ThinkFast: September 18, 2008
ThinkFast: September 18, 2008
68 percent: The number of Americans who think John McCain would either continue President Bush’s policies or enact more conservative policies, according to a New York Times/CBS News poll. The poll found that 57 percent of all voters view McCain as “a typical Republican,” despite his efforts to portray himself as a “maverick.”
A U.S. Chinook helicopter crashed in Iraq early Thursday, killing all seven American soldiers who were aboard the aircraft. The cause of the crash is still unknown, “but hostile fire has been ruled out.”
Judges around the world “have long looked to the decisions of the United States Supreme Court for guidance, citing and often following them in hundreds of their own rulings since the Second World War.” But now “American legal influence is waning” as a “diminishing number of foreign courts seem to pay attention to the writings of American justices.”
As the nation enters “a period of tight credit — which could mean jobs lost, retirement plans pruned, college deferred and lifestyles diminished,” Americans have taken notice. A new USA Today/Gallup poll has found that “nearly one-quarter of adults — 23% — believe the U.S. economy is in a depression.” “That’s nearly double the 12% who said so in February.”
On the trail today: John McCain and Sarah Palin will be in Cedar Rapids, IA. Barack Obama is in Espanola, NM, while Joe Biden campaigns in Youngstown and Canton, OH.
President Bush canceled a planned fundraising trip to Jupiter, Florida and Huntsville, Alabama so that he can “consult with his economic advisers.” In his place, “Vice President Dick Cheney will attend the Huntsville fundraiser.”
The American Psychological Association announced yesterday that its members have voted “to prohibit consultation in the interrogations of detainees held at Guantánamo Bay, Cuba, or so-called black sites operated by the Central Intelligence Agency overseas.” In a mail-in balloting that concluded Monday, the group’s members voted 8,792 to 6,157 in favor of the prohibition.
“Defense Secretary Robert Gates says the Bush administration is considering possible changes in its war strategy in Afghanistan in light of rising levels of violence and a more complex insurgent threat.” Speaking to reporters last night, Gates “was not explicit about the nature of the U.S. strategy review” but compared it to the strategy review after Iraq deteriorated.
And finally: The Department of Homeland Security is enlisting Sesame Street in its family preparedness plans. “We all want our children to feel safe in this world,” said Meryl Chertoff, wife of Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff. “And who better to do that than our Sesame Street friends, Grover and Rosita!” The pamphlet’s introduction has this message for kids: “I, your furry, blue friend Grover, have a story to share. Are you wondering what it is about? …Do you want to get ready, too? You do? Oh, I am so pleased. Then read this story with me, and let us get ready together!”
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The lying game
Like George W. Bush, McCain and Palin have to lie. Because if they told the truth about their policies, they’d lose the election.
Eight years after the travesty of the 2000 election, in which the media were prone to emphasize Al Gore’s exaggerations while letting George W. Bush off the hook, Republican politicians finally are being called out on their dishonesty. “The biggest liar in modern political history,” writes Michael Tomasky, the editor of the Guardian America, about John McCain. There are indeed so many lies associated with the Republican campaign that one can pick and choose at random. My favorites are the efforts by the McCain campaign to portray Obama as being in favor of teaching sex education to 5-year-olds and the Spanish language ad accusing him of opposing immigration reform. Your favorites might include McCain’s claim that Obama will raise taxes on the middle class or his statement to the women of “The View” that Sarah Palin never requested earmarks.
McCain’s propensity to lie has become what political junkies call a meme, an idea or behavior that runs, seemingly unstoppably, from one media outlet to another. Some bloggers offer daily counts of how many falsehoods McCain tells while others wonder why the Democrats do not respond in turn. Even the mainstream press has gotten into the act. One of the pleasures of the 2008 campaign — I admit they have been few and far between — is watching all those who once admired John McCain for his truthfulness realize the true depths of his moral depravity. When McCain is linked to Palin, moreover, as he so frequently wants to be, lying experiences something of a multiplier effect. These candidates lie so much that they have taken to lying about their own lies.
Through sheer incompetence and cronyism, George W. Bush showed Americans just how dangerous conservatism can be.
Link to whole story.
