Wednesday, May 31, 2006

Quote Of The Day



"It is finer to bring one noble human being into the world and rear it well
... than to kill ten thousand."

Olive Emilie Albertina Schreiner (1855-1920)
Feminist, Socialist, & Writer

And So It Goes.

Heelllooooo Hump Day Snark Report

From CNN.com
White House Says Haditha Report Will Be Made Public
Look, I cannot defend the men who did this massacre because it was terrible and unprovoked - a total anathema to what the military is supposed to be doing there. Yet, oh Great Decider, did anyone ever think that when you send a bunch of poorly trained guys to a country where they are not wanted and deny them basic supplies mentally they just might snap? The men who did this deserve to pay, and I am not mounting a defense for the indefensible, but this is not only an indictment of them - the upper eschalons of the military should look at this and change things because the blood of Haditha is on their hands also.

Federal Government Wants Access To Internet Customer Information
"Hello! You've Got Spies!"

Quake Toll In Indonesia Rises As More Aid Arrives
I do believe in God, but every once in awhile I think the Big Guy steps out for a smoke. Yeesh!

Tuesday, May 30, 2006

Bell Weathers?

From KC Buzz Blog
May 30, 2006
Sebelius flips the GOP's Parkinson

Kansas Gov. Kathleen Sebelius, a Democrat, is set to announce her running mate at 9 a.m. Wednesday at KU's Edwards campus in Overland Park.

As the new week began, all indications were that her pick would be former Kansas Republican chairman Mark Parkinson.

And that would mean another upheaval in state politics and another blow to a state GOP beset for more than a decade by infighting between conservative and moderate factions.
With Montana on the verge of tipping blue can Kansas be far behind. If Kansas moderates swing to the Dem column this could be a fine November indeed!

Snow Out. Paulson In.

Snow's successes never proved enough
By Greg Robb, MarketWatch
Last Update: 9:51 AM ET May 30, 2006


WASHINGTON (MarketWatch) -- Ending one of the capital's longest death watches ever, Treasury Secretary John Snow has finally resigned his post.

President Bush nominated Goldman Sachs CEO Henry Paulson as Treasury secretary on Tuesday, allowing Snow to tender his resignation. See full story.


The announcement came after weeks of speculation that Snow would be removed in a spring cleaning engineered by Josh Bolton, the new White House chief of staff.

By many metrics, Snow's three-year term at Treasury should be rated a success.
Since he joined Treasury in February 2003, the economy has been on steady footing, averaging about a 3.7% growth rate in gross domestic product over that time.
Steady for who I'd like to know. Record trade deficits, The worst budget deficits in history, and stagnant/ declining wages for the majority of Americans. Lest we forget the travails of the dollar against the Euro, oil price leading to the recent rise in the CPI.

Dammit though that 3.7% growth is GNP just pisses all over that right WaPo?

Let's be honest, the worst kept secret in Washington is that Snow wanted out prior to the '04 election, but stayed on because ShrubCo. could not find anyone who wanted the job.

Sweet Jesbus In a Hula Skirt! The End Of The World Is Nigh!

Thanks, I think, to

Yahoo News via AP

Paris Hilton says her upcoming album will be a mix of reggae, pop and hip-hop, with the first single being a reggae song called "Stars Are Blind."

Hilton will also do a remake of the Rod Stewart song "Da Ya Think I'm Sexy?," she was quoted as saying in the June issue of Hong Kong magazine Prestige....

"I have always had a voice and always known I could sing, but I was too shy to let it come out. I think that is the hardest thing you can do, to sing in front of people. When I finally let go and did it, I realized it is what I am most talented at and what I love to do the most," Hilton said

Ummm... shy?

Quote Of The Day






I still find each day too short for all the thoughts I want to think, all the walks I want to take, all the books I want to read, and all the friends I want to see.
John Burroughs (1837-1921)
Naturalist & Writer
Links
Wikipedia Entry
Works of J Burrough at Project Guttenberg
The John Burroughs Association
The Catskill Archive

Hey - It's Wednesday's Snark Report

Sorry about the absence, I was on vaction with the kiddies. Let me highly recommend Dutch Wonderland in Lancaster, PA to you all. EVERYTHING is designed for the little ones, and if your children are over 36" they can do just about everything.

Okay....on with the show

From CNN.com

Defense Compliants In Hussein Trial
This is almost comical. It is funny to watch the defense scramble - hard to deal with a court when you cannot change it at whim.

Blast Targets Greek Politician
Yeesh! Okay folks - only one set of bombers in the world and right now the Middle East has called it. Europeans - try something else.

Bush Lays Wreath At The Tomb Of Unknown Solider
Hey Great Decider! If you feel so badly about it why are you helping to fill the graveyards with more young men!

Friday, May 26, 2006

A Busy Busy Thursday

Between work and just watching the news role in, it was very hard to keep up. Wound up hanging out over at Escahton simply because I had no time to post anything myself. A general round up of yesterdays events, note links are in white.:

1) The Enron bastards will be sent up the river. Shrub may say he don't know Lay but the pictures and letters say different. Ken Lay Slept Here builds a history of this, sack of parasitic vulture guano.

2) Veep Dick "F-off or I'll shoot you in the face"Cheney may be called into testify in the Libby case. Sawed off punk bastard Novak might be up a creek as well.

3) The Iraqi disaster continues to crumble leading to the Laurel and Hardy Summit. Meanwhile somewhere in the mountains of Shrub's screwups, The Taliban is on the rise in Afghanistan

4) Speaker of the house Denny "Big Breakfast" Hastert is apparently under investigation.

5) Frist operates on gorillas in his spare time and apparently smells of ape testostorone.

6) For some strange reason, with all of that going on, The New York Times and Chris "Tweety" Matthews are really interested in how often the Clintons screw.

Thursday, May 25, 2006

The "Wow! Thursday Already!" Snark Report!

