DUmmie: Will any Dems have the courage to speak out against Saddam's hanging?

Link.:

Will any Dems have the courage to speak out against Saddam's hanging?
How shameful is it that we've invaded a country, staged a show trial for its leader and are now planning to hang him? I know Saddam was a bad guy, but it seems to me that the United States should be better than this.

I truly hope that some of our Democratic leaders will have the courage to publicly oppose this disgusting action, but I'm not holding my breath.

Maybe someone should remind the DUmmie of the Nuremberg trials. We convicted and sentenced several Nazis to death, including Goering (who escaped the noose by committing suicide) and Ribbentrop. Hitler would have likely been in that same gang had he not been such a coward. Does that make Truman a war criminal?

Could Ford have been assasinated?

Not a DUmmie, but a DimWit:

Could Ford have been assasinated?

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Could Ford have been assasinated by the GOP as a public image booster?

To be fair, the rest of the posters on that thread aren't stoned.

Former President Ford dead at 93

From Yahoo:

LOS ANGELES - Gerald R. Ford, who picked up the pieces of Richard Nixon's scandal-shattered White House as the 38th and only unelected president in America's history, has died, his wife, Betty, said Tuesday. He was 93.

Ford had battled pneumonia in January 2006 and underwent two heart treatments — including an angioplasty — in August at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn.

Given his health problems, I'm not surprised. Rest in peace, Mr. President.

Iraq court says Saddam should hang within 30 days

From WaPo:

BAGHDAD (Reuters) - An Iraqi appeals court on Tuesday upheld Saddam Hussein's death sentence for crimes against humanity and said he should hang within 30 days.

Human rights groups condemned his trial as seriously flawed and called on the government not to carry out the sentence, which comes amid raging violence between Saddam's fellow Sunni Arabs and majority Shi'ites.

U.S. Rep.-elect Nick Lampson taken to hospital

From the The Houston Chronicle

U.S. Rep-elect Nick Lampson, D-Stafford, was taken to the hospital this evening after eating dinner and complaining to his wife, Susan, that he wasn't feeling well, according to Lampson spokeswoman Carrie Chess.

Lampson had not eaten all day and had not had a day off since the election last month, Chess said.

He was preparing to start his vacation Friday. He walked into St. John Hospital in Clear Lake on his own and was taking routine tests to make sure he was OK, Chess said late tonight.

I guess this is the spot where we're supposed to blame * for one reason of another.

Drudge: SMU expected to be chosen as site of Bush presidential library

SMU expected to be chosen as site of Bush presidential library
Thu Dec 21 2006 15:02:07 ET

December 21, 2006
TO: SMU Students, Faculty and Staff
FROM: R. Gerald Turner, President

It is my pleasure to inform you that Don Evans, Chairman of the George W. Bush Presidential Library Search Committee, notified us that SMU has been selected by the Committee for the next phase of planning discussions. These discussions will begin after the first of the year.

We do not know how long these discussions will take. However, any significant announcement concerning the process will come from Chairman Evans. Today at 2:30 pm SMU is hosting a press availability to which Trustees and the campus community are invited. The press availability will be held in the Hughes-Trigg Ballroom.

We are obviously delighted to have reached this final stage of the selection process.

Developing...

Laura's Alma Mater. It should be interesting to tour it in a couple of years.

Steel column installed for WTC tower

From AP/Yahoo:

NEW YORK - The first 25-ton steel column for the new Freedom Tower was installed Tuesday at ground zero, another milestone in prolonged efforts to build a new office tower to replace the World Trade Center.

The 31-foot high white steel column, painted with an American flag and the words "Freedom Tower," was picked up by a crane and set into place on the southern edge of the planned 1,776-foot building. Politicians and workers at the site cheered as the column was installed shortly after 11:30 a.m.

It's ridiculous that the politicians would even consider doing anything but putting the Towers back, IMHO.

Probe Launched by Child Protective Services of Infant Discovered in Barn

From Free Republic:

Bethlehem, Judea —Authorities were today alerted by a concerned citizen who noticed a family living in a barn.

Upon arrival, Family Protective Services personnel, accompanied by police, took into protective care an infant child named Jesus who had been wrapped in strips of cloth and placed in a feeding trough by his 14-year old mother, Mary of Nazareth.

During the confrontation, a man identified as Joseph, also of Nazareth, attempted to stop the social workers. Joseph, aided by several local shepherds and some unidentified foreigners, tried to forestall efforts to take the child, but were restrained by the police.

Also being held for questioning are three foreigners who allege to be wise men from an eastern country. The INS and Homeland Security officials are seeking information about these men who may be in the country illegally. A source with the INS states that they had no passports, but were in possession of gold and other possibly illegal substances. They resisted arrest, saying that they had been warned by God to avoid officials in Jerusalem and to return quickly to their own country. The chemical substances in their possession will be tested.

The owner of the barn is also being held for questioning. The manager of the Bethlehem Inn faces possible revocation of his license for violating health and safety regulations by allowing people to stay in the stable. Civil authorities are also investigating the zoning violations involved in maintaining livestock in a commercially- zoned district.

The location of the minor child will not be disclosed, and the prospect for a quick resolution to this case is doubtful. Asked about when Jesus would be returned to his mother, a Child Protective Services spokesperson said, "The father is middle-aged and the mother definitely underage. We are checking with officials in Nazareth to determine what their legal relationship is."

Joseph has admitted to taking Mary from her home in Nazareth because of a census requirement. However, because she was obviously pregnant when they left, investigators are looking into other reasons for their departure. Joseph is being held without bond on charges of molestation, kidnapping, child endangerment, and statutory rape.

Mary was taken to the Bethlehem General Hospital where she is being examined by doctors. Charges may also be filed against her for child endangerment. She will also undergo psychiatric evaluation because of her claim that she is a virgin and that the child is from God.

The director of the psychiatric wing said, "I don't profess to have the right to tell people what to believe, but when their beliefs adversely affect the safety and well-being of others—in this case her child—we must consider her a danger to others. The unidentified drugs at the scene don't help her case, but I'm confident that with the proper therapeutic regimen we can get her back on her feet."

A spokesperson for the governor's office said, "Who knows what was going through their minds? But regardless, their treatment of the child was inexcusable, and the involvement of these others is frightening. There is much we don't know about this case, but for the sake of the child and the public, you can be assured that we will pursue this matter to the end."

Merry Christmas, everyone!

Soldier who died smothering enemy grenade to be recommended for Medal of Honor

From Stars and Stripes:

A Schweinfurt, Germany-based infantryman who jumped on a grenade to save other troops is being recommended for the Medal of Honor.

The 1st Infantry Division soldier, Spc. Ross Andrew McGinnis, 19, was killed Dec. 4 while on a combat patrol in Baghdad.

Soldiers in his unit said he used his body to cover a grenade that had been thrown into his Humvee by an enemy fighter on a nearby rooftop.

Four people owe their lives to this guy. There is no way this kind of bravery and selflessness could ever be taught.

Dinner with La. gov. goes $1 at auction

From AP/Yahoo:

NEW ORLEANS - A chance to dine with embattled Gov. Kathleen Blanco fetched a winning bid of $1 at a recent fundraising auction hosted by a group of business leaders.

The president of the Monroe Chamber of Commerce, in northeastern Louisiana, said she called Blanco's office Tuesday to apologize for a "poor joke gone awry."

"It's something we deeply regret," chamber president Sue Edmunds said Wednesday. "Our organization has worked very well with the governor. We have been pleased with her efforts on behalf of this community."

Is there even really a need to add a comment?

9/11 conspiracy retard gets on Danny Bonaduce's last nerve

I don't know what this moron thought he was accomplishing by interrupting an eating celebrity, but he certainly received the treatment he deserved.

Some "tradition", eh?

Since Sen. Johnson's stroke the other day, I've heard of a "tradition" of governors bucking partisanship and appointing Senators of opposing parties after the death of a senator from that party. Here's a list of when that tradition has occured since 1972...


....


....

Some tradition, right?

Fox and CNN Reporting Sen. Johnson has successful brain Surgery

CNN's Gupta is speculating that it was hemmorhaging. Keep him in your prayers.

Sen. Tim Johnson (D-SD) suffers probable stroke

Update:

It wasn't a stroke. From AP/Yahoo:

WASHINGTON - Democratic Sen. Tim Johnson (news, bio, voting record) of South Dakota was hospitalized after becoming disoriented Wednesday, weeks before his party is to take control of the Senate by a one-vote margin.

Johnson, who turns 60 on Dec. 28, was admitted to George Washington University Hospital with an undiagnosed illness, said a spokeswoman, Julianne Fisher.

She said, however, the senator did not suffer a stroke or heart attack. His office had said earlier it was a possible stroke.

I'm glad it wasn't a stroke or heart attack. Here's hoping that they find out exactly what happened and that it's not serious.


From Fox News:

WASHINGTON — South Dakota Democratic Sen. Tim Johnson was admitted Wednesday to George Washington University hospital in Washington, D.C., for symptoms aides say indicate a stroke.

"As this stage, he is undergoing a comprehensive evaluation by the stroke team. Further details will be forthcoming when more is known," said a statement released from his office.

I share DeLay's sentiments. Get well soon, Sen. Johnson.

Is he or isn't he?

Rumors are flying of Castro's death. Pajamas Media is saying that Spanish Radio has reported that he's assumed room temperature. Who knows? He dies more often than Arafat.

On the other hand, it does give me a chance to drag this out again:



Fidel Castro Ruz
May he burn in Hell

Should I keep mocking them?

I've frequently mocked DUmmies and other moonbats on this blog, but I almost feel guilty after seeing this blog by blogger "spooked". Spook cuts at a steel cage, and when it doesn't do what the twin towers did on 9/11, that somehow proves that the "official" story was a lie. In case you're wondering, this isn't the first time spooked has attempted a debunking of 9/11 that ended up making him look like a huge ass. As spooked911 on Democratic Underground, he "disproved" 9/11 with kerosene and a rabbit hutch.

