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March 31, 2004
Sweet Jesus I Hate Bill O'Reilly
I like the title. www.sweetjesusihatebilloreilly.com
Posted by Eric at 11:34 PM | Comments (43)
Sweet Jesus I Hate Bill O'Reilly
I like the title. www.sweetjesusihatebilloreilly.com
Posted by Eric at 11:34 PM | Comments (10)
Air America
Time: 12-3pm EST.
Current stations:
NYC (WLIB, 1190AM),
LA (KBLA, 1580AM),
Chicago (WNTD, 950AM),
Portland (KPOJ, 620AM),
Inland Empire, CA (KCAA, 1050AM),
Minneapolis (WMNN-AM 1330),
XM Radio Channel 167.
Will also be streamed online at http://airamericaradio.com/.
Other streams:
Posted by Eric at 02:53 AM | Comments (48)
Air America
Time: 12-3pm EST.
Current stations:
NYC (WLIB, 1190AM),
LA (KBLA, 1580AM),
Chicago (WNTD, 950AM),
Portland (KPOJ, 620AM),
Inland Empire, CA (KCAA, 1050AM),
Minneapolis (WMNN-AM 1330),
XM Radio Channel 167.
Will also be streamed online at http://airamericaradio.com/.
Other streams:
Posted by Eric at 02:53 AM | Comments (9)
March 30, 2004
Programming Note
Not failing school is going to take priority for the next couple days, so posting will be light. If you feel like posting your own stuff, feel free to do it in this thread. ----Eric
Posted by Eric at 10:01 AM | Comments (41)
Programming Note
Not failing school is going to take priority for the next couple days, so posting will be light. If you feel like posting your own stuff, feel free to do it in this thread. ----Eric
Posted by Eric at 10:01 AM | Comments (11)
Kerry Big in Conn
A University of Connecticut poll shows John Kerry to take the state.
Less than six weeks ago, as Kerry was just beginning his domination of the Democratic primaries, a national UConn poll showed the two men virtually tied in a head-to-head matchup.As Kerry pulled off a near sweep of the presidential contests, locking up the Democratic nomination earlier this month, his numbers in Connecticut soared.
In the latest UConn poll, conducted March 25-28, Kerry received 52 percent of the vote, compared to 33 percent for Bush and 4 percent for Connecticut native Ralph Nader, who is running as an independent.
The numbers mirror the 2000 election results, when Democrat Al Gore beat Bush in Connecticut, 56 percent to 38 percent.
Posted by Eric at 08:04 AM | Comments (10)
Kerry Big in Conn
A University of Connecticut poll shows John Kerry to take the state.
Less than six weeks ago, as Kerry was just beginning his domination of the Democratic primaries, a national UConn poll showed the two men virtually tied in a head-to-head matchup.As Kerry pulled off a near sweep of the presidential contests, locking up the Democratic nomination earlier this month, his numbers in Connecticut soared.
In the latest UConn poll, conducted March 25-28, Kerry received 52 percent of the vote, compared to 33 percent for Bush and 4 percent for Connecticut native Ralph Nader, who is running as an independent.
The numbers mirror the 2000 election results, when Democrat Al Gore beat Bush in Connecticut, 56 percent to 38 percent.
Posted by Eric at 08:04 AM | Comments (7)
Hamster Numbers: Tax Cuts
"The Republican budget cuts domestic spending by $113 billion over the next five years to pay for permanent tax cuts for the wealthy. Massive tax cuts don't come cheap, and millions of Americans will be forced to deal with cuts in education, health care, veterans benefits, housing, environmental protection, and child care all to pay for substantial handouts to the rich." -Center for American Progress.
Posted by Eric at 01:22 AM | Comments (15)
Hamster Numbers: Tax Cuts
"The Republican budget cuts domestic spending by $113 billion over the next five years to pay for permanent tax cuts for the wealthy. Massive tax cuts don't come cheap, and millions of Americans will be forced to deal with cuts in education, health care, veterans benefits, housing, environmental protection, and child care all to pay for substantial handouts to the rich." -Center for American Progress.
Posted by Eric at 01:22 AM | Comments (11)
Air America Radio Tomorrow
So tomorrow, Air America Radio will be launching at 12pm with the 'O'Franken Factor,' with Al Franken and Katherine Lanpher, formerly with Minnesota Public Radio. A couple weeks ago, I was lucky enough to attend a rehearsal of the radio show in New York, and it was fun and exciting stuff. If you've heard the audio version of Al's books on tapes, it's going to be similar to that, only in a talk radio format - an infusion of comedy, interviews, and lie research.
Where can you find it? Initially, it is only launching on a few stations: NYC (WLIB, 1190AM), LA (KBLA, 1580AM), Chicago (WNTD, 950AM), Portland (KPOJ, 620AM), Inland Empire, CA (KCAA, 1050AM), XM Radio Channel 167.
This is going to be a soft launch, with the intent of the network to add more stations throughout the summer and eventually become a sizable network by what looks like the fall. Contrary to popular belief, the intent of the network is to not only help displace George W. Bush in November, but also create a long-term resource for the Left in combating conservative politics.
There will obviously be challenges, and I have no doubt there will be some problems when the network starts off. One problem that has already surfaced is the website: AirAmericaRadio.com has been inadequate in distributing information, and it doesn't appear as though it'll be fully functional with the features I'd like it to have on the launch date (though I've been assured it'll have streaming audio on March 31). Though the shows have been working hard doing radio rehearsals, it's a new network, with much of its personnel relatively new to radio, and there may be a learning curve. But that's OK. I don't doubt the talent of the people on the network. While some may not be 'big names,' they all fit well with the vision of the network.
Regardless, if this network does work, it'll become an important part of what many are trying to build: a comparable 'echo chamber' to the one the Right currently has. And remember, their echo chamber wasn't built overnight. It was slowly built over years time, and tens of millions of dollars. So this is part of the long-term strategy. Anyway, March 31.
Posted by Eric at 01:20 AM | Comments (177)
Air America Radio Tomorrow
So tomorrow, Air America Radio will be launching at 12pm with the 'O'Franken Factor,' with Al Franken and Katherine Lanpher, formerly with Minnesota Public Radio. A couple weeks ago, I was lucky enough to attend a rehearsal of the radio show in New York, and it was fun and exciting stuff. If you've heard the audio version of Al's books on tapes, it's going to be similar to that, only in a talk radio format - an infusion of comedy, interviews, and lie research.
Where can you find it? Initially, it is only launching on a few stations: NYC (WLIB, 1190AM), LA (KBLA, 1580AM), Chicago (WNTD, 950AM), Portland (KPOJ, 620AM), Inland Empire, CA (KCAA, 1050AM), XM Radio Channel 167.
This is going to be a soft launch, with the intent of the network to add more stations throughout the summer and eventually become a sizable network by what looks like the fall. Contrary to popular belief, the intent of the network is to not only help displace George W. Bush in November, but also create a long-term resource for the Left in combating conservative politics.
There will obviously be challenges, and I have no doubt there will be some problems when the network starts off. One problem that has already surfaced is the website: AirAmericaRadio.com has been inadequate in distributing information, and it doesn't appear as though it'll be fully functional with the features I'd like it to have on the launch date (though I've been assured it'll have streaming audio on March 31). Though the shows have been working hard doing radio rehearsals, it's a new network, with much of its personnel relatively new to radio, and there may be a learning curve. But that's OK. I don't doubt the talent of the people on the network. While some may not be 'big names,' they all fit well with the vision of the network.
Regardless, if this network does work, it'll become an important part of what many are trying to build: a comparable 'echo chamber' to the one the Right currently has. And remember, their echo chamber wasn't built overnight. It was slowly built over years time, and tens of millions of dollars. So this is part of the long-term strategy. Anyway, March 31.
Posted by Eric at 01:20 AM | Comments (40)
March 29, 2004
Monday Stories
AP. Cheney tackles Kerry's plans to cut taxes
USAT. Gas prices continue to climb; Prices go up another 3 cents to a record-high average of $1.80 per gallon; demand likely to remain high
Guardian. Pentagon counts the psychological cost of Iraq war as survey reveals suicide levels
USAT. Talk radio's dial will get a turn to the left
Reuters. Bush slammed for leading US down 'dead-end'
Transcript. Condoleezza Rice on '60 Minutes'
LAT. Campaign Gold Awaits Kerry in California Visit
LAT. Immigrant Paperwork Delays Grow
LAT. U.S. Shutters Iraqi Newspaper
AP. Commission bears down on Rice to testify
CNN. Rice: 'Nothing to hide' from 9/11 commission
BGlobe. Kerry urges Rice to testify on 9/11
BGlobe. Bush aims to unsettle Kerry
AP. Pressure mounts for Rice to testify
DetFP. Clarke tells White House to declassify his e-mails
ChicST. GOP allies press Rice to testify publicly on 9/11
Commentary
Philip J. Trounstine. Bush's press slaves: It's time for the Washington press corps to probe candidate Bush just as enthusiastically as they have John Kerry
James Pinkerton. Shooting the messenger: Conservatives should hail former counterterrorism chief Richard Clarke, but instead they're smearing him
Kirk Bowman. Beach Blanket Bushy; The president's support is declining in the really deep South
Jules Witcover. Kerry up, Bush down in seesaw campaign
Tom Maertens. Clarke's public service
Seattle PI. Head Start, as is
Dan Carpenter. Making the poor the point
EJ Dionne JR. Bush lacks remorse for 9/11
Ronald Brownstein. Discrediting Clarke Won't Stop the Debate He Helped Start
Sheryl McCarthy. The casualties of Iraq include GI suicides
AJC. Sentencing discrepancy impossible to overlook
AJC. Optimism absent from energy bill
Posted by Eric at 11:29 PM | Comments (9)
Monday Stories
AP. Cheney tackles Kerry's plans to cut taxes
USAT. Gas prices continue to climb; Prices go up another 3 cents to a record-high average of $1.80 per gallon; demand likely to remain high
Guardian. Pentagon counts the psychological cost of Iraq war as survey reveals suicide levels
USAT. Talk radio's dial will get a turn to the left
Reuters. Bush slammed for leading US down 'dead-end'
Transcript. Condoleezza Rice on '60 Minutes'
LAT. Campaign Gold Awaits Kerry in California Visit
LAT. Immigrant Paperwork Delays Grow
LAT. U.S. Shutters Iraqi Newspaper
AP. Commission bears down on Rice to testify
CNN. Rice: 'Nothing to hide' from 9/11 commission
BGlobe. Kerry urges Rice to testify on 9/11
BGlobe. Bush aims to unsettle Kerry
AP. Pressure mounts for Rice to testify
DetFP. Clarke tells White House to declassify his e-mails
ChicST. GOP allies press Rice to testify publicly on 9/11
Commentary
Philip J. Trounstine. Bush's press slaves: It's time for the Washington press corps to probe candidate Bush just as enthusiastically as they have John Kerry
James Pinkerton. Shooting the messenger: Conservatives should hail former counterterrorism chief Richard Clarke, but instead they're smearing him
Kirk Bowman. Beach Blanket Bushy; The president's support is declining in the really deep South
Jules Witcover. Kerry up, Bush down in seesaw campaign
Tom Maertens. Clarke's public service
Seattle PI. Head Start, as is
Dan Carpenter. Making the poor the point
EJ Dionne JR. Bush lacks remorse for 9/11
Ronald Brownstein. Discrediting Clarke Won't Stop the Debate He Helped Start
Sheryl McCarthy. The casualties of Iraq include GI suicides
AJC. Sentencing discrepancy impossible to overlook
AJC. Optimism absent from energy bill
Posted by Eric at 11:29 PM | Comments (12)
Franken - Howard Stern
Al's scheduled to appear on the Howard Stern Radio Show tomorrow.
Posted by Eric at 06:17 PM | Comments (13)
Franken - Howard Stern
Al's scheduled to appear on the Howard Stern Radio Show tomorrow.
Posted by Eric at 06:17 PM | Comments (6)
Hamster Numbers: Social Justice
-National Urban League.
Posted by Eric at 06:07 AM | Comments (4)
Hamster Numbers: Social Justice
-National Urban League.
Posted by Eric at 06:07 AM | Comments (3)
Comedy Monday
"At a speech yesterday at the Reagan Library, Dick Cheney says John Kerry doesn't have the judgment to be president. And Cheney's seen firsthand what can happen when a guy doesn't have the judgment to be president." Jay Leno
"Richard Clarke says the White House ignored warnings about al- Qaida before 9/11 and rushed to war in Iraq. In response, the Bush administration revealed to the news media that Clarke's wife works for the CIA." Jake Novak
"Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia said there was no conflict of interest in going hunting with his friend Dick Cheney. Some people find this hard to believe. How could Dick Cheney have a friend?" Rob Bates
"Three different women on the show have done that to me now. Flashed me. First there was Drew Barrymore. Of course, Courtney Love. And historian Doris Kearns Goodwin, oddly enough." David Letterman
"The White House announced that it's sending a company of troops to Kosovo. So far we have sent American troops to Afghanistan, Haiti, Iraq and now Kosovo. President Bush says the goal is to send as many soldiers overseas as we have jobs." Jay Leno
Feel the magic of the Virtual Stapler!
Strongbad Email - Flashback!
Fark: Photoshop Bill O'Reilly doing something unlikely
TheOnion.com: Bush Urges Iraqis To Pass Amendment Banning Gay Marriage
BAGHDAD—In a private meeting with Mohammed Bahr al-Ulloum, President Bush urged the Iraqi Governing Council president to amend the recently ratified Iraqi constitution to protect the sanctity of heterosexual marriage. "The Iraqi constitution, signed just a few short weeks ago, will usher in a new era of democratic freedom in Iraq," Bush said. "But there are some unlawful and unholy acts that the constitution's original drafters could not have possibly intended to protect." Bush then told al-Ulloum he must act quickly and decisively to preserve his country's most sacred tradition.
Chappelle's Show
Fun at Kneehigh Park! Hey Kids! Welcome to Kneehigh Park! Life's tough when you live in a garbage can and have a syringe lodged in your head.
Click down for comics
Posted by Eric at 05:57 AM | Comments (6)
Comedy Monday
"At a speech yesterday at the Reagan Library, Dick Cheney says John Kerry doesn't have the judgment to be president. And Cheney's seen firsthand what can happen when a guy doesn't have the judgment to be president." Jay Leno
"Richard Clarke says the White House ignored warnings about al- Qaida before 9/11 and rushed to war in Iraq. In response, the Bush administration revealed to the news media that Clarke's wife works for the CIA." Jake Novak
"Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia said there was no conflict of interest in going hunting with his friend Dick Cheney. Some people find this hard to believe. How could Dick Cheney have a friend?" Rob Bates
"Three different women on the show have done that to me now. Flashed me. First there was Drew Barrymore. Of course, Courtney Love. And historian Doris Kearns Goodwin, oddly enough." David Letterman
"The White House announced that it's sending a company of troops to Kosovo. So far we have sent American troops to Afghanistan, Haiti, Iraq and now Kosovo. President Bush says the goal is to send as many soldiers overseas as we have jobs." Jay Leno
Feel the magic of the Virtual Stapler!
Strongbad Email - Flashback!
Fark: Photoshop Bill O'Reilly doing something unlikely
TheOnion.com: Bush Urges Iraqis To Pass Amendment Banning Gay Marriage
BAGHDAD—In a private meeting with Mohammed Bahr al-Ulloum, President Bush urged the Iraqi Governing Council president to amend the recently ratified Iraqi constitution to protect the sanctity of heterosexual marriage. "The Iraqi constitution, signed just a few short weeks ago, will usher in a new era of democratic freedom in Iraq," Bush said. "But there are some unlawful and unholy acts that the constitution's original drafters could not have possibly intended to protect." Bush then told al-Ulloum he must act quickly and decisively to preserve his country's most sacred tradition.
Chappelle's Show
Fun at Kneehigh Park! Hey Kids! Welcome to Kneehigh Park! Life's tough when you live in a garbage can and have a syringe lodged in your head.
Click down for comics
Posted by Eric at 05:57 AM | Comments (5)
Rice Lies on "60 Minutes"
From the good people at The Center for American Progress:
FACT CHECK: Condi Rice's 60 Minutes Interview, 3/28/04National Security Adviser Condoleezza Rice appeared on CBS's 60 Minutes in an effort to quell growing questions surrounding the Administration's inconsistent claims about its pre-9/11 actions. Not only did Rice refuse to take Richard Clarke's lead and admit responsibility for her role in the worst national security failure in American history, but she continued to make unsubstantiated and contradictory assertions:
RICE CLAIM: "The administration took seriously the threat" of terrorism before 9/11.
FACTS: President Bush himself acknowledges that, despite repeated warnings of an imminent Al Qaeda attack, before 9/11 "I didn't feel the sense of urgency" about terrorism. Similarly, Newsweek reports that his attitude was reflected throughout an Administration that was trying to "de-emphasize terrorism" as an overall priority. As proof, just two of the hundred national security meetings the Administration held during this period addressed the terrorist threat, and the White House refused to hold even one meeting of its highly-touted counterterrorism task force. Meanwhile, the Administration was actively trying to cut funding for counterterrorism, and "vetoed a request to divert $800 million from missile defense into counterterrorism" despite a serious increase in terrorist chatter in the summer of 2001.
Source: "Bush At War" by Bob Woodward
Source: Newsweek & vetoed request - link
Source: Refusal to hold task force meeting - link
Source: Only two meetings out of 100 - linkRICE CLAIM: "I don't know what a sense of urgency any greater than the one we had would have caused us to do anything differently. I don't know how...we could have done more. I would like very much to know what more could have been done?"
FACTS: There are many things that could have been done: first and foremost, the Administration could have desisted from de-emphasizing and cutting funding for counterterrorism in the months before 9/11. It could have held more meetings of top principals to get the directors of the CIA and FBI to share information, especially considering the major intelligence spike occurring in the summer of 2001. As 9/11 Commissioner Jamie Gorelick said on ABC this morning, the lack of focus and meetings meant agencies were not talking to each other, and key evidence was overlooked. For instance, with better focus and more urgency, the FBI's discovery of Islamic radicals training at flight schools might have raised red flags. Similarly, the fact that "months before Sept. 11, the CIA knew two of the al-Qaeda hijackers were in the United States" could have spurred a nationwide manhunt. But because there was no focus or urgency, "No nationwide manhunt was undertaken," said Gorelick. "The State Department watch list was not given to the FAA. If you brought people together, perhaps key connections could have been made."
Source: Slash counterterrorism funding - link
Source: CIA knew 2 hijackers in the U.S. - linkRICE CLAIM:“Nothing would be better from my point of view than to be able to testify, but there is an important principle involved here it is a longstanding principle that sitting national security advisors do not testify before the Congress.”
FACTS: Republican Commission John F. Lehman, who served as Navy Secretary under President Reagan said on ABC this morning that "This is not testimony before a tribunal of the Congress…There are plenty of precedents for appearing in public and answering questions…There are plenty of precedents the White House could use if they wanted to do this.” 9/11 Commissioner Jamie Gorelick agreed, saying “Our commission is sui generis…the Chairman has been appointed by the President. We are distinguishable from Congress.” Rice's remarks on 60 Minutes that the principle is limited to "sitting national security advisers" is also a departure from her statements earlier this week, when she said the principle applied to all presidential advisers. She was forced to change this claim for 60 Minutes after 9/11 Commissioner Richard Ben-Veniste “cited examples of non-Cabinet presidential advisers who have testified publicly to Congress." Finally, the White House is reportedly moving to declassify congressional testimony then-White House adviser Richard Clarke gave in 2002. By declassifying this testimony, the White House is breaking the very same "principle" of barring White House adviser's testimony from being public that Rice is using to avoid appearing publicly before the 9/11 commission.
Source: Quote from Tony Snow Show - link
RICE CLAIM: "Iraq was put aside" immediately after 9/11.
FACTS: According to the Washington Post, "six days after the attacks on the World Trade Center the Pentagon, President Bush signed a 2-and-a-half-page document" that "directed the Pentagon to begin planning military options for an invasion of Iraq." This is corroborated by a CBS News, which reported on 9/4/02 that five hours after the 9/11 attacks, "Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld was telling his aides to come up with plans for striking Iraq." The President therefore did not put Iraq aside -- he merely deferred it to a second phase, after Afghanistan. To the question of Iraq or Afghanistan, Bush replied: let's do both, starting with Afghanistan. In terms of resources, the Iraq decision had far-reaching effects on the efforts to hunt down Al Qaeda in Afghanistan. As the Boston Globe reported, "the Bush administration is continuing to shift highly specialized intelligence officers from the hunt for Al Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden in Afghanistan to the Iraq crisis."
Source: September 17th directive - link
Source: Rumsfeld orders Iraq plan - link
Source: Shifting special forces - link
Posted by Eric at 02:43 AM | Comments (36)
Rice Lies on "60 Minutes"
From the good people at The Center for American Progress:
FACT CHECK: Condi Rice's 60 Minutes Interview, 3/28/04National Security Adviser Condoleezza Rice appeared on CBS's 60 Minutes in an effort to quell growing questions surrounding the Administration's inconsistent claims about its pre-9/11 actions. Not only did Rice refuse to take Richard Clarke's lead and admit responsibility for her role in the worst national security failure in American history, but she continued to make unsubstantiated and contradictory assertions:
RICE CLAIM: "The administration took seriously the threat" of terrorism before 9/11.
FACTS: President Bush himself acknowledges that, despite repeated warnings of an imminent Al Qaeda attack, before 9/11 "I didn't feel the sense of urgency" about terrorism. Similarly, Newsweek reports that his attitude was reflected throughout an Administration that was trying to "de-emphasize terrorism" as an overall priority. As proof, just two of the hundred national security meetings the Administration held during this period addressed the terrorist threat, and the White House refused to hold even one meeting of its highly-touted counterterrorism task force. Meanwhile, the Administration was actively trying to cut funding for counterterrorism, and "vetoed a request to divert $800 million from missile defense into counterterrorism" despite a serious increase in terrorist chatter in the summer of 2001.
Source: "Bush At War" by Bob Woodward
Source: Newsweek & vetoed request - link
Source: Refusal to hold task force meeting - link
Source: Only two meetings out of 100 - linkRICE CLAIM: "I don't know what a sense of urgency any greater than the one we had would have caused us to do anything differently. I don't know how...we could have done more. I would like very much to know what more could have been done?"
FACTS: There are many things that could have been done: first and foremost, the Administration could have desisted from de-emphasizing and cutting funding for counterterrorism in the months before 9/11. It could have held more meetings of top principals to get the directors of the CIA and FBI to share information, especially considering the major intelligence spike occurring in the summer of 2001. As 9/11 Commissioner Jamie Gorelick said on ABC this morning, the lack of focus and meetings meant agencies were not talking to each other, and key evidence was overlooked. For instance, with better focus and more urgency, the FBI's discovery of Islamic radicals training at flight schools might have raised red flags. Similarly, the fact that "months before Sept. 11, the CIA knew two of the al-Qaeda hijackers were in the United States" could have spurred a nationwide manhunt. But because there was no focus or urgency, "No nationwide manhunt was undertaken," said Gorelick. "The State Department watch list was not given to the FAA. If you brought people together, perhaps key connections could have been made."
Source: Slash counterterrorism funding - link
Source: CIA knew 2 hijackers in the U.S. - linkRICE CLAIM:“Nothing would be better from my point of view than to be able to testify, but there is an important principle involved here it is a longstanding principle that sitting national security advisors do not testify before the Congress.”
FACTS: Republican Commission John F. Lehman, who served as Navy Secretary under President Reagan said on ABC this morning that "This is not testimony before a tribunal of the Congress…There are plenty of precedents for appearing in public and answering questions…There are plenty of precedents the White House could use if they wanted to do this.” 9/11 Commissioner Jamie Gorelick agreed, saying “Our commission is sui generis…the Chairman has been appointed by the President. We are distinguishable from Congress.” Rice's remarks on 60 Minutes that the principle is limited to "sitting national security advisers" is also a departure from her statements earlier this week, when she said the principle applied to all presidential advisers. She was forced to change this claim for 60 Minutes after 9/11 Commissioner Richard Ben-Veniste “cited examples of non-Cabinet presidential advisers who have testified publicly to Congress." Finally, the White House is reportedly moving to declassify congressional testimony then-White House adviser Richard Clarke gave in 2002. By declassifying this testimony, the White House is breaking the very same "principle" of barring White House adviser's testimony from being public that Rice is using to avoid appearing publicly before the 9/11 commission.
Source: Quote from Tony Snow Show - link
RICE CLAIM: "Iraq was put aside" immediately after 9/11.
FACTS: According to the Washington Post, "six days after the attacks on the World Trade Center the Pentagon, President Bush signed a 2-and-a-half-page document" that "directed the Pentagon to begin planning military options for an invasion of Iraq." This is corroborated by a CBS News, which reported on 9/4/02 that five hours after the 9/11 attacks, "Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld was telling his aides to come up with plans for striking Iraq." The President therefore did not put Iraq aside -- he merely deferred it to a second phase, after Afghanistan. To the question of Iraq or Afghanistan, Bush replied: let's do both, starting with Afghanistan. In terms of resources, the Iraq decision had far-reaching effects on the efforts to hunt down Al Qaeda in Afghanistan. As the Boston Globe reported, "the Bush administration is continuing to shift highly specialized intelligence officers from the hunt for Al Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden in Afghanistan to the Iraq crisis."
Source: September 17th directive - link
Source: Rumsfeld orders Iraq plan - link
Source: Shifting special forces - link
Posted by Eric at 02:43 AM | Comments (12)
March 28, 2004
Sunday Stories
AP. Violence across Iraq kills 20, including a U.S. Marine and a cameraman
AP. 2 British Guards Reported Shot in Iraq
SFC. When the wedding bells stop ringing; From heartfelt gifts and unexpected support to stony silence, newlyweds return home to a wide range of reactions
SFC. Outsourced UCSF notes highlight privacy risk; How one offshore worker sent tremor through medical system
LAT. FBI files on Kerry reported stolen
WP. Rwandans Are Struggling To Love Children of Hate
WP. Bush's Efforts to Offset Clarke Stymied; Republicans Say Administration Struggling for Momentum After Ex-Aide's Assertions
WP. U.S. Plan Seeks to Build Civilian-Run Iraqi Army: Prospective Leaders Being Trained in Washington
NYT. 9/11 Panel Provokes a Discussion the White House Hoped to Avoid
NYT. Virginia Political Shocker: Republicans for High Taxes
NYT. Plan to Battle AIDS Worldwide Is Falling Short
LAT. Chipping Away at Loyalty in Bush Country; President still has strong support in conservative bastion, but 9/11 has also introduced doubt
Knight Ridder. Kerry assails attacks on Sept. 11 testimony
ChicST. Earlier Clarke testimony may be declassified
honoluluadvertiser. Nisei soldiers hailed for 'showing us the true meaning of courage'
Commentary
NYT. QUESTIONS FOR HANS BLIX: What Weapons?
Thomas Oliphant. Did Clarke's zeal backfire?
Jimmy Breslin. Rice keeps door closed to the public
Dan Inouye. Is 'No Child Left Behind' law best way to help student achievement?
Posted by Eric at 11:59 PM | Comments (13)
Sunday Stories
AP. Violence across Iraq kills 20, including a U.S. Marine and a cameraman
AP. 2 British Guards Reported Shot in Iraq
SFC. When the wedding bells stop ringing; From heartfelt gifts and unexpected support to stony silence, newlyweds return home to a wide range of reactions
SFC. Outsourced UCSF notes highlight privacy risk; How one offshore worker sent tremor through medical system
LAT. FBI files on Kerry reported stolen
WP. Rwandans Are Struggling To Love Children of Hate
WP. Bush's Efforts to Offset Clarke Stymied; Republicans Say Administration Struggling for Momentum After Ex-Aide's Assertions
WP. U.S. Plan Seeks to Build Civilian-Run Iraqi Army: Prospective Leaders Being Trained in Washington
NYT. 9/11 Panel Provokes a Discussion the White House Hoped to Avoid
NYT. Virginia Political Shocker: Republicans for High Taxes
NYT. Plan to Battle AIDS Worldwide Is Falling Short
LAT. Chipping Away at Loyalty in Bush Country; President still has strong support in conservative bastion, but 9/11 has also introduced doubt
Knight Ridder. Kerry assails attacks on Sept. 11 testimony
ChicST. Earlier Clarke testimony may be declassified
honoluluadvertiser. Nisei soldiers hailed for 'showing us the true meaning of courage'
Commentary
NYT. QUESTIONS FOR HANS BLIX: What Weapons?
Thomas Oliphant. Did Clarke's zeal backfire?
Jimmy Breslin. Rice keeps door closed to the public
Dan Inouye. Is 'No Child Left Behind' law best way to help student achievement?
Posted by Eric at 11:59 PM | Comments (6)
Richard Clarke on MTP
Pretty good job, here's the transcript.
Posted by Eric at 05:03 PM | Comments (6)
Richard Clarke on MTP
Pretty good job, here's the transcript.
Posted by Eric at 05:03 PM | Comments (5)
Hamster Numbers: Software Jobs
From the Economic Policy Institute:
Software jobs, which pay some of the highest wages in America, have fallen sharply since 2000. These jobs have disappeared despite the fact that software sales to U.S. businesses in 2003 were up 4% over 2000. Comprehensive data on the number of U.S. software jobs that have moved overseas is hard to come by, but persuasive indirect evidence points towards the significant movement of software jobs to India (the most prominent of many countries to which U.S. software work is being moved) ... Domestic software-related jobs, however measured, have declined significantly in recent years. U.S. jobs in software-producing industries declined by 128,000 (10%) between 2000 and 2004, while jobs in software occupations shrank by 154,000 (5%) from 2000 to 2002 (the last year data were available).
Posted by Eric at 07:05 AM | Comments (47)
Hamster Numbers: Software Jobs
From the Economic Policy Institute:
Software jobs, which pay some of the highest wages in America, have fallen sharply since 2000. These jobs have disappeared despite the fact that software sales to U.S. businesses in 2003 were up 4% over 2000. Comprehensive data on the number of U.S. software jobs that have moved overseas is hard to come by, but persuasive indirect evidence points towards the significant movement of software jobs to India (the most prominent of many countries to which U.S. software work is being moved) ... Domestic software-related jobs, however measured, have declined significantly in recent years. U.S. jobs in software-producing industries declined by 128,000 (10%) between 2000 and 2004, while jobs in software occupations shrank by 154,000 (5%) from 2000 to 2002 (the last year data were available).
Posted by Eric at 07:05 AM | Comments (10)
Military Families Say Army Headed For Retention Problem
Caused, of course, by the Iraqi war, reports WP.
Posted by Eric at 07:03 AM | Comments (4)
Military Families Say Army Headed For Retention Problem
Caused, of course, by the Iraqi war, reports WP.
Posted by Eric at 07:03 AM | Comments (1)
March 27, 2004
Saturday Day Stories
Newsweek. Poll: Blow for Bush
NYT. Democrats Issue Threat to Block Court Nominees
AP. Study: Airports May Soon Be Overcrowded
AP. GOP Moves to Declassify Clarke Testimony
AP. Specter Waits for States on Gay Marriage
WP. GOP Wants Look At Clarke's Words; Frist Calls for Opening '02 Testimony To Explore 'Entirely Different Stories'
WP. Faulting EPA, D.C. Seeks $26 Million; Lead Problem Blamed on Federal Decisions
eastbayexpress. The AXT Way: Meet Xuan Wen Li. Fremont semiconductor firm AXT, Inc. poisoned him with arsenic, then fired him — just as it did with up to 500 other Chinese immigrants
NYT. Leaders of G.O.P. Try to Discredit a Critic of Bush
AP. Rice Discusses Terror, but Not Under Oath
NYT. Up to 16 Die in Gun Battles in Sunni Areas of Iraq
Commentary
MoveOn.org. Bush Administration MisleadsAbout Pre-9/11 Intelligence
David Donnelly. Industrial Money Laundry-ing
Kurt Vonnegut. False Advertising
Rep. Barbara Lee. Transparency Now
Craig Aaron. Bought and Paid For
Guardian. Interview: Richard Clarke
NJ Star-Ledger. No exemption for Rice
Buzzflash. David Cay Johnston, Author of "Perfectly Legal: The Covert Campaign to Rig Our Tax System to Benefit the Super Rich -- and Cheat Everybody Else"
Andrew Greeley. The Catholic factor: Will John Kerry's fellow Catholics turn out for him the way they did for the last JFK?
Susan Goldsmith. Fighting a Third World Menace; Big Pharma's greed didn't stop Children's Hospital's Dan Granoff from creating a meningitis vaccine for Africa's poor
Yogesh Rajkotia. Prescription For Change: Until there's drug-price control, the run to the northern border will be the rule
Posted by Eric at 11:57 PM | Comments (27)
Saturday Day Stories
Newsweek. Poll: Blow for Bush
NYT. Democrats Issue Threat to Block Court Nominees
AP. Study: Airports May Soon Be Overcrowded
AP. GOP Moves to Declassify Clarke Testimony
AP. Specter Waits for States on Gay Marriage
WP. GOP Wants Look At Clarke's Words; Frist Calls for Opening '02 Testimony To Explore 'Entirely Different Stories'
WP. Faulting EPA, D.C. Seeks $26 Million; Lead Problem Blamed on Federal Decisions
eastbayexpress. The AXT Way: Meet Xuan Wen Li. Fremont semiconductor firm AXT, Inc. poisoned him with arsenic, then fired him — just as it did with up to 500 other Chinese immigrants
NYT. Leaders of G.O.P. Try to Discredit a Critic of Bush
AP. Rice Discusses Terror, but Not Under Oath
NYT. Up to 16 Die in Gun Battles in Sunni Areas of Iraq
Commentary
MoveOn.org. Bush Administration MisleadsAbout Pre-9/11 Intelligence
David Donnelly. Industrial Money Laundry-ing
Kurt Vonnegut. False Advertising
Rep. Barbara Lee. Transparency Now
Craig Aaron. Bought and Paid For
Guardian. Interview: Richard Clarke
NJ Star-Ledger. No exemption for Rice
Buzzflash. David Cay Johnston, Author of "Perfectly Legal: The Covert Campaign to Rig Our Tax System to Benefit the Super Rich -- and Cheat Everybody Else"
Andrew Greeley. The Catholic factor: Will John Kerry's fellow Catholics turn out for him the way they did for the last JFK?
