ThinkFast: August 14, 2008
ThinkFast: August 14, 2008
Days after it was revealed that American Airlines was charging troops extra baggage fees on their way to war zones, the company “announced Thursday that it will eliminate fees for a third piece of checked luggage for active military personnel on their way to the war in Iraq or anywhere in the U.S.”
During a forum last week, Ed Tinsley, a conservative House candidate in New Mexico, accused his opponent – Harry Teague (D) – of wanting to cut the throats of American troops in Iraq. “How can I call my two nephews over there right now…and tell them I’m running against a guy that will cut your throat — that will cut the bottom out of your funding,” Tinsley said. (Watch the video here.)
“Americans scaled back their driving during June by almost 5 percent in response to soaring fuel costs,” the Department of Transportation reported yesterday. “U.S. motorists drove 12.2 billion fewer miles in June compared to a year earlier, marking the eighth month in a row that travel declined in the face of record gas prices.”
According to new Census Bureau projections, “ethnic and racial minorities will comprise a majority of the nation’s population” by 2042. Four years ago, Census officials “had projected the shift would come in 2050.”
On the trail today: Sen. John McCain (R-AZ) is due in Aspen “to speak about the economy, then bring his campaign’s best fundraisers and top brass together behind closed doors with some of the men thought to be on his vice presidential short list.” Sen. Barack Obama (D-IL) is vacationing in Hawaii.
“Under fire for being a technophobe, John McCain will unveil a technology agenda that bundles previously announced pro-business proposals with continued support for a hands-off approach to regulation.”
When John McCain investigated Jack Abramoff three years ago, Abramoff’s old firm, Greenberg Traurig, hired McCain foreign policy adviser Randy Scheunemann — who also advised McCain in 2000 — “for advice on handling the Senate investigation.”
The first filings of a “new ethics law requiring lobbyists to detail their campaign giving” show that “more than three-fourths of the federally registered lobbyists making campaign contributions in excess of $25,000 this year have showered money mainly on one political party or the other.” The documents, however, do not capture “all the ways lobbyists can help politicians raise money.”
Prominent labor groups have asked the Federal Election Commission for an “investigation into whether Wal-Mart Stores Inc. violated federal election laws by telling employees that electing Democrats would lead to passage of legislation making it easier to unionize companies.” The groups “say such statements amount to advocating the defeat of Sen. Barack Obama” this November.
The Bush administration is urging Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf to “step down voluntarily rather than prolong an ongoing political crisis and face impeachment,” according to high-ranking Pakistani government officials and Western diplomats who spoke to CBS News. Officials say the U.S. is seeking “an orderly transition of power” in order to “build close ties with Musharraf’s successor.”
And finally: The National Archives is releasing documents today showing that chef Julia Child, Supreme Court Justice Arthur Goldberg, and Chicago White Sox catcher Moe Berg all “served in an international spy ring managed by the Office of Strategic Services, an early version of the CIA created in World War II by President Franklin Roosevelt.” The papers contain the names of 24,000 spies who “studied military plans, created propaganda, infiltrated enemy ranks and stirred resistance among foreign troops.”
What did we miss? Let us know in the comments section.
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Sean Hannity’s Sliding Moral Scale For John McCain’s Adultery
Via Scarce, an excellent illustration of IOKIYAR. Conservatives like Hannity love to lecture us on their supposedly strict view of morality — that legal or moral transgressions should never be viewed through a contextual prism.
So when a poor person steals, they insist, society shouldn’t consider their poverty or shitty childhood or addictions. Right is right and wrong is wrong, they drone, and everything else is just lazy, lenient left-wing moral relativism.
This black and white paradigm, of course, never applies to Republicans, including the Republican nominee, who cheated on his wife and ultimately dumped her for his mistress.
Note how Hannity takes into account all kinds of mitigating reasons that McSame would heartlessly betray his disabled wife for a much younger, hotter sorority chick, who happened to be a politically well-connected beer heiress worth millions. Like the fact that he was a POW, for instance. Because everyone knows that POWs have no choice but to ditch their wives and kids for a little stuff on the side when they return. IOKIYAR.
http://firedoglake.com/2008/08/13/sean-hannitys-sliding-moral-scale-for-john-mccains-adultery/
Check out the video of this segment, it is short. Alan Colmes did a great job shutting down the right-wing talking heads. At the end, Hannity sees that he needs to save them. So he starts talking about McCain being tortured for 5 ½ years with broken bones, and that McCain was a different person then than he is now. Hannity’s lame excuse for McCain’s affair is “Extenuating Circumstances”. That is the new right-wing meme.
August 14th, 2008 at 9:01 amThat worked so well for the mortgage industry, didn’t it?
August 14th, 2008 at 9:03 amFormer La. police officer indicted in Taser death
A former police officer accused of repeatedly jolting a handcuffed man with a Taser before he died was indicted on a manslaughter charge Wednesday by a grand jury in central Louisiana. The Winn Parish grand jury also indicted former Winnfield police officer Scott Nugent on a charge of malfeasance in office stemming from the Jan. 17 death of Baron Pikes, 21.
Pikes was shocked nine times with a 50,000-volt Taser as he was arrested on a drug possession warrant in January, authorities said. Winn Parish District Attorney Chris Nevils said Nugent broke the law when he “unnecessarily” used the Taser on Pikes multiple times and failed to get him medical attention “when it was apparent he needed it.”
