Can you say KGB?

GratisNet: "From CNN:
WASHINGTON (CNN) -- President Bush on Wednesday directed the creation of a new National Security Service within the FBI, one of 70 recommendations on improving the intelligence community he endorsed from the White House WMD commission.

The new service will specialize in intelligence and other national security matters and follow the priorities laid out by Director of National Intelligence John Negroponte.

The full story can be found at: NSS

Good God, John Negroponte, the scourge of Central America. What a choice for our version of the KGB or the STAZI, or the GESTAPO. So now we are going to coordinate spying on Americans with spying on those in other countries. Can you say, 'You have relatives in Germany?'

America needs to wake up soon because soon it will be too late."

Republican wingnut logic.

GratisNet: "'We're fighting terrorists in Iraq so that we don't have to fight them here.' Consider, if you will, the moral bankruptcy of that argument.

You and your next door neighbor have a dispute so you decide to fight him... across the street, at another neighbors house. Where is the logic or the right to trash the house of the neighbor who has nothing to do with the fight in the first place? Remember, Iraq had nothing, nada, zip to do with 911, period. Posturing by Bush and his ethically and morally challenged supporters does not change that simple fact.

Bush and the republicans who support him have done more damage to America than any terrorist could do in his wildest dreams."

George W. Bush, PHD (Piles it higher and deeper)

GratisNet: "My take on Bush's effort last night? In a word, bullshit. Once again the sorry bastard tries to cloak himself in the bravery of our military. He tries to give the impression that he cares about them but his deeds, especially those shortchanging the VA, speak louder than his words.

George W. Bush, the worst president ever. Of course that could well have been expected from one whose only accomplishment in life seems to have been to squander other peoples money and drive companies into disaster. That may have been acceptable then but now he is squandering the wealth of America, the young men and women of America, indeed the very future of America and that my friends is unacceptable."

Have they no shame?

GratisNet: "At long last, have they no shame? Karl Rove denigrates liberals/progressives in general and democrats in particular by calling them unpatriotic and not willing to defend America. This is rich considering the numbers of democrats and/or liberals who have served with distinction in defense of our country as opposed to the conspicuous lack of service from most of the conservative republican crowd, including Rove himself.

Tom DeLay, acting like he had a few drinks too many, adds to the insult. Who does he think he is to call into question the patriotism and devotion to the principles that America has stood for since its inception? What are his bonafides, from whence does his standing come to utter such disgraceful trash? Surely his own record of non-service when it was his time to take his place in the armed forces clearly makes his comments laughable were it not for the many men and women defamed by his words. This is the man, remember, who tried to serve during the Vietnam War but couldn't because all of the slots were taken by minorities and the poor. It truly boggles the mind.

I read that save for an odd republican, here and there, the overwhelming majority of that delusional, self serving and self centered party are in support of Bush and his regime of incompetents. Still, the fact that independents now overwhelmingly disapprove of this maladministration and the disaster it has brought upon America, some 75%, is cause for some small encouragement.

Still, the people are beginning to recognize Bush and his gang for what they are, incompetent fools who cannot admit mistakes.. The people understand that there is a name for the mental condition of those who continue to behave in a manner that brings disastrous results, expecting that those results will change. How long will it take before republicans remove the blinders of partisanship and recognize the disaster that is George W. Bush?"

Bring the troops home from Iraq

GratisNet: "It is past time to end our illegitimate occupation of Iraq and bring our armed forces home. I hear the question, but how can we do it, how? The answer to this question harks back to the war in Vietnam, bring them home by plane, by ships, by any means necessary but get them home. Not one more life for Bush's War.

With that I shall be on hiatus for a couple of weeks, one of the nice things about being retired. We are off to visit family and friends in AL, MS & TX."

Popular president.

GratisNet: "After the latest polls regarding the stewardship of Commander Codpiece, can it be too much to ask that the SCLM please stop referring to the unmitigated disaster that is the Crawford Coward as 'popular?' The number of people who think that he is doing a good job, in any category diminishes daily, yet the SCLM keeps up the fiction of his popularity.

Bush the Lesser has squandered the goodwill built by America since WW2 with the hubris, willful ignorance and outright lies of his illegitimate regime. He has squandered our resources with his massive tax cuts to the very wealthy, in the midst of increasing spending on ill-advised weapons systems (Star Wars, etc.). He has squandered, and continues to squander, our national treasure, our young men and women, in a war undertaken on lies and deception, a war that even now threatens to break the army as well as the National Guard and reserve systems that have served America so well for so many years.

He has made a lie of the great American morality, the ethical stand that we are different, that we respect the rights of others and that we believe in the idea that people are deserving of a presumption of innocence. He has even made a mockery of that without which the constitution itself would have never been born, the Bill of Rights. Worse, the Republican party has gone along with his malfeasance because he is 'on their team' and as such must be supported regardless of the irresponsibility of his actions. Party before country seems to be the guiding tenet of the republican of today. Dwight Eisenhower, Barry Goldwater, Everett Dirksen, etc., to say nothing of the Founders themselves, would be profoundly disturbed by such a philosophy.

At last it seems that the American people are once again ready to give validity to the statement by the greatest republican president, Abraham Lincoln that, 'You can fool some of the people all of the time and all of the people some of the time but you cannot fool all the people all the time.' Even those supporters in the 'Red' states, who voted for Bush because he was a 'regular' guy and a Christian are beginning to see that 'regular guys' and certainly Christians would not do the things he seems hell bent on doing. They seem to have come to the realization that perhaps Jesus really would not forsake the needy and infirm, nor would he advocate going to war for any reason let alone one based on falsehood and deception. The great American people are turning, they are turning to the truth that this man and his illegitimate regime do not have the best interests of America, its principles or its people uppermost in mind. The people are coming to realize that, as the Flim Flam Man wreaked deception and fraud upon the villages he visited, George W. Bush is taking a wrecking ball to America and the American ideals of decency and fair play."

What he said.

GratisNet: "Please go to Obsidian Wings for a very astute commentary on the America of today. If this doesn't make your heart ache for what is happening to our country then perhaps we are lost."

Howard Dean, Democrats, Republicans & the media.

GratisNet: "Dean's comments regarding the long lines to vote in Ohio working class precincts as to the up to eight hour wait to vote, 'Well, Republicans, I guess, can do that because a lot of them have never made an honest living in their lives,' set off a firestorm of comment from the beltway democrats, republicans and the SCLM.

In the case of the SCLM it is perfectly understandable that they unload on Dean, remember the 'primal scream' nonsense? The SCLM will always trumpet the words of a democrat, thereby aiding the great wurlitzer on the right, while ignoring most ill-advised comments on the right such as the recent democrats=NAZI comments of republican Senator 'Man on dog, cartpetbagger' Rick Santorum of Virgini... uh, Pennsylvania. Virtually no outrageous comment by republicans seem to make their way into the SCLM at all, let alone with scathing commentary of the opinion molders of the SCLM.

Beltway dems are quick to distance themselves from the remarks of Dean, not because they are false (they have more truth in them than most political remarks) but because after having lived inside the beltway for so long, they have lost touch with the feelings and thoughts of the rank and file out here in the country, real people who feel much the same as Dr. Dean. These so called beltway democrats are nothing more than 'Republican Lite' professional politicians who have long lost touch with their democratic roots.

The response from republicans is another story and reminds me of nothing more than the confirmation of their continuing hypocrisy and the fact that they are concerned because Dr. Dean nailed them for what they are, selfish, uncaring, 'I've got mine and the hell with you' individuals who care more for themselves than they do the welfare of the towns, cities and states in which they live or even, indeed, America. They are squealing like stuck pigs because Dr. Dean was on the money in his comments and they display the 'victimhood' traits that they like to apply to others. The louder they squeal, the more accurate the remarks, take it to the bank."

Military misses mark.

GratisNet: "Seems the latest enlistment/reenlistment numbers are so bad that the military will wait another week to release them. They are taking the extra time in order to get their story straight as to what the numbers mean and why they've taken such a nose dive.

May I be so bold as to offer my analysis? Can anyone possibly be so stupid as not understand the reason for tanking enlistments/reenlistments? Can they not bring themselves to say, 'dramatic increases in suicide bombs and insurgent attacks in Iraq', or, 'increasing stories of multiple deployments, stop loss orders' and 'the administrations lack of support for the veterans who have returned wounded and horribly maimed as a result of their service in Iraq?' Can they not bring themselves to understand that parents who truly love and care for their offspring will not suggest they sign up for military service as long as the meat grinder known as Iraq continues to devour our soldiers?

It has always been a mystery to me why the military supports the coward Bush when he and his gang of thugs demonstrate their contempt for them with every cut of benefits for the families of those deployed as well as reducing funding for the VA. Simply amazing.

I would bet real money that the numbers for the National Guard and Reserves will make those of the Regular Army, etc. look positively successful. Bush and his fascist, cowardly thugs will have broken the army over the obsession with Iraq and obscene dreams of an American 'empire.'

I am reminded of General Maxwell Taylor's oft repeated remark about the Vietnam War, 'Although the Army had been sent to Vietnam to save that nation, it had to be withdrawn in order to save the Army' and I have a feeling of deja vu regarding the debacle in Iraq."

