ThinkFast: February 13, 2008
ThinkFast: February 13, 2008
Steven Spielberg announced yesterday that “he was withdrawing as an artistic adviser to the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing, after almost a year of trying unsuccessfully to prod President Hu Jintao of China to do more to try to end Sudan’s attacks in the Darfur region.”
House Democratic leaders “plan to force a vote as early as Thursday on holding Joshua B. Bolten, White House chief of staff, and Harriet E. Miers, former White House counsel, in contempt of Congress.” At the direction of the White House, Bolten and Miers last year refused to comply with subpoenas in U.S. attorneys probe.
In his first trip overseas since taking office, “Attorney General Michael Mukasey met Wednesday with the head of Iraq’s judicial council during a quick trip to Baghdad to review U.S. efforts to help build the nation’s legal system.” Mukasey also met with top U.S. officials in Iraq.
“A Bush administration plan to crack down on contract fraud has a multibillion-dollar loophole: The proposal to force companies to report abuse of taxpayer money will not apply to work overseas, including projects to secure and rebuild Iraq and Afghanistan.”
“Rep. Henry Waxman (D-Calif.) joined several House Republicans Tuesday by promising not to request any earmarks in appropriations bills this year. ‘We have a problem in Congress,’ said Waxman in a statement.” Waxman praised House Appropriations Chairman David Obey (D-WI) for cutting down on earmarks last year, but said more needs to be done.
In a letter to the Justice Department’s Inspector General yesterday, Sens. Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) called for “an investigation into the role DOJ officials have played in authorizing the use of waterboarding during interrogations.” In their letter, the senators note that Attorney General Michael Mukasey “refused to conduct his own inquiry into the matter.”
“The Defense Department is displaying a ‘precipitous decrease in attention’ to the security and control of the U.S. nuclear arsenal, according to a Defense Science Board task force.” “The decline in DoD focus has been more pronounced than realized and too extreme to be acceptable,” said the task force’s chairman, retired Air Force Gen. Larry D. Welch, in testimony yesterday.
The Writers Guild of America returns to work today, ending a “devastating, three-month walkout that brought the entertainment industry to a standstill.” More on the details of the agreement here.
Yesterday, the Treasury Department announced that the “federal budget deficit is running at a pace that is more than double last year’s imbalance through the first four months of the budget year.” Although “the budget was in surplus in January, but totals $87.7 billion so far this budget year, double the $42.2 billion imbalance recorded during the same period in 2007.”
And finally: President Bush “was coasting through a list of greetings for prominent African-American leaders at a White House ceremony yesterday afternoon when he came to one of his fiercest critics, the Reverend Al Sharpton. ‘Rev. Al Sharpton, and his wife, Dominique — Reverend, it’s good to see you,’ Mr. Bush said.” The problem? The 21-year old Dominique is Sharpton’s daughter, not his wife. An attendee “quickly shouted a correction to the president, who winced as the audience broke out in laughter.”
What did we miss? Let us know in the comments section.
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“I’ve had a good life. I can’t think of any better way to end it.”
Betty Hall, an 87 year old 14-term State of N.H. representative, announcing she will join the Code Pink fast until John Conyers holds impeachment hearings.
http://www.afterdowningstreet.org/?q=node/30968
Please call Congressman John Conyers and demand he begin impeachment hearings of Bush and Cheney.
phone: 1-202-225-5126
February 13th, 2008 at 9:00 amfax: 1-202-225-0072
Washington Operator: 1-800-828-0498
“A Bush administration plan to crack down on contract fraud has a multibillion-dollar loophole: The proposal to force companies to report abuse of taxpayer money will not apply to work overseas, including projects to secure and rebuild Iraq and Afghanistan.â€
Of course it won’t. Wouldn’t want THAT cash cow to dry up. We still have the ability to borrow (since the treasury coffers are dry) and give to Bush’s cronies.
What an absolute bunch of $hit.
February 13th, 2008 at 9:05 amhillary – the lib flagship is going down the tubes.
not worthy of its own thread around here?
the end of the clintons. beautiful
February 13th, 2008 at 9:07 amthe end of the clintons. beautiful
Comment by ct — February 13, 2008 @ 9:07 am
You do realize this means Obama will be the next president, don’t you?
