Fitz!!!

Judge Reggie Walton, in an opinion Thursday, wrote the testimony of memory export, Dr. Robert Bjork, chairman UCLA’s psychology department, would be a “waste of time,” and could mislead and confuse a jury.

He noted that the witness’s swan costume would be a distraction as well.

Double Fitz!

“common sense”

Whoa. Now there’s a novel concept.

Oklahoma kiddo @ 3

“common sense”

Whoa. Now there’s a novel concept.

It’s a bit oxymoronic these days.

GET
OUT
THE
VOTE

Let’s hear it for the Constitution and the rule of Law!

It’s been a rainy afternoon here in the Bay Area. The Kid asked to watch a video, which is a boon rarely granted, but it seems like a good rainy day thing, so I said “Yes – what do you want to watch?” His answer was so appropriate: “1776!”

We’re waiting for the chirp, chirp, chirp,
of an eaglet being born . . .

On the eve of the election, that brought a very big smile to Dad’s face . . .

No Barney for this Kid – Adams (both John and Abigail), Franklin, and Jefferson rule!

I had something really snappy to say here but I forgot what it was.

Triple Fitz! with an indictment on top!

(gee, I’d almost forgotten how good Fitzing can feel…)

Eli @
2

Judge Reggie Walton, in an opinion Thursday, wrote the testimony of memory export, Dr. Robert Bjork, chairman UCLA’s psychology department, would be a “waste of time,” and could mislead and confuse a jury.

He noted that the witness’s swan costume would be a distraction as well.

judge sent him riding off into the sunset on his scooter Vespertine

Your reports from the soaking tub were “heaven” for all of us too! Cheers from all corners for YOU and FITZ!

OT
Key Evangelical quits amid gay sex claim

Just curious – has the transcript of the Loftus testimony which Judge Walton gave consideration to in his ruling been made available to the public?

Link?

Hugh @ 8

I had something really snappy to say here but I forgot what it was.

you can always blame Bill Clinton

For anyone who missed it, Jane’s link describes how Fitz hammered Scooter’s “memory witness,” Elizabeth Loftus, for three hours.

OT, IIRC, Fitz asked Loftus if she remembered meeting him. She said no. Then Fitz provided documentation that (I think) he had questioned her before. Am I remembering this accurately?

Yes! Let’s play another round of the Plame Game!

OT. Wife came in from work and asked if I’d heard anything about Obama and a real estate deal. Googled a bit and found this.

Have no clue who any of these people are, the ex-con fund raiser or the writer. Any thing to any of this? Looks fairly innocent.

punaise @ 13

Hugh @ 8

I had something really snappy to say here but I forgot what it was.

you can always blame Bill Clinton

Who?

Yes Jane, it will be nice to be able to return our focus to other things. All of the problems facing us deserve serious attention and once we have managed to return some serious people to Washington maybe we will have a chance to tackle some of the serious problems facing America and the world. It is time for the grown-ups.

Jane,
Just like riding a bike, huh?
I hope Mr. Lamont doesn’t get jealous.
Nice to have you back on the Fitz trail.
We’ve all been Hamsherized.

Beautiful.

I can hardly wait to read Christy’s thoughts on this as well.

Thanks, Jane, for news I’m sure has the Libby defense team chugging the Maalox this afternoon…

-S

Strategerie @ 19

Beautiful.

I can hardly wait to read Christy’s thoughts on this as well.

Thanks, Jane, for news I’m sure has the Libby defense team chugging the Maalox this afternoon…

-S

Any bets that said defense team is now strongly considering not having Libby testify in his own defense?

I read about his questioning of Beth Loftus. I was actually dumbstruck to read about it, as it sounded as if he’d practically turned her arguments inside-out. (Long overdue, in the views of some, I’m sure.)

But this news about Bjork is remarkable, IMHO.

Hope Jane has plenty of bubble bath laid in. There are now so many comments on FDL that I find it impossible to even hope to keep up.

John Casper:

I don’t recall. Ive been so busy at work.

Eli @
2

Judge Reggie Walton, in an opinion Thursday, wrote the testimony of memory export, Dr. Robert Bjork, chairman UCLA’s psychology department, would be a “waste of time,” and could mislead and confuse a jury.

He noted that the witness’s swan costume would be a distraction as well.

*spit take*

Urg! At least a bad call was made against the rich and (formerly?) powerful for once. Common sense? Are you kidding me? Memory is one of those things that does not work the way in which it is experienced.

Memory is like eyewitness identification in this sense. When people are confronted in a standard lineup or photo array with a limited number of suspects to identify, people are more likely to pick the wrong person then if the witness is shown a series of photographs of random number. Why? Because there is a cognitive bias that in the fixed number arrays we are playing an elimination game – that is that one of the people present or pictured is the criminal. Thus the witness is more likely to pick a suspect on a weak resemblance. Whereas if the witness is shown a series of photos of unknown length, that bias – that one is playing an elimination game does not creep in. Common sense (whatever the hell that is anyway) does not make us aware of this bias.

I won’t be shedding any tears over Scooter – he’d probably agree with the judge if it was some poor African American guy instead of himself. But I do worry that the principle at issue here has ultimately been decided wrong. “Common sense” or “gut” over scientific expertise is the very sort of conservative attitude that is so wrong with the US right now.

Russell Crowe instructs us today:

AP – Russell Crowe, who pleaded guilty last year to third-degree assault for throwing a phone at a hotel clerk, says the incident would be downplayed in his home country of Australia.

Excuse me? Russ, did you do the crime in Australia? Libby’s crimes probably wouldn’t have been criminal either, if he had perped them on the moon.

Jeff@15

Google “Rezko” and “Blagojevich” for more info.

Fitz and Jane.

Thank you both very, very much.

Imagine:
The house goes Dem, maybe the Senate.
Investigations run non-stop for two years, digging into one case of corruption after another.
The White House squirms with executive privilege and classifying documents and I-am-so-important-I-don’t-have-to-answer-your-stinking-subpoena.
GOP-tied contractors get nailed for payoffs and no-bid contracts.
Plamegate slowly threads it’s way toward justice.
Nothing gets done in Washington and the Dems manage to point the finger at GOP efforts to block legislation and Bush vetos.
And Iraq becomes a really smelly albatross around the GOP’s old wrinkled neck.
Osama *still* isn’t found.
FOX dies a slow ratings death and the networks scramble to move away from the radioactive Right.
(And somehow the Democratic party manages not to kill each other over presidential politics.)

Gosh, what a great way to set up the next election. Chinese water torture…drip…drip…drip…

Hay, a guy can dream, right?

John Casper @ 14

For anyone who missed it, Jane’s link describes how Fitz hammered Scooter’s “memory witness,” Elizabeth Loftus, for three hours.

OT, IIRC, Fitz asked Loftus if she remembered meeting him. She said no. Then Fitz provided documentation that (I think) he had questioned her before. Am I remembering this accurately?

Ummmm… John Casper, the accuracy of your recollection is a function of whatever distractions may have interferred with your ability to process short-term memory, IIRC. So it’s possible she didn’t recall meeting him b/c she was ‘distracted’ immediately after doing so, and consequently she would not have had an accurate memory of their earlier encounter.

Bet she remembers him now ;-)))))

BTW, punaise, I saw the link to Harris and Halperin in the last thread. Thanks, Halperin seems to be having a very public nervous breakdown. He was on Charlie Rose last night and looked really strained. I don’t know whether to laugh at him or feel sorry for him, even if he is a worthless pr*ck.

@ 28

John Casper @ 14

For anyone who missed it, Jane’s link describes how Fitz hammered Scooter’s “memory witness,” Elizabeth Loftus, for three hours.

OT, IIRC, Fitz asked Loftus if she remembered meeting him. She said no. Then Fitz provided documentation that (I think) he had questioned her before. Am I remembering this accurately?

