...
Ned is considering running because, like most Connecticut Democrats, he is tired of being represented by a senator who is not willing to stand up to the President on the war - and on the rest of his extreme right wing agenda which is so harmful to our country.
...
Thursday, February 2, 2006
The first
Remember when I said I was going to do what I can to get the Business-As-Usual Dems out of office. The first one in my sights is Holy Joe 'Joementum' Lieberman. Connecticut voters, I'd like to introduce Ned Lamont.
The nation Bush doesn't see
An EssEffChron editorial:
There's stuff in between those quotes as well.
PRESIDENT BUSH'S bemoaning of America's addiction to oil last night was just one measure of his disconnect with the effects of his administration's policies.
Yes, this nation does need to push more aggressively conservation and alternative-energy technologies to break its dependence on oil that is "often imported from unstable parts of the world," as Bush observed in his State of the Union address. Yet this is the same president who began his administration by inviting energy industry executives to meet behind closed doors with Vice President Dick Cheney. It's fair to say the industry recommendations -- many of which were incorporated into the Bush plan -- were not aimed at easing this nation's addiction to oil.
The Bush administration's energy-policy emphasis to date has been on feeding the nation's oil addiction by pushing for greatly expanded drilling on public lands, from the Rocky Mountains to Alaska's Arctic National Wildlife Refuge.
His defense of warrantless eavesdropping was flat-out disingenuous. His suggestion that the Sept. 11 attacks might have been averted if authorities had been able to wiretap two al Qaeda plotters who were making overseas calls was a perfect example of activity for which a warrant would be approved -- assuming U.S. authorities were bothering to keep track of terrorists they knew had entered this country. A Presidential Daily Briefing that declared that bin Laden was "determined to strike" in the United States, perhaps with hijackers -- such as the one sent to Bush on Aug. 6, 2001 -- was plenty of evidence for warrants on known al Qaeda operatives.
There's stuff in between those quotes as well.
Wednesday, February 1, 2006
Iraq Vet shot by pussy cop
LATimes
The cops say they chased these guys because they were speeding. Let's see - two young guys in a Corvette. If I was a young guy with a Corvette, I'd speed, so OK, I'll buy it, but it could have been two young Mexican guys in a Corvette that touched it off as well. We will see.
The guys fucked up by running, sure. I'm sure the cop thought he had a coupla real desperado car thieves.
Shooting somebody is damn serious business, not to be taken lightly. It's obvious the cop didn't take time to aim or Mr. Carrion would be dead. It's as if he panicked. Something failed him at a crucial moment, whether his character or his training I have no idea. Probably both. I don't want people like that running around with a badge and a gun with the power of life and death over me.
I saw the video. All the cop had to do if he was worried was take a step or two backwards to give him time to re-evaluate the situation. If that cop tries to use the "I was scared for my life" defense against an unarmed man who was following orders and didn't appear to be threatening him, then that cop's a fuckin' pussy who doesn't have the necessary intestinal fortitude or judgment skills to be a cop.
Responding to a dramatic videotape of a police shooting, federal officials opened an investigation Tuesday into the conduct of a San Bernardino County sheriff's deputy who opened fire on a man who appeared to be following the deputy's order to get off the ground.
At one point, a voice on the tape appears to say "Stay on the ground." A moment later, however, the deputy appears to tell Carrion: "Get up, get up."
"I'm going to get up," Carrion replied as he began to rise from a crouch. As he did so, the deputy, who was standing a few feet away, fired multiple rounds.
Carrion, a U.S. Air Force security officer who had recently returned from duty in Iraq, was hit in the chest, shoulder and leg. He was listed in good condition Tuesday at Arrowhead Regional Medical Center in Colton.
The cops say they chased these guys because they were speeding. Let's see - two young guys in a Corvette. If I was a young guy with a Corvette, I'd speed, so OK, I'll buy it, but it could have been two young Mexican guys in a Corvette that touched it off as well. We will see.
