ThinkFast: March 28, 2008
Yesterday, Iraqi Security Forces continued their offensive against Shiite militias in Basra, as U.S. forces battled Mahdi Army fighters in Baghdad’s Sadr City and “tens of thousands of Shiite Muslims” protested the Iraqi government’s crackdown on militiamen. Meanwhile, President Bush asserted yesterday that “normalcy is returning back to Iraq.”
A coalition of “[m]ore than three dozen Democratic congressional candidates banded together yesterday to promise that, if elected, they will push for legislation calling for an immediate drawdown of troops in Iraq.” Their plan would “leave only a security force in place to guard the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad.”
In an interview yesterday, Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said “that the United States still has trouble dealing with race because of a national ‘birth defect’ that denied black Americans the opportunities given to whites at the country’s very founding.” “That particular birth defect makes it hard for us to confront it, hard for us to talk about it, and hard for us to realize that it has continuing relevance for who we are today,” said Rice.
“Nearly four months after the disclosure” that the CIA destroyed interrogation videotapes, “the list of legal entanglements for the C.I.A., the Defense Department and other agencies is only growing longer. In addition to criminal and Congressional investigations of the tapes’ destruction, the government is fighting off challenges in several major terrorism cases and a raft of prisoners’ legal claims that it may have destroyed evidence.”
A pair of lawyers – Republican Ted Olson and Democrat Laurence Tribe – “have concluded that John McCain’s 1936 birth outside the continental United States does not disqualify him to be president.”
Former Rep. David Bonior (D-MI) said Thursday he is “proud” of his controversial pre-war trip to Iraq. “If more people in the Congress and elsewhere had spoken out, then maybe this war could have been avoided,” he added. Without Bonior’s knowledge, the trip was secretly funded by the Iraqi Intelligence Service.
In a 60 minutes interview, Al Gore ripped Vice President Cheney’s denial of global warming. “You’re talking about Dick Cheney. I think that those people are in such a tiny, tiny minority now with their point of view, they’re almost like the ones who still believe that the moon landing was staged in a movie lot in Arizona and those who believe the world is flat. … That demeans them a little bit, but it’s not that far off.”
Gov. Anibal Acevedo Vila of Puerto Rico “will surrender to the FBI today after being accused in an indictment of soliciting thousands of dollars in improper contributions in exchange for favors and government contracts.” The governor had enlisted lawyer and friend Charlie Black — an adviser to Sen. John McCain (R-AZ) — to defend his allegations of grand jury unfairness.
Today, Lt. Gen. Martin Dempsey will “assume command of U.S. Central Command from Navy Adm. William J. Fallon, who announced unexpectedly on March 11 that he was quitting.” Dempsey, who has been serving as the acting commander, opposed the administration’s surge and is a “fan of transition” in Iraq.
And finally: Did you catch that large Easter Bunny wearing glasses and a pink vest at the White House’s Easter Egg Roll on Monday? (See photo here.) The Washington Post’s Al Kamen noted that President Bush and the First Lady spent a lot of time “chatting and having fun with Mr. and Mrs. Easter Bunny.” Turns out that’s because Mr. Easter Bunny was none other than White House counsel Fred Fielding.
What did we miss? Let us know in the comments section.
Sort Comments By: Top Rated | Date
116 Responses to “ThinkFast: March 28, 2008”
Leave a Reply
You must be logged in to post a comment.
Consumers’ Right to Sue Drug Companies Weakening
The Washington Independent
Upcoming case could bar public from taking drug makers to court.
Information edited from:
March 28th, 2008 at 8:58 amhttp://www.truthout.org/docs_2006/032208G.shtml
“Yesterday, Iraqi Security Forces continued their offensive against Shiite militias in Basra, as U.S. forces battled Mahdi Army fighters in Baghdad’s Sadr City and “tens of thousands of Shiite Muslims” protested the Iraqi government’s crackdown on militiamen. Meanwhile, President Bush asserted yesterday that “normalcy is returning back to Iraq.”
March 28th, 2008 at 9:02 amSo, we are now “turning a corner” in Iraq?
as U.S. forces battled Mahdi Army fighters in Baghdad’s Sadr City
Wait a minute. I thought this new violence was signs of “success” because the Iraqi army was doing the fighting.
Actually I heard on the news last night that the Iraqi army was abandoning the fight right and left. Wonder if the press will cover that?
March 28th, 2008 at 9:11 amNow that Barack Obama has made his speech on race in America, kindasleazy feels that it is same for her to say something. She will be lauded by the SCLM for her “forthright and insightful” comments, not like the “reverse racism” of Obama.
March 28th, 2008 at 9:11 am>So, we are now “turning a corner” in Iraq?
http://www.cnn.com/ 2008/ WORLD/ meast/ 03/ 28/ iraq.main/ index.html
more fighting today. maliki pussed out and is now trying to bribe the militiamen after a whole 24 hours of talking tough…
” Al-Maliki’s guns-for-cash program was an attempt to stem the violence. We call on all those who hold medium and heavy weapons to surrender their weapons to the security forces in exchange for cash award starting from March 28th until April 8, 2008,” al-Maliki said in a statement”
anyone taking wagers as to whose cash that is being offered for rpgs and rusty machine guns,,,exlexia?
March 28th, 2008 at 9:12 amA coalition of “[m]ore than three dozen Democratic congressional candidates banded together yesterday to promise that, if elected, they will push for legislation calling for an immediate drawdown of troops in Iraq.”
Good for them. It will be interesting to see if they get elected. If they all do, it certainly will be a strong message to the leaders of the Democratic Party.
March 28th, 2008 at 9:12 amA coalition of “[m]ore than three dozen Democratic congressional candidates banded together yesterday to promise that, if elected, they will push for legislation calling for an immediate drawdown of troops in Iraq.” Their plan would “leave only a security force in place to guard the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad.”
____________________________________
Um…how many of these “three dozen Democratic candidates” are currently serving in Congress? And what’s stopping them from pushing for this legislation NOW?
On the other hand, if these candidates are running for seats already held by somebody else, more power to them.