It has gotten so bad that Tucker Bounds has now officially been told off on all three big cable news networks! Gawker complied all three videos where he is told off for lying and for not answers the questions that were asked of him. Link to video. It is funny to watch him stutter, awesome video…
September 18th, 2008 at 9:00 amThe poll found that 57 percent of all voters view McCain as “a typical Republican,” despite his efforts to portray himself as a “maverick.”
You mean “mavrick”…Stupid RNC goopers.
September 18th, 2008 at 9:03 amMcCain Surrogate: Lynn Forester De Rothschild Calls Voters “Rednecks”
Lady Lynn calls us all rednecks or whoever are bitter; this coming from a woman who is worth 100 million. I think John needs to exile her and Carly Fiorina off the airwaves. Great job McCain, having Lady Lynn a woman with a royal title trying to relate to the middle class by calling us names during our economic crisis.
Link to YouTube Video.
September 18th, 2008 at 9:04 amSo, among the Republican majority that these outlets poll, Obama is ahead by 1 to 5 points. That must mean he’s 15 points up in the real world.
So much for Palin’s momentum. We knew she was just a brief, shiny-thing distraction that would fade in a couple of weeks.
September 18th, 2008 at 9:07 am
The poll found that 57 percent of all voters view McCain as “a typical Republican,” despite his efforts to portray himself as a “maverick.”
Obama has to keep up the hardball, it’s working among the Moderates and light Conservatives who need to see chutzpah in a leader.
He’s doing an excellent job of being strong, yet human at the same time. It’s hard for him not to come across as an agry black man without the jokes. He’s been non-stop with the priceless one-liners about McCain.
Sadly, America wants their President to also entertain them, when he or she isn’t standing up to crazy world leaders…
September 18th, 2008 at 9:11 amJeesh, what a bunch of whiners.
Interesting, what’s in a word; Foreclosure Phil’s tactics don’t work here, “mental depression” lacks the needed resonance.
September 18th, 2008 at 9:11 am“We all want our children to feel safe in this world,” said Meryl Chertoff, wife of Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff.
Then stop invading other countries!! Sheesh….
September 18th, 2008 at 9:14 amHackers break into Palin’s e-mail accounts.
This is wrong!
No one should have unapproved access to personal information!
Well, at least without a warrant.
Just got to say:
HOW DOES IT FEEL TO HAVE YOU PERSONAL INFORMATION ILLEGALLY SPIED UPON????
Welcome to our world, Sarah. Hope you enjoy the show!
September 18th, 2008 at 9:15 amThat sorta goes hand in hand with moral bankruptcy and contempt for international law.
Interesting that after the absence of WMDs in Iraq became obvious and the Cheney admin moved the goalposts to “overthrowing a bad man” nobody pointed out that invading a country for the purpose of regime change is blatantly illegal.
September 18th, 2008 at 9:16 amWorst Crisis Since ’30s, With No End Yet in Sight
The financial crisis that began 13 months ago has entered a new, far more serious phase.
Lingering hopes that the damage could be contained to a handful of financial institutions that made bad bets on mortgages have evaporated. New fault lines are emerging beyond the original problem — troubled subprime mortgages — in areas like credit-default swaps, the credit insurance contracts sold by American International Group Inc. and others. There’s also a growing sense of wariness about the health of trading partners.
The consequences for companies and chief executives who tarry — hoping for better times in which to raise capital, sell assets or acknowledge losses — are now clear and brutal, as falling share prices and fearful lenders send troubled companies into ever-deeper holes. This weekend, such a realization led John Thain to sell the century-old Merrill Lynch & Co. to Bank of America Corp. Each episode seems to bring government intervention that is more extensive and expensive than the previous one, and carries greater risk of unintended consequences.
Expectations for a quick end to the crisis are fading fast. “I think it’s going to last a lot longer than perhaps we would have anticipated,” Anne Mulcahy, chief executive of Xerox Corp., said Wednesday.
“This has been the worst financial crisis since the Great Depression. There is no question about it,” said Mark Gertler, a New York University economist who worked with fellow academic Ben Bernanke, now the Federal Reserve chairman, to explain how financial turmoil can infect the overall economy. “But at the same time we have the policy mechanisms in place fighting it, which is something we didn’t have during the Great Depression.”
