ThinkFast: July 11, 2008
ThinkFast: July 11, 2008
In “a troubling sign of global warming,” European scientists say that a large plate of floating ice shelf attached to Antarctica appears to be breaking up. The European Space Agency said yesterday that satellite images show that Wilkins Ice Shelf is “hanging by its last thread,” which could “put the remainder of the ice shelf at risk.”
“The Bush administration has decided not to take any new steps to regulate greenhouse gas emissions before the president leaves office, despite pressure from the Supreme Court and broad accord among senior federal officials that new regulation is appropriate now.” The EPA will announce today that it will instead “seek months of further public comment on the threat posed by global warming.”
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) and her fellow House Democratic leaders “took a hard line Thursday against opening up restricted areas to oil production.” She “said the government must first press oil companies to explore the federal land they have already leased.”
A secret report by the International Red Cross concluded last year that the CIA’s interrogation methods for high-level detainees “constituted torture and could make the Bush administration officials who approved them guilty of war crimes, according to a new book by New Yorker reporter Jane Mayer. The report found that the methods used on al Qaeda figure Abu Zubaydah were “categorically” torture.
On the trail today: Sen. John McCain (R-AZ) will hold a women-only forum in Hudson, WI. Sen. Barack Obama (D-IL) will attend a town hall meeting in Dayton, OH, at Stivers High school.
A day after top McCain economic adviser Phil Gramm dismissed the nation’s struggles as a “mental recession,” John McCain ventured to an auto-parts supplier in a hard-hit Detroit suburb to express sympathy for those affected by the state’s economic malaise. His “message landed with a thud, as workers sat in stony silence.”
A defense analyst at the London-based International Institute For Strategic Studies said yesterday that “an Iranian photograph showing a cluster of missile launches was apparently altered to add a fourth missile lifting off from a desert range.” “There’s no doubt the photo was doctored,” the analyst said.
Attorney General Michael Mukasey rejected calls to appoint a special counsel to investigate administration officials who approved the use of torture. In a letter to House Judiciary Committee Chairman John Conyers Jr. (D-MI), Mukasey said opening a criminal investigation would be “seriously short-sighted” and that government officials acted in “good faith” when they sought legal opinions.
Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, which “own or guarantee roughly half of the nation’s $12 trillion mortgage market,” saw their stock plummet yesterday to their lowest level in 17 years. Lawmakers declared the companies “too big for the government to allow them to fail,” while the White House is mulling a government takeover.
Yesterday, the White House renewed its promise to veto legislation that would block payment cuts to doctors treating Medicare patients. This threat comes despite bipartisan support for the bill, which overwhelmingly passed the Senate on Wednesday when Ted Kennedy (D-MA) returned to cast his vote.
And finally: Fox News needs a geography lesson. On Wednesday, Fox News reported on Iran’s missile tests. The graphic that Fox used to identify the Strait of Hormuz, however, “put the strait in the wrong location, and misspelled ’strait.’” (The graphic spelled it “Straites of Hormuz.”) As Huffington Post notes, “For good measure, the Fox reporter also mispronounced ‘Hormuz.’” Watch the video here.
What did we miss? Let us know in the comments section.
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What a great community of progressive bloggers
Instead of posting an article first that I felt passionately about, I decided to comment on what a truly inspiring community of bloggers is here at Think Progress. What compelled me to do this was all the outpouring of emotion on the FISA vote.
Since no two people have the same life experiences, because of this, there are going to be many different opinions and personal solutions on how Obama’s vote affected them. Some have been in battle, others have protested in marches, many have sent letters, emails and made phone calls to their representatives. Myself, I respect the journey that an individual traveled to get to this point.
Some have decided to vote for the green party or write-in a name of someone they would like to be President. Their conscience and the betrayal they feel is compelling them to vote for a third party. Myself, I see courage of conviction, they drew a line and no candidate is allowed to disregard the constitution.
Others who wanted Hillary are in pain for a different reason. They feel they saw this coming and knew that Obama was too good to be true. That Hillary would have never voted the way Obama did. But they are going to vote for the democratic nominee Obama. Their decision was made long ago that they would support whoever the nominee was. Myself, I see courage of conviction; they made a decision and McCain was not their solution.
Last but not least, we have others that saw the writing on the wall for their original candidates early in the primaries. Some were for Kucinich others were for Edwards. As their candidates fell to the wayside some started backing Obama. He inspired them by the speeches and the pledges he made, which eased some of the pain of losing their original candidate. Their decision was also made long ago that they would support the democrat nominee because a McCain Presidency was intolerable. Again, I see courage of conviction.
What I came away with yesterday from the ThinkFast Thread was incredible respect for everyone that stood by their convictions. I apologize for not being as eloquent as MissMolly, Bilbo or 5th Estate; I admit to all of my shortcomings.
July 11th, 2008 at 9:01 amOn the trail today: Sen. John McCain (R-AZ) will hold a women-only forum in Hudson, WI.
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I wonder if any of these women will have issue with McCain's refusal to ensure they get the same pay as men for doing the same work -- instead of merely insisting that they need "education and training".
Nah -- these are probably all women vetted for their belief that they are second-class citizens. Otherwise, he might be challenged with questions he cannot answer.
July 11th, 2008 at 9:05 amThe Russian-Israeli Mafia: Off-limits to FBI, US intelligence
By Wayne Madsen
Online Journal Contributing Writer
(WMR) -- The same cancer that bankrupted the Soviet Union and the early Russian Federation, namely the Russian-Israeli Mafia -- the global organized crime syndicate that uses Israeli government protection and passports to cover their illegal worldwide activities -- has so thoroughly permeated the American political and business system that the FBI and U.S. intelligence agencies are virtually powerless to bring the major perpetrators to justice.
Across the United States, FBI agents have been hamstrung by the Justice and Homeland Security Departments, led by two individuals, Michael Mukasey and Michael Chertoff, whose close links to the Russian-Israeli Mafia in New York and New Jersey have seen case after case involving Russian-Israeli mobsters going un-investigated and virtually ignored.
In fact, the National Security Agency (NSA), FBI, and the military intelligence services have seen their ranks of Russian linguists slashed by the Bush administration. In most cases, Russian-Israeli mobsters use their native Russian language in their telephone conversations and email communications. Only recently, perhaps owing to a shift within the Defense Department led by Robert Gates, has the NSA began re-hiring Russian linguists, although at a very slow pace.
SNIP
It is now being reported that John McCain has a severe gambling addiction, evidenced by his long bouts with the craps tables in Las Vegas. There are reports that convicted GOP lobbyist and Russian-Israeli mob money launderer Jack Abramoff traded favors with McCain and Alabama Governor Bob Riley, who, through election malfeasance, cost Democratic Governor Don Siegelman his governorship in 2002 and then proceeded to engage in a criminal conspiracy to indict and convict Siegelman on trumped up charges.
A set of emails sent between Abramoff and Tom DeLay’s Communications Director in December 2002, emails that were never produced by McCain’s Indian Affairs Committee, show that Abramoff was conspiring with Riley, a casino gambling opponent, to keep gambling from the Poarch Creek Indian Reservation to benefit gambling on the Coushatta Indian Reservations in Mississippi. The email also describes efforts between Mississippi Republican Governor Haley Barbour and Maryland Republican Governor Bob Ehrlich to bring casino gambling to Indian reservations in their states. Ehrlich and his staff were targets of a federal investigation linking them to a prostitution ring involving Pamela Martin & Associates escorts and Shirlington Limousine, which ferried escorts on behalf of individuals and lobbyists linked to Abramoff in the Washington, DC and Baltimore areas. That investigation was shut down after George W. Bush’s re-election in 2004.
McCain has also been linked to Russian aluminum tycoon Oleg Deripaska, another member of the Russian Mafia who has been denied an entry visa to the United States. Deripaska, unlike his Russian Jewish comrades, has maintained good links to Putin. Deripaska has also figured prominently as a supplier of aluminum to the European Airbus aircraft frames to be used in the production of the US Air Force tanker plane, a contract pushed hard by McCain and his top campaign advisers, some of whom were lobbyists for Airbus.
The Russian-Israeli mob infiltration of the McCain campaign is only the continuation of a cancerous infiltration of the American body politic that began with the takeover of the Senate office of Washington’s Henry “Scoop” Jackson by anti-Soviet Jewish “neo-conservatives” in the early 1970s and blossomed into the full scale coup witnessed in the presidential election of 2000.
