fitz! go rubber stamps!

Fitz – Spitz – FEINGOLD! and Harry Taylor

Fitz and Yay FDL!

It will be a sec before the video is ready for viewing — but I wanted to give everyone a heads up that it will be up and going within minutes. heeeee Prepare for amusement!

Excellent work.

OT. Looks like Berluscumbag in Italy is flying James Baker in to deliver the death blow to Italian democracy now.

Hail the new dictator of Italy-Ill Douchebag.

http://www.breitbart.com/news/…..hem0h.html

-GSD

I wonder if Specter has a sense of humor. I doubt it.

“I wonder if Specter has a sense of humor. I doubt it.”
He must have. He was the author of the “single bullet theory,” which is a real joke!

Also,

Larry Johnson at No Quarter is beating back a few Neo-conjobs on the latest smoke screens and out right fibbery regarding CIA/Plame.

http://noquarter.typepad.com/m……html#more

-GSD

Specter’s refusal to put Golzalez under oath should be played as a video loop on his tombstone for eternity.

GSD — left you a note on the end of last thread re:client state security arrangements. Interested in your take.

OfT: From the WaPoo blog:
“Now, now children. “A Good Leak” is one that Bob Woodward can put in his book and the WP can use to sell a war. “A Truthful Leak” is another matter entirely. We don’t do that at the editorial board.
Posted by: fedup | April 9, 2006 01:18 PM”

Great project. Nice work. Any chance we can kidnap, sedate and tattoo “Rubber Stamp Republican” on the foreheads of the most putrescent of the locksteppers? Or would that be illegal?

EPU’ed and when I write more than 5 lines vanity compels me to repost.

Ahmadinejad is a nationalist. He is also a religious ideologue. And he is a nutcase. In many ways, he resembles his American counterpart.

This said, it’s important to see how this conflict might look from an Iranian perspective. Iran is a nation with a rapidly expanding population. This means it is a young nation. Many of its citizens were born after the Revolution and have no direct tie to it. Indeed they are frustrated by its aftermath both in terms of their personal freedoms and their economic chances.

Iran is run by a corrupt and ineffective clergy who hold the real power. Ahmadinejad is the Iranian equivalent of a front man. If he seriously challenged the mullahs he would be gone in a flash. As it is, he is a useful stooge defending their privilege.

Consider that Iran’s economy is a mess and only high oil prices keep things tolerable.

In this situation, the nuclear program is a godsend. It is a focus of national pride albeit a cynically manufactured one. Its defense and continuation bring popular support to the government. Its conversion to a weapons program is a given: producing the conditions for Iran to take its “rightful†position as the preeminent regional power. And since the region in question has most of the world’s reserves of oil, a leader on the world stage.

These ambitions are contested by the US presence in the Gulf so the grounds of conflict between Iran and us are set since we also have legitimate interests in the area and are not going to leave. OTOH we are tied down in the quagmire of Iraq. This means that Iran has little incentive to curtail its nuclear plans. Our involvement in Iraq provides a window of opportunity for the Iranians and they are taking it. The situation allows the Iranians to do what they already wanted to do. It sticks it to us and increases support at home. It sends shivers through world oil markets keeping oil prices high. It plays into the goofy religiosity of people like Ahmadinejad that God/Allah is on their side. What’s not to like? Well, the downside is that this favorable confluence of events blinds the Iranians to the dangers they face from other irrational players who also believe God is on their side. The possiblity of a disastrous miscalculation in this crisis is significant.

Best $6.50 I ever spent.

Great video– oh I do hope KO gets this and plays it– hmmm, I think I feel a need to do a little email. ;)

Just saw the video. Adorable!
I especaily enjoyed the censored by Specter/NSA bit.
Very cute.

Just saw the video. LOL. Good work on the rubber stamp campaign, Jane and Christy.

My wife says Matt “is precious” haha

woman’s bathrooms . . . WAAAAAAAAAAA?

This Rubber Stamp campaign is really exciting even for those of us who can’t view video online. I just love it.

Thanks so much for doing this. :)

OT: Will anyone who is in Texas or knows anyone in Texas please help get out the vote for today’s primary runoff? Barbara Radnofsky is up against Gene Kelly, the “democrat” who always runs, then sits back to let the Republican win the Senate seat. With Hutchison’s ratings in the tank we stand a good chance of taking the another Senate seat. Please help. We need so badly to take back the Senate. A Texas win for the Dems would really send a message to Republicans as well.

I had to hunt a polling place but I found it–so watch out for that.

BTW: There are only two state-wide runoffs the other is for Lieutenant Governor. The word is that Grant is the choice.

Thanks everybody.
:)

How about Pat Roberts for your next delivery? Did you see this from Raw Story about Phase 2?

