ThinkFast: May 1, 2008
ThinkFast: May 1, 2008
Today marks the fifth anniversary of President Bush’s infamous “Mission Accomplished” moment aboard the U.S.S. Abraham Lincoln. Editor and Publisher takes a look at the back at the media coverage on May 1, 2003, when reporters rushed to report that the Bush administration was “planning to withdraw most United States combat forces from Iraq over the next several months.”
The Justice Department agreed yesterday “to show the Senate and House Intelligence Committees secret…legal opinions justifying harsh interrogation techniques that critics call torture.” In a Senate hearing, a department spokesman said “that the administration believed that the president could ignore or modify existing executive orders” on interrogation techniques “without disclosing the new interpretation.”
Though he’s promised to not raise taxes, Sen. John McCain’s (R-AZ) campaign acknowledged yesterday “that the health plan he outlined this week would” effectively increase tax payments for some workers, primarily those with high incomes and expensive health plans.” The campaign will not yet say “how many taxpayers might see their taxes go up.”
The Justice Department said yesterday that the “Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court approved 2,370 warrants last year targeting people in the United States believed to be linked to international terror organizations” which amounted to “a record number of requests.” “The number of warrants has more than doubled since the terrorist attacks of 2001.”
Blackwater Worldwide “is seeking outside investors to increase its financial position, a move that comes even as it fends off criticism over its tactics in protecting diplomats in Iraq and elsewhere.” In April, “the State Department said it was going ahead with another one-year contract that continues Blackwater’s work into 2009.”
“The Senate unanimously approved legislation yesterday to ensure that tight credit markets don’t impede students’ ability to obtain college loans.” The bill would “increase limits on the amount borrowers can receive in federally subsidized student loans.”
Interior Secretary Dick Kempthorne proposed yesterday to allow people to carry concealed weapons in some national parks and wildlife refuges, a rule that would “overturn a 25-year-old regulation that has restricted loaded guns” in these areas.
Auto loan delinquency in the United States “hit a 17-year high in the fourth quarter of 2007, according to the American Bankers Association. Some 3.13 percent of car loans were overdue 30 days or more.” Edmunds.com, which provides automotive information, estimates that “nearly a fourth of borrowers are ‘upside down‘ in their car loans, meaning the car is worth less than the loan balance.”
Speaking after touring Fort Bragg’s 82nd Airborne Division barracks yesterday, Army Secretary Pete Geren called the poor condition of the barracks “unacceptable.” Geren added that “improvements are coming, but some of the problems can’t be fixed quickly.”
A lawyer representing veterans’ groups asked a federal judge yesterday “to order the government to provide better mental health care” for veterans. Noting that “18 U.S. veterans commit suicide every day,” Arturo Gonzalez told the judge, “The system, your honor, has crashed, it has been overwhelmed,” adding, “more of these veterans are dying in the United States than out in combat. That is wrong.”
And finally: For the 19th time, Rep. Bart Gordon (D-TN) has nabbed the title of “fastest man in Congress,” in the annual ACLI Capital Challenge three-mile race. “Nineteen wins in 19 tries seems pretty good for an old guy,” said Gordon’s spokeswoman. Rep. Jean Schmidt (R-OH) also once again won “fastest woman in Congress.” Rep. Pete Sessions (R-TX) won the prize for being “dead last,” coming in behind 76-year old Sen. Dick Lugar (R-IN). But Sessions, an “accomplished long-distance runner,” had to walk instead of run the race, on doctor’s orders.
What did we miss? Let us know in the comments section.
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Still No Response from Major Corporate News Networks on their use of Pentagon-Prepped Generals with Ties to Defense Contractors to Dupe Unsuspecting Viewers into Buying the Iraq War
11 Days and Counting in possibly the biggest media scandal in history
Full, searing piece from Glenn Greenwald at:
http://www.salon.com/opinion/greenwald/
**Glenn again exposes NBC News Anchor Brian Williams. Turns out that both of the Generals Williams had on his program were members of a lobbying group (largely neo-conservative) whose mission was to convince Americans to buy the war. Both Generals were also on the boards of Defense contractors who ultimately won militarycontracts. None of this information was ever disclosed to viewers. Williams continues to claim the retired Generals are "independent".
May 1st, 2008 at 9:01 amHillary Clinton And Bill O'Reilly Square Off On The Factor
Hillary Clinton made her first ever appearance on the O'Reilly Factor on Wednesday, a confrontational but mostly friendly exchange that was -- kudos to Bill -- the most issue-oriented (if right-leaning) major interview with a presidential candidate in recent memory.
One of the more heated policy discussions came over taxes. O'Reilly demanded to know how much Clinton was going to "take out of my wallet," and when she listed a series of proposals to aid middle class families, O'Reilly interjected. "I'm not middle class, I'm a rich guy." Clinton responded (in an awkward moment), "Rich people, God bless us. We deserve all the opportunities to make sure our country and our blessings continue until the next generation."