So, my question is should I keep mocking spooked, or should we all hope that he seeks the professional attention that he so desperately needs?

Chafee on the Daily Show

From Hot Air.

About 28 seconds in Stewart asks Chafee the following question:

"What is wrong with the way the political parties function, that if you are not in lockstep with whatever this sort of price-fixed menu that they have decided represents- Republicans and Democrats- that you are ostracized and shunned? What's going wrong?"

Sir, if I may have this question. The problem isn't that he was ostracized. If anything, the Republican Party forced him on us, even when we repeatedly told them we didn't want him. Effort was spent on his campaign that could have been focused on Maryland, Missouri, Montana, or Virginia. A win in any of those states would have kept the Senate in Republican control.

The problem with Chafee was that he was a Democrat running against a Democrat. Unfortunately, the Republican Party thought that was a winning matchup.

DUmp: Why are our favored candidates not doing well in polls?

In this thread, the DUmmies wonder why their preferred candidates aren't doing well in public polls:

dmosh42 (215 posts) Tue Dec-12-06 04:14 AM
Original message
Their poll compared to ours on DU?
While watching CNN last night, they were covering the story of Sen. Obama in NH. Suddenly, they flashed this poll showing Obama and Hillary with a big percentage, and the guys that poll highly on DU, (Edwards, Clark, and I think Gore) with single digit numbers. I remember Clark being 2%! WTF! Are we out of touch here? Or are they making this up?

Gee, I wonder why? Maybe because DU is so insulated from anyone to the right of Marx?

bowens43 (1000+ posts) Tue Dec-12-06 04:19 AM
Response to Original message
1. Clark , in particular has almost NO support outside DU.
Edited on Tue Dec-12-06 04:20 AM by bowens43
IMO most Democrats want someone new, not 2000 or 2004 retreads.

From my conversations with Democrats, the CNN poll sounds about right.

Ya think?

lvx35 (1000+ posts) Tue Dec-12-06 04:26 AM
Response to Original message
2. We are ahead of the curve.
I mean, just think...Its NOW that the American people are waking up to realities of Iraq, according to polls. The same with hold with polls. Obama will stay up there because he's hot, but I expect others to rise.

Yeah, that's the ticket, you're not an extremist. You're just ahead of the curve.

Mythsaje (1000+ posts) Tue Dec-12-06 04:30 AM
Response to Original message
3. We're more knowledgable in general,
so we respond differently here than to most general polls.

A lot can change in the nearly two years we have left before the election. And a lot of things can come to light once the investigations begin that change the way people feel. Those who seem to be comfortable with the status quo might not look so good to a really pissed-off populace.

Thatz gud 2 no. Th rest ov uss r jes 2 stewpid.

StrictlyRockers (443 posts) Tue Dec-12-06 05:13 AM
Response to Original message
5. Give them time to catch up. Not everyone is this brilliant.

The reward for a thing

ur rite, o smawt 1. th rest ov uss r sew stewpid, wee dont evn no th chimp wuz beehined 9/11.

I'm sorry. It's just so hard to not mock these people.

The Grinch returns Christmas

From MSNBC

The Christmas spirit has returned to Sea-Tac Airport. The Port of Seattle, which had been battered internationally for removing 14 Christmas trees last week in response to a rabbi's threat of a federal lawsuit, began reinstalling the displays Monday night.



The decision came shortly after Rabbi Elazar Bogomilsky told port officials that his organization would not file the suit to get an 8-foot menorah added to the public display, ending a flap that Port Commissioner Alec Fisken said made Seattle "an international joke."

I was not immediately against the rabbi's request. A menorah would have been a nice addition. The airport's overreaction to the request was just ridiculous, as is it's name for the trees. It's "Christmas tree", not "holiday tree".

Jim, Tammy Faye Bakker's Son Has Punk Ministry

From The Indy Channel

NEW YORK -- He's tattooed, multi-pierced and preaching God's grace to people who otherwise might be turned away from the church.


Jay Bakker, who rebelled after the fall of his televangelist parents, is a minister in the new reality series "One Punk Under God: the Prodigal Son of Jim and Tammy Faye."


The show, which airs Wednesday evenings on the Sundance Channel, is about the church he calls Revolution, which, notwithstanding his decade-long sobriety, holds services in an Atlanta bar.

The Church Website

Should be interesting. Just lock your wallets away while watching.:)

Could it be? Dems to kill pork?

From AP:

Democrats tidying up a cluster of unfinished spending bills dumped on them by departing Republican leaders in Congress will start by removing billions of dollars in lawmakers' pet projects next month.
The move, orchestrated by the incoming chairmen of the House and Senate Appropriations committees, could prove politically savvy even as it proves unpopular with other members of Congress, who as a group will lose thousands of so-called earmarks.

"There will be no congressional earmarks," Rep. David Obey, D-Wis., and Sen. Robert Byrd, D-W.Va., said Monday in a statement announcing their plans, which were quickly endorsed by incoming Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., and soon-to-be Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D- Nev.

Can it be? The king of pork wants to curtail it? Maybe he figures he can stop now that everything in West Byrd-ginia is named after him, he can stop? One can only hope...

But, then...

Obey and Byrd said lawmakers could re-apply for home-state projects next year when Congress turns to the fiscal 2008 budget cycle _ after reforms of the earmarking process are put in place.

Darn.

I want to post a challenge here...

I've already posted this challenge on CU. The jackass I want to talk to knows who he is. Here or at CU. That is all.

Sheehan among 4 convicted of trespassing

From AP/Yahoo:

NEW YORK - Peace activist Cindy Sheehan and three other women were convicted of trespassing Monday for trying to delivery an anti- Iraq war petition to the U.S. Mission to the United Nations and refusing to leave.


A Manhattan Criminal Court judge sentenced them immediately to conditional discharge, which means they could face some form of penalty if they are arrested in the next six months, and ordered them to pay $95 in court surcharges.

How can this be? She's above criticism. Shouldn't she above the law?

McKinney introduces bill to impeach Bush

From AP/Yahoo:

WASHINGTON - In what was likely her final legislative act in Congress, outgoing Georgia Rep. Cynthia McKinney announced a bill Friday to impeach President Bush.


The legislation has no chance of passing and serves as a symbolic parting shot not only at Bush but also at Democratic leaders. Incoming House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., has made clear that she will not entertain proposals to sanction Bush and has warned the liberal wing of her party against making political hay of impeachment.

Before you introduce articles of impeachment, wouldn't it be a good idea to have an actual impeachable offense to charge him with?

We've done silly, how about some thing strange?

From AZ Central:

RICHMOND, Va. - Gov. Timothy M. Kaine isn't calling Ghostbusters, but he's not saying he would have no use for the Hollywood spirit chasers.

Asked during his monthly radio show whether he has had paranormal experiences similar to ones previous Executive Mansion occupants have reported, Kaine answered, "Yes."

The governor said Thursday that at the same "inconvenient time" every week, the telephone rings in his family's private quarters - and when he picks up the phone, nobody's there. He said he's researching whether "something odd happened" on the same day and hour sometime in the mansion's history.

The house my aunt and uncle used to live at had some signs of haunting. One particular time, I was asked to go inside the house alone to retrieve something. I was in that house for a couple of seconds before I heard a voice say "get out". Needless to say, I took the advice.:)

And now for something totally silly...

Barneycam.

Merry Christmas everyone.

Hi, DUmmies!

Update:

I've e-mailed the DU admin to ask them to pull the thread.

Update 2:

The thread has been pulled. I want to thank Skinner and the Admins for responding to my requests.

I see that you have found my blog and you cowards dug around on Technorati and found my real name. I've taken my name off of that profile, but the damage has already been done. Why you thought that my name was relevant to our disagreement is a mystery hidden deep in your drug-addled minds.

Kirkpatrick Dies; DUmp shows inhumanity

Admittedly, it's a bit more mild than some of the other dead Republican threads, but this one still has some cruel posts:

RamboLiberal (1000+ posts) Fri Dec-08-06 10:13 AM
Original message
CNN: Former U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Jeane Kirkpatrick has died
Former U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Jeane Kirkpatrick has died, according to the American Enterprise Institute --where she was a senior fellow.

On their news alert web banner.

http://www.cnn.com /


TheBorealAvenger (1000+ posts) Fri Dec-08-06 10:17 AM
Response to Original message
1. American Enterprise Institute--the prime warmongering "think tank"
The devil called her home


kenny blankenship (1000+ posts) Fri Dec-08-06 10:29 AM
Response to Original message
4. Bolton's dismissal too much for her to bear?


NI4NI (580 posts) Fri Dec-08-06 10:36 AM
Response to Original message
5. P N A C
IF, there is a heaven, I wonder if the lady will have some explaining to do about her PNAC affilliation and Neo-con beliefs.


donsu (1000+ posts) Fri Dec-08-06 11:03 AM
Response to Original message
6. good - can't do any more harm now
nt


katsy (1000+ posts) Fri Dec-08-06 11:06 AM
Response to Original message
7. Bolton was on teevee crying. Wish I could.
Wish I felt the loss of an admirable statesperson.

But she wasn't and I can't feel anything but good riddance.

New 9/11 Video of Pentagon Attack Emerges

From NewsMax:

Judicial Watch, the public interest group that investigates and prosecutes government corruption, announced today that it has received from the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) a security camera recording taken from the Doubletree Hotel in Arlington, Virginia that shows the 9/11 attack on the Pentagon.

This new video evidence, obtained in relation to a Judicial Watch lawsuit against the FBI, seemingly contradicts a sworn FBI affidavit in a related case claiming that the Doubletree security recordings "did not show the impact of Flight 77 into the Pentagon on September 11, 2001."

Here's the video from the Double Tree...

New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson Tells FOX News He's Running for President... or not

Update:

As you can see in the comments section of this post, Richardson supporters, and now Richardson's office are claiming this is not true.