Ummmm… John Casper, the accuracy of your recollection is a function of whatever distractions may have interferred with your ability to process short-term memory, IIRC. So it’s possible she didn’t recall meeting him b/c she was ‘distracted’ immediately after doing so, and consequently she would not have had an accurate memory of their earlier encounter.

Bet she remembers him now ;-)))))

certainly won’t forget about him anytime soon.

This brings back such warm memories. It seems so long ago. I can’t wait until that trial starts.

Lots of fun stories out there- fundie leader resigns because of charges he’s been hiring a gay prosititute certainly up there on the hit parade.

My personal favorite is the fact that Venezualans now own an e-voting firm.

Conservatives now will believe (without much prompting) that Chavez is determining the outcome of american elections. Can’t quit laughing. Funny as hell!

Cool, Fox is talking about Tom Cruise’s comeback and the new Panda at the Atlanta Zoo.

How do you spell irrelevant?

@
21

Hope Jane has plenty of bubble bath laid in. There are now so many comments on FDL that I find it impossible to even hope to keep up.

I just bought some brand new green tea bubble bath. I have a cute little burgundy twistie that I tie my hair up with and I sit in the bathtub with my glasses on while Kobe pokes his nose in the bubbles.

Kobe got a grooming today. He is outside posing, hoping someone notices how good looking he is.

rwcole @ 32

Lots of fun stories out there- fundie leader resigns because of charges he’s been hiring a gay prosititute certainly up there on the hit parade.

This story resonates with the Foley scandal and may remind voters of how hypocritical the Republicans and their allies are.

Fitz RULES!!!!

Fitz!

Peterr @ 7

Let’s hear it for the Constitution and the rule of Law!

It’s been a rainy afternoon here in the Bay Area. The Kid asked to watch a video, which is a boon rarely granted, but it seems like a good rainy day thing, so I said “Yes – what do you want to watch?” His answer was so appropriate: “1776!”

On the eve of the election, that brought a very big smile to Dad’s face . . .

No Barney for this Kid – Adams (both John and Abigail), Franklin, and Jefferson rule!

The Rule of Law was meant to protect the landowners, the wealthy elite of the New Republic. They kept working on it til they quit having Rebellions. I’ll take the Franklin, Jefferson, Madison crowd over the Adams, Washington, Hamilton crowd when it comes right down to it! Hypocrisy and elitism abounded in both groups, but I think the first group had a stronger sense of “Other” and Fairness. I love the Constitution but so much of it has become mythical. I teach my History class a bit more to the Zinn/Foner side of life.

Not that you were asking or anything…you just hit me as I was lesson prepping on this subject. ;^)

Wow. Kobe is a standard huh?

Jane Hamsher @ 34

@
21

Hope Jane has plenty of bubble bath laid in. There are now so many comments on FDL that I find it impossible to even hope to keep up.

I just bought some brand new green tea bubble bath. I have a cute little burgundy twistie that I tie my hair up with and I sit in the bathtub with my glasses on while Kobe pokes his nose in the bubbles.

Kobe got a grooming today. He is outside posing, hoping someone notices how good looking he is.

I am in favor of finding a way to start a “Stop Chavez” movement- in which conservatives are treated to daily stories about how Chavez is taking over the country. They’re so cute when they get paranoid.

It’s been a truly remarkable year, but one post, one Kiss Float, one YouTube at a time, it’s breathed life back into this aging Boomer.

Heartfelt thanks, and looking forward to much good analysis of the Libby Trial in coming months.

emptywheel’s comments about Judge Walton’s ruling:
http://thenexthurrah.typepad.c…..ibby_.html

Judge to Libby: No, Jurors Are Not Dumb
by emptywheel

What I like about Judge Walton is he’s a terrible poker player. Thus far, he has telegraphed every decision he has had to make in Libby’s trial. Including his decision to disallow Libby’s use of a memory expert at his trial (many thanks to Jeralyn for sharing the decision and giving me a heads up). At issue in last week’s mauling of Elizabeth Loftus was whether Libby’s argument for the value of his memory expert passed both prongs of Daubert–is it scientifically sound (Walton says it is, mostly), and is it necessary (Walton says it isn’t). Walton explains:

After carefully reviewing the studies provided by the defendant and the testimony of Dr. Loftus, this Court must conclude that those studies are inapposite to what the jurors will have to decide in this case because: (1) the studies examine issues of memory and cognition under substantially different factual situations than the situation here; (2) the research does not demonstrate that jurors will underestimate the fallibility of memory when the matter is addressed in the trial setting through voir dire, cross-examination, closing arguments, and jury instructions; and (3) insofar as the studies relied on by Dr. Loftus purport to demonstrate the failure of jurors to sufficiently understand factors that impact the accuracy of memory, the scientific value of the studies themselves is suspect.

Ouch. I guess that means Walton found Fitzgerald’s arguments persuasive.

(snip)

OOMG!!! There’s a new PANDA!!!! at the Atlanta Zoo!!!

I think we can all forget about voting now and hit Pandacam 24/7.

Court to state: Explain why Gaza students cannot attend West Bank university

By Tamara Traubmann, Haaretz Correspondent
http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/783304.html

bg @ 41

OOMG!!! There’s a new PANDA!!!! at the Atlanta Zoo!!!

I think we can all forget about voting now and hit Pandacam 24/7.

Aaawwww…a new Panda? http://www.glumbert.com/media/sneeze

Panda in the ATL

bg @ 41

OOMG!!! There’s a new PANDA!!!! at the Atlanta Zoo!!!

I think we can all forget about voting now and hit Pandacam 24/7.

I’ve been Jonesing for some Fitz. Thank you

montag @ 20

Strategerie @ 19

Beautiful.

I can hardly wait to read Christy’s thoughts on this as well.

Thanks, Jane, for news I’m sure has the Libby defense team chugging the Maalox this afternoon…

-S

Any bets that said defense team is now strongly considering not having Libby testify in his own defense?

I bet that the defense team has already forgotten this.

No soup for you, Scooter!

School bus driver fired after flipping off president wants job back

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/15532553/

rwcole @ 4:26 pm -

Lots of fun stories out there- fundie leader resigns because of charges he’s been hiring a gay prosititute certainly up there on the hit parade.

rw – have you seen this?
http://thinkprogress.org/2006/…..rostitute/

A male prostitute alleges that he had a three-year relationship with prominent right-wing evangelical leader Ted Haggard, who has said that homosexuality is a “sin” and “devastating for the children of our nation and for the future of Western civilization.” Haggard denies the allegation.

(snip)

Haggard’s accuser, Mike Jones, says “he has recorded voicemails and a letter from Haggard, and that he had also witnessed Haggard use methamphetamine.”

AMERICABlog has more.

This is from Steve Clemons:

Snip……….

Prepare to Bomb Iran

Make no mistake, President Bush will need to bomb Iran’s nuclear facilities before leaving office. It is all but inconceivable that Iran will accept any peaceful inducements to abandon its drive for the bomb. Its rulers are religio-ideological fanatics who will not trade what they believe is their birthright to great power status for a mess of pottage. Even if things in Iraq get better, a nuclear-armed Iran will negate any progress there. Nothing will embolden terrorists and jihadists more than a nuclear-armed Iran.”………

There’s a lot more, which is quite frightening.

http://www.thewashingtonnote.c…..001721.php

Can we stop him doing this if the Democratic majority is large enough or is this regime too crazed?

Richard Goblin @
24

Urg! At least a bad call was made against the rich and (formerly?) powerful for once. […] Common sense (whatever the hell that is anyway) does not make us aware of this bias.

This actually falls somewhat into my expertise. Your point is correct, RG, however it doesn’t relate to the ruling. The “memory issue” in this case has to do with whether or not Libby could have forgotten about leaking the name because he was so busy, not about whether he can remember a face during an emotional event.