Truth and the wingnut.

GratisNet: "Right wing republicans present many contradictions but perhaps none so striking as their positions on the NEWSWEEK 'scandal' and the Downing Street Memo which details the length to which the current regime would go to make the facts support their goal of going to war on Iraq.

There is an old, amateur network (all but extinct in the US since the advent of the internets) where people can chat (not in real time) about many subjects, politics being but one of them. The wingnut faction in these forums have displayed outrage that NEWSWEEK would print anything from an anonymous source. They have taken great pleasure that NEWSWEEK 'confessed' to having lied. Seems they take their cue from that icon of balanced, independent journalism, FOX News.

When reminded that what actually happened was that the source couldn't be sure whether he was quoting from military memos or from documents of other government agencies, such as the FBI and that he was not recanting the actions he had described, the wingnuts break out with great puffs of indignation and like latter day followers of Joe McCarthy. When reminded of the Downing Street Memo that shows their hero to be a liar, they break out with great puffs of indignation once again, accusing anyone who would dare to criticise the abomination known as the Bush regime as being unamerican.

That is what has become of discourse with these ethically deprived miscreants on the right. They are so devoid of honor and ignorant of history that they cannot see that which is plain to anyone with eyes. What has become painfully apparent, at least to me, is that moderate republicans (the elected variety) have become too frightened to go against the tide of intolerance that seems to be the model for the republican party, as provided by the extremists on the right.

Therefore, it is incumbent upon everyone who would wish to save our republic from these fascist wannabes, that come 2006 it is imperative that we work for the election of anyone who would stand up for America. Vote for the Democrat, Green, Independent or Republican candidate as long as they stand for America and against this lawless, criminal regime. Send the toadies and sycophants on the right a message, tell them this is America, it is not the Germany, Italy or Japan of the 1930s. If we all work together we can take our country back from those who would subvert the Constitution."

Memorial Day

GratisNet: "Honor those that served to protect and defend our liberty and remember those who made the ultimate sacrifice in that service.

Thank a veteran today."

EMAIL to Senator Martinez

GratisNet: "Mel_Martinez@martinez.senate.gov wrote:

'Dear Mr. Sakowski:

Thank you for contacting me regarding judicial nominations. I appreciate hearing from you and would like to respond to your concerns.

According to Article II, Section 2 of the Constitution, the United States Senate must 'advise and consent' to each of the president’s judicial nominations. In this role, we have a great constitutional responsibility to ensure a strong and qualified judiciary.'

The responsibility does not require the Senate of the United States to be a 'rubber stamp' organization as republicans so ably demonstrated during most of the Clinton administration, when they obstructed his judicial nominees by every method avaiable to them, including the fillibuster and the undemocratic 'Blue Slip' tactic. It is interesting to note that Senator Hatch decided that the 'Blue Slip' tactic was no longer a good idea once he was returned as Chairman of the Judiciary Committee. Did he have an epiphany or was he merely being hypocritical when he denied the Democrats the use of the dubious 'Blue Slip' tactic used so effectively by republicans during the Clinton Administration, in keeping 'qualified judicial nominees' from having 'the opportunity for an up or down vote on the Senate floor?'

Senator Martinez continued:'I am unable to fulfill this duty when qualified judicial nominees are denied the opportunity for an up-or-down vote on the Senate floor.'

Nonsense Senator, can you possible be as stupid as that sentence makes you sound? Your 'duty' under the constitution is to consider each appointment, perhaps you can tell me where, in the constitution, the requirement of '...an up or down vote on the Senate floor' is required. Exact wording please, especially in light of the fact that your party is so fond of 'strict constructionism' regarding our governing document. Were you as incensed over this occurring during the Clinton administration? Regardless of any caveats you may offer as to why this time it is different, I would offer that it is not and such protestations are simply an attempt at rationalization on your part for what is plainly a hypocritical position.

Senator Martinez: 'On May 23, 2005, a compromise was reached allowing a vote on several of the president's judicial nominees who previously had been filibustered. I still strongly believe that all nominees who enjoy majority support deserve an up-or-down vote on the floor of the U.S. Senate.'

'...all nominees who enjoy majority support...' This, Senator, is the rationalization to which I was referring. You can slice it and dice it any way you wish but the fact remains that the conservative position is one of hypocrisy.

You may not count on my vote when you stand for re-election, but you may assuredly count on my support for your opponent, regardless of his or her party affiliation, in 2010."

Latter day Chamberlains.

GratisNet: "From AP: ...Senate centrists agreed Monday night on a compromise that clears the way for confirmation of many of President Bush's stalled judicial nominees, leaves others in limbo and preserves venerable filibuster rules.

When will these 'centrists' learn? There is no compromising with the extremist on the right. This damnable compromise sounds suspicially like 'peace in our time.' Dear God, are there not any senators with a sense of duty, honor or both and the courage to show it?

I am tired of these weak kneed popinjays who place their trust in those who are undeserving of any trust."

Comments to Santorum

GratisNet: "The following is the text of comments left for Senator Santorum this date:

The recanting of your NAZI comments:

'My point was that it is preposterous for someone to trample a well-established principle, and then accuse his opponents of acting unlawfully when they try to reestablish that principle, nevertheless, it was a mistake and I meant no offense.'

With all due respect Senator, and admittedly it is not much, you meant every word of your despicable comments on the floor of the Senate. Your past words and deeds give you away.

You are a man unpossessed of even the smallest shred of decency, honor or ethics and as such, a profound disgrace to your state and your country. Had you any sense of honor, you would resign from the senate.

This is one American veteran who will support whomever opposes you in the next election. I only regret that, being a resident of Florida, I will not be able vote for your opponent but rest assured that I and my like minded friends, Republican and Democrat alike, shall contribute time and money to see you go down to the reelection defeat you so richly deserve.

You sully everything America stands for."

Galloway buries Coleman

GratisNet: "Enjoy!

Video (Real Player)
Audio only (.mp3 file)

Galloway demonstrates a little truth to power on poor Norm Coleman. Would that Democrats kicked wingnut ass this way. Will they ever learn that the combination of the facts and the balls to use them make the fascist bastards squirm every time?"

The Secret Downing Street Memo

SECRET AND STRICTLY PERSONAL
—UK EYES ONLY

DAVID MANNING
From: Matthew Rycroft
Date: 23 July 2002
S 195 /02

cc: Defence Secretary, Foreign Secretary, Attorney-General, Sir Richard Wilson, John Scarlett, Francis Richards, CDS, C, Jonathan Powell, Sally Morgan, Alastair Campbell

IRAQ: PRIME MINISTER'S MEETING, 23 JULY

Copy addressees and you met the Prime Minister on 23 July to discuss Iraq. This record is extremely sensitive. No further copies should be made. It should be shown only to those with a genuine need to know its contents.

John Scarlett summarised the intelligence and latest JIC assessment. Saddam's regime was tough and based on extreme fear. The only way to overthrow it was likely to be by massive military action. Saddam was worried and expected an attack, probably by air and land, but he was not convinced that it would be immediate or overwhelming. His regime expected their neighbours to line up with the US. Saddam knew that regular army morale was poor. Real support for Saddam among the public was probably narrowly based.

C reported on his recent talks in Washington. There was a perceptible shift in attitude. Military action was now seen as inevitable. Bush wanted to remove Saddam, through military action, justified by the conjunction of terrorism and WMD. But the intelligence and facts were being fixed around the policy. The NSC had no patience with the UN route, and no enthusiasm for publishing material on the Iraqi regime's record. There was little discussion in Washington of the aftermath after military action.

CDS said that military planners would brief CENTCOM on 1-2 August, Rumsfeld on 3 August and Bush on 4 August. The two broad US options were:

(a) Generated Start. A slow build-up of 250,000 US troops, a short (72 hour) air campaign, then a move up to Baghdad from the south. Lead time of 90 days (30 days preparation plus 60 days deployment to Kuwait). (b) Running Start. Use forces already in theatre (3 x 6,000), continuous air campaign, initiated by an Iraqi casus belli. Total lead time of 60 days with the air campaign beginning even earlier. A hazardous option.

The US saw the UK (and Kuwait) as essential, with basing in Diego Garcia and Cyprus critical for either option. Turkey and other Gulf states were also important, but less vital. The three main options for UK involvement were:

(i) Basing in Diego Garcia and Cyprus, plus three SF squadrons. (ii) As above, with maritime and air assets in addition. (iii) As above, plus a land contribution of up to 40,000, perhaps with a discrete role in Northern Iraq entering from Turkey, tying down two Iraqi divisions.

The Defence Secretary said that the US had already begun "spikes of activity" to put pressure on the regime. No decisions had been taken, but he thought the most likely timing in US minds for military action to begin was January, with the timeline beginning 30 days before the US Congressional elections.

The Foreign Secretary said he would discuss this with Colin Powell this week. It seemed clear that Bush had made up his mind to take military action, even if the timing was not yet decided. But the case was thin. Saddam was not threatening his neighbours, and his WMD capability was less than that of Libya, North Korea or Iran. We should work up a plan for an ultimatum to Saddam to allow back in the UN weapons inspectors. This would also help with the legal justification for the use of force.