The Senate Intelligence Committee’s inquiry into whether the U.S. intelligence community “cooked” pre-war Iraq intelligence now appears likely to be concluded soon, and a spokesman for the Committee’s chairman says he’s ready to get onto more “pressing matters” like Iran.

http://www.rawstory.com/news/2….._0411.html

Wow – that was worth the wait…there just aren’t enough good things to say about the whole thing – from the first suggestion, to getting the rubber stamp folks a spike in sales, to the fun of ordering one, to watching Debbie Wasserman Schultz on the floor talking about them, to the great stills of Specter on the video, to seeing Matt’s cameraman try to bluff Specter’s receptionist.

My imagination was able to supply the look on Specter’s face when he got the basket: he didn’t look quite as cheerful and silly as he did in Matt’s video.

Congrats to Christy and Jane for a masterful use of the rubber stamp meme; do you guys know how much we love you?

Imm,

We are already seeing much of the world align itself against the US. South America, short of a slew or coups is gone.

China is working like a dervish and has worked-out agreements with Australia and lots of other local nations….They even did some mutual military drills with Russia recently.

This is pushing the US to try to re-arm Japan(Nice idea asswipes).

From what I have read both China and Russia have effectivley drawn a line in the sand around Iran and will not support any military action. They are both blocking US efforts to apply sanctions. The thought being..just like Iraq…the sanctions are a precurser to approving an attack so they won’t go along.

Now there are reports of Saudi Arabia trying to stop the US from attacking Iran by appealing to Russia.

All of the countries in that area obviously don’t want any nukes flinging about willy-nilly. Some recent studies say that those “limited nukes” are simply nukes with the word “limited” attached to them…very bad, lots of fallout in Iraq, India, Turkey etc.

If the US uses nukes or launches an attack on Iran…the world as we know it will cease. The US will go from being a very belligerent nation to an international rogue state that needs stopping.

The middle east will melt down badly—-picture the “Mohammed” protests on crack and meth.

So it looks like we had better start hoping that someone other than a feeble minded messaniac dry drunk is calling the shots.

-GSD

Very funny. Maybe Olberman would put it on his show. Well done by all!

Regarding Meteor Blades’suggestion for stamping foreheads–what about making up “Rubber Stamp Republican Congress” bumperstickers to put over their re-election signs. Or is it illegal to do that?

I second Pat Roberts for the next Rubber Stamp delivery.

Hugh, I’m glad you reposted in 13.
Interested in your take on how Russia views Iran’s nuclear weapons ambitions.

Just started the download from the Crooks and Liars link. Should be here shortly.

Christy, in the article you wrote it’s been clear to us that he’s is less than comfortable. Looks like there’s a redundant “is” there.

Wonderful.
Wonderful.

Great job. I had a little feeling about Specter, knowing how Jane adores him so. This needs Corp media attention, did you sent it to KO? Politics TV could do a press release. I’m sure you have that covered, what am I saying, you have it all covered!

I loved being part of this.

Thanks Cujo — I missed it in my quick edit before I had to run out and pick up the peanut from preschool. Hate it when I do that. Appreciate the heads up — is fixed now.

Angie–re: Sen. Pat Roberts (R-WH). Good idea. Here is a letter I just received from Roberts in response to my letter calling on him to support Feingold’s censure motion (as if he ever would). I think the appropriate term is “tool.”

Dear :

Thank you for writing to share your comments regarding a proposal to censure President Bush.

I do not support the resolution, S. Res. 398, sponsored by Senator Russ Feingold (D-WI) to censure the president. Such actions undermine our ability to present a unified front against our enemy in the war on terror and jeopardize the president’s ability to protect the nation in a time of war.

The resolution makes reference to a program a the National Security Agency (NSA) that intercepts international communications of individuals believed to be linked to al Qaeda. Late last year, as a result of a breach of national security, the media reported that the president had authorized this program. As Chairman of the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence, i have been fully briefed on this program, and I find that it is consistent with U.S. law and the Constitution.

On March 7, to allow additional members of the Senate to fully understand the details of this valuable program, at my urging, the Intelligence Committee voted to establish a subcommittee to conduct additional oversight. Although the Terrorist Surveillance Program is thoroughly reviewed for legality approximately every 45 days by the Department of Justice, and is monitored by the General Counsel and the Inspector General of the NSA to ensure that civil liberties are being protected, I believe this new subcommittee will provide the appropriate level of ovrsight for this important program.

Again, thank you for writing.

With every best wish,

Sincerely,

Pat Roberts

* * *

I want to highlight what I think is the most important line in the letter:

Such actions undermine our ability to present a unified front against our enemy in the war on terror and jeopardize the president’s ability to protect the nation in a time of war.

It appears to me that he is essentially calling Sen. Feingold a traitor.

Stoller is single and straight, ladies.

GSD Thanks!! That is sorta what I imagined was happening….

Hi John Casper — I have your same question as 27 and Russia’s view of teh Iranian nuclear program.