“In a civilized society, abuse by those who are given great authority cannot be tolerated,” Nevils said in a statement. Nugent, who is scheduled to be arraigned Aug. 21, faces up to 40 years in prison if convicted of the manslaughter charge. The malfeasance charge carries a maximum sentence of five years in prison.
Nugent was fired but is appealing his dismissal. Phillip Terrell, Nugent’s lawyer, has said his client followed department protocols and didn’t use excessive force.
http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/T/TASER_DEATH_LAOL-?SITE=WWLAM&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT
Since Phillip Terrell feels his client didn’t use excessive force he should do a demonstration to prove this point if he is so convinced. But, we know that is never going to happen. According to one coroner’s report, Pike’s may have been dead when the last 2 Taser shocks were administered. This kind of behavior and cruelty by law enforcement officers can not be condoned; they should be punished to the fullest extent of the law.
August 14th, 2008 at 9:05 amEd Tinsley is an example of just how desperate the GOP is this year. When one resorts to accusing his opponent of having murder on his mind, that’s telling.
Unfortunately, there are some people out there who will readily believe that the Democrats are less likely to support the troops — despite much evidence that shows they support the troops much more than the Republicans do.
August 14th, 2008 at 9:05 amThat’s easy – just lie; it must be old hat by now.
I’m sure they’d rather stay there than come home.
August 14th, 2008 at 9:08 amDuring a forum last week, Ed Tinsley, a conservative House candidate in New Mexico, accused his opponent – Harry Teague (D) – of wanting to cut the throats of American troops in Iraq. “How can I call my two nephews over there right now…and tell them I’m running against a guy that will cut your throat — that will cut the bottom out of your funding,” Tinsley said. (Watch the video here.)
The ONLY way NM-2 goes Dim is AFTER the Rapture…
August 14th, 2008 at 9:08 amThe Bush administration is urging Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf to “step down voluntarily rather than prolong an ongoing political crisis and face impeachment,”
See what happens when you keep impeachment on the table.
August 14th, 2008 at 9:08 amWhat did we miss? Let us know in the comments section.
I am terrified this morning as our main stream media is still reporting that Russia was the aggressor in the Georgia incident. How can the truth be so easily hidden from the American people?
August 14th, 2008 at 9:11 amThis should garner far more airtime from the flapping lips of the bobblehead tribes than Jeremiah Wright did. Ten’ll get ya twenty there’ll be nary a word. Bah. Damn librul media.
August 14th, 2008 at 9:12 amI have heard for years, from enough places that is seems to me to be true, that McSame’s “torture” in Nam occurred when he was unceremoniously pulled from the wreckage of his (4th) crashed bomber in that lake outside Hanoi. the militiamen who pulled hiom out weren’t any to gentle, but they didn’t have much time; the acts of ‘torture’ occurred when the N.V. docs treated h is injuries without anaesthesia–cuz there wsn’t much of it those days in N.V., and they were using it on people whom Bombin’ Johnnie and his tailhook buddies were trying to kill…
August 14th, 2008 at 9:14 amAccording to new Census Bureau projections, “ethnic and racial minorities will comprise a majority of the nation’s population” by 2042.
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And I wonder how many of these “ethnic and racial minorities” will actually be bi-racial? And will they be counted as white or non-white?
Over the past few decades, we have seen an increase in interracial marriage and society no longer sees that as the shocker they once did. While the reasons cited by the census for this increase (more immigration, more babies born to immigrants) are certainly valid, we must also recognize that our society now accepts interracial marriage more than it ever did (even in television and movies, it doesn’t raise an eyebrow), which means that many more of our population will be a mix of races.
This is a good thing. I have longed for the time when skin color would be as significant as eye color, and perhaps by 2042, we may reach that point. Maybe we will even get to the point when we quit tracking our population by race.
August 14th, 2008 at 9:14 am“Americans scaled back their driving during June by almost 5 percent in response to soaring fuel costs,” the Department of Transportation reported yesterday. “U.S. motorists drove 12.2 billion fewer miles in June compared to a year earlier, marking the eighth month in a row that travel declined in the face of record gas prices.”
I saw about 200 school buses yesterday… So much for the streak of oil price decreases. Oil was up yesterday.
August 14th, 2008 at 9:15 amI’m not so sure telling employees an Obama administration would mean they could collectively bargain for a living wage is going to have the desired effect. Wal Mart management ain’t exactly Mensa material.
August 14th, 2008 at 9:16 amAmericans scaled back their driving
Thus, the ‘free market’(read: falling demand) and NOT political stunts by the Rethuglic party on Capital Hill is lowering gas prices.
But don’t expect Rethugs and their water-carrying trolls to admit it.
August 14th, 2008 at 9:18 amOn the trail today: Sen. John McCain (R-AZ) is due in Aspen “to speak about the economy,
Oh, he’s gonna do a comedy show… Because you know that when John McCain speaks about the economy, it’s gonna be absolutely hilarious.
August 14th, 2008 at 9:18 amAnd what did you miss?
Don Siegelman to speak at the Dem Convention.
Good call.
August 14th, 2008 at 9:19 am@8, Fred Says:
I am terrified this morning as our main stream media is still reporting that Russia was the aggressor in the Georgia incident. How can the truth be so easily hidden from the American people?
August 14th, 2008 at 9:11 am
In the Corporate State, corporate media are the State Media.