The emphasis is mine.
http://onlinejournal.com/artman/publish/article_3479.shtml
**Wayne Madsen’s article is a long one. It was very difficult picking and choosing which portions to snip for posting, so I encourage all to read the entire story. Maybe even read it twice! Thank God for these serious investigative reporters and their courage. They are committed to keeping the truth out there for all of us to read. MSM might not ever pick up their stories but progressive media seems to be doing a better job of keeping up.
When will this all end? How many years of investigations will it take to gather all of the information of the criminal wrong-doings of the current administration and their cronies. Election reform (and lobbyist reform) would be a great place to start frog-marching these crooks out of Washington. Don’t allow any ifs, ands or buts for them. No special exceptions or exemptions. Don’t allow them to write ANY of our laws –we’ve been living with the results of these practices. Make our politicians live off of their salaries the same way we’ve had to do for decades. Keep the truth out there and keep exposing these types of practices that seem to be commonplace any more.
July 11th, 2008 at 9:05 amToo bad Keith's on vacation; this'd be good for 15 minutes of rollicking fun. Also, too bad FascistNews is always on vacation - from reality, that is.
July 11th, 2008 at 9:07 amA secret report by the International Red Cross concluded last year that the CIA’s interrogation methods for high-level detainees “constituted torture and could make the Bush administration officials who approved them guilty of war crimes.
Meanwhile, Mufakesy is preventing any real investigation by the Justice Dept into finding out the truth.
Truth is the Bush cabal's worst enemy. They've done a thorough job of hiding, denying or twisting the truth to date, but all those turds are piling up & stinking to high heaven.
Denial has become our Justice Dept's middle name. A sorry state of affairs for a once proud Democracy.
War crimes are serious offenses. Treason is worse. We just may see the 'trial of the century' in 2009, & it can't come soon enough for this voter.
July 11th, 2008 at 9:07 amFreedom Rebel Says
July 11th, 2008 at 9:01 am
I apologize for not being as eloquent as MissMolly, Bilbo or 5th Estate; I admit to all of my shortcomings.
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Nonsense -- I think you just demonstrated you are every bit as eloquent as I have ever been, and probably more so.
July 11th, 2008 at 9:07 ami love THINK PROGRESS but i am disgusted with the democrats.
July 11th, 2008 at 9:12 amWere a Dem admin to consider gov't takeover, the rightie-tighties'd be screaming, "Socialism! Commies! Big Government!" Now - due to the GOP's dismantling of Glass-Steagall, complete lack of oversight, investment banks (Georgie's base) acting as conduits for loansharks, Georgie's shilling for "these new ways to mortgage," and the Fed's insanity when it comes to interest rates over the last seven years - the taxpayer gets to foot the bill when the inevitable resultant bubble burst and even AAA entities like Mae and Mac are floundering. Heckuva job!
July 11th, 2008 at 9:16 amOK.
July 11th, 2008 at 9:17 amEveryone who is in a mental recession, quit whining.
-John McAbramoff
yeah, they're just like the republicans. /snark
July 11th, 2008 at 9:17 am"House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) and her fellow House Democratic leaders 'took a hard line Thursday against opening up restricted areas to oil production'."
Pelosi and her fellow "leaders" always take a hard line. Right before caving. More drilling leases are probably a done deal now.
July 11th, 2008 at 9:19 amFred Says:
nerdykiss Says:
i love THINK PROGRESS but i am disgusted with the democrats.
yeah, they’re just like the republicans. /snark
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Except that Democrats as a whole are slightly less objectionable.
And a few Democrats are really quite good. Something the GOP can't claim.
July 11th, 2008 at 9:21 am“The Bush administration has decided not to take any new steps to regulate greenhouse gas emissions before the president leaves office...."
Shruby wants to make sure his legacy of ignorance, incompetence and destructive intransigence is solidly in place without any chance of being misconstrued for anything like accomplishment.
The idiot is a toad in a hole. He loves the security of his tiny little world.
July 11th, 2008 at 9:24 amConyers needs to introduce a resolution requesting a name change from "Justice" to "The Department of Political Persecution, Incessant Stalling, and Administration Tuchis-Covering."
July 11th, 2008 at 9:24 amFreedom Rebel,
Nice post to start the morning.
I, too, felt a great sense of pride at the spectrum of opinion voiced over FISA this week.
I am as concerned as anyone over Obama's vote on this. I'm not over it yet, and need to hear some logic from him to even begin to understand why.
However, the diverse opinions & insight on this blog helped me gain a broader perspective. The passion & outcry over this helped me immensely, knowing that others see this as the apex of a long, uphill battle to reconstitute justice and fairness to all citizens.
I'm proud to be a part of TP.
I'm proud to embrace or consider other's viewpoints.
I'm proud to be part of an effort to restore honesty and opportunity in our great Country.
Regardless of which candidate you support posters, thank you for participating in open and honest discussion of critical issues.
July 11th, 2008 at 9:26 amThe European Space Agency said yesterday that satellite images show that Wilkins Ice Shelf is “hanging by its last thread,” which could “put the remainder of the ice shelf at risk.”
Jeebus will fix it...
July 11th, 2008 at 9:27 amA defense analyst at the London-based International Institute For Strategic Studies said yesterday that “an Iranian photograph showing a cluster of missile launches was apparently altered to add a fourth missile lifting off from a desert range.” “There’s no doubt the photo was doctored,” the analyst said.
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Geez -- you don't have to be a Photoshop expert to see the obvious use of the cloning tool. Iran may be Adobe's latest customer, but they haven't mastered the nuances of retouching yet (even if they had put the pasted part on another layer, flipped the layer, and then rotated it into the proper place, it wouldn't have been as obvious).
But that doesn't answer the question of "why"? Is four missiles going off at once that much of a bigger threat than three? I suspect that because the original photo had that big empty space in the middle, somebody thought an additional missile made for better composition of the photo. They didn't really have to do that -- the composition could have been improved by not cropping so tight.
July 11th, 2008 at 9:30 ammisshusseinmolly Says: Nah — these are probably all women vetted for their belief that they are second-class citizens. Otherwise, he might be challenged with questions he cannot answer.
I never cease to be amazed by women who support the conservative agenda against women. Even when I used to be a Catholic Republican, I always broke with the church and the party on women's equality and health issues. Never understood women who didn't. Seemed self-debasing.
July 11th, 2008 at 9:31 amSo, will McCain discuss with those women why Viagra is covered and birth control is not?
July 11th, 2008 at 9:32 amThe EPA will announce today that it will instead “seek months of further public comment on the threat posed by global warming.”
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I wonder how many "months of further public comment" they would deem appropriate before launching a plan of action if the White House was on fire?
July 11th, 2008 at 9:32 amDid any of you read somewhere that Obama vowed to push for legislation striking immunity once he became president? I heard only a passing reference on Colmes last night and I'm looking for a source.
July 11th, 2008 at 9:33 amI don't think "my lawyer said it was okay to break the law" is an acceptable defense.
July 11th, 2008 at 9:33 am"A day after top McCain economic adviser Phil Gramm dismissed the nation’s struggles as a “mental recession,” John McCain ventured to an auto-parts supplier in a hard-hit Detroit suburb to express sympathy for those affected by the state’s economic malaise. His “message landed with a thud, as workers sat in stony silence."
Not to worry Grampy, they're just whiners...
July 11th, 2008 at 9:33 amThe graphic that Fox used to identify the Strait of Hormuz, however, “put the strait in the wrong location, and misspelled ’strait.’” (The graphic spelled it “Straites of Hormuz.”)
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I don't think this is the first time that Fox gave it away that they have a lot of home-schooled staffers. Perhaps educated people seeking employment in the broadcast news industry seek it elsewhere.
July 11th, 2008 at 9:36 amFrosty Cupcake Says: Pelosi and her fellow “leaders” always take a hard line. Right before caving. More drilling leases are probably a done deal now.
This is interesting... Has Nancy finally realized that if no one votes for her in her re-election that it won't matter how much campaign contributions she gets from Corporate America? (I doubt it, but I prefer to hear her 'talk tough' than to 'talk compromise' for what ever time she has left):
http://www.politico.com/blogs/thecrypt/0708/Pelosi_says_House_Judiciary_may_hold_hearings_on_Kucinich_impeachment_resolution.html?
