Faster, Fitz! Faster…

Fitz

justice is served

Christy, nice recovery! That prosecutorial mindset becomes you.

REDD!!

The tip of a very big iceberg. Clusterfuck had better start compiling that pardon list now; it’s going to be lengthy.

5… 4… 3…. countdown to pardon

What are the minimum and maximum sentences?

twowolf1 — not on this one. Bush isn’t going to risk his political capital on a low-level functionary like Safavian.

IRT #8:

“Frank Probst says:
June 20th, 2006 at 8:06 am

What are the minimum and maximum sentences?“

I’m also curious where these sentences are served.

Speaking of indictments, MarcAsh of Truthout has an update on the Rove indictment/s. FYI, Ash is not backing down on the story and he tells why.

Reed’s involvement has been political suicide, but I’m not sure where the illegal component is. Taking money from gambling firms and doing deceptive mass mailings on behalf of their legislative agenda feels like pretty standard PR work. Is there any potential illegality in the use of non-profits as passthroughs for some of the money?

obvious pardon fears aside, this just plain makes me feel good ….and that photo is a wonderful nasty gem, Christy ….use it well and often!

Stupidity and incompetence not a great defense tactic, I guess.

Safavian – another domino falling. My hope is that when all the dominoes fall, we’ll see that they spell “DEMOCRATIC CONGRESS.”

Cunctator — there may be elements of fraud in how the money was induced from one tribe to the benefit of another. My understanding is that the DoJ folks are looking into a number of issues dealing with Mr. Reed and his dealings with Abramoff.

My magazine startup’s future is looking rosier all the time.

;>)

This is why I am so disappointed in Fitz.

TreasonGate was a political crime, and in politics, justice delayed is justice denied. By crossing every I and dotting every T, Fitz has dragged out the investigation to the point where it can fizzle out and no one notices. Except for us, of course . . .

The same with the New York Times and the NSA illegal domestic spying story. By sitting on it until after the election, they effectively handed the election to Bush.

Bush is the worst criminal to ever hold public office in America — and the New York Times are his co-conspirators.

that pre-fabby, plasticky clubhouse behind them is also one serious aesthetic failure too, though in time bulidings like this may of course have the same kitsch-cache that makes tammy faye’s tatoo’d eyebrows so charming….

This may be old news (there’s no way can I read all the posts and comments, so I may have missed it), but looks like most of the documents have disappeared from the USDOJ/IL/OSC site. Just old stuff left. Significant? Not?

Color me vengeful…but I do hope Ralphie continues to lie and deny …

The longer he waits the more time he gets…

I am sure Ralphie will have the opportunity for multiple Jesus moments when he is in the pen.

ck at 17 — Fitz is not done. I’m working on something for later this afternoon, but for heaven’s sakes, after five years of manipulative crap from this asshats, why is everyone falling prey to the “gloom and doom” reporting? We all really ought to know better by now. (And if I can get time to finish the article for later, you’ll see what I mean. Rove is but one link in the chain…)

Christy, nice to read this as I wake up in West Virginia. Good stuff.

medaka at 18 — that’s St. Andrews golf club in Scotland. Not pre-fabby, actually quite old and revered.

Oh Prof — welcome to my state. :) Hope you have a lovely stay.

darkblack 16

where do you GET these things? ROTFLMAO.

Needed that after the last thread. Sitting listening to Rutter’s Requiem. Somehow the pic of Jailhouse Tom doesn’t quite square with the music!

ck – He has ALOT of co-conspirators.

Christy:

Actually, I like the gloom and doom feel out there. Expectations were hyperinflated before. It may be nice to have expectations artificially low for a while, you know what I mean?

Listen to Christy @ 22

That frying pan is still sizzlin

Think Progress is reporting that Abramoff’s date with prison has been postponed for three months – signs, they say, that he is not finished cooperating.

We’re about to see whose level of denial is the highest. Ney, Ralphie-boy, or the dreaded “member(s) to be named later”.

Jack wasn’t running a penny-ante game up on K Street. This was the big time, and only bigtime players got in on the action. If you’re going to bribe someone to get something done, after all, you’ve got to give the money to someone with clout.

Time’s a wasting, fellas – it’s time to wake up and smell the coffee. The longer you wait now to talk freely, the longer you’ll wait later to walk free again.

I agree with Christy on #9. There will be far too many for Bushie to pardon and he will not do it for just anyone. Some will escape real justice eventually and I don’t see him issuing pardons before this election. One way to get some justice ultimately, is if we take back Congress with the help of this Culture of Corruption.

Christy – please take a look at the Marc Ash update at TruthOut. thanks

that pre-fabby, plasticky clubhouse behind them is also one serious aesthetic failure too

Probably stone or brick, assuming that it’s St Andrew’s. Likely late 19th or early 20th century, also.

Ney should be feeling real heat at this point. Reed should be very nervous.

I think it would be easier for Bush to compile a list of those he would not have to pardon.

darkblack,

love your “Conya” !

have an idea for you, re: Coulter, but do not know how to reach you

Unfortunately, Rove isn’t done, either.

Abramoff must be singing so much, he’s harmonizing with himself: a one-man barbershop quartet.

Make that “jail-house quartet.”

Ann your 35
Sure… that list would be shorter..would probably match his at attention one incher

31: shouldn’t your name be el diablo? or los diablos? just asking.

ck at 17 This is why I am so disappointed in Fitz.

But consider this: if the case is much bigger than just the White House.

Chicago Rules, people.

Bush will save his pardon stuff for Plame-related folks, if goes the pardon route for anyone. Abramoff and Co is embarrassing to the Republicans; outing a CIA agent and organizing a coverup inside the White House is impeachable.

Embarrassment is one thing; impeachment is another. He’ll keep his powder dry here, folks.

OT-but I can’t help myself.
http://thinkprogress.org/2006/…..ing-frist/

If you want your taxes low, keep Denny Hastert and Bill Frist as leaders of the House and the Senate.

I want to thank you for helping make sure that Denny Hastert and Bill Frist remain in their positions in the Senate and the House…

Our preznit said that, last night. Apparently he doesn’t know Frist isn’t running for reelection. He’s running for prez in ‘08, and is giving up his senate seat after this term.

Just thought I’d throw this in for some extra laughs while we’re giggling about Safavian’s conviction.

Christy, you are so hard on those poor Rethuglican slimy criminals, gooooooooood, keep it up. I swear they need to empty Gitmo and get it ready for the Bu$h Crime family and associates.

BTW, what in the bejeesus is going on with this Rover running loose and everyone simply accepting the fact that he’s in the clear, just because his lawyer says so. That’s what your lawyer always says, unless and until you cop a plea. Jeeeeeeeez

And Fitz, how come not the slightest statement from his office, if indeed there is anything to announce, beyond Luskin’s druthurs and spin. I do know Fitz is busy with developments in the Conrad Black(guard) case(I live in Canada and follow this case probably closer than most Yankee dogs). Word on the CBC this morning is that his collateral posted for bail is overvalued, doesn’t necessarily even belong to him and has been in the case of some property been foreclosed on. He has a hearing Monday in ChiTown to re-evaluate his bail and determine if he misrepresented his bond posted. It appears to be the kind of situation whereby a normal person would be sleeping in jail Monday night, but I’m not holding my breath over the Lord of CrossLake or whatever the hell he gave up his Canadian citizenship to be, sleeping in the ChiTown Federal lockup anytime soon.