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB122169431617549947.html
**This is a long article but well worth the read. When the WSJ says we are in trouble, I know we are in trouble! It does a great job of explaining what led up to this crisis and where it is all going. I had been confused by some of the terms that have been thrown out by economists and many are explained in this article. As a side note, I also read an article about the FDIC insurance premiums paid by banks. Turns out, according to the article go in to the general fund and are treated as taxes not insurance funds. I hope this is wrong — here is the link: http://seekingalpha.com/article/95129-fdic-insurance-fund-it-doesn-t-actually-exist
September 18th, 2008 at 9:17 amFreedom Rebel Says: Even the mainstream press has gotten into the act.
I truly have to wonder if they would be doing this now if it weren’t for the competition they have with internet news sources that are far more honest and open.
I want to again thank Al Gore for his legislation to help establish the Internet. It truly is our last bastion of free speech.
September 18th, 2008 at 9:18 amBarack Obama is in Espanola, NM,
It’s the seat of a county where some of the most egregious election fraud in the State occurred in 2004, according to Greg Palast, when The Chimp “won” NM by just over 6000 votes.
In other news:
Which is only to say that 6,157 highly trained, human relations professionals voted to put their salaries ahead of their principles. Sad really. But at least the measure passed the whole body, in spite of the votes of those 6100 vile, vicious slags…
September 18th, 2008 at 9:19 ama) Six years too late.
September 18th, 2008 at 9:19 amb) Over 6100 members need to have their heads examined.
“… “but hostile fire has been ruled out.”… in the downing of another helicopter.
Is that bafflegab for “We don’t want to talk about it” or ” We cannot admit that people are shooting at us” or “We’ve already met our casualty limit for the week, month, quarter, whatever”?
September 18th, 2008 at 9:21 amI believe I stated here weeks ago that dipshit Sarah’s “yahoo” account is MUCH less secure than using her government “protected” email.
ANOTHER STUPID FCUK REPUBLICAN, JUST WHAT AMERICA NEEDS?
September 18th, 2008 at 9:21 amRather embarrassing to be explicit about a “strategy” consisting of nothing more than “kick the can down the road.”
September 18th, 2008 at 9:21 amunb says:
So, among the Republican majority that these outlets poll, Obama is ahead by 1 to 5 points. That must mean he’s 15 points up in the real world.
EXACTLY! And that’s why the Republiscums have to resort to flexing their scrawny muscles and start “caging” in Michigan, a supposed swing state.
Again, I ask, isn’t intimidating a United States citizen from voting about as unAmerican as one can get?
Yeah, CONservatives like these are for the people! The 1% people.
AMERICA! WAKE THE FCK UP!
September 18th, 2008 at 9:22 amDRxJ Says: Hackers break into Palin’s e-mail accounts.
But, but, but, if she has nothing to hide, she shouldn’t mind…
Funny how the semi-literate conservatives who used to post here have all gone away now. I guess this campaign of lies has become undefendable to all but the 23%er far-right-wing nut jobs.
September 18th, 2008 at 9:24 amOT, but it appears that “National Security Expert” McStain doesn’t know who Spain’s Prime Minister Zapatero is, and during an interview for Spanish language radio yesterday, took a hard-line neocon approach as to whether or not he would engage in talks with Zapatero.
McStain’s “we’ll stand up to tinpot dictators” might not play well with NATO prime ministers.
This would be hilarious if it wasn’t so very sad. If only Princess Sarah could see Spain from her house.
h/t David Kurtz at TPM.
PEACE
September 18th, 2008 at 9:26 amDRxJ Says: Again, I ask, isn’t intimidating a United States citizen from voting about as unAmerican as one can get?
What I find amusing is that these same people are constantly screaming for FREEDOM. What we now know they actually mean is that they want the freedom to act like a lawless self-absorbed pig, who is able to get away with stealing from other people, while anyone else not in their gene pool who acts in the same criminal manner will be arrested and hung at dawn. In their world freedom is a one-sided benefit, as long as it’s their side. Typical Republican double-standard.
September 18th, 2008 at 9:30 amSpeaking of Michigan and “caging”, did anyone watch Countdown last night on MSNBC?
