First?

Query: could Rice herself see the joke?

Wow! A zero, on my 3rd day of posting here!

Morning all — congrats on the zero, May. This sentence was teh first paragraph in the NYTimes article on Rice’s visit. I read the sentence and laughed out loud. Thought you all would get a kick out of it.

If you’re like me and refuse to pay for the Times, trot on over to first draft for the photo of Condee in her lovely, designer flak jacket. Given her parlus trip into Iraq, one can only shake one’s head to hear that she thinks things are getting better.

Morning all, Go Blue! Got my cuppa, strong Costco Sumatra. Hey Condi, what progress? Managing to increase the number of KIA GIs in a month?

Thanks, Christy. What is it about Republicans that makes them have no sense of irony?

BTW, great site. I am constantly amazed at your (and Jane, Pach, T-Rex and the rest’s) ability to write so often and so well.

Here’s what “not sugarcoating” looks like:

But it would be really erroneous to say that the Iraqis are somehow making a choice for civil war, or I think even sliding into civil war.

Aug. 6, 2006
Condoleezza Rice, Secretary of State

Was she wearing Ferragamos…

She should have accessorized with a nail apron and paint brush, y’know, for the balance thing.

I’m sitting here listening to that twit David Frum on C-Span. What planet are these people from?

So sad to see that Lieberman’s sucking up to Hastert et al and tsk-tsking any Democrats who dare criticize Mister Skid Mark for trying to hide Foley’s crimes. This even as Republicans like George Will are taking Hastert and the Republican leadership to task over the PredatorGate coverup.

Quite a change from Lieberman’s heatedly censorious attitude towards Bill Clinton’s trying to hide a legal, consensual affair with an actual adult.

Let’s let the Connecticut press know how we feel about this:

http://www.mondotimes.com/1/world/us/7 (Links to all CT papers/radio/TV stations)

http://www.courant.com/news/op…..customform (Hartford Courant’s letters link)

http://www.courant.com/news/op…..editorials (Hartford Courant’s Hastert-must-go editorial: Gee, will Lieberman attack them, too?)

Some of the faithful are bolting from “stay the course”:

http://www.washingtonpost.com/…..01645.html

Condi is a joke and a tragedy.

How have they gotten so many people to go along with them for so long?

Amazing.

Christy — too funny that you picked up this bit on Rice.

You see, my twelve-year-old daughter noticed part of the incongruity of Condi’s appearance while watching national news.

She asked me why Condi wasn’t wearing the same kind of flak vest that the troops wear, was it for show or was it better than the troops had, and what was she doing there anyhow since she wasn’t going to be much help.

Just makes me bust with motherly pride.

There is absolutely NOTHING wrong with this sentence. Then again, I always loved O Henry’s work so…

What a great irony…”This old flak jacket?? It’s an old favorite of mine that I just can’t let go of, and isn’t the weather lovely in bagdad??”

They can send her there but they can’t get it together to fund equipment replacement for the troops. Thousand of military vehicles aren’t operating due to lack of such things as tires on humvees and other spare parts. The depots in the US are essentially empty. But they can find money to send her there?!

lina @
13

Some of the faithful are bolting from “stay the course”:

http://www.washingtonpost.com/…..01645.html

Condi is a joke and a tragedy.

How have they gotten so many people to go along with them for so long?

Amazing.

Thanks for the link. Unfortunately, he’s willing to wait a Friedman or two before we “change course”. I’m waiting for some brave soul to finally stand up and admit that this was titanically stupid invasion, we are in quicksand and sinking fast, there is no good outcome to this f***up, let’s come home.

The sentence could use a couple of more commas.

Morning Firepups,

Hope all is well with everyone as we find ways to make sure we have a Congress that will hold Madame Secretary accountable. Pach’s post yesterday was great, with lots of links to places that will put $$$s to good use, and find ways for each of to volunteer to change this country for the better.

Off to the salt mines for me! I’ll check back later, as I always do. Keep ‘em coming, Redd. All of us appreciate your thoughtful posts.

For any readers in the Raleigh, NC area, please stay safe this morning. They are saying the chemical spill/fire problem includes chlorine gas — not something to mess with, as I recall from my lifeguard training way back when…so stay safe. (Lordy, CNN is also reporting on some huge fire in Memphis, TN — what is up this morning?)

You know, it might be a very good time to publicize John Laesch’s candidacy in the IL-14. You have him on the Blue America page.

Terry at 22 — we’ve been doing lots of Laesch promo the last coupla weeks, including having him by for a chat this past Monday. :) But, as always, any contributions to our Blue America candidates are much appreciated.

Oh My Gawd! First Frum, now Richard Viquerie! What is C-Span trying to do? Now Brian is reading John Podhorrible! Did I sleep through the coup?

lina @
13

Some of the faithful are bolting from “stay the course”:

http://www.washingtonpost.com/…..01645.html

Condi is a joke and a tragedy.

How have they gotten so many people to go along with them for so long?

Amazing.

You can fool some of the people (about 59 million) much of the time. Apologies to Lincoln

I thought it was part of Jay Leno’s monologue…is there a punch line?

I think it’s time the CDC did a study on the unexplained cluster of both memory problems and delusions that seem to center in the White House, with additional pockets on Capitol Hill and some parts of the country. Is it the water? Is it Kool-Aid? Whatever it is, the problem appears to be getting significantly worse.

katie Jensen @
16

What a great irony…”This old flak jacket?? It’s an old favorite of mine that I just can’t let go of, and isn’t the weather lovely in bagdad??”

Check this out from Digby

Christy,

Next time you speak to John Laesch, please ask him about David Gill (IL-15). John was his campaign manager two years ago. I’d love for you to meet him. His website is http://www.gill2006.com

. . . insisting that there were new signs of progress

Whenever the media uses this verb, it’s code for:

1. she’s lying,

2. we know she’s lying, and

3. this is the way we’re letting you know she’s lying.

She is a walking talking farce.
Actions speak louder than words.
Denial continues and now that ‘river’ is getting deeper and wider.
That is not a flak jacket. It is a floatation device because things are going so swimmingly

Windje,

Great catch. But when isn’t she lying?

Shouldn’t Condi’s flak jacket have a Seal on it? Like United States Secretary of State? Or the Presidential Seal?

Anne @ 26

I thought it was part of Jay Leno’s monologue…is there a punch line?

I think it’s time the CDC did a study on the unexplained cluster of both memory problems and delusions that seem to center in the White House, with additional pockets on Capitol Hill and some parts of the country. Is it the water? Is it Kool-Aid? Whatever it is, the problem appears to be getting significantly worse.

I think it is a symptom of Republican Personality Disorder.

jayt — Seal = Target.

I’ll give her that much.

Condi’s taking a page from Bush’s Irrelevancy Book Tour. Does anyone believe anything she has to say? Warner’s just back and saying Iraq is a shitpile. Guess Condi’s not taking his calls. And Warner says Iraq has to turn around in 90 days or else…? WTF does he expect to happen in 90 days? A total CF and everyone knows it.

mombear @ 18

lina @
13

I’m waiting for some brave soul to finally stand up and admit that this was titanically stupid invasion, we are in quicksand and sinking fast, there is no good outcome to this f***up, let’s come home.