February 13th, 2008 at 9:08 amHouse Democratic leaders “plan to force a vote as early as Thursday on holding Joshua B. Bolten, White House chief of staff, and Harriet E. Miers, former White House counsel, in contempt of Congress.
How about in ‘Contempt of Freedom’? The whole US Attorney scandal is reflective of power hungry GOPigs using politics as a substitute measure for justice.
We’ve already been told Mufakesy won’t allow an investigation into this, so why not ‘hold them’ somewhere secure until the Dems take the WH…
Gitmo’s nice this time of year.
February 13th, 2008 at 9:09 amCodePink? “Those A–Holes”
February 13th, 2008 at 9:09 am“It is already clear that a new phase in the arms race is unfolding in the world,…It is not our fault, because we did not start it,…In effect, we are forced to retaliate,…Russia has, and always will have, responses to these new challenges,”
- Russian President, Vladimir Putin
http://www.blacklistednews.com/view.asp?ID=5528
February 13th, 2008 at 9:10 amTrolls are up early today. Mommy must have forced them out of bed.
February 13th, 2008 at 9:11 amYesterday, the Treasury Department announced that the “federal budget deficit is running at a pace that is more than double last year’s imbalance through the first four months of the budget year.â€
‘Spend it Forward’, the Bush economic plan. What the Hell, our children can pay for our stupidity & lack of fiscal responsibility.
While America drowns in bad mortgages, Bush continues to borrow like a drunken Sailor, bankrupting our Country.
Hey Trolls, you’re out barking early; how do you feel about Bush’s fiscal record?
February 13th, 2008 at 9:13 amThe last phase of NAFTA is kicking in. Now the U.S. can dump heavily subsidized (genetically-modified) corn into Mexico without tariff. Corn is the staple food in Mexico. This will kill what’s left of Mexico’s 30 million farmers who now have no way to feed their families.
Those farmers WILL be migrating to the U.S. looking for jobs.
This article, from a Code Pink worker, sums up the situation beautifully.
“Although Obrador won the popular vote, according to reliable exit polls and election experts, in a U.S.-style electronic vote theft, the elections were stolen, and Felipe Calderón, a pro-NAFTA corporatist was installed as President. As a Mexican activist friend reminds me today, we are at the end of the road for polite protest. Nothing short of a second Mexican (and American) revolution will save us.”
http://www.commondreams.org/archive/2008/02/12/6994/
February 13th, 2008 at 9:16 amHouse Democratic leaders “plan to force a vote as early as Thursday on holding Joshua B. Bolten, White House chief of staff, and Harriet E. Miers, former White House counsel, in contempt of Congress.â€
This one is such a no-brainer, it is beyond me how any Republiscum could not vote to find them in contempt. If this is not done, then a precedent will be set and no one who works for the government (or formerly worked for the government) will ever be able to be forced to testify in front of Congress. They will be, in essence, neutering themselves.
This is one case where I will say “Clinton did it”, because Clinton allowed his aides to testify when Ken Starr was investigating everything Clinton did for the last 40 years.
February 13th, 2008 at 9:22 am“Attorney General Michael Mukasey met Wednesday with the head of Iraq’s judicial council during a quick trip to Baghdad to review U.S. efforts to help build the nation’s legal system.â€
And while he was there he gave them advice on how to obstruct investigations and how to refuse to answer questions. He also gave a short course in the “I don’t recall” tactic.
February 13th, 2008 at 9:24 amYou might want to look into this:
http://tpzoo.wordpress.com/2008/01/28/sibel-edmonds-buckle-up-theres-much-more-coming/
February 13th, 2008 at 9:25 amThe proposal to force companies to report abuse of taxpayer money will not apply to work overseas, including projects to secure and rebuild Iraq and Afghanistan.â€
Well, duh. Didn’t you know that there are no rules or laws that apply to the contractors in Iraq. They can take billions of our taxpayer dollars and not complete a project and never have to be held accountable. When I think of the billions of our taxpayer dollars that have been stolen (the 9 billion that went poof) or misused (the billions in unfinished or inadequate projects), it makes my blood boil. That money could have gone a long way to fixing the dying infrastructure of the United States. Instead it is in the pockets of FOB’s.
