ThinkFast: April 8, 2008
ThinkFast: April 8, 2008
Aides say in today’s testimony, Gen. Petraeus will recommend keeping “troop levels steady” after July and will “also tell lawmakers that Iraq’s security situation has improved markedly in recent months but that the gains are fragile and could be easily reversed.”
$4 million: The cost of extending Vice President Cheney’s Secret Service protection for six months after the Bush administration ends. Because federal law grants protection only to the president and his family, “[e]xtending Cheney’s detail would require a directive from the president or a joint resolution of Congress.”
Lawmakers are charging that Attorney General Michael Mukasey has failed to live up to his pre-confirmation promise that there wouldn’t be “any stonewalling” over congressional requests. Despite “repeated congressional requests, some made as long as three years ago, key legal opinions and other department documents remain under wraps. That has prompted Democrats to accuse the Bush administration of trying to run out the clock.”
Elizabeth Edwards will be joining the Center for American Progress as a senior fellow. “In her new role, Edwards, who has gained a considerable following in the liberal blogosphere thanks to her willingness to vocally oppose conservative politicos from Sen. John McCain to commentator Ann Coulter, will also be contributing to CAP’s blog,” ThinkProgress.
In interviews with the Wall Street Journal, former Federal Reserve chairman Alan Greenspan is defending himself against claims that “his management of the U.S. economy before he retired in 2006″ sowed “the seeds of today’s financial crisis.” “I was praised for things I didn’t do,” said Greenspan. “I am now being blamed for things that I didn’t do.” He does admit, however, that “he was wrong about the improbability of a housing bubble.”
Since the late 1990s, Sen. John McCain (R-AZ) has served on the board of the Montana-based Project Vote Smart (PVS), which presses candidates to fill out a survey on where they stand on key issues. Despite the fact that he he has filled out the survey since 1992, McCain now refuses to do so (”after nine months, 17 phone calls, and 8 emails” from PVS). The PVS board has voted to remove McCain by April 9 unless he fills out the test.
Senate Republicans last night blocked a proposal to extend the FISA wiretapping law for another 30 days because Democrats oppose granting immunity for telecommunications companies. “It’s time for us to get serious and protect the companies that protect us,” Sen. Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) said.
Iraqi Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr announced today that he is “indefinitely postponing mass anti-U.S. demonstrations planned for the following day because of fear his supporters would be attacked. The ‘million-strong march’ was scheduled to coincide with the fifth anniversary of the fall of Baghdad and had raised the prospect of mass action or unrest coinciding with testimony in Congress by the top U.S. officials in Iraq.”
Sen. David Vitter (R-LA) may be called to testify on behalf of Deborah Palfrey, who was “accused of running an upscale Washington prostitution service.” Randall Tobias, a former senior State Department official, was also named a possible witness.
And finally: A new Fox 5/The Washington Times/Rasmussen poll finds that 71 percent of Americans believe politicians “embellish the truth” when discussing past accomplishments. The group most “leery” of politicians is men under the age of 40, “with 83 percent agreeing politicians exaggerated. The least suspicious were women younger than 40, at 64 percent.”
What did we miss? Let us know in the comments section.
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Bush Military Buildup Recalls Stalin And Hitler
The relentless increases in Pentagon spending of President Bush mirrors the actions of Hitler and Stalin prior to the outbreak of World War Two.
Information edited from:
April 8th, 2008 at 9:00 amhttp://www.afterdowningstreet.org/node/32522
Aides to Gen. Petraeus say in today’s testimony, Petraeus will recommend keeping “troop levels steady” after July and will “also tell lawmakers that Iraq’s security situation has improved markedly in recent months but that the gains are fragile and could be easily reversed.”
“Just give it 6 more months”……….
Like we haven’t heard that one before.
April 8th, 2008 at 9:03 amIran to OPEC: Stop Oil Sales in Dollars
War Drums Beat Louder
http://www.afterdowningstreet.org/node/32525
** Don’t forget the Iranians opened their own trading bourse just weeks ago that does NOT accept U.S. dollars.
April 8th, 2008 at 9:05 am$4 million: The cost of extending Vice President Dick Cheney’s Secret Service protection for six months after the Bush administration ends. Because federal law grants protection only to the president and his family, “[e]xtending Cheney’s detail would require a directive from the president or a joint resolution of Congress.”
That scumbag isn’t worth $4 mill in Monopoly money ……….
There are those who want to take you out , “Dick” ?
SO ? Show us your (in)famous flightless bird killing skills to defend your own pasty white cowardly ass………..
April 8th, 2008 at 9:06 am$4 million: The cost of extending Vice President Dick Cheney’s Secret Service protection for six months after the Bush administration ends.
Is he planning on dying then, cause he’ll need to watch his back for the rest of his life.
April 8th, 2008 at 9:06 amElizabeth Edwards will be joining the Center for American Progress
This is the best news I’ve heard in awhile. What a wonderful lady, what a great job she will do.
April 8th, 2008 at 9:07 amElizabeth Edwards will be posting here? I hope she knows what she’s getting into with the trolls.
April 8th, 2008 at 9:07 amSenate Republicans last night blocked a proposal to extend the FISA wiretapping law for another 30 days because Democrats oppose granting immunity for telecommunications companies. “It’s time for us to get serious and protect the companies that protect us,” Sen. Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) said.
“US” meaning the GOP and Chimpy administration , of course …………..
April 8th, 2008 at 9:09 amgummitch Says:
April 8th, 2008 at 9:07 am
Elizabeth Edwards will be posting here? I hope she knows what she’s getting into with the trolls.
