Hey Jane,

What more to say, Bush is a weenie, Olberman is a national treasure.

In re: last post, yup, the General is pretty great.

And the NYTimes is full of wankers.

Who among us has not flung boogers? Who could have anticipated that boogers would be flung? And I didn’t get a harrumph out of that guy!

IMMEDIATE ATTENTION NEEDED: HIGHLY CONFIDENTIAL

FROM: GEORGE WALKER BUSH

Dear Sir/Madam,

I am George Walker Bush, son of the former President of the
United States of America George Herbert Bush, and currently
serving as President of the United States of America. This
letter might surprise you because we have not met neither in
person nor by correspondence. I came to know of you in my
search for a reliable and reputable person to handle a very
confidential business transaction, which involves the
transfer of a huge sum of money to an account requiring
maximum confidence.

I am writing you in absolute confidence primarily to seek
your assistance in acquiring oil funds that are presently
trapped in the Republic of Iraq. My partners and I solicit
your assistance in completing a transaction begun by my
father, who has long been actively engaged in the extraction
of petroleum in the United States of America, and bravely
served his country as director of the United States Central
Intelligence Agency.

In the decade of the nineteen-eighties, my father, then
Vice-President of the United States of America, sought to
work with the good offices of the President of the Republic
of Iraq to regain lost oil revenue sources in the
neighbouring Islamic Republic of Iran. This unsuccessful
venture was soon followed by a falling out with his Iraqi
partner, who sought to acquire additional oil revenue
sources in the neighbouring Emirate of Kuwait, a
wholly-owner US-British subsidiary.

My father re-seecured the petroleum assets of Kuwait in 1991
at a cost of sixty-one billion US dollars ($61,000,000,000).
Out of that cost, thirty-six billion dollars
($36,000,000,000) were supplied by his partners in the
Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and other Persian Gulf monarchies,
and sixteen billio dollars ($16,000,000,000) by German and
Japanese partners. But my father’s former Iraqi business
partner remained in control of the Republic of Iraq and its
petroleum reserves.

My family is calling for your urgent assistance in funding
the removal of the President of the Republic of Iraq and
acquiring the petroleum assets of his country, as
compensation for removing him from power. Unfortunately,
our partners from 1991 are not willing to shoulder the
burden of this new venture, which in its upcoming phase may
cost the sum of one hundred billion to two hundred billion
dollars ($100,000,000,000 - $200,000,000,000), both in the
initial acquisition and long-term management.

Without the funds from our 1991 partners, we would not be
able to acquire the oil revenue trapped within Iraq. That
is why my family and our colleagues are urgently seeking
your gracious assistance. Our distinguished colleagues in
this business transaction include the sitting Vice-President
of the United States of America, Richard Cheney, who is an
original partner in the Iraq venture and former head of the
Halliburton oil company, and Condoleeza Rice, whose
professional dedication to the venture was demonstrated in
the naming of a Chevron oil tanker after her.

I would beseech you to transfer a sum equalling ten to
twenty-five percent (10-25 %) of your yearly income to our
account to aid in this important venture. The Internal
Revenue Service of the United States of America will
function as our trusted intermediary. I propose that you
make this transfer before the fifteenth (15th) of the month
of April.

I know that a transaction of this magnitude would make
anyone apprehensive and worried. But I am assuring you that
all will be well at the end of the day. A bold step taken
shall not be regretted, I assure you. Please do be informed
that this business transaction is 100% legal. If you do not
wish to co-operate n this transaction, please contact our
intermediary representatives to further discuss the matter.

I pray that you understand our plight. My family and our
colleagues will be forever grateful. Please reply in strict
confidence to te contact numbers below.

Sincerely with warm regards,

GEORGE WALKER BUSH

Who among us hasn’t clapped our hands while balanced atop a beach ball awaiting those boogers to be flung?

as well its sattelite affiliate
WordPress issue.

Psst…

pragmatists who did’t ; )

[Mod Note; Thanks, Coz.]

