ThinkFast: May 14, 2009
ThinkFast: May 14, 2009
A report on “Rightwing Extremism” that upset conservatives has been withdrawn and is being rewritten, Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano told lawmakers yesterday. “It was not authorized to be distributed. It had not even completed its vetting process,” she said, calling the incident “probably the worst thing” to happen at DHS.
In April 2003, “very senior” Bush administration officials suggested that an Iraqi prisoner be waterboarded to see if he would “provide information of a relationship between al Qaeda and Saddam Hussein’s regime,” says former Iraqi Survey Group chief Charles Duelfer. Two senior U.S. intelligence officials from the time tell the Daily Beast that the suggestion came from the Office of Vice President Cheney.
The Obama administration “is weighing plans to detain some terror suspects on U.S. soil — indefinitely and without trial — as part of a plan to retool military commission trials that were conducted for prisoners held in Guantanamo Bay.” The idea has been “floated with members of Congress” while the administration’s internal deliberations on how to close the prison continue.
President Obama told a bipartisan group of senators yesterday that he would “review names of potential Supreme Court nominees over the weekend.” The potential nominees are believed to include “Solicitor General Elena Kagan, Michigan Gov. Jennifer Granholm, Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano and U.S. Appeals Court judges Sonia Sotomayor and Diane Pamela Wood.”
Following the release of Frank Luntz’s right-wing messaging memo on framing the health care debate, Democrats like Sen. Evan Bayh (D-IN) said they felt “unease that we did not have a strategy” to counter the attacks. A lengthy meeting with David Axelrod seemed to quell concerns. “Axelrod came to reassure us that they do have a strategy,” Bayh said.
House Republicans plan to “nitpick” climate change legislation “into legislative oblivion by introducing more than 100 amendments during the committee debate.” “This is not going to be one of gentlemanly, pro forma markups,” Rep. Joe Barton (R-TX), the ranking Republican on Energy and Commerce Committee, told Politico. “We’re prepared for it to take weeks or months.
ACLU Executive Director Anthony Romero was sharply critical of President Obama’s decision not to release photos of detainee abuse. “He said officials had described them as ‘worse than Abu Ghraib’ and said their volume, more than 2,000 images, showed that ‘it is no longer tenable to blame abuse on a few bad apples. These were policies set at the highest level.’”
President Obama is “expected to expand its mortgage aid program on Thursday” that will “include ways to allow borrowers to avoid foreclosure by selling their properties or giving them back to lenders.”
Pentagon records show that “[m]ore soldiers have been unavailable for combat in the past year because of wounds or injuries than at any time since the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan began, shrinking the pool of soldiers ready for deployment to those conflicts.” The Army “is counting on plans to draw down forces from Iraq to ease this situation.”
And finally: Make sure your phone is off during the briefing! Yesterday, White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs “confiscated” a reporter’s ringing phone. “Just put in on vibrate, man,” Gibbs said initially. After the phone continued to ring, Gibbs demanded, “Give me the phone” and snatched it for the rest of the briefing. “I made the determination that the illumination of the sound was distracting to the briefing as the Press Secretary to the President of the United States,” he explained. Watch it here.
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And the smearing of these potential candidates begins in 3…2…1… oh, wait, it’s aready started.
The Obama Administration would be better served if they realeased the names of dozens of potential candidates and sat back as the Republican Party scrambled to smear every last one. Let’s face it, the Party of No is not going to approve of anyone President Obama picks anyway, so he might as well let them look like the fools they are by forcing them to negatively react to every high-quality left-leaining judge in the country.
May 14th, 2009 at 9:10 amIn April 2003, “very senior” Bush administration officials suggested that an Iraqi prisoner be waterboarded to see if he would “provide information of a relationship between al Qaeda and Saddam Hussein’s regime,” says former Iraqi Survey Group chief Charles Duelfer. Two senior U.S. intelligence officials from the time tell the Daily Beast that the suggestion came from the Office of Vice President Cheney.
Bingo! This why Big Dick’s Torture Tour for the Party of Pain is in full display. Yesterday, it was CNN w/John King. Cheney’s CYA tour is to try & turn public opinion on torture.
May 14th, 2009 at 9:11 amEven Lips Lieberman is calling foul on Cheney’s vicious attacks on President Obama.
Cheney should be locked up in his man sized safe for the next 3 1/2 years. IMHO, he’s a bigger threat than AQ or the Taliban. He’s been ridiculed by most of the planet, yet TV scrambles to get him air time. Liberal media? I don’t think so.