The guys fucked up by running, sure. I'm sure the cop thought he had a coupla real desperado car thieves.
Shooting somebody is damn serious business, not to be taken lightly. It's obvious the cop didn't take time to aim or Mr. Carrion would be dead. It's as if he panicked. Something failed him at a crucial moment, whether his character or his training I have no idea. Probably both. I don't want people like that running around with a badge and a gun with the power of life and death over me.
I saw the video. All the cop had to do if he was worried was take a step or two backwards to give him time to re-evaluate the situation. If that cop tries to use the "I was scared for my life" defense against an unarmed man who was following orders and didn't appear to be threatening him, then that cop's a fuckin' pussy who doesn't have the necessary intestinal fortitude or judgment skills to be a cop.
A Religion That Grew From a Lot of Brew
You'll like this one. From today's WaPo:
Go read.
On the South Pacific island of Tanna, beneath a volcano that rumbles and smokes, a guy wearing a fake U.S. Army uniform raises an American flag. Then 40 barefoot men march past, carrying fake rifles made of bamboo, their brown chests decorated with red paint spelling out "USA."
Later, a group of men slinging fake chainsaws sing a homemade hymn: "We've come from America to cut down all the trees so we can build factories."
This isn't a protest or a piece of performance art. It's a religious ceremony held every year on Feb. 15 -- John Frum Day, the high holy day of a South Pacific religion that worships a messiah who is, as Paul Raffaele writes in a wonderfully weird story in the February issue of Smithsonian, "an American god no sober man has ever seen."
"John promised you much cargo more than 60 years ago and none has come," Raffaele said to Chief Isaac. "Why do you still believe in him?"
Chief Isaac smiled and uttered an irrefutable answer: "You Christians have been waiting 2,000 years for Jesus to return to earth," he said, "and you haven't given up hope."
Go read.
Dear Dickhead President Bush
John Murtha writes to Preznit Cowardly Liar the day after the Bullshit Festival State of the Union.
...
This March will mark the beginning of the 4th year of the war in Iraq. In contrast, U.S. involvement in WWI came to an end after 19 months. Victory in Europe was declared in WWII after 3 years 5 months. In the Korean War, a cease-fire was signed after 3 years and 1 month. But after more than three and a half years into the war in Iraq, your administration finally produced what is called a "Plan for Victory" in Iraq.
...
Bush's One Hour Argument With Himself
Everything you would ever want to know about the SOTU v. what really happened, at Think Progress.
Dead Man Talking
Josh Holland puts a hopeful spin on the SOTU blatherfest:
Much description of said zombie-speech follows.
He's right. He should just quit being president cuz it's too hard and go home and clear brush.
George Bush is hanging by a thread. As he gamed his way through his fifth State of the Union Speech last night, it was clear that his is a presidency laying in ruin. Except for a reactionary judiciary that will be his continuing legacy -- pushed past the too-little, too-late efforts of a limp Democratic Party -- Bush has no accomplishments he can look forward to in the next three years.
George is dead, spun-out of spin, yet like his zombie followers he just keeps on talking.
Much description of said zombie-speech follows.
That's it. That's all he had. After five years running the country, without a single policy he could point to that hasn't turned out to be a failure George Bush has only one thing left to say: "My presidency is finished."
He's right. He should just quit being president cuz it's too hard and go home and clear brush.
"Eek! A Protester!"
Following up on Fixer's post, here's Cindy Sheehan's own account of what happened.
It's a good thing she's white. Otherwise, she might might have been shot trying to escape.
I had just sat down and I was warm from climbing 3 flights of stairs back up from the bathroom so I unzipped my jacket. I turned to the right to take my left arm out, when the same officer saw my shirt and yelled, "Protester." He then ran over to me, hauled me out of my seat, and roughly (with my hands behind my back) shoved me up the stairs. I said something like "I'm going, do you have to be so rough?" By the way, his name is Mike Weight.
