The Lamp Sputters

WebWeaver's World: Obama, the World's President - newspaper front page headlines from around the globe

2008-11-17T16:06:00.000-08:00

WebWeaver's World: Obama, the World's President - newspaper front page headlines from around the globe

Why I Object to the Human Afghan Hound

2006-06-17T13:32:00.000-07:00

Since Matt Lauer did his interview with Ann Coulter and actually had the temerity to read quotes from her book that revealed Coulter to be a mean-spirited hate monger, I have followed Coulter's media blitz promoting her book with some interest--not because of interest in Coulter's written work, which I consider to be a waste of trees, but to see how the various hosts would treat her. Sadly, the television and radio hosts who have actually given Coulter a venue to promote her trash were completely unwilling to confront her on the underlying issue. In particular, exactly why does Ann Coulter get upset about the political activism of some of the survivors of victims of 9/11? And who is she really attacking for taking unfair advantage of 9/11? Not surprisingly, the human Afghan hound restricts her venom for only some of those who have worn 9/11 like a badge of honor and exploited 9/11 for all it was worth! Coulter certainly made no mention of George W. Bush and her beloved Republicans who have repeatedly invoked 9/11 to promote everything from tax cuts for the wealthy to invading a country (Iraq) that had NOTHING to do with 9/11. And of course, the human Afghan hound did not go after the survivors of victims of 9/11 that have been just as politically active on the Republican side of the aisle. Oh, no, Coulter zeros in on Kristen Breitweiser and her three compatriots that were largely responsible for the eventual creation of the 9/11 Commission to investigate what went wrong and how to correct it. Regardless of where one stands on Iraq, Iran, or a dozen other political issues, we ALL owe these women an immense debt of gratitude for the money, time, and effort that they poured into pushing for the 9/11 Commission. We needed an investigation into what went wrong on 9/11 in order to correct matters and hopefully, prevent future attacks of this nature. Certainly, if it were left up to George W. Bush and Dick Cheney, we would not know anything about what went wrong and how to correct it!

What one has to really wonder is why these four women irritate Ann Coulter so much? Is it because Kristen Breitweiser and the other Jersey girls were effective in rallying the overwhelming majority of the American public to support the creation of the 9/11 Commission? Or is it because, unlike the human Afghan hound, these four women are capable of providing an intelligent, articulate, objective argument for their points of view with regard to terrorism, homeland security, the war in Iraq, or any related topic? I think that the key reason that Coulter attacks these women as she does is because their particular loss makes it impossible for her to issue her usual ad hominem attacks. Instead of debating the issues, Coulter insists upon personal attacks of people with whom she disagrees. It's time that we eliminate that sort of rhetoric from our national discourse. Perhaps the best way to do that is to personally attack Ann Coulter for a change. Thus far, no one is doing that, but it would certainly be a refreshing change--particularly after the rest of us have been subjected to an array of Coulter's ad hominem attacks for the past several years!

The devastation is immense

2005-09-05T11:52:00.000-07:00

And all people can say is that god is punishing them...what the hell is up with that. I have read several articles that state New Orleans (one of the oldest communities in America) has been hit by Katrina due to the lawlessness, the partying, the gay activities, and apparently their lack of faith. What the hell is this, where is the Christianity to love your fellow man, where is the help that churches are supposed to give? I don't get this. I have known several people, and family from New Orleans' and let me tell you the faith they have is unshakable. I find it hard to believe that Katrina is being pointed out as a punishment by god....please. They had warning, the government could have sent in aid to help those people to get out earlier. And now they are slow as molasses in winter to get out there and save people who vote, pay taxes, and support our country and its activities...what am I missing here? Did we as a people forget the poor of this country do the shit the rich don't want to do? If you don’t believe me then why does Paris Hilton get a show for doing stuff that some people in our country do to live and get by...quite successfully I may add. I don’t think they would give me a show to go doing stuff I would love to do...I mean really I would go work farms way more if it meant I could have my own TV show, because I think a lot of people need to be educated on what really happens on a farm that is not run by a big time corporation...because let me tell you the slaughter house stuff doesn't happen there...no sir...(but I digress) my main point here is we should not be condemning, or blaming, we should be helping these people to regain their lives, to build back up what little they had, because it was theirs, and no one else’s' they earned it, even if one person or group doesn't agree with what they had, or how they they got it, that is none of their business (this is America remember) and I for one am ashamed of these people who portray them selves as god fearing and worshipping, personally I wish that god or some representative would come down and say hey um, did you not get the Word in there…love fellow man….un charity….all that I remember from when I was in Sunday school…which was a long time ago let me tell you. So this sickens me, I am a pagan, I am a part time worker at McDonald’s and a full time student I can’t help no matter what I want to do. I have family in Mississippi and Louisiana, I just found out the city my sister lives in is fine…but I don’t know about my cousin or his grandmother…I don’t know where they live, nor do I know exactly the number of people I may actually be related to in the south therefore…I want all of them that can be to be saved. Is this too much to ask?

I got this from my sister

2005-09-04T01:43:00.000-07:00

http://www.family.org/cforum/extras/a0032427.cfm

Now I am not gay, I maybe considered Bi...but this is beside the point. So I am just going to take the numbered points, and tell you how I view this, because I am sick of the religious right being the only ones who get air time. So, here it goes:

1. The legalization of homosexual marriage will quickly destroy the traditional family.

Hasn't the increase of divorce done this exact same thing? I grew up in a "broken home” and let me tell you it didn't make me bi, nor did it make me want to trust a monogamous relationship as both my parents cheated on each other.

2. Children will suffer most.

How? I mean really, I know children who have grown up with homosexual parents and they are some of the most well adjusted, and straight people I know.

3. Public schools in every state will embrace homosexuality.

Exactly what is wrong with schools showing there are other options?

4. Adoption laws will be instantly obsolete.

I don't understand this one. I mean people who want to adopt children already have to jump through major hoops to get a child they want. How would this make it obsolete, wouldn't some of the people who are in homosexual relations be able to give these kids happy homes, where the get the love attention and things they need to get through in this world?