Pelosi says House Judiciary may hold hearings on Kucinich impeachment resolution
July 11th, 2008 at 9:37 am
McWars Says: Did any of you read somewhere that Obama vowed to push for legislation striking immunity once he became president? I heard only a passing reference on Colmes last night and I’m looking for a source.
Yes, it was either at Buzzflash or Huffington Post. Sorry I don't remember specifics.
The article said that Obama would not only consider criminal actions against telecoms as President (since the bill only protects them against civil lawsuits), but would have his AG launch an investigation into whether or not the Bush Regime broke the law on this and should be prosecuted for their actions...
July 11th, 2008 at 9:43 amAndrew P. Napolitano last night on Colmes declared the FISA overhaul UNCONSTITUTIONAL.
Among other reasons, the bill violates separation of powers. (I wish I could recall more of what was a fast-paced, enlightning interview.)
He also mentioned that the challenge to the bill could come before the same judge in California currently presiding over the 13 telecom spying suits. He predicted that the judge will overturn the law.
July 11th, 2008 at 9:44 amMcWars Says
July 11th, 2008 at 9:33 am
Did any of you read somewhere that Obama vowed to push for legislation striking immunity once he became president? I heard only a passing reference on Colmes last night and I’m looking for a source.
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Haven't heard of this, but I will be interested in any confirmation of the rumor.
Is it possible to reverse immunity? If it is, it would be a good way for Obama to partially redeem himself. That is, if he doesn't get seduced by the toolbox once he's sworn in.
July 11th, 2008 at 9:45 amGreat, Unbelievable. Thanks and good morning to you.
July 11th, 2008 at 9:46 am"Pelosi...signaled a new willingness to entertain the idea of ousting Bush, although no one in the Democratic leadership believes that is likely since the president has only six months left in this term."
I don't give a toot if he's only got one week left, if there was EVER a President deserving of impeachment this self serving failed pantywaste is the one. If Bush is not impeached along with Cheney, a very dangerous precedent will have been set. What then WOULD be an acceptable circumstance for impeachment??
July 11th, 2008 at 9:47 amMcWars Says: He predicted that the judge will overturn the law.
I keep forgetting that we have the judicial branch to watch out for us considering how much the legistaltive branch and the Supreme Court have been sucking up to the executive...
Let's hope that we get some reasoned thinking and justice in the court system that we've been unable to get from Bush or Congress.
July 11th, 2008 at 9:49 am#6 misshusseinmolly Says:
Freedom Rebel Says
July 11th, 2008 at 9:01 am
I apologize for not being as eloquent as MissMolly, Bilbo or 5th Estate; I admit to all of my shortcomings.
____________________________________________________________
Nonsense — I think you just demonstrated you are every bit as eloquent as I have ever been, and probably more so.
Good Morning Misshusseinmolly :)
Thank you for such a high compliment.
July 11th, 2008 at 9:50 amThe EPA will announce today that it will instead “seek months of further public comment on the threat posed by global warming.”
I really don't see what further comment we need, the proof is right before our very eyes. No ice at Antarctica, ice shelf melting. Maybe one of the visiting trolls today can answer this question:
Do you really think that we can pump tons of pollutants into our air every day and it won't have a negative affect on our atmosphere and on the earth?
July 11th, 2008 at 9:51 amMcWars Says: Great, Unbelievable. Thanks and good morning to you.
You're welcome :). Sorry I didn't remember the context. But it lead me to believe that Obama has something up his sleeve to deal with this when he has more power than just Senator...
July 11th, 2008 at 9:53 amYesterday, the White House renewed its promise to veto legislation that would block payment cuts to doctors treating Medicare patients. This threat comes despite bipartisan support for the bill, which overwhelmingly passed the Senate on Wednesday when Ted Kennedy (D-MA) returned to cast his vote.
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Would somebody explain to me the political wisdom of this? What does Dubya hope to gain from screwing doctors and the elderly?
July 11th, 2008 at 9:53 amI may have heard it wrong, Miss Molly. In the eyes of the law, if my memory clearly serves me, a criminal act cannot be declared retroactively, but that would not apply to civil cases.
Here's where I'm having trouble recalling Mr. Napolitano: Did he say that victims must be compensated by the government if they grant immunity to a private entity? I may be entirely off-base. Anyone with better legal knowledge should straighten me out.
July 11th, 2008 at 9:54 amApparently lying about a blowjob.
July 11th, 2008 at 9:55 amAmerican Life Worth Less Today: AP
WASHINGTON — It's not just the American dollar that's losing value. A government agency has decided that an American life isn't worth what it used to be.
The "value of a statistical life" is $6.9 million in today's dollars, the Environmental Protection Agency reckoned in May _ a drop of nearly $1 million from just five years ago.
The Associated Press discovered the change after a review of cost-benefit analyses over more than a dozen years.
Though it may seem like a harmless bureaucratic recalculation, the devaluation has real consequences.
When drawing up regulations, government agencies put a value on human life and then weigh the costs versus the lifesaving benefits of a proposed rule. The less a life is worth to the government, the less the need for a regulation, such as tighter restrictions on pollution.
Consider, for example, a hypothetical regulation that costs $18 billion to enforce but will prevent 2,500 deaths. At $7.8 million per person (the old figure), the lifesaving benefits outweigh the costs. But at $6.9 million per person, the rule costs more than the lives it saves, so it may not be adopted.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/07/10/american-life-worth-less_n_112030.html
July 11th, 2008 at 9:55 amUnbelievable #17
July 11th, 2008 at 9:56 amI see even more similarities in our personal bios.
Even back then, I was estranged from the teachings from the pulpit on those issues, until religaion finally lost me forever. I don't understand women today who could even think about voting Republican.
Anyone catch Bugliosos's "interview" on Scarborough's show this morning? They basically treated him like a freak show and giggled and made fun of him for calling Joe Mike.
The right wing's bulwark is that Bush made an honest decision based on the evidence before him. Some won't even agree that it was a bad decision in hindsight, but even the ones that admit the error defend the decision.
I am ok with that line of thinking to a point. A good decision can have a bad outcome and still be a good decision. But Bush didn't choose his War based on the evidence, he craved war with Iraq and was winnowing the evidence for support of his election to go to war.
I haven't read Bugliosos's book yet, he says there is new evidence in it. Based on what I have honestly seen as evidence, a case for trying Bush for murder and treason should be pursued. Not for revenge, but as a deterrent to the next punk who treats our country and Constitution with such disdain.
July 11th, 2008 at 9:57 ammisshusseinmolly Says:Would somebody explain to me the political wisdom of this? What does Dubya hope to gain from screwing doctors and the elderly?
I suspect that the big insurance companies & big pharma both are pressuring the WH to keep the status quo. 10% of their huge profits are worth protecting!
July 11th, 2008 at 9:58 am/sn
#20
July 11th, 2008 at 9:59 amCould you be thinking of some attorneys believing that the immunity deal does NOT preclude criminal prosecution and that Obama still has that option once he gets into office.
Nanlichi
July 11th, 2008 at 10:01 amI saw the interview and I agree that the hosts did all they could to make him a freak show.
Freedom Rebel
July 11th, 2008 at 9:01 am Recommend (1000+) |
Report Abuse: I apologize for not being as eloquent as MissMolly, Bilbo or 5th Estate; I admit to all of my shortcomings.
July 11th, 2008 at 10:05 amHis “message landed with a thud, as workers sat in stony silence.”
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Well, since his message was probably "it's a mental recession -- it's all in your head", this isn't surprising.
July 11th, 2008 at 10:05 amMarie Says: I see even more similarities in our personal bios. Even back then, I was estranged from the teachings from the pulpit on those issues, until religaion finally lost me forever. I don’t understand women today who could even think about voting Republican.
You too, eh? Interesting...
I considered myself fiscally conservative, but socially liberal because of those issues. It didn't take much for me to eventually realize that the Republicans were not fiscally conservative and that it's the working class, not the upper class, that drives the economy. At that point, there was no reason to be anything but 'just liberal ' :)
July 11th, 2008 at 10:05 amFreedom Rebel Says:
What I came away with yesterday from the ThinkFast Thread was incredible respect for everyone that stood by their convictions. I apologize for not being as eloquent as MissMolly, Bilbo or 5th Estate; I admit to all of my shortcomings.