Coming up in the NYT: “The inside story of how we could compile a database of Lieberman quotes to make our article sound authoritative, but couldn’t figure out how to use it before making assertions like ‘Never, in the statements reviewed, did Mr. Lieberman utter the words “stay the course.”’”

anyone know what happened to the story early last week about the 300 or so military personnel petitioning for a withdrawal from Iraq? They had a site up where personnel could sign on, and it looked like the number was growing by the hour….and then the story vanished….

This is my favorite sentence in Ms. Medina’s “correction” in the NYTimes. It demonstrates her mastery of the passive voice as well as ruthless dedication to the New Oughties Journanimalizm, in which articles themselves do the analysis.

The article used a database to analyze hundreds of Mr. Lieberman’s war-related comments since 2001.

I certainly hope the article’s editors have a harsh word or two with it for using a database incorrectly in its analysis. Luckily for Ms. Medina, the misbehavior of the article itself means she can continue her stenography on behalf of [dangerstein].

Evidently the orders went out through the Republican party (as well its satellite affiliate, the Lieberman4Lieberman party) that history could be re-written by simply denying that the term “stay the course” had ever been used.

This just confirms that these people think they can make their own reality.

I have had enough of them flinging boogers, poo and cocktail weenies!

Eleven days from now it’s going to be Emperor George Tornapart Bush. Lamont will win and so will Webb. And others. Lieberman and Allen are almost footnotes.

This, however, is my favorite paragraph in the NYTimes correction:

It is unclear why, when the database was checked for the phrase before publication, three times, it did not come up. A similar search on Tuesday, after readers complained, yielded the correct results.

Unclear to whom, Jennifer? Certainly not to readers.

OMG, that’s HILARIOUS!

Look at the statement at the end of the original article where it mentions the correction. Here’s the quote:

“An article yesterday about shifts in statements on the Iraq war by Senator Joseph I. Lieberman, the Connecticut Democrat, referred incorrectly to his use of the phrase “stay the course,” a favorite of the Bush administration until recently. Mr. Lieberman has indeed used the phrase; in the hundreds of statements reviewed, it appears at least half a dozen times.”

In other words, the NY Times is saying: “Okay, Lieberman said “stay the course”, but he only said it six times out of the hundreds of documents we looked at! Given the small percentage of times he said it, it is therefore okay that our original article suggested he never said it! Those who criticized us for important factual errors are nitpickers.”

TeddySanFran @ 13

This, however, is my favorite paragraph in the NYTimes correction:

It is unclear why, when the database was checked for the phrase before publication, three times, it did not come up. A similar search on Tuesday, after readers complained, yielded the correct results.

Unclear to whom, Jennifer? Certainly not to readers.

We should also remember that their search missed the all-important Germany speech in which Lieberman said the invasion of Iraq was just Bush implementing the Lieberman/McCain policy. I have yet to see that reported, even though the blogs gave that to them days ago.

I like how the Times says Lieberman used the phrase “more than half a dozen times”. Why don’t they just give us a number?

*xyz @ 17

I like how the Times says Lieberman used the phrase “more than half a dozen times”. Why don’t they just give us a number?

Because facts are stupid things, as St. Ronnie once said. Also because we know whatever number they come up with now will also be a lie.

“In recent weeks, Mr. Lieberman has called for different tactics in Iraq.”

Hmm, “different tactics.” Now who have I heard using that sentiment recently? Lieberman’s connection to the GOP talking points feed is so obvious, I’m surprised we haven’t seen photos of him with a mysterious lump on his back.

*xyz @ 17

I like how the Times says Lieberman used the phrase “more than half a dozen times”. Why don’t they just give us a number?

Specific numbers make statements sound more authoritative, which is not something they want for this one.

*xyz @
17

I like how the Times says Lieberman used the phrase “more than half a dozen times”. Why don’t they just give us a number?