Susan Goldsmith. Fighting a Third World Menace; Big Pharma's greed didn't stop Children's Hospital's Dan Granoff from creating a meningitis vaccine for Africa's poor
Yogesh Rajkotia. Prescription For Change: Until there's drug-price control, the run to the northern border will be the rule
Posted by Eric at 11:57 PM | Comments (5)
Quote
"If the Bush administration had gone after Osama bin Laden with anything akin to the energy it is expending to discredit Richard Clarke, the story of America's response to terrorism might have been dramatically different." John Nichols.
Posted by Eric at 07:16 PM | Comments (20)
Quote
"If the Bush administration had gone after Osama bin Laden with anything akin to the energy it is expending to discredit Richard Clarke, the story of America's response to terrorism might have been dramatically different." John Nichols.
Posted by Eric at 07:16 PM | Comments (7)
GOP Funding Nader Run
Well geeee, why would Republicans want to fund the real deal lefty ideological run?! I'm sooo confused! Dallas Morning News:
Independent presidential candidate Ralph Nader is getting a little help from his friends – and from George W. Bush's friends.Because we all know Ben Stein is just a Naderite at heart.Nearly 10 percent of the Nader contributors who have given him at least $250 each have a history of supporting the Republican president, national GOP candidates or the party, according to computer-assisted review of financial records by The Dallas Morning News.
Among the new crop of Nader donors: actor and former Nixon speechwriter Ben Stein, Florida frozen-food magnate Jeno Paulucci and Pennsylvania oil company executive Terrence Jacobs. All have strong ties to the GOP.
Democrats have warned that Mr. Nader's entry in the race could help Mr. Bush by drawing votes from John Kerry. Some analysts say Mr. Nader's third-party candidacy four years ago siphoned off Democratic voters and cost Vice President Al Gore the White House.
"Republicans are well aware that Ralph Nader played a spoiler role in the 2000 election. And there is no reason why they wouldn't want to encourage and help him do so again in 2004," said Jano Cabrera, a spokesman for the Democrat National Committee.
Posted by Eric at 03:29 PM | Comments (8)
GOP Funding Nader Run
Well geeee, why would Republicans want to fund the real deal lefty ideological run?! I'm sooo confused! Dallas Morning News:
Independent presidential candidate Ralph Nader is getting a little help from his friends – and from George W. Bush's friends.Because we all know Ben Stein is just a Naderite at heart.Nearly 10 percent of the Nader contributors who have given him at least $250 each have a history of supporting the Republican president, national GOP candidates or the party, according to computer-assisted review of financial records by The Dallas Morning News.
Among the new crop of Nader donors: actor and former Nixon speechwriter Ben Stein, Florida frozen-food magnate Jeno Paulucci and Pennsylvania oil company executive Terrence Jacobs. All have strong ties to the GOP.
Democrats have warned that Mr. Nader's entry in the race could help Mr. Bush by drawing votes from John Kerry. Some analysts say Mr. Nader's third-party candidacy four years ago siphoned off Democratic voters and cost Vice President Al Gore the White House.
"Republicans are well aware that Ralph Nader played a spoiler role in the 2000 election. And there is no reason why they wouldn't want to encourage and help him do so again in 2004," said Jano Cabrera, a spokesman for the Democrat National Committee.
Posted by Eric at 03:29 PM | Comments (5)
Hamster Numbers: Uninsured
"Nearly 44 million Americans were uninsured during 2002, the Census Bureau estimates--almost a 6 percent increase over 2001. That’s more than 15 percent of the population. And those numbers tell only part of the story. Millions more Americans are uninsured for short time periods or have skimpy coverage with low benefit limits or high deductibles. Lifetime benefit limits of $1 million or less are quickly exhausted when catastrophic illness or injury occurs. Minority-group members, young adults, and people with modest incomes are much more likely to be uninsured than others. The National Academies’ Institute of Medicine has reported that lack of insurance often means people simply do not get care for serious medical conditions. Uninsured women with breast cancer, for example, are 30 to 50 percent more likely to die from it than are insured women." -Consumers Union
Posted by Eric at 01:09 AM | Comments (10)
Hamster Numbers: Uninsured
"Nearly 44 million Americans were uninsured during 2002, the Census Bureau estimates--almost a 6 percent increase over 2001. That’s more than 15 percent of the population. And those numbers tell only part of the story. Millions more Americans are uninsured for short time periods or have skimpy coverage with low benefit limits or high deductibles. Lifetime benefit limits of $1 million or less are quickly exhausted when catastrophic illness or injury occurs. Minority-group members, young adults, and people with modest incomes are much more likely to be uninsured than others. The National Academies’ Institute of Medicine has reported that lack of insurance often means people simply do not get care for serious medical conditions. Uninsured women with breast cancer, for example, are 30 to 50 percent more likely to die from it than are insured women." -Consumers Union
Posted by Eric at 01:09 AM | Comments (1)
Don King Helps Out GOP
In a Kerry bashing cartoon. Well, you gotta get the huge Don King vote somehow.
Posted by Eric at 01:00 AM | Comments (20)
Don King Helps Out GOP
In a Kerry bashing cartoon. Well, you gotta get the huge Don King vote somehow.
Posted by Eric at 01:00 AM | Comments (3)
March 26, 2004
Friday Stories
AP. Daschle: Bush aims to defame Clarke
NYT. Ex-Aide's Book Corners Market in Capital Buzz
AZ Rep. Bush visiting Phoenix today
AZ Rep. Ariz. lawmakers likely to push for federal gay marriage ban
AZ Rep. Math teacher takes up Dem challenge to McCain
AP. AG: SF officials violated separation of powers in gay marriages
Delaware State News. Minimum pay hike pitched: Wage would rise to $6.65
Clarion-Ledger. Pickering gives '60 Minutes' interview
SaltLakeTrib. GOP rivals put Walker in hot seat
DetFP. Soldiers get more help to cope with stresses of war
The Hill. Dean backs Kerry, urges younger voters to do same
The Hill. Dem complaints pay off with nine probes
AP. Conservatives Win Big With Fetus Bill
AP. FCC Adopts New Rules for Satellite TV
Houston Chron. Indictment threat on DeLay's mind
Guardian. Bush jokes about search for WMD, but it's no laughing matter for critics
BGlobe. Democratic VIPs boost Kerry, raise record $11m
BGlobe. Bush adds to coffers in Kerry's backyard
BGlobe. GOP greets Bush; so do 2 Democrats
SFC. Newsom wows 'em at bash in Washington
AP. Bush's joke about weapons of mass destruction draw criticism
NYT. Rice Is Agreeable to Return for More of 9/11 Panel's Queries
NYT. Kerry to Propose Eliminating a Tax Break on U.S. Companies' Overseas Profits
WP. Neither Silent Nor a Public Witness: Presidential Adviser Rice Becomes a 9/11 Focal Point as Contradictions Appear
WP. House Approves $2.4 Trillion Budget Plan: Resolution That Would Curb Spending Still Provides for Tax Reductions
Commentary
Jimmy Breslin. Only One Guy with Guts in the Bunch
Salon. Republicans for Kerry? After enduring a sustained offensive from conservatives, Republican moderates are quietly mounting a counterattack against Bush, DeLay & Co
Eric Boehlert. A former FBI translator told the 9/11 commission that the bureau had detailed information well before Sept. 11, 2001, that terrorists were likely to attack the U.S. with airplanes
Dennis Jett. Searching for Colin Powell: The real Powell Doctrine is self-interest as national interest
Thomas Geoghegan. John Kerry, international man of mystery? By wrecking the Western alliance, President Bush has paved the way for a President Kerry to rebuild it
David Corn. The 9/11 Bog
John Gartner. The Army's Chemical Weapons Conundrum
Bill Berkowitz. Will the Bush-endorsed anti-same-sex marriage amendment drive gays from the GOP?
Trudy Rubin. Clarke is angry -- with plenty of reason
SFC. Save Haiti from its ills
James O. Goldsborough. Nader A party of one
Steve Chapman. President Bush's big mistakes in the war on terrorism
Paul Krugman. The Medicare Muddle
Bob Herbert. The Wrong War
NYT. The Wrong Target
E. J. Dionne Jr. Democracy's Revenge
Derrick Z. Jackson. A fatal distraction
BGlobe. A law left behind
AJC. Rice should testify before panel
Posted by Eric at 11:59 PM | Comments (23)
Friday Stories
AP. Daschle: Bush aims to defame Clarke
NYT. Ex-Aide's Book Corners Market in Capital Buzz
AZ Rep. Bush visiting Phoenix today
AZ Rep. Ariz. lawmakers likely to push for federal gay marriage ban
AZ Rep. Math teacher takes up Dem challenge to McCain
AP. AG: SF officials violated separation of powers in gay marriages
Delaware State News. Minimum pay hike pitched: Wage would rise to $6.65
Clarion-Ledger. Pickering gives '60 Minutes' interview
SaltLakeTrib. GOP rivals put Walker in hot seat
DetFP. Soldiers get more help to cope with stresses of war
The Hill. Dean backs Kerry, urges younger voters to do same
The Hill. Dem complaints pay off with nine probes
AP. Conservatives Win Big With Fetus Bill
AP. FCC Adopts New Rules for Satellite TV
Houston Chron. Indictment threat on DeLay's mind
Guardian. Bush jokes about search for WMD, but it's no laughing matter for critics
BGlobe. Democratic VIPs boost Kerry, raise record $11m
BGlobe. Bush adds to coffers in Kerry's backyard
BGlobe. GOP greets Bush; so do 2 Democrats
SFC. Newsom wows 'em at bash in Washington
AP. Bush's joke about weapons of mass destruction draw criticism
NYT. Rice Is Agreeable to Return for More of 9/11 Panel's Queries
NYT. Kerry to Propose Eliminating a Tax Break on U.S. Companies' Overseas Profits
WP. Neither Silent Nor a Public Witness: Presidential Adviser Rice Becomes a 9/11 Focal Point as Contradictions Appear
WP. House Approves $2.4 Trillion Budget Plan: Resolution That Would Curb Spending Still Provides for Tax Reductions
Commentary
Jimmy Breslin. Only One Guy with Guts in the Bunch
Salon. Republicans for Kerry? After enduring a sustained offensive from conservatives, Republican moderates are quietly mounting a counterattack against Bush, DeLay & Co
Eric Boehlert. A former FBI translator told the 9/11 commission that the bureau had detailed information well before Sept. 11, 2001, that terrorists were likely to attack the U.S. with airplanes
Dennis Jett. Searching for Colin Powell: The real Powell Doctrine is self-interest as national interest
Thomas Geoghegan. John Kerry, international man of mystery? By wrecking the Western alliance, President Bush has paved the way for a President Kerry to rebuild it
David Corn. The 9/11 Bog
John Gartner. The Army's Chemical Weapons Conundrum
Bill Berkowitz. Will the Bush-endorsed anti-same-sex marriage amendment drive gays from the GOP?
Trudy Rubin. Clarke is angry -- with plenty of reason
SFC. Save Haiti from its ills
James O. Goldsborough. Nader A party of one
Steve Chapman. President Bush's big mistakes in the war on terrorism
Paul Krugman. The Medicare Muddle
Bob Herbert. The Wrong War
NYT. The Wrong Target
E. J. Dionne Jr. Democracy's Revenge
Derrick Z. Jackson. A fatal distraction
BGlobe. A law left behind
AJC. Rice should testify before panel
Posted by Eric at 11:59 PM | Comments (6)
Kerry Promises 10 Million Jobs
From a speech in Detroit, Michigan:
Last August, I proposed a new jobs credit that would give manufacturers a break on the payroll taxes for every new worker they hire. I believe we should expand it to industries outside manufacturing where jobs are endangered by outsourcing – so that we help create more jobs, whether it comes to cars or computer software or call centers.More on John Kerry's jobs proposal.Second, the savings from ending the tax incentives for outsourcing can also expand jobs tax credit to cover all small businesses and their employees. For most small business owners, that means that if they create jobs, they will pay lower taxes in a Kerry Administration than they do under President Bush.
Third, savings can finance a 25% tax credit for small businesses when they provide health care for their workers. The rise in health care costs under this Administration has hit everyone hard, but no one harder than small business owners and their employees. As the Chair of the Small Business committee in the Senate, I saw again and again how small businesses can be the engine of job creation – and those jobs are the ones most likely to be created here and to stay here.
Fourth, if we are willing to close loopholes and abuses in our tax system, then we can afford to lower taxes in the right way to spur growth and jobs. With the savings I proposed today, we can and should reduce the corporate tax rates by 5% – to improve competitiveness and to narrow the difference between corporate tax rates here and overseas. Some may be surprised to hear a Democrat calling for lower corporate tax rates. The fact is, I don’t care about the old debates. I care about getting the job done and about creating jobs in America.
Finally, I won’t let America wage the fight for our economic future with one hand tied behind our back. No one should misunderstand me: I am not protectionist – but I am a competitor. American workers are the most competitive in the world – and they deserve a government that’s as competitive as they are. We will demand our trading partners play by the rules they’ve agreed to and show them that America means business when it comes to enforcing our trade agreements. The Bush Administration has refused to enforce our trade agreements. That not only costs jobs; over time, it threatens to erode support for open markets and a growing global economy. And it deprives us of one of the most important tools we have to safeguard our own workers and our environment – and to raise standards internationally.
Posted by Eric at 03:17 PM | Comments (47)
Kerry Promises 10 Million Jobs
From a speech in Detroit, Michigan:
Last August, I proposed a new jobs credit that would give manufacturers a break on the payroll taxes for every new worker they hire. I believe we should expand it to industries outside manufacturing where jobs are endangered by outsourcing – so that we help create more jobs, whether it comes to cars or computer software or call centers.More on John Kerry's jobs proposal.Second, the savings from ending the tax incentives for outsourcing can also expand jobs tax credit to cover all small businesses and their employees. For most small business owners, that means that if they create jobs, they will pay lower taxes in a Kerry Administration than they do under President Bush.
Third, savings can finance a 25% tax credit for small businesses when they provide health care for their workers. The rise in health care costs under this Administration has hit everyone hard, but no one harder than small business owners and their employees. As the Chair of the Small Business committee in the Senate, I saw again and again how small businesses can be the engine of job creation – and those jobs are the ones most likely to be created here and to stay here.
Fourth, if we are willing to close loopholes and abuses in our tax system, then we can afford to lower taxes in the right way to spur growth and jobs. With the savings I proposed today, we can and should reduce the corporate tax rates by 5% – to improve competitiveness and to narrow the difference between corporate tax rates here and overseas. Some may be surprised to hear a Democrat calling for lower corporate tax rates. The fact is, I don’t care about the old debates. I care about getting the job done and about creating jobs in America.
Finally, I won’t let America wage the fight for our economic future with one hand tied behind our back. No one should misunderstand me: I am not protectionist – but I am a competitor. American workers are the most competitive in the world – and they deserve a government that’s as competitive as they are. We will demand our trading partners play by the rules they’ve agreed to and show them that America means business when it comes to enforcing our trade agreements. The Bush Administration has refused to enforce our trade agreements. That not only costs jobs; over time, it threatens to erode support for open markets and a growing global economy. And it deprives us of one of the most important tools we have to safeguard our own workers and our environment – and to raise standards internationally.
Posted by Eric at 03:17 PM | Comments (13)
Other Funny Bush Joke
Remember this one?
Bush, in the weeks before September 11, pledged to honor the sanctity of the Social Security lockbox except in the event of recession, war, or a national emergency. But after "everything changed" on 9/11, he reportedly gloated to his budget director, Mitch Daniels, "Lucky me--I hit the trifecta!" At the time, this comment (a variation of which is being recycled for laughs at current GOP fundraisers) seemed merely offensive. But in light of revelations that Bush's August 6 briefing memo was titled "Bin Laden Determined to Strike U.S.," Bush's "luck" and weird prescience are worth more than passing scrutiny.
Posted by Eric at 03:12 PM | Comments (19)
Other Funny Bush Joke
Remember this one?
Bush, in the weeks before September 11, pledged to honor the sanctity of the Social Security lockbox except in the event of recession, war, or a national emergency. But after "everything changed" on 9/11, he reportedly gloated to his budget director, Mitch Daniels, "Lucky me--I hit the trifecta!" At the time, this comment (a variation of which is being recycled for laughs at current GOP fundraisers) seemed merely offensive. But in light of revelations that Bush's August 6 briefing memo was titled "Bin Laden Determined to Strike U.S.," Bush's "luck" and weird prescience are worth more than passing scrutiny.
Posted by Eric at 03:12 PM | Comments (8)
GOP Criticizes Herseth for Associating with Sites Like Hamster
As first noted by Daily Kos, GOPers are criticizing Stephanie Herseth for receiving donations from liberal blogs like this site. AP:
Republicans have accused Democratic U.S. House candidate Stephanie Herseth of maintaining a secret Web page to receive campaign donations raised from ads on liberal groups' Internet sites.Crap, I suck. =(But a Herseth campaign official scoffed at the charge, saying the Web page is not secret and can be found easily with a standard search of the Internet.
Herseth faces Republican Larry Diedrich in a June 1 special election to fill the vacancy left when Bill Janklow resigned as South Dakota's lone member of the U.S. House.
Jason Glodt, executive director of the South Dakota Republican Party, said the Herseth campaign arranged the special Internet donation site to prevent most South Dakotans from knowing about Herseth's relationship with such liberal groups.
The Herseth Web page takes campaign donations from people directed there from Internet sites called "blogs," which are online bulletin boards that feature journals, opinionated articles and messages.
"There's a reason she's got that secret site. She doesn't want to advertise the fact she's doing this," Glodt said Thursday.
"I think the real point is you judge a person by the friends they keep, and look where she's focusing her fund-raising efforts," Glodt said. "Anybody can look at these blogs and the content, and realize the values they are promoting are completely contradictory to the South Dakota values she purports to represent."
However, Herseth campaign spokesman Russ Levsen said that particular Internet page merely takes donations from people who find out about the campaign when they visit political blogs that feature Herseth ads.The "secret page", with about a dozen blogs listed. Crazy liberal Instapundit is listed too. Hm .."I would dispute the premise that it's secret because it's an open site on the Internet that anybody can get to," Levsen said.
The supposedly secret Web site is one of the first results when an Internet user does a standard search for the terms "blog" and "Herseth" on the Google search engine, Levsen said.
Most of the donations that result from ads on the blogs are for amounts of less than $50, Levsen said. "This is grass-roots politics."
Make a donation today, big or small, remember the .04 addition!
Posted by Eric at 10:55 AM | Comments (46)
GOP Criticizes Herseth for Associating with Sites Like Hamster
As first noted by Daily Kos, GOPers are criticizing Stephanie Herseth for receiving donations from liberal blogs like this site. AP:
Republicans have accused Democratic U.S. House candidate Stephanie Herseth of maintaining a secret Web page to receive campaign donations raised from ads on liberal groups' Internet sites.Crap, I suck. =(But a Herseth campaign official scoffed at the charge, saying the Web page is not secret and can be found easily with a standard search of the Internet.
Herseth faces Republican Larry Diedrich in a June 1 special election to fill the vacancy left when Bill Janklow resigned as South Dakota's lone member of the U.S. House.
Jason Glodt, executive director of the South Dakota Republican Party, said the Herseth campaign arranged the special Internet donation site to prevent most South Dakotans from knowing about Herseth's relationship with such liberal groups.
The Herseth Web page takes campaign donations from people directed there from Internet sites called "blogs," which are online bulletin boards that feature journals, opinionated articles and messages.
"There's a reason she's got that secret site. She doesn't want to advertise the fact she's doing this," Glodt said Thursday.
"I think the real point is you judge a person by the friends they keep, and look where she's focusing her fund-raising efforts," Glodt said. "Anybody can look at these blogs and the content, and realize the values they are promoting are completely contradictory to the South Dakota values she purports to represent."
However, Herseth campaign spokesman Russ Levsen said that particular Internet page merely takes donations from people who find out about the campaign when they visit political blogs that feature Herseth ads.The "secret page", with about a dozen blogs listed. Crazy liberal Instapundit is listed too. Hm .."I would dispute the premise that it's secret because it's an open site on the Internet that anybody can get to," Levsen said.
The supposedly secret Web site is one of the first results when an Internet user does a standard search for the terms "blog" and "Herseth" on the Google search engine, Levsen said.
Most of the donations that result from ads on the blogs are for amounts of less than $50, Levsen said. "This is grass-roots politics."
Make a donation today, big or small, remember the .04 addition!
Posted by Eric at 10:55 AM | Comments (16)
Military Families Not Amused
Good comedians know there's some material they shouldn't touch. Is Bush a good comedian? A funny guy? Well, some in the Washington press corps may think he is, but military families don't seem to think so. NY Daily News:
George Medina, 43, of Orange County, who lost a son in Iraq, heard about Bush's remarks when his outraged daughter, an Army sergeant, called him yesterday. "She was very upset," Medina said."This is disgraceful," Medina continued. "He doesn't think of all the families that are suffering. It's unbelievable, how this guy tries to run the country."
His 22-year-old son, Spec. Irving Medina, died Nov. 14 in Baghdad when an explosive device struck his convoy.
Charles Celestin, 28, of Coral Springs, Fla., and Irving Medina's brother-in-law, blasted the commander-in-chief's remarks.
"To be poking fun; it's just a travesty to the soldiers who lost their lives. I think it's disrespectful," he said ... The President's dinner act also bombed with Rep. Jerrold Nadler (D-Manhattan). "It's disgusting that during his little performance on stage, the President seemed to forget that people are dying in Iraq because of weapons of mass destruction he lied about," Nadler said.
Posted by Eric at 10:48 AM | Comments (24)
Military Families Not Amused
Good comedians know there's some material they shouldn't touch. Is Bush a good comedian? A funny guy? Well, some in the Washington press corps may think he is, but military families don't seem to think so. NY Daily News:
George Medina, 43, of Orange County, who lost a son in Iraq, heard about Bush's remarks when his outraged daughter, an Army sergeant, called him yesterday. "She was very upset," Medina said."This is disgraceful," Medina continued. "He doesn't think of all the families that are suffering. It's unbelievable, how this guy tries to run the country."
His 22-year-old son, Spec. Irving Medina, died Nov. 14 in Baghdad when an explosive device struck his convoy.
Charles Celestin, 28, of Coral Springs, Fla., and Irving Medina's brother-in-law, blasted the commander-in-chief's remarks.
"To be poking fun; it's just a travesty to the soldiers who lost their lives. I think it's disrespectful," he said ... The President's dinner act also bombed with Rep. Jerrold Nadler (D-Manhattan). "It's disgusting that during his little performance on stage, the President seemed to forget that people are dying in Iraq because of weapons of mass destruction he lied about," Nadler said.
Posted by Eric at 10:48 AM | Comments (16)
Hamster Number: Wages
From Center for American Progress and Moving Ideas.org:
The average wage of new jobs created this coming year is forecasted to be $35,855, significantly lower than the $43,629 average wage of those jobs lost between 2001-03.
The Bush Administration has helped keep wages down, opposing an increase in minimum wage and advocating cutting overtime for approximately 8 million workers.
Posted by Eric at 10:42 AM | Comments (10)
Hamster Number: Wages
From Center for American Progress and Moving Ideas.org:
The average wage of new jobs created this coming year is forecasted to be $35,855, significantly lower than the $43,629 average wage of those jobs lost between 2001-03.
The Bush Administration has helped keep wages down, opposing an increase in minimum wage and advocating cutting overtime for approximately 8 million workers.
Posted by Eric at 10:42 AM | Comments (11)
March 25, 2004
Thursday Stories
AP. Soldier Suicide Rate in Iraq Jumps
SacBee. U-turn urged in smog battle; State air regulators may soften a plan to reprogram big diesels to reduce pollution.
CNN. Bush officials: Saudi antiterrorism efforts much improved
AP. Bush Casts Kerry As Tax Raiser in TV Ad
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. Timber wolf comes off state's 'threatened' list
AP. N.C. Democrats out-raise GOP
StarTrib. Anti-Semitic incidents reached 5-year high in 2003
AP. Democrat abandons run to unseat Brownback
AP. Unborn Children Given New Status in Iowa
Fairbanks Daily News. Alaskans seek more money from firm for Valdez spill
CSM. Melting glaciers: unexpected boost to rising oceans
CSM. Guess who's coming to protest? A growing number of unlikely environmentalists are taking action where it matters most: at home
CSM. The Arnold Effect: Senate race tests his coattails
CSM. Bush, Kerry, and green differences
LAT. Fresno's GOP Mayor Balks at Schwarzenegger's Agenda
SFC. Families and friends of victims waiting for answers -- and accountability
AP. Bush targets himself and those elusive weapons of mass destruction at dinner
SFC. Clarke rejects attacks by GOP; STANDS BY STORY: Ex-aide embraced by families of 9/11 victims
AP. Pelosi says supports gay marriage, Newsom's action
WP. At Iraqi Port, Progress Is Matter of Perception; U.S. Role Disappoints Dockworkers
WP. Medicare Official Cites Cost Warning; White House Given Data, He Says
NYT. Democrats Arrange Rare Convergence of Party's Stars for Fund-Raiser
San Mateo CTimes. No Child Left Behind changes shot down
AP. ACLU, couples sue to uphold gay marriage
Reuters. Rice Accuses Clarke of Conflicting Stories
Reuters. EU Slaps Record Fine on Microsoft
Reuters. Bush Rejects Allegations by Former Aide Clarke
NYT. Supreme Court Hears Arguments on 'Under God' in Pledge
Commentary
AJC. EPA mustn't be industry lapdog
AJC. Allegations of Bush critic offer troubling view of Iraq
Peter Singer. Bush's Meandering Moral Compass
Marie Cocco. Military is limited in fighting terror
SFC. A credible Clarke
Ruth Rosen. Bush's female troubles
Farhad Manjoo. Thou shalt not make scientific progress
Thomas Schaller. Opportunity Costs: Why Bush doesn't want the public taking the opportunity to think about the costs of Iraq
Matt Bivens. New GOP Talking Points on Environment
Garance Franke-Ruta. Safety Numbers: President Bush says we're winning the war on terrorism. As with so many things, however, his math doesn't add up
Jeff Dubner. Demographic Derby: Former Clinton official Maria Echaveste discusses immigration reform, ethnicity in America, and the upcoming election
Matthew Yglesias. Counter Intelligence: After taking office, President Bush could have done more to stop al-Qaeda and terrorism. Here's why he didn't
Patrick Leahy. The Dawn of Micro Monitoring: its Promise, and its Challenges to Privacy and Security
Robert Dreyfuss. A New Folk Hero: Richard Clarke emerged from Wednesday's 9/11 hearings with his credibility and integrity intact
Paul Waldman. Bush's 9/11 Balloon is Punctured
Bill Press. Which Foreign Leaders Endorse Bush for Reelection?
Joel Connelly. Bush seems intent on clearcutting park funding
Suzanne Goldenberg. With election close, Bush will not risk putting pressure on Sharon
Toledo Blade. Obsessed on Iraq
Paul Knox. Please, no second term for the Iraq-obsessed Bush
Guardian. Enemies of the truth
Gail Sheehy. Four 9/11 Moms Watch Rumsfeld And Grumble
Sandeep Kaushik. Will Howard Dean's Second Act Succeed?
Posted by Eric at 11:51 PM | Comments (36)
Thursday Stories
AP. Soldier Suicide Rate in Iraq Jumps
SacBee. U-turn urged in smog battle; State air regulators may soften a plan to reprogram big diesels to reduce pollution.
CNN. Bush officials: Saudi antiterrorism efforts much improved
AP. Bush Casts Kerry As Tax Raiser in TV Ad
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. Timber wolf comes off state's 'threatened' list
AP. N.C. Democrats out-raise GOP
StarTrib. Anti-Semitic incidents reached 5-year high in 2003
AP. Democrat abandons run to unseat Brownback
AP. Unborn Children Given New Status in Iowa
Fairbanks Daily News. Alaskans seek more money from firm for Valdez spill
CSM. Melting glaciers: unexpected boost to rising oceans
CSM. Guess who's coming to protest? A growing number of unlikely environmentalists are taking action where it matters most: at home
CSM. The Arnold Effect: Senate race tests his coattails
CSM. Bush, Kerry, and green differences
LAT. Fresno's GOP Mayor Balks at Schwarzenegger's Agenda
SFC. Families and friends of victims waiting for answers -- and accountability
AP. Bush targets himself and those elusive weapons of mass destruction at dinner
SFC. Clarke rejects attacks by GOP; STANDS BY STORY: Ex-aide embraced by families of 9/11 victims
AP. Pelosi says supports gay marriage, Newsom's action
WP. At Iraqi Port, Progress Is Matter of Perception; U.S. Role Disappoints Dockworkers
WP. Medicare Official Cites Cost Warning; White House Given Data, He Says
NYT. Democrats Arrange Rare Convergence of Party's Stars for Fund-Raiser
San Mateo CTimes. No Child Left Behind changes shot down
AP. ACLU, couples sue to uphold gay marriage
Reuters. Rice Accuses Clarke of Conflicting Stories
Reuters. EU Slaps Record Fine on Microsoft
Reuters. Bush Rejects Allegations by Former Aide Clarke
NYT. Supreme Court Hears Arguments on 'Under God' in Pledge
Commentary
AJC. EPA mustn't be industry lapdog
AJC. Allegations of Bush critic offer troubling view of Iraq
Peter Singer. Bush's Meandering Moral Compass
Marie Cocco. Military is limited in fighting terror
SFC. A credible Clarke
Ruth Rosen. Bush's female troubles
Farhad Manjoo. Thou shalt not make scientific progress
Thomas Schaller. Opportunity Costs: Why Bush doesn't want the public taking the opportunity to think about the costs of Iraq
Matt Bivens. New GOP Talking Points on Environment
Garance Franke-Ruta. Safety Numbers: President Bush says we're winning the war on terrorism. As with so many things, however, his math doesn't add up
Jeff Dubner. Demographic Derby: Former Clinton official Maria Echaveste discusses immigration reform, ethnicity in America, and the upcoming election
Matthew Yglesias. Counter Intelligence: After taking office, President Bush could have done more to stop al-Qaeda and terrorism. Here's why he didn't
Patrick Leahy. The Dawn of Micro Monitoring: its Promise, and its Challenges to Privacy and Security
Robert Dreyfuss. A New Folk Hero: Richard Clarke emerged from Wednesday's 9/11 hearings with his credibility and integrity intact
Paul Waldman. Bush's 9/11 Balloon is Punctured
Bill Press. Which Foreign Leaders Endorse Bush for Reelection?
Joel Connelly. Bush seems intent on clearcutting park funding
Suzanne Goldenberg. With election close, Bush will not risk putting pressure on Sharon
Toledo Blade. Obsessed on Iraq
Paul Knox. Please, no second term for the Iraq-obsessed Bush
Guardian. Enemies of the truth
Gail Sheehy. Four 9/11 Moms Watch Rumsfeld And Grumble
Sandeep Kaushik. Will Howard Dean's Second Act Succeed?
Posted by Eric at 11:51 PM | Comments (7)
Lame Bush
From Political Wire and CAP:
"Had I known that the enemy was going to use airplanes to strike America, to attack us, I would have used every resource, every asset, every power of this government to protect the American people." Bush. AP
"on August 6th [2001], [Bush] received a one-and-a-half page briefing advising him that Osama bin Laden was capable of a major strike against the US, and that the plot could include the hijacking of an American airplane." NBC News, 9/10/02
"U.S. and Italian officials were warned in July 2001 that Islamic terrorists might attempt to kill President Bush and other leaders by crashing an airliner into the Genoa summit of industrialized nations." The warning came at the same time "U.S. intelligence officials informed President Bush that bin Laden's terrorist network might try to hijack American planes." LA Times, 9/27/01; ABC News, 5/16/02
Posted by Eric at 06:44 PM | Comments (8)
Lame Bush
From Political Wire and CAP:
"Had I known that the enemy was going to use airplanes to strike America, to attack us, I would have used every resource, every asset, every power of this government to protect the American people." Bush. AP
"on August 6th [2001], [Bush] received a one-and-a-half page briefing advising him that Osama bin Laden was capable of a major strike against the US, and that the plot could include the hijacking of an American airplane." NBC News, 9/10/02
"U.S. and Italian officials were warned in July 2001 that Islamic terrorists might attempt to kill President Bush and other leaders by crashing an airliner into the Genoa summit of industrialized nations." The warning came at the same time "U.S. intelligence officials informed President Bush that bin Laden's terrorist network might try to hijack American planes." LA Times, 9/27/01; ABC News, 5/16/02
Posted by Eric at 06:44 PM | Comments (9)
Show Us the Jobs Blog
http://blog.showusthejobs.com/.
From the AFL-CIO.
Posted by Eric at 06:39 PM | Comments (9)
Show Us the Jobs Blog
http://blog.showusthejobs.com/.
From the AFL-CIO.
Posted by Eric at 06:39 PM | Comments (5)
Dem Fundraiser Says Bush Believed Iraq Main Threat
From Daniel Schorr in the CSM:
A Texas Democratic fundraiser, speaking not for attribution, told me about the lunch he recently had at the home of former President Clinton in the New York suburbs. Clinton recounted his last meeting with President Bush over coffee, just before the inauguration on Jan. 20, 2001.Well, then I guess the Bush war on terrorism is a success.
The outgoing president counseled his successor that he would face five challenges in the international arena - the Israeli- Palestinian conflict, the Al Qaeda terrorist threat, a nuclear-armed North Korea, the India-Pakistan confrontation, and the Saddam Hussein dictatorship in Iraq.Clinton was surprised at Bush's response. He said he disagreed with Clinton's order - that he considered Saddam Hussein to be the primary threat that he would have to deal with.
Posted by Eric at 05:57 PM | Comments (39)
Dem Fundraiser Says Bush Believed Iraq Main Threat
From Daniel Schorr in the CSM:
A Texas Democratic fundraiser, speaking not for attribution, told me about the lunch he recently had at the home of former President Clinton in the New York suburbs. Clinton recounted his last meeting with President Bush over coffee, just before the inauguration on Jan. 20, 2001.Well, then I guess the Bush war on terrorism is a success.
The outgoing president counseled his successor that he would face five challenges in the international arena - the Israeli- Palestinian conflict, the Al Qaeda terrorist threat, a nuclear-armed North Korea, the India-Pakistan confrontation, and the Saddam Hussein dictatorship in Iraq.Clinton was surprised at Bush's response. He said he disagreed with Clinton's order - that he considered Saddam Hussein to be the primary threat that he would have to deal with.
Posted by Eric at 05:57 PM | Comments (8)
Lobby to Your Mama
Who knew I've been spendin' all my GW life livin' in a lobbyist paradise?
