Clueless In Congress

Hey Casey -

I've got a great photo of some proud Democrats. Shall I post it???

Great letter, BTW.

Great letter Casey.

They DO suck.

NMP, TY for the links, will go through them all in just a bit. They can have my son when they unwrap him from my cold dead arms.

This is the only war, in the history of this nation, that no members of my family have fought. But that is about to change, my niece snuck around behind her parents backs and signed the papers. It is too late, she believed the freaking lies they told her.

'Stationed in Hawaii' my ass. Looks like she is going to Baghdad. She just turned 18.

It is so strange, cause my son was born right after the first Gukf war. I remember thinking into the future, to the day he turns 18, and we make that trip to the Post Office.

I remember thinking how proud I would be at that moment. I imagined he would also be proud. No male in my family has ever failed to sign.

Funny how I remember it so clearly, like it was 10 minutes ago.

In 2000, if you had told me I would be here wondering how to get him out of it, I probably would have slapped you as hard as I could for daring to question my willingness to give up my only son for my nation. Daring to question his willingness.

I probably would have said something dumb, like 'Only cowards don't sign!'. I remember truly believing that.

Now, I am sitting here wondering how I could be envious of Monkey for having a disabled child.

I am so desperate to stop this by July 12th 2009.

Now I think of his 18th birthday, and I just dread it. It feels like Doomsday is counting down.

It makes me sick just thinking about it.

Here's another letter (not an endorsement mind you, just a letter)...

Dear Friend,

If anyone had any doubt what this election is about, they won't after hearing what John Edwards said this morning:

"It is caution versus courage. Old versus new. Calculation versus principle. It is the establishment elite versus the American people.

"Instead of serving the people and the nation, too many play the parlor game of Washington— trading favors and campaign money, influencing votes and compromising legislation. It's a game that never ends, but every American knows — it's time to end the game."

You know he's right — you've seen the lobbyists throwing cash at the politicians. You've heard the politicians walk away from their easy promises. But nobody calls them on it — because go-along-to-get-along is the rule in Washington, D.C.

Well, John Edwards is calling them on it right now, and they hate it. So they're coming after him with everything they've got.

When insiders from both parties are personally attacking John Edwards, you can bet on one thing — he's making waves, and the establishment doesn't like it when you rock their boat.

But here's the thing — it's not their boat. It's ours.

So join our call to take our democracy back and fix the broken system in Washington — sign our petition today, and send a powerful message to the Democratic Party.

www.johnedwards.com/action/sign-petitions/lobbyists

Enough is enough — it's time to tell the big corporations and the lobbyists who have been running things for too long that their time is over. It's time to challenge politicians to put the American people's interests ahead of their own calculated political interests, to look the lobbyists in the eye and just say no.

John's right — we don't need to wait for Congress or the president. We can reform our party today.

Two weeks ago, he called on all Democrats to reject contributions from federal lobbyists. He repeated that challenge today.

We can reform our party and truly be the party of the people. And we can expose for all time who the Republicans in Washington are really working for.

Join our campaign to fix this broken system in Washington, D.C. and show America exactly whose side we're on — add your voice to our petition today.

www.johnedwards.com/action/sign-petitions/lobbyists

The American people deserve to know that their presidency is not for sale, the Lincoln Bedroom is not for rent, and lobbyist money can no longer influence policy in the House or the Senate.

We need real change in America — universal health care, a halt to global warming and an end to the war in Iraq — but to get that change we have to fix the broken system in Washington.

As John said earlier today, "We cannot triangulate our way to real change; we cannot compromise our way to real change. But we can lead to real change. And with your help, we can start today."

This is what it means to be a Democrat. Not baby steps or happy talk — but to stand, up, be counted, and fight with everything we've got for what we believe.

So join us today — and thanks for everything you do.

Sincerely,

--Jonathan Prince
Deputy Campaign Manager
August 23, 2007

Wanna make a bet Monkey?

If they hit Edwards with everything they got... John Edwards will be the next president of the United States.

I got $5 on it!

John Edwards isn't a John Kerry. John edwards enjoys the fight. You can tell, he LOVES the arguing part.

When they hit John Edwards, it is going to be like hitting a brick wall. Sure some bricks will get damaged, but that is hardly the point.

I have never seen anyone get more articulate the higher the pressure gets. The higher the prize, the more focused he gets. Even me, I get mad and start stammering, his voice goes velvety smooth.

Once Edwards completely slips that chain, they are going to be dealing with one dangerous animal.

They should just ignore him. But I am glad they are stupid.

Posted by: Christy at August 23, 2007 01:07 PM

Wonder why I moved to Raleigh? ;-)

Five Buck Chuck

Ok...why DID you move?

I figured you just had enough of Jeb, I mean, that in itself would drive someone to uproot their entire life.

Iraq To Become More Precarious?
U.S. report sees precarious Iraqi government
Intelligence analysts say ‘leaders remain unable to govern effectively’

WASHINGTON - (AP) The Iraqi government will become more precarious over the next six to 12 months and its security forces have not improved enough to operate without outside help, intelligence analysts conclude in a new National Intelligence Estimate.

Despite uneven improvements, the analysts concluded that the level of overall violence is high, Iraq's sectarian groups remain unreconciled, and al-Qaida in Iraq is still able to conduct its highly visible attacks.

"Iraqi political leaders remain unable to govern effectively," the 10-page document concludes. A copy was obtained by The Associated Press in advance of its release Thursday.

The report represents the collaborative judgments of all 16 U.S. intelligence agencies, including the CIA, Defense Intelligence Agency and the intelligence organization of each military service.

It comes at a time of renewed tensions between Washington and Baghdad.

The report says that Iraqi Security Forces, working alongside the United States, have performed "adequately." However, it says they haven't shown enough improvement to conduct operations without U.S. and coalition forces and are still reliant on others for key support.

The findings could provide support for the Bush administration's argument that coalition forces need to stay in Iraq in order to avoid letting security lapse, should they withdraw from certain areas.

The report predicts that the Iraqi government "will become more precarious over the next six to 12 months" because of criticism from members of Iraqi Shiite parties, Iraq's top Shiite religious figure Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani, and other Sunni and Kurdish factions.

more...
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/20408600/

Why is the Democratic Congress so unpopular?

The most misused and exploited political statistic is, far and away, the low (and rapidly shrinking) approval ratings for Congress. A new Gallup poll released today found "Congress' approval rating the lowest it has been since Gallup first tracked public opinion of Congress with this measure in 1974."

For the past several months, Congress' approval ratings have been as low as, and often lower than, George Bush's unprecedentedly low ratings. Various media pundits and right-wing advocates use this fact constantly to insinuate that Bush is not uniquely unpopular and Americans have not really turned against Republicans, but rather, there is just a generic dissatisfaction with our political institutions, or more misleadingly still, that Americans are actually angry at Congress for not "doing enough" (by which it is meant that they are excessively investigating and obstructing and not "cooperating" enough).

