Yes it is!! Fitz!

Hey T-rex! Love that pic.

ccmask @ 1

Hey T-rex! Love that pic.

Me, too.

Evenin’, Ma’am!

Bottoms up?

Preoccupied, much?

oh please oh please… I’ve been waiting a long time for Fitzmas!

Fitz
TRex

Group hug!

And may tonight be the eve of Fitmas Eve…

so Marcy can be there for the verdict.

FITZ!

Leave a plate of sugar cookies and a glass of milk out tonight. Merry Fitzmas everyone!

Jack Nicholson looked like fucking Dick Armitage on stage.

Madness! Madness! Madness!

A terrific quote. So multifunctional.

Or a glass of Egg Blog?

Hiya TRex, and merry Fitzmas Eve to ya!

And a special coupla glasses of high-octane for the Lady Enablers, Deborah Howell and Victoria Toensing, corrupters of Katharine Graham’s extraordinary establishment.

To channel John Mitchell: Whose tit’s in a wringer now, Vickie and Deb?

TRex!!!

And a very merry Fitzmas to you, too!

OT: E. J. Dionne:

The evidence presented at the Libby trial has demonstrated how worried Cheney was that this scheme could unravel. Thanks to Patrick Fitzgerald, the painstaking prosecutor, we know that Cheney was beside himself over former ambassador Joseph Wilson’s July 6, 2003, New York Times op-ed article undercutting the administration’s claim that Saddam Hussein had sought nuclear materials in Niger.

Whatever the jury decides, Fitzgerald has amply demonstrated that Cheney directed Libby to destroy Wilson’s credibility, partly by leaking that his wife, Valerie Plame Wilson, was a CIA operative who had suggested Wilson was well qualified to investigate the claims in Niger. For Libby, Fitzgerald said in closing his case, Valerie Wilson “wasn’t a person. She was an argument, a fact to use against Joe Wilson.”

Libby-Cheney apologists have argued over and over that Cheney had a right to be angry because Wilson said that Cheney had sent him to Niger. But Wilson said no such thing. In his New York Times piece, Wilson wrote only that he had been “informed by officials at the Central Intelligence Agency that Vice President Dick Cheney’s office had questions about a particular intelligence report.” That was true.

The attack apparatus has now turned on Fitzgerald, whose record is that of a thoroughly nonpartisan prosecutor. Fitzgerald’s perjury rap against Libby, Cheney allies say, is a cheap attempt to criminalize politics.

Really? Here’s what Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R-Fla.) had to say about perjury: “Lying under oath is an ancient crime of great weight because it shields other offenses, because it blocks the light of truth in human affairs. It is a dagger in the heart of our legal system, and indeed in our democracy. It cannot, it should not, it must not be tolerated.”

Ros-Lehtinen made that statement not about Libby, but to justify the impeachment of Bill Clinton back in 1998. I have no idea where she stands on the Plame-Wilson case. But it’s certainly amusing that so many who were eager to throw Clinton out of office for perjury and obstruction of justice when he lied about sex are now livid at Fitzgerald for bringing comparable charges in a controversy over the rationale for war. Do they think sex is more important than war?

Whatever price Scooter Libby pays, the country is already paying for the divisive practices of a crowd that wanted to go to war in Iraq in the very worst way — and did exactly that. As a result, we confront the mess in Baghdad and the continued threat of terrorism as an angry, polarized nation.

The Comstock Post (ComPost for short) throws in a counterpoint, but not with all the Sunday Outlook splash of Toensings lies and proaganda.

…….and to all a good night.

But remember, kids, it’s not even a guilty verdict that counts.

This sounds like the soft bigotry of lowered expectations to me. I will be very pissed if we see an acquittal. Personally, it’s unfathomable to me.

However, Pierre Thomas of ABC News was hawking the NYT talking point on Gwen Ifill’s show on Friday that the reason the defense rested so quickly was because they decided the prosecution hadn’t made its case. Does anyone know where that bullshit started? Where did the NYT come up with it, Libby’s publicists?

Oh damn. I knew I forgot to buy something this past week.

I have champagne flutes, red wine, white wine, water goblets of all kinds — cut or blown crystal, clear and tinted glass. I have a full collection of shot glasses suitable for swigging tequila or swilling icy-cold vodka. Highball and rocks glasses, too, even Irish coffee mugs.

But not a single martini glass.

Damnit, I’m going to have to get some tomorrow and a fresh supply of hemlock to serve up nice and cold.

Onward to Cheney. Hey Shooter, how’s it feel to have a big fat bullseye painted on your forehead?

Wonderful writing, Trex. Thank you. A really cheering post, which I, for one, badly need in this awful time of useless war.

Sparkles the Iguana @
18

But remember, kids, it’s not even a guilty verdict that counts.

This sounds like the soft bigotry of lowered expectations to me. I will be very pissed if we see an acquittal. Personally, it’s unfathomable to me.

However, Pierre Thomas of ABC News was hawking the NYT talking point on Gwen Ifill’s show on Friday that the reason the defense rested so quickly was because they decided the prosecution hadn’t made its case. Does anyone know where that bullshit started? Where did the NYT come up with it, Libby’s publicists?

Well, no one who works for the NYT is creative or intelligent enough to come up with that on their own, and why bother, with the fax arriving so conveniently as it likely did?

So, let’s take a little time amid all the Fitzmas noise and bustle to enjoy the sights and sounds and smells of the season, like Barbara Comstock sweating through her Eau de Joi, Ted Wells wringing out his sodden hankie and laying cool slices of cucumber on his tear-swollen eyes, Judy Miller snarfing down handfuls of Ambien, and the fresh, steaming egg on Tim Russert’s face. Mmmmmm, it’s Schadenfreudelicious! Yee haw! The people on the other side are sitting just as close to the edge of their chairs as we are tonight. Hell, let’s send the poor suckers a round of drinks. Waiter! A tray of hemlock martinis for that glum-looking crowd over by the pool-tables, please!

Bottoms up!

Merry Fitzmas!

SNARK-A-LICIOUS. NOW GO TO WAPO AND TELL DEBORAH HOWELL WHAT YOU THINK OF HER DIMWITTED DEFENSE OF THE TOENSING OP-ED PIECE – link here

Sparkles the Iguana @ 18

However, Pierre Thomas of ABC News was hawking the NYT talking point on Gwen Ifill’s show on Friday that the reason the defense rested so quickly was because they decided the prosecution hadn’t made its case. Does anyone know where that bullshit started? Where did the NYT come up with it, Libby’s publicists?

That makes no goddamned sense at all to me. If I was the defense attorney in a case like this and I didn’t think the prosecution has made it’s case, I wouldn’t be sitting on my laurels. I’d be going for the jugular, just to be sure the jury doesn’t miss that point.

The defense rested so quickly because it couldn’t make its case. Better to save energy for appeals at that point.

Ralph @ 21

Wonderful writing, Trex. Thank you. A really cheering post, which I, for one, badly need in this awful time of useless war.

Thank you, Ralph!

kirk murphy @ 7

Group hug!

And may tonight be the eve of Fitmas Eve…

so Marcy can be there for the verdict.

Me, too, for completely selfish reasons. I’ll be spending the evening toasting Fitz, Marcy, Jane, Christy, Pach, Swopa, Arianna, and everyone else involved when the guilty verdicts come down. It’ll be easier for me to get Wednesday off to nurse my hangover, er, hang out at FDL awaiting Fitz’s next move.

Well it sounds like things are going even more swimmingly than before:

But U.S. troops, Iraqi soldiers and officials, and Baghdad residents say the plan is hampered because security forces cannot identify, let alone apprehend, the elusive perpetrators of the violence. Shiite militiamen in the capital say they are keeping a low profile to wait out the security plan. U.S. commanders have noted increased insurgent violence in the Sunni-dominated belt around Baghdad and are concerned that fighters are shifting their focus outside the city.

Military patrols frequently push into neighborhoods where they have been shot at or struck with improvised explosive devices, or IEDs, only to find no one to arrest.

