Media Math

Murder By Numbers
by The Police

Once that youve decided on a killing
First you make a stone of your heart
And if you find that your hands are still willing
Then you can turn a murder into art

There really isn't any need for bloodshed
You just do it with a little more finesse
If you can slip a tablet into someones coffee
Then it avoids an awful lot of mess

Its murder by numbers, one, two, three
Its as easy to learn as your abc
Murder by numbers, one, two, three
Its as easy to learn as your abc

Now if you have a taste for this experience
And youre flushed with your very first success
Then you must try a twosome or a threesome
And youll find your conscience bothers you much less

Because murder is like anything you take to
Its a habit-forming need for more and more
You can bump off every member of your family
And anybody else you find a bore

Because its murder by numbers, one, two, three
Its as easy to learn as your abc
Murder by numbers, one, two, three
Its as easy to learn as your abc

Now you can join the ranks of the illustrious
In historys great dark hall of fame
All our greatest killers were industrious
At least the ones that we all know by name

But you can reach the top of your profession
If you become the leader of the land
For murder is the sport of the elected
And you dont need to lift a finger of your hand

Because its murder by numbers, one, two, three
Its as easy to learn as your abc
Murder by numbers, one, two, three
Its as easy to learn as your a, b, c, d, e

Fuzzy math is what we use to call it.

Posted by: sparrow at June 26, 2006 06:07 PM

Fuzzy math: Oh, you mean like when a guy is placed in office with less votes than the other guy, then gets re-selected by the slimmest of margins under dubious circumstances, and goes on to state how he has all this political capital that he's gonna spend cuz "the people have spoken", only to see the rampant spending of that so-called capital reap the lowest poll numbers in decades and visit untold misery upon millions of people worldwide?

Fuzzy Wuzzy Wasn't Fuzzy, Was He?

Fuzzy Wuzzy wasn't very fuzzy or warm or honost or Christian or moral...not any of those fuzzy warm adjectives.

On a different note, this is the fuzzy media the pResident and theif wants us to have. (Woe to any paper who tells us the truth about their corruption!)

javascript:SSOpen('13553806','0');

Fuzzy Logic Voting

If we ignore the situation in San Diego’s Busby/Bilbray race, we are setting ourselves up for another stolen election in 2006 and 2008….

www.bradblog.com

A Line in the Sand
Why the Busby/Bilbray Election Matters (or Should) to the Entire Nation…
(HINT: It's not about Busby or Bilbray or San Diego or even California!)

My reporting here, and the concerns expressed about the Busby/Bilbray election results as announced, have little or nothing to do with Francine Busby or Brian Bilbray or even, in particular, the June 6th U.S. House special run-off election in California's 50th congressional district.

It has only a tiny bit more to do with San Diego. And only slightly more than that to do with California.

It has everything, however, to do with democracy. Across the entire country. As opposed to any one race in any one area.

If I've not been clear on that until now, please allow me to set the record straight.

The concerns I've reported — and will continue to report — over the blatant disregard for the rule of law and clear illegalities endorsed and encouraged by the SD County Registrar of Voters, Mikel Haas, and apparently approved at this point by California's Secretary of State Bruce McPherson, have everything to do with the future viability of democracy in this country in general, and a perhaps naive hope that there's a chance in hell that taking action now will help to salvage a shred of legitimacy for this November's election.

That can only happen if action is taken now, however, directly in regard to the Busby/Bilbray election results as announced.

As far as I can see it, what happens in regard to Busby/Bilbray will be America's last, best, and only hope of affecting any real election reform prior to the November 7th general election. That's why, for me, this has become "Line in the Sand" time.

Never, in the two-and-a-half year history of The BRAD BLOG have I set aside almost everything else in order to cover and raise attention to a single story — to the exclusion of almost every other story — for such a long period of time as I have done since the original coverage of this matter the day after the June 6th election.

Since then, I've stated many times in both written and spoken words that I don't actually give a damn who won the Busby/Bilbray race and that I didn't even much bother to follow any of it prior to Election Day. I've got no dog in the hunt and only care that the person who actually received the most votes is the one that was declared the winner. At this point, there is absolutely no way of knowing who actually won.