Frankly I think he should be sentenced to life at hard labor for the “National Post” alone, publishing it. Their motto is “It’s how you tell the story.” It should be “It’s how you make up and spin the story.”

I can’t see Bush pardoning Safavian, and certainly not Abramoff. If Abramoff thought he had a pardon waiting for him, I don’t think he would’ve plead guilty in the first place. As for Safavian, he’s going to be sentenced BEFORE the midterms. He’ll be someone’s bitch long before a pardon comes down. Lots of incentive to flip.

lina #39…lol, it is just a screen name. I am not sure it should be anything, but that is what popped into my head one day when registering on Daily Kos so now I just stick with it across the spectrum.

Christy at 21– thanks for that! I really still have the faith and will keep Fitzing til the tall man tells me otherwise!

Frank

Do you think he will flip in prison.
What would his wife think?

OT to medaka and Christy: You know, I don’t recognize the clubhouse in this photo but I’m pretty sure it isn’t St.Andrews, whose clubhouse dates to the mid-1700’s. Can’t tell you which Scottish course this is, but maybe rwcole or Rayne or some of our other golfers can . . .

given that there was supposedly audible laughter in the courtroom when safavian was spinning his pathetic defense, i’m not surprised at the verdict. i am surprised his lawyers didn’t get on him to cut a deal before he got himself convicted (unless the prosocution thought they could squeeze him tighter during the penalty phase). he may be able to get a break on his sentencing by spilling what he knows, but once the foreman says the word “guilty” you’re a felon for life.

i know that the adminstration thinks that laws are things for the little people, but how far do they think that extends? are they really all that convinced that they are untouchable?

Lotus — I’m pretty sure the trip was to St. Andrews…but then, they could have played their way across the great Scottish courses. I’ll ask Mr. ReddHedd, who is a big golfing guy — I’m sure he will know.

Hey there! Off-topic, but Peter Baker at WaPoOChatz calls my question this morning “a stumper.” Then, easily stumped, he says Henry Cisneros was one Clinton-era guy convicted of a felony. Never let the facts intervene in a good “balance” story or reply!
“Cisneros pleaded guilty in 1999 to a misdemeanor count of
lying to the FBI. In his 1993 background check for his cabinet
position, he lied about payments he made to a former
mistress. President Clinton pardoned him in January 2001.”

http://www.washingtonpost.com/…..01565.html

Yes, Christy, I think they hit a number of courses. God only knows how many balls they left in the heather!

What is really important, from the prosecution stand point, is that Safavian went to trial and lost. This is a very big deal. sfavian tried to become the loyal firewall. He risked everything — his family, prison, all his money — on what he must have known was a very risky strategy.

If the jury bought his lame, “I am the stupidest guy next to Ken Lay” defense, then he would have grabbed the brass ring. And everyone in line would have reqrded him and his family sumptuously. As it is, they have to all pray that he doesn’t flip, and they will have to treat him and his family very well forever. But I do not suspect there is as much honor among these ccriminals as there is in the mafia.

The again, considering her history and ethical mentor, http://www.oic-starr.gov/p000306.htm , maybe his wife, Jennifer, has already thrown him aside.

lotus: in scotland it’s gorse.

Can’t seem to find a sentencing date for Safavian – AP link @ TPM no worky – anyone ?

although I broke my rules and have teevee on in background – haven’t heard any of the bobbleheads mention dear David’s conviction – have only seen it on the ticker

Frank Probst – glad to see you are safe and dry enough to be with us today – hope you and yours are ok

oh, and Christy -

“Come to Jesus, Ralphie” – priceless

Christy @ 21.

My sentiments exactly. I’m not falling for this Rove slight of hand thing again, and its much bigger than him anyway.

cbl at 55 — thank you, I was particularly proud of the placement of that snark. *g*

And what do we have for Mr. Safavian, Don Pardo?

According to the longer WaPo piece just up, “Each count carries a maximum penalty of five years in prison and a $250,000 fine. Safavian thus faces up to 20 years in prison for the four counts. He is scheduled to be sentenced Oct. 12 by U.S. District Judge Paul Friedman.”

Thanks for playing, David! Now, Don, who’s our next contestant?

You know, we seem to have blown right past Hypatia at 19. I’ve been wondering why on earth it’s taking so long for the recent status-conf transcript to surface, but this sounds even stranger . . .

Anyone?

Dunno was reading this TPM post re: Libby’s likely forthcoming pardon, and contrasting this with Safavian’s conviction, I worry that this is a big fish little fish deal. Safavian is the little fish, who gets thrown to the wolves because the damage he can do is contained, Libby is the big fish who is protected, and will ‘get away’ because too many other fish can fry if he goes down.

Ah, sorry this was the TPM post, al Scooter linked in in the last thread.

http://www.talkingpointsmemo.c…..php#008789

I thought gorse is that thick yellow shrub that shares space with the wispy purple heather, lina.

Christy @ 50:

The CantonRep.com website captions the photo thusly:

Rep. Bob Ney and several other participants in an August 2002 golf trip to Scotland pause during play at one of the courses within the historic St. Andrews links. They are (from left) convicted lobbyist Jack Abramoff, golf organizer Jason Murdoch, former Christian Coalition leader Ralph Reed, former Bush administration official David Safavian and Ney, R-Heath.

Hypatia at 19 and lotus at 59 — all the docs are still there under the documents link. I don’t see anything missing.

Whew, Christy 65 — thanks.

Hypatia @ 19 and lotus @ 59

The PFJ site posts only the official filings and rulings, not the transcripts of all the motion hearings and such. For those, we rely on the kindness of folks like TalkLeft and other sites to find, upload, and host the documents.

For whoever asked, I believe the Safavian sentencing date is October 10.

My question — why aren’t these guys taken into custody immediately lik eevery street criminal who is convicted? There is no way any of their guideline do not include prison terms.

OK, I know, it was a rhetorical question.

From the bonny bells of heather,
They brewed a drink longsyne,
Was sweeter far than honey,
Was stronger far than wine.

From Heather Ale,
by Robert Louis Stevenson

(Highlands = heather;
St. Andrews has gorse.) Honest.

We should not fall into the trap of calling Safavian a low-level official, or even a small fish. I understand what folks mean when they use these terms, but Safavian was the highest ranking procurement official in the US government. This guy was important, folks, and oversaw federal purchasing.

He was arrested at his desk at the WH, IIRC. Where’s the media on this story this morning? Is it only the blogosphere that cares about this?

Right, Peterr, but doesn’t this one seem to be taking longer than usual? (Maybe it’s just me, salivating more than usual.)

Teddy at 69 — I should have been clear that I was stating the “low level official” as the BushCo spin position. You are absolutely right that he was not only well connected within the Administration, but handsomely rewarded with a plum position for it.

Perhaps the reason these goombahs are let go free before sentencing is the judge understands they’ve got lots of affairs to get in order (shredding to accomplish….).

Gorse or heather, highlands or low, I do love Scotland!

lotus — me too.

Christy…I am AXIOUSLY waiting your next post about Fitz and where Rover fits in….I need something to take away this real depression I am in about our heroes in the war….THANKS!

Lemme throw in: whisky or oatmeal!

Christy, I’ve been thinking about this ever since I first saw Sealed v. Sealed being conjectured about on various blogs, but haven’t seen one possibility offered (at least I think it’s possible). What are the odds that Fitz backed off indicting Rove because some other investigation would be stymied or made more difficult if he did? Is it also possible another investigation, such as Abramoff&Co, is planning to indict and has an easier case to prove?

