At a loss
There's really nothing I can add to this week's news items. Corruption and incompetence are so pervasive and complete that it's safe to say the US is a failed nation led by failed politicians operating unchecked while its comatose citizens sleep.
Picks of Week
And for which it stands
"The U.S. Congress is closer than ever to passing a constitutional amendment that would criminalize desecration of the U.S. flag. If successful, it will mark the first time in 214 years that the Bill of Rights has been restricted by a constitutional amendment, and will place the United States among a select group of nations that have banned flag desecration, including Cuba, China, Iran, and Iraq under Saddam Hussein. The amendment has already been approved by the necessary two-thirds majority in the House of Representatives, and last week it passed the Senate Judiciary Committee on a near-party line 11-7 vote. Now, aided by a handful of Democrats, the amendment has gathered 66 votes in favor, just one shy of passage. "Whether advocates can find the 67th vote to send the flag amendment to the states for ratification remains unclear." The Senate vote is expected next week. Take a stand now by signing up with Veterans Defending the Bill of Rights."
Several years ago, a Canadian website posted, "It's time for Americans to put down their flags and picks up their brains." PS, the Constitution is being used for toilet paper by BushCo.
American democracy in decay: US Congress debates the Iraq war
"Neither the Republicans, who hold a narrow majority in both the House and Senate and generally support the Bush administration’s conduct of the war, nor the Democrats, the nominal opposition party, could tell the truth to the American public. Neither side in the debate could admit what the vast majority of the world’s politically conscious population, including millions of Americans, already knows: that the US invasion and occupation of Iraq constitute a crime of historic proportions."
The right redeploys politics
"For the past two weeks, both the House and Senate have been engaged in the 'first extended debate on whether the time had come to end that war.' The House voted for a sham resolution linking Iraq to the "war on terror" while opposing a timetable. Yesterday, the Senate gave an 'endorsement to President Bush's Iraq policy,' and voted down two amendments calling for redeployment of our troops out of Iraq. The debates made clear that 'rather than engage in a serious debate about America's future course in Iraq,' conservatives 'have again opted for sound bites.' (Take, for example, President Bush's claim that those who disagree with him on Iraq 'wave the white flag of surrender in this war on terror.') As war veteran Sen. Chuck Hagel (R-NE) said yesterday, 'War should not be drug down into the political muck. America deserves better. Our men and women fighting and dying deserve better.' However, a positive development has emerged. 'Progressives,' writes the Center for American Progress' Brian Katulis, 'are offering sensible policy ideas to change direction and the chance for accountability.' Meanwhile, 'White House allies are stuck on tired attempts to politicize national security, offering more of the same and serving as a rubber stamp for failed policies.'"
Some 85 Iraqi workers abducted by gunmen
"The workers were thought to be mostly Shiite and the plant is located in a predominantly Sunni Arab area."
Thank God, the insurgency is in its last throes; otherwise it might've been 170.
Prosecutor demands death penalty in Hussein show trial
"The prosecution in the trial of Saddam Hussein has demanded the execution of the former president, along with three other top officials, for his part in the 1982 repression of Iraqis—including torture and killings—whose sole crime was opposing the Baghdad regime. The denouement of the case is taking place while the US is engaged in mass repression of Iraqis—including torture and killings—whose sole crime has been resisting the occupying forces and their puppet government.
"This elementary reality exposes the hypocrisy and fraudulent nature of the legal proceeding."
In fairness, a similar trial against Bush should be taking place concurrently with Hussein being the lesser of two weasels.
Specter to grill officials on Bush ignoring laws
"The Bush administration will have to explain why it thinks it can ignore or overrule laws passed by Congress in a hearing next week, Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Arlen Specter said on Wednesday."
Short answer? That's what dictators do.
Washington escalates slaughter in Iraq
"Well before the discovery of the bodies of the young soldiers, reportedly bearing the marks of torture and mutilation, there were already mounting indications that the Bush White House and the Pentagon were implementing a shift in military tactics that spells a dramatic escalation of US violence in the occupied country."
Iraq: US may be asked to leave
"THE level of violence in some areas of Iraq is worsening dramatically and US forces may soon be asked to leave by the Iraqi Government.
"In an exclusive interview with The Australian, former US deputy secretary of state Richard Armitage has given a gloomy assessment of the situation."
Senate rejects calls on Iraq troop pullout
"Vice President Dick Cheney criticized the Democrats' position, saying on CNN, 'Absolutely the worst possible thing we could do at this point would be to validate and encourage the terrorists by doing exactly what they want us to do, which is to leave.'"
There seems to be a disconnect here. Could a person go crazy following this insanity? Don't ask.
Leaked memo reveals plight of Iraqis
"A leaked cable from the US embassy in Baghdad signed by the ambassador paints a grim picture of Iraq as a country disintegrating in which the real rulers are the militias, and the central government counts for nothing."
Residents struggle, in and out of Ramadi
"A week spent in Ramadi, the capital of Anbar province west of Baghdad, reveals that residents are suffering from lack of water, electricity, cooking gas and medical supplies for the hospitals. The streets are eerily empty, and it appears that many people have now left the city, although possibly as many as 150,000 still remain in their homes, either because they are too afraid to leave or they have nowhere to go."
I would guess Hussein looks pretty good right about now.
War's Iraqi death toll tops 50,000: Higher than the U.S. estimate, the tally likely is undercounted. Proportionately, it is as if 570,000 Americans were slain in three years.
"At least 50,000 Iraqis have died violently since the 2003 U.S.-led invasion, according to statistics from the Baghdad morgue, the Iraqi Health Ministry and other agencies — a toll 20,000 higher than previously acknowledged by the Bush administration."
Without question, this places BushCo in the war crimes arena.
Federal contracts up 86% under Bush; Halliburton rises 600%: Top contractor Lockheed got contracts larger than budget of Congress, Dept. of Interior
"A new report claims that a 'shadow government' of federal contractors has exploded in size over the last five years.
"The document, compiled at the request of Rep. Henry Waxman (D-CA) and distributed to RAW STORY, indicates that procurement spending increased by over $175 billion between 2000 and 2005, making federal contracts the fastest growing component of federal discretionary spending."
Win as Much as You Can. The Hog in Trough game. Ever watch pigs on a farm at feeding time? They're at the trough, stepping on one another, squealing, elbowing one another as they get their noses in the chow. Pigs are smart animals; so are we, in a greedy, short sighted way.
GOP kills bill to police Halliburton: Republicans in Congress have made it clear they're willing to fight for military contractors' right to lie, cheat and defraud taxpayers.
"And, while Democrats have been complaining for years about the GOP-led Congress abandoning its oversight of the executive branch's wrongdoing, a vote that took place in the Senate last week shows how the Republican desire to ignore fraud and abuse extends right into killing legislation that would help stop defense contractors from ripping off the American people."
Iran rejects US 'pressure' on nuclear issue
"The US is determined to topple Iran's Islamic government whether or not the crisis over the country's nuclear activities is resolved, Iran's chief nuclear negotiator, Ali Larijani, said today."