February 13th, 2008 at 9:27 amAn addendum to #14. I hope that one of the first orders of business by President Obama will be to investigate all construction contracts in Iraq and when malfeasance is found, make them pay back the money and/or prosecute them.
February 13th, 2008 at 9:28 amthe end of the clintons. beautiful
Comment by ct — February 13, 2008 @ 9:07 am
doubtful. Clinton will still be a Senator from NY and she will still wield substantial power. I wouldn’t doubt it if she became one of Obama’s cabinet members.
I hardly think her career is going down the tubes.
February 13th, 2008 at 9:29 amIn their letter, the senators note that Attorney General Michael Mukasey “refused to conduct his own inquiry into the matter.â€
Right, so Mukasey is going to let the Inspector General he supervises investigate the DOJ. Not going to happen. This, unfortunately, will be another task for the next president.
February 13th, 2008 at 9:30 amThe Defense Department is displaying a ‘precipitous decrease in attention’ to the security and control of the U.S. nuclear arsenal…
Wow, aren’t you impressed with all the Bush Crime Family has done to keep us safe here at home! NOT…
February 13th, 2008 at 9:32 amIt’s pretty pathetic when people have to go on fasts and hunger strikes to get the attention of our congress to do what happens to be mandated by their oath of office. This oath of office covers ONE high crime/misdemeanor! How many high crimes and misdemeanors are these criminals guilty of at this point in time? More than a dozen?
The only thing that could be preventing these honorable men from specific performance of their contract to the american people (their oath of office) would be blackmail – things garnered illegally via Chimpy’s unconstitutional spy program on american citizens.
I find it hilarious to see Specter today addressing the spying of one football team on another while condoning the miscarriage of justice and unconstitutional, illegal spying on american citizens. Specter’s a fraud and always has been. People will soon begin throwing rotten tomatoes at this moron.
February 13th, 2008 at 9:35 amGood for Spielberg
February 13th, 2008 at 9:36 am#18 Anyone with a logical mind can see that absolutely NOTHING Bush has done has made this country and it’s citizens safer. It’s like going to bed at night and leaving your front door wide open.
February 13th, 2008 at 9:36 amCodePink? “Those A–Holesâ€
Comment by Ike_Skelton
Please do not give this nasty troll the attention he craves. Either ignore it or talk about it, just don’t talk to it. It does not deserve any attention, even negative attention.
February 13th, 2008 at 9:37 amHey Trolls, you’re out barking early; how do you feel about Bush’s fiscal record?
Comment by Zimzone
Shame on you Zimzone….don’t encourage them.
February 13th, 2008 at 9:38 amI interviewed Sibel yesterday regarding the current investigation and reporting by the Times, the failures of the US media, and last week’s decision by the Bush administration to legalize the sale of nuclear technology to Turkey, in an apparent to exonerate prior criminal activity by officials in his administration.â€
http://tpzoo.wordpress.com/ 2008/ 01/ 28/ sibel-edmonds-buckle-up-theres-much-more-coming/
Comment by Briseadh na Faire — February 13, 2008 @ 9:25 am
** I also understand that the only person named so far by Sibel is a man named Marc Grossman. He has ties to Bill Clinton’s administration through William Cohen.
Hillary better be aware. They could drop the entire Sibel Edmonds scandal around her neck and sink her like a stone.
If I was a Hillary supporter (and I’m not) I’d be bringing this story out NOW, on my own terms, so Rush Limbaugh and his gang doesn’t beat you to the punch and control the narrative.
By the way, Hillary is clearly not the person responsible for this scandal. I’m sure most of the blame goes to those in the Bush admin. and republicans. But if right-wing radio tells its version of this story they’ll put all the blame on Bill and Hill.
February 13th, 2008 at 9:43 amI hardly think her career is going down the tubes.
Comment by dim wit
The more I think about it the more I like the idea of Clinton being Obama’s Vice President. It would be good “assassination insurance”. I really do worry about Obama surviving to become President or surviving as President. There are still way too many racist nuts and right wing nuts in this country.