But the reason for these low approval ratings is as clear as it is meaningful -- the overall ratings for Congress are so low because Democrats disapprove of the Democratic Congress almost as much as Republicans do. There is nothing unusual about how Republicans or independents rate the Democratic Congress; the only aspect of any of this that is unusual is that Democrats rate the Congress so low even though it is controlled by their own party. Virtually every poll demonstrates this. From the most recent CBS News poll:

That is just extraordinary. Democrats express disapproval for the Democratic Congress almost to the same extent as Republicans do. Today's Gallup Poll Report noted how unusual this is:

Frustration with Congress spans the political spectrum. There are only minor (but not statistically meaningful) differences in the approval ratings Democrats (21%), Republicans (18%), and independents (17%) give to Congress. Typically, partisans view Congress much more positively when their party is in control of the institution, so the fact that Democrats' ratings are not materially better than Republicans' is notable.
In fact, when it comes to analyzing the amazingly low ratings for Congress, this is the only aspect that is actually notable. The Democratic Congress commands such little approval for one reason only -- because its own party is so disappointed with its performance.

http://www.salon.com/opinion/greenwald/

The enduring myth of Americans' dislike of investigations

In discussing Congress' low approval ratings yesterday, I noted that Bush followers and media pundits simply invent facts about these ratings that are plainly false. In particular, they repeatedly claim that Congress' low approval ratings are due to its excessive investigations of the administration -- which, they never tire of telling us, Americans do not like -- as well as Congress' failure to co-operate with the President in a bi-partisan way. That is a pure expression of conventional Beltway wisdom.

On cue, former Bush official Peter Wehner, writing on the Commentary blog, asserted that these negative Congressional polling numbers reveal that "Democrats are paying a high price for their hyper-partisanship. They appear angry, zealous, and vengeful, far more interested in investigations than legislation." Right-wing blogger McQ cited as one reason for the unpopularity that Democrats "spent all their time investigating marginal, and to most Americans, unimportant things while accomplishing nothing of importance."

Glenn Reynolds linked to this post conclusorily mocking my analysis of Congress' unpopularity by suggesting that Congress has investigated far more than most Americans want. And Reynolds himself then added: "YEAH, THAT'S THE TICKET: Why's Congress polling so badly? Because they haven't launched enough investigations. Uh huh."

All of these "analysts," making the same point (one heard frequently on television), have one thing in common: namely, not one of them cited a single piece of evidence, poll, or anything else to support their claim that Americans dislike investigations and/or that Congress is unpouplar due to too many hearings or too much obstructionism. Instead, they just literally make that up and then say it without having any idea if it's true.
http://www.salon.com/opinion/greenwald/

Mike McConnell's clear explanation of FISA
Director of National Intelligence Mike McConnell yesterday gave a strange and rambling interview concerning the new FISA amendments, and several commentators -- including Spencer Ackerman, Digby and Jeralyn Merritt -- have discussed various oddities in what he said. I want to focus on a different, and I think highly revealing, aspect of his remarks.

Unintentionally, McConnell articulated what is an unusually clear and straightforward explanation as to the state of federal law regarding eavesdropping on Americans by our government -- unusually clear particularly for a Bush official, but even in general. McConnell explained:

http://www.salon.com/opinion/greenwald/?last_story=/opinion/greenwald/2007/08/23/mcconell/

Carl Levin reveals the Democrats' Iraq "strategy"
The senator's proclamations that the surge is working make clear that Congress will do nothing to end the war and much to ensure its continuation

http://www.salon.com/opinion/greenwald/2007/08/22/iraq/index.html

Kucinich and "the Issues"

http://lesserevilparty.blogspot.com/2007/08/kucinich-and-issues.html

Rossian: your post regarding Dems turning on Congress is exactly why Progressives can't win elections or control the reins of government policies. I made this point and why it is OK to challenge Hillary on Bill Press's show read live a few minutes ago.
Republicans have blocked troop redeployment, stem cell research, SCHIPS funding, funding for our infrastructure, energy reform, ethcis reform, immigration reform and their unresonableness is cheered on by Progressives on Ed Schultz, Randi Rhodes etc. That is truly insane and makes zero sense. Why are we not screeming like Cornyn and Hatch did during the SCt coronation hearings that we want an UP or DOWN vote rather than turning on our own and the leaders many of us worked our tails off to elect. When Republican legislation was opposed by a minority of Democratic senators I did not see Republican voters turning on their elected leaders until Abramoff and the corruption started, but that is why they control elections and we continue to eat our young.

Susan Collins: Put Country Over Politics

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-X2om0cZhgg

This is how bad the "oh-so-careful" Dems have blown it so far...

Can Bush regain the upper hand on Iraq?
How far will political debate swing before next presidential election

WASHINGTON - Something big is happening this week in Kansas City. In the middle of August, in the middle of America, the political debate over Iraq is apparently shifting, ever so slightly, back to the middle. How far will (can) it swing in President Bush's favor before the presidential election next fall?

In a speech before the Veterans of Foreign Wars on Tuesday, Barack Obama did two things he is loathe to do: He echoed remarks by Hillary Rodham Clinton, who addressed the group one day earlier, and he disagreed with his base of liberal, anti-war activists. Both Democratic front-runners still want to end the war, but they both admit now that the "surge" is starting to work to reduce violence in Iraq.

"I don't think there's ever been any doubt about that," Obama told the group to tepid applause.

Clinton and, to a lesser extent, Obama, have drawn fire for their remarks from their party's netroots, who tend to respond negatively to any Democratic concessions that a Bush program in Iraq is "working."

"What does Hillary mean by 'working'? How is the surge working? Is it the same goal she had in mind when she voted to allow Bush to go to war in Iraq if he wanted to?" Frank Dwyer wrote on HuffingtonPost. "I have been thinking I would feel compelled to vote for Hillary if the Democrats nominated her," he wrote, but added, "I'm not sure now how meaningful that vote would really be. And I don't think I'm going to be able to do it." Said Todd Beeton on MyDD: "Talk about Bush/Cheney light." NBC News video

Republicans also are on the offensive for the first time in months, circulating talking points that remind reporters how strongly Democrats opposed the surge when Bush first proposed it. For good measure, a group led by ex-Bush spokesman Ari Fleischer is spending $15 million on a month-long TV, radio and grassroots campaign aimed at increasing public support for the surge and, by extension, the war.

But if nothing else, Obama and Clinton appear to be reading the national polls, which show a recent surge for the troop surge: The percentage of voters who told CBS News that they think the surge is working has jumped 10 points since July 22. That same measure almost doubled in a USA Today/Gallup survey earlier this month, from 17 to 31 percent. The percentage of voters who think the surge is still not working has dropped significantly in both surveys.

Furthermore, while voters still rank Iraq as the most important issue facing the country, a new Gallup poll shows that fewer voters are doing so than at any time since February.

All of which suggests a potential new reality on Iraq: As Congress prepares for Gen. David Petraeus' presentation to Congress next month, it appears as though a change is taking place -- if not on the ground, than at least in terms of the political debate over the war. Democrats, who still enjoy support from an electorate that long ago gave up on Bush's ability to lead on the war, have largely been forced to recalibrate their own message in the face of recent positive signs in Iraq.

more...
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/20408073/

Bubba, I think the majority of democrats, I don't think they have to be progressives think as Casey does:::::

As Democrats, we'd rather die on our feet than live on our knees. Internalize that message. Needlepoint it on a pillow or tattoo it on your thighs. Whatever it takes for you to simultaneously be in Washington and remember why you were sent there, do it.
People don't think you suck because you lose. Losing we understand. We're Democrats, after all. No, they think you suck because you're not willing to fight.
If you don't want people to think you suck, try standing up for them. And then keep standing up for them. For as long as it takes to get the job done.
Yeah, it really is just that simple.
Yours truly,
Casey Morris, Proud Democrat

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Comments & Responses

In a speech before the Veterans of Foreign Wars on Tuesday, Barack Obama did two things he is loathe to do: He echoed remarks by Hillary Rodham Clinton, who addressed the group one day earlier, and he disagreed with his base of liberal, anti-war activists. Both Democratic front-runners still want to end the war, but they both admit now that the "surge" is starting to work to reduce violence in Iraq.
Posted by: monkey at August 23, 2007 03:30 PM

I think all we have to do is refer back to Caseys last post War what War to see if the surge is working.