March 28th, 2008 at 9:13 amUntil the Media does it’s job and shows the Iraq Occupation for what it is and how many Federal Laws this Crooked Admin has broken in 8 years, Until there is restored checks and balances in Our Government (whos salaries we pay for), Until there is no longer inroads into the Constitution, Bill of Rights (Military Commissions Act, Patriot Act etc…)
this country will continue to teeter toward full-blown Fascism.
RIP United States of America
March 28th, 2008 at 9:15 amwe are now The Facist States of America
“normalcy is returning back to Iraq.”
Right, gun battles in the streets, embassy staff being killed by mortars, Iraqi army abandoning the fight. Sounds like a good place to plan my summer vacation. Thanks Pres. Bush!
March 28th, 2008 at 9:17 amWithout Bonior’s knowledge, the trip was secretly funded by the Iraqi Intelligence Service.
That was smart of Saddam. He knew that Bush & Company were cooking the books on Iraq and wanted to talk to someone who might be willing to listen to the truth. Too bad the people who went on the trip didn’t have more influence.
Just think, if we hadn’t invaded Iraq 4,000+ Americans would still be alive today, 40,000+ would still be whole in body and this country would not be on the verge of bankruptcy.
March 28th, 2008 at 9:17 am>Just think, if we hadn’t invaded Iraq 4,000+
> Americans would still be alive today,
b-b-u-t then iranian heads of state woudlnt be visiting and being greeted by parades, and iraqis wouldnt have the right to let mullahs and militias call the shots in thier government…
isnt freedom great?
March 28th, 2008 at 9:20 amWhat did we miss? Let us know in the comments section.
U.S. suspends supplier of arms to Afghanistan
http://edition.cnn.com/ 2008/ US/ 03/ 27/ military.ammunition/ index.html?section=cnn_topstories&eref=yahoo
Parents pick prayer over docs; girl dies
http://news.yahoo.com/ s/ ap/ 20080328/ ap_on_re_us/ daughter_s_death_prayer;_ylt=AqhfRWZFO08.z4ngjQZmlMqs0NUE
California utility to add 250 MW in solar cells
http://news.yahoo.com/ s/ nm/ edison_solar_dc;_ylt=AvP2Q.a.FqbK45eoU0HVoXKs0NUE
‘Earth Hour’ to plunge millions into darkness
http://news.yahoo.com/ s/ afp/ 20080328/ sc_afp/ climatewarmingaustraliaearthhour_080328055435;_ylt=Aqt8Iz0UuXPy4i_riINMnDqs0NUE
Woman forced to remove nipple ring at US airport
March 28th, 2008 at 9:21 amhttp://news.yahoo.com/ s/ afp/ 20080328/ od_afp/ usairlinesecurityoffbeat_080328034133;_ylt=AlcyINA.4kEijLyb662WAwis0NUE
What did we miss?
I find this story very scary. It tells you how out of control our government procurement system is:
http://tpmmuckraker.talkingpointsmemo.com/
March 28th, 2008 at 9:21 amBearCountry Says:
March 28th, 2008 at 9:11 am
Now that Barack Obama has made his speech on race in America, kindasleazy feels that it is same for her to say something. She will be lauded by the SCLM for her “forthright and insightful” comments, not like the “reverse racism” of Obama.
_____________________________________
It’s true that Condi will benefit from IOKIYAR, but I’m still glad she said what she did. She is (sadly) correct. Racism, blatant in the days of slavery and still overt in the days of Jim Crow, is still with us — although it’s more subtle and therefore more insidious.
March 28th, 2008 at 9:24 amWhat did we miss:
http://rawstory.com/ news/ 2008/ Sen._Clinton_Nobody_should_be_writing_0327.html
This shows how desperate Hillary is. Also, if she really “loves her country” then she would be ending her race right now. Doing your best to see that your opponent does not win the white house, even if it means the Republican will win, is certainly not loving your country. It’s loving yourself above all else.
March 28th, 2008 at 9:24 amBIRTH DEFECT??????????
sheesh!
How sensitive and empathetic.
March 28th, 2008 at 9:25 am>Waxman Scheds Hearing for Twenty-Something Arms Contractor
Right..this guy was selling chinese made ammununition to the afghan government, which in dick cheney/neocon speak means that china and afghanistan are in cahoots. after all, some of these gosh darn militiamen causing trouble in iraq have weapons that were like, totally made in iran and stuff..
March 28th, 2008 at 9:25 amAnd I think collectively we are deluding ourselves if we think that the 3 candidates running for President are really going to make any real changes. The Bush “unitary executive” approach toward the presidency will remain. Who would want to give up that much power? Everything changed on September 11,2008. There’s a new enemy afoot. And as long as this phony war on terrorism continues this country economically, spiritually and morally will continue to go down the toilet. All the sound bites, debates — what have you, aren’t worth a damn unless we show that 9/11 was a cover-up. The brightest light imaginable needs to be shown on this admin. They are cockroaches. And until this beacon of light exposes the last 8 years for what it really was :LIES. This country will continue to erode right before our eyes. The only way this country can heal is to know the truth about 9/11
The truth will set this Great Nation Free.
March 28th, 2008 at 9:26 amWhat did we miss:
March 28th, 2008 at 9:27 amI meant : “Everything changed on September 11, 2001 (obviously)
March 28th, 2008 at 9:27 amBilbo Hussein Baggins Says:
March 28th, 2008 at 9:21 am
What did we miss?
I find this story very scary. It tells you how out of control our government procurement system is:
Waxman Scheds Hearing for Twenty-Something Arms Contractor
How dare you mess with full capitalism entrepreneurship? And if the bussiness was a scam to get Tax Money, it’s because Government is ineffective (no matter that it’s entirely Republican, although).
/Laughing my ass off of (R) ineptitude.
March 28th, 2008 at 9:28 amPeter C- The “birth defect” Rice speaks of was that defect that came with the birth of our nation. Laws that gave whites superiority over blacks. Codified racism. I think she was being kind in her comments.