From CNN.com

Palestinian President Says Hamas Has 10 Days To Recognize Israel Or Else There Will Be A Referedum
Come on Hamas, lighten up! Recognize Israel and get over.

"Mogadishu Burning" In New Rash Of Fighting
This is really sad - read and learn

Let's Go SOUL PATROL
Taylor Hicks crowned new American Idol. GO SOUL PATROL!!

Listen folks, the rest of the news is at CNN.com and BBC.com. Today is just too darn depressing and I am hoarse from screaming "Soul Patrol" after American Idol last night! I'll be back to myself tomorrow.

Wednesday, May 24, 2006

Quote Of The Day

Hey - It's Hump Day Snark Report

From CNN.com

Senate Targets Those Who Employ Illegals
Now this may be effective. Why blame the guy who is trying to support his family - blame the one exploiting the situation.

Bush: US Would Defend Israel If It Were Attacked By Iran or Hamas
Now, given our "help" to Iraq - should this make the Israelis feel better or worse?

House Votes to Choke Off Aid To Palestinians
Really interesting read on a complex issue.

Malvo Points Finger At Muhammed For Washington Shootings
Another interesting one. Too serious for me to snark at

Tuesday, May 23, 2006

Another Compelling O'Reilly Interview!

Usually, only one side of a conversation elicits a WTF? but not when you have the linguistic capabilities of The Loofa and Rummy the Mummy together in one studio!
Once again Media Matters is on the case:
O'REILLY: Why do you think the left in this country is so anti-Iraq war? Why? Is it just the hatred of the president? Or is -- do they see another pathway to fighting Al Qaeda?
Yes Bill we do. It is s called ACTUALLY FIGHTING AL QAEDA! Not detouring 135,000 troops and hundreds of billions of dollars to fight a country that had nothing to do with 9/11!
RUMSFELD: This is not new. There has always been controversy.

O'REILLY: But why?

RUMSFELD: Wars are unpopular.

O'REILLY: Why?
You really need someone to answer this for you Bill?
RUMSFELD: They're bloody, horrible things. They're terrible things.
Three words: WAR OF CHOICE.
O'REILLY: But, these are Americans, too. I mean, David Letterman's an American.

RUMSFELD: Sure.
Damn! Great! I am soooo happy we got Letterman's citizenship status out of the way here. I am sure Dave's relieved he is not illegal
O'REILLY: OK? And he -- I go on to his program. And he goes, "What are we doing in Iraq anyway?"

RUMSFELD: Sure.
Wow! Thanks Rummsy I thought it was just me. Just a bit scary that you agree that you have no idea why we are in Iraq
O'REILLY: OK? So why, in your opinion -- you're a smart guy. You see this stuff every day. You get a clip file. Why does a guy like David Letterman think this whole Iraq thing is some kind of corrupt, ridiculous adventure?
Let's see Bill, the war so far has cost over $282,931,000,000. Halliburton and its subsidiary KBR have both been caught bilking the armed forces for hundreds of millions of dollars. Over 8 billion disappeared under US Viceroy Paul Bremmer. We have lost over 2,400 soldiers and tens of thousands of Iraqi civilians are dead with no perceivable gains made. Gee why would some one question the war.
RUMSFELD: Yeah. Well, it isn't. And it is serious business. And the --

O'REILLY: But have you ever analyzed why he thinks that way?

RUMSFELD: Well, no. I don't know him as you do. But the fact of the matter is, we've got 300 million people in our country almost. And there has never been a war where there hasn't been controversy, where there haven't been a lot of people against it and a lot of people for it. It's -- there's nothing new about this. The shrillness of it is always unfortunate because it doesn't elevate the national dialogue on what is enormously important.
Jesbus! At some point I would love to here this guy say one thing that makes sense, or comes remotely close to answering a question.

Project For The Old American Century ROCKS!!!

HI KIDS!!

Run this past your weak willed, narrow minded, sociopathic, paranoid, delusional, Kool-Aid drinking, socially retarted, sexually impotent, right wing - zombie brigade, Republican friends TODAY!
Its fun!

In Memorial

Lloyd Millard Bentsen Jr
February 11, 1921– May 23, 2006
Senator, Representative, Treasury Secretary,
Vice-Presidential Candidate

Here We Go! Another "Tuesday Snark Report"

From CNN.com

Turkish and Greek Fighter Jets Crash Over Air Space During Mock Dogfight
"Red Rover! Red Rover! I call Yianni over!"
Either that or the Greek Pilot just did not appreciate the Turkish pilot's stirring rendition of "It's Istanbul, Not Constantinople".

Amnesty International Condemns U.S., China, and Russia
There you go! And who said we have nothing in common!

Veterans' Information Stolen From Computer
See article below, but one thing is bothering me - the theft happened this month. How long have these people had this sensitive information

Monday, May 22, 2006

NICE! One More Thing For Vets To Worry About!

Unfreaking real, this must be part of our increased national security.
Personal Data of 26.5 Million Veterans Stolen
By Christopher Lee
Washington Post Staff Writer
Monday, May 22, 2006; 3:30 PM


Every living veteran is at risk of identity theft after thieves stole an electronic data file this month containing the names, birthdates and Social Security numbers from the home of a Department of Veterans Affairs employee, VA Secretary R. James Nicholson said today.

The theft of the data, which the employee was not authorized to take home, represents one of the most sweeping government losses of sensitive personal information, experts said. The file did not contain medical records, Nicholson said.

Nicholson said the employee, a career civil servant whom he would not identify by name or title, has been put on administrative leave pending the outcome of investigations by the FBI, local police and the Veterans Affairs inspector general.

Police "believe this was a random burglary and not targeted at this data," Nicholson said. "There have been a series of burglaries in that community."

Nicholson said officials have no indication yet that anyone was making use of the pilfered data "or even that they know they have it." Although publicly revealing the existence of the theft might tip off the thieves to the value of their haul, Nicholson said VA officials weighed the alternatives and decided that veterans needed to know in order to protect themselves.