Count the deaths in Iraq the last week. Both US and Iraqi

You think this will endear Hilliary an Obama to the Democrats or Progressives? I don't think so

I guess Obama is out for you to now Ally.

Ohhhhhh REALLLLY?

"The prospect of an impeachment inquiry by the House judiciary committee would concentrate the minds of the president and vice president wonderfully on obeying rather than sabotaging the Constitution. But Speaker Pelosi has at least figuratively joined hands with the White House in opposition. Emulating the Queen of Hearts in Alice in Wonderland, she has threatened the removal of Michigan Rep. John Conyers from his chairmanship of the House judiciary committee if an impeachment inquiry were even opened, according to reliable congressional chatter. "

http://www.slate.com/id/2172547/nav/tap1/

We should all call Conyers office to ask if it is true. We should call hers too.

Just to get it allllll out in the open.

As a Democrat I would rather control the reins of government than be controlled by neocons.

After 30 years in politics I am tired of tilting at windmills and understand that winning policy battles is not simply black and white. I have a deep problem saying our leaders suck. Blame it on the founding fathers if you wish but it is folks like Norm Coleman, Boehner, Sununu and my Senator Cornyn that suck. Their enabling of the President is why we are we are in Iraq, not Harry Reid.
Keep it up and we will have another 8 years of neocon leadership. I am not about to be sucked into this madness. In 2000 many Progressives(at Rove and Nader's suggestion-remember being told there was not a dimes worth of difference) turned on Bill Clinton and in turn Al Gore and voted Green and third party; again for not being pure enugh. How did that turn out for Progressives?
I guess I have been corrupted and don't pass the purity test. I won't be drawn into that mindless game-don't care how many people I offend here repeating that.

Conyers 202-225-3951

Pelosi 202-225-4965

GOP Congressman: Bush Employs Thousands Of Undocumented Workers
If President Bush is serious about getting tough on U.S. employers who hire illegal aliens, he can start with his own administration, which employs thousands of unauthorized workers, says the top Republican on the House immigration subcommittee.

A 2006 audit showed federal, state and local governments are among the biggest employers of the half-million persons in the U.S. illegally using "non-work" Social Security numbers -- numbers issued legally, but with specific instructions that the holders are not authorized to work in...

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2007/08/23/top-gop-leader-bush-empl_n_61535.html

But Speaker Pelosi has at least figuratively joined hands with the White House in opposition. Emulating the Queen of Hearts in Alice in Wonderland, she has threatened the removal of Michigan Rep. John Conyers from his chairmanship of the House judiciary committee if an impeachment inquiry were even opened, according to reliable congressional chatter. "

http://www.slate.com/id/2172547/nav/tap1/

Posted by: Christy at August 23, 2007 04:03 PM

Has to be true Christy, He swore he would table impeachment for months before the 2006 election, and dumped it when he got his chairmanship of the House judiciary committee.

Sucks big time doesn't it.

"Why are we not screeming like Cornyn and Hatch did during the SCt coronation hearings that we want an UP or DOWN vote rather than turning on our own and the leaders many of us worked our tails off to elect. "

Isn't the 'we' not screaming our own elected leaders?

If they would do their damn jobs instead of getting in there and forgetting they had Constitutional roles to fufill, maybe the people who elected them would not turn on them.

You think republicans don't eat their own to get elected? Look at john mccain. Look at any republican that tried to maintain an ounce of morality, they not only ate them, they spit them out after they were done.

The difference between republican cannibalisim and democrats doing it, is republicans start at the bottom and can only truly swallow the little guys.

I prefer to be in a party where the leaders are held to a higher standard, and if they do not pass the smell test, then eat them.

You want to stop george w bush?.. then stop his enablers and that includes democrats too.

BTW, I would not envy the republican election machine too much, cause we all know the only way they can win elections is to rig them.

How many democratic leaders actually got serious about fixing our election system?

Yeah, funny, cause they should have been screaming the loudest.

How many democratic leaders actually got serious about fixing our election system?

Congresspeople: Robert Wexler, Alcee Hastings,Waserman,Tubbs, Sheila Jackson Lee and Senators John Kerry,Sherrod Brown,Russ Feingold and Boxer to start.

Keep screaming at Dems and you will assure 8 more years of neocons. How does President Thompson, Guilliani, McCain or Romney sounds. Do you really that Speaker Boehner will return your calls.

"Dems..if they do not pass the smell test, then eat them."

Good for you. I hope you will be proud of the results that brings.

Hey Bubba,

I heard on the Today show this morning about your California electoral worries. Matt was asking Tim Russert about it, and Tim was saying basically if it passes, CA becomes a red state. He said the dems are working on Ahnold to push against it.

It was difficult to tell what he thought the result might be. I was surprised to see it on MSM. Of course, I can't find a link.

I guess I have been corrupted and don't pass the purity test. I won't be drawn into that mindless game-don't care how many people I offend here repeating that.

Posted by: Bubba at August 23, 2007 04:07 PM

Bubba this here kangaroo has been involved in your countries politics, since the Supreme Court corruptly gave Georgie the White House in 2000, then the GOP stole the election from Kerry in 2006, Only in America can the Exit Polls be wrong, and Faux News declare the President of the USofA, It scares the shit out of me that Guiliani, or Romney could get the Presidency the way that Gore lost it because of Nader,a thing that you are talking about could happen, I have already talked about it here, but have democrats or progressives got to be mirrors of GOP corruption, Do the people of America want what they have got now, corruption or do they want better, do they want a Government for the People by the People.

Conyers guy on the phone told me it must be a 'wild rumor'. He said 'But Mr. Conyers has no plans to impeach at this time.'

I said "Yes, I know, that is the point. What other reason, other than losing his job, could he possibly have to not impeach in light of the tons of evidence against bush...?"

He said 'Yes, I see what you are saying.'

Do you realize we are literally begging these people to do their jobs?

I am sick of being spun. By republicans, and democrats.

Just hearing the Hastert, might be resigning as early as November, Hmmmmmmm wonder what is coming down the tubes.

Congress Blocks Police From Examining Ex-GOP Rep Foley's Computers

John Lash is going to be running. Iraq Vet he should win it, I suspect

Heard that story Carol this morning. the sacramento Bee says it has a good chance of passing which could be disaster in '08. Anold is running against Boxer in 2010. He is smart enough to know that if he gets that referendum passed and the 22 electoral votes are enough to elect a Republican President in '08 he will be a hero to the California Republican party and even Boxer's vaunted California machine won't be able to stop him. My hope is that either Jerry Brown gets involved or enough of us have the sense to start a National movement that says if California allows a propotionate vote then every state including Texas and Georgia should be required to do the same, instead of screaming about what Dems did not do this week. I went through numerous Redistricting Hearings here in Texas and saw 7 Congressmen, who many of us in Texas adored get kicked out, so I take these threats in California seriously.

Congress Blocks Police From Examining Ex-GOP Rep Foley's Computers

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/huff-wires/20070822/foley-investigation/

Now is that all of Congress Dems and Repugs, or just the Repugs they must be running scared of something

Video Clip of Code Pink/ Cindy Sheehan impeachment protest at John Conyers office:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jwyZDOjNPcE

GOP Congressman: Bush Employs Thousands Of Undocumented Workers

Posted by: rossiann at August 23, 2007 04:10 PM

Proof that when it comes to immigration, Republicans IGNORE the rules of the market.

Regardless of which side of the immigration issue you stand, one thing is clear: there are far more immigrants than our labor market can handle, especially toward the lower end of the job market.