___________________________________________
Hey, she blasted Ann Coulter with true Southern gentility — I’m sure she can handle even the worst of the trolls here.
April 8th, 2008 at 9:11 amSen. David Vitter (R-LA) may be called to testify on behalf of Deborah Palfrey, who was “accused of running an upscale Washington prostitution service.” Randall Tobias, a former senior State Department official, was also named a possible witness.
Will he be “properly dressed” in his “customer’s outfit” ?
April 8th, 2008 at 9:11 amMCMetal Says:
April 8th, 2008 at 9:06 am
That scumbag isn’t worth $4 mill in Monopoly money ……….
There are those who want to take you out , “Dick” ?
I agree with you, that is probably why he wants 6 more months of protection. This way it will give him time to find a great place to hide….
April 8th, 2008 at 9:13 amDieNowForPeace Says:
April 8th, 2008 at 9:06 am
$4 million: The cost of extending Vice President Dick Cheney’s Secret Service protection for six months after the Bush administration ends.
Is he planning on dying then, cause he’ll need to watch his back for the rest of his life.
__________________________________
Well, even Dubya will only get protection for 10 years after he leaves office. However, both he and Cheney have feathered their nests pretty well, and I’m sure both can afford state of the art security on their own for as long as they wish. While I’m not sure where Cheney will settle, Dubya can probably build a nice little fortress in Paraguay.
April 8th, 2008 at 9:14 amCheney will be signing a lifetime protection contract with Blackwater, mark my words. And the rest of us will be paying for it.
April 8th, 2008 at 9:14 amAnd finally: A new Fox 5/The Washington Times/Rasmussen poll finds that 71 percent of Americans believe politicians “embellish the truth” when discussing past accomplishments. The group most “leery” of politicians is men under the age of 40, “with 83 percent agreeing politicians exaggerated. The least suspicious were women younger than 40, at 64 percent.”
That is a huge surprise (to me , at least)……
I’ve always believed (and still do) , that women are more intelligent , thus more intuitive ; and they generally don’t buy the bullshit when they’re told by some loser that they have a monster unit that never quits……….
April 8th, 2008 at 9:15 amAides to Gen. Petraeus say in today’s testimony, Petraeus will recommend keeping “troop levels steady” after July and will “also tell lawmakers that Iraq’s security situation has improved markedly in recent months but that the gains are fragile and could be easily reversed.”
In other words, “we are going to make sure that we can dump this in the next president’s lap”. Hopefully Congress will point out that this “improvement” is nowhere to be found today and that what most people said would happen, happened. The “fragile peace” didn’t hold.
There are two problems in Iraq. The first is that they are in the midst of a sectarian civil war. The second is that they are being occupied by a military force of another country. There is really nothing we can do about the first problem. It’s something they are going to have to work out for themselves. There is something we can do about the second problem. We can leave and give their country back to them.
April 8th, 2008 at 9:16 amSurprising Political Endorsements By U.S. Troops
Though the military is not supposed to engage in partisan political activity, these soldiers spoke out about their personal endorsements, and their opinions are likely to matter. In 2004, 73 percent of the U.S. military voted for a presidential candidate, and officials believe it may be even higher this time around.
PFC Jeremy Slate said he supported Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., because of his stated intention to pull out of Iraq right away.
Lt. Leah Wicks said that, tied into concerns about her family’s welfare, were concerns about the economy, “where we’re going to be in the future.”
SFC Patricia Keller also expressed support for Obama, citing his representation for change.
Only moments before speaking with ABC News, the troops had been listening to Vice President Dick Cheney give a rousing speech, but it didn’t change their political preference.
Spc. Imus Loto said he supported Obama. “It will be something different. But he’s out there and he’ll probably support us a lot more.”
I don’t think McCain will be getting any of there votes…Not a chance in hell…
April 8th, 2008 at 9:17 am$4 million: The cost of extending Vice President Cheney’s Secret Service protection for six months after the Bush administration ends.
Cheney is going to need a lot more than 4 months of civil service protection to save his sorry ass once he leaves office.
April 8th, 2008 at 9:17 amFreedom Rebel Says:
April 8th, 2008 at 9:13 am
MCMetal Says:
April 8th, 2008 at 9:06 am
That scumbag isn’t worth $4 mill in Monopoly money ……….
There are those who want to take you out , “Dick” ?
I agree with you, that is probably why he wants 6 more months of protection. This way it will give him time to find a great place to hide….
Why do you think they’re so desperate to build Chimpy’s “library” ? Who is actually ever going to go in there outside of the retarded 19%’ers ?
April 8th, 2008 at 9:18 amSenate Republicans last night blocked a proposal to extend the FISA wiretapping law for another 30 days because Democrats oppose granting immunity for telecommunications companies.
_______________________________
And the stalemate continues. The Republicans haven’t yet accepted that while the Dems are willing to roll over and let them have anything else they want, they’re not rolling over on this. The good news is that no permanent extensions of the wiretapping laws will take place until the Republicans cave. The bad news is that nobody has sued any of the telecoms yet. Have any lawsuits actually been filed?
April 8th, 2008 at 9:18 amRe: Petraeus – do you think the subject of Iran will come up today?
April 8th, 2008 at 9:18 amLawmakers are charging that Attorney General Michael Mukasey has failed to live up to his pre-confirmation promise that there wouldn’t be “any stonewalling” over congressional requests.
Well, duh! Anyone who thought that Mukasey was anything other than another Bush sycophant is living in a dream world.
