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Howie Klein has a rundown on Joe Biden's decision to "join the ranks of future also-rans like Duncan Hunter, Mike Gravel and Tom Tancredo to announce his pointless, sad bid for the presidency (of the United States... of America)." Notes Howie: "Is there a constituency somewhere of people who like the bankruptcy bill? Will his campaign slogan be "Joe Biden: Nonbinding and Symbolic?"
If it's true that Russert can't stand Matthews, it certainly makes Matthews' obsession with the case a bit more understandable, given that Russert is in it up to his eyeballs. And here I was thinking Matthews just liked a good media story. Perhaps like the rest of us, he's happy watching Russert being slowly turned on the Justice Department spit by master barbecuer Patrick Fitzgerald?
Maurice Hinchey has introduced the Media Ownership Reform Act, which would restore the late lamented Fairness Doctrine as well as revisions limiting the number of stations a company could own. Much of the right wing's success in manipulating corporate media came as a direct result of Ronald Reagan's precious "deregulation," and while the chances of the bill actually passing are probably slim, it goes straight to the heart of the ability of the Mighty Wurlitzer to game the system. It's high time we started having this particular conversation, and good on Congresman Hinchey and co-sponsors like Maxine Waters, Bernie Sanders and Barbara Lee for starting it. (Once again, I'll note for the record -- Maxine Waters always seems to be popping up, doing the right thing.)
Latina Lista says that due to public pressure, the ICE has increased the educational time given to children in detention camps, but more pressure is needed to get these kids out of the camps. Money quote: "In fact, there's a good many of us, who still don't understand the logic of the continual imprisonment of children for any length of time in the name of national security." Amen to that.
Henry Waxman's Oversight Committee hearings on waste, fraud and abuse in Iraq reconstruction are scheduled to start the week of February 6. Unlike the ISG who seemed to think Tom Freidman had something important to say about the situation in Iraq, Waxman is requesting the testimony of Paul Bremer, former head of the CPA. I guess that blows a hole in Joe Lieberman's whiny assertion that you can't blame him for sitting on his hands in the Senate since the House might do the same thing, huh?
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JANE!
Hi Jane!
thought I was first, wasn’t
anyway, HI JANE
and;
fitz!!!
Jane! Did you mean “rovisions” or ‘provisions” - nice slip there….
Maurice Hinchey has introduced the Media Ownership Reform Act, which would restore the late lamented Fairness Doctrine as well as rovisions limiting the number of stations a company could own.
Revisions? Rovisions? Rove-isions? Slip, or weird typo…?
Hello, Jane. I hope you are feeling better. Still going to DC next week?
JANE!!
The antidote to msm pablum poisoning!
Rovision: (n) A change in one’s previous GJ testimony.
Thanks also to everyone in DC live-blogging, etc.
Jane just invented a new word!
Jane! Fitz! Marcy!
As for Joe Biden, and this comment that he made about Barack Obama:
“I mean, you got the first mainstream African-American who is articulate and bright and clean and a nice-looking guy … I mean, that’s a storybook, man.”
Oh. My. God. In terms of stupid statements by a politican, this is right up there with Gary Hart’s “go ahead, follow me—you’ll be bored.” If Donna Rice is behind the curtain somewhere at Biden’s official announcement, I won’t be surprised at all.
Where in the hell is my Tequika?
Via Atrios: Joe Biden says that Barack Obama is “the first mainstream African-American who is articulate and bright and clean and a nice-looking guy.”
That should put Dunkin Donuts Joe in almost the same column as some Republikan, I forget their names . . .
Howie Klein is the man!!
bobtaco @ 4
This is just SO essential. I wish there was some way to start a massive movement to put major pressure on our lawmakers to support this. I keep hearing there is no hope for it to pass and I feel this is such an important part of getting our democracy back.
As Bernie Sanders said, if you care about the war in Iraq, if you care about global warming, if you care about universal health care, if you care about fair trade, etc., you must care about media conglomeration since corporate media will NEVER give you the real lowdown on any of these issues - I’m paraphrasing, but I believe he summed it up quite nicely there.
How is it possible that the U.S. can incarcerate children (many of whom are citizens based on birthright)? It boggles my mind.
(Once again, I’ll note for the record — Maxine Waters always seems to be popping up, doing the right thing.)