Update 2:

Here is the story. He certainly sounds like a candidate to me, even if it's not yet official. You be the judge...

"I am Hispanic, which I believe is an asset," Richardson said. "But I'm not running as an Hispanic, I am running as an American who is proud to be Hispanic."

Richardson plans to travel to New Hampshire, the first of the nation's states to hold a primary, the weekend after next.

Yet another Democrat destined to lose to Hillary!.

Scope of 2nd Amendment's questioned

From AP/Yahoo:

WASHINGTON - In a case that could shape firearms laws nationwide, attorneys for the District of Columbia argued Thursday that the 2nd Amendment right to bear arms applies only to militias, not individuals.

The city defended as constitutional its long-standing ban on handguns, a law that some gun opponents have advocated elsewhere. Civil liberties groups and pro-gun organizations say the ban in unconstitutional.

At issue in the case before a federal appeals court is whether the 2nd Amendment right to "keep and bear arms" applies to all people or only to "a well regulated militia." The Bush administration has endorsed individual gun-ownership rights but the Supreme Court has never settled the issue.

What is so hard to understand about "the right of the people"?

But the Kool Aid tastes so good

More bullshit from the Reality Based Community:

Contrary to what his detractors say, Jimmy Carter was one of the most successful
Presidents in history.

Camp David Accords: a so-far lasting peace between Israel and Egypt, successful ME initiative

Energy: Plagued by the gas guzzling habits of the American people and a harsh OPEC policy, under the Carter administration, the government got serious about alternative fuels for the first time. The discussion and movement was quickly curtailed by the corporate-loving Reagan administration that brings us to the place we are in now with energy. But much of the foundation for the science and initiative for alternative fuels and clean fuels was established under Jimmy Carter. Had we had the sense to listen to him, we might be in a much better energy and foreign policy place right now.

Panama Canal: Vilified by the RW for doing the right thing, it is notable that none of the dastardly outcomes predicted by his detractors have even remotely appeared all these years AND Panama is beginning a venture to widen the canal, bringing investment, jobs, and additional benefits to the US and the rest of the world.

Hostage situation: Although Carter embarked on a secret but failed attempt to rescue US hostages, his coolness under this pressure from US military to do more kept the US out of a major conflict with Iran and quite probably a major mess and loss of lives like that now occurring in Iraq.

Taxes: The reform so touted by the RW Reagan lovers, actually was started under the Carter administration.

Human and civil rights: Also vilified for linking human rights issues to our foreign policy initiatives and trade policies, Carter led the way in the arena of human rights across the world. He was criticized by candidate Reagan for "meddling" in the affairs of other nations but when in office Reagan used the human rights issue against the USSR and China as though it were his own initiative. Carter's efforts in this area laid the foundation for the very human rights platforms and international laws that are so important to our foreign policy today.

Integrity: Carter actually brought to the office of the Presidency that which his successors only gave lip service to. He is a true Christian in every sense of the word. He did not use his office for personal gain or acclaim or political advantage. He has set the standard for what public servants can and ought to do in and out of office.

I, for one, am grateful for his presence. And to those (like Pat Buchanan) who would label Carter as a "failed President" think again. Better yet, define "failed."

The term "malaise factor" comes to mind...

Senate Debates Global Warming, CNN Anchor Snoozes

A detailed account of the hearing from NewsBusters. (It could have focused more on what was said, but that's alright):

As already noted here on NewsBusters, the Senate held a hearing today examining the role of the media in promoting climate alarmism. With others covering the newsmaking part of the discussion, I decided to drop by to observe things from a blogger's point of view.

I went into the hearing expecting it would be more interesting than your typical congressional hearing and wasn't disappointed. Dr. David Deming, a geophysicist from the University of Oklahoma recount an experience he had with an NPR reporter who hung up on him after he declined to say that he thought global temperature increases were human-caused.

Apparently I was not joined in my assessment of things by CNN "American Morning" anchor Miles O'Brien who fell asleep during the discussion, according to several witnesses. Only a colleague's nudge prevented the slumbering former science correspondent from missing the entire discussion. One would think that O'Brien could have scared up some more interest considering his ongoing feud with the Inhofe.

I also heard some interesting scientific debate as to whether ice core temperature readings can really be used as a reliable indicator of whether carbon dioxide is related to global climate changes. Don't expect to hear much about this, though, since it the CO2 proponent, Dr. Daniel Schrag of Harvard, was less-than-articulate arguing the affirmative. As of the writing of this posting, I haven't found a single news source that quoted from today's hearing. I did see and converse with several reporters but so far have yet to read any coverage.

What I did find online, though, was an AP article which briefly mentioned the hearing but quoted no one other than California Democrat Barbara Boxer, the incoming EPW chair. It went out late today and could easily have quoted from any of the Republican members of the committee but did not.

In the committee room, it was striking to me just how inept that the global warming alarmists seem to be at making their arguments. While many scientists do indeed take the position that humans' carbon dioxide emissions do cause global warming, they and their political allies seemed quite poor at making their case.

Boxer provided the best example. She began her statement with a grab bag of short, context-less quotations from various businesses and government agencies about how global warming is a humongous problem that needs immediate action. Most of her quotes were from non-scientific groups and were not even about the subject of the media's coverage of climate change, the topic of the hearing.

That's bad enough as a rhetorical device but apparently it wasn't bad enough for Boxer. In the middle of the hearing, she reverted to quoting cue cards of media coverage of the issue, ostensibly to show how the press is not being led by alarmists. Unfortunately for her, though, her quotations (from such bastions of conservatism as the New York Times as the Tulsa World) did just the opposite, at least if you didn't automatically agree with her. When Inhofe and my colleague at the Businesses and Media Institute Dan Gainor pointed out her problem, Boxer seemed utterly oblivious.

It only got worse for Boxer, though, as she reverted to the soundbites once again (using many of the same ones she'd already quoted previously) at the end of her testimony but with an added twist. Instead of asking the witnesses what they thought about a specific statement, the California Democrat asked them to “raise your hand” if you disagree with one of her out-of-context quotes. At first, hostile witnesses played along but eventually it got so absurd that Dr. Deming finally called her on it.

None of this seemed to bother a reporter from Roll Call with whom I was seated. She seemed decidedly against Inhofe and scoffed whenever he or one of his witnesses would challenge the liberal point of view. I didn't catch her name but I wasn't exactly surprised since besides the fact that most MSM reporters ideologically line up with Democrats, Barbara Boxer did one thing well—framing the hearings as a matter of whether the government was trying to control the news media.

That was far from the case as anyone who wasn't asleep could have observed.

Longtime Aide to Jimmy Carter Resigns, Claims Carter's New Book Is Filled With Factual Errors

From Fox News:

ATLANTA — A longtime aide to Jimmy Carter has resigned from the Carter Center think tank, calling the former president's new book on Israel and the Arabs one-sided and filled with errors.

Kenneth Stein, the Carter Center's first executive director and founder of its Middle East program, sent a letter that bluntly criticized the book to Carter and others.

Stein wrote that the book, "Palestine: Peace, Not Apartheid," was replete with factual errors, material copied from other sources and "simply invented segments," according to an excerpt of the letter published by the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.

This should get interesting...

Remains of Apostle Paul May Have Been Found

From The Christian Post:

ROME (AP) - Vatican archaeologists have unearthed a sarcophagus believed to contain the remains of the Apostle Paul that had been buried beneath Rome's second largest basilica.


The sarcophagus, which dates back to at least A.D. 390, has been the subject of an extended excavation that began in 2002 and was completed last month, the project's head said this week.

Wow.

Bush motion fails at Lagunitas School Board

Link

President Bush survived an impeachment hearing this week at a meeting of the Lagunitas School Board.
The board voted 2-1 in favor of impeaching Bush, but Trustee Suzi Giacomini abstained and, according to the rules of order, that equated to a "no" vote, deadlocking the panel.

Trustee Richard Sloan said he would likely bring it back for another vote after a new trustee is appointed to fill an open seat vacated by Kelly O'Conner.

Sloan said the school district needed to take on the issue because board members swear to uphold and protect the Constitution.

"I consider George Bush to be the single worst enemy against our Constitution that we've had in our whole history," he said.

Denise Santa Cruz-Bowman, who voted against the resolution, said the people she represents weren't in favor and many called to remind her the district needs to focus on school issues. She noted nobody showed up to encourage impeachment.

Whatever your opinion of Bush, can we agree that these little morons should focus on their own jobs?

Reason number 78,280,264 why the Democrats should not have access to power

From The Jerusalem post:

Hamas officials have managed to smuggle more than $66 million in cash through the Rafah border crossing in the past eight months, a member of the Hamas-led government revealed Wednesday.

Meanwhile, sources close to the Hamas-led government claimed that Hamas representatives recently held talks with officials from the US Democratic Party at a secret location.

The sources told the Bethlehem-based Maan News Agency that Hamas representatives have also been holding secret talks with European government officials, including Britain and France.

Perhaps Hamas has been providing the Democrats with talking points?

Disgusting Hatred for Reagan

In the past, I've referred a post by a prominent member of Democratic Underground, written mere hours after the death of Ronald Reagan, entitled I've waited for this day for 24 long years, now i'm celebrating. In it, the poster launched a profanity laced attack on Reagan. Today, we got somewhat of a repeat, DUer liberalhistorian complains that she heard some people saying that Alzheimer's Disease was far too good for Reagan.

liberalhistorian (1000+ posts) Wed Dec-06-06 02:09 PM
Original message
"Alzheimer's was too good for Reagan as far as I'm concerned"
I overheard this little gem just now at a local restaurant where I was having lunch and was really disgusted. Now, those of you who know me here know that I'm certainly no fan of Reagan at all, quite the contrary. I believe he did incalculable damage to the country, although he was a far better president than the current WH occupant (like that's really hard!) I absolutely hated it when he was president, as did the majority of my family.