Dick, go Cheney yourself.
“In April 2003, “very senior” Bush administration officials suggested that an Iraqi prisoner be waterboarded to see if he would “provide information of a relationship between al Qaeda and Saddam Hussein’s regime,” says former Iraqi Survey Group chief Charles Duelfer. Two senior U.S. intelligence officials from the time tell the Daily Beast that the suggestion came from the Office of Vice President Cheney.”
Try putting this toothpaste back in the tube Dick! So Dick Cheney explicitly ordered the torure of at least one detainee about six months before the WH even asked it’s lawyers to justify it’s legality. Not to gain actionable intel that could protect America but to obtain a false, coerced story of Hussein working with al Queda to justify their oil/blood lust in Iraq.
This war profiteering criminal deserves Mussolini’s fate, hanging upside down and spat upon by the multitudes.
May 14th, 2009 at 9:14 amTheir goal, incredible as it seems, is to keep America from advancing in clean energy technology for the sake of the profits of polluters. They would rather see our environment destroyed than see the profits of their masters diminished.
Clean energy will be developed. If not by American, by someone else. The Party of No wants to ensure it won’t be by Americans.
Meanshile, the sucking sound you hear is American Dollars being sent to off-shore tax shelters….
May 14th, 2009 at 9:16 am“This is not going to be one of gentlemanly, pro forma markups,” Rep. Joe Barton (R-TX), the ranking Republican on Energy and Commerce Committee, told Politico. “We’re prepared for it to take weeks or months.
We certainly wouldn’t expect any gentlemanly behavior or efforts to help reduce pollution out of you, Mr. Barton. But we do have a question for you…do you support Gov. Perry’s effort for Texas to secede? If you do, how can we help?
May 14th, 2009 at 9:20 amA report on “Rightwing Extremism” that upset conservatives has been withdrawn and is being rewritten…
That’s just great. Obama was given a clear mandate and he’s kissing the collective asses of the right-wing losers when he should be kicking their asses.
May 14th, 2009 at 9:22 amHouse Republicans plan to “nitpick” climate change legislation “into legislative oblivion
Why, how delightfully obstructionist of you!
ACLU Executive Director Anthony Romero was sharply critical of President Obama’s decision not to release photos of detainee abuse.
OK, can someone please explain this to me? My understand is that President Obama recommended not releasing them, thereby forcing this to the courts to rule on…am I close? If that’s the case, it seems like a wise gambit that appeases – for whatever reason – the Righty Reich, but still allows for the potential release if the courts see fit. That way he can claim that he tried, but it was out of his hands.
If I have missed the mark on this one, could y’all clarify this for me? Thanks.
May 14th, 2009 at 9:23 amTimothy McVeigh…the Virginia Snipers…the soldier stationed in Iraq that killed five peers? The point is Americans can perpetuate horrific teror.
Homeland Security is infected with word magicians. Take this from today’s NYT article on health care:
Mr. Axelrod had offered suggestions on how to communicate, using “words that work” and avoiding “words that don’t work.”
May 14th, 2009 at 9:24 amAnd in other news, American Facism marches on…
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/05/14/us/14explorers.html?_r=1&hp
And Boy Scout apologists get all angry and defensived when people point out their resemblence to Hitler’s Youth Group.
May 14th, 2009 at 9:25 amTwo senior U.S. intelligence officials from the time tell the Daily Beast that the suggestion came from the Office of Vice President Cheney.
Ah, the plot thickens.
May 14th, 2009 at 9:25 amThe Obama administration “is weighing plans to detain some terror suspects on U.S. soil — indefinitely and without trial — as part of a plan to retool military commission trials that were conducted for prisoners held in Guantanamo Bay.” The idea has been “floated with members of Congress” while the administration’s internal deliberations on how to close the prison continue.
GODDAMMIT!
Obama, in honor of your repeated cowardice, covering of bush crimes, and love of bush policy I’m joining the ACLU.
Hopefully, we will curtail your servitude to the bush atrocity machine.
