ThinkFast: July 8, 2009
ThinkFast: July 8, 2009
President Obama told CNN yesterday that the United States is “absolutely not” giving Israel a green light to attack Iran. “We have said directly to the Israelis that it is important to try and resolve this in an international setting in a way that does not create major conflict in the Middle East,” said Obama, referring to Iran’s nuclear ambitions.
Shortly after being sworn-in yesterday, Sen. Al Franken (D-MN) announced that the first bill he would sign onto as a co-sponsor would be the Employee Free Choice Act. “I just became a cosponsor of my first bill in the Senate, the Employee Free Choice Act,” Franken said last night.
The House Judiciary Committee deposed former Bush adviser Karl Rove yesterday, as part of the long-running U.S. attorney scandal probe. According to Chairman John Conyers (D-MI), Rove’s deposition “began at 10 a.m. and ended around 6:30 p.m, with several breaks,” although he refused to comment on what Rove said.
A new GAO report has found that “many states are using the federal [stimulus] funds for short-term projects and to fill budget gaps rather than spending on long-term improvements.” The report also says “many states aren’t meeting some goals and requirements of the economic recovery program” such as “using education funds to prevent layoffs rather than fund innovative new programs.”
In an interview with Esquire, former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush criticizes Obama as a “collectivist.” He dismissed Obama’s health care reforms as useless. “We’re like gerbils running in place,” he said. As for Obama’s popularity, Bush said, “who cares?”
A bipartisan task force, co-chaired by Jeb Bush and former Clinton chief-of-staff Thomas “Mack” McLarty, “will recommend today that the United States overhaul its immigration system in response to national security concerns, saying that the country should end strict quotas on work-based immigrant visas.” The panel also recommended a “commission to establish future legal immigration levels.”
Some of the unemployed in states that rejected stimulus funding for unemployment insurance are receiving letters declaring them “ineligible for benefits” because their state governments refused to modify rules governing who could receive unemployment insurance. The states, including Mississippi and Alabama, refused despite the fact that the federal government would have fully-funded the expansion for several years.
Yesterday, the National Rifle Association announced that it “would actively oppose Supreme Court nominee Judge Sonia Sotomayor’s confirmation if she is hostile to senators who press her about gun rights.”
Afghan defense officials have said that “Taliban fighters and their commanders have escaped the Marines’ big offensive in Afghanistan’s Helmand province and moved into areas to the west and north, prompting fears that the U.S. effort has just moved the Taliban problem elsewhere.”
And finally: Energetic organizers have gathered in Washington, DC for the New Organizing Institute’s annual BootCamp, where they learn “about campaigning, new media, online organizing, technology.” These young progressives have broken into groups to build mock campaigns around superheroes running for DC mayor: Wonder Woman, Spider-Man, The Atom, The Green Lantern, Batwoman, Superman, Cyborg, and Batgirl. Check out the campaigns here, and be sure to vote for your favorite candidate on Friday.
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Boy, lots of sour grapes from Little Jebby Bu$h. He must be taking snark lessons from Darth Cheney.
July 8th, 2009 at 9:03 amFranken is hitting the ground running. Republicans are crapping their pants.
It may turn out that their delaying tactics have only succeeded in winding up Al to cause him to shoot out of the gate with pent up pressure.
Sux to be a Republican.
July 8th, 2009 at 9:04 amThe real question is….Who cares what another bush has to say. We’ve had enough of shrubs trying to run the country.
July 8th, 2009 at 9:07 amThe House Judiciary Committee deposed former Bush adviser Karl Rove yesterday, as part of the long-running U.S. attorney scandal probe. According to Chairman John Conyers (D-MI), Rove’s deposition “began at 10 a.m. and ended around 6:30 p.m, with several breaks to clear the brimstone and sulfur from the room,” although he refused to comment on what Rove lied about.
Fixed it.
July 8th, 2009 at 9:07 amThe House Judiciary Committee deposed former Bush adviser Karl Rove yesterday.
It’s about time, Conyers. His statements need to be part of public record, by the way.
‘Lil Turdblossom needs to do some major ’splaining to Congress.
A lot of work remains in putting these pigs in a pen. KKKarl should be the first to take up housekeeping in a penal colony.
No more lipstick. No more failed depositions. Americans want to see justice served…
Roast Pork comes to mind…
July 8th, 2009 at 9:09 amA new GAO report has found that “many states are using the federal [stimulus] funds for short-term projects and to fill budget gaps rather than spending on long-term improvements.” The report also says “many states aren’t meeting some goals and requirements of the economic recovery program” such as “using education funds to prevent layoffs rather than fund innovative new programs.”
