Fitz!

Jane- I just read the Jay Rosen article and it is so deserved. Nice going! What a compliment.

Hooray! Another good discussion coming up! I lurk most times, or read it later in the evening.

cc- everyone is still down below playing Mayan Futbol

15 minutes later, and only 4 comments? whew…

Gnome de Plume @ 4

cc- everyone is still down below playing Mayan Futbol

It’s the rugby spirit from earlier today. You can blame Marcy.

EPU’d, but sort of on topic, as it deals with the authoritarians advocating Scooter’s pardon:

One aspect of the Scooter Libby pardon activism that’s taking place is the continual bleating of the phrase “no underlying crime was charged”.

Doesn’t anyone else find this kind of puzzling? Not from the conservative activists, of course they’ll say anything to mitigate Scooter’s behavior. But the press seems to have largely failed to notice one of the really glaring hypocrisies here.

There was no underlying crime in the Clinton fiasco. The alleged perjury itself was the crime. Obviously, the underlying action, oral sex outside of one’s marriage was something conservatives frowned upon, but few of them would suggest that that a criminal charge be brought upon that basis alone.

But in Scooter’s case there clearly was an underlying crime being investigated. An undercover CIA agent’s identity was exposed in the media by people legally and bindingly pledged not to do so.

Shouldn’t perjury by an SAO on a material matter during a criminal investigation regarding the betrayal of a CIA NOC’s status be judged as far more damaging to the legal system and our national security than alleged perjury regarding an immaterial matter in a civil suit?

It doesn’t seem like it should be too complicated an analysis to present, even in today’s soundbite news milieu:

Clinton’s obfuscations had nothing at all to do with an underlying crime but were to conceal a personally embarrassing sexual affair; Libby’s obfuscations were designed to conceal — and have so far effectively concealed — the details in a criminal matter affecting national security.

Why are Libby’s pardon advocates being allowed to so frequently conceal that distinction with the hypocritical “no underlying crime *was charged*” mantra? It just doesn’t make any sense.

Haven’t read Conason’s book yet, but I’m thinking of picking it up this weekend, along with Marcy’s book, and the latest collection of Kundera essays.

I love Joe Conason, that is going to be a great book salon.

In a colun urging the president to invade Iraq immediately

Word Press Error.

OfT, yeah, I’m going to Spotlight your prior post. There’s a reason they call cute little Scooter, Cheney’s Cheney.

JPod was badmouthing Joe over the Corner a few days back. Seemed kind of a out-of-nowhere, but now it’s all making sense.

bdu @ 5

15 minutes later, and only 4 comments? whew…

I haven’t read the book yet, so I’m not prepared.

John Casper @ 9

In a colun urging the president to invade Iraq immediately

Word Press Error.

OfT, yeah, I’m going to Spotlight your prior post. There’s a reason they call cute little Scooter, Cheney’s Cheney.

I think it may have more to do with the relative positions of the ‘M’ and ‘N’ keys than with software. Of course, having made my living as a programmer at one time I could be accused of bias.

Conason–Great!

Wonder if we can find out what happened to his buddy Gene Lyons? Loved his writing.

Fibby?

pinson @ 10

JPod was badmouthing Joe over the Corner a few days back. Seemed kind of a out-of-nowhere, but now it’s all making sense.

I don’t read much of his stuff, but it never seemed as though he needed a reason to badmouth someone.

pinson @ 10

JPod was badmouthing Joe over the Corner a few days back. Seemed kind of a out-of-nowhere, but now it’s all making sense.

Doesn’t everything JPod says seemingly come out of nowhere?

I haven’t read the book yet, so I’m not prepared.

Cujo, you have until Sunday to read it. This post was to alert you, I think.

Joe Conason, one of the few real troopers. Think of him as an anti-Judith Miller.

-GSD

J-Pud?

-GSD

Slightly OT,

I’m reading Garrison Keillor’s Home Grown Democrat. I know it’s an old-ish book by now, but it’s wonnerful, wonnerful.

