Hi Redd!

Matt was great!

Hope you are well and happy!

For another viewing option -

David Kuo on C-Span2 from 9-10 a.m. Eastern.

Hi, Christy — amid your family sorrows, we’re holding you close in our hearts as you juggle so many responsibilities right now.

Sending you a cyber cuppa warm white tea and a cranberry scone drizzled with with white frosting.

Lots of noise, leaving a trail of poop behind in their wake, without so much as a by your leave for the disturbance. Somehow…appropriate.

perfect.

The star of the talking heads today was without doubt Matt Stoller this morning on C-Span.

All the rest is empty commentary. Going to work this morning is easy. I know I won’t miss a thing.

You’d think that 2 weeks out from the election they would have upped the excitement factor with good choices, but no, but no.

Ack! caught that double with after I hit submit and now I can’t edit. Sorry for the dissonance.

A good day to turn to the jazz music channel [850 on DirecTV]….

Waccamaw @
2

For another viewing option -

David Kuo on C-Span2 from 9-10 a.m. Eastern.

thanks! listening now… and after that stiglitz… i may have to set the recorder while i go to church (and miss all the poopy geese)

Ham looked and sounded stoooooopid.

Matt was great.

I just wish that Jane, Christy, TRex et al would have the opportunity to “git” in their faces!

Truth rules.

“Eeeee-gads”?

I just saw the Music Man for the first time and this line is still like fingernails on a chalkboard in my ears.

76 Democrats led the big parade
With a 110 thousand bloggers close at hand
They were followed by rows and rows of pissed off Americans, the cream of this great land…

Why would I waste time watching those dolts?

Tom Tomorrow knew what they were going to say years ago…..

http://www.workingforchange.co…..emid=16444

Today’s Frank Rich on Barack:

Obama Is Not a Miracle Elixir

The interminable Iraq fiasco has branded the Democrats as the party of fecklessness. The failure of its leaders to challenge the administration’s blatant propaganda to gin up the war is a failure of historic proportions (as it was for much of the press and liberal punditry). When Tom Daschle, then the Senate leader, presided over the rushed passing of the war resolution before the 2002 midterms, he explained that the “bottom line” was for Democrats “to move on”; they couldn’t wait to campaign on the economy. The party’s subsequent loss of the Senate did not prevent it two years later from nominating a candidate who voted for the war’s funding before he voted against it.

What makes the liberal establishment’s crush on Mr. Obama disconcerting is that it too often sees him as a love child of a pollster’s focus group: a one-man Benetton ad who can be all things to all people. He’s black and he’s white. He’s both of immigrant stock (Kenya) and the American heartland (Kansas, yet). He speaks openly about his faith without disowning evolution. He has both gravitas and unpretentious humor. He was the editor of The Harvard Law Review and also won a Grammy (for the audiobook of his touching memoir, “Dreams From My Father”). He exudes perfection but has owned up to youthful indiscretions with drugs. He is post-boomer and post-civil-rights-movement. He is Bill Clinton without the baggage, a fail-safe 21st-century bridge from “A Place Called Hope” to “The Audacity of Hope.”

Mr. Obama has offended no one (a silly tiff with John McCain excepted). Search right-wing blogs and you’ll find none of the invective showered on other liberal Democrats in general and black liberal leaders in particular. What little criticism Mr. Obama has received is from those in his own camp who find him cautious to a fault, especially on issues that might cause controversy. The sum of all his terrific parts, this theory goes, may be less than the whole: another Democrat who won’t tell you what day it is before calling a consultant, another human weather vane who waits to see which way the wind is blowing before taking a stand.

That has been the Democrats’ fatal malady, but it’s way too early and there’s too little evidence to say Mr. Obama has been infected by it. If he is conciliatory by nature and eager to entertain adversaries’ views in good faith, that’s not necessarily a fault, particularly in these poisonous times. The question is whether Mr. Obama will stick up for core principles when tested and get others to follow him.

That’s why it’s important to remember that on one true test for his party, Iraq, he was consistent from the start. On the long trail to a hotly competitive senatorial primary in Illinois, he repeatedly questioned the rationale for the war before it began, finally to protest it at a large rally in Chicago on the eve of the invasion. He judged Saddam to pose no immediate threat to America and argued for containment over a war he would soon label “dumb” and “political-driven.” He hasn’t changed. In his new book, he gives a specific date (the end of this year) for beginning “a phased withdrawal of U.S. troops” and doesn’t seem to care who calls it “cut and run.”

Contrast this with Hillary Clinton, the presumptive Democratic presidential candidate, who last week said that failed American policy in Iraq should be revisited if there’s no improvement in “maybe 60 to 90 days.” This might qualify as leadership, even at this late date, if only John Warner, the Republican chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee, hadn’t proposed exactly the same time frame for a re-evaluation of the war almost a week before she did.

The Democrats may well win on Election Day this year. But one of their best hopes for long-term viability in the post-Bush era is that Barack Obama steps up and changes the party before the party of terminal timidity and equivocation changes him.

Just finished getting some bread pudding in the oven for breakfast this morning — we had a loaf of french bread that we hadn’t quite gotten to this week and some bananas that were headed south…voila! bread pudding. Dang, I missed Matt this morning — will have to catch it online when they get the segment up. He’s fantastic, and I wish he’d get the opportunity to do more talking head appearances.

Christy – good thoughts and energy being sent your way on this difficult day.

Thanks much, everyone. We’re taking it a bit slow this morning, but will be going to the funeral home later today. Things like this are never easy, are they? SIGH

“President Bush; Sen. John Kerry, D-Mass.; professional bowler Kelly Kulick”

Name two people who clean up dead wood and a Senator.

Much love coming your way Christy.

(((((Hardin Smith family)))))

Yay, weedbirds! (At least, that’s what my old birding group used to call Canada Geese).

One of the few birds that I’ve never really liked, not so much because of the poop (they can’t help that) but the behavior. Canada Geese — at least the male ones — all seem to think they are stereotypical apatosaurs. Small-brained, nasty-tempered and they all think they can stomp anything that gets in their way.

A short story: once I accidentally ran into a nesting pair of them during an Audubon survey. The gander came out of nowhere and bit me on the rump — and reflexively, I whirled around and managed to nip HIM on the back of the neck. He immediately flapped away, hid behind his mate on the nest, and started up hissing at me. The goose gave her mate a look that I swore could have meant, “YOU are supposed to be protecting ME, idiot!”

From that day forward, whenever I came anywhere near that nest, he’d hide behind her and hiss at me s’more. She, being the obvious brains of the outfit, ignored me.

If ever you have a goose getting too big for its britches (and not on a nest), arch your arms out, stare it in the eye and hiss right back at it. To a one, they’ll back down.

Thanks y’all.

Matt Stoller @ 18

Thanks y’all.

Paging John Amato. John Amato, wake your west coast ass up, please.

Well, I mentioned bread pudding, and got three e-mails asking for the recipe. Thought some other folks might liek it as well this morning. It’s perfect comfort food, frankly — and really yummy for breakfast on a cool morning. But this is not something you can eat all the time — reall rich stuff.