So, what are the consequences of the mismanagement of this money?
July 8th, 2009 at 9:10 amA bipartisan task force, co-chaired by Jeb Bush and former Clinton chief-of-staff Thomas “Mack” McLarty, “will recommend today that the United States overhaul its immigration system.
Who cares?
July 8th, 2009 at 9:12 amIn an interview with Esquire, former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush criticizes Obama as a “collectivist.” He dismissed Obama’s health care reforms as useless. “We’re like gerbils running in place,” he said. As for Obama’s popularity, Bush said, “who cares?”
Jeb is right about one thing: we’re currently gerbils running in place, and that’s exactly why President Obama is trying to break us out of the cage.
When you have a nice health care package like a former governor, “who cares?” about reform?
July 8th, 2009 at 9:12 amYesterday, the National Rifle Association announced that it “would actively oppose Supreme Court nominee Judge Sonia Sotomayor’s confirmation if she is hostile to senators who press her about gun rights.”
And if she is hostile, the NRA will direct Billdo to have her killed.
July 8th, 2009 at 9:13 amJeb Bush? That Cuban mafia adjunct? Who cares?
July 8th, 2009 at 9:15 amRantingTommy Says: Franken is hitting the ground running. Republicans are crapping their pants.
I’m happy that we have another Liberal, and not another Moderate or Conservative Democrat representing us. Funny how much the Cons hate Franken. But then again, they always hate intelligent and educated people who value the rights of people over corporations and money.
July 8th, 2009 at 9:16 amI hope kkkar rove sang like a canary, but then you know what they say about teaching a pig to sing – its a complete waste of time and it only annoys the pig.
July 8th, 2009 at 9:17 amSo much backpedaling yesterday on perceived compromises on the public option!
KEEP UP THE PRESSURE! Remind your congress critters that they work for you!
PEACE
July 8th, 2009 at 9:20 amTypical bush attitude about democracy – asked about “popularity” which actually means “will of people” and he proclaims “who cares!”
Scary thing is, the criminal cabal that fraudulently hoisted an AWOL alcoholic/cocaine addict into the White House as a “war president” is going to try and do the same with jebby.
Please don’t think it can’t happen – we can’t let our guard down.
July 8th, 2009 at 9:22 am“Shortly after being sworn-in yesterday, Sen. Al Franken (D-MN) announced that the first bill he would sign onto as a co-sponsor would be the Employee Free Choice Act.”
the clowns over at faux really must be losing it over this, not only is franken now a senator, his first bill involves worker’s rights.
July 8th, 2009 at 9:23 amIn an interview with Esquire, former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush criticizes Obama as a “collectivist.” He dismissed Obama’s health care reforms as useless. “We’re like gerbils running in place,” he said. As for Obama’s popularity, Bush said, “who cares?”
Sorry Jeb, but you will never get elected again for even dog catcher. Your brother, Dumbya, effectively ended the chance of another Bush ever being elected to public office again, along with helping with the downfall of the republi-nut party.
July 8th, 2009 at 9:24 amWas Rove under oath? Or did the committee abide by the Bushies preferred testimony method…you know, behind closed doors, not under oath, no video, no transcripts, no recordings?
July 8th, 2009 at 9:25 amspencers mom – spot on, it certainly appears the pressure is working.
Don’t let them tell us that America is a “center-right” country and that we need “bipartisan” support.
The dems need to clean their own house, put pressure on the blue dogs and publically shine the spotlight on them.
In most cases, this will bring them in line, if not, their constituents will probably find new reps that more fully represent their wishes. But this will only happen if public pressure is applied.
Please, everyone, Obama needs us to stand up for change.
July 8th, 2009 at 9:26 amLittle Jebby certainly has the Bush family sense of entitlement. Must gall him to know that big brother completely screwed any chance he thought he had at the White House. Another Joe is absolutely correct however that some elements in the Republican Party will try to wheel him out for a run, especially if 2012 turns into an Obama landslide. Never forget people, never forget.
