ThinkFast: April 22, 2008
The Environmental Defense Fund released a report on the eve of Earth Day “that suggests implementing a cap-and-trade program to cut greenhouse gas emissions would not slow the U.S. economy or cost jobs, contradicting a report released recently by a group of manufacturers that oppose a climate change bill.” Overall, the report says that “the economy would continue to grow at an average clip of 3 percent.”
69 percent: Americans who disapprove of the job Bush is doing. “The approval rating matches the low point of his presidency, and the disapproval sets a new high for any president since Franklin Roosevelt.”
Sen. John McCain (R-AZ) has doled out numerous favors to Arizona millionaire Donald Diamond, the New York Times reports, including authorizing the Interior Department to pay Diamond $23 million for Arizona ranch property valued at about $5 million. “Mr. Diamond and his family have given more than $55,000 to Mr. McCain’s campaigns” and Diamond has raised $250,000 for McCain’s presidential race so far.
At least two dozen detainees at Guantanamo Bay and elsewhere “say they were given drugs against their will or witnessed other inmates being drugged.” The allegations have resurfaced since the release this month of a 2003 Justice Department memo by John Yoo “that explicitly condoned the use of drugs on detainees.”
In a speech last night at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, Defense Secretary Robert Gates “said he believes Iran is ‘hell bent’ on acquiring nuclear weapons,” but warned that “another war in the Middle East is the last thing we need and, in fact, I believe it would be disastrous on a number of levels.” Despite his warning, Gates said he “favors keeping the military option against Iran on the table.”
“For the first time since the Spanish influenza of 1918, life expectancy is falling for a significant number of American women.” “This is a story about smoking, blood pressure and obesity,” said Majid Ezzati, of the Harvard Initiative for Global Health, a co-author of the study.
Today marks Equal Pay Day. The average woman “would have had to work from Jan. 1, 2007, until today to earn as much as the average man did by the end of last year.” Led by Sen. Barbara Mikulski (D-MD), senators now are pushing for passing of the Fair Pay Restoration Act (S. 1843), which would establish “a reasonable time period for workers to challenge pay inequity.”
According to Pentagon records, “the Army has accelerated its policy of involuntary extensions of duty” — known as “stop-loss” — “to bolster its troop levels, despite Defense Secretary Robert Gates’ order last year to limit it.” Since May 2007, “the number of soldiers forced to remain in the Army rose 43% to 12,235 in March.” The Army has said it needs the “stop-loss” policy to continue well into 2009.
U.S. households “spent more than $100 billion on gasoline during the first quarter of this year, more than double the $40 billion spent in the same period just six years ago,” according to a new Consumer Federation of America survey. Sixty percent of Americans say that rising gasoline prices have caused them hardship.
And finally: Being president “really takes its toll.” Pop Photo has designed a feature mimicking the “ravages of time” and allowing people to “see how the current candidates would fare after a term in the Oval Office.” Full results here.
What did we miss? Let us know in the comments section.
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The Pennsylvania Primary: Democracy of the Gods
Tuesday’s Election Will be ‘Unrecountable, Unverifiable, and Unauditable’…
On Tuesday night, you will be told who the winner of the Pennsylvania Primary is. You will accept it. You will have no choice. No matter who the winner really is. Or isn’t.
With or without a so-called “paper trail” printer, all touch-screen/push-button/DRE voting machines are equally unverifiable and antithetical to American democracy. Period.
Full story on Bradblog:
April 22nd, 2008 at 9:01 amhttp://www.bradblog.com/?p=5916
Greenpeace alleges chemical industry trying to scuttle regulations
Chemical manufacturers and other industry groups hired 238 lobbyists at an estimated cost of $12.5 million last year to weaken chemical plant security legislation and regulations, according to a new report from Greenpeace due out this week.
The report picks out three key officials at the Department of Homeland Security who are helping craft the oversight regime, all of whom previously worked as senior executives or lobbyists for the chemical industry. In addition, three former members of Congress are now working for lobbying firms hired by the chemical industry.
“It’s like the fox guarding the henhouse,” said Greenpeace legislative director Rick Hind.
Congress is working to put together an anti-terrorism security regime for chemical plants before the current regulations expire in October 2009.
Marty Durbin, a lobbyist for the American Chemistry Council, which represents chemical manufacturers, dismissed any notion that the industry was trying to scuttle the legislation. “We’re a constructive partner,” he said. “We’re working with both committees to make sure that we can continue this program, after it sunsets, in an effective way.”
Industry disagrees with environmental groups on a number of major points, such as whether certain substances should be banned outright and the degree to which industry’s compliance should be voluntary.
Homeland Security spokeswoman Laura Keener said Greenpeace’s suggestion that the hiring of former chemical industry officials created a conflict of interest was unfounded. “It would be irresponsible for us to employ people with no chemical experience,” she said. “All of these people are in these positions for their expertise, and they don’t have a financial interest.”
Hiring 238 Lobbyists usually means you are up to no good in my book. Why the need then for so many with a price tag of $12.5 million? It will be interesting to see the list of substances that should be banned and why the Industry disagrees with environmental groups. Keep up the great work Greenpeace..
April 22nd, 2008 at 9:05 amKarl Rove in State of Panic
Involvement in Siegelman Case Becoming Apparent
According to Harper’s Scott Horton:
Of course Rove has a simple objective here. He wants to know all the underlying evidence that has been accumulated to make a case against him and he’s desperate to know it before he speaks any more about it. Which is precisely why CBS, MSNBC and others will keep things close to the vest.
Full unedited piece:
April 22nd, 2008 at 9:06 amhttp://www.afterdowningstreet.org/node/32871
“In a speech last night at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, Defense Secretary Robert Gates “said he believes Iran is ‘hell bent’ on acquiring nuclear weapons,””
… even though the NIE said the opposite?????