“Conventional’ reporting is propaganda, plain and simple, nothing else, always, already…
The SCUM (SoCalled Unbiased Media) tell the story they are told to tell. Russia is portrayed as the aggressor because “democracies never go to war with each other,” of course…and the Puke/Cons have to have a powerful enemy. It’s the spin that counts…
August 14th, 2008 at 9:19 amtokin librul at 9:14 am
August 14th, 2008 at 9:21 amI’d hazard a guess that his medical treatment improved drastically once the NVA realized they had the son of a US Navy Admiral in their prison.
Shell rebuked for ‘greenwash’ over ad for polluting oil project
The Anglo-Dutch energy giant Shell misled the public about the green credentials of a vastly polluting oil project in Canada, in an attempt to assure consumers of its good environmental record, a media watchdog will rule today.
In an embarrassing rejection of Shell’s “greenwash”, the Advertising Standards Authority said the company should not have used the word “sustainable” for its controversial tar sands project and a second scheme to build North America’s biggest oil refinery. Both projects would lead to the emission of more greenhouse gases, the ASA said, ruling the advert had breached rules on substantiation, truthfulness and environmental claims.
Carried by the Financial Times on 1 February to accompany Shell’s financial results, the company claimed: “We invest today’s profits in tomorrow’s solutions.”
http://www.independent.co.uk/environment/green-living/shell-rebuked-for-greenwash-over-ad-for-polluting-oil-project-892863.html
The devastation wrought by this project will insure nothing will be living there for many generations to come. Such as, animals which will find it uninhabitable after all the ponds are completely destroyed and there are no trees left. But, Shell just wants to gloss over that little fact. Good job Shell, for making it harder to make positive changes for the future, as long as your bottom line is protected that is all that matters, right?
August 14th, 2008 at 9:21 amThe first filings of a “new ethics law requiring lobbyists to detail their campaign giving” show that “more than three-fourths of the federally registered lobbyists making campaign contributions in excess of $25,000 this year have showered money mainly on one political party or the other.” The documents, however, do not capture “all the ways lobbyists can help politicians raise money.”
You know, Congress could do something about the oil prices, given that oil companies made record profits while many Americans had to give up food to get to work.
This article is precisely why they haven’t done anything and won’t do anything – they represent oil companies and NOT us.
Obama was smart to fund his campaign from average Americans. He’ll haveno obligations to big oil. Unfortunately, Congress will, including teh Democrats. Will be interesting to see how that works out…
August 14th, 2008 at 9:22 amThis is a good thing. I have longed for the time when skin color would be as significant as eye color, and perhaps by 2042, we may reach that point. Maybe we will even get to the point when we quit tracking our population by race.
August 14th, 2008 at 9:14 am
In raw numbers, the foregoing may be “true.” But nobody alive today will live to see the day that “white” people lose their advantage in wealth, power, and hegemonic controletc…
August 14th, 2008 at 9:22 amThe Bush administration is urging Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf to “step down voluntarily
If only he’d take his own advice…
August 14th, 2008 at 9:23 amFrom linked WSJ article:
The plan, dubbed “John McCain and American Innovation,” is set to be released Thursday on the Republican presidential candidate’s campaign Web site. It will call for a 10% tax credit on wages paid to all research-and-development employees. At the same time, it will reiterate Sen. McCain’s OPPOSITION TO Internet taxes and NEW LAWS GUARANTEEING NET NEUTRALITY, the idea that Internet providers must treat all legal Internet traffic equally. (emphasis mine)
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We need to be very careful with this one. Normally we could allow John McCain to just yaw all over the pond as he usually does, but some vigilance would be prudent to ensure that the part about eliminating net neutrality doesn’t get spun into something attractive. Because the only way the telecoms will get their way on net neutrality is when the rest of us are asleep.
August 14th, 2008 at 9:24 amDumb_Hussein_Fox at 9:19 am
That is the same CBS affiliate that dumped the live feed of Gov. Siegelman’s first report on 60 Minutes, which caused the big upheaval here in Huntsville and North Alabama. Thom Hartmann has had him on almost weekly since he was able to get out of jail.
August 14th, 2008 at 9:28 amFred Says: I am terrified this morning as our main stream media is still reporting that Russia was the aggressor in the Georgia incident. How can the truth be so easily hidden from the American people?
I was even more thrilled to see that Russia told the Bush regime to pick sides in this issue – either Russia’s or Georgia’s, with long term implications, and the idiots did – Georgia’s…
If anyone thinks that this is good foreign policy, then they shouldn’t be allowed in public.
Good foreign policy would have been to decline from picking sides since both sides were aggressors in their own ways and to have stayed neutral. Instead, these war-mongerng bullies have to make it even worse for us because they can’t control their need to be the center of attention. Sheesh!
August 14th, 2008 at 9:29 amFreedom Rebel Says
August 14th, 2008 at 9:01 am
This black and white paradigm, of course, never applies to Republicans, including the Republican nominee, who cheated on his wife and ultimately dumped her for his mistress.
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If this article hadn’t mentioned “Republican nominee”, I wouldn’t have been able to guess which Republican they were talking about. McCain? Giuliani? Gingrich? Seems there are an awful lot of Republicans who have done this — not just McCain.
But it is kind of fun watching the wingnut talking heads find excuses for them while condemning Edwards.
August 14th, 2008 at 9:29 amDuring a forum last week, Ed Tinsley, a conservative House candidate in New Mexico, accused his opponent – Harry Teague (D) – of wanting to cut the throats of American troops in Iraq.
These people are despicable. And this kind of tactic is going to bounce back on this idiot. The American public is getting sick and tired of the fear and smear tactics of the Republicans.
