Excellent

The last of David Neiwart's 6-part series The Rise of Pseudo Fascism has been posted at Orcinus. Excellent and enlightening. It's long but worth the read.

Force Readiness

Bleak. From Josh Marshall:

[. . .]

Back on December 6th of last year, you’ll remember, the Washington Post reported that in 2004, four of ten Army divisions would not be combat ready for up to six months. Specifically, they would be rated at C-3 or C-4, the Army’s two lowest readiness levels.

[. . .]

The picture this reporting paints for Guard readiness is, I’m told, considerably more bleak than the December news about readiness in the Army.

Readiness in stateside Guard brigades is so poor because those brigades are essentially being cannibalized – for both men and materiel – to keep afloat brigades that are currently stationed in Iraq.

And we wonder why recruitment is down? This is what happens when civilians in power read too many Tom Clancy novels.

Boom-Boom go Bye-Bye

No, this is not my garage. These are those explosives that were supposedly "moved before the war by Saddam" or "not there when the U.S. got there" or "the Russians took 'em". Looks like we knew they were there because a news crew from KSTP was embedded with the ground-pounders.

Abuse Of Faith

I have said for a long time that Dubya is a phony when it comes to his use of Christianity as a political tool. Arianna Huffington pretty much agrees.

As someone for whom faith is incredibly important, and who regularly prays for all the people and things that matter to me, I'm hopeful that God is as appalled as I am with the way His name is constantly being taken in vain on the Bush campaign trail, and with how the president is abusing his faith to justify to himself and to the world his disastrous policies.

The second way the president is corrupting his faith is by using it as a marketing tool designed to garner support among the over 60 million Americans who identify themselves as evangelical -- particularly the 4 million born-again voters who stayed home in 2000.

All this pious posturing is also being used as a cudgel with which to attack John Kerry, portraying him as a sorry second in the faith sweepstakes.

What's next? Attack ads from Altar Boys for Truth claiming Kerry never actually swallowed the body of Christ during communion?

"This is why George W. Bush is so clear-eyed about al-Qaida and the Islamic fundamentalist enemy," explained Bruce Bartlett, a domestic policy advisor to Reagan and Bush 41. "He understands them because he's just like them."

I pray that every American of real faith keeps this in mind when stepping into the voting booth on Election Day.

And the rest of us too.

Molly Antes Up For Kerry

Molly Ivins is putting her money on Big John:

AUSTIN, Texas -- I finally put my money down on Tuesday, a whole week out. Kerry over Bush by two to three points in every state that matters except Florida. For those who find this an appalling, Bill Bennett-like display of disrespect for both good money and Our Nation's Future, I say, hey, no guts, no glory. Besides, Ladbrokes, the English betting firm, is offering 6 to 5 on Kerry.

Without fear of contradiction, I can say that George W. Bush has turned out to be a divider, not a uniter, for the past four years. Sheesh, if we get any madder at each other there will be fisticuffs, brethren, I say fisticuffs.

Fisticuffs? She says that almost like it's a bad thing.

Liberals, normally gentle as little kittens -- usually you can go right up to 'em and touch their soft, curly fur, they don't mind a bit -- are in an alarming state of righteous anger. This time, they devoutly believe, jackbooted fascism is just around the corner. Not only do they think the Bill of Rights is being quietly dismantled, they are sentient enough to notice that our reputation around the world has gone from the instant support of Sept. 11 to disgust and fear.

You don't have to be all that sentient to see that. I think "alarming state of righteous anger" is a ladylike understatement. The way I would put that is "so pissed off I can't see straight", but I'm no lady. Nor am I syndicated. I don't have to watch my language. Fixer said so.

I'm bettin' with Molly.

Bush Wins

Looks like W won the big one: From Reuters:

LONDON (Reuters) - President George W. Bush may see himself as defender of democracy and compassionate conservatism but film fans have voted him "Movie Villain of the Year".

In a poll for Total Film magazine, the U.S. leader fought off competition from such well-known baddies as atomic scientist Doctor Octopus from "Spider-Man 2" and fellow Texan Leatherface from "The Texas Chainsaw Massacre".

These Limeys know their villains, what?