5. Foster-care programs will be impacted dramatically.

I don't get this one either; I mean really wouldn't there be more foster care parents available?

6. The health care system will stagger and perhaps collapse.

Ok, this would take major time, first...second...lets see isn't it already on the way to doing just that, most families I know can barely, if even afford to put their spouses, and children on their health insurance. I know of a couple that make 50K a year and can't afford to put their kids or themselves on health insurance. Half of the monthly income would be taken from this family, where would they get the money for food.

7. Social Security will be severely stressed.

It already is, and gee they say I won't have any money in social security by the time I retire in 25 years, and I have already been working 17, so my money I have put in that is going to the people now and won't be there for me.

8. Religious freedom will almost certainly be jeopardized.

um, only if you are referring to Christianity, Catholism, and any derivative thereof...I don't see how this will stop people from choosing a religion they want, are comfortable with, and feel is right for them. I am not a follower of any of these religions, and haven't been since I was 9...this is one of the rights of our country. How is allowing gay marriage going to affect this one, I don’t understand his logic here.

9. Other nations are watching our march toward homosexual marriage and will follow our lead.

There are several Nations that are already doing this (and successfully they are also way ahead of us in taking care of their own people too!), and wow they are doing ok...I mean really I never hear of crisis over gay marriage from these places....someone want to send me links or something?

10. The gospel of Jesus Christ will be severely curtailed.

What gets me here is despite the fact that most of the teachings in the bible are against homosexuality, I know a lot of gay people that believe in and follow the teachings of Jesus...um, and didn’t he talk about acceptance and loving your fellow man??

11. The culture war will be over, and the world may soon become “as it was in the days of Noah” (Matthew 24:37).

Ok, my bitch with this one is it is a blatant Christian reference, and I don't care if this guy is a Christian, he is protected by the constitution to follow whatever beliefs he wants, so why the hell can't anyone else. Is it because these bigots can't see past themselves, is it because this person really can't abide someone finding love outside his "ideal". Does it matter really why should we care who loves who and who decides to marry the person they love?

Now as for some of the other arguments, I know several gay couples that have been together longer than most straight couples I know and they have children that are healthy and well adjusted. So onto the money question...has any of these people who are against gay marriage thought about the fact that a good chunk of homosexuals have VERY good jobs, that pay well, buy housing, and groceries, and when they form families, they do everything that straight couples do. oh and I know several monogamous homosexuals that would be offended by the idea that they are automatically believed to be polyamourous practioners, or that they will just go about cheating on their significant other.

I am appall that this guy, and the people he is calling on, can't see that freedom should be in all things, and not just in the things he thinks is ok...we have a constitution, and laws, and guide lines that we have come to over 200 years, so that we can guarantee that people will not be trampled upon, and treat less, because they are different. and yes we started out based on Christian/catholic beliefs, and we have grown enough to accept blacks, women, and other nationalities as real humans as opposed to live stock...so now we are just going to be biased against homosexuals...I am sorry this is just wrong.

news

2005-08-21T14:07:00.000-07:00

Go read this shit: looks like some people may be opening there eyes. .

I was wandering about the news stories again....and well i am starting to see either presidential hopefuls....or real live changes in the thinking there is washington...but I am cynical, I think they are just trying to get elected.

Have to say this!

2005-07-26T16:21:00.000-07:00

Ok, it is time for one of my rants….

I woke up this morning and went to school…on my radio was a news story about how there is going to be a hearing (linked in the second one) about the birth control pharmacists amendment. Or human life amendment (yeah forget all the other life!). Now I have had one argument about this (I am also paraphrasing for that one person who may look at this) that I was told that pharmacists are small businesses unto themselves, and that they should be able to choose what they do and don’t want to distribute, based on personal beliefs, and conscientious choice. That this is the American way and the way of free enterprise. Now on one hand I understand and can kind of agree with this…on the other…I also want there to be places I can get the WANTED birth control, that I want, not the government may approve (pre-semen and ova meeting; i.e. condoms….because I want rubber between me and the man I love until we decide to have a baby (right fukin bullshit!)) Anyway, this pissed me off because they are meeting in the house of representatives small business committee….so let me get this right….The government can say it is ok for a pharmacist to deny birth control the morning after pill and plan B….but other small business owners have to jump through hoops and pay out their noses before they can establish a business, and a pharmacist usually works for a company and uses their skills for the greater good of a corporation…so what am I missing…the individual even though employed by a corporation can do as they will, freedom right? Well what about my right NOT to get Pregnant?

And where will this stop…think about this scenario for me:

You are a Christian Scientist that doesn’t believe in the use of brain altering drugs. A patient of a doctor who just got out of jail comes in for his anti-psychotic meds…you deny them…the man in question runs out and kills and rapes a little girl 13 who just started her period and gets her pregnant….yeah he goes to jail…yup you stuck to your conscience, but you just helped rape that little girl and cause her an unwanted pregnancy in my book.

How much more do they get to control? How many more freedoms must be taken before more people wake up…does it have to come to you…like drugs did to the rich, because remember cocaine was a street drug…now it is high societies drug….crack has gone the same way…and ice remember that one hit and it was all over for you…rich kids took it first.

Maybe these are harsh comparisons…I don’t know…but I do know, that I have watched this happen, and I have watched the nation as a whole become more aware of major issues and watched them fix it, but right now I am ashamed of the general public for swallowing all of the crap they see and not questioning it.

http://www.topix.net/health/birth-control

Anti-abortion advocates say the measure would have required pharmacists to act against their religious beliefs.

Yeah what about MY right to not get pregnant and to have an ACTIVE sex life?

Nevada law is silent on the issue.