Several lobbyists told The Associated Press they need to raise at least $10,000 when trying to get a freshman lawmaker to attend one of their events, $15,000 or more for veterans and at least $50,000 for a congressional committee chairman or leader.Yeaaa, I wish people would pay me to get educated.
Getting lawmakers to attend is the key reward for the lobbyists. And the longer they want the lawmaker to stay, the more money they're expected to raise.
The Independent Petroleum Association of America Wildcatters Fund plans a $500-a-person breakfast next week to raise money for Washington Rep. George Nethercutt, a Republican member of a House energy subcommittee who is trying to unseat Democratic Sen. Patty Murray.
"We're going to take every opportunity to educate members of Congress about the domestic energy industry," association spokesman Jeff Eshelman explained.
Posted by Eric at 05:10 PM | Comments (6)
Lobby to Your Mama
Who knew I've been spendin' all my GW life livin' in a lobbyist paradise?
Several lobbyists told The Associated Press they need to raise at least $10,000 when trying to get a freshman lawmaker to attend one of their events, $15,000 or more for veterans and at least $50,000 for a congressional committee chairman or leader.Yeaaa, I wish people would pay me to get educated.
Getting lawmakers to attend is the key reward for the lobbyists. And the longer they want the lawmaker to stay, the more money they're expected to raise.
The Independent Petroleum Association of America Wildcatters Fund plans a $500-a-person breakfast next week to raise money for Washington Rep. George Nethercutt, a Republican member of a House energy subcommittee who is trying to unseat Democratic Sen. Patty Murray.
"We're going to take every opportunity to educate members of Congress about the domestic energy industry," association spokesman Jeff Eshelman explained.
Posted by Eric at 05:10 PM | Comments (4)
Republicans Love the Troops
I guess, in their own special, lack-of-funding way. From the CAP's Progress Report:
The Army Times reports the conservative-dominated House Budget Committee "was determined March 17 to just say no when Democrats offered a slew of ways to improve military pay and benefits by cutting tax breaks for the wealthy." Conservatives on the committee rejected a proposal that would have provided "$1 billion for expanding health-care benefits for reservists and their families; $1 billion to improve military housing; $350 million for targeted pay raises for enlisted members; $141 million in danger pay and family separation allowance increases; $50 million to improve family support programs for reservists; $14 million for public schools near military bases that teach many military dependents."
Posted by Eric at 04:59 PM | Comments (48)
Republicans Love the Troops
I guess, in their own special, lack-of-funding way. From the CAP's Progress Report:
The Army Times reports the conservative-dominated House Budget Committee "was determined March 17 to just say no when Democrats offered a slew of ways to improve military pay and benefits by cutting tax breaks for the wealthy." Conservatives on the committee rejected a proposal that would have provided "$1 billion for expanding health-care benefits for reservists and their families; $1 billion to improve military housing; $350 million for targeted pay raises for enlisted members; $141 million in danger pay and family separation allowance increases; $50 million to improve family support programs for reservists; $14 million for public schools near military bases that teach many military dependents."
Posted by Eric at 04:59 PM | Comments (37)
Bin Laden: High Priority
Win a copy of Sean Hannity's latest book from the CAP!
Yesterday, on Hannity and Colmes, National Security Advisor Condoleezza Rice said "the assertion that somehow the Bush administration wasn't paying attention when we came into office is just false." But, despite Rice's comments, we were unable to find a single instance where Rice, Vice President Cheney or President Bush said "al Qaeda" or "bin Laden" in public between Bush Inauguration and 9/11. (The closest thing we could dig up – despite extensive searches on Nexis and the White House website – was a routine written extension of an executive order dealing with the Taliban.) During the same period, however, we were able to identify roughly 400 times that Rice, Cheney and Bush publicly mentioned "tax relief" or "tax cut." Prove you're better than the Progress Report! Send any instance of Rice, Cheney or Bush uttering the words "al Qaeda" or "bin Laden" in public between 1/20/01 and 9/10/01 to pr@americanprogress.org. The first person to submit a successful entry (which we can verify) will receive a free copy of "Deliver Us From Evil" by Fox News Anchor Sean Hannity signed by the members of the Progress Report team.
Posted by Eric at 04:32 PM | Comments (16)
Bin Laden: High Priority
Win a copy of Sean Hannity's latest book from the CAP!
Yesterday, on Hannity and Colmes, National Security Advisor Condoleezza Rice said "the assertion that somehow the Bush administration wasn't paying attention when we came into office is just false." But, despite Rice's comments, we were unable to find a single instance where Rice, Vice President Cheney or President Bush said "al Qaeda" or "bin Laden" in public between Bush Inauguration and 9/11. (The closest thing we could dig up – despite extensive searches on Nexis and the White House website – was a routine written extension of an executive order dealing with the Taliban.) During the same period, however, we were able to identify roughly 400 times that Rice, Cheney and Bush publicly mentioned "tax relief" or "tax cut." Prove you're better than the Progress Report! Send any instance of Rice, Cheney or Bush uttering the words "al Qaeda" or "bin Laden" in public between 1/20/01 and 9/10/01 to pr@americanprogress.org. The first person to submit a successful entry (which we can verify) will receive a free copy of "Deliver Us From Evil" by Fox News Anchor Sean Hannity signed by the members of the Progress Report team.
Posted by Eric at 04:32 PM | Comments (6)
Late Night TV
THE DAILY SHOW WITH JON STEWART, Comedy Central
We 3/24: Jamie Foxx
Th 3/25: Al Franken
Mo 3/29: Jennifer Beals
Tu 3/30: Helen Mirren
We 3/31: Karen Hughes
Th 4/1: Johnny Knoxville
Franken will also be on Conan, 4/1
Posted by Eric at 03:28 PM | Comments (18)
Late Night TV
THE DAILY SHOW WITH JON STEWART, Comedy Central
We 3/24: Jamie Foxx
Th 3/25: Al Franken
Mo 3/29: Jennifer Beals
Tu 3/30: Helen Mirren
We 3/31: Karen Hughes
Th 4/1: Johnny Knoxville
Franken will also be on Conan, 4/1
Posted by Eric at 03:28 PM | Comments (5)
Bush Misquotes Kerry Quote
From the people at Spinsanity.org:
During a March 6 interview with the New York Times, Kerry stated that "the final victory in the war on terror depends on a victory in the war of ideas, much more than the war on the battlefield. And the war - not the war, I don't want to use that terminology. The engagement of economies, the economic transformation, the transformation to modernity of a whole bunch of countries that have been avoiding the future."This, of course, isn't the only thing the Bush campaign is mischaracterizing about Kerry. Jonathan Alter:In context, it is clear that Kerry was referring to the "war of ideas" when he said he did not want to use the term war, which he then rephrased, describing it as "he engagement of economies, the economic transformation, the transformation to modernity."
Yet the White House has spun Kerry's comments to suggest that he was referring to the war on terror itself, as Columbia Journalism Review's Campaign Desk showed (disclosure: one of us works there). On March 11, for instance, President Bush stated that "my opponent indicated that he's not comfortable using the word 'war' to describe the struggle we're in. He said, 'I don't want to use that terminology." Both Bush and Vice President Dick Cheney have made this claim repeatedly in the last few weeks, ignoring the fact that Kerry repeatedly referred to the "war on terror" in the interview in question.
The Bush administration now has an old-fashioned credibility gap. If numbers are released saying that the economy is perking up, why should anyone believe them? After all, it counts hamburger flippers as manufacturing jobs. The context of the election only magnifies the issue. New Bush ads charge that Kerry wants to raise taxes by $900 billion. This is a made-up number; Kerry has no such proposal. But even if he did, voters would not be able to take the Bush campaign's word on it, because its word is no longer good.
Posted by Eric at 03:09 PM | Comments (17)
Bush Misquotes Kerry Quote
From the people at Spinsanity.org:
During a March 6 interview with the New York Times, Kerry stated that "the final victory in the war on terror depends on a victory in the war of ideas, much more than the war on the battlefield. And the war - not the war, I don't want to use that terminology. The engagement of economies, the economic transformation, the transformation to modernity of a whole bunch of countries that have been avoiding the future."This, of course, isn't the only thing the Bush campaign is mischaracterizing about Kerry. Jonathan Alter:In context, it is clear that Kerry was referring to the "war of ideas" when he said he did not want to use the term war, which he then rephrased, describing it as "he engagement of economies, the economic transformation, the transformation to modernity."
Yet the White House has spun Kerry's comments to suggest that he was referring to the war on terror itself, as Columbia Journalism Review's Campaign Desk showed (disclosure: one of us works there). On March 11, for instance, President Bush stated that "my opponent indicated that he's not comfortable using the word 'war' to describe the struggle we're in. He said, 'I don't want to use that terminology." Both Bush and Vice President Dick Cheney have made this claim repeatedly in the last few weeks, ignoring the fact that Kerry repeatedly referred to the "war on terror" in the interview in question.
The Bush administration now has an old-fashioned credibility gap. If numbers are released saying that the economy is perking up, why should anyone believe them? After all, it counts hamburger flippers as manufacturing jobs. The context of the election only magnifies the issue. New Bush ads charge that Kerry wants to raise taxes by $900 billion. This is a made-up number; Kerry has no such proposal. But even if he did, voters would not be able to take the Bush campaign's word on it, because its word is no longer good.
Posted by Eric at 03:09 PM | Comments (5)
Bush Gets Little Traction from Millions in Ads
From Daily Kos, this point about recent events:
Bush and company have sunk $18 million in ads, many of them anti-Kerry attack ads, in the past three weeks. And for all their trouble, they get what -- absolutely nothing? How could that be?Not to mention, Bush's '9-11: partisanship during non-partisan times' ad hurt more than helped.Really, given the swing in the past two days, we have two possible culprits. One, MoveOn and the Media Fund are countering the Bush ads, and while their ad buy is much smaller, it's still significant.
But we all know the real culprit. It's the reason the administration went after Clarke as hard as they did following his 60 Minutes appearance.
Kerry has stayed out of the mess, yet it is he who is benefitting the most. And with headlines tomorrow proclaiming, "Terrorism not urgent issue for Bush administration before Sept. 11, former adviser testifies", Bush has additional room to drop.
Posted by Eric at 01:24 PM | Comments (25)
Bush Gets Little Traction from Millions in Ads
From Daily Kos, this point about recent events:
Bush and company have sunk $18 million in ads, many of them anti-Kerry attack ads, in the past three weeks. And for all their trouble, they get what -- absolutely nothing? How could that be?Not to mention, Bush's '9-11: partisanship during non-partisan times' ad hurt more than helped.Really, given the swing in the past two days, we have two possible culprits. One, MoveOn and the Media Fund are countering the Bush ads, and while their ad buy is much smaller, it's still significant.
But we all know the real culprit. It's the reason the administration went after Clarke as hard as they did following his 60 Minutes appearance.
Kerry has stayed out of the mess, yet it is he who is benefitting the most. And with headlines tomorrow proclaiming, "Terrorism not urgent issue for Bush administration before Sept. 11, former adviser testifies", Bush has additional room to drop.
Posted by Eric at 01:24 PM | Comments (9)
Hey, Remember the 80s?
"I blame the entire Bush leadership for continuing to work on Cold War issues when they back in power in 2001. It was as though they were preserved in amber from when they left office eight years earlier. They came back. They wanted to work on the same issues right away: Iraq, Star Wars. Not new issues, the new threats that had developed over the preceding eight years." --Richard Clarke, on 60 Minutes
Posted by Eric at 12:34 PM | Comments (178)
Hey, Remember the 80s?
"I blame the entire Bush leadership for continuing to work on Cold War issues when they back in power in 2001. It was as though they were preserved in amber from when they left office eight years earlier. They came back. They wanted to work on the same issues right away: Iraq, Star Wars. Not new issues, the new threats that had developed over the preceding eight years." --Richard Clarke, on 60 Minutes
Posted by Eric at 12:34 PM | Comments (4)
Richard Clarke on Larry King Live
Transcript ....
KING: What do you make of Condoleezza Rice's actions through this? Her statements about you, the issuing today of an e-mail you sent her four days before 9/11, which seems to back up what she thinks. What's your overview of that?CLARKE: They're scrambling very hard at the White House. They've got a lot of people -- the vice president, the chief of staff, the national security director, the press secretary, the communication's director. They have five or six people running around doing talk shows and trying to refute me and trying to besmirch me. Larry, I said in the preface of this book, I knew before I wrote this book that the White House will let loose the dogs to attack me. That's what they're doing. That's what they did to Paul O'Neill when he told the truth and I come back to this point that all of this is to get us, rather than being on this show talking about the failures of the Bush administration, instead talking about the flack that they're throwing up every day.
Posted by Eric at 11:21 AM | Comments (16)
Richard Clarke on Larry King Live
Transcript ....
KING: What do you make of Condoleezza Rice's actions through this? Her statements about you, the issuing today of an e-mail you sent her four days before 9/11, which seems to back up what she thinks. What's your overview of that?CLARKE: They're scrambling very hard at the White House. They've got a lot of people -- the vice president, the chief of staff, the national security director, the press secretary, the communication's director. They have five or six people running around doing talk shows and trying to refute me and trying to besmirch me. Larry, I said in the preface of this book, I knew before I wrote this book that the White House will let loose the dogs to attack me. That's what they're doing. That's what they did to Paul O'Neill when he told the truth and I come back to this point that all of this is to get us, rather than being on this show talking about the failures of the Bush administration, instead talking about the flack that they're throwing up every day.
Posted by Eric at 11:21 AM | Comments (8)
Hamster Numbers: GOP Enviro Cuts
From the House Budget Committee's Democratic Staff:
House Republicans provided only $28.7 billion in discretionary funds in 2005, a cut of $1.5 billion (5.1 percent) from last year's level. Republicans unanimously voted against a Democratic amendment increasing
funding for clean air, safe drinking water, and conservation measures
by $2.2 billion in 2005.From 2005-2009, House Republicans provided 10.5 percent less than what is needed to maintain current services at the 2004 level. More noteworthy, their
funding levels in 2009 will still be $901 million below the 2004 enacted level. Simply stated, the Republican budget cuts the federal commitment to environmental protection.
Posted by Eric at 12:05 AM | Comments (19)
Hamster Numbers: GOP Enviro Cuts
From the House Budget Committee's Democratic Staff:
House Republicans provided only $28.7 billion in discretionary funds in 2005, a cut of $1.5 billion (5.1 percent) from last year's level. Republicans unanimously voted against a Democratic amendment increasing
funding for clean air, safe drinking water, and conservation measures
by $2.2 billion in 2005.From 2005-2009, House Republicans provided 10.5 percent less than what is needed to maintain current services at the 2004 level. More noteworthy, their
funding levels in 2009 will still be $901 million below the 2004 enacted level. Simply stated, the Republican budget cuts the federal commitment to environmental protection.
Posted by Eric at 12:05 AM | Comments (7)
Stop Tom 'The Exterminator' Delay From Poisoning the House
Receive dirt about the Right, Democratic House news, leadership quotes, quick links, and others. Sign up for the @Stake Activist
Posted by Eric at 12:01 AM | Comments (51)
Stop Tom 'The Exterminator' Delay From Poisoning the House
Receive dirt about the Right, Democratic House news, leadership quotes, quick links, and others. Sign up for the @Stake Activist
Posted by Eric at 12:01 AM | Comments (5)
March 24, 2004
Wed Stories
Birmingham News. Alabama State's top polluters cited; Watchdog group's report: Worst violators include Army Depot, Sloss
AP. M. Huffington gives $100K to Log Cabin GOP
New Haven Register. Lawmakers say Rowland has little support
Iowa City PC. Senate stops gay marriage measure
Portland PressH. Senate endorses Patriot Act 'review'
Oregonian. Key rules are eased to boost logging
AND. Arkansas gasoline may hit $2 a gallon, experts say
CBS. Michigan Aims To Stop Outsourcing
Pioneer Press. Panel gives 'no' to No Child law
AP. Poll: Bush, Kerry Even in New Mexico
BGlobe. Romney's national profile rises
WP. Charity Tied To DeLay Is Questioned; Group Asks Lawmakers To Demand Ethics Probe
WP. Democratic Spending Is Team Effort: Groups' Ads Level Field for Kerry
WP. Clarke to Testify on 9/11 Today; Author of Book Critical of Bush Bridged Two Administrations
The Hill. Bush takes offensive on Foster
The Hill. Tax hawks cooling to Norquist
The Hill. Two ethics groups dog DeLay charity: Democracy 21, Common Cause seek Hefley ruling
Editor and Publisher. Trudeau Ends Contest
Guardian. Powell denies ignoring 9/11 warnings
AP. Rumsfeld Certifies Need for Base Closures
AP. Bush Admin. Defends Its Free Trade Record
AP. AP Poll Shows Bush, Kerry in Close Race
TIME. The Medicare Mess: The Medicare bill backfires on the GOP
AP. Gay congressman speaks out against same-sex marriage ban
AP. Government leans toward stretching out power plant cleanup of mercury pollution
AP. Gasoline Prices Hit Record High
Commentary
Joe Conason. Richard Clarke terrorizes the White House
Jack Bass. That old-time "Southern strategy": How President Bush sent a message with his court appointments
Helen Thomas. Justifying invasion a full-time job
Danny Schechter. Stern's loose lips give Bush the slip
Newsday. On Iraq, listen to Clarke
Ronald Brownstein. Focus on Foe May Hurt Bush; The president has been busy going after Kerry, but history suggests that boosting his own approval rating is his real ticket to reelection
Miami Herald. Lost in election snafus: Voter confidence
Richard Roeper. By FCC standards, Oprah more dangerous than Stern
Derrick Z. Jackson. The forgotten victims of the war in Iraq
Robert Kuttner. Fix economy by targeting tax cheats
Boston Globe. Richard Clarke's warnings
Steve Perry. Karl Rove's Moment: How "Bush's Brain" hijacked Washington, D.C. and politics-as-usual
LCV. Bush Administration Anti-Clean Water Policies Threaten the Health of Waters, Americans Treasure
Democracy 21. Democracy 21 Sends Formal Complaint to Ethics Committee and All House Members Challenging Majority Leader DeLay's "Charity Scheme
Regis T. Sabol. The Ghost of 9/11 Rises
Frederick Sweet. Bush Creates National Security Catastrophe
Robert O. Boorstin. The Canary in the Coalmine
Campaign for America's Future. Bush Medicare Report Misleads
Miles Harvey. Welcome to Armageddon: A joint investigation by Salon and Rolling Stone reveals why the Bush administration hasn't found any weapons of mass destruction: It's looking in the wrong place
Mary Lynn F. Jones. Friendly Fire: A secretive, one-party government alienates everybody -- even Republicans on the Hill
John Nichols. When Rupert Murdoch Calls...
Mark David Agrast. The Federal Marriage Amendment: The Speech the President Should Have Given
Ehsan Ahrari. A War (At Any Cost) President
John Kerry. Bush and Cheney in the Tank
Posted by Eric at 11:30 PM | Comments (16)
Wed Stories
Birmingham News. Alabama State's top polluters cited; Watchdog group's report: Worst violators include Army Depot, Sloss
AP. M. Huffington gives $100K to Log Cabin GOP
New Haven Register. Lawmakers say Rowland has little support
Iowa City PC. Senate stops gay marriage measure
Portland PressH. Senate endorses Patriot Act 'review'
Oregonian. Key rules are eased to boost logging
AND. Arkansas gasoline may hit $2 a gallon, experts say
CBS. Michigan Aims To Stop Outsourcing
Pioneer Press. Panel gives 'no' to No Child law
AP. Poll: Bush, Kerry Even in New Mexico
BGlobe. Romney's national profile rises
WP. Charity Tied To DeLay Is Questioned; Group Asks Lawmakers To Demand Ethics Probe
WP. Democratic Spending Is Team Effort: Groups' Ads Level Field for Kerry
WP. Clarke to Testify on 9/11 Today; Author of Book Critical of Bush Bridged Two Administrations
The Hill. Bush takes offensive on Foster
The Hill. Tax hawks cooling to Norquist
The Hill. Two ethics groups dog DeLay charity: Democracy 21, Common Cause seek Hefley ruling
Editor and Publisher. Trudeau Ends Contest
Guardian. Powell denies ignoring 9/11 warnings
AP. Rumsfeld Certifies Need for Base Closures
AP. Bush Admin. Defends Its Free Trade Record
AP. AP Poll Shows Bush, Kerry in Close Race
TIME. The Medicare Mess: The Medicare bill backfires on the GOP
AP. Gay congressman speaks out against same-sex marriage ban
AP. Government leans toward stretching out power plant cleanup of mercury pollution
AP. Gasoline Prices Hit Record High
Commentary
Joe Conason. Richard Clarke terrorizes the White House
Jack Bass. That old-time "Southern strategy": How President Bush sent a message with his court appointments
Helen Thomas. Justifying invasion a full-time job
Danny Schechter. Stern's loose lips give Bush the slip
Newsday. On Iraq, listen to Clarke
Ronald Brownstein. Focus on Foe May Hurt Bush; The president has been busy going after Kerry, but history suggests that boosting his own approval rating is his real ticket to reelection
Miami Herald. Lost in election snafus: Voter confidence
Richard Roeper. By FCC standards, Oprah more dangerous than Stern
Derrick Z. Jackson. The forgotten victims of the war in Iraq
Robert Kuttner. Fix economy by targeting tax cheats
Boston Globe. Richard Clarke's warnings
Steve Perry. Karl Rove's Moment: How "Bush's Brain" hijacked Washington, D.C. and politics-as-usual
LCV. Bush Administration Anti-Clean Water Policies Threaten the Health of Waters, Americans Treasure
Democracy 21. Democracy 21 Sends Formal Complaint to Ethics Committee and All House Members Challenging Majority Leader DeLay's "Charity Scheme
Regis T. Sabol. The Ghost of 9/11 Rises
Frederick Sweet. Bush Creates National Security Catastrophe
Robert O. Boorstin. The Canary in the Coalmine
Campaign for America's Future. Bush Medicare Report Misleads
Miles Harvey. Welcome to Armageddon: A joint investigation by Salon and Rolling Stone reveals why the Bush administration hasn't found any weapons of mass destruction: It's looking in the wrong place
Mary Lynn F. Jones. Friendly Fire: A secretive, one-party government alienates everybody -- even Republicans on the Hill
John Nichols. When Rupert Murdoch Calls...
Mark David Agrast. The Federal Marriage Amendment: The Speech the President Should Have Given
Ehsan Ahrari. A War (At Any Cost) President
John Kerry. Bush and Cheney in the Tank
Posted by Eric at 11:30 PM | Comments (9)
Richard Clarke KOs the Bushes?
This is what Fred Kaplan writes in Slate:
Richard Clarke made his much-anticipated appearance before the 9/11 commission this afternoon and, right out of the box, delivered a stunning blow to the Bush administration—the political equivalent of a first-round knockout.Why the KO?The blow was so stunning, it took a while to realize that it was a blow. Clarke thanked the members for holding the hearings, saying they finally provided him "a forum where I can apologize" to the victims of 9/11 and their loved ones.
And so now here's Clarke, in an official, nationally broadcast forum, announcing: I failed, I'm sorry, please forgive me. Which, as one member of the panel noted, is more than any official in the Bush administration has said to any victims of the far more devastating 9/11 attacks ... "There's a very fine line that anyone who's been in the White House, in any administration, can tell you about," Clarke replied. Someone in his position had three choices. He could have resigned, but he had important work yet to do. He could have lied, but nobody told him to do that, and he wouldn't have in any case. "The third choice," he said, "is to put the best face you can for the administration on the facts. That's what I did."And he's a Republican! The book.Well, Thompson asked in a bruised tone, is there one set of moral rules for special assistants to the White House and another set for everybody else?
"It's not a question of morality at all," Clarke replied. "It's a question of politics." The crowd applauded fiercely. To invoke another sports metaphor: Game, set, and match.
Posted by Eric at 08:31 PM | Comments (135)
Richard Clarke KOs the Bushes?
This is what Fred Kaplan writes in Slate:
Richard Clarke made his much-anticipated appearance before the 9/11 commission this afternoon and, right out of the box, delivered a stunning blow to the Bush administration—the political equivalent of a first-round knockout.Why the KO?The blow was so stunning, it took a while to realize that it was a blow. Clarke thanked the members for holding the hearings, saying they finally provided him "a forum where I can apologize" to the victims of 9/11 and their loved ones.
And so now here's Clarke, in an official, nationally broadcast forum, announcing: I failed, I'm sorry, please forgive me. Which, as one member of the panel noted, is more than any official in the Bush administration has said to any victims of the far more devastating 9/11 attacks ... "There's a very fine line that anyone who's been in the White House, in any administration, can tell you about," Clarke replied. Someone in his position had three choices. He could have resigned, but he had important work yet to do. He could have lied, but nobody told him to do that, and he wouldn't have in any case. "The third choice," he said, "is to put the best face you can for the administration on the facts. That's what I did."And he's a Republican! The book.Well, Thompson asked in a bruised tone, is there one set of moral rules for special assistants to the White House and another set for everybody else?
"It's not a question of morality at all," Clarke replied. "It's a question of politics." The crowd applauded fiercely. To invoke another sports metaphor: Game, set, and match.
Posted by Eric at 08:31 PM | Comments (17)
20-year Old James Gilbreath for Texas House
The College Dems blog on 20-year old George Washington U student James “Jake” Gilbreath and his run for State Representative in Texas’s 10th District.
Posted by Eric at 04:04 PM | Comments (24)
20-year Old James Gilbreath for Texas House
The College Dems blog on 20-year old George Washington U student James “Jake” Gilbreath and his run for State Representative in Texas’s 10th District.
Posted by Eric at 04:04 PM | Comments (5)
Back of the Bus for Thomas
In an interview with Geov Parrish, Helen Thomas comments on her current treatment by the Bush White House. You may remember that one of her books is "Front Row at the White House." But no more!
Bush has held fewer news conferences than any modern-day president, but, Thomas says, even his administration’s twice-daily White House press briefings have become politicized. “He won’t call on me, and I’m in the back row now so I’m ignored . . . They don’t like my questions. That’s okay, just so somebody asks them, but they just don’t want me to ask questions . . . If I was a favored columnist, I’m sure I’d be in the front row again. But I have the prerogative of asking the questions, I do try. I do think all of us [in the press] have laid down on the job early on [after 9/11]. Some of us are coming out of a coma. But nobody’s being challenging enough. We are adversarial. We aren’t there to worship at anybody’s shrine. We’re there for accountability.”So what about the Bush admin?Thomas also bemoans the trends in journalism that abet nonaccountability: the emphasis on entertainment and noise, the talk shows where hosts and guests dish out opinions without ever giving audiences the unvarnished facts.
“People think talk show [hosts] are journalists, but they’re not,” Thomas scoffs. “They’re getting just plain opinion. I think people are much better served when we get a straight news story, even though I’m a columnist now. My opinion isn’t worth anything.
“I wrote for 57 years for UPI. I was never accused of slant. I wrote dull copy.”
“We’ve always been manipulated and managed, back to when I began with Kennedy and certainly before, but never to this extent,” Thomas says by phone. “The secrecy in this administration has reached the highest levels. That’s never been seen before. Everybody has to be on board with this president. Nobody plays devil’s advocate . . . There is no search for answers in this president.”But what does she know about presidential administrations?
Posted by Eric at 03:31 PM | Comments (27)
Back of the Bus for Thomas
In an interview with Geov Parrish, Helen Thomas comments on her current treatment by the Bush White House. You may remember that one of her books is "Front Row at the White House." But no more!
Bush has held fewer news conferences than any modern-day president, but, Thomas says, even his administration’s twice-daily White House press briefings have become politicized. “He won’t call on me, and I’m in the back row now so I’m ignored . . . They don’t like my questions. That’s okay, just so somebody asks them, but they just don’t want me to ask questions . . . If I was a favored columnist, I’m sure I’d be in the front row again. But I have the prerogative of asking the questions, I do try. I do think all of us [in the press] have laid down on the job early on [after 9/11]. Some of us are coming out of a coma. But nobody’s being challenging enough. We are adversarial. We aren’t there to worship at anybody’s shrine. We’re there for accountability.”So what about the Bush admin?Thomas also bemoans the trends in journalism that abet nonaccountability: the emphasis on entertainment and noise, the talk shows where hosts and guests dish out opinions without ever giving audiences the unvarnished facts.
“People think talk show [hosts] are journalists, but they’re not,” Thomas scoffs. “They’re getting just plain opinion. I think people are much better served when we get a straight news story, even though I’m a columnist now. My opinion isn’t worth anything.
“I wrote for 57 years for UPI. I was never accused of slant. I wrote dull copy.”
“We’ve always been manipulated and managed, back to when I began with Kennedy and certainly before, but never to this extent,” Thomas says by phone. “The secrecy in this administration has reached the highest levels. That’s never been seen before. Everybody has to be on board with this president. Nobody plays devil’s advocate . . . There is no search for answers in this president.”But what does she know about presidential administrations?
Posted by Eric at 03:31 PM | Comments (16)
Clarke: ‘We failed you'
Statement to the National Commission on Terrorist Attacks Upon the United States, from NBC:
In his opening statement before the National Commission on Terrorist Attacks Upon the United States, Clarke told relatives of victims in the audience: “Your government failed you, those entrusted with protecting you failed you and I failed you.”“Although I continued to say it [terrorism] was an urgent problem, I don’t think it was ever treated that way” by the Bush administration before Sept. 11, he said.
Posted by Eric at 03:22 PM | Comments (21)
Clarke: ‘We failed you'
Statement to the National Commission on Terrorist Attacks Upon the United States, from NBC:
In his opening statement before the National Commission on Terrorist Attacks Upon the United States, Clarke told relatives of victims in the audience: “Your government failed you, those entrusted with protecting you failed you and I failed you.”“Although I continued to say it [terrorism] was an urgent problem, I don’t think it was ever treated that way” by the Bush administration before Sept. 11, he said.
Posted by Eric at 03:22 PM | Comments (2)
RNC to Visit MTV
Nothing gets the attention of the kids like the GOP's Reggie the Registration Rig
For young Americans who care more about G-Unit than the GOP, choosing their favorite music videos on MTV's "Total Request Live" may be as close as they have come to the democratic process.And using buzzwords like hip always helps connect with the kids.Republicans hope to change that by sending their voter registration truck Thursday to two places where Republicans are usually in short supply: MTV and Times Square.
The National Republican Committee's Reggie the Registration Rig is scheduled to visit the "TRL" studio, where the contest between President Bush and Massachusetts Sen. John Kerry usually takes a back seat to the vying videos of Usher and Clay Aiken. RNC Chairman Ed Gillespie will be on hand, espousing the youths' right to vote for the right wing.
"Chairman Gillespie has three kids of his own ... so he is no stranger to MTV and 'TRL,"' Heather Layman, an RNC spokeswoman, said. "He's hip enough to know how important it is, so I think he'll have fun."
Poll wise, Kerry has a 9-point lead over Bush with voters aged 18-29, with GOP Ralph taking away a bunch o' votes.
Posted by Eric at 03:18 PM | Comments (22)
RNC to Visit MTV
Nothing gets the attention of the kids like the GOP's Reggie the Registration Rig
For young Americans who care more about G-Unit than the GOP, choosing their favorite music videos on MTV's "Total Request Live" may be as close as they have come to the democratic process.And using buzzwords like hip always helps connect with the kids.Republicans hope to change that by sending their voter registration truck Thursday to two places where Republicans are usually in short supply: MTV and Times Square.
The National Republican Committee's Reggie the Registration Rig is scheduled to visit the "TRL" studio, where the contest between President Bush and Massachusetts Sen. John Kerry usually takes a back seat to the vying videos of Usher and Clay Aiken. RNC Chairman Ed Gillespie will be on hand, espousing the youths' right to vote for the right wing.
"Chairman Gillespie has three kids of his own ... so he is no stranger to MTV and 'TRL,"' Heather Layman, an RNC spokeswoman, said. "He's hip enough to know how important it is, so I think he'll have fun."
Poll wise, Kerry has a 9-point lead over Bush with voters aged 18-29, with GOP Ralph taking away a bunch o' votes.
Posted by Eric at 03:18 PM | Comments (3)
Hamster Numbers: Spending Per Minute
"Every MINUTE the Bush Administration spends $991,000 more than it takes in. An explosion in interest payments on this debt will occur just as baby-boomers reach retirement. Who will have to pay for Social Security, Medicare and the GWB debt then? Our kids and grandkids, that’s who." -JohnKerry.com
Posted by Eric at 12:46 AM | Comments (49)
Hamster Numbers: Spending Per Minute
"Every MINUTE the Bush Administration spends $991,000 more than it takes in. An explosion in interest payments on this debt will occur just as baby-boomers reach retirement. Who will have to pay for Social Security, Medicare and the GWB debt then? Our kids and grandkids, that’s who." -JohnKerry.com
Posted by Eric at 12:46 AM | Comments (8)
March 23, 2004
Tuesday Stories
The Hill. Daschle: Move Dem Nominees
WP. GOP Exposé: Kerry, Closet Frenchman
The Hill. Ownership Society’ Is Bush’s Aim
The Guardian. The Battle Of The Airwaves
Oregonian. Benton stops all marriage licensing
SacBee. Lawsuit grilling awaits Arnold
Bloomberg. Republicans Alter Gay-Marriage Amendment to Allow Civil Unions
MTV. Howard Dean Supporters Head In New Direction
Guardian. Powell denies ignoring 9/11 warnings
WP Kerry Gets Boost From Surprising Sources; Ex-Bush Aide Criticizes President, and GOP Lawmakers Come to Senator's Defense
SFC. Californians betting big on Sen. Kerry
Reuters. Court Considers Right to Keep Name from Police
SFC. Vows Of The Gay GOP; Prominent Republicans, led by ex-pol Huffington, come out strong against the same-sex marriage amendment
SFC. Snowy plovers on Pacific Coast beaches could lose their protected-species status
NYT. Above-Average Economy in the Swing States Has Few Rejoicing
Boston Herald. `The Body' has eye on tackling White House in 2008
CNN. Documents reveal FBI surveillance of Kerry in early 1970s
NYT. Amid Terror Debate, 9/11 Panel Questions Officials
AP. Medicare Could Dissolve By 2019
DetNews. GM ships more jobs abroad to cut costs
WP. White House Counters Ex-Aide
LAT. New Kerry TV Advertisement Aims to Counter GOP Attacks
Copley. Kerry counters GOP punches with new TV ad
Commentary
Robert Scheer. Blowing a whistle on Bush's 9/11 failures; President Bush failed country in its hour of greatest need
Molly Ivins. Bomb Mexico! Bush administration bombs for peace, robs for reform
Lisa Chamberlain. Dr. Dean's new Rx; Howard Dean launches a new organization, Democracy for America. His first goal: Defeat Bush by taking on Nader
SFC. A tell-all book tells off Bush
Eric Boehlert. Banned in Britain! Fearful of Saudi lawsuits, the British publisher of "House of Bush, House of Saud" has backed down from issuing the book
Rupert Cornwell. Maverick Republican senator will give a boost to Kerry's campaign
Detroit Free Press. Clarke and his accusations can't be easily dismissed
Kennebec Journal. Clarke's claims demand answers from president
Sean Gonsalves. Salvation from the rising tide
Richard Cohen. Bush, Clarke and A Shred of Doubt
E. J. Dionne Jr. Why Scalia Should Duck Out
Marie Cocco. Bush's 9/11 myths endanger U.S.