May 14th, 2009 at 9:26 amState: You forgot Joe Adkinson, the shooter at the Tennessee Unitarian Church. He is a vet. As was Lee Harvey Oswald. And a lot of the postal shooters back in the 80’s…
May 14th, 2009 at 9:28 amObama Sends Envoy to Netanyahu: Message, Don’t Surprise Me with Iran Strike
Less than a week before President Obama and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu meet in person, the U.S. President felt compelled to send an envoy. The message was don’t surprise me with an attack on Iran.
http://arisfreedomswitch.blogspot.com/2009/05/obama-sends-envoy-to-netanyahu-message.html
May 14th, 2009 at 9:30 amThanks Bobwurst, your additions add much to my observation.
May 14th, 2009 at 9:31 amYou guys always forget Charles Whitman the tower shooter at the University of Texas at Austin, who was also a military vet.
May 14th, 2009 at 9:36 amDFNP, right. And he was the role model for these idiots. Give someone a hammer and all his problems turn into nails.
May 14th, 2009 at 9:40 amIn April 2003, “very senior” Bush administration officials suggested that an Iraqi prisoner be waterboarded to see if he would “provide information of a relationship between al Qaeda and Saddam Hussein’s regime,” … the suggestion came from the Office of Vice President Cheney.
Got War Criminal?
May 14th, 2009 at 9:42 am“Following the release of Frank Luntz’s right-wing messaging memo on framing the health care debate, Democrats like Sen. Evan Bayh (D-IN) said they felt “unease that we did not have a strategy” to counter the attacks. A lengthy meeting with David Axelrod seemed to quell concerns. “Axelrod came to reassure us that they do have a strategy,” Bayh said”.
May 14th, 2009 at 9:43 am————————————————————–
You didn`t have a response because you blue dog dems don`t want to lose your ATM in the Health Care industry.You blue dogs along with the re-pukes are sad little people when you put money over the health of our nation and it`s people.
RUCeriousMaggot! Says:
In April 2003, “very senior” Bush administration officials suggested that an Iraqi prisoner be waterboarded to see if he would “provide information of a relationship between al Qaeda and Saddam Hussein’s regime,” … the suggestion came from the Office of Vice President Cheney.
Got War Criminal?
Not that Obama will do anything about it, which makes him a war criminal.
May 14th, 2009 at 9:43 amBobwurst Says @ #9: And in other news, American Facism marches on…
Erg. As a former Boy Scout, this is chilling. This is certainly not the Boy Scouts of my youth.
One of the scariest lines in the article:
“I like shooting them (guns) ,” Cathy said. “I like the sound they make. It gets me excited.”
*shudder*
May 14th, 2009 at 9:43 ambarrack9: I was a scout too. We spent a lot of time running around the woods in Northern PA. It was fun, and clean, and I wouldn’t trust any of us with a gun. It’s such a bad idea.
May 14th, 2009 at 9:45 amWhere we wanted a stark contrast between Bush and Obama, we got fuzzy post partisan mush.
May 14th, 2009 at 9:47 amTo grant credibility to the Bush regime is a crime all by itself.
barracks9 , I thinks it`s a strategy to get a commission together to investigate Torture whether or not the courts release to photos, it`s a gamble that Obama can`t lose, either way the pics come out now because of the courts or they come out later in the investigative commission and then a trial to put these mothers phuckers away.
May 14th, 2009 at 9:50 amPresident Obama is a politician, not a Messiah.
Take a deep breath, folks. It took Cheney 8 years to do the damage done. Republics continue to desert their ship in droves.
Allowing the Court to decide the torture photo’s outcome is not only a wise move, it’s going to drive the R’s more insane.
May 14th, 2009 at 9:51 amWhy yes. The Obama strategy will be to give the neocons everything they want.
May 14th, 2009 at 9:53 amI’m trying to imagine a situation where holding a terror-suspect “indefinitely and without trial” makes sense.
If you KNOW they are guilty, but can’t put him on trial for whatever reason, the very least you could do is try the suspect for the crime you KNOW they are guilty of (captured in mid-bombing, etc) and make the remaining charges “off limits”.
No, the only reason you couldn’t do that is because something was done (torture) that completely undermines the efficacy of what you believe to be true (read: no hard facts)
If the charge against them would reveal national security secrets, you can still hold a CLOSED TRIAL where the information is not released to the public.
So, please, someone, give me an example of when even a closed trial is a threat to national security.
May 14th, 2009 at 9:55 amwow, CFP, you portray the typical hypocritical right winger well
your cute little list is as dishonest as teh rest of your posts
May 14th, 2009 at 10:00 amAnd, right on cue, here’s CFP’s butt buddy, Proud.
You guys always work in teams now? Afraid that your stupidity won’t come through with only one of you parroting the talking points?
