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Bombing Iran Back to the Stone Age
Can anyone stop Bush from going to war with Iran?
In anguish, I recommend Glen Greenwald's column in Salon today, in which he makes as clear a case as I have seen of how rapidly Bush is moving towards war with Iran. He was inspired by what he says "might actually be the most disturbing speech" of Bush's presidency.
Greenwald argues that Congress is incapable of stopping this next war. I wish I did not think he was right on this point, but unless there is bold, sustained leadership, it appears highly likely that Bush will launch a devastating air attack on Iran designed to literally "bomb them back into the Stone Ages."
Here are some excerpts from Greenwald's piece:
Viewed through the prism of presidential jargon, Bush's vow -- "We will confront this danger before it is too late" -- is synonymous with a pledge to attack Iran unless our array of demands are met. He is unmistakably proclaiming that unless Iran gives up its nuclear program and fundamentally changes its posture in the Middle East, "we will confront this danger." What possible scenario could avert this outcome?
More disturbingly still, we have the same exact cast of neoconservative warmongers who brought us the invasion of Iraq, now chirping away ever more loudly, performing their tough guy war dances while courageously beating their little chests and urging on new wars.
The true danger here is that even if there would be marginally more political opposition to an attack on Iran than there was for an attack on Iraq -- and surely there would be, perhaps considerably more opposition -- those who favor an attack are still politically strong within the administration. And there simply are no factions which would oppose such an attack that are anywhere near strong enough to stop one. Who and where are they? What are the political factions which have sufficient political strength and who are willing to risk political capital to stop such a confrontation?
Greenwald notes that some of the neocons want a war on Iran AND Syria.
It's easy to be lulled by the media's focus on Iraq and the ongoing but thus far futile struggle to start removing our troops from Iraq. How could Bush possibly be planning to start another war, given all the stories about how over-stretched our military already is?
The answer is air power: we have air superiority, we have more bombs than we know what to do with, and we can literally bomb Iran "back into the Stone Age" by blowing up the country's critical infrastructure.
Here's an excerpt from "Considering a War With Iran," a paper published this week in the United Kingdom by Dr. Dan Plesch, Director of the Centre for International Studies and Diplomacy of the School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS) at the University of London, and Martin Butcher, a former Director of the British American Security Information Council (BASIC) and former adviser to the Foreign Affairs Committee of the European Parliament:
The study considers the potential for US and allied war on Iran and the attitude of key states. The study concludes that the US has made military preparations todestroy Iran’s WMD, nuclear energy, regime, armed forces, state apparatus and economic infrastructure within days if not hours of President George W. Bush giving the order. The US is not publicising the scale of these preparations to deter Iran, tending to make confrontation more likely. The US retains the option of avoiding war, but using its forces as part of an overall strategy of shaping Iran’s actions.[emphasis in the original]
Note especially their finding that the US "is not publicising the scale of these preparations to deter Iran, tending to make confrontation more likely."
Under the command of Marine General James Cartwright, US Global Strike planning has the potential to destroy over 10,000 targets in Iran in one mission with “smart” conventional weapons. That number assumes only 100 strategic bombers with 100 bombs each. The actual number of planes/bombs and missiles is far larger. US government documents obtained by Hans Kristensen and analysed by William Arkin has described the development of this Global Strike capability.
Awaiting his orders, George Bush has more than 200 strategic bombers (B52-B1-B2-F117A) and US Navy Tomahawk cruise missiles. One B2 bomber dropped 80, 500lb bombs on separate targets in 22 seconds in a test flight. Using half the total force, 10,000 targets could be attacked almost simultaneously. This strike power alone is sufficient to destroy all major Iranian political, military, economic and transport capabilities.
So now you know how far advanced Bush's war plans are.
Hello?
Can you say, take it to the streets? There are a number of demonstrations against Bush's warmongering planned for September. Find the one closest to you, and bring everyone you know, leftist sectarianism be damned.
Stop the war in Iran!
Since I just taught my first dance history class of the semester, on ancient dance of Mesopotamia and Babylon, I feel that the idea of "bombing Iran back to the Stone Age" is even more chilling than it otherwise might have been.
Iran and Iraq are examples of some of two-three oldest civilizations we know about. Stories written on pieces of pottery, paintings, tablets with pictures and early writings: these are the beginnings of themes and ideas and human struggles that are with us to this day.
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Epic_of_Gilgamesh The story of Gilgamesh is a story ABOUT civilizing ourselves, for example.
So bombing back to the Stone Age is a way of denying all of the gifts to the world of this highly evolved culture.
For what? Because they scare the cr*p out of GWB and his profiteering friends, that's was for.
Great thread header, Richard.
Looks like I posted too late on previous thread, and not to detract from this thread, would someone or two or three please go back a thread and try to answer my question? It's REALLY bugging me.
Richard, I have a friend of a friend whose son has been making practise runs to the waters around Iran - a marine in a Navy fleet. Lots of marines in Navy ships.
What does this mean I wonder? (:-(
Interesting. This headline, when I first saw it on my Yahoo news page, read "Pentagon disputes negative parts of Iraq report"
Five minutes later, it read "Pentagon disputes parts of Iraq report"
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070830/ap_on_go_co/us_iraq;_ylt=Ahvyh_eRSG3MbYZVSpXe11ys0NUE
Just that fast...
Well, Well, Well one for International Citizens, we could not stop Georgies Illegal war and occupation but we at least stopped this execution at the last minute.
Texas governor spares getaway driver
Kenneth Foster sentence commuted; execution reduced to life in prison.
Texas Governor Rick Perry on Thursday spared the life of a death row inmate who had never killed anyone, commuting his sentence hours before an execution that had drawn international attention.
http://rawstory.com/news/afp/Texas_governor_spares_death_row_inm_08302007.html
Bombing Iran back to the Stone Age...
Gee, that's MIGHTY Christian of 'em, ain't it?
STOP THE STUPID
Olbermann!!!
Dragnet: Larry Craig
http://tinyurl.com/34qxdw
The New York Times
White House Is Gaining Confidence It Can Win Fight in Congress Over Iraq Policy
By SHERYL GAY STOLBERG
Published: August 30, 2007
WASHINGTON, Aug. 29 — The White House is growing more confident that it can beat back efforts by Congressional Democrats to shift course in Iraq, a significant turnabout from two months ago, when a string of Republican defections had administration officials worried that President Bush’s troop buildup was in serious danger on Capitol Hill.
Current and former administration officials say they realize that the September battle over the troop buildup will be difficult. But they also say the president’s hand is stronger now than it was in early July, when Republican senators like Pete V. Domenici of New Mexico and Richard G. Lugar of Indiana publicly called for a change of course.