The Veterans Affairs Department plans to send letters to all veteran notifying them that their personal information had been compromised, Nicholson said. The department also has established a Web site with a Q&A about the situation and a toll free number (1-800-333-4636) for veterans to call for information or to report anything suspicious.
The Website mentioned in the article goes to First Gov, which is the Federal Governments portal site. Amongst other thing mentioned in the FAQ here are some other contact numbers IF you suspect illegal activity has occured:
The Federal Trade Commission recommends the following four steps if you detect suspicious activity:

Step 1 – Contact the fraud department of one of the three major credit bureaus:
* Equifax: 1-800-525-6285; www.equifax.com; P.O. Box 740241, Atlanta, GA 30374-0241
* Experian: 1-888-EXPERIAN (397-3742); www.experian.com; P.O. Box 9532, Allen, Texas 75013
* TransUnion: 1-800-680-7289; www.transunion.com; Fraud Victim Assistance Division, P.O. Box 6790, Fullerton, CA 92834-6790

Step 2 – Close any accounts that have been tampered with or opened fraudulently.

Step 3 – File a police report with your local police or the police in the community where the identity theft took place.

Step 4 – File a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission by using the FTC's Identity Theft Hotline by telephone: 1-877-438-4338, online at www.consumer.gov/idtheft, or by mail at Identity Theft Clearinghouse, Federal Trade Commission, 600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Washington DC 20580.

Never Mind Gibson, O'Reilly's Just An Idiot!

From The May 17th O'Reilly Factor
via Media Matters

O'REILLY: Thus, Mexico exports its poverty problem to the U.S.A. The government down there will not fix the corruption, so we have to suffer the chaos.

After hearing President Bush order 6,000 National Guard troops to the southern border earlier this week, Mexico's foreign secretary, Luis Ernesto Derbez, went on a radio program in Mexico City and said, quote, "If there is a real wave of rights abuses, if we see the National Guard starting to directly participate in detaining people, we would immediately start filing lawsuits through our consulates."

OK, then, Mr. Secretary, here's a no-spin message right back to you: If the Mexican government files one lawsuit in the U.S.A., one, pertaining to the National Guard, I will call for a total boycott of Mexican goods and no travel to your country.

Now that might sound presumptuous, and I don't mean to be threatening, but enough's enough. It is your government's fault, sir, that there is border chaos. We in America have a right to security and a right to expect our immigration laws be enforced. So once again, any action by the Mexican government that impacts border security and the U.S.A. will be met with a boycott call. And if you don't believe me or you think it doesn't matter, Mr. Secretary, why don't you give the French ambassador a call? He'll fill you in.

I mean, come on, how much nonsense do we have to absorb? U.S.A. has been a great friend to Mexico. American taxpayers pick up a $68 billion-a-year tab for all the immigration mess. Mexico has an obligation to work with our National Guard, not sue it. Mexico has an obligation to help its own people by creating a vibrant, honest economy.

There's no reason Canada should be prosperous and Mexico not. No reason on this earth.
YEAH! F*ING "A" BILL! Lets see how that boycott is kicking ass and taking names!

U.S.- France Trade Statistics (2001-2005) from US Census Bureau (in $ millions)
2001
19,864.5 30,408.0 -10,543.5
2002
19,015.9 28,240.1 -9,224.2
2003
17,053.0 29,219.3 -12,166.3
2004
21,263.3 31,605.7 -10,342.5
2005
22,402.2 33,847.4 -11,445.2

YEAH! LOOK AT THAT! ALRIGHT BILL! Oh wait you mean it hasn't worked? Well damn.

And guess what it won't work with Mexico either because if you think an $11 Billion deficit is a bitch check this out. As of March 2006 our trade deficit with Mexico is already $14 Billion. Last year's deficit was a cool $50 Billion. Main reason? Guess which country the US imports the most OIL from.

Go ahead. Don't be shy......

MEXICO! (Click Here For Stats)


WOW...John Gibson Is Really A Schmuck! Part 2!!!

Watch John Gibson scream from the mountain top "I AM NOT A RACIST!" Methinks he doth protest too much.......

Transcript found at Media Matters
GIBSON: Now time for "My Word."

Some misunderstandings about a recent "My Word." I've been accused of being a racist because I said something simple. It was a couple of days ago, and I said procreate not recreate. It was a thought or two about demographics, about the science of looking into population trends and making predictions.

My concern was simply that I didn't want America to become Europe, where the birth rate is so low the continent is fast being populated by immigrants, mainly from Muslim countries, whose birth rate is very high. That fact was coupled with a news item that said half of all babies in America under five are minorities and the majority of those are Hispanic.

I said, fine, but it was also a good idea if people other than Hispanics also got busy and had more babies. Those people would include both blacks and whites. I suppose Asians, too. I said you can't expect Hispanics to do all the work when it comes to supplying our country with babies.

Well, you would have thought I put on a sheet and a pointed cap and started riding around at night carrying torches. People called me a racist. And for what? For simply saying that we ought to be having more babies in this country, and that while Hispanics were doing their part, others should be doing more.

If you look at the demographic trends, as I have, you could conclude, as I have, that 50 years from now, Europe will be brown and Muslim, and America will be brown and Christian. I am fine with that, America, and I've said so many times. I'd rather live with the Christians here than live in -- under Sharia law in Europe. Of course, I won't be alive anyway, but I hope you get the point.