Also, and this is even more important, the “memory expert” on the stand proved to be less than an ideal witness, as her own research cast doubt on the correctness of her research. If science if to be used to decide things in court, the science must not be cutting edge or doubtful.

The confusion of the jury comes in because people tend to assume that sciency people are nearly infallible, and are not likely to be able to judge nuance like how reliable a given scientific finding is in the absense of a complete (scientific) research project.

In this case, I believe the judge ruled correctly.

Not if they make up some Gulf of Tonkin shit.

jinny @ 50

This is from Steve Clemons:

Snip……….

Prepare to Bomb Iran

Make no mistake, President Bush will need to bomb Iran’s nuclear facilities before leaving office. It is all but inconceivable that Iran will accept any peaceful inducements to abandon its drive for the bomb. Its rulers are religio-ideological fanatics who will not trade what they believe is their birthright to great power status for a mess of pottage. Even if things in Iraq get better, a nuclear-armed Iran will negate any progress there. Nothing will embolden terrorists and jihadists more than a nuclear-armed Iran.”………

There’s a lot more, which is quite frightening.

http://www.thewashingtonnote.c…..001721.php

Can we stop him doing this if the Democratic majority is large enough or is this regime too crazed?

bg @ 41

OOMG!!! There’s a new PANDA!!!! at the Atlanta Zoo!!!

I think we can all forget about voting now and hit Pandacam 24/7.

Is the Panda’s name going to be George or Nancy?

raven @
38

Wow. Kobe is a standard huh?

This is Kobe.

yo, Scoots: fuggedaboudit!

Matthews says on “Hardball”, that everyone “loves” Laura Bush. Really?

Richard Goblin @ 24

Urg! At least a bad call was made against the rich and (formerly?) powerful for once. Common sense? Are you kidding me? Memory is one of those things that does not work the way in which it is experienced.

Memory is like eyewitness identification in this sense. When people are confronted in a standard lineup or photo array with a limited number of suspects to identify, people are more likely to pick the wrong person then if the witness is shown a series of photographs of random number. Why? Because there is a cognitive bias that in the fixed number arrays we are playing an elimination game – that is that one of the people present or pictured is the criminal. Thus the witness is more likely to pick a suspect on a weak resemblance. Whereas if the witness is shown a series of photos of unknown length, that bias – that one is playing an elimination game does not creep in. Common sense (whatever the hell that is anyway) does not make us aware of this bias . . . .

If I may,

I think the main consideration here is not whether a witness identification is at issue – at which point, experts could testify to help juries realize that witness id doesn’t always work the way we “think” it should (cross-gender, cross-race identifications, for example, and the studies stating the respective rates of inaccuracies).

Whereas here, Libby is accused of lying about what he himself remembers doing and saying. I think Libby’s argument is going to be “I’m a busy man so I can’t recall if I discussed classified information with reporters and certainly didn’t try to think about what I did regarding issues of national security when speaking with the FBI or testifying before a grand jury” (which is, of course, quite a mouthful). If that’s true, experts aren’t needed (in my opinion, anyway) to explain to the jury how people may forget things when they are very, very busy. I think it is a matter of “common sense” for jurors to realize what people can (or should) be able to remember about their actions when they have lots on their mind.

I think Libby’s argument is somewhat of a long shot, but I think looking at it this way explains why the judge was predisposed not to let the memory evidence in in the first place (it was Libby’s team’s job to convince him).

What a sweetie, is he (or she) a black or a blue?

Jane Hamsher @ 54

raven @
38

Wow. Kobe is a standard huh?

This is Kobe.

When it rains it pours! – Rep. paying ex-mistress about $500K

Traffic soared, and the only assholes we had to deal with were openly Republican.

It was heaven.

And it will be again, Jane. It will be again. Scooter’s just spending a little time in Fitzatory.

Jeralyn thinks Walton may have given the Libby team their first good issue for appeal. She thinks the gov’t case would be better if the memory stuff was allowed.

I assume Christy is watching them eeers!

Stephen Parrish, CPA @ 49

rwcole @ 4:26 pm -

Lots of fun stories out there- fundie leader resigns because of charges he’s been hiring a gay prosititute certainly up there on the hit parade.

rw – have you seen this?
http://thinkprogress.org/2006/…..rostitute/

A male prostitute alleges that he had a three-year relationship with prominent right-wing evangelical leader Ted Haggard, who has said that homosexuality is a “sin” and “devastating for the children of our nation and for the future of Western civilization.” Haggard denies the allegation.

(snip)

Haggard’s accuser, Mike Jones, says “he has recorded voicemails and a letter from Haggard, and that he had also witnessed Haggard use methamphetamine.”

AMERICABlog has more.

It’s getting better. CNN says he hopes to talk more about it at a latter date but in the meantime will seek inspirational counseling and guidance.

Steve- Yeah- that’s the story I was referring to. Funny as hell. You have to wonder if there’s a logical connection between bein a right wing preacher and hypocricy- or are these just random events we get treated to.

OT – GOP night on CNN continues. Blitzer just let Falwell say whatever he wanted unchallenged and now it’s Andrew Sullivan’s turn.

Oklahoma kiddo @ 55

Matthews says on “Hardball”, that everyone “loves” Laura Bush. Really?

Well, except for a few whackjobs on the left.

raven @ 52

Not if they make up some Gulf of Tonkin shit.

jinny @ 50

This is from Steve Clemons:

Snip……….

Prepare to Bomb Iran

Make no mistake, President Bush will need to bomb Iran’s nuclear facilities before leaving office. It is all but inconceivable that Iran will accept any peaceful inducements to abandon its drive for the bomb. Its rulers are religio-ideological fanatics who will not trade what they believe is their birthright to great power status for a mess of pottage. Even if things in Iraq get better, a nuclear-armed Iran will negate any progress there. Nothing will embolden terrorists and jihadists more than a nuclear-armed Iran.”………

There’s a lot more, which is quite frightening.

Can we stop him doing this if the Democratic majority is large enough or is this regime too crazed?

While I don’t agree with everything Clemons says, he is connected with very senior people who know what is going on. If he is worried about Bush unilaterally bombing Iran, that is very important data. His sources are not just going to call up the newspapers. But they might try to get important news out there thru deniable means such as bloggers. Clemons is no ordinary blogger.

A lot of people in DC know a little bit, a few people in DC know a lot. Clemons is on the inside track. If he is alarmed, TAKE HEED.

Eli @ 67

Oklahoma kiddo @ 55

Matthews says on “Hardball”, that everyone “loves” Laura Bush. Really?

Well, except for a few whackjobs on the left.

she’s an asset sez Card.

I see a*shat people. (I am whispering)

EVERYONE loves Laura Belle—ceptin for those who don’t of course- and some of THEM HATE her sorry ass!

Course Tweety is impressed with the fact that EVERYONE wants to have a beer with Clusterfuck too. Why? He’d spill the thing all over ya.

jinny @ 50

This is from Steve Clemons:

Snip……….

Prepare to Bomb Iran

Make no mistake, President Bush will need to bomb Iran’s nuclear facilities before leaving office. It is all but inconceivable that Iran will accept any peaceful inducements to abandon its drive for the bomb. Its rulers are religio-ideological fanatics who will not trade what they believe is their birthright to great power status for a mess of pottage. Even if things in Iraq get better, a nuclear-armed Iran will negate any progress there. Nothing will embolden terrorists and jihadists more than a nuclear-armed Iran.”………

There’s a lot more, which is quite frightening.

http://www.thewashingtonnote.c…..001721.php

Can we stop him doing this if the Democratic majority is large enough or is this regime too crazed?