It’s hard, when you’re typing, to count on the fingers of the second hand. Five is easy, and one more is a no-brainer, but then it gets hard to keep track of the total. So you stop after six and call it half a dozen.

Bob Corker: “I think we should stay the course”

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v.....&eurl=

Gary @ 21

*xyz @
17

I like how the Times says Lieberman used the phrase “more than half a dozen times”. Why don’t they just give us a number?

It’s hard, when you’re typing, to count on the fingers of the second hand. Five is easy, and one more is a no-brainer, but then it gets hard to keep track of the total. So you stop after six and call it half a dozen.

Gary @ 21

*xyz @
17

I like how the Times says Lieberman used the phrase “more than half a dozen times”. Why don’t they just give us a number?

It’s hard, when you’re typing, to count on the fingers of the second hand. Five is easy, and one more is a no-brainer, but then it gets hard to keep track of the total. So you stop after six and call it half a dozen.

Also, please note that the Times can’t even be consistent in their vague use of “half a dozen”.

In the addendum at the bottom of the original article, it says “at least half a dozen” whereas in the correction article itself it says “more than half a dozen.”

Not a big deal, but it speaks to their credibility.

Gary @ 21

*xyz @
17

It’s hard, when you’re typing, to count on the fingers of the second hand. Five is easy, and one more is a no-brainer, but then it gets hard to keep track of the total. So you stop after six and call it half a dozen.

Are you saying that the folks at the NYTimes are hunt’n peckers?

“Specific numbers make statements sound more authoritative, which is not something they want for this one.”

Completely agree.
When, they’ve got a bogus number, however, like “17,” that helps their spin, they can’t repeat it often enough.

Redshift @ 19

“In recent weeks, Mr. Lieberman has called for different tactics in Iraq.”

Hmm, “different tactics.” Now who have I heard using that sentiment recently? Lieberman’s connection to the GOP talking points feed is so obvious, I’m surprised we haven’t seen photos of him with a mysterious lump on his back.

You mean that monkey called Iraq?

John Casper @ 25

“Specific numbers make statements sound more authoritative, which is not something they want for this one.”

Completely agree.
When, they’ve got a bogus number, however, like “17,” that helps their spin, they can’t repeat it often enough.

.. or an equally bogus number like “never.”

Bob Corker: “I have never, ever said stay the course”

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v.....&eurl=

John Casper @ 25

“Specific numbers make statements sound more authoritative, which is not something they want for this one.”

Completely agree.
When, they’ve got a bogus number, however, like “17,” that helps their spin, they can’t repeat it often enough.

And in the original article they were more than happy to say that Lieberman used the phrase exactly zero times. That is pretty specific too.

NY Times reporters are legendary for their losses at 3 card monty. Easily distracted.

Twisted Martini @ 30

NY Times reporters are legendary for their losses at 3 card monty. Easily distracted.

Do you mean “less than a dozen card monty”?

Approximately a few card monty?

OfT, Coz, thanks for bringing up Corker, Jesus’ General has a photo of Bob Corker’s daughter kissing another young Republican woman

As the General pointed out, at least it’s white woman.

Yeah, TM, that.

Our friend, Tony Trupiano, has a Daily Kos diary that could use a few recommendations.

John Casper @ 33

OfT, Coz, thanks for bringing up Corker, Jesus’ General has a photo of Bob Corker’s daughter kissing another young Republican woman

As the General pointed out, at least it’s white woman.

Thanks, John. I saw that!