You said it very well. Thanks for your eloquence and your insights. I, too, find the people here inspiring and the community good company. I appreciate the fact that this blog is not moderated to the point where one can't really enter into a conversation with other blogs.
Keep up the good work Freb.
July 11th, 2008 at 10:05 amfreedom rebel:
what a jolly nice bunch of things to say.
I see a group of people who are informed and inform each other, who know the definition of an argument, who understand the difference between conviction and dogma and practice the former not the latter, who can differentiate between opinion and fact and above all think.
However, i wouldn't recommend we all get together to run an airline.
July 11th, 2008 at 10:07 am#misshusseinmolly Says:
Nah — these are probably all women vetted for their belief that they are second-class citizens. Otherwise, he might be challenged with questions he cannot answer.
I'm waiting for some woman to ask him "Why did you disrespect your wife by calling her a c*nt".
July 11th, 2008 at 10:07 am#15 Zimzone Says:
Regardless of which candidate you support posters, thank you for participating in open and honest discussion of critical issues.
Good Morning Zimzone :)
Thank you. Another reason I felt compelled was the end result was everyone wants to make the government better. That is one of the defining motivations that guide progressives to feel so passionately about their beliefs. That is a good thing. Which to me will lead to change because we don't give up; no matter how many curve balls we are thrown.
Have a good day!!!
July 11th, 2008 at 10:07 amcavjam Says:
Too bad Keith’s on vacation; this’d be good for 15 minutes of rollicking fun. Also, too bad FascistNews is always on vacation - from reality, that is.
I'm loving having Rachael Maddow subbing for Keith though. She is a wonder to behold. She's such a natural for the TV with her quick wit and her mobile facial expressions. I hope that some day someone out there recognizes her wonderfulness and gives her a show. I vote they kick Dick Gregory to the curb and give Rachael his show. But, she has two things against her for a political pundit show. The first is that she is a gay female and the second is that she is a liberal.
July 11th, 2008 at 10:10 amI think that's it, Marie. I still cannot process why Obama would vote for giving any type of immunity. "I won't expect every candidate to be perfect" is usually the response I'd follow with, but I'm tired of the abuse to our constitution.
The right thing for me to do would be to make sure this doesn't develop into a pattern. I should just move on with supporting Obama in this election and give confidence to our courts and a donation to our rights groups so they can fight the good fight.
July 11th, 2008 at 10:12 amZimzone Says:
I am as concerned as anyone over Obama’s vote on this. I’m not over it yet, and need to hear some logic from him to even begin to understand why.
This is what puzzles me. He has said why he voted for the FISA bill. He said that even though it wasn't perfect, it did bring the FISA court back into the picture and take FISA back to what it was before. But that explanation doesn't jibe with the explanations of those who protested the bill who said that this bill makes warrantless wiretapping legal. I asked this question yesterday and didn't get an answer. Does anyone here know why Obama's explanation of the FISA bill is so different from the critics?
July 11th, 2008 at 10:15 am#42 McWars Says:
Freedom Rebel
July 11th, 2008 at 9:01 am Recommend (1000+) |
Report Abuse: I apologize for not being as eloquent as MissMolly, Bilbo or 5th Estate; I admit to all of my shortcomings.
Thank you McWars :) We do have a great band of characters here. You are truly irreplaceable.
Have a wonderful day :)
July 11th, 2008 at 10:17 am#jabberjaw Says:
In a time when we are trying to control medical costs, why is it a good thing to increase physician pay? Is the Rich Doctor lobby really that strong?
You are a bit unclear on the concept. This bill was not about increasing payment to doctors. It was about reducing payments to doctors. And the reason for it is the reason why Bush has been starving physicians ever since he came into office. The reason is to force seniors to buy the private for-profit "Advantage" insurance just so they can actually get a physician who will take them on. Most physicians today won't take a new Medicare patient because treating them is a money-losing proposition for physicians.
Hopefully Obama will undo the harm that Bush did to our Medicare system. Bush has, in a very sneaky way, already privatized Medicare.
July 11th, 2008 at 10:18 ammisshusseinmolly Says:Would somebody explain to me the political wisdom of this? What does Dubya hope to gain from screwing doctors and the elderly?
I suspect that the big insurance companies & big pharma both are pressuring the WH to keep the status quo. 10% of their huge profits are worth protecting!
/sn
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I believe, based upon a conversation with my OB-GYN, that insurance companies base their payments to all doctors on what Medicare pays. It's a percentage thing. So, the lower the amount Medicare pays, the lower the amount every doctor can be reimbursed by whatever insurance company the patient has.
July 11th, 2008 at 10:21 amYou know what else doesn't make sense, Bilbo? This bill allowing warrant-after spying to be rampant, even though it takes it takes a flash to get a warrant from a judge beforehand, even on the phone, if I'm correct.
July 11th, 2008 at 10:22 amBilbo:
Kudos to you for bothering to read what's-his-face's posts. I get to "jabber" and my eyes scroll right on past . . .
July 11th, 2008 at 10:23 ammisshusseinmolly Says:Would somebody explain to me the political wisdom of this? What does Dubya hope to gain from screwing doctors and the elderly?
It has been a calculated move on Dubya's part. It is his way of privatizing Medicare. By reducing the amount they pay physicians to the point where physicians will no longer take Medicare patients, they have forced the entry of the for-profit private "Advantage" insurance plans. Today, seniors need to be enrolled in one of those plans, which they are paying for out of their pocket, to get a physician to even see them. Mission accomplished, the privatization of Medicare.
July 11th, 2008 at 10:23 am#47 Bilbo Hussein Baggins Says:
You said it very well. Thanks for your eloquence and your insights. I, too, find the people here inspiring and the community good company. I appreciate the fact that this blog is not moderated to the point where one can’t really enter into a conversation with other blogs.
Keep up the good work Freb.
You have made me blush Bilbo :) I consider myself the lucky one. I have gain knowledge & insight in the short time I have been here. Which is a testament to all the great people that participate.
July 11th, 2008 at 10:28 am#nanlichi Says:
I haven’t read Bugliosos’s book yet, he says there is new evidence in it. Based on what I have honestly seen as evidence, a case for trying Bush for murder and treason should be pursued. Not for revenge, but as a deterrent to the next punk who treats our country and Constitution with such disdain.
This is one thing I think that Obama could do now to redeem himself in the eyes of his base, announce that when he takes office he will set the Justice Department on investigating and prosecuting every crime that the Bush Crime Family committed. He needs to do this to restore our faith in our government and in our leaders. I am worried, though, that he won't do it. That he really does want the vast powers that Bush bestowed on himself. If Obama takes those powers and starts using them, the right really won't be able to object, since they created them in the first place.
July 11th, 2008 at 10:28 am"I vote they kick Dick Gregory to the curb and give Rachael his show"
That gets my vote. He's such a tool and she's just so great.
July 11th, 2008 at 10:28 amI found this last night:
U.S. Const. Art. II § 2, cl. 1
The President shall … have Power to grant Reprieves and Pardons for Offenses against the United States, except in Cases of Impeachment.
This is probably nothing new to the TP crew (sorry, I haven't been keeping up), but what do you think? Could this be why Nancy is reluctantly moving toward "some hearing?"
July 11th, 2008 at 10:28 am#48 5th Estate Says:
However, i wouldn’t recommend we all get together to run an airline.
Good Morning 5th Estate :) You have to admit it would be a boring day at the office though.. LOL
July 11th, 2008 at 10:30 amWho Misspoke Today? Says:
So, will McCain discuss with those women why Viagra is covered and birth control is not?
I saw the cut of him hemming and hawing when he was asked that question by a LA Times reporter. It was priceless. Talk about a "deer caught in the headlights" moment.
July 11th, 2008 at 10:30 amWTF TP? My comment is waiting moderation? One of the few that I write that doesn't have vitriol, no "bad" words.
Again, WTF?
July 11th, 2008 at 10:31 amBilbo Hussein Baggins Says:
I vote they kick Dick Gregory to the curb and give Rachael his show.
July 11th, 2008 at 10:10 am
Dick Gregory, or David Gregory?