The fact of the matter is that just two or three months after both the federal certification oversight body (NASED) and California's own Secretary of State issued emergency "security mitigation requirements" in light of newly discovered and massive vulnerabilities in Diebold's voting systems, those security requirements were entirely tossed out the window when all of the machines were sent home with poll workers for overnights in the days and weeks prior to the election. In doing so, the machines themselves were effectively rendered illegal and uncertified for use in any California election, and at the federal level as well.

Unless something is done, the same thing is about to happen in elections across this entire country.

(NOTE: Lou Dobbs will be covering this issue on CNN tonight I am told. Including interviews with some of the poll worker sources we gave them after originally reported on them here at BRAD BLOG.)

Today in Washington:

David Swanson covered the Senate hearings on pre-war intelligence:

"...today the Senate Democratic Policy Committee held a Hearing on the model of Rep. John Conyers' Downing Street Memo hearing: no subpoena power, but great witnesses. And a Republican even came: Rep. Walter Jones of North Carolina.

Here are my notes from the hearing in Room 192 of the Dirksen Senate Office Building:

Senators Dorgan, Reid, and Bingaman were here at the start.

Dorgan chairs the Policy Committee. Senator Rockefeller, the ranking Democrat on the Intelligence Committee, was nowhere to be seen...

READ MORE HERE:
http://www.afterdowningstreet.org/node/12383

The Democratic Policy Committee held a hearing this afternoon to examine the manipulation of pre-war Iraq intelligence. Rep. Walter Jones (R-NC), who previously disavowed his vote for the war, attended the hearing and asked the panelists why a small number of individuals in the administration “had more influence…than the professionals.” Lawrence Wilkerson, former chief of staff to Secretary of State Colin Powell, said he only needed three words...

JONES: My question is this to all four of you who would like to answer, maybe it’s a very simple question. I apologize if it’s been asked before. But what perplexes me is how in the world could professionals – I’m not criticizing anybody here at this table – but how could the professionals see what was happening and nobody speak out?

I’m not saying you did not do your duty, please understand. My point is as a congressman who trusted what I was being told – I’m was not on the Intelligence Committee, Senator Dorgan, but I am on the Armed Services Committee – and I was being told this information. And I wish I’d the wisdom then that I might have now. I would have known what to ask. But I think many of my colleagues – they did not have the experience on the Intelligence Committee – we just pretty much accepted.

So where along the way – how did these people so early on get so much power that they had more influence in those in the administration to make decisions than you the professionals.

WILKERSON: Let me try to answer you first. Let me say right off the bat I’m glad to see you here.

JONES: Thank you sir.

WILKERSON: As a Republican, I’m somewhat embarrassed by the fact that you’re the only member of my party here.

JONES: I agree.

WILKERSON: But I understand it. I’d answer you with two words. Let me put the article in there and make it three. The Vice President.

http://thinkprogress.org/2006/06/26/wilkerson-vp/

It's been raining unbelievably for two days here in DC.

What was the sign for Noah to begin the ark-building?

Wasn't God displeased about how people were treating the planet? Or something like that?

Anyone want to help make the two-by-two list?

The pandas in the zoo are IN

Dick and Lynne Cheney are NOT.

Russ Feingold and John Conyers are IN.

Jeff Sessions and Dennis Hastert are NOT.

Kitty cats are IN.

Bill Frist and the snake that was in our living room last week are NOT.

Make suggestions...

I generated 8 bags of giveaway stuff for Community Services for the Blind. It's hot here.

When I came back, people had continued to send me wierd stuff!
Important but wierd stuff!

1. 100 year old tree fell on the White House lawn

Mother nature is pissed off at Bush and the beltway boys: global warming is a coming home to roost.

Torrential Rain Washes Out Highways Around D.C., Topples 100-Year-Old Elm Tree at White House

WASHINGTON --  More than a foot of rain washed out highways around the nation's capital Monday, toppled a 100-year-old elm tree on the White House lawn, and caused flooding that closed major government departments and the National Archives, where the Declaration of Independence is kept under glass.