The overall point here today is to say people are wrong if they say I am urging white people to have more babies because I'm afraid of more brown people and I'm a racist. Couldn't be farther from the truth. Not that the truth matters when people want to lie about you for their own personal and vicious motives, which seems to happen a lot lately. That's "My Word."
Yes folks, believe it or not, this guy wants to be take seriously.
Part I of this nonesense can be found here

Profiles In Courage

"A lie is a lie. It is a misrepresentation of fact." –Senator J. William Fulbright referring to President Johnson's official statements concerning the Tonkin Gulf "incidents"

"Let us not assassinate this lad further, Senator. You have done enough. Have you no sense of decency sir, at long last? Have you left no sense of decency? "
- Special Counsel for the Army Joseph N. Welch to Senator Joseph R. McCarthy
Although I disagree with about half of John Murtha's politics, I totally agree that he deserves this award. What he did on the floor of the House gave the Anti-war movement a figure that appeals to both sides of the political divide. A conservative, hawkish, Democrat willing to stand up and call the Administration's bluff. Murtha was ridiculed by the talking heads, that carry water for the Iraqi occupation, and made to seem a man alone by cowards within his own party.

John Murtha you have the honesty and integrity that allows me to transcend our political differences and stand with you. There are those who sit with you in the House that can learn a lot from you; and yes I am talking about members of my own party.
Murtha to Receive JFK Award for Iraq Stance
By KIMBERLY HEFLING
The Associated Press
Monday, May 22, 2006; 6:44 AM


WASHINGTON -- The first Vietnam veteran elected to Congress, Rep. John Murtha took pride in politicking quietly, behind the scenes, with Republicans and fellow Democrats alike. Washington has become more deeply partisan since Murtha was swept into office more than 30 years ago, and so has Murtha _ in a very public way.

On Monday, Murtha is to be awarded the John F. Kennedy Profile in Courage Award in Boston for his bold pronouncement that U.S. troops should be pulled out of Iraq _ a statement many say helped change the public debate over the war, because of Murtha's past as a Democratic hawk and retired Marines Reserves colonel who enjoyed easy access to presidents.

"There aren't many around like him any more," said Jack Johannes, a political science professor at Villanova University. "As a result, when the generations change, the environments change, even someone like John Murtha has to change."
To see a list of other recipients of this award visit The JFK Library page here.
John Murtha's views on the issues can be found at On The Issues.

Quote Of The Day

Monday Rant AND A Fun Game For All

The Throw Bush Game

Ever want to give Shrub the Ole Heave Ho? Click Here

And now back to our show....

From CNN.com

Palestinian Police And Hamas Trade Gunfire
While I hate violence, I think that the Palestinian police enforcing the law on Hamas is a good sign.

Hussein's Lawyer Thrown Out - Again!
Okay - WTF??? This whole trial has turned into a FARCE! I am not one for reality shows, but I think they seriously need Judge Judy - The Iraqi Version!

Montenegro Votes For Independence
Maybe the world should take a look at this and take note - what didn't work in the slavic states is NOT going to work in the Middle East.

Re-elected New Orleans Mayor: It's Time To Heal
Oh great! The scabs are barely off from the first time of healing and now they are calling for another one! Great - instead of a wall blocking immigration I have another way for them to spend money - Bacitracin for everyone

Saturday, May 20, 2006

Weekly Rant

Prisioners Trick US Guards Into Entering Room And Then Attack Them

All week, we have heard news from Guantanamo Bay about the prisioners using suicide attempts and force to dupe, attack, and otherwise take over the prision. Obviously, something is broken here and we do not know what. However, one thing it clear. This is NOT working.
Here is the problem, ever since the Abu Ghrab scandal people have been bemoaning the cruelty of American guards to the prisioners. However, that is only one facet of this problem. Now, we have prisioners in Gitmo that are able to outsmart their guards, and that leads me to my point (yes, I have one). Either formally press charges and put them in higher security or let them go - one or the other.

Friday, May 19, 2006

It's Another Friday Snark Report

From CNN.com

Mexico and Latin American Countries Condemn the U.S. Wall

Oh guys! Come on! We'll even let you come to Home Depot and pick it out!

This wall is one of the dumber things I have heard of in a good long time. Look at the Great Wall of China and look at Chinatown in any major city - it does not work for immigration control. Bush, please remember one thing - you have boys in the Middle East dying and NOW is not the time to redecorate. Nor is it the time to be spending the money!

N.Korea May Have Missile That Can Hit U.S.

Ummm...this is going on and Bush is preoccupied with a wall? Yes, those immigrants are looking scarier and scarier.

Rep. Murtha: At Least 30 Iraqis Killed By Marines In Cold Blood

It seems the Marines were looking for the Insurgents who set the roadside bomb that killed one of their men. Chilling.

Thursday, May 18, 2006

You Have Got To Be Kidding Me.

From Reuters,
Thanks for finding this Holden

A Three State President

Survey USA President Approval Poll, May 2006
All that remains:

Idaho 52%/45%
Utah 51%/46%

Wyoming 50%/49%

If They Weren't Serious It Might Be Funny.

Libertarian "think tank" Competitive Enterprise Institute is releasing two 60 minute spots criticizing what they call "global warming alarmism. When I heard the audio of the first one, "Energy", I though it was a goof put on by the Rachel Maddow Show (AAR). It took a few seconds for the idea, that these were intended to be serious, to penetrate the ol' noggin'.

These spots of course are intended to counter the truckloads of data and the shared opinion, of just about every legitimate scientist in the field, that global warming is real.
Here is the link for the CEI's new pro CO2 campaign: We Call It Life.

I believe their next PSA will be Arsenic: It ain't so bad.

THE NO HE DIDN'T! Quote Of The Day







I'm very happy to believe that Jesus was married. I know the Catholic Church has problems with gay people, an I thought this would be absolute proof that Jesus was not gay.
Sir Ian McKellen, CBE on the "DaVinci Code" Controversy
(May 23, 1939)
Actor, Artist, Activist

The "Is It Really Thursday" Snark Report

From CNN.com

CIA Nominee To Face Senators
Woah! Bill Maher was right! He does look like Chicken Little!

New Wave of Violence Reported In Iraq
And when exactly did the old wave end?

Wednesday, May 17, 2006

DAMN! This Is Just Sooooo Wrong!