Although....David is a Dick. ;)
July 11th, 2008 at 10:31 amvia C&L:
This is great. After FOX News altered the images of two New York Times reporters they accused of writing a “hit piece” on the network, Vanity Fair magazine decided to do a little photoshopping of their own.
WARNING: Some readers may find these images disturbing.
July 11th, 2008 at 10:34 amBHB: Does anyone here know why Obama’s explanation of the FISA bill is so different from the critics?
I'm a critic of Obama's explanation and I've tried looking at it through the lenses of politics, principle and personality and none of it makes sense to me from those perspectives (apologies for the alliteration, it couldn't be helped). If he DOES have some deep strategic rationale for acting this way that he's keeping to himself and that he can reveal AFTER he gains the WH, well he's still seriously undermined his chances of getting to the WH to then implement this mysterious scheme. That's my baffled impression anyway,
July 11th, 2008 at 10:35 amjabberjaw Says:
To be clear (as if a double negative can be clear), the bill blocked planned reductions in pay to Rich Doctors — it didn’t reduce payments to doctors. In essence, it increased them from what they would have been otherwise. Right?
Did you even graduate from high school? Your thought processes are so limited I tend to think you either didn't or you were home schooled. If your pay is reduced that means you get less money. What exactly is the difference between "pay" and "payments"? That's what Medicare sends to doctors, payments.
Besides, I think that most doctors today would not agree with you that they are "rich". That's why we have a doctor shortage in this country today. Less and less people are turning to a profession where they are under the control of for-profit insurance companies.
God, you are too stupid for words to explain, I give up.
July 11th, 2008 at 10:35 amBilbo Hussein Baggins.... I am afraid you are right, once Obama is elected we are going to hear crap like, "Let's move forward, let by-gones be by-gones, crying over spilt milk..."
Reinforcing the very problem that got us here. Pardoning Nixon gave the current crooks the comfort that their crimes would be forgiven. 75% of the country is not in a forgiving mood. I want to see some consequences for these treasonous bastards.
July 11th, 2008 at 10:36 amThe Obama/FISA family food fight we have been having here at TP illustrates our strengths and our weakness. We don’t put our leaders on a pedestal to worship like the R’s, we recognize that they aren’t perfect and freely criticize them. I would say that shows maturity and strength.
At the same time, that’s our weakness. The other side closes rank and stays on message regardless of the miserable POS who may be their leader.
We like to be fair and look at all sides of an argument, we don’t lie, we don’t distill the world into black/white, and we aren’t willing to play chicken with our country’s interests. So we are fighting handicapped right from the start.
John Paulos, in his book “Innumeracy” has a similar situation. Two brothers eyeing the last piece of chocolate cake, the younger (Democratic) one said “Let’s split it”. The older “Republican” one said, “I want the whole thing”. Our media give equal weight to both positions and the fair division is 3/4 to the older.
All right, I did just paint a black/white picture of good D’s and bad R’s and it’s not that simple, but I would hate to lose this election because of the fear and smear tactics of the R’s without fighting a good hard fight.
July 11th, 2008 at 10:37 amChrist on a Frosty Cupcake TP, the offending word in my post was a n a l o g o u s?
Shit the bed, that is sensitive.
July 11th, 2008 at 10:40 amgood morning 'Freb'
What I meant by my airline crack of course is that it would be more like "Airplane" than BOAC (I'm that old)--
July 11th, 2008 at 10:41 amit's the destination that matters, it;s trying to get of the ground in the first place. :)
dammit, forgot a "not".
July 11th, 2008 at 10:41 amOut of sheer morbid curiosity, I popped into this Think Progress site of yours a few days ago and am utterly fascinated by the lunacy of you people. At the same time, I do take comfort in the fact that I see the same posters over and over again, suggesting that the lunatic fringe remains as such.
But keep on trucking guys. Perhaps one day you'll succeed in reducing this great nation to a spongy, nanny-state like France or Belgium.
On another note: Mr./Ms. McWars, you said in post #53 "I'm tired of the abuse to our constitution." On the subject of adhering to our constitution, please direct me to the passage where it says that we have the right to kill an unborn child. Let's be consistent with our strict constructionism here, eh?
July 11th, 2008 at 10:43 amJabber-
A question...
What can you tell us about the RNC program to 'set the facts straight' on political 'blogs with undercover bloggers announced by Rove on his 'Last Gasp o' Freedom' tour of Sweden on Wednesday?
Have you spoken with him personally?
To be 'fair', I'm not actually accusing you of anything, right? I'm just wondering if you can shed any light on this interesting issue?
July 11th, 2008 at 10:43 amusnagu Says
July 11th, 2008 at 10:43 am
Out of sheer morbid curiosity, I popped into this Think Progress site of yours a few days ago and am utterly fascinated by the lunacy of you people.
____________________________________________________________
Something tells me this site isn't your cup of tea. Why don't you leave?
Or, if you prefer to stay and post, pick a subject and form a coherent argument for it. If it's more intelligent than insulting, we may respect you enough to debate you on it.
July 11th, 2008 at 10:47 amnanlichi Says:
Christ on a Frosty Cupcake TP, the offending word in my post was a n a l o g o u s?
----------------------------------------------------------------
That's hilarious and reminds me of the right wing site whose filter changed that runner's last name from Gay to Homosexual.
July 11th, 2008 at 10:47 amWow, this sure hit me by surprise:
Conyers Floats Inherent Contempt for Rove and Pelosi Shifts on Kucinich Impeachment Resolution
http://www.opednews.com/articles/Conyers-Floats-Inherent-Co-by-Robert-Wexler-080710-28.html
Seven Republican Members of House Judiciary Call for Impeachment out of Duty to the Constitution
http://www.opednews.com/articles/Seven-Republican-Members-o-by-Cheryl-Biren-Wrigh-080711-38.html
Pelosi says House Judiciary may hold hearings on Kucinich impeachment resolution - Politico.com
http://www.opednews.com/maxwrite/link.php?id=63632
**Anyone want to venture a guess on why such a quick turnaround? I guess it's possible that this was the plan all along. What gives me the moswt hope is that Bush can't pardon if he's being investigated for impeachment.
I hope that everyone follows up on this and is not just lowing smoke. We have been strung along for so long now many of us (me, at least) are suffering from depression about how many laws have been broken and how the constitution has been taken apart.
July 11th, 2008 at 10:47 amnanlichi Says
July 11th, 2008 at 10:40 am
Christ on a Frosty Cupcake TP, the offending word in my post was a n a l o g o u s?
_________________________________________
Here's a tip -- we established awhile back that the word "rectum" is OK with TP, even if the word "an*l" is not.
Therefore, you should have said "rectumogous".
July 11th, 2008 at 10:49 amusguano,
Have you never had zygotes and cream cheese on garlic toast for breakfast? A touch of chives, a dash of fresh pepper? Where in the Constitution that your God Bush says is just a goddamn piece of paper transfers a woman's right to her body to you religious freaks?
Have a good day. Don't forget the chives.
July 11th, 2008 at 10:51 amZooey: U.S. Const. Art. II § 2, cl. 1
The President shall … have Power to grant Reprieves and Pardons for Offenses against the United States, except in Cases of Impeachment.
See? informed and informative (see #48 ). I catch your drift about Pelosi but I doubt she's that scholarly and shrewd. On the other hand of course one has to consider how well the Neocon/Bush cabal has done ( by any measure) despite their general stupid--they only have to be smart 1% of the time.
July 11th, 2008 at 10:53 amI think nanlichi's comment at #74 is illuminating and pertinent in that regard.
How do you guys equate homeschooling with ignorance? We raised 3 children who were homeschooled. Not for religious reasons, the system was failing them and we couldn't afford private schools.
Atheletes and gynmasiums are the priority in public schools. Compare what is spent on atheletics to acedemics in almost any public shool.
Result was columbine, dumb Americans.
by the way, one child is an electrical engineer, one is a teacher...and one is still in college.
I wouldn't be so quick to equat home schooling with ignorance although there is much indoctrination by religion in most area's of the country.
public school kids are pretty ignorant these days. They are being indoctrinated to be good employees who know their place.
July 11th, 2008 at 10:53 am#66 I messed up it should read it "WOULDN'T" be a boring day at the office.
I need a review button.
July 11th, 2008 at 10:54 amRegarding McCain meeting with women's groups.