Rep. Hinchey is a real good guy, too. You don’t see him out in public as much as Rep. Waters (who I love, too), but he’s been pushing a lot of good stuff for a long time. He represents the area where Ms. Redshift went to college, and is an (ealier) alum of that same college, so we’ve been following his career for quite a while.
Blue Dido @ 10
And “clean”???!!! No, he did NOT say that! Holy Frijoles! What an @$$.
Sidebar- My brother in law is a patent Atty., and when I asked him what was it like to go to law school and take the bar, he replied that it’s all about memorizing info.. But, it’s really just training your brain to remember stuff. as you progress in your legel career, you get better and better at it. Like a runner, so how come these people can’t seem to remember shit? Easy, they’re lying.
Geez, I wonder what this trial will do to “Father” Tim Russert’s book sales. The gag factor kicks in when I read the writeups on Amazon of his books on special dads (i.e. viva la patriarchy!).
Is that a spider in the granita?
mui @ 13
forgetting bill Cosby here are we not
oh
Andrew Young if you insist on a pol
Waxman is already giving the ‘Pugs heartburn.
Start hammering on Bremer , Bowen and Carney,
maybe we will start hearing where approximately NINE BILLION dollars went to.
Granita, Anyone?
yesterday’s Calvados sorbet palate cleanser was great, too.
Mack @ 22
I think that’s a question that needs to be addressed directly to Biden. I bet patriotboy could write a knock out letter to Joe.
Not wanting to subject the departed juror’s to privacy infringement, I couldn’t help musing (in light of Walton’s anger about it) whether a GOP-leaning employer might threaten to sack an employee (at someone’s nefarious suggestion) to increase the likelihood of a mistrial.
Has jury tampering ever worked this way? I mean, no doubt those sympathetic to Libby’s defense know who these jurors are and who employs them.
dannyM @ 16
It’s child abuse.
From a comment by a reader at TPM:
I’m not a Biden fan either, but let’s not stoop to smear, we’re better than that.
if biden was ever a viable candidate he just blew it with his simpleminded comment on barack obama - his foot is constantly in his large mouth! and his support of the bankruptcy bill nailed his carcass also. how you doing jane? looking good here at FDL just dont push yourself too hard get rest ok
Jane, hugs to you, plus a question. The other day someone linked to the video of the song that contains the phrase “bedlam is dreaming of rain.” There is a beautiful blond in the video. Is it you?
Humbly offering Dulles-to-Plamehouse transportation. Well ok it’s a jag, want to drive?
Would like to offer all types of encouragement. New post on same.
Kids in concentration camps. Paid for by our tax dollars. I’m so proud. Having more sympathy for the good folk of Deutschland as they watched their country swirl down the drain.
I am stirred to awe by the increasing connectivity of people on blogs. Maybe we can extend this to nameless people on the other side of the world who are the targets of our wars. Let the international blogging begin.
A stunning post at kos by occams razor on the underlying reason for the whole plame/wilson outing: she knew there was no WMD in Iraq. And also in Iran, might we actually lose this one? It’s the same damn people with the same flimsy arguments. Let’s say NO and be done with it, ok?
jeffreyw @ 28
I have been here all day and when I went to find out what the hoopla was all about, I couldn’t find it, that said, Biden oughta go smoke a blunt and chill out.
On the Clock @ 26
hmm… interesting question. At this point, I wouldn’t put anything past them, tho it does sound *particularly* inventive.
Biden talks much. Says little. Yuk.
mandrake @
18
Like Paul’s grandfather in “Hard Days Night”!
Grandad!
Ghost of Tom Joad @
14
…a man among MEN!
…a… MENch.
There is so much talent within the Democratic party. I am NOT here thinking of Biden or another particular Senator.
Please don’t forget Gregory–he works for Russert–and he still hasn’t said what Ari said to him on the side of the road in Africa. Dickerson and Ari have conflicting stories–why won’t Gregory weigh in??
‘ere, man. Cool. aah
Don’ mean nothin, dig?
Make mine Jailato, scooterberry flavored.
The DLC is toying with us. They think they have it ‘in the bag’. Perhaps they do.
If Joe Biden had said that John Edwards was an articulate and bright and clean and a nice-looking guy, I would have wondered why he left out “shiny”.
Redshift @ 17
Hinchey was the one who’s poking about led to the discovery that President Bush had personally blocked DOJ’s investigation into the NSA wiretapping.
(I also went to school in Hinchey’s district, so I’ve kept up with him as a former constituent.)