HOWEVER. Reagan was not just a president and a politician, he was also a man and a human being. Alzheimer's is a horrible, nasty, insidious disease, a horrible way to die, and not just because it's so long and drawn-out even though that's certainly part of it. NO ONE deserves to have it and to die like that, I don't care WHO it is. And NO ONE deserves to see their spouse, parent, etc., slowly waste away from it and become a shadow of what they once were, either. NO ONE. To be the spouse, child, sibling of someone with Alzheimer's is almost as bad as suffering from the disease.

I know this personally, my stepdad has early Alzheimer's. He's only 63, but had to retire from teaching eight years earlier than normal, at the age of 57, because it was just starting then and, even though we didn't know what it was yet, he simply was not able to handle the rigorous duties his job required. Mom had to do most of his lesson plans and grading for him. The day he took my son out to a movie and couldn't remember how to get back home even though it was only ten minutes away and he'd lived there for thirty years was the day we really had to start to face reality.

He is just a wispy shadow of his former vibrant, alive, intelligent, funny self. The man who once taught Shakespeare, Yeats and Hemingway and who could argue the merits of Hemingway vs. Fitzgerald for hours at a time can no longer even understand anything he reads, even simple stuff. The man who used to write the most beautiful, thoughtful poetry and who won several poetry contests throughout the years can no longer even put two or three words together that make sense. The man who used to have a quick, improvisational sense of humor and who could make anything funny now no longer understands the simplest joke. He now has to have help to shower and dress. I could go on, but it's too depressing to even think about at times.

Yes, I agree with most of you about Reagan and I always will. But let's separate the president and politician from the man and the human being. What's truly insidious about this horrible disease is that the victim actually knows for several years what is happening to him or her and has to deal with that. I have no doubt that Reagan knew as did his family. It didn't and doesn't matter how old he was, he and his family still suffered terribly. How many times have we rightfully slammed freepers for rejoicing in the diseases/deaths of certain people? Let's not do the same thing ourselves. Let's show some humanity.

Okay, so liberalhistorian gets it right. Let's see what her fellow DUmmies have to say:

OhioBlues (1000+ posts) Wed Dec-06-06 02:11 PM
Response to Original message
1. I agree with you, have a heart and some class.
Edited on Wed Dec-06-06 02:12 PM by OhioBlues


insane_cratic_gal (1000+ posts) Wed Dec-06-06 02:13 PM
Response to Original message
2. I agree as well
My Great Grandmother had it.. I've seen several people (work in a hospital) who suffer from it.

Wishing any sickness not matter how much of a scum that person may be, is certainly not an enlightened way of thinking.

Oops. How'd they get in there? Just want to make sure no one's saying I'm just taking a few posts.

BOSSHOG (1000+ posts) Wed Dec-06-06 02:13 PM
Response to Original message
3. My father died of Alzheimer's
It is an incredible strain on a family. I'm not sure what I would do if I were ever diagnosed with it but I wouldn't want my wife to go through what my stepmom did.

I still believe that those who oppose stem cell research should be locked in an Alzheimer's Ward of a nursing home for at least six months.

Ronald Reagan was an evil republican in my mind but he would have been better off dying peacefully in his sleep at a younger age.

How compassionate of you.

LisaM (1000+ posts) Wed Dec-06-06 02:14 PM
Response to Original message
4. No one deserves AIDS either
and many people died from it because Reagan refused to acknowledge it, and to fund early research (I have two friends whose brothers died right before the newest batch of drugs were available). It's really really hard for me to have sympathy for Ronald Reagan. BTW, my mother-in-law died of Alzheimer's last year, and now my father-in-law also suffers from it. THEY did not deserve it. Did Reagan? I don't know, I really don't. It's a tough call for me.

Reagan certainly deserves to have the truth told about his AIDS policies.

ComerPerro (1000+ posts) Wed Dec-06-06 02:58 PM
Response to Reply #4
39. hell, he didn't simply refuse to fund research. He and a lot of RWers
figured that it was a gay plague, and that the victims deserved it

Nothing could be further from the truth, DUmmie.

hlthe2b (1000+ posts) Wed Dec-06-06 02:15 PM
Response to Original message
5. I refuse to believe that many lib/progressives would feel this way
To wish a horrendous disease like Alzheimers on anyone is a betrayal to humanity--much less progressive ideals or the tenets of any religion I am familiar with.

I'm sorry for the pain, liberalhistorian that overhearing this comment has caused you.

Then you obviously haven't read around enough on what exactly is said in DUmmieland on a daily basis. Seriously, I could make every last word I type lead to DUmmie thread after DUmmie thread with endless cruelty towards others simply because of political disagreements, if I weren't too lazy.

chimpsrsmarter (1000+ posts) Wed Dec-06-06 02:15 PM
Response to Original message
7. thats awful. I had a similar experience at a board i moderate at, it went something
like this--"arlen Spector looks like shit these days, is he drinking or something haha?" Um no asshole he has cancer.

Sounds like your troublemaker needs a transplant of a bit of basic humanity. Too bad there are no medical procedures for that.

ComerPerro (1000+ posts) Wed Dec-06-06 02:59 PM
Response to Reply #8
40. I think its funny as hell, and I am not ashamed to say it

And there you have it. To a DUmmie, your political opponents suffering is hilarious.

novalib (898 posts) Wed Dec-06-06 03:10 PM
Response to Reply #33
50. Nancy Reagan "Suffered"???!!!!!
Your comment is predicated on the notion that Nancy Reagan is somehow capable of suffering emotionally.

Of course, that is absurd, since Nancy Reagan has no emotions -- ICE WATER flows through her reptilian veins!!

It would be nice to think that Nancy Reagan suffered emotional distress, but I fear it is just not possible.

Yeah, right...

I think you're the one with ice water flowing through your veins.

Sen. Inhofe to investigate global warming alarmists

Good:

Sen. James M. Inhofe, Oklahoma Republican and chairman of the Environment and Public Works Committee, will hold a full committee hearing tomorrow on "Climate Change and the Media."
The hearing will look at how the media has presented scientific evidence regarding predictions of human-caused catastrophic global warming, the senator's office said.
"Senator Inhofe believes that poorly conceived policy decisions will result from the media's nonstop hyping of 'extreme scenarios' and dire climate predictions," said committee Communications Director Marc Morano. "This hearing will serve to advance the interests of sound science and encourage rational policy decisions."
Among those who are scheduled to testify at the hearing are geologist David Deming of the University of Oklahoma; paleoclimate researcher Bob Carter of Australia's James Cook University; Dan Gainor of the Business & Media Institute; Naomi Oreskes of the University of California at San Diego and professor Daniel Schrag of Harvard University.
The hearing will be held at 9:30 a.m. in 406 Dirksen Senate Office Building. It can be watched live on the Internet at http://epw.senate.gov/epwmultimedia/epwmultimedia.htm.

It's about time that those who push the lie of man-made global warming had their agendas exposed.

Scrooge's other DU screen name...

Our favorite holiday grouch has multiple accounts at the DUmp, it would appear:

cynatnite (1000+ posts) Tue Dec-05-06 06:47 PM
Original message
Christmas is a crock...
Call me a scrooge, but I think this holiday is pure bullshit. Walking around, there is decorations galore, people are filling those lists with nothing more meaningful than crap that'll either wind up in a landfill by next year or it'll get shoved in a closet somewhere. It's the notion that you really can't celebrate some guy's birthday unless you put up trees with lights on 'em and stuff garbage under it.

During this time of the year so many people are loading up on booze, food, parties and spreading the idea that it's peace on earth, good will to men and all that. The last part isn't garbage, but the only day of the year that it means a thing is on the 25th of December. The other 364 days a year are just days that people grind through with little thought of anyone else except themselves.

Yeah, I'm jaded and even with the good reasons I've got to be that way, I decided we're not going to fall for the scheme that society deems is acceptable. No decorations and no tree. If the extra money should come up, which I doubt, it'll go to charities that need it. Putting food on the table, clothes on people's backs and helping provide shelter are things that mean something.

It's not some stupid toy that a kid will play with for a week before moving on to the next gift that's just as stupid.

What we give should have tangible value that goes to the care of those who need it and to help insure they have a future that doesn't require charity.

Disclaimer: This is not to say everyone is like this...just most of society.

2007 Mock NFL Draft version 2

I don't know how often I'll do these. They're just to pass time. Comment if you'd like:

1. Detroit Lions- Joe Thomas, OT, Wisconsin
2. Oakland Raiders- Calvin Johnson, WR, Georgia Tech
3. Arizona Cardinals- Jake Long, OT, Michigan
4. Tampa Bay Buccaneers- Marcus McCauley, CB, Fresno State
5. Green Bay Packers- Adrian Peterson, RB, Oklahoma
6. Washington Redskins- Gaines Adams, DE, Clemson
7. Houston Texans- Alan Branch, DT, Michigan
8. Cleveland Browns- Brady Quinn, QB, Notre Dame
9. Minnesota Vikings- Dwayne Jarrett, WR, USC
10. St. Louis Rams- Ted Ginn, Jr., WR, Ohio State
11. San Francisco 49ers- Quentin Moses, DE, Georgia
12. Miami Dolphins- Jared Gaither, OT, Maryland
13. Pittsburgh Steelers- Justin Blalock, OT, Texas
14. Buffalo Bills- Brian Brohm, QB, Louisville (they just can't pass on him)
15. Tennessee Titans- Frank Okam, DT, Texas
16. Atlanta Falcons- Laron Landry, S, LSU
17. Carolina Panthers- Michael Griffin, S, Texas
18. Philadelphia Eagles- Paul Posluszny, LB, Penn State
19. New York Giants- Marshawn Lynch, RB, California
20. New York Jets- LaMarr Woodley, DE, Michigan
21. Kansas City Chiefs- Jeff Samardzija, WR, Notre Dame
22. Jacksonville Jaguars- Levi Brown, OT, Penn State
23. Denver Broncos- Brandon Meriweather, S, Miami
24. Cincinnati Bengals- Reggie Nelson, S, Florida
25. New England Patriots (from Seattle)- Darrelle Revis, CB, Pitt
26. Dallas Cowboys- Sam Baker, OT, USC
27. New Orleans Saints- Patrick Willis, LB, Ole Miss
28. Baltimore Ravens- Michael Bush, RB, Louisville
29. New England Patriots- Dwayne Bowe, WR, LSU
30. San Diego Chargers- Victor Abiamiri, DE, Notre Dame
31. Chicago Bears- Arron Sears, OL, Tennessee
32. Indianapolis Colts- Rufus Alexander, LB, Oklahoma

Idiot Kinsley: Send Barbara and Jenna off to Iraq

From The Washington ComPost:

It is not the fault of Jenna or Barbara Bush that their father, the president, has gotten us into a war that he doesn't know how to get us out of. And, although you can blame parents for almost anything, George W. and Laura Bush are no longer responsible for the behavior of their twin daughters, who are in their mid-20s. Presidents, like the rest of us, don't get to choose their relatives. Remember Billy Carter...
...