Later, O'Reilly told Clinton, "You're a more polarizing personality [than Obama]. You're like I am -- and I hate to say that, with all due respect. But you are! Obama's perceived as the nice guy." Clinton took it in stride, insisting that "you've got to be tough" to face the insurance and drug companies.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/04/30/hillary-clinton-takes-on_n_99524.html
For anyone that wants to see video footage; click the link, the Huffington Post has 3 videos of their discussions. The fact that Bill O’Reilly was Fair & Balance (this one time only) just proves he and the other Republicans want Hillary in the race til the bitter end. This presents them a chance to beat up & bloody Obama, which in turn gives McCain a better chance in November.
May 1st, 2008 at 9:02 amWell, this is just plain....icky.
May 1st, 2008 at 9:02 amNot "Mission Accomplished" but Missin' a Conscience is more appropos.
May 1st, 2008 at 9:03 amNY Times reporter details pharmaceutical company marketing methods
Next time you hear a story about how a major medical journal is reporting a treatment breakthrough, you might stop and think for a moment about what lies behind the report.
Was the research done independently, and if not, was it paid for by a drug company?
And if the results are favourable about a particular drug, can you be sure that other less favourable results have not been censored or suppressed?
If those questions seem too dramatic or conspiratorial, there is plenty of evidence to back them up in a new book by New York Times reporter, Melody Petersen.
Our Daily Meds tells the story of how the pharmaceutical industry in recent decades has made a huge switch towards promoting drugs with gigantic sales and public relations budgets.
And Ms Petersen says many of the drugs they do promote are questionable, as in the case of the hugely popular drug Vioxx, which was withdrawn from the market in 2004 because of concerns about increased risk of heart attack and stroke.
She says the the big pharmaceutical companies in the US have a two-pronged sales attack - on doctors and on consumers.
"This is actually one thing that is different in Australia and in America. In Australia the drug companies can't advertise directly to consumers, like they can here in the US," Ms Petersen said.
"So what that has, what the companies do, is rely more on the behind-the-scenes promotion, which I write about in my book.
"They give nice gifts to physicians, even putting many of the physicians on the corporate payroll. They've made tens of thousands of doctors their paid consultants.
http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2008/04/30/2232048.htm
A recent popular drug withdrawn off the market was the patch contraceptive. It caused young women to have strokes, blood clots, and heart attacks just to name a few of the side effects. The most important and deadliest fact you are not hearing about is the unfavorable clinical test trials; for example, they do 50 clinical research trials and half of them fail. The only trials they are going to report are the ones that didn’t. I have lost track of how many drugs have been pulled off the market because they were killing the patients or causing irreparable damage.
May 1st, 2008 at 9:04 amI smell a veto coming.
May 1st, 2008 at 9:06 amAnyone else skeptical about the 0.6% "growth" in the economy that was reported yesterday? That was very convenient and allows them to keep insisting that we aren't in a recession. When are the real numbers for last month supposed to come out? It is funny how the real numbers are never favorable to the Administration when they do come out at the bottom of page 4 of the Business section, two months after the the higher numbers were trumpeted on page 1 and on CNN.
May 1st, 2008 at 9:07 amFDA warns Merck to clean up vaccine plant
Sterility problem in 2007 forced company to recall 1.2 million vaccine doses
TRENTON, N.J. - The Food and Drug Administration has ordered Merck & Co. to correct numerous manufacturing deficiencies at its main vaccine plant, the latest in a string of setbacks for the drugmaker.
The agency on Wednesday released a warning letter sent to Merck's chief executive, Richard T. Clark, that states FDA inspectors determined manufacturing rules are not being followed at the plant in West Point, Pa., just outside Philadelphia.
The plant, which recalled two vaccines in December over sterility problems, makes a number of children's vaccines and four for adults.
According to the heavily redacted warning letter, Merck officials didn't thoroughly investigate when vaccine batches inexplicably failed to meet specifications, even if batches had been distributed, and some combination measles-mumps-rubella shots that failed "visual inspection for critical defects" were distributed anyway.
If Merck does not comply, the letter states the FDA can take actions including suspending or revoking the plant's manufacturing license, seizing products or seeking injunctions, such as against product shipments.
Production of two vaccines made at West Point _ PedvaxHIB, to prevent Haemophilus influenza type B, and Comvax, a combination vaccine for Haemophilus B and hepatitis B _ stopped last year and 1.2 million doses of them were recalled after a sterility problem was discovered in October.