“I don’t know who I’m fighting most of the time,” said Staff Sgt. Joseph Lopez, 39, a soldier based in the northern outskirts of the capital. “I don’t know who is setting what IED.”

Indochina, 1967?

TRex:

I expect you to bestow the ‘award’ soon, dammit!

“Pierre Thomas of ABC News was hawking the NYT talking point on Gwen Ifill’s show on Friday that the reason the defense rested so quickly was because they decided the prosecution hadn’t made its case.“

That’s the kind of thing the defense wants you to believe when they don’t have a case.

double dayam it, I think I packed away my Fitzmas stockings and have no idea which box they are in.

But U.S. troops, Iraqi soldiers and officials, and Baghdad residents say the plan is hampered because security forces cannot identify, let alone apprehend, the elusive perpetrators of the violence. Shiite militiamen in the capital say they are keeping a low profile to wait out the security plan. U.S. commanders have noted increased insurgent violence in the Sunni-dominated belt around Baghdad and are concerned that fighters are shifting their focus outside the city.

“Nobody could have anticipated…”

neurophius @ 28

“Pierre Thomas of ABC News was hawking the NYT talking point on Gwen Ifill’s show on Friday that the reason the defense rested so quickly was because they decided the prosecution hadn’t made its case.“

That’s the kind of thing the defense wants you to believe when they don’t have a case.

Exactly correct.

Meanwhile, back at the crime…..

Maybe I missed it, so please enlighten me: Did Bush back-date the declassification of Plame’s status?

I do not think I have seen a date on the supposed declassification–which I guess could keep Libby’s and Cheney’s actions from being violations of the Identity Protection Act, if the declassification took place before they knowingly revealed a covert agent’s identity.

However, there is a possibility…maybe a likelihood…that declassification came after the leaks (like around the 9/29 press announcement about no-one in the administration leaking “classified” information). In that case, the leak could have been a crime at the time it occurred.

Obviously, there was perjury and conspiracy along the way to prevent the administration from having to face the criminal, or political, consequences. But is the investigation of the underlying crime over, or does it get new legs if Scooter is convicted and has to bargain for sentence reduction?

Ted Wells – Literal Cry For Injustice…

by popular demand…only a small sampling…lest I will find myself whizgigging all night long. ;)

All I ask is use your common sense, life experiences, don’t base your verdict on speculation. Common sense will tell you that the Government has not established guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.

This is where I started. I read this already in terms of what evidence has shown again. He gave his best good faith recollection. Any mistakes were innocent mistakes. He had no knowledge that Wilson’s job status was classified. He did not push reporters to write about Valerie Wilson. He did not leak to Robert Novak. Richard Armitage did. He is an innocent person. He had no motive to lie.

Is there another slide?

See, I almost made it. I did make it.

All I can do is trust in you. I told you that when we chose you, we had already accomplished the most important part of the case. We made a decision that you and you alone would be the judges.

For some of you, this is probably one of the most important jobs you’ll ever have sitting in judgment of another human being. It is an enormous responsibility. All I will say to you is follow Judge Walton’s instructions. Trust in the evidence. Trust in the evidence and trust in each other.

Be the protector of the integrity of your deliberation process. If somebody begins to go off track and starts to have a situation where Mr. Libby has to prove his innocence as opposed to the Government has to prove his guilt, help that person. Somebody starts to speculate, help that person. If somebody starts to say, oh, you know, he’s a Republican. He worked for Cheney. You know, let’s do him, you know, help that person.

We started off talking about protecting Karl Rove sacrificing Scooter Libby. That’s written in the Vice President’s own handwriting. I say to you, don’t in this case sacrifice Scooter Libby for how you may feel about the war in Iraq or how you feel about the Bush Administration. Don’t sacrifice Scooter Libby.

Treat him the way he deserves to be treated. He got up every morning and worked 12 hour days to be the National Security Advisor to this country. You look at what he did. You give him a fair shake. You analyze it. You analyze it fairly. And fight any temptation of filtering how you analyze your views, be you a Democrat or whatever party.

This is a man with a wife, with two children and nobody has come in here and said he’s been a bad person, done anything wrong. He is a good person. He has been under my protection for the last month. I give him to you. I ask you at the end of the case, vote not guilty on each and every count and give him back to me. [rub onion in eyes]

Ted, you can have him back! At least until he reports to federal prison :)

Fitzmas Exclusive: Closing Argument Transcript

Sparkles: Where did the NYT come up with it, Libby’s publicists?

That’s exactly where. If these investigations prosper, we’ll have absolute proof that they’re all intertwined like those aspen roots (not that we need more proof. The public record sort of shouts if you look at it)…so you see their asses are on the line too. Spin? Lie? More crimes? Yah, you betcha.

But it’s certainly amusing that so many who were eager to throw Clinton out of office for perjury and obstruction of justice when he lied about sex are now livid at Fitzgerald for bringing comparable charges in a controversy over the rationale for war. Do they think sex is more important than war?

No, more evil.

EvilDrPuma @ 32

neurophius @ 28

“Pierre Thomas of ABC News was hawking the NYT talking point on Gwen Ifill’s show on Friday that the reason the defense rested so quickly was because they decided the prosecution hadn’t made its case.“

That’s the kind of thing the defense wants you to believe when they don’t have a case.

Exactly correct.

I have a sidebet going with a few Ironworkers….I say guity on all counts..be some unhappy wingnuts @ the steel shop I am inspecting at these days

Lindsay from Majikthise has a really good essay up at Salon. I’m about halfway done reading it right now.

EvilDrPuma @ 31

neurophius @ 28

“Pierre Thomas of ABC News was hawking the NYT talking point on Gwen Ifill’s show on Friday that the reason the defense rested so quickly was because they decided the prosecution hadn’t made its case.“

That’s the kind of thing the defense wants you to believe when they don’t have a case.

Exactly correct.

If the defense had truly believed that, they probably would have mentioned it in their closing arguments, instead of the muddled mess they presented.

what a long, strange ride it’s been

One thing striking about Howell’s howling is that she closes with an example of ’strong journalism’ – named sources, real issues, no ‘inside the Beltway’ CW cocktail weenie journalism there, etc. which is all well and good. Up to a point – she (Deb Howell) fails to make an explicit direct connecion that the war wounded are in WR for a reason. Most are injured in Iraq. How did they get sent there? The answer to that question is deeply intertwingled with the trial in Prettyman.

sheesh.

Beyerstein:

What Bob didn’t seem to realize is that the right-wing blogosphere was going to try to get Edwards’ bloggers fired no matter what. Unlike the liberal netroots, the right-wing blogosphere is capable of exactly one kind of collective political action. They call it “scalping” — they pick a target and harass that person and his or her employer until the person either jumps or is pushed out of the public eye. Whoever blogged for Edwards was signing up for a lot of bad hair days, and it wasn’t going to be me.

My local news just reported that Al Sharpton’s ancestor was a slave owned by Strom Thurmond’s ancestor. Wacky!

snuffy @ 37

EvilDrPuma @ 32

neurophius @ 28

“Pierre Thomas of ABC News was hawking the NYT talking point on Gwen Ifill’s show on Friday that the reason the defense rested so quickly was because they decided the prosecution hadn’t made its case.“

That’s the kind of thing the defense wants you to believe when they don’t have a case.

Exactly correct.

I have a sidebet going with a few Ironworkers….I say guity on all counts..be some unhappy wingnuts @ the steel shop I am inspecting at these days

Snuffy dear – I hope you will your bet. In any event you be careful and watch your back.