Why? They are the only state with legalized prostitution….how would this affect business?

http://www.kcchronicle.com/MainSection/302580810877323.php

What about my beliefs? What about the fact that there are few natural birth controls? Why should I be abstinent? What do they care if I bounce around having sex, or stick with one person for 12 years, and still not have a baby? I mean really? How are we to pay for these new births that are going to happen? And they can down play pregnancy during rape as an inconsequential number…but I wonder if they are including unwanted sexual advances from abusive husbands, or maybe family members who never got that you don’t have sex with blood relatives (sorry had to be said)? I don’t care if the guy at school next to me is having sex; I just don’t want to see him do it right in front of me. Simple…stay out of my bedroom, and reproductive rights and I will keep my bloody pads to myself.

Rove/Plame RNC Talking Points Debunked

2005-07-13T10:37:00.000-07:00

Via The Left Coaster
reprinted with full links, spread this far and wide. You're going to need this ammo to shoot down the Flying Monkey Sqadrons when they try and dropped this smelly poop on you

A number of rebuttals have been provided around the liberal blogosphere to the fakery from the GOP and their media arms about the Valerie Plame expose. Here's a roundup.

[Please feel free to add items in the comments if I missed anything - and distribute far and wide].

TALKING POINT: Valerie Plame (Joseph Wilson's wife) was not covert.

FACT: She was.

TALKING POINT: Karl Rove did not leak Valerie Plame's name.

FACT: Please. Her name was not the secret, her identity was (which is the issue here) and he leaked that. (also see here and here).

TALKING POINT: Karl Rove was "not the leaker".

FACT: Rove's attorney's statement and Cooper's email shows this claim is false. Rove did leak Plame's identity. (Whether or not this is found to be prosecutable is another matter).

P.S. It's not like this is the first time Rove has been in the spotlight for leaking secrets.

TALKING POINT: Karl Rove has never lied about his role in this matter.

FACT: Yes, he has.

TALKING POINT: The White House has never lied or misled people about its role in this matter.

FACT: False.

TALKING POINT: Karl Rove never knew that Valerie Plame was covert.

FACT: Really? Then why not state this on the record, something Rove's attorney refuses to do.

TALKING POINT: Matt Cooper of Time magazine "burned" Rove.

FACT: Rove's lawyer, who made the above fake claim, himself has been expounding again and again about how Rove gave complete waivers to all his journalist contacts to testify.

TALKING POINT: Bob Novak used the word "operative" by accident and his sources did not say she was one.

FACT: This is false, after-the-fact spin from Novak.

TALKING POINT: Rove "was discouraging a reporter from writing a false story" based on Joe Wilson's "false premise" (that DCI Tenet or VP Cheney authorized his trip)

FACT: False. Moreover, Joe Wilson did not make such a claim before Rove exposed Valerie Plame's identity.

TALKING POINT: The Senate Intelligence Committee said that Valerie Plame was the one who set up Joe Wilson's trip.

FACT: False and false. (Also see here). (In fact, there is no consensus view that Valerie Plame even suggested that Wilson be sent on the trip.)

TALKING POINT: The White House/GOP cannot comment on questions regarding Rove or his role because of the ongoing investigation.

FACT: False. A completely bogus claim considering that they are talking behind the scenes or issuing false/misleading press releases (also see here and here) spreading fakery about Wilson. (Not to mntion, they felt free to comment self-servingly about the whole matter until the Rove story broke.)

TALKING POINT: Karl Rove is not a target of Fitzgerald's investigation.

FACT: He is a subject of the investigation.

TALKING POINT: The Butler Report etc. vindicated Bush's "uranium in Africa" State of the Union claim

FACT: False. The Butler Report was intended to exonerate Tony Blair and George Bush to prevent them from facing criminal charges. For obvious reasons, it excluded reams of information about Bush's claim that showed that the White House lied through it's teeth in defending Bush's claim. (Indeed, as the link shows, people from the NSA, CIA etc. themselves stated that the SOTU claim did not have a sound backing.)

TALKING POINT: This is all just a partisan attack by Democrats (or Joseph Wilson)

FACT: False. The GOP leadership has a habit of minimizing numerous acts of treason from individuals inside the Bush administration over the last several years, by smearing truth-tellers. This is just the latest episode among many. In private, even Republicans admit that this kind of nonsense would have resulted in Congressional hearings "in a second", if the President had been a Democrat. Not to mention the hypocrisy of Rove himself.

TALKING POINT: Even if Karl Rove leaked Valerie Plame's identity, it's no big deal and deserves a medal.

FACT: The GOP's Ed Gillespie and George Bush disagreed (with an emphasis on 'd'). In fact, if it's so not a big deal, why all this intrigue about what the White House can or cannot comment on? Just tell the truth then rather than hiding behind reporters and smears of people who had nothing to do with the expose. (As for medals, it probably deserves a medal in prison, to define the "role model" for fellow prisoners at Gitmo - while eating rice pilaf in the process).

TALKING POINT: There was no legal crime committed with the Plame expose.

FACT: False and false. So much for offering "a stiff dose of truth" instead of "more lectures, and legalisms, and carefully worded denials".

TALKING POINT: Joseph Wilson supported John Kerry.

FACT: So? He also supported Republicans in the past (before they turned on him and his wife, treasonously) and was recognized by George Bush Sr. for his bravery against Saddam Hussein in Iraq - where he was ambassador before Gulf War I.

TALKING POINT: President Bush is committed to upholding the honor and dignity of his office.

FACT: For the umpteenth time, false, false and false.

Save the First Amendment - from Karl Rove

2005-07-08T02:49:00.000-07:00

A man who taught with Rove, and considers him a friend, writes that in the Valerie Plame case, Rove is using journalists, and the First Amendment, "to operate without constraint, or to camouflage breaking the law."

By Bill Israel, Editor & Publisher

In 99.9 percent of cases I know, journalists must not break the bonds of appropriate confidentiality, to protect their ability to report, and to defend the First Amendment. I've testified in court to that end, and would do so again.

But the Valerie Plame-CIA case that threatens jail time for reporters from Time and The New York Times this week is the exception that shatters the rule. In this case, journalists as a community have been played for patsies by the president's chief strategist, Karl Rove, and are enabling him to abuse the First Amendment, by their invoking it.