The Attorney-General said that the desire for regime change was not a legal base for military action. There were three possible legal bases: selfdefence, humanitarian intervention, or UNSC authorisation. The first and second could not be the base in this case. Relying on UNSCR 1205 of three years ago would be difficult. The situation might of course change.

The Prime Minister said that it would make a big difference politically and legally if Saddam refused to allow in the UN inspectors. Regime change and WMDwere linked in the sense that it was the regime that was producing the WMD. There were different strategies for dealing with Libya and Iran. If the political context were right, people would support regime change. The two key issues were whether the military plan worked and whether we had the political strategy to give the military plan the space to work.

On the first, CDS said that we did not know yet if the US battleplan was workable. The military were continuing to ask lots of questions. For instance, what were the consequences, if Saddam used WMD on day one, or if Baghdad did not collapse and urban warfighting began? You [i.e., David Manning] said that Saddam could also use his WMD on Kuwait. Or on Israel, added the Defence Secretary.

The Foreign Secretary thought the US would not go ahead with a military plan unless convinced that it was a winning strategy. On this, US and UK interests converged. But on the political strategy, there could be US/UK differences. Despite US resistance, we should explore discreetly the ultimatum. Saddam would continue to play hard-ball with the UN. John Scarlett assessed that Saddam would allow the inspectors back in only when he thought the threat of military action was real.

The Defence Secretary said that if the Prime Minister wanted UK military involvement, he would need to decide this early. He cautioned that many in the US did not think it worth going down the ultimatum route. It would be important for the Prime Minister to set out the political context to Bush.

Conclusions:

(a) We should work on the assumption that the UK would take part in any military action. But we needed a fuller picture of US planning before we could take any firm decisions. CDS should tell the US military that we were considering a range of options.

(b) The Prime Minister would revert on the question of whether funds could be spent in preparation for this operation.

(c) CDS would send the Prime Minister full details of the proposed military campaign and possible UK contributions by the end of the week.

(d) The Foreign Secretary would send the Prime Minister the background on the UN inspectors, and discreetly work up the ultimatum to Saddam. He would also send the Prime Minister advice on the positions of countries in the region especially Turkey, and of the key EU member states.

(e) John Scarlett would send the Prime Minister a full intelligence update.

(f) We must not ignore the legal issues: the Attorney-General would consider legal advice with FCO/MOD legal advisers.

(I have written separately to commission this follow-up work.)

MATTHEW RYCROFT

That's it. Can it be any clearer that the gang of fascist thugs occupying the White House lied repeatedly to get their war? (IE: "...facts were being fixed around the policy..." Imagine, if you will, what would be happening in Washington if a President Clinton did this.

Thoughts on voting.

GratisNet: "Regarding touch screen voting, optical scan reader voting and the ease with which the tabulations could be/have been gamed. Why not enact the National Voting Act which would stipulate that on National Election Day the only items on the ballot shall be those candidates running for federal office? Such an act would also mandate that paper ballots be used and that only manual tabulations shall be legal and binding.

Think of it, the ballot would have, at most, three choices, that of President/Vice-President, Representative and, for 1/3 of the states, Senator. So much for complicated ballots. The tabulation could be completed, even with some 100 million ballots, in less than a day so there would be no assignments of victory before polls close in every state. Would it really hurt the nation to have to wait 24 hours to learn who won the election, especially knowing that paper ballots and manual tabulations would ensure that all the votes were counted?

The only people who would oppose such a National Voting Act would be those who would, and have in my opinion, subverted the vote counting in order to lead America down the path of tyranny and despotism."

The Fillibuster

GratisNet: "What more can be said regarding the attempt by republican right wing fanatics to change the rules of the Senate regarding cloture, rules that republicans have used over the years to block judicial, and other, nominations? They argue that the constitution demands that a president's judicial nominations get an 'up or down' vote on the senate floor, yet conveniently forget how many of President Clinton's nominees they never afforded that 'constitutional demand?' It would seem that those who would subvert the desires of the Founders are hypocrites of the first order, yet how could they be anything else, given their goal of destroying the American republic those wise, forward thinking men created in 1789?

Make no mistake about their ultimate end, for it is not about judicial nominees getting a vote, or restoring the so-called constitutional option to the senate. No, the path that they try to force America down is a path with no protections for the minority, any minority, it is the path that the Founders in their infinite wisdom sought to avoid, the tyranny of the majority. It is the path that despots and dictators have repeatedly taken nations down throughout history. It is a path that leads ultimately to ruin and destruction of those peoples foolish enough to follow. I would urge everyone to call their senator [Link: US Senate] and let them know that the future of America as we have known it is at stake."

Bankruptcy judge allows UAL to blow off pension plans.

GratisNet: "The judge in the United Airlines bankruptcy proceedings has ruled that the airline did not have to honor the pension plans it set up for its employees. Pension plans that were iniated by, among other things, concessions by the workforce in wage negotiations over the years. This turn of events is very troubling for wasn't it very recently that the republicans rammed through the congress a new bankrupcy law designed to make it more difficult for filers to blow off their obligations to pay their debts? Wait, that so-called deadbeat protection was for personal bankruptcies, it seems that republicans do not have a problem with deadbeat corporations. Absolutely disgusting."

Haloscan commenting and trackback have been added to this blog.

Quotes from Tom DeLay Thanks to USN Dem Vet

GratisNet: "'Nothing is more important in the face of a war than cutting taxes.' - From a speech made to bankers [3/12/03]

* 'I am the federal government.' - DeLay was responding to a government employee who tried to prevent him from smoking on government property. As reported in the New York Times [2003 June 13]

'...I am not a federal employee. I am a constitutional officer. My job is the Constitution of the United States, I am not a government employee. I am in the Constitution.' - From 'Talk Back Live' on CNN [1995 December 19]

'The judges need to be intimidated. They need to uphold the Constitution. (If they don't behave) we're going to go after them in a big way.' - From the Washington Post [9/14/97]

On Clinton's military intervention in Bosnia:

'The President now needs to show leadership, consistently and with great clarity, from devising an exit strategy to developing favorable rules of engagement, from defining the criteria of success to detailing the timetables of operations. We have learned the hard way in this country that muddled military missions lacking clear leadership hurt our national credibility while putting our troops in harm's way.'

“This is [President Clinton’s] war.” Washington Post, 4/14/99

“The Kosovo operation is different and oxymoronic. It is a ‘peace war’ waged by ‘peace hawks’ pursuing a dovish social agenda. Peace hawks are global idealists and former anti-war activists, including the youthful Bill Clinton.” Floor Statement, 4/15/99

“Instead of sending in ground troops, we should pull out the forces we now have in the region. Mr. Speaker, I do not think we should send ground troops to Kosovo and I do not think we should be bombing in the Balkans, and I do not think that NATO should be destroyed by changing its mission into a humanitarian invasion force.” Floor Statement, 4/28/99

But when Bunnypants started wasting people in Iraq (American and Iraqi):

“I think it's hypocritical to say on the one hand that you support the troops while on the other hand you say the reason they are risking their lives is wrong. I think it undermines the effort and the unity this country ought to be showing right now.'- Rep. Tom DeLay, Washington Times, 3/20/03

“Well, I think it's not the time to be questioning this president on how he is carrying out the war. George W. Bush, thank God we have him as president right now and thank God that we've got all of the people that he has, really strong individuals that around him, fighting this war…The President’s doing it under great criticism, unfortunately, but hopefully, that criticism will now come to an end, and we we'll all unify and support our troops and support the effort and win the war.” – Rep. Tom DeLay, CNN InsidePolitics 3/19/03

“This destructive rhetoric does nothing more than demoralize our troops and second-guess our commander in chief.” – Rep. Tom DeLay, Press Release, 3/20/03

Can we give USN Dem Vet an attaboy?"

Sex, Lies & Social Security.

GratisNet: "Now comes the news the Gannon/Guckert seemingly spent overnights at the White House. This could easily be a case of sloppy record keeping or it could be that someone in the White House may be hiding his own 'blue dress.' If the latter is the case then Gannon'Guckert would do well to try and keep in the limelight and frequent very public places lest he wind up yet another 'suicide' in the service of those who would destroy America.

This day also brings news that Bush made his decision to invade Iraq some eight months before the event, while he was still lying about giving time for the UN sanctions and inspections to work. Poodle Blair will likely pay the price for his lies but when, when will the American media report the truth regarding Iraq? Liberal media, indeed.

Speaking of lies, am I the only one who is tired of the 'Social Security will be insolvent in 2041' canard repeated over and over again by the sorry excuse for a president? Why hasn't the media reported the truth? Why wasn't the Moron-in-Chief called on his crapola during his 'press conference' by someone asking if it wasn't true that 'insolvent' can hardly be applied to a plan that in 2041 will still be paying benefits but at a rate some 28% less than is currently promised?"