TRex @ 42

Beyerstein:

What Bob didn’t seem to realize is that the right-wing blogosphere was going to try to get Edwards’ bloggers fired no matter what. Unlike the liberal netroots, the right-wing blogosphere is capable of exactly one kind of collective political action. They call it “scalping” — they pick a target and harass that person and his or her employer until the person either jumps or is pushed out of the public eye. Whoever blogged for Edwards was signing up for a lot of bad hair days, and it wasn’t going to be me.

and its still going on..I saw wingnuttry flack eveident the last time I went by shakes sis….these bastards are evil

Sparkles the Iguana @ 43

My local news just reported that Al Sharpton’s ancestor was a slave owned by Strom Thurmond’s ancestor. Wacky!

more here.

Hemlock Martinis? Make mine a double!

I can drink that, and survive, and watch these liver bile expungences try to lawyer their way out of jail… all the while dreaming of a civilization based on the love and snark that comes from good friends and good whisky (and great writing, without which we all fall into darkness, you hear me TRex, sounds like Henry Miller’s laughing from the peacegut about this post.)

One thing we don’t have is power. One thing we do have is great writing which wakes us up, and kicks ass.

and btw, Pach (hey TRex, chill, you know he also did some fine stuff), in the last few weeks your analysis and insight is beyond compare. No matter the verdict.

And now an attempt to post like OK Kiddo. i would like to see the major media pundits embarrass themselves into oblivion.

zig alert

My problem with Fitzmas? My favorite xmas tradition is getting to pick a single present from the pile to open on xmas eve.

It’s REALLY hard to do that with Fitzmas.

Anyhow, GO TEAM FDL. Thanks to all who contributed for helping me get my trial fix.

And here’s to the jury finding him as guilty as we all know he is.

newspaperbrat @ 44

snuffy @ 37

EvilDrPuma @ 32

neurophius @ 28

“Pierre Thomas of ABC News was hawking the NYT talking point on Gwen Ifill’s show on Friday that the reason the defense rested so quickly was because they decided the prosecution hadn’t made its case.“

That’s the kind of thing the defense wants you to believe when they don’t have a case.

Exactly correct.

I have a sidebet going with a few Ironworkers….I say guity on all counts..be some unhappy wingnuts @ the steel shop I am inspecting at these days

Snuff dear – I hope you will your bet. In any event you be careful and watch your back.

Always…
I have been a inspector in a lot of VERY hard places

***MOD NOTE*** Please don’t quote this comment anymore – it will bust the margins. Thank you.***

BFD 2007 @ 33

Meanwhile, back at the crime…..

Maybe I missed it, so please enlighten me: Did Bush back-date the declassification of Plame’s status?

Now that’s a very good question!

If he did, suddenly this become a twin of Watergate: The President at first tries to pretend that he wasn’t involved, but then it becomes apparent that he was in it up to his fricking eyeballs.

FDL should be so proud of what everyone here has accomplished. I hope you’ve been able to get enough donations and ad revenue to help offset the incredible amounts of money you must be spending to provide this terrific coverage. (reminder to all: that “donate now” button is real easy to click!)

So, is Shooter planning to romp around outside the country until after a verdict is delivered? I just read he’s in Oman now… I thought he was coming home from Australia today. I’m just curious if he’s finding things to do outside the US until a couple days after a verdict is announced. Does anyone know what his schedule to return to the US is, or is he doing it ad-lib?

Phoenix Woman @ 49

BFD 2007 @ 33

Meanwhile, back at the crime…..

Maybe I missed it, so please enlighten me: Did Bush back-date the declassification of Plame’s status?

Now that’s a very good question!

If he did, suddenly this become a twin of Watergate: The President at first tries to pretend that he wasn’t involved, but then it becomes apparent that he was in it up to his fricking eyeballs.

PW, you’re doing a bang-up job, by the way. Welcome to the big time, baby. You haven’t missed a beat.

Phoenix Woman @ 51

BFD 2007 @ 33

Meanwhile, back at the crime…..

Maybe I missed it, so please enlighten me: Did Bush back-date the declassification of Plame’s status?

Now that’s a very good question!

If he did, suddenly this become a twin of Watergate: The President at first tries to pretend that he wasn’t involved, but then it becomes apparent that he was in it up to his fricking eyeballs.

where is Rosemary Woods in our hour of need?

Phoenix Woman @ 51

BFD 2007 @ 33

Meanwhile, back at the crime…..

Maybe I missed it, so please enlighten me: Did Bush back-date the declassification of Plame’s status?

Now that’s a very good question!

And heart stopping = sure gave me a thrilling jolt! He is such a little cheat and weasel liar. Nancy Pelosi may end up Madmane President yet!

If he did, suddenly this become a twin of Watergate: The President at first tries to pretend that he wasn’t involved, but then it becomes apparent that he was in it up to his fricking eyeballs.

Fitzmas at 34 — thank you for the festive transcripts.

Blank Kludge @ 40

One thing striking about Howell’s howling is that she closes with an example of ’strong journalism’ – named sources, real issues, no ‘inside the Beltway’ CW cocktail weenie journalism there, etc. which is all well and good. Up to a point – she (Deb Howell) fails to make an explicit direct connecion that the war wounded are in WR for a reason. Most are injured in Iraq. How did they get sent there? The answer to that question is deeply intertwingled with the trial in Prettyman.

sheesh.

Shorter Howell: I’m too stupid and lazy to sort through the propoaganda and the facts of the Plame affair and so is the rest of the WaPo staff so it’s perfectly OK that we published 4 op-eds critical of the Libby charges and 0 op-eds supporting the case. (I guess that wasn’t much shorter after all.) he he.

Sparkles – In an email to LHP today I made the point that you could have seen expected one of two strategies from the defense: 1) Simply rest after the gov’t presented its case b/c of your confidence they didn’t prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt or you think it is the best tactic (and presenting no case is a legitimate tactic); or, 2) go all out and present a full defense.

What we got seemed, to me, the worst of both – as if they were caught in indecision as to how to procede – whether to rest or try to put on a defense, and not that they “winged it,” but that after moving forward they perhaps realized they were doing more harm then good and abruptly stopped. I think evidence (if not proof) of the this idea was the poorly executed closing arguments of the defense team – that perhaps they were not the original closing arguments that I’m sure they spent a long time working on (so maybe a little winging it).

The point is, if you appear to stop half-way through your defense, the jury is going to notice, and your not going to stop b/c it is going well (someone said that above, and is right). It defies logic as well as common sense. A criminal trial isn’t the kind of event where you take chances, and yes, the Times should know better.

No one knows if he will be acquited or if there will be a hung jury or if he will be convicted – but convicted is definitely the way to bet.

PS – (To all) If you believe the CM is corrupt, why do you care what they say, since you “know” they are parroting the talking points of the rightards? (That was rhetorical – since I know some of you will ask).

LandOfTheFree @ 52

FDL should be so proud of what everyone here has accomplished. I hope you’ve been able to get enough donations and ad revenue to help offset the incredible amounts of money you must be spending to provide this terrific coverage. (reminder to all: that “donate now” button is real easy to click!)

So, is Shooter planning to romp around outside the country until after a verdict is delivered? I just read he’s in Oman now… I thought he was coming home from Australia today. I’m just curious if he’s finding things to do outside the US until a couple days after a verdict is announced. Does anyone know what his schedule to return to the US is, or is he doing it ad-lib?

I have a bad feeling about his evilness visiting all the places he has…I am wondering what little side conversations/deals/explanations/warnings he is giveing…

Neil @ 56

Shorter Howell: I’m too stupid and lazy to sort through the propoaganda and the facts of the Plame affair and so is the rest of the WaPo staff so it’s perfectly OK that we published 4 op-eds critical of the Libby charges and 0 op-eds supporting the case. (I guess that wasn’t much shorter after all.) he he.

Still shorter Howell.

Phoenix Woman @ 50

BFD 2007 @ 33

Meanwhile, back at the crime…..

Maybe I missed it, so please enlighten me: Did Bush back-date the declassification of Plame’s status?

Now that’s a very good question!

If he did, suddenly this become a twin of Watergate: The President at first tries to pretend that he wasn’t involved, but then it becomes apparent that he was in it up to his fricking eyeballs.