But ye can hae me haggis, lina.

no thanks. but i’ll take the single malt.

There is nothing like a little snark from Molly Ivins…LMAO

Without DeLay, Has the GOP Lost Its Moral Compass?
By Molly Ivins
Creators Syndicate

Monday 19 June 2006

Austin, Texas – Gee, the Republicans seem to have lost their moral compass since Tom DeLay quit. Who knew it could get worse without that pillar of rectitude from Texas? What a snakes’ nest of corruption and nastiness.

http://www.truthdig.com/report…..publicans/

‘Nough o’ that to share, so cheers!

I just received an email from John Kerry’s team asking for calls to Senators in support of Kerry-Feingold — amendment? resolution? I’ll go back and read the whole thing more thoroughly, but folks, here’s a clarion call for action. Action that’s do-able, easy, and needed NOW.

Let’s use the synergy and move some small stones today. The mountain will come down.

Thanks Immanentize for the sentencing date !

about the St. Andrews photo: the town is actually a tourist center and in addition to the historic golf club house, there are modern hotels.

immanetize at 53: Then again, considering her history and ethical mentor, http://www.oic-starr.gov/p000306.htm , maybe his wife, Jennifer, has already thrown him aside.

I’d forgotten that she worked for Starr. This could be interesting, considering that she now works for Tom Davis, and our candidate against him is Andy Hurst, who was a defense attorney for some of those persecuted by Starr (Julie Hiatt Steele, if I remember right, but I think there were others.)

I’ve again been on the horn to Bill Nelson’s office this morning, PS 83. I bet it’ll take me only one more call to get that number the rest of the way memorized. Whole buncha 2s to keep straight . . .

From late night thread
To VG
My deepest apologies for causing you distress. You are one of my favorites here, and I beg forgiveness for any offense I have caused. Perhaps I should have taken care of all of it through email. I plead ignorance to the history of the situation.

CHS

I don’t see VG here right now, she was up all night do to my “find”. Please let her know somehow how sorry I am. I have much to learn about “netiquette.” I cannot stick around for response, I am on my way to La Fayette, LA.

Sincerely

OFG

This was EPU’D

another military parent joining us and I feel it is important we acknowledge and retain these folks to the betterment of our community

Carol says:

June 20th, 2006 at 8:24 am

My son is in the army and will be shipping to Iraq in early August. He’s 21 and graudated from basic training in April. He was supposed to be going to Afhganistan in December but that was changed two weeks ago. He was also engaged and he and his fiance decided to go ahead a get married three weeks ago. They are both 21. My husband and I are liberals, opposed to the war everything this administration has done to this country, but my son is an adult and when he decided to join the army we decided to support him in every way we can. I am can only imagine the grief the parents of these two soldiers are feeling right now.

Carol,

Welcome to FDL

Don’t care how angered, disgusted or even frightened I become over this tragedy, it isn’t anything compared to what military families deal with ON A DAILY BASIS. Along with activism, will continue to keep families like yours in our family’s prayers

Can’t you liberals stop criminilizing politics. Besides, Pat Kennedy and Sheila Jackson Lee, or was it Barbara Jordan, hit a cop.

-Joseph DiGenova

OFG at 87 — Did I miss something yesterday that I should know about? You wanna e-mail me when you get time?

Oh criminey — MORE to make us crazy!

Raw Story: US bucks pledge, continues to pursue new landmines

Great post Redd!

Happy to learn you have a golfer in the house and have a burning question for Mr. Redd but damn – I’ve misplaced your email address.

When you come up for air please repost.

Thanks!

lotus @ 70

You’re not the only one who’s salivating. My guess – and it’s only a guess – is that the delay is due to something mundane like someone’s summer vacation schedule. Even the court reporters take time off, and then everyone else has to juggle things until they return. Staffing shortages in the courts are a big problem out here in CA – don’t know specifically about other places, but I would bet they’re not much better.

In short: it’s summer. Even at the courthouse.

Christy, you can check last night’s Late Nite thread — beginning around 180-ish, as I recall, for OFG’s reference.

Anne at 92 — it’s ReddHedd at AOL dot COM. And for everyone’s reference, you can find contact information for me at the “Contact” button at the bottom of the right-hand column. Just fyi.

CHS at 9:14 am –

In the wee hours of the late nite thread, VG was burned out and very discouraged, after working hard deleting comments to prevent a flame war.

Not sure what it was about, but it’s easy for ad homenims to become a Lord of the Flies ugly situation.

Bet you’re right, Peterr 94. Lot o’ that going around (everywhere but DoD contractors and their subs) these days, innit?

2,504.

“It’s a number.”

http://icasualties.org/oif/

http://www.bgladd.com/Just_a_Number.jpg

I’d ask Tony SnowJob about the number at every opportunity.

lotus says:
June 20th, 2006 at 9:00 am
Lemme throw in: whisky or oatmeal!

Gotta find the cookbooks… I know I have one wiht a dessert that’s basically whipped cream with oatmeal (not rolled oats!) and Drambuie. (Moving is, um, not fun afterwards, when everything ends up in boxes in storage.)

Add to my 98: “… and their ravenous Repug congresscritters, of course”

Greg Sargent has a new post up with Joke Line’s email response to Greg’s dissection of his latest drivel. Suffice it to say, if his writing in print was anything like his private email, he wouldn’t have the nickname he does around here. Pity he can’t seem to see the difference.

I just read something that made me very angry. Where is that quack Bill Frist, I’ll scratch him to pieces.

-Toonces

it’s almost 8:30pm in Baghdad right now and the temperature is still at 110ºF — probably no electricity so the air-conditioner is down again …

PJE 100, does it occur to you that unpacking a move is a whole lot like FDL? Just never can predict what you’re gonna find where.

Oatmeal, whipped cream, and Drambuie, eh? Hmmm.

ck at 96 — let me just say for the record that the folks who have been helping us out behind the scenes with comments have been a godsend. Jane and I could not possibly get anything done in terms of research and writing without the extra help — especially given the volume of conversation (and SPAM and everything else) that we have to sift through day in and day out.

But I have noticed since we started letting everyone know that we had a little additional help (and when I say a little, I mean maybe one or two people at any given time at the most), there has been a “snap to it” sort of attitude on occasion and a bit of snippiness if posts aren’t immediately freed from the spam filters or trollish posts not immediately deleted or what have you. It’s not only unrealistic, but it is unfair — the folks who have been helping are volunteers. And it is HARD work keeping track of everything that every person posts and writes and comments on and everything else.

It is especially difficult considering how much work there was keeping the blog going while Jane and I were in Vegas, and then I was in DC. And now with what Jane and her family are dealing with, and frankly we are all very exhausted.

All this to say that some understanding would go a long way for everyone right about now. And some patience. And an effort to not take out frustrations on us or each other as much as is possible. Exhaustion and frustration can lead to temper flare ups — we are all on the same side, and it would be nice if we could pull together in this and try to give the whole of the group a break. So everyone, deep cleansing breath…and let it out slowly…and let’s just all try being a bit nicer to each other today. What do you say?

I am astounded that anyone here would doubt Bush’s willingness to pardon anyone he Rove is in the mood to pardon, at any time. When has shame or fear of consequences ever stopped Bush Rove from doing anything?

You got an Amen from this corner, Christy.

Of course, Safavian “resigned” on a Friday, and was indicted Monday. You know, so he was a former Bush official.