Fourth Circuit OKs Firing Worker Who Reported That Co-Worker Referred to African-Americans as “Black Monkeys” (Whole Article Here)

While a group of workers watched a breaking news story on the office TV, one employee known for making similar comments blurted out, “They should put those two black monkeys in a cage with a bunch of black apes and let the apes f**k them.” Last Friday, May 12, a divided Fourth Circuit panel concluded that there’s nothing illegal about firing an employee for reporting such racially inflammatory remarks to supervisors. Republican appointees Paul Niemeyer (Bush I) and H. Emory Widener (Nixon) joined in the majority over a sharp dissent by Clinton appointee Robert King, who simply could not fathom a ruling so manifestly contrary to federal anti-discrimination law and the public policy goals underlying it.

In October 2002, Robert Jordan, an African-American employee at an IBM office in Montgomery County, Maryland, stood with co-workers watching television reports of the capture of two men suspected of being the notorious Washington, D.C. area snipers. After hearing the news, Jordan’s coworker, Jay Farjah, uttered the “black monkey” comment. Offended, Jordan discussed the remark with two other co-workers, each of whom revealed that Farjah had made similar remarks before. Pursuant to IBM’s mandatory anti-harassment policy, Jordan quickly reported Farjah’s behavior to his supervisors. How did they respond? Within a month’s time, they changed Jordan’s shift so that he could no longer pick up his son from school, made a crude remark toward him at a holiday party and then, despite his four years of service to the company, fired him.

Ooooh The Corners We Have Turned!

American foreign policy in Iraq and Afghanistan have turned so many positive corners, at least according to ShrubCo., that a graphical representation of that policy is now available.....

Next stop will be the multi-dimensional Calabi-Yau Manifold:

We Must Have Turned Another Corner.....

ABC News Reports:
Out-of-power Taliban Resumes Public Executions
Taliban Flexes Its Might in War-Torn Afghanistan
By RAHIMULLAH YUSUFZAI (Click for Full Story)


PESHAWAR, Pakistan May 15, 2006 — Almost five years after being thrown out of power as a result of the U.S. military intervention in Afghanistan, the Taliban has gained sufficient strength in some remote parts of the country to resume public executions of people convicted of murder by pro-Taliban Islamic courts....

...This marks the first time after losing power in December 2001 that the Taliban has organized a public execution of a convicted killer. Ahmadi said it showed the level of Taliban control in the Urozgan and added that the Taliban had the power to arrest and try criminals and publicly implement decisions of its Islamic courts.

President Hamid Karzai's Afghan government and the U.S. and NATO military authorities refrained from commenting on the Taliban's claims. They neither confirmed nor denied the execution.

Joe Klein= Boot Licker

In an apparent attempt to steal the title of self flagellating faux liberal from Dick Cohen, Joe Klein reminds us in his May 14th 2006 screed, that The Dickster has competition. I'll tell ya for my money I have never read a more pandering pile of thinly veiled bigoted bullshit in my life. This is just as bad as Wolf "So poor, so black" Blitzer's cock up during Katrina.

Link to Klein's article
On John Conyers (D-MI)
Conyers will be chairman of the Judiciary Committee if the Democrats win control of the House in November, and he has already threatened impeachment hearings against President Bush. This is one of the few scenarios that might rouse the demoralized Republican base from its torpor. It is also likely to alienate independents, who are sick of the hyperpartisanship in Washington and will be less likely to vote for Democrats if the party is emphasizing witch hunts instead of substantive policies.

But the ugly truth is that Conyers is a twofer: in addition to being foolishly incendiary, he is an African American of a certain age and ideology, easily stereotyped by Republicans. He is one of the ancient band of left-liberals who grew up in the angry hothouse of inner-city, racial-preference politics in the 1960s, a group "more likely to cry 'racism' and 'victimization' than the new generation of black politicians," a member of the Congressional Black Caucus told me.
Klein writes this as if it is a bad thing. Conyers may be incendiary, but for all the right reasons. He grew up fighting to gain the promises that this nation swore to give all its citizens, but reneged. Now at 77 John Conyers continues to struggle by calling the Administration to account. Sorry Joe at this stage of the game John Conyers is not going to start Tom-ing it up for ya.

More later....

Quote Of The Day







When some wild-eyed, eight-foot-tall maniac grabs your neck, taps the back of your favorite head up against the barroom wall, looks you crooked in the eye and asks you if ya paid your dues, you just stare that big sucker right back in the eye, and you remember what ol' Jack Burton always says at a time like that:
"Have ya paid your dues, Jack?" "Yessir, the check is in the mail."

Jack Burton
Links

Tuesday, May 16, 2006

Arlen Specter: The Cowardly Senator

I am still trying to figure out why many of my fellow progressives/liberals look at Arlen"Snarlin' Arelen" Specter to fight for the constitution. He has been a waffling ankle biter since he took office. His "brave" stands, as of late, end up in a muddled mess of compromise and retreat. Historically Specter has been a moderate willing to compromise on everything including his suposeded belief in a woman's right to choose.
Whether it was his lame demonstration of the magic bullet during the Warren Commision, badgering Anita Hill during the Thomas confirmation hearings, or his abandonment of his so called convictions, Snarlin' Arlen has shown his abundent, lesser, attributes for all the world to see. This latest backtrack does surprise me nor should it surprise anyone.


From The Hill
Specter strikes NSA deal
By Alexander Bolton


Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Arlen Specter (R-Pa.) and conservative members of his panel have reached agreement on legislation that may determine the legality of the National Security Agency’s (NSA) surveillance program, GOP sources say.

Specter has mollified conservative opposition to his bill by agreeing to drop the requirement that the Bush administration seek a legal judgment on the program from a special court set up by the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA) of 1978.

Instead, Specter agreed to allow the administration to retain an important legal defense by allowing the court, which holds its hearings in secret, to review the program only by hearing a challenge from a plaintiff with legal standing, said a person familiar with the text of language agreed to by Specter and committee conservatives.

Glenn Greenwald has more at Unclaimed Territory

The "Monday, what Monday?" Tuesday Snark Report

From CNN.com

Saudi King Warns Media Against Showing Pictures Of Women
Ahhh....our allies!