“There is a tonal shift, and that is important, but there is always the chance that it could be ephemeral, in the same way that the panic of early July proved ephemeral,” said Peter D. Feaver, who helped draft the buildup strategy as an official with the National Security Council but recently returned to his post as a political science professor at Duke University. “I don’t detect any triumphalism in the White House.”
A senior administration official, speaking on condition of anonymity to avoid upstaging the president, said there was “a sense the dynamic has changed.” But the official was also cautious, adding: “I don’t want to portray overconfidence. This is a very important debate, and September is going to be a very important month.”
With Congress in recess in August, no reliable indication of lawmakers’ sentiments will emerge until the House and Senate return next week.
more...
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/08/30/washington/30policy.html?_r=1&oref=slogin
Way to let 'em off the hook.
Source: Reuters
NEW YORK (Reuters) - The CNN cable television news network said on Thursday it would stop using the Reuters news service, ending a 27-year relationship, to contain costs and invest in its own news gathering operations.
The global television news network owned by the world's largest media company, Time Warner Inc (TWX.N: Quote, Profile , Research), said in an internal memo that it wanted to reduce reliance on agency material while achieving better control of its growth.
"This is all about us, not Reuters. This is about content ownership," CNN spokesman Nigel Pritchard said. "Everything is changing and content ownership is king."
. . .
"To advantage CNN in the content marketplace and manage the continually rising costs associated with acquired assets, we are making significant investments in our own news gathering while simultaneously reducing our reliance on agency material," Tony Maddox, executive vice president of CNN International, said in a memo dated August 29.
CNN, which said it planned a multi-million dollar investment in its news operation, will continue to use news provided by the Associated Press and Associated Press Television News, which competes with Reuters.
Read more: http://today.reuters.com/news/articlenews.aspx?type=bus...
HILLARY WITH MORE FUND-RAISING SCANDALS:
(this was posted by a righwinger at my local newspaper's discussion site)
"Hillary Rodham Clinton, you have the right to remain silent. Anything you say can and will be used against you in a court of law. You have the right to an attorney. If you cannot afford an attorney, one will be provided to you."
Why isn't someone from the FBI reading Hillary her Miranda rights?
After two days of solid reporting in the Los Angeles Times, we now know that one of her elite "HillRaisers," as major campaign contributors are called, is a convicted felon and a fugitive from justice for the last 15 years.
His name is Norman Hsu. He pleaded no contest to grand theft and agreed to serve up to three years in prison in California before vanishing into thin air.
But he didn't really vanish. He simply left California for the East Coast, where he became a major patron of Democratic Party causes and especially the presidential candidacy of Hillary Rodham Clinton.
Hsu lives in New York City and has a prominent Washington attorney, E. Lawrence Barcella Jr., representing him. Yet, California authorities can't find him.
Maybe those Democratic officials in the California attorney general's office should ask the junior senator from New York where he might be found. She has met with him and been photographed with him since he went on the lam.
More importantly, her campaign has accepted at least $100,000 from him.
(Column continues below)
Hillary isn't commenting, but her attorney, Howard Wolfson, explained: "Norman Hsu is a longtime and generous supporter of the Democratic Party and its candidates, including Sen. Clinton. During Mr. Hsu's many years of active participation in the political process, there has been no question about his integrity or his commitment to playing by the rules, and we have absolutely no reason to call his contributions into question or return them."
What? He's a convicted felon. As such, he doesn't even have a right to participate in the American political process. And by fraternizing and dealing with him, aren't Hillary and her attorney aiding and abetting a known fugitive?
Posted by: rossiann at August 30, 2007 03:54 PM
Content is king, especially when you can make it up on your own. Unbelievable.
V for Vendetta
TSP, my own take on torture boy and delicious karls exiting, is that they are both under investigation by the JD and it is about to spill over publicly.
We all know the purge scandal went right back to election rigging, which puts EVERYTHING ELSE into play as well.
Ralph,
There is something not right about that clinton story.. Not clinton, the guy. His lawyer knows nothing about a plea or that he even faced jail time?
And who has ever heard of being charged with SWINDLING...?
Something very wierd about how it is being presented.
Nope, Hillary screwed up AGAIN...
This guy is a fugitive. AND He is a "Hill-raiser" (just like the Bush "Pioneers"): One article said that he helped raise of $1 million for Hillary. He was scheduled to hold a fund-raising for Hillary next month in California. This story is now in the Los Angeles Times and the Wall Street Journal and of course it is flying around the web at the speed of light.
The Hillary campaign is now going to give the $23,000 the Hsu donated to charity.
IT STINKS. IT MAKES THE DEMS LOOK LIKE REPUBLICANS But I have never liked Hillary and with all her fund-raising scandals this just makes it worse.
Boston Globe:
Thursday, August 30, 2007
Clinton says she'll be more vigilant about donors
By Marcella Bombardieri, Globe Staff
Hillary Clinton said today that her presidential campaign will be more careful about vetting donors after discovering that a major fund-raiser is wanted by California authorities in connection with a fraud case.
In some of her first public comments about the controversy swirling around fund-raiser Norman Hsu, Clinton also said the campaign would return any of the contributions that Hsu raised from other donors if they turned out to be tainted.
"We have a vetting process," Clinton said in a telephone interview with the Globe. "It didn't work on this one instance apparently for any of us. There were many, many people receiving his contributions, but nobody knew there was an issue."
"Obviously, we will increase our vigilance," she added.
Clinton's campaign said Wednesday that it would give to charity $23,000 it received from Hsu and look at other money he donated. The $23,000 included contributions to Clinton's presidential campaign, her US Senate re-election, and her political action committee, the campaign said. He had been scheduled to host a major fund-raiser next month.
I agree it stinks Ralph. A lot of things Hillary gets wrapped up in stink to high heaven.
Te way that story 'broke', the unresolved confusion...Yes, I know Hillary sucks, no need to convince me, I am already there.
But, again, there is something not right about that story. It seems to be an outright hitpiece, deliberately riddled with massive confusion.
She sucks, but I still consider her more friendly than US press outlets who are keeping us in the dark and feeding us bullsh*t.
BY the way, your nickname for her is perhaps the best I have seen yet.
Little Miss Triangulation.
Indeed, sir!
If ANYBODY deserves to be bombed back to the Stone Age -
It's W's minions in Orange County.
If Bill O'Reilly can call for the destruction of San Francisco with impunity, there is nothing wrong with calling for something to happen in Orange County.
I've just about had it. Orange County is so evil, that even a "blue merchant" like Costco will side with W's supporters over the likes of me.