February 13th, 2008 at 9:46 amPlease do not give this nasty troll the attention he craves. Either ignore it or talk about it, just don’t talk to it. It does not deserve any attention, even negative attention.
I, Ike Skelton, actually said that you moron. It was even in a story here on TP.
February 13th, 2008 at 9:50 amthe end of the clintons. beautiful
Comment by ct — February 13, 2008 @ 9:07 am
You do realize this means Obama will be the next president, don’t you?
Comment by VerbalKint
To paraphrase eddie murphy in “48 hrs” ct, obama is your worst nightmare, a ni**ger with a badge. You inbred crackers are in for 8 years of whoopass while the dems fix your miriade of messes.
February 13th, 2008 at 9:53 amThe more I think about it the more I like the idea of Clinton being Obama’s Vice President. It would be good “assassination insuranceâ€. I really do worry about Obama surviving to become President or surviving as President. There are still way too many racist nuts and right wing nuts in this country.
Comment by bilbobaggins — February 13, 2008 @ 9:46 am
The problem is, there is no insurance against crazy people.
February 13th, 2008 at 9:58 amThe problem is, there is no insurance against crazy people.
Comment by gummitch
That’s very true. I sure hope that he has an effective squad of Secret Service agents guarding him. I also hope he fires every Secret Service agent that has worked for Bush and hires his own agents.
February 13th, 2008 at 10:05 amhttp://thinkprogress.org/2007/09/11/thinkfast-september-11-2007/
Fluently.
February 13th, 2008 at 10:06 amWow! The trolls really are up early today. Their mommies must have fed them gruel this morning for breakfast.
February 13th, 2008 at 10:06 amDanish Muhammad cartoon reprinted
BBC News – 6 hours ago
A Danish newspaper has reprinted a caricature satirising the Prophet Muhammad that sparked violent protests in the Muslim world two years ago.
Danish papers reprint Prophet Mohammed cartoon CNN International
Major Danish newspapers republish Mohammad cartoon Reuters
now, why the hell would they do that? … no sense…
February 13th, 2008 at 10:07 am“A Bush administration plan to crack down on contract fraud has a multibillion-dollar loophole: The proposal to force companies to report abuse of taxpayer money will not apply to work overseas, including projects to secure and rebuild Iraq and Afghanistan.â€
TREASON!
IMPEACH, CONVICT & EXECUTE!
February 13th, 2008 at 10:09 ambut, steven,
China says Darfur-Olympics link “unreasonable”
February 13th, 2008 at 10:09 amGuardian Unlimited – 28 minutes ago
WASHINGTON, Feb 13 (Reuters) – Activists who link atrocities in the Darfur region in Sudan with the Beijing Olympics are being “unreasonable, irresponsible and unfair,” China said after a day of publicized celebrity protests.
China feels the heat of its Olympic ambitions Los Angeles Times
Spielberg Pulls Out of Olympics TheCelebrityCafe.com
How do the Chinese people feel about the Jewish people. Just askin’.
February 13th, 2008 at 10:09 ami loved it… watched a lot of it with my daughter, via cell phone…
Beagle, a Breed Long Unsung, Wins Best in Show
February 13th, 2008 at 10:11 amNew York Times – 8 hours ago
Uno, a 15-inch beagle also known as Ch. K-Run’s Park Me In First, won best of show Tuesday at the Westminster dog show. More Photos > By RICHARD SANDOMIR When Dr.
Video: Beagle Is Numero ‘Uno’ at Westminster AssociatedPress
At Last, A Regal Beagle Hartford Courant
finally… hopefully…
Facing blistering criticism, Blue Cross stops doctor letters
February 13th, 2008 at 10:12 amSan Jose Mercury News – 1 hour ago
AP LOS ANGELES—Blue Cross of California quickly halted its practice of sending letters to doctors asking them to report conditions it could use to cancel new patients’ medical coverage after a widespread wave of criticism.
Senator Durbin is my senator for Illinois. I typically support him 100%. I have been very proud of his position on the issue of waterboarding.
Recently, he has me extremely concerned.