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/24388001/
Pharmaceutical companies now have sterility to add to the list of side effects. Everyone wonders why Autism is at epidemic levels now. This is a good example why. There is a sharp increase in ADHD, ADD, and many other neurological disorders. Part is due to the environment, yes, but we have increased vaccinations from 6 to 36 now. Why do our children need 36 vaccinations??? They don’t. The pharmaceutical companies are making a small fortune off this increase in shots. The CDC is paying out millions in claims; for all of the deaths, seizures, serious brain injury, and anaphylactic shock cases in children this has caused. There is no law that mandates the amount of vaccinations your child under 5 must receive. Many parents are now putting off the time table for these shots til the child is older; some are completely refusing to have some of them done at all. There are many groups and organizations that inform parents of the many risks and dangers of vaccines that your doctor doesn’t tell you about. Here are just two sites. http://www.shirleys-wellness-cafe.com/vaccines.htm http://www.thinktwice.com/laws.htm
May 1st, 2008 at 9:08 am“more of these veterans are dying in the United States than out in combat"...
This is disgraceful & completely unacceptable. Couple the suicide rate with the conditions at Fort Gagg, Walter Reed and God only knows how many other decrepit facilities and I believe you get an idea of how much Bush, et al, care about our troops.
Mission Accomplished, my ass.
May 1st, 2008 at 9:11 amTHE Case of the Missing E-MAIL
A federal magistrate judge on Thursday chastised the Bush administration for failing to fully answer questions related to a long-running dispute over missing White House emails. The White House is facing lawsuits from two public interest groups, Citizens for Responsibilty and Ethics in Washington and the National Security Archive at George Washington University, demanding that the White House restore the missing e-mails and put in place systems to prevent further e-mail losses.
Two laws govern the retention of executive branch documents. The Federal Record Act requires the head of each federal agency to ensure that documents related to that agency's official business be preserved for federal archives. The Watergate-era Presidential Records Act augmented the FRA framework by specifically requiring the president to preserve documents related to the performance of his official duties. A 1993 court decision held that these laws applied to electronic records, including e-mails, which means that the president has an obligation to ensure that the e-mails of senior executive branch officials are preserved.
In 1994, the Clinton administration reacted to court decision by rolling out an automated e-mail-archiving system to work with the Lotus-Notes-based e-mail software that was in use at the time. The system automatically categorized e-mails based on the requirements of the FRA and PRA, and it included safeguards to ensure that e-mails were not deliberately or unintentionally altered or deleted.
The Bush White House "upgrades" the e-mail system
When the Bush administration took office, it decided to replace the Lotus Notes-based e-mail system used under the Clinton Administration with Microsoft Outlook and Exchange. The transition broke compatibility with the old archiving system, and the White House IT shop did not immediately have a new one to put in its place.
Instead, the White House has instituted a comically primitive system called "journaling," in which (to quote from a recent Congressional report) "a White House staffer or contractor would collect from a 'journal' e-mail folder in the Microsoft Exchange system copies of e-mails sent and received by White House employees." These would be manually named and saved as ".pst" files on White House servers.
http://arstechnica.com/articles/culture/bush-lost-e-mails.ars
So not only do they shred documents daily; they are losing emails also. TSK TSK…Is anyone surprised by this development? I thought not. The Bush Administration hard at work to hide, shred and delete all pertinent information under a blanket of Executive Privilege.
May 1st, 2008 at 9:13 amThis is Blackwater selling a pig in a poke. They know that after this year their Chief Enablers, the greasy Gooper shills with their venal hands on the wide-mouth spigot of corrupt payment, will be gone from the WH. Take the money and run, boys, but you can't run far enough.
May 1st, 2008 at 9:15 amRumors are growing that the RNC are salivating over the prospect of a Clinton nomination so they can open their arsenal of charges, accusations and the like against her so they can ensure a victory for McCain.
May 1st, 2008 at 9:16 amCIA Chief Sees Unrest Rising With Population
Swelling populations and a global tide of immigration will present new security challenges for the United States by straining resources and stoking extremism and civil unrest in distant corners of the globe, CIA Director Michael V. Hayden said in a speech yesterday.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/04/30/AR2008043003258.html
May 1st, 2008 at 9:19 amIn a Senate hearing, a department spokesman said “that the administration believed that the president could ignore or modify existing executive orders” on interrogation techniques “without disclosing the new interpretation.”
So, where in our process of governing was George Bush declared our dictator?
May 1st, 2008 at 9:21 amI really don't envy the position of Nouri-Al-Maliki. The man is certain to be used in the upcoming Iran war. As a Shiite muslim, Al-Maliki will most certainly be villified for his efforts to promote an attack on Iran. I just hope this man is more intelligent than his American counterpart. Trouble's a brewin'. -
Full article here :
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2008/may/01/iraq.iran
May 1st, 2008 at 9:21 amIs Impeachment the only way to GUARANTEE a Democratic Victory?
Information from:
http://www.afterdowningstreet.org/node/32647
** Greg Palast informs us that at least 4 million Democrats will be "caged" from their votes. The Voter ID law upheld by the Supreme Court this week may lock out another one or two million. Don't forget the voting machines and exit polls that are entirely "faith based". Finally, the corporate media will be aiming to destroy the Democratic nominee. Add all these together and even a terrible candidate like John McCain can win. Believe it. Impeachment hearings may be the only way to guarantee victory.