Interesting fact:
Kerry won Michigan by, I think, 140,000 votes.
Today, Michigan has about 137,000 homes foreclosed.
Interesting parallel of numbers, dontcha think?
Stupid radio comment of the day, overhead on ManCow’s morning show (which I occasionally listen to when the other stations are in advertisement hell):
September 18th, 2008 at 9:30 amIt’s because of the Liberals that we have this mortgage crisis.
It’s because of the Liberals that the economy is taking a dive.
HUH??????
Unfortunately we’re dealing with people who, for the most part, have made the memory hole their principle abode. S&L scandal? What’s that?
The parallels are obvious, the Bush Syndicate involvement is a fitting garnish, and McCain’s stupidity, cupidity, and attempted abuse of power are precious indicators beyond his facile and dishonest rhetoric. It’d make a great novel/movie, but it’d be criticized for being unrealistic and over-the-top.
September 18th, 2008 at 9:30 amMcCain and Palin should be asked this question:
Did you support Bush’s policies in the past and are you still supporting these policies today?
If they claim they supported Bush and still supporting him,then Obama and majority of Americans are right.It is continuation of the same.
If Sarah and McCain said ‘No’..then they are lying.
September 18th, 2008 at 9:34 amEither way, it will be McBush presidency if McCain/Palin win it.
spencers mom Says: This would be hilarious if it wasn’t so very sad. If only Princess Sarah could see Spain from her house.
LOL
The Republicans have so destroyed the public education system that too many Americans might actually be inclined to believe that Palin CAN see Spain from her office, therefore making her an expert of Spainish foreign affairs. Perhaps she aught to start saying this on the campaign trail? :)
September 18th, 2008 at 9:34 am**Let’s not forget the influence of blogging sites like this one. More and more stories that really get attention on these sites are also being picked up by some news sources. It is good to know how this “grassroots” movement has gained momentum. It is no longer a small group of internet users — word is spreading and others who hear about it take a peek out of curiousity. I got an email the other day from one of my mothers cousins with a link to a DailyKos article. I almost fell out of my chair! He is a conservative in his late 79’s! There is hope out there!
September 18th, 2008 at 9:34 amAlthough I’m sure there are exceptions, doctors in America are in it for the money. They have played no part in reforming the corrupt health care system that prey’s on the poor in America. They are almost all republicans.
Don’t believe it? Ask any nurse.
September 18th, 2008 at 9:36 amsatirev Says:
How can you fight a ground war against human beings when you’ve identified an “ideology” as your enemy? Totally illogical and losing proposition.
September 18th, 2008 at 9:24 am
_______
Ideology? Terrorism isn’t even an ideology – it’s a technique. A war on terror is no more sensical than a war on the Fosbury Flop.
September 18th, 2008 at 9:38 amSeptember 18th, 2008 at 9:39 am
#14 unbelievable Says:
Freedom Rebel Says: Even the mainstream press has gotten into the act.
I truly have to wonder if they would be doing this now if it weren’t for the competition they have with internet news sources that are far more honest and open.
I want to again thank Al Gore for his legislation to help establish the Internet. It truly is our last bastion of free speech.
Good Morning :) I agree, part of it is the internet and also McCain is keeping the media at arms length. Plus, he has lost his temper at them and said they are biased towards Obama. Which we all know is a crock…
They are not so willing to give him as many free passes as they have in the past because of all of his criticism of them lately. I do believe that has alot to do with it also.
September 18th, 2008 at 9:40 amFreedom Rebel Says:
McCain Surrogate: Lynn Forester De Rothschild Calls Voters “Rednecks”
Lady Lynn calls us all rednecks or whoever are bitter;
Countdown to the MSM playing her remarks 24×7 or even at all.
Poor McCain, he just can’t keep those women in line. Every time he turns around, one of them is saying something to embarrass him or his campaign.
September 18th, 2008 at 9:40 amAnd the beat goes on Says:
**Let’s not forget the influence of blogging sites like this one. More and more stories that really get attention on these sites are also being picked up by some news sources.
Lest we forget, TPM was the only news source that bothered to connect the dots of the U.S. Attorney firings, which ultimately led to the non-unemployed Gonzo’s resignation.