Posted by Eric at 11:07 PM | Comments (20)
Tuesday Stories
The Hill. Daschle: Move Dem Nominees
WP. GOP Exposé: Kerry, Closet Frenchman
The Hill. Ownership Society’ Is Bush’s Aim
The Guardian. The Battle Of The Airwaves
Oregonian. Benton stops all marriage licensing
SacBee. Lawsuit grilling awaits Arnold
Bloomberg. Republicans Alter Gay-Marriage Amendment to Allow Civil Unions
MTV. Howard Dean Supporters Head In New Direction
Guardian. Powell denies ignoring 9/11 warnings
WP Kerry Gets Boost From Surprising Sources; Ex-Bush Aide Criticizes President, and GOP Lawmakers Come to Senator's Defense
SFC. Californians betting big on Sen. Kerry
Reuters. Court Considers Right to Keep Name from Police
SFC. Vows Of The Gay GOP; Prominent Republicans, led by ex-pol Huffington, come out strong against the same-sex marriage amendment
SFC. Snowy plovers on Pacific Coast beaches could lose their protected-species status
NYT. Above-Average Economy in the Swing States Has Few Rejoicing
Boston Herald. `The Body' has eye on tackling White House in 2008
CNN. Documents reveal FBI surveillance of Kerry in early 1970s
NYT. Amid Terror Debate, 9/11 Panel Questions Officials
AP. Medicare Could Dissolve By 2019
DetNews. GM ships more jobs abroad to cut costs
WP. White House Counters Ex-Aide
LAT. New Kerry TV Advertisement Aims to Counter GOP Attacks
Copley. Kerry counters GOP punches with new TV ad
Commentary
Robert Scheer. Blowing a whistle on Bush's 9/11 failures; President Bush failed country in its hour of greatest need
Molly Ivins. Bomb Mexico! Bush administration bombs for peace, robs for reform
Lisa Chamberlain. Dr. Dean's new Rx; Howard Dean launches a new organization, Democracy for America. His first goal: Defeat Bush by taking on Nader
SFC. A tell-all book tells off Bush
Eric Boehlert. Banned in Britain! Fearful of Saudi lawsuits, the British publisher of "House of Bush, House of Saud" has backed down from issuing the book
Rupert Cornwell. Maverick Republican senator will give a boost to Kerry's campaign
Detroit Free Press. Clarke and his accusations can't be easily dismissed
Kennebec Journal. Clarke's claims demand answers from president
Sean Gonsalves. Salvation from the rising tide
Richard Cohen. Bush, Clarke and A Shred of Doubt
E. J. Dionne Jr. Why Scalia Should Duck Out
Marie Cocco. Bush's 9/11 myths endanger U.S.
Posted by Eric at 11:07 PM | Comments (11)
Fox News.com Poll
Gotta love them:
Former Bush counter-terrorism adviser Richard Clarke has written a book critical of the Bush White House's handling of Al Qaeda. What's your reaction?
a. I will not read the book. It does not interest me. (24%)
21,564
b. I reserve judgment on Clarke's criticism until I have read his book. (4%)
3,352
c. I think Clarke is disloyal to the president and a disgrace. (59%)
52,466
d. I think Clarke is a patriot for speaking out. (9%)
7,935
e. None of the above (4%)
3,742
89,059 total votes
Posted by Eric at 07:57 PM | Comments (22)
Fox News.com Poll
Gotta love them:
Former Bush counter-terrorism adviser Richard Clarke has written a book critical of the Bush White House's handling of Al Qaeda. What's your reaction?
a. I will not read the book. It does not interest me. (24%)
21,564
b. I reserve judgment on Clarke's criticism until I have read his book. (4%)
3,352
c. I think Clarke is disloyal to the president and a disgrace. (59%)
52,466
d. I think Clarke is a patriot for speaking out. (9%)
7,935
e. None of the above (4%)
3,742
89,059 total votes
Posted by Eric at 07:57 PM | Comments (11)
www.howardstern.com
Bazesus! www.howardstern.com has turned into anti-Bush / FCC headquarters ...
Posted by Eric at 06:30 PM | Comments (100)
www.howardstern.com
Bazesus! www.howardstern.com has turned into anti-Bush / FCC headquarters ...
Posted by Eric at 06:30 PM | Comments (62)
Lies and the Lying Liars: Bush and Kerry's "Tax"
A Reuters news analysis shoots down a Bush claim:
In the presidential race's war of words over the economy, President Bush makes it sound as if small-business owners are in the cross hairs of Democrat John Kerry's plan to roll back tax cuts for wealthy Americans ... "Taxing the rich?" Bush said during a recent White House forum where his guests included the owners of a hair salon, a convenience store franchise and an office supply dealer.But?"When you're running up individual tax rates, you're taxing small businesses," he said.
But data from the Internal Revenue Service and the Census Bureau suggest the vast majority of small businesses provide their owners with incomes far below the $200,000-a-year mark where Kerry says he would begin eliminating tax cuts ... Their profits fall into a median range of $40,000 and $60,000, according to the National Federation of Independent Business, a leading advocate of the small-business community. That puts them just above U.S. median household income of $42,409."These are not rich people," said NFIB researcher Bruce Phillips. "Changing the tax cut for the wealthiest Americans, for the most part, doesn't apply to our membership."
Posted by Eric at 04:05 PM | Comments (26)
Lies and the Lying Liars: Bush and Kerry's "Tax"
A Reuters news analysis shoots down a Bush claim:
In the presidential race's war of words over the economy, President Bush makes it sound as if small-business owners are in the cross hairs of Democrat John Kerry's plan to roll back tax cuts for wealthy Americans ... "Taxing the rich?" Bush said during a recent White House forum where his guests included the owners of a hair salon, a convenience store franchise and an office supply dealer.But?"When you're running up individual tax rates, you're taxing small businesses," he said.
But data from the Internal Revenue Service and the Census Bureau suggest the vast majority of small businesses provide their owners with incomes far below the $200,000-a-year mark where Kerry says he would begin eliminating tax cuts ... Their profits fall into a median range of $40,000 and $60,000, according to the National Federation of Independent Business, a leading advocate of the small-business community. That puts them just above U.S. median household income of $42,409."These are not rich people," said NFIB researcher Bruce Phillips. "Changing the tax cut for the wealthiest Americans, for the most part, doesn't apply to our membership."
Posted by Eric at 04:05 PM | Comments (4)
CNN Aiding Bush Admin Media Deception?
The Columbia Journalism Review notes that "numerous local television stations across the country presented, as news items, video news releases (VNRs) prepared on behalf of the Bush administration touting the benefits of the new Medicare law." What hasn't been mentioned, however, is that 'liberal' CNN may have actually helped push the medicare deception for a nice fee. From the CJR:
But some also expressed strong displeasure with CNN, which distributes pre-packaged stories to local stations around the country through its CNN Newsource service, acting as a sort of wire service for TV. Veazey said that when his station receives VNR footage from CNN, it's clearly labeled in the slug at the top as VNR. But other news directors told us that's not the case in their systems: You have to search through the footage to find the VNR I.D. Henderson, of WTVC-Chattanooga, told us his station "ran what appeared to be a reporter's package, which aggravates the mistake." And Lynn Brooks of WVUA-Tuscaloosa, confirmed in an email to a viewer, obtained by Campaign Desk, that when her station received the Medicare story, it "was designated as a 'reporter package', with nothing distinguishing it as a video news release." CNN, she said, "dropped the ball." Akins of KSEE-Fresno agreed: "I think CNN does a disservice to its affiliates" by including VNR packages in its stream of news footage. "They should create a separate VNR feed," she said.According to the news directors, CNN makes money on both ends of the process. Understandably, it charges the news stations a fee to subscribe to its satellite news feed service, just as the Associated Press charges the newspapers it serves. But Larry Moskowitz of Medialink (which Moskowitz told Campaign Desk is the world's largest producer and distributor of VNRs) confirmed that CNN Newsource and other similar services also charge the VNR distributor, by leasing transmission time on the satellite news feed that then goes out to local stations.
This suggests a clear conflict of interest for CNN, which is apparently charging both the party with a vested interest in promoting a particular story -- in the case of the now-notorious Karen Ryan, that would be HHS -- and the receiving station. Along the way, it mixes in the client's material with legitimate, CNN-produced news stories to be used by local stations - acting as a paid "news launderer" on behalf of the VNR producers.
CNN did not return repeated calls for comment over a three-day period. A news director who had received the Medicare VNR from CNN and run it told Campaign Desk she contacted CNN to complain. She was referred to the company's lawyers.
Posted by Eric at 03:44 PM | Comments (8)
CNN Aiding Bush Admin Media Deception?
The Columbia Journalism Review notes that "numerous local television stations across the country presented, as news items, video news releases (VNRs) prepared on behalf of the Bush administration touting the benefits of the new Medicare law." What hasn't been mentioned, however, is that 'liberal' CNN may have actually helped push the medicare deception for a nice fee. From the CJR:
But some also expressed strong displeasure with CNN, which distributes pre-packaged stories to local stations around the country through its CNN Newsource service, acting as a sort of wire service for TV. Veazey said that when his station receives VNR footage from CNN, it's clearly labeled in the slug at the top as VNR. But other news directors told us that's not the case in their systems: You have to search through the footage to find the VNR I.D. Henderson, of WTVC-Chattanooga, told us his station "ran what appeared to be a reporter's package, which aggravates the mistake." And Lynn Brooks of WVUA-Tuscaloosa, confirmed in an email to a viewer, obtained by Campaign Desk, that when her station received the Medicare story, it "was designated as a 'reporter package', with nothing distinguishing it as a video news release." CNN, she said, "dropped the ball." Akins of KSEE-Fresno agreed: "I think CNN does a disservice to its affiliates" by including VNR packages in its stream of news footage. "They should create a separate VNR feed," she said.According to the news directors, CNN makes money on both ends of the process. Understandably, it charges the news stations a fee to subscribe to its satellite news feed service, just as the Associated Press charges the newspapers it serves. But Larry Moskowitz of Medialink (which Moskowitz told Campaign Desk is the world's largest producer and distributor of VNRs) confirmed that CNN Newsource and other similar services also charge the VNR distributor, by leasing transmission time on the satellite news feed that then goes out to local stations.
This suggests a clear conflict of interest for CNN, which is apparently charging both the party with a vested interest in promoting a particular story -- in the case of the now-notorious Karen Ryan, that would be HHS -- and the receiving station. Along the way, it mixes in the client's material with legitimate, CNN-produced news stories to be used by local stations - acting as a paid "news launderer" on behalf of the VNR producers.
CNN did not return repeated calls for comment over a three-day period. A news director who had received the Medicare VNR from CNN and run it told Campaign Desk she contacted CNN to complain. She was referred to the company's lawyers.
Posted by Eric at 03:44 PM | Comments (5)
Kerry - Bush Tied in NM
Albuquerque Journal favorability poll finds Kerry and Bush mostly even:
Forty-three percent of registered voters said they had a favorable impression of Bush, compared to 44 percent for Kerry. New Mexico has been identified by both sides in the 2004 presidential contest as a battleground state. Democrat Al Gore carried the state over Bush four years ago by just 366 votes ... More voters said they had an unfavorable impression of Bush than Kerry— 38 percent compared to 24 percent. But more voters were undecided about Kerry, who probably remains the lesser-known candidate.
Posted by Eric at 03:16 PM | Comments (4)
Kerry - Bush Tied in NM
Albuquerque Journal favorability poll finds Kerry and Bush mostly even:
Forty-three percent of registered voters said they had a favorable impression of Bush, compared to 44 percent for Kerry. New Mexico has been identified by both sides in the 2004 presidential contest as a battleground state. Democrat Al Gore carried the state over Bush four years ago by just 366 votes ... More voters said they had an unfavorable impression of Bush than Kerry— 38 percent compared to 24 percent. But more voters were undecided about Kerry, who probably remains the lesser-known candidate.
Posted by Eric at 03:16 PM | Comments (7)
Clear Channel Hearts GOP/Bush
From the USAToday, Clear Channel clearly channels more money to the GOP / Bush team:
But new political contribution data tell a different story about Clear Channel (CCU) executives. They have given $42,200 to Bush, vs. $1,750 to likely Democratic nominee John Kerry in the 2004 race.What's more, the executives and Clear Channel's political action committee gave 77% of their $334,501 in federal contributions to Republicans. That's a bigger share than any other entertainment company, says the non-partisan Center for Responsive Politics ... Clear Channel CEO Lowry Mays and his sons led the campaign giving. Mays gave $12,500 to the Republican National Committee in September. He gave $2,000 to Bush in July. President Mark Mays and Chief Financial Officer Randall Mays each gave $2,000 to Bush last year, as well. Levin says these gifts reflect a fact of political life — that companies tend to favor the party in power.
Posted by Eric at 03:04 PM | Comments (13)
Clear Channel Hearts GOP/Bush
From the USAToday, Clear Channel clearly channels more money to the GOP / Bush team:
But new political contribution data tell a different story about Clear Channel (CCU) executives. They have given $42,200 to Bush, vs. $1,750 to likely Democratic nominee John Kerry in the 2004 race.What's more, the executives and Clear Channel's political action committee gave 77% of their $334,501 in federal contributions to Republicans. That's a bigger share than any other entertainment company, says the non-partisan Center for Responsive Politics ... Clear Channel CEO Lowry Mays and his sons led the campaign giving. Mays gave $12,500 to the Republican National Committee in September. He gave $2,000 to Bush in July. President Mark Mays and Chief Financial Officer Randall Mays each gave $2,000 to Bush last year, as well. Levin says these gifts reflect a fact of political life — that companies tend to favor the party in power.
Posted by Eric at 03:04 PM | Comments (3)
Hamster Numbers: Job Losses in 3/4s of Battleground States
Bad news for Bush in battleground states: battleground voters don't have jobs, and jobless voters usually don't vote for the sitting president. Cox News:
President Bush is facing an economic minefield in 17 battleground states for his re-election bid, where nearly three-fourths of the counties he carried four years ago have lost jobs since he won the White House.A Cox News Service analysis found that 72.5 percent of the counties in these key states that voted for Bush in 2000 have seen their jobless rates rise during his presidency, some by as much as 6 percent.
"The president has his work cut out for him," said John Green, director of the Bliss Institute of Applied Politics at the University of Akron. "There's a strong economic pull on the president's popularity."
He said other issues could rise to the forefront, but the "No. 1 issue" in these states is jobs, "and people here don't understand how the president's policies are addressing it."
The contest between Bush and John Kerry, the presumptive Democratic nominee, will likely be played out this fall largely in these states, which have a total of 1,022 counties. And according to an analysis by Cox News Service, 751 of those counties, or 73.5 percent, have experienced jobless increases in during Bush's presidency.
Moreover, according to the analysis, 545, or 72.5 percent, of those counties where the unemployment rate has gone up voted for Bush in 2000, compared to the 206 counties that voted for Al Gore, his Democratic rival, four years ago.
Posted by Eric at 03:03 PM | Comments (13)
Hamster Numbers: Job Losses in 3/4s of Battleground States
Bad news for Bush in battleground states: battleground voters don't have jobs, and jobless voters usually don't vote for the sitting president. Cox News:
President Bush is facing an economic minefield in 17 battleground states for his re-election bid, where nearly three-fourths of the counties he carried four years ago have lost jobs since he won the White House.A Cox News Service analysis found that 72.5 percent of the counties in these key states that voted for Bush in 2000 have seen their jobless rates rise during his presidency, some by as much as 6 percent.
"The president has his work cut out for him," said John Green, director of the Bliss Institute of Applied Politics at the University of Akron. "There's a strong economic pull on the president's popularity."
He said other issues could rise to the forefront, but the "No. 1 issue" in these states is jobs, "and people here don't understand how the president's policies are addressing it."
The contest between Bush and John Kerry, the presumptive Democratic nominee, will likely be played out this fall largely in these states, which have a total of 1,022 counties. And according to an analysis by Cox News Service, 751 of those counties, or 73.5 percent, have experienced jobless increases in during Bush's presidency.
Moreover, according to the analysis, 545, or 72.5 percent, of those counties where the unemployment rate has gone up voted for Bush in 2000, compared to the 206 counties that voted for Al Gore, his Democratic rival, four years ago.
Posted by Eric at 03:03 PM | Comments (10)
Poll: Nevadans say leave Constitution alone
From the LV Review-Journal:
Fifty percent of likely voters polled last week said they would oppose a federal amendment. Forty-three percent supported an amendment, and 7 percent were undecided. The poll, conducted for the Review-Journal by Mason-Dixon Polling & Research of Washington, D.C., has a 4 percentage-point margin of error. Opposition to the federal amendment is higher among Democrats, 65 percent, and in Clark County, 43 percent, while 53 percent of rural Nevadans support the amendment
Posted by Eric at 02:59 PM | Comments (10)
Poll: Nevadans say leave Constitution alone
From the LV Review-Journal:
Fifty percent of likely voters polled last week said they would oppose a federal amendment. Forty-three percent supported an amendment, and 7 percent were undecided. The poll, conducted for the Review-Journal by Mason-Dixon Polling & Research of Washington, D.C., has a 4 percentage-point margin of error. Opposition to the federal amendment is higher among Democrats, 65 percent, and in Clark County, 43 percent, while 53 percent of rural Nevadans support the amendment
Posted by Eric at 02:59 PM | Comments (3)
Outsourcing
The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette has a series on outsourcing, which looks at both the American and overseas aspect (India) of the practice. Also, it includes this which gets to the obvious heart of why companies are outsourcing:
At 24/7, the workers are predominantly college graduates, yet earn a starting wage of just 10,000 rupees, or less than $60 a week.In the U.S., where call centers are regarded as jobs for college students, single mothers and downsized workers, the medium salary and bonus last year was $13.05 an hour, according to Mercer Human Resources Consulting. That's $520 for a 40-hour week -- nine times the Indian pay.
The tremors from this wage difference are being felt 8,300 miles away in southwestern Pennsylvania, where development officials once chased call centers as a growth industry because of the region's relatively neutral accents and available labor pool.
Posted by Eric at 02:16 PM | Comments (20)
Outsourcing
The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette has a series on outsourcing, which looks at both the American and overseas aspect (India) of the practice. Also, it includes this which gets to the obvious heart of why companies are outsourcing:
At 24/7, the workers are predominantly college graduates, yet earn a starting wage of just 10,000 rupees, or less than $60 a week.In the U.S., where call centers are regarded as jobs for college students, single mothers and downsized workers, the medium salary and bonus last year was $13.05 an hour, according to Mercer Human Resources Consulting. That's $520 for a 40-hour week -- nine times the Indian pay.
The tremors from this wage difference are being felt 8,300 miles away in southwestern Pennsylvania, where development officials once chased call centers as a growth industry because of the region's relatively neutral accents and available labor pool.
Posted by Eric at 02:16 PM | Comments (0)
March 22, 2004
Monday
Reuters. Kerry Promises 'New Direction' in Ad
Reuters. White House Says Ex-Terror Czar Has It All Wrong
AP. Polls: Young back same-sex weddings more
AP. GI, four civilians killed in Iraq attacks
Mercury News. State voting worries persist
AP. Sen. Kennedy says Schwarzenegger should be allowed to run for president
Idaho Statesman. Democrat misses deadline to face Crapo
NYT. Israel Confirms Attack Near Gaza Mosque; Palestinians Protest
LAT. Kerry Gets Some Help From GOP Senator
AP. Kerry studying Clarke book on Iraq
Boston Globe. Soros presses anti-Bush effort
NYT. For Kerry, Victories Fueled Fund-Raising and Spending
WP. Memoir Criticizes Bush 9/11 Response; President Pushed Iraq Link, Aide Says
WP. Bush Camp to Spotlight Kerry's Fiscal Policy
WP. Kerry Campaign Relying On Help of Groups' Ads
AP. Rice in dark on al-Qaida before 9/11, book says
AP. Bush bashes Kerry in first election rally
UK Indy. Carter savages Blair and Bush: 'Their war was based on lies'
Commentary
Walter Cronkite. Dear Senator Kerry ...
Sarah Ferguson. Thousands March for Peace
Nick Mamatas. Contain Yourself: When it comes to housing, can thinking outside the box mean living inside a box?
Ruth Rosen. One Year Later
Michael Steinberger. Misoverestimated: Yes, the hard-liners have outflanked and humiliated Colin Powell. But don't feel sorry for him. He has no one to blame but himself
Garance Franke-Ruta. Kerry's Women
Ayelish McGarvey. Reaching to the Choir: Think all evangelicals are right-wingers? Don't believe everything you read
Richard Blow. Court Of Public Opinion
Dave Zweifel. High debt casts shadow on economy
Lynn Woolsey. Getting SMART about national security
Herbert. 1 Mayor, 1.1 Million Students
Jen Banbury. "We are sleeping lions. We're waiting to eat Americans"; For the first time, I've started to feel unsafe in Iraq
John D. Podesta and Judd C. Legum. The secret history of secrecy; The closing of the American government
Ira Rifkin. Credit Edwards for making outsourcing an issue
Ed Wasserman. No tough questions about WMDs
Posted by Eric at 11:50 PM | Comments (7)
Monday
Reuters. Kerry Promises 'New Direction' in Ad
Reuters. White House Says Ex-Terror Czar Has It All Wrong
AP. Polls: Young back same-sex weddings more
AP. GI, four civilians killed in Iraq attacks
Mercury News. State voting worries persist
AP. Sen. Kennedy says Schwarzenegger should be allowed to run for president
Idaho Statesman. Democrat misses deadline to face Crapo
NYT. Israel Confirms Attack Near Gaza Mosque; Palestinians Protest
LAT. Kerry Gets Some Help From GOP Senator
AP. Kerry studying Clarke book on Iraq
Boston Globe. Soros presses anti-Bush effort
NYT. For Kerry, Victories Fueled Fund-Raising and Spending
WP. Memoir Criticizes Bush 9/11 Response; President Pushed Iraq Link, Aide Says
WP. Bush Camp to Spotlight Kerry's Fiscal Policy
WP. Kerry Campaign Relying On Help of Groups' Ads
AP. Rice in dark on al-Qaida before 9/11, book says
AP. Bush bashes Kerry in first election rally
UK Indy. Carter savages Blair and Bush: 'Their war was based on lies'
Commentary
Walter Cronkite. Dear Senator Kerry ...
Sarah Ferguson. Thousands March for Peace
Nick Mamatas. Contain Yourself: When it comes to housing, can thinking outside the box mean living inside a box?
Ruth Rosen. One Year Later
Michael Steinberger. Misoverestimated: Yes, the hard-liners have outflanked and humiliated Colin Powell. But don't feel sorry for him. He has no one to blame but himself
Garance Franke-Ruta. Kerry's Women
Ayelish McGarvey. Reaching to the Choir: Think all evangelicals are right-wingers? Don't believe everything you read
Richard Blow. Court Of Public Opinion
Dave Zweifel. High debt casts shadow on economy
Lynn Woolsey. Getting SMART about national security
Herbert. 1 Mayor, 1.1 Million Students
Jen Banbury. "We are sleeping lions. We're waiting to eat Americans"; For the first time, I've started to feel unsafe in Iraq
John D. Podesta and Judd C. Legum. The secret history of secrecy; The closing of the American government
Ira Rifkin. Credit Edwards for making outsourcing an issue
Ed Wasserman. No tough questions about WMDs
Posted by Eric at 11:50 PM | Comments (0)
Response to Richard Clarke Fact Check
On the administration responding to the Richard Clarke interview, from the Center for American Progress:
CLAIM #1: “Richard Clarke had plenty of opportunities to tell us in the administration that he thought the war on terrorism was moving in the wrong direction and he chose not to.” - National Security Adviser Condoleezza Rice, 3/22/04Click down for moreFACT: Clarke sent a memo to Rice principals on 1/24/01 marked “urgent” asking for a Cabinet-level meeting to deal with an impending Al Qaeda attack. The White House acknowledges this, but says “principals did not need to have a formal meeting to discuss the threat.” No meeting occurred until one week before 9/11. - White House Press Release, 3/21/04
CLAIM #2: “The president returned to the White House and called me in and said, I've learned from George Tenet that there is no evidence of a link between Saddam Hussein and 9/11.” - National Security Adviser Condoleezza Rice, 3/22/04
FACT: If this is true, then why did the President and Vice President repeatedly claim Saddam Hussein was directly connected to 9/11? President Bush sent a letter to Congress on 3/19/03 saying that the Iraq war was permitted specifically under legislation that authorized force against “nations, organizations, or persons who planned, authorized, committed, or aided the terrorist attacks that occurred on September 11.” Similarly, Vice President Cheney said on 9/14/03 that “It is not surprising that people make that connection” between Iraq and the 9/11 attacks, and said “we don’t know” if there is a connection.
CLAIM #3: "[Clarke] was moved out of the counterterrorism business over to the cybersecurity side of things." - Vice President Dick Cheney on Rush Limbaugh, 3/22/04
FACT: "Dick Clarke continued, in the Bush Administration, to be the National Coordinator for Counterterrorism and the President's principle counterterrorism expert. He was expected to organize and attend all meetings of Principals and Deputies on terrorism. And he did." - White House Press Release, 3/21/04.
CLAIM #4: “In June and July when the threat spikes were so high…we were at battle stations…The fact of the matter is [that] the administration focused on this before 9/11.” – National Security Adviser Condoleezza Rice, 3/22/04
FACT: “Documents indicate that before Sept. 11, Ashcroft did not give terrorism top billing in his strategic plans for the Justice Department, which includes the FBI. A draft of Ashcroft's ‘Strategic Plan’ from Aug. 9, 2001, does not put fighting terrorism as one of the department's seven goals, ranking it as a sub-goal beneath gun violence and drugs. By contrast, in April 2000, Ashcroft's predecessor, Janet Reno, called terrorism ‘the most challenging threat in the criminal justice area.’” - Washington Post, 3/22/04
CLAIM #5: “The president launched an aggressive response after 9/11.” – National Security Adviser Condoleezza Rice, 3/22/04
FACT: “In the early days after the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks, the Bush White House cut by nearly two-thirds an emergency request for counterterrorism funds by the FBI, an internal administration budget document shows. The papers show that Ashcroft ranked counterterrorism efforts as a lower priority than his predecessor did, and that he resisted FBI requests for more counterterrorism funding before and immediately after the attacks.” – Washington Post, 3/22/04
CLAIM #6: "Well, [Clarke] wasn't in the loop, frankly, on a lot of this stuff…” - Vice President Dick Cheney, 3/22/04
FACT: "The Government's interagency counterterrorism crisis management forum (the Counterterrorism Security Group, or "CSG") chaired by Dick Clarke met regularly, often daily, during the high threat period." - White House Press Release, 3/21/04
CLAIM #7: "[Bush] wanted a far more effective policy for trying to deal with [terrorism], and that process was in motion throughout the spring." - Vice President Dick Cheney on Rush Limbaugh, 3/22/04
FACT: “Bush said [in May of 2001] that Cheney would direct a government-wide review on managing the consequences of a domestic attack, and 'I will periodically chair a meeting of the National Security Council to review these efforts.' Neither Cheney's review nor Bush's took place.” - Washington Post, 1/20/02
Posted by Eric at 05:24 PM | Comments (21)
Response to Richard Clarke Fact Check
On the administration responding to the Richard Clarke interview, from the Center for American Progress:
CLAIM #1: “Richard Clarke had plenty of opportunities to tell us in the administration that he thought the war on terrorism was moving in the wrong direction and he chose not to.” - National Security Adviser Condoleezza Rice, 3/22/04Click down for moreFACT: Clarke sent a memo to Rice principals on 1/24/01 marked “urgent” asking for a Cabinet-level meeting to deal with an impending Al Qaeda attack. The White House acknowledges this, but says “principals did not need to have a formal meeting to discuss the threat.” No meeting occurred until one week before 9/11. - White House Press Release, 3/21/04
CLAIM #2: “The president returned to the White House and called me in and said, I've learned from George Tenet that there is no evidence of a link between Saddam Hussein and 9/11.” - National Security Adviser Condoleezza Rice, 3/22/04
FACT: If this is true, then why did the President and Vice President repeatedly claim Saddam Hussein was directly connected to 9/11? President Bush sent a letter to Congress on 3/19/03 saying that the Iraq war was permitted specifically under legislation that authorized force against “nations, organizations, or persons who planned, authorized, committed, or aided the terrorist attacks that occurred on September 11.” Similarly, Vice President Cheney said on 9/14/03 that “It is not surprising that people make that connection” between Iraq and the 9/11 attacks, and said “we don’t know” if there is a connection.
CLAIM #3: "[Clarke] was moved out of the counterterrorism business over to the cybersecurity side of things." - Vice President Dick Cheney on Rush Limbaugh, 3/22/04
FACT: "Dick Clarke continued, in the Bush Administration, to be the National Coordinator for Counterterrorism and the President's principle counterterrorism expert. He was expected to organize and attend all meetings of Principals and Deputies on terrorism. And he did." - White House Press Release, 3/21/04.
CLAIM #4: “In June and July when the threat spikes were so high…we were at battle stations…The fact of the matter is [that] the administration focused on this before 9/11.” – National Security Adviser Condoleezza Rice, 3/22/04
FACT: “Documents indicate that before Sept. 11, Ashcroft did not give terrorism top billing in his strategic plans for the Justice Department, which includes the FBI. A draft of Ashcroft's ‘Strategic Plan’ from Aug. 9, 2001, does not put fighting terrorism as one of the department's seven goals, ranking it as a sub-goal beneath gun violence and drugs. By contrast, in April 2000, Ashcroft's predecessor, Janet Reno, called terrorism ‘the most challenging threat in the criminal justice area.’” - Washington Post, 3/22/04
CLAIM #5: “The president launched an aggressive response after 9/11.” – National Security Adviser Condoleezza Rice, 3/22/04
FACT: “In the early days after the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks, the Bush White House cut by nearly two-thirds an emergency request for counterterrorism funds by the FBI, an internal administration budget document shows. The papers show that Ashcroft ranked counterterrorism efforts as a lower priority than his predecessor did, and that he resisted FBI requests for more counterterrorism funding before and immediately after the attacks.” – Washington Post, 3/22/04
CLAIM #6: "Well, [Clarke] wasn't in the loop, frankly, on a lot of this stuff…” - Vice President Dick Cheney, 3/22/04
FACT: "The Government's interagency counterterrorism crisis management forum (the Counterterrorism Security Group, or "CSG") chaired by Dick Clarke met regularly, often daily, during the high threat period." - White House Press Release, 3/21/04
CLAIM #7: "[Bush] wanted a far more effective policy for trying to deal with [terrorism], and that process was in motion throughout the spring." - Vice President Dick Cheney on Rush Limbaugh, 3/22/04
FACT: “Bush said [in May of 2001] that Cheney would direct a government-wide review on managing the consequences of a domestic attack, and 'I will periodically chair a meeting of the National Security Council to review these efforts.' Neither Cheney's review nor Bush's took place.” - Washington Post, 1/20/02
Posted by Eric at 05:24 PM | Comments (4)
Potentially Racially Diverse Senate
As the DSCC notes in their Frontline email, the Democrats have strongly qualified and racially diverse candidates running for office:
Three of the Democratic candidates running this year give voters the chance to add unprecedented diversity to the U.S. Senate. Never before have an African American, a Hispanic American, and a Native American served together in the Senate; Barack Obama (IL), Ken Salazar (CO), and Brad Carson (OK) represent each of these ethnic groups respectively. To quote Donna Brazile, DNC Voting Rights Institute Chairwoman, "To be sure, these are people of outstanding accomplishment, vision, and stature who are not defined by their race, heritage or culture alone. However, the historic opportunity to increase diversity in the U.S. Senate, and thus the diversity of views, backgrounds, and cultures brought to our nation's greatest debates on the issues of the day, is an opportunity we simply cannot afford to miss."If they do make it to the Senate (very possible, according to Kos's Senate Outlook), they would join Daniel Akaka (Native Hawaiian, Chinese) and Dan Inouye (Japanese). As you can see, historically, the US Senate has been predominately white.
Posted by Eric at 04:42 PM | Comments (38)
Potentially Racially Diverse Senate
As the DSCC notes in their Frontline email, the Democrats have strongly qualified and racially diverse candidates running for office:
Three of the Democratic candidates running this year give voters the chance to add unprecedented diversity to the U.S. Senate. Never before have an African American, a Hispanic American, and a Native American served together in the Senate; Barack Obama (IL), Ken Salazar (CO), and Brad Carson (OK) represent each of these ethnic groups respectively. To quote Donna Brazile, DNC Voting Rights Institute Chairwoman, "To be sure, these are people of outstanding accomplishment, vision, and stature who are not defined by their race, heritage or culture alone. However, the historic opportunity to increase diversity in the U.S. Senate, and thus the diversity of views, backgrounds, and cultures brought to our nation's greatest debates on the issues of the day, is an opportunity we simply cannot afford to miss."If they do make it to the Senate (very possible, according to Kos's Senate Outlook), they would join Daniel Akaka (Native Hawaiian, Chinese) and Dan Inouye (Japanese). As you can see, historically, the US Senate has been predominately white.
Posted by Eric at 04:42 PM | Comments (2)
Smear the Messenger
If you don't like the message, shoot the messenger. That's how politics works, and that's exactly what Jesse Berney over at the DNC blog predicted:
And as we saw with Joseph Wilson and Paul O'Neill, the administration has only one response to truth: smear the messenger. By this time tomorrow, Clarke will be buried under an avalanche of right-wing attacks as the GOP looks to change the story from Bush's credibility to Clarke's.And guess what, it's coming true.But the facts remain: this administration ignored the threat of terrorism — despite dire warnings — before September 11, and then exploited the attacks to pursue an agenda that has not made us or the rest of the world any safer.