If he did, it was because Cheney just went ahead and did the deed and then went to the puppet-in-chief for after the fact cover.

TRex @ 53

PW, you’re doing a bang-up job, by the way. Welcome to the big time, baby. You haven’t missed a beat.

Gawrsh, thanks, T! You’re so sweet.

Speaking of not missing a beat, this is the best section of Lindsay’s piece in Salon:

In my opinion, though, the real lesson of the Webb campaign is how effective bloggers can be when they’re outside the campaign. I think the candidates who benefit the most from the netroots are the ones who can inspire bloggers to do their work for free. They create unpaid, unofficial surrogates. Webb is a netroots success story because his team captured the imagination of independent bloggers and online activists.

It was always clear that the netroots adopted Webb, not the other way around. His people figured out a way to make the relationship work. Throughout the race, besides hiring Feld and Chernila, his staffers also diligently cultivated relationships with bloggers outside the campaign. The Webb team started taking the pulse of the larger blogosphere before the Democratic primary — and their candidate’s primary victory was due, in part, to intense Internet support.

kirk murphy @
7

Group hug!

And may tonight be the eve of Fitmas Eve…

so Marcy can be there for the verdict.

Yeah, I think Marcy deserves that; I vote for Tuesday.
Evening, TRex. Never been huggged by a therapod! Awesome.

Phoenix Woman @ 62

TRex @ 53

PW, you’re doing a bang-up job, by the way. Welcome to the big time, baby. You haven’t missed a beat.

Gawrsh, thanks, T! You’re so sweet.

Speaking of not missing a beat, this is the best section of Lindsay’s piece in Salon:

In my opinion, though, the real lesson of the Webb campaign is how effective bloggers can be when they’re outside the campaign. I think the candidates who benefit the most from the netroots are the ones who can inspire bloggers to do their work for free. They create unpaid, unofficial surrogates. Webb is a netroots success story because his team captured the imagination of independent bloggers and online activists.

It was always clear that the netroots adopted Webb, not the other way around. His people figured out a way to make the relationship work. Throughout the race, besides hiring Feld and Chernila, his staffers also diligently cultivated relationships with bloggers outside the campaign. The Webb team started taking the pulse of the larger blogosphere before the Democratic primary — and their candidate’s primary victory was due, in part, to intense Internet support.

my,my he learned something new….[look!look!bright shiney]

Helpless Dancer @ 61

Phoenix Woman @ 50

BFD 2007 @ 33

Meanwhile, back at the crime…..

Maybe I missed it, so please enlighten me: Did Bush back-date the declassification of Plame’s status?

Now that’s a very good question!

If he did, suddenly this become a twin of Watergate: The President at first tries to pretend that he wasn’t involved, but then it becomes apparent that he was in it up to his fricking eyeballs.

If he did, it was because Cheney just went ahead and did the deed and then went to the puppet-in-chief for after the fact cover.

Oh stop my pounding heart – this rings so true and with Scooter & Cheney both abroad the little Texas weasel must be shaking in his Tony Lama boots. Boo who?

Woo Hoo.

The pleasure is all mine. :)

I have them all, but they take forever to type from the hard copies.

HotFlash @ 56

Fitzmas at 34 — thank you for the festive transcripts.

Yeah, that was thirty pages of typing. I’m grateful.

Fitz’s arguments read by themselves do not do them justice unless it is taken in context with what Wells and Jeffress said – his analogies were in response their’s – i.e. the 21 y.o kid at the summer/beach thread came from a lousy analogy/theme Wells started.

Evil Parallel Universe @ 57

Sparkles – In an email to LHP today I made the point that you could have seen expected one of two strategies from the defense:

(snip)

PS – (To all) If you believe the CM is corrupt, why do you care what they say, since you “know” they are parroting the talking points of the rightards? (That was rhetorical – since I know some of you will ask).

I don’t think they’re corrupt necessarily and in all cases, but they sure are lazy as hell. Part of it is that on Gwen Ifill’s show Pierre Thomas only has about 45 seconds to explain what happened in the trial all of last week, but of course that doesn’t excuse the purveying of abject bullshit. I’m slightly more curious as to the source of the NYT assertion, since I don’t recall it being a quote from a disinterested observer, like the way they sometimes quote, often by name, former federal prosecutors, or attorneys not related to the case. I have a hard time believing that even the paper of Judy Miller would take a PR talking point from a Barbara Comstock and stick it in their article as “many think such and such.”

I wish I could find that original NYT article. I’ll email the reporters myself and ask them why they felt comfortable making that assertion.

TRex @
38

Lindsay from Majikthise has a really good essay up at Salon. I’m about halfway done reading it right now.

A must-read for anyone who wants to continue to be present at the creation of a new media paradigm, etc. This is a very, very important article she has written. Thanks, TRex.

Fitzmas @ 68

Fitz’s arguments read by themselves do not do them justice unless it is taken in context with what Wells and Jeffress said – his analogies were in response their’s – i.e. the 21 y.o kid at the summer/beach thread came from a lousy analogy/theme Wells started.

Thanks Fitzmas I read the closing this afternoon and rewatched the video of the news conference when the indictment came out. Thanks for sharing.

Fitzmas @ 67

Fitz’s arguments read by themselves do not do them justice unless it is taken in context with what Wells and Jeffress said – his analogies were in response their’s – i.e. the 21 y.o kid at the summer/beach thread came from a lousy analogy/theme Wells started.

I was wondering about that. If your normal shtick is baseball analogies, why would you suddenly switch to beaches. And why a 21 year old kid.

Gang, I’m beat. I’m sitting here struggling to think of something, anything witty and acerbic to say and all I’m getting from upstairs in brain-land is a dial-tone. So, I’m off to bed.

Sweet dreams everyone! Don’t let the wingnuts bite!

Tick tock tick tock.
May tomorrow see a snowstorm of unanimity at prettyman. May i wake up with nina totenberg cooing the words i so long to hear.
Yes nina, thank you.

Tomorrow I don the NASA diaper again.

Fitzmas @ 66

The pleasure is all mine. :)

I have them all, but they take forever to type from the hard copies.

HotFlash @ 56

Fitzmas at 34 — thank you for the festive transcripts.

Lindy @ 67

Yeah, that was thirty pages of typing. I’m grateful.

OCR (Optical character recognition) software could help with a scan, no?

This is the last time I’ll post my Fitzmas poem, but since it is truly the “Night Before Fitzmas”, here goes…

‘Twas the night before Fitzmas – in each town and village,
A hope was held out for an end to the pillage.
An end to the theft of the taxpayers’ dollars,
An end to the demonization of scholars.

And liberal America wished, hoped and prayed
For justice and peace to be no more DeLayed.
They longed for the day that their country would be
No longer a captive of venality.

For many a year now, the voice of our people
Have cried, “What’s the matter with all of you sheeple?
How can you just sit there and let this go on?”
But, sadly, their outrage was met by a yawn.

And those who were stealing from those who have least,
Rampaging like some kind of greed-maddened beast,
Were holding us up, shouting, “This is a heist!
So put up your hands in the name of our Christ!”

Then, what to our wondering eyes should appear
But a man speaking words that we so longed to hear:
“It’s time for the Piper at last to be paid”
And all of us happily hip-hip-hoorayed.

Indictments all round for the scum who would claim
That they’d never known Wilson or Valerie Plame
And all along, vengeance had been the sole reason
To ‘out’ our own agent, and so commit treason.

For war must be waged, and their coffers be filled -
Who cares about mothers whose sons have been killed?
Who cares for the dying, the crying, the hurtin’ -
Just look at those profits for ol’ Halliburton!

It’s time for the hammer of justice to fall;
Time we put a stop to it once and for all.
A stop to corruption, and cronies, and lies.
Let’s stop before one more American dies.

And what do I want ‘neath my own Fitzmas tree?
A Scooter, a Rover, maybe a Cheney!

ARRRRGGGHHH! I’m being squeezed/hugged by a therapod! (sound of ribs cracking)

Kidding aside, great snark, TRex! Now, if I can just keep my sanity and sobriety until the jury comes in….