Thank you Diane Feinstein and Chuck Schumer. Hopefully you will be repaid for your dereliction of duty by being voted out of office.
April 8th, 2008 at 9:19 amNever saw that coming …
April 8th, 2008 at 9:19 am“Lawmakers are charging that Attorney General Michael Mukasey has failed to live up to his pre-confirmation promise that there wouldn’t be “any stonewalling” over congressional requests.”
Who’d have guessed …
April 8th, 2008 at 9:20 ammanicare Says:
April 8th, 2008 at 9:19 am
Another fun filled day of America bashing! Down with the stars and bars!!
______________________________________
Is there some reason you want to bash America, or is this just a random troll-turd?
April 8th, 2008 at 9:21 am“I was praised for things I didn’t do,” said Greenspan. “I am now being blamed for things that I didn’t do.” He does admit, however, that “he was wrong about the improbability of a housing bubble.”
Alan Greenspan will go down in history as the worst Federal Reserve Chairman in history. His complicity with the Bush Crime Family is directly responsible for the financial mess this country is in today.
April 8th, 2008 at 9:21 amDespite the fact that he he has filled out the survey since 1992, McCain now refuses to do so (”after nine months, 17 phone calls, and 8 emails” from PVS). The PVS board has voted to remove McCain by April 9 unless he fills out the test.
Shit man, he can’t put his positions in writing. Then he couldn’t change them at will.
April 8th, 2008 at 9:22 amThe lie of the surge “success” is about to be brought to light:
Al-Sadr threatens to end cease-fire
AP – 42 minutes ago
BAGHDAD – Anti-American cleric Muqtada al-Sadr is demanding the Iraqi government protect the public from “the booby traps and American militias” or he may formally end the freeze he imposed seven months ago on his Mahdi Army fighters.
Al-Sadr also wants a timetable for the U.S. to leave Iraq.
Al-Sadr’s cease-fire helped bring down violence but has been under severe strain since fighting broke out last month in Basra and Baghdad.
LINK
April 8th, 2008 at 9:22 amSenate Republicans last night blocked a proposal to extend the FISA wiretapping law for another 30 days because Democrats oppose granting immunity for telecommunications companies.
Fine. The Democrats should simply let it expire. It’s not going to make any difference. The government already has all that it needs to track the bad guys.
April 8th, 2008 at 9:24 amWhy can’t Cheney pay for his own security? He has made enough from the war and oil. We will be paying for his mistakes long after he leaves office, longer than 4 months. What the hell is so magical about 4 months? There are those out there who have memories longer than 4 months. And what the hell is four months. The bonus he will get from Haliburton will more than cover it. Why does he rate special treatment. Christ! Truman and Bess had to take a train home to Independence by themselves! It started with the Republicans flying their shithead disgraced President Nixon home when it should have been to prison. Let Cheney hire Blackwater at their rates and pay it himself. He helped create this cesspool. let him get himself out.
April 8th, 2008 at 9:24 amKIDS PUSHING PARENTS TO BACK OBAMA
As a small chorus of superdelegates has announced a preference for Senator Barack Obama in recent weeks, a theme is emerging: their children made them do it.
The list of Democrats who have cited the persuasive power of their own children as a factor in their Obama endorsements — either in earnest or as political cover — includes Senator Bob Casey of Pennsylvania, Gov. James E. Doyle of Wisconsin, Senator Claire McCaskill of Missouri, Gov. Kathleen Sebelius of Kansas.
Out of the mouths of children.. Logic and truth prevail.
April 8th, 2008 at 9:24 amIn interviews with the Wall Street Journal, former Federal Reserve chairman Alan Greenspan is defending himself…
Sorry, Al, but you’ve failed during this administration on two fronts: a) You allowed the interest rates to remain too low for too long, and b) You didn’t give the subprime loans the scrutiny they deserved.
Fact is, nobody — regardless of credit score and history — should have been subject to those insane terms just to have a place they could call home.
The good part of Al’s legacy was that he meshed well with the Clinton Administration. The rest of it (bad) was the coziness with the republican administrations.
April 8th, 2008 at 9:24 amSecurity has improved?
Figures compiled by the American military showed that attacks specifically on military targets in Baghdad more than tripled in March, one of many indications that violence has begun to rise again after months of gains in the wake of an American troop increase. Overall attacks on Baghdad more than doubled, to 631 in March from 239 in February, reflecting new strikes against the Green Zone, the fortified headquarters for Iraqi and American officials, as well as renewed fighting in Sadr City between the Mahdi Army and American and Iraqi forces.
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/04/08/world/middleeast/08iraq.html
April 8th, 2008 at 9:24 amIraqi Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr announced today that he is “indefinitely postponing mass anti-U.S. demonstrations planned for the following day because of fear his supporters would be attacked.
He is probably right. His people would be sitting ducks and I can clearly see the US taking the opportunity to do some duck shooting. After all, “they are the bad guys”. At least they are the bad guys in the eyes of the US.
April 8th, 2008 at 9:25 ammanicare Says:
April 8th, 2008 at 9:19 am
Another fun filled day of America bashing! Down with the stars and bars!!
Chimpy is not “America” , jackass. Nor is Dickhead Cheney.
Nor David Betrayus
“WE THE PEOPLE” ARE AMERICA , shithead…………….
April 8th, 2008 at 9:25 ammisshusseinmolly Says:
April 8th, 2008 at 9:18 am
Have any lawsuits actually been filed?