To understand why this case is exceptional, one must grasp the extent of Rove's political mastery, which became clearer to me by working with him. When we taught "Politics and the Press" together at The University of Texas at Austin seven years ago, Rove showed an amazing disdain for Texas political reporters. At the same time, he actively cultivated national reporters who could help him promote a Bush presidency.

In teaching with him, I learned Rove assumes command over any political enterprise he engages. He insists on absolute discipline from staff: nothing escapes him; no one who works with him moves without his direction. In Texas, though he was called "the prime minister" to Gov. George W. Bush, it might have been "Lord," as in the divine, for when it came to politics and policy, it was Rove who gave, and Rove who took away.

Little has changed since the Bush presidency; all roads still lead to Rove.

Consequently, when former U.S. Ambassador Joseph Wilson challenged President Bush's embrace of the British notion that Saddam Hussein imported uranium from Niger to produce nuclear weapons, retaliation by Rove was never in doubt. While it is reporters Matthew Cooper of Time and Judith Miller of The New York Times who now face jail time, the retaliation came through Rove-uber-outlet Robert Novak, who blew the cover of Wilson's wife, CIA operative Valerie Plame.

The problem, as always, in dealing with Rove, is establishing a clear chain of culpability. Rove once described himself as a die-hard Nixonite; he is, like the former president, both student and master of plausible deniability. (This past weekend, in confirming that Rove was indeed a source for Matthew Cooper, Rove's lawyer said his client "never knowingly disclosed classified information.") That is precisely why prosecutor Fitzgerald in this case must document the pattern of Rove's behavior, whether journalists published, or not.

For in this case, Rove, improving on Macchiavelli, has bet that reporters won't rat their relationship with the administration's most important political source. How better for him to operate without constraint, or to camouflage breaking the law, than under the cover of journalists and journalism, protected by the First Amendment?

Karl Rove is in my experience with him the brightest and most affable of companions; perhaps I have been coopted, for I genuinely treasure his friendship. But neither charm nor political power should be permitted to subvert the First Amendment, which is intended to insure that reporters and citizens burrow fully and publicly into government, not insulate its players from felony, or reality.

Reporters with a gut fear of breaching confidential sources must fight like tigers to protect them. But neither reporters Cooper nor Miller, nor their publications, nor anyone in journalism should protect the behavior of Rove (or anyone else) through an undiscerning, blanket use of the First Amendment that weakens its protections by its gross misuse.

Bill Israel teaches journalism at the University of Massachusetts - Amherst. He has worked for several leading newpapers.

It Almost Seems As If They're Happy About The Bombings

2005-07-07T13:35:00.000-07:00

This utterly disgusting

Foxs' Kilmeade Pees His Pants With Joy Over Bombings In London

Piece of the transcript:

Kilmeade:And that was the first time since 9-11 when they should know, and they do know now, that terrorism should be Number 1. But it's important for them all to be together. I think that works to our advantage, in the Western world's advantage, for people to experience something like this together, just 500 miles from where the attacks have happened.

VARNEY: It puts the Number 1 issue right back on the front burner right at the point where all these world leaders are meeting. It takes global warming off the front burner. It takes African aid off the front burner. It sticks terrorism and the fight on the war on terror, right up front all over again.

The Glee in these bastards faces and their words show, without doubt, that this is what the righties need and want to stay in power. Waving the bloody shirt of 911 was getting old and now these low life pieces of human excrement have a new batch of corpses to feed on, while the rest of us watch on in horror.

These punks love to call any one who opposes them as 'aiding the terrorists' but it seems that they are the ones that have the most to gain. Of course the Right Wing Scream Machine will quell the obvious point that the 'Fly Paper' doctrine isn't worth a bucket of warm spit. They're just glad that Bush can strut around like the cock of the walk.

Lets hope that the questions about the competence of execution of the perpetual War On Terror take the center stage, instead of the mindless fearmongering of these ghoulish creeps.

But I'm not holding my breath

Long Time Republican:I Quit!

2005-06-28T12:52:00.000-07:00

It would seem that there are some sane republicans left in the world.

Guess this guy also remembers when the GOP wasn't run by drooling fascists.

Guest Viewpoint: The party's over for betrayed Republican

" My problem is this: I believe in principles and ideals which my party has systematically discarded in the last 10 years."

More and more I'm beginning to see this trend, even back in '04 when I was a volunteer with the Dean campaign self described conservatives and republicans would show up to our meetings and voice their discomfort with the leadership and direction that their party had taken in recently. That seems to be the choice for conservatives/republicans in these times, either go with their priciples and take the brave step of voicing their concerns or continue on the path of denial and keep drinkng the Kool-Aid. it's not a choice I envy for these unfortunate people.

2005-06-27T19:45:00.000-07:00

Haloscan commenting and trackback have been added to this blog.

Breakdown of Iraq casualties by geography

2005-06-27T19:31:00.000-07:00

This says it all

Yellow Elephants is right

Looks Like We've Come Full Circle:Shark Attacks

2005-06-27T19:26:00.000-07:00

via Atrios

Looks like we've come back to the summer of 2001

'heh', indeed

House passes amendment to ban flag burning.

2005-06-27T01:44:00.000-07:00

every so quietly, every so slowly our freedoms are eaten away....only the senate and 38 states to go....link to CNN story

Guerrilla wars bad news for America

2005-06-26T07:41:00.000-07:00

Ever since World War II U.S. armed forces have been the most powerful ever known. Yet, in Vietnam, they were beaten by rice farmers armed mostly with light shoulder weapons. In 1973, U.S. forces were withdrawn. This meant that 58,000-plus Americans lost their lives in vain! The billions of dollars spent were essentially wasted. Untold thousands of Americans who survived were disfigured physically and mentally for nothing! The ostensible purpose for all this carnage and waste of U.S. resources was to keep Vietnam from communist control. Who has controlled Vietnam since 1975?