Chuck Hagel has said almost that. But he doesn’t do anything other than talk.

i think condi’s flak jacket looks like ones i’ve seen reporters wear

mombear @ 31

Windje,

Great catch. But when isn’t she lying?

Touche

“That is not a flak jacket. It is a floatation device because things are going so swimmingly.”

LMAO

Morning all. I don’t know if the rest of you have noticed the impact of Foley spin back. I hear it on the radio. Rather than taking an active lead in insisting that the Repubs CLEAN UP THEIR ACT, the Dem leadership just sat back and watched the Repubs “self destruct.” Or that was what they thought they were doing; In truth, they let the Repubs spin it. So now, Dem supporters are on the defensive. “Gays are not sex fiends; This is not about Gays etc. etc.” Why did the Dem leadership not come out and insist that Bush address the Foley mess? Where was Dean? Where was Reid? After the great push back by Clinton, and (still) K.O. – the rest are silent. (Fear, that they would be accused of using this tragedy for political impact). Well, hey, they will be (and are) accused of that anyway. I fear we are losing the momemtum on this, even as this is the one issue that seems to have broad engagement with the voters.

mombear @
5

If you’re like me and refuse to pay for the Times, trot on over to first draft for the photo of Condee in her lovely, designer flak jacket. Given her parlus trip into Iraq, one can only shake one’s head to hear that she thinks things are getting better.

HI Mombear,
NYT doesn’t charge, you just have to register. Name, e-mail, nothing They don’t know already. *s* I registered a long time ago because Granny D told me to. Strong, wise, good women like Granny D might balance Condi in the cosmic scale, but I don’t think it’s enough to save Condi personally. That girl’s one boat-load of bad karma.

Speaking of lying, I missed this a few days ago in the NYT.

“Philip D. Zelikow, the executive director of the Sept. 11 commission and now counselor to the State Department, agreed that no witness before the commission had drawn attention to a July 10 meeting at the White House or described the sort of encounter portrayed in Mr. Woodward’s book.

Mr. Zelikow said it was “entirely plausible” that a meeting occurred on July 10, during a period that summer in which intelligence agencies were being flooded with warnings of a terrorist attack against the United States or its allies.

But he said the commissioners and their staff had heard nothing in their private interviews with Mr. Tenet and Mr. Black to suggest that they made such a dire presentation to Ms. Rice or that she had rebuffed them.

“If we had heard something that drew our attention to this meeting, it would have been a huge thing,” Mr. Zelikow said. “Repeatedly, Tenet and Black said they could not remember what had transpired in some of those meetings.”

(emphasis is mine)

Link

Rayne says
October 6th, 2006 at 5:58 am*

jayt — Seal = Target.

I’ll give her that much.

yeah – I was kidding.

Maybe I shoulda just said – walk proud, girl!!

Can anyone tell from the picture whether Condi’s got the good kinda body armor we haven’t been able to provide for our troops yet?

HotFlash @ 41

mombear @
5

If you’re like me and refuse to pay for the Times, trot on over to first draft for the photo of Condee in her lovely, designer flak jacket. Given her parlus trip into Iraq, one can only shake one’s head to hear that she thinks things are getting better.

HI Mombear,
NYT doesn’t charge, you just have to register. Name, e-mail, nothing They don’t know already. *s* I registered a long time ago because Granny D told me to. Strong, wise, good women like Granny D might balance Condi in the cosmic scale, but I don’t think it’s enough to save Condi personally. That girl’s one boat-load of bad karma.

Every time I try to link, they offer me a trial subscription. Maybe I’m misreading it.

As for Condee’s bad karma, I suspect that’s why she’s Dumbya’s kind of woman.

FWIW washingtonpost.com’s Daily Politics Discussion
Jim VandeHei
Washington Post National Political Reporter
Friday, October 6, 2006; 11:00 ET

The last sentence of the article is nearly as good as the first sentence

“Meeting with reporters en route to Baghdad, Ms. Rice refused to be drawn into a discussion about the book. “Look, I’m not going to address Bob Woodward,” she said.”

windje @ 47

The last sentence of the article is nearly as good as the first sentence

“Meeting with reporters en route to Baghdad, Ms. Rice refused to be drawn into a discussion about the book. “Look, I’m not going to address Bob Woodward,” she said.”

Lying is SO exhausting (sigh)

Richmond — I think that many of us still think that what Dems in leadership say will be broadcast through media.

Umm, no, those days are gone until the revolution is done and the purge complete, the corrective actions effected. Like restoring fairness to publicly-owned airwaves.

Tom McMahon, director of the DNC said in emails this week:

Let’s make one thing clear — Republican Congressman Mark Foley’s inappropriate contacts with minors were the worst kind of abuse of power. Despite the Republicans’ desperate damage control efforts, what America’s parents see is a man who took advantage of children, and a Republican leadership that refused to act aggressively to fix the problem.

And we’re learning more every day about Republican Leaders’ failure to live up to the responsibilities of their own power, as revelations of a cover-up reach all the way up to Speaker Dennis Hastert.

Howard Dean followed up with an immediate email, saying:

Long before Republican Congressman Mark Foley resigned in disgrace last week, we already had thousands of supporters on the ground in his district — and a solid Democratic candidate ready to take him on. We didn’t have to hurry up to catch up to an unexpected opportunity that arose — we were already there, working to win.

You see, they are talking about it, and the media is ignoring; you can check the DNC’s site for more. But to some extent, the Dem leadership absolutely must stay focused on this last 30 days to WIN back the majority. Leadership really can’t afford the time to gawk at the train wreck; they must be knocking on doors to offer a new direction to Americans who are watching the train wreck.

there were quite a few telling sentences in that article. but i think this one sums it up.

On Thursday evening, during her meeting with President Jalal Talabani, the lights went out, forcing Ms. Rice to continue the discussion in the dark.

i don’t know. the best way to tell a lie is to convince yourself it’s true. i reckon they just believe this crap.

after KO’s piece on Bush being such a lying liar last night, I don’t even have to spend that split second on trying to figure out what part is true and what part is lies from these clowns… just goes straight into the Liar Bin…

saves me a lot of energy! (’morning everyone!)

“NYT doesn’t charge, you just have to register.”
Yes, (and as you probably knew) but even for those who register, they put some of their best, Frank Rich, MoDo (Maureen Dowd)…, behind a firewall, they call TIMES SELECT, that does require a subscription.

It doesn’t matter what the subject, why is it that these dipshits never ask people with experience about anything or let them actually run things? Oh never mind,I know why. Operation Enduring Clusterfuck-it’s what they do.

Seems to me,if you wanna REALLY know how Iraq is going,you’d ask people who have been there or are there right now. But hey,I’m just part of the vast liberal conspiracy,wtf do I know?

Somehow I think if we could gather all the children of Iraq up and gave them a day or two,not only would they find a way to work together,they’d probably figure out how run the country better than the supposed adults in charge. Come to think of it,that might work out OK here in the USA too.

If anyone needs me I’ll be screaming into the couch cushions for awhile. Good.God.

It’s not a flak jacket. It’s the previously-worn body armour first given to our troops, now sold as Army surplus on the White House web site as “ideal for protection against a stiff desert breeze and versatile as a wrap, corset or as a figure enhancer.”

Modeled here by Ms. Rice for “Condi’s Secrets”, a fast growing line of gossamer indulgence.