I wore the shirt to make a statement. The press knew I was going to be there, and I thought every once in awhile they would show me, and I would have the shirt on. I did not wear it to be disruptive, or I would have unzipped my jacket during George's speech. If I had any idea what happens to people who wear shirts that make the neocons uncomfortable, that I would be arrested ... maybe I would have, but I didn't.
I don't want to live in a country that prohibits any person, whether or not he/she has paid the ultimate price for that country, from wearing, saying, writing, or telephoning any negative statements about the government. That's why I am going to take my freedoms and liberties back. That's why I am not going to let BushCo take anything else away from me ... or you.
It's a good thing she's white. Otherwise, she might might have been shot trying to escape.
Democratic Talking Points
Since you guys so suck at getting a message out, I've compiled 10 points that should get you all on the same page and clear some of the dead wood and DINOs [I just realized I wrote RINOs originally. My bad. - F-man] out of the Party
1. There are no such thing as pro-life Democrats. If you classify yourself as 'pro-life' it means you support a principle of the Republican Party. You support the government legislating what your constituents can do with their own bodies. The Democratic Party does not advocate repealing civil rights.
2. If you are against gay rights (marriage included) you are not a Democrat for the same reasons as stated in 1.
3. If you are a 'war hawk', turn in your membership card. The only reason the United States goes to war is to defend our borders and sovereignty, period.
4. For the foreseeable future, the word 'bipartisan' had better not cross your lips. If you've learned anything, being 'bipartisan' only gets you fucked and made to look like fools.
5. You will not say the word 'misled' when describing the President, the White House, the war in Iraq, the Republican Congress, anything Republican. They lied, period. Even if you're not sure, by now we know if the Republicans' lips are moving, they're lying. Evidence of it will surface soon enough.
6. You will end the 'collegial atmosphere' with Republican memebers of Congress. If you are on a talk show and disagree with the resident Rethug, don't say, 'while Mr. X is a friend of mine, blah blah blah'. No, you will say, 'this lying, enabling prick is trying to snow you and the American public by supporting Plan X and is shoveling in the bullshit like the coming of the high tide', or something to that effect. They are not your friends and don't want to 'work with their Democratic counterparts'. They want to crush you and put a Rethug in your seat. Got me?
7. You will never, ever, say you give the Republicans the 'benefit of the doubt'. They've proven they should never be given that benefit again. Assume everything they do has nefarious motives.
8. You will never say the word 'trust' in the same sentence as 'Republicans' unless you're giving reasons not to trust them.
9. If you vote for any bill that puts the interest of industry over environment, you'll be kicked out, period. We've seen when industry and manufacturing of any form is allowed to shape government policy and the results aren't pretty. Same goes if you say you are unsure about Global Warming. Get out.
10. If you ever, ever let that idiot Kaine speak on a national platform again...
Try and get on some of these before the election season goes into full swing.
1. There are no such thing as pro-life Democrats. If you classify yourself as 'pro-life' it means you support a principle of the Republican Party. You support the government legislating what your constituents can do with their own bodies. The Democratic Party does not advocate repealing civil rights.
2. If you are against gay rights (marriage included) you are not a Democrat for the same reasons as stated in 1.
3. If you are a 'war hawk', turn in your membership card. The only reason the United States goes to war is to defend our borders and sovereignty, period.
4. For the foreseeable future, the word 'bipartisan' had better not cross your lips. If you've learned anything, being 'bipartisan' only gets you fucked and made to look like fools.
5. You will not say the word 'misled' when describing the President, the White House, the war in Iraq, the Republican Congress, anything Republican. They lied, period. Even if you're not sure, by now we know if the Republicans' lips are moving, they're lying. Evidence of it will surface soon enough.