May 1st, 2008 at 9:21 am#1 2MillionLightYearsToAndromeda Says:
Still No Response from Major Corporate News Networks on their use of Pentagon-Prepped Generals with Ties to Defense Contractors to Dupe Unsuspecting Viewers into Buying the Iraq War
11 Days and Counting in possibly the biggest media scandal in history
We will never see them admit to any wrong doing. They would have to confess to being bought and paid for by the White House and lose all credibility. Honesty and Integrity use to mean something in journalism; now most use it as a punchline in a joke. Thanks 2mil great post as always!!
May 1st, 2008 at 9:23 amThe number of warrants has more than doubled since the terrorist attacks of 2001
in spite of the quantity of warrants doubling and the extensive illegal warrantless spying on Americans, convictions haven't budged - tells you everything you need to know about the bush "justice" department.
May 1st, 2008 at 9:23 am.
It seems apparent to me that the media silence on the propaganda-generals sent out to sell the war is because they look stupid, they were played for fools, and their credibility would be further in question if they were to broadcast their own gullibility.
May 1st, 2008 at 9:24 amIt's too late for the media redemption, however, they have been used and we've been abused by this corrupt and immoral, unethical and unlawful administration, with the aid and abetment of the msm.
Washington, D.C., Group Accused of High-Tech Dirty Tricks to Suppress Black Vote
A D.C. advocacy group called Women's Voices, Women's Vote is being accused of waging a high-tech voter suppression campaign, after voters in predominantly black districts in North Carolina began receiving automated phone calls implying that they hadn't properly registered to vote in the upcoming Democratic primary.
Page Gardner, Women's Voices, Women Vote's president has apologized for any "confusion" cause by her group's anonymous robocalls to North Carolina voters.
The controversy underscores the mounting tension in the Democratic primary race. Polling in North Carolina currently favors Barack Obama over rival Hillary Clinton for the May 6 Democratic presidential primary there. Blacks, who overwhelmingly favored Obama in primaries in Virginia and Maryland, make up about 22 percent of the population in North Carolina, according to the U.S. Census.
Voters began complaining to The Raleigh News & Observer last week that they were receiving the automated calls, which the paper reported were primarily going to black households. The calls play a 20-second message voiced by a man who calls himself "Lamont Williams."
http://blog.wired.com/27bstroke6/2008/04/north-carolin-1.html
**Obviously Rove has helped set the bar very low in voter supression tactics. Guess who decided to follow the Rove playbook? One more to follow.
May 1st, 2008 at 9:24 amHT:Calibleu
It seems the Hilary Clinton AIPAC pandering has got here in a bit of trouble -
Iran Complain to UN about Clinton Comment -
May 1st, 2008 at 9:27 am
Same firm does voter contact work for robo-call group, Clinton campaign
In our earlier investigation revealing the outfit behind the misleading and illegal robo-calls made to North Carolina voters just days before a critical primary election, we reported that questions have been raised about the connections between that group -- the D.C.-based nonprofit Women's Voices Women Vote -- and the Hillary Clinton presidential campaign.
We noted, for example, that WVWV Founder and President Page Gardner has donated generously to Clinton and to HILLPAC, but has given nothing to the Obama campaign, according to OpenSecrets.org. We also noted that WVWV Executive Director Joe Goode previously worked as a pollster for Bill Clinton, and that WVWV board member John Podesta is the former chief of staff for President Clinton as well as a Hillary Clinton donor.
There are other connections that we did not mention, but that have been pointed out in comments here and at other sites. For example, Maggie Williams is a former member of WVWV's leadership team, according to Sourcewatch.org; she also served as chief of staff to First Lady Hillary Clinton and to the Clinton Foundation in New York, and she was named the manager of Clinton's campaign in February. And Holly Schadler, WVWV's attorney, helped set up the Back to Business Committee in 1994 to defend Bill and Hillary Clinton from attacks by political enemies.
May 1st, 2008 at 9:28 amhttp://southernstudies.org/facingsouth/2008/04/same-firm-does-voter-contact-work-for.asp
**Looks like the ACVR has been resurrected.
#16 Bilbo Hussein Baggins Says:
In a Senate hearing, a department spokesman said “that the administration believed that the president could ignore or modify existing executive orders” on interrogation techniques “without disclosing the new interpretation.”
So, where in our process of governing was George Bush declared our dictator?
I agree. I would like to know when that meeting took place and who attended??? Probably just Condi, Cheney, Powell, Feith & Rove; that is all he would need.
May 1st, 2008 at 9:28 amGood morning Marie,
While I believe Hillary can beat John McCain, it goes without saying that the right finds more comfort in attacking her than they do Obama. A Clinton vs. McCain ticket would be the same 'ole political gunfight. With Obama, they don't have that kind of ammunition. Either way, the right is reduced to finding ticks in someone's personality and hiding the blood stains on their record.
May 1st, 2008 at 9:29 amIraqis are fuming at suggestions being floated by lawmakers that Baghdad should start paying a share of the war's costs by providing cheap fuel to the U.S. military.