May 14th, 2009 at 10:01 amYou forgot # 19. ConservativeForProgress is an oxymoron. Or simply a moron. Quite a paradox.
May 14th, 2009 at 10:06 amCue smackdown of CFP by missmolly in 3…2…1
May 14th, 2009 at 10:07 amsure thing proud, ask your mommy permission to come discuss it with me in person at a show
that is, if you’re not a coward
o, I forgot, you ARE a coward
May 14th, 2009 at 10:13 amlol, Proud, you can find out show times on the web sites
they’ll be posted when the tour starts next month
you’re just a pussy little right wing coward anyway
you support torture because you’re a scared little pansy
you think torture works because it would work on you
all you have is debunked talking points handed to you by your radio
you are a coward, a pussy, and an ignorant little twit
May 14th, 2009 at 10:21 amAnd I see CFP starts off his day by ascribing to all progressives the random comments of anonymous posters on a blog.
Excellent sampling methodology there, CFP. Unfortunately, your analytical methods are a bit… how shall we say… “skewed?
In fact the only really accurate line in the whole screed is this:
Yeah, it’s a lot easier to go on forever when you don’t hold yourself to any standard or truth or integrity. So you just go on forever, CFP. I’m sure it’ll do you and your therapist a world of good.
May 14th, 2009 at 10:25 amThank goodness he will be gone after one term.
Easily refuted. Unless you are blessed with the same powers of foresight bestowed upon our dear Daryll, then I am betting you can see into the future.
As for your other remarks, haven’t you noticed how many posters here ARE taking this administration to task for the apparent flip-flopping and hesitancy to shoot from the hip and damn the consequences like we might have gotten with another candidate.
Folks are conjecturing that Napolitano name is being put up – does that mean she’s a lock for the job? No. Just that someone out there is speculating. I haven’t heard any rousing response from those here posting to TP that she’s the one.
At least we are able to acknowledge and criticize (albeit not constructively every time) the decisions this administration is taking, but have you noticed that we aren’t taking the path of “If you aren’t 100% with our Presidentm, then you are against him!!” like we’ve seen in the past.
Gosh…dissent? It’s like being grown up, and using your words…
May 14th, 2009 at 10:26 amProud Says:
… Please refute anything I wrote in my post.
o.k.
Proud Says:
Talk about the gang who can’t shoot straight. This admin is becoming more of a joke everyday.
Not an argument. An attempt to discredit without making an argument: “this gang”, “can’t shoot straight”, and “becoming more of a joke”. So far, you make no rational points and use dysphemism and poisoning the well, both illogical methods of persuasive pseudoreasoning intended to convince people of your opinion without having to express an opinion.
I wonder if they can actually make a decision and stick with it.
Now you “wonder”. This is not even an opinion, as you pose a vague question. Again, this is poisoning the well. However, to the point you COULD have made (did you have a problem saying, “they can’t make a decision and stick with it”? Would that pin you down to that one premise too much?), it is a small mind that makes a decision and then sticks with it no matter what. Intelligent entities are always accepting new data, and new facts can and should alter one’s opinions and decisions. “sticking to your guns”, regardless of what new evidence is brought to light is the only recourse for a small mind incapable of thinking for itself, or afraid of change. An intelligent person can and will change their mind when given reason to do so.
Dawrin’s theory of evolution does NOT say that “the strongest survive”: it says that “the most adaptable survive”, and specificxally notes that strength and intelligence have no real bearing. Those who can CHANGE (adapt) are those who evolve. Those who cannot change, cannot evolve.
And of course lets put Napolitano on the Supreme Court HE/SHE (I can’t tell) has already shown her incompetence at DHS, lets reward her with a lifetime appointment.
Again, you poison the well, but offer no argument — your inability to determine gender is not an argument, and you claim of incompetence requires some facts (I am NOT saying that you claim is invalid — but you need to convince me, as I have no idea what “incompetence” you refer to).
You guys wanted a community organizer with no experience to be President and look what we have. Thank goodness he will be gone after one term.
And you end in the same manner as you started, adding in your own personal wish which has no bearing on anything at all, yet is (you hope) inciteful. In fact, the ONLY purpose you could have had for inserting the last sentence was to try ot be inciteful. If you can explain how your wishful thinking, or even prediction, if you will, has any merit as an argument or holds any bearing on a point, please clarify.
You have said nothing, so far. Care to elaborate?
