Camp Democracy Is Less Than One Week Away

GOP Senator Burns: 'Faceless' terrorists 'drive taxi cabs in the daytime and kill at night'

RAW STORY
Published: Thursday August 31, 2006

At a fundraiser on Wednesday featuring First Lady Laura Bush, Montana's Republican Senator Conrad Burns said that "faceless" terrorists "drive taxi cabs in the daytime and kill at night."

Wednesday's invitation-only reception was held at Arlin's Aircraft Hangar at Gallatin Field in Belgrade, Montana, and was closed to the public.

"Burns talked about the war on terrorism, saying a 'faceless enemy' of terrorists 'drive taxi cabs in the daytime and kill at night,'" the Associated Press reports.

In her speech, the first lady praised Burns for talking about terrorism with "civility and respect."

"Ending our dependence on foreign oil, reforming our immigration system, rebuilding the Gulf Coast and keeping our country safe from terrorism are not easy tasks, but they're absolutely vital goals," said Bush.

"And to accomplish them, we must have serious national conversations conducted with civility and respect," Bush said. "And Conrad Burns is a positive and powerful part of that dialogue."

"About 300 donors paid $250 each to attend the ice cream social in an aircraft hangar at the Gallatin Field airport in Belgrade," the Associated Press reports. "A $2,100 donation allowed donors to have pictures taken with Bush, the campaign said."

Like Virginia's Republican Senator George Allen who recently stirred up some controversy after referring to a Democratic campaign worker as "Macaca," Burns has also made some provocative statements that some critics call racially-based.

"He has drawn criticism in recent weeks for calling his house painter a 'nice little Guatemalan man' during a June speech," Matt Gouras reports for the Associated Press. "Burns, whose re-election campaign is pressing for tighter immigration controls, also suggested that the man might be an illegal immigrant."

The latest poll conducted by Rasmussen shows Burns and Democratic challenger Jon Tester running neck and neck at 47 percent apiece.

http://www.rawstory.com/news/2006/GOP_Senator_Burns_Faceless_terrorists_drive_0831.html

President Bush says Iran is responding with "further defiance and delay" to demands to abandon its nuclear program; says there must be consequences for this action, The Associated Press reports.

Posted by: monkey at August 31, 2006 08:50 AM

Monkey,

Your dad sounds like a hero! (Like father like son, right?)

Maybe you should suggest the Vulcan Crew to him.

http://www.06vulcankrewe.org/ourfriendssites.html

http://www.democracycellproject.net/blog/archives/2006/07/the_dcp_meets_t.html

Posted by: madame defarge at August 31, 2006 09:39 AM

Thanks for the suggestion. Just sent mine. Of course it wasn't as awsome as yours, but you're a tough act to follow. ;)

Posted by: madame defarge at August 31, 2006 09:39 AM

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/3036677/

This is the site where you can hear Olbermans report and commentary first hand if you missed.

Madame I fired off a thank you as soon as I read it. I know he takes a lot of flack for not always doing the prescibed cheerleading for the administration especially from Neo Con Bloggers. He and MSNBC need to know we appriciate him and his courage. Countdown for those of you who do not know runs at 8:00 PM and 12:00 am. Check it out.

Posted by: Suz at August 31, 2006 01:15 PM
Posted by: April at August 31, 2006 01:45 PM

Thanks. Every letter helps, I hope. We need to do all we can to encourage the media to allow hard-hitting, open, & honest commentary like Olbermann's.

BTW, you can also help by rating the transcript for last night's Countdown. (Scroll to the bottom of the page to rate it.)
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/14601135/

...and by taking this poll:
What do you think of Rumsfeld's "moral confusion" comments about critics?
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/3096434/

Posted by: monkey at August 31, 2006 11:45 AM

Hey America is the worlds enforcers I am sure there will be. Unfortunatly they will prob. come at the cost of our Brave Men and Women in the military as well as at a high cost to our children.

Sounds a lot like the Iraq crap again doesn't it.

By the way good looking dad you have there :) and a smart man just like his son.

As long as you're voting at MSNBC, go vote on how inappropriate and fear-mongering dubya's latest speech was.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/

Look for the words "Vote: Do you agree?" in the corner of his picture.

Do you agree with President Bush when he likens the struggle against Islamic fundamentalism with the fight against Nazis and communists? * 15915 responses

Yes. Bin Laden and others are the Hitlers and Stalins of our times.
27%

Maybe. But I'm going to need some more convincing one way or the other.
3.9%

No. This is just dishonest, warmongering designed to scare voters about national security in time for this fall's elections.
69%

"Some politicians look at our efforts in Iraq and see a diversion from the war on terror," Bush said. "That would come as news to Osama bin Laden, who proclaimed that the Third World War is raging in Iraq. It would come as news to the No. 2 man of al Qaeda, Zawahiri, who has called the struggle in Iraq, 'the place for the greatest battle.' "

Ummmmm.... I see it as a diversion considering none of those things you just stated were true prior to March 17, 2003, DUMBASS!

Bush 3.0?
Bush's speeches on Iraq and terrorism are slated to run through a September 19 address before the U.N. General Assembly, White House spokeswoman Dana Perino said this week.

The series, Perino said, "will put the violence that Americans are seeing on their TV screens and reading in their papers into a larger context."