I understand you do not like hillary Ralph, niether do I.
But we should wait until some questions are cleared up before we assume she is to blame.
That story simply did not rise to a level of serious journalisim, it was more like reading a rumor instead of a truly informative piece. A vicious rumor.
True or not, it is obvious all the story is not being told.
BTW, I've just contacted Costco to either apologize, or refund my membership, over what happened today.
No one 'deserves' to be bombed Ally.
You can not really mean that...can you?
Posted by: Christy at August 30, 2007 05:29 PM
I don't like Hillary either, but I'll agree with you on this one. Let the facts pan out before pointing fingers.
And honestly I am far more fed up with Pelosi and Reid.
Posted by: Christy at August 30, 2007 05:31 PM
Christy, the evilness of Orange County must be experienced to be understood.
I can see the evil in the eyes.
besides, if O'Reilly and BMW are going to take out San Francisco, we need an eye-for-an-eye backup plan, even though we should best hope to never use it.
Orange County also has large Korean and Vietnamese communities.
Talk about any other race (especially Latinos) and the talk in Orange County is all about getting tough on them, and defending American sovereignty. However, talk about these Republican buddies, and the talk is suddenly about celebrating diversity and America as a nation of immigrants.
This makes me sick to my stomach.
I don't like Hillary either, but I'll agree with you on this one. Let the facts pan out before pointing fingers.
And honestly I am far more fed up with Pelosi and Reid.
Posted by: Ally McRepuke at August 30, 2007 05:31 PM
@@@@@@@@
Hillary has already admitted screwing up - she is donating Hsu's money to a charity.
Hsu was convicted in California of fraud.
He is a fugitive.
This fugitive has raised over a million $$$ for Hillary.
My guess is that there is more bad news to come. There is another family involved with Hsu's large and frequent campaign contributions - the Paw family of San Francisco - they have given around $50,000 to various Dem candidates, helping Hsu become a HillRaiser.
I am tired of this stupid, crap from HIllary. She already has a ton scandals to try to step around, and now she is creating more.
As I said the other day, there is not a big Asian population anywhere near me.
The most interaction I ever had with Asian people, was on certain AirForce bases, and all of them were women, and I have to say, that did not go well for me. Or them. I also have a well developed sense of entitlement.
Oh, and I have known a few Asian strippers, including one actually named Asia. (But she was only half Asian).
It made a world of difference too, cause her mom was like 4 ft tall and moonbat crazy! OMG.
Posted by: Christy at August 30, 2007 06:06 PM
Christy,
We live in very different worlds. I will never fully understand what it's like to live in rural Louisiana, and in turn, you will never fully understand what it's like to deal with Asians who think they are upper-class whites (and vote Republican accordingly).
But we can try to share our experiences and get a better understanding somehow.
Looks like the ones you know used to work in the sex industry. The stereotypically Asian-looking ones (slanted eyes, etc) are preferred by white men, less stereotypical ones are preferred by black and Latino men.
In any case though, I've learned my lesson. Even a blue merchant, if located in a red area, will hire red people and act red, as Costco blatantly proved to me today.
Posted by: Ralpheh at August 30, 2007 05:56 PM
The strange thing is, they are too busy exposing the Chinese-American Democratic-leaning crooks, but not busy enough going after their Republican counterparts in the Korean and Vietnamese communities.
Al Gore was crucified for his close links to the Chinese-American community too. On the other hand, nobody criticizes Sam Brownback for being a Korean special interest mouthpiece.
You have to consider that too.
Actually Ally, in my experience, white men do not go for the stereotypical almond eyed Asians. They prefer the more rounded eyed Asians. Rounder eyes, straighter noses.
They prefer Asaians for their body type, very small slender women. Some men can only feel big with little women underfoot.
As for the 'sex industry' thng, true I knew a few strippers. but the women on AFBs I was refferring too were not prostitutes or strippers, but the wives of soldiers.
Although I suspect a lot of those women were also subjected to the 'sex industry' in some way in their native countries, and marry to flee such conditions.
Although I suspect a lot of those women were also subjected to the 'sex industry' in some way in their native countries, and marry to flee such conditions.
Posted by: Christy at August 30, 2007 06:33 PM
That's what I meant...
Often, wives of American GIs are ostracized in their home countries because they are automatically assumed to have been prostitutes, even if they weren't.
Sex industry catering to overseas American GIs is pretty big. I've read a few novels based on these activities, and found them fascinating - and sad. (My writing mentor over at Code Pink wrote one of those novels, and got herself a nice social justice prize.)
"Often, wives of American GIs are ostracized in their home countries because they are automatically assumed to have been prostitutes, even if they weren't."
I did not know that. Hmmm. They are really no different then my nieghbors though.
As I said the other day, the rumor around here is that I am a total slut because I waved to my nieghbor, get this, in plain view of his WIFE!
Seriously, I drove past, saw him and waved and kept going. From her window I guess waving looks erotic. Or something.
How dare I? is the hot question on everyones mind up at the store. Well, everyone except me. It just gives me more to smile about when I wave on my way past next time.
I actually have a life. And a man worthy of being possesive about.
And one day my man is going to catch her man gawking at me over the fence. I am so looking forward to that day.
Christy,
I just saw your Shreveport comment from the last thread - wonderful pictures!
TSP,
Re: your comment on shoddy Chinese products - this is what happens when the whole country is up for sale, to the lowest bidder. Our trade, immigration, and other international policies simply reflect this mentality.
I am not kidding, this man actually caught me out one day, and was like 'PSSST! PSST!" waving me over to him.
I walked up very slowly thinking WTF? This dude tells me not to wave at him anymore 'when the wife is looking', because she is just such a 'jealous person'.
I was stunned. I just looked at him and he tells me my waving at him that day had caused a fight so bad 'she almost left' over it.
I got mad. I told him I had no idea what the problem was but it wasn't MY problem, and just because she has a problem does not mean we all have to be miserable and petty.
I just turned around and walked off. I do not even know how to deal with it.
I just moved here and already these people are starting to freak me out.
Iran:
If the US tries aerial assault on Iran they will be unable to have the manpower to follow with ground assault, will ruin the global stock market immediately and US will be blamed, and there will be terrorism "blowback" from sleeper cells anywhere on the planet.
Rossian:
All the more reason to read Reuters. The network providing its own "content" will mean two Fox news propaganda channels, both of which will be useless for getting news and dangerous because of lies.
Ralpheh:
Your positions on Democrats you don't like put new meaning to the phrase "the personal is political" - don't be surprised if you get job offers - from Republican operatives.