John Casper — TruthOut does a nice job of picking up Krugman’s Op-Eds about 24 hours after they are published inside the firewall. If you can wait that long, you can catch them without the hassle.

Richmond,

I think we did better just letting them do it to themselves. By the time they got through blaming gays, Dems, the victims, Big Dog and moral relativism, they made themselves more ridiculous than we ever could.

John Casper @ 52

“NYT doesn’t charge, you just have to register.”
Yes, (and as you probably knew) but even for those who register, they put some of their best, Frank Rich, MoDo (Maureen Dowd)…, behind a firewall, they call TIMES SELECT, that does require a subscription.

If you don’t want to register, go to a website named

http://www.bugmenot.com/

They have never failed when I really didn’t want to be bothered registering for a website I’d likely never visit again.

As a scandal, Foleygate shares much with Iraq and Catrina

1. An assault on innocents
2. An assault for personal (GOP and supporter) gain (Foley not outed-punished because of his money & the seat; the billions to private contractors in Iraq and N.O.)
3. Spun afterwards as the victims’ own fault (pages came onto Foley, Iraqis are killing themselves, Catrina victims should have left).
4. The Repub leaders refuse to take any responsibility for the acts
5. The problem is framed as inherent “government” (the CIA screwed up, FEMA too big, there should be no pages in gov).
6. The incident is used as an excuse to grab more power (remove Habeas; grab N.O. property & force anti-labor laws; seek more internet control).

And, did anyone notice today – an announcement that Bush has decided he doesn’t need to go along with recent legislation on hiring in the Catarina clean-up. More clobbering of labor and unions as boy George gobbles up more power. (again shades of Hitler).

Love the picture of Condi in her designer sugarcoat.

I assume you are kidding. it’s not a flack jacket it’s a bullet proof vest.

froggermarch @ 54

It’s not a flak jacket. It’s the previously-worn body armour first given to our troops, now sold as Army surplus on the White House web site as “ideal for protection against a stiff desert breeze and versatile as a wrap, corset or as a figure enhancer.”

Modeled here by Ms. Rice for “Condi’s Secrets”, a fast growing line of gossamer indulgence.

John Casper,

Thanks. I just bookmarked Bugmenot.

What an opening sentence! Sounds like the Times might be tired of shooting for Pulitzers, and is trying for a Bulwer-Lytton prize.

Peterr @ 62

What an opening sentence! Sounds like the Times might be tired of shooting for Pulitzers, and is trying for a Bulwer-Lytton prize.

LMAO. And boy did I need that. I think I feel better than Foley did during the Iraq funding vote.

Richmond @ 40

Morning all. I don’t know if the rest of you have noticed the impact of Foley spin back. I hear it on the radio. Rather than taking an active lead in insisting that the Repubs CLEAN UP THEIR ACT, the Dem leadership just sat back and watched the Repubs “self destruct.” Or that was what they thought they were doing; In truth, they let the Repubs spin it. So now, Dem supporters are on the defensive. “Gays are not sex fiends; This is not about Gays etc. etc.” Why did the Dem leadership not come out and insist that Bush address the Foley mess? Where was Dean? Where was Reid? After the great push back by Clinton, and (still) K.O. – the rest are silent. (Fear, that they would be accused of using this tragedy for political impact). Well, hey, they will be (and are) accused of that anyway. I fear we are losing the momemtum on this, even as this is the one issue that seems to have broad engagement with the voters.

Where have the Democrats been for six years on the Republican anti-gay platform? Of course they were going to spin the Foley story this way. It’s what they do. They got President Moron reelected by being anti-gay.

I’m not sure Mr. & Mrs. Voter are buying it this time. These are anti-gay Republicans covering up for a deviant who has been pretending he is not gay. People can figure out basic hypocrisy.

They can spin their bigotry all they want, but it doesn’t erase the hypocrisy.

Morning thought – everyone wonders why Bush and his cronies always seem to put the most incompetent person, or even the worst person, into a post.

The Republicans have been preaching about the evils of big government since forever, and once they had the power – they intended to prove it. Therefore as the FCC, EPA, HSS, etc. all go down the tubes – they are cheering. Best way to destroy something is to give it bad leadership. Yeah.

They are NOT unhappy with the destruction of these entities. Everyone did their job. Even Brownie.

Rayne @ 49

Richmond — I think that many of us still think that what Dems in leadership say will be broadcast through media…..You see, they are talking about it, and the media is ignoring; you can check the DNC’s site for more. But to some extent, the Dem leadership absolutely must stay focused on this last 30 days to WIN back the majority. Leadership really can’t afford the time to gawk at the train wreck; they must be knocking on doors to offer a new direction to Americans who are watching the train wreck.

“Afford the time to gawk at the train wreck?” Excuse me, it is not “gawking” that I am talking about, but speaking out. Reid and Dean are not the ones out on the sidewalks. They are there to “lead.” And (sorry for getting cranky, but), you are citing emails. They could/should have called a press conference and been outraged that the Dem on the committee was shut out of the whole thing. Framing this as corruption and abuse of power from the outset.

Christy Hardin Smith @
23

Terry at 22 — we’ve been doing lots of Laesch promo the last coupla weeks, including having him by for a chat this past Monday. :) But, as always, any contributions to our Blue America candidates are much appreciated.

That’s great. I’ve seen some of it and contributed to him. I think there might be quite a few folks just now thinking about helping him out, given Hastert’s performance.

Good Morning Firedogs -

windje

fyi – Tenet & Black testified about 7/10 meeting to the commission on 1/28/04 – testimony included Tenet’s Power Point presentation as given to Rice, Ashcroft, & Rumsfeld – transcripts available via National Archives

Transcripts show both Exec Director Zelikow and Comm. Ben-Veniste were present and active participants at the 1/28 hearing

this was disclosed (and since confirmed) by a guest on KO Tuesday night

The scandals regarding what this Administration has done in Afghanistan, Iraq, and Lebanon have never been as intensely scrutinized or described anywhere near “appalling” as has been the Foleygate reporting we have seen in recent days. Foleygate is a sad misuse of power but it doesn’t compare with Bush’s horrific misuse of power worldwide, unchecked by the Hastert and Frist thugs who are mostly treated with (undue) respect by the media.

mombear @ 56

Richmond,

I think we did better just letting them do it to themselves. By the time they got through blaming gays, Dems, the victims, Big Dog and moral relativism, they made themselves more ridiculous than we ever could.

Don’t agree. Who put out that huge number of seats they are supposed to lose because of this (50 maybe?) I see Rovian hands at play. So that there will be no pushback. I think the issue is already being reshaped in exactly the way you describe it. The Repubs had wanted to gay bash at this point in the election cycle anyway. Now they have another reason to do it. And, sure, blame the victims, they always do!

cbl @ 69

Good Morning Firedogs -

windje

fyi – Tenet & Black testified about 7/10 meeting to the commission on 1/28/04 – testimony included Tenet’s Power Point presentation as given to Rice, Ashcroft, & Rumsfeld – transcripts available via National Archives

Transcripts show both Exec Director Zelikow and Comm. Ben-Veniste were present and active participants at the 1/28 hearing

this was disclosed (and since confirmed) by a guest on KO Tuesday night

Thanks, cbl. I was scratching my head at that Zelikow statement because I thought I’d read the contrary. Must be covering his ass. These guys are in such a habit of lying that they forget about the public record.