"He will acknowledge that these are unsettling times in Iraq, in Lebanon, and also the unsettling news about the foiled terror plot out of London," she said. "The key is that all of this violence and all of the threats are part of one single ideological struggle, a struggle between the forces of freedom and moderation, and the forces of tyranny and extremism."

This will be Bush's third major speaking campaign aimed at bolstering support for the war in Iraq. Though his latest effort starts less than three months before November's congressional elections, Bush has said his speeches won't be "political."

"They're speeches to make it clear that if we retreat before the job is done this nation will become even more in jeopardy," he said at a campaign stop Wednesday for a Republican candidate in Arkansas. "These are important times, and I would seriously hope people would not politicize these issues that I'm going to talk about."

http://www.cnn.com/2006/POLITICS/08/31/bush.terrorism/index.html

Not political??? If you disagree with him, you put the nation in jeopardy...

Sounds political to me.

GeorgeBusto

Finally lunch has arrived, & time for a peek at news. I read that moronic speech that Bush addressed to military in conservative red state Utah, first in a series in which he will put forth an unbelievably paranoid ideology.

Hooray to the Utah citizens who marched against the war in Salt Lake City, led by their cool Mayor.

There is hope. Even Robert Novak is scared for the close elections this fall ("marginal," he called them).

Nice looking poll posted by Dwahzon - people can't be so stupid as to fall for continuous and insulting propaganda.

Conservatives such as Conrad Burns will be dishing it out left & right in their eager attempts to shore up their base prior to the mid-term elections.

Laura Bush touted McGavick (running for Senate against Cantwell in WA) yesterday, enumerating the ways he's close to Bush - as if that is supposed to HELP?!!!

Here is some sanity (sorely lacking in the White House but we all know how "transparent" our elections are presently in this country - not)

Kerry on Bush at American Legion: America Less Safe, More Divided Because of Failed Policies

“America’s veterans and American troops don’t need misleading speeches, they need the President to finally tell it straight and finally change course in the civil war in Iraq. By any measure, five years after 9/11, America is less safe and more divided because of President Bush and Secretary Rumsfeld. Enough with slogans and staged speeches calculated to divide here at home while things get worse in Iraq, Afghanistan, and across the Middle East. No more rhetoric while Osama bin Laden is on the loose, homeland security is under funded and our borders are porous. No more speeches from an administration that has shortchanged our soldiers and allowed a $1 billion shortfall in our veterans’ health care budget. We need leadership that is better at destroying terrorists than it is at talking about terror for political gain.”

Posted by: monkey at August 31, 2006 03:05 PM

I guess he missed the point of Osama Bin Ladens statement which was the USA had started World War 3 by invading Iraq? And the Statement by Zawahiri
The Greatest War which is Biblical meaning Armagedon, not meaning that it is the greatest place to have war. I guess Bush is looking for Armagedon he just needs remember when you go looking for trouble you usually find it duhhhh.

The only people who currently do not believe Iraq is a deiversion all work in the Whitehouse or serve at the "Pleasure of the President" or they are hardline republicans who would say the sky was falling if their President told then to even if they knew it to be false.

Posted by: DiAnne at August 31, 2006 03:17 PM

Amen, Senator Kerry.

Posted by: dwahzon at August 31, 2006 02:29 PM

everybody get over there and vote the numbers for the first one are rising.

Yes. Bin Laden and others are the Hitlers and Stalins of our times.
39%
Maybe. But I'm going to need some more convincing one way or the other.
4.3%
No. This is just dishonest, warmongering designed to scare voters about national security in time for this fall's elections.
56%

Republican advisor to Iraq veterans group blasts Bush Admin. for 'fascist' language

Ron Brynaert
Published: Thursday August 31, 2006

The Republican advisor to a political action committee founded by veterans is blasting the Bush Administration for using "fascist" language in some recent speeches and interviews, and for its "unwillingness to devise a victory plan" to end the war in Iraq.

"I am a proud Republican, who ran for my party's nomination for Congress in Indiana, because I believe in traditional values," said Sam Schultz, who served in Iraq and Afghanistan with the Indiana Army National Guard and acts as the Republican Senior Advisor to VoteVets.org, in a press release received by RAW STORY.

"I also believe we need to be vigilant in defending America," Schultz continued. "That is why I feel I must speak out about the Administration's recent contention that the war in Iraq is part of the fight against 'Islamic fascism.'"

Yesterday, the Associated Press reported that fascism "seems to be the new buzz word for Republicans in an election season dominated by an unpopular war in Iraq."

"Bush used the term earlier this month in talking about the arrest of suspected terrorists in Britain, and spoke of 'Islamic fascists' in a later speech in Green Bay, Wis," the AP reported. "Spokesman Tony Snow has used variations on the phrase at White House press briefings."

Schultz explained why he thinks "fascism" is an inappropriate word for the Bush Administration to use.

"First, we are not fighting an enemy that fits the definition of fascist, nor does Iraq resemble anything close to Hitler's Germany or Mussolini's Italy," Schultz said. "Second,I do not believe the war in Iraq has furthered our battle against radical Islamism."

