ThinkFast: November 2, 2009
ThinkFast: November 2, 2009
Afghan officials cancelled the country’s run-off presidential election set to take place this Saturday after challenger Abdullah Abdullah announced his withdrawal from the race. The officials declared President Hamid Karzai the winner. An election commission official “cited security and financial concerns about the cost of the vote.”
According to a summary of the FBI’s interview with Dick Cheney regarding the Valerie Plame CIA leak scandal, on 72 occasions, the former vice president said “he could not be certain in his answers to questions about matters large and small.” The equivocations underscore prosecutor Patrick Fitzgerald’s famous declaration that “there is a cloud over the vice president.”
“Marine Corps Commandant Gen. James T. Conway has emerged in internal Pentagon deliberations as the most outspoken opponent of permitting gay men and women to serve openly in the U.S. military,” the Washington Times reports. “He feels very strongly that [removing the ban] would be disruptive, and he opposes it,” said a former senior Pentagon official. President Obama has pledged to repeal the policy.
As the Senate climate change bill emerges from committee tomorrow, “key Republicans are making their opposition clear.” “Why are we trying to jam down this legislation now?” asked Sen. George Voinovich (R-OH) at a hearing last week. Now, “Democratic leaders, with the support of the Obama administration, are trying to sway at least half a dozen Republicans by offering” support for new nuclear power plants.
A fact-checking performed by the AP shows that many Republican lawmakers are using “grade school arithmetic” to criticize the stimulus package. The AP notes that critics are complaining that the stimulus cost $246,000 a job, ignoring material costs and the ongoing value of jobs created.
Arab League Secretary-General Amr Moussa told the press Monday that Arab leaders are likely to tell Secretary Clinton they are disappointed that the U.S. appears to be backing down on pressing for a settlement freeze from Israel. “I am telling you that all of us…are deeply disappointed…with the results, with the fact that Israel can get away with anything without any firm stand that this cannot be done,” Moussa told reporters.
After withdrawing from New York’s 23rd district congressional race just three days before the election, Republican Dede Scozzafava threw her support behind Democrat Bill Owens yesterday. Many of her GOP backers, such as former House Speaker Newt Gingrich, condemned her decision and instead endorsed Conservative Party candidate Doug Hoffman.
James Dobson, the founder of the conservative Christian group Focus on the Family, “will no longer host its flagship radio broadcast and is cutting formal ties with the organization.” The decision to part ways was amicable and long anticipated, said Gary Schneeberger, spokesman for the Colorado Springs-based group.
And finally: Around 2,000 lucky D.C. children trick-or-treated at the White House on Saturday, where they were greeted by the President, the First Lady dressed up as “a very nice-looking Cat Woman,” and First Grandma Marian Robinson. (White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs was also at the festivities, dressed in a Darth Vader costume.) The presidential treats included “White House M&Ms, a sweet dough butter cookie from the White House pastry shop and dried fruit (cherries, apricots, pears, apples and papayas).”
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I agree. Why don’t we wait until all the expensive beach-front properties are underwater.
What we do, or don’t do now, will have implications for hundreds of years.
November 2nd, 2009 at 9:06 amMore children left behind.
November 2nd, 2009 at 9:07 amThis Afghanistan situation is impossible. Pull out now. They have no functioning government. Their economy is based on Herion. No infrastucture. Why do we think we can succeed where so many others have failed? Even Alexander the Great couldn’t conquer Afghanistan. I don’t see ANY stragety to win.
November 2nd, 2009 at 9:12 amon 72 occasions, Cheney said “he could not be certain in his answers to questions about matters large and small.”
Gonzo coached him well.
On the other hand, isn’t it interesting that Darth Cheney has perfect recollection when it comes to criticizing President Obama regarding changes to torture, war strategy, etc.? Oh, yes, that’s right. He’s not under oath or being investigated for war crimes and treason when he trashes the President.
November 2nd, 2009 at 9:14 am“You lie!”
November 2nd, 2009 at 9:17 amIt is time to stop this elitist protectionism and hold real investigations of war crimes and treason.