Christy:
That woman and her husband obviously have problems that your waving at him as a fellow human being have nothing to do with. I would completely ignore her and any related gossip.
Ok - I'd better get back to work. I'm amazed my computer didn't crash when I checked this site.
NMP, do you know what I think the problem actually is?
One day I was out in the pool and I think I heard her catch him spying on me. Because of the treeline along the fence I couldn't see what or who was there, but I am pretty sure it was both of them and she was totally p*ssed.
The next morning was when the crap started.
I don't really listen to it, but their rudeness is starting to get on my nerves. She has never returned a wave or a 'good morning' from me, just sits there and glares at me from an acre away.
Still getting used to living in my surroundings, and just got back from dropping my daughter at dance class, and as I traversed down a beautiful tree-lined rural road, there was a huge hand-painted sign on the front lawn of this lovely older home with a wrap-around porch...
"HONK NOW TO IMPEACH!"
You did honk...right?
Craig:....Ah, your foot came toward mine, mine came towards yours, was that natural? I don’t know. Did we bump? Yes. I think we did. You said so. I don’t disagree with that.”
Sergeant: “Okay. I don’t want to get into a pissing match here.”
Oh man, so much rich in comedy and tragedy.
Under-fire senator alleges entrapment
Sen. Larry Craig denied trying to engage in lewd behavior in an airport bathroom and suggested he was entrapped, according to audiotape of his arrest interview released Thursday. Craig said: "I reached down and scooted over and the next thing I knew, under the bathroom divider comes a card that says 'police.'"
more...
http://www.cnn.com/2007/POLITICS/08/30/craig.arrest/index.html#cnnSTCText
Yes Christy, I honked my brains out... and I wasn't entrapped into doin it either... my foot 'allegedly" bumped the horn, although I don't know how it got there.
Horny I guess.
Justice Dept. examining Gonzales’ honesty
Announcement comes three days after attorney general’s resignation
WASHINGTON - The Justice Department said Thursday it is investigating whether Attorney General Alberto Gonzales lied or otherwise misled Congress last month in sworn testimony about the Bush administration’s domestic terrorist spying program.
Details of the inquiry by Justice Department Inspector General Glenn A. Fine were released three days after Gonzales abruptly announced he was stepping down despite months of vowing to remain on the job.
In a letter to Senate Judiciary Chairman Patrick Leahy, who two weeks ago asked for the inquiry, Fine said his investigators believe they “will be able to assess most of the issues that you raise in your letter.”
Leahy had asked Fine to look into whether Gonzales gave inaccurate testimony about the firings of several U.S. attorneys last year.
“You identified five issues and asked that we investigate whether the statements made by the attorney general were intentionally false, misleading, or inappropriate,” Fine wrote in his four-paragraph response to Leahy in the letter dated Thursday.
“The OIG has ongoing investigations that relate to most of the subjects addressed by the attorney general’s testimony that you identified,” Fine told Leahy.
Spokesmen for Gonzales had no immediate comment.
more...
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/20514754/
"Horny I guess."
HAHAHA! You so crazy!
Posted by: rossiann at August 30, 2007 02:57 PM
Kudos Rossi.
This is a reaon to celebrate!
Newsday calls FOR BUSHES REMOVAL!
Remove Bush over war lies
http://www.newsday.com/news/columnists/ny-nybres0826,0,6942248.column
Humiliating Australian headline:
Humiliation deepens for toilet senator
Posted by: Christy at August 30, 2007 04:27 PM
Oh, good. I was hoping someone would say that!!!
I'm hoping!!!
Monkey,
Did you have to turn a bit before you slid over and honked your horn? And was your gold wedding band on your left toe or right toe?
Posted by: Ally McRepuke at August 30, 2007 07:02 PM
That's really comforting (NOT). Because what used to be high priced junk is now cheapened down, stretched thin, and selling for high prices.
I wouldn't even mind quite so much if the products were decently durable. Imagine paying a high price for party favors and most of them tear, break, or don't work (even before the party started.)
I don't know what to call it now. High priced junk it isn't. High priced crap?
Is it just me, or does anyone else get the feeling Tucker Carlson the Mighty Gay rapist basher fabricated the entire thing just to look like a big tough straight man...?
It was such a kneejerking sterotypical tale, I doubt it actually freaking happened.
CARLSON: Hit him against the stall with his head, actually!
Yeah, right, tucker. Ummmhmmm. Sure.
Can't wait to hear the friends version or read the alleged 'arrest' report.
I am getting used to the ''There was once a republican in a public toilet...' narrative.
Ewww.
I mean, granted, it's been a few years since I put on a party that required paper tablecloths, matching plates and cups, etc., and favors.
But the last time I did I know they at least looked like party favors, and the tablecloths didn't pull apart when you put them on the tables.
And as far as the balloons go, they broke when we even touched them. They were uber thin.
Made me cranky. They used to rip us off, now they are rip rip ripping us off by charging high prices on trashy items that are most likely recycled paper and recycled rubber or plastic products, stretched as thin as you can possibly get them so they will stay intact until the person who purchases them makes it out the front door. The paper looked so thin I swear to goodness someone had a hundred pound weight on it. It was SO shoddy! (I'll get over it, but it makes me mad.) At least I'm not trying to throw my child a birthday party with that trash.
Is there anything that isn't made in China? Are there many jobs that are not outsourced to Mexico, India, and who knows where?
I always ask when I get a customer service rep where they are located. "Salt Lake City, mum."
"Denver". Those people in Salt Lake City and Denver have a new accent.
Ok. Now. Sooo.
What in the hell are we gonna do about it?
"“They wanted them poor niggers out of there and they ain’t had no intention to allow it to be reopened to no poor niggers, you know? And that’s just the bottom line.”
It wasn’t a pretty statement. But I wasn’t looking for pretty. I’d taken my investigative team to New Orleans to meet with Malik Rahim. Pretty isn’t Malik’s concern.
We needed an answer to a weird, puzzling and horrific discovery. Among the miles and miles of devastated houses, rubble still there today in New Orleans, we found dry, beautiful homes. But their residents were told by guys dressed like Ninjas wearing “Blackwater” badges: “Try to go into your home and we’ll arrest you.”
These aren’t just any homes. They are the public housing projects of the city; the Lafitte Houses and others. But unlike the cinder block monsters in the Bronx, these public units are beautiful townhouses, with wrought-iron porches and gardens right next to the tony French Quarter.
Raised up on high ground, with floors and walls of concrete, they were some of the only houses left salvageable after the Katrina flood.