Senator Specter has a long history of getting out in front of issues in order to tout his “moderate” and fair minded credentials. Unfortunately, as soon as the issue has run it’s course in the media frenzy cycle, he characteristically votes with his party to neuter any attempts to bring actual scrutiny or accountability to the issues.

read more observations here:

http://www.thoughttheater.com

Woo hooo! Watched the video and laughed my ass off. Redd, I just called the stamp company to thank them and let them know the video went online. Talked to a Kathy who is going to tell her boss Mary Ellen. She took my name and phone number and said we might be allowed to give them a little followup interview, the company is about an hour from my house. Will let you know what Mary Ellen has to say about our rubber stamp project if she happens to call me.

Great job everyone!

The Summer of Shrubs Discontent.

The higher the gas, the lower the ass.

See you in the 20’s by July 4th George.

http://biz.yahoo.com/ap/060411…..html?.v=14

OT–I apologise for going off thread, but speaking of videos, I just watched the Dixie Chicks music video on Launchcast (sorry, no link) “Not Ready To Make Nice” and was blown away! As most will remember, they spoke out against the chimp on a national stage and “took a bullet for us” from the rightwing assholes (sorry — just couldn’t think of a more eloquent term). I think it would be a great showing of solidarity if the blogosphere could step up and show lots of support for these gals. Definitely watch the video — lots of symbolism — their “in your face” stand against the rightwing bullshit is inspiring to say the least. Thank you for the indulgence.
Gene in MO

Russia has been working to allow Iran a civilian program. I think they supplied much of the equipment. They actually had a plan to allow Iran to enrich uranium in Russia.

As to a nuclear bomb? Probably not too happy, but not terribly threatened either.

-GSD

John Casper,

That is a very interesting question. Russia is a big energy producer. The jitters that Iran creates in oil markets actually work to its benefit. Strategically, it is hard to see how a ‘nuclearized’ Iran would be more of a threat than say India or Pakistan. They’re out there,they’re nuclear and so what? For them, it’s just business. They are willing to sell nuclear plants to the Iranians. They will reprocess if that’s agreed. It’s more profit to them. They would prefer that there be no armed conflict because it would produce chaos and have unpredictable consequences. In a word, it would be bad for business.

Just a few thoughts.

This is great, but I think the stamps need to be delivered in smaller sets or even singles, and to more people, and every day, day after day to maximize their impact. People put a lot of work and money into this project and it’d be nice if that work didn’t just get carted off straightaway to the local landfill – because I got the sinking feeling watching that video that the staffer took those out to the dumpster the minute those guys walked away.

And on the subject of the video, don’t bother trying to shoot video on future deliveries, the stamps themselves are plenty confrontational without adding the extra layer of confrontation that comes when a camera enters the room.

This would be different, of course, if the camera belonged to a local or national TV news organization that had a pre-arranged opportunity to roll tape on a stamp delivery. God only knows how that could be achieved – but maybe if lots of little deliveries happen it could generate a buzz of “newsworthiness” that might draw MSM interest.

My constitutional law students are having a rousing debate on our e-mail list this morning regarding the South Dakota law.

The debate started when a student noted that the President of the Oglala Sioux tribe has announced that she would work to open a clinic on the Pine Ridge Reservation in South Dakota that would provide abortions beyond the reach of state law if the law goes into effect. See http://www.rapidcityjournal.co…..news02.txt for more on President Cecelia Fire Thunder’s statements.

A student then argued that the South Dakota law technically allows for some solution for raped women and raped girls who are the victims of incest, namely that they can take “emergency contraception.”

The law, which you can find at http://legis.state.sd.us/sessi…..15enr.htm, states in part:

Nothing in section 2 of this Act may be construed to prohibit the sale, use, prescription, or administration of a contraceptive measure, drug or chemical, if it is administered prior to the time when a pregnancy could be determined through conventional medical testing and if the contraceptive measure is sold, used, prescribed, or administered in accordance with manufacturer instructions.

But emergency contraception sometimes works by preventing implantation of an already fertilized egg, http://www.4woman.gov/faq/econtracep.htm, and South Dakota’s law also provides that life begins at the time of fertilization, not the time of implantation. In fact, a fertilized egg possesses a “natural and inalienable right to life.” http://legis.state.sd.us/sessi…..215enr.htm

So what’s the story? According to a writer in Slate, the loophole was inserted for political purposes but is at cross-purposes with the logic of the law’s propnents. That is, he writes:

Welcome to world of ambiguity, pro-lifers. Out of compassion for women in tragic but medically non-threatening circumstances, you agree that unborn life, up to a certain stage of development, may be aborted. Now we’re just quibbling over the details.

Lots more in the Slate article.

neuro – Right up with that line, is this one:

Late last year, as a result of a breach of national security, the media reported that the president had authorized this program.