March 28th, 2008 at 9:30 am> And he wants 22 year-old
> AEY President
> Efraim Diveroli,
> his 25 year-old VP (and masseur) David Packouz..
>.to testify before Congress about how they managed to get a > $300 million U.S. contract.
My guess is that the VP does more than give massages.
Ok…annnny business that gets quarter billion dollar government weapons dealing contracts and has a masseuse for a vp automatically qualifies as “extremely creepy and scary” in my book.
March 28th, 2008 at 9:31 amA pair of lawyers – Republican Ted Olson and Democrat Laurence Tribe – “have concluded that John McCain’s 1936 birth outside the continental United States does not disqualify him to be president.”
_____________________________________
McCain was right to call this “nonsense” — it’s hard to believe that this was ever an issue. And hooray for McCaskill and Obama for introducing legislation to keep this from being an issue again. There are far more important factors in choosing our presidents than this crap.
March 28th, 2008 at 9:31 amBilbo Hussein Baggins Says:
March 28th, 2008 at 9:21 am
That is a jaw-dropping news item. $300 million to a 22-yr old arms dealer.
March 28th, 2008 at 9:32 amIs no one at work in the Pentagon? Or maybe they are - which makes this even more outrageous.
Evil Spaniard@12 Parents pick prayer over docs; girl dies
March 28th, 2008 at 9:32 amBefore the very senior senator from AZ starts to remind us of the virtues of a V8 Model A, I hope we can hit back on all the actual disqualification he so proudly possesses. You know, like:
1) A delusional mindset on the geopolitical realities in the middle east. (Warmonger)
2) A complete indifference to the suffering of our citizenry from the domestic and foreign policies that he wishes to continue. (Paleoconservative)
3) A temperament unsuited for these volatile times. (Mad-dog)
4) Willfully embracing a cadre of cheerleaders that continue to be wrong each and every time they open their mouths. (Neoconophile)
March 28th, 2008 at 9:33 amSo, we are now “turning a corner” in Iraq?
Actually, fritz, we have been “turning corners” in Iraq endlessly for five years. Of course, a realist would describe this as “running around in circles” . . . and they would be correct.
March 28th, 2008 at 9:33 amDempsey, who has been serving as the acting commander, opposed the administration’s surge and is a “fan of transition” in Iraq.
So, let’s see how long he lasts in the position. I’m betting on less than a month.
March 28th, 2008 at 9:35 ammisshusseinmolly Says:
March 28th, 2008 at 9:31 am
McCain was right to call this “nonsense” — it’s hard to believe that this was ever an issue. And hooray for McCaskill and Obama for introducing legislation to keep this from being an issue again. There are far more important factors in choosing our presidents than this crap.
Well I don’t care what anybody says. I still think McCain should embrace his Panamanian identity and choose Van Halen’s Panama as his theme song. Wooo! |,,| -_- |,,|
March 28th, 2008 at 9:35 amKay Says:
March 28th, 2008 at 9:26 am
Kay- I could not agree more. And it is vitally important to the core beliefs of our nation that executive power be set back in balance with the other two branches. We can only hope that the next president can manage to give up the powers Bush has stolen from them and the American people.
March 28th, 2008 at 9:36 amMaliki, March 25, to the Mahdi Army:
“You have 72 hours to disarm.”
Maliki, March 28, to the Mahdi Army:
“Only kidding, little Shi’a buddies! Here’s another 240 hours and now the deal is I’ll pay you to stop shooting at my guys.”
http://news.bbc.co.uk/ 1/ hi/ world/ middle_east/ 7317935.stm
Maliki, I guess, is learning about being Commander Guy. If you issue an ultimatum, and you get the big Foxtrot Oscar, just issue a new ultimatum. And move the goalposts.
March 28th, 2008 at 9:38 amMarie Says:
March 28th, 2008 at 9:32 am
Bilbo Hussein Baggins Says:
March 28th, 2008 at 9:21 am
That is a jaw-dropping news item. $300 million to a 22-yr old arms dealer.
Is no one at work in the Pentagon? Or maybe they are - which makes this even more outrageous.
No doubt these brats are “well connected”. I say, learn who are their parents and if they’re part of the Republican Youth.
specialist f Says:
March 28th, 2008 at 9:32 am
Evil Spaniard@12 Parents pick prayer over docs; girl dies
This is just SAD! They let their kid die because of their belief in some flying spaghetti monster. I hope they get the chair.
I find it SAD too, and very dissappointing of human nature, who prefer to put faith ahead of reality.
March 28th, 2008 at 9:39 am‘A senior Shia Muslim cleric in Iran has called for Iraq’s government and Shia militant groups to sit down for talks and end the bloodshed.
Ayatollah Ahmad Jannati also suggested that Iran may mediate a solution to end the violence.’
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2008/mar/28/iraq
It will be very interesting to see whether or not Iraq’s planned regional elections take place as planned in October.
‘At the provincial level, political wrangling has stymied efforts to appoint local election commissions, meaning that no one is in place in those provinces to administer the elections. The United Nations said Wednesday that eight provinces, whose residents account for about 80 percent of Iraq’s population, had not appointed local commissions.’
snip
‘Without the provincial jobs filled, it would be impossible to hold elections on the relatively tight timetable allotted, United Nations officials said.’
http://www.nytimes.com/ 2008/ 02/ 15/ world/ middleeast/ 15baghdad.html?_r=2&oref=slogin&oref=slogin
March 28th, 2008 at 9:39 amThinkProgress neglected to mention that indicted Gov. Anibal Acevedo Vila of Puerto Rico is a Democrat.
Washington Post:
A Democratic superdelegate, Acevedo Vila last month threw his weight behind Sen. Barack Obama’s presidential bid, endorsing him at a news conference as “the right leader to unite all Americans.” In a statement in response to the indictment, Obama spokesman Bill Burton distanced the governor from the campaign. “Though he is a supporter, he holds no title and has no formal role with the campaign,” Burton said.
March 28th, 2008 at 9:40 amHoward Dean wants the in-fighting to stop by June 30. That’s too far away!! The infighting must stop in April!