I heard David Inglesias (former USA from New Mexico) on NPR this summer state that TPM Muckraker was his favorite website.
Truth has a way for finding the light, despite the corporate owned media’s attempt to hide it.
PEACE
September 18th, 2008 at 9:41 amWell, Keith Olbermann has found the charity that he will donate to every time Palin lies: the Alaskan Special Olympics. It seems the compassionate conservative mother of a disabled infant and self described whole hearted supporter of special needs children cut funding for the special olympics in Alaska by half. Olberman says he will now be donating $100 to this foundation for each time Palin lies about the bridge to nowhere. I know Mr. Olberman has deep pockets but I hope he’s not underestimating the VPILF’s lying capabilities!
September 18th, 2008 at 9:42 amAnd the beat goes on Says: Let’s not forget the influence of blogging sites like this one. More and more stories that really get attention on these sites are also being picked up by some news sources. It is good to know how this “grassroots” movement has gained momentum.
I completely agree. I think one of the things that the internet got right, that television media got wrong, was that the internet is a participatory system in which everyone who wants a voice can have one. Whoever created the comments section was a sheer genius.
I too see a diorect correlation between what gets said in political blogs and what shows up on the MSM within the ensuing days. I thhink they understand that they won’t survive if they don’t join the revolution…
We should all feel good about what we’ve been a part of for these last few years. I really think that this forum will save our country, at least for now…
September 18th, 2008 at 9:42 amBut now “American legal influence is waning” as a “diminishing number of foreign courts seem to pay attention to the writings of American justices.”
__________
Wha? How could this be true, w/ such razor-sharp legal minds as Anotonin Scalia and Clarence Thomas currently sitting on the Court?
September 18th, 2008 at 9:43 amMcCain is a “maverick” if maverick means being on both sides of every issue.
September 18th, 2008 at 9:43 amWhen a Rothschild calls a political candidate an elitist, that’s hyper-hyperbole. After calling Obama “arrogant,” Lynn Forester de Rothschild flew from one of her two homes (in London or New York) to Washington, D.C. to endorse John McCain.
A big deal is being made of her switch from Hillary to McCain. However, her Rothschild relatives held a London fundraiser for John this past spring. (That’s London, England as in the country of oppressive King George, our opponent in the Revolutionary War.)
Lady Rothschild is the third wife of her 77 year old husband, the former Chair of The Economist magazine. I never knew there were so many levels of elitism and arrogance. Now which step did Barack crash, upsetting the Rothschild applecart?
September 18th, 2008 at 9:44 amceltic cynic Says:
“… “but hostile fire has been ruled out.”… in the downing of another helicopter.
Is that bafflegab for “We don’t want to talk about it” or ” We cannot admit that people are shooting at us” or “We’ve already met our casualty limit for the week, month, quarter, whatever”?
September 18th, 2008 at 9:21 am
It could also be the incompetence of a no-bid contractor in properly maintaining the helocopter.
September 18th, 2008 at 9:44 amspencers mom Says:
I heard David Iglesias (former USA from New Mexico) on NPR this summer state that TPM Muckraker was his favorite website.
September 18th, 2008 at 9:41 am
_______
Also a former Bush supporter and lifelong Republican. So at least there’s hope that there are a few people from the reality-based community on the other side of the aisle.
September 18th, 2008 at 9:44 amThe more I read about the financial mess out there the happier I am that all my money is in my local Credit Union. I asked a teller the other day how many foreclosures they had and her reply is, the Credit Union has foreclosed on exactly one home since it’s inception. She went on to say, “it’s because we don’t loan people money if they can’t afford to pay it back”. My retirement savings is in CD’s though. I hope that they have the liquidity to cover them if things really crash.
September 18th, 2008 at 9:47 amThe Department of Homeland Security is enlisting Sesame Street in its family preparedness plans…
Will the Swedish Chef prepare his Orange Alert Meatballs?
September 18th, 2008 at 9:47 amOlberman says he will now be donating $100 to this foundation for each time Palin lies about the bridge to nowhere.
Actually, I think he changed it. I think he is donating the money every time she lies, period. That is going to get expensive for him.