Richmond @ 67

Rayne @ 49

Richmond — I think that many of us still think that what Dems in leadership say will be broadcast through media…..You see, they are talking about it, and the media is ignoring; you can check the DNC’s site for more. But to some extent, the Dem leadership absolutely must stay focused on this last 30 days to WIN back the majority. Leadership really can’t afford the time to gawk at the train wreck; they must be knocking on doors to offer a new direction to Americans who are watching the train wreck.

“Afford the time to gawk at the train wreck?” Excuse me, it is not “gawking” that I am talking about, but speaking out. Reid and Dean are not the ones out on the sidewalks. They are there to “lead.” And (sorry for getting cranky, but), you are citing emails. They could/should have called a press conference and been outraged that the Dem on the committee was shut out of the whole thing. Framing this as corruption and abuse of power from the outset.

I still think we did best by letting them do it to themselves. They ended up looking churlish, desperate, and ridiculous, and we didn’t get in the way of the story.

Nancy Pelosi stepped in when necessary, i.e. stopping Hastert from drafting Freeh to do the cover-up, then stood back and let them continue the circular firing squad.

I think, and I may be mistaken in this, that this is the first time she has used the word “occupation”.

cbl @ 69

Good Morning Firedogs -

windje

fyi – Tenet & Black testified about 7/10 meeting to the commission on 1/28/04 – testimony included Tenet’s Power Point presentation as given to Rice, Ashcroft, & Rumsfeld – transcripts available via National Archives

Transcripts show both Exec Director Zelikow and Comm. Ben-Veniste were present and active participants at the 1/28 hearing

this was disclosed (and since confirmed) by a guest on KO Tuesday night

thanks for the correction

Richmond,

I forgot. Go ahead and be as cranky as you want to be. If not here, where?

mombear @ 72

Nancy Pelosi stepped in when necessary, i.e. stopping Hastert from drafting Freeh to do the cover-up, then stood back and let them continue the circular firing squad.

Agree with you on Pelosi. She also spoke back to the Faux news dumb blond on “fair and balanced.” She did exactly what I want to see the others doing!

Sorry I screwed up the underline above – my ignorance, but maybe its also the FDL gods getting back at me. (And thanks Mombear for the cranky go ahead!).

Sally @ 70

The scandals regarding what this Administration has done in Afghanistan, Iraq, and Lebanon have never been as intensely scrutinized or described anywhere near “appalling” as has been the Foleygate reporting we have seen in recent days. Foleygate is a sad misuse of power but it doesn’t compare with Bush’s horrific misuse of power worldwide, unchecked by the Hastert and Frist thugs who are mostly treated with (undue) respect by the media.

The key word in your comment here is “unchecked.” What folks are finally realizing is the the Republican Congress appears to be fundamentally opposed to checking any uses of institutional power – not that of Bush, Cheney, Addington, and the Executive Branch, nor Foley’s deeds or those of republican lawmakers who covered up and/or looked the other way to allow his deeds to continue.

Unlike the war or the fight over habeas corpus, sexual harassment on the job and taking advantage sexually of a minor is something that most folks can easily see — and even more easily recognize as wrong. People can debate the war and debate the legal system, but most folks have no stomach for debating whether Foley’s acts were OK or not.

All of this is about “abuse of power” – Foleygate is the piece that gets people ticked off the fastest, and it also may be the straw that broke the elephant’s back for many.

We lost Habeas. We (the Dems) weren’t ready at all for that huge train racing out of control down the tracks heading for us.

Richmond @ 77

mombear @ 72

Nancy Pelosi stepped in when necessary, i.e. stopping Hastert from drafting Freeh to do the cover-up, then stood back and let them continue the circular firing squad.

Agree with you on Pelosi. She also spoke back to the Faux news dumb blond on “fair and balanced.” She did exactly what I want to see the others doing!

I wish I could have seen that. Tell us about it.

The new runaway train is an impending IRAN attack. Remember the lead up to Iraq? Ships on the way. Pressure on Iraq to turn over weapons. A multi-national group to push pressure. We need to focus on November (elections), but we also need people to focus on stopping Iran from happening, because it, will figure prominently in the election season. It is very hard to upset a ruling party during wartime. The navy is steaming in that direction now.

Good God and Great Gookamooka! Look at the time. Got to run. Bye all.

mombear @ 80

Richmond @ 77

mombear @ 72

Nancy Pelosi stepped in when necessary, i.e. stopping Hastert from drafting Freeh to do the cover-up, then stood back and let them continue the circular firing squad.

Agree with you on Pelosi. She also spoke back to the Faux news dumb blond on “fair and balanced.” She did exactly what I want to see the others doing!

I wish I could have seen that. Tell us about it.

I didn’t see it live (don’t watch much TeeVee), but it was around the web a week or so ago (before Foley as I recall).

mombear @ 5:47

D’accord re. C-Span(m?) content this a.m. It was all I could do to keep down breakfast; two full hours of “fair and balanced”.

Did anyone else catch CNN comments from parents of LA page?………to the effect of…. if we had known about the other e-mails we would probably have done something more. Good rethugs all!

Richmond @ 82

The new runaway train is an impending IRAN attack. Remember the lead up to Iraq? Ships on the way. Pressure on Iraq to turn over weapons. A multi-national group to push pressure. We need to focus on November (elections), but we also need people to focus on stopping Iran from happening, because it, will figure prominently in the election season. It is very hard to upset a ruling party during wartime. The navy is steaming in that direction now.

Does anyone know if he has authority under the existing AUMF?

As a scandal, Foleygate shares much with Iraq and Catrina

all good points AND, here at Chez cbl we’ve likened it more to Harrietpalooza – well at least among ‘The Faithful’

a handy prism by which to separate True Believers (Bay Buchanan, George Will) from the Craven Opportunists/Anything for Access Ho’s (Limbaugh, Lieberman)

along those lines, been away from toobz for 3 days and was trying to check up on this, but see Krauthammer and his ilk are still busy defending WH/slamming NIE & Woodward. Anyone know if he’s weighed in on Foley ?

windje – wasn’t really correcting you – more like castigating commission – had it not been for Foley, by now the bobbleheads would’ve been asking why the commis. left it out and what else did they fail to mention (Pakistani ISI, nudge, nudge, wink, wink )

mombear @
24

Oh My Gawd! First Frum, now Richard Viquerie! What is C-Span trying to do? Now Brian is reading John Podhorrible! Did I sleep through the coup?

LOL– I know how you feel!

Viguerie just said that Delay and others campaigned on cleaning up the cesspool that was Washington and then when they got there they decided it was a hot tub and not a cesspool…

He likes and admires BillO. He’s “thrilled that he has weighed in on the culture wars, because if we lose them, we’ve lost our country.”

aaargh, cannot take it anymore.

Angie -

Viquerie weighed in Monday (?) on Foley – demanding Hastert and Leadership resignations – has he since changed his tune ?

cbl @ 87

As a scandal, Foleygate shares much with Iraq and Catrina

all good points AND, here at Chez cbl we’ve likened it more to Harrietpalooza – well at least among ‘The Faithful’

a handy prism by which to separate True Believers (Bay Buchanan, George Will) from the Craven Opportunists/Anything for Access Ho’s (Limbaugh, Lieberman)

along those lines, been away from toobz for 3 days and was trying to check up on this, but see Krauthammer and his ilk are still busy defending WH/slamming NIE & Woodward. Anyone know if he’s weighed in on Foley ?

windje – wasn’t really correcting you – more like castigating commission – had it not been for Foley, by now the bobbleheads would’ve been asking why the commis. left it out and what else did they fail to mention (Pakistani ISI, nudge, nudge, wink, wink )

I guess I am just disappointed that the 911 commission report increasingly appears to be no more than toilet paper.