November 2nd, 2009 at 9:17 amAfter withdrawing from New York’s 23rd district congressional race just three days before the election, Republican Dede Scozzafava threw her support behind Democrat Bill Owens yesterday.
This is a preview of the 2010 elections. Republics believe they can bring in an outsider, spend a lot of money lying to voters and come away winners.
The fact the local Republican is supporting the Democratic candidate should be National news.
November 2nd, 2009 at 9:18 amLet’s not insult grade school arithmetic.
Hating ACORN
November 2nd, 2009 at 9:21 amAfter withdrawing from New York’s 23rd district congressional race just three days before the election, Republican Dede Scozzafava threw her support behind Democrat Bill Owens yesterday. Many of her GOP backers, such as former House Speaker Newt Gingrich, condemned her decision and instead endorsed Conservative Party candidate Doug Hoffman.And the party gets smaller and smaller. Keep pushing them away, goopers.
November 2nd, 2009 at 9:22 amAfghan officials cancelled the country’s run-off presidential election set to take place this Saturday after challenger Abdullah Abdullah announced his withdrawal from the race. The officials declared President Hamid Karzai the winner. An election commission official “cited security and financial concerns about the cost of the vote.”
I wonder if Abdullah received the Afghan equivalent of a horse’s head next to him when he woke up one morning?
November 2nd, 2009 at 9:23 amZim@7, And all of MSM is calling her petty for supporting the Democrat. Hmmm… she was selected by her Party to run, then people like Palin and the other wing-nuts put in a guy who can’t even vote himself because he lives OUTSIDE the district. The Righties put up ads slamming her and calling her a dreaded ‘Liberal’. Sounds to me, the GOPers were the ones who were not only petty, but down right malicious.
November 2nd, 2009 at 9:24 amRegarding the Afghanistan presidential election,
Didn’t the Chimperor and new-clowns say that Freedumbs and Chimpocracy would spread like wild fire across the Middle East if the USA just invaded that nice Iraqi oil?
November 2nd, 2009 at 9:25 am8 Reasons Fox Is Not a News Organization
1. Glennda Beck, the community organizer
November 2nd, 2009 at 9:27 am2. Fox’s alliance with the corporate-funded astroturf group Americans for Prosperity
3. On-air fund raising for Republican PACs
4. Bill O’Racist, stalker of those whose opinions he doesn’t like
5. Sunday talk-show host who promotes Republican falsehoods
6. Fox News anchors, show hosts and pundits parrot GOP press releases, or just make up stuff
7. Fox News hosts urge viewers to join a particular political group
8. Glennda Beck, deranged inventor of paranoid conspiracies
It’s official: Afghanistan has become a Poppy Republic (namely because it’s too dry to grow bananas). The country is ungovernable, the government is by strongarm rather than by the will of the people, and the security forces are woefully unprepared to fight off threats. It’s detrimental (and logistically impossible) to begin an immediate withdrawal, but this much is clear: We’ve lost. NATO has lost. Afghanistan has lost. And the Taliban has lost. In all likelihood, we will have accomplished some of our key goals: to depose the Taliban, dismantle terrorist training camps, and prevent a return to the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan. The country will be where it was between the Soviet withdrawal and the establishment of the Emirate: divided amongst warlords. Afghanistan’s neighbors won’t get involved; all we can do is hang on until we have an exit strategy that won’t alienate us from NATO.
Com. Gen. Conway is in the minority, it would seem. Gates, McHugh, Jones, Zinni, and dozens of others from both the civilian and military commands are realizing that the “disruptive” argument is the same shit leveled at Truman when he desegrated the Army in the late 40s. Enough is enough.
It’s not too much of a surprise that Voinovich is against Boxer-Kerry; besides being a Republican (though, as of this administration, a fairly moderate one), he represents a state still dominated by the steel industry. Until a viable alternative to steelmaking can be found, don’t expect a lot of support from the Rust Belt.
Clinton’s meeting with the Arab League could go either way. She would do best to come out in favour of the Arab Peace Plan (withdrawal to ‘67 borders, halt to settlements, international solution to Jerusalem, limited right of return). It’s the best compromise either side will ever see.