"I can attest to the fact that after my time in Iraq, when I served in Afghanistan, we did not have enough people on the ground there to secure the border with Pakistan, and as a result, many terrorists slipped through our grasp, most likely including Osama bin Laden," Schultz added.

http://www.rawstory.com/news/2006/Iraq_veterans_group_blasts_Bush_Administration_0831.html

Posted by: DiAnne at August 31, 2006 03:17 PM

During a rally held in Salt Lake City yesterday, thousands cheered Salt Lake City Mayor Rocky Anderson as he blasted George Bush as a "dishonest, war-mongering, human-rights-violating president."

The protest against Bush's Iraq war policies was held prior to the president's arrival Wednesday night in Salt Lake City to give a speech to the national convention of the American Legion this morning.

Utah is considered to be the "reddest" state, showing that there is growing debate about the Iraq war even in friendly Bush territory.

"A patriot does not tell people who are intensely concerned about their country to just sit down and be quiet; to refrain from speaking out in the name of politeness or for the sake of being a good host; to show slavish, blind obedience and deference to a dishonest, war-mongering, human-rights-violating president," Mayor Anderson told the crowd, estimated by organizers to number between 4,000 and 5,000

The Utah Republican Party had initiated a radio campaign, urging listeners to call-in and complain about Mayor Anderson's participation in the anti-Bush protest. The radio spot criticized the mayor for wanting to "cut and run" in Iraq. On some stations, the advertisement was broadcast 20 times per day.

The mayor reports that there were many negative calls generated by the Republican Party's radio campaign. But the mayor also said there were also many calls supporting his participation in the protest.

"We will continue to resist the lies, the deceptions, the outrages of the Bush administration and this complacent, complicit, go-along Congress," Anderson said. "We must pursue peace as vigorously as the Bush administration has pursued war."

Anderson told the crowd, "We are here to say...'no more God-is-on-our-side religious nonsense to justify this immoral, illegal war.'"

Earlier today, Anderson told MSNBC that he was a "gracious person" but that "we all have a moral responsibility to stand up and oppose our president when we see him taking our nation in such a wrong direction."

http://www.rawstory.com/news/2006/Video_Salt_Lake_City_mayor_leads_0831.html

Comlicated Shadows
by Elvis Costello

Well you know your time has come and you're sorry for what you've done
You should've never have been playing with a gun
In those Complicated Shadows
Well there's a line that you must toe
and it'll soon be time to go
but it's darker than you know in those Complicated Shadows
All you gangsters and rude clowns
Who were shooting up the town
When you should have found someone to put the blame on
Though the fury's hot and hard
I still see that cold graveyard
There's a solitary stone that's got your name on

You don't have to take it from me
But I know what I spake
You think you're like iron and steel
But iron and steel will bend and break
In those Complicated Shadows

Go!

Sometimes justice you will find
Is just dumb not colour-blind
And your poor shattered mind can't take it all in
All those phantoms and those shades
Should Jump up on Judgement Day
And say to the Almighty "I'm still stinking of sin"

But the jury was dismissed
Took his neck and they give it a twist
So you see you won't be missed in those Complicated Shadows

You can say just what you like in a voice like a John Ford film
Take the law into your hands
You will soon get tired of killing
In those Complicated Shadows
Complicated Shadows
Complicated Shadows
Complicated Shadows

Well, since the Karaoke floor is open...

Your Flag Decal Won't Get You Into Heaven Anymore
by John Prine

While digesting Reader's Digest
In the back of a dirty book store,
A plastic flag, with gum on the back,
Fell out on the floor.
Well, I picked it up and I ran outside
Slapped it on my window shield,
And if I could see old Betsy Ross
I'd tell her how good I feel.

But your flag decal won't get you
Into Heaven any more.
They're already overcrowded
From your dirty little war.
Now Jesus don't like killin'
No matter what the reason's for,
And your flag decal won't get you
Into Heaven any more.
Well, I went to the bank this morning
And the cashier he said to me,
"If you join the Christmas club
We'll give you ten of them flags for free."
Well, I didn't mess around a bit
I took him up on what he said.
And I stuck them stickers all over my car
And one on my wife's forehead.

But your flag decal won't get you
Into Heaven any more.
They're already overcrowded
From your dirty little war.
Now Jesus don't like killin'
No matter what the reason's for,
And your flag decal won't get you
Into Heaven any more.

Well, I got my window shield so filled
With flags I couldn't see.
So, I ran the car upside a curb
And right into a tree.
By the time they got a doctor down
I was already dead.
And I'll never understand why the man
Standing in the Pearly Gates said...

"But your flag decal won't get you
Into Heaven any more.
We're already overcrowded
From your dirty little war.
Now Jesus don't like killin'
No matter what the reason's for,
And your flag decal won't get you
Into Heaven any more."