D’you think we could get Keillor??? huh?

BC

Gee, I have been talking about the possibility of it happening here all day.

Not a single response

Bush. What a sad, not reasonable, facsimile of a man. If one is not a very wealthy, hetero, anti-women’s rights, white, anglo-saxon protestant, Mr. Bush has only contempt. I am contemptful of the ‘man’ Bush.

AP – President Bush on Friday denied charges that the United States under his leadership has ignored Latin America’s poverty and problems. “That may be what people say but it’s certainly not what the facts bear out,” Bush said. “We care about our neighborhood a lot.”

GSD @ 18

Joe Conason, one of the few real troopers. Think of him as an anti-Judith Miller.

-GSD

Somewhere Judy took a turn to the dark side. She actually did a reasonable job in her write-up on bio-warfare and emerging diseases (Germs). She’s no Laurie Garrett, but you can not be Laurie Garrett and still do good work.

Sigh.

BC

Oh I wish I had another week before this Salon. I picked up Joe’s book and the Sinclair Lewis It Can’t Happen Here when I read that Joe used it as a point of reference. No way I’m going to get them both read before Sunday.

C’est la vie.

And Jane et al, the Jay Rosen piece was most excellent and heaped the praises on Team FDL that you all richly deserve! This is a new era in reporting and the sooner the MSM figures that out the better for all of us.

Oklahoma kiddo @
22

Bush. What a sad, not reasonable, facsimile of a man. If one is not a very wealthy, hetero, anti-women’s rights, white, anglo-saxon protestant, Mr. Bush has only contempt. I am contemptful of the ‘man’ Bush.

AP – President Bush on Friday denied charges that the United States under his leadership has ignored Latin America’s poverty and problems. “That may be what people say but it’s certainly not what the facts bear out,” Bush said. “We care about our neighborhood a lot.”

Yes George, you showed it so well during the Hurricane Katrina days.

-GSD

By the way.

If you want to see a heckuva boiled-down version of the Libby case and how the Republican frame machine is all busted up, read this from Andrew Sullivan’s blog.

Republicans purging Republicans.

-GSD

Bargain Countertenor @
23

GSD @ 18

Joe Conason, one of the few real troopers. Think of him as an anti-Judith Miller.

-GSD

Somewhere Judy took a turn to the dark side. She actually did a reasonable job in her write-up on bio-warfare and emerging diseases (Germs). She’s no Laurie Garrett, but you can not be Laurie Garrett and still do good work.

Sigh.

BC

It’s called The Cheney Twist.

-GSD

FYI, y’all:

Richardson drops out of Fox News debate
by kos
Fri Mar 09, 2007 at 01:45:11 PM PST

Bill Richardson just called to say that he will not be doing the Fox News debate in Nevada.

Richardson had been the sole Democrat to confirm his appearance at the debate, which is on life support at this point.

Richardson joins Edwards in ditching this farce of a debate.

http://www.dailykos.com/storyo…..4244/3404.

I heard on NPR today that he is also not paying attention to the disappearance of honey bees in America. 50% of them have vanished without a trace and the importance to the pollenization to America’s agriculture is staggering! It’s the first I heard about it today.
http://www.woai.com/news/local…..ae61f3f3eb

JGabriel at #7 says:

One aspect of the Scooter Libby pardon activism that’s taking place is the continual bleating of the phrase “no underlying crime was charged”.

Doesn’t anyone else find this kind of puzzling? Not from the conservative activists, of course they’ll say anything to mitigate Scooter’s behavior. But the press seems to have largely failed to notice one of the really glaring hypocrisies here.

I find it puzzling, but what I find even more inexplicable is that they don’t seem to notice a difference between no crime being committed and no crime being charged. Or for that matter, that something can be evil even if it’s not illegal. Why should there be any question at all that there has been wrongdoing, when the identity of a woman whose relationship with the CIA is classified, is revealed for public consumption by the very people who are supposed to keep that information confidential: those with security clearances.