Yeah, ‘hell bent’ but without a plan or an active program. Kinda sounds familiar, doesn’t it?
April 22nd, 2008 at 9:13 amRupert Murdoch Firm Hired Hackers To Sabotage Rival, Lawsuit Alleges
ABC reports that one of Rupert Murdoch’s companies is going on trial for charges that it hired hackers to sabotage a rival company:
Did a Rupert Murdoch company go too far and hire hackers to sabotage rivals and gain the top spot in the global pay-TV war?
This is the question a jury will be facing in a spectacular five-year-old civil lawsuit that is finally being tried this month in California but which has, oddly, received little notice from U.S. media…
…On the hot spot is NDS Group, a UK-Israeli firm that makes smartcards for pay-TV systems like DirecTV. The company is a majority-owned subsidiary of Murdoch’s News Corporation. The charges stem from 1997 when NDS is accused of cracking the encryption of rival NagraStar, which makes access cards and systems for EchoStar’s Dish Network and other pay-TV services. Further, it’s alleged NDS then hired hackers to manufacture and distribute counterfeit NagraStar cards to pirates to steal Dish Network’s programming for free.
NagraStar and one of its parent companies, EchoStar, are seeking about $101 million for damages for piracy, copyright infringement, misconduct and unfair competition. The list of witnesses in the case includes EchoStar’s founder and CEO Charlie Ergen; several hackers and pirates; and Reuven Hazak, an Israeli who heads security for NDS and is a former deputy head of Shabak, or Shin Bet, Israel’s domestic security agency (the equivalent of Britain’s MI5).
Rupert Murdoch Hired Hackers To Sabotage Rival-Not him Rupert is such an upstanding citizen…(Heavy Sarcasm)
April 22nd, 2008 at 9:13 amn a speech last night at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, Defense Secretary Robert Gates “said he believes Iran is ‘hell bent’ on acquiring nuclear weapons,
And he bases this belief on what? The IAEA says it’s not true and our own intelligence agencies say it’s not true. But, Bush and Chaney want to believe it is true, so that must be it.
April 22nd, 2008 at 9:17 amAt least two dozen detainees at Guantanamo Bay and elsewhere “say they were given drugs against their will or witnessed other inmates being drugged.”
Written to provide legal justification for interrogation practices, the memo by then-Justice Department lawyer John C. Yoo rejected a decades-old U.S. ban on the use of “mind-altering substances” on prisoners. Instead, he argued that drugs could be used as long as they did not inflict permanent or “profound” psychological damage. U.S. law “does not preclude any and all use of drugs,” Yoo wrote in the memo.
By allowing all these methods of unethical interrogation practices, if any of our men are caught or detained, the Bush Administration has given any terrorist “open season” on what are acceptable techniques. Yoo wrote the handbook and gave justifications for these heinous practices; they can’t start disbarment proceedings to soon for me.
April 22nd, 2008 at 9:17 amIn a speech last night at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, Defense Secretary Robert Gates “said he believes Iran is ‘hell bent’ on acquiring nuclear weapons,”…
Wrong, Mr. Secretary. It is the Bush Administration that is “hell-bent” on ginning up any excuse it can to launch a military strike against Iran. If you ever read the story of “The Boy Who Cried Wolf”, you’ll know it ends very badly for the boy.
April 22nd, 2008 at 9:17 amIn a speech last night at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, Defense Secretary Robert Gates “said he believes Iran is ‘hell bent’ on acquiring nuclear weapons,” but warned that “another war in the Middle East is the last thing we need and, in fact, I believe it would be disastrous on a number of levels.”
From Raw Story:
Russian shipment for Iranian nuclear plant blocked
Azerbaijan halts Russian shipment of equipment for Iranian nuclear plant
Azerbaijan halted a Russian shipment of equipment intended for Iran’s Bushehr nuclear power plant, demanding more information for fear of violating United Nations sanctions, officials said Monday.
The Russian state-run company Atomstroiexport said one or two trucks carrying the equipment were stopped two weeks ago at the town of Astara, on the Azerbaijani-Iranian border.
Agency spokeswoman Irina Yesipova said officials were holding talks with both Azerbaijan and Iran. There was no immediate comment from Iranian officials.
Iran is paying Russia more than $1 billion to build the light-water reactor. Construction has been held up in recent months by disputes between Tehran and Moscow over payments and a schedule for shipping nuclear fuel.
Russia delivered the final shipment of uranium fuel in January, and Tehran has said it was hoping the plant would begin operations by summer.
The United States initially opposed Russia’s building Bushehr, but later softened its position after Iran agreed to return spent nuclear fuel to Russia to ensure it does not extract plutonium from it that could be used to make atomic bombs.
So, the Iranians agreed to return spent fuel to Russia, thereby making it highly improbable that they could use it to produce plutonium, and the Azerbaijanian government is respectful enough of the UN’s rules (and their sanctions), to block a shipment from Russia. And Gates still publicly claims a threat from Iranian desire to gain nuclear weapons.
Something just doesn’t add up.
April 22nd, 2008 at 9:19 amThe Army has said it needs the “stop-loss” policy to continue well into 2009.
This is another thing that Obama will do away with. Besides, unless they are able to significantly increase the number of people who volunteer for the military (not likely), or institute the draft, stop loss is the only way they will be able to have even close to the number of soldiers we need to continue to occupy Iraq.
April 22nd, 2008 at 9:19 amWhen will these “stop-loss” levels cross the line and tip our military forces from being considered “volunteers” to being “conscripts”?
April 22nd, 2008 at 9:22 am#1 2MillionLightYearsToAndromeda Says:
The Pennsylvania Primary: Democracy of the Gods
Tuesday’s Election Will be ‘Unrecountable, Unverifiable, and Unauditable’…
2Million, in Ohio what they did in high voting districts back in 2004, they didn’t have enough voters booths. (3 booths in some cases, up to 11 hours to wait to vote) In low voting districts they would have 11 to 15 voting booths and most of them were empty all day. In our case, we voted out the Republican that caused our debacle.