Who knows? Maybe they have had huge arguments about this. Maybe George and Laura wanted the girls to join the Red Cross, or the Peace Corps, or do something that would at least take them off the party circuit for a couple of years. And perhaps the girls said no. But I doubt this scenario, don't you?

Funny, I don't remember calls to send Chelsea to Kosovo. This is yet another moonbat bitter about being wrong about the war and not being able to support it because -gasp- that would mean supporting a Republican.

Dem Press Release: Democrats Urge the President to Work With Us on Iraq

From the Democrat House Leadership Website

Washington, D.C. – Speaker-designate Nancy Pelosi, Majority Leader-elect Steny Hoyer and Democratic Caucus Chair-elect Rahm Emanuel spoke at a press stakeout today following a Democratic Forum on Iraq. Below are Pelosi’s remarks:

"Good morning. During the election the American people spoke out for a New Direction. They said that no place was a New Direction more necessary than in the war on Iraq.

"So it is fitting that today we have come together, including our incoming freshman class, to focus on policy regarding Iraq. We heard from leaders in the field: Ambassador Richard Holbrooke, Dr. Jessica Mathews, Major General John Batiste, Congressmen Ike Skelton, the Chair of the Armed Services Committee, and John Murtha, the Chair of the Appropriations Subcommittee on Defense.

"What we heard today is that there are no easy answers in Iraq. It’s a difficult challenge for our country and it requires our fullest attention and decision-making that is hard-nosed to make a New Direction.

"We predicated some of the conversation in a letter that Senator Reid, myself and others in the leadership sent to the President on October 20. At that time, we reiterated our concern that ‘stay the course’ was not a strategy, but a slogan. We urged the President to work with us in a bipartisan way and we presented four changes to current policy: first, redeployment and transition of our troops out of Iraq; second, disarm the militia; third, have an international conference to discuss with the countries in the region the stability and reconstruction of the region, especially Iraq; and fourth, to amend the constitution to relieve some of the civil strife and to spread some of the political advantages that the elections there promised.

"We have not heard back from the President on that. We still extend the hand of friendship to him in a bipartisan way to make our country safer, to make the region more stable, and to strengthen our military."

BREAKING NEWS:

Bush responds.:)

Dear Ms. Pelosi,

I'm sure you're aware of my history in Texas. I love working with others willing to put partisan differences aside to work for the betterment of the state, or now, the country.

However, I find it troubling that every time I reach out to your side, I always experience severe back pain soon afterwards. My doctor already has a large collection of blades, which he has pulled from the areas of pain. Now, I'm not one for pointing fingers, but I just don't have the slightest clue as to how this might be occuring.

For my own health, I must respectfully decline your offer.

Love,
George W. Bush

Gates says U.S. is not winning Iraq war

From AP/Yahoo:

WASHINGTON - Robert Gates, the White House choice to be the next defense secretary, conceded Tuesday that the United States is not winning the war in Iraq and warned that if that country is not stabilized in the next year or two it could lead to a "regional conflagration."

At the outset of his Senate confirmation hearing, Gates said he is open to new ideas about correcting the U.S. course in Iraq, which he said would be his highest priority if confirmed as expected.

Of course there needs to be new ideas about what to do in Iraq, but that does not mean we should give the withdraw at any cost idiots the time of day, and I think Gates agrees:

Asked later whether announcing a specific troop withdrawal timetable would send a signal of U.S. weakness, Gates said it "would essentially tell (the insurgents) how long they have to wait until we're gone."

DUmmies: How can we stop christianity?

Hat tip, JB at CU, and the link to DUmmieland:

kdsusa (752 posts) Mon Dec-04-06 08:42 PM
Original message
How can we stop christianity?
Seriously. It's done more damage than I can possibly document in one post. It's certainly more evil than Satan.

Let's formulate a plan... How do we eliminate this virus from our planet?

How tolerant of them.

Bush administration to be cartoon (so lame that you have to watch)

From CNN

LOS ANGELES, California (Hollywood Reporter) -- Comedy Central has ordered "Lil' Bush: Resident of the United States," a cartoon satire that re-imagines President Bush and key executives in his administration as elementary school misfits.

The title character is surrounded by close pals like Lil' Cheney, who grumbles unintelligibly, and Lil' Condi, who pines for Lil' Bush and does his homework for him.

"Bush" is not without its risque moments. When Lil' Bush's school serves falafel instead of hot dogs for lunch in one episode, he and his pals torture the cafeteria employees with methods made famous during the Abu Ghraib prison scandal.

And from YouTube:



How lame.

How do you like it?

I've changed the template of my blog. I found the old template made it hard to find the link under my post to comment (it couldn't be because I'm boring:). How do you like it? I'll have a poll up in a few minutes.

Moonbats use child to attack religion.

Found on HotAir:

Don't count George Allen out

From The Roanoke Times:

In the wake of the Senate election results in Virginia, George Allen's political obituary is being written ... again. By my count, this is the fifth time political experts have tried to shovel dirt on his grave, prematurely.

In the 2008 presidential polls, which started coming out within hours of the 2006 elections, Allen's name is not even included, although Democratic polls still include Al Gore, John Kerry and Howard Dean. Losing a single election does not necessarily mean permanent exile from presidential consideration.

There is no reason to assume Allen is definitively out of the 2008 race, although his task is formidable. The pundits who are writing him off ignore some pertinent facts.

Much as I'd like to believe it, I just don't see it. He's damaged goods now. If he can get win another elective office, he may be in the perfect spot in 2012 or 2016, not now. It's just too soon.

Brownback moves toward White House bid

From AP/Yahoo:

KANSAS CITY, Mo. - Republican Sen. Sam Brownback (news, bio, voting record), a favorite of the religious right, said Monday he is taking the first step toward launching a bid for the 2008 Republican presidential nomination.

A vigorous abortion opponent, the Kansas senator pledged to make "issues of life," fiscal restraint and tax reform key components of his effort to woo supporters.

"I have decided, after much prayerful consideration, to consider a bid for the Republican nomination for the presidency," Brownback said in a statement. "There is a real need in our country to rebuild the family and renew our culture and there is a need for genuine conservatism and real compassion in the national discussion."

He's one I would consider. If I recall correctly, he has a high ACU rating. I'm just a little worried about name recognition, though. Plus it didn't go quite as planned the last time Republicans ran a Kansas senator.

Another Pawlenty Sighting

From the Monterey Herald:

MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. - In a dance with national political implications being watched closely back home, Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty made several very visible appearances in Florida with potential Republican presidential candidate John McCain during a Republican Governors Association meeting last week.

Pawlenty, whose narrow re-election last month was regarded as a rare bright spot for Republicans nationally, appeared on stage with McCain at a public reception that the Arizona senator sponsored away from the official proceedings. Pawlenty, who hosted McCain at several campaign appearances during his re-election bid, also reportedly rode with him to the event.

I've said it before, and I'll say it again. Pawlenty is a good veep pick in a swing state, while McCain is one of the worst presidential candidates we have.

Bush accepts Bolton's U.N. resignation

From AP/Yahoo:

WASHINGTON - Unable to win Senate confirmation, U.N. Ambassador John Bolton will step down when his temporary appointment expires within weeks, the White House said Monday.



Bolton's nomination has languished in the Senate Foreign Relations Committee for more than a year, blocked by Democrats and several Republicans. Sen. Lincoln Chafee (news, bio, voting record), a moderate Republican who lost in the midterm elections Nov. 7 that swept Democrats to power in both houses of Congress, was adamantly opposed to Bolton.

All this nonsense about a "do nothing" Congress was utter hypocrisy. It's kind of hard to do anything when a minority of senators are able to block any effort to do anything.

NCAA Football: Championship Games

UCLA 13 USC 9
Cal 26 Sanford 17
Louisville 48 Connecticut 17
Navy 26 Army 14
Wake Forest 9 Georgia Tech 6

Notable Games underway

Oklahoma vs. Nebraska
Rutgers vs. West Virginia
Florida vs. Arkansas

IED Hunter

You must see this video. Absolutely hilarious.