And the Republicans dare to suggest that it's the Dems who are soft on immigration...

Bubba, you can blame me for years of neocon rule if you like.

But here is the deal. I refuse to be a brown shirted jackbooted single minded entity of the Democratic party.

You want to call out republicans for war profiteering while calling democrats that do it 'our leaders'...?

You named 8 congresspeople out of HOW MANY...? And how has that worked out for them, cause our elections are still being jacked.

"I hope you will be proud of the results that brings."

For one, I would like to be PROUD of anything the democrats do lately, but any good they accomplish they turn right around and give what matters right back to george w bush.

And for two, that snarky ass little remark is the very thing you are sitting here preaching against. IS IT NOT...?

At least I am taking aim at the democrats that matter while you are too busy being uncomfortable.

BTW, Bubba... Speaker Pelosi don't return my calls either.

Posted by: Bubba at August 23, 2007 04:55 PM

This is precisely why the Dems need to stop parroting "but California is a blue state" - it's NOT.

Time to get to work. California was a red state (after all, Nixon and Reagan were both Californians), and will turn red again if left unchecked.

"have democrats or progressives got to be mirrors of GOP corruption"

I respect your views but this is an insane anology. Didn't know that we have a Tom Delay, Marc Foley, Abramoff or Duke Cunningham problem.
To say that if Conyers, Pelosi or Boxer don't start impeachment proceedings they are corrupt like Abromoff and Duke cunningham is beyond the pale.

"have democrats or progressives got to be mirrors of GOP corruption"

I respect your views but this is an insane anology. Didn't know that we have a Tom Delay, Marc Foley, Abramoff or Duke Cunningham problem.
To say that if Conyers, Pelosi or Boxer don't start impeachment proceedings they are corrupt like Abromoff and Duke cunningham is beyond the pale.

Boxer CANNOT start impeachment. She's a Senator, and only the House of Representatives can impeach.

fine Ally then what can we do to start a STOP THE REFERENDUM California movement perhaps starting with a web site.

"To say that if Conyers, Pelosi or Boxer don't start impeachment proceedings they are corrupt like Abromoff and Duke cunningham is beyond the pale."

I did not see anybody say anything like that.

No one called any of them corrupt nor suggested they must be for not impeaching.

One more re: California

Ahnuld is very popular. He's got the support of every car enthusiast and auto industry worker, for example, because he cut the car tax that Gray Davis was forced to triple. (No sane new or used car dealer in California will ever support a Democrat, thanks to that car tax hike.)

And the immigrant youth who loved his macho action movies - count 'em in too.

Best of all for Ahnuld, he still has a moderate image.

He can easily crush Boxer, who is seen outside the SF Bay Area as a far-left ideologue.

Posted by: Bubba at August 23, 2007 05:04 PM

Get the comatose CA Democratic Party into action, of course.

That's easier said than done though. The state Dems are way comatose.

Dems are smart enough to know that holding Bush impeachment hearings during their primary and convention will assure a Repulican victory in '08. We are now 15 months before the next Presidential election, aint going to happen. Gonzalez, that is a different story.

I went through numerous Redistricting Hearings here in Texas and saw 7 Congressmen, who many of us in Texas adored get kicked out, so I take these threats in California seriously.

Posted by: Bubba at August 23, 2007 04:55 PM

Where the Hell are the Leaders of the Democrats, not around just like they where not around for the 2006 elections and the fiasco with the voting machines and the exit polling,

If they can't friking take care of California, then what the hell are they worth, that group of republicans are putting millions into getting this bill or law whatever the hell it is passed.

Posted by: rossiann at August 23, 2007 05:09 PM

Rossi, please understand that the Democratic Party is NOT one giant entity, but a whole bunch of disparate organizations of varying levels of effectiveness.

There is the national Democratic Party, there are the 50 state-level parties, and there are local level organizations.

The imbeciles in this case are the California state-level party.

The Republicans, for that matter, have similar organizational structure too.

you are totally wrong about Boxer. I worked in her last campaign where we heard the same thing you are repeating today. She is a great campaigner and has a great organization and will go dollar for dollar with Anold.

Posted by: Bubba at August 23, 2007 05:12 PM

I respect Boxer, and so does my Republican mother, who voted for her at least twice.

I am also aware that Boxer was the third most popular vote-getter of the 2004 elections, behind W and Kerry.

But it doesn't change the fact that Boxer is a Bay Area liberal, about as nasty a label as anything gets down south in Reagan Country.

I think the key to fending off an attack by Ahnuld will be to highlight the positives, and get out every single vote in Bay Area and the blue pockets of Los Angeles.

"Dems are smart enough to know that holding Bush impeachment hearings during their primary and convention will assure a Repulican victory in '08."

Where are you getting your 'assurances' from?

Putting him on trial and laying out, piece by piece the evidence of his crimes, and that of alll his cronies, will somehow be a BOOST to republicans???

Wow.

To say that if Conyers, Pelosi or Boxer don't start impeachment proceedings they are corrupt like Abromoff and Duke cunningham is beyond the pale.

Posted by: Bubba at August 23, 2007 05:01 PM

Now Bubba did I say that? I don't recall saying anything like that, please don't put your words in my mouth.

Your Constitution demands that Georgie and his gang of thugs should be impeached, Hell Bill was impeached for dropping his zipper, the world watched on, wondering what was going on, Are you telling me every darn President hasn't done the same maybe except Carter, look at the perverts Georgies has had in the White House.

The GOP's crimes are out front, your Constitution demands IMpeachment

Posted by: Christy at August 23, 2007 05:18 PM

Christy,

Impeaching Clinton was a long-term positive for the Republicans. In the short term though, they suffered defeat in '98.

If the Dems had taken control of Congress in '04 and started on impeaching right away, then the long-term positives would be setting in by '08. But as is now, the short-term negatives will outweigh.

Don't get me wrong though - I support impeachment as much as anyone else here, and do think the Dems need to do some hardball investigations. But the Dems need to prepare for all options - impeachment and otherwise. Putting all their eggs in one basket will not be good.

Of course they suffered defeat, cause they impeached a president for BOGUS reasons.

The evidence against bush is much, much different than clintons impeachment. Clintons penis did not get a million people killed.

Besides, when did winning 08 become more important than stopping a war criminal who sending our children to their deaths?

The best thing we can do is forget about 08 until 08 and do the right thing before this monster kills any more people.

Ally, darlin, the only way to solve the multiple layers of Constitutional crises is impeachment.

There is no other baskets.

Bush, before and after he was talking to the veterans about Iraq and Vietnam, has been going around on a fund-raising blitz for Sen. Domenici, Sen. Coleman and other "vulernable" Republicans.

Here is Al Franken (who is running against Coleman) about this on You Tube:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=90eEuKDs-C8

Dems are smart enough to know that holding Bush impeachment hearings during their primary and convention will assure a Repulican victory in '08. We are now 15 months before the next Presidential election, aint going to happen. Gonzalez, that is a different story.

Posted by: Bubba at August 23, 2007 05:08 PM

@@@@@@@@

Impeaching Gonzales is a no-brainer. Gonzales has already committed perjury, violated the constitution and FISA law and destroyed the Department of Justice.

Right now there is a bill to impeach Gonzales in the House Rules Committee. I am told that this committee decides how a bill will be handled on the floor of the House (debate time etc...)

Darn gotta go, catch up later, bye for now,

Would it be possible for you all to frog march the whole Administration out of the White House by the time I come home. That would sure as HELL make me happy.