Bush in Prime Time

GratisNet: "It will be interesting to see what happens when the congress enacts neither his energy policy or his Social Security 'reform.' Five will get you ten that the arrogant bastard loses it much like he lost it in an Austin restaurant upon seeing Al Hunt having dinner with his young daughter during the 1992 campaign of Poppy. Hunt had written some uncomplimentary things about Poppy and C-plus Augustus stormed over to Hunt's table and proceded to dress him down using language that would embarrass a drunken sailor. It isn't going to be pretty but then the American people will finally know just what a poor excuse for a man George W. Bush truly is."

GOP & ethics

GratisNet: "Denny Hastert has given notice that he (and the GOP) are willing to repeal the ethics committee rules enacted to protect Tom DeLay (R-Thief). While this is good news if true, democrats need review this change of heart closely for if anyone in Washington has been shown to be brazen, bold faced liars it's the GOP and Hastert. The GOP needs to have their collective feet held to the fire on this matter. They need to be convinced that it is in their best interests to have a truly fair and bipartisan watchdog on ethical lapses in the House.

The fact that all of the GOP members of the committee have been beneficiaries of DeLay's questionable largess lends doubt as to their fair deliberations regarding DeLay. Allowing them to judge DeLay would be the same as allowing people, who had been given substantial amounts of cash and gifts by an individual, to serve on a jury in a trial involving that person. While one would hope they would be impartial, given the knowledge of human nature, one also knows that such a hope is illogical, which is why people who have a personal or business relationships with an individual at trial are never allowed to sit in judgement of that individual. The temptation to deliberate based on self interests & emotion rather than the facts would be too great."

Barry Goldwater nailed it.

GratisNet: "One of the reasons I voted for Senator Goldwater back in 1964.

However, on religious issues there can be little or no compromise. There is no position on which people are so immovable as their religious beliefs. There is no more powerful ally one can claim in a debate than Jesus Christ, or God, or Allah, or whatever one calls this supreme being. But like any powerful weapon, the use of God's name on one's behalf should be used sparingly. The religious factions that are growing throughout our land are not using their religious clout with wisdom. They are trying to force government leaders into following their position 100 percent. If you disagree with these religious groups on a particular moral issue, they complain, they threaten you with a loss of money or votes or both. I'm frankly sick and tired of the political preachers across this country telling me as a citizen that if I want to be a moral person, I must believe in 'A,' 'B,' 'C,' and 'D.' Just who do they think they are? And from where do they presume to claim the right to dictate their moral beliefs to me? And I am even more angry as a legislator who must endure the threats of every religious group who thinks it has some God-granted right to control my vote on every roll call in the Senate. I am warning them today: I will fight them every step of the way if they try to dictate their moral convictions to all Americans in the name of 'conservatism.' -- Sen. Barry Goldwater

That pretty much says it all regarding the born again charlatans and their, so far successful, attempt to hijack the Republican Party. I wonder how Catholics will react to Dobson's boy, Focus on the Family board member, R. Albert Mohler Jr. when he said, 'I believe that the Roman church is a false church and it teaches a false gospel,' Mohler said at the time. 'And indeed, I believe that the pope himself holds a false and unbiblical office.' These people no more believe in the teachings of Jesus Christ than did Adolph Hitler, although as he did, they constantly invoke his name in their sanctimonius rantings.

It is past time for America to wake up and recognize these people for what they are, lowlifes of the first order."

Pope Benedict XVI

GratisNet: "The new Pope is 78 years old. Can anyone seriously think that he was not an interim choice until the factions within the hierarchy of Cardinals sort themselves out? The 'discoveries' of his NAZI childhood past are inconsequential and can be ignored. Suffice it to say that Benedict XVI will not be with us over long. In any case we pray he has the wisdom to recognize the path the church must take in the 21st century and the courage to lead it on that path"

Republican's gift to America.

GratisNet

Right wing nutjobs threaten judges.

GratisNet: "Remember when the Schlaflys, Vieiras, DeLays, et al were crying 'Rule of law, rule of law?' Now it seems that they wish to threaten judges with 'impeachment and more' if they issue rulings not to their liking. Can anyone remember other countries that had such problems? If you answered Afghanistan, Iran, etc. give yourself a prize.

I seem to recall that threatening a federal judge is a felony so when will we see some indictments and orange jumpsuit clad wingnuts being frog marched into court? Or is that only for the likes of Susan MacDougal et al, supporters of democracy? It is past time for those republicans who are moral and ethical to speak up for their party and most importantly, America.

One grows weary of these right wing thugs who are working hard to replace the Constitution with the Bible. They are irate over Justice Kennedy refusing to allow states to execute 14 year old teenagers and they call themselves Christians. They call themselves compassionate. Other people know them as hypocrites.

Lord I am tired of these sorry bastards, enough so that I'm going off for a week or so for some R & R."

The people tire of Bush.

GratisNet: "So Bush's approval rating is at 45% and heading south. I am shocked!

I heard one comment in the MSM yesterday to the effect that while Bush's approval is in the toilet and heading lower, all bets are off if there is another terrorist attack like 9/11. That got me to thinking about the inconsistencies of the whole 9/11 event timeline and the events of that day. To make a long story short, I have come to disbelieve the official story of 9/11 but the reasons why I have come to this can wait for another day.

Suffice it to say that when Commander Codpiece's approval heads even further into the dumper, expect another 'terrorist' attack. I say here and now, and for the record, 'If Junior's approvals keep declining there will be another terrorist attack, one that will make 9/11 look like a Sunday School picnic.'

I can say this not because I am another Dunninger or soothsayer or fortune teller. I can say this because I know the nature of the gang of criminals and thugs who have gained control of our nation. They will stop at nothing to continue their control over America, partly because of their amoral nature and greed but mostly because they know that there will be a price to pay, a personal price, when they are turned out of power and the harsh light of truth shines upon their dastardly, craven and reprehensible deeds. The time of the gravest danger for our democratic republic is fast approaching and I fear for the America I have known."

Pope John Paul II

GratisNet: "The monumental journey of Pope John Paul II has come to an end and the world mourns the great loss. Humanity does not have so many men of goodwill and moral certitude that it can afford to be without one of the most influential of the genre. He was the Vicar of Christ to catholics but he was also a man of God who tried to bring the great religions of the world into a peaceful, and yes, respectful coexistence.

In short, he was a man of God. He was a man of understanding. He was a man of peace. But most of all, he was a man and he shall be sorely missed."

Terry Schiavo... again

GratisNet: "If I read or hear one more person say that while they oppose removing the feeding tube, they would not oppose 'heroic' measures being stopped, ie: respirators, etc. I will shout, ENOUGH already!

Do not these self righteous cretins realize what they are really saying? Do they really find no problem with suffocating someone (turning off a respirator) while depriving a person of food & water (via a feeding tube, which is a heroic measure, look it up) is a no-no?

If so, then it is not that they have a problem with killing the disabled then, it is only the manner in which the termination is accomplished. Some sanctity of life. Some Christians, Some hypocrites."

Terry Shiavo

GratisNet: "What can one say about the farce playing out over that poor woman? The republicans, totally selling out to politics, force the federal courts to rule on the state court actions. So much for their cherished States Rights. So far the feds have refused to intervene, as has the Florida legislature. Democrats, on the other hand, lacked the common sense, principles and yes, political courage, to not go along with those republicans in congress willing to destroy the integrity of the state court system as well as two centuries of jurisprudence. Shame on them.

Senator Frist. One could only hope that he takes his surgery skills more seriously than he does his attempt at diagnosing the state of Shiavo's awareness based on a years old video tape. One could hope that he is not just another slimeball politician trying to cash in on the troubles of this poor woman. One could hope but one would be diappointed. Interesting that he gave his diagnosis on the floor of the senate and not in a TV studio. Could it be that any member of congress cannot be held legally liable for anything they say on the floor of congress while it is in session?

The parents of Ms Schiavo. As a parent I can understand and have empathy for any parent who has to come to grips with the fact that their child is gone. What I cannot understand is why they cannot understand the their daughter has been gone for many years and it is only her body that is here, with the autonomic nervous system of the brain stem keeping her diaphragm moving and her heart beating. I do not understand why, if they are so concerned for her, they are not caring for her themselves, as they did for some time early in this sorry story.

The people, including the family of Ms. Shiavo) who are engaged (and have been for some time) in the character assassination of her husband are despicable. The media outlets that promote the tales of these people are even lower.

I would hope that her family comes to understand that it is in the best interests of everyone to recognize that Terry's spirit, or essence or whatever it is that makes a person a person, has long since left this plane of existence and it is past time to let her body do the same."

More random thoughts.

GratisNet: "Dan Rostenkowski and the late Jim Wright to be eclipsed as the most corrupt congressmen in recent memory by none other than Tom Delay who makes all who have come before look like altar boys in comparison.

Ulysses S. Grant, somewhere out there, rejoicing that his sorry administration has been replaced by that of the Lyin' King as the most corrupt in the history of America.

Warren G. Harding, somewhere out there, rejoicing that in comparison to the Lyin' King, he is the epitome of a successful president.