__________________
http://www.usatoday.com/news/washington/2007-10-10-bush-eavesdropping_N.htm
“About 40 pending lawsuits name telecommunications companies for alleged violations of wiretapping laws.”
April 8th, 2008 at 9:27 amWell, even Dubya will only get protection for 10 years after he leaves office.
I wonder what the Secret Service would do if Bush was in Europe and he was served with an arrest warrant to be taken to the Hague for trial. Do you think they would shoot the people who were arresting Bush?
April 8th, 2008 at 9:29 amElizabeth Edwards will be joining the Center for American Progress as a senior fellow.
What a great catch! This is a blessing for CFAP, they can attract some real talent.
In boring news, the AEI has named another crusty warmonger a “scholar.”
April 8th, 2008 at 9:29 amBilbo Hussein Baggins Says:
April 8th, 2008 at 9:19 am
Thank you Diane Feinstein and Chuck Schumer. Hopefully you will be repaid for your dereliction of duty by being voted out of office.
__________________
I thik Di-fi is retiring at the end of her current term. Don’t know about Chucky.
April 8th, 2008 at 9:29 ambut that the gains are fragile and could be easily reversed
Translation = alSadr’s holding the flush, and we’re stuck here with a dunce high.
April 8th, 2008 at 9:32 am#19MCMetal Says:
April 8th, 2008 at 9:18 am
That is a good one. I know what they can do add a Mother-In-Law Suite for him and family. The 19%ers can view him and his family through the glass window. Great exhibit for the die hard fans.
McMetal don’t ever change, love your humor.
April 8th, 2008 at 9:32 amMcWars Says:
April 8th, 2008 at 9:29 am
Elizabeth Edwards will be joining the Center for American Progress as a senior fellow.
What a great catch! This is a blessing for CFAP, they can attract some real talent.
In boring news, the AEI has named another crusty warmonger a “scholar.”
Being named a Cancervative (non)think-tank “scholar” is akin to winning a gold medal in the Special Olympics ; just less prestigious………..
April 8th, 2008 at 9:33 amfederal law grants protection only to the president and his family, “[e]xtending Cheney’s detail would require a directive from the president or a joint resolution of Congress.”
Let me guess which one……..
April 8th, 2008 at 9:33 amThe bad news is that nobody has sued any of the telecoms yet. Have any lawsuits actually been filed?
Yes, but they are being rolled into a class-action lawsuit. Heres some information on one.
http://www.eff.org/cases/att
April 8th, 2008 at 9:33 am$4 million: The cost of extending Vice President Cheney’s Secret Service protection for six months after the Bush administration ends.
This is extra time, paid for by Americans, so that Cheney has more time to negotiate with Halliburton for a private army to keep him enclaved from those same Americans.
April 8th, 2008 at 9:34 amThe PVS board has voted to remove McCain by April 9 unless he fills out the test.
Too late, he’s resigned that board and joined up with Project Vote Stupid.
April 8th, 2008 at 9:35 amFreedom Rebel Says:
April 8th, 2008 at 9:32 am
#19MCMetal Says:
April 8th, 2008 at 9:18 am
That is a good one. I know what they can do add a Mother-In-Law Suite for him and family. The 19%ers can view him and his family through the glass window. Great exhibit for the die hard fans.
McMetal don’t ever change, love your humor.
I mean seriously ; how much room could be taken up by coloring and comic books anyway ????????????????????
April 8th, 2008 at 9:36 am“It’s time for us to get serious and protect the companies that protect us,” Sen. Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) said.
Once again, the core question. Why do they need to be protected? If they broke the law, they broke the law. No amount of flag waving and chestpin thumping is going to change that, and they should not be granted immunity for caving in to the illegal requests of this administration.
April 8th, 2008 at 9:36 amPeriod. Mitchy.
Dickhead Cheney will finalize a deal with Blackwater to guard him while he and his godforsaken brood settle in Dubai ; count on it ………………
April 8th, 2008 at 9:37 amRUCerious Says:
April 8th, 2008 at 9:35 am
“… joined up with Project Vote Stupid.”
______________
“Vote Stupid”????
Whilst this is very flattering and I have to admit I’d make a GREAT… something, I’n not running at this time…
Kind of a catchy slogan thought, huh?
April 8th, 2008 at 9:38 ammanicare Says:
Another fun filled day of America bashing! Down with the stars and bars!!
Another fun filled day of sticking it’s head in the sand and pretending that all is well in the world. I guess that it doesn’t know that 81% of the people in this country think that this country is headed in the wrong direction. This country is not going to change direction for the better if everyone sticks their head in the sand or sticks their fingers in their ears.
April 8th, 2008 at 9:39 amSenate opens Iraq war hearing
WASHINGTON – A leading Democrat has opened a key Iraq war hearing by saying a recent flare-up in violence in Baghdad raises questions about the military success of President Bush’s troop buildup.
LINK
April 8th, 2008 at 9:39 ammisshusseinmolly Says:
April 8th, 2008 at 9:21 am
manicare Says:
April 8th, 2008 at 9:19 am
Another fun filled day of America bashing! Down with the stars and bars!!
______________________________________
Is there some reason you want to bash America, or is this just a random troll-turd?
It’s our usual troll-turd, and apparently can’t tell the difference between the USA and the CSA. It was, after all, the Confederates that had the Stars & Bars, rather than the Stars & Stripes.
April 8th, 2008 at 9:39 amProject Vote Snark
April 8th, 2008 at 9:40 amRUCerious Says:
April 8th, 2008 at 9:36 am
“It’s time for us to get serious and protect the companies that protect us,” Sen. Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) said.