Yet, two years later, there’s still bars on the windows, the doors are welded shut and the residents banned from returning. On the first anniversary of the flood, we were filming this odd scene when I saw a woman on the sidewalk, sobbing. Night was falling. What was wrong?
“They just messing all over us. Putting me out our own house. We come to go back to our own home and when we get there they got the police there putting us out. Oh, no, this is not right. I’m coming here from Texas seeing if I can get my house back. But they said they ain’t letting nobody in. But where we gonna go at?”
Idiot me, I asked, “Where are you going to go tonight?”
“That’s what I want to know, Mister. Where I’m going to go - me and my kids?”
With the help of Patricia Thomas, a Lafitte resident, we broke into an apartment. The place was gorgeous. The cereal boxes still dry. This was Patricia’s home. But we decided to get out before we got busted.
I wasn’t naïve. I had a good idea what this scam was all about: 89,000 poor and working class families stuck in Homeland Security’s trailer park gulag while their good homes were guarded against their return by mercenaries. Two decades ago, I worked for the Housing Authority of New Orleans. Even then, the plan was to evict poor folk out of this very valuable real estate. But it took the cover of a hurricane to do it.
http://www.firedoglake.com/2007/08/30/from-the-people-who-brought-you-iraq-reconstruction/#more-11302
God help us.
To me, there's an easy way to stop this. IMPEACH all who sent our kids off to war in Afghanistan and Iraq and install a caretaker government which won't have the power to make such gigantic decisions. Without impeachment, Iran is next followed quickly by Syria.
In human terms we judge others by our own behaviour. Bush is paranoid in the extreme because he knows that he is president over an arsenal, the likes of which has never been seen before. He wants to KILL! KILL! KILL! (to quote Arlo Guthrie) He's afraid of America's capacity and has night visions that others are accumulating a similar quality and quantity of weaponry.
I watched a documentary made during and after the Vietnam War, in which Kris Kristofferson said during the 1970s. "We only have one party in America. It's called the War Party."
Deja Vu.
Okay, one more comment then I'll hush.
And they have the nerve to charge very high prices for that crap.
Ally, you are so correct. Everything seems to be going the way of the Chinese party favors....higher prices for really crappy products.
I've just about had it. Orange County is so evil, that even a "blue merchant" like Costco will side with W's supporters over the likes of me.
Posted by: Ally McRepuke at August 30, 2007 05:26 PM
Ally, what do you mean? I must have missed somewhere where you posted what Costco did to you that you want an apology. I haven't been around for over a week. Do you have a reference post or URL?
NOT siding for Costco, but.....we don't have one up here. I had a really good time going through the new Costco in Reno with my sister. I miss it.
We have Sam's Club up here (red or blue?) and of course Wally World (Wal Mart).
Another program I saw last Sunday was about Iran, in the city. The cultural mix, the teens, the business men and women. The religion. The government.
The program is a religion program, hosted by a christian woman. It goes everywhere in the world and brings information to households in a mainly christian community. It raises awareness. It shows the Good. The Very Good. It shows the Bad. The Very Bad. And christianity is right up there with all of the religions of the world - to be examined, tested, judged.
This Week on Compass
COMPASS: WELCOME TO TEHRAN ñ Part 2
Sunday 2 September at 22:05
BBC4
Former BBC (now Al Jazeera) journalist Rageh Omaar explores Iran and its people not through politicians, officials and analysts but through the eyes of ordinary Iranians. The Islamic revolution was born here in 1979 and today Shiía Islam is the official state religion and part of the fabric of life. Rageh describes Iran as one of the most misunderstood countries in the world.
This two part series focuses on the vibrant city life of the capital, Tehran and explores the hopes, dreams and way of life of its 12-million people. Rageh hears their personal stories and feelings about the current state of affairs in Iran: taxi drivers, wrestlers, business women, film-makers, drug addicts and the countryís leading pop star.
http://www.abc.net.au/compass/thisweek/default.htm
Ralpheh:
Your positions on Democrats you don't like put new meaning to the phrase "the personal is political" - don't be surprised if you get job offers - from Republican operatives.
Posted by: not my president at August 30, 2007 07:22 PM
@@@@@@@@@
My position on HIllary is the same as Molly Ivins:
Hillary is a triangulator, a poll-taker, an image-projector; "I want to be president so bad that I will do stupid things"; "I voted for the Iraq war because I believed George Bush and Dick Cheney". WHY, on earth, would the Dems want to elect such a candidate??
Hillary's first fund-raiser in the 2000 campaign has already been indicted in California. Now, she is taking money from a fugitive felony. Her brothers, Hugh and Tony Rodman took huge amounts of money from fugitive Marc Rich for "consulting". I believe Marc Rich contributed to Hillary's campaign for the Senate as a little pay-back.
BTW - this fugitive/ felon Hsu had scheduled a fund-raiser for HIllary in California for next month.
Can you think of a Dem. candidate with more negatives, a worse voting record, more polarizing than Hillary Clinton?????
Here's a little story about Hillary in an unscripted moment: on You Tube there is a clip of Hillary doing one of her canned speeches before a coached crowd of Hillaryites merrily waving campaign signs. Then, a protester walked (a woman, btw) walked right down the middle isle of the hall right down in front of HIllary and raised a hand-made sign.
At this point, Hillary just stopped her speech - the script, now, was useless. Old Hillary had to think on her feet. But Hillary didn't know what to do or say - she smiled nervously and stood at the podium looking around. I don't even think she attempted to read the protest sign (none of this was in the script for that event). Hillary did nothing (kind of like GWB at the school on 9-11-2001). In true, unleaderlike fashion, the crowd bailed Hillary out by yelling, standing and shouting the person down. The mark of UnLeadership - let the crowd take care of it...
BIG PROBLEM #7 FOR HILLARY: besides voting for the war in Iraq and supporting the war right up until November 2006, Hillary, amazingly for someone who had every intention of running for president, did not bother to read ANY part of the 40 some page National Intelligence Estimate on Iraq's WMD. This is criminal negligence. (And don't give me the lame "Johnny down the street didn't read the NIE either" - that doesn't cut it)
I must say I am rather disappointed in the Dem. field of candidates. There is no authoritative, serious, thoughtful candidate, both Dodd and Biden, tragically voted for the AOF in 2002.
One person on another blog put it succinctly about Hillary: she is a walking negative campaign ad for the Republicans.
http://cagle.com/news/SenatorCraig/
p.s. I'll bet sen craig has a hotmail address...
Posted by: Ralpheh at August 30, 2007 09:40 PM
Elizabeth Edwards: Clinton 'hatred' will energize GOP
WASHINGTON (CNN) – Elizabeth Edwards, the outspoken wife of Democratic presidential candidate John Edwards, says her husband is more electable than rival Hillary Clinton because "hatred" of the New York Democrat will energize Republicans.