On access whores, read Woodward’s book. I had sworn him off after the Plame revelations, but this book is as damning as Fiasco if not more so. It is a damn shame it is being overshadowed by Foley.

I actually tuned him out for a bit based on my hackles, but he is one angry conservative and I seriously doubt it. He said he would vote a straight thug ticket, but basically he’s holding his nose.

What’s wrong with the sentence? Nowhere is there even a mention of the fabulous thigh-high Ferragamo flak boots it took her so long to find last September! What’s wrong with the media today? They left out the most important detail. Tsk, it’s not an outfit without the f*uckin’ boots.

windje @
85

Richmond @ 82

The new runaway train is an impending IRAN attack. Remember the lead up to Iraq? Ships on the way. Pressure on Iraq to turn over weapons. A multi-national group to push pressure. We need to focus on November (elections), but we also need people to focus on stopping Iran from happening, because it, will figure prominently in the election season. It is very hard to upset a ruling party during wartime. The navy is steaming in that direction now.

Does anyone know if he has authority under the existing AUMF?

If I’m guessing correctly, the answer is no – but let’s see whether clicking on this link will provide a definitive answer: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/AUMF

I love the smell of mass graves in the morning.

-Condi Rice

Sally @ 69

Foleygate is a sad misuse of power but it doesn’t compare with Bush’s horrific misuse of power worldwide….

absolutely true, but any time anyone has tried to call the administration out on their naked power grab, they scream “national security” and shake the scolding finger because you know, they are just trying to save us all from them terruists that want to murder your family. they’ve used phony patriotism and a trumped up war as a very effective shield on all of their slimy maneuvers. but the foley scandal doesn’t offer any political cover. there are no excuses for it and it helps the “abuse of power” label finally start to stick.

Well, I’m out of here heading to Fort Liquordale in about 1/2 hour for the weekend. I’ll miss all this Foley stuff though…I’ll be going through withdrawals for sure. Be back Sunday, although probably not in time for my favorite Pull Up a Chair!

Have a nice weekend everyone.

FYI– Farrell vs Shays on cspan2.

Have fun, ccmask– it can be a very fun town!

Christy said “Am running behind a bit this morning with an article that is taking a little more research time than I anticipated.”

I’ll be guessing what it is now…

Bye ccmask, bonne weekend. Is it spring break already? That’s where we used to go wayyyy back when.

meta @
71

cbl @ 69

Good Morning Firedogs -

windje

fyi – Tenet & Black testified about 7/10 meeting to the commission on 1/28/04 – testimony included Tenet’s Power Point presentation as given to Rice, Ashcroft, & Rumsfeld – transcripts available via National Archives

Transcripts show both Exec Director Zelikow and Comm. Ben-Veniste were present and active participants at the 1/28 hearing

this was disclosed (and since confirmed) by a guest on KO Tuesday night

Thanks, cbl. I was scratching my head at that Zelikow statement because I thought I’d read the contrary. Must be covering his ass. These guys are in such a habit of lying that they forget about the public record.

Sorely doubt it’s just forgetfulness. Revisit tried-and-true roverian tactic of:
REPEAT REPEAT REPEAT UNTIL THE LIE IS THE NEW TRUTH!

Can’t WAIT till we sweep these scoundrels out of power!

By the way, the old Poppy Bush Machine is coming to life. James Baker has been dusted off from his tomb in Baker/Botts and is now actively trying put a new brain in the Frankenstein Monster of Iraq.

Poppy Bush is now chiming in about the “ghastly Democrats” and the evil that they will do if they are elected and start dropping turds in Junior’s punch-bowl.

Oh the humanity….What will Babs say?

-GSD

Oh yeah, can someone let Soros know that I need some more cash.

Stephen Parrish, CPA @ 92

windje @
85

Richmond @ 82

The new runaway train is an impending IRAN attack. Remember the lead up to Iraq? Ships on the way. Pressure on Iraq to turn over weapons. A multi-national group to push pressure. We need to focus on November (elections), but we also need people to focus on stopping Iran from happening, because it, will figure prominently in the election season. It is very hard to upset a ruling party during wartime. The navy is steaming in that direction now.

Does anyone know if he has authority under the existing AUMF?

If I’m guessing correctly, the answer is no – but let’s see whether clicking on this link will provide a definitive answer: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/AUMF

We are not talking here about a President who feels constrained by existing laws as you will recall from recent events. He will be able to get the Congress to go along in any event (largely for Demo fear that they will be seen as soft on terra!). Also, who knows but what one of these navy ships (or planes) will come under attack, promoting (and justifying) an immediate action of response to “protect” the rest of the force.

It is a damn shame it is being overshadowed by Foley.

I feel the same and, (lazy analogy alert) – Elliot Ness said he didn’t give a damn that it was Tax Evasion that sent Capone to prison for 30 years

“It is a damn shame it is being overshadowed by Foley.”

The Foley story will dominate for at least the next few weeks, because both the right and the left want to know about it. This means the ALL the media WANT to cover it, because no one is emailing them that they are biased left or right. Stories like this drive all media ratings. In addition the Foley, Hastert, Boehner, Reynolds, Shimkus, (and I’m betting White Housecoverup) – GATE, has a METAPHORICAL power to injure the GOP and the WH that Woodward’s book (and all the other books about Iraq) don’t have. It’s better than when DeadEye shot Harry in the face. I’m not saying that’s right or wrong, but a lot of voters are not as interested in politics as FDLers. When was the last time Nancy Grace and Rita Cosby covered a story that helped Democrats? In the long run, I think FoleyHastert…Gate simply gives all the anti-Iraq stories more traction with more voters, who used to ignore those stories.

You guys sure that’s not a little seat cushion? Sure doesn’t cover much, but then . . .

S’pose Condi’s seamstress/personal shopper had to look all over D.C. &/or sew all night to git that little fashionstatement ready in time for the big jaunt to the -uh- front?

sorry. meowmix time here with kitty lounging on the monitor, feeding me lines agin.

btw, didn’t know this was an active General when I heard the story – hope he already has that 4th star

“Iraq, a debacle” – sweet jeebus
http://rawstory.com/showarticl…..41_pf.html

AZ Matt @
17

They can send her there but they can’t get it together to fund equipment replacement for the troops. Thousand of military vehicles aren’t operating due to lack of such things as tires on humvees and other spare parts. The depots in the US are essentially empty. But they can find money to send her there?!

Hey, they can find $20,000,000.00 for a “Victory Party”, at the same time they cut the budget for the VA Hospitals head injury unit from 14mil to 7mil.

Completely oblivious to the cannon fodder they routinely send to, shall we call it the Iraq front? But, things seem to be working out well for those people, dontcha think?? Rotters!

John Casper @ 103

Gate simply gives all the anti-Iraq stories more traction with more voters who used to ignore those stories.

Agreed, this is great politically. But lots of people don’t read and they won’t get the Bob W SOD story unless they hear it on the news.