Now that the press is coming back to life (parts of it at least) they are dangling the threats for both whistleblowers and the press and it makes me so angry I could spit – I probably have spit for that matter. Feingold can take care of himself and has a lot of people who will gladly get his back.

Some whistleblower in NSA or CIA or FBI doesn’t have ANYONE getting their back.

So, Sen. ROberts – how do you know that it was reported as a breach of national security, and not as another “private” declassification?

I say – every whistleblower/reporter out there should buy a Libby or CHeney mask and practice saying: George told me to. Privately.

Maybe need to catch the bastards out in public so they can’t hide.

Hmmm, wasn’t the rubber stamp campaign the initial idea of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee?

I meam, do we really wanna piss off Specter?!?

Surely there are more deserving Republicans we can honor with the stamp, like every Republican member in the House.

Oops, I meant “mean.”

Pentagon was spying on “don’t ask, don’t tell” protests.

http://www.rawstory.com/news/2….._0411.html

“The Department of Defense has now confirmed the existence of a surveillance program monitoring LGBT groups,” said C. Dixon Osburn, SLDN’s executive director. “Pentagon leaders have also acknowledged inappropriately collecting some of the information in the TALON database. That information should be destroyed and no similar surveillance should be authorized in the future. Free expression is not a threat to our national security.”

Oddly enough the Pentagon has a ‘Talon’ database? The name of the pseudo news agency that gay hustler and frequent Whitehouse visitor Jeff Gannon/James Guckert was: Talon News Agency

-GSD

A little off-topic here, but I was wondering what level of civil disobedience the FDL’ers would think would be appropriate to try to stop US action against Iran?

A star is born!
Matt Stoller is such a clean cut, scholarly looking smartass. I look forward to his next film.

Hugh #13>â€â€¦this favorable confluence of events blinds the Iranians to the dangers they face from other irrational players who also believe God is on their side. The possiblity of a disastrous miscalculation in this crisis is significant.â€

But the whole scenario plays to those that believe in the return of the 12th Imam (â€â€¦the Mahdi; a figure considered by both Sunnis and Shias to be the ultimate saviour of humankind…)

DEVELOPING – A Very dangerous unstable/volatile situation…

“…organized religion is for people who are afraid of hell. Spirituality is for people who’ve already been to hell.†– Oliver Stone

You are correct, Mary. A “breach of national security” sounds like a crime to me, and no court has ruled this one as such. In fact, as far as we know, no one has been arrested of indicted for it. Bush’s fast-and-loose treatment of declassifying the Iraqi uranium report (leak selected parts to the press first) raises questions as to whether other officials may do the same, and under what circumstances. In any event, apparently the White House talking points make it all crystal clear to Sen. Roberts.

neuro– thanks for sharing. What an absolute @#%!he is. Memory pills, indeed. Why should the American people trust him or his findings???

‘As Chairman of the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence, i have been fully briefed on this program, and I find that it is consistent with U.S. law and the Constitution.’

Is he a Constitutional scholar??? Nope– not even a lawyer, but a Marine who went on to be a reporter or editor and major tool for rethugs.

From his website:

Born in Topeka April 20, 1936, Senator Roberts is the son of the late Wes Roberts, Chairman of the Republican National Committee under President Dwight Eisenhower. His great-grandfather, J.W. Roberts, founded the Oskaloosa Independent, the state’s second oldest newspaper. Following graduation from Kansas State University in 1958, Senator Roberts served in the U.S. Marine Corps for four years, then worked as a reporter and editor for several Arizona newspapers. He joined the staff of Kansas Senator Frank Carlson in 1967. In 1969, Senator Roberts became Administrative Assistant to Kansas’ First District Congressman Keith Sebelius. Senator Roberts was elected to Congress in 1980, succeeding Sebelius upon his retirement. He was first elected to the Senate in 1996 following the retirement of Senator Nancy Kassebaum (Baker) and won re-election in 2002. Senator Roberts and his wife, Franki, have three grown children – David, and his wife Mimi, Ashleigh and Anne-Wesley.

“Such actions undermine our ability to present a unified front against our enemy in the war on terror and jeopardize the president’s ability to protect the nation in a time of war.”
Pat Roberts

neurophius, there is a name for this. It’s called “being a good German”.

No. 49 “or”

There are a bunch of stamps left over…

Hugh: I agree and it just further underscores how disastrous the Iraq invasion was, bc there was a solid possiblity of Iran beginning to tilt towards a less fundamentalist power structure – until they ended up with American troops on their borders. We basically drove the external forces on decision process that resulted in Ahmadinejad ending up in power.

That’s what made Hersh’s piece so disturbing to me. At the time of the Iranian elections, Rice and others were mouthing the, “now that Iran has seen how we’ve democratized Iraq, the people will cry out for a more liberalized govt” with NO FREAKING CLUE that you don’t line up troops on a countries border and say, “here’s the guy we want you to vote for cuz he likes us” and without getting the exact opposite reaction. How they can so stoke nationalism here and not have a clue how it works elsewhere is hard to understand.