July 8th, 2009 at 9:27 am“The debt that will be created in his [Obama's] four years as president will exceed the debt that was created by all presidents before him.” — Jeb Bush
“Under Obama, we’re going to create a [health care] system that’s not focused on quality; it’s focused on access to care…” — Jeb Bush
____________________________________________________________
Gee, Jeb — don’t hold back! First, that thing you said about President Obama creating more debt than all other presidents combined? I believe the same could be said about your brother, which I never heard you complain about. Besides, the jury’s still out on Obama’s debt — since we’re investing in ourselves instead of pouring money into a black hole as your brother did, we might actually get some ROI.
And second, your use of the word “quality” to describe health care is just a euphemism for “profits”. Something like 72% of the American people are sick to death (in many cases, literally) of this kind of “quality”, and they’d just as soon have access. Are you so in bed with the health insurance industry you can turn a blind eye to that?
July 8th, 2009 at 9:28 amwayne – don’t kid yourself. They have the power of the mighty wurlitzer – the mainstream media.
They will distance him from george by proclaiming how different they are – same scam they said about w’s father. Remember how chimpy was fraudulently launched onto the scene out of nowhere – moneys for virtually every other candidate literally dried up.
The criminal cabal and the special interests they represent did not go away nor will they go away. They don’t actually have to “win” elections either – just create the lie of a “highly energized base” and “security moms.”
And don’t forget – the dems have given the repugs a free pass to strike hundreds of thousands of voters from the voting rolls.
Keeping a bush out of the white house again (or the interests they represent) is going to take vigilance.
July 8th, 2009 at 9:30 amWhat MissMolly just said, Jeb…
July 8th, 2009 at 9:31 amBut was it under oath? The article doesn’t say, and somehow, I doubt it. After all, it was run by John, Impeachment is off the table, Conyers.
July 8th, 2009 at 9:33 amBriseadh na Faire Says: But was it under oath?
Good question, BnF.
I have a feeling that KKKarl would lie under oath, though.
After all, that’s what KKKarl is; a professional liar.
July 8th, 2009 at 9:35 amShortly after being sworn-in yesterday, Sen. Al Franken…
I just love that the right wing/rethugs are going bananas over Senator Franken – and continue to make inane comments and post far out articles and doctored photos.
Just wait until they get schooled by the “clown”…
July 8th, 2009 at 9:36 amHow’s this for an example of citizen action:
Parade Protest
July 8th, 2009 at 9:40 am
Did Jeb disclose his conflict of interest on the microphone? He sits on the Board of Tenet Health, an ethically challenged for-profit hospital chain. Gov. Jeb and Florida even fined Tenet for improper billing, no admission of guilt of course.
Did Jeb mention his role in imploding Lehman Brothers?
http://stateofthedivision.blogspot.com/2008/12/general-jeb-to-ride-in-from-south.html
America suffers from horrific leadership.
July 8th, 2009 at 9:41 ambarracks9 Says:
“I just love that the right wing/rethugs are going bananas over Senator Franken…Just wait until they get schooled by the “clown”
I love how cancervatives are quick to judge franken and his career in entertaining, yet drool over ronnie raygun, a “b” movie actor who co-stared with a chimp
July 8th, 2009 at 9:41 amThese young progressives have broken into groups to build mock campaigns around superheros running for DC mayor: Wonder Woman, Spider-Man, The Atom, The Green Lantern, Batwoman, Superman, Cyborg, and Batgirl.
We don’t need any of those superheros as DC mayor — we still have former mayor Marion Barry (aka “Crackman”) on the DC city council!
July 8th, 2009 at 9:44 amYesterday, the National Rifle Association announced that it “would actively oppose Supreme Court nominee Judge Sonia Sotomayor’s confirmation if she is hostile to senators who press her about gun rights.”
____________________________________________________________
Let’s be honest here. The NRA is going to actively oppose Sotomayor’s nomination unless she comes out in favor of dropping ALL gun control laws and allowing anybody to buy any kind of weapon or ordnance anytime, anywhere. If Sotomayor is smart (and I believe she is), she won’t waste any time or energy trying to kiss up to this group.
July 8th, 2009 at 9:44 amSomeone remind me again of the difference between “collectivists” and “patriots”….
July 8th, 2009 at 9:51 amWhen asked about the shit stains on his family name, Jebba the Hut shrugged and said, “Who cares?”
Boy George did the country a favor by destroying both the Repugnant Party and the Bush name.