BANANA BREAD PUDDING
4 c. stale Italian or French bread
1/4 c. melted butter
3 eggs
1 c. milk
1 c. half and half (fatfree half and half also works)
1/2 c. sugar
2 tsp. vanilla
1/2 tsp. cinnamon
1/4 tsp. freshly ground nutmeg
1/4 tsp. salt
1 c. diced bananas

Lay bread cubes out on clean work surface for one hour to dry out if not already stale. Place in greased casserole dish. Melt butter. Drizzle over cubes and toss to coat. In bowl, beat eggs, milk, sugar, vanilla, cinnamon, nutmeg and salt. Stir in bananas. Mix with bread cubes. Bake, uncovered, at 375 F for 45 to 50 minutes, or until knife inserted in center comes out clean. Makes 6 to 8 servings.

Matt — you rock. :) And aren’t the staff there at C-Span awesome? I just don’t know how people can be so alert and nice and pleasant and ready with coffee that early in the morning. *g*

ArchTeryx at 17 — you know, that works for a lot of species, not just geese. *g* Great story, though…I can picture the mama goose’s withering look. hehehe

Matt Stoller @
18

Thanks y’all.

Nicely done, Matt! Good job.

They are really nice.

Christy Hardin Smith @ 22

ArchTeryx at 17 — you know, that works for a lot of species, not just geese. *g* Great story, though…I can picture the mama goose’s withering look. hehehe

I’m glad I brought a smile to your face during this time of troubles. Besides politics, birds are one of my great passions. They’re endlessly fascinating animals. :>

(And BTW, thank you for the bread pudding recipe. Think we’ll all need some comfort food to get us through to Election Day).

laugh of the day!

Bush: ‘We’ve Never Been Stay The Course’

http://thinkprogress.org/2006/…..he-course/

“Contrast this with Hillary Clinton…who last week said that failed American policy in Iraq should be revisited if there’s no improvement in “maybe 60 to 90 days.” This might qualify as leadership…”

Whatever the Empress (Senator Clinton) decides on Iraq, she (along with others of course) has the blood, thus far, of almost three-thousand American G.I.’s and 600,000 Iraqi’s on her hands. If expediency necessitates, the Senator’s conscience, or lack thereof, will allow her to sweep these dead people and countless maimed under the political rug.

Re talking brain drain on tv:
Zbig. I will suffer through most of the others to hear what this man has to say.

Hey y’all,

Esten is home. The steroids are making him grumpy, but that’s okay! His marrow labs look great. We’ve dodged a lot of bullets, and it’s great being out of the hospital.

Condolences to you, Christy.

tommy yum at 28 — hugs — have been thinking about you guys a lot. Glad to know that you are home again. If you need anything that we can help with, let us know.

I fell in love with Matt Stoller at YKos. He’s very attractive.

(not to detract from the seriousness of his message, of course).

Just watched Barack Obama on MTP. And appreciated the comment containing Frank Rich’s writing above.

I have to admit my interest is piqued. I haven’t really paid attention to Obama beyond the surface media stuff. But I’m thinking that my post election reading list will have to include his new book as well as John Edwards’ book that I believe is coming out in November.

As for the panel of well fed white male Washington insiders of a certain age, all I can say is it would have served much better with a certain ReddHedd to liven up the pedantic droning. Big yawn.

Christy Hardin Smith @ 29

If you need anything that we can help with, let us know.

Yeah, actually I do. I need to have the Dems sweep the midterms.

Don’t want to ask too much, but I’m learning to reach out when I need help. ;)

Sue @ 11

Today’s Frank Rich on Barack:

The Democrats may well win on Election Day this year. But one of their best hopes for long-term viability in the post-Bush era is that Barack Obama steps up and changes the party before the party of terminal timidity and equivocation changes him.

I’m with Frank… other thoughts on Barack as he has the Sunday am floor on MTP?

Prairie at 31 — I love Obama’s rhetorical style sometimes — his speech to the DNC in 2004 was one of the best I have ever heard, both in substance and in delivery, truly top notch. But I want to see more of him living up to that rhetoric in substance and deed, not just in speaking ability. And that takes time. Lately, he’s been listening to a few too many DC consultant types who are telling him to triangulate and head for the middle on everything, including smacking Democrats around to appeal to so-called moderate Republicans. What I want to know is what he thinks in his gut and his heart — and then see him act on it. That goes for anyone else who might be thinking about 2008. They have to earn it with what they do, not how they sell themselves.

I’m sure there’s some good reason to have that bowler on “This Week”, but is Steph’s ‘hook’ to have some regular, heartland, non-political real American (who just happens to apolitically support everything George W Bush advocates) on every week?

Michael Medved on CNN says there are misunderstandings about right-wing radio among non wing-nuts. I don’t think so, Mike. Why do I dislike this individual so?

for tommy yum:

Poll puts Democrats far ahead in Congress Sun Oct 22, 2:21 AM ET

More than half of Americans, 55 percent, would like to see Democrats take control of Congress, according to a poll by Newsweek magazine released on Saturday.

The poll of 1,000 likely voters found that 55 percent would choose a Democrat to represent their district if the vote were held now, and 37 percent said they would vote Republican.

This includes 31 percent of white evangelical Christians, an increase of 6 points among that strongly Republican group over the 2004 elections.

“Similarly, Democrats now lead among white Catholics, a group that went for President George W. Bush in the 2004 presidential election,” Newsweek said in a statement.

The poll, which had a margin of error of 4 percentage points, found that 44 percent of white Catholics planned to vote Democrat and 42 percent planned to vote Republican.

The poll found that 57 percent of those surveyed disapprove of Bush’s job performance and just 35 percent approve. And it found that 67 percent are dissatisfied with the direction in which things are moving in the United States.

While 65 percent of those polled felt the United States was losing ground in Iraq, only 31 percent said the issue was the most important factor behind their vote this year for members of Congress.

Some 18 percent said the economy was most important while 16 percent said healthcare was most important to them.

But 74 percent said a top priority for Congress should be to make changes to allow the government to negotiate directly with pharmaceutical companies to lower drug prices for seniors, and this included 70 percent of Republicans.

And 68 percent of those polled said raising the minimum wage should also be a top priority.

Of those sampled, 282 identified themselves as Republicans, 349 as Democrats and 330 as Independents.
# # #

now it just has to really happen.

Tommy at 32 — I’m working on it. *g*

Barak Obama picked Joe Lieberman as his Senate mentor in 2004.

Lieberman wasn’t quite the atrocity he has since become, but he was sure as hell bad enough that no Democrat should have looked to him for anything more than a ride home.

lina,

We have to take each district by such a margin as to obviate legal challenges. Otherwise, the GOP will hold it up for months, and Broder will be on TV telling us that the Dems need to capitulate for the good of the country.

ArchTeryx 17

for SHAME, LOL!

I always liked geese for their ‘family values’. Love to watch tough old Aunt Tilly bringing up the rear when they cross the road. She will NOT cross till all the youngins are across. And I’d hesitate to cross her in the meantime.

Bet that hissing routine wouldn’t work with swans. I was once part of a gang of ornitho-folk trying to gather up a captive male Trumpeter Swan overdue for a wing-clipping. Our biggest, tallest guy stood his ground when the boid was in full-gallop for the only slim opening in our rapidly-closing circle. By gum, we had the critter cornered alright but, by gum, I never saw a bigger stronger guy upended so fast in my life – legs & arms everywhere. That beastie ran right through him. Then had the gall to stop, fluff up its unclipped feathers, and preen!