Hersh’s piece pulls out that theme again – that they think if we just bombed the snot out of Iran, the Iranians would “turn against their govt and throw off the yoke” as opposed to “turn even more against the country that just bombed them” etc.

I can’t believe that the “loyalty over competency” has gone so far that there’s no one left to point out the obvious.

angie No. 50

Right, angie. I’m sure that thirteen years as a congressional staffer made Roberts good at following orders.

Matt, you’re developing groupies.

Congress has doubtlessly given the Preznit -during the Cold War- authority to use nuclear weapons against an immediate and imminent nuclear attack (missiles in the air from Moscow, etc). GWB would twist it to mean that 10 years possibility of nukes owned by Tehran justified him nuking Persia to glowing glass.

There are a bunch of stamps left over…

I guess that means you’re gonna be busy then, Stoller….

Rubber Stamp Republicans II: Stoller With a Vengeance

Oh, and more information I intended to include:

There are apparently only 3 places in the entire State of South Dakota where a woman or underage girl could get a prescription for emergency contraception. See this map:

http://ec.princeton.edu/gis/

Mary says:
April 11th, 2006 at 12:10 pm

You naysaying ninnies.

Pshaw. The Middle East is nowa sea of tranquil and peace loving democractic wanna bees who desire nothing more than to pick olives and drive a Lexus. Thanks to George W. Bush and his vision.

-Tom Friedman and Richard Perle

OK, Matt is cute. But next time you guys should think of taking along a teensy weensy SPY camera so that when the secretary asks “Why is the red light on?” you can turn off the big camera and switch on the secret one.

THE PREZNIT IS A MADMAN. HE’S INSANE. He think’s he’s the Messiah. He wants to nuke Iran so he can bring “end times” that much closer. I could see our military taking Bush out before they nuke Iran.

And, memo to the librul media: calling something “wild speculation” isn’t exactly a denial.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/…..00879.html

Wolf Blitzer asked Hersh on CNN on Sunday: “So what’s your bottom line? Do you believe, based on the reporting you did for this article, that the president of the United States is now aggressively plotting military action, a preemptive strike against Iran?”

“HERSH: The word I hear is messianic. He thinks, as I wrote, that he’s the only one now who will have the courage to do it. He’s politically free. I don’t think he’s overwhelmingly concerned about the ‘06 elections, congressional elections. I think he really thinks he has a chance, and this is going to be his mission.”

I wonder how Delay’s Capitol Hill staff would react to a delivery of rubber stamps? Or Boehner? Or Hastert?

The vid is a thing of beauty — hope it gets out to TradMed, so they are more easily convinced to cover the next delivery…

Just a comment about the rubber stamp video above — I LOVE the part where they walk past Lieberman’s office with the box of rubber stamps and Matt says, “Just passing by,”

HA!

Excellent work! I’m glad to have been a part of it!

When do the T-shirts go on sale?

neurophius #31: ‘As Chairman of the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence, i have been fully briefed on this program, and I find that it is consistent with U.S. law and the Constitution.’

Perhaps you should write back to ask him to explain how it is consistent with the law and the Constitution. I mean, if he’s “found” that, he should be able to explain it, and not just expect you to take his word for it, right?

Matt, was adorable and seems way too young to write such good numbercruncher pieces.

GSD – I have 12 horses – I HAVE to be a neighsayer

GSD:

They’re flying in Baker to protect the coverup of the Niger docs forgery.

Roberts thinks there’s enough trust left over: we trust the Preznit & we should trust Pat too!

those kids are fresh out of school and remember all those formulas and equations that the years have erased from more mature brains … yes, he is almost too cute to be straight too.

more ideas for the rest of the stamp deliveries…

the “daily deliveries” idea can bear fruit, I think, through variety:

package and ship them to congress persons so that they or their staffers have to work a little harder to get to the stamp and its message.

recruit volunteers from different sectors of society to do in-person deliveries: young, old, men, women, people of color, people with disabilities, glbt individuals and couples, athletes, celebrities, parents with children in tow, etc.

deliver them at press conferences or other public appearances of congress persons.

Mary, I know you are tough, but I didn’t know you met Hercules fifth task of the Augean stables!!

WoW!

Always nice to have you on a thread immanentize, gotta run, see ya later.

ciao, John!

Froomkin is up and talks of Iran.

Neuro – I would seriously consider sending him a copy of the ABA task force findings and resolutions and ask him i) if he is giving a legal opinion, bc generally you need a license for that, and ii) how it is that he knows more about the legality of it than someone like Wm Sessions – lawyer, judge, FBI director – or ex CIA Gen Counsel, etc. etc.

Also send the 4th and underline the words warrant and probable cause and ask him, “Where’s the warrant?”