Because of Mukasey’s reticence to pursue the waterboarding situation, Durbin put a hold on the approval of Mark Filip. After Mukasey’s last testimony before the Senate committee, Durbin removes the hold. What?
In listening to Mukasey, and as I understand it, he is taking two positions.
First. Waterboarding is not being done currently. If any governmental agency would want to do it now, they would have to come to him to get authorization. At that point he would issue an opinion on the legality. Although I am not happy with that response, I understand it.
Secondly, the previous waterboarding was authorized by Gonzales. The agents who committed the act where acting under that authorization. Again as I understand it, Mukasey’s position is that he wouldn’t investigate the agents because they acted under this authorization (although I disagree with this idea based on the Nuremberg trials, I can understand it). Mukasey is also taking the position that he won’t go after Gonzales because he is protected by immunity from prosecution because he was issuing opinions in his capacity as AG.
What all of this shows me is either a lack of spine on the part of the Democrats in Congress, or a fault in our system of checks and balances if Congress cannot stop illegal actions on the part of the executive branch (ie. they can’t take the executive branch to court directly).
February 13th, 2008 at 10:12 amComment by katy — February 13, 2008 @ 10:12 am
Katy, I am speechless.
February 13th, 2008 at 10:27 am“Attorney General Michael Mukasey met Wednesday with the head of Iraq’s judicial council during a quick trip to Baghdad to review U.S. efforts to help build the nation’s legal system.â€
Isn’t this a little like asking the Cat in the Hat to help build a skyscraper?
February 13th, 2008 at 10:34 amGood for Spielberg…..But it took him until just now to realize that the Chinese government has a deplorable human rights record?
Speaking of Spielberg, R.I.P. Roy Schieder.
February 13th, 2008 at 10:35 amAnd finally: President Bush “was coasting through a list of greetings for prominent African-American leaders at a White House ceremony yesterday afternoon when he came to one of his fiercest critics, the Reverend Al Sharpton. ‘Rev. Al Sharpton, and his wife, Dominique — Reverend, it’s good to see you,’ Mr. Bush said.†The problem? The 21-year old Dominique is Sharpton’s daughter, not his wife. An attendee “quickly shouted a correction to the president, who winced as the audience broke out in laughter.
Prezidunce G. Dumya, wowing audiences everywhere.
February 13th, 2008 at 10:36 amI really do worry about Obama surviving to become President or surviving as President. There are still way too many racist nuts and right wing nuts in this country.
Comment by bilbobaggins — February 13, 2008 @ 9:46 am
i’m with you on that one, and have said the same many times…
heard a funny joke the other night, posted it, but if you missed it:
carlos mencia said that either clinton or obama should get a latino (he may have said mexican) as vice president as insurance against assassination…
probably a good idea…
February 13th, 2008 at 10:38 amIsn’t this a little like asking the Cat in the Hat to help build a skyscraper?
Comment by missmolly — February 13, 2008 @ 10:34 am
Just a bit, yeah.
I mean, setting politics aside, it’s a bit odd and patronizing to the U.S. attorney general, trained in the U.S. legal framework based in European/American culture, going to evaluate the progress of the Iraqi legal system based on Iraqi law and Iraqi culture.
Granted, much of the current Iraqi legal structure is based not on Iraqi culture and tradition, but a neocon no-regulation flat-tax corporate pipe dream courtesy of Grover Norquist. But stilll…
February 13th, 2008 at 10:40 amGood for Spielberg…..But it took him until just now to realize that the Chinese government has a deplorable human rights record?
Speaking of Spielberg, R.I.P. Roy Schieder.
Comment by Exley — February 13, 2008 @ 10:35 am
It is rather odd that so much criticism of China’s human rights record focuses on their doing business with Sudan, but ignores their human rights violations against ethnic minorities and dissidents within China.
February 13th, 2008 at 10:42 amcarlos mencia said that either clinton or obama should get a latino (he may have said mexican) as vice president as insurance against assassination…
probably a good idea…
Comment by katy — February 13, 2008 @ 10:38 am
More proof of my theory that Bill Richardson was actually campaigning for the Vice Presidency.
February 13th, 2008 at 10:43 am#45 Toasterhead,
Agreed. 100%.