Great JGabriel! Another one bites the dust.

Gnome de Plume @ 17

I haven’t read the book yet, so I’m not prepared.

Cujo, you have until Sunday to read it. This post was to alert you, I think.

Hmmm. Friday, Sunday. OK, got it. Doubt I’ll be any more prepared by then, though. :)

I know this is totally irrelevant but Joe Conason has the dreamiest voice.

JGabriel @ 28

FYI, y’all:

Richardson drops out of Fox News debate
by kos
Fri Mar 09, 2007 at 01:45:11 PM PST

…

http://www.dailykos.com/storyo…..4244/3404.

Richardson’s now firmly in the “good enough” pile of candidates.

JGabriel @ 28

FYI, y’all:

Richardson drops out of Fox News debate
by kos
Fri Mar 09, 2007 at 01:45:11 PM PST

Bill Richardson just called to say that he will not be doing the Fox News debate in Nevada.

Richardson had been the sole Democrat to confirm his appearance at the debate, which is on life support at this point.

Richardson joins Edwards in ditching this farce of a debate.

http://www.dailykos.com/storyo…..4244/3404.

Interesting. Bill isn’t usually that tone-deaf, so I wonder how Faux Nudes sucked him into confirming (temporarily).

The newly reconstituted Air America is bidding to host the radio side of the New Hampshire ‘pugnican primary debate. I wonder if this will have an effect on their bid?

BC

Democrats Dump Fox

Cox announces that it will have goopers stand in for dems in their debate.

Cujo359 @ 12

John Casper @ 9

In a colun urging the president to invade Iraq immediately

Word Press Error.

OfT, yeah, I’m going to Spotlight your prior post. There’s a reason they call cute little Scooter, Cheney’s Cheney.

I think it may have more to do with the relative positions of the ‘M’ and ‘N’ keys than with software. Of course, having made my living as a programmer at one time I could be accused of bias.

Well, maybe if the missing m was the only typo, but I could not find excitale in the dictionary, and I doubt there is such a thing as innter thoughts, either. So, I have to call a spade a spade and call these just typos.

rwcole @ 37

Cox announces that it will have goopers stand in for dems in their debate.

…like Joe Lieberman

I plan on reading this book next (though not by the weekend). I’m fairly selective on my reading on current issues — want of time; balancing reading between fiction, history and current issues. Moreover, it is a challenge to write a book on the current situation in this Age of Bush, when dozens of fresh outrages will intervene after it goes to press.

But I am looking forward to some insight into the Authoritarians. These are the hard core, wingnuttiest of the wingnuts who cannot be reached by reason. I’m not sure if they’re quite at 30% of the populace (i.e., Bush’s JAR), but they are a significant number. I am also thinking that Authoritarianism — not Conservatism or Corporatism — is the true enemy

ccmask @ 29

You mean from the mites and other stuff? Actually, there are people at the USDA (and other places) working on this. They’re looking at native bees for pollinating (some of them do better with certain crops than honeybees, having evolved with those flowers). Honey may become scarce, though, if they can’t solve the mite problem (crossing fingers).

Oklahoma kiddo @ 22

Bush. What a sad, not reasonable, facsimile of a man. If one is not a very wealthy, hetero, anti-women’s rights, white, anglo-saxon protestant, Mr. Bush has only contempt. I am contemptful of the ‘man’ Bush.

AP – President Bush on Friday denied charges that the United States under his leadership has ignored Latin America’s poverty and problems. “That may be what people say but it’s certainly not what the facts bear out,” Bush said. “We care about our neighborhood a lot.”

I agree. About as much as he cared about NOLA.

DEMS DUMP FOX DEBATE!!

Good.

Let the great discrediting begin!!

Pat Buchanan says we still need to get to the bottom of the Niger forgeries.

[paging Michael Ledeen….]

TRex @ 43

DEMS DUMP FOX DEBATE!!

Good.

Let the great discrediting begin!!