In 1994, U.S. forces in Somalia were again beaten, by small bands armed mostly with shoulder weapons. In the 1980s Russian forces, the second most powerful in the world were beaten by primitive Afghan tribesmen armed mostly with shoulder weapons. In 1996, they were crushed again, by small bands of Chechens with shoulder weapons.

What is going on? Evidently, insurgents have discovered a not-so-secret weapon that should strike fear into the heart of every modern army. The Pentagon is apparently so alarmed that they never speak openly about it, and the American public remains in the dark. The weapon the Pentagon and our politicians don’t want to talk about is guerrilla warfare! This weapon is unstoppable because the United States has no way to counter it.

Because of the fear of guerrilla war, the United States withdrew from Iraq in the Gulf War and left Saddam Hussein in power. Before the war began, General Schwartzkopf revealed the United States’ weakness in guerrilla warfare. In a September 1990 interview with U.S. News and World Report, Schwartzkopf admitted, “If someone said, ‘Go in and machine-gun a thousand civilians,’ I’d say, ‘Absolutely not. Sorry, but I consider that illegal and immoral, and I’m not going to do it.’”

Americans lose guerrilla wars because Americans do not have the stomach for mass murder of civilians, along with guerrillas, by our infantry. Guerrillas look just like civilians. However, mass murder using air power and missiles to kill the enemy along with civilians (collateral damage) is somehow different and acceptable! The problem is that Vietnam proved that using that kind of power alone does not win guerrilla wars.

Inadequate numbers of U.S. forces are presently stuck in the Iraq and Afghanistan tar pits. Suicide bombers are making these guerrilla attacks even more successful and savage. Victory is not even being talked about. The London Daily Telegraph on May 12 reported that “due to escalating insurgent attacks, and the fact that the Iraqi army and police are being deeply penetrated by insurgent sympathizers, U.S. commanders are now bracing themselves for a long stay.”

The Army is desperately short of troops. They have offered bonuses up to $40,000. USA Today reported on May 12 the Army began offering 15-month enlistments. This is the shortest in U.S. history. Anyone that knows anything is acutely aware that a 15-month tour of duty isn’t enough time to develop proficiency at anything except dying! Is this the intended destiny of these new recruits? If you are not worried about your son or daughter being drafted, you probably should be!

At this point, the United States has 1,700-plus dead. Our government refuses to tell us how many wounded. They won’t even discuss casualties on the other side. If we pulled out today, the lives of those wounded and killed would be wasted. The billions of dollars spent would be the same as if it were flushed down the toilet. If we pull out any time in the future, we will only increase the wasted lives, casualties, and dollars. This is a “Catch 22” if I have ever seen one!

On March 29, a Reuters journalist reported, “Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice has alarmed many reformist Arabs with comments suggesting a new United States approach that promises rapid political change without regard for internal stability. Washington would speak out for “freedom” without offering a model or knowing what the outcome would be.” You can’t expect to harvest pecans from land that has no pecan trees. Neither can you expect liberty to grow from Arab soil that until now has only produced tyranny.

There are only three possibly conditions: liberty, chaos, and tyranny. The United States invasion eliminated Saddam’s tyranny. Liberty for Iraq is not even on the horizon. This leaves only chaos which I believe is being intensified by U.S. efforts to democratize the whole world.

I believe our government should do one of two things:

Do whatever it takes to make certain our goals are accomplished as quickly as possible. If our objectives are not worthy of that level of commitment we shouldn’t be doing it in the first place. The United States did that with Japan and imposed our will on them with positive results. If we are not willing to make this level of commitment we are just wasting American lives. If you think that this is too evil, my response is, I can think of nothing more satanic than sending good men to fight guerrillas in a never-ending fight that can’t be won.

The other option is declare victory. Pull our troops out and adopt a policy of neutrality. Use our military to defend our country, control our borders, and dare anyone to threaten or harm us. If they do we will have the capability to totally destroy any enemy who poses a threat. All we would need is the will!

This is not a Democratic and/or Republican issue. Changing control in Washington would only change some of the details in the picture. Unfortunately, the essential elements of the picture would remain the same.

Author: Max Tarpley, Blytheville
Source: Letters to the Editor, June 16, 2005, Blytheville Courier News (link to newspaper: http://www.blythevillecn.com/

Operation Yellow Elephant Update

2005-06-25T16:40:00.000-07:00

Here's some operative reports at Jesus' General (scroll down)

Special Ops

Special Op "First Strike" - Ask the College Republican leadership to pass a resolution disbanding their organization and calling for its membership to enlist.

Special Op "Video Ninja" - Strike Teams will videotape encounters with CRs near their convention.

Mark's op - Mark sends a number of emails to the College Republican National Committee asking them to put links to recruiters on their site. They remain silent.

Special Op "Volunteer" - Taskforce Burnplant contacts CR organizations across the country and asks their members to enlist. This results in a lengthy Exchange with the Gonzaga College CRs.

And the best for the last. This guy has the most moxy, he actually has operatives inside the convention handing him first hand reports. if you think these people didn't live in an allternate reality, this will change your mind. unbelievable

Rove Goes For Some Play Action, Will The Democrats Fall For It?

2005-06-23T19:25:00.000-07:00

As I'm sure many of you have already heard about about Rovenfuhrers remarks made at a republican event.

If you haven't, check here: Rove Once Again Uses The Corpses Of 911 For Political Gain

The gist of his remarks come down to,(insert grunting noises here) "conservatives fight, liberals are wussies",although his snide weasly way of saying it certainly makes it much worse.

This is obviously a well orchestrated ploy, because Rove doesn't not put his ass on the line unless there is no other option. The corporate medias' attempts to ignore the Downing Street Minutes has failed, support for the war is flagging, and Bush's poll numbers are in the toilet. This is a classic Rovian maneuver. Rove knew his remarks would spark outrage and the calls for an apology or his resignation are flying fast and furious as I write this. But neither will happen and the republicans and the Bush administration will look 'resolute' and the democrats will look weak, especially on the heels of Durbins' unnecessary apology. This is the plan, which comes down to appearance over substance, and pure politics at it's most cynical

This was all pre-planned, since the White House released the text of Roves' speech before he made it! Democrats need to get smart and stop playing Charlie Brown to Roves' Lucy with the football. I'm tired of these assholes screwing up and getting away with it and making me, and every other person that cares about this country, pick up the tab for it

These bastards need to be driven from power, period!