Bush O for 2

From David Corn:

Finally, a Link Between Hussein and bin Laden

There is a link between Saddam Hussein and Osama bin Laden. Of sorts. The Iraqi facility at the heart of the recent controversy over the 380 tons of missing explosives--Al Qaqaa--was named by Saddam Hussein after a famed Muslim warrior called al Qaqaa. And what is a nickname that Osama bin Laden has adopted? Yes, you guessed it: al Qaqaa. So with his invasion of Iraq, Bush did not address the threat posed by Al Qaaqa (the facility) or the threat posed by al Qaqaa (the man). On the al Qaqaa front, Bush remains 0 for 2. (my emphasis)

'Tis a good day for baseball analogies, no?

Congrats

To the Red Sox. I'll concede the Curse is broken and I take back all those things I said about them choking. But, being a Mets fan, I will say these two words. Bill Buckner.

Optimism

From Digby:

There must be something in the water this year in Beantown. The Yankee machine had the Sox down and they battled their way back and back and back to get into the series. And then they won with authority, dammit!

That righteous Boston mojo took them all the way and it's going to take John Kerry right through next Tuesday. And he's going to win with the same decisiveness that the Red Sox won the series. No bullshit and no question about who won.

And a certain faux Texan is going to get a chance to run for the office he always wanted --- baseball commissioner.

Sounds like me

Jo goes Nazi at DemVet. And as always, an excellent finish:

[. . .]

Damn. I want my country back.

John Kerry. For all the correct reasons...life, liberty and the American Dream.

DeLay May Go Down

Evan Derkacs on AlterNet says DeLay may not get an 11th term:

"I am the federal government."

– Tom DeLay, responding to a government employee who tried to prevent him from smoking on government property. The New York Times, June 13, 2003

Think of Tom DeLay as that snotty, privileged kid on the playground. He's already gotten at least four strikes, blames the ump, threatens those who suggest he sit down, and then tells his friends that he hit a home run. Oh, and he's got all the candy.

Long story here. It takes a long one just to recount "Bugs'" crimes. Thank God he doesn't list misdemeanors and infractions, let alone sins. Whole forests would die to provide enough paper. Then there's politics and perceptions.

Yet despite this last ditch effort to repair DeLay's Hemorrhaging public image it's beginning to look like the combined weight of the scandals and Democracy for America's TV ads are taking their toll. The latest poll shows DeLay's lead has been cut to 42% - 35% (under 50% for an incumbent typically spells doom.

Time to get back under houses with a spray gun, dipshit.

Shuffling Off The Mortal Coil?

Yassir Arafat has been the main impediment to a settlement of the Israeli/Palestinian conflict for thirty years. Being the good-hearted soul that I am, I pray for an end to his suffering. Yesterday would be fine.

Wolves For Kerry

Remeber those vicious wolves in Dubya's TV ad? They're pissed. Go to Wolfpacks For Truth to read their story.

We are a peaceful pack of wolves. All we want in life is:

Live in tree-filled forests

Drink clean water from our rivers and streams.

Breathe fresh and clean air.

Dubya better be careful on the way to Grandma's house.

Damn

The local National Guard unit, the 343rd MPs, shipped out for Iraq today. May God be with them.

October surprise 2

Fallujah. See Xan for the rationale.

Suppress the vote

WaPo via Melanie:

[. . .]

For George W. Bush, Karl Rove and their legion of genteel thugs, however, universal suffrage is just one more musty liberal ideal that threatens conservative rule. Today's Republicans have elevated vote suppression from a dirty secret to a public norm.

[. . .]

They are so brazen it is incredible, and none of the media whores will call them on it. I am hoping, praying, and making virginal sacrifices to ensure a landslide, an unquestionable win for Big John. And after that win, I hope indictments follow.

More On Missing Boom-Boom

If you think I'm pissed off about this, you're right. We certainly have not heard the last of this, nor of the soon-to-be-gone administration's dissembling and lies. Joe Conason of The New York Observer has this to say via Working For Change:

Specifically, the IAEA turned over to the Pentagon a list of sites that should be guarded by the invasion forces, including the Al Qaqaa complex. The IAEA had monitored that site for more than a decade and placed its contents under seal, because the same HMX and RDX explosives so useful in making car bombs and roadside mines are also ideal for triggering a nuclear weapon.

Explaining how persons unknown could have absconded with 40 truckloads of exceptionally dangerous munitions in the midst of an American invasion is a challenge even for this White House

Oh, have faith. They'll figure out a way.