‘Nother swan story, my dad’s all time favorite story of all sorts. The day a particularly snooty prez of the ladies’ garden society got chased up the sidewalk & into the meeting-of-the-day by male swan protecting his missus, orrrr, maybe just resenting fancy lady’s fauncy schmauncy hat(?). Said swan & hiz missus were banished to someone else’s pond the very next week. My dad always missed that bird.

Methinks we could use a few more swans in the Dem. party, eh?

Go Blue America!

I think Obama’s justification for not filibustering John Roberts is very sound.

OK at 36 — because he’s a disengenuous, lying, smarmy skeezeball who serves as a mouthpiece for the GOP no matter how wrong their ideas may be for America as a whole? Or because he’s a shill with no real opinions of his own? Or just because he comes across as a complete weasel who will say anything required of him to keep getting asked to meetings in the Oval Office? (Can you tell that I’m not a fan, either?)

As to Obama? With this Democrat, the jury remains deadlocked. Perhaps a new trial is in order for Mr. Obama.

tommy yum @ 40

lina,

We have to take each district by such a margin as to obviate legal challenges. Otherwise, the GOP will hold it up for months, and Broder will be on TV telling us that the Dems need to capitulate for the good of the country.

If they pull that crap this time around with their favorability in the toilet, they will only serve to dig their own graves for 2008.

David Broder needs to retire to …….. wherever people like him retire to.

Matt,

Your coverage of the Lamont/Lieberman race has been terrific! In particular, I believe that it is critical to identify the rhetorical techniques (and flat-out lies) that Lieberman uses to distance himself from his record of Bush administration appeasementnand cheerleading for the Iraq war. You have been very focused on this aspect of the race and for that I applaud you.

Our understanding of Lieberman’s tactics in this regard will help us to take on McCain and other so-called “independent” Republicans in the race for the presidency in 2008.

I believe that one of Lamont’s most critical tasks in the upcoming weeks is to absolutely hammer on the connection between Lieberman and Bush and the War. Bottom line, a vote for Lieberman is a vote for Bush to continue the Iraq War for years to come.

As an FYI squirrels don’t bounce.

I was just in the back, and these two were fighting it out on the the side of a tree. One keep getting tossed from about 15 feet up and he would just make a thud when he landed, and no bounce. Undaunted however, he keep scurrying back up the tree.

After the third thud I just had to go over and break it up.

Nice summation about Obama Christy at 34.

bonzarella @
33

Sue @ 11

Today’s Frank Rich on Barack:

The Democrats may well win on Election Day this year. But one of their best hopes for long-term viability in the post-Bush era is that Barack Obama steps up and changes the party before the party of terminal timidity and equivocation changes him.

I’m with Frank… other thoughts on Barack as he has the Sunday am floor on MTP?

I recommend his earlier book, “Dreams From My Father”. He had a very interesting and unusual early life. The book gives some insight into what motivates him. Compare and contrast with Idiot Boy’s biography.

Incidentally, research on the InterWeb has turned up conclusive proof that GWB is, in fact, software.

http://www.actofme.co.uk/bush_…..riter.html

Matt thanks a lot for all your great work.

Sending out blog love to Christy and Yum family on this fine morning.
Caught the last few moments of Matt working solo with facts on cspan and that poor misguided soul from townhall dot nam who tried to defend the indefensable GOP. Thanks for getting up before the chickens this a.m. Matt. Nice to see a talker who make use of their head!

Christy, Nice recipe for bread puddin’(thank you). Sometimes a dash of Grand Marnier is a nice twist.

Now, it’s time for a couple more logs on the fire with my cuppa east timor java.

Oklahoma kiddo @ 44

As to Obama? With this Democrat, the jury remains deadlocked. Perhaps a new trial is in order for Mr. Obama.

So when folks say that “the jury remains deadlocked” on Obama, is the main problem, as Christy also noted above, that Democrats fear that he’s over-handled and hasn’t been overly outspoken in the Senate yet — except on the all-important issue of the war, which he voted against? I honestly can’t find anything else to worry about with Obama. But I do worry that we may have a potentially great leader in our midst and we’re doing that “shoot ourselves in the foot thing” by worrying that the goopers are going to say he’s overhandled, then making it a self-fufilling prophecy by saying it ourselves. I do not think Obama should be dismissed. But I do know I need another cup of coffee. :)

Christy 43

Gee. Don’t hold back. Tell ‘em what ya REALLY think! LOL

Whoever said it earlier is right.
We need yer precious ReddHedd on those panels more often!

We’re thinking of you and your family today, dear gal.

I caught David Kuo on Bill Maher. I was really impressed by him, so much I may actually try to get my hands on his book.

Jim @ 39

Barak Obama picked Joe Lieberman as his Senate mentor in 2004.

Lieberman wasn’t quite the atrocity he has since become, but he was sure as hell bad enough that no Democrat should have looked to him for anything more than a ride home.

Mark my words – Barak is part of the problem in the Democratic party – this will only become more apparent with time.

All the signs are all there – (i)his rhetorical slaps at a straw-man Democratic party that supposedly doesn’t have the right relationship to religion and is too secular (among many other disingenuous criticisms), (ii) Lieberman is his frickin’ mentor, (iii) Barak has given zero support to Lamont, (iv) David Brooks loves him, (v) Joe Klein loves him, and (vi) he hasn’t taken a courageous stance on anything.

Beware.

Good Morning and Love out to all the FDL family. Tommy, good news. Christy, sincere condolences.

W has his solid 30-something percent. Otherwise, not so much. Buh bye rubber stamp.

Odin had two ravens, Wisdom and Memory. He would set them off every morning to fly the world and report back to him about all that was doing in the world. What say Wisdom and Memory today?

Whole lotta poop to be cleaning up.

I keep thinking there’s a limit to the Bush family’s influence and greed, but apparently there’s a bottomless pit.

From today’s LA Times, an investigative piece that shows how the Bush Family profits from the No Child Left Standing Act.

With investments from his parents, George H.W. and Barbara Bush, and other backers, Neil Bush’s company, Ignite! Learning, has placed its products in 40 U.S. school districts and now plans to market internationally.

“At least 13 U.S. school districts have used federal funds available through the president’s signature education reform, the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001, to buy Ignite’s portable learning centers at $3,800 apiece.[…]

But Ignite does not offer reading instruction, and its math program will not be available until next year. […]

Neil Bush said in an e-mail to The Times that Ignite’s program had demonstrated success in improving the test scores of economically disadvantaged children. He also said political influence had not played a role in Ignite’s rapid growth.

“As our business matures in the USA we have plans to expand overseas and to work with many distinguished individuals in Asia, Europe, the Middle East and Africa,” he wrote. “Not one of these associates by the way has ever asked for any access to either of my political brothers, not one White House tour, not one autographed photo, and not one Lincoln bedroom overnight stay.” […]

Neil Bush said he is a businessman who does not attempt to exert political influence, and he called The Times’ inquiries about his venture — made just before the election — “entirely political.” […]

Boys and girls, can you spell ’shameless’? I knew that you could.

Obama is the best on the stump I’ve heard in my lifetime:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SohLrUXL_5g

By Charles Babington and Dan Balz

Updated: 1:10 a.m. CT Oct 22, 2006
WASHINGTON – Democrats in the past two weeks have significantly improved their chances of taking control of the Senate, according to polls and independent analysts, with the battle now focused intensely on three states in the Midwest and upper South: Missouri, Tennessee and Virginia.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/15366844/

Oh BTW Ms Christy, I Put an extra $5 in the Blue America slot for your birthday and an extra $5 in Porters box for Siun. A little late but Birthdays should last a week anyway.)