He's got that right.
Global Eye (Iran)
"This week an interesting story appeared in The Washington Post -- buried on page 16, of course, lest anyone think it was of the slightest importance. It revealed that documentary proof has now emerged confirming the fact that in the spring of 2003, the regime of President George W. Bush -- flush with its illusory 'victory' in Iraq -- spurned a wide-ranging peace feeler from Iran that offered "full cooperation" on every issue that the Bushists claim to be concerned about in regard to Tehran: 'nuclear programs, acceptance of Israel and the termination of Iranian support for Palestinian militant groups.'
"In other words, everything that Bush says he wants from the Iranians now, he could have had for the asking -- three years ago. What then can we conclude from the rejection of this extraordinary initiative? The answer is obvious: The Bush faction is not really interested in curbing nuclear proliferation or defusing the powder keg of the Palestinian-Israeli conflict and the regional and global terror that it spawns."
iI you have time, it's interesting to check the annotations Floyd provides at the end of his essays.
US: Danger, danger everywhere
"To a large degree, the evolution of the CPD reflects the post-World War II course of US foreign and military policy. Whenever the country has started to move from a wartime footing to a period of decreased support for the military and increased isolationist sentiment, the foreign-policy hawks in both parties have organized fear-mongering campaigns to expand the global reach of US troops and weapons."
Tom Ridge: War on terror to last decades
"Former Homeland Security chief Tom Ridge, speaking at the opening of a new RAND Corp. office, said the war on terror is likely to last for decades, much like the Cold War.
"'For every (Osama) bin Laden, there's a bin Laden wannabe. And for every al-Qaida, there's a like organization,' Ridge said Wednesday in Pittsburgh."
For every Evil Moron, there's an Evil Moron wannabe. And for every neonazi. there's a like organization.
Torture of mentally ill prisoner led administration to pursue false leads
"In his new book 'The One Percent Doctrine,' Ron Suskind details the story of Abu Zubaydah - a man President Bush once described as 'one of the top operatives plotting and planning death and destruction on the United States.' Suskind writes that Bush made this claim despite CIA and FBI analysis that showed Zubaydah was 'mentally ill and nothing like the pivotal figure they supposed him to be. '(“This guy is insane, [a] certifiable, split personality,' the FBI’s top al-Qaeda analyst said.)"
Terrorists in Miami, oh my!
"For longtime observers of political terrorism in South Florida, the aggressive reaction to what may have been the Miami group’s loose talk about violence, possibly spurred by an FBI informant posing as an al-Qaeda operative, stands in marked contrast to the U.S. government’s see-no-evil approach to notorious Cuban terrorists who have lived openly in Miami for decades."
The good terrorists support US policies, the bad ones don't.
Newspapers reject government request to kill story
"The Risen-Lichtblau story reveals: "The Bush administration has made no secret of its campaign to disrupt terrorist financing, and President Bush, Treasury officials and others have spoken publicly about those efforts. Administration officials, however, asked The New York Times not to publish this article, saying that disclosure of the Swift program could jeopardize its effectiveness. They also enlisted several current and former officials, both Democrat and Republican, to vouch for its value."
Congress may bestow unchecked spying powers on president
"While dozens of lawsuits challenging the Bush administration's warrantless surveillance of Americans slowly move through the courts, the Senate Judiciary Committee is poised to consider legislation that would effectively legalize the practice."
Not that long ago, Evil Moron said, " I wouldn't want anyone readin' my private stuff."
House clears $427.6 billion for Pentagon
"The House voted 407-19 for the defense bill, which includes another $50 billion for the Iraq and Afghanistan wars. The Senate has not taken up its version of the bill."
Hastert's corruption junction
"Your hard-earned tax dollars may be funding pork-barrel projects that personally enrich House Speaker Dennis Hastert (R-IL). In August 2002, Hastert and his wife purchased 195 acres of isolated farmland -- much of it with no access to roads -- located in his home district (IL-14). A year and a half later, with the help of two partners, he purchased another 70 adjacent acres. At the same time, Hastert aggressively pushed for federal funding to build the 'Prairie Parkway' through the district. (The Chicago Sun-Times described it as Hastert's 'pet project.') In August 2005, Hastert succeeded. President Bush signed a transportation bill that included $207 million for the 'Prairie Parkway .' Thanks to the parkway, Hastert's isolated parcels would soon have access to major cities. Just four months later, Hastert sold a portion of the land to a real-estate developer, earning a profit of at least $1.5 million."
What a stroke of luck! Whenever you see a politician, envision a hog with dollar signs for eyes. My apologies to the swine family.
Lawmakers' profits are scrutinized
"In all three cases, Hastert and Reps. Ken Calvert and Gary Miller say that they were securing funds their home districts wanted badly, and that in no way did the earmarks have any impact on the land values of their investments. But for watchdog groups, the cases have opened a fresh avenue for investigation and a new wrinkle in the ongoing controversy over earmarks -- home-district projects funded through narrowly written legislative language."
E-mails detail Abramoff requests, contacts
"Wanted: Face time with President Bush or top adviser Karl Rove. Suggested donation: $100,000. The middleman: lobbyist Jack Abramoff. Blunt e-mails that connect money and access in Washington show that prominent Republican activist Grover Norquist facilitated some administration contacts for Abramoff's clients while the lobbyist simultaneously solicited those clients for large donations to Norquist's tax-exempt group."
Senate defeats Democrats minimum wage increase
"Sen. Edward Kennedy, a Massachusetts Democrat, unsuccessfully tried to attach the proposal raising the wage for the first time since 1997 to a defense authorization bill that is expected to be passed by the Senate soon."
Ed Shultz was saying today that the Senators (I think) have given themselves a 23% salary increase in the last five or so years. Something like a $30,000 increase.
GOP rebellion stops Voting Rights Act
"House leaders abruptly canceled a vote to renew the 1965 Voting Rights Act yesterday after rank-and-file Republicans revolted over provisions that require bilingual ballots in many places and continued federal oversight of voting practices in Southern states."
Don't mess with the base! 'Sides, do the nig . . ., I mean Negroes really have to vote?
Voting Rights Act nailed to burning cross: Behind the “Delay” in Renewing Law is Scheme for Theft of ‘08 -- White Sheets Changed for Spreadsheets
"In the 2004 Presidential race, the GOP ran a massive multi-state, multi-million-dollar operation to challenge the legitimacy of Black, Hispanic and Native-American voters. The methods used broke the law — the Voting Rights Act. And while the Bush Administration’s Civil Rights Division grinned and looked the other way, civil rights lawyers are circling, preparing to sue to stop the violations of the Act before the 2008 race.
"Therefore, Republicans have promised to no longer break the law — not by going legit… but by eliminating the law."
Kicked out of Gitmo: A Times reporter's struggle to get the truth about America's island prison just got tougher.