"America has hardly even begun to repay its debt to Iraq," said Abdul Basit, the head of Iraq's Supreme Board of Audit, an independent body that oversees Iraqi government spending. "This is an immoral request because we didn't ask them to come to Iraq, and before they came in 2003 we didn't have all these needs."
May 1st, 2008 at 9:30 amthe administration believed that the president could ignore or modify existing executive orders” on interrogation techniques “without disclosing the new interpretation.”
Faith based torture has arrived.
You may have heard of the Spanish Inquisition; get ready for the 'American Inquisition'.
May 1st, 2008 at 9:30 amIn honor of Mission Accomplished (What mission? What accomplishment?), after work today, I will parade around our house with a jet fighter costume (complete with over sized cod piece-which of course is too small!), acting cocky, and completely ignoring the fact that our troops are still dying overseas.
May 1st, 2008 at 9:33 amItalians are incensed by loss of personal data :
Imagine how made they are going to be when they find out they have just taken one huge step to the right in their latest election. First Switzerland and now Italy have both given a large percentage of their vote to true facsist parties. The balance betweeen immigration and nationalism is one which is being fought from North America to Europe and has the potential to explode into violence - see the Paris riots of the past few years. Although this story was disturbing in itself, we now have situation where right wing governments are trying to clamp down on immigration and the free movement of people. It's happening right under our noses.
May 1st, 2008 at 9:35 am#30 McWars - Hi to you, too.
May 1st, 2008 at 9:36 amI am not so certain that Clinton could beat McCain, but if she were to do so, I don't think the nation can stand four more years of snarling, division and blaming. The press and the right wing would be merciless, and the country would suffer, making us vulnerable.
#14 satirev Says:
Freedom Rebel: These supposed “trials” are biased by scientists (physicians) who themselves have ties to the class of drug they are testing. Case in point: Years ago when the cholesterol drugs were being ready for marketing (** the largest money-maker for Big Pharma without contest) 8 of the 9 scientists on the panel had “financial ties” to the pharmaceuticals. I’d say that for at least the past 7 years, Big Pharma has had free rein in making money hand over fist on what has come to be dubbed: THE GREAT CHOLESTEROL CON.
I couldn't agree more. So many people do not realize this, and it is scary. The fact that they have financial ties is not only biased but a HUGE conflict of interest. This has been going on for far too long. I don't care if a doctor gets upset when you ask questions. You should, because he is being paid a bonus for everytime he prescibes a medication to you or gets a wonderful vacation out of it. The Madness Never Ends... Great Post satirev!!! Thank you....
May 1st, 2008 at 9:38 amFor the 19th time, Rep. Bart Gordon (D-TN) has nabbed the title of “fastest man in Congress,” in the annual ACLI Capital Challenge three-mile race.
I propose a race to see who can put impeachment back on the table the fastest.
May 1st, 2008 at 9:41 amHere's my free health information:
To help lower cholesterol and for general health, exercise 5 times a week, alternating days of cardio and muscle building. Limit processed sugars as much as possible (corn syrup, white bread, ...etc). These lil devils are the major cause of diabetes and obesity in America. Add Omega 3 supplements to your diet.
May 1st, 2008 at 9:41 amThis has been my regimen. At 42 years of age, my LDLs (bad cholesterol) are below average, and my HDLs (good cholesterol) are way above average! I still feel (and act) like I'm in my mid twenties.
Just some helpful information from your friendly, progressive pharmacist, who, in a bit of irony, wants to prevent disease and ailments.
Anyone watch Michael Moore on Larry King last night?
I tend to not watch CNN, but I'm a fan of Moore. They were commenting on clips from Hillary & O'Lielly's earlier show. Moore clearly pointed out the bias & lies in Hillary's campaign. He's also thinking about doing a new movie on Race in America.
Personally, I thought Hill-Dog looked completely natural sitting with Billdo...they both lie with the best of them.
May 1st, 2008 at 9:44 amDRxJ Says:
In honor of Mission Accomplished (What mission? What accomplishment?), after work today,...
Don't forget to shout "Bring it on!"
May 1st, 2008 at 9:49 amI really don’t envy the position of Nouri-Al-Maliki. The man is certain to be used in the upcoming Iran war.
My, my, Maliki certainly is performing well as a Bush Lap Dog. Where is his outrage about Saudi Arabia funding the Sunni militias?
May 1st, 2008 at 9:49 amHappy Birthday Joseph Heller
May 1st, 2008 at 9:53 amI know that this shouldn't surprise me, but can this administration even open their collective mouths without lying?
In order to justify torture, John Yoo had to be able to get around the Geneva Conventions and other treaties. I hate to tell them, but those aren't executive orders. The actions that they took are extremely questionable from a legal standpoint (ie. can a President terminate a treaty unilaterally).
#28 Freedom Rebel Says:
#16 Bilbo Hussein Baggins Says:
In a Senate hearing, a department spokesman said “that the administration believed that the president could ignore or modify existing executive orders” on interrogation techniques “without disclosing the new interpretation.”