(& so much more, that Karen can probably tell us about).

2. Republicans are ahead of us for Psy-Op stuff

The GOP knows you don't like anchovies
Unpopular Republicans still own the art of politicking.

By Peter Wallsten and Tom Hamburger, who cover national politics for The Times. Their book is "One Party Country: The
Republican Plan for Dominance in the 21st Century."

Excerpts: (it's very long, so I summarized - no link)

- In California, the Republicans found out there were more Democrats voting absentee. They quickly generated a plan & got 10,000 new Republicans voting absentee. It turned the election for them, even though the arch-villain Cunningham was from that district.

Even post Katrina, post Iraq messup, they hold the advantage for this type of sneaky data collection & ability to psych out the enemy. Over 2-3 decades, they carefully learned how to take power.

Democrats need a net gain of 15 seats in the House & 6 in the Senate. Republicans still feel they can realize their dream of controlling the entire country. They have gerrymandered districts in their favor. They have many well-funded think tanks and alliance with corporate America, and sophisticated vote-tracking technology.

The GOP has Voter Vault. They tested it in San Diego. It allows ground-level activists to track voters by hobbies, interests, geography, even toothpaste brand & gym membership.

Both parties D voter precinct, address, party affiliation and views on hot button issues, but Voter Vault is more precise than anyting the Democrats have. They mine more - data on what we buy, cars we drive etc. This helps them lead in finding unaffiliated voters. They even create special messages for wavering Democrats.

Republicans can tell if African Americans probably could vote Republcan by who they know, that their kids are in private schools, an abortion opponent, a golfer.

They honed this during the 2000 and 2004 elections while we were trying to get out the vote.

Here are groups they go after that used to be our base:
pro-Israel Jews
socially conservative blacks
blue collar workers
Latinos

In Cleveland, they compiled a list of Russian speaking Jewish immigrants who backed Bush's stance against Islamic terrorism.
Then they organized a rally in Russian.

They seek out African American pasters to get swaying votes from the congregation. They seduce them with promises of "faith-based" funds. They weren't too successful except guess where - Ohio - where it mattered. 7 percent gain.

Thank Rove. He has gone around and told officials from various government departments (Interior etc) what he would promise them. That way, he lassos in groups like farmers in Oregon (for example), in order to get crucial support for Republican state candidates. Rove works at all levels. In this case, the Senator won and thousands of salmon died.

Rove has continued the legacy of Lee Atwater - redistricting - a long-term campaign and a long-term plan. Democrats and minority groups have even been tricked into cooperating. Now there aren't even that many competitive races - maybe 24 out of 435. We are almost a one-party country.

Rush Limbaugh Busted for Drugs Again

Detained at Miami airport with prescription drugs, including Viagra. That produces a mental image I could do without.

http://www.dailykos.com/story/2006/6/26/204554/932

Posted by: DiAnne/Bert at June 26, 2006 10:08 PM

Now, I know why Limbaugh can't shut his mouth.

http://www.bradenton.com/mld/bradenton/news/breaking_news/14908131.htm

This is the news story, but there is also a press release from his lawyer, which is careful not to mention the embarrassing Viagra in someone else's name, for "privacy" reasons.

Given the Dominican Republic's reputation, I am more interested in why Limbaugh would be in the Dominican Republic with Viagra.

Inquiring minds want to know.

The financial toll expected to rise. Which means as equipment fails, the human toll will rise too.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20060626/ap_on_go_ca_st_pe/us_war_spending

Well, we knew this was coming...it's the all out attempt to justify taking away the first amendment of our constitution by claiming right to live. When they leaked Valerie Plame's name and they lied for a war, they took away our right to live, but that's ok with them?

http://thinkprogress.org/2006/06/26/snow-nyt/

Posted by: sparrow at June 26, 2006 11:00 PM

Sparrow,

I read the link you provided. I also read some of the comments as well. I posted one of the most interesting links. As you can see, the White House and others are completely unaware that what the New York Times and other publications published was not news. False indignation is a trademark isn't it? Just ask Lynne Cheney.

http://counterterrorismblog.org/2006/06/reports_of_us_monitoring_of_sw.php

Received from .. Democratic Daily!