The above post was supposed to have the words “he” and “Bush” displayed in strikeout text. Strangely, the preview showed those words struck out, but the posted comment did not — rendering it rather foolish-looking, what with “he Rove” and “Bush Rove” without the strikeouts. Why would the preview look different from the posted comment?

[Moderator: your posting was missing the strike tags so they have graciously been added as above]

Christy, Pach,

I hope you’re right. I was getting all doom and gloom moping around the house last night. I just couldn’t handle Rove getting away with (literally) murder. Now with pardon-gate being rolled out, I was thinking what’s the use of trying to change things when the republicans will screw up 1000 times worse next time: 5 steps forward, 80 steps back.

Thanks for the ray of hope.

I’m with you Christy

Ralph 106 -

“When has shame or fear of consequences ever stopped Bush Rove from doing anything?”
_____

What consequences? That’s why there’s no fear. His has been a lifetime of no consequences. He has slipped quietly out of every mess he’s made. Ya daince wit’ da one whut brung ya.

BobbyG, your honey made BTR safely, we presume? Bet she has a tale to tell.

Christy @ 105

Amen!

Speaking of help, I sent you an email yesterday . . . no rush, just hope it wasn’t overlooked amid other things.

Any news on Jane’s mom today, and Jane herself?

Excellent news. And we are all overdue for some of that. Nice to see professional prosecutors prevail!

From Tim Grieve at Salon.com, War Room:
______

Quotes of the Day

From Josh Marshall, here’s Republican Rep. Steve King reacting to the death of Abu Musab al-Zarqawi: “There probably are not 72 virgins in the hell he’s at. And if there are, they probably all look like Helen Thomas.”

______

Quite the fucking comedian there.

BobbyG at 116 — Digby smacked the crap out of him yesterday on that. Head over to Hullabaloo and read it for yourself. It will do you good. *g* Trust me on that one. hehehehe

Well, hold on, lhp . . .

Now this from Raw Story:

“Government watchdog says they’ll limit
intelligence oversight… Developing….”

Anne:
” I think it would be easier for Bush to compile a list of those he would not have to pardon.”

LOL!!! And you might be right!

lotus 113 -

I have to assume she made it OK. Haven’t heard from her. No reports of planes down, so…

Bet she had a SWELL day. Had to take one of those cramped little CRJ aircraft outa Houston into BTR.

Thanks for asking.

Pride goeth before the fall. The Bush/Rove/Cheney team will undo themselves. Not all at once, but piece by piece.

They are taking a little breather now, but they are sowing the seeds of their own undoing. Don’t lose hope.

Good news front.

*Tommy Thompson won’t challenge Kohls seat. This may be another R who sees that the election is going to be tough and may not be good for the R party, so he has decided to sit this one out.

*Deval Patrick is leading the pack in Mass. The R’s are praying of the “year of the black Republican”. Well, they aint gonna get any. Blackwell will lose, even with his hands of the election machines. Lynn Swann in PA is tanking and Steele in Maryland is in the shitter too.

And Odious Joe Liberman doesn’t know whether Lamont is a “flaming leftwing moonbat” or a “right wing accommodationist”.

Poor Sloppy Joe.

-GSD

Oh yea, and David Safavian was convicted and Deadeye Dick Cheney, who shot a 78 year old man in the face with a shotgun is going to get schooled by Frontline tonight.

Rep.King of Iowa was the numerical illiterate who tried to say Washington DC was statistically more dangerous for his wife than Iraq would be …

Okey-doke, BobbyG — you’ll update us on her adventure if it’s gaudy, I know.

Christy, I’m sorry the folks here get so impatient. This is a blog, and a free one at that, not a formal news organization. I for one am grateful for whatever gifts you find time to give us. I can handle a couple trolls, and I have no problem with waiting on comments to emerge from moderation. Not like my comments are too earth-shatteringly important.

Looking forward to any Rove posts. Just the very sight of him on MTP…made me…well..my poor TV cowers in fear.

(and didja notice that in the Murtha segment, Russert showed only text from democrats/liberals, but played VIDEO –twice– of Rove?)

Christy 117 -

Yeah, thanks, LOL!

“He sounds like a pretty funny guy, eh? A real towel-snapping frat boy. Catnip with the ladies, I’m sure.

Think you’re fooling anyone with that rug, Steverino?”

Let’s call Rep. Kings office and claim that he has offended our Christian sensibilities with his cruel attack on an old woman.

-GSD

GSD,
Wher’ did you see that about Blackwell? he’s another ‘R’ that I’d like to see in PMIA prison.

Personally, it was a big disappointment when Turdblossom sailed clear. He has been such a lowlife for so long and continues to get away with it. Seems like there is never poetic justice for such slimeballs.

“PMIA,” busted?

Josh Marshall has a post up today about the inevitability of a Presidential pardon for Libby. Makes me sick. Maybe we’re better off if Fitzgerald doesn’t indict the bastard, but just keeps him dangling and keeps it in the news….

CHS –

You and Jane and all of the helpers are doing great — but you’re right, there has been an unpleasant turn towards unwelcome snippiness in the comment threads.

I hate to even bring it up, not wanting to add fuel to the fire.

Memo to all commenters — chill out and play nice.

I swear to goodness, I’d be willing to be a lowly ‘fourth wife’ in the General’s ‘family’

linking for the pic, not really O/T, bc if Ralphie ever does have his Come To Jesus Moment, NAMTLA will need a new spokesperson

http://patriotboy.blogspot.com…..2263743905

Hello, friends,

I’m jet-lagged and kind of dopey today, but have arrived back home in one piece after a week with my boys in CA. Had a crummy dial-up connection which was monopolized by my first-born for work, so have been reading in bits and pieces. I’m deeply sorry to know that Jane’s mom has declined, my heart is with her and her family along with everyone here, and I want to shout-out to all our guest posters and monitors who are helping out while she faces this new crisis.

I’ve missed so much, haven’t really commented since I left Vegas, but want to welcome all new folks and send hugs to old friends. The news is really a mixed bag right now, yes? Safavian goes down, hooray, but Rove stays put (on good behavior?), boo! The Frist late nite was a hoot, inspired to invite TRex to become a regular. Spent some time reading through truthout updates last night, wow what a comment section!!! Disagreement prompts a regular to say:”We don’t know you, how do we know you’re a liberal?” Really harsh and reminds me why I love firedoglake so much- As Pach wrote, we are a family.

Nice to be home.

OOPS! sorry ladies.PMIA*

Pound Me Inda Ass.

And can I say, Go Lamont. Lieberman said he was a Republican hack one day and a Democratic hack the next day and all Lamont did that night was sleep.

lotus 123 -

Whew, she made it, just sent me a pic from Corporate HQ at her staff meeting this morning:

http://photos1.blogger.com/blo…..0/BTR2.jpg

#122 and #126. I was just putting together a letter to the editor that would have covered national figures and comparing them to our Iowa people too…and I was going to blast King for other stuff. Now I have even more ammunition to use against this hypocritical POS.

zennurse!!!!

((((((*!*))))))

Gang – I just want to say for the record that I’ve represented people on criminal charges and also have sent people away on them to the penitentiary. Jail time is unpleasant and not someone that I cheerfully wish on anyone, even folks in this administration. So please, no prison rape jokes — truly, it’s a big problem in our penitentiary system and, as a rape survivor myself, I don’t find it amusing. Thanks.