2007 Mock NFL Draft

Because I can. :)

Detroit Lions- Brady Quinn, QB, Notre Dame
Arizona Cardinals- Joe Thomas, OT, Wisconsin
Oakland Raiders- Calvin Johnson, WR, Georgia Tech
Houston Texans- Adrian Peterson, RB, Oklahoma
Cleveland Browns- Alan Branch, DT, Michigan (they likely trade down to make this pick)
Tampa Bay Buccaneers- Dwayne Jarrett, WR, USC (another likely trade down)
Green Bay Packers- Marshawn Lynch, RB, California
Washington Redskins- Gaines Adams, DE, Clemson
Pittsburgh Steelers- Jake Long, OT, Michigan
Tennessee Titans- Ted Ginn, Jr., WR, Ohio State (The Titans reach and add another incredible athlete)
Alanta Falcons- Jared Gaither, OT, Maryland
Minnesota- Justin Blalock, OL, Texas (probable trade down)
St. Louis Rams- Marcus McCauley, CB, Fresno State
San Francisco 49ers- Quentin Moses, DE, Georgia
Philadelphia Eagles- Paul Pozluszny, LB, Penn State
Miami Dolphins- Patrick Willis, LB, Ole Miss
Buffalo Bills- Darrelle Revis, CB, Pitt
New York Jets- LaMarr Woodley, DE, Michigan
Carolina Panthers- Laron Landry, S, LSU
Jacksonville Jaguars- Frank Okam, DT, Texas (depth pick)
New York Giants- Michael Bush, RB, Louisville (may trade down to take)
Cincinnati Bengals- Michael Griffin, S, Texas
New England Patriots (from Seattle)- Brandon Meriweather, S, Miami
Dallas Cowboys- Antoine Cason, CB, Arizona
New Orleans Saints- Zach Miller, TE, Arizona State
Kansas City Chiefs- Jeff Samardzija, WR, Notre Dame
Denver Broncos- Reggie Nelson, S, Florida
New England Patriots- HB Blades, LB, Pitt
Baltimore Ravens- Arron Sears, OL, Tennessee
San Diego Chargers- Dwayne Bowe, WR, LSU
Chicago Bears- Levi Brown, OT, Penn State
Indianapolis Colts- Rufus Alexander, LB, Oklahoma

So, how bad is it? Submit your own if you'd like.

He's the Worst Ever (Barf)

From WaPo:

At a time of national crisis, Pierce and Buchanan, who served in the eight years preceding the Civil War, and Johnson, who followed it, were simply not up to the job. Stubborn, narrow-minded, unwilling to listen to criticism or to consider alternatives to disastrous mistakes, they surrounded themselves with sycophants and shaped their policies to appeal to retrogressive political forces (in that era, pro-slavery and racist ideologues).

Far from it. Bush's failures, especially early in his presidency, stemmed from working too closely with the Democrats.

When he was governor of Texas, Bush had a reputation for reaching across the aisle to find solutions for the state's problems. And it worked. When he went to Washington, a lot of conservatives who pay attention to national politics warned him that the Washington Democrats weren't like the Texas breed he was used to working with. They were back-stabbers and they didn't have the nation's best interest in mind. We were right.

This is the president that caved on funding for the totally unscientific embryonic stem cell crap. He's the one that signed the Repeal of the First Amendment Act (oops, I mean McCain-Feingold). He's the one signed Kennedy's No Child Left Behind bill. All this, and the only thing the extreme Left gave him in return was a sharp blade in the back.

If we want to call Bush's domestic policy a disaster, I'm all for it. Those three items, the core of his domestic policy are either immoral, unconstitutional, or failures, but let's not lie about it. Every one of those were parts of the Dem agenda. They wanted them passed. They deserve a large part of the blame.

It's official: Snead Transfers

From BevoBeat

Texas backup quarterback Jevan Snead signed his transfer papers Friday and is free to attend another school.

In addition, defensive end Chris Brown and offensive lineman Greg Dolan have been granted released by Texas so that they can transfer.

Can't say I'm surprised. There's some legitimate debate over whether he'll end up being better than Colt McCoy. At least we've avoided Major vs. Chris: Round 2... for now.

OMG!!!111oneoneone111!!! Chimpy is Indicted!!!111oneoneone111!!!

From Tom Dispatch:

Tomgram: Elizabeth de la Vega, Indicting Bush

Think of it as a Tomdispatch.com milestone. This is now the first website to "indict" the President, the Vice President, and their colleagues for defrauding us into war in Iraq. I put that "indict" in quotes because what follows, as former federal prosecutor Elizabeth de la Vega makes clear in her new book United States v. George W. Bush et al., is "not an actual indictment." It can't be, of course; but consider it the second best thing.

De la Vega has, in her career as a prosecutor, prepared numerous fraud indictments and, as she argued in the first excerpt from her book posted at Tomdispatch earlier this week, "A Fraud Worse than Enron," what George W. Bush, Dick Cheney, and their senior officials committed was a crime, not just in the colloquial sense of the word, but in the legal sense too (and not a victimless crime either). While their crime was of a magnitude that puts even Enron, no less run-of-the-mill fraud cases, to shame, it also has all the elements of a typical, small-time scam.

De la Vega's "hypothetical indictment" of George W. Bush, Dick Cheney, Donald Rumsfeld, Condoleezza Rice, and Colin Powell that you are about to read remains, unfortunately, in the realm of fantasy. But only for now. Until our world comes more fully to grips with the criminal nature of the Bush administration's acts, you can at least turn to the full de la Vega book. A Tomdispatch.com special project, produced in conjunction with Seven Stories Press, a wonderful independent publisher, it's officially published on December 1st (but available now).

You won't want to miss it. It's superbly done and -- though I hesitate to say it, given the nature of the subject matter -- genuinely enjoyable to read because De la Vega turns out to be as skilled a writer as she is a prosecutor, and applies both her talents to the book. So check out the indictment, read the first day of grand jury testimony (which will be posted at this site on Thursday), and in the meantime get the investigative ball rolling by purchasing the book at Amazon.com or, if you want to give all involved a few extra cents, directly at the Seven Stories website. After all, the excerpts at Tomdispatch can only give you a taste of the full case De la Vega makes. This book should be the political stocking-stuffer of the Holiday season. Tom


The Indictment
United States v. George W. Bush et al.
By Elizabeth de la Vega

Assistant United States Attorney: Good morning, Ladies and Gentlemen. We're here today in the case of United States v. George W. Bush et al. In addition to President Bush, the defendants are Vice President Richard B. Cheney, former National Security Adviser Condoleezza Rice -- who's now the Secretary of State, of course -- Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld, and former Secretary of State Colin Powell.

It's a one-count proposed indictment: Conspiracy to Defraud the United States in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 371. I'll explain the law that applies to the case this afternoon, but I'm going to hand out the indictment now, so you'll have some context for that explanation. Take as long as you need to read it, and then feel free to take your lunch break, but please leave your copy of the indictment with the foreperson. We'll meet back at one o'clock.

***




UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT


UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, ) Criminal No.
Plaintiff, )
) Conspiracy to Defraud
v. ) the United States
)
GEORGE W. BUSH, ) 18 U.S.C. Section 371
RICHARD B. CHENEY, )
CONDOLEEZZA RICE, )
DONALD M. RUMSFELD, and )
COLIN POWELL, )
Defendants )




INDICTMENT

THE GRAND JURY CHARGES:


Introductory Allegations

At times relevant to this Indictment:

1. The primary law of the United States Federal Government was set forth in the U.S. Constitution ("Constitution"), which provides that the first branch of government is the Legislative Branch ("Congress"). Pursuant to Article I, Section 8, Congress has certain powers and obligations regarding oversight of foreign affairs, including the powers to: (1) declare war; (2) raise and support the armed forces; and (3) tax and spend for the common good.

2. Article II of the Constitution establishes the Executive Branch. The Executive Power of the United States is vested in the President, who is also the Commander in Chief of the Armed Services.

3. Defendant GEORGE W. BUSH ("BUSH") has been employed as President of the United States since January 20, 2001. On that day, BUSH took a constitutionally mandated oath to faithfully execute the Office of President and to preserve, protect, and defend the Constitution. BUSH is also constitutionally obligated to take care that the laws be faithfully executed.

4. As Chief Executive, BUSH exercised authority, direction, and control over the entire Executive Branch, which includes the White House, the Office of the Vice President, the Departments of State, Defense, and others, and the National Security Council.

5. Defendant RICHARD B. CHENEY ("CHENEY") has been employed as Vice President of the United States since January 20, 2001.

6. Defendant CONDOLEEZZA RICE ("RICE") was employed as the National Security Adviser from January 2001 to January 2005, when she became Secretary of State, a position she holds as of the date of this indictment. As National Security Adviser, RICE exercised direction, control, and authority over the National Security Council, which coordinates various national security and foreign policy agencies, including the Departments of Defense and State.

7. Defendant DONALD M. RUMSFELD ("RUMSFELD") has been employed as Secretary of Defense since January 2001.

8. Defendant COLIN M. POWELL ("POWELL") was employed as Secretary of State from January 2001 through January of 2005.

9. Before assuming their offices, CHENEY, RICE, RUMSFELD and POWELL took an oath to preserve, protect, and defend the Constitution.

10. As employees of the Executive Branch, BUSH, CHENEY, RICE, RUMSFELD, and POWELL were governed by Executive Orders 12674 and 12731. These Orders provide that Executive Branch employees hold their positions as a public trust and that the American people have a right to expect that they will fulfill that trust in accordance with certain ethical standards and principles. These include abiding by the Constitution and laws of the United States, as well as not using their offices to further private goals and interests

OMG!!!111oneoneone111!!! This means the jig is up!!!! Damn you, Rove!!! You said we'd never be caught!!! Oh, you mean this is a fake indictement? Well, why didn't you say so?

Can there be any doubt anymore?

The DUmmies are the single dumbest, most insane group of people to ever steal oxygen from the rest of us. Just look at this thread:

symbolman (1000+ posts) Fri Dec-01-06 03:00 AM
Original message
Put that SOB in JAIL NOW! Defund AF One! Lockdown the White House! Stop HIM!
I'm SO SICK of all this pussyfooting about this Lying Thieving CROOK in the White House playing FOOTSIES with all the CORPORATIONS while our Sons and Daughters DIE and DIE and DIE!

WE KNOW what he's doing, there's MORE than enough PROOF, yet this whole Bullshit Pretention keeps going on, this VAST DENIAL, this PLAYING BY THE RULES GAME while THEY change the RULES to fit their Looting of the Treasury!

The media writes these namby pamby articles about how Bush is "uncurious" and now he SEEMS "hard headed", his "gut instincts" SEEM to have led US down some kind of WRONG PATH! He's either CRAZY (and the Constitution says we can STOP a crazy pResident), or he's just plain EVIL...