Note the rather hysterical language Clemons employs in this: “need to bomb” (assuming a necessity where none exists) and “religio-ideological fanatics” (to describe some of the most cagey and pragmatic people in region).

Once again, there is, at this moment, no evidence of what everyone in this country assumes to be true (sound familiar?), and any attack on Iran will utterly destroy the chances for any organic, internal democratic movement inside Iran. It will harden the populace and align them with the mullahs. If anything, Iran is even more nationalistic than other nations in the region.

This simply buys into Bush’s own notions that it has to be done while he’s in office because no one else will have the opportunity.

Think we have problems now? Just bomb Iran and see what happens. Yet another rush to manufacture yet another self-fulfilling prophecy.

egregious @ 67

raven @ 52

Not if they make up some Gulf of Tonkin shit.

jinny @ 50

This is from Steve Clemons:

Snip……….

Prepare to Bomb Iran

Make no mistake, President Bush will need to bomb Iran’s nuclear facilities before leaving office. It is all but inconceivable that Iran will accept any peaceful inducements to abandon its drive for the bomb. Its rulers are religio-ideological fanatics who will not trade what they believe is their birthright to great power status for a mess of pottage. Even if things in Iraq get better, a nuclear-armed Iran will negate any progress there. Nothing will embolden terrorists and jihadists more than a nuclear-armed Iran.”………

There’s a lot more, which is quite frightening.

Can we stop him doing this if the Democratic majority is large enough or is this regime too crazed?

While I don’t agree with everything Clemons says, he is connected with very senior people who know what is going on. If he is worried about Bush unilaterally bombing Iran, that is very important data.

It is my belief that Dubya went into office with a list of Cool Preznit Stuff that he wanted to do, and I have a feeling that dropping a nuke on someone is one of the few remaining items that he hasn’t crossed off yet.

jinny @ 50

This is from Steve Clemons:

Make no mistake, President Bush will need to bomb Iran’s nuclear facilities before leaving office. It is all but inconceivable that Iran will accept any peaceful inducements to abandon its drive for the bomb [It is equally accepted that military action will delay but not stop such acquisition].

Its rulers are religio-ideological fanatics who will not trade what they believe is their birthright to great power status for a mess of pottage. [Pakistan has the bomb and is not a great power. Neither is North Korea for that matter.]

Even if things in Iraq get better [BWAAHAAA, sorry, I couldn’t resist], a nuclear-armed Iran will negate any progress there [How?]. Nothing will embolden terrorists and jihadists [I thought these were Sunnis.] more than a nuclear-armed Iran.”………

Pakistan has the bomb, is a big country although not a great power, has numerous religious kooks, and is our big buddy on the war on terror when they aren’t looking the other way on the Taleban and al Qaeda. We seem able to live with them well enough. Why does Iran push these wingnuts’ buttons?

angie @ 69

Eli @ 67

Oklahoma kiddo @ 55

Matthews says on “Hardball”, that everyone “loves” Laura Bush. Really?

Well, except for a few whackjobs on the left.

she’s an asset sez Card.

I see a*shat people. (I am whispering)

Laura Bush with Prince Charles

Check out the first two pics on this page – there’s more on the pages that follow

Tweety outdid himself tonight. He had some very good people on at the beginning of the show who are great political analysts. He deliberately avoided asking them how many house seats the dems would take.

Then he put Andy Card on- why? To give his fuckin opinion of how well Clusterfuck is doin. Holy SHIT. What da ya THINK he’s gonna say you yellow haired brainless whore?

montag @ 71

Once again, there is, at this moment, no evidence of what everyone in this country assumes to be true (sound familiar?), and any attack on Iran will utterly destroy the chances for any organic, internal democratic movement inside Iran. It will harden the populace and align them with the mullahs. If anything, Iran is even more nationalistic than other nations in the region.

And this would be bad for Republicans how? The more Scary Muslim Boogeymen, the better.

raven @ 71

You can’t make this up”

Haggard, a 1978 graduate of Oral Roberts University,

Where he developed a Bob Jones for man-on-man lovin’.

windje @ 75

angie @ 69

Eli @ 67

Oklahoma kiddo @ 55

Matthews says on “Hardball”, that everyone “loves” Laura Bush. Really?

Well, except for a few whackjobs on the left.

she’s an asset sez Card.

I see a*shat people. (I am whispering)

Laura Bush with Prince Charles

Check out the first two pics on this page – there’s more on the pages that follow

It kinda looks like Charles found her g-spot… and immediately regretted it.

Oral Roberts eh? Thank God- was afraid the guy went to Anal!

oops, sorry.

I broke the margins, but I was in the groove.

raven @
58

What a sweetie, is he (or she) a black or a blue?

Jane Hamsher @ 54

raven @
38

Wow. Kobe is a standard huh?

This is Kobe.

Very good question, nobody has ever asked before but Kobe is actually a registered blue.

Lots to not love about Miz Laura. She and her groom deserve each other.

Signed,
Whackjob on the left.

Oh man. The comments over at tbogg are hilarious.

Haggard poems- fun.

Tony Perkins and Kate O’Beirne on “Noballs”. That does it.

Oklahoma kiddo @ 56

Matthews says on “Hardball”, that everyone “loves” Laura Bush. Really?

Arrrrrggggghhhh…LauraBOT:

Scooter made the list:

One Breath

who is Haggard the Whore-able?

The president, the preacher and the prostitute

[…]

“Ted Haggard may not just be the most important evangelical you’ve never heard of, but the most important evangelical, period.

[…]

…It’s Haggard who is the bionic hero of the young cadets and airmen he ministers to in his own megachurch, just down the road from Dobson’s Focus on the Family. In Colorado Springs — known alternately as the Vatican and the Washington of the evangelical world — it is Haggard who is king, the crony and the conscience of his youthful parishioners as well as his president.

“Which is why it matters so that Haggard seems to have fallen. The Mark Foley scandal inspired plenty of people to question their devotion to the Republican Party. But Foley is a politician; most evangelicals would already suspect him of thinly cloaking his identity in a three-piece, pinstriped superego. Haggard, on the other hand, has always represented the real deal. He’s the one John Wayne would have tapped for his posse. He’s the one who represents most how deeply political this evangelical population can be, while always disdaining the notion of politics, always cleaving toward the ranch rather than the Hill.

[…]

“Haggard has been preaching against homosexuality with his typical charismatic fire-and-brimstone fervor ever since he founded New Life Church in Colorado Springs. Probably even before then. And if he’s right that there is a special place in hell for gay fornicators and drug abusers — not to mention for liars and charlatans — I guess he knows where he’s headed.”

Hugh @ 75

jinny @ 50

This is from Steve Clemons:

Make no mistake, President Bush will need to bomb Iran’s nuclear facilities before leaving office. It is all but inconceivable that Iran will accept any peaceful inducements to abandon its drive for the bomb [It is equally accepted that military action will delay but not stop such acquisition].

Its rulers are religio-ideological fanatics who will not trade what they believe is their birthright to great power status for a mess of pottage. [Pakistan has the bomb and is not a great power. Neither is North Korea for that matter.]

Even if things in Iraq get better [BWAAHAAA, sorry, I couldn’t resist], a nuclear-armed Iran will negate any progress there [How?]. Nothing will embolden terrorists and jihadists [I thought these were Sunnis.] more than a nuclear-armed Iran.”………

Pakistan has the bomb, is a big country although not a great power, has numerous religious kooks, and is our big buddy on the war on terror when they aren’t looking the other way on the Taleban and al Qaeda. We seem able to live with them well enough. Why does Iran push these wingnuts’ buttons?

Pakistan is different. The Bush crime family helped Pakistan get nukes in the first place. AQ Khan who is KNOWN to be involved in spreading nuclear technology to places like Libya and North Korea, is today a free man in Pakistan, our supposed “ally.” Why?