Bush Wants 6,000 National Guard Troops To Guard Mexican Border To Prevent Immigration
Oookkkaaayyy. Quick question. With our troops all over the place who is minding the store, so to speak?

BellSouth Denies Giving Records To NSA
This article is interesting, but you have got to read the quotes from some of the Republican politicians trying to make this go away. My favorite was Lott, who says that there is no problem if you are not doing anything you are not supposed to. EXACTLY Mr. Lott - what is the problem with this being investigated if the GOVERNMENT isn't doing something it is not supposed to.

The White House Carnival Shell Game

Weekly Snark Rant
Note: Sorry that this came late, but once again had mommy things!

You've all been to a carnival. The rides, the popcorn, and the lights all promise a good time. Then, you hit the gaming tables, where the odds are at best against you and at worse fixed so you are destined to lose. The shell game is by far the most nefarious - the person working the table knows to move the marker you are trying to find beneath the shells, or never places it on the table at all. I watched that last night during the Presidental speech regarding illegal immigration.
Ah yes, we have troops in Afganistan and Iraq being made target practice by the militants. Gas is at an all time high and our popularity rating world wide is at an all time low. There is a significant crisis brewing in Iran that could reach violent proportions. So, thank you so much Mr. President for avoiding all those issues and addressing illegal immigration? Right now, with our boys being killed daily please excuse me if the biggest concern I have on my mind is the immigration status of the guy washing dishes in a restaurant. You know what, he's working. Allow me to say this, if our Esteemed Decider is so worried about employment how about he stops allowing his corporate buddies to send good jobs to India so they can save a buck? As a mother, I worry about two things - my children growing up to be productive citizens who can find a job and who do not have to worry about being killed because we have to police every piece of Earth where they can drill oil. Last night did not address that, and it was meant not to.
You see, our Esteemed Decider wants to think we are stupid. Why else would he start harping on immigration when so many other serious things are going wrong world-wide? When his corporate buddies are gouging us through not only employment opportunities leaving this country but also in our gas tanks? According to the government, that's not a problem. A man risking it all to come here and make a little money to send home to his wife and kids is? Sorry, Mr.President - I don't buy it and if your polls are any indication - the carnival is over.
After the address, the game "Deal or No Deal" went on, and one of the contestants has a husband in Fallujah. Through the generosity of the network, the man was able to be seen by his wife on a video screen, talk, and play the game with her. Total, she was able to spend more time communicating with her than the TEN MINUTES EVERY TWO WEEKS the government allows. Thank you NBC and the producers of "Deal Or No Deal" for showing more sensitivity to a family than the government does. Oh wait! I forgot. They had to waste billions on keeping us safe from illegal immigrants.
Oh, one last thing. Last time I checked the guys who got in and attacked us came here legally.

Monday, May 15, 2006

Right Wing Jerk Of The Month

I would like to thank Rep Candice Miller for inspiring me to bring back this section of the blog... ahem magazine. It took just that one stupid Ayn Rand teat suckling quote (below in red) to fire me up for the week. Thank You.
May 15, 2006
Politics Stalls Plan to Bolster Flood Insurance
By CHRISTOPHER DREW and JOSEPH B. TREASTER

If ever there was a moment for the obscure federal flood insurance program to ride to the rescue, it would seem to have been in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina.

Its premiums were supposed to insure homeowners in flood-prone areas and also protect taxpayers from spending billions to bail out flood victims. But with Hurricane Katrina, the program failed on both counts.

Nearly half the victims did not even have flood insurance. Claims from homeowners who were insured, $25 billion worth, bankrupted the program. And the government has had to commit $15 billion in additional taxpayer money for rebuilding in Louisiana and Mississippi.

Now, an effort to rescue the insurance program that grew in Hurricane Katrina's wake is faltering, too. Though experts foresee a generation of fiercer and more frequent storms, Congress seems unlikely to make more than modest changes when it takes up the program in the coming weeks.

The drive to restructure the perennially underfinanced program has been blocked by real estate interests, who worry that requiring millions more people to buy flood insurance would stifle development, and by lawmakers from areas that rarely flood who see their constituents as supporting those who are frequently flooded, particularly in the South.

"You've got people living in dry areas paying for people who want to keep living in wet ones," said Representative Candice S. Miller, Republican of Michigan. "They're sticking it to us, and I don't like to be stuck."

The inability over decades to work out who pays the bill for flooding is at the heart of the weaknesses in the insurance program so blatantly laid bare by Hurricane Katrina.

Interesting choice of words Madam Miller, however one might think you are being a bit disingenuous considering that your district is bordered by water in the North, Lake Huron and to the South by Lake Erie. It seems that your opposition is influenced more by your ties to the real estate industry than by geography.

In 2004 Ms. Miller's top contributor by industry was, you guesses it, real estate. They contributed $67,630 which constituted 50.9% of the Real Estate, Insurance, and Securities sector contributions of 132,780. That sector being the largest contributor overall, accounting for 13.88 % of her total campaign contributions of $956,350.

This fawning to the Real Estate industry is nothin g new for Rep Miller. In 2002 the industry gave a whopping $239,250 to her campaign once again constituting the largest sector contribution. The previous information can be found at Open Secrets (link).

Representing a district that is over 90% white, Rep Miller is seemingly the ideological love child of Pat Robertson and Ayn Rand. According to On The Issues, Rep Miller:

Rated 0% by NARAL, indicating a pro-life voting record. (Dec 2003)
Voted YES on making the PATRIOT Act permanent. (Dec 2005)

Rated 97% by the US COC, indicating a pro-business voting record. (Dec 2003)
Rated 17% by the NEA, indicating anti-public education votes. (Dec 2003)

Rated 5% by the LCV, indicating anti-environment votes. (Dec 2003)

Rated 90% by the Christian Coalition: a pro-family voting record. (Dec 2003)

Rated A by the NRA, indicating a pro-gun rights voting record. (Dec 2003)

Rated 22% by APHA, indicating a anti-public health voting record. (Dec 2003)

Rated 11% by SANE, indicating a pro-military voting record. (Dec 2003)
Rated 13% by the AFL-CIO, indicating an anti-union voting record. (Dec 2003)


Saturday, May 13, 2006

HOW LOW CAN HE GO!!!!