_________________
Perhaps the Lipless Wonder misspoke or was misquoted, or even misunderstood, RU. Mebbe what Mitchy tired to say was… “It’s time for us to get serious and COVER OUR asses before the suckers figure out what we’ve really been up to…”
April 8th, 2008 at 9:42 amTRoS, didn’t mean to step on your toes there, but couldn’t resist! Yeah, Mitchy is probably up to his neck in telecom donations to his campaign fund…
April 8th, 2008 at 9:43 amVery, very glad to see TP whack the troll the moment it showed up.
April 8th, 2008 at 9:44 amUh oh…
Did someone say “Snark”????
April 8th, 2008 at 9:44 amQUESTION: would the President still receive secret service protection should he be incarcerated in The Hague for War Crimes?
April 8th, 2008 at 9:45 amIt was actually kinda flattering, RU.
I just don’t want to be stuck cleaning up the GOOP’s mess, at ANY level.
April 8th, 2008 at 9:45 amThe Republic of Stupidity
General Snarkman, do you need another 6 months of free-ranging snarkfests, or are you ready to issue your report?
April 8th, 2008 at 9:46 am“It’s time for us to get serious and protect the companies that protect us,” Sen. Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) said.
“Protection” is a must when a gaggle of laws are broken , eh McChinless ?
April 8th, 2008 at 9:46 amThe Republic of Stupidity Says:
I thik Di-fi is retiring at the end of her current term. Don’t know about Chucky.
That’s my guess too. She never has been particularly liberal but she has taken a serious turn to the right in the last couple of years. I believe she is preparing for a cushy retirement. She and hubby have gotten very rich off of the occupation of Iraq. Can you imagine knowing that a lot of your retirement money came from promoting death and destruction. Only someone without a conscience could embrace that.
April 8th, 2008 at 9:46 amIndeed, manicare is gone already.
Did TP just bounce it, or did enough of you guys flag it right off the bat?
April 8th, 2008 at 9:47 amRUCerious Says:
Very, very glad to see TP whack the troll the moment it showed up.
Don’t hold your breath. Give it another 15 minutes. It takes a little time to sign up for a new e-mail address with Yahoo and then sign up for a new account. It will be back. As long as TP refuses to ban them by IP address, they will continually pop up like poisonous mushrooms.
April 8th, 2008 at 9:48 ammisshusseinmolly Says:
April 8th, 2008 at 9:21 am
manicare Says:
April 8th, 2008 at 9:19 am
Another fun filled day of America bashing! Down with the stars and bars!!
______________________________________
Is there some reason you want to bash America, or is this just a random troll-turd?
Miss Molly only a troll would look at it like that, your right. They don’t understand what Think Progress is..
prog·ress –the development of an individual or society in a direction considered more beneficial than and superior to the previous level.
That takes to much thought for a troll.. It’s easier to through stones and insults.. It requires little to no thought process, ergo no progressive thinking.
Those are the people that have no empathy, live in their little box and never think about other people. Sad existence..
April 8th, 2008 at 9:48 amflagged it immediately.
April 8th, 2008 at 9:49 amI was going to make an insightful and world changing post, but I need another six months for it to properly mature. Please be patient and understand that a post such as this is fragile and needs to be treated with kid gloves….
April 8th, 2008 at 9:51 amYep, Bilbo. I agree.
Her husband owns a 25% interest in a company that received a $600MM contract related to the war several years back. I’ve pointed this out more than once here.
Yes, she used to be considered a liberal, but now?
I believe she did publicly say one of the reasons she supported immunity for the telcos, which she does, is because the poor companies shouldn’t have to pay the cost of fighting all those lawsuits.
Boy, talk about bringing a tear to a CEO’s eye…
April 8th, 2008 at 9:51 amHa… you forget where you are, Raynman…
Bring. It. On… sucka!
April 8th, 2008 at 9:52 amFein also defended the nomination of Leslie Southwick, someone insensitive to the plight of minorities and the poor.
April 8th, 2008 at 9:55 amWOO HOO!
GOOD MORNING! AND WELCOME, ELIZABETH EDWARDS!
!
(ok, kids, we’ve got some real CLASS in the room now… show YOURS… )
April 8th, 2008 at 9:55 amWatch for Mitchy’s next volley which will blame the trial lawyers for 9/11…
April 8th, 2008 at 9:55 amThe Republic of Stupidity Says:
April 8th, 2008 at 9:27 am
“About 40 pending lawsuits name telecommunications companies for alleged violations of wiretapping laws.”
________________________________________
Good. Let’s get some court dates for some of these. Is there some injunction in place preventing these suits from going forward until the question of immunity is decided? It seems pretty decided to me — Congress ain’t going for it. The plaintiffs in these suits deserve their day in court, and the telecoms deserve a chance to point the finger of blame wherever it belongs.
April 8th, 2008 at 9:55 amWell, McWars…
If I hadn’t misplaced my Big Box ‘O Crayons, I’d be working on that report right now!
As it is, I’d have to say the snarking will continue apace until such a time as enough folks come down on it hard.
April 8th, 2008 at 9:55 amHoly shitballs !!!!!!!!!!!
McStupid just rambled on for 10 minutes , and included a statement that the surrounding Muslim/Arabic nations should ‘get involved’ , both physically and FINANCIALLY ; WHAT ??????????
You wrinkled old stupid phu(k ; did you ask anyone what they thought before illegally invading and occupying Iraq ?
Now you want those same people you ignored to help ?
And this is the loser the GOP is showing as the “cream of their crop” ?
