Hurdles The Associated Press
rachel maddow put this story and others – admitting the torture of 3 detainees, acknowledging that waterboarding may be illegal, revealing the secret gitmo camp, among other things – into a very logical conclusion that it all amounts to election year manipulation…
this “trial” is the most obvious, as it will be foremost in the news come
october/november…
rove is not gone…
February 12th, 2008 at 11:16 amnice to see ya, bluedahlia…
February 12th, 2008 at 11:18 amyou’re not here much…
I like to listen more than talk, but I am here.
February 12th, 2008 at 11:20 amthere are some good guys after all:
US Stocks Rise After Buffett Offers to Help Bond Insurers
February 12th, 2008 at 11:20 amBloomberg – 33 minutes ago
By Eric Martin Feb. 12 (Bloomberg) — US stocks rose for a second day, led by financial shares, on expectations Warren Buffett’s plan to take over liabilities from bond insurers will help calm credit markets.
Buffett Bailing Out Bond Insurers Forbes
Berkshire offered to assume $800 bln of muni risks MarketWatch
yup, the same VA said that there were no adverse health problems from Agent Orange. THAT VA!
Comment by Uncle Ho — February 12, 2008 @ 10:50 am
Yeah the same VA denying thousands of veterans their benefits that they bled for.
February 12th, 2008 at 11:21 amfor fun:
25 ‘Thriller’ facts
http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/news/music/la-et-web-thrillertrivia12feb12,1,4770613.story
Thriller’ at 25: Still Can’t Beat It Entertainment Weekly
Jackson Marks Thriller’s 25th E! Online
love that album…
February 12th, 2008 at 11:25 amI would say that the moment you stop criticizing the politicians you think are correct on issues, and attacking others for making valid comments about them, you are on the way down.
Bluedahlia, I agree with you. However, I don’t think katy spams threads.
2 million, keep the good work.
February 12th, 2008 at 11:32 amUh, wouldn’t that be more like blood-red idealism, barfly… more specifically “somebody else’s blood-red�
Comment by The Republic of Stupidity
When Ex’s wearing those rose-tinted Bush goggles, they filter out the blood, leaving a clear, untroubled vista; of rainbows, and gumdrops, and democracy-by-installation…
February 12th, 2008 at 11:33 amThanks for the input Juan. =)
February 12th, 2008 at 11:36 amProtesters off to early start outside Berkeley City Council chambers
February 12th, 2008 at 11:49 amSan Jose Mercury News – 38 minutes ago
A pre-dawn confrontation broke out this morning in Berkeley between peaceniks and pro military groups, more than 12 hours before the City Council considers to rescind its statement telling the US Marines they’re unwelcome in this leftie town.
Berkeley City Council to Revisit Vote Against Marine Recruiting … FOXNews
Protests over Berkeley Marine recruitment abc7news.com
Katy; You should see the backlash from the goose-steppers about Berkeley at Gathering of Eagles. I made some posts there before I was quickly banned. Heh, Ain’t I a stinker?
February 12th, 2008 at 11:53 amCalifornia Doctors’ Group “Outraged” at Information Request
ABC News – 1 hour ago
The California Medical Association opposes a plan by insurer Blue Cross urging doctors to report patients’ pre-existing health conditions.
well, good!
February 12th, 2008 at 11:54 amthat you are, uncle ho…
February 12th, 2008 at 11:54 amoh, really???
Republicans Root for Obama
February 12th, 2008 at 12:10 pmFred Barnes 1 hour, 8 minutes ago
Washington (The Weekly Standard) Vol. 013, Issue 22 – 2/18/2008 – Republicans and Barack Obama are far apart ideologically, but they have a common enemy: Hillary Clinton. This explains why many Republicans look kindly on Obama’s bid for the Democratic presidential nomination. Republicans have two goals in the 2008 race. One is to retain the presidency. The other is to deny the Clintons–Hillary and Bill–another four (or eight) years in the White House.
[...]
http://news.yahoo.com/s/weeklystandard/20080212/cm_weeklystandard/republicansrootforobama
oh… heh… i read that wrong… oops…
i thought i saw “Republicans and Barack Obama are NOT far apart…”
… never mind.
February 12th, 2008 at 2:17 pm