I don’t know enough about Nevada politics to know how official all this is, but it sure has the smell of an idea that all of a sudden the folks who thought it up aren’t so proud of.

Appeals Court Overturns D.C. Gun Ban

- – - – - – - – - – - -

By BRETT ZONGKER Associated Press Writer

March 09,2007 | WASHINGTON — A federal appeals court overturned the District of Columbia’s long-standing handgun ban Friday, rejecting the city’s argument that the Second Amendment right to bear arms applied only to militias.

In a 2-1 decision, the judges held that the activities protected by the Second Amendment “are not limited to militia service, nor is an individual’s enjoyment of the right contingent upon his or her continued intermittent enrollment in the militia.”

The court also ruled the D.C. requirement that registered firearms be kept unloaded, disassembled and under trigger lock was unconstitutional.

In 2004, a lower-court judge had told six city residents that they did not have a constitutional right to own handguns. The plaintiffs include residents of high-crime neighborhoods who wanted the guns for protection.

“The district’s definition of the militia is just too narrow,” Judge Laurence Silberman wrote for the majority Friday. “There are too many instances of ‘bear arms’ indicating private use to conclude that the drafters intended only a military sense.”

Isn’t Silberman one of the judges who will hear the Libby appeal?

Kos has a front page post up:

“Fox News debate is officially dead”

If our Overlord Markos says it, it’s good enough for THIS rabid lamb.

Dems dump Fox debate. Applause! Think we’ll ever see the day when the Dems dump the DLC?

Mrs. K8 @ 47

Kos has a front page post up:

“Fox News debate is officially dead”

If our Overlord Markos says it, it’s good enough for THIS rabid lamb.

Anything that sticks a thumb in the eye of Faux News is good enough for me.

Froomkin: Where’s Rove?

Rove managed to wiggle off prosecutor Patrick J. Fitzgerald’s hook in June with a just-in-time recanting of earlier testimony in which he — just like Libby — misinformed investigators about his role. (See my June 13, 2006 column, Fitzgerald Leaves Questions Unanswered.)

And in spite of President Bush’s assurances that anyone involved in the leak of Plame’s identity to journalists would be fired, Rove — who eventually admitted confirming Plame’s identity to Robert Novak and volunteering it to Matthew Cooper — is still on the White House payroll.

Oklahoma kiddo @ 48

Dems dump Fox debate. Applause! Think we’ll ever see the day when the Dems dump the DLC?

Yes, I do.

Keep attending all those local meetings of PDA (Progressive Democrats of America) and DFA (Democracy for America).

These are the two handiest organizational instruments to make trouble for and eventually overturn the Reign of the DLC Dinosaurs. Shake it up in your local party and precincts.

Well maybe Faux can broadcast a Chippendale’s show with some of the leggy, boa-bedecked ladies and Wayne Newton instead.

sheesh.

twolf1 @
36

Democrats Dump Fox

Jane rules!

angie @ 52

Well maybe Faux can broadcast a Chippendale’s show with some of the leggy, boa-bedecked ladies and Wayne Newton instead.

sheesh.

Don’t forget Rudy Giuliani in the chorus line-up!

Fox’s relationship with the Democrats reminds me of this column by Brendan from Brendan Calling.

ccmask @ 29

I heard on NPR today that he is also not paying attention to the disappearance of honey bees in America. 50% of them have vanished without a trace and the importance to the pollenization to America’s agriculture is staggering! It’s the first I heard about it today.
http://www.woai.com/news/local…..ae61f3f3eb

maybe from the frankenfood crops

Scary-borough is filling in for the Tucker Twerp. Who’s going to fill in for Scary-borough? Or does he get to pontificate for TWO hours today?

[Or am I forgetting the MSNBC line-up? Do we go straight from Countdown to Penal Porn immediately?]

LOL, Mrs. K8!

David Neiwert at Orcinus has just posted an excellent review of “It Can Happen Here: Authoritarian Peril in the Age of Bush”:

It’s a genuinely important book, perhaps the most important to be published this year.