Christy,
Love and prayers to you and your family during this time of sorrow.

Just wanted to make sure everyone’s seen the BIZARRE hit job ad the RNC is attempting on Harold Ford Jr. I can’t figure out which part of this ad is most offensive. But I do agree with the guerilla women that my *favorite* part is “The Republican National Committee is responsible for the content of this advertisement.”

http://guerillawomentn.blogspot.com/

Gore/Obama; Clark/Obama; Feingold/Obama?

Ah, election decisions in my home town…

“I ain’t voting for him ’cause of the $100,000 in the freezer,” retorted one of Harris’s customers, a former Jefferson supporter who declined to give his name. “You find $100,000 in your freezer, I ain’t voting for you.”

SoCalDem at 56–interesting they named the thing “COW.” Sounds like a gas bag.

Wasn’t there some story about how Babs intervened to make sure this program was part of a relief effort after Katrina? Maybe in the LAT piece somewhere.

IMHO, the major problem with triangulation is when politicians triangulate to a specific issue and not to the policy that governs the issue.

Democrats and Republicans allowed the Shrub’s lying about Iraq to blind them, so they substituted the Rumsfeld Doctrine (Just enough troops to lose) for the Powell Doctrine for the use of military force.

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

The Powell Doctrine, also known as the Powell Doctrine of Overwhelming Force, was elaborated by General Colin Powell in the run up to the 1990-1991 Gulf War. It is based in large part on the Weinberger Doctrine, devised by Caspar Weinberger, former Secretary of Defense and Powell’s former boss.

The questions posed by the Powell Doctrine, which should be answered affirmatively before military action, are:

* Is a vital national security interest threatened?
* Do we have a clear attainable objective?
* Have the risks and costs been fully and frankly analyzed?
* Have all other non-violent policy means been fully exhausted?
* Is there a plausible exit strategy to avoid endless entanglement?
* Have the consequences of our action been fully considered?
* Is the action supported by the American people?
* Do we have genuine broad international support?

The fifth point of the Doctrine is normally interpreted to mean that the U.S. should not get involved in peacekeeping or nation-building exercises. Powell expanded upon the Doctrine, asserting that when a nation is engaging in war, every resource and tool should be used to achieve overwhelming force against the enemy, minimizing American casualties and ending the conflict quickly by forcing the weaker force to capitulate. This is well in line with Western military strategy dating at least from Carl von Clausewitz’s On War. However, in the context of the Just War theory, the doctrine of overwhelming force may violate the principle of proportionality.

If Democrats had held Bush’s feet to the fire on the Powell Doctrine before we OCCUPIED Iraq, they would have forced him to make statements that could now be exploited.

bonzarella#61, to which my reply would be…Rethug office holders can’t even control the hyperpartisan RNC. How can we trust ‘em anymore to control our security, our basic home and family needs like healthcare and education. Answer: we can’t because they [fill in Corker, Talent, Allen] have already sold out.

Agree totally with your 34, Christy.

And Tommy, bless you and Esten, a big cyberhug and welcome back. We’ve walked in your mocassins on this medical issue and great news that cranky Esten is back home.

Are Mara Liason and the runaway bride related?

Prairie Sunshine @ 65

bonzarella#61, to which my reply would be…Rethug office holders can’t even control the hyperpartisan RNC. How can we trust ‘em anymore to control our security, our basic home and family needs like healthcare and education. Answer: we can’t because they [fill in Corker, Talent, Allen] have already sold out.

Yeah…And I don’t believe for a second that Corker’s not cool with that ad. . . . “Call me!” What bullshit. But it’s great onion-esque comedy.

“But Ignite does not offer reading instruction, and its math program will not be available until next year. […]”

In math there are, as we all know, ‘upper limits’ and ‘lower limits’. The Bush family operators, do business within the realm of the latter. The Bush lack of ethics is exponentially disgusting.

Charlie Cook, 20 is the starting point in the House.
Harwood says 20 and 5.

“still trying to be the President” ~ W speaking to ABCNews

Millineryman at #47 – your place too? Several days ago a wild fight broke out in our line of pine trees and several squirrels kept flying out of the trees at about 10 feet and would scamper back up again. And the birds were all blasting away in the dialect of their species – quite a noise there was.

Either there is not enough food for all, or they have heard about the state of the world.

Hmmm. Yes the list of guest is on the lightweight side, but overall the representation by Democrats is unusually high.

An accident? Or perhaps the newsmakers are sensing that they had really better start treating Democrats as though they are a viable political party? Or?

bunnypants @
26

laugh of the day!

Bush: ‘We’ve Never Been Stay The Course’

http://thinkprogress.org/2006/…..he-course/

It’s President Tommy Flanagan! He’s also married to Morgan Fairchild.

CNN doing a little thing on Obama now.

MMMM….Bread Pudding….Made me salivate to think about it. Had to go make some too. Just put it in the oven. Great idea. Thanks Christy!

Firedoglake…cookingblog!

Galloping Goose @
72

Hmmm. Yes the list of guest is on the lightweight side, but overall the representation by Democrats is unusually high.

An accident? Or perhaps the newsmakers are sensing that they had really better start treating Democrats as though they are a viable political party? Or?

Yeah, this is the most balanced i’ve seen on a sunday in a loooooooooooong time. (Of course, it’s still not completely balanced, but we’ll take what we can get…)

Warner’s withdrawal from Dem race, ceding ground to another Gore bid

October 22, 2006
BY ROBERT NOVAK Sun-Times Columnist
Former Virginia Gov. Mark Warner’s decision to withdraw from consideration for the 2008 presidential nomination has produced speculation at high levels of the Democratic Party that former Vice President Al Gore may run again.
Warner was to challenge front-running Sen. Hillary Clinton from the right, while Gore is on her left. Nevertheless, Gore succeeds Warner as the most likely ”non-Hillary” to battle her for the nomination.

A footnote: Warner’s withdrawal, after nearly two years of pursuing national support, puzzles Democrats. Only a month ago, he was asking prominent members of the party to back him. Even after getting out, he still told friends he believes he could have won the nomination.

Morning all.

Going to watch Obama on MTP, on in a few here on the West coast.

Re: Obama. I have real mixed feelings about him, too. Rich’s take was interesting but I agree more witth Christy at 34. xyz, when he writes “he hasn’t taken a courageous stance on anything. Beware.” sort of nails it for me right now.

My jury is still out, but is not leaning towards acquittal. If we’re going to put our energies behind somebody, I’d like to think they would really stand up for progressive values. Time will tell.

I love bird stories. And squirrel stories.

I was driving home on one of those 5 perfect SoCal days right after a storm. Everything was crystal clear (we often have a hazy quality to the air, not the smog. San Gabrielino Indians called this place the “land of many smokes” for that reason).
Ahead of me were my mountains. A flock of snow geese flying in formation over the mountains uddenly broke formation and lazily swirled and spiraled in an updraft, swooping and soaring for about 5 minutes, white wings glinting in the spring sunlight. It was one of those visuals you cherish forever. Made my spirit soar.

AS do the polls lately, the news about Esten (((Yums))) and reading TRex. Christy, I hate saying goodbye to beloved family but I like funerals. Saying proper goodbyes is important to the living.