April 22nd, 2008 at 9:23 amBilbo Hussein Baggins Says:
The Army has said it needs the “stop-loss” policy to continue well into 2009.
This is another thing that Obama will do away with. Besides, unless they are able to significantly increase the number of people who volunteer for the military (not likely), or institute the draft, stop loss is the only way they will be able to have even close to the number of soldiers we need to continue to occupy Iraq.
April 22nd, 2008 at 9:19 am
If the choice is between halting the Stop-Loss program and not occupying Iraq (because in this administration, there are always two and only two choices), then I choose to halt the Stop-Loss program.
April 22nd, 2008 at 9:25 amCorrection. If the choice is between halting Stop-Loss and continuing the occupation of Iraq, then I choose Stop -Loss. I hate that we can’t preview our comments and edit them before posting. Sorry.
April 22nd, 2008 at 9:27 amtom: When will these “stop-loss” levels cross the line and tip our military forces from being considered “volunteers” to being “conscripts”?
About the same time that enlistment inducements become so great that the image of “patriotic American” is replaced by “mercenary.”
April 22nd, 2008 at 9:27 amOne last time. HALT STOP LOSS! That’s the choice to make, even if it means ending the occupation of Iraq because of it.
There, third time’s a charm. :)
April 22nd, 2008 at 9:28 amDid anyone see Hillary Clinton on Countdown last night. Sheesh, Keith should have called it a paid infomercial for Hillary rather than an interview. He mostly asked her softball questions and she gave her stump speeches as answers. But he did ask one interesting question about Clintons endorsement by so-called arch enemy Scaife. Here’s her answer:
That’s interesting that she supposedly believes in redemption and yet she presents Jeremiah Wright as evil incarnate every time she tries to tie him to Obama. Situational ethics, the Clinton way.
April 22nd, 2008 at 9:28 amDisreagrd my 9:25 and 9:27 comments. I blew it. TP is free to delete them since I can’t.
April 22nd, 2008 at 9:29 am2MillionLightYearsToAndromeda Says:
Rove has been described to me by several of my GOP sources in Alabama as being in a state of panic.
____________________
Awww, man… thas priceless…
April 22nd, 2008 at 9:29 amHas TP made a mistake here or am I too thick to follow this statement? Shouldn’t it read……and the disapproval sets a new high for any president since Hoover or Reagan, etc.
April 22nd, 2008 at 9:29 amSen Clinton on Countdown: “I believe in death bed conversions…”
Death bed conversions are for people like Lee Atwater, who only asked for forgiveness because he was afraid of going to Hell for what he did to his political enemies. He should of thought of that while he was alive if it meant so much to him.
April 22nd, 2008 at 9:32 ams’pose it will be FACT based?
Disney Looks to Nature, and Creates a Film Division to Capture It
April 22nd, 2008 at 9:32 amNew York Times - 6 hours ago
A scene from Disneynature’s forthcoming film “Earth.” The Disney company was impressed by the runaway success of “March of the Penguins,” a film from Warner Independent.
Disney launches nature film label BBC News
…
McClinton strikes again.
BLUE BELL, Pa. — The six-week Pennsylvania primary drew to a contentious finish Monday as Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton invoked images of Pearl Harbor and Osama bin Laden in a television advertisement that questioned Senator Barack Obama’s ability to lead in a crisis.
http://www.nytimes.com/ 2008/ 04/ 22/ us/ politics/ 22campaign.html
April 22nd, 2008 at 9:32 amtom Says:
When will these “stop-loss” levels cross the line and tip our military forces from being considered “volunteers” to being “conscripts”?
It has already happened. Many of those who have been stop-lossed would have been out of the military years ago and are on their their or fourth tour of duty in Iraq. The day they are in the military on an other than voluntary basis is the day they become conscripts.
April 22nd, 2008 at 9:33 amIf these politicians stop blowing so much hot air out of their @$$3$ that would cut back on greenhouse gas emissions drastically.
April 22nd, 2008 at 9:33 amalso on countdown, i heard her say she believes in nuclear retaliation…
April 22nd, 2008 at 9:34 amjeezuz…
Fred Says:
——————————————————————————–
69 percent: The number of Americans who disapprove of the job Bush is doing. “The approval rating matches the low point of his presidency, and the disapproval sets a new high for any president since Franklin Roosevelt.”
Has TP made a mistake here or am I too thick to follow this statement? Shouldn’t it read……and the disapproval sets a new high for any president since Hoover or Reagan, etc.
April 22nd, 2008 at 9:29 am
There was a point where Roosevelt was extremely unpopular, almost as unpopular as Bush is today. The modern conservative movement was founded as a direct opposition to the policies of FDR. That’s why conservatives are so hell-bent (who isn’t these days?) on destroying Social Security. Especially the rich ones who don’t need Social Security to live out their life with dignity. They could not care less about their fellow human beings.
April 22nd, 2008 at 9:35 amRove should be panicking. The little weasel is going to prison for obstruction of justice.
The food isn’t the only thing he isn’t going to like there.
April 22nd, 2008 at 9:38 amBack to my post about Hillary on Countdown, I found this to be particularly disingenuous on her part:
So, I’m bringing people together as we speak. Anyone who doubts my ability to bridge the most incredible chasms can point to those recent events.