According to the Iraqi interim government, which reported this incident to the IAEA two weeks ago, the theft of the explosives occurred after American forces entered Baghdad on April 9, during the orgy of looting of "government installations due to lack of security."

Our officials were very busy, of course, advancing photo ops on aircraft carriers and dispatching Republican operatives to the "Green Zone" in Baghdad. They weren't inclined to pay much attention to international meddlers at the U.N. or the IAEA. Why would they listen to anyone else when they never make a mistake?

Not only have we not heard the last of this, I think we have barely heard the beginning. Every time a car bomb goes off, or a Humvee carrying American soldiers gets blown away, think of George W. Bush. Be angry, be very, very angry.

Speak Of The Devil And Up He Jumps...

Yesterday, Fixer posted about sending some stuff to a Republican who has been bombarding his inbox with right-wing and Christian propaganda. In the comments section, I kinda ribbed him about how this fellow might think he's on a mission from God and the GOP to convert Fixer and redouble his efforts.

Big mistake. I shoulda kept my fool mouth shut. Too late now, there's a swell-tasting foot in it. Mine.

I get a lot of e-mail from Kerry and the DNC. Day before yesterday the DNC sent me one about the missing explosives in Iraq. Since Fixer and I had been expounding at length about how the swell fellows in charge of our military mission, beginning with the so-called Commander-in-Chief, may possibly have been the teensiest bit remiss in their planning and foresight, the subject was up front in my mind.

I hit 'forward' and fired the e-mail off to a lot of my friends, including one I shouldn't have: My wife's nephew, Steve. He is not quite 40, married, father of two small children. He's a schoolteacher and so's his wife. He is a published author.I have known him since he was about eight. I like him a lot.

Steve's mom, Mrs. G.'s sister, doesn't like political discussions amongst family members and now I see why. I know Steve is a wingnut, and I sent him the e-mail to mess with him. It must have worked.

Steve replied with some caustic comments about my intelligence and the "lame stream media". He mailed me a whole article, not a link, from some wingnut website refuting any administration or Army involvement. Then I made my second mistake: I responded with a short quote and link countering his crap. Thinking that would be the end of it, I closed with this line: "Peace. Be sure to vote on November 3rd."

He responded by accusing me of voter suppression and more wingnut BS. This time I just sent "Peace" hoping he'd stop it.

Next, he sends me comments about Kerry's anti-Vietnam-war statements and a quote from A. Lincoln about being a traitor if you criticize the President in time of war, along with, again, a whole article, this time from Faux News. I haven't responded to this one and don't think I will. Nah, I'll probably send him this post. Mrs. G. wants to send him a link to "Bush Relatives For Kerry". She knew I started this thing as a little dig, and now she's getting pissed. With two small kids, he ought to have better things to do. As a schoolteacher with a college education, he should know better than to buy into the wingnut scam.

So, Fixer, get a good laugh on ol' Gord. Roll around on the floor holding your sides and spew milk out your nose if you like. I damn sure got it coming. I should be more careful of what I say because it's likely to come back and bite me on the ass, but I probably won't, and it probably will.

In closing, I can think of no better thing to say about my favorite nephew than this quote from the Fixer: "I'd love to shove my Godless, baby-killing, Commie-pinko, gay-loving, Liberal foot up his ass." Yeesh!

Puppets?

Who is Iraqi hand puppet . . . er, Prime Minister Allawi playing to? I know everybody's been on this:

Prime Minister Ayad Allawi blamed the American-led military forces on Tuesday for the weekend massacre of 49 freshly trained Iraqi soldiers, saying the military had shown “major negligence.”

[. . .]

Could it be that while he is a cutthroat and a CIA informant/assassin/stooge, he cares about his country and his people a little more than he does about the Bush agenda? Blood is thicker than money and oil after all. Maybe he does want a stable society, maybe he's had enough of the carnage and the bodies stacking up. Maybe he sees his country's infrastructure crumbling away under continued U.S. bombing. It is his home, you know. Allawi could be the spoiler for Bush in the election if he doesn't keep his mouth shut. If he's assassinated in the next couple days, you can guess who did it.

Rabin's Legacy

With the passage by the Israeli Kesset of Ariel Sharon's plan to withdraw Israeli forces and settlers from the Gaza Strip, Danny, blogging at The Head Heeb, takes a look at the effects of Yitzhak Rabin's visions for the Jewish homeland, 9 years after his death.