Lotus, If I can get to all the boxes, there’s going to be a really fine set of donations to charity or to yard sales. I have far too many books. Not to mention that somewhere in there are the software packages, the cookbooks and pans, the steam-iron…

When my mother and I moved into town, we had to unpack the four dish-barrels to get them out of the kitchen. We found a couple of screwdrivers that the movers had dropped in them. It was like Christmas in April, taking things out and unwrapping them.

Wahoo, Bobby!

Rousin’ Welcome Home, zennurse! (Treat yourself to Saturday morning’s “Pull Up a Chair” thread a.s.a.p. — nummies galore!)

Point Well taken Christy. My humble apologies.

Here’s the latest on Fitz and Lord Black.

http://www.theglobeandmail.com…..iness/home

Hey, Bobby and thanks lotus! What’s this I hear about snipin’ going on in the living room? I go away for one little week and look what happens!! Time for a little zennursing around here!!!

I don’t wish jail time on anyone, but I do crave a public recognition of the criminal injustice of the neo-cons, their wrongs must be addressed, or they will continue.

It’s not just about punishing the perpetrator, its about setting an example for the consequences of wrongdoing, in order to protect society from further wrongdoing.

God, Christy, I’m so sorry to hear that. I knew you were one magnificent woman, but had no idea how you’ve been tested.

Bravos without end.

I was never a big fan of the prison rape jokes. Most of them tend to have a racist element to them to boot.

-GSD

lina 54

lotus: in scotland it’s gorse.

a course has its gorse, of course, of course, heather you like it or naught

zennurse,

welcome home and welcome back to the lake -

as a Texas mom with 3 adult children in Calif., am so happy you had the time with your boys – have plans to enjoy the same in early fall

punaise in da house! Not a minute too soon, too, bub. How you?

Christy 139 -

Agreed. We ostensibly send miscreants to prison AS punishment, not FOR punishment. The latter motivation seems to nullify the moral purpose, ‘eh?

Relatedly, I have always found it sadly self-defeating that we take people who operate under a personal ethos of might-makes-right, and, to “rehabilitate” them we put them in places where the Law of the Jungle is the morally suffocating 24/7 environment.

Don’t wanna be “soft on crime.”

Thanks for the heads-up on the Saturday thread. I have so much to read, and I haven’t even hit watertiger’s house yet.

Christy, I’d also like to know if there is any news from Jane. Please let her know we are all with her.

Bobby, Cheryl is one bodacious babe!!!
Can you put up a link to your Kos photos? Mine are pretty limited and I haven’t figured out how to get them on the ‘puter yet. Tomorrow, when I can see straight…

bobby, close your bold.

end bold

Preview is your friend . . . preview is your friend . . .

Oh, crap, forgot to close a bold…

Sorry, a doc walked into my office and started talking.

zen, here

http://www.bgladd.com/FDL

I got more to work on and upload, too.

Busted Knuck’s

Latest Rasmussen has it:

Ted Strickland (D) 52%
Ken Blackwell (R) 36%

There is one today that has Missouri Senate with McCaskill leading R incumbent Talent(less) too.

Also Webb with an 11 point increase against Cracker George Allen.

-GSD

punaise 147 — we’ve moved on — to whiskey and oatmeal.

Webb at 41% to Cracker George’s 51%.

-GSD

GO Claire McCaskill — WOOHOO!

Thanks, GSD.

No news from Jane yet today. Will let everyone know when I hear something, I promise.

OOps, thanks christy.

On the plane yesterday (Direct TV on all JetBlue flights), we watched a National Geographic show about Maximum security prisons and how gangs have become such an overwhelming influence and problem in spite of everything the prison tries to do to keep people safe and separated. I see Bobby’s point, we seem to put dangerous people in pressure cookers full of other dangerous people where they simply turn into hate machines. But what alternative?

“Bobby, Cheryl is one bodacious babe!!!”

Yep. Hottie.

She has 2 sisters, one 20 years younger, Michelle. Another Babe:

http://www.bgladd.com/Cheryl_and_Michelle.jpg

They are 56 and 36 respectively.

punaise outta da house! gotta go…..

Think you’ll like your oatmeal with whipped cream and Drambuie, lina? I’m interested to see how that one goes . . .

Oh, goody, thanks Bobby.

And thanks, Christy, will wait patiently.

oxide at 124:

(and didja notice that in the Murtha segment, Russert showed only text from democrats/liberals, but played VIDEO twice of Rove?)

Do you think Pumpkin Head might be jumping ship and secretly working for the dems/libs. Let’s be real here, showing people what a digusting looking and sounding person Rove is, in my mind at least, doesn’t work to Rove’s advantage. Oh have my ex-countryfolk lost all ability to recognize slime when they are shown it? The more public Rove is, rather than in the shadows, the less successful his kind of black arts work. Rove for Press Secretary when Snow Melts Down!

“we seem to put dangerous people in pressure cookers full of other dangerous people where they simply turn into hate machines. But what alternative?”
______

There are costs one way or another. Don’t wanna fund safe, secure, humane prisons? Fine. Pay for inch-thick bulletproof glass at bank and gas station teller windows. Pay for higher insurance premiums of every kinds. Pay the psychic costs of being afraid to be out at dark. etc, etc, etc.

Don’t wanna be seen as “coddling criminals…”

Fine.

you couldn’t pay me to drink Drambuie. Tastes like cough medicine.

Ralphie’s campaign signs are enormous,I’ve seen at least a dozen or so pop up around here in the last 10 days or so.The smallest sign I’ve seen has been probably 5 ft tall,8 ft wide,the biggest one is two sided,on an angle so it wraps around the corner of a street intersection.The wealthy part of Cobb County,GA loves them some crooked politicians.Or something.I really wish something major would happen in the case against him so he had no choice but to drop out of the race.

He’s gonna be Tom Delay Jr with the whining when that happens.Ahh the projection mixed with a persecution complex,yummy.The righteous are always persecuted for their beliefs,don’tcha know.

BobbyG at 169 — I hope the coddling criminals language isn’t being directed at me, considering how many people I have sent away for very good reasons. But no one ought to do so lightly — even the most dangerous of people deserves to be treated with some level of respect for that last shred of humanity (right before they are dragged away in leg shackles, slapped into the lovely orange jumpsuit, and stuck in a dark cage for 20 years or so…it’s not a perfect system, but it’s what we have and, honestly, we’re much better off having certain people behind bars. Period.)

BobbyG 164, some good genes in that family! You can certainly tell they’re sisters.

zennurse, welcome back!

“you couldn’t pay me to drink Drambuie. Tastes like cough medicine.”

Much prefer Lochan Ora m’self, lina — but unfortunately they stopped selling it in the States years ago, so I can only remember its delightfulness.

Are that many of you literalists?

As much as I would like to see each and everyone member of TEAM LOSER spend time in prison for their various specific crimes, the bigger issue is removing them from power. And that particular goal does not rely on actual convictions, it relies on the majority of the public perceiving TEAM LOSER as the corrupt, incompetent, morons that they are.

1. Rover. Where does he sit? If you have ever practiced criminal defense law, you assume that Rover is cooperating. That is what the publicly available facts tell you. Of course, that simple inference is beyong the CM, who simply think that Rove has walked b/c of what his – Rover’s – attorney said. Even Ariana Huffington played it that way (and Christy has so far not taken up my suggestion to disabuse the world of that particular notion). But cooperating is the much better bet, and cooperation in exchange for not being prosecuted is neither “victory” nor “vindication.” It’s as if no CM reporter has ever covered a criminal investigation or trial before. They are literalists, but you don’t have to be.