More like cream on top of crap…………
April 8th, 2008 at 9:55 amFrom today’s hearing on Iraq:
Democrats contend that this approach guarantees an open-ended commitment to a $10-billion-a-month war as the economy at home is faltering. They say the lack of political progress made in Iraq, as well as the recent spike in violence in Basra, indicates the U.S. troop buildup has failed.
“We need a strategy that will clearly shift the burden to the Iraqis, that’ll begin to take the pressure off our forces, begin to allow us to respond to other challenges in the region and worldwide,” said Sen. Jack Reed, D-R.I., a member of the Armed Services Committee.
Democrats also acknowledge that they are more or less helpless in trying to force President Bush’s hand on the war. While anti-war legislation has been able to pass the House, it repeatedly sinks in the Senate, where Democrats lack the 60 votes needed to overcome procedural hurdles.
They contend, however, that come fall dissatisfied voters will head to the polls and put more Democrats in power, possibly including an anti-war president. In last month’s Associated Press-Ipsos poll, only 31 percent said they approve of the job Bush is doing on Iraq.
The four-star general in charge of Iraq wants more time in a war that is now in its sixth year. Democrats say he’s got until the November elections.
April 8th, 2008 at 9:55 amkaty Says:
April 8th, 2008 at 9:55 am
WOO HOO!
GOOD MORNING! AND WELCOME, ELIZABETH EDWARDS!
!
(ok, kids, we’ve got some real CLASS in the room now… show YOURS… )
If I revealed my “class” , lots of fainting would occur ……..
April 8th, 2008 at 9:56 am… because Democrats oppose granting immunity for telecommunications companies.
another WOO HOO!
STAY STRONG, DEMS!
April 8th, 2008 at 9:57 amkaty Says:
April 8th, 2008 at 9:55 am
WOO HOO!
(ok, kids, we’ve got some real CLASS in the room now… show YOURS… )
______________
Hey… I am never anything but the epitome of class and decorum!
In honor of Ms Edwards immanent arrival, I will now perform “The Star Spangled Banner” on the arm-pit tuba!
April 8th, 2008 at 9:58 amThe Republic of Stupidity Says:
April 8th, 2008 at 9:58 am
katy Says:
April 8th, 2008 at 9:55 am
WOO HOO!
(ok, kids, we’ve got some real CLASS in the room now… show YOURS… )
______________
Hey… I am never anything but the epitome of class and decorum!
In honor of Ms Edwards immanent arrival, I will now perform “The Star Spangled Banner” on the arm-pit tuba!
Accompanied by the trolls on the meat whistle , male organ , and one playing a rusty trombone……..
April 8th, 2008 at 10:00 amAEI’s offices are littered with cobwebs and spittle….
….AND WE HAVE ELIZABETH EDWARDS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
April 8th, 2008 at 10:01 amApril 8th, 2008 at 10:01 am
No problem, TRoS, no problem..
The snark is working!
April 8th, 2008 at 10:03 ampbg Says:
April 8th, 2008 at 10:01 am
They reallly really love that ‘immunity from prosecution’ bit, don’t they? contractors in Iraq, big telecoms–nothing so tacky as a pardon–wrrite it into the law so the public nver even gets to know what they’ve done!
What kind of people are interested in provisions like that?
Criminals , who pose unconvincingly as Americans ………….
April 8th, 2008 at 10:04 amThe fundamental, underlying assumption BushitCo made that a viable democracy could be established in Iraq after ousting Saddam was ludicrous.
April 8th, 2008 at 10:06 amNo amount of time is going to create the cultural and political institutions that would allow democracy to take hold.
The culture of tribal allegiance is antithecal to this end.
Withdraw, trust the Iraqis to solve their problems by themselves. They aren’t children, this is the ‘cradle of civilization’.
Couldn’t find any information about an injunction, misshusseinmolly, but that doesn’t mean there’s not one out there.
April 8th, 2008 at 10:07 amThe snark lives on!
April 8th, 2008 at 10:07 amMcMetal ~ If I revealed my “class” , lots of fainting would occur …
Is that something like
‘Excuse me while I whip this out’?
April 8th, 2008 at 10:08 amWhat did we miss?
_____________________________
This is actually a couple days late, but I wanted to remember the late Charlton Heston, who passed away Saturday. Heston will no doubt be remembered for being a far-right political firebrand and gun enthusiast, but he also deserves to be remembered for his civil rights work in the early 60’s (”before it was fashionable”). He picketed segregated establishments and attended the 1963 civil rights march in Washington, DC. Civil rights leaders in Los Angeles held a moment of silence in Heston’s memory.
http://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/film-and-tv/features/charlton-heston-as-you-wont-remember-him-805398.html
April 8th, 2008 at 10:09 amRUCerious Says:
April 8th, 2008 at 10:08 am
McMetal ~ If I revealed my “class” , lots of fainting would occur …
Is that something like
‘Excuse me while I whip this out’?
I’ll let the ambiguous nature of my comment stand on its own (de?)merits ………
April 8th, 2008 at 10:10 amre What have missed?
FBI head predicts al-Qaeda defeat
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/7335463.stm
Mueller’s characterizations or the extant terrorist threat and his approach to countering it are in some aspects contrary to frequent White House assertions and policy positions, in other aspects quite supportive of them.
In other words:
Bin Laden’s AQ has a sanctuary in Pakistan, but apparently Bush’s “those who harbor terrorists” edict does not apply.
The US’s self-misdirected ‘response’ to Bin Laden in invading and occupying Iraq has provided a common cause for violent action against the US and its political allies than ever existed before.