Sen. Bob Casey (who said he’d remain neutral) has endorsed Obama. Richardson (who said he’d remain neutral) endorsed Obama. Clinton’s camp is running out of money and slowly bleeding delegates, yet, the punches and low blows continue.
Obama’s speech on the economy demonstrated he knows far more about the situation than does McCain (who basically said we whould watch and wait).
March 28th, 2008 at 9:40 amObama doesn’t speak enough about his working through college; how he and his wife each had enormous student loans to pay off when they graduated. That they finally paid them off with profits from his first book.
Is Manuel Noriega McCain’s Father?
Yesterday TP showed clear plagiarism by McCain, repeating entire paragraphs of Adm. Ziemer’s speeches.
Obama was toasted early this year for using a line one of his campaign managers had spoke.
WTF? Why does McShitforbrains get a free media pass?
Next, he & Hillary will start making joint campaign speeches…
March 28th, 2008 at 9:41 amThe Bush “unitary executive” approach toward the presidency will remain. Who would want to give up that much power?
I have real hope that Obama would not follow this road. He’s a constitutional scholar and everything he has said and done indicates that he would not abuse the powers of the presidency. Now Hillary, not so much. I can see Hillary loving the thought of all that power. I can also see her abusing that power the same way that Bush has.
March 28th, 2008 at 9:42 am> ThinkProgress neglected to mention that indicted
> Gov. Anibal Acevedo Vila of Puerto Rico is a Democrat
Were you saying something about the surge?
March 28th, 2008 at 9:44 am#32
leftcoast,
Sometimes I start to feel :”am I the only one feeling this way? Of course, I’m not. I have family, friends, co-workers that think I’m a little crazy for my “extreme” views.
Then I think, when is the Constitution, Bill of Rights (i.e.), extreme thinking.
But, I guess, according to this admin : they are “quaint notions” in this awful age of terror we are all living under.
March 28th, 2008 at 9:45 am> $300 million to a 22-yr old arms dealer.
> Is no one at work in the Pentagon?
Hey.. in thier defense, I hear their VP gives REALLY good backrubs
March 28th, 2008 at 9:45 amThinkProgress neglected to mention that indicted Gov. Anibal Acevedo Vila of Puerto Rico is a Democrat.
So. Gee, that must mean that all Democrats are corrupt. Considering the fact that the Republicans are beating the Democrats like 10 to 1 in indictments, the fact that this guy is a Democrat means nothing.
Besides, there is some indication that his indictment is another “Seigelman” dirty trick by the Republican owned Justice Department. I’ll wait and see and withhold judgment.
March 28th, 2008 at 9:46 amExley@36
March 28th, 2008 at 9:47 amHey exlax, how about that indicted and convicted Democratic Governor from Alabama??? I wouldn’t put too much faith in bush/cos corrupted Justice Dept.
#38 “Yesterday TP showed clear plagiarism by McCain, repeating entire paragraphs of Adm. Ziemer’s speeches.”
Zimzone, you might want to go back and look at that particular posting. ThinkProgress now admits they got that story 100% wrong and have apologized for their monumental error.
March 28th, 2008 at 9:47 amOh wait, I have some links about the surge, can I share?
http://news.yahoo.com/ s/ ap/ 20080328/ ap_on_re_mi_ea/ iraq
“In political developments, the main Shiite bloc in parliament said it would not attend an emergency session called for Friday to find ways to end fighting between government forces and militiamen in southern Iraq.
Deputy parliamentary speaker Khalid al-Attiyah, also a member of the United Iraqi Alliance, said the events in the south are a law and order issue, not legislative.
The bloc has been in contact with its Kurdish allies to boycott Friday’s session too, which would prevent a quorum, he said.
It was not immediately clear whether house speaker Mahmoud al-Mashhadani, a Sunni, would still attempt to convene a session.
“
March 28th, 2008 at 9:47 amThose sad, misguided parents who let their child die from a treatable illness because of their “faith” in a superguy in the sky somewhere. This is the latest in the unending source of misery inflicted upon inhabitant of this earth through religion.
March 28th, 2008 at 9:48 amWe may be hard-wired to believe in something greater than ourselves because we recognize that there is so much we cannot control, but it seems we have not progressed from the cavemen.
>and have apologized for their monumental error.
perchance do you consider invading a country based on untrue allegations about WMD to be “monumental” error?
dont you have anything about the surge?
March 28th, 2008 at 9:48 amDam you beat me by a minute Bilbo. Didn’t mena to step on your toes.
March 28th, 2008 at 9:48 am>ThinkProgress now admits they got that story 100% wrong
you must be really proud of yourself exley. this says more about TP than it does about your myopic neuroticism to error commited by the left wing. you remember last time anyone on your side admitted to a specific mistake?
March 28th, 2008 at 9:51 amMy thanks to Eric (from the link below) who I think makes some good points about what’s going on in Iraq right now:
“Worst thing about it Hilzoy, is that we pushed Sadr into this. We kept on attacking his forces throughout the cease fire despite his repeated warnings that he would not (and likely could not due to internal pressure) sit back and take it.
More recently, we decided to really put the squeeze on. We’re doing that because our ally (and Irans!) ISCI is so unpopular that they would get waxed by the Sadrist current in the upcoming regional elections (October 1) unless the Sadrists were severely crippled.
By way of background, the Sadrists boycotted the 2005 regional elections, and so ISCI dominates local Shiite politics - but now the Sadrists will challenge and beat them silly. ISCI is amenable to a long-term US presence, whereas the Sadrists want us out. Hence, our preference for ISCI (which is Iran’s main proxy in Iraq), and escalation vis-a-vis Sadr. Makes sense, huh.
The big push is on in Basra to clear out the Sadrists, and most likely some Fadhila partisans, so that ISCI can do well enough in the regional elections to maintain their foothold.