August 14th, 2008 at 9:33 am**Got this from Kucinich yesterday and have forwarded this to as many friens as I could. Nancy’s new excuse is that there are now only 100 days to go…she has thrown up every roadblock possible to protect herself. Let’s help Kucinich BEAT his 1 million signature goal!!!
September 10th: The day before our world changed,
a day to change the world!
Dear Friends,
On August 1st, I delivered to Speaker Nancy Pelosi; a petition bearing the names of over 100,000 Americans that, like us, feel that the President must be held accountable for abusing executive power and disregarding his Constitutional obligations.
Your voices have been heard and your support continues to send a powerful message to lawmakers. That is why I call on you again to help us in a new effort to deliver 1 Million signatures to Speaker Pelosi on September 10, 2008.
Together we can:
•Urge real Congressional action to hold President Bush accountable now
•Reinstate the authority of our Constitution
•Document crimes committed by President Bush for historical account
•Facilitate post-Administration law enforcement and prosecution
•Reset the standard for the incoming and future administrations
•Demand justice for the over 3,000 who died on 9/11and whose deaths were tragically exploited to take us into an illegal war in Iraq
•Demand justice for the estimated 30,324 U.S. military personnel who have been injured/wounded
•Demand justice for the estimated 4,138 U.S. military personnel who have been killed or died
•Demand justice for the 1 Million innocent Iraqis who have died*
•Avert another illegitimate looming war – this time against Iran
We need your active participation to deliver 1 Million signatures to Congress by September 10, 2008.
Please give at least ten of your friends the opportunity to stand up for our country – the way you and I have, by inviting them to sign the impeachment petition online at http://www.Kucinich.us. Send your friends an email invitation to sign the petition by clicking here.
Together we can make September 10, the day before the world changed, a day we change the world!
Thank you for your active and ongoing citizenship.
Dennis Kucinich
August 14th, 2008 at 9:33 am________________________________________
Answers!
Get your questions about Impeachment answered!
Click here to find out why your involvement is essential and how we can succeed.
http://kucinich.us/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=2395&Itemid=76
House of Roberts at #24
Thank you, I hadn’t realized… however, given the source then, would be good to have TP confirm if this good news is indeed true.
August 14th, 2008 at 9:34 amOn the trail today: Sen. John McCain (R-AZ) is due in Aspen “to speak about the economy…”
Because those folks in Aspen are hurting economically, I’m sure! What’s his next stop? A luxurious spa in Palm Springs to speak about the healthcare crisis?
Idiot.
PEACE
August 14th, 2008 at 9:36 am“Americans scaled back their driving during June by almost 5 percent in response to soaring fuel costs,” the Department of Transportation reported yesterday.
And this is why the oil companies have lowered the price of gasoline. They were seeing their windfall profits falling because people were buying less gas. So they lowered the price somewhat to encourage people to drive more. I hope that the changes in driving habits is permanent and that people find even more ways to drive less. Our planet needs all the help it can get.
August 14th, 2008 at 9:37 amFred Says:
“I am terrified this morning as our main stream media is still reporting that Russia was the aggressor in the Georgia incident. How can the truth be so easily hidden from the American people?”
That’s simple Fred. The neocons have are wrapped around the Administration and a complicite corporate MSM like an invasive weed. They wish to stoke conflict with Russia, so all you will hear from the Republicans and the MSM are how Russia is the problem.
August 14th, 2008 at 9:40 amProminent labor groups have asked the Federal Election Commission for an “investigation into whether Wal-Mart Stores Inc. violated federal election laws by telling employees that electing Democrats would lead to passage of legislation making it easier to unionize companies.” The groups “say such statements amount to advocating the defeat of Sen. Barack Obama” this November.
Reason #267 why not to shop at Wal-Mart!!
August 14th, 2008 at 9:41 amDumb_Hussein_Fox at 9:34 am
Well, it is local for me, I can see their tower from my back yard. I doubt they would publish it, if it weren’t true. The story has too much momentum now.
August 14th, 2008 at 9:41 amAnd the beat goes on – I just signed too.
August 14th, 2008 at 9:42 amI’d hazard a guess that his medical treatment improved drastically once the NVA realized they had the son of a US Navy Admiral in their prison.
Actually, I think McNumbNuts’ medical care got better after he began recording propaganda messages for the NVA.
I supposed that he will claim that his collaboration with the enemy was just “Stockholm Syndrome” . . . you know, kind of like how Cindy captured his heart while he was still married to his first wife.
August 14th, 2008 at 9:43 am“Americans scaled back their driving during June by almost 5 percent in response to soaring fuel costs,” the Department of Transportation reported yesterday.
The WH saw this coming and was hoping to strongarm Congress before their summer recess into removing the block on offshore drilling before prices began to fall. Then they could have tried to claim that their efforts are what truly caused gas prices to begin to fall.
August 14th, 2008 at 9:44 am@ 27, Bilbo Hussein Baggins Says: And this kind of tactic is going to bounce back on this idiot. The American public is getting sick and tired of the fear and smear tactics of the Republicans. August 14th, 2008 at 9:33 am
No it’s not. Not in southern New Mexico. There’s one little semi-liberal enclave in Las Cruces, because of the University there. The rest is mainly redneck/cracker ranchers and oil folks, with a large sprinkling of military, both active and retired. They’ll believe anything. The military ALWAYS believes accusations of “Dolchstosse.”