Issues like unequal pay, unequal insurance, unequal legal protection are just mental problems. All in your head. Just like menopause and monthly problems. Just stop whinning.
/sarcasm
In all seriousness, if the economy is just a mental problem, anyone want to bet if McCain thinks that women's problems are mental also ?
July 11th, 2008 at 10:57 amjabberjaw Says:
Cool...
July 11th, 2008 at 10:58 am74, nanlichi Says:
Good post. You're right; we're handicapped from the get go, kind of like bringing a knife to a gun fight. That's 'our' vulnerability, due to our logic of playing fair.
Ironically, you example above reminds me of 'let them eat cake'.
July 11th, 2008 at 10:58 amusnagu Says: On the subject of adhering to our constitution, please direct me to the passage where it says that we have the right to kill an unborn child. Let’s be consistent with our strict constructionism here, eh?
There's no such thing and an 'unborn child'. It's a blastocyst, embryo or fetus until it is born, depending upon which stage of development it is in. That's why people say "You've having a baby." It's not a baby until you have it.
The Constitutional freedom to have an abortion is here:
You want biblical references to "god condoned" abortion too? There a tons of them.
July 11th, 2008 at 11:00 amHosea 9:11-16 Hosea prays for God’s intervention. “Ephraim shall bring forth his children to the murderer. Give them, 0 Lord: what wilt thou give? Give them a miscarrying womb and dry breasts. . .Ephraim is smitten, their root is dried up, they shall bear no fruit: yea though they bring forth, yet will I slay even the beloved fruit of their womb.” Clearly Hosea desires that the people of Ephraim can no longer have children. God of course obeys by making all their unborn children miscarry. Is not terminating a pregnancy unnaturally “abortion”?
Numbers 5:11-21 The description of a bizarre, brutal and abusive ritual to be performed on a wife SUSPECTED of adultery. This is considered to be an induced abortion to rid a woman of another man’s child.
Numbers 31:17 (Moses) “Now therefore kill every male among the little ones, and kill every women that hath known man by lying with him.” In other words: women that might be pregnant, which clearly is abortion for the fetus.
Hosea 13:16 God promises to dash to pieces the infants of Samaria and the “their women with child shall be ripped up”. Once again this god kills the unborn, including their pregnant mothers.
2 Kings 15:16 God allows the pregnant women of Tappuah (aka Tiphsah) to be “ripped open”. And the Christians have the audacity to say god is pro-life. How and the hell is it that Christians can read passages where God allows pregnant women to be murdered, yet still claim abortion is wrong?
July 11th, 2008 at 11:03 amHouse Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) and her fellow House Democratic leaders “took a hard line Thursday against opening up restricted areas to oil production.” She “said the government must first press oil companies to explore the federal land they have already leased.”
What exactly is a hard line? A lot of whining and letter writing?
http://progressiveworldreview.com
July 11th, 2008 at 11:04 amFred Says: public school kids are pretty ignorant these days. They are being indoctrinated to be good employees who know their place.
There are some intelligent parents qualified to home school their children, but unfortunately, too many that choose to home school are not.
July 11th, 2008 at 11:05 amunbelievable,
I wish I could recommend your posts like they vote for baseballs' 'All Star' game...you'd have hundreds a day.
usnagu just got ate alive, so 'it' will go back to RedState...
July 11th, 2008 at 11:06 amusnagu: Out of sheer morbid curiosity, I popped into this Think Progress site of yours a few days ago and am utterly fascinated by the lunacy of you people.
Translation: I was driving along the information superhighway looking for a massive car crash because that's what I like to do. As my gas was low I turned off and came across a bunch of people having a picnic. I stomped all over their potato salads, and questioned everyone's sanity before trying to steal their elitist beverages. It was one of my more productive days.
July 11th, 2008 at 11:07 amFISA: Why I Can No Longer Vote for Barack Obama
Barack Obama lost my vote today. I was never a rah-rah supporter, yet prior to the FISA bill vote today, I believed that I could suck it up and vote for whoever ended up being the eventual Democratic Party nominee. For the first time in my adult life, I’m faced with the unhappy prospect of staying home on November 4th.
Commentary By: Richard Blair
As a true, progressive Democrat, this is incredibly hard for me to write.
Since the start of the presidential election season, I’ve been quite clear that Barack Obama was not my first - or even second - choice as the presidential nominee for the Democratic Party. But I’ve been consistent in saying that I’d support the eventual nominee, whoever he or she might be.
That all changed today. Actually, I’ve become more and more uncomfortable with the now-presumptive nominee since the time that the primary season officially ended. Barack Obama has been tacking toward the center since the time that Hillary Clinton quit her challenge in the race. From Iraq, to the abortion issue, to the Telecom Immunity Act of 2008, I’ve watched closely as Obama has tried to grab some middle ground, and attempt to diffuse future criticism of him by the GOP as being “soft on terrorists” and not a heartland values type of guy.
Earlier today, ASZ’s good friend Brendan commented on a prior post that as an Obama supporter, he’s experiencing extreme “buyers regret”. I can understand that feeling on the part of many starry eyed Obama supporters who felt that he was (in essence) the second coming of John F. Kennedy.
Let me pose a hypothetical: would John F. Kennedy have voted for the FISA bill today had it come up during his time as Senator? …
Not a chance in hell. Kennedy was not averse to saber rattling against perceived enemies (see: Missile Crisis, Cuban), but he was also a staunch defender of the founding principles of this country. While JFK called a generation to a higher purpose (”Ask not what your country can do for you…”), he (and his brother, Robert, and his successor, LBJ) was a bulwark against the destruction of civil liberties that the likes of cross-dressing J. Edgar Hoover espoused.
Today, Barack Obama shed his skin; the skin that enticed so many people into believing that he did, in fact, support the United States Constitution, and in particular, the fourth amendment to same.
Why has he lost my vote? Quite simply: trust. If I can’t trust a self-described constitutional scholar to defend basic constitutional principles, even with a vote on the losing side of a constitutional issue, how can I trust him with (for example) future Supreme Court nominations? After today, I can’t.
I know that Obama’s FISA vote won’t mean a thing to his hard core supporters. They’ll make excuses the same way that George W. Bush’s sycophants make excuses for him. “Oh, he had to vote this way, or the GOP would paint him as soft on national security.”
NEWSFLASH: THE GOP IS GOING TO USE THAT PAINTBRUSH ANYWAY.
The FISA vote today made absolutely no difference in the GOP’s “weak on terror” mantra. That’s why it’s so hard to fathom Obama’s yea vote on the FISA bill. In fact, the GOP is already casting him as a flip-flopper on the issue: He was against warrentless wiretapping before he was for it. He was against telecom immunity before he was for it. So where does Barack Obama really stand?
I can see the TV commercials already, soto voice-over.
If you haven’t figured it out by now, I hate this crap. I really, really, do. I’m bone weary of Democratic Party politicians pandering to a mythical “independent voter”, when in actuality they’re doing no more than trying to siphon a scant few votes from the GOP rank and file.
The bottom line is that there is political reality, and then there is principle. Barack Obama has billed himself as a new breed of politician who will stand up on principle. It should be clear today that he’s reneged on that promise. He’s been revealed as an old school politico, who sticks his finger in the wind to see which way it’s blowing.
I don’t know which political forecaster he was listening to on the FISA bill issue, but I think he seriously misjudged the direction of the shitstorm that’s rising tonight.
July 11th, 2008 at 11:13 amOn the trail today: Sen. John McCain (R-AZ) will hold a women-only forum in Hudson,
July 11th, 2008 at 11:20 amSo, I guess Gooniliani will be there in full drag...
Jury: Black neighborhood was denied water service
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080711/ap_on_re_us/civil_rights_water;_ylt=AvUY2tmdM8zB893ec0jJHN.s0NUE
By JULIE CARR SMYTH, Associated Press Writer
Thu Jul 10, 11:24 PM ET
COLUMBUS, Ohio - Residents of a mostly black neighborhood in rural Ohio were awarded nearly $11 million Thursday by a federal jury that found local authorities denied them public water service for decades out of racial discrimination.
Each of the 67 plaintiffs was awarded $15,000 to $300,000, depending on how long they had lived in the Coal Run neighborhood, about 5 miles east of Zanesville in Muskingum County in east-central Ohio.