Keep it up and we will have another 8 years of neocon leadership. I am not about to be sucked into this madness. In 2000 many Progressives(at Rove and Nader's suggestion-remember being told there was not a dimes worth of difference) turned on Bill Clinton and in turn Al Gore and voted Green and third party; again for not being pure enugh. How did that turn out for Progressives?
I guess I have been corrupted and don't pass the purity test. I won't be drawn into that mindless game-don't care how many people I offend here repeating that.

Posted by: Bubba at August 23, 2007 04:07 PM

@@@@@@

Do we have to have, as our standard bearer, HIllary Clinton who not only sold out to George Bush and Dick Cheney;

SHE CHEARED THEM ON TO WAR?????

Can the Dems do a little bit better than that?? just a little bit better?? or is Hillary the best they can muster???

Ms. Triangulation....

BTW - Ted Toppel on NPR is already accusing HIllary of lying about Iraq. That will surely come up, after Hillary is announced pretender to the thrown... as will the indictment of her fund-raiser from 2000..... as will the pardon of Marc Rich and HIllary's brothers being paid by Rich for "consulting fees".

oops pretender to the throne!!!!!

Why slam Kerry just to promote Edwards? That doesn't make Edwards look good. It looks tacky.

Ralpheh: no one is suggesting that Hillary's nomination is a given or that Bill's sins won't be revisited on Hillary. And yes Christy who we have in the Whitehouse in '08 does matter. I distinctly remember getting into arguments on the JK site with Nader trolls who in 2000 kept telling me that Gore and Bush not aa dimes worth of difference and that it did not matter if JK won in '04 because of Oconner being a balance on the S.Ct. From some of the posts here today it looks like it is Deja Vu all over again.

Ally is absolutely right. Had the Dems taken over in 04 impeachment would have been a given. Whether the constitution demands it or not, there will be no impeachment proceedings 15 months before an election. It may the right thing to do but it would political suicide, and that is what your leaders are trying to tell you.

And if Edwards is such a fighter, whey didn't he fight for his 04 partner when it mattered? Where was he and other Dems when the Swift Boat Liars made their rounds? Nah, Kerry was supposed to do all this by himself.

Why didn't he use his southern roots or charm to debunk or condemn the banning the Bible lie that the RNC put out? It probably would have made a difference.

If he is so anti-war, why has he publically not announced support for the Kerry/Feingold amendment? And if he wanted to fight the election, why has he been silent about it?

At least Kerry has been vocal about voting rights, ending the war, sticking his neck out for Alito, defending other Democrats when they should have done the same for him, but didn't, pushing for healthcare for children, talking about climate change, and so on. He has been on Bush's tail more than most, but people still find a way to use the 2004 election for their dislike of the man.

Kerry has exposed more government corruption than any other lawmaker in modern day history, not to mention actually fought, yes fought, and stared, death, and evil in the face on the the regular basis from both sides of the aisle.

Where was Edwards?

A LETTER FROM CARL LEVIN ON HIS RECENT TRIP TO IRAQ.

It's time for the leaders of Iraq to come together and take charge of their country's future.

There is a deepening consensus that there is no military solution to the sectarian strife in Iraq, and that the only hope of ending the violence there is political compromise between the leaders of the feuding groups. But Iraq's political leaders continue to ignore the desperate situation that their people find themselves in.

After spending the past weekend there, I believe the Iraqi Parliament should vote Prime Minister Maliki government out of office. His government has not met its own political benchmarks to share power and resources, to schedule provincial elections and to amend the country's constitution.

Iraq demands bold political solutions, and I hope the Parliament will have the wisdom to replace the Maliki government and select a less sectarian, more unifying prime minister and government.

Congress must have a serious debate on these issues. Click here to see my recent comments from my trip and the media coverage.

I continue to believe that it's time to start bringing our troops home.

Our troops in Iraq are incredibly professional, and they are doing their duty. But the Iraqi army has gained in strength and confidence and ability.

They are already more than 90% of the way to their training and readiness goals. Our commanders are much more positive than they were just 10 months ago about the Iraqi army's ability to take responsibility for their own security.

However, as one U.S. soldier told me, the Iraqi soldiers will let U.S. soldiers do the hard work securing the country forever, and we need to let the Iraqis do it on their own.

Ralpheh: no one is suggesting that Hillary's nomination is a given or that Bill's sins won't be revisited on Hillary. And yes Christy who we have in the Whitehouse in '08 does matter. I distinctly remember getting into arguments on the JK site with Nader trolls who in 2000 kept telling me that Gore and Bush no

@@@@@@

Then why is Hillary so popular?? Why is she leading in the polls? Why does she have so much money??

Are the Democrats that blind when it comes to picking candidates? As far as I can tell Hillary has done nothing of consequence in her 6 years as a SEnator - except, she has aided and abetted Bush and Cheney by voting for the Iraq war and for the patriot act.

Hey Bubba,

I don't think it's simultaneously possible to bitch about not having control of Congress and bitch about having control of Congress, which is what Schumer is doing.

Having been present for the Chriss Dodd coversation about what happened with FISA, I feel more comfortable than ever holding Harry Reid et al. to account over what happened.

Look, the real power in Congress, in the House and the Senate is the ability to decide what sees the light of day and what dies a quick and sudden death. That FISA bill should have died a quick and sudden death. They needed eleven votes for cloture, and Harry Reid should have stopped them dead in their tracks. He should have EASILY been able to pursuade DiAnne Feinstein's vote from a yes to a no. And if you can't, then you shouldn't be the leader. That piece of crap FISA bill only got through on ONE vote. If there's a more pathetic expression of what crappy leadership looks like, I don't know what it would be. Furthermore, his whip wanted to filibuster it, and he said, no, it will only get fourteen votes. It got 31 votes without even trying. Can you imagine what would have happened if harry maybe even picked up a freakin' phone to work on it?

If the ONLY thing they had screwed up were FISA, I would still be critical of them, since the FISA bill represent a complete abdication of 4th amendment protections, but that hasn't been all.

For the love of christ, politics is about making choices. And these choices have sucked. They have, and there's not polite way of putting it. And if we keep quiet about it, by not saying what needs to be done and where they are screwing up, then we get what we deserve.

You can't make decisions that are based on protecting the power you have. You make decisions based on what you have been elected to do, and what you have sworn to uphold, protect and defend. And if you don't, you deserve to lose that power. Period.

My dad used to say that when you have a moral or ethical dilemma, it's easy to know what to do: Do the thing that seems harder. Fighting with the very real possibility of losing, would have been the harder choice here, and a number of folks didn't make it.

No, the Capitualtin' 110th keeps repeating the same mistake over and over, and that's why people think they suck. And make no mistake about it, with that level of disapproval rating, people do indeed, think they suck. And it seems to me that while they blame others, it falls on us to help show them where the real blame lies.

And for the record, HELL NO, your opinion doesn't piss me off. This is no echo chamber, Bubba.

"How many democratic leaders actually got serious about fixing our election system?

Congresspeople: Robert Wexler, Alcee Hastings,Waserman,Tubbs, Sheila Jackson Lee and Senators John Kerry,Sherrod Brown,Russ Feingold and Boxer to start."

Excellent thoughts Bubba! It's a shame that people use the concession to demonize fighters like Kerry who work to make a difference instead of Democrats that do less or silent about an issue.

Those Dems you mentioned in this post are TRUE Patriots!

When did I say who is in the White house in 08 'doesn't matter'...? What I actually said was you can worry about 2008 in 2008, in the meantime, we have other things to focus on.

I don't appreciate you putting words into my mouth anymore than Rossi does.

My leaders are trying to tell me something? Funny, cause so far they have been wrong about everything else, maybe instead of them trying to tell me something, they should do their jobs and listen to We the People.