Scozzafava endorsed Owens. Knew it. The only thing that will sink Owens is low turnout. The immense support Hoffman has received has all come from out of district (just like Hoffman himself. Seriously, isn’t there some kind of LAW requiring a Congressional candidate to live in the district he’s running for?). All things considered, the differences between her and Owens are pretty negliable, and she’s very well liked in the area. Her support could entice people to show up in droves and prove yet again that ideological purity is no way to run a political party, though maybe this will still encourage a national Conservative party to split from the GOP. The only thing that would accomplish would be to siphon votes from otherwise “moderate” GOP members and give the Dems a larger margin of victory. Hate to say it, but I agree(d) with Gingrich and Steele initially. The strategy of picking the best candidate for the district, rather than one who follows rigid ideology, is how you run a party and how you win an election. It’s how Dean crafted the 50 state strategy. If the DNC and the DCCC had, for example, tried undercutting Walt Minnick by pushing a progressive in Idaho, Bill Sali and his Christianist nonsense would be serving another term. Granted, both Gingrich and Steele were so meek and thin-skinned they jumped ship as soon as Scozzafava withdrew, but it was a nice sentiment while it lasted.
November 2nd, 2009 at 9:29 amTo be a Republican nowadays, you must be anti-gay marriage; anti-homosexual; anti-abortion; pro-gun; pro tax breaks for corporations and the ruling class; anti-labor; pro-business; anti-health care reform; pro-insurance companies; anti-environment; pro-oil and coal; anti-government regulations; pro-free market; anti-government spending on anything except the military and prisons; pro-torture, illegal wiretapping and indefinite detentions; anti-Obama; and pro-Rush Limbaugh.
Other than that, you’re free to be a moderate if you are so inclined.
November 2nd, 2009 at 9:32 amYeah, but since when does the MSM do anything that would reflect poorly on a media sensation (Palin)?
November 2nd, 2009 at 9:32 amP.D. says:
Zim@7, And all of MSM is calling her petty for supporting the Democrat. Hmmm… she was selected by her Party to run, then people like Palin and the other wing-nuts put in a guy who can’t even vote himself because he lives OUTSIDE the district. The Righties put up ads slamming her and calling her a dreaded ‘Liberal’. Sounds to me, the GOPers were the ones who were not only petty, but down right malicious.
I’m sure the media takes the same attitude toward Lieberman, right? Campaigning for Republicans, voting like a Republican… right?
November 2nd, 2009 at 9:33 am“Marine Corps Commandant Gen. James T. Conway has emerged in internal Pentagon deliberations as the most outspoken opponent of permitting gay men and women to serve openly in the U.S. military,” the Washington Times reports. “He feels very strongly that [removing the ban] would be disruptive, and he opposes it,” said a former senior Pentagon official. President Obama has pledged to repeal the policy.”
What is funny is that living in Virginia, the vast majority of gay men in the service that I have met have been marines.
November 2nd, 2009 at 9:34 amAfter withdrawing from New York’s 23rd district congressional race just three days before the election, Republican Dede Scozzafava threw her support behind Democrat Bill Owens yesterday. Many of her GOP backers, such as former House Speaker Newt Gingrich, condemned her decision and instead endorsed Conservative Party candidate Doug Hoffman.
And the implosion continues.
Republicans, you can not win national elections by cow towing to your loony supporters.
November 2nd, 2009 at 9:40 amIt’s official: Afghanistan has become a Poppy Republic … all we can do is hang on until we have an exit strategy that won’t alienate us from NATO.
The real question is, how many American soldiers have died, and will die, for Georgie’s Afghanistan oil pipeline?
November 2nd, 2009 at 9:41 amLawrence O`Donald, mention something about this district (NY-23) will probably be going away anyways in 2010. The district around it is very blue so it will be going blue next year any ways.
November 2nd, 2009 at 9:41 am“Marine Corps Commandant Gen. James T. Conway has emerged in internal Pentagon deliberations as the most outspoken opponent of permitting gay men and women to serve openly in the U.S. military,”
Almost every other country in the developed world allows gays to serve openly, but Gen. Conway thinks that all members of the military are as homophobic as he is. The General apparently thinks that Americans can’t do what every other industrialized nation can do.