Update! 911 Families sez stop using our dead relatives for your politics! News Release From 911 Families

This bothers me

2005-06-23T17:30:00.000-07:00

Just a Brief note,

I got this from one of my teachers, at the school I attend. I am affected by this, and a lot of people I know who are trying their best to get above the not so wonderful choices between Mall jobs and Fast Food. This will severely sabotage the poor to be just what they want Serfs (only my opinion please, I have no other basis for it than *GASP* my gut feeling.) I have been up the ladder at Fast Food and I didn't and still don't like the choices presented to me. Anyway...I have no more of a rant than personal experience, and my current situation, in which I left a job I could have been doing the same thing for 20 years, fighting the same fights, and dealing with the same issues every week...Or take my chances, learn a new skill, develop another part of my brain, and it is so close to being pulled out from under me. What do I do, born to a poor family, working class, earned what they spent....I would like an answer from one of those out there who tell me this country is built upon working hard to make it, well I can't find more time to work to pay for school, when school and work take up what little time I use to do necessary things for myself and my life to continue in a forward motion and stay able to move upward as well. Anyway, I kept the article as it was forwarded to me, I only pasted it so you can read it here.

New York Times Editorial
Crushing Upward Mobility

The United States is rapidly abandoning a longstanding policy aimed at keeping college affordable for all Americans who qualify academically. Thanks to a steep decline in aid to poor and working-class students and lagging state support for the public college systems that grant more than two-thirds of the nation's degrees, record numbers of Americans are being priced out of higher education. This is an ominous trend, given that the diploma has become the minimum price of admission to the new economy.

Greg Winter of The Times reported yesterday that the federal government has rejiggered the formula that determines how much families have to pay out of pocket before they become eligible for the student aid package, which consists of grants and low-interest loans. The new formula, which will save the government about $300 million in federal aid under the Pell program, will cause some lower-income students to lose federal grants entirely. The families of others will have to put up more money before they can qualify for financial aid. Perversely, single-parent households will have to pay more than two-parent households before they become eligible.

The federal Pell Grant program, which is aimed at making college possible for poor and working-class students, has fallen to a small fraction of its former value. The states, meanwhile, have trimmed aid to public colleges, partly as a consequence of soaring Medicaid costs. The states have deepened the problem by shifting need-based tuition to middle-class and upper-class students under the guise of handing out so-called merit scholarships.

The political clamor around the new formula is likely to lead to changes, but they will be aimed at upper-income families who are most able to pay. Tinkering with formulas in Washington will not solve this problem. The nation as a whole has been disinvesting in higher education at a time when college has become crucial to work force participation and to the nation's ability to meet the challenges of global economic competition.

Until the country renews its commitment to making college affordable for everyone, the American dream of upward mobility through education will be in danger of dying out.

The Chimperor's Poll Numbers Are In The Toilet;Time To Scare The Sheep

2005-06-22T06:37:00.000-07:00

This is just sad

Since White Girl Down! isn't enough to keep the Downing Street Minutes off the front page and Bush is experiencing his worst poll numbers yet, it's time to scare the sheep into submission.

The actions and reactions of the corporate whore media are becoming as predictable as a bus schedule. Now I know how soviet citizens felt when they watched Isvestia or read Pravda.

I'm beginning to wonder what the real difference is between Sovietism and Corporatocracy really is, since they have a very similiar feel.

Operation:Yellow Elephant

2005-06-21T09:33:00.000-07:00

Check out Jesus' General and what's going on with Operation Yellow Elephant

This is an effort to get young college republicans to enlist in the war that they so vehmently support.

the efforts so far are to get a full page ad in their program schedule to encourage republican youth to enlist, but so far have not met with success.

contact them and tell them their chimperor needs them in this dark hour of the empire

56th College Republican National Convention

What happened to 'kick their ass and take their gas'?

2005-06-20T19:49:00.000-07:00

'heh', indeed

Wonder if the knuckle draggers are finally realising that the invasion actually gave the BFEE the power to control the spigot in Iraq, not so these morons would have cheap gas for their penis extensions, but to increase profits for you-know-who.

Smart money is betting that the usual suspects and useful idiots will find some way to blame it on the All Powerful Clenis

The good news is that these idiots will have to work longer hours to keep their dinosaurs ont he road and less time blogging....

DSM Update

2005-06-20T16:47:00.000-07:00

Tom, at whohijackedourcountry, has a great update on coverage of the Downing Street Memo and how activists and bloggers shamed the MSM into finally covering it.

The Great Unraveling:Bush Hit By Friendly Fire

2005-06-20T16:33:00.000-07:00

With his polls down, Bush takes flak on Iraq from a host of critics--including some in his own party

Wonder how long it will take for the 116th Flying Monkey Sqadron to declare Hagel a troop hatin' traitor.

"Nebraska Republican Sen. Chuck Hagel is angry. He's upset about the more than 1,700 U.S. soldiers killed and nearly 13,000 wounded in Iraq. He's also aggravated by the continued string of sunny assessments from the Bush administration, such as Vice President Dick Cheney's recent remark that the insurgency is in its "last throes." "Things aren't getting better; they're getting worse. The White House is completely disconnected from reality," Hagel tells U.S. News. "It's like they're just making it up as they go along. The reality is that we're losing in Iraq."

Chuck Hagel, senator from Nebraska, is(was?) one of the closest allies of the BFEE. Someone else that needs to stay away from small aircraft and midnight invitations to strange hotel rooms.