The world has NOT “become a safer place” as a result of Bush’s policy–UBL’s violence was directed exclusively against the US, but the Iraq invasion/occupation has distributed and expanded the threat of terrorism, not diminished it. Iraq is now the central cause of more terrorism, not the “central front” (it never was).
Meuller expresses that traditional law enforcement mthods are relevant to combating terrorism, despite the White House’s frequent public derision of such a view.
Despite these inadvertent revelations,however,Mueller clearly asserts a leadership role for the US, even though a) the US has consistently added to the problem during the Bush adminsitration, b) the threats to the US and it’s political allies clearly emanate FROM and WITHIN elements in the jurisdiction of its Western partners that are obviously NOT under US control, and c) that that Mueller clearly misconstrues his own evidence and arguments–that AQ and terrosim is still a homegenous entity.
April 8th, 2008 at 10:10 amYes, your comment was very amphibious!
April 8th, 2008 at 10:11 amHeston doesn’t deserve to be remembered at all.
April 8th, 2008 at 10:15 amdim wit Says:
April 8th, 2008 at 10:15 am
Heston doesn’t deserve to be remembered at all.
Because the Ten Commandments and Ben Hur were “B”-type movies ?
Hell , a shitty B-movie actor became president (where he also was a worse president than actor , BTW)
April 8th, 2008 at 10:22 amA MCCAIN/RICE TICKET Compliments of Crooks and Liars
U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice is actively courting the vice presidential nomination, according to Republican strategists.
ABC News in the U.S. reported that Republican strategist Dan Senor said Ms Rice had been actively campaigning for the vice presidency.
Mr Senor was reported as saying on the This Week with George Stephanopoulos program that she “has been cozying up to the Republican elite”.
“There’s this ritual in Washington: The Americans for Tax Reform . . . holds a weekly meeting of conservative leaders – about 100, 150 people,” Mr Senor told the program. “They all typically get briefings from political conservative leaders.
“Ten days ago, they had an interesting visit – Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice – the first time a secretary of state has visited the Wednesday meeting.”
Mr Senor said Ms Rice’s history in public office would make her a prime candidate.
It’s a great ad for Democrats: “9/11 and the clusterf#@k in Iraq happened under my watch and now you should make me one very old heartbeat away from being president!” It’s interesting, it has parallel overtones to the story that John McCain actively sought the vice presidency with John Kerry. And it certainly will offset the conventional wisdom that John McCain (and the GOP in general) is lacking diversity
It would be a great ad for all Democrats… Rice’s comment- “the report was ambiguous, I think it was titled Attack on 9/11.” I hope McCain picks her as a running mate. It will make it even easier to discredit them both.
April 8th, 2008 at 10:30 amAl-Sadr Threatens to End Cease-Fire
Al-Sadr Threatens to End Cease-Fire if Iraqi Government Can’t Protect Public
By QASSIM ABDUL-ZAHRA Associated Press Writer
BAGHDAD Apr 8, 2008 (AP) The Associated Press
(AP)Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr threatened Tuesday to lift a seven-month freeze on his Mahdi Army militia if the Iraqi government does not halt attacks on his followers or set a timetable for a U.S. withdrawal.
http://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory?id=4608534
April 8th, 2008 at 10:32 amU.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice is actively courting the vice presidential nomination, according to Republican strategists.
Based upon her “stellar record” ?
WTF !?!?!?!?!?!?
The GOP , where being incompetent and full of shit are not detriments , but a requirement ……………
April 8th, 2008 at 10:34 am“$4 million: The cost of extending Vice President Cheney’s Secret Service protection for six months after the Bush administration ends.”
Wouldn’t it be cheaper and much more practical to keep him in a nice secure federal penitentiary?
April 8th, 2008 at 10:35 amElizabeth Edwards will be joining the Center for American Progress as a senior fellow. “In her new role, Edwards, who has gained a considerable following in the liberal blogosphere thanks to her willingness to vocally oppose conservative politicos from Sen. John McCain to commentator Ann Coulter, will also be contributing to CAP’s blog,” ThinkProgress.
**jumping for joy**
April 8th, 2008 at 10:36 amMCMetal Says:
April 8th, 2008 at 10:34 am
U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice is actively courting the vice presidential nomination, according to Republican strategists.
Based upon her “stellar record” ?
WTF !?!?!?!?!?!?
The GOP , where being incompetent and full of shit are not detriments , but a requirement ……………
I bet she has trouble ordering at a resturant. Not sure what the menu says. McMetal it’s called job security… Can’t have the staff looking better than the president..
April 8th, 2008 at 10:38 amFreedom Rebel Says:
April 8th, 2008 at 10:30 am
A MCCAIN/RICE TICKET Compliments of Crooks and Liars
U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice is actively courting the vice presidential nomination, according to Republican strategists.
_____________________________________________
This would be the Democrats’ wet dream. Rice has no major diplomatic accomplishments to crow about, and her career record for the past seven years mostly consists of being an obedient wind-up doll for her boss.
Voters are going to be concerned about McCain’s veep choice because of his advanced age (much in the same way they were concerned about Reagan’s choice in 1980). They will want somebody they could actually support if he/she winds up in the Oval Office — not just some fluffy window-dressing. And Rice doesn’t cut it. She can campaign all she wants, but McCain will most likely choose somebody the voters can get behind.