I must say I miss all the Sunday TH shows now because of you and driftglass. You two are all the excuse I need to keep on snoozin’.

question gang: Is the Repukelican party spending big dough on races where DIEBOLD voting machines are in use? If not….well, that’s fishy.

A footnote: Warner’s withdrawal, after nearly two years of pursuing national support, puzzles Democrats

Only if they don’t take him at his word. Maybe the man actually has a heart, and that’s why people like Novak do not understand him.

Good Morning Firedogs -

TOMMY YUM !!!!

holding the Marsh family in our family’s heart and prayers

Christy,
am waaay behind in the threads, sounds like your family has suffered the loss of a loved one, am praying now for your family’s comfort and strength

Christy at 34–good encapsulation of the trouble with Obama.

Oscar in Louisville at HEP traditionally does a “Word for the Week”, AKA Sunday morning sermon. This week’s word is more political than some in the past.

As we approach election day I am reminded of the fact that one thing that I absolutely cannot stand is mealy-mouthed politicians trying to play both sides against the middle, cowards who lack the courage of their convictions. This was my biggest problem with the junior senator from Massachusetts, the whole “I voted against it before I voted for it” thing. Triangulation was a useful tactic for Bill Clinton in many regards because he genuinely was a middle-of-the-road politician, he genuinely held positions that could appeal to both the Left and the Right, but it is at best disingenuous for a pure progressive to try to portray themselves as a middle-of-the-road moderate or for a conscientious conservative to try to say that they are a mainstream moderate. In both instances the politician should state what they believe forthrightly and stand up for it if they truly believe it.

http://howardempowered.blogspot.com

angie @
8

Ham looked and sounded stoooooopid.

Matt was great.

I just wish that Jane, Christy, TRex et al would have the opportunity to “git” in their faces!

Truth rules.

Matt did look good. It was interesting to see Rebublicans (Ham) on the defensive and having to resort to the “‘cmon, that’s just over the top” rather than engaging the point.

Morris Sheppard at 81: Novak is a belly and a huge pair of slippery lips, nothing else.

Report just in from a friend of mine. Nixa, MO near Springfield the well described buckle of the Bible belt arguably an integral area in the Talent/ McCaskill race. Gasoline is now $1.63.

tommy yum @
32

Christy Hardin Smith @ 29

If you need anything that we can help with, let us know.

Yeah, actually I do. I need to have the Dems sweep the midterms.

Don’t want to ask too much, but I’m learning to reach out when I need help. ;)

OK, then today’s phone banking is just for you.

Drive By –

TOMMY!
Such glad tidings. I have been very worried about you and yours for the past weeks.

As others have said DO NOT HESITATE to ask for whatever you need.

Hug the little grumpy fellow for me, won’t you?

Imm.

bunnypants @
26

laugh of the day!

Bush: ‘We’ve Never Been Stay The Course’

http://thinkprogress.org/2006/…..he-course/

This is lesson for those who would reduce the debate down to three & four word soundbites. Hoist by his own petard, so to speak.

Looking at Obama now talking with Russert on MTP. Obama promotes a “phased withdrawal” from Iraq. I cannot but AGREE with Senator Obama on this MOST crucial matter. Naturally the concern is with the exact meaning of “phased”. There might be more potential to the Senator than he is allowing us to see. For this Demo, though, on Obama,the jury remains in deliberation.

bonzarella @
61

Just wanted to make sure everyone’s seen the BIZARRE hit job ad the RNC is attempting on Harold Ford Jr. I can’t figure out which part of this ad is most offensive. But I do agree with the guerilla women that my *favorite* part is “The Republican National Committee is responsible for the content of this advertisement.”

http://guerillawomentn.blogspot.com/

I saw that. Remember the Harry and Louise ads? I’m of the opinion someone should have hunted down those actors and asked them about themselves: you seriously don’t want national healthcare? are you insured? Same with the Ford ad. Ask the bimbo what she does for a living or the porno-jock if he has a wife and family.

Then ask, who put those words in your mouth.

tommy yum – if you’re still reading, am so glad to hear you have Esten home, and that things are looking good. Will continue to keep all of you in my prayers and we’ll see what we can do about those mid-terms…*g*

Mary@work, is that you, Mary? Did you get the Waxman email I forwarded?

Mark my words – Barak is part of the problem in the Democratic party – this will only become more apparent with time.

couldn’t agree more. I think he’s a smart, good guy, but he’s triangulationazitis and he’s got it bad, complicated by LieberSyndrome. Maybe Dr Gore can conduct some radical theraby.

Some great YouTube video over at kos…
“I’m a Democrat”

tommy yum @ 32

Christy Hardin Smith @ 29

If you need anything that we can help with, let us know.

Yeah, actually I do. I need to have the Dems sweep the midterms.

Now that’s something I can do, Tommy – I’m on my way out to canvas in the rain. Thanks for the update – encouraging news. We’re all pulling for Esten.

Specter on CNN w/Blitzer -

Somebody must have stuck a truth serum needle in his butt:
“Is Iraq in a civil war?” “Yes.”

Two things Sen. Obama says to Russert, that this voter finds bothersome. Mr. Obama states he did not (as we know) support a filibuster against John Roberts for the Supreme Court. And Mr. Obama says he finds President Bush to be a “decent man”. I do not find Bush to be in any way “decent”.

bg @ 64

SoCalDem at 56–interesting they named the thing “COW.” Sounds like a gas bag.

Wasn’t there some story about how Babs intervened to make sure this program was part of a relief effort after Katrina? Maybe in the LAT piece somewhere.

Barbara Bush has enthusiastically supported Ignite. In January 2004, she and Neil Bush were guests of honor at a $1,000-atable fundraiser in Oklahoma City organized by a foundation supporting the Western Heights School District. Proceeds were earmarked for the purchase of Ignite products.

This is the only specific reference to Babs.

wow, just dawned on my fuzzy brain that there may be a connection w/ Warner dropping out and Obama dropping in. . . nah, guess he’s had the book in the works for a while

although – the junior Senator from NY has been so focused on holding ‘the center’, forcing guys like Warner and Bayh to look right, maybe she shoulda been looking a little left – yuh ah ah!

btw, trying to wake up so as to put together a coherent, succinct dispatch from my day of GOTV here in God’s country – think flash cards and mug shots

Bush is one of the most indecent human beings I can think of. And Obama calling him that seems like more of that “playing politics” that really rubs me the wrong way.

GrandmaJ @ 71

Millineryman at #47 – your place too? Several days ago a wild fight broke out in our line of pine trees and several squirrels kept flying out of the trees at about 10 feet and would scamper back up again. And the birds were all blasting away in the dialect of their species – quite a noise there was.

Either there is not enough food for all, or they have heard about the state of the world.

It was quite a site, I’ve never seen them fight like this. I have to say, I was amazed that this squirrels wasn’t fazed by these falls. I’m sure they have their own poltical dynamics to deal with. Perhaps they’ve had enough also.

South Orange County Democrat @ 100

bg @ 64

SoCalDem at 56–interesting they named the thing “COW.” Sounds like a gas bag.

Wasn’t there some story about how Babs intervened to make sure this program was part of a relief effort after Katrina? Maybe in the LAT piece somewhere.

Barbara Bush has enthusiastically supported Ignite. In January 2004, she and Neil Bush were guests of honor at a $1,000-atable fundraiser in Oklahoma City organized by a foundation supporting the Western Heights School District. Proceeds were earmarked for the purchase of Ignite products.