August 14th, 2008 at 9:44 amFormer La. police officer indicted in Taser death. A former police officer accused of repeatedly jolting a handcuffed man with a Taser before he died was indicted on a manslaughter charge Wednesday by a grand jury in central Louisiana.
Well, it’s about time. It is becoming an altogether frequent occurrence to read about police tasering people beyond the purpose of the weapon.
August 14th, 2008 at 9:44 amFred Says:
I am terrified this morning as our main stream media is still reporting that Russia was the aggressor in the Georgia incident. How can the truth be so easily hidden from the American people?
Remember last year when newsweek had two different covers, the international version was about Afghanistan and how we are losing ground and the fact the Taliban regained control of 50% of the country, while the US version had a different cover and the story on Afghanistan was missing?
The media is censoring our news to be compliant with the wishes of this fascist administration. We are living 1984.
August 14th, 2008 at 9:45 ammisshusseinmolly Says:
According to new Census Bureau projections, “ethnic and racial minorities will comprise a majority of the nation’s population” by 2042.
_______________________________________________________
And I wonder how many of these “ethnic and racial minorities” will actually be bi-racial? And will they be counted as white or non-white?
I’m betting they will be counted as non-white. If you think about it, most of us are bi-racial. I know that I am. My ancestors come from Spain, Ireland, England and Germany. I wonder what that makes me. My dad used to tell me we were a Heinz 57 Variety.
August 14th, 2008 at 9:50 amAre these Cons unable to look at thmselves and actually see anything? I don’t get how he can seriously say this after endorsing the occupation of Iraq for the last 6 years.
McCain: “In The 21st Century Nations Don’t Invade Other Nations”
Speaking to reporters about the situation in Georgia, Sen. John McCain denounced the aggressive posture of Russia by claiming that:”in the 21st century nations don’t invade other nations.”
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/08/13/mccain-in-the-21st-centur_n_118759.html
August 14th, 2008 at 9:50 am>“How can I call my two nephews over
> there right now…and tell them
> I’m running against a guy
> that will cut your throat “?
Hey, ass$ole, why dont you just tell them “dont worry, the people who were killing your buddies are being well paid by the american taxpayers to stop shooting at you”
Hooray for Betrayus, paying bloodmoney for peace in Iraq on the U.S. taxpayers dime. Hooray for the totally inept democrats in congress, for not a one of them having the courage to confront Betrayus with this ugly fact, preferabbly accompanied on camera by a mangled soldier…
August 14th, 2008 at 9:50 am“When John McCain investigated Jack Abramoff three years ago, Abramoff’s old firm, Greenberg Traurig, hired McCain foreign policy adviser Randy Scheunemann — who also advised McCain in 2000 — “for advice on handling the Senate investigation.””
Has anyone done any serious investigations into possible ties between Abramoff, Scheunemann and the neocons? It’s beginning to look to me as though lobbying is just the tip of the iceberg with these two. Abramoff’s shady relationship with George Bush and overlapping interests keep putting Abramoff and Scheunemann’s names just a degree or two of seperation from many stories involving Israel, Georgia and other strong neocon interests.
August 14th, 2008 at 9:50 am#26 misshusseinmolly Says:
Freedom Rebel Says
August 14th, 2008 at 9:01 am
This black and white paradigm, of course, never applies to Republicans, including the Republican nominee, who cheated on his wife and ultimately dumped her for his mistress.
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If this article hadn’t mentioned “Republican nominee”, I wouldn’t have been able to guess which Republican they were talking about. McCain? Giuliani? Gingrich? Seems there are an awful lot of Republicans who have done this — not just McCain.
But it is kind of fun watching the wingnut talking heads find excuses for them while condemning Edwards.
Good Morning misshusseinmolly :)
Exactly why I had to post it, I couldn’t help but laugh at the right-wing talking heads that they picked. I figured I would give everyone a chuckle on the absurdity factor. With so many things in this country to get ticked off about, we all need a good laugh.
August 14th, 2008 at 9:51 amMost Americans have awakened to exactly who has been cutting their throats…..keep up the vile republicans, it’s all you have ever had.
August 14th, 2008 at 9:51 amHow many conflicts of interest must exist in McCain’s campaign before the msm starts making note of them?
The “liberal press” is at it again.
August 14th, 2008 at 9:53 amAs for supply and demand in gas prices:
April-people drove 1.8% fewer miles, gas prices rose from $3.25 to $3.44, a gain of 19 cents.
May-Americans travelled 3.7% less, gas prices rose 32 cents to $3.76
June-citizens drove 4.7% fewer miles, gas prices rose another 30 cents to $4.06 a gallon
Oil companies made record profits from this “free” market.
August 14th, 2008 at 9:53 amBilbo; I received a blood transfusion from a soul brother, so I got some black in me.
August 14th, 2008 at 9:55 amcreusa1 Says: Studies show that wind turbines cause health problems, “wind turbine syndrome” if built closer than two miles to homes. Why is this being ignored?
Probably because it’s utter nonsense.
Ironically you same idiots support coal and nuclear energy as “alternatives” and fail to see all the hard core evidence that they are both dirty and dangerous sources of energy.
August 14th, 2008 at 9:56 amBe suspicious that the Georgia/Russia conflict has been set up.
August 14th, 2008 at 9:58 amcreusa1 Says:
Scared of progress are ya?
August 14th, 2008 at 9:59 amDid everyone hear the words of Lush Lintball yesterday as he twisted the Edwards story to make Elizabeth a villain and Edwards a victim?