My contribution to the Karaoke floor:

Peace Train
by Cat Stevens (Yusuf Islam)

Now I've been happy lately, thinking about the good things to come
And I believe it could be, something good has begun

Oh I've been smiling lately, dreaming about the world as one
And I believe it could be, some day it's going to come

Cause out on the edge of darkness, there rides a peace train
Oh peace train take this country, come take me home again

Now I've been smiling lately, thinking about the good things to come
And I believe it could be, something good has begun

Oh peace train sounding louder
Glide on the peace train
Come on now peace train
Yes, peace train holy roller

Everyone jump upon the peace train
Come on now peace train

Get your bags together, go bring your good friends too
Cause it's getting nearer, it soon will be with you

Now come and join the living, it's not so far from you
And it's getting nearer, soon it will all be true

Now I've been crying lately, thinking about the world as it is
Why must we go on hating, why can't we live in bliss

Cause out on the edge of darkness, there rides a peace train
Oh peace train take this country, come take me home again

Another great response to Rummy's atrocious American Legion speech, this time from Peter Galbraith, author of "The End of Iraq":

The true Iraq appeasers

By Peter W. Galbraith | August 31, 2006

IN HIS MOST recent justification of his Pentagon stewardship, Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld reached back to the 1930s, comparing the Bush administration's critics to those who, like US Ambassador to Britain Joseph P. Kennedy, favored appeasing Adolf Hitler. Rumsfeld avoided a more recent comparison: the appeasement of Saddam Hussein by the Reagan and first Bush administrations. The reasons for selectivity are obvious, since so many of Hussein's appeasers in the 1980s were principals in the 2003 Iraq war, including Rumsfeld.
http://tinyurl.com/n7qxj = Boston Globe

And in case you missed it, Condi also tried to outdo Rummy with her speech to the American Legion, but only gets the blue ribbon for atrociousness. No one can outdo Rummy...except maybe George or Deadeye Dick.

Read all about it in this diary:

Now CONDI embarrasses herself before American Legion
http://www.dailykos.com/story/2006/8/31/154722/626

Rummy--nothing to truly sing about--unless there's this:

http://www.stuffedpenguin.com/rumsfeld/lyrics.htm

Great idea here! Pre-order KOlberman's book due out in September.

http://www.powells.com/biblio/62-0470044950-0

(Don't forget we have a Powell's tab in the top bar.)

Given the countdown to the war in Iran, it's great that Mother Jones has created a timeline to the war in Iraq.

http://www.motherjones.com/bush_war_timeline/

Spellings Says No Child Law Near Perfect
By BEN FELLER
AP Education Writer

WASHINGTON — Education Secretary Margaret Spellings said Wednesday the No Child Left Behind Act is close to perfect and needs little change as its first major update draws near.

"I talk about No Child Left Behind like Ivory soap: It's 99.9 percent pure or something," Spellings told reporters. "There's not much needed in the way of change."

Spellings' comments signal what amounts to the Bush administration's starting position as the law comes up for renewal. That is scheduled to happen as soon as next year.

It is unsurprising that Spellings strongly supports the law. She helped craft it as President Bush's domestic policy chief and now enforces it as the top education official.

Yet her view that the law needs little change is notable because it differs so sharply from others with a stake, including many teachers, school administrators and lawmakers.

Already, the House education committee is holding hearings on how to improve the law. So is a prominent bipartisan commission, which is touring the nation to gather opinions.

more on...
http://www.palmbeachpost.com/news/content/shared-gen/ap/US_Presidential_Cabinet/No_Child_Law.html

Heckuva job, Spelly.

I'm tired of being called "Some" by george and his chums. I'm a Democrat, not a Some. I know it's a three-syllable word, george, but I think you can say it: Dem-o-crat. Dem-o-crat. Democrat. There, see, that wasn't so hard, was it ...

Posted by: monkey at August 31, 2006 04:28 PM

Here's a clip of Salt Lake City mayor Rocky Anderson giving some hell on Fox about his protest of the BushCo. visit, (and getting some). (hat tip Firedog lake comment section) It's below the Olbermann clip.

http://onegoodmove.org/1gm/

go, Rocky!

President Bush to visit all three sites on 9/11 anniversary

RAW STORY
Published: Thursday August 31, 2006

Although specific details haven't yet been released, the White House announced today that President Bush would be visiting "all three sites" on the fifth anniversary of 9/11.

During a press gaggle held aboard Air Force One on Thursday afternoon, Deputy White House spokesperson Dana Perino announced the news when asked by a reporter for a "preview" of the president's planned events for the day.

"No, we have not announced all of those details yet," said Perino.

"The one thing I can say is that the President will visit all three sites on the anniversary," Perino continued.

Along with the former site of the World Trade Center in New York City, Bush will also pay visits to the Pentagon and the Pennsylvania field where Flight 93 crashed.

Perino also said that there may be "additional travel" but that she wasn't "able to reveal that yet."

http://www.rawstory.com/news/2006/Bush_to_visit_all_three_sites_0831.html

Posted by: monkey at August 31, 2006 06:21 PM

The families of the victims of Flight 93 might like to spend the anniversary at that field some will have to travel, hows this gonna mesh with all the Secret Service people? Does Bush even care?

Posted by: monkey at August 31, 2006 05:43 PM

I know of not ONE teacher who suports the NCLB. It's underfunded and ineffective.

Posted by: April at August 31, 2006 06:29 PM

He only cares if you sign a loyalty oath and promise to vote Republican.

It's underfunded and ineffective.

Posted by: Suz at August 31, 2006 06:41 PM

Au contraire. NCLB is fulfilling its true intent remarkably well.

Of course, its goal was not to improve public education in inner cities, or to improve literacy and math skills for minorities, or any of its other "claims".

Caught a visitor in the irc! whoo hooo!

Posted by: Suz at August 31, 2006 07:30 PM

Remember: we have a catch & release policy for anyone under 2 inches...