February 13th, 2008 at 10:43 ami really worry about getting ahead of ourselves… but, still…
News Analysis Surging, Obama Makes His Case
February 13th, 2008 at 10:48 amNew York Times – 1 hour ago
By ADAM NAGOURNEY WASHINGTON – The lopsided nature of Senator Barack Obama’s parade of victories on Tuesday gives him an opening to make the case that Democratic voters have broken in his favor and that the party should coalesce around his candidacy.
Is Obama’s momentum unstoppable? BBC News
Hillary Sinks in Potomac Washington Post (snicker)
Toasterhead,
Agreed. 100%.
Comment by Exley — February 13, 2008 @ 10:43 am
Wow – I guess there’s a first time for everything! :)
February 13th, 2008 at 10:48 amoh crap…
Sec. Gates slips on ice, fractures his shoulder
MSNBC – 52 minutes ago
Feb. 12: Protesters pour into Berkeley, Calif., as the city council reconsiders its opposition to Marine recruitment efforts. KNTV’s Christie Smith reports.
Defense Sec. Gates fractures shoulder after ice slip Reuters
who knows what evil they may try to slip by…
February 13th, 2008 at 10:50 amwith him in a pain killer fog… aleve, sir, try the aleve…
to follow up:
Marines can stay in Berkeley, without an apology from City Council
February 13th, 2008 at 10:54 amSan Jose Mercury News – 41 minutes ago
By Doug Oakley The Berkeley City Council attempted to make nice with US Marines recruiters early today by taking back a letter it planned to send calling the Corps ‘uninvited and unwelcome intruders’ in the city.
Bush Presses House on Surveillance Bill
February 13th, 2008 at 10:56 amThe Associated Press – 50 minutes ago
WASHINGTON (AP) – President Bush pressured the House on Wednesday to pass new rules for monitoring terrorists’ communications, saying “terrorists are planning new attacks on our country … that will make Sept. 11 pale by comparison.
oh… and about that Best of Show BEAGLE -
this morning on TODAY, matt lauer tried to make a funny by saying something about “in the spirit of change” it was the first time for that
breed to win Best of Show… and al roker followed up with a good one,
yea, it’s brown and black and white, showing we can all come together…
(or something like that… it was clever)
February 13th, 2008 at 11:02 amhello! where did everybody go?!
heh…
February 13th, 2008 at 11:03 amAn addendum to #14. I hope that one of the first orders of business by President Obama will be to investigate all construction contracts in Iraq and when malfeasance is found, make them pay back the money and/or prosecute them.
Comment by bilbobaggins — February 13, 2008 @ 9:28 am
Wow, first Toasterhead agrees with Exley, now I am agreeing with Bilbo…Obama really IS a miracle worker.
An Obama-Richardson ticket would make a lot of sense from a personality/experience perspective. Obama-Clinton won’t happen – would you want two VPs for the price of one if you were O?
One problem with Richardson, and I can hardly believe what I am about to type, but does anyone think you’d need a White Dude to balance the ticket? I mean, I know that sounds crazy, and it wouldn’t bother me at all, I think it is a perfect match, but is America ready for the Presidential succession to go Obama-Richardson-Pelosi? Nary a White Dude within three hearbeats of the Big Chair?
This is what I LOVE about Obama – he just scrambles the whole mix in a way no one during my lifetime – except maybe Perot – ever threatened to do.
February 13th, 2008 at 11:11 amIn his first trip overseas since taking office, “Attorney General Michael Mukasey met Wednesday with the head of Iraq’s judicial council during a quick trip to Baghdad to review U.S. efforts to help build the nation’s legal system.â€
I wonder if he’s been sent over there to convince the Sunnis (who are demanding the right to revenge themselves after monday’s AQ attack), how potentially-damaging it would be to their democracy to conduct officially-sanctioned vendettas against their attackers.
February 13th, 2008 at 11:12 amHouse Democratic leaders “plan to force a vote as early as Thursday on holding Joshua B. Bolten, White House chief of staff, and Harriet E. Miers, former White House counsel, in contempt of Congress.