That would mean a trip to a friend’s office – is there enough interest in the 5 hours of transcripts? They were hard enough sneaking out of Prettyman in socks to begin with.

Fellow late-niters,

WRT the Edwards affaire de les bloggeuses, did it strike anyone that Mr. Edwards was not very capable of defending himself or his bloggers from a few yappy wingnuts? I was disappointed, I expect more battle-savvy from a man who would be president.

EPUniverse@58 – I agree wholeheartedly. This was not the closing the defense planned and it is NOT because everything was peachy/the prosecution didn’t prove it’s case. That is such a pile of crap, I cannot believe anybody, even an idiot like Pierre Thomas, could fall for it. I honestly don’t think the defense had a clue how truly locked onto Cheney Fitz was, and that obviated putting either Libby and Cheney on the stand. Looks to me that they were planning on Scooter testifying when they started and hadn’t made up their mind about Cheney, but were seriously thinking about it. They had to have decided that they could not put either one on by the time the prosecution rested. All this is mostly speculation; one thing is certain however, that is they DID NOT rest because they felt so good about their case. They rested because they had nothing else to offer that would not dig them into an even deeper hole.

HotFlash @ 80

Fellow late-niters,

WRT the Edwards affaire de les bloggeuses, did it strike anyone that Mr. Edwards was not very capable of defending himself or his bloggers from a few yappy wingnuts? I was disappointed, I expect more battle-savvy from a man who would be president.

At least Edwards didn’t fire his bloggers or did he? Sorry, I didn’t follow that story closely except for seeing early conflicting stories when the story first broke.

(clapping) thank you Alicia

You know, I’m not a lawyer but I am a public servant and throughout this trial I have been impressed by the intelligent reporting and often entertaining comments represented on this blog. I have put my two cents in literally and will continue to do so regardless of the outcome of this trial. You FDL have pulled the curtain back for me and I will never perceive the MSM the same again. Thank you so much for your hard work.

I’m so proud to be part of the firedog family!!
Looks like there’s a thread to read–just had to say it.
Dan

I don’t need to reevaluate any “preconceptions about what blogs are and what they can do.” I had every faith that FDL was the go-to place for news about the Libby trial and my expectations were EXCEEDED. All hail the whole team at Plame House! When old media spent too much time lunching at the Hay Adams and no time investigating or analyzing, you stepped in took over. The job’s yours now.

TeresaP – and I will never perceive the MSM the same again

Welcome. that bell cannot be unrung…

bmaz @ 81

EPUniverse@58 – I agree wholeheartedly. This was not the closing the defense planned and it is NOT because everything was peachy/the prosecution didn’t prove it’s case. That is such a pile of crap, I cannot believe anybody, even an idiot like Pierre Thomas, could fall for it. I honestly don’t think the defense had a clue how truly locked onto Cheney Fitz was, and that obviated putting either Libby and Cheney on the stand. Looks to me that they were planning on Scooter testifying when they started and hadn’t made up their mind about Cheney, but were seriously thinking about it. They had to have decided that they could not put either one on by the time the prosecution rested. All this is mostly speculation; one thing is certain however, that is they DID NOT rest because they felt so good about their case. They rested because they had nothing else to offer that would not dig them into an even deeper hole.

does pierre thomas even know what the case is about?

newspaperbrat @ 82

HotFlash @ 80

Fellow late-niters,

WRT the Edwards affaire de les bloggeuses, did it strike anyone that Mr. Edwards was not very capable of defending himself or his bloggers from a few yappy wingnuts? I was disappointed, I expect more battle-savvy from a man who would be president.

At least Edwards didn’t fire his bloggers or did he? Sorry, I didn’t follow that story closely except for seeing early conflicting stories when the story first broke.

Yes, actually I believe he did.

Elliot@88 – I don’t know. He inferred that he had been covering it from the get go and was all over it; but that is pretty hard to believe from his statements about it. His statements were literally idiotic; he either doesn’t know squat about trials or he really wasn’t up to speed on the case and was simply regurgitating talking points from the Libby team.

Two other guys that pull the curtain back every single day are Glenn Greenwald at Salon and Dan Froomkin at the Washington Post.

Glenn debunks the right wing bullshit accompanied with a strong dose of constitutional law perspective and reclaiming american values; and Dan identifies the essence of all the best political reporting in the country from news and blogs.

While the Libby case is in limbo for the moment, I’m going to bring up something entirely different (apologies to Monty Python).

Who here has heard of GNEP?

From my brief reading, this is going to turn out to be a local/state/national issue. It’s going to be ugly, and I think is going to come back, directly, to Cheney’s little energy get-togethers in May, 2001.

If I remember correctly, it was leaked the two bloggers were fired and then it was denied and then they ended up quitting due to the death threats.

Elliott @ 87

bmaz @ 81

EPUniverse@58 – I agree wholeheartedly. This was not the closing the defense planned and it is NOT because everything was peachy/the prosecution didn’t prove it’s case. That is such a pile of crap, I cannot believe anybody, even an idiot like Pierre Thomas, could fall for it. I honestly don’t think the defense had a clue how truly locked onto Cheney Fitz was, and that obviated putting either Libby and Cheney on the stand. Looks to me that they were planning on Scooter testifying when they started and hadn’t made up their mind about Cheney, but were seriously thinking about it. They had to have decided that they could not put either one on by the time the prosecution rested. All this is mostly speculation; one thing is certain however, that is they DID NOT rest because they felt so good about their case. They rested because they had nothing else to offer that would not dig them into an even deeper hole.

does pierre thomas even know what the case is about?

Has Pierre Thomas even been in the courtroom? Or the media room? It’s like these people are reporting from the bottom of a well.

And speaking of crap media, Gloria Borger was still writing in her little online column this month that Joe Wilson had asserted the OVP had sent him to Niger. Why do these people even bother??

newspaperbrat @
82

HotFlash @ 80

Fellow late-niters,

WRT the Edwards affaire de les bloggeuses, did it strike anyone that Mr. Edwards was not very capable of defending himself or his bloggers from a few yappy wingnuts? I was disappointed, I expect more battle-savvy from a man who would be president.

At least Edwards didn’t fire his bloggers or did he? Sorry, I didn’t follow that story closely except for seeing early conflicting stories when the story first broke.

From Edwards website and Pandagan, I conflated the story that Mad Bill Donohue dissed them, Edwards fired them, then Edwards reinstated them then they quit over some seriously nasty e-mails including some graphic and sick threats from (presumably) wingnuts. All in about a week, I think. I would have expected a gentleman and a leader to tell Donohue politely but firmly to STFU and to tell his bloggers that he was with them and let the tigers come.

Seemed kinda wimpish of him to me.

This apparent court recorder transcript was just referenced in the comments at EW’s place.

http://patrickjfitzgerald.blog…..nts-i.html

newspaperbrat @ 55

Phoenix Woman @ 51

BFD 2007 @ 33

Meanwhile, back at the crime…..

Maybe I missed it, so please enlighten me: Did Bush back-date the declassification of Plame’s status?

Now that’s a very good question!

And heart stopping = sure gave me a thrilling jolt! He is such a little cheat and weasel liar. Nancy Pelosi may end up Madmane President yet!

If he did, suddenly this become a twin of Watergate: The President at first tries to pretend that he wasn’t involved, but then it becomes apparent that he was in it up to his fricking eyeballs.

Congress can probably get time-stamped evidence on the declassification…if they subpoena it.

Also, in the comments at Swopa’s place they are working out some interesting chronology of the Rove/Libby/Novak phone calls:

http://www.needlenose.com/node/view/3822#comment

Suzanne @ 93

If I remember correctly, it was leaked the two bloggers were fired and then it was denied and then they ended up quitting due to the death threats.