Posted by Eric at 04:12 PM | Comments (17)
Smear the Messenger
If you don't like the message, shoot the messenger. That's how politics works, and that's exactly what Jesse Berney over at the DNC blog predicted:
And as we saw with Joseph Wilson and Paul O'Neill, the administration has only one response to truth: smear the messenger. By this time tomorrow, Clarke will be buried under an avalanche of right-wing attacks as the GOP looks to change the story from Bush's credibility to Clarke's.And guess what, it's coming true.But the facts remain: this administration ignored the threat of terrorism — despite dire warnings — before September 11, and then exploited the attacks to pursue an agenda that has not made us or the rest of the world any safer.
Posted by Eric at 04:12 PM | Comments (2)
Internal Docs Show Bush Didn't Make Anti-Terrorism Top Priority
The Center for American Progress, doing a great job in its first year, has documents illustrating, "actually reversed the Clinton Administration's strong emphasis on counterterrorism and counterintelligence. Attorney General John Ashcroft not only moved aggressively to reduce DoJ's anti-terrorist budget but also shift DoJ's mission in spirit to emphasize its role as a domestic police force and anti-drug force." Check them out for yourself.
Posted by Eric at 03:49 PM | Comments (6)
Internal Docs Show Bush Didn't Make Anti-Terrorism Top Priority
The Center for American Progress, doing a great job in its first year, has documents illustrating, "actually reversed the Clinton Administration's strong emphasis on counterterrorism and counterintelligence. Attorney General John Ashcroft not only moved aggressively to reduce DoJ's anti-terrorist budget but also shift DoJ's mission in spirit to emphasize its role as a domestic police force and anti-drug force." Check them out for yourself.
Posted by Eric at 03:49 PM | Comments (1)
Bush Outsourcing Campaign Gear
Posted by Eric at 06:13 AM | Comments (18)
Bush Outsourcing Campaign Gear
Posted by Eric at 06:13 AM | Comments (2)
Richard Clarke Interview
Part of the Richard Clarke - 60 Minutes interview can be found here on CBS's website.
And this is the book Richard Clarke has written about his experiences with the White House.
Posted by Eric at 06:04 AM | Comments (9)
Richard Clarke Interview
Part of the Richard Clarke - 60 Minutes interview can be found here on CBS's website.
And this is the book Richard Clarke has written about his experiences with the White House.
Posted by Eric at 06:04 AM | Comments (3)
Comedy Monday
"Have you seen any of President Bush's ads? They are really starting to get vicious. We've finally found an American job Bush is willing to fight for: his own." Jay Leno
"The St. Patrick's Day Parade was held on Fifth Avenue and once again gay groups were not allowed to march. Conservatives said, 'We're sorry, but painting your face green and vomiting on Fifth Avenue is a sacred institution.'" Conan O'Brien
"President Bush has unveiled a new campaign slogan: 'Safer, Stronger, Tested.' I'm confused, are we talking about a re-election or a condom?" Craig Kilborn
"Do you like the March Madness? Here's how it works: First you start out with 65, and then one by one, people are sent home until there's only one left, no, I'm sorry, that's our coalition in Iraq." Jay Leno
The Onion: Rumsfeld Hosts No-Holds-Barred Martial Arts Tournament At Remote Island Fortress.
Who's Funnier: The Left or the Right?
The Senator Prank: Joke Letters Sent to US Government.
Some prankster, posing as a ten year old boy, sent requests for jokes to US Senators to find the funniest joke from US Senators. The results:
The results are in, and it's a landslide: America's Funniest Senator is Olympia Snowe!The Snowe joke.With an astounding 23% of the vote, the 57-year-old Republican Senator from Maine overwhelmingly defeated the runners-up, Senator John Kerry (D-MA) and Senator Jon Corzine (D-NJ).
Winning the vote for America's Unfunniest Senator was none other than Hillary Clinton (D-NY). While Senator Clinton may have once been the First Lady, Senator Snowe is now the First Lady of Funny, a much higher honor that will also get her 10% off waffles at participating Perkins restaurants.
And John Kerry's joke:
Office of Senator John KerryAnd Corzine's joke ...
Joke : "We have a new Chaplain in the Senate and a tour came through the other day. They asked him a lot of questions about being Chaplain and one person turned to him and asked: "When you open the Senate with prayer each morning, do you look out at the Senators and pray for them?" The Chaplain didn’t lose a beat – he said "No, actually I look out at all those Senators and I pray for the country."
What did the number 0 say to the number 8? click down for answer and comics ...
Answer: NICE BELT!
Posted by Eric at 05:58 AM | Comments (39)
Comedy Monday
"Have you seen any of President Bush's ads? They are really starting to get vicious. We've finally found an American job Bush is willing to fight for: his own." Jay Leno
"The St. Patrick's Day Parade was held on Fifth Avenue and once again gay groups were not allowed to march. Conservatives said, 'We're sorry, but painting your face green and vomiting on Fifth Avenue is a sacred institution.'" Conan O'Brien
"President Bush has unveiled a new campaign slogan: 'Safer, Stronger, Tested.' I'm confused, are we talking about a re-election or a condom?" Craig Kilborn
"Do you like the March Madness? Here's how it works: First you start out with 65, and then one by one, people are sent home until there's only one left, no, I'm sorry, that's our coalition in Iraq." Jay Leno
The Onion: Rumsfeld Hosts No-Holds-Barred Martial Arts Tournament At Remote Island Fortress.
Who's Funnier: The Left or the Right?
The Senator Prank: Joke Letters Sent to US Government.
Some prankster, posing as a ten year old boy, sent requests for jokes to US Senators to find the funniest joke from US Senators. The results:
The results are in, and it's a landslide: America's Funniest Senator is Olympia Snowe!The Snowe joke.With an astounding 23% of the vote, the 57-year-old Republican Senator from Maine overwhelmingly defeated the runners-up, Senator John Kerry (D-MA) and Senator Jon Corzine (D-NJ).
Winning the vote for America's Unfunniest Senator was none other than Hillary Clinton (D-NY). While Senator Clinton may have once been the First Lady, Senator Snowe is now the First Lady of Funny, a much higher honor that will also get her 10% off waffles at participating Perkins restaurants.
And John Kerry's joke:
Office of Senator John KerryAnd Corzine's joke ...
Joke : "We have a new Chaplain in the Senate and a tour came through the other day. They asked him a lot of questions about being Chaplain and one person turned to him and asked: "When you open the Senate with prayer each morning, do you look out at the Senators and pray for them?" The Chaplain didn’t lose a beat – he said "No, actually I look out at all those Senators and I pray for the country."
What did the number 0 say to the number 8? click down for answer and comics ...
Answer: NICE BELT!
Posted by Eric at 05:58 AM | Comments (4)
Hamster Numbers: Polls
Percentage points by which Ronald Reagan's approval rating changed in 1983 : +17 [The Gallup Organization (Princeton, N.J.) ]
Percentage points by which George W. Bush's rating changed last year : 0 [The Gallup Organization (Princeton, N.J.) ]
--Harpers.
Posted by Eric at 05:29 AM | Comments (13)
Hamster Numbers: Polls
Percentage points by which Ronald Reagan's approval rating changed in 1983 : +17 [The Gallup Organization (Princeton, N.J.) ]
Percentage points by which George W. Bush's rating changed last year : 0 [The Gallup Organization (Princeton, N.J.) ]
--Harpers.
Posted by Eric at 05:29 AM | Comments (5)
Future Sen. Barack Obama
The Honolulu Star Bulletin has more on Barack Obama's background, including that Obama went to the rival high school of mine.
Posted by Eric at 05:27 AM | Comments (23)
Future Sen. Barack Obama
The Honolulu Star Bulletin has more on Barack Obama's background, including that Obama went to the rival high school of mine.
Posted by Eric at 05:27 AM | Comments (2)
March 19, 2004
Hamster Out
I'll be in New York and maybe Boston (Hah-verd) for the weekend, so probably no updates until Monday. Later skater!
Posted by Eric at 12:00 AM | Comments (51)
Hamster Out
I'll be in New York and maybe Boston (Hah-verd) for the weekend, so probably no updates until Monday. Later skater!
Posted by Eric at 12:00 AM | Comments (11)
March 18, 2004
Thursday!
Oregonian. Critics step up gay marriage initiative drive; Opponents start registering voters in a push for a constitutional amendment
AP. Clerics plan to bless same-sex marriages
Lawrence Journal-World. Gay marriage ban may stall in Senate
ChicTrib. Ryan, Obama enter new ring; Democrat carries high hopes of blacks with him to center stage
Rocky Mountain News. Conservation groups sue to protect species of grouse
SFC. Numbers put face on a phenomena; Most who married are middle-aged, have college degrees
AP. Car bomb kills 5 outside hotel in southern Iraqi city; rescuers end search for survivors in Baghdad hotel bombing
Christian Science Monitor. Ice age to warming - and back?
Reuters. Rise in Hispanics and Asian-Americans Is Predicted
AP. Scalia won't remove self from Cheney case
NYT. As Quickly as Overnight, a New Democratic Star Is Born
WP. Cheney Enters Campaign Fray
WP. Hill Backs More Tax Cuts, Spending
NYT. Mysterious Fax Adds to Intrigue Over the Medicare Bill's Cost
AP. Dean advocacy group to promote Kerry
AP. Pentagon won't pay Halliburton $300 million
AP. Group claims truce with Spain
AP. More than 4,000 gay couples tied the knot
Commentary
SFC. War sowing global hostility
Marianne Means. President treads a rough road
James P. Pinkerton. A year later, U.S. faces greater risk
Anthony York. High gas won't pump Bush up: Petroleum profits may flow to his party's coffers, but they may not drive hard-hit voters to the polls
Newsday. Repair mercury pollution rule
Newsday. Duck out, Mr. Justice: If Scalia won't recuse himself from the Cheney energy case, his fellow Supreme Court justices should insist that he back off
AJC. 'Just the facts' not EPA's credo
AJC. Bush administration takes low road on Medicare cost
Byron Williams. Bush's global credibility gap: Spanish election, Pew study show world wants Bush out
Arianna Huffington. A modest proposal: Let's have two GDPs -- one for Bush Pollyannas, one that tells the truth
Sidney Blumenthal. To the Atocha station: Bush administration neoconservatives try to force the political meaning of Spain's 3/11 into an ill-fitting 9/11 template
Amanda Griscom. H2Oops: What good are drinking-water standards when they're not enforced
Arianna Huffington. Progress vs. products: You know working stiffs are in trouble when the White House believes the stock market is the end-all of our country's economic health
Sen. John Kerry. John Kerry's military mission: Blasting Bush's neglect of U.S. armed forces, the Democratic nominee vows to expand, better equip and support a 21st century military that will be "the strongest in the world."
Anne Harding. Fishing For Answers: Want to know how much mercury is in your tuna salad? Don't ask the FDA.
Tara McKelvey. Allies Axed: The Spanish election was a defeat for the Popular Party -- and for George W. Bush, says foreign-policy expert Ivo Daalder
Bill Berkowitz. Kerry's Catholic conundrum: Will newly formed Bishops Task Force aimed at holding Catholic politicians accountable hone in on John Kerry?
Lisa Heinzerling and Rena Steinzor. A Perfect Storm: Mercury and the Bush Administration
John R. Ferris. Still at war - and not winning: One year after the U.S. invasion, terrorist attacks continue and our successes appear mostly illusory
EPI. Unemployment level of college grads surpasses that of high-school dropouts
CBPP. The Local Impact Of Proposed Cuts In Federal Housing Assistance
Posted by Eric at 11:59 PM | Comments (13)
Thursday!
Oregonian. Critics step up gay marriage initiative drive; Opponents start registering voters in a push for a constitutional amendment
AP. Clerics plan to bless same-sex marriages
Lawrence Journal-World. Gay marriage ban may stall in Senate
ChicTrib. Ryan, Obama enter new ring; Democrat carries high hopes of blacks with him to center stage
Rocky Mountain News. Conservation groups sue to protect species of grouse
SFC. Numbers put face on a phenomena; Most who married are middle-aged, have college degrees
AP. Car bomb kills 5 outside hotel in southern Iraqi city; rescuers end search for survivors in Baghdad hotel bombing
Christian Science Monitor. Ice age to warming - and back?
Reuters. Rise in Hispanics and Asian-Americans Is Predicted
AP. Scalia won't remove self from Cheney case
NYT. As Quickly as Overnight, a New Democratic Star Is Born
WP. Cheney Enters Campaign Fray
WP. Hill Backs More Tax Cuts, Spending
NYT. Mysterious Fax Adds to Intrigue Over the Medicare Bill's Cost
AP. Dean advocacy group to promote Kerry
AP. Pentagon won't pay Halliburton $300 million
AP. Group claims truce with Spain
AP. More than 4,000 gay couples tied the knot
Commentary
SFC. War sowing global hostility
Marianne Means. President treads a rough road
James P. Pinkerton. A year later, U.S. faces greater risk
Anthony York. High gas won't pump Bush up: Petroleum profits may flow to his party's coffers, but they may not drive hard-hit voters to the polls
Newsday. Repair mercury pollution rule
Newsday. Duck out, Mr. Justice: If Scalia won't recuse himself from the Cheney energy case, his fellow Supreme Court justices should insist that he back off
AJC. 'Just the facts' not EPA's credo
AJC. Bush administration takes low road on Medicare cost
Byron Williams. Bush's global credibility gap: Spanish election, Pew study show world wants Bush out
Arianna Huffington. A modest proposal: Let's have two GDPs -- one for Bush Pollyannas, one that tells the truth
Sidney Blumenthal. To the Atocha station: Bush administration neoconservatives try to force the political meaning of Spain's 3/11 into an ill-fitting 9/11 template
Amanda Griscom. H2Oops: What good are drinking-water standards when they're not enforced
Arianna Huffington. Progress vs. products: You know working stiffs are in trouble when the White House believes the stock market is the end-all of our country's economic health
Sen. John Kerry. John Kerry's military mission: Blasting Bush's neglect of U.S. armed forces, the Democratic nominee vows to expand, better equip and support a 21st century military that will be "the strongest in the world."
Anne Harding. Fishing For Answers: Want to know how much mercury is in your tuna salad? Don't ask the FDA.
Tara McKelvey. Allies Axed: The Spanish election was a defeat for the Popular Party -- and for George W. Bush, says foreign-policy expert Ivo Daalder
Bill Berkowitz. Kerry's Catholic conundrum: Will newly formed Bishops Task Force aimed at holding Catholic politicians accountable hone in on John Kerry?
Lisa Heinzerling and Rena Steinzor. A Perfect Storm: Mercury and the Bush Administration
John R. Ferris. Still at war - and not winning: One year after the U.S. invasion, terrorist attacks continue and our successes appear mostly illusory
EPI. Unemployment level of college grads surpasses that of high-school dropouts
CBPP. The Local Impact Of Proposed Cuts In Federal Housing Assistance
Posted by Eric at 11:59 PM | Comments (3)
Now Poland?
Spain said it was misled and may pull troops. Is Poland and its fleet of submarines with screen doors next? AP:
President Aleksander Kwasniewski, a key Washington ally, said Thursday he may withdraw troops early from Iraq and that Poland was "misled" about the threat of Saddam Hussein's weapons of mass destruction.His remarks to a small group of European reporters were his first hint of criticism about war in Iraq, where Poland currently has 2,400 troops and with the United States and Britain commands one of three sectors of the U.S.-led occupation.
"Naturally, one may protest the reasons for the war action in Iraq. I personally think that today, Iraq without Saddam Hussein is a truly better Iraq than with Saddam Hussein," Kwasniewski told the European reporters.
"But naturally I also feel uncomfortable due to the fact that we were misled with the information on weapons of mass destruction," he said, according to a transcript released by the presidential press office.
Posted by Eric at 02:29 PM | Comments (32)
Now Poland?
Spain said it was misled and may pull troops. Is Poland and its fleet of submarines with screen doors next? AP:
President Aleksander Kwasniewski, a key Washington ally, said Thursday he may withdraw troops early from Iraq and that Poland was "misled" about the threat of Saddam Hussein's weapons of mass destruction.His remarks to a small group of European reporters were his first hint of criticism about war in Iraq, where Poland currently has 2,400 troops and with the United States and Britain commands one of three sectors of the U.S.-led occupation.
"Naturally, one may protest the reasons for the war action in Iraq. I personally think that today, Iraq without Saddam Hussein is a truly better Iraq than with Saddam Hussein," Kwasniewski told the European reporters.
"But naturally I also feel uncomfortable due to the fact that we were misled with the information on weapons of mass destruction," he said, according to a transcript released by the presidential press office.
Posted by Eric at 02:29 PM | Comments (7)
American Society of Newspaper Editors "Troubled" by Fake Ads
The Bush administration produced fake news spots for use on television.
The San Fran Chron called it "a covert effort to exploit both the press and public."
Now The American Society of Newspaper Editors is also troubled by the Bush deception (link courtesy Romenesko):
The American Society of Newspaper Editors is troubled by deceptive methods used recently by the Department of Health and Human Services to publicize the new Medicare prescription benefit program.It is fair, of course, for the government to communicate with citizens via press releases on video as well as in print. It is not ethical or appropriate, however, to employ people to pose as journalists, either on or off camera.
Certainly, material distributed to television stations that doesn’t identify the government as the source and ends with a voice-over such as "In Washington, I’m Karen Ryan reporting" is outside the bounds of ethical behavior for HHS or any other government agency.
It is the hope of our Society, which is the largest American organization of supervising newspaper editors, that you will agree with us and discontinue use of this misleading practice.
Posted by Eric at 01:40 PM | Comments (41)
American Society of Newspaper Editors "Troubled" by Fake Ads
The Bush administration produced fake news spots for use on television.
The San Fran Chron called it "a covert effort to exploit both the press and public."
Now The American Society of Newspaper Editors is also troubled by the Bush deception (link courtesy Romenesko):
The American Society of Newspaper Editors is troubled by deceptive methods used recently by the Department of Health and Human Services to publicize the new Medicare prescription benefit program.It is fair, of course, for the government to communicate with citizens via press releases on video as well as in print. It is not ethical or appropriate, however, to employ people to pose as journalists, either on or off camera.
Certainly, material distributed to television stations that doesn’t identify the government as the source and ends with a voice-over such as "In Washington, I’m Karen Ryan reporting" is outside the bounds of ethical behavior for HHS or any other government agency.
It is the hope of our Society, which is the largest American organization of supervising newspaper editors, that you will agree with us and discontinue use of this misleading practice.
Posted by Eric at 01:40 PM | Comments (6)
Franken Kerry's Secret Weapon
So speculates the gossipers Rush and Malloy in the NY Daily News:
Could Al Franken have been John Kerry's secret weapon in the Democratic primaries?I'm sure O'Reilly will now condemn Kerry as associating with the hate-mongers.In December, the humorist convened a cadre of New York know-it-alls - including Time managing editor Jim Kelly, Eric Alterman from The Nation, the New Yorker's Hendrik Hertzberg and political historian Arthur Schlesinger Jr. - to meet Kerry at a private gathering at his upper West Side apartment.
"I think the idea was to put John Kerry into the belly of the beast," Kelly tells this Sunday's New York Times Magazine. "It may have been the actual beginning of the new approach he took - 'I'm going to stay in this room and take every question you throw at me.' "
When the candidate and comedian met again seven weeks later, Kerry's nomination was looking secure.
"I told him I'm taking credit for the turnaround," Franken said. "He said, 'I knew you would.' "
Posted by Eric at 01:33 PM | Comments (53)
Franken Kerry's Secret Weapon
So speculates the gossipers Rush and Malloy in the NY Daily News:
Could Al Franken have been John Kerry's secret weapon in the Democratic primaries?I'm sure O'Reilly will now condemn Kerry as associating with the hate-mongers.In December, the humorist convened a cadre of New York know-it-alls - including Time managing editor Jim Kelly, Eric Alterman from The Nation, the New Yorker's Hendrik Hertzberg and political historian Arthur Schlesinger Jr. - to meet Kerry at a private gathering at his upper West Side apartment.
"I think the idea was to put John Kerry into the belly of the beast," Kelly tells this Sunday's New York Times Magazine. "It may have been the actual beginning of the new approach he took - 'I'm going to stay in this room and take every question you throw at me.' "
When the candidate and comedian met again seven weeks later, Kerry's nomination was looking secure.
"I told him I'm taking credit for the turnaround," Franken said. "He said, 'I knew you would.' "
Posted by Eric at 01:33 PM | Comments (21)
Jayson Who?
I've always thought the media's obsession over Jayson Blair was just that - the MEDIA's obsession, not the general public's. Despite huge publicity, Jayson Blair's book has been selling pretty poorly:
Readers aren't burning for "Burning Down My Masters' House," Jayson Blair's memoir of his ill-fated New York Times career.The publishing company, New Millennium Press, must be happy
Nielsen Bookscan reports the book sold just 1,386 copies through last Sunday, according to yesterday's PW Newsline, an E-mail from Publishers Weekly.Bookscan tracks roughly 70% of the market, excluding Wal-Mart, so the total would be higher. But given Blair's wide exposure on NBC, a variety of local affiliates and the cable news networks, the results look low indeed.
The source said Blair's advance was well into six figures. More than 200,000 books will be printed for the initial run.
Posted by Eric at 01:27 PM | Comments (43)
Jayson Who?
I've always thought the media's obsession over Jayson Blair was just that - the MEDIA's obsession, not the general public's. Despite huge publicity, Jayson Blair's book has been selling pretty poorly:
Readers aren't burning for "Burning Down My Masters' House," Jayson Blair's memoir of his ill-fated New York Times career.The publishing company, New Millennium Press, must be happy
Nielsen Bookscan reports the book sold just 1,386 copies through last Sunday, according to yesterday's PW Newsline, an E-mail from Publishers Weekly.Bookscan tracks roughly 70% of the market, excluding Wal-Mart, so the total would be higher. But given Blair's wide exposure on NBC, a variety of local affiliates and the cable news networks, the results look low indeed.
The source said Blair's advance was well into six figures. More than 200,000 books will be printed for the initial run.
Posted by Eric at 01:27 PM | Comments (3)
Tenn. County Wants to Charge Homosexuals
The county that was the site of the Scopes "Monkey Trial" over the teaching of evolution is asking lawmakers to amend state law so the county can charge homosexuals with crimes against nature.8-0!The Rhea County commissioners approved the request 8-0 Tuesday.
Commissioner J.C. Fugate, who introduced the measure, also asked the county attorney to find a way to enact an ordinance banning homosexuals from living in the county.
"We need to keep them out of here," Fugate said.
Posted by Eric at 04:09 AM | Comments (43)
Tenn. County Wants to Charge Homosexuals
The county that was the site of the Scopes "Monkey Trial" over the teaching of evolution is asking lawmakers to amend state law so the county can charge homosexuals with crimes against nature.8-0!The Rhea County commissioners approved the request 8-0 Tuesday.
Commissioner J.C. Fugate, who introduced the measure, also asked the county attorney to find a way to enact an ordinance banning homosexuals from living in the county.
"We need to keep them out of here," Fugate said.
Posted by Eric at 04:09 AM | Comments (13)
Rush Says Democrats Celebrating Spain Attacks
Should have done a better job of hiding my 'Thank God They Attacked Spain' hat. Scoobie:
Just a few minutes ago, Rush Limbaugh on Democrats: “They celebrate in private the attack in Spain.”I'm glad Rush knows what I do in private. Not like he does anything bad in private ... . . . . . .Just a few minutes ago on Limbaugh's show:
They aren’t even the Democrats of JFK. They are the Democrats of Timothy Leary. They’re the Democrats of the anti-war movements of the 1960’s. Nobody’s said this, folks, but in John Kerry and Bill Clinton before him, the Democrats have nominated two huge anti-war radicals. Obviously, Clinton was a draft-dodger. Kerry was one of the moist radical and vocal anti-war activists that we’ve had. Clinton did next to nothing about terrorism on his watch; Kerry won’t either. They’re going to bow down to the demands of the European socialists who supported their anti-war activities in the 1960’s. These elitists who have a skepticism of the difference between good and evil.
Posted by Eric at 03:42 AM | Comments (54)
Rush Says Democrats Celebrating Spain Attacks
Should have done a better job of hiding my 'Thank God They Attacked Spain' hat. Scoobie:
Just a few minutes ago, Rush Limbaugh on Democrats: “They celebrate in private the attack in Spain.”I'm glad Rush knows what I do in private. Not like he does anything bad in private ... . . . . . .Just a few minutes ago on Limbaugh's show:
They aren’t even the Democrats of JFK. They are the Democrats of Timothy Leary. They’re the Democrats of the anti-war movements of the 1960’s. Nobody’s said this, folks, but in John Kerry and Bill Clinton before him, the Democrats have nominated two huge anti-war radicals. Obviously, Clinton was a draft-dodger. Kerry was one of the moist radical and vocal anti-war activists that we’ve had. Clinton did next to nothing about terrorism on his watch; Kerry won’t either. They’re going to bow down to the demands of the European socialists who supported their anti-war activities in the 1960’s. These elitists who have a skepticism of the difference between good and evil.
Posted by Eric at 03:42 AM | Comments (20)
Video Killed the Rummy Star
See Rummy make an ass of himself.
Posted by Eric at 03:24 AM | Comments (48)
Video Killed the Rummy Star
See Rummy make an ass of himself.
Posted by Eric at 03:24 AM | Comments (34)
Hamster Number: Bush and Energy Industry
From Friends of the Earth:
President Bush has received millions in campaign contributions from electric utilities and other energy companies. He has been the top recipient of electric utility contributions during the past two presidential campaign cycles. Between 2000 and 2004, Bush received $1.14 million in PAC and individual contributions from the electric utility industry. In addition, more than 70 percent of the electric utility industry’s $8.4 million in soft money contributions in 2000 supported the Republican Party. Bush is also the top recipient of general energy industry contributions, taking in more than $5.6 million during the 2000 and 2004 cycles.[iv]So what?
Not surprisingly, the Bush administration’s weak mercury proposal reflects the opposition of the president’s industry contributors to tougher mercury controls. Indeed, EPA went so far as to include word-for-word industry recommendations in its proposed rule. An analysis of EPA’s proposal reveals that the agency copied at least a dozen paragraphs from two memos submitted by Latham & Watkins, a Washington , DC law firm representing utilities such as Cinergy. [v]Silly Hamster, money doesn't influence politics.
Posted by Eric at 02:32 AM | Comments (18)
Hamster Number: Bush and Energy Industry
From Friends of the Earth:
President Bush has received millions in campaign contributions from electric utilities and other energy companies. He has been the top recipient of electric utility contributions during the past two presidential campaign cycles. Between 2000 and 2004, Bush received $1.14 million in PAC and individual contributions from the electric utility industry. In addition, more than 70 percent of the electric utility industry’s $8.4 million in soft money contributions in 2000 supported the Republican Party. Bush is also the top recipient of general energy industry contributions, taking in more than $5.6 million during the 2000 and 2004 cycles.[iv]So what?
Not surprisingly, the Bush administration’s weak mercury proposal reflects the opposition of the president’s industry contributors to tougher mercury controls. Indeed, EPA went so far as to include word-for-word industry recommendations in its proposed rule. An analysis of EPA’s proposal reveals that the agency copied at least a dozen paragraphs from two memos submitted by Latham & Watkins, a Washington , DC law firm representing utilities such as Cinergy. [v]Silly Hamster, money doesn't influence politics.
Posted by Eric at 02:32 AM | Comments (7)
Stern Doing Voter Mobilization
Well ... sorta. Stern is Stern, and in this great land of democracy, I have no problem with him having airtime. And if he's getting involved in the political process, then who am I to complain? Boston Globe:
Since the FCC crackdown on media "indecency" in the wake of Janet Jackson's Nipplegate incident, Stern has transformed his morning variety show into a rabidly anti-Bush talk forum. Every weekday, he has been devoting hours of his broadcast (locally on WBCN-FM, 104.1) to impassioned criticism of President Bush and support of Senator John Kerry. Railing tirelessly against the president, Stern has been attacking Bush's yoking together of church and state, the legitimacy of his National Guard service, his use of Sept. 11 imagery in his campaign ads, his stances regarding First Amendment rights, his handling of Iraq, and his stands on gay marriage and stem-cell research.So who is listening to Stern? The sleeping swing voters:"Join me and friends of this show who are outraged," Stern said on the air last Friday. "Vote out every Republican you can find." He has also been urging his listeners to send money to Kerry's campaign, calling him "a good man" and praising his record in Vietnam as well as his later criticism of the Vietnam War.
"With all the talk of liberal talk radio," says Michael Harrison, the editor and publisher of Talkers magazine, "we're seeing emerging from the ranks of `shock jocks' one of the most potent and articulate liberal talkers we've seen in years."
Harrison calls Stern's's recent crusade "historic." "Anytime you have somebody suddenly igniting political interest with an audience who has the kind of loyalty factor Stern has, it could turn an election." A large percentage of Stern's listeners -- some 8 1/2 million a week -- were leaning in favor of Bush, Harrison says. "If Stern could turn several million Bush supporters away from Bush, that has even more impact than Rush Limbaugh, who's preaching to the choir. So this is pivotal to what is shaping up to be a close election."
Stern is frequently dismissed, by liberals and conservatives alike, as a sexist, a racist, and a narcissist. But he is one of the most influential entertainers in America, particularly among the much-sought-after 18-to-25-year-old male demographic. His show is a critical stop for actors plugging youth-market movies, and his skits serve as the blueprint for many reality TV concepts. Last month, in an effort to borrow some of Stern's mojo, Jay Leno hired Stern sidekick "Stuttering John" Melendez to be an announcer and correspondent on "The Tonight Show."When the Republican Convention comes to New York, and if Stern is still on the air and anti-Bush, it'll be interesting to see the stunts the show or more likely its rabid followers pull.Harrison says that Stern's audience is broader than most people realize. "They're not just 18-year-old, beer-drinking yahoos. They're 20- and 30- and 40-something professionals. They're mainstream American citizens who are well-educated and affluent and socially active and politically interested, though not politically active. But they're being motivated. Wouldn't that be amazing if millions of people vote who otherwise wouldn't, because of this issue?"
EDIT: I'm not familiar with the Howard Stern show, but apparently fans of the show routinely make prank calls such as this one to CNN, where a caller said, 'Fuck the FCC' on CNN live.
Of course, this isn't to say I condone people pranking CNN, as lame as they are, but just one of many examples of the loyal fan base Stern commands, and the potential headaches they can pose to Republicans if properly mobilized by Stern. As previously noted, Jay Leno tapped a guy from the Howard Stern show to be his own sidekick. Stern has some influence among a certain demographic in this country, like it or not.
Posted by Eric at 02:23 AM | Comments (26)
Stern Doing Voter Mobilization
Well ... sorta. Stern is Stern, and in this great land of democracy, I have no problem with him having airtime. And if he's getting involved in the political process, then who am I to complain? Boston Globe:
Since the FCC crackdown on media "indecency" in the wake of Janet Jackson's Nipplegate incident, Stern has transformed his morning variety show into a rabidly anti-Bush talk forum. Every weekday, he has been devoting hours of his broadcast (locally on WBCN-FM, 104.1) to impassioned criticism of President Bush and support of Senator John Kerry. Railing tirelessly against the president, Stern has been attacking Bush's yoking together of church and state, the legitimacy of his National Guard service, his use of Sept. 11 imagery in his campaign ads, his stances regarding First Amendment rights, his handling of Iraq, and his stands on gay marriage and stem-cell research.So who is listening to Stern? The sleeping swing voters:"Join me and friends of this show who are outraged," Stern said on the air last Friday. "Vote out every Republican you can find." He has also been urging his listeners to send money to Kerry's campaign, calling him "a good man" and praising his record in Vietnam as well as his later criticism of the Vietnam War.
"With all the talk of liberal talk radio," says Michael Harrison, the editor and publisher of Talkers magazine, "we're seeing emerging from the ranks of `shock jocks' one of the most potent and articulate liberal talkers we've seen in years."
Harrison calls Stern's's recent crusade "historic." "Anytime you have somebody suddenly igniting political interest with an audience who has the kind of loyalty factor Stern has, it could turn an election." A large percentage of Stern's listeners -- some 8 1/2 million a week -- were leaning in favor of Bush, Harrison says. "If Stern could turn several million Bush supporters away from Bush, that has even more impact than Rush Limbaugh, who's preaching to the choir. So this is pivotal to what is shaping up to be a close election."
Stern is frequently dismissed, by liberals and conservatives alike, as a sexist, a racist, and a narcissist. But he is one of the most influential entertainers in America, particularly among the much-sought-after 18-to-25-year-old male demographic. His show is a critical stop for actors plugging youth-market movies, and his skits serve as the blueprint for many reality TV concepts. Last month, in an effort to borrow some of Stern's mojo, Jay Leno hired Stern sidekick "Stuttering John" Melendez to be an announcer and correspondent on "The Tonight Show."When the Republican Convention comes to New York, and if Stern is still on the air and anti-Bush, it'll be interesting to see the stunts the show or more likely its rabid followers pull.Harrison says that Stern's audience is broader than most people realize. "They're not just 18-year-old, beer-drinking yahoos. They're 20- and 30- and 40-something professionals. They're mainstream American citizens who are well-educated and affluent and socially active and politically interested, though not politically active. But they're being motivated. Wouldn't that be amazing if millions of people vote who otherwise wouldn't, because of this issue?"
EDIT: I'm not familiar with the Howard Stern show, but apparently fans of the show routinely make prank calls such as this one to CNN, where a caller said, 'Fuck the FCC' on CNN live.
Of course, this isn't to say I condone people pranking CNN, as lame as they are, but just one of many examples of the loyal fan base Stern commands, and the potential headaches they can pose to Republicans if properly mobilized by Stern. As previously noted, Jay Leno tapped a guy from the Howard Stern show to be his own sidekick. Stern has some influence among a certain demographic in this country, like it or not.