“I don't know where it comes from. I don't begin to understand it. But you can't pretend it doesn't exist, and it will energize the Republican base," Mrs. Edwards said in an interview with Time Magazine.
"Their nominee won't energize them, Bush won't, but Hillary as the nominee will. It's hard for John to talk about, but it's the reality," she added.
more...
http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2007/08/30/elizabeth-edwards-clinton-hatred-will-energize-gop/
Damn! Just what we need. To elect Howard's clone!
Bush to brief Rudd on Iraq
Anne Davies, Washington
August 31, 2007 - 11:09AM
United States President George Bush will use a meeting in Sydney during APEC with Opposition Leader Kevin Rudd to urge Australia to stay the course in Iraq if Mr Rudd wins government.
White House officials yesterday said that President Bush would meet with Mr Rudd on Thursday and that the main topic of discussions would be Iraq.
http://www.theage.com.au/news/world/bush-to-brief-rudd-on-iraq/2007/08/31/1188067326719.html
I'm so sick of the "stay the course" mantra...
Yeah, monkey. Me too. Stay for what course? There's never been a course, except to kill more of them than they do.
Ralpheh
All the same, I'm putting some money in a pot for every negative post about a Democrat and then I'll contribute it to whoever wins the nomination. I'll plug my nose when I vote, if I have to, but I'll leave it to others to badmouth the candidates during the primary. I am not getting into that battle this time around. So keep blasting away about Hillary and if she, by some wierd quirk, takes the nomination then I'll donate it to her in your name.
Posted by: Christy at August 30, 2007 08:59 PM
Yes. Him and Ralph Reed. & Rove.
The closet is big.
Car in front of me up north had these stickers:
Stop global poverty. Starve Michael Moore.
Silly Liberal. Checks are for workers.
Pig ignorant.
Guy speculating we could be at war in 4 days.
http://www.dailykos.com/storyonly/2007/8/30/133310/976
Again, "what if" journalism but the forces at play are not pretty.
haha Countrywide wants to know if I want to refinance my home
Dear All:
Personally, I think Clinton is a very strong candidate and will make a fine President. I feel the same about Obama and Edwards. I am very glad that Pelosi is the Speaker of the House and the Reid is the Majority Leader in the Senate.
Anyway, not to be melodramatic, but I'll echo my fellow-Texan Bubba on this one. If I want to hear trash-talk about fine Democrats, I can always listen to AM Talk Radio. Never thought that the DCP bloggers would be carrying water for that mob. So, I guess I'll be on my way as well. Thanks for the support back in the day, anyway! I'll remember the good times!
Chuck in Houston signing-off
Chuck
Amen.
plane carrying Senator and Congressmen fired on in Iraq
http://blog.al.com/spotnews/2007/08/plane_carrying_shelby_and_cram.html
Posted by: Chuck at August 30, 2007 11:00 PM
Let's remember that Hillary is still preferable to Rudy, Romney, McCain, Thompson, Brownback, or any of those clowns out there. Remember that Hillary won't let me marry, but at least will let me live in peace - those clowns will get me exterminated instead.
That's why after a few years as an independent (and fed up with the Democrats), I am returning to the Democratic fold for the primaries.
Yes, I will vote for someone other than Hillary in the primary. But if Hillary is the winner, she has my support - and a spot on my car for a bumper sticker.
And remember what I said before, about the media fixating on crooks who happen to be Chinese-American and Democratic donors.
In a fair world, the media would also report on crooks who happen to be Korean-American or Vietnamese-American and Republican donors. However, we all know that the media is not fair.
So fixating on Hillary's felon donor is not a wise thing to do.
TSP,
re: Costco
It was a gas station scuffle with someone who refused to move out of the pump area long after filling up. I was next in line.
The Costco employee threatened to call security on me, not on the other person.
The Costco manager just called me an hour ago to gather the facts, and to promise to look into what happened, fairly.
For now, I'll continue patronizing Costco. I am heading up to the far north of California tomorrow night, and will be using Costco gas stations in SF Bay Area and Eureka to refuel. (I'll keep checking on DCP and the Internet from my hotel next to SF Airport.)
TSP,
Sam's Club is owned by the Walton Family alongside Wal-Mart.
It looks like Sam's Club has more presence in rural areas, whereas Costco outnumbers Sam's Club here in California.
Posted by: Chuck at August 30, 2007 11:00 PM
Chuck, (and bubba)
First, when I think of the Democratic candidates, I know that even if I don't like what they're doing, I'll likely vote for whoever wins the primary. Right now, I think some bad decisions have been made by those in the beltway; however, I think we need to find ways to make the beltway listen to us.
Next, I was impressed by all the candidates at Y-kos and I loved the discussion on public financed campaigns. I wish everyone could have seen them in front of the netroots. They were given as good as they got.
Most of all, I am just not advocating for a specific candidate or against a specific candidate at this time because I really don't feel like handing the other side red-meat.
But in all fairness to everyone here at the DCP and that includes you and Bubba too, we are all tired and scared. The level of betrayal is so high and we have tremendous fear for our children and our country. When people experience such high levels of fear for so long, it becomes anger. And when anger and fear join together, one starts to think that there are only 'a few good men (or women)' and I think that's the state the DCP and other blogs are in right now.
So instead of leaving the DCP tell us how we can get our candidates and our public servants to listen to us? What can we do individually or as a group to make a difference? Where can we go that we haven't tried already?
In the meantime, many have asked good questions of the 08 candidates. Questions such as: Will you turn down all the executive power given to GWB and will you restore the three branches of gov't? I think when people agree with each other on 90%-95% it's a shame to back away because of the 5% difference.
So hang tough and ride out the storm instead of riding away and signing off. The dcp and all of us here would miss you too much if you did.
Posted by: Not My President at August 30, 2007 10:40 PM
Make/model? Description of driver? :)
Welcome home, tsp!
Chuck's Coda:
Suz, no harm no foul. Just comes a time when it no longer makes sense. As Bob Marley sang, when one door is closed, don't you know, another is opened. So, to keep in character, and to go out singing as John says in Yellow Submarine:
You’ve got to move;
You’ve got to move;
You’ve got to move, child;
You’ve got to move.
‘Cause when the Lord
Stands ready,
You’ve got to move.
You may be high,
You may be low,
You may be rich, child,
But even so,
Oh when the Lord
Gets ready,
You’ve got to move.
(Stones I guess)
Chuck in Houston over and out
Poor old grand-dad,
I laughed at all his words.