July 8th, 2009 at 9:53 amJeb Bush is starting to lay the groundwork for a presidential run. But there are too many variables that will affect his decision. If Obama is very popular at the time the primaries are going to start, Jeb will sit out the 2012 election. He cannot afford to run in 2012 and lose because that would end his bid for the presidency. Another factor will be the public perception of the Bush name. If voters are really turned off by Bush he will not run. Another variable is Jeb’s father who could conceivably die and that would mean the loss of many political connections. Finally, we have Jeb’s potential opponents such as Palin and Romney. If these opponents are too popular and he cannot win enough primaries, then Jeb will wait. Jeb Bush will run for president either in 2012 or 2016. This all could change if the Dems are extremely popular because of Obama’s programs. The economy is the most important factor followed by health care. If the economy is still bad, the Republicans will be able to win. Voters always vote their pocketbook
July 8th, 2009 at 9:56 amPresident Obama told CNN yesterday that the United States is “absolutely not” giving Israel a green light to attack Iran.
July 8th, 2009 at 9:57 amTime will tell but let it be mentioned here that just as with Honduras , the US is joined at the hip with Israel and I believe if the US says play nice , it is likey to occur .
Restore Zelaya , This is a good opportunity to walk the talk in Latin America .Pressure Israel to dismantle ALL illegal sttlements in Palestinian territory and allow humanitarian aid to flow to Gaza .
@Bozo:
No, no, no, the chimp was Ronnie’s co-star’s son!
July 8th, 2009 at 9:57 amThe economy is the most important factor followed by health care. If the economy is still bad, the Republicans will be able to win. Voters always vote their pocketbook
Which is why we need to not listen to self-appointed gatekeepers and maintain pressure on the administration to deliver change – especially healthcare.
While it was repug rule, deregulation, and disastrous illegal wars that created the current mess, Obama will not be allowed to blame bush for everything in 2012.
Anything less than an unprecedented properity will be hailed by republican lying liars as “failure”. The mainstream media will “catapult” that propaganda.
We need to maintain a robust dialog about progressive policies and changes now because these will be the foundation of for Obama’s re-election in 2012 and a continued (perhaps increasing)n democratic supermajority.
July 8th, 2009 at 10:03 amwatchdog Says:
‘Time to ditch climate policies’
The BBC Reports
An international group of academics is urging world leaders to abandon their current policies on climate change
Doggie, you should either learn to read or learn that other people can already read. The academics are concerned that the current approach is insufficient, not that there is any question about the need to do something about climate change.
July 8th, 2009 at 10:06 amwatchpuppy@36
July 8th, 2009 at 10:08 amthanks for the link to the bbc article. perhaps you should try reading it. the focus of the article isn’t about whether or not climate change is real, it’s if what we’re doing is effective. two very different things
watchpup was trained to bring home the paper, not read it.
Good dog.
Here, have a treat…
July 8th, 2009 at 10:11 amWhy even waste time on what watchpuppy posts? All he does is headline hunt, and seems to never read what he posts. Biden makes a statement and the President sets the record stright. There’s no story here. He didn’t read the article from the BBC, and got that wrong too. What a waste of time bothering with watchpuppy.
July 8th, 2009 at 10:14 ami would like to offer a round of applause to all here who have been involved in the training of watchpuppy. kudos for finally getting him to supply reliable sources (although still doesn’t read the articles). how many spankings did it take?
July 8th, 2009 at 10:17 amOne point going by the wayside: We have various States not implementing the Stimulus as it was designed. We will also have various claims that the Stimulus did not work. And Obama will get the blame, not the leadership of these recalcitrant States.
July 8th, 2009 at 10:17 amangels81@42, not true. watchpuppy does the leg work for us; providing the links with which to discredit cancervative talking points.
July 8th, 2009 at 10:18 amBut gum, that would severely reduce watchpup’s input here…
Oh.
I see what you’re saying.
July 8th, 2009 at 10:19 amHere, let’s give watchpuppy a hand and help him catapult the proaganda.
From the BBC link watchpuppy provided, the first two paragraphs:
The authors of How to Get Climate Policy Back on Course say the strategy based on overall emissions cuts has failed and will continue to fail.
They want G8 nations and emerging economies to focus on an approach based on improving energy efficiency and decarbonising energy supply.
Good to see you’re on board with decarbonising the energy supply, washedup.
We all know that “cap-and-trade” bullshite is only meant to appeal to those lame “free market” fundamentalists, anyways, right?
July 8th, 2009 at 10:24 amWhen are the folks in marketing over at the Privacy Center going to realize this shit ain’t working?