The Founders, somewhere out there, shaking their heads in bewilderment over what has become of their great experiment

Lady Liberty, hanging her head in shame over what the Lyin' King and his Band of Bullies have done to the time honored and cherished tenets of American democracy"

Random thoughts.

GratisNet: "Some random thoughts while coping with a medical emergency this past week.

Why is the congress holding hearings about steroid use in baseball? Please don't get me wrong, I believe that such use is wrong and is the only reason so many records, especially those relating to hitting, have been set over the past 20 years, but really. We have a regime that inserts faux journalists, and I am not referring to those employed by FOX News, working for faux news organizations into White House press conferences on a daily basis without doing even the most cursory background check. Why isn't the congress investigating this?

We have an ongoing debacle in Iraq, the result of going to war on a lie, on a plethora of lies. Why isn't the congress investigating this? We have the Coalition Provisional Authority, no it's not a purveyor of fine foods but the money squandering organization that was headed up by Paul Bremer (remember him?), having no clue as to the disposition of some $9 billion, yes that's nine BILLION dollars. Why isn't the congress investigating that? We have the obvious vote counting irregularities in Florida (2000), Georgia (2002) and Florida, Ohio, etc. (2004). Why isn't the congress investigating that, especially considering that the same irregularities occurring in Ukraine caused a great hue and cry in the self same congress over the 'integrity' of the vote, with calls for a new election?

We have the example of the Bush gang paying columnists and reporters (under the table, of course) to push their agenda in any number of areas. Why isn't the congress investigating this? We have the Bush gang using faux reporters (I'm not a reporter but I play one on TV), in faux news spots (which in another time and place would be called propaganda) to create infomercials in support of their dubious efforts to dismantle the positive changes of the 20th century, disguised as news that are distributed to local media the length and breadth of America, a practice that is in direct violation of US law. Why isn't the congress investigating this?

Why is the congress wasting our time and money with baseball and steroid use when each of the items noted above have several orders of magnitude more concern and impact upon America and its people? Why indeed. It is crystal clear that republicans cannot be trusted to put country above party. In that respect they are soul brothers to the apparatchiki of the old USSR and while it took some 70 years for the communist government to collapse and destroy the USSR (and nearly destroy Russia and the other republics in the process), republicans are on track to bring down democracy and totally destroy America as we have known it in a far shorter time frame."

How low have we sunk?

GratisNet: "Giuliana Sgrena says our troops fired without warning on her vehicle, on the open road to Bagdhad Airport. The driver of the car was a very experienced Iraqi driver, experienced in the ways of approaching US troops and checkpoints so as not to become a target. The man who negotiated her release was killed by a single shot to the head, after using his body to protect Sgrena, sniper perhaps? Of course the military explanation is totally at odds with Sgrena's account, are you surprised?

Sgrena says that as she was being released her captors told her to beware of the Americans for they would as soon you didn't go free. Why was that, why would American forces not wish her to be released? Is it, as rumored, that she has the goods regarding the use in the Siege of Falluja of chemical and biological agents forbidden by the Geneva Convention? Or perhaps her chief negotiator was the primary target because of what he may have been told or observed during the negotiaions that led to her release?

Our forces were told to expect a vehicle transporting her to the airport. Did not the message get relayed to the troops? If the message was relayed, does the event illustrate that our forces, for whatever reason, have become locked into a 'shoot first and ask questions later' mentality? Or is it simply because of the fact that they have blanket immunity from prosecution for anything that they do in 'the line of duty?' Either way does their action make you proud to be an American or does it make you want to gag at the thought of American forces emulating the inhumanity of the NAZI SS forces during WW2?

When will the American people finally have enough? Perhaps when Ms Sgrena writes her story, perhaps then it will become time for the thugs of the Bush regime to pay the piper. But don't expect to see anything in the American media for they will be too occupied with the likes of the Jackson trial, Martha's release, etc. then to cover the increasing descent into barbarism of our military forces or the inexorable movement toward fascism by the republican right.

The latest misadventure of our forces in Iraq say much about them but our reaction to such an outrage says even more about us."

Columbia University Democrats nail it.

GratisNet: "Columbia University Democrats came up with a slogan as to why they were democrats and not republicans:

'Because bigotry isn't a moral value.'

That about nails it, eh?"

Meltdown

Asian nations are deciding what they can do to limit their exposure to the
weakening dollar. Perhaps they will decide that our paper will soon be
a bad investment. United States government bonds, once the most stable
and solid of financial instruments have rapidly fallen to barely better
than junk bonds due to the fiscal irresponsibilty of Bush and the
republicans. They have cut revenues while dramatically increasing
spending, in fact they make the proverbial drunken sailor look like a
skinflint, a tightwad. The Europeans have pretty much come to the same
conclusions as the Asians and are currently rethinking their support
for the dollar as well as buying more of our bonds.

Where will it all end? At what point will the world, in self defense,
say enough is enough? Consider that with the Bush gang in the White House
and republicans in control of the congress, booming deficits are in our
future for as far as the eye can see. What does that portend for our
economy and that of the world? At what point will America's need for
money to fund current deficit spending as well as the interest due on
prior bonds and the redemption of prior bonds approach such levels as
to completely choke off the availability of capital for anything else?
What will happen to the economy, indeed to our society, when the
government sucks up all available capital in order to continue, and
pay, for its intemperate stewardship of the national finances?

Think if you will, no money for new homes. No money for mortages of
any kind. No money for business and industrial expansion. No money
for student loans, or automobile loans or loans of any kind. What
will that do to the "Ownership Society" charade Bush and his band of
fascists are trying to foist upon us? Quite simply the "Ownership
Society" will come to mean the the ownership society belongs to the
government and we have seen that before. In Russia, Germany, Italy,
Argentinia, Chile and banana republics everywhere. Whenever such ideas
have grown in the world, democracy and freedom have died. To be sure,
the fascists and dictators have always masked their goals with words
like freedom, democracy, honor, ethics but if history has taught us
anything it has shown that fascists, dictators and miscreants such as
Bush and his gang of thugs have no honor, ethics or respect for democracy
and freedom. They have only their avarice and need for power.

Wake up America for the point of no return for our democracy approaches
apace.

Andy Rooney

GratisNet: "'In the history of the world, several great civilizations that seemed immortal have deteriorated and died. I don't want to seem dramatic tonight, but I've lived a long while, and for the first time in my life, I have this faint, faraway fear that it could happen to us here in America as it happened to the Greek and Roman civilizations.

'Too many Americans don't understand what we have here, or how to keep it. I worry for my grandchildren, my great-grandchildren. I want them to have what I've had, and I sense it slipping away.'

Andy Rooney 60 Minutes (CBS) May, 2004

Andy Rooney is not the only person having such thoughts in these times. I, too, have the fear but it is not faint, nor far away but rather perilously close as long as Bush and his gang of fascists are in power. It is close as long as otherwise good, solid, patriotic citizens cannot or will not recognize the current regime for what it is.

Mark this well, for when America falls, it will be a long and hard fall and there will be no country in this world that will render assistance and that will be a measure of just how much Bush and his band of fascist miscreants have alienated the world. Squandering the massive goodwill built by our people since WW2 was not enough for these thugs, they had to act in such ways that brought scorn and derision from our former allies.

This regime has brought new meaning to the phrase, 'Ugly American' and in fact makes the novel of the same name seem like a fairy tale for preschool children."

Be on the alert

GratisNet: "Now is the time to be on the alert for other manifestations of the unamerican agenda of the Bush regime. While the proposed destruction of Social Security is being fought tooth and nail, it would behoove everyone not to forget that the attack on Social Security could well be a feint by Bush to keep the opposition engaged while ramming through the rest of his objectionable ideas.

Increased drilling in the ANWAR is one such idea. It matters not that even the most optimistic estimates for the reserves to be found there equate to less than a year of national consumption. It matters not that the damage to the environment, both flora and fauna will be extensive and, in fact has already been extensive in those areas of the arctic that have been exploited over the past 30 years. No, all that matters is that Bush repay his supporters in the oil bidness.

Updating, a quaint turn of a word, the Patriot Act to extend the duration and power of the regime to spy on its citizens, citizens who have done nothing, except perhaps engage in our constitutionally, and God given right of, dissent in opposing the unamerican activities of this increasingly despotic regime.

Introducing National Drivers License/ID legislation to make it stunningly easy to keep track of citizens. Perhaps this legislation is a precursor to an Internal Passport similar to that used by the former USSR to control their citizens. There already is more than adequate cooperation among the states regarding Drivers Licenses/IDs for wasn't that the object behind the reciprocal agreements made between the states, agreements to make their information available to one another upon showing adequate cause? There are those who would say that given the extent of the states cooperation, what would be the harm in a national system when we defacto have one now? The harm is quite simply this, under the current system it requires any number of state organizations to pass on requests for data, under the proposed legislation, that power would be given to one agency and as has been demonstrated amply in the past and most especially in the Bush regime, such power would be abused.

Contact your representative and senators to fight these and other intrusions by the Bush regime upon our national treasures, including the most precious of our treaures, our privacy and freedom."