August 14th, 2008 at 10:00 amI know drug-addled one appeals to the least common denominator in society, but when does he come to the end of the line? Apparently nothing is too low for the scumbag.
Marie Says:
Be suspicious that the Georgia/Russia conflict has been set up.
I’m betting it was. I’m betting that McCain was involved too. But, I think that Georgia jumped the gun and the US was caught flat footed. After all, the administration was vacationing and you should never expect support from the US while the administration is on vacation.
I’m wondering, though, what the Admin offered them. We don’t have troops to send so it must have been an offer of financial support. I expect Bush to go to Congress to ask for an obscene amount of money to send to Georgia to help them arm themselves so that they can protect themselves from the ENEMY RUSSIA.
What this Admin hopes to get out of a pissing match with Russia is beyond me.
August 14th, 2008 at 10:03 amHuman life originated in Africa (there have been many recent discoveries of new fossils of our ancestors in the Rift Valley – not that it would ever be publicized here where at least half the population actually believe they were ‘created’ by an Invisible Man), so technically, we are all African, no matter how lily white your skin might be :)
August 14th, 2008 at 10:04 amBilbo Hussein Baggins Says:
“I expect Bush to go to Congress to ask for an obscene amount of money to send to Georgia to help them arm themselves so that they can protect themselves from the ENEMY RUSSIA.”
And how many billions and how many arms will suddenly “go missing” and most likely end up in Russia? Is the Administration playing both sides in this conflict?
“Every ambitious would-be empire, clarions it abroad that she is conquering the world to bring it peace, security and freedom, and it is sacrificing her sons only for the most noble and humanitarian purposes. That is a lie; and it is an ancient lie, yet generations still rise and believe it.”
-Henry David Thoreau
August 14th, 2008 at 10:11 amI’m wondering why no one is pointing out that McCain’s statement on Russia “invading” Georgia is practically a duplicate of what Bush said. Here’s what Bush said:
I knew when I heard what McCain said, that it sounded familiar.
August 14th, 2008 at 10:11 am“We always understood that soldiers traveling on duty were reimbursed by the military for the fees on required excess baggage,” said Tom R. Del Valle, senior vice president of American Airlines airport services.
“However, after recently hearing of the burden the military reimbursement process put on soldiers traveling to war zones, the choice for us to forgo payment for a third checked bag from the Department of Defense was clear,” Mr. Del Valle said.
If I ran a $500-600 billion-a-year business that regularly used commercial air to transport for its employees to conduct their “business” I don’t imagine I’d have a problem negotiating a contract with a direct “business-to-business” system, instead of having each “employee” file an individual expense report whenever they could find the time to do so.
The soldier’s upfront charge of course ensures the airline gets the money before the soldier gets killed, and if the soldier gets killed before filing the expense, the DoD doesn’t have to shell out a re-imbursement.
The DoD happily spends billions on elaborate products but on its people, not so much.
August 14th, 2008 at 10:13 amAnd the beat goes on, thanks for the Kucinich link. I signed up and forwarded to my friends.
August 14th, 2008 at 10:14 amMarie Says
August 14th, 2008 at 10:00 am
Did everyone hear the words of Lush Lintball yesterday as he twisted the Edwards story to make Elizabeth a villain and Edwards a victim?
_________________________________________________________
Yes — it reminded me of Dr. Laura blaming Elliot Spitzer’s wife for his going to hookers. I think conservatives are hard-wired to blame women for everything.
But Rush seems to have an especially irrational fear of intelligent women. Otherwise, why would he feel the need to call them “feminazis”? He makes assumptions that Elizabeth Edwards is an undesirable partner because she’s intelligent and articulate — something Limbaugh claims turns men off. Methinks Rush is projecting big-time here.
August 14th, 2008 at 10:16 amThe Carlyle Group announced the sale of John Maneely Co to a Russian firm. Their affiliate makes steel tubes and will fetch $3.5 billion for the politically connected private equity underwriter.
http://dealbook.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/08/13/carlyle-sells-john-maneely-to-russias-novolipetsk-steel/
Energy rich foreign governments need to do something with all those dollars. It shouldn’t be a surprise that Russia joins the UAE in buying key American assets from The Carlyle Group. So far, Bush’s CFIUS helped Carlyle amke huge profits.
If Chevron can keep sending $ millions to the Burmese junta, then dictatorial Russia should buy a U.S. steel tubemaker. And nevermind that missiles are shaped like a tube, Carlyle can make a potential 500% two year return. Now that’s patriotic!
August 14th, 2008 at 10:18 amMcCain: “In The 21st Century Nations Don’t Invade Other Nations”
in his defense, he may have forgotten the difference between A.D. and B.C.
August 14th, 2008 at 10:19 amSource
Is you better off? Some troll want to explain why this is a democrat’s fault?
August 14th, 2008 at 10:21 am@ 41, Bilbo Hussein Baggins Says: I’m betting they will be counted as non-white. If you think about it, most of us are bi-racial. I know that I am. My ancestors come from Spain, Ireland, England and Germany. I wonder what that makes me. My dad used to tell me we were a Heinz 57 Variety.