6. You will end the 'collegial atmosphere' with Republican memebers of Congress. If you are on a talk show and disagree with the resident Rethug, don't say, 'while Mr. X is a friend of mine, blah blah blah'. No, you will say, 'this lying, enabling prick is trying to snow you and the American public by supporting Plan X and is shoveling in the bullshit like the coming of the high tide', or something to that effect. They are not your friends and don't want to 'work with their Democratic counterparts'. They want to crush you and put a Rethug in your seat. Got me?
7. You will never, ever, say you give the Republicans the 'benefit of the doubt'. They've proven they should never be given that benefit again. Assume everything they do has nefarious motives.
8. You will never say the word 'trust' in the same sentence as 'Republicans' unless you're giving reasons not to trust them.
9. If you vote for any bill that puts the interest of industry over environment, you'll be kicked out, period. We've seen when industry and manufacturing of any form is allowed to shape government policy and the results aren't pretty. Same goes if you say you are unsure about Global Warming. Get out.
10. If you ever, ever let that idiot Kaine speak on a national platform again...
Try and get on some of these before the election season goes into full swing.
Of, by, and for
I don't think so:
It's amazing how a single mom can get under the Chimp's skin so often. It's says something about the Democratic Party when Bush is more scared of Cindy Sheehan than he is of them.
Apparently, you cannot wear a t-shirt in front of the Chimperor Disgustus unless it says "JesusBush Saves".
Ironic that in the place most specifically addressed in the First Amendment (you know that whole "Congress shall make no law" thing) this will get you arrested:
...
It's amazing how a single mom can get under the Chimp's skin so often. It's says something about the Democratic Party when Bush is more scared of Cindy Sheehan than he is of them.
Congress does something right
Dec. 12, 2005 - Military people take pride in looking out for each other - include dogs in that. Bomb-sniffing dog Rex may soon get an early discharge from the Air Force, thanks to his handler, Tech. Sgt. Jamie Dana, and to members of Congress who couldn't resist a heartwarming story.
...
I'm happy to report both Tsgt. Dana and Rex have been discharged together and Rex is now a part of the family, thanks to an act of Congress. I'm also happy to report Sgt. Dana is beginning a new career as a veterinarian. With the dedication she showed to Rex, I have no doubt she'll be a good one. It does my heart good to see this, on several levels.
"Damn, Leroy! That was the fastest margarita I ever did see!"
I like to stir shit up. For years, I've been the guy who puts the outboard motor in the punch bowl, so to speak, but this one takes the cake. Can a big inch V-Twin be far behind?
Tuesday, January 31, 2006
Might as well
Mrs. F and I are watching ABC News and they're going on about Alito's nomination. She turns to me and says:
"I might as well get a hysterectomy now. I'd rather do that than give it to this idiot."
Well said, darling.
"I might as well get a hysterectomy now. I'd rather do that than give it to this idiot."
Well said, darling.
Fearless Leader's SOTU: STFU!
We all know what a heck-of-a-job Fearless Leader has done and of course he will get on the TeeVee tonight to tell us about it, platitude after platitude, in his SOTU address. According to CNN Dear Leader's topics will include everything from the insane to the looney:
Shorter SOTU: I've wrapped myself in the Stars and Stripes, God is on my side, so be afraid, very afraid. We're after bin Laden, New Orleans is looking better every day and Iraq is paying for itself. I am your great and powerful Leader so it's OK if I lie to you. (Yay Peggy Noonan.)
Gordon mentioned a SOTU drinking game, but if you watch the actual SOTU, you may just throw up before you have a chance to drink anything.
And the best for last: Wesley Clark offers a superb Democratic rebuttal. Clark's SOTU deserves your time and attention. Good night and good luck.
America is addicted to oil, which is often imported from unstable parts of the world... The best way to break this addiction is through technology...
There must be calls for Congress to renew the USA Patriot Act and make permanent the tax cuts passed in 2001... and plans to expand tax deductions for medical expenses and allow people to put more money in tax-deductible health savings accounts.