Oh and now we’re helping India improve their nuclear program. When these two countries go to war it will not be an enormous surprise. But it will be a stupendous profit making opportunity for those who provide them with arms. War is a boondoggle. Maybe it always has been.

There are dark forces involved in the spread of nuclear weapons, forces that pushed Valerie Plame out and got Sibel Edmonds fired from the FBI because she knew too much about the Turkish translations when they came too close to their inner secrets. They make money and the people of the world will pay with their lives.

I have to give Jimmy Swaggart and Jim Bakker credit. They did it with a female prostitute and a secretary. Showed alot more class. Umm not.

These folks have to prove to me that they aren’t full of crap. There is no benefit of the doubt for them anymore.

I followed this case soooooooooooooo closely, and must admit, I got off after the Rove debacle this past May, when it looked as if he was finally going to be indicted, but wasn’t. I came to the conclusion that Bush is going to pardon all players involved anyway, so what is the point of hoping that something is going to come out of this? Don’t mean to rain on everyone’s parade – I for one was oh so disappointed………….any updates on the Rove front?

Guy ain’t lookin so good- a little Haggard ain’t he?

Oklahoma kiddo @ 56

Matthews says on “Hardball”, that everyone “loves” Laura Bush. Really?

So would Matthews want to be a pedestrian if he saw Laura driving?

Jane -

As soon as you have a chance, please extricate my 4:30 pm comment from moderation. Thank you very much for your assistance.

rwcole @ 95

Guy ain’t lookin so good- a little Haggard ain’t he?

kinda lost the Swaggart in his step

rwcole @ 95

Guy ain’t lookin so good- a little Haggard ain’t he?

Little Haggard is about two feet lower down…

trifecta @ 93

I have to give Jimmy Swaggart and Jim Bakker credit. They did it with a female prostitute and a secretary. Showed alot more class. Umm not.

These folks have to prove to me that they aren’t full of crap. There is no benefit of the doubt for them anymore.

At least they were “Normal Perverts”: http://mediamatters.org/items/200609290003

OT:

CNN Cafferty: Question: What should happen to Bush if the Dems retake Congress?

Cafferty shows 4 letters, 3 of which mention impeachment. Paula asks if there were more negative comments. Cafferty replies he read hundreds of replies, almost all of them calling for impeachment. “A lot of people out there very angry at what this man has done to the country.”

Now back to Plame.

Hugh @ 96

Oklahoma kiddo @ 56

Matthews says on “Hardball”, that everyone “loves” Laura Bush. Really?

So would Matthews want to be a pedestrian if he saw Laura driving?

Matthews, a pedestrian? How gauche….

how soon till the revelations of Haggard and bear cages?

Coolio, we have a black living around the corner and she loves to bound out and greet Raven and the Bohdi when we walk by!

Jane Hamsher @
85

raven @
58

What a sweetie, is he (or she) a black or a blue?

Jane Hamsher @ 54

raven @
38

Wow. Kobe is a standard huh?

This is Kobe.

Very good question, nobody has ever asked before but Kobe is actually a registered blue.

“A lot of people out there very angry at this man.”

Buy him a drink for the understatement of the year.

Grad school and then the semenary.

rwcole @
83

Oral Roberts eh? Thank God- was afraid the guy went to Anal!

Someone’s going to get in trouble for messin’ up tha margins. I wonder who that was?

Hugh @
29

BTW, punaise, I saw the link to Harris and Halperin in the last thread. Thanks, Halperin seems to be having a very public nervous breakdown. He was on Charlie Rose last night and looked really strained. I don’t know whether to laugh at him or feel sorry for him, even if he is a worthless pr*ck.

I thing Glenn Greenwald’s critique of his interview with the rightwing guy pretty much destroyed Halperin’s credibility as a journalist. That was devastating, and all Glenn did was provide extensive quotes.

Another great video about the war and the need for change. You will want to share this video with your list of contacts. Great music, too.

- Pete/Jay

It sure will be good to be back writing about the CIA leak investigation. I remember the days when I would sit in a bubble bath with a hot new 30 page Fitzgerald filing and a highlighter ’til my toes would prune up. Traffic soared, and the only assholes we had to deal with were openly Republican.

That’s funny, Jane!

It’s called “command responsibility”.

McALLEN, Texas (AP) — Lt. Gen. Ricardo Sanchez, who served a tumultuous year as commander of U.S. forces in Iraq, retired from the Army on Wednesday, calling his career a casualty of the Abu Ghraib prison scandal.

“That’s the key reason, the sole reason, that I was forced to retire,” Sanchez said for a story in Thursday’s editions of The (McAllen) Monitor. “I was essentially not offered another position in either a three-star or four-star command.”

Oklahoma kiddo @ 107

Someone’s going to get in trouble for messin’ up tha margins. I wonder who that was?

It was Eli, Angie and Raven. They were all playing with matches and now look what they’ve done, the house has burned down.

montag @ 4:48 pm and egregious @ 4:56 -

Steve Clemons was quoting from this source:

In the latest issue of Foreign Policy, Joshua Muravchik — a neoconservative fellow traveler — has published a remarkable article, “Operation Comeback” that combines an offering of a mea culpa for much of the neocon-generated foreign policy mess America is in and then stunning bravado with encouragement that the President initiate a third war against a Muslim nation.

Muravchik’s article is written as a memo to his “fellow neoconservatives.”

I can almost imagine Walton concluding his opinion with, “What else have you got?”

Libby, Haggard, all this reminds me of that great old saying:

Out West, where you vacation, the aspens will already be turning. They turn in clusters, because their roots connect them.

Of course, the image of Ted Haggard’s aspens may be too graphic for minors, and evangelicals.

raven @ 111

It’s called “command responsibility”.

McALLEN, Texas (AP) — Lt. Gen. Ricardo Sanchez, who served a tumultuous year as commander of U.S. forces in Iraq, retired from the Army on Wednesday, calling his career a casualty of the Abu Ghraib prison scandal.

“That’s the key reason, the sole reason, that I was forced to retire,” Sanchez said for a story in Thursday’s editions of The (McAllen) Monitor. “I was essentially not offered another position in either a three-star or four-star command.”

Hmmm…competence never came into it? Such at WATB.

Oklahoma kiddo @
107

Someone’s going to get in trouble for messin’ up tha margins. I wonder who that was?

I think I did it and deleted my post which is why my 79 and 84 looks and reads so very lame.

:0

Olbermann wonders if Democrats should be “dancing in the streets” over the unequivacal support for Rumsfeld by Bush. Olbermann also wonders where the Demos are.

Can’t wait for the parsing on what constitutes a “gay relationship”.

“third war against a moslem nation”

Third time’s the charm boys!

Frank Probst @ 119

Can’t wait for the parsing on what constitutes a “gay relationship”.

Something tongue in cheek?

scarecrow @ 108

Hugh @
29

BTW, punaise, I saw the link to Harris and Halperin in the last thread. Thanks, Halperin seems to be having a very public nervous breakdown. He was on Charlie Rose last night and looked really strained. I don’t know whether to laugh at him or feel sorry for him, even if he is a worthless pr*ck.

I thing Glenn Greenwald’s critique of his interview with the rightwing guy pretty much destroyed Halperin’s credibility as a journalist. That was devastating, and all Glenn did was provide extensive quotes.

Please see ifthethunderdontgetya’s follow-up on this:

Punaise, I followed the link through, and while Harris was clearly uncomfortable with Halperin’s public meltdown, I did not find what Harris had to say all that comforting.

What could be wrong with that? My problem with the way you state it is that it tends to give credence to a popular view among ideologues of all stripes that the key to dealing with Old Media is “working the ref.” Partisans, disguised as media critics, believe that by howling loudly enough, they can intimidate us into pulling punches.