1. If Rover is cooperating it is most definitely not a “victory” for TEAM LOSER. But even if he is not cooperating, how is that a “victory” for TEAM LOSER? Most Americans, and not just those who hang out at FDL and similar places, believe that the judicial system is rigged, that the Jabberwocky defense really does exist. So most people are not going to assume that Rover or anyone else involved in the Plame investigation are INNOCENT, they are going to assume the fix was in, and that the people are none the less guilty. In fact, Americans think almost anyone indicted or investigated of a crime is guilty of some crime, whether or not they are actually convicted, be it b/c of the Jabberwocky defense or some legal technicality that allows them to walk. But once so tarred, the tar sticks in public perception. And it is public perception that matters here, not the reality of whether anyone deservedly goes to prison.

3. Pardons. See above. More specifically, pardoning does nothing to cure the public perception problem of corrupt ineptitude. In fact, it most likely reinforces it, exacerbates it.

4. Perception. Again, it is painful to watch and listen to the CM blather and bloviation concerning politics, and Democratics vs. Republicans and how this (e.g. Rover’s alleged “vindication”) or that (e.g. Chimpy’s codpiece) will make all well for TEAM LOSER, and the Dem’s are in disarray and don’t have kryptonite. The fact of the matter is that TEAM LOSER, and the entire TEAM of LOSERS, not just the chimpministration, but Frist, Santorum, Abramoff, Delay, Cunningham, Ney, etc, AND Chimpy and the members of the Chimpministration itself are the kryponite now that they have been found out – and not by the CM, but by the public. The public’s perceptions of incompetence, of corruption, of moronity, of being out of touch, of being uncaring, of being immoral if not amoral, are perceptions that are very difficult if not impossible to overcome. Even their favorite tactic, the Wag the Dog war, if (or when) it comes with Iran, whether large or small, won’t overcome that perception.

Rather than simply look at individual events, look at the big picture. Does it guarantee that TEAM LOSER is out of power, at least in part, in 2006? No. But it also doesn’t mean that the sky is falling and that they will continue inexorably forward destroying this nation.

As always, I point out that regardless of what TEAM LOSER says or does, AND regarldless of what the CM blathers, TEAM LOSER is going no where in the polls.

So, if you want, view Rover’s lack of indictment at this point in time or any other event as a sign that the apocolypse is upon us, but that doesn’t make it so.

Plus, I’ll bring you a new thread.

Christy 171 -

No, no, no. Just a sarcastic generalization about our society’s irrational attitude toward punishment. Again, send people away AS punishment, not FOR punishment. That’s really the ethical limit. Anything beyond that is self-defeating. People may not like, ‘cuz there aren’t any “perfect” solutions, but…

Today is World Refugee Day– Afghans, Iraqis, Colombian, and Africans from several countries make up 1/2 of the enormous numbers. We have direct responsibilities for at the very least the first 2 nationalities by our actions… it’s in the Geneva Conventions.

Colombia– the other war of ours– on drugs.

Africa– almost complete neglect.

Agreed, BobbyG, but how do you counter the “Barbara Bush” philosphy (remember her Katrina comments – “this is really working out quite well for them”), that it can’t really be punishment if the conditions inside are better than what that person had on the outside – you know, three meals, a bed and a blamket, health care, etc.

Gorse vs. Heather

Gorse – a yellow-flowered shrub of the pea family, the leave of which are modified to form spines. Gorse = furze

Heather – a purpled-flowered Eurasian plant heath that grows abundantly on moorland and heathland.

Another decision, sort of, handed down.

Divided Supreme Court Upholds Federal Protections for Wetlands
By David G. Savage, Times Staff Writer
June 20, 2006

WASHINGTON %u2014 A divided Supreme Court on Monday upheld the broad power of federal environmental regulators to protect most wetlands from development, even in areas that are dry much of the year.

The decision split the justices three ways and left uncertainty about the reach of the Clean Water Act. But it was a setback for private property advocates who hoped the more conservative court would sharply cut back protections for wetlands.

It was 4-1-4, Kennedy being the one. It’s going back to the lower court again. He cited, among other things, the case of the LA River, which is normally fairly dry, but in winter storms is high and fast (about 35 mph), apparently as a stream which would not be protected under the standards the private property folks wanted.

lotus – Lochan Ora reminds me of “how are things in glocamora?”

Well, you guys have done it again!

Made me forget all about I’m supposed to be miles from here playing golf right now. Pal just called, steaming, because two outta three of us didn’t show.

Phoomph. Ain’t you ’shamed?

OK, More good news from the lawyers and judges today.

Just read today’s NY LAw Journal, two Items that may make you guys smile were right on th e front page:

1) Lynne Stewart just asked Judge Koeltlt (SDNY) to force the government to disclose whethter any of her (or her then co-counsel’s) phone conversations or other communications were “mined” by the NSA or any other government organization.

One of her lawyers, Josh Dratel (who is VERY good, excellent reputation) evidently wrote to the government back in December and got back a reply from the AUSA’s saying they had made inquiry to DOJ and were told that the government would address the defense ’s question “in the appropriate fashion”, whatever that means. Dratel has heard only the sound of crickets chirping and is now asking the court to compell DOJ to answer the freakin question.

This oughtta be fun.

2) SDNY Judge Denny Chin (appointed AUSA under Reagan–I think?–maybe Bush I, and to the bench by Clinton)

Just dimissed indictments against a mob guy named Gigante because the government SEALED THE INDICTMENTS without making a proper showing of why they needed to be sealed and the federal magistrate judge basically rubber stamped the AUSA’s request.

This is a big blow because he is dismissing indictments coming out of a FIVE YEAR long investigation.

He also said that some of the indictmenets were just sealed too long, effectively extending the Statute of Limitations.

With respect to one of the indictments for false statements he said the length of time between sealing and unsealing, 2 years, was “presumptively unreasonable.”

He is requiring that Magistrate judges not grant requestes for sealing w/o requiring the prosecution to give an actaul explaination of why it is needed and wants them to exercise some actual oversight of the government.

BOOYAH!!

Hypatia at 68, it looks like it’s all there to me.

EPU, I’m with you. I don’t see Rove’s non-indictment as a vindication, I see it as shenanigins that Patrick Fitzgerald has fully in his control. Something else is coming, and I’m not a fortune teller, but I have no doubt there is still a very active process happening.

ouch…i mean at 19. I’m WAY behind.

cbl–The Houston flood was vastly overhyped. We had high water for a few hours, but that was pretty much it. I had a half-hour of bad driving, and that was all.

looseheadprop 182,

Thanks for the updates – good news for Lynne Stewart. In the Gigante case, do the AUSAs have the option of re-presenting the evidence to a new GJ and getting new indictments?

And thanks, in general, for all the elucidation you bring to the comment threads.

lotus @ 182

Yeah, that Christy’s devious, isn’t she? Puts up a picture of five guys standing on one of the oldest golf courses in the world, then gets a bunch of her friends here to talk about the golfers and their famous trips to said golf course, all in a dastardly plot to get you to forget about . . . golf.

Yeah, we’re ashamed all right. ;)

I keep being drawn back to that powerful graphic for “Requiem.” Two candles–one the reflection of the other. Two lives sacrificed, and for what? A war of choice based on lies.

I’ve been mulling this morning while digging out weeds in the garden. An act of affirmation as much as metaphor.