Posted by Eric at 02:23 AM | Comments (16)
March 17, 2004
Wed Stories
AP. Report: Bank of America to cut up to 13,000 jobs in Fleet merger
AP. Kerry pledges to be 'veteran's veteran' as Bush criticizes his support of Iraq troops
Boston Globe. Kerry blasts Bush on protecting troops
Boston Globe. Romney says convention should move; Democrats reject call for shift to S. Boston
Miami Herald. Key West endorses gay marriage
USAT. Proposed 'academic bill of rights' makes inroads
SacBee. A health coverage mecca no more; Once the nation's envy, state's costs now barely beat the U.S. average
AP. Job slump could keep interest rates low
AP. Clintons join drive to get Kerry $10 million in 10 days
AP. Kerry, White House vie for veterans
AP. Cabinet Members Help Bush's Campaign
AP. San Antonio Congressman Wins Nomination
AP. George Carlin talks indecency
CBS/AP. Poll: Global Distrust Of U.S.
Reuters. Singapore is tightening air pollutant regulations
WP. Ad Attacks Kerry Vote on Iraq Funds: Senator Calls Bush Campaign Spot a 'Distortion' of His Record
WP. Ethics Truce Frays in House: Democrats Torn Over Investigating GOP
NYT. 2 Presidents' Aides Will Start Testifying Next Week on 9/11
NYT. Report Faults Agency More Than Top Aide in Lobbying Case
NYT. Bush's Campaign Emphasizes Role of Leader in War
AP. Second Oregon County OKs Gay Marriage
Newsday. Kerry takes on GOP head-on in swing through pivotal Va.
AP. A Vindicated Hans Blix Returns to U.S.
Commentary
Josh Marshall. Kerry is right, foreign leaders want Bush beaten
Boston Globe. How Bush treats women
Newsday. Bush's war exercise: the backpedal
Robert Scheer. Boycott Spanish olives?
Michelangelo Signorile. Crooked Fingers Pointing: Who, exactly, is destroying America’s values?
Sandra Tsing Loh. How I Lost My Radio Show
CBS. What Iraq Has Cost Us
SFC. Bush's Medicare deceit
Helen Thomas. Exported jobs hot-button election issue
AJC. Manufacturing czar like fifth wheel
Paul Waldman. Pining for Hillary: Conservatives' love affair with the Senator from New York
Lynn M. Paltrow. Coercive Medicine
Matthew Yglesias. Rational Security: The problem isn't that George W. Bush hasn't done enough in the war on terrorism -- it's that he's hardly fought it at all
Mary Lynn F. Jones. Congress Conquest: From Alaska to Louisiana, this year's Senate races look promising for the Democrats. Could they retake the chamber in November?
Andrew Cohen. The Umpires Strike Back: Incensed by a congressional act that shackles their sentencing discretion, federal judges -- William Rehnquist included -- are pounding the gavel
Sam Natapoff. Rogue Whale: Seventy years after FDR, JP Morgan finally got its revenge against banking regulations with its Chase merger. But a new FDR is watching
Anya Kamenetz. 'Deanie Babies' Grow Up
David Corn. The Best--or Worst--of Bush's Iraq Whoppers
Farhad Manjoo. One cable company to rule them all
Committee on Government Reform. President Bush, VP Cheney, and Top Advisors Made over 200 Misleading Public Statements on Iraq Threat
AFL-CIO. AFL-CIO Challenges Bush on China Trade Abuses, Administration Has 45 Days to Begin Investigation Into Charges of Bonded Labor, Violations of Workers' Rights
Bill Berkowitz and Arnie Passman. Stern Warning
Bill Moyers, AlterNet. Farewell to the Sixties
Gerald Rellick. The Disgrace of Colin Powell
Blog
Daily Kos. AK-Sen: Knowles strongly backs gay rights
Donkey Rising. The Failure of the GOP's Hispanic Strategy
uggabugga. Ladies and gentlemen, this is your National Security Advisor
Pandagon. Kerry's Goring Begins
oliverwillis. Donald Rumsfeld Is A Liar
Counterspin. GOP SLEAZE PATROL
DNC. Keeping things fair and balanced
Billmon. House of the Rising Scum
Posted by Eric at 11:49 PM | Comments (27)
Wed Stories
AP. Report: Bank of America to cut up to 13,000 jobs in Fleet merger
AP. Kerry pledges to be 'veteran's veteran' as Bush criticizes his support of Iraq troops
Boston Globe. Kerry blasts Bush on protecting troops
Boston Globe. Romney says convention should move; Democrats reject call for shift to S. Boston
Miami Herald. Key West endorses gay marriage
USAT. Proposed 'academic bill of rights' makes inroads
SacBee. A health coverage mecca no more; Once the nation's envy, state's costs now barely beat the U.S. average
AP. Job slump could keep interest rates low
AP. Clintons join drive to get Kerry $10 million in 10 days
AP. Kerry, White House vie for veterans
AP. Cabinet Members Help Bush's Campaign
AP. San Antonio Congressman Wins Nomination
AP. George Carlin talks indecency
CBS/AP. Poll: Global Distrust Of U.S.
Reuters. Singapore is tightening air pollutant regulations
WP. Ad Attacks Kerry Vote on Iraq Funds: Senator Calls Bush Campaign Spot a 'Distortion' of His Record
WP. Ethics Truce Frays in House: Democrats Torn Over Investigating GOP
NYT. 2 Presidents' Aides Will Start Testifying Next Week on 9/11
NYT. Report Faults Agency More Than Top Aide in Lobbying Case
NYT. Bush's Campaign Emphasizes Role of Leader in War
AP. Second Oregon County OKs Gay Marriage
Newsday. Kerry takes on GOP head-on in swing through pivotal Va.
AP. A Vindicated Hans Blix Returns to U.S.
Commentary
Josh Marshall. Kerry is right, foreign leaders want Bush beaten
Boston Globe. How Bush treats women
Newsday. Bush's war exercise: the backpedal
Robert Scheer. Boycott Spanish olives?
Michelangelo Signorile. Crooked Fingers Pointing: Who, exactly, is destroying America’s values?
Sandra Tsing Loh. How I Lost My Radio Show
CBS. What Iraq Has Cost Us
SFC. Bush's Medicare deceit
Helen Thomas. Exported jobs hot-button election issue
AJC. Manufacturing czar like fifth wheel
Paul Waldman. Pining for Hillary: Conservatives' love affair with the Senator from New York
Lynn M. Paltrow. Coercive Medicine
Matthew Yglesias. Rational Security: The problem isn't that George W. Bush hasn't done enough in the war on terrorism -- it's that he's hardly fought it at all
Mary Lynn F. Jones. Congress Conquest: From Alaska to Louisiana, this year's Senate races look promising for the Democrats. Could they retake the chamber in November?
Andrew Cohen. The Umpires Strike Back: Incensed by a congressional act that shackles their sentencing discretion, federal judges -- William Rehnquist included -- are pounding the gavel
Sam Natapoff. Rogue Whale: Seventy years after FDR, JP Morgan finally got its revenge against banking regulations with its Chase merger. But a new FDR is watching
Anya Kamenetz. 'Deanie Babies' Grow Up
David Corn. The Best--or Worst--of Bush's Iraq Whoppers
Farhad Manjoo. One cable company to rule them all
Committee on Government Reform. President Bush, VP Cheney, and Top Advisors Made over 200 Misleading Public Statements on Iraq Threat
AFL-CIO. AFL-CIO Challenges Bush on China Trade Abuses, Administration Has 45 Days to Begin Investigation Into Charges of Bonded Labor, Violations of Workers' Rights
Bill Berkowitz and Arnie Passman. Stern Warning
Bill Moyers, AlterNet. Farewell to the Sixties
Gerald Rellick. The Disgrace of Colin Powell
Blog
Daily Kos. AK-Sen: Knowles strongly backs gay rights
Donkey Rising. The Failure of the GOP's Hispanic Strategy
uggabugga. Ladies and gentlemen, this is your National Security Advisor
Pandagon. Kerry's Goring Begins
oliverwillis. Donald Rumsfeld Is A Liar
Counterspin. GOP SLEAZE PATROL
DNC. Keeping things fair and balanced
Billmon. House of the Rising Scum
Posted by Eric at 11:49 PM | Comments (3)
The Next Senator from Illinois
I was reading Barack Obama's biography on his website, and found this interesting part from the Chicago Sun-Times:
Our endorsement goes to Obama, who seems best poised to overtake Hull. Obama's background and experience can trump Hull's money. Obama has a compelling personal story. He is a man who has struggled to understand the landscape in two worlds -- one white, one black. Born to a white mother from Kansas and a black father from Kenya, reared in Hawaii and Indonesia, Obama could be the man for this time and for this place.Partially raised in Hawaii, that gets my Hawaii-bias activism going.If nominated and elected, Obama would be the first African American male in the Senate since 1978, when Edward W. Brooke, a Republican from Massachusetts, left after two terms, and only the third African American ever elected to that office in modern times. The other being Illinois' Carol Moseley Braun, who served one term until defeated by the current incumbent, retiring Sen. Peter Fitzgerald.
But what do I know? Planned Parenthood, League of Conservation Voters, Sierra Club, Federation of Teachers, and Harold Ramis have endorsed him! Veckman! But more importantly, director of the timeless hit classic, 'Stuart Saves His Family.'
Posted by Eric at 06:23 PM | Comments (13)
The Next Senator from Illinois
I was reading Barack Obama's biography on his website, and found this interesting part from the Chicago Sun-Times:
Our endorsement goes to Obama, who seems best poised to overtake Hull. Obama's background and experience can trump Hull's money. Obama has a compelling personal story. He is a man who has struggled to understand the landscape in two worlds -- one white, one black. Born to a white mother from Kansas and a black father from Kenya, reared in Hawaii and Indonesia, Obama could be the man for this time and for this place.Partially raised in Hawaii, that gets my Hawaii-bias activism going.If nominated and elected, Obama would be the first African American male in the Senate since 1978, when Edward W. Brooke, a Republican from Massachusetts, left after two terms, and only the third African American ever elected to that office in modern times. The other being Illinois' Carol Moseley Braun, who served one term until defeated by the current incumbent, retiring Sen. Peter Fitzgerald.
But what do I know? Planned Parenthood, League of Conservation Voters, Sierra Club, Federation of Teachers, and Harold Ramis have endorsed him! Veckman! But more importantly, director of the timeless hit classic, 'Stuart Saves His Family.'
Posted by Eric at 06:23 PM | Comments (3)
Dozens Dead in Another Iraq Attack
AP.
Posted by Eric at 01:42 PM | Comments (9)
Dozens Dead in Another Iraq Attack
AP.
Posted by Eric at 01:42 PM | Comments (3)
House GOP Break House Rules?
From the DCCC's blog, this from Al Kamen:
Turns out the use of government Web sites for political purposes, contrary to Monday's report on the House Resources Committee's blasts at Sen. John F. Kerry (D-Mass.), does appear to be against House rules that prohibit using official resources for campaign or political purposes. "The misuse of the funds and other resources" for members "is a very serious matter," the rules say, and "such conduct may result in not only disciplinary action by the House, but also in criminal prosecution."To learn what was previously about, go to Josh Marsh's site.Do say? Criminal prosecution? Well, that may change everyone's behavior.
Posted by Eric at 11:41 AM | Comments (18)
House GOP Break House Rules?
From the DCCC's blog, this from Al Kamen:
Turns out the use of government Web sites for political purposes, contrary to Monday's report on the House Resources Committee's blasts at Sen. John F. Kerry (D-Mass.), does appear to be against House rules that prohibit using official resources for campaign or political purposes. "The misuse of the funds and other resources" for members "is a very serious matter," the rules say, and "such conduct may result in not only disciplinary action by the House, but also in criminal prosecution."To learn what was previously about, go to Josh Marsh's site.Do say? Criminal prosecution? Well, that may change everyone's behavior.
Posted by Eric at 11:41 AM | Comments (3)
Bush vs. Reality
From the Center for American Progress:
"When you hear people say, we cut individual income taxes, or tax on the rich, really what you ought to put in your mind is these were taxes to help the entrepreneurial class of America. Small businesses benefit."
- President Bush, 3/17/04
VERSUS
Only 3.7% of small businesses are affected by the top tax rate cuts that made up the bulk of the President's income tax cuts. Most small business owners "would be far more likely to receive no tax reduction whatsoever from the Administration's tax package than to benefit."
- Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, 5/3/01
Posted by Eric at 11:37 AM | Comments (33)
Bush vs. Reality
From the Center for American Progress:
"When you hear people say, we cut individual income taxes, or tax on the rich, really what you ought to put in your mind is these were taxes to help the entrepreneurial class of America. Small businesses benefit."
- President Bush, 3/17/04
VERSUS
Only 3.7% of small businesses are affected by the top tax rate cuts that made up the bulk of the President's income tax cuts. Most small business owners "would be far more likely to receive no tax reduction whatsoever from the Administration's tax package than to benefit."
- Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, 5/3/01
Posted by Eric at 11:37 AM | Comments (4)
RNC Rolls Out 'Reggie the Registration Rig'
Nothing says get out the vote like poorly planned alliteration by the RNC. Actually, it's a sound idea, where the RNC will attend Bush target spots such as
NASCAR races and other sporting events, college campuses, parades, ethnic festivals, and church Sundaysand lure the easily distracted with temptations of
interactive multimedia capabilities, Xbox systems, and fully converts into a sound stage and entertainment platform when parked.Already big celebrities, half of whom work for the RNC, have stopped by!
Posted by Eric at 11:33 AM | Comments (12)
RNC Rolls Out 'Reggie the Registration Rig'
Nothing says get out the vote like poorly planned alliteration by the RNC. Actually, it's a sound idea, where the RNC will attend Bush target spots such as
NASCAR races and other sporting events, college campuses, parades, ethnic festivals, and church Sundaysand lure the easily distracted with temptations of
interactive multimedia capabilities, Xbox systems, and fully converts into a sound stage and entertainment platform when parked.Already big celebrities, half of whom work for the RNC, have stopped by!
Posted by Eric at 11:33 AM | Comments (2)
Lies and the Lying Liars
Find the Bush administration's public statements on Iraq.
Por ejemplo:
SPEAKER: Bush
SUBJECT: Urgent Threat
Search!
RESULTS!
President George W. Bush on Urgent Threat:
"But the risk of doing nothing, the risk of the security of this country being jeopardized at the hands of a madman with weapons of mass destruction far exceeds the risks of any action we may be forced to take."
Source: President Meets with National Economic Council, White House (2/25/2003).
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Explanation This statement was misleading because it suggested that Iraq posed an urgent threat despite the fact that the U.S. intelligence community had deep divisions and divergent points of view regarding Iraq's weapons of mass destruction. As Director of Central Intelligence George Tenet noted in February 2004, "Let me be clear: analysts differed on several important aspects of these programs and those debates were spelled out in the Estimate. They never said there was an 'imminent' threat."
"Today the world is also uniting to answer the unique and urgent threat posed by Iraq. A dictator who has used weapons of mass destruction on his own people must not be allowed to produce or possess those weapons. We will not permit Saddam Hussein to blackmail and/or terrorize nations which love freedom."
Source: President Bush Speaks to Atlantic Youth Council, CNN (11/20/2002).
"On its present course, the Iraqi regime is a threat of unique urgency. . . . it has developed weapons of mass death."
Source: President, House Leadership Agree on Iraq Resolution, White House (10/2/2002).
"The history, the logic, and the facts lead to one conclusion: Saddam Hussein's regime is a grave and gathering danger. To suggest otherwise is to hope against the evidence. To assume this regime's good faith is to bet the lives of millions and the peace of the world in a reckless gamble. And this is a risk we must not take."
Source: Address to the United Nations General Assembly, White House (9/12/2002).
Posted by Eric at 03:59 AM | Comments (16)
Lies and the Lying Liars
Find the Bush administration's public statements on Iraq.
Por ejemplo:
SPEAKER: Bush
SUBJECT: Urgent Threat
Search!
RESULTS!
President George W. Bush on Urgent Threat:
"But the risk of doing nothing, the risk of the security of this country being jeopardized at the hands of a madman with weapons of mass destruction far exceeds the risks of any action we may be forced to take."
Source: President Meets with National Economic Council, White House (2/25/2003).
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Explanation This statement was misleading because it suggested that Iraq posed an urgent threat despite the fact that the U.S. intelligence community had deep divisions and divergent points of view regarding Iraq's weapons of mass destruction. As Director of Central Intelligence George Tenet noted in February 2004, "Let me be clear: analysts differed on several important aspects of these programs and those debates were spelled out in the Estimate. They never said there was an 'imminent' threat."
"Today the world is also uniting to answer the unique and urgent threat posed by Iraq. A dictator who has used weapons of mass destruction on his own people must not be allowed to produce or possess those weapons. We will not permit Saddam Hussein to blackmail and/or terrorize nations which love freedom."
Source: President Bush Speaks to Atlantic Youth Council, CNN (11/20/2002).
"On its present course, the Iraqi regime is a threat of unique urgency. . . . it has developed weapons of mass death."
Source: President, House Leadership Agree on Iraq Resolution, White House (10/2/2002).
"The history, the logic, and the facts lead to one conclusion: Saddam Hussein's regime is a grave and gathering danger. To suggest otherwise is to hope against the evidence. To assume this regime's good faith is to bet the lives of millions and the peace of the world in a reckless gamble. And this is a risk we must not take."
Source: Address to the United Nations General Assembly, White House (9/12/2002).
Posted by Eric at 03:59 AM | Comments (7)
Hamster Numbers: $80 Million for Medicare Ads
What $80 Million for Medicare Ads Could Be Used For, from Center American Progress:
$80M is more than needed to set up a system to give seniors access to meds from Canada; $80M would prevent the White House from eliminating grants to low-income health clinics; $80M would restore most of the White House-proposed cuts to rural health activities; $80M would restore some of the cuts to veterans' medical care proposed by the White House; $80M would fully restore cuts to minority health programs; $80M would restore the White House-backed cuts to Medicaid's computer systems.
Posted by Eric at 02:56 AM | Comments (12)
Hamster Numbers: $80 Million for Medicare Ads
What $80 Million for Medicare Ads Could Be Used For, from Center American Progress:
$80M is more than needed to set up a system to give seniors access to meds from Canada; $80M would prevent the White House from eliminating grants to low-income health clinics; $80M would restore most of the White House-proposed cuts to rural health activities; $80M would restore some of the cuts to veterans' medical care proposed by the White House; $80M would fully restore cuts to minority health programs; $80M would restore the White House-backed cuts to Medicaid's computer systems.
Posted by Eric at 02:56 AM | Comments (1)
The Rising Star
Barack Obama wins the Democratic primaries for the Senate Seat in Ill.
The Democrats are estatic about their new candidate. From Senator Jon Corzine, DSCC Chair, in an email:
Obama ran an effective, energetic campaign which has captured the hearts and imagination of Illinois voters. After a hard fought primary victory, he faces a tough battle to win this highly competitive seat against Republican nominee Jack Ryan. Ryan has already pumped millions of his personal fortune into the race to win the GOP primary and we expect him to spend millions more in the general election.The Chicago Tribune said of Obama on 2/29/04: "Barack Obama has a proven record of spirited, principled and effective leadership in the legislature, and he is the only Democrat in this race who can make that claim."A victory in Illinois is critical, in fact imperative, in our "Fight for 51" to take back the Senate. We must win in Illinois and with a multi-millionaire self funder on the Republican side, your support is more critical than ever.
Barack Obama is the type of Democrat that we need in the U.S. Senate. Obama, the son of a Kenyan immigrant, has served Illinois' 13th district as a State Senator for seven years, and follows in the footsteps of his mentor the late Senator Paul Simon. He's fought to empower working families and the underprivileged in Illinois, during his time in the Senate. After graduating from Harvard Law School, Obama proved his ability to motivate people behind a cause, organizing one of the largest voter registration drives in Chicago history and helping Bill Clinton to be elected President ...
His website can be found here.
Posted by Eric at 02:46 AM | Comments (43)
The Rising Star
Barack Obama wins the Democratic primaries for the Senate Seat in Ill.
The Democrats are estatic about their new candidate. From Senator Jon Corzine, DSCC Chair, in an email:
Obama ran an effective, energetic campaign which has captured the hearts and imagination of Illinois voters. After a hard fought primary victory, he faces a tough battle to win this highly competitive seat against Republican nominee Jack Ryan. Ryan has already pumped millions of his personal fortune into the race to win the GOP primary and we expect him to spend millions more in the general election.The Chicago Tribune said of Obama on 2/29/04: "Barack Obama has a proven record of spirited, principled and effective leadership in the legislature, and he is the only Democrat in this race who can make that claim."A victory in Illinois is critical, in fact imperative, in our "Fight for 51" to take back the Senate. We must win in Illinois and with a multi-millionaire self funder on the Republican side, your support is more critical than ever.
Barack Obama is the type of Democrat that we need in the U.S. Senate. Obama, the son of a Kenyan immigrant, has served Illinois' 13th district as a State Senator for seven years, and follows in the footsteps of his mentor the late Senator Paul Simon. He's fought to empower working families and the underprivileged in Illinois, during his time in the Senate. After graduating from Harvard Law School, Obama proved his ability to motivate people behind a cause, organizing one of the largest voter registration drives in Chicago history and helping Bill Clinton to be elected President ...
His website can be found here.
Posted by Eric at 02:46 AM | Comments (3)
Hamster Picks
Yes sir, you can bet the farm on these good ol' office pool picks:
Click down if you care.
Second round pick:
Kentucky
Washington
Providence
Kansas
Boston College
Georgia Tech
Michigan St.
Gonzaga
St. Joseph's
Charlotte
Manhattan
VCU
Wisconsin
Pittsburgh
Memphis
Oklahoma St.*
Duke
Seton Hall
Illinois
Cincinnati
North Carolina
Texas
Xavier
Mississippi St.
Stanford*
S. Illinois
BYU
Maryland
W. Michigan
NC State
Dayton
Vermont
REGIONALS
Kentucky
Kansas
Boston College
Gonzaga
St. Joseph's
VCU
Wisconsin
Oklahoma St
Duke
Cincinnati
North Carolina
Xavier
Stanford
Maryland
W. Michigan
Dayton
REGIONALS 2
Kentucky
Gonzaga
St. Joseph's
Oklahoma St.
Duke
North Carolina
Stanford
Dayton
SEMIs
Kentucky
St. Joseph's
Duke
Stanford
St. Joseph's 74
Stanford 69
Posted by Eric at 02:36 AM | Comments (14)
Hamster Picks
Yes sir, you can bet the farm on these good ol' office pool picks:
Click down if you care.
Second round pick:
Kentucky
Washington
Providence
Kansas
Boston College
Georgia Tech
Michigan St.
Gonzaga
St. Joseph's
Charlotte
Manhattan
VCU
Wisconsin
Pittsburgh
Memphis
Oklahoma St.*
Duke
Seton Hall
Illinois
Cincinnati
North Carolina
Texas
Xavier
Mississippi St.
Stanford*
S. Illinois
BYU
Maryland
W. Michigan
NC State
Dayton
Vermont
REGIONALS
Kentucky
Kansas
Boston College
Gonzaga
St. Joseph's
VCU
Wisconsin
Oklahoma St
Duke
Cincinnati
North Carolina
Xavier
Stanford
Maryland
W. Michigan
Dayton
REGIONALS 2
Kentucky
Gonzaga
St. Joseph's
Oklahoma St.
Duke
North Carolina
Stanford
Dayton
SEMIs
Kentucky
St. Joseph's
Duke
Stanford
St. Joseph's 74
Stanford 69
Posted by Eric at 02:36 AM | Comments (2)
March 16, 2004
Tuesday Stories
AP. Gay couples turn to Portland for marraige
AP. Anti-war soldier surrenders to unit in Florida
CNN. Bush challenges Kerry comments
StPetersburg Time. Orlando rally to jump-start Bush team
AP. Bush forgot W.Va., Kerry says
NYT. Two Ministers Are Charged in Gay Nuptials
LAT. O.C.'s Republican Chairman Steps Down; Thomas A. Fuentes, in the job for 20 years, had been urged to quit by those who feared his conservatism hurt the GOP
AP. Eight Western Governors Balk at NRC Rule Changes
LAT. Senator and His Allies Keep Up With Tempo of Bush Ads
SacBee. College students protest Schwarzenegger fee plan
Rocky Mountain News. Colorado Republicans judge a book by its coverl; They aim to protect kids from graphic displays at stores
Del News Journal. Delaware gay rights bill stalled in Senate; In wake of recent events, a vote seems unlikely
Miami Herald. Gay unions likely to get Key West support
Boston Herald. Meehan, Lynch weigh bid for Kerry's seat
AP. Six Civilians Killed in Iraq Shootings
Spring Journal-Register. Kucinich still stumping
News & Observer. N.C. loses two soldiers
NJ Ledger. Same-sex marriage heads to courts
AP. Ministers charged in gay weddings
Argus Leader. Other states watch S.D. veto, vote closely
CSM. Colleges face spare changes
CSM. Mainstream churches take a leap of faith into TV advertising
CSM. Softening of 'No Child Left Behind'
USAT. 'Highly qualified' teacher rules get wiggle room
LAT. U.S. Further Revises 'No Child' Law
AP. Defiant Aristide Back In Caribbean
CBS. More U.S. Jobs Shipped Overseas
AP. 3 U.S. Civilians Shot Dead In Iraq
AP. Taxpayers May Pay Janklow's Civil Damages
AP. Liberals Help Kerry Match Bush Ads on Air
AP. Poll: Bush, Kerry Run Evenly in Many Areas
NYT. Officials Tending to Blame Qaeda for Madrid Attack
NYT. Spain Will Loosen Its Alliance With U.S., Premier-Elect Says
WP. Seeking Votes in Pa., Bush Talks Housing
WP. Democrats Seek Probe of Medicare Estimates
WP. D.C. Lead Issue Was Debated for Months: Regional EPA Office Decided No Federal Action Was Needed
AP. White House tells Kerry to prove anti-Bush claim
Commentary
Mark Engler. One year after the invasion of Iraq, what has the peace movement accomplished? And where do we go from here?
Molly McClain. Rachel Corrie fought for world she believed in
Cynthia Tucker. Homophobia and H.I.V.: Black men on the 'down low' keep infection rates high
Molly Ivins. Red alert at the White House: Failures pile up for our anti-government government
Robert Scheer. Dear W, Your Father Knew Best
Ruth Rosen. The Truth Leaks Out
Matt Bivens. Gag Rules: The Bushies intimidated a White House employee into silence about the cost of its Medicare plans
John Nichols. An Indecent Proposal: Broadcast Decency Enforcement Act threatens free speech; fails to address real issues
Patrick Doherty. Dumping Crude: Pentagon insiders know invading Iraq was about oil, think things need to change and are willing to act. Is John Kerry?
Walter Cronkite. Make Global Warming an Issue
Joe Conason. Office space: Ralph Nader's got some explaining to do. Why is his campaign headquarters housed in his nonprofit's tax-exempt offices?
Joe Wilson. The Pinocchio presidency: A former diplomat says it's time to blow the whistle on the Bush administration's blatant lies
Johnny Temple. Defending Peaceful Tomorrows
William Rivers Pitt. Three Days in Spain
Al Franken. Tearaway Burkas & Tinplate Menorahs
Krugman. Weak on Terror
Posted by Eric at 11:59 PM | Comments (12)
Tuesday Stories
AP. Gay couples turn to Portland for marraige
AP. Anti-war soldier surrenders to unit in Florida
CNN. Bush challenges Kerry comments
StPetersburg Time. Orlando rally to jump-start Bush team
AP. Bush forgot W.Va., Kerry says
NYT. Two Ministers Are Charged in Gay Nuptials
LAT. O.C.'s Republican Chairman Steps Down; Thomas A. Fuentes, in the job for 20 years, had been urged to quit by those who feared his conservatism hurt the GOP
AP. Eight Western Governors Balk at NRC Rule Changes
LAT. Senator and His Allies Keep Up With Tempo of Bush Ads
SacBee. College students protest Schwarzenegger fee plan
Rocky Mountain News. Colorado Republicans judge a book by its coverl; They aim to protect kids from graphic displays at stores
Del News Journal. Delaware gay rights bill stalled in Senate; In wake of recent events, a vote seems unlikely
Miami Herald. Gay unions likely to get Key West support
Boston Herald. Meehan, Lynch weigh bid for Kerry's seat
AP. Six Civilians Killed in Iraq Shootings
Spring Journal-Register. Kucinich still stumping
News & Observer. N.C. loses two soldiers
NJ Ledger. Same-sex marriage heads to courts
AP. Ministers charged in gay weddings
Argus Leader. Other states watch S.D. veto, vote closely
CSM. Colleges face spare changes
CSM. Mainstream churches take a leap of faith into TV advertising
CSM. Softening of 'No Child Left Behind'
USAT. 'Highly qualified' teacher rules get wiggle room
LAT. U.S. Further Revises 'No Child' Law
AP. Defiant Aristide Back In Caribbean
CBS. More U.S. Jobs Shipped Overseas
AP. 3 U.S. Civilians Shot Dead In Iraq
AP. Taxpayers May Pay Janklow's Civil Damages
AP. Liberals Help Kerry Match Bush Ads on Air
AP. Poll: Bush, Kerry Run Evenly in Many Areas
NYT. Officials Tending to Blame Qaeda for Madrid Attack
NYT. Spain Will Loosen Its Alliance With U.S., Premier-Elect Says
WP. Seeking Votes in Pa., Bush Talks Housing
WP. Democrats Seek Probe of Medicare Estimates
WP. D.C. Lead Issue Was Debated for Months: Regional EPA Office Decided No Federal Action Was Needed
AP. White House tells Kerry to prove anti-Bush claim
Commentary
Mark Engler. One year after the invasion of Iraq, what has the peace movement accomplished? And where do we go from here?
Molly McClain. Rachel Corrie fought for world she believed in
Cynthia Tucker. Homophobia and H.I.V.: Black men on the 'down low' keep infection rates high
Molly Ivins. Red alert at the White House: Failures pile up for our anti-government government
Robert Scheer. Dear W, Your Father Knew Best
Ruth Rosen. The Truth Leaks Out
Matt Bivens. Gag Rules: The Bushies intimidated a White House employee into silence about the cost of its Medicare plans
John Nichols. An Indecent Proposal: Broadcast Decency Enforcement Act threatens free speech; fails to address real issues
Patrick Doherty. Dumping Crude: Pentagon insiders know invading Iraq was about oil, think things need to change and are willing to act. Is John Kerry?
Walter Cronkite. Make Global Warming an Issue
Joe Conason. Office space: Ralph Nader's got some explaining to do. Why is his campaign headquarters housed in his nonprofit's tax-exempt offices?
Joe Wilson. The Pinocchio presidency: A former diplomat says it's time to blow the whistle on the Bush administration's blatant lies
Johnny Temple. Defending Peaceful Tomorrows
William Rivers Pitt. Three Days in Spain
Al Franken. Tearaway Burkas & Tinplate Menorahs
Krugman. Weak on Terror
Posted by Eric at 11:59 PM | Comments (1)
Bush Wants Kerry to Identify Supporters So He Can Invade Them
That's the ticket.
Posted by Eric at 09:49 PM | Comments (223)
Bush Wants Kerry to Identify Supporters So He Can Invade Them
That's the ticket.
Posted by Eric at 09:49 PM | Comments (4)
Christian Coalition Fun
Let's see, I have that quote around here somewhere, where could it be ... hmmm ... oh, here it is.
"He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone" John 8:7
So this:
The Christian Coalition of America (CCA), once a formidable political voice whose advocacy for traditional family values helped propel the Republican Party to power, finds itself at the center of a nasty divorce between top employees.The proceeding involves Tracy Ammons, CCA’s former Senate lobbyist and outreach coordinator, and Michele Combs, CCA vice president for communications and the daughter of CCA President Roberta Combs.
Combs and Ammons were wed in December 1999, but their marriage soon disintegrated and was replaced with lawsuits, countersuits and even jail time over relatively small amounts of money that hinge on custody of their 3 1/2-year-old child.
“While the nation debates traditional marriage versus gay marriage, the president of the Christian Coalition, Roberta Combs, is encouraging and bankrolling a nasty, hardball divorce by her own daughter,” said Jonathon Moseley, an attorney for Ammons.
Posted by Eric at 08:38 PM | Comments (7)
Christian Coalition Fun
Let's see, I have that quote around here somewhere, where could it be ... hmmm ... oh, here it is.
"He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone" John 8:7
So this:
The Christian Coalition of America (CCA), once a formidable political voice whose advocacy for traditional family values helped propel the Republican Party to power, finds itself at the center of a nasty divorce between top employees.The proceeding involves Tracy Ammons, CCA’s former Senate lobbyist and outreach coordinator, and Michele Combs, CCA vice president for communications and the daughter of CCA President Roberta Combs.
Combs and Ammons were wed in December 1999, but their marriage soon disintegrated and was replaced with lawsuits, countersuits and even jail time over relatively small amounts of money that hinge on custody of their 3 1/2-year-old child.
“While the nation debates traditional marriage versus gay marriage, the president of the Christian Coalition, Roberta Combs, is encouraging and bankrolling a nasty, hardball divorce by her own daughter,” said Jonathon Moseley, an attorney for Ammons.
Posted by Eric at 08:38 PM | Comments (2)
When Newspapers Lie
Daily Howler on how the conservative media is trying to tarnish Kerry like they tarnished Al Gore. Good stuff on bad stuff. Do we expect anything more from the Washington Times, though?
Posted by Eric at 08:13 PM | Comments (20)
When Newspapers Lie
Daily Howler on how the conservative media is trying to tarnish Kerry like they tarnished Al Gore. Good stuff on bad stuff. Do we expect anything more from the Washington Times, though?
Posted by Eric at 08:13 PM | Comments (1)
Republican on Republican Action
Courtesy of the DNC blog, the Log Cabin Republicans are starting a
$1 million TV advertising campaign in swing states targeting President Bush’s support for a constitutional amendment banning gay marriage.The ads can be seen at their site, logcabin.org, and can be described as
The 30-second spot opens with Vice President Dick Cheney, framed in grayscale, speaking clearly and deliberately during his 2000 vice presidential debate about freedom and his belief that people should be free to enter into any kind of relationship they choose.After several images of gay couples and past civil rights battles, Cheney appears on the screen again and states the position he took gay marriageat that time: “I don’t think there should necessarily be a federal policy in this area.” Two words, “We Agree,” follow Cheney’s remarks.
Posted by Eric at 07:29 PM | Comments (9)
Republican on Republican Action
Courtesy of the DNC blog, the Log Cabin Republicans are starting a
$1 million TV advertising campaign in swing states targeting President Bush’s support for a constitutional amendment banning gay marriage.The ads can be seen at their site, logcabin.org, and can be described as
The 30-second spot opens with Vice President Dick Cheney, framed in grayscale, speaking clearly and deliberately during his 2000 vice presidential debate about freedom and his belief that people should be free to enter into any kind of relationship they choose.After several images of gay couples and past civil rights battles, Cheney appears on the screen again and states the position he took gay marriageat that time: “I don’t think there should necessarily be a federal policy in this area.” Two words, “We Agree,” follow Cheney’s remarks.