She actually believes she is bringing people together. Talk about being out of touch. She is doing nothing other than to split the Democratic party right down the middle. Thats not “bringing people together”
April 22nd, 2008 at 9:38 amBilbo Hussein Baggins Says:
April 22nd, 2008 at 9:38 amDid anyone see Hillary Clinton on Countdown last night. Sheesh, Keith should have called it a paid infomercial for Hillary rather than an interview. He mostly asked her softball questions and she gave her stump speeches as answers. But he did ask one interesting question about Clintons endorsement by so-called arch enemy Scaife. Here’s her answer:
————————-
Her constant giggling was unnevering. Almost George Bush-like in that it revealed her immaturity. Does she actually believe that we don’t know about and/or understand the implications of her meeting with Scaife? News to Hillary: We know exactly who and what you are.
Wayne, if I recall correctly (all bets off there) it was right after his court packing attempt that his popularity hit its nadir…
April 22nd, 2008 at 9:39 amIt is funny to note that you never hear of a deathbed confession or renouncement of life activities from progressives. It only comes from the right who know they are doing wrong and do it anyway. See George Wallace also.
April 22nd, 2008 at 9:40 amOh, and the Bush approval rating is the usual 28% in said poll. Let’s not forget that it’s the 28%ers that approve of his ruinous reign.
April 22nd, 2008 at 9:40 amFreedom Rebel Says:
#1 2MillionLightYearsToAndromeda Says:
The Pennsylvania Primary: Democracy of the Gods
Tuesday’s Election Will be ‘Unrecountable, Unverifiable, and Unauditable’…
2Million, in Ohio what they did in high voting districts back in 2004, they didn’t have enough voters booths. (3 booths in some cases, up to 11 hours to wait to vote) In low voting districts they would have 11 to 15 voting booths and most of them were empty all day. In our case, we voted out the Republican that caused our debacle.
April 22nd, 2008 at 9:41 am——————————–
Any word as to whether the situation will change for the upcoming election?
Bilbo Hussein Baggins Says:
Back to my post about Hillary on Countdown, I found this to be particularly disingenuous on her part:
So, I’m bringing people together as we speak. Anyone who doubts my ability to bridge the most incredible chasms can point to those recent events.
She actually believes she is bringing people together. Talk about being out of touch. She is doing nothing other than to split the Democratic party right down the middle. Thats not “bringing people together”
April 22nd, 2008 at 9:38 am
If she’s referring to her recent sit-down with Richard Mellon Scaife, she didn’t bring them together, Scaife did. He invited her and she accepted. At least, that’s how I understood it happened. If so, in what way is that an example of her “bringing people together”?
April 22nd, 2008 at 9:41 am#17 Bilbo Hussein Baggins Says:
That’s interesting that she supposedly believes in redemption and yet she presents Jeremiah Wright as evil incarnate every time she tries to tie him to Obama. Situational ethics, the Clinton way.
I was also surprised by the entire interview. I expected Keith to be more aggressive. He spent time sympathizing with her about the treatment she had received in the past from Scaife. Bilbo, I think you are being far to nice. Hillary believing in redemption is hypocritical considering her actions. But I agree with you on Situational Ethics.
April 22nd, 2008 at 9:42 amkaty Says:
also on countdown, i heard her say she believes in nuclear retaliation…
jeezuz…
She said this in regards to Israel. My question is, why should we nuke Iran if they nuke Israel since Israel has nukes of their own. Why should we do their dirty work for them? When did Israel become a US possession?
April 22nd, 2008 at 9:42 amRUCerious Says:
Rove should be panicking. The little weasel is going to prison for obstruction of justice.
______________
Two words. RU: Ned Beatty…
April 22nd, 2008 at 9:43 amBringing people together ~! Right, those would be republicans who wouldn’t have voted for McCain, except she’s his opponent in November.
April 22nd, 2008 at 9:43 amThat sounds right, RUCerious. Right after the Supremes-Packing episode, his popularity sunk. And yet, sixty years later, he’s considered one of our greatest presidents by most Americans. (Except, of course, the conservatives, who make up a small percentage of the population.)
April 22nd, 2008 at 9:44 ambilbo ~ is she channeling Rev. Hagee?
April 22nd, 2008 at 9:44 amWayne at 9:35
Thanks I didn’t know that. Still seems like an awkward comparison in the long run….As I was growing up he was the most beloved of presidents by working class families.
April 22nd, 2008 at 9:44 amTRoS ~ they gots banjos in prison?
April 22nd, 2008 at 9:45 amBilbo Hussein Baggins Says:
When did Israel become a US possession?
_______________
Think ya got it backwards, Bilbo.
Wouldn’t it make more sense if you said, “When did the US become an Israeli possession?”
April 22nd, 2008 at 9:45 amI was also surprised by the entire interview. I expected Keith to be more aggressive.
As Keith later said to someone, he only had fifteen monuites to do the interview and that didn’t allow a lot of time for follow-ups. But I am glad he gave her a chance to lie about her interview with Scaife’s Pixies.
April 22nd, 2008 at 9:46 amAgain about Hillary on Countdown. She also said that if Iran had a nuclear weapon then it would destabilize the middle east because all the other countries would want a nuclear bomb. She’s too stupid to realize that is why Iran may want one. Pakistan, India and Israel all have nuclear weapons. Why is it OK for them to have nuclear weapons but not Iran? I don’t think I have ever heard that question answered to my satisfaction.
April 22nd, 2008 at 9:47 amI’d suspect Karl is gonna HATE bluegrass by the time he gets out…
April 22nd, 2008 at 9:47 amHas Hillary gone completely and utterly bush-whack insane??!!
From her ABC interview :
“Clinton further displayed tough talk in an interview airing on “Good Morning America” Tuesday. ABC News’ Chris Cuomo asked Clinton what she would do if Iran attacked Israel with nuclear weapons.
“I want the Iranians to know that if I’m the president, we will attack Iran,” Clinton said. “In the next 10 years, during which they might foolishly consider launching an attack on Israel, we would be able to totally obliterate them.”
As i understand it, she’s saying that she WILL attack Iran no matter what. How is she saying these words? This is almost Guilliani-esqe insanity.