Adding to the confusion is Condis' statement link that the commitment to Iraq is 'generational', when before the invasion we were told that the troops would be home by Christmas spells out (once again) what shameless liars occupy The White House.

GOP Knifes Katherine Harris In The Back

2005-06-17T14:01:00.000-07:00

GOP eyes Bense as opponent to Harris

Couldn't have happened to a nicer gal. Well Katy, that's what happens when you do work for the Bush Crime Family, just like a minion for SPECTRE in a Bond flick. C ya, toots!

P.S. I'd stay away from trips in small aircraft and invitations to strange hotel rooms, minions of the BFEE have a tendency to get 'suicided', if you know wuddimean.

The American Taliban

2005-06-16T21:53:00.000-07:00

Via DailyKos:

Once upon a time, it was easy for the American Right to smear its opponents on the left -- they could simply equate them with the nation's communist enemies. It didn't matter that the American "left" (Democrats) had more in common with the Right than international communism, the smear was useful.

Now, however, our international enemy -- Islamic radicalism -- is actually the polar opposite of what liberals stand for -- their actions on women rights are deplorable, they insist on theocracy, they loooveee torture and the death penalty, they demand to control the culture (TV, movies, music), they rail against rampant sexuality, they seek to spread their ideology via force, and they have a well-defined black-and-white sense of truth.

Remind you of a certain American party?

That's why hysterical assertions by the wingers that liberals hate America and want the terrorists to win are so absurd. As absurd as it would've been to claim that Reagan wanted the Communists to win the Cold War. The Taliban/Al Qaida/Hezbollah/Jihadists of the world are the exact embodiment of evil in the liberal mind. They are everything we are against, and against everything we are for.

In fact, they are exactly what we see in the Republican Party as the GOP continues to consolidate power -- creeping theocracy, moralizing, us versus them, embrace of torture, the need to constantly declare jihad on someone, hysterics over football-game nipples, control over "decency" on the airwaves, lyrics censorship, hostility to women freedoms, curtaling of civil liberties, and so on.

So it's pretty obvious -- we don't love terrorists. We don't want them to win. For them to win would be to realize our greatest fears. The muslim terrorist is truly the anti-liberal. Like matter and anti-matter.

Republicans, on the other hand, hate the terrorists because they're Muslim. But aside from that, they've got far more in common than they'll ever admit to themselves.

And it's high time we started to make that connection more forcefully.

The Great Unraveling: Downing Street Memo

2005-06-15T18:07:00.000-07:00

I was waiting for a concise, to the point source for the smoking gun revealed in the so called Downing Street Memo, a transcript of minutes taken from a meeting of British Intelligence that describes how the Bush adminsitration was determined to invade Iraq and that intelligence was 'being fixed' around the policy.

This excerpt from an upcoming film brings into focus the duplicity of the Bush Administration and how they endanger our country when promising security

High Bandwidth Recommended
Nail It To The White House Door

The article after the link gives an excellent run down of the issues presented by this astounding document and should be read by anyone concerned about the reckless policies by an out of control administration

Can We Call Them Nazis Now?

2005-06-14T10:04:00.000-07:00

Well, I believe that we have left the realm of Godwins Law, it would seem that the Theocratic Right are calling themselves Nazis now

Christian Coalition Leader:Gays Should Wear Warning Labels

excerpt:"The leader of a conservative Christian lobby group appears to suggest that gays should be required to wear warning labels, although he denies that was his intention.

"We put warning labels on cigarette packs because we know that smoking takes one to two years off the average life span, yet we 'celebrate' a lifestyle that we know spreads every kind of sexually transmitted disease and takes at least 20 years off the average life span according to the 2005 issue of the revered scientific journal Psychological Reports," Rev. Bill Banuchi, executive director of the New York Christian Coalition told the Mid Hudson News."

Okay, it would seem that these freaks feel so bold as to suggest, even in jest, using the same method to brand 'undesirables' used by a certain regime over sixty years ago (which will remain nameless). a not-so-friendly reminder

What Barry Says

2005-06-01T13:46:00.000-07:00

PNAC explained in a sound bite

Barry sez it

Think it's tinfoil hat time? read their own words:Project For A New American Century"

" "Any serious effort at transformation must occur within the larger framework of U.S. national security strategy, military missions and defense budgets. . . . Further, the process of transformation . . . is likely to be a long one, absent some catastrophic and catalyzing event - like a new Pearl Harbor."

-quoted from a PNAC paper entitled "Rebuilding America's Defenses: Strategy, Forces and Resources For a New Century" published in September of 2000

Government decides on religion?

2005-05-27T16:22:00.000-07:00

Judge:Parents Can't Teach Pagan Beliefs

I was invited to rant, rave, or just generally comment, so here I am. This article was pointed out to me by the facilitator of this Blog. He told me he waited a couple of days trying to decide if he should tell me or not. The reason for his debate, for those that don't know me, is because I tend to take the News to heart and wonder what is going on in this country that is the land of the free, and the home of the brave. Now I read the linked article with a little insight into what I was going to face, knowing it was against one of my main core beliefs. Still it upset me. As, I sit here, smoking my controversial cigarette, looking at my eclectic paraphernalia from different cultures, and religions, I wonder what our country is coming to...Growing up, I was told, that America is the best place on Earth, we have freedoms and rights no other countries in the world do, women are equal, a person can work their way up from the bottom rung and be a millionaire overnight. There are real stories out there about these things, I have seen them, I have even met a few people that are living that dream. The great part about our Country is the ability to do what you want when you want as long as you don't hurt anyone, or break a law was the main reason for hundreds, thousands, and now millions of immigrants to flock to our shores and be accepted.