Too bad, Arlen’s person was so uptight about cameras.Does Lieberman qualify for the gift basket? I couldn’t help notice his door in the video. *Mwahaha* Thanks Christy!
BTW. Do we really want to piss off Specter? Yes! Absolutely, especially for his starring role in the Alito hearings, among other stuff. That bridge is broken.

I’m sure the Congressional Democratic Kiddies Caucus (or whatever it’s called)would gladly display on the Floor on CSpan at night a basketful of “Republican Rubber Stamp Congress” rubberstamps “all contributed by concerned citizens”. Give Debbie a holler and see if she’ll do it!

EPU’d myself, last thread, here’s follow-up for a couple of you:

Bionic — yeah, I’m one of the early ePM folks, too. My bad, I haven’t been as active over the last 6 months, but I’ve been watching. And watching. That shoe has to drop some time.

Primordial Ooze — it’s taken me a year to SEE it, I guess. I wonder if the bolding in the text wasn’t there the first time I read the article.

Cross-check the dates against key events in the CIA Leak case. I think there’s a strong correlation.

cheney booed at nationals game:
http://thinkprogress.org/2006/…..-baseball/

I think the effect of the American invasion on the Iranian elections has not been explored, which is odd. Internal dynamics had a lot to do with election of Ahmadinejad too. What is interesting is that even these have parallels in what happened in this country. Think about what kind of circumstances allowed Bush to become President in 2000: A wounded Clinton Adminstration, reaction to its lack of “morality” and an artfully rigged electoral process. In Iran, Khatami’s reforms never amounted to much both because he was not the reformer everyone thought he was and because the mullahs simply blocked them. Reformist/moderate candidates were prevented for running for office. The result was frustration and a paradoxal backlash against reformers and “corruption”. What happened was that the unsuccessful reformers were dumped and surprise, surprise, the corrupt clergy remained in power, and their man Ahmadinejad came to power: an anti-reform reformer and an anti-corruption leader chosen by the corrupt leadership. Just like us, the Iranians voted for change and got it except it was not really the kind of change they were hoping for.

I spoke for quite some time to the national security staffers in both of my Senators’ (local) offices today concerning Iran. A little obfuscation as to whom was whom is deliberate.

I called with the following points on the Iran mess:

1. Pakistan
2. Did I mention Pakistan? As GSD said above, “The middle east will melt down badly—-picture the “Mohammed†protests on crack and meth.” There won’t be enough of Musharraf’s body left for DNA analysis, and Pakistan’s nuclear materials are just going to go loose.
3. Pakistan’s nuclear materials are exactly the sort one OBL might have a lot of interest in, were they to go loose.
4. Dud nuclear weapons can be traced back to their sources. Knowing this, a state such as Iran is simply not going to give a terrorist group nuclear weapons, for fear that a screwup would lead to daytime highs in Tehran in the 1000’s of degrees.
5. A nuclear-armed Iran is bad; even more so than a nuclear-armed North Korea. The alternatives right now may be worse. It is the governments’ job to responsibly pick out the smallest disaster.
6. It is being reported that the President is not hearing opposition to an attack. It is the responsibility of all Senators to make him starkly aware of how bad this is going to be.
7. Iran has started low enrichment; it is likely that weapons-grade anything is a long time off. Nothing irreversible is happening today, even though it does bring more urgency to the questions. Again, Senators must make sure the President hears the view that we don’t have to solve this in the next 24-48 hours.

Senator K’s office’s staffer was polite, had a rudimentary grasp of the technical issues (meaning, he had heard of plutonium), and listened closely. Much of what I said seemed new to him, but he seemed enthusiastic to take it up the chain of command.

Senator K’s office’s staffer was very good, had a clear understanding. In fairness, he cautioned me that much of what he said could not be construed as the Senator’s official position. But he said it was widely understood in Washington, though not much talked about publicly, that regime change in Pakistan was the single greatest threat to American security. It wasn’t clear to me he listened very closely to what I said (at one point he seemed to think I wanted us to undermine Pakistan) but I did feel like he clearly knew what was the right thing to do.

KUDOS! Fantastic work by everyone who supported this project.

Can we do it again. Please, pretty please?

Italian elections appeared to have stripped President George W. Bush of another Iraq war ally in Silvio Berlusconi, with staunch US partner Tony Blair barely holding on in Britain.

Pro-war supporters had already departed in Spain and Portugal, but Berlusconi’s apparent loss took on added meaning after the campaign-style attention Bush lavished on him during a visit here six weeks ago.

Yep Matt is a charming hottie! I’d have to watch the video again but was there a card or anything included in writing in the basket to clarify that the stamps came from people all over the country? Also what was said while the camera was forced to be turned off? *grinz*

Immanentize – I am beyond impressed with someone who can recite the Labors of Hercules by number!

Acres of turnout is the key.

I’m having visions of the stamps being retrieved from the garbage cans by the night clean up crew and being actually used. A little stamp here and a little stamp there—on bulletin board posts, on billboards, everywhere people go.