I will not be cranky. I will not be cranky. I will not be…
Tweety hopes the prosecution has been paying attention like Isikoff, brilliant!
Mack @ 22
On that one, I’d grant him the benefit of a doubt that there was an implied “presidential candidate.” (It’d at least be worth seeing more context.) And with a bit more of a stretch, “clean” might well be intended as “non-corrupt,” though at best that makes it either a slam against Illinois, or a slam against other African-American candidates.
But if the guy can’t avoid embarrassing himself this much on the first day of his campaign, he’s definitely toast.
Although, being from Illinois, many moons ago, I think what he was trying to say was that he isn’t imbedded with “Operation Push” or Sharpton or Farhakan. Not that there’s anything wrong with that, but he’s mainstream.
Still, what a stupid thing to say. Bye Joe, good riddance. You never stood a chance, anyway.
Oklahoma kiddo @ 44
A long day at school, let her rip!
Tap Duncan @ 47
Kerryesque don’t ya think!
Valley Girl @
33
“Particularly inventive? ” I always appreciate flattery. {8^1
It was Walton’s reaction that sparked my cynicism — publicly rebuking the juror for not intimating his/her departure was a possibility, and then admonishing the rest of the jurors to stay healthy. He seems to be staring into the abyss of a mistrial, and this sounded like a shot across someone’s brow, and not necessarily the jurors’.
Seeing as how this administration’s last friend in the universe is time, how they have no legislative momentum, and how they hope to hand off a chaotic Iraqi situation with more troops in theater to the next administration, a mistrial in this case would fit their strategy quite well.
he may have been transcribed incorrectly, but I won’t be rushing in to Biden’s defense. Ole Teefs ‘n Tufts has zero chance of gaining my political support.
raven @ 49
It’s like “Hey, someone tell me which foot I have in my mouth, I mean, what am I paying you people for anyway?!?!”
Joe Biden - always looking for better ways to help Predatory lenders.
Certain heavy-hitters in my party (Dems) think guys like me are fools. F’k ‘em.
When is the Molly Ivins post coming back?
Jane - I don’t know if you got the word, but if need/want upgrades on LAX-IAD I can supply if you are flying on UA. Commuting to Oz I accumulate a few miles and freebie upgrades, as you can imagine.
If you want them I’ll need your PNR ASAP. Trex has my email addy if you don’t have it from my registration.
Evil Parallel Universe @ 56
I understand Molly Ivins is in hospital and very ill with Big C.
For those of you who are wondering…yes, a post appeared earlier than it should have.
Check back in the morning, your comments will still be there…and please don’t tell any one else the surprise.
Molly Ivins is a GIANT.
Hugs to Jane!
Isikoff and Tweety are dishing it out on Hardball, discussing the dirt from the trial so far. Isikoff’s said (paraphrased) the most fascinating part of the trial so far was yesterday - Judy Miller’s breakfast meeting July 8 with Scooter regarding the NIE. She asked if the real classified version contained evidence that was not in the public version used to promote the need for the war. Judy says Libby told her that it was not true, and that the classified version contained even more damning evidence to support a war with Iraq. “That was the classic example of how Libby, Cheney, the Vice President’s office, and the White House were spinning the press and the public.”
(text in quotes is exact quote indicating his emphasis).
Matthews talks about how the CIA was browbeaten by the WH to support the war/cherry pick evidence (”meeting the prescription”, as Matthews put it), and then the WH turned around and pinned the poor intelligence for the war on them.
They discussed several additional topics related to the trial.
It’s worth tuning in, even though they didn’t mention that Mary Matalin says Russert hates Matthews (huh, what a surprise).
To all of you @ FDL, You are doing such a great job!!! I have to go feed the livestock but I wanted you to know how we the people feel about your efforts!!! This is freedom of speech and transparency at it’s BEST!!!!!!!!!
To all others- Make a donation, buy the book, spread the word, they deserve it!!!!!!!!!!! See you on the ‘morrow- Hang Tough
I got that - b/c there was a post, post-Granita, that was up by Scarecrow, and I commented on the trial on it - an insightful point and not the usual “none of this matters he’s toast and you’re all boring me” vein - and then it was gone. I could retype my comment on this thread, but I’ll wait and see if it shows up on the Molly Ivins thread to be.
Biden is a political incontinent.