As a practical matter, I should say, I just don’t think the “work the ref” strategy works, since in most Old Media newsrooms, we tend to dismiss the howlers as nut cases, even when they might have decent points.

I think Harris is in denial if he thinks the right hasn’t successfully worked the ref over the last decade.

Craig Crawford, “The Democrats don’t go for the throat”! on KO.

Bath time baby, bring on the bubbles!

Hmmm… green tea does sound inviting!

Plenty of time left to soar!

Steve @ 61

Jeralyn thinks Walton may have given the Libby team their first good issue for appeal. She thinks the gov’t case would be better if the memory stuff was allowed.

Yeah, from Jeralyn,

I wonder whether the Judge has not just handed Libby his first legitimate issue for appeal. I see definite corollaries between the memory principles that affect eyewitnesses and other fact witnesses. It would have been safer for the Government if the Judge had allowed the testimony.

Bold is mine.

The problem is, Fitz so destroyed Loftus, how could Walton?

IMO, our biggest concern is still the pardon.
In the short term, I think it helps us from a P.R. perspective by reinforcing how inept neocons are.

Cozumel – I didn’t even notice this:
CNN mis-labels Michael Steele as a Democrat!

rwcole @
64

You have to wonder if there’s a logical connection between bein a right wing preacher and hypocricy- or are these just random events we get treated to.

Logical connection with random exposure.

Stephen Parrish, CPA @ 113

montag @ 4:48 pm and egregious @ 4:56 -

Steve Clemons was quoting from this source:

In the latest issue of Foreign Policy, Joshua Muravchik — a neoconservative fellow traveler — has published a remarkable article, “Operation Comeback” that combines an offering of a mea culpa for much of the neocon-generated foreign policy mess America is in and then stunning bravado with encouragement that the President initiate a third war against a Muslim nation.

Muravchik’s article is written as a memo to his “fellow neoconservatives.”

Thanks for that. These bozos certainly do believe in the old adage, “nothing succeeds like excess,” don’t they?

FYI — just letting people who are interested know that I just live-blogged the Schlesinger-Lamont debate at CT Bob — no Lieberman, and no empty chair.

Jane, why are you censoring comments at HuffPo? I thought you believed in open, honest debate?

And please don’t say it’s the way the HuffPo comment system is set up because that’s simply not true.

Lou Costello @ 89

Oklahoma kiddo @ 56

Matthews says on “Hardball”, that everyone “loves” Laura Bush. Really?

Arrrrrggggghhhh…LauraBOT:

Here’s another

angie @ 118

Oklahoma kiddo @
107

Someone’s going to get in trouble for messin’ up tha margins. I wonder who that was?

I think I did it and deleted my post which is why my 79 and 84 looks and reads so lame.

:0

Aw angie… I knew it was you. But you took responsibility. Therefore, no timeouts or detention for you. Once again, to the head of the class. You’re such a teacher’s pet.

twolf1 @ 126

Cozumel – I didn’t even notice this:
CNN mis-labels Michael Steele as a Democrat!

Jeebus, I missed that too. Must have been all the BLUE! LOL

Yeah! How exciting to see Patrick Fitzgerald at the top of a post!

Whoo hoo! Gereighty for Congress.com

Those of you in the greater New Orleans area David will be on Channel 6 WDSU tonight at 10:30pm.

Go Dems! Peace be with you all!

Blue4Life @ 130

Jane, why are you censoring comments at HuffPo? I thought you believed in open, honest debate?

And please don’t say it’s the way the HuffPo comment system is set up because that’s simply not true.

And while you’re at it, Jane, can you do something about this cold weather?

So we had Jeffy Lube Gannon in the White House, and this Haggard guy who spoke to Bush on a weekly basis tricking with a whore.

So do you think there was group action going on or just a random happening?

Millineryman @ 136

So we had Jeffy Lube Gannon in the White House, and this Haggard guy who spoke to Bush on a weekly basis tricking with a whore.

So do you think there was group action going on or just a random happening?

Would make an interesting assignment for some journalism student to cross-reference the rolodexes of the White House and the evangelicals….

montag @ 137

Millineryman @ 136

So we had Jeffy Lube Gannon in the White House, and this Haggard guy who spoke to Bush on a weekly basis tricking with a whore.

So do you think there was group action going on or just a random happening?

Would make an interesting assignment for some journalism student to cross-reference the rolodexes of the White House and the evangelicals….

Or some really bad porno.

AP – President Bush, campaigner in chief for a party in peril, set out on a rescue mission for embattled candidates in the unlikeliest of places Thursday as Republicans struggled to minimize their losses in next week’s elections.

kirby @ 129

FYI — just letting people who are interested know that I just live-blogged the Schlesinger-Lamont debate at CT Bob — no Lieberman, and no empty chair.

but his empty suit was there in spirit.

Peterr @
7

Let’s hear it for the Constitution and the rule of Law!

It’s been a rainy afternoon here in the Bay Area. The Kid asked to watch a video, which is a boon rarely granted, but it seems like a good rainy day thing, so I said “Yes – what do you want to watch?” His answer was so appropriate: “1776!”

We’re waiting for the chirp, chirp, chirp,
of an eaglet being born . . .

On the eve of the election, that brought a very big smile to Dad’s face . . .

No Barney for this Kid – Adams (both John and Abigail), Franklin, and Jefferson rule!

OH! Wow! One of my MOST favorites! I saw it on Broadway and it was wonderful, and the movie is even better because of the locations. If that show had opened in 1976 it would probably still be running…

file under “no kidding?“:

White House Launches Campaign To Politicize Saddam Verdict Ahead of Midterm Elections

The verdict in the trial of former Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein was recently postponed until November 5, two days before the U.S. midterm elections. Media Matters has questioned whether “the date for the verdict’s release [was] set to provide maximum political benefit for the administration and congressional Republicans.”

Asked today whether the verdict would be a factor in the U.S. elections, White House Press Secretary Tony Snow said, “You are absolutely right, it will be a factor.” Snow said the verdict “may fit into a larger narrative about an Iraqi government that has been doing what the president has said all along.” He portrayed the decision as yet another turning point for Iraq. “This is a benchmark episode, where the Iraqi people are taking control of their own destiny,” he said.

Jane, Glad to hear the bubble bath is ready, and I have never had the least doubts of Kobe’s excellence in all respects.

As for Loftus and the memory stuff…. everyone understands ‘busy’. But mistaking a face in a lineup is a far cry from ‘forgotting’ a CIA agent’s identity during the time when her spouse publicly exposed your lies and deceits.

Then again, with distractions like TomKat, pandas, and Haggard (Oral or not), it is real easy to get the bits of this Libby thingamajig sorted out into a coherent narrative.

punaise @ 143

file under “no kidding?“:

White House Launches Campaign To Politicize Saddam Verdict Ahead of Midterm Elections

The verdict in the trial of former Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein was recently postponed until November 5, two days before the U.S. midterm elections. Media Matters has questioned whether “the date for the verdict’s release [was] set to provide maximum political benefit for the administration and congressional Republicans.”

Asked today whether the verdict would be a factor in the U.S. elections, White House Press Secretary Tony Snow said, “You are absolutely right, it will be a factor.” Snow said the verdict “may fit into a larger narrative about an Iraqi government that has been doing what the president has said all along.” He portrayed the decision as yet another turning point for Iraq. “This is a benchmark episode, where the Iraqi people are taking control of their own destiny,” he said.

So, Saddam gets the rope to give the GOP a little hope….

Is Olbermann supposed to appear here soon. If so, does anyone know what day?

Oklahoma kiddo @ 132

angie @ 118

Oklahoma kiddo @
107

Someone’s going to get in trouble for messin’ up tha margins. I wonder who that was?

You are a real sweetheart!