The money covers both monetary losses and the residents' pain and suffering between 1956, when water lines were first laid in the area, and 2003, when Coal Run got public water
More Efficient Solar Energy Collectors Attach to Windows
http://news.yahoo.com/s/livescience/20080710/sc_livescience/moreefficientsolarenergycollectorsattachtowindows;_ylt=Avn1dCI7HgvVZFoLjBzvcs.s0NUE
Andrea Thompson
Senior Writer
LiveScience.com
Thu Jul 10, 2:11 PM ET
A new, compact way to collect sunlight from windows and focus it to generate more electricity could make those multiple expensive rooftop solar panels a thing of the past.
The solar panels that cover the tops of some buildings today contain photovoltaic cells that convert sunlight into electricity. Unlike burning coal, collecting and converting solar energy releases no greenhouse gases, which warm the atmosphere. Limited efficiency and high construction costs have kept solar from producing more than about 0.07 percent of U.S. energy needs in 2007, according to figures from the U.S. Department of Energy.
...
New approach
Instead of covering a large area with solar cells, the new method only requires locating cells around the edges of a flat glass panel.
Focusing the light like this increases the electrical power generated by each solar cell "by a factor of 40," he added.
Winds of change: Oilman Pickens presses for energy shift
http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20080710/sc_afp/uscommoditiesenergyoilwind_080710170233;_ylt=AnO4g0maXwkZDMmQt9zrXOSs0NUE
by Rob Lever
Thu Jul 10, 1:02 PM ET
WASHINGTON (AFP) - Former oilman T. Boone Pickens is singing a new tune these days: the answer to the US energy crisis, he says, is blowin' in the wind.
The longtime Texas oil tycoon this week unveiled his "Pickens Plan" that calls for reducing American dependence on oil and boosting wind energy to provide 20 percent of US electricity needs.
Pickens launched a multimedia advertising and Internet campaign to focus attention on this crisis, along with a Facebook social networking site to help generate momentum.
He is urging Congress and a new president to promote investment in power generation from renewable resources such as wind and to use natural gas as a transportation fuel, replacing more than one-third of America's imported oil. This would save more than 230 billion dollars a year, he argues.
Afghan government says 47 civilians killed when US bombed wedding party
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/asia/article4315724.ece
Tom Coghlan, Kabul
An Afghan government investigation has concluded that 45 women and children and two men were killed when a US aircraft bombed a wedding party in eastern Afghanistan last Sunday, .
The nine-man investigation team appointed by the Afghan President, Hamid Karzai, found that only civilians were hit during the airstrike.
Burhanullah Shinwari, the leader of the investigation team and the deputy speaker of Afghanistan's Upper House, said: "We found that 47 civilians, mostly women and children, were killed in the airstrikes and another nine were wounded."
July 11th, 2008 at 11:21 amKay,
If Obama had revealed that he would vote for the FISA bill including immunity two months ago, Hillary would be our nominee. Guaranteed.
But he didn't and it pisses me and a lot of others off, but when you honestly look at McCain vs Obama you have to vote for Obama. Please? I'll buy you a shot of tequila to wash the bad taste out of your mouth afterwards, but you have to get out there and vote.
And a preemptive strike at JJ, STFU about Nader.
July 11th, 2008 at 11:22 amZimzone Says: I wish I could recommend your posts like they vote for baseballs’ ‘All Star’ game…you’d have hundreds a day. usnagu just got ate alive, so ‘it’ will go back to RedState…
Aww, you're too kind :) Thanks. I very much enjoy your posts as well. Always nice to converse with the intelligent and witty people who post here. Makes me proud to be a liberal :)
July 11th, 2008 at 11:22 amGood morning, everyone! I'm relatively new here, and I just wanted to add my 'testimony' to that of Freedom Rebel at post 1.
I love being part of this group of amazing and intelligent thinkers (that is minus the stupid trolls, of course, but you knew that, right?) - I'm often - very often - humbled at the depth of knowledge exhibited here, and I invariably learn something every single day. *applause*
Also, and equally important to me, is the fact that I laugh every day at the sharp wit and humor I find here (Ralph? RUCErious, Shayne, BuckieBoy - do you hear me?). You guys make me laugh out loud. *applause*
Finally, I also enjoy the fact that when I feel the need to release my daily load of Chimpy-overload and frustration - there is *always* a lovely collection of assorted trolls to whack in whatever fashion I choose.
To my friends here: I've got your back. Always. Thank you.
~A
p.s. Jabberjoke - STFU, OK? Geesh.
July 11th, 2008 at 11:24 amFRED -- Amen to that. I'm all for options in education minus the lunacy. Very true, the emphasis on athletics is ridiculous.
Whatever works for the best educational, emotional, physical development of a child -- I'm for it. If the child has educated parents and lives in a school district filled with ignorant kids (and teachers), homeschooling works out well with good planning. Other paths -- enrolling in accredited correspondence programs and earning GEDs -- I'm for those, too. One size does not fit all, and I'm glad you did what was best for your children.
July 11th, 2008 at 11:25 amjabberjaw Says: If this is going to turn into another 200 plus post biblical thread on abortion rights, I’m out.
So now we know how to get rid of you. Cool.
July 11th, 2008 at 11:26 amunbelievable quotes Fred :
public school kids are pretty ignorant these days. They are being indoctrinated to be good employees who know their place.
and unb responds: There are some intelligent parents qualified to home school their children, but unfortunately, too many that choose to home school are not.
to which I am obliged to add:
Though I was educated by the State I'd argue that much of my education was due to "home-schooling". They taught me to reason rather than to simply "gainsay" and to challenge my own convictions and even theirs (and I had some successes at that too as I developed). I think I was lucky that they were both bright and experienced in life. It depends on one's definition of "home-schooling" and in the US its recognized form strikes me as in general being a an exclusive and strict 'education' not an inclusive and expansive one such as I experienced.
July 11th, 2008 at 11:28 amActually, I'll have that shot of tequila then I'll go vote for my gal, Cynthia McKinney!
July 11th, 2008 at 11:28 amDearest Jabberjaw,
save it for people who actually care what you have to say.
Love,
July 11th, 2008 at 11:30 amkay
#107 correction/addendum: "they" being my parents.
July 11th, 2008 at 11:30 amHouse Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) and her fellow House Democratic leaders “took a hard line
hahahahahahhahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahah
phew
hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahhhahahahahahahahhahahahahahahahhahahahahahahahahahahahahahhahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahhahhahahahahahahhahahahahahahahahahhhahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahhahahhahahahahahahahhhahahahahahahahahah
pleeze
RIP
July 11th, 2008 at 11:39 amSGT Stephen R. Sherman
C CO 1-5 IN (STRYKER)
KIA 3 Feb 2005
Mosul, Iraq
misshusseinmolly Says:
Here’s a tip — we established awhile back that the word “rectum” is OK with TP, even if the word “an*l” is not.
Therefore, you should have said “rectumogous”.
July 11th, 2008 at 10:49 am
Dear TP moderators: please, if you use a filter software which lists forbidden words, put a space before and after the word @n@l, it will deep that word forbidden and allow the many words with this four letter combination in them, but that not derivates of said word. Thanks.
July 11th, 2008 at 11:40 amKay. @ 99
I think you've rather sort-of explained why those like yourself who do give a damn ( myself included) and those who don't give a damn (the average never-vote know nothing 49% of the voting-eligble public) act the way they (we) do. The national political scene is an alternative universe to anyone outside of it. Whether one is studiously informed about politics or completely ignorant the results seem much the same. It all seems to be a comic-tragedy and a grand illusion.
I better stop now, I don't like where I'm headed with this train of philosophical thought.
July 11th, 2008 at 11:46 amcorrection: deep = keep
July 11th, 2008 at 11:49 amThe alternative energy production tax credit is set to expire Dec 31, 2008. An extension for this credit has been filibustered in the House by the Republicans twice in June alone. (I still haven't figured out how Repubs can do this but Dems can't) Anyway, it has expired a couple of times over the last decade even though it was eventually renewed. These gaps in the credit make it difficult for companies working on alt energy. The other day I heard an NPR story about a new company with working idea for a thermal storage for solar energy which, despite much interest, is now gearing down rather than up because of uncertainty about the fate of the credit. Any deal Pelosi might make about drilling should include assurances that alt energy credits will be extended.