April 22nd, 2008 at 9:47 amThe Republic of Stupidity Says:
2MillionLightYearsToAndromeda Says:
Rove has been described to me by several of my GOP sources in Alabama as being in a state of panic.
____________________
Awww, man… thas priceless…
April 22nd, 2008 at 9:50 am——————
If there’s video put it on You-tube and watch it break all records with 500 Million Hits!
#34 2MillionLightYearsToAndromeda Says:
Any word as to whether the situation will change for the upcoming election?
We voted Blackwell out of office. The last election went very well. I was pleased not to hear any negative reports. Our state (Ohio) is too crucial in the upcoming election, democrats lost 345,000 votes that were not counted in the 2004 election. I can’t see that ever happening again.
April 22nd, 2008 at 9:50 amGates claims Iran is hell bent on obtaining nuclear weapons — he also says the Air Force isn’t pulling its share in defense — is this all part of lining up the ducks before we start something in Iran?
April 22nd, 2008 at 9:50 amWayne A. Schneider Says:
I was also surprised by the entire interview. I expected Keith to be more aggressive.
As Keith later said to someone, he only had fifteen monuites to do the interview and that didn’t allow a lot of time for follow-ups. But I am glad he gave her a chance to lie about her interview with Scaife’s Pixies.
I’m also betting that she made softball questions a requirement of the interview. I wouldn’t be surprised to find out that she got the questions ahead of time, again, as her requirement to be there.
Obama was asked to be there too, but he was too busy. Besides, he’s already been on Countdown a number of times.
I think Hillary’s appearance was mandatory for Keith and is the mucky-mucks at MSNBC’s way of trying to not appear as being unfair to Hillary. I didn’t actually listen to most of what she had to say. Once she had answered a couple of questions with snippets of her stump speeches, I tuned her out. I tuned back in when she answered the Scafie question. What’s with her weird laugh at inappropriate places?
April 22nd, 2008 at 9:51 amwayne schnieder - I hate that we can’t preview our comments and edit them before posting.
try proofreading… takes less time that preview…
April 22nd, 2008 at 9:51 am“Clinton further displayed tough talk in an interview airing on “Good Morning America” Tuesday. ABC News’ Chris Cuomo asked Clinton what she would do if Iran attacked Israel with nuclear weapons.
Does ABC News not understand what “the appearance of a conflict of interest” means? During their interview, did Cuomo reveal to viewers that his older brother Andrew was once Secretary of HUD under the Clintons?
April 22nd, 2008 at 9:53 amtry proofreading… takes less time that preview…
I thought I did. Got it right the third time, though. :)
April 22nd, 2008 at 9:54 am2 million - Her constant giggling was unnevering. Almost George Bush-like in that it revealed her immaturity.
i’ll agree that laughing was unnerving… not so much immaturity, but guilt…
keith did explain later that the interview was pre-taped before the show and due to time constraints he wasn’t able to ask some more follow-ups…
did anyone catch OBAMA on the daily show? grrreat!
April 22nd, 2008 at 9:56 amBilbo Hussein Baggins Says:
What’s with her weird laugh at inappropriate places?
Yeah, my first reaction to her laughing when Olbermann asked about Scaife was thinking she was thinking, “Uh-oh. Busted! I hoped no one would bring up that very question.” Then she spun a tale of bs about it.
April 22nd, 2008 at 9:57 amThe Environmental Defense Fund released a report on the eve of Earth Day “that suggests implementing a cap-and-trade program to cut greenhouse gas emissions would not slow the U.S. economy or cost jobs, contradicting a report released recently by a group of manufacturers that oppose a climate change bill.” Overall, the report says that “the economy would continue to grow at an average clip of 3 percent.”
April 22nd, 2008 at 9:57 am————————————
TP, the evidence suggests that a switch to new sources of energy will have an immediate, positive effect on our economy. You need to go on the offensive and make the Republicans answer why they don’t want our economy to grow. Ask this question repeatedly. As it is, you’re on the defensive and you don’t even realize it. Don’t be forced to respond to lies. It’s a losing position. Make them answer to the TRUTH…this is how you win.
#45 Wayne A. Schneider Says:
I was also surprised by the entire interview. I expected Keith to be more aggressive.
As Keith later said to someone, he only had fifteen monuites to do the interview and that didn’t allow a lot of time for follow-ups. But I am glad he gave her a chance to lie about her interview with Scaife’s Pixies.
I didn’t hear that about the 15 minutes. The lie will come back to haunt her. Everyone she has made so far have bitten her in the a** and wrecked her credibility.
April 22nd, 2008 at 9:59 amI watched Olbermann interview Clinton: he asked the follow up questions that should have been asked last week, but he accepted her lengthy answers with no further question.
April 22nd, 2008 at 10:00 amI found her replies, however, to be disingenuous if not evasive.
I do believe, also, that her laugh at inappropriate questions is a nervous reaction while she stalls for the time needed to recall which stump speech section she can use to fill in for the answer.
There is more about Bill Clinton this morning, blaming the Obama camp for racist attacks.
This is redundant, but I am so-o-o weary of this democratic division while McCain skates on with no questions regarding his numerous errors, flip-flops and cockamamie comments.
Any size win in PA today will encourage Clinton to keep the fight going even though her chances of winning the nomination are slim to none - and this is a bad omen for the Dems in November — that her personal ambition will allow the party to split and lose rather than shake hands with the winner and call the fight over.
Months ago I would have been happy with either Democrat, I can’t say that now.
Its nothing more than MAD. Its the whole reason why nuclear weapons exist: they’re much more a deterrent than an actual weapon.