That is part of why Cheney was just in town to meet with ISCI’s boss, Abdul Azziz al-Hakim. Right after the meeting, ISCI dropped its objections to the regional elections law (they had originally vetoed the regional elections a few weeks back).”
http://obsidianwings.blogs.com/ obsidian_wings/ 2008/ 03/ bad-news.html
March 28th, 2008 at 9:53 amMore great news about the surge: Mortars hit Iraqi Vice Presidents Office, 2 security personell wounded:
http://news.yahoo.com/ s/ afp/ 20080328/ wl_mideast_afp/ iraqunrestbaghdadhashemi_080328131419;_ylt=AobrpxsLaOwvCoaVxrAC760UewgF
March 28th, 2008 at 9:53 amZimzone Says:
March 28th, 2008 at 9:41 am
WTF? Why does McShitforbrains get a free media pass?
_______________________________________________
I think you missed the latest installment of this story. Turns out the speech was originally McCain’s (that he first gave years ago, and Ziemer was the plagiarist. ThinkProgress has apologized for their error (which puts them way ahead of the people who just say they “misspoke” when they screw up).
The only thing McCain is “guilty” of is recycling his own material.
March 28th, 2008 at 9:55 amKay- your views are NOT extreme. My mother changed her party affiliation upon Bush’s nomination in 1999. And she is now viewed “extreme” in a mostly republican extended family.
March 28th, 2008 at 9:55 amWe have seen the trampling of the Constitution and the dangers of electing a president who had no experience whatsoever and a person with disdain for the “common” American.
…This seems to be al Maliki’s attempt to break the Mahdi Army, possibly because Iraq is soon to hold regional elections and Maliki’s supporters fear the Sadrists will do too well in the southern port city of Basra.
The Badr Organization (formerly the Badr Corps), which Maliki has allied himself with, is the outfit that was actually created in Iran under the tutelage and financing of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard….
“Teetering” by Josh Marshall at TPM.
March 28th, 2008 at 9:55 amExley Says:
March 28th, 2008 at 9:47 am
______________________________
Oooops — sorry, Exley. I see you said that before I did.
March 28th, 2008 at 9:55 amDumb_Hussein_Fox Says:
March 28th, 2008 at 9:38 am
Maliki, I guess, is learning about being Commander Guy. If you issue an ultimatum, and you get the big Foxtrot Oscar, just issue a new ultimatum. And move the goalposts.
The thing I still don’t get is why Maliki chose now, when the Mahdi Army is in a cease-fire, to start issuing ultimatums and attacking. If the lion’s asleep, aren’t you better off letting it sleep?
March 28th, 2008 at 9:57 amhussein toasterhead Says:
March 28th, 2008 at 9:35 am
Well I don’t care what anybody says. I still think McCain should embrace his Panamanian identity and choose Van Halen’s Panama as his theme song. Wooo!
|,,| -_- |,,|
Well hussein toasterhead - this is a whole ‘nother side of you! I like it!
March 28th, 2008 at 9:57 amThe sky is blue.
It’s dark at night.
It’s a good idea for Hillary to drop out of the race.
March 28th, 2008 at 9:58 am>Exley. I see you said that before I did.
I’m sure on some blog somewhere we can see Exley wailing and moaning because Fox News has asserted in court it has a legal right to lie to its viewers..
March 28th, 2008 at 9:58 amMarie - I knew you were a sharp cookie!
March 28th, 2008 at 10:00 am> If the lion’s asleep,
> aren’t you better off letting it sleep?
In Bizarro world, no, which would lend some credence to those who have speculated that the timing of this assault, so soon after Dick Cheney’s meeting with the iraqi government, is no coincidence..
March 28th, 2008 at 10:00 ammisshusseinmolly Says:
March 28th, 2008 at 9:55 am
I appreciate it but no need to apologize, Misshusseinmolly. It was worth saying twice.
March 28th, 2008 at 10:01 amhussein toasterhead - see my post @51 and marie’s @55. It’s all about power, as usual.
March 28th, 2008 at 10:02 ammary Says:
March 28th, 2008 at 9:57 am
Well hussein toasterhead - this is a whole ‘nother side of you! I like it!
Thanks! That’s my snark rock side. :)
And thanks for the obsidianwings posting - you just answered my earlier question about Maliki’s timing. Now it all makes sense. Perfect, Machiavellian, unitary-executive sense.
March 28th, 2008 at 10:04 amA pair of lawyers – Republican Ted Olson and Democrat Laurence Tribe – “have concluded that John McCain’s 1936 birth outside the continental United States does not disqualify him to be president.”
Now we move onto to his mental health. His mind is under the age of 35, the age required to run, as he’s still his short-fused, frat-kid self from back at the Naval Academy.
March 28th, 2008 at 10:04 am>It was worth saying twice.
Unlike anyting about the current situation in iraq, which is, in your mind, not worth even mentioning once..
March 28th, 2008 at 10:06 amCould Iraq be unraveling?
http://OsiSpeaks.com
March 28th, 2008 at 10:22 amKay Says:
I have family, friends, co-workers that think I’m a little crazy for my “extreme” views.
Kay, I can’t tell you how many times I’ve been called filthy names for my “extreme” views, i.e., that we should follow the Constitution, the Bill of Rights, the law, etc. etc. “Traitor,” “terrorist sympathizer” - those are a few of the milder names I’ve been called over the last 7 years.
I have also been stalked, harassed and physically threatened by rightwingers - literally - to the point where I had to change my phone number(s).
These people truly frighten me.
March 28th, 2008 at 10:26 amIn an interview yesterday, Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said “that the United States still has trouble dealing with race because of a national ‘birth defect’ that denied black Americans the opportunities given to whites at the country’s very founding.” “That particular birth defect makes it hard for us to confront it, hard for us to talk about it, and hard for us to realize that it has continuing relevance for who we are today,” said Rice.
This is a disgusting utterance. Condi is really whistling through her birth defect this time.
March 28th, 2008 at 10:27 amEvil Spaniard Says:
March 28th, 2008 at 9:21 am
Woman forced to remove nipple ring at US airport
http://news.yahoo.com/ s/ afp/ 20080328/ od_afp/ usairlinesecurityoffbeat_080328034133;_ylt=AlcyINA.4kEijLyb662WAwis0NUE
So the TSA is busy saving us from nipple rings of mass destruction.