September 18th, 2008 at 9:49 amDaily Kos poll:
Obama 49
McCain 43
http://www.dailykos.com/
I rely on this poll because Kos works with the polling outfit to make sure that they are a reality based poll and don’t do things like poll equal numbers of Republicans and Democrats.
September 18th, 2008 at 9:50 amFreedom Rebel, in my commentary yesterday, I called Mrs. Rothschild an elitist, never said she was bitter.
That bitter comment sounds like a Repugnicant party talking point.
I found her arrogant comment about Obama laughable given her multiple estates, her families close ties to the McCain camp, and the Rothschild’s international banking.
Did they join the predatory lending practices of their American counterparts? Surely, their banks own some of the financial vaporware, $62 trillion of which sits in purgatory, unable to be valued or traded.
Of course, Mrs. Forester has the right to endorse whomever she pleases. When the media makes a big deal of it, I get to react. Thanks for the link to her video.
September 18th, 2008 at 9:51 amDRxJ Says:
——————————————————————————–
Speaking of Michigan and “caging”, did anyone watch Countdown
**How about Rachel Maddow’s stort about tthe tortured POWs wanting to sue Iraq? Bush is blocking it. I don’t believe Bushits explanation for a minute the Bushit explanation for blocking this. What about all of OUR torture victims? Turnaround is fair play!
September 18th, 2008 at 9:52 amThe Department of Homeland Security is enlisting Sesame Street in its family preparedness plans…
So we can start them young to be very afraid…..
September 18th, 2008 at 9:53 amAll three tracking polls now show Obama ahead by:
Gallup 9/15 47/45
Daily Kos/Research 2000 9/16 48/44
Diageo/Hotline 9/16 45/42
Worm’s turned, McIIIrd’s GaffeOMatic is in hyperoverdrive.
September 18th, 2008 at 9:54 amThis is from a different comment section on another blog. I thought it worth sharing.
September 18th, 2008 at 9:55 am
Bilbo, thanks for the 9/17 update on the Kos poll…
September 18th, 2008 at 9:55 amOver 1 trillion…with a t to bail out bankers but only 120 million for the poor in America to keep from freezing to death.
Bush offers $120 million to help U.S. poor pay soaring fuel bills this winter
21 hours ago
link
September 18th, 2008 at 9:57 am
Whoa! Homeland Security wants to teach kids to be safe. but John McCon & Mitt Ruminy don’t want to warn them about child predators?
September 18th, 2008 at 9:58 amThe Fed & Treasury are well outside the prior definition of bankers with their saving:
Bear Sterns-investment house ($29 billion)
Fannie Mae &
Freddie Mac-mortgage underwriters (up to $205 billion)
A.I.G.-insurance company ($85 billion)
That’s not counting the 11 traditional banks that failed so far this year. The last one Andrew McCain served on the board.
The Party of Lincoln Savings & Loan
September 18th, 2008 at 10:03 am#38 Bilbo Hussein Baggins Says:
Freedom Rebel Says:
McCain Surrogate: Lynn Forester De Rothschild Calls Voters “Rednecks”
Lady Lynn calls us all rednecks or whoever are bitter;
Countdown to the MSM playing her remarks 24×7 or even at all.
Poor McCain, he just can’t keep those women in line. Every time he turns around, one of them is saying something to embarrass him or his campaign
Good Morning Bilbo :) When I saw that video, I couldn’t believe it. McCain has enough P/R problems without adding Lady Lynn to the mix.
I agree, I would love to see this video aired everywhere… It just proves once again that everyone around him doesn’t have a clue about the plight of the middle class and the poor in this country..
Good to see you !!!
September 18th, 2008 at 10:05 amCampaign Momentum Shifts Back To Obama
Pardon my french, mais, who the £$%!& can 1) Not have made up there mind on who to vote for at this point 2) Possibly change their mind so easily? I just don’t get it!
September 18th, 2008 at 10:07 am#51 stateofthedivision Says:
Did they join the predatory lending practices of their American counterparts? Surely, their banks own some of the financial vaporware, $62 trillion of which sits in purgatory, unable to be valued or traded.
Of course, Mrs. Forester has the right to endorse whomever she pleases. When the media makes a big deal of it, I get to react. Thanks for the link to her video.