April 22nd, 2008 at 10:01 amkaty Says:
2 million - Her constant giggling was unnevering. Almost George Bush-like in that it revealed her immaturity.
i’ll agree that laughing was unnerving… not so much immaturity, but guilt…
keith did explain later that the interview was pre-taped before the show and due to time constraints he wasn’t able to ask some more follow-ups…
April 22nd, 2008 at 10:01 am————————-
Seems like Keith was primarily interested in “gotch ya” questions. I wonder what he left on the cutting room floor.
2MillionLightYearsToAndromeda Says:
Don’t be forced to respond to lies. It’s a losing position. Make them answer to the TRUTH…this is how you win.
Excellent point. Counter the lies with the truth.
The only thing is, the right often just responds to the truth with “He’s lying!” Remember, the goal of the right-wing isn’t necessarily to win the arguments, but to muddy up the debate so much with lies and half-truths that no one will feel comfortable enough with what they think they know to do anything that will upset the staus quo. And the status quo (with the rich betting richer and the poor getting poorer) is just fine with conservatives.
April 22nd, 2008 at 10:02 amI very much agree.
April 22nd, 2008 at 10:02 amRICE calling CARTER a LIAR???
Rice: Officials Advised Carter Not to Meet With Hamas
April 22nd, 2008 at 10:07 amWashington Post - 1 hour ago
By Karen DeYoung KUWAIT, April 22– Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice today refuted a statement by former President Jimmy Carter that no one in the US government told him not to go on a trip to the Middle East, where he met with the leadership of the …
Hamas signals new willingness for cease-fire only in Gaza International Herald Tribune
Hamas could agree to cease-fire with Israel in Gaza The Associated Press
mnf_iraq Says:
U.S., Iraqi Forces Winning in Western Anbar Province, Colonel Says.
Increased security brought about by military success against insurgents in the western portion of Iraq’s Anbar province is enabling a drawdown of U.S. forces there as well as enhanced regional reconstruction efforts, a senior Marine commander told Pentagon reporters last week.
http://www.mnf-iraq.com/ index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=18650&Itemid=1
Congratulations Troops!
April 22nd, 2008 at 9:59 am
Readers should know this information is coming from “Operation Iraqi Freedom, the Official Website of Multi-National Force - Iraq”. I have the utmost respect for the troops out there doing the fighting and I want each and every one of them to come home safely (even the ones who had convictions for terrorism before joining), but I do not believe a single word coming from the PR people of the Pentagon. They are, and have been from the beginning, political tools of the Bush Administration. Sadly, their word is not to be trusted any more.
But if it turns out that this report is accurate and truthful (i.e., filled with truth), then I, too, congratulate the troops.
April 22nd, 2008 at 10:09 amWayne A. Schneider Says
April 22nd, 2008 at 9:44 am
That sounds right, RUCerious. Right after the Supremes-Packing episode, his popularity sunk. And yet, sixty years later, he’s considered one of our greatest presidents by most Americans.
__________________________________________
OMG, Wayne — you just foreshadowed the next great Bush “comparison”. After he has compared himself to Truman and Lincoln (or had his minions do it for him), next will be FDR. And I can’t wait to see that done with a straight face.
Has he assembled his Mt. Rushmore campaign committee yet?
April 22nd, 2008 at 10:09 amUS military recruits more ex-cons
April 22nd, 2008 at 10:09 amBBC News - 4 hours ago
The US Army and Marine Corps recruited significantly more people with criminal records last year than in 2006, amid pressure to meet combat needs.
Waivers for Recruits With Convictions Rise Washington Post
Army and Marine Corps Grant More Felony Waivers New York Times
New York Daily News - CNN - Reuters - ABC News
…
Has he assembled his Mt. Rushmore campaign committee yet?
April 22nd, 2008 at 10:09 am
But isn’t defacing a national monument a federal crime?
April 22nd, 2008 at 10:11 am>Congratulations Troops!
Don’t forget to congratulate us, the taxpayers, also. We’re the ones who are currently paying off the people who used to be killing our troops.
Do you think we should be paying off mexicans not to jump the fence as part of our immigration stategy?
Do you think we should be paying off the taliban to stop shooting at us in afghanistan?
April 22nd, 2008 at 10:13 amInstituting strong carbon control measures, incentivizing the development of energy-saving technologies, and reinstituting tax write-offs for energy-saving improvements/upgrades could lead to the development of new industries and make the countries who are strong in such techmnologies industry leaders with a supportive domestic econmic infrastructure allowing for export of technical means and the creation of new jobs.
April 22nd, 2008 at 10:13 amWayne A. Schneider Says
April 22nd, 2008 at 9:29 am
Disreagrd my 9:25 and 9:27 comments. I blew it. TP is free to delete them since I can’t.
______________________________________
I see you’ve managed to get your coffee since then…
April 22nd, 2008 at 10:13 ammisshusseinmolly,
The only valid comparison that could be made between Bush, Jr. and FDR is in how much they were NOT alike. This includes the category of “greatness”.
April 22nd, 2008 at 10:14 amI see you’ve managed to get your coffee since then…
April 22nd, 2008 at 10:13 am
Coca-Cola, actually. I’ve never been much for coffee. :)
April 22nd, 2008 at 10:17 amBrownScaryHusseinChick (ThinkOutsideTheBush) Says
April 22nd, 2008 at 9:33 am
If these politicians stop blowing so much hot air out of their @$$3$ that would cut back on greenhouse gas emissions drastically.
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And it’s not just the politicians — think of O’Reilly, Limbaugh, Hannity, etc. etc.
I propose a cap-and-trade program for politicians AND pundits.
snark/off
April 22nd, 2008 at 10:17 amShocking to think that life expectancy in the U.S. would decline at the same time that we increasing numbers of uninsured and under-insured people, increasing air and water pollution, soaring energy prioces, soaring food prices, but thank heaven McBush keeps telling us that we are better off since Cheney-Bush have worn the purple.