August 14th, 2008 at 9:50 am
there’s a buncha fancy-schmancy DNA tests you can get to determine the national/racial derivation of your own exact genome. it pretty much shows that virtually everybody has some “bad” blood: black, jewish, indian, whatever. Nobody’s pure-blooded anything anymore…I have a friend who spent the money and was both astonished and (modestly) excitied to discover her “jewish” ancestry…
August 14th, 2008 at 10:23 amfred @8 -
my local daily ran this article on the OPINION page:
By LYNN BERRY, Associated Press Writer Tue Aug 12, 6:32 PM ET
MOSCOW – Russia has made clear it calls the shots in this part of the world, a message other former Soviet bloc countries cannot ignore. [...]
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080812/ap_on_re_eu/russia_calling_the_shots
under this cartoon, great big, in black/white:
http://www.creators.com/editorialcartoons/john-sherffius/archive.html?DATE_START=2008-08-10
“The bear is back”
aaaaAAAAAAAAAAAAAGHHH!
August 14th, 2008 at 10:27 ammisshusseinmolly: “But Rush…makes assumptions that Elizabeth Edwards is an undesirable partner because she’s intelligent and articulate — something Limbaugh claims turns men off.”
So what might this say about George Bush and Laura Bush? :D
August 14th, 2008 at 10:28 am#55 bilbo
Curously, Karl Rove was in Yalta (Crimea) in mid July at a conference. As a former WH staffer, what were his credentials to attend this meeting? I think he met with Saakashvilli.
We already know that Schuenemann was a paid lobbyist for Georgia; that he advises McCain.
I can’t put all the pieces together, but if we had a press that functioned, we might know the truth.
August 14th, 2008 at 10:28 amI would hafta say the kinda partner Rushbo finds desirable is one that you inflate.
August 14th, 2008 at 10:32 amkaty Says:
But 1/3 to 1/2 of Americans get their news from the internet now so how can the lies not be exposed? Are more people just aware of the fact that you can’t depend on the news organizations to tell the truth?
August 14th, 2008 at 10:33 amYou know what would be absolutely amazing? If Dennis Kucinich became Speaker of the House. He’s got the seniority, and I’m sure he has the managerial talent.
August 14th, 2008 at 10:34 am#62 stateofthedivision Says:
The Carlyle Group announced the sale of John Maneely Co to a Russian firm. Their affiliate makes steel tubes and will fetch $3.5 billion for the politically connected private equity underwriter.
The timing of this seems awfully suspicious. But the potential for a 500% return probably has them in a money-frenzy. Why should the care about a little thing like national security concerns? IOKIYAR
great post stateofthedivision :) good to see you….
August 14th, 2008 at 10:37 amHaaretz has a piece on the Israel connection to the Georgian conflict. It’s more than an interesting read:
http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1011298.html
August 14th, 2008 at 10:45 amNEW YORK (CNNMoney.com) — The annual inflation rate surged to 5.6% in July – the highest point in 17 years.
The previous month’s reading on annual inflation was 5%.
The July increase matched the 5.6% level in January 1991, when the Persian Gulf War was raging.
Gee, what do 1991 and 2008 have in common? A Bush was running the country into the ground and we were in Iraq!
The Bushes, good at starting wars and spending money, very bad at running the government.
August 14th, 2008 at 10:47 amFred Says
August 14th, 2008 at 10:21 am
Is you better off? Some troll want to explain why this is a democrat’s fault?
________________________________________________________
Eh — the trolls will just claim this is all the fault of the “Democrat controlled” Congress. That’s the boogeyman for all ills in their book these days.
August 14th, 2008 at 10:48 amDays after it was revealed that American Airlines was charging troops extra baggage fees on their way to war zones, the company “announced Thursday that it will eliminate fees for a third piece of checked luggage for active military personnel on their way to the war in Iraq or anywhere in the U.S.”
Why didn’t they “support the troops” before the story broke?
http://progressiveworldreview.com
August 14th, 2008 at 10:49 amThe Republic of Stupidity Says:
I would hafta say the kinda partner Rushbo finds desirable is one that you inflate.
I hear he has problems with letting the air out when it touches his pin-head.
August 14th, 2008 at 10:49 am#30 spencers mom Says:
On the trail today: Sen. John McCain (R-AZ) is due in Aspen “to speak about the economy…”
Because those folks in Aspen are hurting economically, I’m sure! What’s his next stop? A luxurious spa in Palm Springs to speak about the healthcare crisis?
Idiot.
Good Morning spencers mom :) ROTFL, that was a good one….
August 14th, 2008 at 10:49 amWe can’t forget the “behind closed doors” aspect, so that they can figure out news ways to stick it to the working class families. Like how off-shore drilling is for OUR benefit to alleviate the high gas prices. It makes me afraid to hear their next brain storm.
Thank you stateofthedivision for the news of Carlyle Group’s goings on (to name one useful bit of info you were kind enough to share). It’s a good idea to keep an eye on them.
And thank you to all of you for your postings.
And McWars, I second that suggestion re: Kucinich as House Speaker! I think he’d do great.
August 14th, 2008 at 10:53 amIsraeli troops get away with murder of Reuters cameraman:
http://www.democracynow.org/2008/8/14/headlines#11
August 14th, 2008 at 10:54 am#72 Great points, Freedom Rebel. Dubai Aerospace purchased Standard Aero and Landmark Aviation from that same Carlyle Group. Bush’s CFIUS approved the deal, which stayed far under the public radar.
Funny, one might expect the sale of over 50 domestic airport operations to be more of a concern than a handful of ports or a piece of the NASDAQ exchange. Why a UAE sovereign wealth fund would want a Bush rendition flight contractor, I don’t know.