May 14th, 2009 at 10:28 amHmm… prod whines about a report identifying right-wing extremists that target returning vets for recruitment, then when the administration withdraws the report, Prod whines that the administration can’t “make a decision and stick with it”.
Sounds to me like Prod is just looking for something to whine about with Obama.
–
I think it’s absurd that they’re withdrawing the report, but I have no problem with an administration that is capable of rethinking its strategies. I would have had a lot more respect for Bush had he been capable of rethinking his strategies in the “War on Terra”, for instance.
May 14th, 2009 at 10:29 amConservativeForProgress Says:
Just off the top of my head, to sum up views expressed by supposedly open-minded “progressives” on this site over the past few days:
1. Conservatives who didn’t serve in the military are all “chicken hawks”;
cons who didn’t serve but cheer mindlessly for war and question the patriotism of anyone who doesn’t get in line are chickenhawks
2. Conservatives who did serve in the military are all “rightwing extremists” / potential terrorists and must be watched;
Apparently CFP is a tim mcive, lee harvey oswald, joe adkinson et al fan.
3. The Republican party is “dead” and has no power; but
We’re pissed because dems are cowardly weasels, yes. Unlike you we think for ourselves and are capable of critiquing our leadership. If you people had done the same we wouldn’t be in the mess we’re in now.
4. The Democrats can’t get anything done because the supposedly “dead” party is blocking them from doing anything.
See above
5. The Bush Administration failed to take adequate measures in its 7 1/2 months of power leading up to 9/11 to prevent it from happening;
they ignored warnings, yes.
6. The steps the Bush Administration took that did keep us safe from terrorist attack on American soil post 9/11 were all unconstitutional and we should go back to a 9/10 mentality.
just the unconstitutional ones. bill clinton was confronted with the same issues. he caught the bad guys, and sent them to jail without destroying the constitution, or giving his buddies tax breaks. huh. when clinton tried to go after bin laden your side lined up to attack him. remember “no war for Monica”? You people commited treason.
7. The only Conservatives left are rich, elitist, white male racists living in Texas; but
strawman…
8. All Conservatives are stupid, hillbilly crackers living in trailor parks.
Why don’t you offer some evidence to the contrary…
9. The “Surge” employed in Iraq was a terrible idea that nobody will admit worked; but
It didn’t work, if it did then there wouldn’t be an uptake in violence now.
10. The Obama “surge” in Afghanistan is a good idea.
who says that?
11. A Bush Administration $400 billion annual deficit is terrible; but
Yup.
12. An Obama Administration $2 trillion annual deficit is no problem at all.
It depends on where the money is being spent. and Obama is including war spending in his budget, unlike bush…
13. American Caucasians who split their vote roughly 50/50 between McCain and Obama are racist; but</em>
American caucasions are not members of the borg. that only applies to repubs…
14. African Americans who voted rougly 99% for a candidate of their own race are not.
gee, I can’t imagine why they would want to vote for the first AA president…
15. Progressives are strong supporters of the First Amendment;
Yup.
16. Miss California must be crucified for giving an honest answer to a politicly charged question.
May 14th, 2009 at 10:31 amfreedom of speech goes both ways. she’s free to say what she wants, but like everyone else, she has to be willing to let other people disagree. just like you. You are allowed to say whatever you want here, but you will get called out when you’re full of it. in case you haven’t noticed…
17. Enhanced interrogation techniques are bad; but
Torture is bad.
18. You’d pay to see numerous conservative politicians and talk show hosts waterboarded.
It’s called putting your money where you mouth is.
(I could go on forever, but that is enough for now).
I’m sure you could…
Somehow, these “progressive” views don’t add up.
CFP — I’d love to detail your post above, but I do not think that it is worth the bandwith. It is a nice compilation, but it is totally inaccurate — particualarly as used as a sweeping generalization. A variety of individual opinions or comments pasted together as if it were a community consciousness behind each of the individual thoughts.
Bad troll. No cookie.
May 14th, 2009 at 10:34 amyou can see into the future
oops. meant can’t…sorry.
May 14th, 2009 at 10:36 amSo when will the “leaker” of DHS right-wing extremism report be FIRED?
May 14th, 2009 at 10:36 amThe Obama administration “is weighing plans to detain some terror suspects on U.S. soil — indefinitely and without trial — as part of a plan to retool military commission trials that were conducted for prisoners held in Guantanamo Bay.”