"Rumsfeld's gatekeepers have long made clear that they view outside scrutiny of the detention operations as a danger to the Bush administration's secretive and often criticized campaign to indefinitely detain 'enemy combatants.' But this time, their actions seemed counterproductive because booting out the Los Angeles Times, Miami Herald and Charlotte (N.C.) Observer only provoked fresh demands to learn what the government is hiding."
The US Supreme Court's "no-knock" decision: a frontal assault on democratic rights
"The lead opinion, authored by Associate Justice Antonin Scalia, the ideological leader of the high court’s right wing, lays the groundwork for eliminating the 'exclusionary rule' altogether, rendering the Fourth Amendment’s prohibition against “unreasonable searches and seizures”—a key provision of the Bill of Rights—a dead letter. Scalia was joined by Associate Justice Clarence Thomas, and both of Bush’s new high court appointments, Chief Justice John G. Roberts, Jr. and Associate Justice Samuel A. Alito, Jr."
AT&T revises privacy policy
"AT&T Inc. said on Wednesday it was revising its privacy policy, explaining to customers that it owns their phone records and can hand them over to law enforcers if necessary.
Oh, OK . . . thanks for sharing.
Bank data secretly reviewed by US to fight terror
"Under a secret Bush administration program initiated weeks after the Sept. 11 attacks, counterterrorism officials have gained access to financial records from a vast international database and examined banking transactions involving thousands of Americans and others in the United States, according to government and industry officials."
Trusting BushCo with your bank records is riskier than giving your checkbook to a John Gotti.
'Big Brother' Bush and connecting the data dots: The Total Information Awareness program was killed in 2003, but its spawn present bigger threats to privacy.
"Civil liberty-minded citizens may recall the president's plan to create the Total Information Awareness program, a massive databank with the ability to follow citizens in real time by their check-card purchases, bank transactions, medical bills and other electronic means. The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency, or DARPA, was assigned this task, but after its work was made public, Congress put a stop to it in September 2003 as a danger to privacy and civil liberties."
FBI: Data brokers probably act illegally
"Despite the use of private data brokers by federal and local law enforcement agencies, the FBI said Thursday that practices by such companies to gather Americans' private telephone records without warrants or subpoenas are almost certainly illegal."
Since BushCo is an illegal administration, in makes sense it makes sense for it to use illegal methods to terrorize the country. Let's get real.
Defense lawyers shut out as war on terror spawns courtroom secrecy
"Witnesses used bogus names, the public was barred from the courtroom and part of the hearing was behind closed doors in the judge's chambers _ with defense lawyers shut out. "'I don't know what took place back there,' grumbled Michael E. Deutsch, chief defense lawyer for Muhammad Salah, a Chicago man charged with laundering hundreds of thousands of dollars to pay for murders, bombings and other acts of terrorism by the Palestinian militant group Hamas."
The bogus war on terror is an excuse to terrorize others.
US learns to live with less freedom
"But even a man who makes it his business to protect individual liberties in a state where no government would dare collect a sales tax or personal income tax — or force a seatbelt around a driver or a helmet on a motorcyclist — has to face some harsh realities in George W. Bush's America.
"'People are more afraid of terror than having their privacy violated,' says Tomasso, chair of the New Hampshire Liberty Alliance. 'For so long the rhetoric has been about fear, not hope and more traditional American values.'"
"Give me liberty or give me death" has become "I'm surrendering my freedom for my own safety against something that may or may not exist." Better safe than sorry.
BYU physics prof finds thermate in WTC samples, building collapses an inside job
"Dr. Jones in earlier work pointed to thermate as the likely explosive that brought down the WTC1, WTC2, and WTC7 skyscrapers. But only recently was physical material analysed in the lab and the presence of thermate announced. The samples were provided Dr. Jones team from redundant sources."
Japan seizes control of whaling group after historic vote
"The environment movement suffered one of its greatest reverses late last night when pro-whaling countries, led by Japan, gained control of the International Whaling Commission (IWC) and immediately began undermining the 20-year-old international whaling moratorium."
A blue whale has a length of 80 to 85 feet and weighs 100 tons and is the largest creature to have existed on this planet. Nothing special, really, or worth preserving and cherishing.
Norway to begin work on Arctic vault for seeds in case of global disaster
"It sounds like something from a science-fiction film -- a doomsday vault carved into a frozen mountainside on a secluded Arctic island ready to serve as a Noah's Ark for seeds in case of a global catastrophe."
About ten years ago I did volunteer work at the Abundant Life Seed Coop in Port Townsend, Washington. It was very pleasant being around people diligently cataloguing seeds from around the world.
Meanwhile, back in 'Merica, White House, GOP leaders plan all out assault on federal protections
"Apparently rushing to lock in a long-sought goal before the fall elections, GOP congressional leaders may bring to a vote within weeks a proposal that could literally wipe out any federal program that protects public health or the environment--or for that matter civil rights, poverty programs, auto safety, education, affordable housing, Head Start, workplace safety or any other activity targeted by anti-regulatory forces."
The pro-life neonazis wage a pro death campaign against life on the planet. "Save the fetus, kill the rest!"
Clean water at risk
"The United States Supreme Court issued a decision on wetlands yesterday whose main virtue is that it could have been much worse. It sided with two developers who want to build on endangered wetlands, but the court's conservatives could not muster the fifth vote they needed for a very restricted view of the Clean Water Act. Still, the signs are ominous. Right now, Justice Anthony Kennedy, the swing vote in the case, is all that appears to stand in the way of gutting critical environmental protections."
Is global warming fueling western wildfires?
"This year, wildfires have already burned more than 3 million acres — more than three times the average at this time of year.
"Many scientists say that these fires fit exactly into the pattern predicted for global warming and that it's likely to get, on average, even drier and hotter."
The most powerful force on earth
"The population explosion is beyond control. It has emerged as the single most powerful, immutable force on Earth, driving geopolitical change, stimulating economic growth and generating global inflation."
Foreclosures may jump as ARM's reset
"As more ARMs adjust upward and housing prices begin to dip, many Americans like Britten can't refinance and are finding themselves trapped in too-high monthly payments. For those who can't make their payments, foreclosure -- the legal process by which the lender reposseses the house because the owner has defaulted on payments -- is the only way out."
US losing its middle-class neighborhoods: Metro area show widening gap between rich and poor sections
"Middle-class neighborhoods, long regarded as incubators for the American dream, are losing ground in cities across the country, shrinking at more than twice the rate of the middle class itself."
A look at Republican priorities: Comforting the comfortable
"Yesterday, the House of Representatives passed an estate-tax cut that is a repeal in everything but name. The so-called compromise would exempt more than 99.5 percent of estates from tax, slash the tax rates on the rest and cost at least $760 billion during its first full decade. Of that, $600 billion is the amount the government would have to borrow to make up for lost revenue from the cuts, which would benefit the heirs of America's wealthiest families, like the Marses of Mars bar and the Waltons of Wal-Mart Stores. The remaining $160 billion is the interest on that borrowing, which would be paid by all Americans."