PERRspectives Blog: Bush on the Couch

PERRspectives Blog: Bush on the Couch: "I agree with Joe. To borrow from Churchill, Never before has someone with so little to offer been given so much and done so little with it.
Posted by Jared on Wonkette February 11, 2005 02:37 PM"

Right on Jared!

What it means to be a Liberal.

GratisNet: Being a Liberal means having respect for the rights and opinions of others, even when those opinions are opposite yours and most especially when they are being shouted at you. Being a Liberal means having respect for the idea of equality, equality in education, equality in opportunity, equality in employment and equality at the ballot box. Being a Liberal means having the desire to promote the welfare of the people, all the people, and not being afraid or ashamed to admit that at times, government is the only organization large enough and strong enough to do the job.

Can anyone seriously imagine that minorities would have the right to vote, have the unlimited use of public facilities, etc. without the civil rights movement of the sixties, a movement that was driven by people proud to wear the label of Liberal? Being a liberal means believing in all those things that motivated the Founding Fathers to revolt against King George and those who would deny that simple truth are playing fast and loose with the history of those tumultuous times.

Finally, being a Liberal means that we are our brother's keeper, we do have an obligation, as a society, to help those who, for whatever reason, have fallen upon bad times and we most assuredly have a moral obligation to ensure that our elderly citizens can experience their twilight years with security and dignity. Being a Liberal means living the morality expounded in the tenets of Judeo-Christian teachings as well as those of Islam and the religions of the East. In other words, being a Liberal can be expressed as the ultimate morality, ie: Doing unto others as you would have done to you.

So the next time you hear someone from the "I've got mine and the hell with you" conservative crowd speak of morals and patriotism, remind them of what it means to be a Liberal and remind them that their political philosophy was wrong for America in 1776, for it was the philosophy of the Loyalists of that time, and it is most certainly wrong for America in 2005 and beyond.

Bush Stiffs Veterans, farmers, kids and the needy.

GratisNet: "The latest budget offered by the Lyin' King cuts pretty much everything in order to preserve the tax cuts for the wealthy enacted by the most anti-american regime ever to hold power in the nations history. Educational funding, cut. Programs for the needy, cut. Programs for family farmers, cut. and of course big budget cuts at the VA in addition to higher charges for services it provides.

The copay for prescriptions will increase over 200%. There will be an annual fee of $250 just to access the system for some classes of veterans. The net result of this will be reduced access to medical care for elderly and not so elderly veterans. This is the sorry excuse for a man that convinced veterans that he cared about them, that he alone would never forget them or the sacrifices they made. He lied!

To all veterans who voted for the sorry bastard I ask this, 'Are you proud of that vote, now?' To all Christians who voted for the sorry bastard I ask this, 'After his slashing programs for the elderly, the poor, education and the unemployed I ask this, 'Are you proud of that vote now?

When will the so called Moral Majority wake up and realise that the Lyin' King acts in a manner directly contradictory to the teachings of their Jesus Christ? None are so blind as those who will not see!"

Bush's "plan" for Social Security is a con job.

GratisNet: "From today's Washington Post:

Under the system, the gains may be minimal. The Social Security Administration, in projecting benefits under a partially privatized system, assumes a 4.6 percent rate of return above inflation. The Congressional Budget Office, Capitol Hill's official scorekeeper, assumes 3.3 percent gains.

If a worker sets aside $1,000 a year for 40 years, and earns 4 percent annually on investments, the account would grow to $99,800 in today's dollars, but the government would keep $78,700 or about 80 percent of the account. The remainder, $21,100, would be the worker's.

With a 4.6 percent average gain over inflation, the government keeps more than 70 percent. With the CBO's 3.3 percent rate, the worker is left with nothing but the guaranteed benefit.

So there you have it. You save and Bush takes for unlike the real deal of FDR's Social Security where barring your demise, you receive every penny you paid into the system, in the example above not only will you get screwed out of the rate of return on your savings, Bush's plan also takes 47.25% of the money that you had withheld. That isn't the government's money (to borrow a favorite GOPig phrase), it's your money.

How do you like them apples? Tell me again how Bush and his gang of thugs are looking out for the average American."

State of the Union

GratisNet: "Has there ever been such innuendo, half truths and outright lies given in an SOTU? Not in my 64 years do I remember such a load of bovine excrement put before the American people.

These people have no shame. These people have no honor. These people have no ethics. The childish nonsense with the purple fingertips is a prime example of the form over substance problem in the Republican party. They no more have the interest of America and Americans at heart then does Osama bin Forgotten.

As for the privatizat... uh, personaliza... uh, 'reform' of the highly successful and solvent Social Security system, remember the term 'benefit offset' for it is an integral part of the Bush plan to kill the most successful program to protect seniors in the nations history. Simply put, any funds in your (pick one) personal or private account at the time of retirement that are in excess of the amount you are slated to receive during said retirement, shall be returned to the government. Cute, huh? Is it any wonder why the accomplished liar did not mention it last night?

From the Washington Post:

Even more curiously, a 'senior administration official' who briefed reporters on the Social Security proposal earlier today disclosed details of the White House plan that I don't think will play well in Peoria. Most significantly, this official revealed that most or all of the earnings from new 'personal' or privatized accounts will be paid not to the holder of the account, but to the government. The senior official called this a 'benefit offset.' It's one way to finance the creation of these private accounts, but it's going to cause quite a political stir, I think.

'...it's going to cause quite a political stir, I think.' Duh! ya think? Does their balloon ever land? Do these people ever engage their brains when dreaming up the schemes to defraud the people? You can be sure of two things regarding the 'reform' of Social Security: 1. Their 'reform' is not reform as it is defined in Webster's. 2. There will be no security in Social Security when they finish with it.

The Liar in Chief mentioned FDR last night. I have news for the Lyin' King, as a child, I remember FDR and he most assuredly isn't him! In fact he couldn't carry the soiled underwear of that great president."

CRS report on proposed Price-Indexing Social Security Benefits.

The Congressional Research Service issued a report titled, Estimated Effect of Price-Indexing Social Security Benefits on the Number of Americans 65 and Older in Poverty.

The report reads in part, "...the Congressional Research Service has estimated the effects that a specific cut in Social Security benefits would have had on the number of Americans age 65 and older with incomes below the federal poverty threshold in 2003. As you specified the benefit cut would be based on the ratio of the consumer price index to the average national wage index, using 1940 as the base for both indices."

The result, which can be viewed at CRS Report shows that had Bush's plan been in effect during 2003, some 7 million more seniors ( a 300% increase) would have found themselves below the poverty line. Can there be any doubt, given the fact that the CRS is a non-partisan unit of the congress, as to the damage the proposed plan would do to Americas seniors?

Is this what is meant by compassionate conservatism? Remember the old adage regarding numbers and liars when considering the CRS report and Bush's claims regarding Social Security. The figures don't lie but liars figure. They figure they can confuse you with numbers which also brings to mind another old saying.

When you can't dazzle them with brilliance, baffle them with bullshit.

Too stupid for words

GratisNet: "Fred Barnes, 'for the editors' in the Weekly Standard: The media tolerate or even encourage Democratic rage. But the White House can't afford to. Senate Democrats have enough votes to block major Bush initiatives like Social Security reform and to reject Bush appointees, including Supreme Court nominees. They may be suicidal, but they could undermine the president's entire second term agenda. At his news conference last week, Bush reacted calmly to their vitriolic attacks, suggesting only a few Democrats are involved. Stronger countermeasures will be needed, including an unequivocal White House response to obstructionism, curbs on filibusters, and a clear delineation of what's permissible and what's out of bounds in dissent on Iraq. Too much is at stake to wait for another Democratic defeat in 2006.

So tell me again how the miscreants on the right are not fascists and traitors to what America stands for?"

Iraqi election

GratisNet: "The Iraqi election is history. Despite reports of the Kurds importing 10,000 or so 'voters' to Kirkuk in order to inflate their numbers of representatives in the government and the continually 'downsizing' of the estimate of voter participation, before anyone even has a clue as to how many votes were cast, from the initial giddy 90% to the current and probably still slightly inflated 40-45%, the process seemed to have worked reasonably well. One fact that will not be mentioned by the media or the Bush regime is that security, for the most part, was provided by the Iraqis themselves with US forces having little or nothing to do with guarding polling places, etc..

It will take 6-8 weeks to count the vote and one thing is certain, there will be minimal Sunni participation in the 'new' government and that fact, in itself, bodes ill for the stability and security if the 'new' Iraq (to borrow the term from the 'new' CNN). One can only hope that the long suffering Iraqi people, Shi'ites, Kurds, Christians and Sunnis will, at long last, find the security with freedom that they desire. Of course, this hopeful start on the road to self determination in Iraq can still be derailed for as we have learned in our past 3 election cycles (2000, 2002, 2004) it isn't the votes that count, it 's those who count the votes that matter.

What happens if the unthinkable occurs? What will be the result if the newly elected Iraqi government as its first order of business chooses to direct America to end the occupation and withdraw? They could well do this as a result of Iraqi security forces having done a more than adequate job yesterday, a job which served to underscore that they are not dependent upon a foreign occupying power to protect them. Does anyone harbor the slightest thought that the Bush regime will comply? What will a refusal mean for Iraq? What will a refusal mean for America? Stay tuned for while the events of yesterday were indeed hopeful, the events of the next few months will hold the key to the prospect of peace, freedom and security in Iraq."