Posted by Eric at 07:29 PM | Comments (1)
Jessica Simpson Words of Wisdom
The pop singer is almost giving Bush a run for his money. From the Reliable Sources:
Simpson, whose verbal gaffes are also legendary, pulled another one Sunday visiting the White House, our sources say. The singer was introduced to Interior Secretary Gale Norton and gushed: "You've done a nice job decorating the White House."
Posted by Eric at 07:18 PM | Comments (23)
Jessica Simpson Words of Wisdom
The pop singer is almost giving Bush a run for his money. From the Reliable Sources:
Simpson, whose verbal gaffes are also legendary, pulled another one Sunday visiting the White House, our sources say. The singer was introduced to Interior Secretary Gale Norton and gushed: "You've done a nice job decorating the White House."
Posted by Eric at 07:18 PM | Comments (2)
March Madness Costs Firms 1.5 Billion in Lost Productivity
According to study in article from USA Today:
Filling out a bracket can take hours of studying stats and scouting information. The impact of that pursuit on the workplace is the subject of yearly analysis. A recent study by a job placement consulting firm suggests that while interest in the tournament might cost more than $1.5 billion in lost productivity, an organized office pool might ease that financial blow.Wonder how much lost productivity Atrios or Daily Kos causes. Or this site.Challenger, Gray & Christmas of Chicago estimated that workers spending 10 minutes a day talking about the tournament during its two-week run cost employers $1,525,500,000. That figure is based on an employee pool of more than 39 million earning an average of $15.56 an hour.
But yes, I am picking Hawaii to go all the way ... oh wait. :(
Posted by Eric at 07:15 PM | Comments (37)
March Madness Costs Firms 1.5 Billion in Lost Productivity
According to study in article from USA Today:
Filling out a bracket can take hours of studying stats and scouting information. The impact of that pursuit on the workplace is the subject of yearly analysis. A recent study by a job placement consulting firm suggests that while interest in the tournament might cost more than $1.5 billion in lost productivity, an organized office pool might ease that financial blow.Wonder how much lost productivity Atrios or Daily Kos causes. Or this site.Challenger, Gray & Christmas of Chicago estimated that workers spending 10 minutes a day talking about the tournament during its two-week run cost employers $1,525,500,000. That figure is based on an employee pool of more than 39 million earning an average of $15.56 an hour.
But yes, I am picking Hawaii to go all the way ... oh wait. :(
Posted by Eric at 07:15 PM | Comments (12)
EPA: Mercury Rules Rewritten for Industry
EPA staffers and even Republicans say the Bush White House has been making a mockery of the EPA which, last time I checked, was supposed to stand for the Environmental Protection Agency, not a pro-industry lobbying firm. LA Times:
Political appointees in the Environmental Protection Agency bypassed agency professional staff and a federal advisory panel last year to craft a rule on mercury emissions preferred by the industry and the White House, several longtime EPA officials say.And hey, here's another Republican:The EPA staffers say they were told not to undertake the normal scientific and economic studies called for under a standing executive order. At the same time, the proposal to regulate mercury emissions from coal-burning power plants was written using key language provided by utility lobbyists ... EPA veterans say they cannot recall another instance when the agency's technical experts were cut out of developing a major regulatory proposal.
The administration chose a process "that would support the conclusion they wanted to reach," said John A. Paul, a Republican environmental regulator from Ohio who co-chaired the EPA-appointed advisory panel.
He said its 21 months of work on mercury was ignored.
"There is a politicization of the work of the agency that I have not seen before," said Bruce C. Buckheit, who served in major federal environmental posts for two decades. He retired in December as director of the EPA's Air Enforcement Division, partly because he felt enforcement was stymied. "A political agenda is driving the agency's output, rather than analysis and science," he said.
Russell E. Train, a Republican who headed the EPA during the Nixon and Ford administrations, said: "I think it is outrageous. The agency has strayed from its mission in the past three years."So why rewrite the rules for industry? Hmm ...
Posted by Eric at 11:47 AM | Comments (55)
EPA: Mercury Rules Rewritten for Industry
EPA staffers and even Republicans say the Bush White House has been making a mockery of the EPA which, last time I checked, was supposed to stand for the Environmental Protection Agency, not a pro-industry lobbying firm. LA Times:
Political appointees in the Environmental Protection Agency bypassed agency professional staff and a federal advisory panel last year to craft a rule on mercury emissions preferred by the industry and the White House, several longtime EPA officials say.And hey, here's another Republican:The EPA staffers say they were told not to undertake the normal scientific and economic studies called for under a standing executive order. At the same time, the proposal to regulate mercury emissions from coal-burning power plants was written using key language provided by utility lobbyists ... EPA veterans say they cannot recall another instance when the agency's technical experts were cut out of developing a major regulatory proposal.
The administration chose a process "that would support the conclusion they wanted to reach," said John A. Paul, a Republican environmental regulator from Ohio who co-chaired the EPA-appointed advisory panel.
He said its 21 months of work on mercury was ignored.
"There is a politicization of the work of the agency that I have not seen before," said Bruce C. Buckheit, who served in major federal environmental posts for two decades. He retired in December as director of the EPA's Air Enforcement Division, partly because he felt enforcement was stymied. "A political agenda is driving the agency's output, rather than analysis and science," he said.
Russell E. Train, a Republican who headed the EPA during the Nixon and Ford administrations, said: "I think it is outrageous. The agency has strayed from its mission in the past three years."So why rewrite the rules for industry? Hmm ...
Posted by Eric at 11:47 AM | Comments (6)
Senate Outlook
Daily Kos has a 'Senate Outlook' page with contested and safe seats. Among the more interesting races shaping up seem to be the Colorado and Alaska senate seats.
Meanwhile, Polling Report has these CBS News numbers about House races:
"If the 2004 election for U.S. House of Representatives were being held today, would you vote for the Republican candidate or the Democratic candidate in your district?" 3/10-14/04
Republican 38
Democrat 42
Depends (vol.) 8
Don't Know 12
Posted by Eric at 05:11 AM | Comments (47)
Senate Outlook
Daily Kos has a 'Senate Outlook' page with contested and safe seats. Among the more interesting races shaping up seem to be the Colorado and Alaska senate seats.
Meanwhile, Polling Report has these CBS News numbers about House races:
"If the 2004 election for U.S. House of Representatives were being held today, would you vote for the Republican candidate or the Democratic candidate in your district?" 3/10-14/04
Republican 38
Democrat 42
Depends (vol.) 8
Don't Know 12
Posted by Eric at 05:11 AM | Comments (10)
Hamster Numbers: C02 Emissions
From ClimateStar.org:
With only 4 percent of the population, the United States now produces 25 percent of annual CO2 emissions -- 6.7 billion metric tons annually -- and will remain the chief climate change polluter worldwide for years to come. During the past century, the United States together with other industrialized countries such as Japan, Europe, the former Soviet Union, and Canada has produced more than 60 percent of the CO2 emissions that contribute to global warming.
Posted by Eric at 04:39 AM | Comments (49)
Hamster Numbers: C02 Emissions
From ClimateStar.org:
With only 4 percent of the population, the United States now produces 25 percent of annual CO2 emissions -- 6.7 billion metric tons annually -- and will remain the chief climate change polluter worldwide for years to come. During the past century, the United States together with other industrialized countries such as Japan, Europe, the former Soviet Union, and Canada has produced more than 60 percent of the CO2 emissions that contribute to global warming.
Posted by Eric at 04:39 AM | Comments (1)
March 15, 2004
Monday Stories
NYT. U.S. Videos, for TV News, Come Under Scrutiny
AP. Kerry criticizes Bush on U.S. security
AP. Report says poll workers were given little training
SD Trib. Republicans plan all-out fight to win California for Bush
Denver Post. GOP's Nicholson rejects Senate run
AP. Former Nevada gambling executive wants to unseat GOP's Porter
LAT. Kerry Maintains That World Leaders Want Bush to Go
AP. Dean praises Kerry, urges anti-Bush focus
AP. US officials defend war against Iraq
AP. GOP convention plans take shape
CBS. Prescriptions And Profit
CBS. Wounded Vets Battle At Home
Sunday Herald. Furious Spanish Protesters Chant: ‘Our Dead, Your War’
USAT. Democratic fund-raisers called to help Kerry
AP. Kerry talks health care in two battleground states
WP. Candidates Narrow Focus to 18 States: Battle Has Begun In Most Contested Areas of Nation
WP. Presidential Ad War Hits the Web: Harsh Attacks Leveled Online, Where TV Rules Don't Apply
AP. Powell Doubts Leaders Want Kerry to Win
AP. Rumsfeld: Iraq Weapons May Still Be Found
LAT. Spanish Voters Oust Ruling Party; Anger over support for the war in Iraq, and the terrorist attacks at home, are evident in the election that puts the Socialists in charge
NYT. Study Finds a Waning Appetite for News
USAT. Senators' report faults CIA on Iraq
AP. Protesters honor Iraq casualties, demand end to war
Newsday. More evidence points toward al-Qaida
AP. 4 U.S. soldiers killed in 2 separate Iraq attacks
Commentary
Robert L. Borosage & Earl Hadley. Turn the Paige
Center for American Progress. More Administration Deceptions on Medicare Bill
Gerald S. Rellick. Wall Street is buying a President--and they’re using your money!
Joshua Reichert. One by One, the World Is Becoming a Lonelier Place
Seattle PI. Are we safer? Not so far
Garry South. What are Bush's prospects in Cali? Zip, zero, nada
James O. Goldsborough. Preventing majority rule in Iraq
Salon. Did the Saudis buy a president? How much money has flowed from the House of Saud to the Bush family and its friends and allies over the years? No one will ever know -- but the number is at least $1.477 billion
Robert Reich. Vietnam Remembered: Kerry and Bush represent alternative histories of Vietnam. Only one of those histories is noble
Campaign for America's Future. GAO Finds Bush Medicare Ads Misleading
MoveOn.org. Companies Outsourcing Jobs Give Bush Camp. Big $$$$$
David Talbot. Smearing the messenger: The Bush machine aims its poison darts at another military hero -- Lt. Col. Karen Kwiatkowski
Eric Boehlert. Going negative - He's the father of the modern attack ad, and he's behind the Bush campaign's new wave of anti-Kerry spots. Alex Castellanos is known as vicious, irresponsible -- and effective
James K. Galbraith. Behind the jobs debacle: Bush's jobs forecast failed because there's been no jobs recovery at all
Bob Herbert. An Insult to Our Soldiers
Posted by Eric at 11:59 PM | Comments (8)
Monday Stories
NYT. U.S. Videos, for TV News, Come Under Scrutiny
AP. Kerry criticizes Bush on U.S. security
AP. Report says poll workers were given little training
SD Trib. Republicans plan all-out fight to win California for Bush
Denver Post. GOP's Nicholson rejects Senate run
AP. Former Nevada gambling executive wants to unseat GOP's Porter
LAT. Kerry Maintains That World Leaders Want Bush to Go
AP. Dean praises Kerry, urges anti-Bush focus
AP. US officials defend war against Iraq
AP. GOP convention plans take shape
CBS. Prescriptions And Profit
CBS. Wounded Vets Battle At Home
Sunday Herald. Furious Spanish Protesters Chant: ‘Our Dead, Your War’
USAT. Democratic fund-raisers called to help Kerry
AP. Kerry talks health care in two battleground states
WP. Candidates Narrow Focus to 18 States: Battle Has Begun In Most Contested Areas of Nation
WP. Presidential Ad War Hits the Web: Harsh Attacks Leveled Online, Where TV Rules Don't Apply
AP. Powell Doubts Leaders Want Kerry to Win
AP. Rumsfeld: Iraq Weapons May Still Be Found
LAT. Spanish Voters Oust Ruling Party; Anger over support for the war in Iraq, and the terrorist attacks at home, are evident in the election that puts the Socialists in charge
NYT. Study Finds a Waning Appetite for News
USAT. Senators' report faults CIA on Iraq
AP. Protesters honor Iraq casualties, demand end to war
Newsday. More evidence points toward al-Qaida
AP. 4 U.S. soldiers killed in 2 separate Iraq attacks
Commentary
Robert L. Borosage & Earl Hadley. Turn the Paige
Center for American Progress. More Administration Deceptions on Medicare Bill
Gerald S. Rellick. Wall Street is buying a President--and they’re using your money!
Joshua Reichert. One by One, the World Is Becoming a Lonelier Place
Seattle PI. Are we safer? Not so far
Garry South. What are Bush's prospects in Cali? Zip, zero, nada
James O. Goldsborough. Preventing majority rule in Iraq
Salon. Did the Saudis buy a president? How much money has flowed from the House of Saud to the Bush family and its friends and allies over the years? No one will ever know -- but the number is at least $1.477 billion
Robert Reich. Vietnam Remembered: Kerry and Bush represent alternative histories of Vietnam. Only one of those histories is noble
Campaign for America's Future. GAO Finds Bush Medicare Ads Misleading
MoveOn.org. Companies Outsourcing Jobs Give Bush Camp. Big $$$$$
David Talbot. Smearing the messenger: The Bush machine aims its poison darts at another military hero -- Lt. Col. Karen Kwiatkowski
Eric Boehlert. Going negative - He's the father of the modern attack ad, and he's behind the Bush campaign's new wave of anti-Kerry spots. Alex Castellanos is known as vicious, irresponsible -- and effective
James K. Galbraith. Behind the jobs debacle: Bush's jobs forecast failed because there's been no jobs recovery at all
Bob Herbert. An Insult to Our Soldiers
Posted by Eric at 11:59 PM | Comments (40)
Sharpton Backs Kerry
The Rev. is finally backing John Kerry:
"It would be misleading and futile to campaign for the nomination, but it continues for the platform and direction of the party," Sharpton told The Associated Press in a telephone interview. "My campaign continues now to pick up delegates so that we can go to the convention to coalesce with other delegates."More of the Kerry statement on the endorsement can be found here.Sharpton said he and Kerry plan to meet soon with black business leaders to discuss the Massachusetts senator's appeal to urban and minority voters.
In welcoming the endorsement, Kerry praised Sharpton's "ability to cut through the double-talk we see coming from this administration," and pledged to work for Sharpton's oft-stated goal of a new "urban agenda."
Posted by Eric at 05:45 PM | Comments (15)
Sharpton Backs Kerry
The Rev. is finally backing John Kerry:
"It would be misleading and futile to campaign for the nomination, but it continues for the platform and direction of the party," Sharpton told The Associated Press in a telephone interview. "My campaign continues now to pick up delegates so that we can go to the convention to coalesce with other delegates."More of the Kerry statement on the endorsement can be found here.Sharpton said he and Kerry plan to meet soon with black business leaders to discuss the Massachusetts senator's appeal to urban and minority voters.
In welcoming the endorsement, Kerry praised Sharpton's "ability to cut through the double-talk we see coming from this administration," and pledged to work for Sharpton's oft-stated goal of a new "urban agenda."
Posted by Eric at 05:45 PM | Comments (4)
Report Raises More Concerns About Climate Change
From the World Resources Institute, warning of worsening climate changes:
Data from WRI's Climate Analysis Indicators Tool (CAIT) indicate greenhouse gas emissions such as carbon dioxide, rose 11 percent over the last decade, and are expected to grow another 50 percent by 2020. Studies indicate that the hottest years this century occurred since 1990, the date from which the UNFCCC measures countries' efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.The United Kingdom's top scientist, Sir David King, has publicly warned that the most severe problem facing the world today is climate change. A recent report commissioned by the US Defense Department concluded that abrupt climate change from global warming could trigger war among states for food, water and energy, posing new threats to U.S. national security. A study released in January in Nature magazine suggested that up to 37% of all species in several biologically diverse regions could be driven extinct from the climate change that is likely to occur between now and 2050.
Dr. David Jhirad, WRI's vice president for research and an international energy expert, believes that unprecedented technology innovation, policy leadership and private capital investment will be needed to solve this problem. "Accelerated development of a portfolio of technologies could stabilize greenhouse gas concentrations, enhance global energy security, and eradicate energy poverty. We urgently need the political will and international cooperation to make this happen," he said.
Posted by Eric at 05:41 PM | Comments (33)
Report Raises More Concerns About Climate Change
From the World Resources Institute, warning of worsening climate changes:
Data from WRI's Climate Analysis Indicators Tool (CAIT) indicate greenhouse gas emissions such as carbon dioxide, rose 11 percent over the last decade, and are expected to grow another 50 percent by 2020. Studies indicate that the hottest years this century occurred since 1990, the date from which the UNFCCC measures countries' efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.The United Kingdom's top scientist, Sir David King, has publicly warned that the most severe problem facing the world today is climate change. A recent report commissioned by the US Defense Department concluded that abrupt climate change from global warming could trigger war among states for food, water and energy, posing new threats to U.S. national security. A study released in January in Nature magazine suggested that up to 37% of all species in several biologically diverse regions could be driven extinct from the climate change that is likely to occur between now and 2050.
Dr. David Jhirad, WRI's vice president for research and an international energy expert, believes that unprecedented technology innovation, policy leadership and private capital investment will be needed to solve this problem. "Accelerated development of a portfolio of technologies could stabilize greenhouse gas concentrations, enhance global energy security, and eradicate energy poverty. We urgently need the political will and international cooperation to make this happen," he said.
Posted by Eric at 05:41 PM | Comments (8)
Cross-Off Spain
The newest member of the 'Coalition of the Willing':
Spain's prime minister-elect Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero vowed to withdraw troops from Iraq and criticized US President George W. Bush after Spanish voters ousted governing conservatives who took the country into the controversial war."The war in Iraq was a disaster, the occupation of Iraq is a disaster," Zapatero, 43, told Cadena Ser radio on Monday ... Voters turned out in force for Sunday's elections. Many of them expressed anger at retiring Prime Minister Jose Maria Aznar when he cast his ballot, jostling and booing him while some shouted "Aznar: your war, our dead."
Zapatero, whose Socialist Party ended eight years of rule by Aznar's Popular Party (PP) after winning 43 percent of the ballots to the PP's 38 percent, said near-total public opposition to the Iraq war had been key.
Posted by Eric at 05:37 PM | Comments (43)
Cross-Off Spain
The newest member of the 'Coalition of the Willing':
Spain's prime minister-elect Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero vowed to withdraw troops from Iraq and criticized US President George W. Bush after Spanish voters ousted governing conservatives who took the country into the controversial war."The war in Iraq was a disaster, the occupation of Iraq is a disaster," Zapatero, 43, told Cadena Ser radio on Monday ... Voters turned out in force for Sunday's elections. Many of them expressed anger at retiring Prime Minister Jose Maria Aznar when he cast his ballot, jostling and booing him while some shouted "Aznar: your war, our dead."
Zapatero, whose Socialist Party ended eight years of rule by Aznar's Popular Party (PP) after winning 43 percent of the ballots to the PP's 38 percent, said near-total public opposition to the Iraq war had been key.
Posted by Eric at 05:37 PM | Comments (15)
Return of the War Room?
According to the Cox News Service, John Kerry's campaign is running "the most aggressive presidential campaign a Democrat has run in decades.":
The tactics already seem to have caused a sputter in the much vaunted Bush political machine at a crucial point in the campaign — when the president is anxious to define the Massachusetts senator before the senator can define himself, much as the president's father defined his opponent, Gov. Michael Dukakis of Massachusetts, in the 1988 campaign.Most of the rapid resource from the Kerry campaign, of course, can be found on their website, especially their newsroom.
"John Kerry is no Michael Dukakis," said Darrell West, a Brown University professor who has closely followed Kerry's 19-year career in the Senate. "He will respond immediately to any Bush attacks to make sure news stories carry the rebuttal. His goal is to make sure negative information does not stick to him. If you can rebut charges right away, it reduces the odds that voters will believe them."
In fact, the Kerry campaign does not wait to respond. Thursday, hours before the Bush campaign began its first television ads attacking Kerry, the senator's "war room" had distributed rebuttal facts by e-mail to hundreds of political reporters, set up a conference call with Kerry surrogates, and made Kerry officials available to television news programs. It also responded with TV ads of its own Friday.
Posted by Eric at 05:13 PM | Comments (17)
Return of the War Room?
According to the Cox News Service, John Kerry's campaign is running "the most aggressive presidential campaign a Democrat has run in decades.":
The tactics already seem to have caused a sputter in the much vaunted Bush political machine at a crucial point in the campaign — when the president is anxious to define the Massachusetts senator before the senator can define himself, much as the president's father defined his opponent, Gov. Michael Dukakis of Massachusetts, in the 1988 campaign.Most of the rapid resource from the Kerry campaign, of course, can be found on their website, especially their newsroom.
"John Kerry is no Michael Dukakis," said Darrell West, a Brown University professor who has closely followed Kerry's 19-year career in the Senate. "He will respond immediately to any Bush attacks to make sure news stories carry the rebuttal. His goal is to make sure negative information does not stick to him. If you can rebut charges right away, it reduces the odds that voters will believe them."
In fact, the Kerry campaign does not wait to respond. Thursday, hours before the Bush campaign began its first television ads attacking Kerry, the senator's "war room" had distributed rebuttal facts by e-mail to hundreds of political reporters, set up a conference call with Kerry surrogates, and made Kerry officials available to television news programs. It also responded with TV ads of its own Friday.
Posted by Eric at 05:13 PM | Comments (2)
GeorgeWBush.com Takes Down Web Tool
Apparently, it was the subject of too many web pranks:
The tool originally let users generate a full-size campaign poster in PDF format, customized with a short slogan of their choice. But Bush critics began using the site to place their own snarky political messages above a Bush-Cheney '04 logo and a disclaimer stating that the poster was paid for by Bush-Cheney '04, Inc.Examples of what people could make:The campaign changed the tool Thursday so that users could no longer enter their own messages, but only select from a pull-down list of states and coalition groups. The campaign didn't respond to requests for comment.
At Cox's request, close to 200 Wonkette readers sent in slogans which they had slipped through the system. Among them: "Run for your lives," "They sure smell like old people," and the Orwellian, "A boot stomping on a human face forever."Sahmore slogans here.Cox also published lists of words the tool was allowing and, perhaps more tellingly, those it was not. Not surprisingly, it rejected the usual four-letter words and sexual lingo, but it also banned more innocuous terms like "stupid," "evil," "terrorists" and "Iraq."
Posted by Eric at 06:25 AM | Comments (29)
GeorgeWBush.com Takes Down Web Tool
Apparently, it was the subject of too many web pranks:
The tool originally let users generate a full-size campaign poster in PDF format, customized with a short slogan of their choice. But Bush critics began using the site to place their own snarky political messages above a Bush-Cheney '04 logo and a disclaimer stating that the poster was paid for by Bush-Cheney '04, Inc.Examples of what people could make:The campaign changed the tool Thursday so that users could no longer enter their own messages, but only select from a pull-down list of states and coalition groups. The campaign didn't respond to requests for comment.
At Cox's request, close to 200 Wonkette readers sent in slogans which they had slipped through the system. Among them: "Run for your lives," "They sure smell like old people," and the Orwellian, "A boot stomping on a human face forever."Sahmore slogans here.Cox also published lists of words the tool was allowing and, perhaps more tellingly, those it was not. Not surprisingly, it rejected the usual four-letter words and sexual lingo, but it also banned more innocuous terms like "stupid," "evil," "terrorists" and "Iraq."
Posted by Eric at 06:25 AM | Comments (1)
Hamster Numbers: Assault Weapons Ban
"Polls show overwhelming public support for a strong assault weapons ban. Nationally, 63 percent of Americans -- including a majority of gun owners -- favor strengthening the assault weapons ban to prevent the gun industry from manufacturing commercial models of military-style assault weapons, according to a recent survey commissioned by the Consumer Federation of America." Coalition to Stop Gun Violence
Posted by Eric at 03:36 AM | Comments (19)
Hamster Numbers: Assault Weapons Ban
"Polls show overwhelming public support for a strong assault weapons ban. Nationally, 63 percent of Americans -- including a majority of gun owners -- favor strengthening the assault weapons ban to prevent the gun industry from manufacturing commercial models of military-style assault weapons, according to a recent survey commissioned by the Consumer Federation of America." Coalition to Stop Gun Violence
Posted by Eric at 03:36 AM | Comments (8)
Comedy Monday
"DirecTV has filed suit against O.J. Simpson in accusing him of pirating its satellite television signal. In an unrelated story, DirecTV has been stabbed to death." Tina Fey
"Right wing Attorney General John Ashcroft had surgery yesterday to remove his gal bladder. Doctors say the surgery was tough because he refused to take his clothes off." Conan O'Brien
"Bush went on to attack the Democrats' policies. (Bush says) 'Their agenda is to increase federal taxes, to build a wall around this country and to isolate America from the rest of the world.' Hmm. So you're concerned the Democrats might do something that would damage America's standing in the world. Interesting ... that you would think that's still possible." Jon Stewart
"This week, the CIA announced that they've asked 'Alias' star Jennifer Garner to tape a CIA recruitment video, which is fine but they also asked Jerry Orbach to look for Osama bin Laden." Conan O'Brien
"In his latest campaign commercial, President Bush talks about 'times of change.' If he thinks these times are changing, wait till November." Jay Leno
Peter: I'd sell my soul to be famous.
[cut to hell]
Satan: We've got a live one. Peter Griffin.
Assistant: No good, sir. It seems he already sold his soul once in 1977 for Bee Gees tickets and then again in 1983 for half a mallomar.
"Look Lois, the two symbols of the Republican Party: an elephant, and a fat white guy who is threatened by change." Peter Griffin
"Listen Lois, I know you're a feminist and I think that's adorable, but this is grown-up time and I'm the man." Peter Griffin
Peter: Wow, is that really the blood of Christ?
Preacher: Yes, it is.
Peter: Holy crap, that guy must've been wasted 24 hours a day.
Urban Planner Stuck In Traffic Of Own Design
Down With GOP: Daily Show correspondent Rob Corddry cozies up with some snuggly Republicans
TheOnion.com - Republicans Retain Majority In Household
OMAHA, NE—In spite of a vocal Democratic following among the 16-year-old son and 12-year-old daughter demographics, Republicans managed to retain a slim majority in the Sanderson family, front-door exit polls revealed Monday. "Fortunately, strong Republican support among 48-year-old fathers and 46-year-old mothers won over the key swing vote among 6-year-olds named Timmy," speaker of the household Donald Sanderson said. "This, combined with the traditional Republican stronghold among visiting, over-60 grandparents, allowed Republicans to maintain control." The GOP has held the majority in the Sandersons' last 37 Sunday dinners.
Click down for cartoons
Posted by Eric at 12:03 AM | Comments (62)
Comedy Monday
"DirecTV has filed suit against O.J. Simpson in accusing him of pirating its satellite television signal. In an unrelated story, DirecTV has been stabbed to death." Tina Fey
"Right wing Attorney General John Ashcroft had surgery yesterday to remove his gal bladder. Doctors say the surgery was tough because he refused to take his clothes off." Conan O'Brien
"Bush went on to attack the Democrats' policies. (Bush says) 'Their agenda is to increase federal taxes, to build a wall around this country and to isolate America from the rest of the world.' Hmm. So you're concerned the Democrats might do something that would damage America's standing in the world. Interesting ... that you would think that's still possible." Jon Stewart
"This week, the CIA announced that they've asked 'Alias' star Jennifer Garner to tape a CIA recruitment video, which is fine but they also asked Jerry Orbach to look for Osama bin Laden." Conan O'Brien
"In his latest campaign commercial, President Bush talks about 'times of change.' If he thinks these times are changing, wait till November." Jay Leno
Peter: I'd sell my soul to be famous.
[cut to hell]
Satan: We've got a live one. Peter Griffin.
Assistant: No good, sir. It seems he already sold his soul once in 1977 for Bee Gees tickets and then again in 1983 for half a mallomar.
"Look Lois, the two symbols of the Republican Party: an elephant, and a fat white guy who is threatened by change." Peter Griffin
"Listen Lois, I know you're a feminist and I think that's adorable, but this is grown-up time and I'm the man." Peter Griffin
Peter: Wow, is that really the blood of Christ?
Preacher: Yes, it is.
Peter: Holy crap, that guy must've been wasted 24 hours a day.
Urban Planner Stuck In Traffic Of Own Design
Down With GOP: Daily Show correspondent Rob Corddry cozies up with some snuggly Republicans
TheOnion.com - Republicans Retain Majority In Household
OMAHA, NE—In spite of a vocal Democratic following among the 16-year-old son and 12-year-old daughter demographics, Republicans managed to retain a slim majority in the Sanderson family, front-door exit polls revealed Monday. "Fortunately, strong Republican support among 48-year-old fathers and 46-year-old mothers won over the key swing vote among 6-year-olds named Timmy," speaker of the household Donald Sanderson said. "This, combined with the traditional Republican stronghold among visiting, over-60 grandparents, allowed Republicans to maintain control." The GOP has held the majority in the Sandersons' last 37 Sunday dinners.
Click down for cartoons
Posted by Eric at 12:03 AM | Comments (2)
March 14, 2004
Mafia Outsourcing Jobs
AP: Hard-Hit U.S. Mafia Hiring Sicilians
Posted by Eric at 05:51 PM | Comments (42)
Mafia Outsourcing Jobs
AP: Hard-Hit U.S. Mafia Hiring Sicilians
Posted by Eric at 05:51 PM | Comments (2)
March 13, 2004
Silly Saturday
AP. Bush Radio Address Raps Kerry's Tax Plans
AP. Judge OKs abortion records' use: University ordered to hand them over
Cox News. Arab-American group slams Bush over anti-terrorism ad
AP. Many troops to get second tour in Iraq
Newsday. Daschle calls for new vote on Medicare overhaul bill
AP. Rumsfeld, FBI Official Kept 9-11 Items
LAT. S.F. Mayor Tries to Keep Focus on City Business
LAT. Glad to Pay Back Debt to Lt. Kerry
AP. Same-sex couples left at altar when court halts San Francisco marriages
NYT. San Francisco Sees Tide Shift in the Battle Over Marriage
NYT. To Mayor, Bush Ads Are Fine. So Are Kerry's.
WP. Missteps on Economy Worry Bush Supporters
WP. Official Says He Was Told To Withhold Medicare Data
WP. New Medicare Chief Is Approved: Unanimous Senate Vote Follows Agreement to Pursue Drug-Import Bill
The Mirror. MY HELL IN CAMP X-RAY
NYT. Officials Still Divided on Whom to Blame for Madrid Bombings
NYT. A Student Aid Ban for Past Drug Use Is Creating a Furor
Newsweek. Oscar winner Tim Robbins courts controversy again in his new play, “Embedded,” which opens in New York this week
AP. Kerry Not Sorry for Swipe at GOP Critics
AP. Bush Looks to Spotlight Anti-Terror Fight
AP. Kerry's Family Plays Role on the Trail
Environmental Magazine. The Bush administration packs the courts with anti-environmental judges
Commentary
Bill Berkowitz. American Bushmire
Geov Parrish. A watershed anniversary
StarTrib. The real enemy/It's terrorism, not Iraq
Capital Times. Feingold's for fiscal sanity
Mark J. Penn. Ads Backwards
Bill Maher. New rule: You can't be a Washington outsider if you're already president
Test. Test
Michael W. Robbins. The Skeptical Spy: Ray McGovern
Adam Werbach. Hostile Takeover: Anti-immigration coalition seeks control of Sierra Club
Bernie Sanders. How a Bad Bill Becomes Law
John Podesta. America's Secret History
Christopher Scheer, Robert Scheer & Lakshmi Chaudhry. Bush's Lies About Iraq
Charles Derber. The Next TDR: Regime change at home will require more than beating Bush
Steven Rosenfeld. Monopolize The Microphone: How the GOP plans to sabotage Democratic funding in 2004
Bill Berkowitz. The Gay GOP: Will the constitutional amendment drive gays from the Republican party?
Posted by Eric at 11:59 PM | Comments (14)
Silly Saturday
AP. Bush Radio Address Raps Kerry's Tax Plans
AP. Judge OKs abortion records' use: University ordered to hand them over
Cox News. Arab-American group slams Bush over anti-terrorism ad
AP. Many troops to get second tour in Iraq
Newsday. Daschle calls for new vote on Medicare overhaul bill
AP. Rumsfeld, FBI Official Kept 9-11 Items
LAT. S.F. Mayor Tries to Keep Focus on City Business
LAT. Glad to Pay Back Debt to Lt. Kerry
AP. Same-sex couples left at altar when court halts San Francisco marriages
NYT. San Francisco Sees Tide Shift in the Battle Over Marriage
NYT. To Mayor, Bush Ads Are Fine. So Are Kerry's.
WP. Missteps on Economy Worry Bush Supporters
WP. Official Says He Was Told To Withhold Medicare Data
WP. New Medicare Chief Is Approved: Unanimous Senate Vote Follows Agreement to Pursue Drug-Import Bill
The Mirror. MY HELL IN CAMP X-RAY
NYT. Officials Still Divided on Whom to Blame for Madrid Bombings
NYT. A Student Aid Ban for Past Drug Use Is Creating a Furor
Newsweek. Oscar winner Tim Robbins courts controversy again in his new play, “Embedded,” which opens in New York this week
AP. Kerry Not Sorry for Swipe at GOP Critics
AP. Bush Looks to Spotlight Anti-Terror Fight
AP. Kerry's Family Plays Role on the Trail
Environmental Magazine. The Bush administration packs the courts with anti-environmental judges
Commentary
Bill Berkowitz. American Bushmire
Geov Parrish. A watershed anniversary
StarTrib. The real enemy/It's terrorism, not Iraq
Capital Times. Feingold's for fiscal sanity
Mark J. Penn. Ads Backwards
Bill Maher. New rule: You can't be a Washington outsider if you're already president
Test. Test
Michael W. Robbins. The Skeptical Spy: Ray McGovern
Adam Werbach. Hostile Takeover: Anti-immigration coalition seeks control of Sierra Club
Bernie Sanders. How a Bad Bill Becomes Law
John Podesta. America's Secret History
Christopher Scheer, Robert Scheer & Lakshmi Chaudhry. Bush's Lies About Iraq
Charles Derber. The Next TDR: Regime change at home will require more than beating Bush
Steven Rosenfeld. Monopolize The Microphone: How the GOP plans to sabotage Democratic funding in 2004
Bill Berkowitz. The Gay GOP: Will the constitutional amendment drive gays from the Republican party?