Good thing my girlfriend doesn’t like to fly, she doesn’t wear a nipple ring, hers is a bit lower, than the nipples or belly button.
March 28th, 2008 at 10:27 amShe would have kicked a TSA agent in the teeth, heh.
One hour can help switch fate of Earth
Atlanta Journal Constitution - 2 hours ago
By Carter Roberts At 8 pm Saturday citizens of Atlanta will join millions of people around the world in turning off nonessential lights for one hour.
Lights will dim Saturday in worldwide initiative Kentucky.com
‘Earth Hour’ campaign will dim lights on Chicago landmarks Chicago Tribune
more please, TP!
March 28th, 2008 at 10:29 amcurious - anyone else using SAFARI on their mac?
it was running so awfully slow, since yesterday, that i switched to FIREFOX today… i know, i know, you’ll tell me that’s what i should’ve been using anyway… well, us old folks are stubborn…
this will take some getting used to… and all my bookmarks are on safare… waa waa waa…
but, is it MY computer, or is SAFARI having troubles?
March 28th, 2008 at 10:34 amanyone?
wow, 2 million, just read a story about the drug cos this morning:
FDA Deadlines May Impact Drug Safety
and this on the google news page:
Singulair May Be Linked To Increased Risk Of Suicide
March 28th, 2008 at 10:39 amMedHeadlines - 3 hours ago
By MedHeadlines • Mar 28th, 2008 • Category: Asthma, Drugs, Family, Lifestyle The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has announced that the agency is evaluating available data for a potential link between some serious issues involving mood changes …
…
Exley Says:
March 28th, 2008 at 9:40 am
ThinkProgress neglected to mention that indicted Gov. Anibal Acevedo Vila of Puerto Rico is a Democrat.
That’s because he’s not a Democrat. Vilá is a member of the Popular Democratic Party of Puerto Rico - completely unaffiliated with the Democratic Party of the United States.
March 28th, 2008 at 10:41 ambilbo @15 - as i said on yesterday’s FAST:
all the time and energy and concern that dems devoted to defend the clintons
and fight back against “the vast right wing consiracy”…
and then she goes and joins ‘em…
whodduthinkit…
i sure feel snookered… don’t you?
March 28th, 2008 at 10:45 am…
katy Says:
March 28th, 2008 at 10:34 am
but, is it MY computer, or is SAFARI having troubles?
anyone?
Did you try resetting Safari and clearing caches?
March 28th, 2008 at 10:46 amExley, put down your group think paint brush.
March 28th, 2008 at 10:47 amPeter C at 9:25 am
BIRTH DEFECT??????????
sheesh!
How sensitive and empathetic.
yea… does that imply, somehow, that it is no one’s fault,
couldn’t be helped?
still, glad SHE brought it up too… took a while…
March 28th, 2008 at 10:48 am…
Evil Spaniard@12 Parents pick prayer over docs; girl dies.
The freaks will respond that she died because the good godamighty had other plans for her soul, he works in mysterious ways, we can’t pretend to know the mind of Jebus or Crom……
I think these parents should be thrown in jail for murder 1.
Iraq is another manifestation of magical thinking. “Damn the facts, full speed ahead! Jesus wants me to invade Iraq and I will obey the whispers in my head.”
Bush and his incubi should be thrown in jail and left to die for the murders thay have committed.
I have a bad case of the Arns this morning.
March 28th, 2008 at 10:54 amYou can import the bookmarks into Firefox Katy. Click file on Firefox then import then select Safari.
March 28th, 2008 at 10:54 amI stand corrected, folks, thanks.
BTW, Exley, did you hear Roy Black is a McCain campaign adviser?
Yeah, that Roy Black…
March 28th, 2008 at 11:00 amIt appears Condi got the worst of that American birth defect. She hooked up with the neocons who would rather double speak, or out and out lie about that defect. No wonder she is totally confused and no one will listen to her.
March 28th, 2008 at 11:03 amthanks wayne… i looked for those items to do that, but gave up when they didn’t immediately jump out at me… heh…
will try again, later…
X - i REALLY need to thin out my bookmarks before i do that!
ha! … my son, at christmas, admonished me for the crazy long list of bookmarks…
susy homemaker, i am not… not even on my puter…
thanks!
March 28th, 2008 at 11:10 amClinton details caps on health premiums
Dem says she would seek to limit insurance costs to 10 percent of income
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/23838035/
10% of income? Is it just me or does that seem really high? The percent I mean. Does she mean taxable income? What if you’re self-employed?
She went on in the interview to say something about a 5-10% cap per income. There’s a big difference between 5% and 10%! These people are so rich and taken care of they are clueless!
‘but she (Hillary) has been criticized for not providing details on several crucial components (of her health care plan). She largely continued that approach in the interview, saying she would leave particulars like the eligibility criteria for her proposed health insurance tax credits to negotiations with Congress.’
snip
‘She said, for instance, that it “might be appropriate” to require insurers to spend a heavy proportion of every premium dollar on health care as opposed to overhead and profit.’
With all of the bureaucracy created to track all this we might as well just have universal health care!
So frustrating…I appreciate that she’s tackling the issue but it just doesn’t seem like she’s going in a good direction to me.
March 28th, 2008 at 11:12 amWhat did we miss?
DOJ wins a legal battle with DNC over White House e-mails
A federal judge has handed the White House a legal victory in a battle with the Democratic National Committee over e-mails related to U.S. attorney firings.
District Judge Ellen Huvelle of the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia ruled Thursday that the DNC does not have a right under the Freedom of Information Act to 68 pages of e-mails sent between White House and Justice Department officials simply because the White House e-mail traffic was transmitted on a server controlled by the Republican National Committee.
In dismissing the DNC lawsuit, Huvelle ruled that it was “based on the false factual premise that White House officials only used their RNC e-mail accounts for political communications.”