Will there be a tipping point where the majority of well armed 'Mericans say enough is enough?
CEOs earn 262 times pay of average worker
"Chief executive officers in the United States earned 262 times the pay of an average worker in 2005, the second-highest level in the 40 years for which there is data, a nonprofit think-tank said on Wednesday.
"In fact, a CEO earned more in one workday than an average worker earned in 52 weeks, said the Economic Policy Institute in Washington, D.C."
Yes, but he/she does 262 times more work in one day.
Inflation jitters?
"If anything, there’s too much capacity relative to demand. This is a recipe for deflation. Prices can begin to drop because buyers hold off, expecting further price decreases. It happened in Japan in the 1990s. It’s already starting to happen in certain housing markets in the United States that had been red-hot, but are now cooling so fast home prices are dropping. Deflation is often accompanied by stagnant or falling wages, which make it harder for consumers to afford to buy. Look at what’s been happening to American wages."
Drug prices up sharply this year
"Prices of the most widely used prescription drugs rose sharply in this year's first quarter, just as the new Medicare drug coverage program was going into effect, according to separate studies issued yesterday by two large consumer advocacy groups."
Gosh, what a surprise! Why, one would think that BushCo and the drug companies were somehow working together to help 'Merica.
How to fix our health care mess: Bush's prescription-drug program is a boondoggle for America's fraud-ridden health-industrial complex. A better choice is available, and it's time to fight for it.
"Over 16 percent of our economy ($1.9 trillion last year) goes into our corporatized [health care] system -- 50 percent more than Switzerland's universal system, which ranks second in spending per person. Not only does the United States drastically outspend everyone else, but it does so while leaving tens of millions of Americans outside the system. In contrast, Canada puts only 10 percent of its economy into health care, Australia 9 percent, and England 7 percent, and these countries manage to provide care for every one of their people."
I had 12 years experience in a universal healthcare system. The US system simply sucks.
Quotes from www.bartcop.com and others:
"It's so hot today that Bush met with European leaders just for the chilly reception." -- Letterman
"I come NOT to bring peace, but a sword." "If you don't have a sword, sell your coat and buy one." "Those mine enemies that would not have me reign over them, bring hither and slay them before me." -- Jesus Christ, according to Mike M I've never heard those quotes before. "Sell your coat and buy a sword?" Was Jesus in the NRA?
"It is important to have members of Congress who will not wave the white flag of surrender in this war on terror." -- The Murder Monkey, pretending that has happened, Link
"This debate should be taken more seriously than to simply retreat into catchy political slogans that debase the seriousness of war." -- Sen. Chuck Hagel (R-LessNazithenSome), Link
"Why are the Democrats so conservative on this war? Is money steering the Democratics to a more conservative position on the war? I don’t hear 200 Democrats out there talking against the war the way you are." -- Chris Matthews, (R-Scumbag) to John Murtha, Link
"According to scientists ... one day we may have sex with robots. And if you want to know what that's like, just ask Maria Shriver." -- David Letterman
"Iraq is the greatest strategic disaster in US history." -- Retired General William Odom, Link
"The reason I keep insisting that there was a relationship between Iraq and al-Qaeda is because (smirking) there was a relationship between Iraq and al-Qaeda." -- Dubya, November 1, 2002, Link
"The president back then said there's no demonstrated link between Saddam and 9-11, and we're never going to make that argument, and he never has." -- Tony Snow, claiming Dubya never linked 9-11 and Saddam, Link
"The book's opening anecdote tells of an unnamed CIA briefer who flew to Bush's fake ranch in the summer of 2001, amid reports of a pending al-Qaeda attack, to call Bush's attention to the 'Bin Ladin Determined to Strike in US' memo. Bush reportedly heard the briefer out and replied: 'All right. You've covered your ass, now.'" -- Barton Gellman, in a review of Ron Suskind's book: "The One Percent Doctrine", Link If this was a sticky blue dress, the whore press would be all over this story. But it's just Bush sleeping thru the 9-11 warnings, so they don't see a story there.
"House Republicans forced everyone to spend an entire day discussing a non-binding resolution praising the troops. Later they will debate a resolution declaring kittens 'adorable.' " -- Jon Stewart
"I don't think anybody anticipated the level of violence that we have encountered." -- Dick Cheney, (R-Liar) at the National Press Club, Link
"If we're going to invade, we need to prepare for a worst-case scenario involving street-to-street fighting, with farmers taking potshots at our troops. Is America prepared for hundreds of casualties, even thousands, in an invasion and subsequent occupation that could last many years?" -- Nicholas Kristof, New York Whore Times, Sept. 2002, Link
"Taliban no longer is in existence. And the people of Afghanistan are now free. In other words when you say something as President you better make it clear so everybody understands what you're saying, and you better mean what you say." -- The Retarded Murder Monkey, lying again, Link
"I think what the Taliban is doing - and it's predictable - the Taliban fighters have been losing. Now, you can expect there to be pushback by the Taliban." -- Tony Snow, calling his boss a liar on CNN, Link
West Texas Cowboy
A West Texas cowboy was herding his cows in a remote pasture when suddenly a brand new BMW advanced out of a dust cloud towards him. The driver, a young man in a Brioni suit, Gucci shoes, Ray Ban sunglasses and YSL tie, leans out the window and asks the cowboy, "If I tell you exactly how many cows and calves you have in your herd, will you give me a calf?" The cowboy looks at the man, obviously a yuppie, then looks at his peacefully grazing herd and calmly answers, "Sure, why not?"
The yuppie parks his car, whips out his Dell notebook computer, connects it to his Cingular RAZR V3 cell phone, and surfs to a NASA page on the Internet, where he calls up a GPS satellite navigation system to get an exact fix on his location which he then feeds to another NASA satellite that scans the area in an ultra-high-resolution photo. The young man then opens the digital photo in Adobe Photo Shop and exports it to an image processing facility in Hamburg, Germany. Within seconds, he receives an email on his Palm Pilot that the image has been processed and the data stored. He then accesses a MS-SQL database through an ODBC connected Excel spreadsheet with email on his Blackberry and, after a few minutes, receives a response. Finally, he prints out a full-color, 150-page report on his hi-tech, miniaturized HP LaserJet printer and finally turns to the cowboy and says, "You have exactly 1,586 cows and calves." "That's right. Well, I guess you can take one of my calves," says the cowboy.
He watches the young man select one of the animals and looks on amused as the young man stuffs it into the trunk of his car. Then the cowboy says to the young man, "Hey, if I can tell you exactly what your business is, will you give me back my calf?"
The young man thinks about it for a second and then says, "Okay, why not?" "You're a Congressman for the U.S. Government", says the cowboy. "Wow! That's correct," says the yuppie, "but how did you guess that?"
"No guessing required." answered the cowboy. "You showed up here even though nobody called you; you want to get paid for an answer I already knew, to a question I never asked. You tried to show me how much smarter than me you are; and you don't know a thing about cows........now give me back my dog."