This is the only specific reference to Babs.

The only Bush family member I find more distasteful than the President, is his mother.

Prayers are with you today Christy, and you too Tommy.

egregious @
16

Much love coming your way Christy.

(((((Hardin Smith family)))))

From all of us.

Morris Sheppard at 79

Re: Obama. I have real mixed feelings about him, too. Rich’s take was interesting but I agree more witth Christy at 34. xyz, when he writes “he hasn’t taken a courageous stance on anything. Beware.” sort of nails it for me right now.

Obama, the Great White Hope. He’s had too many people, as my father used to say, blowing smoke up his ass.

What’s that quote where when you look at the Senate you see 50 people planning their Presidential run? Gaak. Beware is right.

OKKiddo sed: The only Bush family member I find more distasteful than the President, is his mother.

Don’t I remember that dear Babs gave money to the Katrina fund, with the proviso that the money be spent buying Neil’s software for the schools? Not on relief, but on her scum-sucking son, the one whose wife started spilling the beans about his Asian hookers and much much more disgusting behavior on his part, so disgusting she divored him over it and then she STFU when they threatened her? Dear Babs, what a gal. Raised such fine children.

Ever hear the rumor that Alastair Crowley is secretly her father?

Wow, that Harold Ford ad is repulsive. Looks like sleaze master Rove is planning on cranking up the vitriol even higher as the stakes get higher.

The nerve of that black man Ford to cavort with white women…..

I think that Rove is making the party even more toxic and more hated….

Heckuva job Karl.

-GSD

The only Bush family member I find more distasteful than the President, is his mother.

Nikki Giovanni recently referred to Ken Blackwell as as “son of a bitch” in a poem she read about Cincinnati. I have been tempted to call him that, but then I tell myself, “That’s unfair. I don’t know enough about the elder Mrs. Blackwell to make that call.”

I have no problem using that epithet against Bush. It fits.

on Obama – I saw a piece on CNN and they asked Maxine Waters and Joe Lowery about supporting him … both said he’s promising, interesting,etc but both said they would not consider support until we get a lot closer to 08 – Maxine said something about “you know how politicians are – we know more about the stuff behind the scenes” (paraphrasing broadly but close to the message). The anchor said “that was interesting, we’d expect them to endorse him now (ed. note – why? blacks must automatically endorse blacks?) but instead black leaders say they would like to see him take on an issue and lead and he hasn’t done that yet”

Mommybrain @ 108

OKKiddo sed: The only Bush family member I find more distasteful than the President, is his mother.

Don’t I remember that dear Babs gave money to the Katrina fund, with the proviso that the money be spent buying Neil’s software for the schools? Not on relief, but on her scum-sucking son, the one whose wife started spilling the beans about his Asian hookers and much much more disgusting behavior on his part, so disgusting she divored him over it and then she STFU when they threatened her? Dear Babs, what a gal. Raised such fine children.

Ever hear the rumor that Alastair Crowley is secretly her father?

Alistair is a piker, these Bush cretins come from the original demon seed.

-GSD

“The outcome of their philosophy was to create democracy at the point of a bayonet.” Alexander Haig on CNN Wolfie Show re: the neocon strategy in Iraq.

Haig also saying the neocons have hijacked the Republican party…and they’re a bunch of ex-Dems.

If so, I’ll stress the EX-…we didn’t want ‘em, Rethugs embraced ‘em.

Oklahoma kiddo @ 104

South Orange County Democrat @ 100

bg @ 64

SoCalDem at 56–interesting they named the thing “COW.” Sounds like a gas bag.

Wasn’t there some story about how Babs intervened to make sure this program was part of a relief effort after Katrina? Maybe in the LAT piece somewhere.

Barbara Bush has enthusiastically supported Ignite. In January 2004, she and Neil Bush were guests of honor at a $1,000-atable fundraiser in Oklahoma City organized by a foundation supporting the Western Heights School District. Proceeds were earmarked for the purchase of Ignite products.

This is the only specific reference to Babs.

The only Bush family member I find more distasteful than the President, is his mother.

That’s because you don’t live in a state where Jeb is the governor. :>)

Tommy Yum – thank you for sending us the good news that Estan is home … hugs to the family!

and Christy – love to you and yours today

Mommybrain @ 108

OKKiddo sed: The only Bush family member I find more distasteful than the President, is his mother.

Don’t I remember that dear Babs gave money to the Katrina fund, with the proviso that the money be spent buying Neil’s software for the schools? Not on relief, but on her scum-sucking son, the one whose wife started spilling the beans about his Asian hookers and much much more disgusting behavior on his part, so disgusting she divored him over it and then she STFU when they threatened her? Dear Babs, what a gal. Raised such fine children.

Ever hear the rumor that Alastair Crowley is secretly her father?

“Ever hear…?” Actually, not until the other night. There was a show on tv on this very subject. Bizarre.

Morris Sheppard @ 82

A footnote: Warner’s withdrawal, after nearly two years of pursuing national support, puzzles Democrats

Only if they don’t take him at his word. Maybe the man actually has a heart, and that’s why people like Novak do not understand him.

I talked to a friend this week who’s a (low-level) insider in the Warner camp. She says his reasons really were what he said they were. And while she’s loyal enough that she wouldn’t have gossiped to us about specifics if that wasn’t the case, she wouldn’t have said that if she didn’t believe it was true.

One of the big topics for talking heads today should be the NYT lead front page article — bush discussing “timetables” for Iraq. but not connected to US withdrawal.

US to hand Iraq new timetable on security role

Haig upset with neocons? talk about pot calling …

Christy and Tommy — our hearts are with you.

BarbaraB @ 114

Oklahoma kiddo @ 104

South Orange County Democrat @ 100

bg @ 64

SoCalDem at 56–interesting they named the thing “COW.” Sounds like a gas bag.

Wasn’t there some story about how Babs intervened to make sure this program was part of a relief effort after Katrina? Maybe in the LAT piece somewhere.

Barbara Bush has enthusiastically supported Ignite. In January 2004, she and Neil Bush were guests of honor at a $1,000-atable fundraiser in Oklahoma City organized by a foundation supporting the Western Heights School District. Proceeds were earmarked for the purchase of Ignite products.

This is the only specific reference to Babs.

The only Bush family member I find more distasteful than the President, is his mother.

That’s because you don’t live in a state where Jeb is the governor. :>)

I spent 14 years in Gainesville under two great Gov’s., Rubin Askew and Bob Graham etc., Thank God I got out before Jeb got in.

Obama has a nice voice and demeanor, he presents his Lieber/Hillary/Obama well tempered triangulatin’ self while avoiding controversy or substance.
Bush decent? Alito OK? Phased withdrawl? He must read old issues of time magazine at his doctors office.

lmao@

cbl- think flash cards and mug shots

scarecrow @ 118

One of the big topics for talking heads today should be the NYT lead front page article — bush discussing “timetables” for Iraq. but not connected to US withdrawal.

US to hand Iraq new timetable on security role

If the GOP tries to “pivot” on this before the election, the Dems better damn well be ready to remind everyone that the only reason Bush did anything but stubbornly staying on his reckless “course” was the threat of losing an election, and if they don’t elect a Democratic majority, he’ll take the “accountability moment” as license to go back to doing what he damn well pleases.

Adie @
41

ArchTeryx 17

for SHAME, LOL!