So, where in our process of governing was George Bush declared our dictator?
I agree. I would like to know when that meeting took place and who attended??? Probably just Condi, Cheney, Powell, Feith & Rove; that is all he would need.
May 1st, 2008 at 9:53 amHe can spin it any way he wishes, but when he is out of office the long arm of the law will interpret the constitution literally and he will still be facing dire consequences.
God, I hope that is true. Sadly, though, I doubt this is ever going to happen. I fear that President Obama will let it go in the hopes of gaining some bipartisanship in the government.
May 1st, 2008 at 9:54 amHey Zimzone. I watched the MM interview too and i really liked his comment on the Jeremiah Wright 'scandal'. He said that if he had walked out everytime his Priest had said something contraversial he would barely ever be in church, adding that we're not voting for Wright, we're voting for Obama. MM said that he believes there is a deliberate attempt by the media to confuse the two. It's hard to argue with recently when you look at the coverage.
May 1st, 2008 at 9:54 amOOPS -- Take Two:
Happy Birthday Joseph Heller
May 1st, 2008 at 9:54 amso, the hillo & billo show didn't turn into an OBAMA bash fest?
i won't watch it...
May 1st, 2008 at 9:56 amDRxJ Says:
Here’s my free health information:
------------------------------
Sounds much like my workout schedule except I'm at it 6 days a week.
P.S. I'm a few years younger than you!!
May 1st, 2008 at 9:56 am18 US veterans commit suicide every day! Unbelievable! Seriously, what are the doing to the troops over there? This is some kind of Manchurian Candidate BS!
May 1st, 2008 at 9:57 amHappy birthday Terry Southern
May 1st, 2008 at 9:58 amStarting the sixth year of "Mission Accomplished"
May 1st, 2008 at 10:01 amas far as any influence one's pastor or minister has on anyone -
May 1st, 2008 at 10:02 ami just want to know who dubya's was/is...
dogjudge Says:.
#28 Freedom Rebel Says:
#16 Bilbo Hussein Baggins Says:
In a Senate hearing, a department spokesman said “that the administration believed that the president could ignore or modify existing executive orders” on interrogation techniques “without disclosing the new interpretation.”
-----------------------
Here's a simple, easy-to-understand piece you can e-mail to your friends (who haven't been following the story) regarding Bush's role in torture.
Arrest Bush
Bush Confesses to Waterboarding. Call D.C. Cops!
“The high-level discussions about these ‘enhanced interrogation techniques’ were so detailed, sources said, some of the interrogation sessions were almost choreographed — down to the number of times CIA agents could use a specific tactic. These top advisers signed off on how the CIA would interrogate top Al Qaeda suspects — whether they would be slapped, pushed, deprived of sleep or subjected to simulated drowning, called waterboarding, sources told ABC news.”
Bush knew.
Not only did he know, he personally approved it. He likes torture.
“Yes, I’m aware our national security team met on this issue,” he confirmed. “And I approved.”
George W. Bush has publicly confessed that he ordered torture, thus violating the Convention Against Torture. He, Cheney, Rumseld, Rice and the other Principals must therefore be arrested and, unlike the thousands of detainees kidnapped by the U.S. since 9/11, arraigned and placed on trial.
Full unedited piece at:
May 1st, 2008 at 10:03 amhttp://www.commondreams.org/archive/2008/04/30/8611/
Pat Robertson? Along with Hagee, these are truly repugnant characters. If something bad happens, it's punishment for a group they hate doing something of which they do not approve. Yet, why no constant video clips of their insane rants. JW is a racist, sure. But these guys are no worse. The difference? These guys are friends of the repubs.
May 1st, 2008 at 10:06 am*no better..
Sometimes my hands go faster than my brain. This explains my complete lack of skill with a rubix cube.
May 1st, 2008 at 10:07 amAny progressives who are into the science and nature of what is going on in the world, I am looking for you. Please go here, take a quick look at the first post.
May 1st, 2008 at 10:09 am2Mil, Katy, Roberto, Dbadass, Freedom Rebel, Zimzone I am especially interested in hearing from you!
#49 katy Says:
so, the hillo & billo show didn’t turn into an OBAMA bash fest?
i won’t watch it…
He was being far too nice and compared himself with her.. It was revolting.. Gag reflex.. "Rich People and God love us" quote,that was over the top for me.... and the giggling.
Katy you aren't missing anything..can't blame you for not wanting to watch it..
May 1st, 2008 at 10:12 amSpeaking after touring Fort Bragg’s 82nd Airborne Division barracks yesterday, Army Secretary Pete Geren called the poor condition of the barracks “unacceptable.” Geren added that “improvements are coming, but some of the problems can’t be fixed quickly.”
Right. You can't fix stupid, quickly or not.
May 1st, 2008 at 10:15 amDo your job perfectly and get removed from combat.