Posted by Eric at 11:59 PM | Comments (0)
Hamster Numbers: Bush Index
From the DCCC:
Jobs Lost Under Bush
2,966,000
(Dept. of Labor projections 03/05/2004)
Americans Uninsured
43,600,000
(US Census Bureau 2002)
National Debt:
$7,099,567,295,565.79
(03/05/2004)
(your share: $24,252.92)
Posted by Eric at 07:01 PM | Comments (42)
Hamster Numbers: Bush Index
From the DCCC:
Jobs Lost Under Bush
2,966,000
(Dept. of Labor projections 03/05/2004)
Americans Uninsured
43,600,000
(US Census Bureau 2002)
National Debt:
$7,099,567,295,565.79
(03/05/2004)
(your share: $24,252.92)
Posted by Eric at 07:01 PM | Comments (7)
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John Barrow: John Barrow is a Democrat running for the Democratic nomination in Georgia's 12th District. Doug Haines is also running for that same Democratic seat.
EDIT: Blogads like the ones on this site were mentioned in this AJC article:
Surf over to Talking Points, Daily KOS, Eschaton or one of the other big Democratic blogs, and you might spot ads inviting you to send money to John Barrow or Doug Haines, rivals in the 12th District primary race to see who gets a shot at Republican Rep. Max Burns ... Barrow said his campaign has made money from the ads, which have been up about a month, but nothing like the amounts raised by Chandler, who was running in a race that had been targeted by both national parties.Martin Matheny, Haines' communications director, said that their campaign has invested less than $1,000 in blogs and gotten "a significant return" for its effort.
But it's important, Matheny said, to treat those who respond as more than just a check.
"We've gone the extra step," he said, "and actually invited people to join a discussion with us on our campaign blog."
Posted by Eric at 04:34 PM | Comments (30)
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John Barrow: John Barrow is a Democrat running for the Democratic nomination in Georgia's 12th District. Doug Haines is also running for that same Democratic seat.
EDIT: Blogads like the ones on this site were mentioned in this AJC article:
Surf over to Talking Points, Daily KOS, Eschaton or one of the other big Democratic blogs, and you might spot ads inviting you to send money to John Barrow or Doug Haines, rivals in the 12th District primary race to see who gets a shot at Republican Rep. Max Burns ... Barrow said his campaign has made money from the ads, which have been up about a month, but nothing like the amounts raised by Chandler, who was running in a race that had been targeted by both national parties.Martin Matheny, Haines' communications director, said that their campaign has invested less than $1,000 in blogs and gotten "a significant return" for its effort.
But it's important, Matheny said, to treat those who respond as more than just a check.
"We've gone the extra step," he said, "and actually invited people to join a discussion with us on our campaign blog."
Posted by Eric at 04:34 PM | Comments (8)
Kerry Maintains Large Lead Among Hispanics
From a Democracy Corps poll, John Kerry is the favorite among America's fastest growing minority group:
A new poll conducted among Hispanic likely voters and released today by an independent, non-profit organization confirmed that Hispanics remain one of the most Democratic groups in the electorate and President Bush has not been able to make any gains among this group of voters since the 2000 election.Republican pollster Matthew Dowd has said that in order to win this election, Bush needs to get at least 38 percent of the Hispanic vote, but the poll, conducted by Democracy Corps, reveals that Bush's prospects to win more support among Hispanics are slim.
The survey also found that Senator John Kerry enjoys a very comfortable advantage over Bush among Hispanics. Even before the end of the Democratic primary season, Senator Kerry would have received 56 percent of the Hispanic vote, in a Presidential election, in contrast with Bush's 34 percent. In addition, Kerry's base support among Hispanics is twice as large as Bush's, with 28 percent of Hispanics being "loyal" Kerry voters, while only 14 percent identify themselves as Bush "loyal" voters.
Posted by Eric at 03:08 PM | Comments (14)
Kerry Maintains Large Lead Among Hispanics
From a Democracy Corps poll, John Kerry is the favorite among America's fastest growing minority group:
A new poll conducted among Hispanic likely voters and released today by an independent, non-profit organization confirmed that Hispanics remain one of the most Democratic groups in the electorate and President Bush has not been able to make any gains among this group of voters since the 2000 election.Republican pollster Matthew Dowd has said that in order to win this election, Bush needs to get at least 38 percent of the Hispanic vote, but the poll, conducted by Democracy Corps, reveals that Bush's prospects to win more support among Hispanics are slim.
The survey also found that Senator John Kerry enjoys a very comfortable advantage over Bush among Hispanics. Even before the end of the Democratic primary season, Senator Kerry would have received 56 percent of the Hispanic vote, in a Presidential election, in contrast with Bush's 34 percent. In addition, Kerry's base support among Hispanics is twice as large as Bush's, with 28 percent of Hispanics being "loyal" Kerry voters, while only 14 percent identify themselves as Bush "loyal" voters.
Posted by Eric at 03:08 PM | Comments (10)
Hamster Numbers: Arab Americans
According to a new Zogby International poll:
If the election were held now, John Kerry would get 54 percent of the vote among Arab Americans in Ohio, Michigan, Pennsylvania and Florida, four key battleground states in the Nov. 2 election. Bush lags far behind at 30 percent. Other candidates would get 5 percent of the vote. Eleven percent are undecided.In 2000, Bush led his Democratic rival Al Gore among Arab Americans, winning 45 percent of their votes nationwide, compared to 38 percent voted for Gore and 13 percent for Ralph Nader. In the four battleground states, Bush did even better, winning 46 percent of Arab American votes, versus 29 percent for Gore and 13 percent for Nader.
Posted by Eric at 12:38 AM | Comments (52)
Hamster Numbers: Arab Americans
According to a new Zogby International poll:
If the election were held now, John Kerry would get 54 percent of the vote among Arab Americans in Ohio, Michigan, Pennsylvania and Florida, four key battleground states in the Nov. 2 election. Bush lags far behind at 30 percent. Other candidates would get 5 percent of the vote. Eleven percent are undecided.In 2000, Bush led his Democratic rival Al Gore among Arab Americans, winning 45 percent of their votes nationwide, compared to 38 percent voted for Gore and 13 percent for Ralph Nader. In the four battleground states, Bush did even better, winning 46 percent of Arab American votes, versus 29 percent for Gore and 13 percent for Nader.
Posted by Eric at 12:38 AM | Comments (6)
Stupid Quote Saturday
This Saturday's quotes come from the DCCC and quotes from the great GOP leader Tom Delay, the face of the Republican Party. Go get 'um, Tom!
"It's never been proven that air toxics (sic) are hazardous to people."
-Houston Chronicle, October 27, 1990
"Here is a flower child with gray hair doing exactly what he did back in the '60s: He is apologizing for the actions of the U.S."
on Clinton saying sorry for slavery.
-American Prospect, July / August Issue, 1998
"the EPA, the Gestapo of government"
-PBS Newshour, December 21, 1995
AND ON BUDGET DEFICITS!
"[Democrats] completely ignore the desperate need for deficit reduction which in itself would be a major step forward toward enhancing our Nation's competitiveness."
-House floor, September 22, 1992
More quotes are here.
Posted by Eric at 12:07 AM | Comments (50)
Stupid Quote Saturday
This Saturday's quotes come from the DCCC and quotes from the great GOP leader Tom Delay, the face of the Republican Party. Go get 'um, Tom!
"It's never been proven that air toxics (sic) are hazardous to people."
-Houston Chronicle, October 27, 1990
"Here is a flower child with gray hair doing exactly what he did back in the '60s: He is apologizing for the actions of the U.S."
on Clinton saying sorry for slavery.
-American Prospect, July / August Issue, 1998
"the EPA, the Gestapo of government"
-PBS Newshour, December 21, 1995
AND ON BUDGET DEFICITS!
"[Democrats] completely ignore the desperate need for deficit reduction which in itself would be a major step forward toward enhancing our Nation's competitiveness."
-House floor, September 22, 1992
More quotes are here.
Posted by Eric at 12:07 AM | Comments (8)
Ads Backfire: 2-1 Find Bush's 9-11 Ads Inappropriate
National Annenberg Election Survey finds this:
Undecided voters, by a 2-1 margin, feel it was inappropriate for President Bush's re-election campaign to use images from the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks in a television commercial, according to a poll released Friday.Among those who have not yet decided who they will support in the November presidential election, or say they could change their minds, 52 percent thought the ad was inappropriate while 27 percent said it was appropriate, according to the results of the National Annenberg Election Survey.
Which, of course, doesn't bode well for the Bush campaign since its essentially making 9-11 the centerpiece of its campaign ...
At a press briefing this morning at Bush campaign headquarters in Arlington, Bush media adviser Mark McKinnon addressed a question about the use of Sept. 11 images, saying "obviously 9/11 was the defining moment of these times," and that the president's response to attacks "are important parts of this administration's record."Where is the convention again? Some state that is being rewarded because it always votes Republican, right?
Remember that 9-11 was about national unity and bringing the country together regardless of politics. So what is the Bush administration doing? Using that non-partisan movement for partisan gains. And it's not just the decided votes like me who apparently think its inappropriate: again, 2-1 margin among undecided voters. And they rarely decide on anything!
Posted by Eric at 12:05 AM | Comments (16)
Ads Backfire: 2-1 Find Bush's 9-11 Ads Inappropriate
National Annenberg Election Survey finds this:
Undecided voters, by a 2-1 margin, feel it was inappropriate for President Bush's re-election campaign to use images from the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks in a television commercial, according to a poll released Friday.Among those who have not yet decided who they will support in the November presidential election, or say they could change their minds, 52 percent thought the ad was inappropriate while 27 percent said it was appropriate, according to the results of the National Annenberg Election Survey.
Which, of course, doesn't bode well for the Bush campaign since its essentially making 9-11 the centerpiece of its campaign ...
At a press briefing this morning at Bush campaign headquarters in Arlington, Bush media adviser Mark McKinnon addressed a question about the use of Sept. 11 images, saying "obviously 9/11 was the defining moment of these times," and that the president's response to attacks "are important parts of this administration's record."Where is the convention again? Some state that is being rewarded because it always votes Republican, right?
Remember that 9-11 was about national unity and bringing the country together regardless of politics. So what is the Bush administration doing? Using that non-partisan movement for partisan gains. And it's not just the decided votes like me who apparently think its inappropriate: again, 2-1 margin among undecided voters. And they rarely decide on anything!
Posted by Eric at 12:05 AM | Comments (9)
Your Work Computer is Dirtier Than Your Toilet
Not only are you dirrrty, but so is your computer at work, researchers at University of Arizona have concluded:
KEYBOARDS, computer mice and telephone dials are more infested with microbes than toilet seats, according to a University of Arizona study. The study recommends that office workstations be regularly disinfected since they can on average contain 400 times as many germs as a toilet seat, said Charles Gerba, a University of Arizona microbiologist.According to the study, telephones harboured up to 25,127 germs per square inch, keyboards 3295 and computer mice 1676. The average office contains 20,961 germs per square inch.
"Desks are really bacteria cafeterias," Mr Gerba said in a press release. "They are breakfast bars, lunch tables and everything else, as we spend more hours at the office.
Posted by Eric at 12:01 AM | Comments (35)
Your Work Computer is Dirtier Than Your Toilet
Not only are you dirrrty, but so is your computer at work, researchers at University of Arizona have concluded:
KEYBOARDS, computer mice and telephone dials are more infested with microbes than toilet seats, according to a University of Arizona study. The study recommends that office workstations be regularly disinfected since they can on average contain 400 times as many germs as a toilet seat, said Charles Gerba, a University of Arizona microbiologist.According to the study, telephones harboured up to 25,127 germs per square inch, keyboards 3295 and computer mice 1676. The average office contains 20,961 germs per square inch.
"Desks are really bacteria cafeterias," Mr Gerba said in a press release. "They are breakfast bars, lunch tables and everything else, as we spend more hours at the office.
Posted by Eric at 12:01 AM | Comments (5)
March 12, 2004
Aloha Friday
CNN. New York opts out of Matrix crime database
Reuters. Texas Death Sentence for Retarded Man Commuted
Reuters. FCC Urges Maximum Fine for "Elliot in the Morning" Radio Show
Reuters. Gays Vow Legal Fight After San Francisco Setback
AP. Bush's Right-Hand Man Rove Defends Boss in Portland, Ore., GOP Fund-Raiser
Oregonian. Gay-marriage issue to go to Oregon Supreme Court
AP. Gay-marriage issue to go to Oregon Supreme Court
Milw J-Sent. State Senate approves ban on gay marriage
AP. Pollution high where income is low: Coalition report shows inequity in location of industrial facilities, poorer neighborhoods
bangordailynews. Religious coalition calls on state to use hybrid vehicles
The Hill. The Texas vote fallout roils Dems
CSM. Should 14-year-olds vote? OK, how about a quarter of a vote?
AP. Democrats on Hill give Kerry hero's welcome on return
AP. Sharpton gets funds, faces probe
birminghamnews. Riley: Put same-sex ban on Nov. 2 ballot
AzRepub. Desperate migrants giving kids to 'coyotes'
AP. Bush addresses evangelical Christians in Springs
Hartford Courant. Foes Of Gay Marriages Feel Urgency
BaltSun. On the Threshold: Down but not out, ex-Dean campaign manager Joe Trippi builds on ideas for a new America with a sturdy populist foundation
BGlobe. Convention may be overture to long debate
NYDN. Bush attends Sept. 11 ceremony, raises $1.6 million in New York
USA Today. Sept. 11 response will continue to be Bush theme
LAT. Key Republicans Admit Anxiety Over Campaign
NYT. Pointed Questions on Missile Defense System
NYT. House Votes, 391-22, to Raise Broadcasters' Fines for Indecency
NYT. Bush Reiterates His Call for Amendment
AP. Bush Administration Weighs Condom Warning
AP. Gay Republicans to Run Anti-Amendment Ad
seattleweekly. Black Box Backlash: Bev Harris of Renton created a firestorm with her national Internet campaign against electronic voting. Now she's trying to persuade people in the real world that their democracy is on the line
Willamette Week. Inside Portland's VELVET REVOLUTION: How gay marriage went from idea to reality
Boulder Weekly. Tainted justice: Rocky Flats’ grand jury foreman, whistleblower and lead FBI investigator team up to find the truth about the former nuclear weapons plant
Commentary
Lou Dubose. Tom DeLay's funny-money trail: The GOP strongman's political machine has stopped at nothing to extend its power. Now it's facing indictments for violating Texas campaign finance laws
Eric Boehlert. Howard Stern's schwing voters: The raunchy jockey is mobilizing his army of listeners against Bush -- and they could make a difference in November
Fred Branfman. Advice to Kerry: It's all about heart
AJC. Bush uproots forest conservation
Derrick Z. Jackson. Trash food makers fatten GOP coffers
Buzzflash Intervew. Eric Alterman, Author of "The Book on Bush" and "What Liberal Media?"
Jonathan Schell. The Empire Backfires
Edward M. Kennedy. Iraq and US Leadership
E. J. Dionne Jr. Job No. 1 for Bush
Harold Meyerson. A Bright Hope in Illinois
Herbert. Wounded Warriors
Krugman. End Excuses on Jobs
ACLU. ACLU Warns House Approval of Increased Indecency Fines Will Have a Chilling Effect on Speech
Ted Rall. First They Came for the Shock Jocks
David Corn. Sharing Bush’s Pain: The 9/11 ad campaign and Iraq fictio
Jeremy Voas. A soldier’s story: Artimus Brassfield served well and died quickly
Alan Bisbort. Ghost of America's Past: When will all Americans -- Republicans, Democrats, Greens, independents and "swing voters" -- connect the dots on the Bush Regime?
Stephanie Kraft. Hands Off: Bush and Co. use trade rules to block the flow of science and culture from ¨rogue nations.¨ Jail time for editors? It could happen here
Tim McGivern. Defining Marriage: Battle over same-sex marriage licenses heads toward New Mexico court
Posted by Eric at 11:59 PM | Comments (165)
Aloha Friday
CNN. New York opts out of Matrix crime database
Reuters. Texas Death Sentence for Retarded Man Commuted
Reuters. FCC Urges Maximum Fine for "Elliot in the Morning" Radio Show
Reuters. Gays Vow Legal Fight After San Francisco Setback
AP. Bush's Right-Hand Man Rove Defends Boss in Portland, Ore., GOP Fund-Raiser
Oregonian. Gay-marriage issue to go to Oregon Supreme Court
AP. Gay-marriage issue to go to Oregon Supreme Court
Milw J-Sent. State Senate approves ban on gay marriage
AP. Pollution high where income is low: Coalition report shows inequity in location of industrial facilities, poorer neighborhoods
bangordailynews. Religious coalition calls on state to use hybrid vehicles
The Hill. The Texas vote fallout roils Dems
CSM. Should 14-year-olds vote? OK, how about a quarter of a vote?
AP. Democrats on Hill give Kerry hero's welcome on return
AP. Sharpton gets funds, faces probe
birminghamnews. Riley: Put same-sex ban on Nov. 2 ballot
AzRepub. Desperate migrants giving kids to 'coyotes'
AP. Bush addresses evangelical Christians in Springs
Hartford Courant. Foes Of Gay Marriages Feel Urgency
BaltSun. On the Threshold: Down but not out, ex-Dean campaign manager Joe Trippi builds on ideas for a new America with a sturdy populist foundation
BGlobe. Convention may be overture to long debate
NYDN. Bush attends Sept. 11 ceremony, raises $1.6 million in New York
USA Today. Sept. 11 response will continue to be Bush theme
LAT. Key Republicans Admit Anxiety Over Campaign
NYT. Pointed Questions on Missile Defense System
NYT. House Votes, 391-22, to Raise Broadcasters' Fines for Indecency
NYT. Bush Reiterates His Call for Amendment
AP. Bush Administration Weighs Condom Warning
AP. Gay Republicans to Run Anti-Amendment Ad
seattleweekly. Black Box Backlash: Bev Harris of Renton created a firestorm with her national Internet campaign against electronic voting. Now she's trying to persuade people in the real world that their democracy is on the line
Willamette Week. Inside Portland's VELVET REVOLUTION: How gay marriage went from idea to reality
Boulder Weekly. Tainted justice: Rocky Flats’ grand jury foreman, whistleblower and lead FBI investigator team up to find the truth about the former nuclear weapons plant
Commentary
Lou Dubose. Tom DeLay's funny-money trail: The GOP strongman's political machine has stopped at nothing to extend its power. Now it's facing indictments for violating Texas campaign finance laws
Eric Boehlert. Howard Stern's schwing voters: The raunchy jockey is mobilizing his army of listeners against Bush -- and they could make a difference in November
Fred Branfman. Advice to Kerry: It's all about heart
AJC. Bush uproots forest conservation
Derrick Z. Jackson. Trash food makers fatten GOP coffers
Buzzflash Intervew. Eric Alterman, Author of "The Book on Bush" and "What Liberal Media?"
Jonathan Schell. The Empire Backfires
Edward M. Kennedy. Iraq and US Leadership
E. J. Dionne Jr. Job No. 1 for Bush
Harold Meyerson. A Bright Hope in Illinois
Herbert. Wounded Warriors
Krugman. End Excuses on Jobs
ACLU. ACLU Warns House Approval of Increased Indecency Fines Will Have a Chilling Effect on Speech
Ted Rall. First They Came for the Shock Jocks
David Corn. Sharing Bush’s Pain: The 9/11 ad campaign and Iraq fictio
Jeremy Voas. A soldier’s story: Artimus Brassfield served well and died quickly
Alan Bisbort. Ghost of America's Past: When will all Americans -- Republicans, Democrats, Greens, independents and "swing voters" -- connect the dots on the Bush Regime?
Stephanie Kraft. Hands Off: Bush and Co. use trade rules to block the flow of science and culture from ¨rogue nations.¨ Jail time for editors? It could happen here
Tim McGivern. Defining Marriage: Battle over same-sex marriage licenses heads toward New Mexico court
Posted by Eric at 11:59 PM | Comments (12)
WWE Audition Night at Korean Assembly
Oh Koreans ^_^. LA Times:
In a historic first for South Korea, the National Assembly voted today to impeach President Roh Moo Hyun after a trivial political spat snowballed into a crisis that in effect paralyzed governance of the nation.More seriously, the Korean political fight has implications not only for the country, but US foreign policy as well, notes the WPost:Pro- and anti-Roh lawmakers traded blows and wrestled on the floor of the assembly as the votes were counted ... With the decorum of a kindergarten class, some of the nation's leading politicians — mostly middle-aged men in somber suits — pushed and shoved and threw paper and furniture. Roh supporters screamed that the assembly was staging a "coup d'etat."
One legislator fainted. Others burst into tears. Pro-Roh legislators joined hands and sang the national anthem as they were dragged out.
Later, the Uri Party issued a statement saying that all of its 42 members in the assembly were resigning.
Hours before the vote this morning, Roh issued a statement pleading for restraint and apologizing to the South Korean people for an incident last month in which he was accused of violating election regulations.
Roh Moo Hyun's fate and how South Koreans react to it, analysts say, has ramifications for a host of issues important to Washington, including the restructuring of 37,000 U.S. military personnel now based in South Korea, the talks aimed at ending North Korea's nuclear ambitions and the future of the still fragile economic recovery in Asia's fourth largest economy.In case you were wondering, this is what Roh did:
The key charge against Roh is that he made a public statement asking voters to support the Uri Party -- made up of his core supporters -- in the April 15 elections for the National Assembly, currently controlled by the opposition. South Korean presidents are not allowed to campaign for legislators, and the presidential plug was deemed a minor infraction by the National Electoral Commission.
Posted by Eric at 07:08 PM | Comments (16)
WWE Audition Night at Korean Assembly
Oh Koreans ^_^. LA Times:
In a historic first for South Korea, the National Assembly voted today to impeach President Roh Moo Hyun after a trivial political spat snowballed into a crisis that in effect paralyzed governance of the nation.More seriously, the Korean political fight has implications not only for the country, but US foreign policy as well, notes the WPost:Pro- and anti-Roh lawmakers traded blows and wrestled on the floor of the assembly as the votes were counted ... With the decorum of a kindergarten class, some of the nation's leading politicians — mostly middle-aged men in somber suits — pushed and shoved and threw paper and furniture. Roh supporters screamed that the assembly was staging a "coup d'etat."
One legislator fainted. Others burst into tears. Pro-Roh legislators joined hands and sang the national anthem as they were dragged out.
Later, the Uri Party issued a statement saying that all of its 42 members in the assembly were resigning.
Hours before the vote this morning, Roh issued a statement pleading for restraint and apologizing to the South Korean people for an incident last month in which he was accused of violating election regulations.
Roh Moo Hyun's fate and how South Koreans react to it, analysts say, has ramifications for a host of issues important to Washington, including the restructuring of 37,000 U.S. military personnel now based in South Korea, the talks aimed at ending North Korea's nuclear ambitions and the future of the still fragile economic recovery in Asia's fourth largest economy.In case you were wondering, this is what Roh did:
The key charge against Roh is that he made a public statement asking voters to support the Uri Party -- made up of his core supporters -- in the April 15 elections for the National Assembly, currently controlled by the opposition. South Korean presidents are not allowed to campaign for legislators, and the presidential plug was deemed a minor infraction by the National Electoral Commission.
Posted by Eric at 07:08 PM | Comments (7)
Kerry Strikes Back in New Ad
The Kerry camp says the Bush campaign is misleading on Kerry and his record:
The 30-second spot discusses how yet again the President is misleading the American people, except this time on John Kerry’s record. The ad sets the record straight about Kerry’s plan to cut taxes for middle class Americans, protect American jobs, get health care costs under control and cut the deficit to put the nation back on track. The ad will run in 16 states, including: Maine, Michigan, Pennsylvania, Iowa, New Mexico, Oregon, Wisconsin, Florida, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, Nevada, West Virginia, Arizona, Arkansas, and Ohio.The new ad can be viewed here.
“We are determined to make this campaign about real issues facing Americans, like making health care affordable, improving education and getting our economy back on track,” said Kerry Campaign Manager, Mary Beth Cahill. “But when the Bush Campaign misrepresents John Kerry’s record or his plans for the future, we will not hesitate to set the record straight.”
The text:
Announcer: Once again, George Bush is misleading America. John Kerry has never called for a $900 billion dollar tax increase… He wants to cut taxes for the middle class. Doesn’t America deserve more from its president than misleading negative ads?
John Kerry will crack down on the export of American jobs…get health care costs under control…and cut the deficit.
John Kerry: I’m John Kerry and I approved this message because we need to do what’s right for America’s economy.
Announcer: John Kerry. A new direction for America.
Posted by Eric at 06:39 PM | Comments (11)
Kerry Strikes Back in New Ad
The Kerry camp says the Bush campaign is misleading on Kerry and his record:
The 30-second spot discusses how yet again the President is misleading the American people, except this time on John Kerry’s record. The ad sets the record straight about Kerry’s plan to cut taxes for middle class Americans, protect American jobs, get health care costs under control and cut the deficit to put the nation back on track. The ad will run in 16 states, including: Maine, Michigan, Pennsylvania, Iowa, New Mexico, Oregon, Wisconsin, Florida, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, Nevada, West Virginia, Arizona, Arkansas, and Ohio.The new ad can be viewed here.
“We are determined to make this campaign about real issues facing Americans, like making health care affordable, improving education and getting our economy back on track,” said Kerry Campaign Manager, Mary Beth Cahill. “But when the Bush Campaign misrepresents John Kerry’s record or his plans for the future, we will not hesitate to set the record straight.”
The text:
Announcer: Once again, George Bush is misleading America. John Kerry has never called for a $900 billion dollar tax increase… He wants to cut taxes for the middle class. Doesn’t America deserve more from its president than misleading negative ads?
John Kerry will crack down on the export of American jobs…get health care costs under control…and cut the deficit.
John Kerry: I’m John Kerry and I approved this message because we need to do what’s right for America’s economy.
Announcer: John Kerry. A new direction for America.
Posted by Eric at 06:39 PM | Comments (3)
Working Man Suspended for Anti-Bush Sign
Another man whose job fell victim to President Bush:
A snowplow driver in Cleveland has been suspended from his job after displaying an anti-Bush sign.When President Bush visited Cleveland this week, Michael Gerstenslager, a highway maintenance worker, was asked to help provide security for the president's motorcade by using his snowplow to block access to a highway entrance, the Cleveland Plan Dealer reported.
Gerstenslager hung a sign on the side of the plow that said "traitor" – a message aimed at Mr. Bush. A state trooper in the president's motorcade saw the sign and reported it to the Ohio transportation department.
Posted by Eric at 06:10 PM | Comments (46)
Working Man Suspended for Anti-Bush Sign
Another man whose job fell victim to President Bush:
A snowplow driver in Cleveland has been suspended from his job after displaying an anti-Bush sign.When President Bush visited Cleveland this week, Michael Gerstenslager, a highway maintenance worker, was asked to help provide security for the president's motorcade by using his snowplow to block access to a highway entrance, the Cleveland Plan Dealer reported.
Gerstenslager hung a sign on the side of the plow that said "traitor" – a message aimed at Mr. Bush. A state trooper in the president's motorcade saw the sign and reported it to the Ohio transportation department.
Posted by Eric at 06:10 PM | Comments (8)
Lying Liars: Bush Administration Hid Medicare Costs from Public
Or, at least, until the Bush deception was recently revealed. Of course, the White House got its victory since the bill passed. From the talking car Knight-Ridder:
The government's top expert on Medicare costs was warned that he would be fired if he told key lawmakers about a series of Bush administration cost estimates that could have torpedoed congressional passage of the White House-backed Medicare prescription-drug plan.Yes, Republicans turning on Republicans. Fun. This is the email the "government's top expert on Medicare costs, Richard S. Foster (chief actuary, Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services), sent to colleagues that said he would be fired if he talked to lawmakers about his estimates:When the House of Representatives passed the controversial benefit by five votes last November, the White House was embracing an estimate by the Congressional Budget Office that it would cost $395 billion in the first 10 years. But for months the administration's own analysts in the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services had concluded repeatedly that the drug benefit could cost upward of $100 billion more than that.
Withholding the higher cost projections was important because the White House was facing a revolt from 13 conservative House Republicans who'd vowed to vote against the Medicare drug bill if it cost more than $400 billion.
Rep. Sue Myrick of North Carolina, one of the 13 Republicans, said she was "very upset" when she learned of the higher estimate.
"This whole episode which has now gone on for three weeks has been pretty nightmarish. I'm perhaps no longer in grave danger of being fired, but there remains a strong likelihood that I will have to resign in protest of the withholding of important technical information from key policy makers for political reasons. Stay tuned."As the Center for American Progress notes, the White House has a history of threats and intimidation against dissenting individuals.
Posted by Eric at 05:56 PM | Comments (28)
Lying Liars: Bush Administration Hid Medicare Costs from Public
Or, at least, until the Bush deception was recently revealed. Of course, the White House got its victory since the bill passed. From the talking car Knight-Ridder:
The government's top expert on Medicare costs was warned that he would be fired if he told key lawmakers about a series of Bush administration cost estimates that could have torpedoed congressional passage of the White House-backed Medicare prescription-drug plan.Yes, Republicans turning on Republicans. Fun. This is the email the "government's top expert on Medicare costs, Richard S. Foster (chief actuary, Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services), sent to colleagues that said he would be fired if he talked to lawmakers about his estimates:When the House of Representatives passed the controversial benefit by five votes last November, the White House was embracing an estimate by the Congressional Budget Office that it would cost $395 billion in the first 10 years. But for months the administration's own analysts in the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services had concluded repeatedly that the drug benefit could cost upward of $100 billion more than that.
Withholding the higher cost projections was important because the White House was facing a revolt from 13 conservative House Republicans who'd vowed to vote against the Medicare drug bill if it cost more than $400 billion.
Rep. Sue Myrick of North Carolina, one of the 13 Republicans, said she was "very upset" when she learned of the higher estimate.
"This whole episode which has now gone on for three weeks has been pretty nightmarish. I'm perhaps no longer in grave danger of being fired, but there remains a strong likelihood that I will have to resign in protest of the withholding of important technical information from key policy makers for political reasons. Stay tuned."As the Center for American Progress notes, the White House has a history of threats and intimidation against dissenting individuals.
Posted by Eric at 05:56 PM | Comments (1)
More Halliburton Follies
Ah yes, while Halliburton overcharges for its services, it still can't find the time to pay its tab, which could lead to more disservice for troops overseas. From the Federal Times:
Halliburton celebrates serving hot meals to U.S. troops in Iraq in television commercials, but one subcontractor responsible for preparing the food says soldiers there may soon be eating cold sandwiches because Halliburton subsidiary Kellogg Brown and Root isn’t paying its bills. A Utah-based caterer, Event Source, claims that KBR has racked up an unpaid $87 million tab for meals it has served to soldiers in Baghdad and Mosul since November. The company plans to continue serving food at dining facilities it helped build, but it needs either to get paid or cut expenses, said Phil Morrell, who founded Event Source to serve security troops during the 2002 Olympics in Salt Lake City.Halliburton is in Iraq, of course, after a rigorous process during which many companies were considered, but Halliburton (despite its lack of connections with the White House) barely squeaked past the tough competition.“It’s not something I want to do, but I just want to get paid,” Morrell said. “My company is getting ripped apart.”
Other subcontractors in Iraq working for KBR share similar complaints, he said, although he declined to name any.
“I’m just the squeaky wheel,” he said. “I don’t know what else to do to get paid.”
Posted by Eric at 05:26 PM | Comments (11)
More Halliburton Follies
Ah yes, while Halliburton overcharges for its services, it still can't find the time to pay its tab, which could lead to more disservice for troops overseas. From the Federal Times:
Halliburton celebrates serving hot meals to U.S. troops in Iraq in television commercials, but one subcontractor responsible for preparing the food says soldiers there may soon be eating cold sandwiches because Halliburton subsidiary Kellogg Brown and Root isn’t paying its bills. A Utah-based caterer, Event Source, claims that KBR has racked up an unpaid $87 million tab for meals it has served to soldiers in Baghdad and Mosul since November. The company plans to continue serving food at dining facilities it helped build, but it needs either to get paid or cut expenses, said Phil Morrell, who founded Event Source to serve security troops during the 2002 Olympics in Salt Lake City.Halliburton is in Iraq, of course, after a rigorous process during which many companies were considered, but Halliburton (despite its lack of connections with the White House) barely squeaked past the tough competition.“It’s not something I want to do, but I just want to get paid,” Morrell said. “My company is getting ripped apart.”
Other subcontractors in Iraq working for KBR share similar complaints, he said, although he declined to name any.
“I’m just the squeaky wheel,” he said. “I don’t know what else to do to get paid.”
Posted by Eric at 05:26 PM | Comments (0)
Firefighters to Attack Bush 'loudly and aggressively'
The firefighters want to get Kerry elected because they know, as the Bush ads suggest, a vote for Kerry is a vote against national security. The Hill:
But these first spots also brought controversy over the use of the images from Sept. 11, including those of firefighters. The IAFF, along with the families of some victims, has been most vocal in condemning the ads.The relationship between the Bush administration and firefighters turned sour quickly after the terrorist attacks.
The IAFF and Congress wanted more federal funding for firefighters, which the administration opposed. Schaitberger argued that this has resulted in fire stations being closed and fire fighters being less safe ... Asked whether the IAFF’s reaction to the Bush ads reflects the union’s support for
Kerry, Schaitberger said only that there is a “perfect contrast” between the candidates. “[Kerry] has responded to fire fighters and their community throughout his career,” he added.
Posted by Eric at 11:00 AM | Comments (55)
Firefighters to Attack Bush 'loudly and aggressively'
The firefighters want to get Kerry elected because they know, as the Bush ads suggest, a vote for Kerry is a vote against national security. The Hill:
But these first spots also brought controversy over the use of the images from Sept. 11, including those of firefighters. The IAFF, along with the families of some victims, has been most vocal in condemning the ads.The relationship between the Bush administration and firefighters turned sour quickly after the terrorist attacks.
The IAFF and Congress wanted more federal funding for firefighters, which the administration opposed. Schaitberger argued that this has resulted in fire stations being closed and fire fighters being less safe ... Asked whether the IAFF’s reaction to the Bush ads reflects the union’s support for
Kerry, Schaitberger said only that there is a “perfect contrast” between the candidates. “[Kerry] has responded to fire fighters and their community throughout his career,” he added.
Posted by Eric at