OT ish
Tom Menino, Boston’s Mayor, not amused by ATHF “ads”
http://www.flickr.com/photos/vanderlin/358742603/
RBG - If the Molly Ivins post is not coming back till morning, would you please repost my comment in that thread on this thread, assuming my comment is not lost to the ether (fucking ether is a huge problem in any universe).
THERE NEEDS TO BE A NEW PULITZER PRIZE CATEGORY to recognize the great work the FDL team has been doing. Thanks!
Evil Parallel Universe @
64
All the more annoying since those guys Michelson and Morley proved it doesn’t exist.
Citizen Hamsher and the Firedog Patriots:
With regard to the Senator from MBNA and his candidacy: he’s a Kamakazee for Mrs. Clinton, his mission is to sink Obama and to pull as much away from the other “moderates” as possible.
General Clark is likewise a stalkin’ horse for the Clinton Corporation.
KEEP THE FAITH AND DON’T BELIEVE A THING THRE BASTARDS SAY
Sen Biden opens he mouth just long enough to change feet. Why does he keep getting re-elected?
bobtaco @
5
I like “rovisions,” though it was probably a bit freudian, doncha think?
P.S. Janie:
It is GREAT to hear your strong voice…keep the faith babe, we’re all on yer side!!!
Here’s the pre-EPU’d comment from the omniscient one:
How’s that?
Valley Girl @
33
I am a small (5′2″) business person and also did payroll and benefits for many, many small businesses over the years. I could see this happening easily. Employee wouldn’t necessarily know, esp if biz small enough that no policy was in place re jury duty. No conspiracy involved.
OTOH, if owner/boss was right-leaning, BushCo or one related to somebody who is (and there seems to be a *lot* of that in DC) s/he might just to it to ‘help the cause’.
EPU…got any ether you’re willing to share right about now?
petedownunder - I wasn’t talking about that kind of ether ;-p
And thanks RBG
RBG @ 72
ether you’re for us or you’re nitrous.
The neocons have learned nothing from five years of catastrophe
Their zealous advocacy of the invasion of Iraq may have been a disaster, but now they want to do it all over again - in Iran
Francis Fukuyama
Wednesday January 31, 2007
http://www.guardian.co.uk/comm.....90,00.html
I do not like this character.
Fukuyama is on the steering committee for the Scooter Libby Legal Defense Trust. Fukuyama is a long-time friend of Libby. They served together in the State Department in the 1980s.
At least no one spoiled the surprise. :)
Emptywheel if you’re reading (as if you have time!):
I was thinking it’d be great if somebody could put a bug in David Shuster’s ear to put a bug in Tweety’s ear to have the 2 of you do an hour-long (The Real) “Libby Trial” Hardball. You could tape the show some day after court adjourns.
Somebody needs to disabuse Tweety’s viewers of the misguided notion that Michael Isikoff is the freakin’ last word on the CIA leak case. Great for book promotion too!
Phenomenal, superhuman job, Emptywheel, Pach, Christy, Jeralyn, Swopa, Jane and all the other FDL heroes!
That does it. Someone mentioned Mrs. Clinton.
RBG - I wish I could put it in, but I think that would be d’UPE, but I’m getting ahead of myself.
Norske!
How’s baby Freya?
Oklahoma kiddo @ 79
Think calm thoughts. Om. Sunsets. Rainbows. Smiley faces.
YOU CAN DO IT!!! I mean, you can do it.
JPL @
64
I may not be the first but I certainly won’t be the last to agree heartily with this idea!
OhioBlue @
30
Nah but thanks for the thought.
From Froomkin today:
Only too true!
The so called centrist Demos are treating Progressives as buffoons.
S.O.S. from MA @ 82
and a Spewlitzer for TRex in Late Nite
Just because I need to hear it right about now……bedlam is dreaming of rain.
OK Kiddoe - So call yourself a “centrist” rather than a “progressive” and maybe they won’t call you names.
http://weblogsky.com/2007/01/m.....hes_p.html
link to a nice pix of molly ivans.
hope she is ok.
I think of the DLC-types as “corporatists”, even though they like to call themselves “centrists”.
How bizarre! I totally saw that pic today already. i was reading the wikipedia entry on sorbet. lol
in case you haven’t noticed, ever since Olberman’s numbers have taken off, both Matthews and Scarborough have been skewing less to the right because they want the KO audience. (KO is attracting an audience to MSNBC… and if you watch the Scarborough promos during KO’s show, they are designed to keep KO’s audience tuned in.)