Picks of Week
And for which it stands
"The U.S. Congress is closer than ever to passing a constitutional amendment that would criminalize desecration of the U.S. flag. If successful, it will mark the first time in 214 years that the Bill of Rights has been restricted by a constitutional amendment, and will place the United States among a select group of nations that have banned flag desecration, including Cuba, China, Iran, and Iraq under Saddam Hussein. The amendment has already been approved by the necessary two-thirds majority in the House of Representatives, and last week it passed the Senate Judiciary Committee on a near-party line 11-7 vote. Now, aided by a handful of Democrats, the amendment has gathered 66 votes in favor, just one shy of passage. "Whether advocates can find the 67th vote to send the flag amendment to the states for ratification remains unclear." The Senate vote is expected next week. Take a stand now by signing up with Veterans Defending the Bill of Rights."
Several years ago, a Canadian website posted, "It's time for Americans to put down their flags and picks up their brains." PS, the Constitution is being used for toilet paper by BushCo.
American democracy in decay: US Congress debates the Iraq war
"Neither the Republicans, who hold a narrow majority in both the House and Senate and generally support the Bush administration’s conduct of the war, nor the Democrats, the nominal opposition party, could tell the truth to the American public. Neither side in the debate could admit what the vast majority of the world’s politically conscious population, including millions of Americans, already knows: that the US invasion and occupation of Iraq constitute a crime of historic proportions."
The right redeploys politics
"For the past two weeks, both the House and Senate have been engaged in the 'first extended debate on whether the time had come to end that war.' The House voted for a sham resolution linking Iraq to the "war on terror" while opposing a timetable. Yesterday, the Senate gave an 'endorsement to President Bush's Iraq policy,' and voted down two amendments calling for redeployment of our troops out of Iraq. The debates made clear that 'rather than engage in a serious debate about America's future course in Iraq,' conservatives 'have again opted for sound bites.' (Take, for example, President Bush's claim that those who disagree with him on Iraq 'wave the white flag of surrender in this war on terror.') As war veteran Sen. Chuck Hagel (R-NE) said yesterday, 'War should not be drug down into the political muck. America deserves better. Our men and women fighting and dying deserve better.' However, a positive development has emerged. 'Progressives,' writes the Center for American Progress' Brian Katulis, 'are offering sensible policy ideas to change direction and the chance for accountability.' Meanwhile, 'White House allies are stuck on tired attempts to politicize national security, offering more of the same and serving as a rubber stamp for failed policies.'"
Some 85 Iraqi workers abducted by gunmen
"The workers were thought to be mostly Shiite and the plant is located in a predominantly Sunni Arab area."
Thank God, the insurgency is in its last throes; otherwise it might've been 170.
Prosecutor demands death penalty in Hussein show trial
"The prosecution in the trial of Saddam Hussein has demanded the execution of the former president, along with three other top officials, for his part in the 1982 repression of Iraqis—including torture and killings—whose sole crime was opposing the Baghdad regime. The denouement of the case is taking place while the US is engaged in mass repression of Iraqis—including torture and killings—whose sole crime has been resisting the occupying forces and their puppet government.
"This elementary reality exposes the hypocrisy and fraudulent nature of the legal proceeding."
In fairness, a similar trial against Bush should be taking place concurrently with Hussein being the lesser of two weasels.
Specter to grill officials on Bush ignoring laws
"The Bush administration will have to explain why it thinks it can ignore or overrule laws passed by Congress in a hearing next week, Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Arlen Specter said on Wednesday."
Short answer? That's what dictators do.
Washington escalates slaughter in Iraq
"Well before the discovery of the bodies of the young soldiers, reportedly bearing the marks of torture and mutilation, there were already mounting indications that the Bush White House and the Pentagon were implementing a shift in military tactics that spells a dramatic escalation of US violence in the occupied country."
Iraq: US may be asked to leave
"THE level of violence in some areas of Iraq is worsening dramatically and US forces may soon be asked to leave by the Iraqi Government.
"In an exclusive interview with The Australian, former US deputy secretary of state Richard Armitage has given a gloomy assessment of the situation."
Senate rejects calls on Iraq troop pullout
"Vice President Dick Cheney criticized the Democrats' position, saying on CNN, 'Absolutely the worst possible thing we could do at this point would be to validate and encourage the terrorists by doing exactly what they want us to do, which is to leave.'"
There seems to be a disconnect here. Could a person go crazy following this insanity? Don't ask.
Leaked memo reveals plight of Iraqis
"A leaked cable from the US embassy in Baghdad signed by the ambassador paints a grim picture of Iraq as a country disintegrating in which the real rulers are the militias, and the central government counts for nothing."
Residents struggle, in and out of Ramadi
"A week spent in Ramadi, the capital of Anbar province west of Baghdad, reveals that residents are suffering from lack of water, electricity, cooking gas and medical supplies for the hospitals. The streets are eerily empty, and it appears that many people have now left the city, although possibly as many as 150,000 still remain in their homes, either because they are too afraid to leave or they have nowhere to go."
I would guess Hussein looks pretty good right about now.
War's Iraqi death toll tops 50,000: Higher than the U.S. estimate, the tally likely is undercounted. Proportionately, it is as if 570,000 Americans were slain in three years.
"At least 50,000 Iraqis have died violently since the 2003 U.S.-led invasion, according to statistics from the Baghdad morgue, the Iraqi Health Ministry and other agencies — a toll 20,000 higher than previously acknowledged by the Bush administration."
Without question, this places BushCo in the war crimes arena.
Federal contracts up 86% under Bush; Halliburton rises 600%: Top contractor Lockheed got contracts larger than budget of Congress, Dept. of Interior
"A new report claims that a 'shadow government' of federal contractors has exploded in size over the last five years.
"The document, compiled at the request of Rep. Henry Waxman (D-CA) and distributed to RAW STORY, indicates that procurement spending increased by over $175 billion between 2000 and 2005, making federal contracts the fastest growing component of federal discretionary spending."
Win as Much as You Can. The Hog in Trough game. Ever watch pigs on a farm at feeding time? They're at the trough, stepping on one another, squealing, elbowing one another as they get their noses in the chow. Pigs are smart animals; so are we, in a greedy, short sighted way.
GOP kills bill to police Halliburton: Republicans in Congress have made it clear they're willing to fight for military contractors' right to lie, cheat and defraud taxpayers.
"And, while Democrats have been complaining for years about the GOP-led Congress abandoning its oversight of the executive branch's wrongdoing, a vote that took place in the Senate last week shows how the Republican desire to ignore fraud and abuse extends right into killing legislation that would help stop defense contractors from ripping off the American people."
Iran rejects US 'pressure' on nuclear issue
"The US is determined to topple Iran's Islamic government whether or not the crisis over the country's nuclear activities is resolved, Iran's chief nuclear negotiator, Ali Larijani, said today."
He's got that right.