And I started to think about the Biggest Lie. The over-arching umbrella of George Bush is his midlife conversion to God, mentored by Billy Graham. And yet, time after time his actions belie that conversion. Making worse the suffering of the poor on the Gulf Coast during Katrina. The horrific lies and lunatic “ends justify the means” that have led us into Iraq instead of finishing the task in Tora Bora. The enriching of the money-changers and ultra-rich while demanding more and more dynasty tax cuts.

This is a man who time after time is a Judas to the principles of Jesus, whom he professes to follow.

Was the “conversion” the biggest lie of all?

Gah, Peterr, it’s jes’ turble.

Justin Rood of TPM rides the elevator with Safavian after the verdict.
http://www.tpmmuckraker.com/archives/000946.php

CHS at 21 -

I’m skipping to the end of the comments here, so this may already have been said, but… I don’t see ck’s attitude as being gloom and doom. I just see it as a poster expressing an opinion that isn’t all rosy. I respect ck’s feeling of concern and curiosity about the way Fitz’s investigation is playing out. And even if there is tremendous news forthcoming, ck’s comment is still honest and valid and her (his) feeling in the moment.

One of the great things about the blogosphere is the community being able to speak their mind freely (obviously respectfully…)

Christy are you still around? I’m sending you an email.

Frank Probst – glad you’re ok

TeddySF,

lotta good it’ll do me but I sent e mails to MSNBC and Dan Abrams ‘old’ e mail on their lack of Safavian coverage and how we’re now on our 3rd rotation of the LV Valedictorian being censored for invoking God

of course I reminded him that there’s only so much of that trailer trash pie to go around

Bustedknuckles 191, my favorite quote from Safavian’s attorney: “He’s not a man who has friends in high places.”

Well, not any more, anyway.

Prairie Sunshine, I wish you’d recast 191 as an LTE to the NYT. You’ve nailed it.

Darkblack,

Anychance DL’s bunkmate will be Kenny Boy Punk-Ass Reeyatch ?

~

Thanks so very much, you kick butt !!!

EPU, emptywheel agreed with you back in her post on June 17.
Luskin’s “Accountability” Moment
by emptywheel
Luskin and Rove are walking on eggshells, that is clear. Neither has uttered one complaint about being put through the ringer by Patrick Fitzgerald.

Mr. Luskin does not gnash his teeth at Mr. Fitzgerald.

“It’s not winning the lottery,” he said of the Rove case. “It’s just avoiding something that would be a truly horrendous injustice for your client. You feel lucky to be part of a process that works fairly and intelligently.”…”

I had not heard anything had changed since these Luskin quotes.

Christy @23 — That’s not the Old Course Hotel. It looks like a (newer) hotel I saw at Turnberry (sp), another posh golf course. And, a tacky, prefab-but-expensive resort sounds like just the place for these leeches.

JohnC – I should go over to TNH more. Smart people there if they are agreeing with me. :)

Leslie at 188

I don’t think they can represent at least some of them, there seems to have been a Statute of Limitations problem.

Letting a mob gut off after a 5 year investigation is a big smack in the face witha cold dead fish.

AUSAs make a ‘commitment’ when they are hired that they will stay for 3 years. Even with good promotions, and despite the fact that (IMHO) AUSA in the SDNY is THE BEST lawyer job on the planet, many leave soon after their 3 years are up b/c with that credit on their resume they can get partnership track gigs at bog fanct national law firms and be pulling donw more than a quarter mill. per year before they are 30 years old.

So, a guy who just spent an extra 2 years, only to be publicly hu,iliated this way, not an easy thing for a judge who is himself a former AUSA to do.

This is meant to be a major statement on the judicial branch’s obligation to exercise meaningful oversight of the executive branch and not just rubber stamp.

The NY Law Journal made ita front page story and continued the article inside. It got a lot of prime real estate in terms of page placement. They are making a big deal out of it.

That was great, Prairie, and I totally agree. I have nothing but respect for Christians who live as Christians, and I am so glad that so many true followers are wiping the wool from their eyes at last. What the Bush’s, Santorums and Reeds of the world don’t understand is that true faith is not something you pick up at the dollar store, a little from this aisle and a few things from that one. The Jesus of my christian childhood would turn away from these liars and fools. It is sad that so many were taken in by their manipulations prior to the election; I hope they will continue to recognize that a platform based on hate has little to do with christianity.

RevDeb @ 25: ‘where do you GET these things?’

From my own tiny mind, but society is to blame. “Right…We’ll be charging him too.” ;>)

cbl @ 35:

darkblack999 at gmail dot com

:-)

Thanks for your insights LHP, always so eloquent and valuable. Gigante is the big Kahuna, it’s a huge loss.

lhp –

One other factor in the revolving door for AUSAs that you left out is student loans . . . gotta pay them off sooner or later, and sooner comes sooner with that $250K .

Sad for the system, but if you borrow the dime, you pay on time.

Hey guys! Hope not to be EPU’d here, but here goes:

zennurse –

Hey, love! Welcome back! My posting has been rare lately, and probably will be for a time, but you’ve been in my heart still, and am happy you got back safely after a great combo trip of YKos and family connections. Many hugs to you!

Christy –

Well, I’m sorry to hear we have this one more thing (this one such a sad one) in common. I don’t like to talk about it much at all, and won’t, but I DO connect in deep heartfelt solidarity with my (too many) sisters who have been through the same ugly reality. And I share your reaction of abhorrence to rape “jokes.” It makes no difference if the “joke” is about a political enemy.

Hugs to you, and many thanks for the great job you do here under the current trying circumstances of short-handedness and tiredness. You’re the best!

To all –

I found a great SHOUTcast internet radio station, WNMR (”War No More Radio”). What a terrific playlist! Just listened to a fabulous Bill Hicks routine which targetted Poppy Bush. The music is terrific and energizing — all sorts of political music covering more than 40 years (there’s even some Woody Guthrie and thirties labor music, going even farther back!), with tons of recent stuff too. Every genre of music — what it has in common is anti-war sentiment, economic justice themes, fight-the-power stuff. So you’ll find reggae, folk, rock, punk, rap, choral (”The Internationale” for example), Irish/Celtic, comedy routines, etc. etc.

Didn’t know about SHOUTcast till yesterday, and even though in theory I’m supposed to play this stuff on “Winamp” which can be easily downloaded (and I probably WILL d/l it at some point), when I clicked on “play” the MP3 music loaded easily on RealPlayer.

Been playing it for hours, it’s terrific, politically energizing — goodies to keep the morale high and pumped up!

If you want to try it, go to http://www.shoutcast.com, and in the search box for “genre, station” just type in “protest” — and the link to WNMR will pop right up. And of course there’s every genre under the sun available, lots of international stuff, too. Mucho goodies.

Heather – a purpled-flowered Eurasian plant heath that grows abundantly on moorland and heathland.

The Scottish Gourse has always been at war with Eurasian Heather.

OT– here we go again trashing our promises:

>>>>>>>>>>>>
Ten years after US President Bill Clinton declared the country would “aggressively pursue an international agreement to ban the use, stockpiling, production, and transfer of anti-personnel landmines,” the US has moved no closer to eliminating the weapons, and is in fact developing new types of mines, RAW STORY has learned.

According to the International Campaign to Ban Landmines, budget documents submitted to Congress in 2005 show that the Pentagon is preparing for the development of new types of antipersonnel landmines called “Spider.”

http://www.rawstory.com/news/2….._0619.html

What a lovely family photo! They all seem so…close. It’s a safe bet they aren’t smiling now.