[The Foley story]simply gives all the anti-Iraq stories more traction with more voters who used to ignore those stories.

That is the critical quality — the Foley story is just a recognizable stand-in for the whole — it is one part of a larger story that the country was primed to hear.

All these binary “Ignore Foley, focus on (your favorite pet peave here)” arguments miss the point. The leading Foley story does not in any way undermine the many other Democratic-favorable narratives (Iraq failure, Afganistan failure, Hookin’ North Korea Nuke testing, Allen’s racist remarks, etc).

They reinforce one another. Without a mind-boggling event which will change the narrative, for Republicans, the news cycle will be a downward spiral day in and day out.

I don’t know if it is Spring Break now but they actually go mostly to Daytona. Ft. Laud. kicked them out years ago. Some still go but not like the ole days. I had a restaurant there for 13 years so I’m basically going to visit friends. Gotta go! caio!

We’re also talking about a story that may bring down the man who is constitutionally second in line to succeed the President, following the Vice President. Whatever event makes that more than a theoretical possibility is news. Big news.

OT. KO has had Paul Kurtz, who worked with Richard Clarke, on Countdown recently and Kurtz seems to mostly give cover to Candi and Company. Richard Clarke in “Against All Enemies” says “Paul was the most open-minded person on the staff” but after listening to him on KO, I’m wondering if his “in all fairness” isn’t more right-leaning these days. I believe he is still a government employee.

Rice and her accomplice in crime Zelikow are not just liars,
they are guilty of treason. I did a post about this last
night. Its more complicated than a spy novel, but they both
knew that “terrorists” were going to crash planes into the WTC.
Zelikow the Executive Director of the 9/11 Commission concealed
evidence (July 10 meeting) from the Commission. This is
so sickening that I need a vacation.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/…..00187.html
http://www.nytimes.com/2006/10…..dward.html
http://www.slate.com/id/2098861/

I bet a female speaker wouldn’t have covered-up for a child predator in her ranks.

Wink, wink.

Nancy Pelosi is pushing this angle. Smartly might I add.

-GSD

meta @ 35

Condi’s taking a page from Bush’s Irrelevancy Book Tour. Does anyone believe anything she has to say? Warner’s just back and saying Iraq is a shitpile. Guess Condi’s not taking his calls. And Warner says Iraq has to turn around in 90 days or else…? WTF does he expect to happen in 90 days? A total CF and everyone knows it.

In 90 days the Dems take control of Congress, perhaps? Policy isn’t going to change before then anyway, so why not say they have that long to show it’s working?

1) The press should be openly mocking all these incompetent dolts by now.
2) Waste dump that caught fire is in Apex, NC “The Peak of Good Living” (I kid you not).
Not only clorine (bad enough), but PCBs, pesticides and who knows what else. Company was fined in March of this year. It only seems a matter of time before these sorts of operations cause big destruction. Want to get angry? Read about this:
caldwell

So it turns out you can’t drown the government in a hottub.

-GSD

i know i should have gotten used to it by now, but it sickens me to see the way that everyone in this administration just falt out lies without even blinking. for too long the media has excused them for “spinning” the story to their benifit, but we long ago moved passed spin into outright fabrication. when is the times going to go beyond the nidge-nudge they used above and just write something like, “dr. rice praised the progress being made in iraq, in obvious denial of the plainly obvious facts that the country is going up in flames.”

The point that needs to be repeated whenever they try to make news with one of these surprise visits is: “We’ll know we’re really making progress when a high official can make a visit to Iraq that’s not a surprise.”

Condi Rice. The face that launched a thousand Chevron oil-tankers.

And help put thousands in their grave.

GSD @ 114

I bet a female speaker wouldn’t have covered-up for a child predator in her ranks.

Wink, wink.

Nancy Pelosi is pushing this angle. Smartly might I add.

-GSD

Yesterday in the Chicago Tribune, columnist Steve Chapman made an interesting observation:

Political sex scandals come in all varieties. Some involve Democrats, and some implicate Republicans. Though most feature consenting adults, the exploitation of minors is not unknown. Neither heterosexuals nor homosexuals are immune. Virtually all these episodes, however, have one thing in common: The politician is a man.

The list of male officeholders who have gotten tangled in embarrassing shenanigans is long and colorful–including Rep. Wilbur Mills, who consorted with a stripper known as the “Argentine Firecracker,” Sen. Bob Packwood, who had a habit of kissing women without their consent, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, a serial groper, and Bill Clinton.

[snip]

But not congresswomen. I tried to find examples of female politicians ensnared in such sordid doings and came up with only one–in Taiwan. Over the last 30 years, the number of women in Congress has quadrupled, and they now make up one of every six members. But though they do their share of the legislative work, they fall terribly short when it comes to bedroom escapades.

The closest recent thing I could come to a woman politician involved in a sex scandal is Jeanine Pirro–whose campaign for New York attorney general is in trouble because she reportedly had her husband’s phone bugged. What’s the sex angle? She suspected he was having an affair.

The whole column is worth a read.

Redshift @
114

meta @ 35

Condi’s taking a page from Bush’s Irrelevancy Book Tour. Does anyone believe anything she has to say? Warner’s just back and saying Iraq is a shitpile. Guess Condi’s not taking his calls. And Warner says Iraq has to turn around in 90 days or else…? WTF does he expect to happen in 90 days? A total CF and everyone knows it.

In 90 days the Dems take control of Congress, perhaps? Policy isn’t going to change before then anyway, so why not say they have that long to show it’s working?

Ah we are back to counting Iraq in the dreaded “Friedmans” again.

-GSD

by foot @
44

Can anyone tell from the picture whether Condi’s got the good kinda body armor we haven’t been able to provide for our troops yet?

Dragon Skin is the really good stuff that the army will not supply to the troops. People have purchased this armor for their loved ones in Iraq and Afghanistan and the troops were told that they were not to wear it or they would lose their death benefit.

Dragon Skin is lighter and more flexible “soft” armor that is rated to protect against AK-47 fire. I comes in lovely colors:

A. Coyote Tan
B. Black
C. Olive Drab
D. Desert Tan
E. Woodland Camo
F. Army ACU
G. Marpat
H. Desert Camo

and has many options and accessories.
You’d think she’d have a closet full of this stuff.

I think she’d look charming in Marpat.

OfT Down in the Dirt
By Howard Kurtz
Washington Post Staff Writer
Friday, October 6, 2006; 8:12 AM

Man, this is getting ugly.

Amid the finger-pointing, the sleazy revelations, the masturbatory messages while the House of Representatives is voting, you might think that the Foley saga couldn’t sink any lower.

You would be wrong.

Now, apparently, some folks are hunting for other gays on the Hill.

snip

But let’s not buy into the notion that gays, closeted or not, are somehow more likely to be pedophiles. That’s factually inaccurate as well as outrageous. So what is the point of this possible witch hunt? Wouldn’t this have the potential to trigger a huge backlash?

The Nation’s David Corn reports that this has now been committed to paper:

“There’s a list going around. Those disseminating it call it ‘The List.’ It’s a roster of top-level Republican congressional aides who are gay.

“On CBS News on Tuesday, correspondent Gloria Borger reported that there’s anger among House Republicans at what an unidentified House GOPer called a ‘network of gay staffers and gay members who protect each other and did the Speaker a disservice.’ The implication is that these gay Republicans somehow helped page-pursuing Mark Foley before his ugly (and possibly illegal) conduct was exposed. The List — drawn up by gay politicos — is a partial accounting of who on Capitol Hill might be in that network.