I always liked geese for their ‘family values’. Love to watch tough old Aunt Tilly bringing up the rear when they cross the road. She will NOT cross till all the youngins are across. And I’d hesitate to cross her in the meantime.

Bet that hissing routine wouldn’t work with swans. I was once part of a gang of ornitho-folk trying to gather up a captive male Trumpeter Swan overdue for a wing-clipping. Our biggest, tallest guy stood his ground when the boid was in full-gallop for the only slim opening in our rapidly-closing circle. By gum, we had the critter cornered alright but, by gum, I never saw a bigger stronger guy upended so fast in my life – legs & arms everywhere. That beastie ran right through him. Then had the gall to stop, fluff up its unclipped feathers, and preen!

Go Blue America!

I wouldn’t try to fluff and hiss at a Trumpeter Swan!! But then, the few of them I knew in person were preternaturally calm creatures. Unlike the geese, they only got huffy if you seriously disturbed their nest.

If you’ve ever read the E.B. White novel Trumpet of the Swan, he seems to do a great job of capturing the attitude perfectly. When the young protagonists happens on a wild swan nest, he sits a respectful distance away and quietly watches. The cob blusters about wanting to launch an all out attack, but the pen (female) tells him to cool his jets and wait to see his intentions (which, of course, were good).

He had them dead right. Whenever I worked near swan or goose nests, I always watch the female. The males will bluff and bluster, but if the female on the nest started hissing or acting aggressive, I backed off immediately, becuase then I KNEW I was too close.

Heh – first time I’ve ever been moderated. I guess I shouldn’t be surprised that using “d*mn” more than once would trigger it.

Christy, I’ve been away from here so without knowing what you are having to deal with today – I want to wish you the best and tell you how much I appreciate you and Jane and your gang here at the Lake.

I agree that this morning’s line-up is underwhelming to say the least – for George S’s guests pfc pretty well hit it about dead wood and a senator. I was disappointed with Barrack’s performance. That he can sit there, while Dick is in the office of Vice runnning the Constitution through shredders, and discuss how much he “likes George Bush personally” leaves me unimpressed.

The panel was entertaining only to see the studio lights reflect off of the slime covering Novak and study how many different ways David Broder could say absolutely nothing. Charlie Cook had a slight bit to contribute, I guess he is a “professional political analyst” with a newsletter and all, you’d think he would have something of value to contribute.

I’ll watch George in a bit here, though I don’t expect much – I imagine it will be the interview we saw clips from last week. The one where George admits that Iraq might be comparable to the war he used every bit of influence he could muster to avoid. Tje line up reads like a tired re run of the stolen 2004 election – Kerry should have raised a stink over Ohio then, he’s a dead man walking as far as I’m concerned.

Oh well, maybe George Will will have some pungent observation about the World Series. Too bad there aren’t any actual….you know…important issues facing us just over two weeks from election day. Hell, Timmeh’s panel wouldn’t even concede that this upcoming election was on any importance – no wonder you guys down there elect crap, nobody pays attention, no body cares – how’s that guy doing on Survivor, eh?

Siun @ 119

Haig upset with neocons? talk about pot calling …

Usually I avoid being course. But in this case, I have to say, Haig is a schmuck. Why in the world does anyone think of Haig and Kissinger as being in possession of a single shred of credibility?

Mommybrain @
94

Mary@work, is that you, Mary? Did you get the Waxman email I forwarded?

different Mary, but I’m sure it was a great emaill.

Prairie Sunshine @ 113

“The outcome of their philosophy was to create democracy at the point of a bayonet.” Alexander Haig on CNN Wolfie Show re: the neocon strategy in Iraq.

Haig also saying the neocons have hijacked the Republican party…and they’re a bunch of ex-Dems.

If so, I’ll stress the EX-…we didn’t want ‘em, Rethugs embraced ‘em.

Hmmm would be nice if Wolfie would ask him to name a few. All I can think of in recent news Kissinger, Baker, Haig. Where’s the Dem?

OKKiddo, no kidding, there was a show about it? When? what channel?

I first saw a link to a blog that showed side-by-side photos, OMG. The resemblance in uncanny. Now I can’t find it. It might have been one whose name I can’t quite recall – Rational Intuition? something with intuition in the name.

Too bad journo’s can’t figure out that their job description includes asking the tough questions. Bush wants to compare Iraq now to the Tet, well frickin ask him specifically what those comparisons are. He wouldn’t have a clue.

Obama>Hilary, but that’s as far as I’ll go. He needs to prove his progressive credentials and soon if he is really thinking about 08. Give me Gore and/or Feingold.

Christy and Tommy Yum/Esten you are in our thoughts.

bonzarella @
61

Just wanted to make sure everyone’s seen the BIZARRE hit job ad the RNC is attempting on Harold Ford Jr. I can’t figure out which part of this ad is most offensive. But I do agree with the guerilla women that my *favorite* part is “The Republican National Committee is responsible for the content of this advertisement.”

http://guerillawomentn.blogspot.com/

this piece of crap sets a new low. it’s truly nasty. the RNC has put out a porn movie with their name on it. disgusting!

HAD ENOUGH, TENNESSEE?

Christy Hardin Smith @
34

Prairie at 31 — I love Obama’s rhetorical style sometimes — his speech to the DNC in 2004 was one of the best I have ever heard, both in substance and in delivery, truly top notch. But I want to see more of him living up to that rhetoric in substance and deed, not just in speaking ability. And that takes time. Lately, he’s been listening to a few too many DC consultant types who are telling him to triangulate and head for the middle on everything, including smacking Democrats around to appeal to so-called moderate Republicans. What I want to know is what he thinks in his gut and his heart — and then see him act on it. That goes for anyone else who might be thinking about 2008. They have to earn it with what they do, not how they sell themselves.

Obama — get thee to Connecticut. That’s how you earn it.

Redshift @ 123

scarecrow @ 118

One of the big topics for talking heads today should be the NYT lead front page article — bush discussing “timetables” for Iraq. but not connected to US withdrawal.

US to hand Iraq new timetable on security role

If the GOP tries to “pivot” on this before the election, the Dems better damn well be ready to remind everyone that the only reason Bush did anything but stubbornly staying on his reckless “course” was the threat of losing an election, and if they don’t elect a Democratic majority, he’ll take the “accountability moment” as license to go back to doing what he damn well pleases.

I think that’s what Bush is doing anyway. The talk of “timetables” is phony. I discuss this on a kos diary. Bush’s phony [midterm elections] timetables

Jim @ 39

Barak Obama picked Joe Lieberman as his Senate mentor in 2004.

Lieberman wasn’t quite the atrocity he has since become, but he was sure as hell bad enough that no Democrat should have looked to him for anything more than a ride home.

Barrack being a fairly young guy and all, should put on a second pair of pants before he gets in a car with such an old white RePuglican like Joe, if you know what I mean!

Eureka Springs, AR @ 129

Prairie Sunshine @ 113

“The outcome of their philosophy was to create democracy at the point of a bayonet.” Alexander Haig on CNN Wolfie Show re: the neocon strategy in Iraq.

Haig also saying the neocons have hijacked the Republican party…and they’re a bunch of ex-Dems.

If so, I’ll stress the EX-…we didn’t want ‘em, Rethugs embraced ‘em.

Hmmm would be nice if Wolfie would ask him to name a few. All I can think of in recent news Kissinger, Baker, Haig. Where’s the Dem?