Why does the General have such a low opinion of the country he serves? Why does he hate America’s military?
November 2nd, 2009 at 9:41 amBnF
You are on a roll today!!
November 2nd, 2009 at 9:44 amRepublicans, you can not win national elections by cow towing to your loony supporters
But that’s all that’s left of the Republican Party.
November 2nd, 2009 at 9:44 amUnlike so many of our international exploits, we’re actually not there for natural resources (…well, not solely, anyway). Keep in mind, we were actually negotiating with the Taliban to build a gas pipeline and reap the harvest. After the Cole, though, things got a little heated.
November 2nd, 2009 at 9:44 amPrediction: Any reich-wing victory tomorrow will be proclaimed, by the librul media, as a rejection against President Obama and “proof” that this country is fed up with the Dems.
November 2nd, 2009 at 9:47 amPilot@21, I saw that too. And Joe just pooh-poohed it. I’m tired of these talking heads constantly going on and on about the outcome of these elections. The polls, the anaylisis, they constant parade of ex-pols peddling their ‘Take’ on the implacations. In 2006, the MSM said the Dems would NEVER get the Senate. And in 2008, MSM told us the race between Obama and McCain would be a nail-biter. Well, they were wrong on both counts were they?
November 2nd, 2009 at 9:48 am“Democratic leaders, with the support of the Obama administration, are trying to sway at least half a dozen Republicans by offering” support for new nuclear power plants.
holy crap.
STOP DOING THAT.
STUPID STUPID STUPID COMPROMISE !!!
actually that is NOT a compromise… just more capitulation…
TO LOSERS!
STOP IT!
November 2nd, 2009 at 9:50 amMarie says:
BnF
You are on a roll today!!
yes, well, thanks. (blushing) I guess I was just feeling rather snarky when I woke up this morning.
November 2nd, 2009 at 9:50 amIt would be in our self interest to call for an independent Loya Jirga in Afghanistan, let the tribes decide who controls what, and di mau di the hell out of there.
November 2nd, 2009 at 9:51 amNo win situation, so let’s not play.
Oh, and that America is a centre-right country. Any victory by the Dems will thus be explained by the Dem running a “centre-right campaign”. Or that ACORN hired CAIR to beat up white voters and rig the election.
November 2nd, 2009 at 9:52 amFrom the above story:
There should be a jail cell ceiling over Dick(head.
November 2nd, 2009 at 9:54 amWhy are we trying to jam down this legislation now?” asked Sen. George Voinovich (R-OH) at a hearing
Oh, I dunno – energy independence, national security, reducing CO2 emissions, and a greener economy notwithstanding, cramming is fun!?
November 2nd, 2009 at 9:57 amP.D. says: @27
Yes Joe want to make it like he was spinning it so eithr way he look good. I have to admitted it Lawrence dose not back down and he has a lot of good stuff to say.
November 2nd, 2009 at 9:59 amHe1 usually pretty close on the out comes. Well at lease as close as a pun den can be.
Don’t you love how MSM barely mentions Dick and George? Yet when Clinton was out of office, they were constanly referring to the ‘Monica’ thing? Dick gets an award from a Neo-con group and MSM doesn’t focus on the GROUP, but what Cheney said. My thoughts were, “Who the hell are these jack-asses giving Dick an award? What did Dick do to deserve it?” THAT was the real story.
November 2nd, 2009 at 9:59 amP.D.
November 2nd, 2009 at 10:03 amYou, pilot and I all saw O’Donnell on Scarborough today — O’Donnell did his “homework” as usual — Scarborough, smug and arrogant as usual, was his obnoxious self, dismissing O’Donnell (who I think successfully struggled to keep his cool).
As healthy as the goodies sound for the trick-or-treaters, I expect either Beck, Hannity, or Limbaugh to get on the White House’s case for providing unwrapped goodies for kids on Halloween.
“What if Old Man Obama had put razor blades in those papayas? It’s an outrage!”
November 2nd, 2009 at 10:05 amThey were wrapped, but you are correct, it wouldn’t stop Glenda from having yet another hissy fit.
http://images.politico.com/global/click/091101_wh_hallow9_ap_522_regular.jpg
November 2nd, 2009 at 10:08 amMarie says:
P.D.