I thought he was a bitter man;
He spoke of women's ways.
They'll trap you,
And they'll use you,
Before you even know.
But love is blind,
And you're far too kind;
Don't ever let it show.
I wish that I knew what I know now,
When I was younger.
I wish that I knew what I know now,
When I was stronger.
The Can-Can's such a pretty show,
Steal your heart away.
But back stage back on earth again,
The dressing rooms are grey.
They come on strong,
And it ain't too long,
But it make you feel a man.
But love is blind,
And you soon will find,
That you're just a boy again....
[Break]
When you want her lips,
You get her cheek,
Makes you wonder where you are.
If you want some more,
And she's fast asleep,
Leaves you twinkling with the stars.
Poor young grandson,
There's nothing I can say.
You'll have to learn,
Just like me,
and that's the hardest way....
Ooh la la.
Ooh la la, la la, yeah, yeah.
I wish that I knew what I know now,
When I was younger.
I wish that I knew what I know now,
When I was stronger.
It's just a metaphor. Or a simile. Maybe a parable. Never did know the difference.
Good bye! All the best!
Chuck in Houston over-and-out.
Rossian:
All the more reason to read Reuters. The network providing its own "content" will mean two Fox news propaganda channels, both of which will be useless for getting news and dangerous because of lies.
Isn't that the truth
I watched a documentary made during and after the Vietnam War, in which Kris Kristofferson said during the 1970s. "We only have one party in America. It's called the War Party."
Deja Vu.
Posted by: woz at August 30, 2007 09:20 PM
Amen
Judge rules against gay marriage ban
Declared Iowa prohibition on same-sex marriage unconstitutional.
http://www.desmoinesregister.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070830/NEWS/70830044/1001&lead=1
This is not a matter of 'bashing dems' being the problem.
Some of the people that yell loudest about it are the first to blame ALL dems for the failure of a few. Like hillary and Kerry.
I was accused of having some kind of 'purity standard', but what I want to know is why in the hell everyone does not have auch a standard?
I will not 'hold my nose and vote' for someone, no more than I will gulp down poisoned waters.
If I can make it through my day without lying anyone into a land war in Asia...Why can't they? If I can refrain from destroying the reputation of our country, or torturing people, why can't they? If I can go a whole week without spying on my nieghbor...why can't they?
If all my money can be legally accounted for, why is theirs beyond scrutiny?
Here is the funniest thing, all of you actually EXPECT it of me. And each other. But, yet, for some reason our own leaders must be above any such standard or else their impurity must be my fault. Or our fault, or Iraqs fault.
In a way, the dems have bought into the same basic premise as everyone else that we can't really have a ruler that isn't atleast a LITTLE tainted. That at that level we must accept SOME corruption.
Hell no we don't.
Everything Ralph said about hillary is dead on, there is no disputing her record. But yet it is the simple fact he is exposing a fellow dem suddenly makes it a conversation, not about hillary and the undisputed facts, but about dems having the gall to bash other dems.
None of us have a problem calling out republicans for their lies, perversions and corruptions, but if we dare call out a dem, we are bad, bad little dems who are not toeing the party line. That is exactly how republicans got to where they are today.
Enough already. What is good for the goose is good for the gander.
Down here, we have a whole state full of democrats, that somehow always manage to vote republican.
See, that way they can rake it in from both sides. If they ever get questioned about it, real easy, they just reregister as republican.
This is not the fault of republicans.
And look what the Great State of Louisiana has gotten for it.
A traditional democratic state is consistantly a republican stronghold. Ever wonder how that happened?
Not because republicans are strong enough to take it, but because the dems here are literally dems in name only and are most eager to hand it to them on a silver platter.
Power is the only party either of them are actually loyal to.
We all bemoan republican control of the deep south, but the truth is and has always been that it is only theirs because democrats GAVE IT to them.
And look how well that has worked out. But since the deep south was politically abandoned long ago by the actual democratic party, really, there is no one left to care.
Blaming republicans only gets you so far. When we do actually start blaming dems, maybe we will be able to finally get somewhere other than republican hell.
Marine tells of order to execute Haditha women and children
http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20070831/wl_afp/usiraqmilitarywarcrimeshaditha
We have marines executing women and children in Iraq, and Blackwater 'ninjas' keeping poor people out of public housing at gunpoint in New Orleans and cops pointing guns at protesters to protect georgies bullet proof limo in Washington State....
And what are the dems worried about today? That blaming other dems openly for their failures will cost us elections.
It is surreal.
SYDNEY, Australia (AP) -- U.S. President George W. Bush said in an interview broadcast Friday that he would be concerned about China's military if the country ever turned hostile, and he urged U.S. allies to complete the work still left in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Speaking to Australia's Sky News network in Washington ahead of a visit to Australia an annual meeting of Pacific Rim leaders, Bush said he believed China's biggest issue was keeping it's economy growing.
"My view of China is that they're internally focused to the extent that they want economic growth and vitality, they're externally focused in order to get the raw materials they need. But if they ever turn hostile, I would be concerned about the military," Bush said.
He said that his administration spends "a lot of time on China" and that Washington had good relations with both China and Japan, two traditional rivals in Asia.
He said it was important for the United States to be an "active presence in Asia to make sure that old tensions don't flare up."
Bush also urged countries considering pulling out troops to base their decisions on restoring the country's security, saying the U.S. needs "all our coalition partners" in Iraq.
"I understand that everybody has got their own internal politics. My only point is that whether it be Afghanistan or Iraq, we've got more work to do. We, the free world, have got more work to do."
more...
http://www.cnn.com/2007/POLITICS/08/30/australia.bush.ap/index.html
You don't understand SQUAT!
p.s. the defections from this site are totally bummin me out...
U.S. lawmakers' plane fired upon
WASHINGTON (CNN) -- A U.S. military plane with three U.S. senators and a U.S. House member onboard came under rocket fire while leaving Baghdad, Iraq, for Amman, Jordan, Thursday night and had to take evasive maneuvers.
"I was looking out the window, a little small window, and I saw a shell or something," said Republican Senator Richard Shelby of Alabama in a phone interview from Amman, where the plane landed safely. "And then I see a flare. Our plane started maneuvering and changing directions and shaking all around."
The rockets were "near misses," he told CNN affiliate WVTM in Birmingham, Alabama.
The flares were part of the missile avoidance system onboard the C-130 aircraft carrying the Congress members. The flares' heat are used as a countermeasure to attract rockets that have heat-seeking guidance systems.
Onboard with Shelby were Rep. Bud Cramer, an Alabama Democrat; Sens. Mel Martinez, a Florida Republican; and James Inhofe, a Republican from Oklahoma.