Another OT from Reuters:

>>>>>>>
US makes missile defense system operational
Tue Jun 20, 2006 10:00 AM ET

WASHINGTON (Reuters) – Amid concerns over an expected North Korean missile launch, the United States has moved its ground-based interceptor missile defense system from test mode to operational, a U.S. defense official said on Tuesday.

The official, speaking on condition of anonymity, confirmed a Washington Times report that the Pentagon has activated the system, which has been in the developmental stage for years.

“It’s good to be ready,” the official said.

U.S. officials say evidence such as satellite pictures suggests Pyongyang may have finished fueling a Taepodong-2 missile, which some experts said could reach as far as Alaska.

“There’s real caution in how to characterize it so as to not be provocative in our own approach,” the defense official said of the move to activate the system.

TP has some really abohorrent shit on the US torture policy.

Seems that when you torture mentally ill people they tend to make shit up to stop the torture.

Bush wanted to know if the “harsh treatment”really works.

Maybe Bush had flashbacks to blowing up frogs.

He is a cursed and vile man and our nation will never recover our reputation again.

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

-GSD

Yeah but we won’t use it because think how embarrassing it will be when it doesn’t work.

And it doesn’t.

Angie,

Are you suggesting we are about to get into an ICBM war?

When I was in law school, I was on a law review, We were working on what was called our “nuclear issue”. Notes and comments on missel defense treasties, rules of engagement, stuuf like that.

I was assigned to edit and cite check a piece on MIRV (multiple independant re-entry vehicles)ICBMs (inter continental ballistic missles) written by one of the generals at the War College.

His basic premise was “YPOU CAN”T EVER USE THESE-NO MATTER WHAT” chowderheads.

Of course he said it in such a way that it was clear that the military NEVER thinks about policy. That’s for civilian command.

Thanks, looseheadprop. I’m glad to see they’re treating it so prominently.

Remeber folks. WHo is the ONLY nation to ever actually USE nuclear cababilites in war?

Oh yeah, us.

But we need to worry about korea.

The thing with these criminals is they project their own dark deeds and loathsome intentions onto others. They have to believe that everyone else is as blackhearted as they are.

Maybe that’s they only way they can live with themselves.

Froomkin’s up at the WaPoo site, writing about Suskind’s new book, The 1% Solution and tonight’s Frontline. Must read, must see.

The Bush CYA mentality has a long and cavalier and sickening history–note the mention of the briefing in the summer of 2001.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/…..041100879.
html

One candle flame, the glare of sunshine, will show these creeps for the arrogant lowlifes they are. Small stones today, the mountain tomorrow.

link doesn’t wok

Yeah, lhp– and we know just how much we can trust anyone in this chickenhawk civilian administration. We are the only ones that ever used nukes…

terrifying, especially the last graf. Even if nothing happens militarily, it sure shines a spotlight on the lack of diplomatic ventures thus far and the certain failure of those in the future by this evil empire… (ours)

or work

ooops, I glitched the link:

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

ok Prairie Sunshine,
I was gonna be a good girl and work late tonight to clear some of the stuff that accumulated on my desk when I was sick last week.

Now, I’m gonna go home to watch Frontline. I am so weak.

New Thread

Ralphie: and hasn’t suceeded in the testing stages …

loosheadprop @ 218

The thing with these criminals is they project their own dark deeds and loathsome intentions onto others. They have to believe that everyone else is as blackhearted as they are.

Their Death Cult roots are deep and dark.

Wonder how the shameless (2,500 is only a number) GOPS will blame the Safavian conviction on Clinton?

bustedknuckles @ 191

I love the spin being given by Safavian’s lawyer to Justin Rood at TPM.

Van Gelder confirmed that Safavian’s legal fees were “a phenomenal” amount of money, but that he was receiving minimal assistance from others. “I think he’s accepted some offers to help” from “a few good friends,” she said, but they were goodwill gestures, not “substantial” contributions.

“He’s not a man who has friends in high places,” she said of Safavian, a former White House official.

What kind of official was he? From the WaPo . . .

Safavian became chief of staff of the GSA, the federal government’s property management agency, in 2002. The following year, President Bush nominated him to be administrator for federal procurement policy at the Office of Management and Budget in the White House. He began that job in November 2004.

Yeah, they pass out those jobs at the White House via a blind hiring process. Nobody knows anybody – it’s strictly on the merits, don’tcha know . . .

Well written, Christy! (I know, I’m rather last-in-line here but this is my first chance to browse FDL today.)

new thread linky

http://www.firedoglake.com/200…..l-balloon/

Anyone wanna bet against Ralph Reed winning the Lt. Gov’s race? As long as he can convince people he’s a Christian in GA, he’s got it made.

GSD – Abu Zubaydah was one of the main “sources” that led to Padilla being taken from the civil courts and turned over to secret interrogation and military detention, on US soil, even though he was a US citizen, and without counsel or habeas.

And oh yeah, the “we can do it again whenever we want” crap that passes for legal reasoning these days.

Let me shout-out to a prosecutor:

Zeidenberg!

WooHoo!! Jefferson’s next!!!

I wanted to reply to prairie sunshine regarding Bush’s alleged christianity. I am a pragmatist, a humanist, if you will. For instance, I believe that Jesus Christ and his rising from the dead was a metaphor for the fact that 2000 years later we see validity in his legend. What that means to me, is that many of his words, his concepts and his example have not died. They live on, risen from the dead…so to speak.

Another angle to ponder. Bush is a blasphemer. He is the definition of a blasphemer. A blasphemer uses religion to gain earthly goods instead of spiritual growth and fulfillment. Revelations tells of a blasphemer and his followers.

My other pragmatic view is that Bush is an alcoholic, a dry drunk who has switched his ism from drugs and alcohol to power and money. Alcoholics are notorious for drawing people in to the ism. They are often charismatic.

I have a confession to make. I have been obsessed with this story.(Rove) I have spent hours into the night reading posts, blogs, and online news reports. My happiness and serenity have been affected by this administration. I have let it get to me.

This is certain; Bush is an alcoholic, and we (the american people) have been allowing unacceptable behavior just like good co-addicts do. We are afraid to face our own weaknesses and instead focus on his illness. We are banging our heads against the wall trying to control a disease that cannot be controlled.

We need to let go of Bush and focus on the solutions. It is the kernal of truth in the republican spin. The co-addict often becomes so obsessed with the addict that more energy is spent on trying to expose the addict than on solving problems.

The addict then focuses on the problems of the co-addict and offers this as proof that is it not the addict’s behavior that is a problem. Bush got us in to a war by lying. Our part, we bought Reagan’s rhetoric about liberals running the media. We allowed Reagan to turn the word Liberal into a “bad” word. He may have stolen elections. (we the people were in denial that he could do such a thing) He exposed a cia officer for political gain. (we do not hold him accountable and his party rescues him) We, the american people have to solve these problems. We need to do this even more than we need to expose the addict. We need to solve these serious problems and that is the ONLY way that we will have serenity, integrity and peace.

I wonder if Ralphie boy will have a Jim Bakker moment?

Will Ralphie boy have an ego-shattering nervous breakdown like Jim Bakker had in prison, which actually led to Jim Bakker becoming more of a real Christian instead of the “moneychanger” Christian he had been before?

Will Ralphie boy have a similar experience and actually convert from his corrupt “moneychanger” fake Christian mentality and embrace more liberal, compassionate Christian beliefs and behaviors?

I’m not holding my breath.