Why didn't Edwards fight in 04...? He tried, but I doubt it was his call. And with the simultainious diagnoses of his wifes cancer, it is easy to see why Edwards stepped out of it.

What was Kerrys excuse again for walking away...? Oh yeah, there wasn't one. Not a coherent one anyway.

Funny how all this infighting among dems stresses yall out, yet you are perfectly willing to jump right in the middle of Edwards for the sake of John Kerry.

Do you know what the funniest thing about this whole Kerry argument is...?

It is actually you trying to blame democrats, every single democrat there is, for the loss John Kerry suffered, EXCEPT for John Kerry.

The entire party was at fault! No, it was Edwards fault! No, it was Naders fault! No, it was the voters fault ! No, it was CHRISTYS fault!

What. The. Hell. Ever.

Are the Democrats that blind when it comes to picking candidates? As far as I can tell Hillary has done nothing of consequence in her 6 years as a SEnator - except, she has aided and abetted Bush and Cheney by voting for the Iraq war and for the patriot act.

Posted by: Ralpheh at August 23, 2007 06:56 PM

Darn right she has you just have to look at her record

For the love of christ, politics is about making choices. And these choices have sucked. They have, and there's not polite way of putting it. And if we keep quiet about it, by not saying what needs to be done and where they are screwing up, then we get what we deserve.

You can't make decisions that are based on protecting the power you have. You make decisions based on what you have been elected to do, and what you have sworn to uphold, protect and defend. And if you don't, you deserve to lose that power. Period.

Darn right on Casey, all you have to do is have the Georgies balls to do the right thing

And for the record, HELL NO, your opinion doesn't piss me off. This is no echo chamber, Bubba.

Posted by: Casey Morris at August 23, 2007 07:14 PM

This is not a Georgie Republican site Bubba, this is a Democratic, Progressive site, we have mind of our own, we don't march in lock step to the zombies.

I've only read the header and need to respond as I go through. Casey - what a great letter. Can you send it to MSM media too? My favourite line of all is ....

"People think you suck, because you refuse to stand up to a president that is less popular than syphilis."

.... Fighting words throughout Casey. This is what all have been bemoaning for a long time and why Christy is so deeply, deeply hurt and disillusioned. Why we hear the word IMPEACH from everyone here at odd times. Why we all felt the end of the disaster and the battles were in sight when the dems won majority in both houses.

Everyone was incredulous when Pelosi took impeachment off the table. It couldn't be. We thought it would be right back on the table after the election. How dare she take it off the table when that's exactly what her constituents depended on her NOT to do.

Well written, Casey. I hope this letter gets attention in every news bulletin across the country - the world even. There should be some dems quaking that their jobs are in jeopardy right now. Pelosi, right up there near the top.

This is a great gut-felt reaction to your current political, social and economic situation, Casey. Go Get 'Em!

This is not a Georgie Republican site Bubba, this is a Democratic, Progressive site, we have mind of our own, we don't march in lock step to the zombies.

Posted by: rossiann at August 23, 2007 08:41 PM

Rossi, this is officially a nonpartisan nonprofit site. Constructive Republican opinions are, and shall be, more than welcome.

Of course, these days, constructive and Republican hardly go hand in hand...

Well written, Casey. I hope this letter gets attention in every news bulletin across the country - the world even. There should be some dems quaking that their jobs are in jeopardy right now. Pelosi, right up there near the top.

This is a great gut-felt reaction to your current political, social and economic situation, Casey. Go Get 'Em!

Posted by: woz at August 23, 2007 08:53 PM

Darn Right

Rossi, this is officially a nonpartisan nonprofit site. Constructive Republican opinions are, and shall be, more than welcome.

Of course, these days, constructive and Republican hardly go hand in hand...

Posted by: Ally McRepuke at August 23, 2007 08:58 PM

Never said they were not welcome Ally, Hell I put my big mouth in here, and I'm a Kangaroo for Gods sake. but I would still take it for a Dem site. even if it is officially a nonpartisan nonprofit site.

Now can you imagine me putting my big mouth in at a republican site, and being graciously accepted, Hell I would have to watch my back even here Down Under.

Hillary Locks Up The Backing Of The DC Democratic Establishment »
Washington--From the K Street lobbyist corridor to the major gay and lesbian organizations to the city's kingpin consultants and fundraisers to the big feminist groups, Hillary Clinton has acquired a near-lock on the Democratic establishment in the nation's capital.

The level of support here for the junior New York Senator approaches what an incumbent president seeking re-election might expect.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2007/08/23/hillary-locks-up-the-back_n_61603.html

She might have locked up the establishment, but has she lock up the people.

"You can't make decisions that are based on protecting the power you have. You make decisions based on what you have been elected to do, and what you have sworn to uphold, protect and defend. And if you don't, you deserve to lose that power. Period."

Freaking Amen Sister!

Posted by: Christy at August 23, 2007 08:09 PM

Sorry, but I stand by my thoughts. I and others at the Kerry/Edwards blog in 04 saw the same thing. The media was biased and his party nor then-DNC Chairman McAuliffe did NOTHING. They didn't even jump to defend their own when he was smeared. Good thing the good senator has class and defends his own whenever they are attacked. It's too bad people like Edwards or Hillary didn't have his back when it mattered.

Sorry if blaming Dems bugs you, but I will continue to call events as I see them.

I would say that this is primarily a PATRIOTIC site, in that what we try to educate each other on is democracy.

We are hard on Dems when they deserve it (and they do deserve criticism at times, even JK, whom I adore personally). We would welcome rational thought and support for participatory democracy from Republicans as well.

As a 501(c)3 organization, our goals are teaching and learning, and empowering activism. Questions can be asked, and answers provided, but please, do not start sniping at each other personally.

It is fine to criticize the behavior or positions of a candidate or politician here, but please do not attack the loyalties of anyone who comments here.

Thank you.

Sorry, but I stand by my thoughts. I and others at the Kerry/Edwards blog in 04 saw the same thing. The media was biased and his party nor then-DNC Chairman McAuliffe did NOTHING.
Posted by: Indie Liberal at August 23, 2007 09:34 PM

Now that is certainly the truth

Posted by: Indie Liberal at August 23, 2007 09:34 PM

"I and others at the Kerry/Edwards blog in 04 saw the same thing."

Don't pretend I wasn't there too, cause I was.

So now it is the medias fault and Mcculliffs fault and HILLARY CLINTONS FAULT too.

Why, that is utterly my point.

Blaming dems bugs me? I think I have proven it does not. Not at all.

"I will continue to call events as I see them."

HAHAHAHAHAHA!

OK. you do that.

Karen,

I am sorry if anyone thought I was doing that, but I am just tired of rehashing the past. And I am not saying that mistakes weren't made in 04, but it's time to move on and focus on the present.

That's all I am saying.

Actually, I am trying to be preventive here.

As for moving on and focusing on the present, I would say that remembering history is important. I have no horse in the 2008 race, but I personally have plenty of bad memories of 2004 and I think they are valid and need to be analyzed to some degree.

I just don't want us to degenerate into name calling, or worse, competing for best Dem defender or best Dem critic!

Intelligent analysis is going to matter a lot this time around.

I just don't want us to degenerate into name calling, or worse, competing for best Dem defender or best Dem critic!

Karen,

I understand. I am not a troublemaker or one that intentionally stirs up trouble. I thought I was defending a good dem, but I guess not.

This is probably one of the few peaceful blogs in the blogosphere.

Karen, you're right - as usual. But it's hard sometimes, not to attribute blame when things are so desperately wrong - like your children not having universal health care. There was an American economic expert on tv here the other night describing the debt that America is building up - mainly through China.