Happy frickin labor day from the your pResident:

Five days before Labor Day,
President Bush has announced he will recess appoint Paul DeCamp — a corporate lawyer who represented Wal-Mart and built a career fighting against unions — as head of the U.S. Labor Department’s Wage and Hour Division, which oversees “the nation’s wage and hour laws, including overtime laws, workplace discrimination laws, and child labor laws.”

http://thinkprogress.org/2006/08/31/five-days-before-labor-day/

Posted by: Veritas at August 31, 2006 07:15 PM

True. And one of the Bush's owns stock in the business that catches the schools that 'fail'.

Sneaky, sneaky.

Posted by: madame defarge at August 31, 2006 07:35 PM

Bigger than 2 inches, but I released "it" anyway.

I'm listening to Ed Shultz and he's right on the money about the neoconservative agenda causing the lack of controllers (and controller error) in Lexington, KY and causing 49 people to die.

Just because they downsize and want to make everything a business model.

Also, he reminded leaders about Reagan breaking the controller's strike in the 80's. That was the lead in for this.

Olbermann on right now, Eastern time, on msnbc. Says they received thousands of thank you emails for his statement last night, and that they are simply "overwhelmed".

Barbara Boxer was just on with some pretty strong talk on firing Rumsfeld and the lies Bush tells.

Next guest will be Mayor Rocky Anderson from Salt Lake City, as referenced above.

Posted by: Carol at August 31, 2006 08:17 PM

Olbermann specifically mentioned April, Suz, & me -- didn't he???

Yep - he read ALL of our emails :0)

Excellent work, folks!

Posted by: madame defarge at August 31, 2006 08:24 PM

Yeah he did, and he said "I Rock" like 10 times, so I got that goin' for me, which is nice.

Positive Press on Iraq Is Aim of U.S. Contract

By Walter Pincus
Washington Post Staff Writer
Thursday, August 31, 2006; A20

U.S. military leaders in Baghdad have put out for bid a two-year, $20 million public relations contract that calls for extensive monitoring of U.S. and Middle Eastern media in an effort to promote more positive coverage of news from Iraq.

The contract calls for assembling a database of selected news stories and assessing their tone as part of a program to provide "public relations products" that would improve coverage of the military command's performance, according to a statement of work attached to the proposal.

The request for bids comes at a time when Bush administration officials are publicly criticizing media coverage of the war in Iraq.

The proposal, which calls in part for extensive monitoring and analysis of Iraqi, Middle Eastern and American media, is designed to help the coalition forces understand "the communications environment." Its goal is to "develop communication strategies and tactics, identify opportunities, and execute events . . . to effectively communicate Iraqi government and coalition's goals, and build support among our strategic audiences in achieving these goals," according to the statement of work that is publicly available through the Web site http://www.fbodaily.com .

A public relations practitioner who asked for anonymity because he may be involved in a bid on the contract said that military commanders "are overwhelmed by the media out there and are trying to understand how to get their information out.

"They want it [news] to be received by audiences as it is transmitted [by them], but they don't like how it turns out," he said. As an example, he said, there are complaints that reports from Iraq sometimes quote Shiite cleric and militia leader Moqtada al-Sadr more than military commanders.

The proposal calls for monitoring "Iraqi, pan-Arabic, international and U.S. national and regional markets media in both Arabic and English." That includes broadcast and cable television outlets, the Pentagon channel, two wire services and three major U.S. newspapers: The Washington Post, New York Times and Los Angeles Times.

Monitors are to select stories that deal with specific issues, such as security, reconstruction activities, "high profile" coalition force activities and events in which Iraqi security forces are "in the lead." The monitors are to analyze stories to determine the "dissemination of key themes and messages" along with whether the "tone" is positive, neutral or negative.

The media outlets would be monitored for how they present coalition or anti-Iraqi force operations. That part of the proposal could reflect Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld's often-stated concern that the media does not cover positive aspects of Iraq.

In a speech before the American Legion on Tuesday, Rumsfeld said that a search of leading newspapers revealed that a soldier punished for misconduct was written about "10 times" as often as the first recipient of the Medal of Honor in anti-terrorism efforts.

more on...
http://tinyurl.com/e6v5j

Muahahahah...

Caught another one. Still less than two inches though.

Can we go by letters?

First visitor had 7 letters.

Second visitor had ...oh...let that be a surprise!

Ok..so we had 7 letters, 4 letters, 5 letters, 5 letters, we almost had a 9 letters...

Anyone wanna buy them off me? We'll start the auction at...

On the August 31st broadcast of MSNBC's Hardball, Nora O'Donnell interviewed Katherine Harris about her Senate campaign, staff shake-ups, her attitudes towards religion, and the Duke Cunningham scandal.

Harris called her connection to the Cunningham scandal "old news," insisted that she was enjoying "a wave of support," and said "you can make polls say whatever you want."

When asked about criticisms of her by former staff members, Harris's immediate response was, "We have their email traffic, we know what was behind all that, we know who's been paid and who isn't."

http://www.rawstory.com/news/2006/Video_Katherine_Harris_claims_a_wave_0831.html

Found out I can get a free Bumbershoot ticket by volunteering for 2-3 hours at a political booth (McDermott) - the tickets are normally about $35 & then I can see Kanye West, Tribe Called Quest, Jamie Lidell, Blondie, Sharon Jones & the Dap Kings, Lady Sovereign & many more!!