************************************************
Firstly this again is a clear challenge to habeas corpus , which is as disturbing from the present administration as it was from the former , only more so .
However it may well now be impossible to try the detainees in a court because of unlawful treatment while in US custody ,and evidence obtained through the use of torture , which would be inadmissible .
Nonetheless , the continuation of this practice , the holding of detainees without charges or the rights of prisoners of war sets a terrible precedent .
May 14th, 2009 at 10:36 amPerry Logan @25, you beat me to the finish line. obama and his people will roll over and try to get in the repug good graces. I don’t understand why there are so many people trying to show that obama always has some greater strategy in mind. He has had the backing of the majority of the country so he has not needed to suck up to the wingers, but that has been uppermost in his approach. How long before he figures out that it isn’t working for him, or his followers figure out that the grand strategy is to give the wingers all they want?
DNFP @15, whitman was also an Eagle Scout
May 14th, 2009 at 10:37 am16. Miss California must be crucified for giving an honest answer to a politicly charged question.
OK, I have no great respect or admiration for Perez Hilton, but he wrote a question that any one of the finalists could have drawn. Miss California drew that one and answered it based on her beliefs. I am fine with that.
And she sounded like a moron. I don’t care what your beliefs are – if you are going to be a contender in one of these freak shows, you’d better be prepared to think (bwaahaahahaahaa) on your feet and answer in complete sentences, using proper terminology.
Opposite Marriage? Is that what my parents have?
She didn’t win because she answered the question poorly – not for the personal/political stance of her response. And wound up sounding like a right git.
May 14th, 2009 at 10:41 am27. ConservativeForProgress Says:
Just off the top of my head, to sum up views expressed by supposedly open-minded “progressives” on this site over the past few days:
1. Conservatives who didn’t serve in the military are all “chicken hawks”; but
Whoa, Tonto, chickenhawks are defined as non-serving but war-cheerleading…’specially when they get 5 deferments or have Daddy assign them to a champagne unit..Got it?
2. Conservatives who did serve in the military are all “rightwing extremists” / potential terrorists and must be watched;
No, just the idiots who buy Ann Coulter, Jonah and Bernard Goldberg, listen to Limbaugh, Hannity, Savage, Beck and any other idiots who are actively inciting violence and revolution in the midst of two wars and an economic mess instigated by…..conservatives.
3. The Republican party is “dead” and has no power; but
No just ludicrous.
4. The Democrats can’t get anything done because the supposedly “dead” party is blocking them from doing anything.
No, they are the party of “No,” while others are trying to fix the mess the party of “No” made. Even lowly roaches can slow down a cleanup process.
5. The Bush Administration failed to take adequate measures in its 7 1/2 months of power leading up to 9/11 to prevent it from happening; but
You forgot, “and went on vacation for a month before 9-11.”
6. The steps the Bush Administration took that did keep us safe from terrorist attack on American soil post 9/11 were all unconstitutional and we should go back to a 9/10 mentality.
The steps bush took were illegal, and no, bush also didn’t keep us safe from the Anthrax attacks….post 9-11…(and 9-11 WAS ON BUSH’S WATCH.)
7. The only Conservatives left are rich, elitist, white male racists living in Texas; but
So, how many black republican congressmen are there…..? *Hint* Zero!
8. All Conservatives are stupid, hillbilly crackers living in trailor parks.
No, just the unquestioning acolytes of the distorting conservative meme…the meme broadcast by the idioti at Fox, Clearchannel and EIB network, coincidentally owned and paid-for by rich, elitist, white male racist conservatives, many of whom live in Texas.
9. The “Surge” employed in Iraq was a terrible idea that nobody will admit worked; but
It didn’t. We paid the enemy to not shoot at us.
10. The Obama “surge” in Afghanistan is a good idea.
Nope. I disagree.
11. A Bush Administration $400 billion annual deficit is terrible; but
Try closer to 500 billion, which doesn’t count lowballed war costs amounting to close to 80 billion. So bush’s deficit is closer to around 600+ billion.
12. An Obama Administration $2 trillion annual deficit is no problem at all.
It’s a big problem, particularly when 8 years of bush budgets didn’t include infrastructure projects that have now come due, not to mention fixing the conservative’s spendthrift mess.
13. American Caucasians who split their vote roughly 50/50 between McCain and Obama are racist; but
14. African Americans who voted rougly 99% for a candidate of their own race are not.
There is absolutely no documentation upon which this claim and numbers can be based. None. This is a lie.