I found such a wonderful place when I started lurking here… and it became so much better when I finally took the plunge.

I think I did it and deleted my post which is why my 79 and 84 looks and reads so lame.

:0

Aw angie… I knew it was you. But you took responsibility. Therefore, no timeouts or detention for you. Once again, to the head of the class. You’re such a teacher’s pet.

You are a real sweetheart!

I found such a wonderful place when I started lurking here… and it became so much better when I finally took the plunge.

KO is supposed to be here this Sunday, iirc.

punaise,

The Saddam verdict in itself will be a yawn but will serve as a reminder of this Administration’s failure in Iraq. I see it running this way: So what if they got Saddam, the country is still going to hell, and our troops are still in the middle of it.

How many closeted gay men were in the White House at the same time? Could be a board game of some sort. For added points, answer this question: How many of the gay men visiting the White House at the same time were BALD?

Oklahoma kiddo @ 56

Matthews says on “Hardball”, that everyone “loves” Laura Bush. Really?

I like her ok. I remember when Teresa Heinz Kerry made some comment about how her choices had made her better able to serve in gov’t or somesuch, than Laura’s choice to be a SAHM. However it was quoted, Teresa felt mortified, and Laura said, “Teresa shouldn’t worry about it. I know how these things happen when you’re quoted.” It was classy, and I think Laura does have class. Spouses don’t equal each other.

Olbermann is upset about Diebold.

Nah, punaise @ 142 — in my filing system that’s going under, “Dumber ‘n sh*t’ and cross referenced under ‘Delusional’.

Makes me wince to read these guys; I long for the days way back when they were only pathetic. My stomach can only twist just so many times… 8(

GrandmaJ @ 148

How many closeted gay men were in the White House at the same time? Could be a board game of some sort. For added points, answer this question: How many of the gay men visiting the White House at the same time were BALD?

GOP Clue – Gannon, in the closet with the banana. Did I win?

Okay, I ended up deleting a bunch of comments to try to fix the margins, before I saw that Angie fessed up!!!! Hi Angie ;)

Please go easy on the zigs, all. (zigs = ziggurats = nested comments). I am only able to drop in occasionally to do moderation, but it does seem that there is a recent increase in trolls. Plus, many regular mods like *ilson are otherwise involved in election campaigns. (Oh *ilson, please come back soon!!!)

Released a few comments from mod. The others you don’t want to see.

From Haggard website (emphasis added)

“Bill Clinton’s White House was the most responsive in recent history,” he said. “He really wanted to please evangelical Christians. He’s a Bible-believing Christian himself; his problem was, he was a sex addict.”

John Kerry?

“All indications are John Kerry doesn’t know we exist,” Haggard said. Despite repeated attempts to contact the candidate, “his campaign won’t respond to us. He has snubbed evangelicism. He uses populist language to convince people he will help, but he’s really just an old-fashioned, big-government man.”

As for President Bush, Haggard shrugs off any suggestion that the two are buddy-buddy: “He’s a Crawford, Texas, guy and I’m an Indiana farm kid – we have a lot of the same values.”

Link

Oklahoma kiddo @ 146

Olbermann is upset about Diebold.

As he bloody well SHOULD be…. My assumption is my “vote” may or may not be registered as anything close to what I want. When (not if, when…) we take the Congress we’re going to have to make this one of the most important priorities or 2008 will be a repeat of 2000 and 2004.

sorry, VG. I realized too late and tried to clean up my own mess to no avail!

too late.

Hi, though and thanks for all you do.

Is there an FAQ page or something for FNG’s to figure out how to do the right thing here? I have the sense I’ve fiddled with this margin deal and I also carried forward a comment from a previous thread and got slapped for that.

Pastor Ted! Instant karma! Thankew, Jayzus!!!

JoyB @ 146

Oklahoma kiddo @ 56

Matthews says on “Hardball”, that everyone “loves” Laura Bush. Really?

I like her ok. I remember when Teresa Heinz Kerry made some comment about how her choices had made her better able to serve in gov’t or somesuch, than Laura’s choice to be a SAHM. However it was quoted, Teresa felt mortified, and Laura said, “Teresa shouldn’t worry about it. I know how these things happen when you’re quoted.” It was classy, and I think Laura does have class. Spouses don’t equal each other.

Your comment is certainly a respectable one.

“Spouses don’t equal each other.” I cannot quibble with this. But I might ask why would someone classy like Laura stay married to someone so absolutely devoid of class?

Oklahoma kiddo @
141

Is Olbermann supposed to appear here soon. If so, does anyone know what day?

November 5; the schedule for Book Salon is near the top of the page, left side.

angie @ 151

sorry, VG. I realized too late and tried to clean up my mess.

too late.

That’s okay Angie. [[hugs]] Ziggurats happen. *ilson is the expert and figuring out to fix the margins, and I sure do miss him (that is probably the least of reasons, of course). He can do a fix quicker than quick- some second sight or other. Me, no!

angie

;))))

Oklahoma kiddo @ 159

JoyB @ 146

Oklahoma kiddo @ 56

Matthews says on “Hardball”, that everyone “loves” Laura Bush. Really?

I like her ok. I remember when Teresa Heinz Kerry made some comment about how her choices had made her better able to serve in gov’t or somesuch, than Laura’s choice to be a SAHM. However it was quoted, Teresa felt mortified, and Laura said, “Teresa shouldn’t worry about it. I know how these things happen when you’re quoted.” It was classy, and I think Laura does have class. Spouses don’t equal each other.

Your comment is certainly a respectable one.

“Spouses don’t equal each other.” I cannot quibble with this. But I might ask why would someone classy like Laura stay married to someone so absolutely devoid of class?

or go out on the campaign trail for these wretched candidates pushing their morally bankrupt policies.

sorry, no passes for Laura. she’s in it up to her neatly tucked neck.

Your comment is certainly a respectable one.

“Spouses don’t equal each other.” I cannot quibble with this. But I might ask why would someone classy like Laura stay married to someone so absolutely devoid of class?

OKKiddo: There were allegations that she was paid very nicely after some violent inccidents in their past.

scarecrow @ 157

Oklahoma kiddo @
141

Is Olbermann supposed to appear here soon. If so, does anyone know what day?

November 5; the schedule for Book Salon is near the top of the page, left side.

thanks )))

raven @ 158

Is there an FAQ page or something for FNG’s to figure out how to do the right thing here? I have the sense I’ve fiddled with this margin deal and I also carried forward a comment from a previous thread and got slapped for that.

short answer: no FAQ page

in general, try to avoid “re-quoting” more than four or five times (this creates the dreaded ziggurat of nested comments).

as I recall the “slap-down” had to do with bringing a quibble forward to a new thread, whereas it is probably better to thrash it out in the original thread…carrying forward an EPU’d comment is not in and of itself a problem, as far as I know.

Never mind… my question was just answered! Thanks, punaise…

Ok, that’s helpful, thx.

Valley Girl @ 161

angie @ 151

sorry, VG. I realized too late and tried to clean up my mess.

too late.

That’s okay Angie. [[hugs]] Ziggurats happen. *ilson is the expert and figuring out to fix the margins, and I sure do miss him (that is probably the least of reasons, of course). He can do a fix quicker than quick- some second sight or other. Me, no!

Oh VG and Angie – you both are amazing and much appreciated and give this old tech phobic courage and hope. Bless you dears!

Oklahoma kiddo @ 158

But I might ask why would someone classy like Laura stay married to someone so absolutely devoid of class?

Someone what now?

windje @
74

angie @ 69

Eli @ 67

Oklahoma kiddo @ 55

Matthews says on “Hardball”, that everyone “loves” Laura Bush. Really?

Well, except for a few whackjobs on the left.

she’s an asset sez Card.