HE's a CRIMINAL, he's NOT A KING, and he's SWORN to UPHOLD the Constitution and has done NONE OF IT, None at ALL.

He's LIED and been caught at it, CONSTANTLY. LIED TO CONGRESS, which is ILLEGAL.

He keeps PUTTING OFF doing anything until the last drop of Blood will be spilled, the last gasp of air is loosed from the LAST American Troop, or the last Iraqi CHILD, blown to bits in this GAME they are Playing, the Last drop of oil is safely in an Oil Baron's CUP.

SOMEONE CUT THE CRAP, and get this guy OFF the streets!! You don't let a wild animal run around with an automatic weapon, saying, "Oh well, he's just crazy or something, and eventually he'll run out of bullets I guess.."

DEFUND the Air Force One. Put an ARMED GUARD at the Door of the White House. CUT OFF HIS PHONE. TELL THE TRUTH about what he's doing.

STOP HIM, he's killing and starving hundreds of thousands, and STEALING from ALL OF US. IT IS OBVIOUS. IT IS A FACT.

There HAS to be some LEGAL and NONVIOLENT WAY, some Emergency Measure that can be INVOKED NOW.

THIS is INSANITY and it's being ALLOWED and WE KNOW BETTER, the WOrld Knows Better, the Troops Know better.

It's MONSTEROUS and must end NOW!

Cut off HIS FUNDING, DO SOMETHING, the insanity must END.

I'm sick of the "civilized" GAMES being played out, like ALL IS WELL. ALL IS NOT WELL.

End of Rant. Hopefully not the End of the World before these CREATURES Kill and starve us ALL.

Queen Nancy chooses Reyes to head Intellegience committee

From CNN (no link, just a banner on the front page now):

Congressional aides say House Speaker-to-be Nancy Pelosi has chosen Rep. Silvestre Reyes of Texas to take over as chairman of the House Intelligence Committee, The Associated Press reports.

The only question left is "How corrupt is he"?

DUmmies hear of our little secret from Stossel, all hell breaks loose

Well, our little secret has hit the big time. John Stossel let it out last night on 20/20. No word yet on if he'll donate to the cause of repairing the resulting exploding DUmmie heads:

Update:

If anyone has a YouTube (or similar site) video of the interview mentioned in 9119495's post, I'd like to see it. Thanks.

namvet73 (200 posts) Thu Nov-30-06 08:32 AM
Original message
Stossel claims Conservatives more Generous than Liberals
Stossel got my ire up when, on a 20/20 Special "Greed in America" that aired 11/29/06, John Stossel started the show by pointing out that Conservatives give more to charities than Liberals because liberals expect the government to do it.

I don't believe it, but I haven't found anything to debunk it with facts. I found nothing on mediamatters.org yet.

I know my mother watched that show and would like to have some answers for her after she starts up on liberals.

Stossel Page: http://abcnews.go.com/2020/Stossel /

Sorry if this was already posted, but I could not find it.


originalpckelly (1000+ posts) Thu Nov-30-06 08:33 AM
Response to Original message
1. Gee that's odd...
Edited on Thu Nov-30-06 08:33 AM by originalpckelly
considering how the conservative rich people in our country have screwed the poor so bad the poor pay more a percentage of their income in taxes than do the rich.


MannyGoldstein (1000+ posts) Thu Nov-30-06 08:40 AM
Response to Original message
2. The Evidence Says Otherwise
http://blueworksbetter.com/CharitableGiving


goddess40 (1000+ posts) Thu Nov-30-06 08:43 AM
Response to Original message
3. Don't you want to know what kind of drugs he's taken
These right wing reporters are absolutely disgusting - spewing "fact" to support the continued pillaging of America.


indepat (1000+ posts) Thu Nov-30-06 10:19 AM
Response to Reply #3
24. Herr Stossel is right, far right: conservatives have sprinkled far more treasure on the wealthiest
and large corporations than liberals have ever sprinkled on the :little people."


a kennedy (693 posts) Thu Nov-30-06 08:45 AM
Response to Original message
6. Yeah, he was on The View yesterday too.........you should have seen
Elizabeth's eyes open when he said that......just what the little conservative wanted to hear. Oh and she got invited to the White House for some shindig, said her husband couldn't attend so she's taking Rosie O'Donnell instead!!

9119495 (1000+ posts) Thu Nov-30-06 08:46 AM
Response to Original message
7. Don't waste your time on Stossel. A funny story...
Stossel offers up his right-wing propaganda videos for free to any classroom that requests them. The plan is probably to get teachers to jump at the chance to show a video instead of teach (which I'm sad to say a few in my profession actually do). I requested one of the videos immediately...and promptly destroyed it with a hammer. One less Stossel video to go around.

He also claimed the robber barons were good guys in one of his piece of shit books. He went on the Daily Show to promote it and more than any other time I've seen, Stossel got his ass handed to him. Stewart generally seems to think if a guest is willing to come on the show, they are worthy of respectful treatment. I guess that night he thought Stossel's bullshit was just to far from reality not to be dealt with.

Moonbat makes up message by conservative, other moonbats fall for it

Posters at Conservative Underground have quite a rich lexicon. One particular phrase frequently posted over there is "Bouncy Ball Tale". A Bouncy Ball Tale is a post by a member of Democratic Underground wherein they tell a story of meeting a conservative, who frequently says something so objectionable that no real conservative would ever say such a thing. Frequently (though not always), through his infinite knowledge, the DUmmie will proceed to set the conservative straight. Said conservative converts and swears off bathing for the rest of his natural life. Which brings us to this post, a message supposedly written by a conservative:

Insane message I got from a right-wing co-worker... thought I'd share for laughs. (Warning: NUTS!)
Got this from a co-worker:

"Convervatives love America more than liberals and I can proev it. Ask any liberal if they're willing to use nuclear and biological weapons to wipe out Africa, Iran, and North korea completely clean of life. They'll answer "NO!". On the other hand, conservatives like myself would say "HELL YES!". I love America enough to be willing to take ANY STEPS NEEDED to keep her safe. I don't give a FLYING FUCK about any "life" that's not America. To save one, just one, American life I am willing to slaughter ten thousand small children of arabs with my BARE HANDS!

To the liberal, Americans are equal to other "humans". To the conservative, the American is superior. How can anyone think liberals love American more than conservatives?

I love America so much I would rather have the world END than not be dominated by America. Show me ONE FUCKING LIBERAL willing to die for America. Not only die, but have his children die, his grandchildren die, etc. I would gladly watch my family die horrible deaths, watch my son be tortured by inhumane diseases crafted in labs for maximum suffering, all so America remaiins a superpower. I love this country THAT much. "

See, most people would have their BS meters go off the scale right there. The DUmmies? Not so much..

jobycom (1000+ posts) Thu Nov-30-06 12:21 PM
Response to Original message
1. I knew a man who loved his wife that much
I can show you their graves.

displacedtexan (1000+ posts) Thu Nov-30-06 12:22 PM
Response to Original message
2. That coworker doesn't have enough work to do.
Pass this on to the HR dept.

myrna minx (1000+ posts) Thu Nov-30-06 12:28 PM
Response to Reply #6
17. I hope he doesn't have any contact with customers or clients.
His disturbing "philosophy" could dramatically effect how he treats people that he feels are "evil". That would be really bad for business

EnviroBat (248 posts) Thu Nov-30-06 12:30 PM
Original message
Do it.
Edited on Thu Nov-30-06 12:30 PM by EnviroBat
You don't need to be sharing the same air space with such a complete fuckwad...

Show him how much you love America...

Bridget Burke (1000+ posts) Thu Nov-30-06 12:25 PM
Response to Reply #2
10. Perhaps this is a very small company
HR departments in larger operations are concerned with Diversity & Anger Management Issues.

Sounds as though this fellow needs some "counseling."

wryter2000 (1000+ posts) Thu Nov-30-06 12:22 PM
Response to Original message
3. Ye gods
Did your friend write that or just forward it to you? More important, does he/she have a son of military age? If so, is that son in Iraq? I say "son" because that's what the message says, and your friend is probably Neanderthal enough to think women can't be in combat.

wryter2000 is probably one of the DUmmies that believes that if you are 35 and under and support the war, you have to go to Iraq, no matter your physical condition or anything else. Similarly, the DUmmies believe that if you are over 35 and believe in the war, you should drag your 16 year old crumb cruncher to the recruiting station, regardless of his/her wishes.

December 10, 2006: Human Rights and Chimpeachment Day

From the moonbats at After Downing Street:

December 10 is Human Rights Day, and this year we're making it Human Rights and Impeachment Day. Slogan: "Putting Impeachment on the Table."

We encourage you to organize a town hall forum or rally on this day for the impeachment of Bush and Cheney.

Of course. Chimpeachment means nothing without Gimpeachment. And look who the speakers are...

David Swanson: Speaking at the event in Santa Barbara

Elizabeth de la Vega: Northern California: elizabethdelavega@verizon.net

Harvey Wasserman: Central Ohio: Windhw@aol.com

Ann Wright: Speaking at the event in Santa Barbara

Cindy Sheehan: Speaking at one of the events in New York City

Dave Lindorff: Philadelphia, New York, New Jersey, or Delaware: dlindorff@mindspring.com

Bob Fertik: Speaking at one of the events in New York City

Tim Carpenter: DC Area: tim@pdamerica.org

John Nichols: Preferably Wisconsin: JNichols@madison.com

Steve Cobble: Preferably Washington DC: cobblesmith@verizon.net

Dennis Loo: California: evening only: ddloo@csupomona.edu

Debra Sweet: Where needed: debra@worldcantwait.org

Bill Durston: California

Peter Phillips: California: peter.phillips@sonoma.edu

Samm Simpson: Florida: samm@sammsimpsonforcongress.com

Larry Everest: San Francisco Bay Area or Los Angeles, Seattle, or Portland (OR): larryeverest@yahoo.com

Parker East: parker.east@gmail.com

Speakers from the Detroit and Michigan National Lawyers Guild: ImpeachBush@michigannlg.org

Jennifer Van Bergen: North Florida: jvb000@earthlink.net

Larry Johnson: DC Area probably best: lcjohnso@ix.netcom.com

Matthew Rothschild: Wisconsin: mattr@progressive.org

Jeeni Criscenzo: San Diego or Riverside County, CA: jeeni@criscenzo.com

Bill Moyer (who is not Bill Moyers): DC Area: bill@backbonecampaign.org

Stuart Hutchison - North Jersey Impeach Group - New Jersey, NYC, southern New York : impeachthem@gmail.com

Norman Solomon: San Francisco Bay Area: norman@accuracy.org

Sue Niederer: Philadelphia, Penn., area: antiwarmom@aol.com

Maybe one of them can come up with an actual crime to base chimpeachment on?