Great speech from Kerry today on Energy independence. Here's some links incase you're interested, including a post from someone who was there -
http://blog.thedemocraticdaily.com/?p=3439
http://blog.thedemocraticdaily.com/?p=3438
http://blog.thedemocraticdaily.com/?p=3434
http://blog.thedemocraticdaily.com/?p=3433

Also, this is from mbk, who was there:

I just got back from this. . . glad to have the text. . .there were so many good one-liners, that, despite my prowess at stenographic notetaking, I couldn't keep up. JK's delivery was FABULOUS. Audience gave him raucous applause many times, plus at least 4 standing ovations. . .

An adorable boy, Jesse Rogers (I guessed he was about 8 years old), read a letter to JK, that accompanied his gift to JK of the Dr. Seuss book, "The Lorax". . Jesse got a standing ovation, too!

Debby Callahan (former president of League of Conservation Voters) gave a strong introduction.

Excellent point here:

http://www.firedoglake.com/2006/06/26/a-question-that-needs-answers/#comments

Our tax dollars are paying Rove's salary! Can we sue them? Fire the ...?

OnCall
I see what you mean!
http://www.flunk.de/english/sex-tourism.php
(Sex Tourism Dominican Republic)

I didn't know!!

Posted by: oncall at June 26, 2006 11:50 PM

Lynn Cheney and the daughter.

Good link to pull out of the comments too.

When I was at the gym, I perused the Rolling Stone with Eddie Vedder on the cover & the long article on James Brown.

Anyway, it also had an article about how the Bush Admininstration is pushing the gay marriage issue NOT because anyone "smart" in America cares about it - polls show most Americans KNOW that their marriages are not impacted one way or the other by the fact that gay & lesbian couples love each other.

The reason Bush is pushing the Defense of Marriage Act is to SHORE UP HIS FUNDAMENTALIST BASE - THROW THEM SOME RED MEAT!! Polls show that Americans are increasingly more tolerant, just as they gradually were with minorities and interacial marriages and relationships. Now it's no big deal if someone is multiracial. it's interesting. It's a nonissue.

But there was a time in the country when it was a big deal - separate entrances, separate drinking fountains, separate bus seats depending on whether you were white - or not. Racism was the wedge issue. The immigration issue is basically a RACE ISSUE. Admit it - you xenophobes out there. You want to shore up your last dying gasp of white priviliege.

& the gay issue. It's the new civil rights wedge issue. Some people just can not adapt to the march of time, the reality of demographics, to progress. Homophobes - it's too late. Even if the Republicans form a one-party country, gay/lesbian population will stand at ten percent, including all the closet casees among the Evangelicals.

Results 1 - 10 of about 3,460,000 for ralph reed gay. (0.41 seconds)
Results 1 - 10 of about 5,390,000 for karl rove gay. (0.27 seconds)
Latest rumor - John Bolten ..

Mr. Bush appeared most worried that Christian conservatives would object to his determination not to criticize gay people. “I think he wants me to attack homosexuals,” Mr. Bush said after meeting James Robison, a prominent evangelical minister in Texas.

But Mr. Bush said he did not intend to change his position. He said he told Mr. Robison: “Look, James, I got to tell you two things right off the bat. One, I’m not going to kick gays, because I’m a sinner. How can I differentiate sin?”

Um, I think that’s only one thing, W., but how exactly did you mean it? Really intriguing…

http://www.pensitoreview.com/category/gay-politics/

Sorry..my bad
The rumor is Josh Bolten ..

http://www.wonkette.com/politics/josh-bolten/

So it really IS Rush Limpaugh!

A "p" is just an unmedicated "b" anyway.