You, pilot and I all saw O’Donnell on Scarborough today — O’Donnell did his “homework” as usual —
Also like him on Olbermans (spelling) show Friday went he slap-smack down Liz it was good.
November 2nd, 2009 at 10:10 amNow, “Democratic leaders, with the support of the Obama administration, are trying to sway at least half a dozen Republicans by offering” support for new nuclear power plants.
Because seeking Republican support for all the other Democratic legislative/policy proposals has been such a resounding success?!!
The GOP electoral strategy has long been to depress the average American by a variety of means into not voting Democratic; but now the Democrats INSIST on helping them to that end.
Jesus H. Christ!
November 2nd, 2009 at 10:40 amAnd Mika is so denigrating to O’Donnell I don’t know how he resists saying something to her.
Here’s the article by Frank Rich O’Donnell said everybody should read. LINK
November 2nd, 2009 at 10:40 amDemocrat consultant receives multiple death threats after appearing on Faux
Shocking.
November 2nd, 2009 at 10:58 amEnnuiDivine says:
i think Pakistan will get involved. they supported the Taliban years ago and want them inside Afghanistan other than inside Pakistan. i agree with you on we’ve lost this war, though.
November 2nd, 2009 at 11:03 amDr. Hussein Matt says:
I think the article itself is more interesting than your link title.
November 2nd, 2009 at 11:39 amIMHO Politico became the TMZ of political websites in very short order, and this article is an example.
Pakistan won’t. They might beef up security along the Durand line, but it’s definitely not in their interest to cross the border. They can’t afford to get bogged down in the same quagmire and the populace won’t support it. Particularly the large Pashtun population, which would just about be in open revolt. Not to mention, why fight in Afghanistan when they can score political points by antagonizing India and instigating another Kargil?
November 2nd, 2009 at 12:13 pmIf I were Obama, I would ask for the resignation of Marine Corps Commandant Gen. James T. Conway.
November 2nd, 2009 at 12:46 pmThe equivocations underscore prosecutor Patrick Fitzgerald’s famous declaration that “there is a cloud over the vice president.”
Gee, I wonder what happens when a 5 time draft dodger, twice convicted drunk driver and defense contractor shill gets into the Vice-President’s office?
Why is anyone surprised?
November 2nd, 2009 at 1:35 pmLevi the Oracle says:
If I were Obama, I would ask for the resignation of Marine Corps Commandant Gen. James T. Conway.
November 2nd, 2009 at 12:46 pm
The USMC Commandant’s duty is to think about what will benefit the Corps. This would include some public relationships duties with the parents of the potential trainees.
What parents want their short, maladjusted 17 1/2 year old sons to the associated with gays? I don’t think the idea of an openly gay drill instructor as being particularly attractive.
(The services have ads that play to the concerns of the parents of potential enlistees.)
November 2nd, 2009 at 1:36 pmWhat parents want their short, maladjusted 17 1/2 year old sons to the associated with gays?
How about the parents of gay children, who would like to see their offspring take on same rights and responsibilities as other’s kids?
November 2nd, 2009 at 2:00 pmvigor the STUPID
You dont think at all moron. If you did it would be obvious that parents of kids in the military during wartime have a whole lot more to worry about than if there is a gay guy associating with him. Why not just STFU and stop humiliating yourself by proving again and again what an ignorant bigot you are?
November 3rd, 2009 at 4:13 ambarfly says:
What parents want their short, maladjusted 17 1/2 year old sons to the associated with gays?
How about the parents of gay children, who would like to see their offspring take on same rights and responsibilities as other’s kids?
November 2nd, 2009 at 2:00 pm
Aren’t we amazed that the USMC Commandant’s responsibilities don’t include catering to the desires of parents of gay children?
Not everyone could, or should, be a Marine because of their physical condition, and since homosexuality is a physical condition(It is physical isn’t it?), then what’s the problem with the Marine Corps not promoting or endorsing homosexuality by excluding homosexuals? The Commandant makes decisions for the good of he Corps, not for everyone who is confused about their gender!
November 3rd, 2009 at 12:16 pm