April 8th, 2008 at 10:39 amFreedom Rebel Says:
April 8th, 2008 at 10:38 am
MCMetal Says:
April 8th, 2008 at 10:34 am
U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice is actively courting the vice presidential nomination, according to Republican strategists.
Based upon her “stellar record” ?
WTF !?!?!?!?!?!?
The GOP , where being incompetent and full of shit are not detriments , but a requirement ……………
I bet she has trouble ordering at a resturant. Not sure what the menu says. McMetal it’s called job security… Can’t have the staff looking better than the president..
How many far corners of the Earth needed to be searched to find those who are below the level of a life-long failure and absolute moron who appears as though he was separated at birth from the “Mad Magazine” spokesman ?
April 8th, 2008 at 10:40 amHe’d better enjoy his six months.
April 8th, 2008 at 10:41 amWe’ll never forget, and no amount of time will heal the wounds.
As the six months wind down, he’ll begin to sweat.
After the six months expire, he’ll get what’s coming to him.
Very quietly, when he least expects it.
bunsk Says:
April 8th, 2008 at 10:35 am
“$4 million: The cost of extending Vice President Cheney’s Secret Service protection for six months after the Bush administration ends.”
Wouldn’t it be cheaper and much more practical to keep him in a nice secure federal penitentiary?
Even if it wasn’t cheaper, I’d empty my piggy bank for the cause.
April 8th, 2008 at 10:42 am$4 million: The cost of extending Vice President Dick Cheney’s Secret Service protection for six months after the Bush administration ends.
That’s when his fortified compound in Dubai will be completed.
April 8th, 2008 at 10:53 amThat’s when his fortified compound in Dubai will be completed.
The technology exists to remotely disable air condidioning…
April 8th, 2008 at 10:57 amIn re Mukasey’s stonewalling: not all of us were quite so naive as Schumer & Feinstein–can them all!
April 8th, 2008 at 10:58 amMitch McConnell would have us give away our privacy rights for a handful of magic beans. Keep away from that beanstalk! NO IMMUNITY FOR THE UTILITIES WHO HAD NO RESPECT FOR THEIR CUSTOMERS’ RIGHTS!
April 8th, 2008 at 11:00 am#103 misshusseinmolly Says:
April 8th, 2008 at 10:39 am
I so agree, it would be a wet dream. We couldn’t get that lucky.
April 8th, 2008 at 11:02 amSo, if the gummint came up to you and asked you to slip a listening device into your neighbor’s house the next time you visited, because the gummint suspects that they might be getting phone calls from Dubai, and you knew it was illegal to do so, would you expect the gummint to grant you immunity for your legal jeopardy?
April 8th, 2008 at 11:03 am#104 MCMetal Says:
April 8th, 2008 at 10:40 am
Freedom Rebel Says:
April 8th, 2008 at 10:38 am
MCMetal Says:
April 8th, 2008 at 10:34 am
U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice is actively courting the vice presidential nomination, according to Republican strategists.
Based upon her “stellar record” ?
WTF !?!?!?!?!?!?
The GOP , where being incompetent and full of shit are not detriments , but a requirement ……………
I bet she has trouble ordering at a resturant. Not sure what the menu says. McMetal it’s called job security… Can’t have the staff looking better than the president..
How many far corners of the Earth needed to be searched to find those who are below the level of a life-long failure and absolute moron who appears as though he was separated at birth from the “Mad Magazine” spokesman ?
I posted that just for you… I knew you would have a field day with that one… I couldn’t stop laughing when I read it on Crooks and Liars.. It’s like honey, you can court McCain all you want but it’s not going to get you anywhere.
April 8th, 2008 at 11:08 amWow. What a great addition!
April 8th, 2008 at 12:11 pmBy the way, I kinda want the $25 I donated to John Edwards campaign back. He dropped out less than 48 hours afterwards =(
Well, I guess if you’re looking for someone to fill the position of “sycophantic neocon flunkey,” Condi Rice has a solid GOLD record…
April 8th, 2008 at 12:20 pmSenate Republicans last night blocked a proposal to extend the FISA wiretapping law for another 30 days
Please correct. The FISA wiretapping law has NOT expired. There is NO expiration date to the FISA wiretapping law.
What has expired is the Protect America Act, which is an amendment to FISA that was passed last summer.
Your sloppiness is playing directly into right-wing narratives.
April 8th, 2008 at 12:24 pmIt sure looks like these republiscum senators are not very interested in what is really going on in Iraq. This dipwad senator wicker lobbed a bunch of platitudes and a softball to petraeus about the Abraham Lincoln-like and George Washington-like troops re-enlisting for more time in Iraq.
April 8th, 2008 at 1:08 pmWELCOME ELIZABETH!! What great news, glad to hear you’ve joined the TP team.
April 8th, 2008 at 1:45 pmmisshusseinmolly Says:
April 8th, 2008 at 9:11 am
—-
gummitch Says:
April 8th, 2008 at 9:07 am
Elizabeth Edwards will be posting here? I hope she knows what she’s getting into with the trolls.
___________________________________________
Hey, she blasted Ann Coulter with true Southern gentility — I’m sure she can handle even the worst of the trolls here.
——–
Even more interesting would be her response to the filth spewed by those who claim to hold the same values as she does. Will she consider, “They do it, too!” to be a valid excuse? She seems like the sort who expects people to hold themselves to a higher standard. ;)
upright hussein left
April 8th, 2008 at 3:09 pmHe’s quite capable of paying for his own protection. As a good, traditional conservative, surely he doesn’t expect the American taxpayer to shield him from the consequences of his own actions.
April 8th, 2008 at 7:25 pm