Global Eye (Iran)
"This week an interesting story appeared in The Washington Post -- buried on page 16, of course, lest anyone think it was of the slightest importance. It revealed that documentary proof has now emerged confirming the fact that in the spring of 2003, the regime of President George W. Bush -- flush with its illusory 'victory' in Iraq -- spurned a wide-ranging peace feeler from Iran that offered "full cooperation" on every issue that the Bushists claim to be concerned about in regard to Tehran: 'nuclear programs, acceptance of Israel and the termination of Iranian support for Palestinian militant groups.'
"In other words, everything that Bush says he wants from the Iranians now, he could have had for the asking -- three years ago. What then can we conclude from the rejection of this extraordinary initiative? The answer is obvious: The Bush faction is not really interested in curbing nuclear proliferation or defusing the powder keg of the Palestinian-Israeli conflict and the regional and global terror that it spawns."
iI you have time, it's interesting to check the annotations Floyd provides at the end of his essays.
US: Danger, danger everywhere
"To a large degree, the evolution of the CPD reflects the post-World War II course of US foreign and military policy. Whenever the country has started to move from a wartime footing to a period of decreased support for the military and increased isolationist sentiment, the foreign-policy hawks in both parties have organized fear-mongering campaigns to expand the global reach of US troops and weapons."
Tom Ridge: War on terror to last decades
"Former Homeland Security chief Tom Ridge, speaking at the opening of a new RAND Corp. office, said the war on terror is likely to last for decades, much like the Cold War.
"'For every (Osama) bin Laden, there's a bin Laden wannabe. And for every al-Qaida, there's a like organization,' Ridge said Wednesday in Pittsburgh."
For every Evil Moron, there's an Evil Moron wannabe. And for every neonazi. there's a like organization.
Torture of mentally ill prisoner led administration to pursue false leads
"In his new book 'The One Percent Doctrine,' Ron Suskind details the story of Abu Zubaydah - a man President Bush once described as 'one of the top operatives plotting and planning death and destruction on the United States.' Suskind writes that Bush made this claim despite CIA and FBI analysis that showed Zubaydah was 'mentally ill and nothing like the pivotal figure they supposed him to be. '(“This guy is insane, [a] certifiable, split personality,' the FBI’s top al-Qaeda analyst said.)"
Terrorists in Miami, oh my!
"For longtime observers of political terrorism in South Florida, the aggressive reaction to what may have been the Miami group’s loose talk about violence, possibly spurred by an FBI informant posing as an al-Qaeda operative, stands in marked contrast to the U.S. government’s see-no-evil approach to notorious Cuban terrorists who have lived openly in Miami for decades."
The good terrorists support US policies, the bad ones don't.
Newspapers reject government request to kill story
"The Risen-Lichtblau story reveals: "The Bush administration has made no secret of its campaign to disrupt terrorist financing, and President Bush, Treasury officials and others have spoken publicly about those efforts. Administration officials, however, asked The New York Times not to publish this article, saying that disclosure of the Swift program could jeopardize its effectiveness. They also enlisted several current and former officials, both Democrat and Republican, to vouch for its value."
Congress may bestow unchecked spying powers on president
"While dozens of lawsuits challenging the Bush administration's warrantless surveillance of Americans slowly move through the courts, the Senate Judiciary Committee is poised to consider legislation that would effectively legalize the practice."
Not that long ago, Evil Moron said, " I wouldn't want anyone readin' my private stuff."
House clears $427.6 billion for Pentagon
"The House voted 407-19 for the defense bill, which includes another $50 billion for the Iraq and Afghanistan wars. The Senate has not taken up its version of the bill."
Hastert's corruption junction
"Your hard-earned tax dollars may be funding pork-barrel projects that personally enrich House Speaker Dennis Hastert (R-IL). In August 2002, Hastert and his wife purchased 195 acres of isolated farmland -- much of it with no access to roads -- located in his home district (IL-14). A year and a half later, with the help of two partners, he purchased another 70 adjacent acres. At the same time, Hastert aggressively pushed for federal funding to build the 'Prairie Parkway' through the district. (The Chicago Sun-Times described it as Hastert's 'pet project.') In August 2005, Hastert succeeded. President Bush signed a transportation bill that included $207 million for the 'Prairie Parkway .' Thanks to the parkway, Hastert's isolated parcels would soon have access to major cities. Just four months later, Hastert sold a portion of the land to a real-estate developer, earning a profit of at least $1.5 million."
What a stroke of luck! Whenever you see a politician, envision a hog with dollar signs for eyes. My apologies to the swine family.
Lawmakers' profits are scrutinized
"In all three cases, Hastert and Reps. Ken Calvert and Gary Miller say that they were securing funds their home districts wanted badly, and that in no way did the earmarks have any impact on the land values of their investments. But for watchdog groups, the cases have opened a fresh avenue for investigation and a new wrinkle in the ongoing controversy over earmarks -- home-district projects funded through narrowly written legislative language."
E-mails detail Abramoff requests, contacts
"Wanted: Face time with President Bush or top adviser Karl Rove. Suggested donation: $100,000. The middleman: lobbyist Jack Abramoff. Blunt e-mails that connect money and access in Washington show that prominent Republican activist Grover Norquist facilitated some administration contacts for Abramoff's clients while the lobbyist simultaneously solicited those clients for large donations to Norquist's tax-exempt group."
Senate defeats Democrats minimum wage increase
"Sen. Edward Kennedy, a Massachusetts Democrat, unsuccessfully tried to attach the proposal raising the wage for the first time since 1997 to a defense authorization bill that is expected to be passed by the Senate soon."
Ed Shultz was saying today that the Senators (I think) have given themselves a 23% salary increase in the last five or so years. Something like a $30,000 increase.
GOP rebellion stops Voting Rights Act
"House leaders abruptly canceled a vote to renew the 1965 Voting Rights Act yesterday after rank-and-file Republicans revolted over provisions that require bilingual ballots in many places and continued federal oversight of voting practices in Southern states."
Don't mess with the base! 'Sides, do the nig . . ., I mean Negroes really have to vote?
Voting Rights Act nailed to burning cross: Behind the “Delay” in Renewing Law is Scheme for Theft of ‘08 -- White Sheets Changed for Spreadsheets
"In the 2004 Presidential race, the GOP ran a massive multi-state, multi-million-dollar operation to challenge the legitimacy of Black, Hispanic and Native-American voters. The methods used broke the law — the Voting Rights Act. And while the Bush Administration’s Civil Rights Division grinned and looked the other way, civil rights lawyers are circling, preparing to sue to stop the violations of the Act before the 2008 race.
"Therefore, Republicans have promised to no longer break the law — not by going legit… but by eliminating the law."
Kicked out of Gitmo: A Times reporter's struggle to get the truth about America's island prison just got tougher.