April 22nd, 2008 at 10:18 ammnf_iraq Says:
April 22nd, 2008 at 10:16 am
I see you’re doing your part to make sure this country gets into a war with Iran before Bush leaves office. Sorry, Multi-National Force Iraq, but I find your propaganda not to be credible. I do not believe that your website tells the whole truth. In fact, I will go so far as to say that I believe your website says what the Bush Administration wants it to say. That’s an opinion, yes, but I feel it has a solid foundation.
April 22nd, 2008 at 10:21 amIn our all-volunteer Army, folks work under contracts which bind them completely, but which the contractor, apparently, at will, can revoke any or all of its responsibilities under the contract! Stop-loss is yet another anti-worker conceit of the union-busting conservative mentality.
April 22nd, 2008 at 10:21 am>Iraqi Army Soldiers Discover Large Cache with Iranian-Marked >Weapons.
http://tpmmuckraker.talkingpointsmemo.com/ 2008/ 03/ todays_must_read_304.php
American Army Soldiers Discover large Cache of Chinese Made bullets in Afghan Armies possesion. Congratuations American Army, on disovering this vile operational relationship between China and Afghanistan…
April 22nd, 2008 at 10:22 amDoc Rock @ 10:13
You’re absolutely right. Its never made sense to me why there is so much resistance to change.
Consider the auto industry. If the car companies started to produce more fuel efficient or altenative fuel vehicles, than as the price of gas rises, the demand for these cars would grow. Its almost as if they have this huge captive market just waiting to be sold this product which the auto industry is too lazy to develop. Yet this same market is the very key to turning around their lagging sales.
April 22nd, 2008 at 10:22 amBasil II Says:
Wayne,
why do you support the Iranian regime?
April 22nd, 2008 at 10:20 am
I don’t. Point out where I did. (Not counting the two comments I screwed up before I was awake.)
April 22nd, 2008 at 10:23 am>why do you support the Iranian regime?
why do you assume people support everything they dont want to attack?
April 22nd, 2008 at 10:24 amBasil II Says:
Wayne A. Schneider,
Whay do you support the Iranian regime? Ifg you like them so much leave America and go live there, traitor!
April 22nd, 2008 at 10:22 am
Why do insist that I am some kind of traitor? Because I don’t kiss Bush’s ass like you? And where did I say I support the Iranian regime? Is all of your thinking so two-dimensional?
April 22nd, 2008 at 10:25 amNo, Basil II, I do not believe for a picosecond that you are “anti-Bush”. Only pro-Bush people ask inane, slanted, disengenuosu questions like yours. Your questions are no different than the “Have you stopped beating your wife”-type.
Since the premise of your question is flawed, I will not answer it. Instead, I ask for proof that I support the Iranian regime.
April 22nd, 2008 at 10:31 am>I’m anti-Bush.
uh huh.
>Would you cry if Iran got nuked?
take your kooky rapture cool aid cult fantazies somewhere else..anyone who thinks that a nuclear weapon going off in ANY country is anything but the harbringer of doom for all mankind is a delusional fool.
April 22nd, 2008 at 10:33 amwayne a. - stop drinking Coca-Cola!!!
April 22nd, 2008 at 10:33 ammaybe that is what compells you to argue with idiots…
Bilbo @#52
What’s with her weird laugh at inappropriate places?
See:
April 22nd, 2008 at 10:34 amMcCain, heh heh, sprinkles! Heh Heh!!
I am not supporting the Iranian regime with that question.
What I am in favor of is not lying to the country about the threat from another country. We are seeing the same kinds of falsehoods being generated that led to our invading and occupying Iraq. They are spreading lies to justify attacking Iran. If what they were saying about Iran were true (and that a huge “if”), then diplomacy would be in order, not military action.
If anything, I support the innocent civilians of Iran and don’t want to see them get killed over a lie. That is not in any way the same as supporting the regime of Iran.
April 22nd, 2008 at 10:34 amWhen is the last time Iran attacked someone unprovoked? 500 years ago? Israel, on the other hand,………….
April 22nd, 2008 at 10:35 am>You’re supporting the Iranian regime with that comment!
Right, because, you know, anyone we dont bomb, we support. It cant be any other way. Theres no option that we should simply be allowed to believe countries should be left alone but not supported. Right?
Christ…can you not even afford a a nice crack hooker around your parts to occupy your time?
April 22nd, 2008 at 10:35 am>You are saying Iran is tougher than us! That is support of >their regime.
I am saying that you should not stick your hand in a nest of hornets. That is support of hornets. Why do I support hornets so much?
April 22nd, 2008 at 10:37 amI’m not saying that Iran is stronger, I’m saying that the boy’s lies got him into trouble. Too deep for you?
April 22nd, 2008 at 10:38 amWE NEED A REAL FDA !
ADHD Treatment Comes With Heart Risk
April 22nd, 2008 at 10:39 amMedHeadlines - 1 hour ago
The American Heart Association (AHA) has just issued a statement that advises using an electrocardiogram (ECG) before beginning treatment using stimulant drugs in children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) whenever possible.
New Guidelines Urge Heart Tests Before Kids Wall Street Journal
AHA: Heart Tests for All Kids before Starting ADHD Treatment eFluxMedia
AHN - U.S. News & World Report - Reuters - WLNS
Wayne A. Schneider Says (to Basil II)
April 22nd, 2008 at 10:25 am
Why do insist that I am some kind of traitor? Because I don’t kiss Bush’s ass like you? And where did I say I support the Iranian regime? Is all of your thinking so two-dimensional?
________________________________________
Wayne — Basil II is just the latest incarnation of Mr. P, Trajan, or the “progress” guy. He’s not here to add anything intelligent to the thread; he’s here to provoke and disrupt. He does this in two ways — making completely insane accusations that have no basis in fact (yesterday he accused Toasterhead of justifying terrorist attacks, among other things), and asking idiotic questions with no reason (such as “why do you support the Iranian regime?”). He also flings around the word “traitor” like a monkey flinging poop — though it’s obvious he doesn’t know what the word means.