15. Progressives are strong supporters of the First Amendment; but
Yep.
16. Miss California must be crucified for giving an honest answer to a politicly charged question.
No, Miss Cali must be prepared to face the consequences and criticisms of being a spokesgoon for a rightwing hate group.
17. Enhanced interrogation techniques are bad; but
No, they are illegal and immoral, not to mention violating several global treaties and the Geneva Conventions; as well as putting our troops in far greater danger.
18. You’d pay to see numerous conservative politicians and talk show hosts waterboarded.
They, themselves have downplayed the danger and inherent risks of the practice to the point of equating such techniques to frat house hazing. Let them prove their claim. Firsthand.
(I could go on forever, but that is enough for now).
Of course you could go on forever, that what denial and fantasy allow you to do. Try reality, your list of confusions will be much shorter for it.
May 14th, 2009 at 10:44 amConservativeForProgress Says:
Just off the top of my head, to sum up views expressed by supposedly open-minded “progressives” on this site over the past few days:
Somehow, these “progressive” views don’t add up.
May 14th, 2009 at 9:58 am
______________
Sounds about right to me. You came in here with some preconcieved notions of what “progressive” views are, then deliberately misinterpreted all the comments and posts you read so that they fit in with these preconcieved notiions, despite what any of us actually said.
Well done – you passed the test. You’ll get your conservatroll merit badge in the mail any day now.
May 14th, 2009 at 10:47 amCFP didn’t get any more traction for his talking points today than he usually does, but you gotta admit, he typed a lot more words.
May 14th, 2009 at 10:48 amralph the wonder locust Says:
CFP didn’t get any more traction for his talking points today than he usually does, but you gotta admit, he typed a lot more words.
So do 100 monkeys in a room full of typewriters, eventually…
May 14th, 2009 at 10:53 amNice collective smack down of CFP’s “talking points” nonsense this morning, everyone. Good work!
Ya make me proud of ya’ll…
***stirring music raises in background…***
***sniff…***
So articulate… so little profanity…
Hey… waitamminte… where’d my wallet go?
Okay… nobody leaves the room until I get it back, see?
May 14th, 2009 at 10:57 amThe Republic of Hymenoptera Stupidity Says:
O.k. ….. here’s your wallet….. no, it was empty when I found it, I swear on Rebublic empathy and conservative morals…..
May 14th, 2009 at 11:06 ambarracks9 Says:
So do 100 monkeys in a room full of typewriters, eventually…
CFP — 2 monkeys, one hour…..
May 14th, 2009 at 11:07 am“The Obama administration “is weighing plans to detain some terror suspects on U.S. soil — indefinitely and without trial — as part of a plan to retool military commission trials that were conducted for prisoners held in Guantanamo Bay.”
I’m starting to believe the closing of Gitmo is but a PR stunt. Close the “prison” but continue to hold the detainees indefinitely and without trial. Well ok…they’re considering retooling the ever-fair military tribunal but WTF? I care because this seriously affects our standing in the world, which equates to future opportunities for my children and myself.
Ranting a little but I had the utmost “hope” when Obama was not only the dem nominee but actually won the election. That coupled with dem majority in congress has (had) the potential for meaningful change. Obamas’ campaign was as grassroots as there has EVER been…the people’s candidate if there ever was. I never directly donated to a presidential campaign until Obama.
But Obama and the pack of spineless “owned” democrats continue to disappoint on a nearly daily basis. People tend to only really care about issues that they feel affect them personally… that’s human nature. As for myself, I’m a highly skilled and specialized tradesman (steamfitter/instrument tech) whom thoroughly understands the benefits of union membership and it’s importance relating to “checks and balances”. (Unlike many institutions, we NEED a union if for nothing else but wage regularity due to the temporary nature of our craft- also benefiting the non-union sector) I don’t work in the housing sector…I work to build things that EMPLOY people. I.e.- Factories, mills, and plants…you know, things America pretty much quit building decades ago. My skills are needed to get this country back on terra firma…too bad I’m unemployed with little work on the “trestle board” in the near future. Obama offered change to believe in but we get the same old/same old. Corporate interests are apparently trumping the peoples hands down.
-Card Check- Being gutted to joke status
-Meaningful health care reform- Highly doubtful
-Serious justice regarding the BushCo crime regime (In many more ways than torture)- Most likely a pipe dream.
-Banking reform- Please…The people OB put in charge are the foxes guarding the henhouse.