In both cases it was the bloggers decision not to risk their lives for the job…how would you like your home address,telephone/credit history ect POSTED?For all of wingnuttia? thats the gig that they were faceing.Once they figured it out,they did the bright thing and pulled their head out of the noose they had unwittingly stuck it in…

I found the original NYT article:

Libby and Cheney Won’t Testify, Lawyers Say

By NEIL A. LEWIS and SCOTT SHANE

WASHINGTON, Feb. 13 —

(snip)

The decision means that Mr. Libby’s defense, which will formally end on Wednesday, will have spanned barely three days. Mr. Libby’s chief defense lawyer, Theodore V. Wells Jr., told Judge Reggie B. Walton that Mr. Libby had accepted the defense team’s recommendation to end their presentation swiftly and send the case to the jury by next week.

The decision could be viewed as a sign that Mr. Libby’s lawyers are confident the prosecution has failed to make its case.

Could be viewed by Neil Lewis and Scott Shane? Disinterested observers? Barbara Comstock? WHO???

Montag,
I just read a little of this from FAS and don’t have time right now to do more than skim. Doesn’t sound good.
http://www.fas.org/main/conten…..tentId=525

Nevermind… that all looks like old news. (See what happens when I look away for a moment. :) )

snuffy

hotflash had a better explanation that I did. the noose was put there by that fake Catholic guy Donahoe – not the bloggers.

BFD 2007 @ 97

newspaperbrat @ 55

Phoenix Woman @ 51

BFD 2007 @ 33

Meanwhile, back at the crime…..

Maybe I missed it, so please enlighten me: Did Bush back-date the declassification of Plame’s status?

Now that’s a very good question!

And heart stopping = sure gave me a thrilling jolt! He is such a little cheat and weasel liar. Nancy Pelosi may end up Madmane President yet!

If he did, suddenly this become a twin of Watergate: The President at first tries to pretend that he wasn’t involved, but then it becomes apparent that he was in it up to his fricking eyeballs.

Congress can probably get time-stamped evidence on the declassification…if they subpoena it.

Would not Fitz have thought of that and thoroughly investigated and reviewed the time-stamp – oh wait – where are our late night legal eagles – please weigh in asap!

Please remember to not use the quote this comment button if there are already several quotes nested within. It will bust the margin after 4 (if I remember correctly) nested comments.

Fitz wants a Shooter in the bag. The Chimpromised MSM isn’t even touching Fitz’s real intentions around the edges. And yet, they are a “librul” media.

They have been pretty “librul” with their leeway for Chimpy, their interpretations of “intelligence,” their willingness to use piss-yourself fearmongering quotations from “anonymous” sources…

Edwards and/or his people ‘blinked’…a failure for optics over substance.

Donahue is easily discredited…Look at what he says, and it’s game over. I mean, honestly.

Political candidates have to learn it’s time for speaking truth…or time to ‘protect their phony baloney jobs’, whatever the pretext they prefer.

Edwards didn’t show much spine or gravitas in that episode.

I never quite “got” the title of the film “The Departed”. The French version rings true, however:

“Les infiltres” de Martin Scorsese remporte l’Oscar du meilleur film

(missing an accent on the ‘e’)

(”The Infiltrators”)

Margot @ 101

Montag,
I just read a little of this from FAS and don’t have time right now to do more than skim. Doesn’t sound good.
http://www.fas.org/main/conten…..tentId=525

Yup, read that. Thanks.

Margot @ 101

Montag,
I just read a little of this from FAS and don’t have time right now to do more than skim. Doesn’t sound good.
http://www.fas.org/main/conten…..tentId=525

In a earlier life I was a Health Physics Techy type.37 refuelings at 17 diffent nuke station,with a couple of years RADCON….from the looks of this artical it looks like they want proliferation control by outlawing enrichment…and a whole new “fast neutron”reactor type….first thing that crosses my mind is a “fast neutron”reactor will make all kinds of activation products from the neutron flux

I am so glad I got out of that biz…whole lot more fun to be a ex-nuke than a road tech

punaise @
108

… gravitas in that episode.

They need to sack up if’n they want to beat King GrabitUS.

;>)

Suzanne @ 103

snuffy

hotflash had a better explanation that I did. the noose was put there by that fake Catholic guy Donahoe – not the bloggers.

my understanding was “unwittingly” {did not expect to be bullseye material}

snuffy @ 111

Margot @ 101

Montag,
I just read a little of this from FAS and don’t have time right now to do more than skim. Doesn’t sound good.
http://www.fas.org/main/conten…..tentId=525

In a earlier life I was a Health Physics Techy type.37 refuelings at 17 diffent nuke station,with a couple of years RADCON….from the looks of this artical it looks like they want proliferation control by outlawing enrichment…and a whole new “fast neutron”reactor type….first thing that crosses my mind is a “fast neutron”reactor will make all kinds of activation products from the neutron flux

I am so glad I got out of that biz…whole lot more fun to be a ex-nuke than a road tech

My reading is that this will actually accentuate proliferation problems by increasing the amount of plutonium transported and stored around the world, either in the form of reprocessed fuel or as returned spent fuel. And, it’s going to be a gigantic boondoggle created to have the taxpayer wholly subsidize the nuclear industry from here on out.

darkblack @
112

They need to sack up if’n they want to beat King GrabitUS.

;>)

ah, yes. his tirade in stocks stocks in trade.

I agree,montag.More subsidties for the nukes…or carved out of the ratepayers hide

darkblack, i’m going to stock up

>>Edwards didn’t show much spine or gravitas in that episode.

Edwards is a phony. A very good lawyer but a hack at best.

snuffy @ 116

I agree,montag.More subsidties for the nukes…or carved out of the ratepayers hide

There may not be many ratepayers in this little scam. It’s about selling subsidized reactors overseas. New reactors in this country may be necessary just to run the reprocessing schemes, if they pursue transmutation efforts.

Gang, be forewarned that the Chesapeake and Potomac region got hit with a robust amount of snow and ice today. While the judge and all of the jurors live within the borders of the District of Columbia, perhaps most of the court personnel are likely to live in the suburbs, facing complex commutes. In short: do not open your Fitzmas champagne yet, delays may gum things a bit.

~it’s not even a guilty verdict that counts.~

Exactly right. Beyond what it has done for the FDL community it has now put on the record, in sworn testimony, the foul political machinations of the Bush WH, and the complicity of the MSM in helping them do their treasons.

That’s a big step, folks.

montag @ 119

snuffy @ 116

I agree,montag.More subsidties for the nukes…or carved out of the ratepayers hide

There may not be many ratepayers in this little scam. It’s about selling subsidized reactors overseas. New reactors in this country may be necessary just to run the reprocessing schemes, if they pursue transmutation efforts.

You got it nailed..It mentioned that to use this “new” fuel a diff. design needed..I never got into fuel design,or operations…my thing was rad safety exposure/contamination control,which was thrilling enough.

darkblack @ 112

punaise @
108

… gravitas in that episode.

They need to sack up if’n they want to beat King GrabitUS.

;>)

Hey, db

And speaking of ordinary stock…

Have we done all we can to help them find America?

‘Steve’

:)

darkblack @ 124

And speaking of ordinary stock…

Have we done all we can to help them find America?

Wheezy Rider

darkblack @ 125

‘Steve’

:)

Hey, db,

I discovered today that Google can be used to search and view patents…you wouldn’t believe how many there are for humbucking guitar pickups.

http://www.google.com/patents?q=humbucking pickup&lr=&sa=N&start=0

Yeah, I know, “inside baseball/music” but still, kinda cool

SteveAudio @ 127

…you wouldn’t believe how many there are for humbucking guitar pickups.

Now, great ones OTOH…

;)

But there’s always room to pretend to reinvent the wheel with a pickup for these crazy musicians…

:)

Suzanne – you have moderator mash note in your mailbox.

sorry your friend didn’t win, steve a.

newspaper, i just responded so ygm and thank you for the kind words.

darkblack @ 129

SteveAudio @ 127

…you wouldn’t believe how many there are for humbucking guitar pickups.