Bait and switch

GratisNet: "Listen up everyone, privatizing Social Security is out. Personal accounts are in.

You can always tell when C-plus Augustus knows he is in deep caca. He uses semantics in an effort to hide the ball, as it were. Then as if by magic, right on cue, all those on the GOPig Talking Point distribution list (including all of Fox News) begin parroting the new line. Do these incompetent liars ever tire of these tactics? Sadly the answer is no for they have a long history of saying one thing while meaning another.

Remember the rule of thumb when dealing with republicans in general and uber conservatives in particular. Everything they say about anything are lies, if their lips are moving the possiblity of their prevaricating approaches certainty.

Social Security is not in need of draconian remedies any more than a car needs to be traded in because it has low pressure in one or more tires."

Mencken was right.

"As democracy is perfected, the office of president represents, more and more closely, the inner soul of the people. On some great and glorious day the plain folks of the land will reach their heart’s desire at last and the White House will be adorned by a downright moron.
—H.L. Mencken, Baltimore Evening Sun, July 26, 1920"

Unfit to serve.

GratisNet: "Can there be any doubt as to the unfitness of Alberto Gonzales to serve in any capacity, let alone Attorney General after the revelations of two lawyers and a judge relating to his testimony regarding Bush's successful attempt to be kept off of jury duty during his run for Texas governor? Can there be any doubt that Gonzales is a confirmed liar and perjurer with a malformed sense of decency?

The fact that Gonzales never tried a case speaks to his monumental unqualification for the job but even that diminishes to near insignificance when compared to his being totally devoid of the merest shred of decency, ethics and honor. Remember this was the man who gave Bush his opinions regarding the executions in Texas, opinions which show beyond all doubt that this man, like Bush, enjoys the prospect of death as long as it is some poor, wretched, preferably minority (especially female) individual doing the dying.

I would urge the Senate democrats to say, in as strong terms as possible, NO to this sorry excuse of a man."

GratisNet

GratisNet: "I shall be away for a week. Time to visit our oldest son in Hollywood (Florida) and soak up some sun (temperatures a bit warmer than here in Orlando) and reap the benefits of the salt air (his home is within walking distance of the beach). We shall try to be true to the South Beach Diet but the famous Angelo's Pizza on the beach and the many fine restaurants on Hollywood Circle will be difficult to resist.

So until next week, remember that anything the corrupt gang of criminals of the Bush maladministration says about everything is untrue. From the debate on Social Security to the Iraq War of Agression, everything these clowns bloviate about are bold faced lies. Rule of thumb, if their lips are moving, they are lying, after all they are republicans and conservatives."

The real deal!

From the New York Times magazine 01-16-05:

In 1938, the Social Security Act was only three years old, but its future was already very much in doubt. Conservatives claimed it would bankrupt the nation, and independent critics argued that the way it was financed amounted to ''financial hocus-pocus,'' as one editorial in The New York Times put it. President Franklin D. Roosevelt defended the program, said by a cabinet member to be his favorite, with some of his trademark oratory. ''Because it has become increasingly difficult for individuals to build their own security,'' the president told a national radio audience, ''government must now step in and help them lay the foundation stones.''

Read the full article here

Conservatives have been trying to derail Social Security since its inception. Let's not let their lies and half-truths finally do the job!"

Rogue nation on the loose

"The United States has been conducting secret reconnaissance missions inside Iran to help identify potential nuclear, chemical and missile targets, The New Yorker magazine reported Sunday. The article, by award-winning reporter Seymour Hersh, said the secret missions have been going on at least since last summer with the goal of identifying target information for three dozen or more suspected sites.

Hersh quotes one government consultant with close ties to the Pentagon as saying, 'The civilians in the Pentagon want to go into Iran and destroy as much of the military infrastructure as possible.' One former high-level intelligence official told The New Yorker, 'This is a war against terrorism, and Iraq is just one campaign. The Bush administration is looking at this as a huge war zone. Next, we're going to have the Iranian campaign'."

Tell me again who the rogue nation is in this scenario. Tell me again which nation is committing an act of war upon another. Forget the fact that the army is near breaking, as are the reserves and National Guard, now we have 'The civilians in the Pentagon' wanting to go to war with Iran. How about we tell those ignorant, arrogant bastards that if they have a hardon for war with Iran so badly, let them get their cowardly asses down to an enlistment office and sign up for the first wave of the invasion force.

These neocon thugs have learned nothing from the growing mess in Iraq, while in a textbook example of hubris, The Lyin' King asserts that the 'accountability' question, regarding the war, was settled by the 2004 election. According to this sorry excuse for a man, America said it was OK for him and his gang of criminals to have lied about WMD in order to get the war of aggression against Iraq in motion. Good grief, when will the people of America wake up and realize just how arrogant and devoid of ethics these cowardly little fascists of the regime of the Lyin' King truly are and how terrible the day of retribution will be for these transgressions, when they are ultimately delivered upon us? Sadly not soon enough if a visit to Freeperland or Wingnutville to read the rantings of the small minded, ethically challenged, mean spirited conservatives posted there are in any way typical of what passes for coherent thought in republican circles today. Of course it is understood that 'coherent thought' and 'republican' appearing in the same sentence would be the mother of all oxymorons."

Destroying antiquities

DAWN - Front Page; 16 January, 2005: "LONDON, Jan 15: US-led forces, using Iraq's ancient city of Babylon as a military base, have caused 'substantial damage' to one of the world's most renowned archaeological treasures, a British Museum report said. ..."

Like barbarians throughout the ages, US forces seem bent on destroying as much of the antiquities still present in Babylon as they can.

Even the NAZIs left Rome rather than defend it and have it destroyed.

Unbelievable how far this regime of thugs and criminals has brought America down. The Lyin' King knows no shame.

Truth in advertising?

I have seen the first Bush regime ad against Social Security this morning and as is their practice, it is a monument to half truths.

They are careful to explain that while there were many workers per recipient to support the program at its inception, calamity of calamities, there will only be two workers per retiree when the baby boomers all retire. While this is all true, they also seem to omit a number of facts regarding the solvency of the system.

The system was adjusted, twice, in the last 25 years to ensure the viablity by increasing the payroll taxes so that a larger surplus would be building toward the time when the boomers began retiring. I will not get into specifics because Josh Marshall over at Talking Points Memo and others have pretty much proven the case against the Lyin' King's attempt to fulfill the biggest and most ardent republican wish of the past 70 years. Suffice it to say that in addition to the CBO, reputable economists have noted that the system is solvent through 2042 and beyond. Beginning in 2018, however, the "Trust Fund" will begin to be used to help pay benefits. Of course, the Lyin' King and his gang of fascists would like nothing more than to have you forget about that. You have heard the arguments about how the Trust Fund isn't really an asset because it holds "Special" Treasury Bonds, etc.

Think about this, if those "Special" bonds, backed by, "The full faith and credit of the United States" are deemed worthless, what does that say to every treasury bond backed by the same promise? How will that affect those people, companies and nations who purchase them and in the doing, finance our burgeoning debt? Will it be likely to inhibit them from buying again, after all if the US is willing to default on its obligation to its own citizens, why would they hesitate to do the same for outlanders? Take this to the bank, the Lyin' King financed his tax cuts to the wealthy using the Social Security Trust Fund, as well as other government funds, proving yet again that for republicans, when it comes to trust and concern for the people, they have neither. Never have, never will. Some things just don't change with time.

Consider this, if you will, conservatives were the loyalists during our War Of Independence. They were "patriots" alright, but their patriotism was to God and King George. Hmmm, as I said, some things seem not to have changed much but one thing is perfectly clear, conservatives and their philosophy were wrong for America in 1776 and they sure as hell are wrong for it now.

Values?

Tired of hearing the right wing blow their horn about having values? The next time you get into it with a right wing blowhard, or ERWBDC (Extreme Right Wing Brain Dead Conservative), consider:

Which values are being demonstrated by allowing the disenfranchisement of voters?

Stopping the vote whenever possible demonstrates what value system, exactly? Other than fascism, that is.

Which values are exemplified by using lies, and worse, trying to do away with Social Security (FDR'S greatest social accomplishment) arguably the greatest social program in the history of western civilization?

Name the values one must believe in to take away the safety net of needy seniors.

Identify the values involved in ceasing to help dependent children who have had the misfortune of losing one or both parents.

List the values that one must have in order to decrease funding for the public school system using the now discredited Leave No Child Behind program, a program that could more accurately be named, Leave No Conservative Commentator behind given the Armstrong Williams scandal.

What values are those which makes the use bribery to acquire the lies of pundits to be used in support of questionable programs, acceptable?

What is said of the values of "leaders" who will obfuscate, flip-flop, and outright lie in order to promote a war of aggression upon innocent people?

Last, but not least, what can be said about the values of the people who support such disgraceful men?