Say it ain't so! Democrats break campaign promise!

One of the big issues the Democrats brought up during the campaign is that Pres. Bush didn't implement all of the recommendations of the 9/11 Commission (from now on affectionately known as the Gorelick Gang). They said they'd implement every last suggestion within 100 hours of taking office. Now they're backing away from one of the key recommendations:

It was a solemn pledge, repeated by Democratic leaders and candidates over and over: If elected to the majority in Congress, Democrats would implement all of the recommendations of the bipartisan commission that examined the attacks of Sept. 11, 2001.

But with control of Congress now secured, Democratic leaders have decided for now against implementing the one measure that would affect them most directly: a wholesale reorganization of Congress to improve oversight and funding of the nation's intelligence agencies. Instead, Democratic leaders may create a panel to look at the issue and produce recommendations, according to congressional aides and lawmakers.

Because plans for implementing the commission's recommendations are still fluid, Democratic officials would not speak for the record. But aides on the House and Senate appropriations, armed services and intelligence committees confirmed this week that a reorganization of Congress would not be part of the package of homeland-security changes up for passage in the "first 100 hours" of the Democratic Congress.

I'm shocked. I tell you! Shocked!

DUFU-esque: Is there any way to ban Limbaugh, O'Reilly and their ilk from the airwaves?

This thread is just begging for a response, so here we go.

Is there any way to ban Limbaugh, O'Reilly and their ilk from the airwaves?

Free Speech for me, but not for thee.


This question touches on the first amendment freedom of speech. But what about speech that provides only hatred, propaganda and divisiveness?

You just described DU.


Can there be any doubt that these people have, through their words and support of a corrupt administration, created damage to our constitution, death to American service people and anguish to anyone with a conscience?

Absolutly no doubt in my mind that you have done all of those.


I'm not a lawyer, so I don't have the slightest clue as to the point where hate speech becomes unconstitutional. But I'd like to hear your opinions on this.

Unfortunately, your DU posts are protected speech, just as a KKK rally is.


have a Congressional committee declare them "terrorists"
and use th Patriot Act to imprison and torture and execute them.

Thou shalt not disagree with a moonbat.


You could turn off your TV and your radio
Can there be any doubt that these people have, through their words and support of a corrupt administration, created damage to our constitution, death to American service people and anguish to anyone with a conscience?

Yes, there can be doubt.

As PJ would say, LOUSY FREEPER TROLL!


Yes, slackmaster. I can turn off my TV and radio. But that doesn't
solve what I consider to be the damage they are doing to our country, our way of life and to basic human dignity.

They are exposing our agenda!!!

Sniffer bees set to snare suicide bombers

From The Daily Mail:

An extraordinary invention by a small British company is being praised by American scientists who have been testing it.

Researchers at Inscentinel Ltd, which has just three employees at its Harpenden, Herts, HQ, have developed an amazing "sniffer box" to harness the bees' incredible sense of smell.

Now Inscentinel is set to cash in when its box full of computer technology that turns honeybees into bomb detectors goes into mass production.

Bee sniffer squads could be on duty at airports, train stations and other terror targets within a year, say the scientists. Los Alamos sniffer squad trainer Tim Haartman, an entomologist - insect specialist - at the lab, said: "The technology is there. It's just a case of putting it into production."

A honeybee finds explosives by doing what comes naturally. He pokes out his proboscis - the trunk-like feeding organ with which he sucks in food - when he smells something he likes.

Wow. It's an inventive idea, to say the least. I wonder how many lives this will save.

Castro's 80th birthday bash kicks off without him

From Reuters:

HAVANA (Reuters) - Fidel Castro's 80th birthday celebration kicked off on Tuesday with the ailing Cuban leader nowhere in sight but hundreds of admirers from around the world were on hand to pay homage.

The opening of an art exhibit by Castro's favorite artist, Oswaldo Guayasamin, was the first of five days of events that some guests said feel more like a farewell than a birthday bash.

A "Cuban gala" show was due to be followed on Wednesday with a colloquium on Castro's place in history, a concert and a military parade in Havana's main square on Saturday.


Castro has not been out in public since undergoing emergency surgery for an undisclosed illness that forced him to temporarily hand over power to his brother Raul on July 31.

Fidel Castro Ruz
May he burn in hell

I'm about to make a new poll.

Nancy Pelosi is not yet Speaker. The new Congress has to convene, and the House of Representatives has to vote on it. Theoretically, the Republicans could get together with some moderate to conservative Dems and make a deal to share power and put whoever they want in the Speaker's chair (unlikely, yes, but a possibility nonetheless). Given Queen Nancy's recent blunders (supporting Murtha and Hastings, along with the talking points blunder), who should be Speaker?

The choices are:
Nancy Pelosi
John Boehner
A conservative Dem
Some other Liberal Dem
Another Republican
Don't know

Queen Nancy mixes talking points, makes @$$ of herself

From Hot Air.

The clip starts with the president blaming sectarian violence in Iraq on al-Qaeda, then it cuts to a reporter asking for Miss America's view on this. She recites a standard Dem talking point that she probably repeats in her sleep each night. The only problem is that this particular talking point should only be recited in response to a Republican mentioning Iraq and 9/11 within 48 hours of each other, otherwise it makes no sense.

Moonbat sets himself on fire, DUmmies upset media doesn't deify him

In the real world, people would be sad that an obviously mentally ill man would off himself. Of course, when you share his mental illness, he becomes a hero.

npincus (1000+ posts) Tue Nov-28-06 03:30 PM
Original message
Anti-war protester sets fire to self in Chicago; MSM ignores
Edited on Tue Nov-28-06 03:39 PM by npincus
http://www.truthout.org/docs_2006/112706T.shtml

Randi is talking about this- OMG, horrible. She read about it on TruthOut (BTW, she said she reads TruthOut everyday), but this suicide in protest of the Iraq war was virtually ignored by the MSM.


Malachi Ritscher envisioned his death as one full of purpose. He carefully planned the details, mailed a copy of his apartment key to a friend, created to-do lists for his family. On his Web site, the 52-year-old experimental musician who'd fought with depression even penned his obituary.

At 6:30 a.m. on Nov. 3 - four days before an election caused a seismic shift in Washington politics - Ritscher, a frequent anti-war protester, stood by an off-ramp in downtown Chicago near a statue of a giant flame, set up a video camera, doused himself with gasoline and lit himself on fire.

Aglow for the crush of morning commuters, his flaming body was supposed to be a call to the nation, a symbol of his rage and discontent with the US war in Iraq.

"Here is the statement I want to make: if I am required to pay for your barbaric war, I choose not to live in your world. I refuse to finance the mass murder of innocent civilians, who did nothing to threaten our country," he wrote in his suicide note. "... If one death can atone for anything, in any small way, to say to the world: I apologize for what we have done to you, I am ashamed for the mayhem and turmoil caused by my country."

There was only one problem: No one was listening.


RethugAssKicker (1000+ posts) Tue Nov-28-06 03:35 PM
Response to Original message
1. We MUST hold this fucking media responsible.... Somehow!!!


uppityperson (1000+ posts) Tue Nov-28-06 03:40 PM
Response to Reply #2
6. Sacrificing his life to protest war=tragedy?
To some people the most important thing is continuing to live. To others, sacrificing their life is a reasonable thing. Regardless, MSM has been ignoring this, hoping to spin it as mental illness and ignore the reasoning behind it. RIP Malachi/Mark, I heard you.

For those interested:
http://www.iheardyoumalachi.org/story.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Self-immolation
http://www.savagesound.com/gallery100.htm
http://www.savagesound.com/gallery99.htm


DrunkenMaster (270 posts) Tue Nov-28-06 03:51 PM
Response to Reply #2
14. so he was "sick"?
Were the Buddhist monks who set themselves alight to protest Vietnam "sick" as well?

I think the true sickness lies with individuals who yawn in the face of atrocity, not those who are overwhelmed by its horror.


uppityperson (1000+ posts) Tue Nov-28-06 03:55 PM
Response to Reply #3
16. He tried, did a lot of protesting and wanted to make a huge statement
sacrificing his life to bring more attention to the occupation of Iraq. Too bad it has been ignored and shoved aside as only a waste of life. By ignoring it and writing it off as mental illness suicide, MSM and people have made it so. I heard you Malachi.


Gato Moteado (1000+ posts) Tue Nov-28-06 03:37 PM
Response to Original message
4. what a waste of a good life
we all surely understand his anger. but, jeez, he coulda just left the country for a while. he didn't have to burn himself. especially when there are plenty of freepers around to douse with gasoline and torch.


npincus (1000+ posts) Tue Nov-28-06 03:52 PM
Response to Reply #4
15. more than anger
it was anguish, deep psychic pain. While I would not ever do this, I respect his choice and how sad that so few will ever hear about this.

BTW, I think you're on to something there... hot, hot freepers.


uppityperson (1000+ posts) Tue Nov-28-06 04:07 PM
Response to Reply #15
17. Ignoring this ultimate sacrifice, writing it off, makes sure it is dismissed

Reading uppityperson's posts almost makes you think Malachi was the second Jesus, for crying out loud.