“I have a copy. I’m not going to publish it. For one, I don’t know for a fact that the men on the list are gay. And generally I don’t fancy outing people — though I have not objected when others have outed gay Republicans, who, after all, work for a party that tries to limit the rights of gays and lesbians and that welcomes the support of those who demonize same-sexers……

Robin Wright’s article contains far less doublespeak…

http://www.washingtonpost.com/…..00107.html

it is one part of a larger story that the country was primed to hear.

imm – wish you could’ve seen my 3 middle aged, middle class, white male Repub regulars yesterday – they jokingly hung their heads in shame as I approached their table with my cat-who-ate-the canary grin – it started with Katrina and they have since walked it all back and assured me ‘if it don’t have a ‘D’, they aint pullin’ the lever – oh, did I mention they were regular church goers ?*g*

btw – how bad must your act be to be fined by Bush EPA ?!?!?

John Casper @
123

OfT Down in the Dirt
By Howard Kurtz
Washington Post Staff Writer
Friday, October 6, 2006; 8:12 AM

Man, this is getting ugly.

Amid the finger-pointing, the sleazy revelations, the masturbatory messages while the House of Representatives is voting, you might think that the Foley saga couldn’t sink any lower.

You would be wrong.

Now, apparently, some folks are hunting for other gays on the Hill.

snip

But let’s not buy into the notion that gays, closeted or not, are somehow more likely to be pedophiles. That’s factually inaccurate as well as outrageous. So what is the point of this possible witch hunt? Wouldn’t this have the potential to trigger a huge backlash?

The Nation’s David Corn reports that this has now been committed to paper:

“There’s a list going around. Those disseminating it call it ‘The List.’ It’s a roster of top-level Republican congressional aides who are gay.

“On CBS News on Tuesday, correspondent Gloria Borger reported that there’s anger among House Republicans at what an unidentified House GOPer called a ‘network of gay staffers and gay members who protect each other and did the Speaker a disservice.’ The implication is that these gay Republicans somehow helped page-pursuing Mark Foley before his ugly (and possibly illegal) conduct was exposed. The List — drawn up by gay politicos — is a partial accounting of who on Capitol Hill might be in that network.

“I have a copy. I’m not going to publish it. For one, I don’t know for a fact that the men on the list are gay. And generally I don’t fancy outing people — though I have not objected when others have outed gay Republicans, who, after all, work for a party that tries to limit the rights of gays and lesbians and that welcomes the support of those who demonize same-sexers……

Suddenly the Scarlet Letter comes to mind. The Republicans know enough not to blame themselves…the problem lies with “homosexuals” not power hungry Republicans.

The death-spiral quickens.

-GSD

I hope that Mr. Graham(R-Dixies Closet) can withstand the interrogation while being waterbaorded.

“The death-spiral quickens.”

Completely agree GSD.

Someone tell the log cabin folks that the roof is on fire.

-GSD

John Casper @ 123

“On CBS News on Tuesday, correspondent Gloria Borger reported that there’s anger among House Republicans at what an unidentified House GOPer called a ‘network of gay staffers and gay members who protect each other and did the Speaker a disservice.’”

So are they saying that those who protected Foley, i.e. Hastert, Boehner, Reynolds, and Shimkus are gay?

windje’s observation about Woodward’s book,

…It is a damn shame it is being overshadowed by Foley.

explains why Dem leadership can and absolutely should concentrate on the ground game. Take a look at the media coverage and it needs not our help. (9,930 articles with overwhelmingly negative coverage as of this morning.)

There are two Dems who absolutely must and should speak out: Nancy Pelosi and Dale Kildee. They have both the moral and positional authority to speak out, being Minority Leader of the House, and the only Dem on the House Page Board. Both have been grossly wronged, Pelosi booed when calling for a recorded vote on a resolution for an investigation, and Kildee bypassed about any of the problems with Foley.

And both have spoken out — but look at the media coverage of these two folks and you’ll know the media isn’t providing any real access to the Democratic members of Congress. Doing a bunch of pressers on this issue would be pissing in the wind — and also legitimize the now-false whining of Republicans that Dems are using this debacle as a partisan wedge issue.

Frankly, I’d kick Howard Dean’s ass if he wasn’t touring the country to raise funds for the 50-State Strategy, while coaching local candidates on how to persuade voters to take a direction this Election Day.

The only way Americans can be sure to fix the existing corruption in the House of Representatives is to do some fall House cleaning — voting Democratic.

My son’s girlfriend lives in Apex NC but was not one of the 16,000 that had to evacuate last night from the environment waste dump fires. I am still waiting to hear from her or my son as to what the situation is now. The schools & downtown were closed down. A concern is if winds increase & in what direction they will move the chemical clouds.

charley @
50

there were quite a few telling sentences in that article. but i think this one sums it up.

On Thursday evening, during her meeting with President Jalal Talabani, the lights went out, forcing Ms. Rice to continue the discussion in the dark.

i don’t know. the best way to tell a lie is to convince yourself it’s true. i reckon they just believe this crap.

Nice catch, charly! Normally, even when everything is going to hell, you at least keep the lights on for the president.

Even in the middle of Katrina here, they could keep the lights for the president in Jackson square.

Kinda gives you a calibration point…

On Thursday evening, during her meeting with President Jalal Talabani, the lights went out, forcing Ms. Rice to continue the discussion in the dark.

Quite the metaphor.

-GSD

When was the last time Nancy Grace and Rita Cosby covered a story that helped Democrats?

John,

I can’t stand either one of them, BUT, Nancy is a Dem and was against Clinton’s impeachment ; )

Ladies and gents, tinfoil hat time:

If Rove and the R’s are paying attn they should be seriously panicking about the Nov elections. Much as I like to think about Rove trying to cover his *ss with Geo, along the lines of, “Dang it Karl, you said you had it all under control.” “It *is* under control, this is just what we wanted, couldn’t be better!” (aside — Jeebus-holy-fug, what do I do now?), sort of thing, and much as I do not like to think of what a panicky BushCo is likely to do, it might be prudent to do so. I think they might strike harder and more wildly than whatever the planned Oct surprise is. We might want to imagine some very worst-case scenarii, just sayin’. After you have been blind-sided is not best time to plan. (/tinfoilhat)

GSD, I do believe you are on fire.

When Will This End?

Please review the following Boston Globe article. Mr. Bush continues to issue signing statments that attempt to position him above any law passed by Congress. Does this not in fact make him a dictator?

Bush cites authority to bypass FEMA law
http://www.boston.com/news/nat….._fema_law/

New thread, gang.

Meta,

Coming out of a cold induced stupor. I think that cough syrup has been keeping me a little dull.

-GSD

The first photo doesn’t show whether Condi also was wearing flak shoes from Ferragamo.

And the second photo does look like a setting fit for a Queen, doesn’t it?

cbl @ 125

how bad must your act be to be fined by Bush EPA ?!?!?

Someone obviously missed making a “campaign contribution” . . . and that’s about as bad as it around Dubya’s DC.

I tell ya, with Abramoff out of the loop now, folks just don’t know where to send these things in anymore.