May 1st, 2008 at 10:24 am'Any progressives who are into the science and nature of what is going on in the world, I am looking for you. Please go here, take a quick look at the first post.
2Mil, Katy, Roberto, Dbadass, Freedom Rebel, Zimzone I am especially interested in hearing from you!'
Hey Ms_Joanne, one of the stories i've looked at in the past few weeks for my particular place of work, http://www.soultv.net is the Water Crisis. A few weeks ago the UN tried to get everyone to agree that the right to water was a human right. Everyone at the UN agreed, except Canada and the US. Why? Because if they agreed it would open up their water resources to those in need. Business interests are taking precedent over human rights in North America. This could be a good story for your blog Ms_Joanne.
May 1st, 2008 at 10:24 amjoanne - thank you for the invite... how special!
i just posted "JFK on being a LIBERAL" on the "proud democrat" thread...
and now it won't let me get into the latest thread comment section...
never mind - just got it to work...
my only suggestion, at this point: white on black is hard on my eyes!
good job! to you though... sounds good... will check back occasionally...
May 1st, 2008 at 10:33 amKaty, that's not the blog. That is one you can contact me through.
I am looking for OTHERS to assist (uhm, YOU maybe?) That was just a post for the other blogs stated purpose.
May 1st, 2008 at 10:35 amahhh, i see joanne...
May 1st, 2008 at 10:44 amwell, i'm not much of a writer... i do great copy&paste though...
feel free to lift anything i post here!
Happy Beltane (May Day) all.....There is marching in the street's of Seattle WA today.....No more war's and more join forces to march.....Blessings
May 1st, 2008 at 11:11 amMs_Joanne Says:
Any progressives who are into the science and nature of what is going on in the world, I am looking for you. Please go here, take a quick look at the first post.
May 1st, 2008 at 10:09 am
____
I like this plan and would be happy to contribute as soon as this semester is over.
May 1st, 2008 at 11:31 amMs_Joanne Says:
May 1st, 2008 at 12:02 pmI'll contribute if I think I have anything pertinent to add to a discussion; thanks for the invite.
MISSED?
How about this...
May 1st, 2008 at 12:04 pmfrom newsweek
Telecoms and the Bush administration talked about how to keep their surveillance program under wraps.
Marie says:
It seems apparent to me that the media silence on the propaganda-generals sent out to sell the war is because they look stupid, they were played for fools, and their credibility would be further in question if they were to broadcast their own gullibility.
It’s too late for the media redemption, however, they have been used and we’ve been abused by this corrupt and immoral, unethical and unlawful administration, with the aid and abetment of the msm."
I totally disagree. The media is part of the problem not accidentally but purposely. Their right wing corporatist owners have been pushing their agenda and their media puppets have been doing their bidding. They are not fools or stupid or being played. They (owners and "journalists") have purposefully degraded the media and they purposefully spew lies to propagandize the news. It's not an accident! Don't let them off the hook so easily. They need to be called out and blamed for their actions. It's got to stop and we have to stop it; they certainly won't stop on their own!
May 1st, 2008 at 12:13 pmfrom Alex Jones:
Either Americans do not understand what it is they are preparing to do, or they think themselves immune to the consequences. The planet is not large. What goes around, comes around. Smoke from the Gulf War oil fires went around the world and was detected in South America. Radioactive fallout from bombing a nuclear reactor will also go far, especially considering that it has millions of years to make the trip.
The Persian Gulf nations of Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Iraq, and Iran have more than half the world’s known oil reserves. The 1981 study by Fetter and Tsipis in Scientific American on “Catastrophic Releases of Radioactivity” estimated that bombing a nuclear reactor would cause 8600 square miles around the reactor to be uninhabitable, depending on which way the wind blows. Bombing the Bushehr reactor will mean half of the world’s oil is instantly inaccessible. Bombing Iran means that Americans will not be driving cars any where, any more, for a long, long time. The American Way of Life will be finished. An economic collapse unimagined by Americans will follow. Mechanized farming and food transport will be finished. Famine is a possibility. Food riots are a certainty, in the land of plenty, with the fuel gauge on empty.
May 1st, 2008 at 12:17 pmAbout a month after President George W. Bush stood on the deck of the USS Abraham Lincoln before a banner proclaiming, "Mission Accomplished," Fox News' Neil Cavuto asserted to Senator John McCain that, "many argue the conflict isn't over" in Iraq. McCain responded, "Well, then why was there a banner that said mission accomplished on the aircraft carrier?"
For a detailed history of John McCain's predictions of a short war and claims U.S. troops would be greeted as liberators to his casual attitude towards casualties and his ongoing confusion over friend and foe in Iraq, see:
May 1st, 2008 at 12:36 pm"John McCain on the Mission Accomplished in Iraq."
satirev Says @ 14...
Afternoon , all,
Seems to be a Pharma theme here today so I thought I'd add 2 cents on how deep it goes. And to do this I need to point you no further than your tube of toothpaste and possibly your tap water.