Also, Monday the anti-Walmart tour comes here - with Cantwell & Patti Murray headlining AND free food! Love combining political activity with freebies, even if I end up donating time & money. It borders on work but also borders on recreation!

Exhausted from work, for some reason, but glad to end up here & to hear about the positive response to the Olbermann column. I'm glad someone isn't afraid to speak out. Also heard Barbara Boxer on NPR - she was kind of set up by the interviewer but handled it well. She outlined the Democrats' continuing push for Security of the Homeland (the true war on terror) & the commentator (shame on NPR, who are usually exemplary) tried to trick her into falling for Bush's stupid Iraq "link" (that we are "fighting terrorists" in Iraq) & also tried to say the Democrats didn't have a message. Boxer reiterated what she had just said. Amazingly dull press in this country.

Also heard most of a feature on the Dixie Chicks, by Terri Gross.
A friend in Florida bought about 10 copies of their CD & sent me one. Nice to hear.

DiAnne,

I've noticed a bit of a right hand turn by NPR in the past week or so as well. What's up with that?

Posted by: Carol at August 31, 2006 10:40 PM

Wasn't the CEO of NPR a Republican?

Actually the NPR interviewer gave Boxer the perfect setup to slam one home on why the Dems are strongest on national security and she stumbled over her words big time -- more than once. Eventually she sorta got the right message out but it wasn't smooth and pretty as it should have been.

His name was Tomlinson, Suz, and he got tossed out because they caught him breaking CPB rules.

This was buried in a diary on Daily Kos... Maybe you want to talk about it at Camp Democracy?

Operation Purple Revolt

I cannot take credit for this idea, I heard it on The Randi Rhodes show (Mike Malloy guest hosting) tonight. A caller stated that he had an idea that on election day, anyone who votes to out one of the lock-step crowd should somehow color their index finger purple to make a statement that they have voted for change. I embrace this idea and hope that the word will get passed around. I apologize for not remembering the person's name or place of residence, but I'm sure the show can find out. Cindy, I ask that you start passing this along. Malloy mentioned it could be a "Purple Revolution" and I think that's what it should be called "Operation Purple Revolt." Anyone with me on this?

http://www.dailykos.com/comments/2006/8/31/211458/222/52#c52

Dwahzon
Agreed (about Boxer) - something about the interaction made it uncomfortable & a little confusing.

Carol
I listen to NPR same times & places each day because of the commute so I'll kind of monitor! To me, it has varied over time but it's the quickest way to get some idea of "the facts" while in the car, coupled with the BBC I can pick up. Then later I check the internet for various news services.

My husband listens to Air America so I hear it if I'm in his car. Tonight Thom Hartmann was playing the same Clinton speech that we heard at the McDermott benefit - the one where he contrasted conservaties as ideological and concerned with consolidating wealth & power vs liberals as philosophical (backing things up with facts too) and concerned with all who work getting a share. Thom Hartmann introduced Clinton that night (Bill), so not surprised they played it.

Posted by: dwahzon at August 31, 2006 11:10 PM

He didn't just steal some paper clips, he stole thousands of dollars worth of services and double dipped on his expenses. He lived up to every neocon's ideal of an appointed government official.

Tomlinson Cited For Abuses at Broadcast Board
CPB Ex-Chief Put Friend On Payroll, State Dept. Says

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/08/29/AR2006082901492.html

I heard a good one today for response to "cut and runners". " You gunners got us into this mess,now how you gonna get us out."!
Living in a small tourist town I have met a lot of tourists this summer and a lot of angry people over this ADM. I walk a peace walk every Sat. with some vets for peace and sometimes we get shouted at,but MOST times we get support. Mostly comments about the next election cycle hoping the DEMS ie Hillary etc forget about the "MIDDLE" and GOTV for those that REALLY want and thirst for change. DEMS need to broaden base ie (Rove tactics) and we CAN win.
Continue to lurk as arms still incapacitated . Appreciate ALL the DCP'ers and your HARD WORK.
Dianne, we need to get together one of these days.
"PURPLE REVOLT...Yeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeessssssss!!
As I listend to Mike Malloy a few nights ago he spoke about a movement going on (CALIFORNIA and west states mostly) encouraging any others that want to join that are progressive should govern themselves w/o the Reps and get the president we deserve...GO JK!!
Thom Hartman is speaking about his continued mantra going with camera's in ALL voting booths and getting volunteers to report any shenanigans.
Listened to Bill Mahr and he's OFF McCain,so are a lot of tother people as I listened in to C-SPan early one AM. Nice to see some scrit from 04' JK blog,what a waste to get what we have now. Even the real conservatives ie Geo. Wills thinks JK was right on ....now ! Keep working,keep going,keep praying and be on your guard forever,NEVER give up!!

Also, he reminded leaders about Reagan breaking the controller's strike in the 80's. That was the lead in for this.

Posted by: Suz at August 31, 2006 07:52 PM

That was what I was thinking. And this is not the first time an airplane has crashed thanks to inadequate staffing of controllers.

Of course, the freepers want to extend the firing of the controllers to EVERY unionized aviation worker - including pilots (for whom I have little sympathy for) and flight attendants (for whom I have lots of sympathy for).

After all, they say, why bother with aging, expensive senior FAs, when there are younger, prettier, cheaper ones available?