“So are they saying that those who protected Foley, i.e. Hastert, Boehner, Reynolds, and Shimkus are gay?”

SNARK ALERT
No, I took it to mean that the breakdown in party discipline, morality, and “manly” behavior hadn’t yet gone that far up the GOP food chain. Fortunately the 110% heterosexual leaders such as Hastert, Boehner, and Reynolds caught it, so they can expell all the moral degenerates in order to maintain party purity.
SNARK ALERT

From what I know about the story, the one Republican, who had a ton to lose, but who acted a lot more responsibly than anyone else we know of, so far, was gay, Kirk Fordham, Foley’s and Reynolds’ former CoS. Unfortunately, neither Fordham’s ethics nor his orientation fit with Hastert’s, Boehner’s, and Reynold’s needs today, so I’m betting Fordham is on the “list.” The fact that he already resigned isn’t relevant to them, they need someone to blame.

Last night Jay Leno in one of his better lines referred to the Foley affair as Tailgate.

You really have to wonder why Rice made this trip. She went to Israel and brought nothing new to help the Palestinians throught their present crisis or to restart talks with Israel. Then she went on to Iraq where she opined that violence was a problem, ya think? I believe that she was also in Saudi Arabia. I didn’t hear to much about that. It would be interesting to know what OIL they OIL discussed OIL.

ScrewBush @ 137

When Will This End?

Please review the following Boston Globe article. Mr. Bush continues to issue signing statments that attempt to position him above any law passed by Congress. Does this not in fact make him a dictator?

Bush cites authority to bypass FEMA law
http://www.boston.com/news/nat….._fema_law/

Always surprised that these get so little attention except for the Boston paper. They always have been the torchbearers of liberty.

Was a neutron bomb dropped or something?

No comments here since 7:39 and nothing on the new thread either.

Very strange.

New thread with picture of new Majority Leader Nancy Pelosi on Time Magazine cover.

I am contually struck by the Alice in Wonderland world we live in and how there is so much lying, prevarication and intellectual dishonesty by people in public life INCLUDING so called journalists.

Aside from the fact that there is no such thing as accountability wil we ever wake up from this nightmare where we live in a world we people speak the truth, and are truly held accountable for their actions?

Are too many people blind to this madness? Are they wearing some sort of rose colored glasses which filter their view of the world through some sort of bizarre idiological prism?

Why is it that the truth when revealed has such short legs and the lies leap ahead like they are on steriods all the time?

What is really driving all this “dishonesty”? What is at the core of it? Is it greed for money and power? Is it tribalism and exclusivity… bigiotry? Why is power so seductive to so many people?

When will this nightmare end?

Rayne @
130

…explains why Dem leadership can and absolutely should concentrate on the ground game. Take a look at the media coverage and it needs not our help. (9,930 articles with overwhelmingly negative coverage as of this morning.)

There are two Dems who absolutely must and should speak out: Nancy Pelosi and Dale Kildee. They have both the moral and positional authority to speak out, being Minority Leader of the House, and the only Dem on the House Page Board. Both have been grossly wronged, Pelosi booed when calling for a recorded vote on a resolution for an investigation, and Kildee bypassed about any of the problems with Foley.

And both have spoken out — but look at the media coverage of these two folks and you’ll know the media isn’t providing any real access to the Democratic members of Congress. Doing a bunch of pressers on this issue would be pissing in the wind — and also legitimize the now-false whining of Republicans that Dems are using this debacle as a partisan wedge issue.

Frankly, I’d kick Howard Dean’s ass if he wasn’t touring the country to raise funds for the 50-State Strategy, while coaching local candidates on how to persuade voters to take a direction this Election Day.

The only way Americans can be sure to fix the existing corruption in the House of Representatives is to do some fall House cleaning — voting Democratic.

Well said, Rayne, but the Dem leadership (debated whether to put this in quotes) could use a bit of cleaning, too. I cannot agree that the grassroots work their tails off and the guys up top look up, then go back to munching grass. This *is* the ground game. (my metaphors seem oddly mixed, sorry)

If a press release falls in the forest and nobody hears it, did it really fall? OK, so can we spotlight these stories? Maybe WE can get some demand going in local media. It seems to me that SPOTLIGHT is a fabulous tool that should esp appeal to small, local papers that normally have nothing to report except 50th anniversaries and highschool track meets. Or just send them a link! The internet allows them to research as well (better) than the NYT and WaPo — find some eager young fresh-out-of journ-school reporters and point them at this stuff. Take a junior reporter to lunch (in a way of which the The General would approve, of course). Even shopper tabloids and high school newspapers can have scoops! And these things sit around for up to a month before they are tossed.

Cozumel @
134

When was the last time Nancy Grace and Rita Cosby covered a story that helped Democrats?

John,

I can’t stand either one of them, BUT, Nancy is a Dem and was against Clinton’s impeachment ; )

Thanks Coz.

ironranger @
131

My son’s girlfriend lives in Apex NC but was not one of the 16,000 that had to evacuate last night from the environment waste dump fires. I am still waiting to hear from her or my son as to what the situation is now. The schools & downtown were closed down. A concern is if winds increase & in what direction they will move the chemical clouds.

Light rain is falling at the Chapel Hill and Raleigh-Durham airports, with variable winds from 3 (Chapel Hill) to 7 (Raleigh-Durham) miles per hour at 11:00 EDT.

HotFlash #147 — oh, don’t for one moment think that I’m not advocating spanking a substantive number of the incumbent Dems.

But the imperative right now is to save the world first, through a Democratic majority. We can begin to put the brakes on Bush at that point.

And then we can spend the next 12 months on identifying, recruiting, training, campaigning for BETTER Dems to run in primaries against the first wave of Dems to be replaced, while holding the complacent Dems’ feet to the fire.

We also need to do a LOT of work within the ranks of the party; I’m still butting heads with the local entrenched folks, who still believe the crap that those complacent incumbents tell them. The local entrenched need to be pushed to the back seats, and it takes years to do — doing it right now, testifying to it.

As for the media coverage – do a little experimental scan here to see what I’m talking about. Go to news.google.com, type in “mark foley (plus symbol here) hastert” and search; scroll down the next 10 or 20 pages and look to see how many of the same story get picked up across numerous outlets. We can Spotlight this, but unless we can get past the editorial staff and the owners who pick them that we are going to continue to have challenges.

One of the most compelling cases we can make to the owners (who are often wingers themselves) is that WE progressives are a larger market than the right-wing they chase, and that we are underserved. Nothing makes them sit up and pay attention than naked, raw cash.

It’s almost as appealing as raw, naked power.

Re the WaPo article, anyone who trusts Warner, McCain or Miz Lindsey to stand against the president after their connivance on the detainee bill needs to be certified. There is no opposition within the Republican party, Rove only wants to make it seem so now and then so that the capitulation to Bush is all the sweeter.

Nice quote.
The moon must’ve been in the constellation Hypocrisy yesterday, because I pulled this one from MSNBC.com:

“Bush, for example, said he’d disregard a requirement that the director of the Federal Emergency Management Agency must have at least five years experience and “demonstrated ability in and knowledge of emergency management and homeland security.”
His rationale was that it “rules out a large portion of those persons best qualified by experience and knowledge to fill the office.””

squiddy @152

(Using Scooby-Doo voice): Whaaa ?

I think the neocons are getting a bit … scrambly.