July 8th, 2009 at 10:24 amWatchdog, thanks for the link on climate change. I read the article. Those scientists want more stringent policies:
Imagine that. Cap and Trade allows polluters to buy the right to continue to pollute, and carbon emissions continue to rise. These scientists are saying we have to stop burning oil and coal (and biodiesel) completely.
July 8th, 2009 at 10:25 amwatchdog:
July 8th, 2009 at 10:26 amBy any chance were you the one that misread that quality of life data? That was the funniest shit I ever read here…
Someone ought to do a screen grab and save it for watchpoop further embarrassment.
The moronic troll thinks a headline opposes global warming while the article affirms global warming is a danger.
TDF!!!
July 8th, 2009 at 10:33 am41 jimmcdosh
flag the spammer
July 8th, 2009 at 10:35 am.
I look forward to voting against as many Bush’s as there are rocks for them to come out from under.
And if Li’l Dubya doesn’t make you crazy, maybe this will.
July 8th, 2009 at 10:42 am.
Another Joe Says:
——————————————————————————–
The economy is the most important factor followed by health care. If the economy is still bad, the Republicans will be able to win. Voters always vote their pocketbook
Which is why we need to not listen to self-appointed gatekeepers and maintain pressure on the administration to deliver change – especially healthcare.
While it was repug rule, deregulation, and disastrous illegal wars that created the current mess, Obama will not be allowed to blame bush for everything in 2012.
Anything less than an unprecedented properity will be hailed by republican lying liars as “failure”. The mainstream media will “catapult” that propaganda.
We need to maintain a robust dialog about progressive policies and changes now because these will be the foundation of for Obama’s re-election in 2012 and a continued (perhaps increasing)n democratic supermajority
July 8th, 2009 at 10:48 am……………………………………….
Absolutely .The problem here is that as the economy flounders support for the administration will fold among swing state voters . Progressives are not all that happy with the administrations lack of energy in restoring the constitution and the adoption or continuation of many of the worst offenses of the Bush years in this area .
As for health care , when polled Americans overwhelmingly want single payer and have for decades No country who has adopted single payer has ever gone back yet it is never taken serious in Washington, the reasons being too obvious to mention .
Now about that change .
jimmicdosh:
FLAGGED AGAIN!
July 8th, 2009 at 10:48 amOh, man… now who’s gonna clean up the squished remains of watchpup’s exoskelton? It’s getting ground into the carpet.
July 8th, 2009 at 10:49 amangels81 Says:
The real question is….Who cares what another bush has to say. We’ve had enough of shrubs trying to ruin the country.
There, I fixed it for ya.
July 8th, 2009 at 10:57 amExit Stage Left, Thanks.
July 8th, 2009 at 11:00 amPresident Obama told CNN yesterday that the United States is “absolutely not” giving Israel a green light to attack Iran.
You’d think the Israelis would have quenched their thirst for blood by now. How many more men, women, and children do they need to kill?
July 8th, 2009 at 11:46 amHmmm. I wonder how many of those unemployed folk in those red states whose Republican governors refused to take the stimulus money are going to look at those notices – and put the blame where it belongs: ON THEIR REPUBLICAN GOVERNORS…?
July 8th, 2009 at 12:05 pmRegarding Jeb Bush and health Care. Remember the Bush name and the damage done to each and every American and relegate the Bush name to the cesspool from whence it came. Jeb is obviously just like his brother and feels that entitled people such as his family’s friends do not need “socialized medicine” so F everybody else. Well, F them.
July 8th, 2009 at 12:39 pmangels81 Says:
The real question is….Who cares what another bush has to say. We’ve had enough of shrubs trying to run the country.
I agree, someone please take the microphone away from any and ALL Bushes. No one gives a damn what they have to say about ANYTHING
July 8th, 2009 at 2:12 pmJeb Bush controls 69,677 shares of Tenet Health.
http://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/70318/000007031809000099/xslF345X03/bus673.xml
That’s for two years worth of board service. Jeb’s a corporacrat:
http://www.sec.gov/cgi-bin/browse-edgar?action=getcompany&CIK=0001396725&owner=include&count=40
July 8th, 2009 at 3:47 pmThe O Admin. has quiently approved 2,500 more illegal Israeli settlemtns on Palestinian land despite the much advertised anger and opposition over such settlements. I hav ecome to the conclusion that the media will report whatever is popular about O but downplay the truth. BTW, he just announced $155 BILLION in cuts to our only public healthcare plans, Medicare Medicaid. Without a true public option people will be forced into HMO mandates.
July 8th, 2009 at 7:22 pm