I just thumbed through my copy of “America Alone-The Neo-Conservatives & the Global Order”" by Halper & Clarke. I don’t see any Dems. Is this an attempt at starting a new meme? “The Neo-Cons are Dems! Led by Clinton!”

Yeah, that’s it. Paging Mr. Limbaugh!

tommy yum @
28

Hey y’all,

Esten is home. The steroids are making him grumpy, but that’s okay! His marrow labs look great. We’ve dodged a lot of bullets, and it’s great being out of the hospital.

tommy — Yeah, kids hate hospitals; coming home is great medicine. Glad things are going better for the little guy. Besh wishes to all.

Obama helping Lamont–yes, that would be a start.

Time to take Daughter in Ohio to choir practice.

I recommend checking out the trailer to Shut Up and Sing to anyone who hasn’t done so yet

http://myspace.com/shutupandsing

@
128

Mommybrain @
94

Mary@work, is that you, Mary? Did you get the Waxman email I forwarded?

different Mary, but I’m sure it was a great emaill.

(In my best Emily Letilla voice)
Never mind.

Eureka! Thank you so much for the present! It warms my heart – and next AR trip for me, I’ll see if I can slip in some non-work time …it would be grand to get together with you and Dr B.

OK Kiddo – Haig was one of our key targets when I worked with CT based antinuclear groups …and he’s the ultimate war profiteer -running UTC then Sec of State – we used to chant “UTC makes the weapons, Haig makes the wars!”

Obama is the last person the Dems need to crown king at this point. A Lieberman in the making.

John Casper –

If Democrats had held Bush’s feet to the fire on the Powell Doctrine before we OCCUPIED Iraq, they would have forced him to make statements that could now be exploited.

A corollary to the Powell doctrine:

Today’s NYT front page lead article US to Hand Iraqi a Timetable on Security describes discussions underway within the Bush Administration and with the Iraqi government regarding a set of “timetables” for the Iraqi government to meet in coming months. Will we finally get an intelligent and realistic plan for getting out of Iraq? Don’t count on it.

There are many reasons to be skeptical, but the most compelling is the corollary to Colin Powell’s warning that “if you break it, you own it.” This “quagmire corollary” is simple and compelling:

Not only do you own it if you break it, but as an invading and occupying power distrusted (or hated) by the local, radicalized and well-armed populations, you can’t fix it either. And the more US power and coercion you use in trying to fix it, the more things you’ll break that you can’t fix.

Mommybrain @ 130

OKKiddo, no kidding, there was a show about it? When? what channel?

I first saw a link to a blog that showed side-by-side photos, OMG. The resemblance in uncanny. Now I can’t find it. It might have been one whose name I can’t quite recall – Rational Intuition? something with intuition in the name.

“Barbara Bush fathered by Alistair Crowley?”

http://www.rumormillnews.com/c…..read=90094

I don’t recall which tv show had this Bush/Crowley thing on. It was like a five or 10 minute blurb on another show. The show was like a week or so ago. Sorry.

The new Bush timetable approach makes me nuts … the tone of “why don’t the Iraqis get it together?” completely misses the fact that we have devastated their country, trained death squads, caused the deaths of up to 900,000 etc

now we’ll blame them for not shaping up and doing what we want

for shame

When George S Asked George Doofus W if he thought al Quaeda (or whoever the enemy is) was trying to influence the election George actually spoke truth for four words in a row:

Bush: “I don’t have intelligence…..”

Where’s Ripley’s when you have a submission?

Siun @ 143

The new Bush timetable approach makes me nuts … the tone of “why don’t the Iraqis get it together?” completely misses the fact that we have devastated their country, trained death squads, caused the deaths of up to 900,000 etc

now we’ll blame them for not shaping up and doing what we want

for shame

Yes. they’re nothing if not consistent on that one. the Cheney Administration has the same stance with the Palestinians…..

Siun @ 144

The new Bush timetable approach makes me nuts … the tone of “why don’t the Iraqis get it together?” completely misses the fact that we have devastated their country, trained death squads, caused the deaths of up to 900,000 etc

now we’ll blame them for not shaping up and doing what we want

for shame

Yep, drives me nuts too: they don’t get the irony of having the Bush regime, the most incompetent, corrupt and delusional of our times, telling the Iraqis that they need to meet out standards for competence, honesty and realism.

As the NYT lead editorial today put it:

It is not necessarily a bad thing when a politician takes stock of his positions in the teeth of an election. Our elected leaders are expected to heed the will of the American people. And this page has been part of a chorus of pleas for Mr. Bush to come up with a more realistic approach to Iraq.

But the way this sudden change of heart has come about, after months in which Mr. Bush has brushed off all criticism of his policies as either misguided, politically motivated or downright disloyal to America, is maddening. For far too long, the White House has looked upon the war as a tactical puzzle for campaign strategists. The early notion of combining Iraq and the war on terror as an argument for re-electing Republicans robbed the nation of any serious chance for a bipartisan discussion of these life-and-death issues. More recently, the administration seems to have been working under the assumption that its only obligations were to hang on, talk tough and pass the problem on to the next president.

Sorry, but I think it’s behind the wall: Blowing in the wind

New Thread upstairs.

theExile @ 144

When George S Asked George Doofus W if he thought al Quaeda (or whoever the enemy is) was trying to influence the election George actually spoke truth for four words in a row:

Bush: “I don’t have intelligence…..”

Where’s Ripley’s when you have a submission?

George S.: Well, President Fuckwad, you never let that stop you
before. Why now?

tommy yum @ 28

Hey y’all,

Esten is home. The steroids are making him grumpy, but that’s okay! His marrow labs look great. We’ve dodged a lot of bullets, and it’s great being out of the hospital.

Great news! Here’s some positive thoughts to keep those good labs coming!

Siun – My pleasure.)

The timetable strikes me as another package of lies or a delay of end game at best.

Eureka Springs, AR @ 151

The timetable strikes me as another package of lies or a delay of end game at best.

It’s an egregious attempt to pass blame to Iraq’s “elected” government for Bushco’s quagmire. The Iraqi government will fail, of course; it has zero chance of succeeding, and that’s the point. It just lets Bushco blame the brown people for the mess Bushco created.

Christy-

I’m so sorry for your loss. You and your extended family are in my thoughts today.

Tommy-

I’m glad to hear that Esten is home, and that the first big step is now behind him.

Oklahoma kiddo @ 78

Warner’s withdrawal from Dem race, ceding ground to another Gore bid

October 22, 2006
BY ROBERT NOVAK Sun-Times Columnist
Former Virginia Gov. Mark Warner’s decision to withdraw from consideration for the 2008 presidential nomination has produced speculation at high levels of the Democratic Party that former Vice President Al Gore may run again.
Warner was to challenge front-running Sen. Hillary Clinton from the right, while Gore is on her left. Nevertheless, Gore succeeds Warner as the most likely ”non-Hillary” to battle her for the nomination.

A footnote: Warner’s withdrawal, after nearly two years of pursuing national support, puzzles Democrats. Only a month ago, he was asking prominent members of the party to back him. Even after getting out, he still told friends he believes he could have won the nomination.

I don’t understand it either. When I last spoke with him he was RUNNING. Something interesting has changed his mind.

Yawn. Glad I didn’t get up early for these shows. It’s sad when a professional bowler is the only novelty.

Obama is a Trojan Horse.

The fact that Oprah worships him is all I need to know.

Meanwhile. . .

Happy Halloween