"Rumsfeld's gatekeepers have long made clear that they view outside scrutiny of the detention operations as a danger to the Bush administration's secretive and often criticized campaign to indefinitely detain 'enemy combatants.' But this time, their actions seemed counterproductive because booting out the Los Angeles Times, Miami Herald and Charlotte (N.C.) Observer only provoked fresh demands to learn what the government is hiding."
The US Supreme Court's "no-knock" decision: a frontal assault on democratic rights
"The lead opinion, authored by Associate Justice Antonin Scalia, the ideological leader of the high court’s right wing, lays the groundwork for eliminating the 'exclusionary rule' altogether, rendering the Fourth Amendment’s prohibition against “unreasonable searches and seizures”—a key provision of the Bill of Rights—a dead letter. Scalia was joined by Associate Justice Clarence Thomas, and both of Bush’s new high court appointments, Chief Justice John G. Roberts, Jr. and Associate Justice Samuel A. Alito, Jr."
AT&T revises privacy policy
"AT&T Inc. said on Wednesday it was revising its privacy policy, explaining to customers that it owns their phone records and can hand them over to law enforcers if necessary.
Oh, OK . . . thanks for sharing.
Bank data secretly reviewed by US to fight terror
"Under a secret Bush administration program initiated weeks after the Sept. 11 attacks, counterterrorism officials have gained access to financial records from a vast international database and examined banking transactions involving thousands of Americans and others in the United States, according to government and industry officials."
Trusting BushCo with your bank records is riskier than giving your checkbook to a John Gotti.
'Big Brother' Bush and connecting the data dots: The Total Information Awareness program was killed in 2003, but its spawn present bigger threats to privacy.
"Civil liberty-minded citizens may recall the president's plan to create the Total Information Awareness program, a massive databank with the ability to follow citizens in real time by their check-card purchases, bank transactions, medical bills and other electronic means. The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency, or DARPA, was assigned this task, but after its work was made public, Congress put a stop to it in September 2003 as a danger to privacy and civil liberties."
FBI: Data brokers probably act illegally
"Despite the use of private data brokers by federal and local law enforcement agencies, the FBI said Thursday that practices by such companies to gather Americans' private telephone records without warrants or subpoenas are almost certainly illegal."
Since BushCo is an illegal administration, in makes sense it makes sense for it to use illegal methods to terrorize the country. Let's get real.
Defense lawyers shut out as war on terror spawns courtroom secrecy
"Witnesses used bogus names, the public was barred from the courtroom and part of the hearing was behind closed doors in the judge's chambers _ with defense lawyers shut out. "'I don't know what took place back there,' grumbled Michael E. Deutsch, chief defense lawyer for Muhammad Salah, a Chicago man charged with laundering hundreds of thousands of dollars to pay for murders, bombings and other acts of terrorism by the Palestinian militant group Hamas."
The bogus war on terror is an excuse to terrorize others.
US learns to live with less freedom
"But even a man who makes it his business to protect individual liberties in a state where no government would dare collect a sales tax or personal income tax — or force a seatbelt around a driver or a helmet on a motorcyclist — has to face some harsh realities in George W. Bush's America.
"'People are more afraid of terror than having their privacy violated,' says Tomasso, chair of the New Hampshire Liberty Alliance. 'For so long the rhetoric has been about fear, not hope and more traditional American values.'"
"Give me liberty or give me death" has become "I'm surrendering my freedom for my own safety against something that may or may not exist." Better safe than sorry.
BYU physics prof finds thermate in WTC samples, building collapses an inside job
"Dr. Jones in earlier work pointed to thermate as the likely explosive that brought down the WTC1, WTC2, and WTC7 skyscrapers. But only recently was physical material analysed in the lab and the presence of thermate announced. The samples were provided Dr. Jones team from redundant sources."
Japan seizes control of whaling group after historic vote
"The environment movement suffered one of its greatest reverses late last night when pro-whaling countries, led by Japan, gained control of the International Whaling Commission (IWC) and immediately began undermining the 20-year-old international whaling moratorium."
A blue whale has a length of 80 to 85 feet and weighs 100 tons and is the largest creature to have existed on this planet. Nothing special, really, or worth preserving and cherishing.
Norway to begin work on Arctic vault for seeds in case of global disaster
"It sounds like something from a science-fiction film -- a doomsday vault carved into a frozen mountainside on a secluded Arctic island ready to serve as a Noah's Ark for seeds in case of a global catastrophe."
About ten years ago I did volunteer work at the Abundant Life Seed Coop in Port Townsend, Washington. It was very pleasant being around people diligently cataloguing seeds from around the world.
Meanwhile, back in 'Merica, White House, GOP leaders plan all out assault on federal protections
"Apparently rushing to lock in a long-sought goal before the fall elections, GOP congressional leaders may bring to a vote within weeks a proposal that could literally wipe out any federal program that protects public health or the environment--or for that matter civil rights, poverty programs, auto safety, education, affordable housing, Head Start, workplace safety or any other activity targeted by anti-regulatory forces."
The pro-life neonazis wage a pro death campaign against life on the planet. "Save the fetus, kill the rest!"
Clean water at risk
"The United States Supreme Court issued a decision on wetlands yesterday whose main virtue is that it could have been much worse. It sided with two developers who want to build on endangered wetlands, but the court's conservatives could not muster the fifth vote they needed for a very restricted view of the Clean Water Act. Still, the signs are ominous. Right now, Justice Anthony Kennedy, the swing vote in the case, is all that appears to stand in the way of gutting critical environmental protections."
Is global warming fueling western wildfires?
"This year, wildfires have already burned more than 3 million acres — more than three times the average at this time of year.
"Many scientists say that these fires fit exactly into the pattern predicted for global warming and that it's likely to get, on average, even drier and hotter."
The most powerful force on earth
"The population explosion is beyond control. It has emerged as the single most powerful, immutable force on Earth, driving geopolitical change, stimulating economic growth and generating global inflation."
Foreclosures may jump as ARM's reset
"As more ARMs adjust upward and housing prices begin to dip, many Americans like Britten can't refinance and are finding themselves trapped in too-high monthly payments. For those who can't make their payments, foreclosure -- the legal process by which the lender reposseses the house because the owner has defaulted on payments -- is the only way out."
US losing its middle-class neighborhoods: Metro area show widening gap between rich and poor sections
"Middle-class neighborhoods, long regarded as incubators for the American dream, are losing ground in cities across the country, shrinking at more than twice the rate of the middle class itself."
A look at Republican priorities: Comforting the comfortable
"Yesterday, the House of Representatives passed an estate-tax cut that is a repeal in everything but name. The so-called compromise would exempt more than 99.5 percent of estates from tax, slash the tax rates on the rest and cost at least $760 billion during its first full decade. Of that, $600 billion is the amount the government would have to borrow to make up for lost revenue from the cuts, which would benefit the heirs of America's wealthiest families, like the Marses of Mars bar and the Waltons of Wal-Mart Stores. The remaining $160 billion is the interest on that borrowing, which would be paid by all Americans."
Will there be a tipping point where the majority of well armed 'Mericans say enough is enough?