Posted by: DiAnne/Bert at June 26, 2006 10:08 PM

What was Limberger doing in the Dominican Republic, and why did he have to take Viagra with him when he went there, and why on earth would a prescription be in someone else's name for "privacy reasons"??????? Did he meet someone there, or did he just go there to use prostitutes? Wassa matter? Can't get a date in the US so he has to go somewhere to pay for his sexual pleasures? Eeeeoowww... please get that horrid image out of my mind. Oh, those poor women, to have to get paid to let someone that evil touch them....

Posted by: DiAnne at June 26, 2006 11:57 PM
I didn't know either....

I notice there was no mention of condoms found in his luggage if all he did was go to use a prostitute....

Whatever. It does, however, tickle my funny bone that a rightwingnut gets caught with his metaphorical pants down with a limp on...! ;-) Wonder if we'll next hear that he acquired a sexually transmitted disease in the process of his "visit" to the Dominican Republic.
~~~~~

Inquiring minds want to know.
Posted by: oncall at June 26, 2006 10:34 PM

Yes, we sure do. Good diversion away from neoCon political scandals, but... still, Limpy is one of the kings of hypocrites, so that is all to the good, 'cuz he may lose one or two kool-aid sheeple listeners in the process of losing a bit of credibility for 'whoring around.'

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20060627/ap_on_go_co/bush_signing_statements
Bush ignores laws he inks, vexing Congress
WASHINGTON - Sen. John McCain (news, bio, voting record) thought he had a deal when President Bush, faced with a veto-proof margin in Congress, agreed to sign a bill banning the torture of detainees. Not quite. While Bush signed the new law, he also quietly approved another document: a signing statement reserving his right to ignore the law. McCain was furious, and so were other lawmakers.
The Senate Judiciary Committee is opening hearings this week into what has become the White House's favorite tool for overriding Congress in the name of wartime national security.

"It's a challenge to the plain language of the Constitution," the committee's chairman, Sen. Arlen Specter (news, bio, voting record), R-Pa, said in an interview with The Associated Press. "I'm interested to hear from the administration just what research they've done to lead them to the conclusion that they can cherry-pick."

Apparently, enough to challenge more than 750 statutes passed by Congress, far more than any other president, Specter's committee says. The White House does not dispute that number, but points out that Bush is far from the nation's first chief executive to issue them.
~~~~~
Specter's first hearing Tuesday is about more than the statements. He's been keeping a laundry list of White House practices he bluntly says could amount to abuses of executive power — from warrantless domestic wiretapping program to sending up officials who refuse on national security grounds to answer questions at hearings.

{{{Ya don't say.... A lot of ordinary citizens were furious, too.... More on link.}}}

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20060627/ap_on_go_ca_st_pe/us_war_spending
Wars force Army equipment costs to triple
WASHINGTON - The annual cost of replacing, repairing and upgrading Army equipment in Iraq and Afghanistan is expected to more than triple next year to more than $17 billion, according to Army documents obtained by the Associated Press.
~~~~~
Congress has provided about $21 billion for equipment costs in emergency supplemental budget bills from 2002-06. All the war equipment expenses have been funded through those emergency bills, and not in the regular fiscal-year budgets.
Pentagon officials have estimated that such emergency bills would have to continue two years beyond the time the U.S. pulls out of Iraq in order to fully replace, repair and rebuild all of the needed equipment.

The push for additional equipment funding comes after the House last week passed a $427 billion defense spending bill for the fiscal year beginning Oct. 1, which includes $50 billion for military operations in Iraq and Afghanistan. A separate $66 billion emergency funding bill for the two wars was approved earlier in the month.

War-related costs since 2001 are approaching half a trillion dollars.

{{{Yup, fuzzy math.... More on link.}}}

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20060626/ap_on_go_co/island_hunts
Lawmaker wants Calif. island for hunting
{{{More on link.}}}

All this talk about Rush is quite scary!

Posted by: NonnyO at June 27, 2006 02:52 AM

This is a real time link. You will get dizzy watching the numbers fly by.

http://nationalpriorities.org/index.php?option=com_wrapper&Itemid=182