Being human, we are going to disagree. We need to disagree. Like in all aspects of life, my opinion isn't necessarily the only opinion to have on any subject. And being human brings me to this site where my opinions receive some affirmation and some criticism. That's a good thing. Although I must admit, criticism hurts. However, I stay here because, criticism points out that there are other points of view that I should consider. Then I can agree or disagree.

I've learned that it's pointless to insist that my POV is more right than another's. I just have to accept that I provide a challenge to consider another, as they have to consider mine.

All of us are the product of however many years we've lived on the planet - all the input from all the extraneous elements throughout our whole lives. I'm doubtful that conjoined twins would have 100% identical POVs, even though they have the same experience. Unless of course they share a brain and soul.

I've had to accept the *born again* status of my sisters even though I find it too narrow and confining. So, I guess my love for my sisters has taught me that my points aren't necessarily the only ones that are worthy. From them, I keep what is useful to me and "with a breath of kindness, blow the rest away". (anonymous poet)

I try to bring that to this multi-faceted communications.

I would say that this is primarily a PATRIOTIC site, in that what we try to educate each other on is democracy.

We are hard on Dems when they deserve it (and they do deserve criticism at times, even JK, whom I adore personally). We would welcome rational thought and support for participatory democracy from Republicans as well.

Posted by: karen at August 23, 2007 09:42 PM

Okay a PATRIOTIC site, I think the world would have accepted JK with arms wide open, He had it all Dignity, God he was EDUCATED, He had fought for his country, He had served his Country for years in the Senate, He exposed the Contra-cocaine scandal, He had the class to connect with leaders all over the world,and he still lost to Georgie.

What scares the hell out of me Karen, will there be a democracy left in 18 months to fight for, When Georgie, Cheney and their gang gets through with their plans for the next 18 months

All of us are the product of however many years we've lived on the planet - all the input from all the extraneous elements throughout our whole lives.

Posted by: woz at August 23, 2007 10:18 PM

Well Hell woz that must make me the smartest person imaginable

Hahahahahaha you know those eight grandkids and all, Lot of experience there

Army Secretary: "No Possibility" Of Longer Tours In Iraq

U.S. OK'd Troop Terror Hunts in Pakistan
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/huff-wires/20070823/crossing-into-pakistan/

Maybe your young sons, daughters, husband, wives will be dying in Pakistan, before Iran What happens if Musharraf is toppled.

Fox cancels its Democratic presidential debate

http://rawstory.com/news/2007/Fox_cancels_Democratic_presidential_debate_0823.html

I don't know if we have a real democracy NOW, much less what will be in 18 months. I think we have lost so much.

I agree that JK was a great loss and not a day goes by that I don't feel terrible for our children that we failed to elect such a good person. I was in love with the image of JK and THK and JRE and EE sitting down to breakfast with all of us every day and discussing how we would be cleaning up the mess.

I feel pretty desperate about the mess, which is piling up more and more. I am not sure ANYONE can lead the way to cleaning it up.

But I feel more hopeful when I see passion and insight on this blog. If we can see our way to solutions, maybe the world can too.

GOP lobby firm hired to oust Iraqi PM Bush backs

A lobbying firm with close connections to the Bush administration is aiding the efforts of an opposition leader in Iraq who is seeking Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki's ouster.

The revelation that lobbying firm Barbour, Griffith and Rogers, whose president is a former US envoy to Iraq, is supporting former interim prime minister Ayad Alllawi, was first reported by IraqSlogger. The firm has sent hundreds of e-mails in Allawi's name from an e-mail address it purchased, DrAyadAllawi@Allawi-for-Iraq.com, and it has purchased the Web domain AllawiForIraq.com.

BGR's president, Robert Blackwill, was presidential envoy for Iraq in 2004. Amid speculation that President Bush would support Maliki's replacement, the administration has stressed its continued support of Iraq's prime minister.

"It's not up to politicians in Washington, D.C. to say whether he will remain in his position -- that is up to the Iraqi people who now live in a democracy, and not a dictatorship," Bush said Wednesday.

http://rawstory.com/news/2007/GOP_Lobby_firm_hired_to_oust_0823.html

Intrigue, Intrigue, Intrigue, now all we have to do is wait for the next Democratically elected Dictator to be put on the throne in Iraq by Georgie and Cheney

Wecome to Georgies Liberation of Iraq

Can we count to 2 million Iraqis dead, by the time they are finished with their WMD.

British Army deploys new weapon based on mass-killing technology

Parliament not told, minister says

A new 'super-weapon' being supplied to British soldiers in Afghanistan employs technology based on the "thermobaric" principle which uses heat and pressure to kill people targeted across a wide air by sucking the air out of lungs and rupturing internal organs.

The so-called "enhanced blast" weapon uses similar technology used in the US "bunker busting" bombs and the devastating bombs dropped by the Russians to destroy the Chechen capital, Grozny.

According to the US Defense Intelligence Agency, which released a study on thermobaric weapons in 1993, "The [blast] kill mechanism against living targets is unique--and unpleasant.... What kills is the pressure wave, and more importantly, the subsequent rarefaction [vacuum], which ruptures the lungs.… If the fuel deflagrates but does not detonate, victims will be severely burned and will probably also inhale the burning fuel. Since the most common FAE fuels, ethylene oxide and propylene oxide, are highly toxic, undetonated FAE should prove as lethal to personnel caught within the cloud as most chemical agents."

Such weapons are brutally effective because they first disperse a gas or chemical agent which is lit at a second stage, allowing the blast to fill the spaces of a building or the crevices of a cave. When the US military deployed a version of these weapons in 2005, DefenseTech wrote an article titled, "Marines Quiet About Brutal New Weapon."

http://rawstory.com/news/2007/British_Army_deploys_new_weapon_based_0823.html

Posted by: rossiann at August 23, 2007 10:36 PM

Barack Obama has been saying that we shouldn't be in Iraq - we should be in Pakistan. Now!

EVERYONE Please join or start a peace vigil on Tuesday night!!
Please connect up with MoveOn or whoever is doing it in your area, or start it!!

Counter the multi-million dollar pro-war propaganda campaign.

Read the declassified progress report yourself at http://www.npr.org (I haven't yet)

See the new documentary (by a guy named Ferguson) that is about what went wrong in Iraq - it's aimed at Democrats and Republicans alike

That's it, off the top of my head, and now I'm going to start reading backwards.

My work computer now crashes when I try to open this site.

The rest of today's postings are interesting, but reading them backwards gives me a complete headache, especially as I got in on a surprise wine tasting as I left the gym, and that was after being in a traffic jam and having low blood sugar following a marathon day at work!

Someone will get the nomination. I will plug my nose and vote for them. How depressing.

What else did I "gather" today in my news blackout? I suppose I looked at headlines at lunchtime but didn't dare open many sites. Comcast had a leading story about Lindsay Lohan, I remember.

During the traffic jam, I heard Terry Gross interview Baghdad bureau chief Jamie Tarabay (sp?) who lived in Lebanon as a child, grew up in Australia, is fluent in Arabic and lived through a near-miss with an IED and a kidnapping-gone-wrong with a colleague. What did I learn? She thinks Al-Maliki has been ineffective in quelling sectarian dissent.

She brought up the issue of pretty much ALL OF IRAQ having post-traumatic stress disorder! She talked about walking through markets with General Petraeus and he was talking about how people now had 4 hours a day of electricity. That means 20 hours a day without it.

She told how women (including herself) used to drive freely around Iraq and now it's dangerous - you have to be driven, be disguised and look straight ahead. She felt the "surge" might be intimidating some insurgents and militias in the short term but cannot be sustained. Even if it was, they have not gone away, just underground.