When it is fully considered, there is but one conclusion: When it comes to values and morals the right is engaged in one of the oldest cons known to mankind, telling people what they want to hear, rather then telling them the truth. They have no equal when it comes to talking the talk but they fall so very short when it's time to walk the walk.

God bless America

God bless America. A sentiment currently in vogue and seen on many, many automobiles and roadside billboards.

Does God bless the wanton killing of non-combatants and other civilians?

Does God bless the use of torture when questioning prisoners of any stripe?

Does God bless the practice of imprisoning people, for life, without trial or even indictments or other charges because one man deems them to be dangerous?

Does God bless the practice of continuous lies and deceit from our supposed leaders?

Does God bless the practice of visiting war and destruction upon a people who have not threatened, nor were capable of threatening, America?

I am certain that one could continue with many more examples of does God bless... but the salient question is this:

If the answer to even one of the questions is no, then "God bless America" is unlikely to come to pass. In fact one could envision how the Deity could well deign to punish a nation for claiming to be motivated by God yet showing in virtually every act that such a claim is false.

There was a time when one was proud to be an American but under the criminals, fascists and thugs of the Bush regime, that time has passed.

It will not be democrats or independents who will save America. It will fall to the decent, moderate republicans (yes they do exist) to fight for and win back their party from the fascists and budding brown shirts.

The future of America, as we have known it, hangs in the balance.

Imagine

If one man with limited resources can do this, imagine what the result would be if his efforts were repeated a thousandfold!.


From BuzzFlash :

From Robert Millman:

I plan to take on talk radio where I live. And I'm writing to ask you to help.

AM radio is a free market place. Anyone can place an issue ad on the air. All it takes is a credit card, an e-mail address
and access to a fax machine. Depending on where you live, and what program you choose, a 30-second radio ad will
cost from $20 to $120 a spot.

I have produced seven "Paid Radio Moments." They are 30-second ads that frame progressive issues. I plan on putting
them on air on WGY (the big AM radio station in Albany, New York) in the first week of January.

I plan to make these audio files available to anyone willing to put them on the air in their entirety, that's my only condition for
full and free use. As long as a spot is played in full, anyone is welcome to one or all of them.

Robert Millman

OK Robert, here they are, in their entirety and GratisNet is proud to make them available online.

The Deficit
Dissent
Energy
Incumbency
Justifications for war
Christianity
The right to vote

Dobson is no Christian

Once again the mighty, in his own deluded mind, James Dobson has threatened to place democratic senators in the "bull's eye" if they dare exercise their constitutional duty. The duty, of course, is that of passing on the nominations to the federal judiciary. Mr. Dobson believes that they should rubber stamp approval of the nominees sent to the hill, that is only if they are "strict constructionists" (read backward, redneck freedom haters who want to turn the country back to where it was 150+ years ago).

Once again Mr. Dobson demonstrates that not only is he not a Christian, but that he hasn't the first clue as to what it means to follow the teachings of the One from Nazareth. Did not the One counsel against mixing religion and politics? Did not the One counsel against hating ones enemies? His followers would do well to heed the words:

Matt. 7:15-20 - "Be on your guard against false religious teachers, who come to you dressed up as sheep but are really greedy wolves. You can tell them by their fruit. Do you pick a bunch of grapes from a thorn-bush or figs from a clump of thistles? Every good tree produces good fruit, but a bad tree produces bad fruit. A good tree is incapable of producing bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot produce good fruit. The tree that fails to produce good fruit is cut down and burnt. So you may know men by their fruit."

Matt. 7:21 - "It is not everyone who keeps saying to me 'Lord, Lord' who will enter the kingdom of Heaven, but the man who actually does my Heavenly Father's will.

Dobson, on the other hand, would do well to follow this admonishment:

Matt. 7:22-23 - "In 'that day' many will say to me, 'Lord, Lord, didn't we preach in your name, didn't we cast out devils in your name, and do many great things in your name?' Then I shall tell them plainly, 'I have never known you. Go away from me, you have worked on the side of evil!'"

James Dobson is one of a long line of opportunistic charlatans who are no more Christian that the man (or woman) in the moon. Such disgraceful men are interested in but three things, wealth, power and the trappings they bring. One can imagine the conversation cited in Matthew 7:22-23 above between Dobson and the Lord.

And a Happy New Year to you and yours, may it be filled with health, happiness and fulfillment.

The Social Security "problem."

Commander Codpiece says that Social Security, the most successful program for helping seniors and more in the history of civilization, needs changing. Do the research and you will find that the problems facing Social Security beginning about 30-40 years out, are real but hardly insurmountable. Here are a few rhetorical examples to use the next time you find a conservative lout mouthing the GOPig talking points regarding Social Security.

The Bush Plan for changing Social Security would be like:

Buying a new lawn mower because it has a bad sparkplug.

Buying a new refrigerator because the light bulb burned out.

Buying a new car because it has a flat tire.

Buying a new cellphone because the battery died.

You get the picture. Remember this, the republican party has been against FDR's greatest program for bringing values into American society (as regards seniors, etc.) since before it was enacted and every single day since. We cannot let the loutish, selfish, venal and self serving barbarians on the right destroy Social Security.

Now, everyone, have a safe and Merry Christmas ( Ho, ho, ho!) and we will be back after the new year.

Rumsfeld, the GI and the lack of armor.

By now, everyone has heard of the arrogant ass' (Rumsfeld) experience with the GI in Kuwait who asked about the missing armor plate for trucks and other non-combat vehicles. What you may not have heard is that the cretins on the right in the republican party, you know, the moronic twits like "freepers" and the like, are ready to blame the GIs and reporter who talked with them beforehand.

The reporter was an embed from a Tennessee newspaper in a unit of Tennessee National Guard responsible for moving supplies from Kuwait into Iraq, so it would appear he had every right to discuss the Rumsfeld Q&A with the GIs of the unit and even suggest some questions for those who started this unnecessary war with such little thought or planning. No matter, those brain dead psychos on the right are screaming for his scalp. As to the GIs, well they are calling for courts martial and firing squads.

That tells you much about the republican party these days, the uber patriots, basically cowards all, would have no place for dissent even when the situation cries for it. They would have you believe that they support freedom everywhere, but they in fact wish to suppress it here at home. No crticisms are allowed for Bush and his band of thugs and criminals, if these latter day brown shirts have any say.

Suffice it to say that their actions are not new to the world, they are merely the latest of a long line from NAZI brownshirts to East German STASZI all of whom wished to stop honest dissent and discourse. They are disgrace to our great nation and to the principles of liberty for which it stands. Their brand of "patriotism" is bringing our nation to a looming crisis, a crisis where the meaning of words are turned inside out and liberty is turned into jackbooted fascism. To paraphrase a classic from pre WW2, the lights are going out all over America.

We will not even get into the habit of the utter disgrace of this person occupying the White House and his immature craving for gathering in the company of real heros, and wearing his make believe military get up much like a little momma's boy who never grew out of playing soldier. Unfortunately, when this sorry excuse for a man plays soldier, many good, brave American men and women pay the price. Men and women whose boots the cowardly C-plus Augustus could not carry, or have ever carried, on the best day of his worthless life.

Ukraine Judicial Integrity

The Supreme Court of the Ukraine ruled today that the recent election, filled with fraud, miscounts and voter intimidation, must be done anew. Isn't it nice to see a judicial system with honor, ethics and integrity actually following the law of the land? Our own system could learn much in the example set forth in the Ukraine. It could, if the members of our judiciary had a fraction of the honor of those Ukraine jurists, but quite simply, they do not.

Our media is also covering itself with shame with the stories of two elections, both of which had exit polls point to someone other than the one who "won" the election. In the case of the Ukraine, with only a decade or so experience with polls and free elections our press screams about the exit polls prove there was something foul going on in the election and make demands for a new election. In the case of our election, with many more years of experience with both exit polling and "free" elections, the press screams that the exit polls were wrong and anyone casting doubt on the election based on such is a conspiracy nut, in the same category as those wearing tinfoil hats.

Exit polling, after having proven to be consistently accurate for some thirty years, suddenly "lost" its reliability in the 2000 election and it continued to be so in the elections of 2002 and 2004. Does anyone see anything wrong with this picture?

I do and it smells an awful lot like a coup d'etat rat by those who would bring fascism or worse to our republic.

Scandal

The UN Oil For Food scandal? That is bad, to be sure, but what of the "Haliburton Missing Equipment" scandal? The "Missing Billions" scandal in the Coalition Provisional Authority under Paul Bremer?

What passes for media in America today is a joke, it makes Pravda and Tass of the old USSR look like paragons of honest journalism in comparison. Where were the calls for investigating the scandals, that occured under our authority, in Iraq? Could it be that once again the thugs and criminals of the republican party, in ignoring those events, are merely demonstrating the modus operendi of placing party above everything? That was a rhetorical question, of course.

For a good reprise of the lapses of the CPA under Bremer, see this article from August, 2004:

http://www.alternet.org/waroniraq/19620/

Such stories will never be seen on CNN, MSNBC or Republican TV, Fox News and that my friends is why America is going the way of Italy and Germany in the 1930s.