I see a*shat people. (I am whispering)

Laura Bush with Prince Charles

Check out the first two pics on this page – there’s more on the pages that follow

Goose!

Or maybe she’s just a FREAK!

watertiger’s got a thang for the Laura-bot

Valleygirl, If you are moderating,please go ahead and delete my comment waiting for moderation. No point stirring it up.

Thanks.

It shows as 156 on my screen.

I just saw Tony Perkins of the Family Research Council on “Hardball” who says that the Repubs could keep the house and senate because of the new Jersey gay rights issue from last week and also Kerry’s comments. “I think what he said behind what he said this Vietnam Era mentality of the draft where you gotta stay in school to avoid the draft and if you flunk out you end up going over there in the rice paddies.” When Matthews questioned Perkins if he truly thought that was Kerry’s intent Perkins says “Absolutely that’s what he meant.” When Matthews states his differing view, Perkins further digs his hole by saying “If he said it in a vaccuum of never doing anything else to be dismissive toward our troops and our military than I would say you are probably right, but I would disagree with you. I think that it shows that many of the liberals just don’t have an understanding of how there are people that have such committment to this country that they would volunteer to defend the ways and the ideas of this Nation.”

HE WAS TALKING ABOUT JOHN KERRY!

I actually screamed at the television.

New thread.

http://www.firedoglake.com/200…..u/#respond

Speakout at 175– I screamed several times during The Perkins Show.

(I cursed too)

At Connecticut Bob, Kirby did a running blog of the Lamont/Schlesinger debate tonight.

Also MyLeftNutmeg has a new Lamont ad, featuring Paul Newman.

Lamont’s “Mr. Smith Goes to Washington” ad is on Olberman, put the critic doesn’t get the joke.

egregious @
68

raven @ 52

Not if they make up some Gulf of Tonkin shit.

jinny @ 50

This is from Steve Clemons:

Snip……….

Prepare to Bomb Iran

Make no mistake, President Bush will need to bomb Iran’s nuclear facilities before leaving office. It is all but inconceivable that Iran will accept any peaceful inducements to abandon its drive for the bomb. Its rulers are religio-ideological fanatics who will not trade what they believe is their birthright to great power status for a mess of pottage. Even if things in Iraq get better, a nuclear-armed Iran will negate any progress there. Nothing will embolden terrorists and jihadists more than a nuclear-armed Iran.”………

There’s a lot more, which is quite frightening.

Can we stop him doing this if the Democratic majority is large enough or is this regime too crazed?

While I don’t agree with everything Clemons says, he is connected with very senior people who know what is going on. If he is worried about Bush unilaterally bombing Iran, that is very important data. His sources are not just going to call up the newspapers. But they might try to get important news out there thru deniable means such as bloggers. Clemons is no ordinary blogger.

A lot of people in DC know a little bit, a few people in DC know a lot. Clemons is on the inside track. If he is alarmed, TAKE HEED.

Wes Clark has been saying this for several months now and he thinks that W will do this at the beginning of next year.

I really do wish there was a Tower in Washington – like the Bloody Tower in London.

Speakout @ 169

I just saw Tony Perkins of the Family Research Council on “Hardball” who says that the Repubs could keep the house and senate because of the new Jersey gay rights issue from last week and also Kerry’s comments. “I think what he said behind what he said this Vietnam Era mentality of the draft where you gotta stay in school to avoid the draft and if you flunk out you end up going over there in the rice paddies.” When Matthews questioned Perkins if he truly thought that was Kerry’s intent Perkins says “Absolutely that’s what he meant.” When Matthews states his differing view, Perkins further digs his hole by saying “If he said it in a vaccuum of never doing anything else to be dismissive toward our troops and our military than I would say you are probably right, but I would disagree with you. I think that it shows that many of the liberals just don’t have an understanding of how there are people that have such committment to this country that they would volunteer to defend the ways and the ideas of this Nation.”

HE WAS TALKING ABOUT JOHN KERRY!

I actually screamed at the television.

I sooooo wish they’d find a gay hooker in Tony Perkins’ closet.

Hey VG.
Thanks for shedding some light on where *ilson is.

I’m volunteering for Sinton GA-06 tomorrow at rush hour. If you don’t have anything else better to do, how ’bout holding up a sign for him?

Christy, did you ever get a copy of the transcript of Fitzgerald questioning that memory witness last week?

I don’t get to visit often anymore and I really do miss reading everyone here. I started reading Jane and Christy last October. I know it sounds silly, but my eyes got a bit teary when I opened the site and saw the pic and Jane’s headline. I have a feeling that after Tuesday Jane, Christy and the FDL family will have plenty of investigations and cases to discuss. Plenty.

Hugh @ 143

punaise,

The Saddam verdict in itself will be a yawn but will serve as a reminder of this Administration’s failure in Iraq. I see it running this way: So what if they got Saddam, the country is still going to hell, and our troops are still in the middle of it.

Iraq is going to erupt in even more violence the day of his conviction.

Does Bush really think this is going to help the Republicans in the upcoming election? Because if he does he’s just crazy and out of touch.

Um…okay…answered my own question

I have said it before.If we hit Iran,life as we know it will end.All the pieces are in place…the camps,the legal work,should it{election} swing blue,there will be federal “POLICE” at 200 citys and polling stations to”monitor”{fix} the election.Ed Shults got wind of something that spooked him good on his show today.

Thanks for deleting my comment and proving my point. You sure you guys aren’t Republicans?

I’ll be epu’d, of course.
People are asking for filings. I know of one that directly relates to these proceedings, and it’s a GREAT read. Dated Sept. 6th. You all probably read it, but in case you haven’t:

http://cryptome.org/libby-139.pdf

Here James P. Fleissner, Debra Riggs Bonamici, and PJF argue against the defendant’s motion to admit the expert testimony of the witness. I highly recommend it. The highlights of his grilling were foreshadowed in this document.

Hugh >”…We seem able to live with them well enough. Why does Iran push these wingnuts’ buttons?”

Oil & the things they could do w/the revenue to challenge the current frat-boy crowd & their support group

Planet Earth (Gaia) is reaching the halfway point in petroleum production – Peak Oil it is called – and those with the goods are gonna get what they ask for the remaining resource

Think dollar power vs other currencies etc.

“Considering the many productive uses of petroleum, burning it for fuel is like burning a Picasso for heat.” – Big Oil Executive

Sure would be a welcome relief to see the end of this long hostage crisis, and the eventual return of Firedoglake.

Firedogliebermanlamont had become a tyranny, because let’s face it: that election will be decided only by the voters who are registered in the state of Connecticut, which may include a couple dozen readers of FDL.

Here’s hoping for all that admirable passion to be re-directed toward larger issues of concern to larger populations.

Next week, if Ned Lamont loses, please take solace in the words of the great Joseph Brodsky:

“The real danger for a writer is not so much the possibility (and often the certainty) of persecution on the part of the state, as it is the possibility of finding oneself mesmerized by the state’s features, which, whether monstrous or undergoing changes for the better, are always temporary…”

It’s so weird to think of Plamegate as “the good old days”, but I’ve missed those briefs and law classes you so brillianly taught. I promise to hang on to your every word when the trial starts and to chant “I’m not worthy” every time you rake and roll over new brief. It’s the very least I can do.

Honestly, I eagerly visited FDL regularly when the site focused on fresh commentary about issues like the Libby case. As a journalist who spent five years covering courts, it was great to read Jane’s and Christy’s take on events because they could translate the legalese in the court filings and hearings and explain it clearly and accurately. So few journalists understand the legal terms and go into as much depth.

Although I am a liberal Democrat, IMO the site has lost a lot of its originality since it has morphed into a standard political theme. It is great that you are active and I wish you the best in getting rid of Lieberman, but the writing is not original and there are plenty of sites that do the same thing, say the same things.