Even with my favorite NPR reporters, it is a game of listen between-the-lines. My summation from listening is that everything is all messed up. I want to see that film I mentioned this weekend. People have been raving about it.

Here is the trailer:
http://noendinsightmovie.com/ NO .. END .. IN .. SIGHT

Here is a review:
http://sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2007/08/07/DDT6RE0572.DTL

More:
http://daily.stanford.edu/article/2007/5/24/iraqFilmMovesAudienceCriticizesWhiteHouse

Damn - need to put it up on our website. Click, if you want to see if it worked.

NMP and others..... there have been some excellent documentaries on tv and some shorter pieces of current events. Go to this page and choose the pieces you want to see.....

http://news.sbs.com.au/dateline/

Warner disputes Bush Vietnam-Iraq analogy
GOP senator urges president to have some troops home by Christmas

WASHINGTON - Who’s the more astute student of Vietnam War history — President Bush or Sen. John Warner, R-Va.?

Warner, the octogenarian GOP Senate powerbroker who served as Navy secretary under President Nixon during the Vietnam War, called Thursday for Bush to begin withdrawing some U.S. troops from Iraq — he used the figure of 5,000 — so that they could be home by Christmas.

“Five thousand is not going to be destabilizing,” he argued. There are now more than 160,000 U.S. troops in Iraq.

more...
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/20410739/

Report: Gen. Pace may urge troop cut in Iraq
Paper: Joint Chiefs fear war has hurt ability to respond to other threats

WASHINGTON - The chairman of the U.S. military’s Joint Chiefs of Staff is expected to urge President Bush to cut U.S. troop levels in Iraq next year, the Los Angeles Times said Friday, citing military and administration officials.

Marine Gen. Peter Pace, whose term as chairman expires at the end of September, is expected to contend that keeping significantly more than 100,000 troops in Iraq through next year would severely strain the military and compromise its ability to respond to other threats, the newspaper said.

The top U.S. commander in Iraq, Army Gen. David Petraeus, is to give his much-awaited recommendation next month on how to proceed with military operations in Iraq in a report expected to spark a firestorm of debate on the unpopular war.

more...
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/20420566/

May be political, maybe not. Definately murder either way.

Authorities in Orange County are investigating the discovery of three dead bodies inside a home in east Orange County on Thursday.—According to records from the Orange County Property Appraiser’s Office, the home is owned by Rafael Gonzalez, who is known to be a prominent Republican party strategist. It is not known if Gonzalez is one of the victims.

The address of the home is also listed as the office of the Strategum Group, a political firm whose president is listed as Ralph Gonzalez, who served as executive director of the Georgia Republican Party.

UPDATE: WESH 2 News has confirmed Republican political strategist Ralph Gonzalez was one of three people found dead inside a home in East Orange County on Thursday.

http://www.crooksandliars.com/2007/08/23/home-where-3-died-owned-by-gop-strategist/

Teen Christians campaign against pop culture
Thousands of teens attend Christian rallies each year

Many of the rallies attempt to offer an alternative to secular popular culture
Opponents say these impose conservative values on vulnerable teenagers

(CNN) -- At one point in Jared Hutchins' young life, the Beatles were a big problem.

The rallies, which draw mostly teens, are one part concert, one part Christian revival.

"I had to stop listening to them for a while," said Hutchins, who lives in Cumming, Georgia, and plays the piano, guitar and harmonica. He said the group's world view "had a negative effect on me," and made him irritable and angry.

"God owns my life, not the Beatles," he said simply. Although Hutchins said he enjoys a wide range of music -- from Pink Floyd and Arcade Fire to Christian bands such as Hillsong United -- he said he has to be careful of what music he listens to, for the same reason he temporarily turned off the Beatles.

Hutchins, a 16-year-old graced with poise and thoughtfulness, is one of many teenagers who say that some part of popular culture, with its ubiquitous references to sex, drugs and violence, has harmed him.

Last year, Hutchins and his Christian youth group attended an Acquire the Fire rally in Atlanta, Georgia, he said. Acquire the Fire -- regional rallies held across the country -- and BattleCry -- the larger rallies held this year in only three cities -- are the products of the evangelical Christian organization Teen Mania.

more...
http://www.cnn.com/2007/US/08/22/gw.teen.christians/index.html

The Beatles??? NEGATIVE?

GOOD GOD!

Posted by: monkey at August 24, 2007 07:53 AM

Brainwashing is brainwashing no matter what guise it masquerades under.

Sad. Sad. Sad.

Imagine all the people...going bat sh*t crazy and screwing up their kids.

Oh, wait, no need to imagine that.

Oh man, that dead stratagist is FEENEYS guy.

"The third person was the shooter. He shot my son first and then shot David and then killed himself," Eva Gonzalez said.

The last time Gonzalez spoke to her son was Tuesday, she said, and his best friend called her on Thursday to give her the bad news.

From his home, Ralph Gonzalez operated the Strategum Group, a political consulting firm. His list of clients included U.S. Rep. Tom Feeney, R-Fla."

So, the vote rigger re-emerges in a murder investigation. Oh, that is deep.

Yesterday, this woman I know in passing shows up at my house to commission a painting, and I swear I wished everyone of you were sitting on my porch listening to that conversation.

It was so funny, and sad too.

She caught me laying out at the pool and so we stand there talking, come to find out her man works for Halliburton. The painting is a gift for him.

She starts complimenting me on my house, and then starts telling me about her house.

Three sentences in, she, like a lot of white people here, just suddenly volunteers that 'this family of black people live next door' but immediately assures me 'But they don't bother anybody. They stay quiet.'

Then, apparently she got caught up in the blackness of it all, and started talking about how her son got into a fight with this 'black kid'... But the funniest thing was, everytime she would say 'black people' or 'black boy' she whispered it.

She would be talking normally and all the sudden stop and whisper 'black people', like it would conjure up the devil or something.

I was just looking at her, trying to keep from sneering, and I started thinking about yall being ganged up on my porch just intently listening to her.

It made me smile right in her face, just thinking of the look on her face to have to say it out loud in front of an audience.

I swear this is the only place I have ever seen where white people automatically assume other white people are just as freaked out and paraniod as they are.

I thought it was funny, but it was also perhaps the most pathetic thing I have seen this week.

I love the south, but sometimes I hate it here too.

I will never admit to the latter part again.

Christy,

Amazing, but then retro behaviors always take us by surprise, don't they? A friend said something anti-semitic to me a few weeks ago and I am still amazed at my own shock!

I wrote the new thread header in response to my own thinking about such occurrences.

--new thread---WORD PLAY.

Christy
You cemented the impression I got when in the bit of the south I've been in - it's because of people like you being there that I am more intrigued with going back and learning. I have mentioned the people we met on the cruise ship who were from north of New Orleans and warned us not to go there and told us their opinion of why. They were fat, white, polyester-pantsuit-wearing (man and woman both), lawn-tractor obsessed and "black people" obsessed.

I think racism, homophobia and sexism are usually borne out of ignorance, myth, hearsay and a bit of curiosity but very little firsthand practical knowledge. The fear is too great. It's hard to believe that people have no sense of adventure, so little skepticism about authority, so little insight into paranoia, lies and propaganda. Something is wrong with their early childhood education.

Posted by: monkey at August 24, 2007 07:53 AM

Ship them en masse to Hempfest and we will reprogram them.
Click on my name.

Posted by: Not My President at August 24, 2007 09:31 AM

Ummm, can Hempfest be shipped to me instead? ;-)

drum, drum drum drum, DRUMMMMM!!!!!!