I’m envisioning all of us ordering another one for ourselves and stamping it on every envelope that we send in the mail—paying bills, all sorts of letters and all sizes of envelopes till the mailboxes of America are filled with items that have been stamped, in red, of course.

cbl from previous thread #39,

No forgiveness necessary, I pray for the take down of this group of crooks regularly. I had a Fitzmas party in Oct. and anticipate having another—the sooner the better! The planet and society will both be the better for it.

it used to be CNN would carry live and complete every single speech by the Preznit. Those were the days! They’ve missed several recently – including today’s. Does anybody know if it was covered ‘live’ on some other news channel?
It’s hard to use the bully pulpit when they shut off the microphones!

RedShift 67 and Mary 78–

Good suggestions for a reply to Roberts. I am contemplating what to say to him. Mary, do you know where I could look at the ABA report you mentioned?

RedShift 67 and Mary 78–

Good suggestions for a reply to Roberts. I am contemplating what to say to him. Mary, do you know where I could look at the ABA report you mentioned?

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/a…..27185.html

The idea of US nuclear attack on Iran is just nuts, says Straw
From Tim Baldwin in Washington

JACK STRAW sought yesterday to silence renewed sabre-rattling from hardliners within the US Administration who are pressing for military action — even the use of tactical nuclear weapons — against Iran.

The Foreign Secretary described the idea that the White House wanted a nuclear strike as “completely nutsâ€. He insisted that Britain would not support pre-emptive military action, adding: “I’m as certain as I can be sitting here that neither would the United States.â€

In Italy the state is not the state but those who have power. (Leonardo Sciascia evokes this well in his novels.) It is one of the reasons that Italy had so many governments and so little changed. It is why the mafia and corrupt politicians get on so well and why the fascists were anti-mafia. They were the competition.

Silvio Berlusconi was both something new in that he was a self made billionaire and something very traditional in how he manipulated the levers of power for his own personal benefit.

I hope Prodi can professionalize Italian government and turn it into something more than a football for the rich and well connected.

From below thread,
“tryggth says: 9″

Re: the Scheuer link – thank you. I enjoy reading his pieces and I don’t understand why he does not have more page/press time, although I guess that could be by choice?

He’s got experience that only a few others could claim and disagree or agree with him, he is very objective in his analysis, over and over. It’s like being in school and having a great guest lecturer pop in.

Prof Foland, GSD, Hugh, etc. – interesting stuff today – thanks all.

It’s time someone in Congress introduced a Rubber Stamp Act. Although in truth I think Arlen Spectre already did.

Throw the Rubber Stamp Rascals out.
Vote Democratic in ‘06 and ‘08.

And meanwhile, the idea of hundreds–thousands?–of ordinary Americans showing up at every opportunity to deliver a rubber stamp is just splendid. They can’t confiscate that wood/rubber/plastic at the metal detectors.

And stamping envelopes, everything, a growing army of straight-talkin’ Americans saying enough is enough. These suggestions mentioned in earlier posts are terrific additional guerilla marketing of the meme.

Getting people involved in this now, spreading the new crusade, will make them stakeholders in the real activism–voting.

Rascals = Republicans + Lieberman, of course!

“More stamps left…”

Yeah, figgured it couldn’t be 1000+ stamps in that little basket.

*grin*

-Greg

Just got back and watched the video. Good job everyone involved.wating for round two….

Have to agree with jim from above, would be a shame to have all those stamps hurled into the compactor. Present a couple of them in a tidy little package (Matt’s red bow was a nice touch) to every Republican in Congress and it will touch many more people.

A brilliant idea in the first place and the video was hilarious. I like that the girl at the desk chilled out for a few seconds after she was told “it’s not rolling” only to realize that it was and practically toss her headset across the desk. :)

Just a thought…
We ought to have a press release for the rummber stamp project that we can send to our local papers.

Doesn’t the democrats.org website have a form that will send to local papers by zipcode?

All in the family: Liz Cheney heads up the ISOG (Iran-Syria Operations Group) at the State Department, which appears to be doing an end-run around the Foggy Bottom “bureaucracy,” otherwise known as the professional Foreign Service:

http://www.tnr.com/blog/theplank?pid=13282

Meteor Blades (#12): Why sedate? Let’s just kidnap and tatoo.

LOL! Can you tell where in my previous post I sneezed?

Liz Cheney heads up the ISOG (Iran-Syria Operations Group) at the State Department, which appears to be doing an end-run around the Foggy Bottom “bureaucracy
Argh. What is it with this Cheney family anyway? Why are they all so antidemocracy?

A follow up to Jim 40’s suggestion –

Send a bunch of rubber stamps to Kieth Olberman, Jon Stewart, Colbert — and Leno and Letterman too.

Maybe the stamps can become part of an ongoing shtick.