Let’s see what, if anything, our limp-wicked-Mothra-floggers in Congress actually get done on this.
February 13th, 2008 at 11:15 amExley,
February 13th, 2008 at 11:22 amSpeaking of the Mets, MN wants Santana back!
Zimzone,
I am sure you do…But he’s ours now! ALL OURS!!!! AHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!
February 13th, 2008 at 11:25 amPresident Bush pressured the House on Wednesday to pass new rules for monitoring terrorists’ communications, saying “terrorists are planning new attacks on our country … that will make Sept. 11 pale by comparison.
Comment by katy — February 13, 2008 @ 10:56 am
Does this mean he’s actually reading the PDBs now?
February 13th, 2008 at 11:43 amthis is kinda cool… i’m all for the message…
PETA vs. the Dog Show
February 13th, 2008 at 11:44 amBy Jennifer 8. Lee
People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals never shies away from publicity-seeking provocation (and media, including this blog, often cover it). This week, the group is starting an advertising campaign in New York and other cities that advocates dog population control, including one commercial that likens dog breeders to the Ku Klux Klan. In New York, like many other places, about half the dogs and cats taken into animal shelters are killed.
[...]
http://cityroom.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/02/13/peta-vs-the-dog-show/?hp
doubtful, toasterhead… still b.s.ing his way through it…
February 13th, 2008 at 11:46 am#59… First of all your assumtion is absurd that Bush can actually read, secondly when aides present the picture book version of the pdb, he just doesn’t get it. Finally, he is just instilling more fear into the sheeple in order to solidify his unitary executive, er kingship…
February 13th, 2008 at 11:46 amContempt of what?
February 13th, 2008 at 12:00 pmThat charge is so old they will have to dust it off before they take a vote.
And Congressional law? George writes the laws. Congress caves!
Can anyone follow Mr Speilberg with a boycott of the games?
February 13th, 2008 at 12:02 pmI forgot, games are the basis of American value.
February 13th, 2008 at 12:03 pmThe USA boycotted the olympic games in Russia a few years ago. Is China really that much better ?
February 13th, 2008 at 12:06 pmVery good news:
Hezbollah Says Top Figure is Killed
By REUTERS
Published: February 13, 2008
Filed at 9:20 a.m. ET
BEIRUT (Reuters) – Hezbollah leader Imad Moughniyah, on the United States’ most wanted list for attacks on Israeli and Western targets, has been killed by a bomb attack in Damascus, the Lebanese group said on Wednesday.
Israel denied any involvement in the killing, seen as a major setback to Syrian and Iranian-backed Hezbollah that fought a 34-day war with Israel in 2006.
Moughniyah, 45, was killed late on Tuesday. He had long been on a list of foreigners Israel wanted to kill or apprehend and the United States had offered a $5 million reward for his capture.
“His killing is a huge blow to Hezbollah. It is very indicative,” Magnus Ranstrop, terrorism expert at the Swedish National Defence College, told Reuters.
Moughniyah was implicated in the 1983 bombings of the U.S. embassy and U.S. Marine and French peacekeeping barracks in Beirut, which killed over 350 people, as well as the 1992 bombing of the Israeli embassy in Buenos Aires and the kidnapping of Westerners in Lebanon in the 1980s.
The United States indicted him for his role in planning and participating in the June 14, 1985, hijacking of a U.S. TWA airliner and the killing of an American passenger.
“For the U.S. administration Imad was the most wanted terrorist before Osama Bin Laden appeared. For many years, many different teams were looking for him, trying to exact the price for the catalogue of attacks he allegedly carried out,” Ranstrop said.
February 13th, 2008 at 12:40 pm“terrorists are planning new attacks on our country … that will make Sept. 11 pale by comparison.
Comment by katy — February 13, 2008 @ 10:56 am
Ah yes… ramping up for the Presiduncial elections, no doubt!
February 13th, 2008 at 12:53 pmReport from today’s congressional hearing on steroid use:
“This hearing is taking on partisan tones, with Republicans in general favoring Clemens and Democrats being tougher on the 354-game winner.”
NY Daily News
This could make me switch parties.