Additionally, Huvelle decided that just because an RNC server was used to send the messages — 68 pages out of more than 5,000 which have been denied to the DNC — it is not enough to automatically disqualify the Justice Department from claiming a FOIA exemption in refusing to release them.
http://www.politico.com/ blogs/ thecrypt/ 0308/ DOJ_wins_a_legal_battle_with_DNC_over_White_House_emails.html
If you listen hard you will hear more and more current lawmakers talking about what the “next” president needs to address and not what still needs to be done with the current administration. John Dean spelled out how the current repuke administration has destroyed all three branches of our govenment and rulings like these are likely to be the norm. We can’t just ignore the current crime family and hope they go away in January. Impeachment needs to start immediately!
March 28th, 2008 at 11:17 am#82 Zimzone,
It is not you who stands corrected. It was ThinkProgress who misreported the story. No need to apologize.
Do you mean Charlie Black?
Charlie Black is a well-know political/public affairs consultant and campaign strategist.
Roy Black is a prominent criminal defense attorney.
I have not seen anything in the press that links Roy Black with the McCain campaign. But, even if he were, I am not sure of your point.
March 28th, 2008 at 11:18 amI think many would love to see it be only 10%. My wife & I just bought insurance and we are both in our 50’s and I have one pre-existing condition. Its good insurance that pays on prescriptions and doctor visits are 25 co pay. 2000 deductable for hospital stay with a max of 3000 for my part. 2 Million cap cost: 1300 per month.
If your family income is 25000 that is over 50% of your income….
March 28th, 2008 at 11:20 amThinkProgress neglected to mention that indicted Gov. Anibal Acevedo Vila of Puerto Rico is a Democrat.
Hussein toasterhead: That’s because he’s not a Democrat. Vilá is a member of the Popular Democratic Party of Puerto Rico - completely unaffiliated with the Democratic Party of the United States.
And this?
March 28th, 2008 at 11:23 am“normalcy is returning back to Iraq.” - President Dinkledorf.
“…returning back MORON ALERT!!!
March 28th, 2008 at 11:29 amhussein toasterhead Says:
March 28th, 2008 at 10:41 am
Exley Says:
March 28th, 2008 at 9:40 am
ThinkProgress neglected to mention that indicted Gov. Anibal Acevedo Vila of Puerto Rico is a Democrat.
That’s because he’s not a Democrat. Vilá is a member of the Popular Democratic Party of Puerto Rico - completely unaffiliated with the Democratic Party of the United States.
________________
Gee… will Ex-lax now issue a retraction of his MONUMENTAL error?
March 28th, 2008 at 11:31 amJohn McCain’s 1936 birth outside the continental United States does not disqualify him to be president.”
No. But being born in 1936 and hence senile disqualifies him.
March 28th, 2008 at 11:33 amHagel:I think this is another episode of Alice in Wonderland:Baghdad on lockdown as rockets, bombs fly
BAGHDAD, Iraq (CNN) — Baghdad was on virtual lockdown Friday as a tough new curfew ordered everyone off the streets of the Iraqi capital and five other cities until 5 p.m. Sunday.
March 28th, 2008 at 11:36 amkaty Says:
March 28th, 2008 at 11:10 am
thanks wayne… i looked for those items to do that, but gave up when they didn’t immediately jump out at me… heh…
will try again, later…
From the Safari menu, next to the apple,top left =)
March 28th, 2008 at 11:37 amThe Republic of Stupidity Says:
March 28th, 2008 at 11:31 am
Gee… will Ex-lax now issue a retraction of his MONUMENTAL error?
No - he’s still going to cite Vilá’s endorsement of Barack Hussein Obama as proof that the two parties are intimately entwined. Never mind that the reason for the endorsement was Obama’s support of more autonomy for Puerto Rico.
March 28th, 2008 at 11:40 am“normalcy is returning back to Iraq.”
Situation Normal, All Fu(ked Up.
March 28th, 2008 at 11:51 amSituation Normal, All Fu(ked Up.
The normalcy of Hussein looks good to Iraqis, about now.
March 28th, 2008 at 11:56 amAl called cheney a moonbat….on sixety minutes. I can’t think of another US citizen who has the balls to make such a statement in public.
March 28th, 2008 at 12:00 pmqualificatin for 98:
I can’t think of another US citizen who has the balls to make such a statement in public.
and have it reported by any media.
March 28th, 2008 at 12:02 pmEh. No apologies necessary, folks. Our Exley simply “misspoke.”
*eyeroll*
March 28th, 2008 at 12:03 pmJust can’t resist sharing the last three Bush approval polls:
Pollster - dates - approval - disapproval - Huh? - difference
Pew - 3/19-22/08 - 28 - 63 - 9 - -35
FOX/Opinion Dynamics - 3/18-19/08 - 30 - 60 - 10 - -30
CBS - 3/15-18/08 - 29 - 64 - 7 - -35
Down to 28 percent. Playing the approval limbo, how low can he go?
March 28th, 2008 at 12:22 pmWayne :
From the Safari menu, next to the apple,top left =)
well! now, how did that get there?!? it wan’t there yesterday!
ha!
ok… so i emptied the cache, and it seems to be better… also, it seems
to be TP only that takes so long to load…
almost hate to do the “reset” … it’s sure nice not having to type in form info…
March 28th, 2008 at 12:22 pmbut here goes…
Fred Says:
March 28th, 2008 at 11:20 am
I was actually thinking about your situation re: health insurance when I wrote that entry. I feel really bad for you and your wife. $1,300 per month is crazy! CRAZY! I guess that means (assuming you itemize) that you claim those costs on your tax returns? Isn’t there some kind of tax benefit if your medical costs run over 7.5% of your yearly income? (not sure if that’s taxable income.)
March 28th, 2008 at 12:24 pmMary, I haven’t thought that far ahead just yet although it will be something we can look into….any help at all….
There must be 10’s of thousands of people in the same boat. I consider it a form of class warfare.