Shorter SOTU: I've wrapped myself in the Stars and Stripes, God is on my side, so be afraid, very afraid. We're after bin Laden, New Orleans is looking better every day and Iraq is paying for itself. I am your great and powerful Leader so it's OK if I lie to you. (Yay Peggy Noonan.)
Gordon mentioned a SOTU drinking game, but if you watch the actual SOTU, you may just throw up before you have a chance to drink anything.
And the best for last: Wesley Clark offers a superb Democratic rebuttal. Clark's SOTU deserves your time and attention. Good night and good luck.
Dear John Kerry
While I'm grateful you showed the good sense and intestinal fortitude to attempt the filibuster, today is not the day to send me an email looking for contributions. K?
For the record
If I ever caught a fellow GI raping another, he'd have a .45 caliber headache. Who the fuck is in charge over there?
Exxon/Mobil
If you're gonna make $36bn in profits, profits mind you, in a year, the least you can do is pump my fucking gas and wash my fucking windshield at no extra charge. Kiss me first, you motherfuckers.
Fox News Fans the Hysteria
Counterpunch has an article on Faux News role in promoting the upcoming war with Iran.
There's that little three-letter word again. Seems to crop up a lot in conjunction with the words "Middle East", doesn't it?
Hell, the damn ragheads don't like us and might sell their oil to China. We can't let 'em do that now, can we? Let's just bomb the livin' crap out of 'em and steal it. It's ours anyway. Jesus said so.
Just a couple of months ago, I would have said that even this administration isn't stupid enough to attack Iran, given the deterioration they have caused to the military, let alone the common sense involved in not doing that.
I've changed my mind. Their little dream world could easily become even more of a nightmare for the rest of us than it already is. They are plenty stupid and evil enough, and they have a stupid and evil enabler in F** Noise to spread the fake word.
A majority of Americans have now been deceived twice on the same issue. Just as there was no evidence that Iraq was developing nuclear weapons, there is no evidence that Iran is developing nuclear weapons. There is nothing but unproven assertions, assertions, moreover, that are contradicted by the evidence that does exist. Americans, it would appear, are so anxious for wars that they welcome being fooled into them.
Why, then, is the American population being whipped up by the Bush administration and Fox "News" into war hysteria against Iran?
Fox is aggressively agitating for war with Iran. On shows such as Hannity and Combs, guest after guest--Newt Gingrich, Ollie North, various retired generals, pundits, and even Democratic politicians--agitate for attacking Iran.
For example, on January 26th and 27th Liberal Democrat Bob Beckel said on Fox that the US must "absolutely" attack Iran if for no other reason than "for the sake of Israel." Democrat Bill Richardson affirmed that "we need to renew and re-strengthen our commitment to Israel." Newt Gingrich said that it is so urgent to attack Iran that it must happen within the next few months. According to Gingrich, Iran not only cannot be trusted with nuclear technology, but also Iranians "cannot be trusted with their oil."
There's that little three-letter word again. Seems to crop up a lot in conjunction with the words "Middle East", doesn't it?
Hell, the damn ragheads don't like us and might sell their oil to China. We can't let 'em do that now, can we? Let's just bomb the livin' crap out of 'em and steal it. It's ours anyway. Jesus said so.
Compared to attacking Iran, attacking Iraq was a small if reckless risk. Nevertheless, the unexpected consequences of the US invasion of Iraq have prevented the Bush administration from achieving its goals.
Osama bin Laden and al Qaeda must be marveling at the rank stupidity of the American people. Maybe Fox "News" only pretends to be the Ministry of War Propaganda for the Bush administration and is really in the employ of al Qaeda.
Just a couple of months ago, I would have said that even this administration isn't stupid enough to attack Iran, given the deterioration they have caused to the military, let alone the common sense involved in not doing that.
I've changed my mind. Their little dream world could easily become even more of a nightmare for the rest of us than it already is. They are plenty stupid and evil enough, and they have a stupid and evil enabler in F** Noise to spread the fake word.
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