February 13th, 2008 at 12:57 pmHouse Democratic leaders “plan to force a vote as early as Thursday on holding Joshua B. Bolten, White House chief of staff, and Harriet E. Miers, former White House counsel, in contempt of Congress
Inherent contempt and jail for these mofos.
February 13th, 2008 at 1:02 pmExley, from the American to the National?
February 13th, 2008 at 1:02 pmRUCerious….Never! I am a National League guy….
But if the Republicans are defending a cheating SOB like Clemens, I will become a Democrat!
Obama 2008!
February 13th, 2008 at 1:11 pmInherent contempt and jail for these mofos.
Comment by RUCerious — February 13, 2008 @ 1:02 pm
And revocation of Miers law license for ignoring a congressional subpoena!
February 13th, 2008 at 1:30 pmOh, right Exley. I forgot yer a Metropolitanian fan. My condolences.
Becoming a Democrat might be too much of a shock to your system, may I recommend Independent status as a halfway measure for a couple of years, then, if you’re still feeling like there’s more good you can do for the world, moving over to the Democratic party.
And Yes Obama/Anybody 08!
February 13th, 2008 at 1:32 pmNo condolences necessary, RUCerious….We had a rough season last year with the late September collapse. But now we have Johan Santana as our ace! I feel good about the 2008 season.
An independent, you say….Maybe.
Obama/Santana ‘08!
February 13th, 2008 at 1:54 pmDid Ken Lay’s death bring about the end of crooked business dealings?
no.
Then how does the death of this-or-that “terrorist leader” amount to progress? Anyone think there won’t be a replacement?
February 13th, 2008 at 2:03 pmWhy, Exley, it’s real nice to hear that you’re on the Obama bandwagon – but it took Roger Clemens to get you there?
…and in the meantime, Chimpy and his crew of thugs have been gangraping the American people and the Constitution itself for 8 long YEARS – and *that* wasn’t enough to convince you…?
Well, gee, that’s great, I guess. Yer a little slow, aren’t you?
Welcome to the light.
February 13th, 2008 at 2:06 pmObama/Santana ‘08!
Comment by Exley — February 13, 2008 @ 1:54 pm
now you’re rocking, if that’s Carlos yer talkin up!
February 13th, 2008 at 2:09 pmLeftside Annie…”but it took Roger Clemens to get you there?”
Well, a person can only take so much.
February 13th, 2008 at 2:12 pm#78, RUCerious,
Actually, I was taling about Johan Santana….But then again, I want him fully focused on his pitching….Well, if we are going to go with a musician running mate….
Obama/Springsteen ‘08!
“Obama for Preident — He was Born to Run”
February 13th, 2008 at 2:13 pmEx, I know which Santana you were referring to, just joshing ya.
But it would be great to have a Hispanic Veep!
and here’s more breaking nudes, er, news:
CARACAS, Venezuela – Venezuela’s state oil company said Tuesday that it has stopped selling crude to Exxon Mobil Corp. in response to the U.S. oil company’s drive to use the courts to seize billions of dollars in Venezuelan assets.
Exxon Mobil is locked in a dispute over the nationalization of its oil ventures in Venezuela that has led President Hugo Chavez to threaten to cut off all Venezuelan oil supplies to the United States. Venezuela is currently the United States’ fourth largest oil supplier.
February 13th, 2008 at 2:15 pmThe Sibel Edmonds “case”
+
“precipitous decrease in attention’ to the security and control of the U.S. nuclear arsenal”
+
Nuclear deal w/ Turkey
=
“terrorists are planning new attacks on our country … that will make Sept. 11 pale by comparison.” -Bush”
?
What do they know?
February 13th, 2008 at 2:36 pmWhat do they know?
Comment by J — February 13, 2008 @ 2:36 pm
Not What do they know, but What are they planning?
February 13th, 2008 at 2:40 pmA better question is; Just what is Bush/Cheney planning? Burn down the Reichstag(Capital building) to impose martial law?
February 13th, 2008 at 4:44 pmMukasey’s going to teach the Iraqis about the “rule of law”?!?!?
Like what? How to ask your OLC to write out a permission slip for skipping “follow the laws” school???
Cheers,
February 13th, 2008 at 4:46 pm