March 28th, 2008 at 12:43 pmWayne Says:
March 28th, 2008 at 10:27 am
Evil Spaniard Says:
March 28th, 2008 at 9:21 am
Woman forced to remove nipple ring at US airport
http://news.yahoo.com/ s/ afp/ 20080328/ od_afp/ usairlinesecurityoffbeat_080328034133;_ylt=AlcyINA.4kEijLyb662WAwis0NUE
So the TSA is busy saving us from nipple rings of mass destruction.
Good thing my girlfriend doesn’t like to fly, she doesn’t wear a nipple ring, hers is a bit lower, than the nipples or belly button.
She would have kicked a TSA agent in the teeth, heh.
What I’m wondering is what was THE SIZE of the nipple ring? Because a regular one hasn’t more metal in it than a zipper. Either they have badly regulated the magnetic arc, or they force travelers to losen their trousers…
March 28th, 2008 at 12:44 pmMary, the sad part is that older people with health problems are expected to shop and compare policies and also be informed enough to know which company will not rip you off. I submit that the word care is an oxymoron when applied to health insurance in America.
March 28th, 2008 at 12:46 pmFred Says:
March 28th, 2008 at 12:46 pm
Mary, the sad part is that older people with health problems are expected to shop and compare policies and also be informed enough to know which company will not rip you off. I submit that the word care is an oxymoron when applied to health insurance in America.
Private healthcare it’s simply a way to scam people. Insurance corporations have batallions of lawyers who write their contracts, policies, and who fight tooth and nail against “insured” people. Regular people has to face a stampeding mammooth corporation singlehandedly with a stone spear.
March 28th, 2008 at 12:50 pmWe are at a loss Evil as to what to do. I just spent 6 hours in an emergency room in the fall and the out of pocket that I had to pay with no insurance was over 5000 dollars. It seems we they have us in a death grip with no real alternatives. With health insurance at least we can get the treatment we desperatly need at the time and can haggle over the money later…..
They have changed the bankrupcy laws now and I think they can literally take everything from you and sell it to pay these bills…..it is truly frightening. Why are we in Iraq?
March 28th, 2008 at 12:57 pmFred,
If you itemize (and if you don’t it sounds like you should, even if it’s just for this purpose):
‘You may deduct only the amount by which your total medical care expenses for the year exceed 7.5% of your adjusted gross income. You do this calculation on Form 1040 Schedule A in computing the amount deductible.’
Lots of good info at this link:
http://www.irs.gov/taxtopics/tc502.html
Good Luck and please try not to worry to the point of it making you crazy! I’m sure you’re doing your best!
March 28th, 2008 at 1:05 pmFred,
What state do you live in?
For example, in CT:
‘Medical debt is recognized as involuntary debt and not subject to the same kind of punitive debt collection tactics that Connecticut law normally allowsHere’s some good info by state.’
http://www.familiesusa.org/assets/pdfs/medical-debt.PDF
March 28th, 2008 at 1:09 pmI kind of messed up that last post but I’m sure you got it.
March 28th, 2008 at 1:09 pmThanks for that mary. We will manage, we always have. It is just so sad that our country thinks that this is acceptable for our citizens……hoping for changes soon.
March 28th, 2008 at 1:09 pmmary, Okla is the redstate where I live. I see it is not mentioned in the pdf you linked to.
Here’s the thing. Why should a couple who have worked hard all of thier lives and raised a family and paid their taxes, Basically lived by the rules of society, why should they wind up suddenly in debt to the tune of hundreds of thousands of dollars after carefully avoiding indebtedness in their lives for 40 or 50 years?
It’s like saying, we don’t care how hard you work or how well you plan, we will own you in the end.
It reminds me of people who condemn a single mom for drawing welfare that provides some medical care for her children instead of taking a 6 dollar an hour job which would not provide any health care for her children but would disqualify her from the welfare medical care for her children. What you do?
March 28th, 2008 at 1:21 pmGrandfather defends munitions contractor
http://news.yahoo.com/ s/ ap/ 20080328/ ap_on_re_us/ military_ammunition_contract;_ylt=AqigmeO2LzOtfHGg9E0PEa2s0NUE
I find it ironic: a brat capable of obtain $200m in contracts from the USA Government is incapable of defense himself?
March 28th, 2008 at 1:41 pmspecialist f Says:
March 28th, 2008 at 9:47 am
Exley@36
Hey exlax, how about that indicted and convicted Democratic Governor from Alabama??? I wouldn’t put too much faith in bush/cos corrupted Justice Dept.
Umm, just for the sake of accuracy, Siegelman was NOT Governor when he was indicted. He is a FORMER Governor, having served from 1999-2003. In late 2005, he faced indictments based on allegations of improper activities as Governor, and he’d announced his intent to run as the Democratic nominee for Governor in the 2006 election (but lost to then Lt Gov Lucy Baxter).
March 28th, 2008 at 3:30 pmFred
March 28th, 2008 at 1:21 pm
I agree that we are in a sorry state of affairs in the US.
Ordinary citizens like yourself get hit with an accident or illness and it practically devastates them.
The Hobson’s choice you present in your example of a welfare mother is so prevalent and so obvious, but people continue to wear blinders.
But, as Mary suggests, do look into what you may recover in your income tax this year — although you already know the IRS limits.
My paper this morning ran an article on uninsured Americans traveling not only to Mexico, but to France, India and other countries for surgical care. The out of pocket costs they pay as a non-citizen is far less than they would pay in the US.
March 28th, 2008 at 4:46 pmTo clear up some of the confusion by some of the posters out there about Governor Aníbal Acevedo Vila’s political affiliation….While he is a member of the PDP, he is indeed a Democrat and is a member of the Democratic Governor’s Association, which is — as per its Web site — “comprised of all governors in U.S. states and territories who belong to the Democratic Party.”
http://democraticgovernors.org/about
http://democraticgovernors.org/governors
Note his name on the list.
You would also be interested to learn that Acevedo is also a Democrtatic party superdelegate.
http://thehill.com/ campaign-2008/ puerto-rico-governor-obama-supporter-indicted-2008-03-27.html
March 30th, 2008 at 9:45 pm