"Our plane leaving Iraq was fired upon and it was a close call, but this is something that our men and women in combat face every day," Cramer said in a statement. "The flight crew was outstanding and I credit them for the way they handled the situation."
http://www.cnn.com/2007/POLITICS/08/31/iraq.us/index.html
All the same, I'm putting some money in a pot for every negative post about a Democrat and then I'll contribute it to whoever wins the nomination. I'll plug my nose when I vote, if I have to, but I'll leave it to others to badmouth the candidates during the primary. I am not getting into that battle thi
@@@@@@
I DO NOT WANT TO PLUG MY NOSE A VOTE in 2008 - I did that in 2004 and it didn't work. We can't find a decent, scandal-free, semi-likable candidate????
2008 SHOULD BE A LANDSLIDE YEAR FOR DEMOCRATS AND LIBERALS. The presidency should be ours - there should be Democrat gains in the House and Senate. But Hillary is already - long before the first primary - screwing it up.
Hillary may even snatch defeat from the jaws of victory, if she really works at it....
Bush to hear military concerns on Iraq
President to confer with Gates, Joint Chiefs over conflict's long-term impact
WASHINGTON - President Bush, consulting military leaders on how to go forward in Iraq, is expected to hear deep concerns about the long-term impact on U.S. forces of maintaining a heavy troop presence in Iraq in 2008 and beyond.
Iraq was to be the main topic at a meeting, scheduled for Friday, at the Pentagon with the Joint Chiefs of Staff and Defense Secretary Robert Gates.
The Army and the Marine Corps have shouldered most of the burden in Iraq, creating strains that service leaders fear could hurt their recruiting as well as their preparedness for other military emergencies. The Joint Chiefs, however, were not expected to urge Bush to withdraw from Iraq entirely as many Democrats want.
Maj. Gen. Richard Sherlock, director of operational planning for the Joint Chiefs, told reporters that Friday’s meeting in a secure conference room known as “the tank” would be the Joint Chiefs’ opportunity to “provide the president with their unvarnished recommendations and their assessments of current operations” — in particular the situation in Iraq.
It did not appear that the session was intended to work out a consensus military view on how long Bush should maintain the U.S. troop buildup in Iraq or how soon to transition to Iraqi control of security.
Sticking to his guns?
Bush in recent public statements has suggested he intends to stick to his Iraq strategy for now.
Pentagon press secretary Geoff Morrell said this week that Gates wanted to ensure that all senior military leaders had an opportunity to express their individual views on Iraq to the president, without feeling the need to present a consensus view.
Bush was to hear advice from Gen. Peter Pace, chairman of the Joint Chiefs; Adm. William Fallon, the senior commander of U.S. forces in the Middle East; and the top commanders in Baghdad.
The Pentagon meeting takes place as an independent assessment of the war has concluded that Iraq has made little political progress in recent months despite the influx of U.S. troops the president ordered earlier this year.
moron...
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/20526485/
Boston Globe:
BTW: Chuck
Anyway, not to be melodramatic, but I'll echo my fellow-Texan Bubba on this one. If I want to hear trash-talk about fine Democrats, I can always listen to AM Talk Radio. Never thought that the DCP bloggers would be carrying water for that mob.
huck in Houston signing-off
Posted by: Chuck at August 30, 2007 11:00 PM
@@@@@@@
This is the article on Hillary and her fund-raiser from yesterday (BOSTON GLOBE!!!!!!!!!!)
Thursday, August 30, 2007
Clinton says she'll be more vigilant about donors
By Marcella Bombardieri, Globe Staff
Hillary Clinton said today that her presidential campaign will be more careful about vetting donors after discovering that a major fund-raiser is wanted by California authorities in connection with a fraud case.
The newspaper that broke the story was the LOS ANGELES TIMES.....
Hillary got big problems...... (if Hillary is nominated, you will see this scandal - and many others - in an attack ad - guaranteed.)
HERE WE GO AGAIN:
NBC First Broadcast Network to Highlight Hillary Clinton's Hsu Fundraising Scandal
NBC on Thursday night became the first broadcast network to air a story on the Clinton presidential campaign scandal over donations from Norman Hsu, a fugitive from a grand theft charge who is also suspected of illegally funneling excess donations through another family. While ABC's World News and the CBS Evening News, as well as the NBC Nightly News, found time for a third straight night of coverage of Larry Craig's travails, only NBC caught up with FNC and CNN and highlighted the fundraising irregularities involving Democrats. Lisa Myers noted how Hsu has “given a quarter of a million dollars to a who's who of Democratic candidates in the last three years. But Hsu is also a fugitive, wanted in California in connection with a 1991 fraud case. The Clinton campaign initially defended Hsu, listed on her campaign honor roll as a man of integrity. Today the Senator said she's giving his $23,000 in donations to charity.”
Just curious, but whose mission is it to screen financial donations to a candidate?
I mean, how would a candidate know exactly where the donations came from?
btw, sometimes I drink Evian, which is naive spelled backwards.
new thread I said, dead ahead...
monkey,
The campaign staff themselves "screen". I was at a fundraiser for JK three and a half years ago and overheard someone offer Mary Beth Cahill a great deal of money, over and above what was legal, and ask for a consideration of a policy that was close to what JK already was espousing. She turned the guy down. She had no way of knowing I could hear her, but I have to say it made me feel better about where I was spending my time and who I was supporting.
The FEC will go over contributions, but, as we have seen, it takes a long time for them to catch up.
BTW, new thread, some hope.
Posted by: Ralpheh at August 31, 2007 07:57 AM
If you don't want to plug your nose, you are living in the wrong country. With the electoral system, redistricting, Diebold and friends, and no real Campaign Finance Reform, plus our "media," you are dreaming if you think your idealism will triumph.
Reid and Pelosi couldn't wave a magic wand and make the war go away immediately or Bush disappear so the blogosphere is full of stupid, pointless, endless Republican butt-licking Dem-bashing.
I am not going to be part of it. It's a big tent because we have %) STATES. Same people turn around and talk about a 50 state campaign and then expect everyone to turn hard left. That is the height of hypocrisy. It's nothing new for both parties to suck up to the military industrial complex - that goes back to before either of us were born. It has only gotten worse periodically. Read history.
Posted by: monkey at August 31, 2007 07:48 AM
Ohhhh, PUHLEEEZE! I think we should start counting the days until his reign ends. We can't afford for him to FUBAR any other "regions" of this world.
p.s. I'll bet sen craig has a hotmail address...
Posted by: monkey at August 30, 2007 09:43 PM
A My Space Ad! lol