CEOs earn 262 times pay of average worker
"Chief executive officers in the United States earned 262 times the pay of an average worker in 2005, the second-highest level in the 40 years for which there is data, a nonprofit think-tank said on Wednesday.
"In fact, a CEO earned more in one workday than an average worker earned in 52 weeks, said the Economic Policy Institute in Washington, D.C."
Yes, but he/she does 262 times more work in one day.
Inflation jitters?
"If anything, there’s too much capacity relative to demand. This is a recipe for deflation. Prices can begin to drop because buyers hold off, expecting further price decreases. It happened in Japan in the 1990s. It’s already starting to happen in certain housing markets in the United States that had been red-hot, but are now cooling so fast home prices are dropping. Deflation is often accompanied by stagnant or falling wages, which make it harder for consumers to afford to buy. Look at what’s been happening to American wages."
Drug prices up sharply this year
"Prices of the most widely used prescription drugs rose sharply in this year's first quarter, just as the new Medicare drug coverage program was going into effect, according to separate studies issued yesterday by two large consumer advocacy groups."
Gosh, what a surprise! Why, one would think that BushCo and the drug companies were somehow working together to help 'Merica.
How to fix our health care mess: Bush's prescription-drug program is a boondoggle for America's fraud-ridden health-industrial complex. A better choice is available, and it's time to fight for it.
"Over 16 percent of our economy ($1.9 trillion last year) goes into our corporatized [health care] system -- 50 percent more than Switzerland's universal system, which ranks second in spending per person. Not only does the United States drastically outspend everyone else, but it does so while leaving tens of millions of Americans outside the system. In contrast, Canada puts only 10 percent of its economy into health care, Australia 9 percent, and England 7 percent, and these countries manage to provide care for every one of their people."
I had 12 years experience in a universal healthcare system. The US system simply sucks.
Quotes from www.bartcop.com and others:
"It's so hot today that Bush met with European leaders just for the chilly reception." -- Letterman
"I come NOT to bring peace, but a sword." "If you don't have a sword, sell your coat and buy one." "Those mine enemies that would not have me reign over them, bring hither and slay them before me." -- Jesus Christ, according to Mike M I've never heard those quotes before. "Sell your coat and buy a sword?" Was Jesus in the NRA?
"It is important to have members of Congress who will not wave the white flag of surrender in this war on terror." -- The Murder Monkey, pretending that has happened, Link
"This debate should be taken more seriously than to simply retreat into catchy political slogans that debase the seriousness of war." -- Sen. Chuck Hagel (R-LessNazithenSome), Link
"Why are the Democrats so conservative on this war? Is money steering the Democratics to a more conservative position on the war? I don’t hear 200 Democrats out there talking against the war the way you are." -- Chris Matthews, (R-Scumbag) to John Murtha, Link
"According to scientists ... one day we may have sex with robots. And if you want to know what that's like, just ask Maria Shriver." -- David Letterman
"Iraq is the greatest strategic disaster in US history." -- Retired General William Odom, Link
"The reason I keep insisting that there was a relationship between Iraq and al-Qaeda is because (smirking) there was a relationship between Iraq and al-Qaeda." -- Dubya, November 1, 2002, Link
"The president back then said there's no demonstrated link between Saddam and 9-11, and we're never going to make that argument, and he never has." -- Tony Snow, claiming Dubya never linked 9-11 and Saddam, Link
"The book's opening anecdote tells of an unnamed CIA briefer who flew to Bush's fake ranch in the summer of 2001, amid reports of a pending al-Qaeda attack, to call Bush's attention to the 'Bin Ladin Determined to Strike in US' memo. Bush reportedly heard the briefer out and replied: 'All right. You've covered your ass, now.'" -- Barton Gellman, in a review of Ron Suskind's book: "The One Percent Doctrine", Link If this was a sticky blue dress, the whore press would be all over this story. But it's just Bush sleeping thru the 9-11 warnings, so they don't see a story there.
"House Republicans forced everyone to spend an entire day discussing a non-binding resolution praising the troops. Later they will debate a resolution declaring kittens 'adorable.' " -- Jon Stewart
"I don't think anybody anticipated the level of violence that we have encountered." -- Dick Cheney, (R-Liar) at the National Press Club, Link
"If we're going to invade, we need to prepare for a worst-case scenario involving street-to-street fighting, with farmers taking potshots at our troops. Is America prepared for hundreds of casualties, even thousands, in an invasion and subsequent occupation that could last many years?" -- Nicholas Kristof, New York Whore Times, Sept. 2002, Link
"Taliban no longer is in existence. And the people of Afghanistan are now free. In other words when you say something as President you better make it clear so everybody understands what you're saying, and you better mean what you say." -- The Retarded Murder Monkey, lying again, Link
"I think what the Taliban is doing - and it's predictable - the Taliban fighters have been losing. Now, you can expect there to be pushback by the Taliban." -- Tony Snow, calling his boss a liar on CNN, Link
West Texas Cowboy
A West Texas cowboy was herding his cows in a remote pasture when suddenly a brand new BMW advanced out of a dust cloud towards him. The driver, a young man in a Brioni suit, Gucci shoes, Ray Ban sunglasses and YSL tie, leans out the window and asks the cowboy, "If I tell you exactly how many cows and calves you have in your herd, will you give me a calf?" The cowboy looks at the man, obviously a yuppie, then looks at his peacefully grazing herd and calmly answers, "Sure, why not?"
The yuppie parks his car, whips out his Dell notebook computer, connects it to his Cingular RAZR V3 cell phone, and surfs to a NASA page on the Internet, where he calls up a GPS satellite navigation system to get an exact fix on his location which he then feeds to another NASA satellite that scans the area in an ultra-high-resolution photo. The young man then opens the digital photo in Adobe Photo Shop and exports it to an image processing facility in Hamburg, Germany. Within seconds, he receives an email on his Palm Pilot that the image has been processed and the data stored. He then accesses a MS-SQL database through an ODBC connected Excel spreadsheet with email on his Blackberry and, after a few minutes, receives a response. Finally, he prints out a full-color, 150-page report on his hi-tech, miniaturized HP LaserJet printer and finally turns to the cowboy and says, "You have exactly 1,586 cows and calves." "That's right. Well, I guess you can take one of my calves," says the cowboy.
He watches the young man select one of the animals and looks on amused as the young man stuffs it into the trunk of his car. Then the cowboy says to the young man, "Hey, if I can tell you exactly what your business is, will you give me back my calf?"
The young man thinks about it for a second and then says, "Okay, why not?" "You're a Congressman for the U.S. Government", says the cowboy. "Wow! That's correct," says the yuppie, "but how did you guess that?"
"No guessing required." answered the cowboy. "You showed up here even though nobody called you; you want to get paid for an answer I already knew, to a question I never asked. You tried to show me how much smarter than me you are; and you don't know a thing about cows........now give me back my dog."
posted by Jerry | 9:08 PM
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