-Clean Technologies- Bring them on ASAP! For now…it’s all talk no walk. (Apparently, it has to be decided who is going to reap the profits before anything gets off the ground.)
-Infrastructure stimulus- being eaten up in bureaucracy.
-There’s more, but those are the majors.
The bright point appears to be that homosexual (GLBT?) issues have made great forward strides. Doesn’t affect me…but I’m happy for them I guess.
Having a tough time with optimism…tired of being patient.
BTW trolls. OB and the other “fascist/socialist” dems have given your ilk nearly everything they want. You ought to absolutely LOVE them.
May 14th, 2009 at 11:33 amOf all the things to comment on this morning I was most taken with #9 Bobworths link on the training of our youth’s ages almost 14 to 21 by the Boy Scout’s and this mornings C & L post of Yusuf Islam (Sp) Cat Steven’s favorite of mine, “Peace Train”….
Our country has become bypolar it seems…On the one hand we have people still wanting more war within and out side the USA and on the other hand we have people wanting Peace for us and the world joined in with those who don’t know or give a shit one way or the other…We are being spoon fed by “Time” re releasing more old war film’s, childrens videos to play war by opertunestic money changer’s and reducing our Peace and prosperety to war over taking care of our people and the people of the world…Sad times indeed…The tough times to try and stop the war in the 60’s and 70’s is but a vague memory, our accomplishment was so short lived it makes me sad…
Now we have few champions willing to take on the task our country desperatly needs to bring the guilty warmongers up on charges…Our supposed leaders won’t even follow through and make them testify…I am sick at heart….
It seems to me instead of gun safety and honoring all life, don’t shoot anything except what you need to eat to survive ( what I taught my kid’s) is now being replaced with the mindset of banana republic’s, constant over throw of governments and using children with raging hormones and no life experience to helping us get to a police state run by disfunctional children who think it’s cool to play war game’s…Are we now going to be like the white supremestest and skin head’s…A large majority of our polatician’s are already there, have been for some time…
What became of the Peace core.? What became of America, land of the free, home of the brave.? Now that the wars wage on and more is being planned how are we going to feed our country and work for Peace when all our money is going to bloated banker’s and bomb’s…..Because of what has happened by our rogue government we are raising a generation of hungry people, unchecked children and brainwashed warmonger’s….There is no jusitce, now there aren’t even good point’s of law it seems and not one word or posative work for Peace..
Sorry for the length…We still need Blessing, little has changed..
May 14th, 2009 at 11:44 am#56 Thank you for posting…Blessings
May 14th, 2009 at 11:57 amWitch1 Says:
#56 Thank you for posting…Blessings
And thank you with blessings to you also Witch1. Always a fan of your posts.
May 14th, 2009 at 12:01 pmThank you again and back at ya,.Mycelium…Blessings
May 14th, 2009 at 12:15 pmA report on “Rightwing Extremism” that upset conservatives has been withdrawn and is being rewritten, Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano told lawmakers yesterday. “It was not authorized to be distributed. It had not even completed its vetting process,” she said, calling the incident “probably the worst thing” to happen at DHS.
See? “Working the refs” works. The RW nutcases are still dangerous, though (see, e.g., Timothy McVeigh, and that frootloop that shot up the Unitarian church), and someone ought to keep a close eye on them….
Cheers,
May 14th, 2009 at 1:02 pmDavid Marchick of The Carlyle Group testified before the Senate Banking Subcommittee on Economic Policy yesterday. He wants the government to do more to help the manufacturing sector. Carlyle has $9 billion in equity investments in American manufacturers. It’s well worth the read (although the type is small):
http://www.carlyle.com/Media%20Room/News%20Archive/2009/item10681.html
May 14th, 2009 at 1:42 pmThe Carlyle Group is #7 on Senator Evan Bayh’s lifetime donor list! They also have many health care investments.
Keep studying the word’s Evan. My guess is his conflict is how to say David Axelrod’s reform words, while keeping his corporate sponsors happy! That’s quite a pickle…
May 14th, 2009 at 1:44 pmhe typed a lot more words.
YEA HOME-SCHOOLING!!!!
May 14th, 2009 at 2:47 pmhe typed a lot more words.
Probably he only keyed Ctrl+C, Ctrl+V to paste the greater part of his list from any right wing talking point site.
May 14th, 2009 at 10:14 pmthank you. Beatifull Archile !
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May 17th, 2009 at 7:16 pm