Now, great ones OTOH…

;)

But there’s always room to pretend to reinvent the wheel with a pickup for these crazy musicians…

:)

You know, I think I have in my possession one of the Fender Humbucker bass pickups that they couldn;t give away in the mid-70s…I might need to try it out again.

darkblack @ 107

Edwards and/or his people ‘blinked’…a failure for optics over substance.

Donahue is easily discredited…Look at what he says, and it’s game over. I mean, honestly.

Political candidates have to learn it’s time for speaking truth…or time to ‘protect their phony baloney jobs’, whatever the pretext they prefer.

Freakin’ Beltway Dems.

So traumatized by the canard about “losing” thirty years ago….

And re-traumatized by the Wurlitzer….

They quibble about the sheet music….

Weak. Ineffective. Servile.

But they never smash the Wurlitzer.

Clinton pulled his “Sister Souljah” stunt.

The Beltway Dems fellate MSM.

The “liberal” media.

We recognize Spiro’s old lie; most voters don’t.

The first progressive candidate

- who punks MSM for stenoing the Wurlitzer

- who asks on live TV why the talkinghead isn’t earning her (or his) salary, but cribbing from extremists……

- who asks the talkinghead if they aren’t embarrassed to carry water for hate mongers

- who asks the talkinghead if their parents raised them to spread hatreds alien to our democracy and our way of life…

will break the “wimp” steroetype, immunize themselves from bad press, and raise the cost to MSM of stenoing for the Wurlitzer.

And the mass of people who don’t follow “politics” will love them for kicking the hated liberal media.

Obviously, that won’t be Edwards.

What a fucking wimp.

That’s how he handles conflict?

He’s not fit to be chief executive. Doesn’t have the ovaries.

snuffy @ 113

Suzanne @ 103

snuffy

hotflash had a better explanation that I did. the noose was put there by that fake Catholic guy Donahoe – not the bloggers.

my understanding was “unwittingly” {did not expect to be bullseye material}

Well, I can’t see how they could be called unwitting. The blogoshere is a fiery environment by nature, to blog is to court burns. Neither Amanda nor Melissa were inexperienced, nor were they unknown quantities. Edwards people should have predicted, Amanda and Mellissa should have predicted. According to Lindsay’s Salon article, she had specifically discussed Amanda’s qualifications a lightening rod with the Edwards staffer. What it looks like to me is that at the first wolf howls the bloggers get tossed out of the sleigh. Despite Donohue being lame, lame lame and, as darkblack points out, easily discredited. This does not bode well. We really need spine and a bit of fighting spirit.

Suzanne @ 131

sorry your friend didn’t win, steve a.

Thanks, but it’s cool. Melissa was really great, the best.

We went to a special screening by the Grammy org in October, whe was there for Q&A, along with Laurie David, the director, a few others, just not Al.

It was really great, and Scott will get over it. He already lives in a house on Mulholland with a downtown view, so that’s some satisfaction, I think.

SteveAudio @ 133

What you want to put it in?

The decision could be viewed as a sign that Mr. Libby’s lawyers are confident the prosecution has failed to make its case.

Mister Wells was bawling for a reason, and it wasn’t because he was confident the prosecution failed to make it’s case.

darkblack @ 137

SteveAudio @ 133

What you want to put it in?

Dunno. I only have one bass right now, a fairly generic Aria I got when I did some electronic design work for Aria-USA in ‘86, P-shape, with P & J style pickups, so no real place to fit such a monster.

You have anything it might fit in?

EvilDrPuma @
24

Sparkles the Iguana @ 18

However, Pierre Thomas of ABC News was hawking the NYT talking point on Gwen Ifill’s show on Friday that the reason the defense rested so quickly was because they decided the prosecution hadn’t made its case. Does anyone know where that bullshit started? Where did the NYT come up with it, Libby’s publicists?

That makes no goddamned sense at all to me. If I was the defense attorney in a case like this and I didn’t think the prosecution has made it’s case, I wouldn’t be sitting on my laurels. I’d be going for the jugular, just to be sure the jury doesn’t miss that point.

The defense rested so quickly because it couldn’t make its case. Better to save energy for appeals at that point.

If the defense really thought that, then perhaps someone can explain why they didn’t move for a directed verdict as soon as the U.S. rested. Jeralyn? You out there?

SteveAudio @ 139

You have anything it might fit in?

An old Aria neck through fretless routed for soapbar might fit, but it usually runs a set of Hi-A Jazz PU’s, wired in series.

Right now, I’m trying to get a line on a four string piezo bridge.

darkblack @ 141

SteveAudio @ 139

You have anything it might fit in?

An old Aria neck through fretless routed for soapbar might fit, but it usually runs a set of Hi-A Jazz PU’s, wired in series.

Right now, I’m trying to get a line on a four string piezo bridge.

This is, speaking technically, a big-ass pickup. Without going out to the garage and measuring, my memory says it’s the size of the big pickup on an EB-3.

HotFlash @
135

snuffy @ 113

Suzanne @ 103

snuffy

hotflash had a better explanation that I did. the noose was put there by that fake Catholic guy Donahoe – not the bloggers.

my understanding was “unwittingly” {did not expect to be bullseye material}

Well, I can’t see how they could be called unwitting. The blogoshere is a fiery environment by nature, to blog is to court burns. Neither Amanda nor Melissa were inexperienced, nor were they unknown quantities. Edwards people should have predicted, Amanda and Mellissa should have predicted. According to Lindsay’s Salon article, she had specifically discussed Amanda’s qualifications a lightening rod with the Edwards staffer. What it looks like to me is that at the first wolf howls the bloggers get tossed out of the sleigh. Despite Donohue being lame, lame lame and, as darkblack points out, easily discredited. This does not bode well. We really need spine and a bit of fighting spirit.

Edwards has always impressed me and appreciate everyone’s comments on the blogger story…will hope and trust the bloggers and the candidate won’t soon forget how vicious the wing nuts truly are. I’m just sayin’ it looks to me they are all victims of sleaze from the dark side.

As Al Gore and other brillantsouthern national candidates of stature including Edwards are targeted routinely and oh so unfairly. Look what they continue to do to former President Jimmy Carter at every opportunity, real or imagined.

Good point, newspaperbrat. Given the current political climate, it should be standard for each Democratic candidate to have developed an aggressive response to any attempt to smear the candidate or staff. The only way to stop a bully is to stand up to the bully and fight back if needed.

The Edwards response was not strong enough, in my opinion, in calling the smear campaign for what it was and was, again my opinion, reactive instead of proactive in their response.

Hotflash,
It looks as if the rules for political commentary,as well as how far each side will go {in the meatworld} is still a question.We know now that sky is the limit on the right…I dont see the”go for the throat”savagry that seems to infect the right on our side of the street,specificaly going after wingnuts in general…spocko action was a anomaly,but one that was effective and should be used as a text

g’nite all.

“Mmmmmm, it’s Schadenfreudelicious! Yee haw! The people on the other side are sitting just as close to the edge of their chairs as we are tonight.”

Come on. Let’s grow up. The trial itself is not the punishment. If Libby gets off somehow more power to him. This is shameful.

The best analisis of the whole edwards blog I have found was @www.dark-wraith.com…he likens the rights blogswarm to locust..

night all{yawn}

Oh, stop it. We all stopped believing in Fitzmas a long time ago.

Frank Black @ 149

Oh, stop it. We all stopped believing in Fitzmas a long time ago.

Not me!!!!

egregious @ 150

Frank Black @ 149

Oh, stop it. We all stopped believing in Fitzmas a long time ago.

Not me!!!!

nor me, but I haven’t gone looking for a tree yet…

Have yourself a merry little Fitzmas
Let your heart be light
For a time
The troubles will be on the Right

Have yourself a merry little Fitzmas
Make those bastards pay
Maybe now
They’ll put these leaking bums away!

Here we are like in Watergate,
Hoping Cheney’s fate is sealed.
Prison terms from indictments flow
Now we get to know who squealed.