I think we are being hard on the Times. After all, they reviewed hundreds of speeches, and Lieberman only said “stay the course” more than half a dozen times. That is like he never said it at all! I would feel the same way if the Times said that JFK never said: “Ich bein ein Berliner”. After all, he only said it once! It is so easy to overlook when you are reviewing hundreds of statements.

http://www.connpost.com/localnews/ci_4566609

~~~Joe a no-show; Lamont will debate Schlesinger
PETER URBAN purban@ctpost.com
Article Launched:10/28/2006 04:48:24 AM EDT

WASHINGTON — Sen. Joe Lieberman on Friday turned down an invitation to a fourth debate, leaving the stage to Democrat Ned Lamont and Republican Alan Schlesinger, who will face off for an hour on WTIC-TV, Channel 61.

Bob Rockstroh, news director of the Fox affiliate, said Friday that the debate between the major Senate candidates will go on with or without Lieberman. It will be televised live at 7 p.m. Thursday.~~~.. more at article

OT The national average for gasoline has increased for 3 days in a row.

On a related note, I just read the last post. Joseph Biden could be the answer to our nation’s energy needs. He is an unlimited bag of natural gas.

John Casper @ 33

OfT, Coz, thanks for bringing up Corker, Jesus’ General has a photo of Bob Corker’s daughter kissing another young Republican woman

As the General pointed out, at least it’s white woman.

JC—did you see that the General stopped by Late Night last night?

We should also remember that their search missed the all-important Germany speech in which Lieberman said the invasion of Iraq was just Bush implementing the Lieberman/McCain policy. I have yet to see that reported, even though the blogs gave that to them days ago.

There must be video of this speech somewhere. My not so mad Google skills are of little help. Was International so there should be something somewhere, we really need the visuals for something like this to make an impact this late.

RBG, thank you, yes.

“Common fallacies of logic and rhetoric

Observational selection (counting the hits and forgetting the misses).

Statistics of small numbers (such as drawing conclusions from inadequate sample sizes).

Misunderstanding the nature of statistics (President Eisenhower expressing astonishment and alarm on discovering that fully half of all Americans have below average intelligence!)”

CARL SAGAN’S BALONEY DETECTION KIT

Based on the book The Demon Haunted World by Carl Sagan

*xyz @
37

I think we are being hard on the Times. After all, they reviewed hundreds of speeches, and Lieberman only said “stay the course” more than half a dozen times. That is like he never said it at all! I would feel the same way if the Times said that JFK never said: “Ich bein ein Berliner”. After all, he only said it once! It is so easy to overlook when you are reviewing hundreds of statements.

“Ich bein ein Berliner” I am a donut. E. Izzard

Does anyone know the placement of the NYT correction in the dead-tree paper relative to the original error-ridden article?

TeddySanFran @ 45

Does anyone know the placement of the NYT correction in the dead-tree paper relative to the original error-ridden article?

Only that it was in the New York/Region section.

http://www.nytimes.com/2006/10.....ref=slogin

I found it by way of their internal search engine… Lieberman stay the course

new thread: THANKS HOWIE

OMG– on PHC they have Cheney on Halloween coming up the stairs and talking about dunking people who wanna hurt us (not waterboarding)

(on the Ketchup Advisory Board segment)

ROTFLMAO

wial @ 3
ROFLMAO

For anyone who hasn’t already seen ‘em: you could spend an enjoyable few minutes perusing NYT blog comments on the “stay the course” correction(s) here and here.

Let’s replace “Stay the Course,” with “Stupid is, as stupid does…”
“‘A’” election is like a box of chocolates. You never know what you’re going to get…”

Except with Diebolt, we know we Democrat’s will get Monty Python’s “Crunchy Frog Surprise…”

Bush went from
Stay the Course
to
We bought the farm.

There’s one born every minute.

That, I believe, is the philosophy behind the entire Republican campaign. They took a page from the PT Barnum playbook and ran with it, right down to their This Way to the Great Egress Strategy ploy. And yet, here I sit, still naive enough to be surprised by how stupid some people can be. Go figure.

When I went to the Empire Zone diary where Patrick LaForge was talking about the Lieberman database -

http://empirezone.blogs.nytime.....#more-1010

and suggested that if you Googled Lieberman “Stay the Course” you would get 682,000 hits - they never published it. I suppose Jennifer had already checked Google, so it was probably unnecessary - a crack reporter like herself would have already checked it out.