So someone please tell me what has happened? Why can a judge tell a couple who weren't even fighting over it, not to teach their child about the religion of his parents? I guess, I don't understand, seeing as I was baptized Catholic, raised by protestants, and am now a practicing Pagan who attended a Parochial school for the majority of my Elementary years, I still have problems wearing a dress to this day. So someone please tell me how we have come to this? In a day and age when Wiccan and Pagan beliefs are accepted by our Military as Official Religions, with paid holidays, no matter how close or different from the "Normally" accepted holiday paid days. When we have the gall to try spreading our Freedom across the globe by any means necessary. When has the first Amendment been ratified to reflect a judge can decide what a parent can or can not expose a child to, without there being an extreme abuse situation? Did I miss something? I know I chose to stay away from the news, and Politics. I understand that things change, but has it changed so drastically that we can't even share our personal beliefs with our children, the ones who are supposed to be the combination of the person we choose to love and mate with and oursleves. The very beings that have been considered the only way for any of us to truly make a mark? What has happened, that a judge can choose what we teach and how we pratice our worship to god/gods with our children?

Maybe I am way off here, but this makes me mad. This child should be able to figure out what he believes and doesn't believe even if he is getting the information from two different religions. As I am an amateur in the study of religions, but I have, since finding out about Greek Mythology in the third grade, been fascinated with different cultural beliefs, and I looked things up everywhere libraries, encyclopedias, and any book I could get my hands on, I still do. I have had arguments with republicans that have resulted in them saying that we aren't heading for a theocracy. I really want to believe them, but articles like this, make that very hard for me to swallow. I can't believe that after everything that has been fought for in this country since it's inception, that we have a judge making this kind of call, based on his own logic, and I would hazard a guess, personal beliefs.

Now on to the not so socially acceptable point of view that I have. This is utter and complete bullshit, this is not what we have a Constitution for, our religious beliefs and practices are a Constitutionally protected rights....and for those dumb-asses with corn in their ears I said; CONSTITUTIONALLY PROTECTED RIGHT!, and I find it hard to believe that we are egotistical enough to try and tell the rest of the planet how they should run their countries. Hell we can't even get it right. It is bad enough they want to tell us who we can and can't marry, and no I am not gay but some of my best friends have been and still are. Hell I was tempted to marry a friend in support. Although I don't know if any would have taken me up on it. I can't believe this is happening, people should be awaken in droves, what happened? Somewhere between eating 60 second meals and becoming fascinated with under a minute commercials, we have fallen asleep at the wheel. We have a responsibility to the people who fought for and accomplished our freedom, and constructed our constitution, in the best and most flexible manner they could think of, and if this fails they have shown us the way to make a change. What is it we are doing? Do the masses want to be told what to do, when to do it, and how so that they can keep up with "the Jones". I for one don't want to be, I already had my time under someone else's control it was called my childhood, and that was enough for me thank you very much.

I think it is ridiculous that we have come to this.

Let Star Wars Be Star wars

2005-05-25T11:59:00.000-07:00

Even before the movie came out there were already the usual suspects ready to make the inevitable comparisons between the machinations of Palpatine and the present administration. Of course, Lucas making statements 'somewhat' to that effect, that he wrote the story during United States involvement in Vietnam link, has fueled this controversy amongst the usual suspects.

While Lucas himself has said that the story is also parallel to Rome, Napoleonic France, and Nazi Germany, the comparison to the present administration is irresistible to many across the political spectrum. They range from the "Oh not really" demure link, to the pooh flinging reactionary "try Lucas for treason now!" link

But, last and certainly least, is my personal favorite "The Empire Is Actually Good"link

My favorite bit: "Make no mistake, as emperor, Palpatine is a dictator–but a relatively benign one, like Pinochet. It’s a dictatorship people can do business with. They collect taxes and patrol the skies. They try to stop organized crime (in the form of the smuggling rings run by the Hutts). The Empire has virtually no effect on the daily life of the average, law-abiding citizen."

And No, this person is not kidding...

Now, while I can see parallels to today’s situation, I believe that is an overblown case of much ado about nothing. The politicization of Hollywood has always been an immense, over rated bore. While Hollywood is the favorite whipping boy of the conservative professional victim whine-a-thon industry, basing watch you watch on a performers political views is just taking things way too seriously. Political views are not going to stop me from watching Tom Selleck, Drew Carey, or Bruce Willis, although their acting just might.

Revenge Of The Sith is a simplistic moral tale, with cookie cutter archetypes of good and evil with non stop eye candy in the tradition of space operas going back to E.E. 'Doc' Smith. Let it be what is, and enjoy it for what it is

Let Star Wars be Star Wars

Who's Playing The Victim?

2005-05-24T08:29:00.000-07:00

Don't we hear Rush, and the rest of the Flying Monkey Chorus, always sneering at their opponents for playing the victim card?

Well it would seem that the Bible Gangsters(tm) have been doing it for years. The difference now is that it sounds exponentially more ridiculous when they do it at the same time exulting in triumphalist ecstasy.

Check out this latest article from Charles Sykes of the Hoover Foundation:

Why Is America A Nation Of Victims?

I'm sure the Rightards will enjoy the delicious irony of The Hoover Foundation being one of the premiere(and oldest, it was actually founded by Herbert Hoover, yes that Hoover) conservative think tanks in America.

The Gist:"One pro-family leader is worried that American Christians could be facing a new form of inquisition. Gary Bauer of the Campaign for Working Families senses that anti-Christian feelings are on the rise among some segments of America. He says he is concerned that born-again believers could be facing tough days ahead. 'I'm concerned about the possibility of real persecution in the United States toward conservative Christians,' Bauer states. 'Harper's Magazine this week has a cover story entitled 'The Religious Right's War on America.' So there's a lot of rhetoric out there, very hateful rhetoric, aimed at traditional Christian conservatives -- and that can be very dangerous.' Many Christian leaders have expressed their worry over the increase in 'hate speech' aimed at Christians and the lack of public uproar over it. [Bill Fancher]"

The appropriate heading for the piece would have been "Victimizer Plays Victim." "

One for the "Cognitive Dissonance" files

Introductions:Sputtering Lamp?

2005-05-23T18:17:00.000-07:00

A nice intro opening thread while the construction crew sets up shop.

Need a starting subject?

Karzai Sez Newsweek Had Nuttin' to do wid da riotin'