=====

Froomkin at WP on how close we are to war with Iran.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/…..00508.html

Sorry– off-topic, but I couldn’t find an email link…

So what about this?

Does anyone here think Matthews could really win in PA, simply by virtue of being pro-choice? (…assuming that he’s really considering running.)

The “story” originated on HuffPo, but the link there is not working.

I want Professor Foland and Hugh on my TV NOW!

I want all those we love, live and work with to hear what these 2 are saying NOW! No more Ric Francona, Wayne Downing, or any of the other bloviating jerkoffs. I want these rational, linear explanations given to all our fellow Americans NOW!

I still believe the majority of Americans would not support any incursion in to Iran, but I also think most Americans falsely comfort themselves thinking ‘they’d never use Nukes’. If most Americans had a more realistic picture of the consequences, i.e. Pakistan, they’d be willing to get a little more out front about stopping this.

don’t mean to take away from GSD or any of the other informed commenters here – I just want the gals down at the Wag-A-Bag to hear what we’re hearing and have a shot at having their say

AAHH!

Neuro:

Here’s the link to the press release about the poll ABA sponsored (you might see it’s not a real close call under their poll – people do NOT want an unchecked President suspending portions of the Bill of Rights at his secret whim) http://www.abanet.org/media/re…..21006.html

Within that Press release is a link to the task force roster
http://www.abanet.org/media/re…..21006.html

On that roster, is a link to the letter sent to the President by the taks force http://www.abanet.org/op/greco…..e-0206.pdf

and the resolutions of the ABA http://www.abanet.org/op/greco…..2-0206.pdf

which have the report annexed to them.

Here’s the Fourth:

Amendment IV

The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no Warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by Oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized.

I would think he can easily tell you when the warrants for the program were issued, since he’s been briefed and all. And, well, even if three days is “short notice” it’s not like they haven’t had ALMOST FIVE YEARS now.

new thread – old pimp

How come I have a “your comment is awaiting moderation” on my post?

Think Progress has the video of cheney’s dirt pitch and the booing. still cracks me up…..

http://thinkprogress.org/2006/…..-baseball/

Great video. I second the call for a spycam.

Rayne, well if you haven’t seen that Raw Story piece on JimmyJeff’s, um, comings and goings (that’s worse than backdoor pass), then I am damn glad it was posted about today for extra exposure at this (fingers crossed) critical juncture.

Who was it that said that sunlight is the best disinfectant? Oh yes, that was Tom DeLay…

ck, sending stamps to Keith etc., is a great idea too! I love it when we put our heads together and brainstorm on ideas and details. Might as well blanket them all, can you imagine the faces at Tweety and Fox News opening up their little gifts?? Mwahahahaaa

This seems like an obvious question that I haven’t seen addressed, and pardon my ignorance if it’s been addressed here, but regarding Bush’s supposed declassification: Is there any documentation that he really did declassify when he (they) say he did? How do we know they aren’t making this up after the fact to get Libby off the hook?

Can some DC person go get the stamps out of the dumpster and recycle?

Primordial Ooze (115) — Oh, I saw it alright, the first time around; I was all over that JG/JG stuff like all the rest of ePM folks. Still cannot believe that a fiddy-dollar-two-day-cert-man-whore had access to the White House press gaggle.

Cripes, that’s serious Twilight Zone stuff, NEVER in my wildest dreams thought a president would ever permit that kind of crap, let alone after all the security bullhockey following 9/11.

JG/JG looked like a “honeypot” for somebody.

But for who? What I missed the first time around — and maybe it’s because I hadn’t seen all the dates for CIA Leak at that point — is the correlation in dates.

Here’s what I think: Somebody in OVP has Bush over a barrel. He can’t back out, no way, no how, ‘cuz it would look bad. They would make it look very, very bad if he didn’t play ball. But there’s enough bad players here that it might not be OVP…but who, if not OVP? It certainly looks like the hook got baited every time bait was needed. And somebody probably bit. Hard.

That was too funny. You guys are great.

It’s a stitch that it’s OK for everyone else to be under constant video surveillance all over the place but it’s not so good for them?

Isn’t there some claim to a “sunshine rule” Matt could have claimed to insist on taping his delivery? It’s public property isn’t it?

This was GREAT!! Can you do it again, but this time use and give them to the Democrats who need them?

Doh!! Screwed up the link. We need to send these: http://www.neuticles.com to the Dems in office, since some of them are clearly in need of them.

The rubber stamp idea is the product of pure genius. I would love to see some of them tied to big brightly colored helium balloons, with the guilty congressional names in bold letters, floating on a gentle breeze over the capital.

What are they going to do? Send up their F-14s to shoot them down?

Willing to send money for balloons.

i have my screen on 1600×1200 at 76hz and when i used winamp it came on so small so i double sized it but the play list refuses to double size so it looks goffy and i can barely read the songs.. is there a way to get the playlist to grow?

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