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=92342742
http://newenergynews.blogspot.com/2007/09/solar-on-verge-of-solving-storage.html
http://www.hillheat.com/articles/2008/06/18/republicans-filibuster-renewable-tax-credit-legislation-again
July 11th, 2008 at 11:55 amThere are some really good school districts out there Fred. I live in a much smaller house just so I could be in a highly desirable school district.
July 11th, 2008 at 11:56 amThat's all it takes to get rid of you. Thanks for the info.
July 11th, 2008 at 11:58 amNo doubt there are some. But overall, as a nation we rank pretty low in what public school offers as far as real education.
My point is that homeschool is not an accurate acronym for ignorant. Even many of the ones that are homeschooling for religious purposes are getting a much better education than public school children. For most parents public school is a baby sitter.
I like to think we all do the best we can for our children's educational benifit. We even moved as you say you did into what was supposed to be a great school district that had money from a powerplant in it's district but the state took that money and split it among the other schools which is in my mind the correct thing to do but it had the end result of bringing the good schools quality way down instead of lifting them all.....just sayin.
This is one of our great failings in America.
July 11th, 2008 at 12:12 pmSo let's ask this question. Say, 10 minutes before your "fetus" is born, you've changed your mind. You've decided that you want to abort it, because after all, it is a woman's body. Is that OK? If not, perhaps a couple of days before is OK? A week? A month? If the first trimester is the cutoff, what about the first day of the second trimester? Is that too late? Where do you suppose we draw that line, and tell me why it's not completely arbitrary.
By the way, I not a religious or anti-abortion zealot, I'm just raising the issue of constitutional rights, since the subject came up in earlier post. I just happened to pick abortion as an (admittedly controversial) example.
July 11th, 2008 at 12:17 pmNo, usnagu, let's ask *this* question instead:
Why should we bother answering an idiotic hypothetical question asked by an idiotic troll...?
July 11th, 2008 at 12:25 pmNo offense, but people should stop feeding all the flying troll monkeys we get around here. Maybe - starved of the attention they clearly crave - they would go away.
July 11th, 2008 at 12:52 pmUnbelievable, would your interpretation of the 10th Amendment cover capital punishment as well? For example, how about some dirtbag in Louisiana who brutally rapes an 8-year old girl. I know what the "packed Supreme Court" says, but what about you? Can we fry him?
Any, by the way, back to the abortion issue. The definitions of terms such as "fetus," "embryo," "unborn," and "person" have been arbitrarily defined to provide legal wiggle room. The 14th Amendment says "No State shall make or enforce any law which shall abridge the privileges or immunities of citizens of the United States; nor shall any State deprive any person of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor deny to any person within its jurisdiction the equal protection of the laws."
July 11th, 2008 at 12:56 pmBackside Annie...it was a serious question. I would love to get your thoughts.
July 11th, 2008 at 12:58 pmYou got it Cupcakes. Can we still hit Daryll with the occasional Taser though? Mom said to not make fun of the handicapped, but that troll is just too much fun to resist.
July 11th, 2008 at 12:59 pmnanlichi:
Daryll is self-handicapped so it's probably OK.
:)
July 11th, 2008 at 1:09 pmHypothetically, if usnago's mother had had that abortion ten minutes before he was born would any of us have missed him?
July 11th, 2008 at 1:26 pmShayne, unconditionally, NO.
July 11th, 2008 at 1:31 pmi thought you libs were the tolerant ones? you guys don't appreciate alternative views and debate? How productive is it to sit around all day and agree with each other?
July 11th, 2008 at 1:33 pmFred Says
July 11th, 2008 at 10:53 am
How do you guys equate homeschooling with ignorance? We raised 3 children who were homeschooled. Not for religious reasons, the system was failing them and we couldn’t afford private schools.
_____________________________________________________________
You're absolutely right, of course -- many home-schooled children wind up with a better education than they could have gotten from their local public school system. Diligent parents who want to make sure their children get truly educated are in a good position to give their children the personal attention they can't get in a classroom.
Unfortunately, many parents choose to home-school their children not to educate them, but to ensure they remain ignorant. These are the parents who don't want their children exposed to any mindset other than their narrow ones. And unfortunately, it's this practice that gives home-schooling a bad name at times.
The greatest thing we can teach a child is how to think. As long as a child learns that, he will do well regardless of where he learned it.
July 11th, 2008 at 1:33 pmAnd for you, idiot, point me to any time EVER that your hypothetical situation, i.e. a woman aborting her fetus 10 MINUTES before birth, has happend - and then I'll answer your question.
Tell you what, moron, how about you tell me why an 11 year old Romanian girl who was raped by her uncle (and, unlike you - I CAN supply a link to a source) should be forced to have this baby...?
July 11th, 2008 at 1:34 pmUh oh LA, are you trying to reason with the "challenged"?
July 11th, 2008 at 1:36 pmusnagu Says:
You should go back and read your posts. You must be the whiner that grahm was talking about.
how productive is it to answer your asinine questions is a better question. We usually send the children out to play.
July 11th, 2008 at 1:37 pmYou're right, Shayne. I shouldn't bother. That one's only a proto-troll, not even good enough to reach official "troll" status.
My bad. ;o)
July 11th, 2008 at 1:43 pmThey don't get to judge any more than the commanders who bush fired for crossing him get to judge. They will be working for President Obama, not the other way around. That's why they call it "Commander in Chief"
July 11th, 2008 at 1:43 pmGreat post #99 Kay.....You say it so much better than I do..Blessings
July 11th, 2008 at 1:57 pmThanks for the compliment, but I cannot take credit for my post :
it was written by Richard Blair on the All Spin Zone website.
July 11th, 2008 at 2:12 pm#37 Kay, Thank's for posting it here any way....Blessings
July 11th, 2008 at 2:18 pmTake a look at the All Spin Zone: it's quite intersting!
(you're welcome...)
:)
July 11th, 2008 at 2:32 pm#139 Kay, great mind's.LOL..Just finished signing up and reading their site...Look's like I'm home again....This and other's view's about the constitution and country are the same as mine......Thank you again..Blessings
July 11th, 2008 at 3:02 pmFreb:
July 11th, 2008 at 3:55 pmI am one who always appreciates your eloquence, as well as your content and opinions. You are an asset to this forum, and I always look forward to reading what you have to say. Hopefully your smarts and eloquence will rub off on me :)
Exit Stage Left Says:
Freb:
I am one who always appreciates your eloquence, as well as your content and opinions. You are an asset to this forum, and I always look forward to reading what you have to say. Hopefully your smarts and eloquence will rub off on me :)
Thank you Exit Stage Left :) I'm truly honored. My hats off to you for your humor and wit. You always without fail put a smile on my face. For that I thank you.
Have a great weekend!
July 11th, 2008 at 4:43 pmWhat a lot of mess.
--chimpy wants big companies to ruin our air.
--I believe the photoshopped missile launched was put out by the repug msm but got caught and decided to play the "I told you so" game. But if that's true then they should of told us when it was first shown.
--Rove should be in jail two days ago.
July 11th, 2008 at 7:18 pmOn my way to China to visit my fiance and her mom, we flew over the north pole. There are huge fissures all over the ice shelf, massive glaciers have broken loose and are now free-floating.
July 11th, 2008 at 10:47 pmCan a global economic depression save the world from Climate Change?
This is a debate that we should seriously consider. How bad has Climate Change got…should we voluntarily shutdown our economies to fight Global Warming?
Are we at a point, given the outcome of the G8 meeting, that it would be more beneficial for mankind and nature if our economies where to collapse now, rather than march on causing climatic catastrophe.
I believe that this is a radical alternative measure which should not be ruled out in our efforts to tackle Global Warming. What do you think?
I know it sounds drastic, but there was a depression around the 30s and look were we are at now just 70yrs later. If Climate Change keeps escalating, wont that result in a worse, more permanent outcome? From the now desperate calls of our climate and economic experts it sounds like Hell & High water is just a round the bend.
I am calling for a debate on this to get some input from experts to see if it is a viable solution. Global warming will be catastrophic - a depression shouldn't. We need to look at all the paths forward to survival now!
Rouge share traders do a good one person job.... Bush is doing a darn good job so far! Probably not as difficult to archive as you may think!
Part II - How could this be achieved?
July 12th, 2008 at 4:21 am