Carol and DiAnne re: radio

For me, it's BBC and CBC (Canadian Broadcasting Corporation). What's refreshing about CBC especially is that I don't have to listen to depressing Middle East news 24/7.

Posted by: monkey at August 31, 2006 04:13 PM

Every time W talks about fascism, not realizing that the worst fascist in the world right now is himself, I lose it.

And I lose it even more when immigrants from fascist (or formerly fascist) countries support W, because he reminds them of the "strong, principled" leaders back home.

Good thing I am headed for Canada later today, to cool my head.

Ally
Friend in Florida (who is relocating to Canada) listens to CBC and likes it. I can only get BBC from car radio for short times but can stream on-line.

Patti F
Nice to hear. We'll try to make it over sometime by ferry. Elizabeth told me Mike Malloy is getting fired for being too controversial. Don't know the story.

My email has quit working and a week's worth of messages are gone. I can't download or send. And there is kind of a "mask" looking thing over part of it. Strange.

More underhanded techniques.

Yeah lets be in a rock band in the Natl Guard
http://portland.craigslist.org/mlt/gov/200897868.html

Sep 1, 8:50 AM EDT

Va. Senator Who Used Slur Declines Award

By BOB LEWIS
Associated Press Writer

RICHMOND, Va. (AP) -- A senator who had singled out an Indian man at a campaign event and referred to him as "Macaca" declined a leadership award from a minority scholarship fund Thursday after donors protested his selection.

Thurgood Marshall Scholarship Fund donors had threatened to withhold contributions if Sen. George Allen, a Republican seeking re-election this fall, received the fund's Community Leadership Award.

"The foundation told the senator that they've been catching a lot of static from members and some of their donors, and before it spins into a week of controversy, we just decided to decline it," Allen spokesman John Reid said.

more on...
http://tinyurl.com/euntr

Campaign for America's Future has a new weekly email called Straight Talk Live, with talking points/blogging points, video clips and lots more to get our message out.

Here's the link for this week's issue:
http://home.ourfuture.org/straighttalklive/20060829.html

NEW YORK (AFP) - It was a night of upsets at the annual MTV Video Music Awards in New York, with favourites The Red Hot Chili Peppers and Latin pop queen Shakira failing to score in any major categories.

-snip-

But perhaps the biggest cheer of the night went to former vice president Al Gore who appeared to extended applause and appealed to the MTV generation to do more to protect the environment.

"Our planet is in trouble. Many of you already know this... We can solve it but we must act quickly. You are the generation that can and will literally save our world," he said.

http://tinyurl.com/s43ss

Good rebuttal against the line that if Armitage was involved in the Plame leak it means that Bush and Cheney were not.

http://mediamatters.org/items/200609010001

This NYT's article discusses the number of apologies being heard lately from politicians. Notice it mentions that Bush hasn't apologized for Katrina though it's probably because nobody would believe the liar anyway.

At anyrate, it reminds me about the lady I met last year who was a professor and specialized in Japan and spoke to me about the number of times the Japanese government has apologized for Pearl Habor and yet the media always treats each new apology as if it's the first.

We were discussing why Bush and Republicans haven't apologized for torture, illegal war, spying. And she pointed out that to get the apology you have to insist upon it and demand it. She spoke about the three types of apologies that the author of the article includes.

http://tinyurl.com/jgzu8 >>>NYT

Working Assets is holding a contest to see who can come up with the best slogan to counteract "cut and run".

The winner will be able to direct $5,000 to the peace organization of their choosing.

Here's the link:
http://www.workingforchange.com/activism/slogancontest.cfm

If it's true Mike Malloy is getting fired for being "too contraversial",we're skunked. He tells the truth.

Posted by: Patti F. at September 1, 2006 10:39 AM

I've only heard him when he subs for someone. He seemed ok to me.

Call and write letters if it really bothers you. And ask everyone you know to do the same.

Growing doubts in U.S. about military strategy
Poll: Many think war costs too high; doubt bin Laden will be nabbed

Updated: 7:49 a.m. ET Sept 1, 2006
AP

WASHINGTON - Doubts about the war on terrorism are growing. Most people worry that the cost in blood and money may be too high, and they don’t think al-Qaida kingpin Osama bin Laden will ever be caught, an AP-Ipsos poll found.

Five years after the attacks of Sept. 11, fully one-third of Americans think the terrorists may be winning, the poll suggests. Worries fed by the war in Iraq have spilled over into the broader campaign against terrorists who directly target the U.S.

Half in the poll question whether the costs of the anti-terror campaign are too great, and even more admit that thought has crossed their mind.

Those costs are already high:

More than 2,600 U.S. troops dead in Iraq, more than 270 dead in Afghanistan and roughly 20,000 wounded in both countries. More than $430 billion for wars in Iraq and Afghanistan and other costs overseas, and more than $250 billion for domestic security.

Increasing skepticism is not surprising to Lee Hamilton, co-chairman of the Sept. 11 commission.

“I think what you’re seeing now is a pushback,” said Hamilton, who noted he still considers the terror threat an urgent problem. “Since 9/11, the security folks have won all the arguments. People are beginning to see that security is a very expensive business. ... We’re seeing some rebalancing of the scales.”

But that shift may be unrelated to any reduction in the threat.