Fluoride. Yep, that seemingly innocuous ingredient that 4 out of 5 dentists recommend.
I won't rant here, so suffice it to say that fluorine is a toxin, Calcium Fluoride Occurs Naturally in rocks, Sodium Fluoride is a By product, industrial waste, of the manufacture of Aluminum (a Huge building block of the industrial Military complex) it's also used as Rat Poison.
Guess which one they put in our water and our toothpaste?
May 1st, 2008 at 12:55 pmGuess which one they put in our water and our toothpaste?
It's one thing to spit it out when done, and another to ingest it.
My dentist informed me that the discoloration on my teeth was due to the EXCESS flouride in drinking water during the mid-late 60's when my mom was preg with me.
May 1st, 2008 at 12:58 pm#73 TheRadicalRightisRadicallyWrong Says:
I won’t rant here, so suffice it to say that fluorine is a toxin, Calcium Fluoride Occurs Naturally in rocks, Sodium Fluoride is a By product, industrial waste, of the manufacture of Aluminum (a Huge building block of the industrial Military complex) it’s also used as Rat Poison.
Guess which one they put in our water and our toothpaste?
I use Natural Care Tom's of Maine, you can buy it at any GNC store. Great Toothpaste,and no fluoride. You are so right on that point about fluoride.. Most people don't realize that..
May 1st, 2008 at 1:16 pmFreedom Rebel Says: Natural Care Tom’s of Maine
That's true they do make a toothpaste w/o Fluoride but they too have givin in to and help propagate the "BigLie"
http://www.tomsofmaine.com/toms/ifs/fluoride.asp
May 1st, 2008 at 1:50 pmDieNowForPeace Says: My dentist informed me that the discoloration on my teeth was due to the EXCESS flouride in drinking water during the mid-late 60’s
But did he tell you to keep using Fluoridated toothpaste?
May 1st, 2008 at 1:53 pmMs_Joanne Says:
Any progressives who are into the science and nature of what is going on in the world, I am looking for you. Please go here, take a quick look at the first post.
2Mil, Katy, Roberto, Dbadass, Freedom Rebel, Zimzone I am especially interested in hearing from you!
May 1st, 2008 at 2:12 pm----------------------
Your're free to use anything I post here past/present/future. Much of what I post is other people's work that I edit. Sometimes I add original commentary. I think it's only proper to provide proper attribution.
But did he tell you to keep using Fluoridated toothpaste?
NO! She actually said if you have healthy teeth and you brush 3 times a day and floss, you can just use water, (as long as I keep visiting her for yearly cleaning!)
May 1st, 2008 at 2:36 pmDieNowForPeace Says:
"NO! She actually said..."
Well good for her! She's a rarity and a gem to be treasured!
May 1st, 2008 at 2:39 pmp.s. My kids use flouride-free kids toothpaste, and brush 2-3 times a day and have PERFECT (i.e. no cavities) teeth. As far as orhtodontics, well, that's another topic.
May 1st, 2008 at 2:39 pmWell good for her! She’s a rarity and a gem to be treasured!
That's because she's also a long-time friend of our family.
May 1st, 2008 at 2:40 pmStart of a new conspiracy theory: The "DC Madam" just "committed suicide". One of her employees had before.
Happy birthday to Mother Jones and Louis Nye.
May 1st, 2008 at 2:48 pmThat’s because she’s also a long-time friend of our family.
all the more reason to cherish her.
May 1st, 2008 at 2:55 pmBlackwater Worldwide “is seeking outside investors .....
Does it bother anyone that our de facto military could be owned by investors in (take your pick) China, Saudi Arabia, Korea, ............
May 1st, 2008 at 4:19 pm#70 dwC
May 1st, 2008 at 5:21 pmYou make an excellent point and I do not disagree with what you say about the corporate owners of the media, however, it is still hard for me to think that there is no integrity to be found anywhere in the media and that no one feels stupid and used by the administration.
They can either admit to being whores or they can admit to being stupid.
>Start of a new conspiracy theory: The “DC Madam” >just “committed suicide”.
yeah, read about this... very convenient for all the high powered republican politicans her company serviced..
May 1st, 2008 at 10:09 pm87. Chocolate Jesus,
Yeah. But Clinton did it first with Vince Foster.
Couldn't resist
May 1st, 2008 at 11:49 pmhttp://www.huffingtonpost.com/peter-dreier/sidney-blumenthal-uses-fo_b_99695.html
I do not want Hillary to win. I would feel the same way if I didn't like Obama. I would want anyone but Hillary to win. We don't need someone with Hillary's situational ethics to be our president. We have already gone through 8 years of that kind of a President, I don't think we could survive any more years.
May 2nd, 2008 at 9:41 amhttp://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/05/01/clinton-camp-gas-plan-she_n_99643.html
Sound familiar? We don't need another President who ignores the advice of experts or who cherry-picks the experts to listen to.
May 2nd, 2008 at 9:47 am