They’ll get years
In prison cells together
If the fates allow
Treason sucks and they’re about to find out how.
So have yourself A merry little Fitzmas now.

McDaffy 152 – You didn’t miss a beat. It’s perfect.

“… information and testimony revealed during the course of the Libby Trial indicates that it wasn’t Wilson’s op-ed piece that set the off the chain of events leading to their disclosure of the CIA WMD analyst and her covert network.

“The Bush administration began its campaign to discredit Valerie Plame/Wilson at least a month prior to the release of her husband’s article.”

http://www.bradblog.com/

I thought on Friday, no verdict today because the jury is aware that news on a Friday will be buried by Sunday… So the verdict will come on Monday or Tuesday to give them time to air it by Thursday to beat the latest ’skanks’ with big time drama, from hoging the news.. Or awaiting Cheney’s return from Australia. Wouldn’t it be lovely, to see Cheney in cuffs?

Good morning, pups. Today the NYT has Bob Herbert on the Clintons slinging mud at Obama, and Paul Krugman says we should elect people based on substance, not style. Dream on…

http://mgpaquin.blogspot.com/

Running late here, have a great day…

C’mon jury! Home today with FDL. Back to work tomorrow with the usual suspects.

Mornin’ all!

TRex, Question: How is it that you know that Mary Matalin’s bitchy aside that Joe Wilson is a “snake” is false, and her assertion that Tim Russert is the easiest mark on color TV true?

Isn’t there anyone out there with credentials who might explain that revictimizing the victim is why many/most rape cases aren’t prosecuted?

Morning all.
Just woke up to a lovely white coating of snow all over everything on the lower Cape. Lots of big white fluffy flakes coming down. Just enough to make things pretty. So far not enough to paralyze everything.

It sure looks like Fitzmas!

the easiest mark on color tv

okay. that’s a great line. it’s adding the word ‘color’ that makes it poetry.

I mean, nobody has black and white tv anymore.
It’s redundant information except- it isn’t.

‘Color’ in this context adds a splash of ‘carnival,’ a wonder at the ‘new technology’ we’re all saving up to buy.

Yes, it’s 1965 and your girlfriend’s father who owns the car dealership has got a color tv. the first in town. and he’s sure as hell not going to let you come over and watch it. Not the way you’ve been carrying the copy of Howl under your arm through the tiny downtown area.

oops sorry. veered off topic.
It’s 2007 and your girlfriend’s father sits in his rocking chair covered by a Cuban shawl he purchased at a Friend’s Committee raffle watching Libby Trial coverage on mainstream corporate media. “Can’t they give us any goddamn details’ he mutters to himself as they bring him afternoon pudding.

RevDeb @ 160

Morning all.
Just woke up to a lovely white coating of snow all over everything on the lower Cape. Lots of big white fluffy flakes coming down. Just enough to make things pretty. So far not enough to paralyze everything.

It sure looks like Fitzmas!

Good morning! It DOES look like Fitzmas here too! Long Island, first nice snow of the season. Poor kids have school though, I feel sorry for them.

mr wells was crying upon summation because the aspens joined at the roots had him around the neck and he couldn’t understand why after all he had done

Iraqi vice president escapes bomb blast

Good morning, halo. All.

TRex @ 9:48 pm and BFD2007 @ 9:33 pm -

Maybe I missed it, so please enlighten me: Did Bush back-date the declassification of Plame’s status?

I don’t think you missed it at all. Let’s look at this section of Executive Order 13292:

Sec. 3.3. Automatic Declassification. (a) Subject to paragraphs (b)-(e) of this section, on December 31, 2006, all classified records that (1) are more than 25 years old and (2) have been determined to have permanent historical value under title 44, United States Code, shall be automatically declassified whether or not the records have been reviewed. Subsequently, all classified records shall be automatically declassified on December 31 of the year that is 25 years from the date of its original classification, except as provided in paragraphs (b)-(e) of this section.

(b) An agency head may exempt from automatic declassification under paragraph (a) of this section specific information, the release of which could be expected to:

(1) reveal the identity of a confidential human source, or a human intelligence source, or reveal information about the application of an
intelligence source or method…

My interpretation of this executive order, which superseded Executive Order 12958, suggests that Valerie Plame Wilson’s covert status could not be declassified by anyone.

For additional information, please click on this link: http://www.antiwar.com/prather/?articleid=10507

I hope DC did not get as much snow as the Northeast (E. CT). Don’t they close everything down when there are a few inches?

Waaaay off topic, but I have to slip it somewhere: to add an extra ornament to the tree: go to huff – fast, before the pictures change, compare the pic of bush between the images he created, and the spruced and sluiced image of gore topside at the oscars. no further words are necessary.

now make a wish.

Boston1775 — I’ve met Amb. Wilson a number of times, eaten some meals with him, and have even met Valerie. I’ve spent a great deal of my professional life dealing with criminals and other shady folks as both defense counsel and as a prosecutor. And I have never, ever gotten a vibe from Joe Wilson that he was remotely a “snake.” Mary Matalin on the other hand? She gives off a big smarm vibe — and she has publicly said false things any number of times (see her interview on MtP the day after Cheney shot his hunting buddy in the face as a prime example.) I think that’s where TRex is getting this.

Good morning gang!

‘morning, Tommy Yum… ‘morning everyone!

I’ve got coffee – who wants some?

Stephen Parrish (166) — do you sleep at all these days? ;-)

Mornin’, FirePups.

Godspeed to Jane and to the jurists today.

See you folks upstairs in the fresh thread!

Me want coffee Coastie! Upstairs!

Rayne @
172

Stephen Parrish (166) — do you sleep at all these days? ;-)

Mornin’, FirePups.

Godspeed to Jane and to the jurists today.

See you folks upstairs in the fresh thread!

Rayne -

Yes, I do sleep these days. :)

Neil @ 23

… NOW GO TO WAPO AND TELL DEBORAH HOWELL WHAT YOU THINK OF HER DIMWITTED DEFENSE OF THE TOENSING OP-ED PIECE – link here

OK Neil, I tried. I managed to get a few posts in over the wkend, but this latest:

I cannot see the use of this comment section excising all commas apostrophes parentheses angle-brackets para-breaks and probably more. My only hypothesis is that it is intended less to save screen space than to make reader comments appear more discombobulated than they originally were. This should be changed. Three other recommended actions that would greatly improve the quality and credibility of this rag would be ==[A] the BANISHMENT of party-line parrots and prostitutes like VICTROLA TOESUCK from the ranks of Op-Ed writers ==[B] the summary DISMISSAL of the current sad excuse for an OMBUDSMAN plus ==[C] the summary DISMISSAL of ANYONE ELSE on your newspaper Staff responsible for aiding and abetting last week’s transparent and BLATANTLY FALSE ATTEMPT AT JURY TAMPERING. Thank you for your attention to these small matters.

… is still loading. I don’ theenk they like me anymore… /CROC-TEARS :)

ooooooo,
I am sooooo excited. Finally Fitzmas!!
I am sooooo proud of you FDL’s for all your hard work in this matter. You make me proud to be an American. Mr. Fitzgerald makes me proud to be an American. At a time when I have been so disappointed in the actions of our nation, this is a breath of fresh spring air. Blowing, laden with moisture for the little seeds of freedom ready to sprout like weeds everywhere. Ahhhhhhh! Let the Aspen roots rot and become fertilizer for our lovely little sprouts. Blog on people.
All I can say is simply,
Thank you
An American

Merry Fitzmas, TRex. May all of your wishes come true and may you get exactly what you wish for.
I, too, had trouble sleeping last night, anxious with anticipation of what presents Fitz and his 12 little elves would bring this week. I’m sure I will have fun opening each gift.

Christy @ 169, Thanks for answering. And so it is based on your meeting Joe Wilson that you would know that Mary is not accurate.

And although she gives off a big smarm vibe and has said false things a number of times, she is credible when describing Tim Russert?