May 11, 2006, 9:12 pm
Bush Dips Into the 20s
President Bush’s job-approval rating has fallen to its lowest mark of his presidency, according to a new Harris Interactive poll. Of 1,003 U.S. adults surveyed in a telephone poll, 29% think Mr. Bush is doing an “excellent or pretty good” job as president, down from 35% in April and significantly lower than 43% in January. Approval ratings for Congress overall also sank, and now stand at 18%.




29%

Friday, May 12, 2006

WOW...John Gibson Is Really A Schmuck!

From Media Matters

4/3/06 (link)

The la Raza (a Hispanic cultural group) e-mail warns that, quote, "While the (immigration) bill doesn't overtly mention assimilation, it is very strong on patriotism and traditional American values language in a way that is potentially dangerous to our communities," close quote.

Potentially dangerous? Patriotism and traditional American values are bad things? I think this kind of discussion by a major Hispanic political organization like la Raza casts a lot of suspicion about what open immigration groups are up to. There has been much discussion -- much discussion about the so-called reconquista, which is the retaking of old Mexico territories, which are now part of the United States, by pure birth rate.
5/11/06(link)
GIBSON: Now, it's time for "My Word." Do your duty. Make more babies. That's a lesson drawn out of two interesting stories over the last couple of days.

First, a story yesterday that half of the kids in this country under five years old are minorities. By far, the greatest number are Hispanic. You know what that means? Twenty-five years and the majority of the population is Hispanic. Why is that? Well, Hispanics are having more kids than others. Notably, the ones Hispanics call "gabachos" -- white people -- are having fewer.

....To put it bluntly, we need more babies. Forget about that zero population growth stuff that my poor generation was misled on. Why is this important? Because civilizations need population to survive. So far, we are doing our part here in America but Hispanics can't carry the whole load. The rest of you, get busy. Make babies, or put another way -- a slogan for our times: "procreation not recreation." That's "My Word."
That's right white girls, assume the position! Gibby says we gotta have more chilrun!

Somehow I don't think that will work as a pickup line in a bar.....

The "Thank God It's Friday" Snark Report

From CNN.com

Report Says One Juror Saved Moussaoui From The Death Penalty
Whoever you are - thank you! You saved us from him becoming a martyr and a rallying cry for extremists in the Middle East.

Bolivia's Morales Defends Nationalization Of His Country's Gas
Quick question - why does he have to defend putting his people's interests first? Isn't that his JOB?

Really Interesting CNN.com tool - Election Watch

Just a note: The weekend Snark Reports are going to be replaced by a Sunday "Week In Ranting Review" that will go up Sunday morning. This new feature of Left Handed Compliment will be written by a different contributor each week. If YOU have an idea for a Ranting Review and would like to be a guest columnist please send your idea and a brief summary to our e-mail.
Thanks! Gib

Thursday, May 11, 2006

Reed Hunt Is Right On The General.

TPM Cafe's, Reed Hunt put forth a well thought out little essay on the recently revealed NSA data mining project:
The latter issue involves highly secret technology that is difficult to discuss in an open hearing. The technology itself is hard to explain in lay language. There's no doubt that some warrantless searching of some calls is on occasion necessary, and it is hard to explain to the casual observer where the line is between reasonably necessary sleuthing and the massive mining by computers of innumerable phone calls (or for that matter Internet communication).
While I really like the article as a whole, I have a problem with this clause here
it is hard to explain to the casual observer where the line is between reasonably necessary sleuthing and the massive mining by computers of innumerable phone calls
Actually its not. If there is probable cause the President/AG can begin a wiretap and in 72 hours the tap must be approved by the FISA court. It is done in specific cases for specific reasons to specific people. What the NSA's program entails is the collection of every point to point communication, in other words one phone number to another. This data can then be compiled to show calling patterns and partners.

The rest of the article is fairly on the money. Hayden's part in these questionable activities MUST come up at his confirmation hearing if, as Hunt says, and I believe prophetically,
he gets that far.

The general's confirmation might be DOA as of today.

Can YA Here Me NOW!!!

Saying the wheels have come off this administration would be an understatement of gigantic proportions. This flaming wreck of a presidency is losing its base, plagued by a scandal a day, and has completely lost the confidence of almost 70% of the American people. Can sub 30% approval be far behind?
NSA has massive database of Americans' phone calls
Updated 5/11/2006 10:38 AM ET

By Leslie Cauley, USA TODAY

The National Security Agency has been secretly collecting the phone call records of tens of millions of Americans, using data provided by AT&T, Verizon and BellSouth, people with direct knowledge of the arrangement told USA TODAY.

The NSA program reaches into homes and businesses across the nation by amassing information about the calls of ordinary Americans — most of whom aren't suspected of any crime. This program does not involve the NSA listening to or recording conversations. But the spy agency is using the data to analyze calling patterns in an effort to detect terrorist activity, sources said in separate interviews.....

"It's the largest database ever assembled in the world," said one person, who, like the others who agreed to talk about the NSA's activities, declined to be identified by name or affiliation. The agency's goal is "to create a database of every call ever made" within the nation's borders, this person added.
From the White House:
''The intelligence activities undertaken by the United States government are lawful, necessary and required to protect Americans from terrorist attacks...''
Dana Perino, the deputy White House press secretary
Reaction from the Hill:
"I don't know enough about the details except that I am willing to find out because I'm not sure why it would be necessary to keep and have that kind of information,"
House Majority Leader John Boehner (R-Ohio)

"The idea of collecting millions or thousands of phone numbers, how does that fit into following the enemy?"
Republican Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C).