Good Morning stateofthedivision :)
I’m not sure if they joined the predatory lending practices. I would have to do some research into that. But you have a very good point they may have some “bad debt” that needs to be written off. I haven’t seen anything pop up in any articles recently. If you find out anything let me know. I would be interested in reading about it.
Have a good day!!
September 18th, 2008 at 10:17 amMore Palienation at last night’s forum in Wisconsin
“Palin spoke several times during the hour-long event, asking to speak at the end of questions McCain answered and handling questions aimed directly at her. She spoke repeatedly of her experiences in Alaska and her plans to promote energy independence. She also criticized President Bush for going overseas to seek increased oil development from Saudi Arabia. “That’s nonsense,” she said, “When we have the domestic supply here in America.”
WTF? We consume 25% of the oil and have 3% of the resources, don’t we? Why is she so uninformed and mathematically challenged>??
September 18th, 2008 at 10:17 amover at C&L:
Ruthless People Says:
Bush is going to speak on the economy? Brace yourself for another 500 point drop!
that would be NOW…
September 18th, 2008 at 10:19 am#48 RUCerious Says:
The Department of Homeland Security is enlisting Sesame Street in its family preparedness plans…
Will the Swedish Chef prepare his Orange Alert Meatballs?
This is why I miss you so much when you are gone RUC.. You never fail to make me laugh.. Have a good day :)
September 18th, 2008 at 10:20 am“Vice President Dick Cheney will attend the Huntsville fundraiser.”
Can it really be a “fundraiser” if they have to pay people to attend?
September 18th, 2008 at 10:21 amDRxJ Says @ #10
Hackers break into Palin’s e-mail accounts.
OK – Having my morning cup of conspiracy theory here: Would it be plausible that McDoubleTalk’s camp “arranged” for this hacking, thereby setting a scenario where ANY info garnered from any of Gov. Palin’s private email addresses suddenly becomes inadmissable?
I know it sounds ludicrous, but what from the Repugs hasn’t sounded this way in the last, oh, 20+ years?
September 18th, 2008 at 10:27 amThanks FR!!
September 18th, 2008 at 10:31 amSenator doubts anthrax suspect acted alone
San Francisco Chronicle – 7 hours ago
Sen. Patrick Leahy, D-Vt., one of the targets of the mailed anthrax attacks that killed five people in 2001, said Wednesday he is convinced that the FBI’s sole suspect – dead microbiologist Bruce Ivins – did not act alone.
Senator, Target of Anthrax Letter, Challenges FBI Finding New York Times
Anthrax Suspect Didn’t Act Alone, Leahy Posits Washington Post
good for leahy!
do NOT let this be brushed aside.
September 18th, 2008 at 10:46 amWonder why a “diminishing number of foreign courts seem to pay attention to the writings of American justices” ? When the US has become a denier of the authority of international tribunals, ignorer of treaty obligations, and with a Department of Justice, Attorney General, and Supreme Court all of which ignore the letter and intent of the US Constitution and laws? After eight years of Cheney-Bush we are no lighthouse of Democracy shining our leadership on the rough seas of world law.
September 18th, 2008 at 10:50 amA new USA Today/Gallup poll has found that “nearly one-quarter of adults — 23% — believe the U.S. economy is in a depression.”
I wrote on my blog in March why I saw a Depression in the offing.
September 18th, 2008 at 10:53 amExperts Don’t Yahoo! Over Palin’s E-Mail Practices
ABC News – 51 minutes ago
By JUSTIN ROOD Gov. Sarah Palin’s e-mail habit of using a private account to communicate with aides echos the worst practices of the Bush administration, says one expert.
[ABC NEWS !!!]
Palin’s hacked email account — what’s next? Christian Science Monitor:
[...]
News of the break-in received a harsh response from the McCain campaign.
“This is a shocking invasion of the governor’s privacy and a violation of law,” McCain’s campaign manager said. “The matter has been turned over to the appropriate authorities, and we hope that anyone in possession of these e-mails will destroy them.”
Those appropriate authorities are the FBI and the Secret Service as they’ve teamed up to investigate the breach.
Yeah, but…
The hacking community however isn’t really in to the “authority thing.”