August 14th, 2008 at 11:10 am#80 hussein toasterhead Says:
Israeli troops get away with murder of Reuters cameraman:
Israel Clears Soldiers in Killing of Palestinian Journalist, Youths
Good Morning hussein toasterhead :) That is so tragic and so unfair. It is like open season on journalists trying to report the truth.
In Iraq: 217 journalists and media assistants killed since the start of fighting in Iraq in March 2003, two still missing, 14 are kidnapped.
Do we see anyone at all being punished for these crimes? **crickets** Now you if you want to report in any of these countries you have to assume you may not ever come home. What a tragic commentary.
great post toasterhead :)
August 14th, 2008 at 11:13 amThank you, mary. It irritates me that such a prospect seems dim, but I know the House will gain more dem seats, and perhaps those dems will speak out more on Pelosi’s ways and put some new names to replace her in the hat. Kucinich would be so powerful for national progressive interests as Speaker.
And Freb, as a nod to your first posting, You’re a great American. Good morning!!
August 14th, 2008 at 11:30 amThanks McWars, I hope you have an excellent day…
August 14th, 2008 at 11:48 amMcWars – shall we email Feingold and get the ball rolling? Perhaps we should start a rumor!
Hey, did you hear? Kucinich is going to be the next Speaker of the House!
:D
August 14th, 2008 at 11:57 amcreusa1 Says:
Studies show that wind turbines cause health problems, “wind turbine syndrome” if built closer than two miles to homes. Why is this being ignored?
This is not studies, it is based on one small study of 10 families by an author trying to sell a book. Question: Was she published in any peer-reviewed scientific journal? If not, WHY not? Scientific method means that any theory based on the results of one study must be able to be replicated by other researchers. Doesn’t seem to be done here.
But interestingly enough, creusal’s posting was #44…and now has been deleted.
August 14th, 2008 at 12:05 pm#81 stateofthedivision Says:
#72 Great points, Freedom Rebel. Dubai Aerospace purchased Standard Aero and Landmark Aviation from that same Carlyle Group. Bush’s CFIUS approved the deal, which stayed far under the public radar.
Funny, one might expect the sale of over 50 domestic airport operations to be more of a concern than a handful of ports or a piece of the NASDAQ exchange. Why a UAE sovereign wealth fund would want a Bush rendition flight contractor, I don’t know.
One of the things that bothers me most about transactions like these, as you so eloquently put it, is they stay under the radar. We both know that the majority of Americans do not have a clue that these deals are even happening. Or are even being thought about (by the average person) or what could the possible ramifications be? There isn’t even a chance to debate it because, OH as usual, the MSM is completely absent in even reporting about the potential problems that could arise from such risky sales. But we have HOMELAND SECURITY to keep us safe (that was a joke), but the sale of over 50 domestic airport operations doesn’t warrant a blimp on their radar as a Homeland Security issue. WOW, but when I flew last year they confiscated my mascara and roll-on perfume as a security problem. (Were they afraid I might poke someone in the eye with my mascara wand??? I never looked at it as a deadly weapon)
But you can bet if a democrat had shares in Carlyle Group there would be a never ending stream of information coming from every source imaginable. They would be screaming about “National Security” issues from the rooftops.
Thanks for the great information stateofthedivision :)
August 14th, 2008 at 12:10 pmI just heard Pentago Chief Bob Gates talk about Russia trying to reassert itself on the world stage. Around the 16:30 mark of his press conference he mentioned how the Russians treat Western businesses. Gates and a General struggled with good responses to the current situation.
Duh? The Carlyle/Russian steel company deal is a huge lever in the lap of the Bush administration.
http://www.bizjournals.com/washington/stories/2008/08/11/daily38.html?jst=b_ln_hl
But my guess is the sale to Novolipetsk will be treated as hot potato, passed around from one bureaucrat to another, until the review time passes. Carlyle needs that $3.5 billion.
If this deal doesn’t make the MSM and gets no challenge in CFIUS, then some deep back door deals have been made. A military attack on Georgia for one on Iran? I’ll withhold judgement for now.
August 14th, 2008 at 1:21 pmFreedom Rebel, Carlyle got alot bluer the last few years. They’ve read the handwriting on the wall and want to keep the government coffers wide open for their hundreds of affiliates,
They have David Marchick from the Clinton White House as their head lobbyist. Also, Mack McLarty, former Clinton Chief of Staff, is a big cheese in the firm.
It helps explain the long streams of silence emanating from Pennsylvania Avenue.
August 14th, 2008 at 1:28 pmU.S. court rules Saudi Arabia immune in 9/11 case
NEW YORK (Reuters) – The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, four princes and other Saudi entities are immune from a lawsuit filed by victims of the September 11 attacks and their families alleging they gave material support to al Qaeda, a federal appeals court ruled on Thursday.
The ruling by the Second Circuit Court of Appeals in Manhattan upheld a 2006 ruling by U.S. District Judge Richard Casey dismissing a claim against Saudi Arabia, a Saudi charity, four princes and a Saudi banker of providing material support to al Qaeda before the September 11 attacks.
The victims and their families argued that because the defendants gave money to Muslim charities that in turn gave money to al Qaeda, they should be held responsible for helping to finance the attacks.
The appeals court found that the defendants are protected under the Foreign Sovereign Immunities Act.
The court also noted that exceptions to the immunity rule do not apply because Saudi Arabia has not been designated a state sponsor of terrorism by the U.S. State Department.
*What* a surprise, eh?
August 14th, 2008 at 4:55 pm