Bin Laden is believed to be hiding out somewhere in the mountains along the Pakistan-Afghanistan border, the conflict in Iraq is edging toward civil war and terrorists are still attempting attacks, as evidenced by the alleged plot, recently foiled by the British, to blow up airliners in the sky.

Embarrassed by the U.S. image abroad
The AP-Ipsos telephone polling of about 1,000 people found:

Less than half, 46 percent, are confident that bin Laden will ever be caught — down from 67 percent in December 2003.
More than four in 10, 43 percent, say they’re embarrassed by the U.S. image overseas.
The big question for Karen Brown of Gainesville, Va., is whether the U.S. efforts are making a difference.

“Things are moving very slowly and not going very well,” said Brown, a freelance writer in Northern Virginia. “There’s Osama bin Laden still running free. We’re deeper into Afghanistan and deeper into Iraq. I don’t see any end to it.”

Not everyone agrees the war in Iraq is central to the war on terror, as the Bush administration maintains. Six in 10 polled think there will be more terrorism in this country because the U.S. went to war in Iraq. Some feel strongly that the two wars are separate.

“They’ve been successful in the war on terrorism as long as you distinguish between the war in Iraq and the war on terrorism,” said Eva Washington, a semiretired nurse from Washington, D.C. “We allowed Iraq to become a home to terrorists by going over there.”

And they are divided about whether they are losing personal freedoms, according to polling done between Aug. 7-17 with a margin of error of plus or minus 3 percentage points.

“I think there’s a fatigue about the price of doing these activities,” said Robert Blendon, a specialist in public opinion at Harvard’s Kennedy School of Government. “There’s also a concern about the competency of how well we’re doing them.”

Some say they’re worried that terrorists are recruited faster than they can be captured or killed.

“I am very concerned that if you get one terrorist faction, then another one steps up,” said Carla Sanda, a meeting organizer from Las Vegas. “I’m very concerned this is going to be the world my grandchildren are going to be faced with.”

more...
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/14618513/

Democrats pushing for "no confidence" hearings on Rumsfeld.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/08/31/AR2006083101531_pf.html

(Seems pretty obvious to me, but at least they can put his incompetence on the record.)

Posted by: monkey at September 1, 2006 10:51 AM

I think the media has a slight push-back at Bush. They're waiting for the ax to fall if they push back to hard. But just the slight leaking of truth is enough to just splinter off the non-zealots from their base.

Just pray that we take control of both. And just pray that when they take over in January that they follow the list of reforms immediately!

(Media Reform, Election reform, and of course pull us out of Iraq and get a real stragegy going for Peace and Security.)

Posted by: Suz at September 1, 2006 11:19 AM

Don't forget chloroform.

... or Poland.

I knew this would happen. (If you have kids in school add this book to your list of required reading. Jamin B. Raskin-- "We the Students") This book discusses legal decisions and how they affect students in schools. One issue covered was Free Speech in Schools. The case of Tinker v Des Moines Independent Community School District is a precident setter regarding Free Speech, war protests, and the school's rights to interfer in student's free speech.

http://www.bc.edu/bc_org/avp/cas/comm/free_speech/tinker.html

Fast forward to 04...
In 04, a Vermont student came to school with an anti-Bush t-shirt and the school district made him cover the words with Duct Tape. He sued saying it violated his right to free speech.

Fast forward to today...

He wins the court case.

An appeals court in New York found that Zachary's constitutional rights were violated when officials at his Vermont school made him stick duct tape over parts of the T-shirt.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/international/story/0,,1862501,00.html

NEW YORK (AP) -- CNN anchor Kyra Phillips, whose ladies room chatter found its way onto her newscast, bounced back two days later with a "Top 10 List" of excuses on the "Late Show with David Letterman."

The mishap had happened Tuesday when Phillips, still wearing her wireless microphone, visited the loo while CNN aired President Bush's speech from New Orleans. For a minute or so her voice commingled with his, as she was heard telling an unidentified woman how great her husband is, then mentioned that her sister-in-law is "a control freak." Only then was she alerted that her mike was live.

How could such a thing happen? A game but still embarrassed-looking Phillips set Letterman (and his CBS audience) straight -- or at least, left them laughing.

Top Ten Kyra Phillips Excuses Presented by CNN Anchor Kyra Phillips:

10. "Still haven't mastered complicated On/Off switch."

9. "Larry King told me he does this all the time."

8. "How was I supposed to know we had a reporter embedded in the bathroom?"

7. "I honestly never knew this sort of thing was frowned upon."

6. "Couldn't resist chance to win $10,000 on 'America's Funniest Home Videos."'

5. "I was set up by those bastards at Fox News."

4. "Oh, like YOU'VE never gone to the bathroom and had it broadcast on national television!"

3. "I just wanted that hunky Lou Dobbs to notice me."

2. "OK, so I was drunk and couldn't think straight."

1. "You have to admit, it made the speech a lot more interesting."

http://www.cnn.com/2006/SHOWBIZ/TV/09/01/tv.kyraphillips.letterman.ap/index.html

PattiF
It is true about Mike Malloy - Google 1040's website - can't do it from here. This computer is blocked and mine at home has been hacked or has a virus or something - who knows. I'll send you more when I have a chance. There is an action going on - to get him back.

I've sent my opinion to AA and they will 'consider' all comments.