Upon word of Davis’s statement, one blogger at Gawker.com said – we think with a touch of sarcasm – “I guess we’ll have to blow up the internet now?”
Ryan Tate over at Gawker doesn’t condone the break-in but said the hacker “succeeded in reviving the unanswered question of why the Alaska governor had two quasi-official email addresses.”
September 18th, 2008 at 10:54 am[...]
“diminishing number of foreign courts seem to pay attention to the writings of American justices.”
I could remark on the diminished stature of “American Justice” depending on our use of torture and illegal surveillance.
I could remark on the diministed stature of “Amaerican Justice” depending on our ability to rule our own DOJ AG and Regents University grads.
I could remark on the restored Honor and Dignity in the WH
I could remark on how the dollar maintains its position in the world economy, especially against the Euro
I could remark on how we have maintained our leading position in education
I could remark on how our jobs and industry can’t relocate overseas.
September 18th, 2008 at 11:13 amA good read, if anyone is interested.
September 18th, 2008 at 11:22 amvia C&L blog roundup… and just heard on stephanie miller:
This is Your Nation on White Privilege
By Tim Wise
For those who still can’t grasp the concept of white privilege, or who are constantly looking for some easy-to-understand examples of it, perhaps this list will help.
http://www.redroom.com/blog/tim-wise/this-your-nation-white-privilege
September 18th, 2008 at 11:48 amI say arrest the IDIOT for his lies,treason, and misleading this nation into a criminal war against Iraq. Then prosecute him like a criminal, then EXECUTE him. That’s the penalty that best fits his crimes in these last 8 yrs!
September 18th, 2008 at 11:58 amunbelievable Says:
DRxJ Says: Hackers break into Palin’s e-mail accounts.
But, but, but, if she has nothing to hide, she shouldn’t mind…
If she did state business through that Yahoo account, she is just dumb as dirt. Yahoo is way to easy to hack something all of the geek sites ( slashdot, etc ) have been talking about for years.
I’m just surprised it didn’t happen sooner.
September 18th, 2008 at 12:00 pmShe should have been using her official email, which is secured or is supposed to be if the state hires anyone competent.
68 percent: The number of Americans who think John McCain would either continue President Bush’s policies or enact more conservative policies, according to a New York Times/CBS News poll. The poll found that 57 percent of all voters view McCain as “a typical Republican,” despite his efforts to portray himself as a “maverick.”
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
This right here dooms his campaign. Bush couldnt win an election to sell Ice Cream to children in America today and if he cant turn THOSE numbers around NO. WAY. HE. WINS.
September 18th, 2008 at 12:37 pmBut now “American legal influence is waning” as a “diminishing number of foreign courts seem to pay attention to the writings of American justices.”
But is American legal influence waning because we have an eXtreme court that loaded with reliable rubber stamps for the Republican party’s radical right wing agenda, e.g. we can’t count all the votes in Florida because, if we did, then Bush might not win; or is our loss of influence, legal and otherwise, the direct result of that radical right wing agenda?
Which came first, the chicken or the egg?
September 18th, 2008 at 1:03 pmCNN aired about 15 minutes of Palin’s and McCain’s talk in Iowa. What a bunch of horse hockey! Of course, they didn’t challenge any of it.
I did have a little fun with Palin’s promise to “shake things up” in Washington’s snow globe. Think of lobbyists as snow flakes. They just settle in a different spot on the White House lawn.
September 18th, 2008 at 1:16 pmEugeneDebs said:
“Bush couldn’t win an election to sell icecream to children in America”.
Eugene:
September 18th, 2008 at 2:03 pmMcCain must have heard you and that’s why he found himself a girl from Alaska.
Report: Voting problems in several swing states
(CNN) — A new Government Accountability Office report on voting system testing finds that the Election Assistance Commission has not notified election officials across the country about electronic voting machine failures.
And a new study by Common Cause and the Century Foundation finds that 10 very vital swing states have significant voting problems that have not been addressed since the last election.
Those 10 states, according to Common Cause, are Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Michigan, Missouri, New Mexico, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Virginia and Wisconsin.
LINK
“The more things change…”
September 18th, 2008 at 5:05 pm