Basil II isn’t here for any purpose but to derail and disrupt. Flag him and move on.
April 22nd, 2008 at 10:40 amFlagged Basil II - don’t argue with this guy. He’s probably a troll from the MNF website or associated with them.
April 22nd, 2008 at 10:41 amI tried cooking with BasilII and everything I added it to tasted like shit!
April 22nd, 2008 at 10:42 amBased on Basil II’s comment #103, flagged and asked TP to ban this maniac.
April 22nd, 2008 at 10:45 amOkay…
Who was supposed to be watching the door?
I see a couple of idiots slipped in.
April 22nd, 2008 at 10:59 amThe Republic of Stupidity Says
April 22nd, 2008 at 10:59 am
Okay…
Who was supposed to be watching the door?
I see a couple of idiots slipped in.
_______________________________________
Nah — just one. And I just got done flagging all his posts asking that he be removed and banned. Hopefully TP will do their housekeeping soon…
April 22nd, 2008 at 11:02 amHow did the Internets become the world’s largest outpatient clinic so easily?
April 22nd, 2008 at 11:02 amI just flagged about 10 or 12 too. Hopefully TP will start cleaning up shortly.
April 22nd, 2008 at 11:03 ammisshusseinmolly Says:
Hopefully TP will do their housekeeping soon…
April 22nd, 2008 at 11:02 am
Me, too. Should I ask my lawyer about laws regarding slander and libel?
April 22nd, 2008 at 11:06 amThe Republic of Stupidity Says:
How did the Internets become the world’s largest outpatient clinic so easily?
No long waits to see the “doctor”. :)
April 22nd, 2008 at 11:07 amIt’s just Mr.P and his counterpart, trolling our thread because absolutely no on is trafficking theirs.
By the way, here’s some information I researched:
In the 995, Basil II with an army of 40,000 men (with 80,000 mules)[1], launched a campaign against the Muslim Arabs
Subtle, yet so insightful.
Let the pseudo-roman circle jerk begin.
April 22nd, 2008 at 11:15 amgeratest Emperor = GERITOL EMPEROR, you know, Cheney!
April 22nd, 2008 at 11:22 amSen. John McCain (R-AZ) has doled out numerous favors to Arizona millionaire Donald Diamond, the New York Times reports, including authorizing the Interior Department to pay Diamond $23 million for Arizona ranch property valued at about $5 million. “Mr. Diamond and his family have given more than $55,000 to Mr. McCain’s campaigns” and Diamond has raised $250,000 for McCain’s presidential race so far.
One can hope the dems are stockpiling all this shady and/or illegal stuff McFlintstone has been involved in for many years, and plan to unleash a barrage of ads showing the country what a crook, liar and maniac this moron really is.
April 22nd, 2008 at 11:24 amHeh. Hillary Clinton….
All I can think of is that she’s angling for the Veep spot on the McCain ticket.
Think about it. On its face, it sounds completely far-fetched.
But then, when you look a little more closely at the things Hillary has been saying, particularly the extreme hawkish macho war talk, her use of rightwing strategies (”fear and smear”) - and last, but not least, Rush, Coulter, Scaife et. al are coming out in support of Clinton…it actually adds up.
*shudder* McCain/Clinton? A ticket made in Hell.
April 22nd, 2008 at 11:26 amL. Hussein Annie Says:
——————————————————————————–
Heh. Hillary Clinton….
All I can think of is that she’s angling for the Veep spot on the McCain ticket.
Think about it. On its face, it sounds completely far-fetched.
That’s why I once wrote something about her that included the line “But hold your nose cause here goes, she’s Goldwater.”
April 22nd, 2008 at 11:31 amEven though Gates knows we can’t support another war without breaking the military and the nation, he’s still filling the buckets of water to be carried…
April 22nd, 2008 at 11:34 amThese cronies have no shame.
misshusseinmolly Says:
And it’s not just the politicians — think of O’Reilly, Limbaugh, Hannity, etc. etc.
I propose a cap-and-trade program for politicians AND pundits.
snark/off
April 22nd, 2008 at 10:17 am
Well that will give new meaning to “pop a cap in their @$$.”
April 22nd, 2008 at 11:40 amBasil II Says:
“Israel is Jewsish land and the Arabs are Colonial occupiers.”
Good, then how ’bout we let Israel fight their own damned battles with all those nukes they’ve stockpiled?
How many Israeli battalions are helping the US in it’s War on Terruh?
April 22nd, 2008 at 11:41 amPerhaps it is time to put LSD in DC’s water supply.
April 22nd, 2008 at 11:48 amBut then, when you look a little more closely at the things Hillary has been saying, particularly the extreme hawkish macho war talk, her use of rightwing strategies (”fear and smear”) - and last, but not least, Rush, Coulter, Scaife et. al are coming out in support of Clinton…it actually adds up.
*shudder* McCain/Clinton? A ticket made in Hell.
April 22nd, 2008 at 11:26 am
I was thinking about this just this morning. It wouldn’t surprise me at all. If McCain won, he’d probably only have a 4-year term. Clinton, as the incumbent VP, would have a leg up to run then in 2012. The woman’s ambition could certainly take her in this direction.
April 22nd, 2008 at 12:08 pmmnf_iraq,
Is there any way we can independently verify the numbers our military is issuing? After all, they have a well-documented history of being dishonest with the American people, especially under this administration. Thanks.
April 22nd, 2008 at 12:45 pmSo that would be a “no”, mnf_iraq?
Are you going to post every single article from that site? It might just be easier to say “You want to hear good news you won’t find anywhere else? Go to this site…”
April 22nd, 2008 at 1:08 pmSmells like rotting troll in here…
April 22nd, 2008 at 2:44 pm