"We need more. We need to take this seriously, more seriously than some other matters that might come before the committee because our privacy as American citizens is at stake,"
Richard Durbin (D-Il).
The program "is not a warrantless wiretapping of the American people. I don't think this action is nearly as troublesome as being made out here, because they are not tapping our phones."
Sen. Jeff Sessions, (R-Al)
As usual Pat Leahy puts the hammer to the anvil on this:
''Are you telling me that tens of millions of Americans are involved with al Qaeda? These are tens of millions of Americans who are not suspected of anything ... Where does it stop?''...
''Shame on us for being so far behind and being so willing to rubber stamp anything this administration does. We ought to fold our tents.''
Sen. Patrick Leahy (D-VT)
USA Today supplies a FAQ about this issue.
More as it unfolds.

Quote Of The Day

The "Better Late Than Never" Thursday Snark Report

Note: Sorry that this is so late. I do aim to have it out by 9:00 AM, and I wish I could say I was doing something of Earth Shattering importance. However, the simple truth is I got caught up in baking for my son's school's bake sale. Yup, I am trying to save the world between nap times! ;)

From CNN.com

Latest Idol Booted A Complete Shock
Ahhh America...it seems we don't know how to vote properly even in pop culture. Seriously, though, the fact that Chris got booted was a travesty, and no offense to rest standing but it has now gone from finding a pop star to hosting a very talented Karaoke contest. Chris - all the best and I hope you get the success you so seriously deserve and were robbed of last night (and for the record, I voted for you).

Iran Is Open To Talks
I am really getting scared that the leader of Iran is making A LOT more sense than our president, however I guess in this case sense is relative.

7/7 Report Blames Resources
Interesting article - although I have to say that a lot of this is hindsight is 20/20.

I-95 Closed In Florida For A Couple Of Days
Hey, at least there is an excuse for there to be no movement.

Shrub Look Behind You And See A Real President.


Shrub: OOOOOOOOOO-----KLAH-----HOMA!!!!

Teddy Roosevelt's Ghost: That's it! I can't stand one more second of this. C'mon girl another inch or two and you take a dump right on his head!

Wednesday, May 10, 2006

Shrub Greets A Rep From The Silicon Lobby.... Whoops, I mean Katherine Harris!

PABLO MARTINEZ MONSIVAIS: AP
Shrub: Are those real??
Jeb: No Shub. (Neither is the face, her butt....)
Howdy Doody Kid In Back: BOOBIES!!

Katheirne Harris' Comedy Road Show Continues!

Seems that Florida's Speaker of The House Allen Bense has decided not to run against the collapsing silicon fascade that is the Katheirne Harris campaign. The WaPo blog quotes The Holder of the Chang as saying, (For more on the power of the CHANG click here):
"While the challenge of running a successful campaign over the next several months was exciting, and while I am confident we would have been successful, ultimately my decision came down to the fundamental question of whether I was willing to spend the next six, 12 or possibly 18 years of my life away from my family and my home serving Florida in the U.S. Senate," said Bense in a statement. "After much thought and prayer, I realized the answer is 'no.'"
This leaves Harris all on her lonesome and some serious egg on the face of The Shrub. In order to humiliate herself further she attempted to meld with Shrub when he landed in Tampa.
The Houston Chronicle is on the beat:

Though the White House also has spoken supportively of Bense _ who remains undecided about running _ it's difficult for a president to shun a local member of Congress. So Harris, the state's former secretary of state who captured headlines for her role in clinching the 2000 election for Bush, was waiting for the president as his plane landed in Tampa.

But though Harris spoke animatedly for several minutes and kept a firm grip on the president's hand, he wore a grim expression and didn't display the jocularity he usually bestows on local greeters. Harris did not attend other events with the president, while GOP Rep. Adam Putnam, who also was at the plane, did.

Karma is a bitch Kathy eventually the wheel turns and bites ya right in the arse. Watching the deconstruction of Harris has been a real treat for me. Ever since she assisted in getting Shrub into office, she was S0S of Florida during the 2000 election, I have hoped to see her political career careen down the gully of irony in flames. She is the lipstick stained collar the Bush's can not kick to the curb. They try... man.. how they have tried, but each time she crazies her way back to their side. Pure Comedy GOLD!!!

Shrub Really Should Not Be Allowed In Public Anymore.

This man is truly the dumbest to ever serve, and if you ever read about Warren G. Harding, well.... it's really saying something.
From the WaPo
Speaking yesterday at a retirement community in Sun City Center, Fla., Bush urged eligible seniors to act quickly. "Deadlines are important," he said. "Deadlines help people understand there's finality, and people need to get after it, you know?"....
Shrub, do you really think that seniors citizens in need of medical care really need you to define finality to them?

Families USA, an advocacy group, estimates that fewer than one in four low-income senior citizens have enrolled, despite an expensive government outreach to educate people.

"Contrary to promises by the president and congressional leaders, low-income seniors are not receiving help to make their medicines affordable," said Ron Pollack, executive director of Families USA. "These are the very people who need help the most, yet the administration's promises to them are much more rhetorical than real."

For months, Democrats have sought to push back the enrollment date to allow seniors more time to sort through the different insurance packages being offered. In some regions, that number can top 40 plans, all with different premiums, co-payments, coverage gaps, preferred drugs and so on.
In short Medicare "D" is a boon to the Pharma lobby and a total waste of national treasure. The number of plans conflict on which drugs they cover, and as anyone on maintenance medication can tell you it can be quite a cocktail.

One of the disturbing things is that one medication may be covered by one plan but your other drug(s) may not. This leaves the senior out of luck AND leaves the door open for Big Pharma companies to partner with insurance providers to be brand specific. This would in turn force doctors to help their patients by trying to tailor their prescriptions to the patients insurance.
Further complicating
the issue, is that some drugs do not have a generic version or an equivalent substitute produced by another company.

A failure right out of the gate, thanks Shrub.

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