JPL @ 64
These are the current Pulitzer Prize category definitions for the competition:
1. For a distinguished example of meritorious public service by a newspaper through the use of its journalistic resources which, as well as reporting, may include editorials, cartoons, photographs and online material.
2. For a distinguished example of local reporting of breaking news, presented in print or online or both.
3. For a distinguished example of investigative reporting by an individual or team, presented as a single article or series., in print or in print and online.
4. For a distinguished example of explanatory reporting that illuminates a significant and complex subject, demonstrating mastery of the subject, lucid writing and clear presentation, in print or in print and online.
5. For a distinguished example of beat reporting characterized by sustained and knowledgeable coverage of a particular subject or activity, in print or in print and online.
6. For a distinguished example of reporting on national affairs, in print or in print and online.
7. For a distinguished example of reporting on international affairs, in print or in print and online.
8. For a distinguished example of feature writing giving prime consideration to high literary quality and originality, in print or in print and online.
9. For distinguished commentary, in print or in print and online.
10. For distinguished criticism, in print or in print and online.
11. For distinguished editorial writing, the test of excellence being clearness of style, moral purpose, sound reasoning, and power to influence public opinion in what the writer conceives to be the right direction, in print or in print and online.
SusanD - That would be “corporationists,” cause “corporatist” as taken from Mussolini’s fascism, means something different than favoring, or doing the bidding, of corporations.
From Froomkin’s Chat on-line today:
jeffreyw @
28
I listened to the audio at TPM, and there’s definitely a pause, with an interjection. But this comment is still appalling: he is praising another politician—a fellow senator, at that–for being “articulate and bright and clean and a nice-looking guy….It’s a story-book.” How patronizing.
At 6.03, TPM posted an update, with a link to Obama’s response, after an apology by Biden:
“I didn’t take Senator Biden’s comments personally, but obviously they were historically inaccurate. African-American presidential candidates like Jesse Jackson, Shirley Chisholm, Carol Moseley Braun and Al Sharpton gave a voice to many important issues through their campaigns, and no one would call them inarticulate.”
TPM links to this comment: http://www.talkingpointsmemo.com/
And why should the arrival of a “mainstream” “articulate” African-American presidential candidate be “a storybook”??? (I seem to recall much talk of exactly this kind about Colin Powell during the 90s, when people used to say he should run for either president or VP.)
Open mouth, insert foot, Joe.
Thanks, EPU
jeffreyw@ 95
I’ll go for 4, 6 and 9, please. They all fit this place to a T!
Blue Dido @ 11
As I recall, the last time Biden ran for President he was blasted out of the water very quickly around the whole plagerism charge.
He.really.does.seem.rather.dumb.
And I loved Howie’s question about Biden’s candidacy: “Is there a constituency somewhere of people who like the bankruptcy bill?”
Perfect.
NBC News leads with the Biden/Obama flap.
-GSD
What is Biden’s record on the lending industry?
Supports usury?
On Biden, when you have an ego that big, you can’t help but trip over it.
He puts forth his Iraq Resolution which he walks over with his Presidential ambitions which he walks over with his boneheaded remarks. The man can’t stop talking and when he does, he can’t help but get himself into trouble. He is a verbal accident waiting to happen, a Gerald Ford with words.
P J Evans @ 98
Except for the first one that mentions newspaper, nearly all of the categories work for the blogosphere. The Huff Post may soon void the “except” caveat above.
Moi aussi, and I have a Prius!!!!
P J Evans @ 98
Thanks Jeff
I’m with Norske, if Biden’s efforts are anything other than a final death rattle of pure ego, it will be to run as a windbreaker to HilClint for a couple of laps and then drop by the wayside–in stark similarity to his own footnote in history.
Biden: another selfmade Churdhill.
OT, but a poster at kos has it from a “platinum source” that Wes Clark will soon be jumping into the presidential race - and is scheduled to be on Tweety this Friday! (must have terminated Fox Noise exclusive contract - good sign)
http://www.dailykos.com/story/.....9?detail=f
(sorry - long-time Clarkie - can’t help it!)
everhopeful @ 109
Me Too, but not just because of foreign policy but also because of his progressive economic policies.
everhopeful @ 107
“I mean, you got the first mainstream American general who is articulate and bright and clean and a nice-looking guy … I mean, that’s a storybook, man.”