What sets Conason’s book apart particularly is its initial focus on an aspect of conservative rule under Bush that has gotten all too little attention from his peers in the press and among the pundits — namely, the effects of a state of perpetual war, as now exists in the form of the “war on terror,” on democratic institutions and subsequently on the ability of democracy itself to survive. James Madison’s warning — “No nation could preserve its freedom in the midst of continual warfare” — rings with a specially ominous note in this context. Most of the first chapter, titled “The ‘Post-9/11 Worldview’ of Karl Rove,” explores not just the Machiavellian motivations for those in power to encourage a constant state of national fearfulness, but also considers its broader effects on the mental and political state of the nation.

read the whole thing.

Bustednuckles @ 49

Mrs. K8 @ 47

Kos has a front page post up:

“Fox News debate is officially dead”

If our Overlord Markos says it, it’s good enough for THIS rabid lamb.

Anything that sticks a thumb in the eye of Faux News is good enough for me.

TRex @ 43

DEMS DUMP FOX DEBATE!!

Good.

Let the great discrediting begin!!

So what do we call this?

A debate, a debacle, or a debatacle?

Maybe I should just stick with calling it a win, and leave it at that.

I really do believe these folks want perpetual war and the masses to huddle in fear, selise.

Hence the stoopid Luntzian, PNAC-ian misnomer; the foolhardy and totally grotesque “GWOT”.

Terror is a tactic and we do it pretty well, too.

http://www.thefreedictionary.com/terror

angie @ 61

I really do believe these folks want perpetual war and the masses to huddle in fear

agreed. and what frightens me most is their apparent success in getting us used to it… or even worse – enjoying it (it some perverse addictive kind of way).

Note to Mods: my toobz are down; I’m on my Treo. Call me if you need me.

As you were, firedogs!

[Mod Note; OK, will do.]

selise @ 62

angie @ 61

I really do believe these folks want perpetual war and the masses to huddle in fear

agreed. and what frightens me most is their apparent success in getting us used to it… or even worse – enjoying it (it some perverse addictive kind of way).

yep. some of us.

And what so many people do not understand is that it is our actions and our hubris that is causing the anger and despair.

Not because they hate us for our freedoms, blah, blah, blah.

ok everyone. lets talk about Pach. (just kidding Pach)

I am so sorry I didn’t notice the book in time to order and read it before the salon.

The vast left wing conspiracy is conspiring to impoverish me. First weeks of riveting Libby trial coverage that precludes doing any actual work between pounding “Refresh” and now a reading assignment to do before Sunday. I’ll need left wing welfare if this keeps up. How about a week or so of really dull posts (where is Paris Hilton when we really need her?) so I can get some work done.

pounding “Refresh” and now a reading assignment to do before Sunday.

peterdownunder, you slay me

The Original: It Can’t Happen Here

Review of the original by the Boston Globe

Picture this: A folksy, self consciously plainspoken Southern politician rises to power during a period of profound unrest in America. The nation is facing one of the half-dozen or so of its worst crises to date, and the people, once sunny, confident, and striving, are now scared, angry and disillusioned.

This politician, a ‘Professional Common Man’, executes his rise by relentlessly attacking the liberal media, fancy-talking intellectuals, shiftless progressives, pinkos, promiscuity, and welfare hangers-on, all the while clamoring for a return to the pie-scented days of old when things made sense and Americans were indisputably American. He speaks almost entirely in ‘noble but slippery abstractions’ – Liberty, Freedom, Equality – and people love him, even if they can’t fully articulate why without resorting to abstractions themselves.

Through a combination of factors – his easy bearing chief among them (along with massive cash donations from big business; disorganization in the liberal opposition; a stuffy aloof opponent; and support from religious fanatics who feel they’ve been unfairly marginalized) he wins the presidential election.

Once in, he appoints his friends and political advisors to high level positions, stocks the Supreme Court with ’surprisingly unknown lawyers who called [him] by his first name.’ declaws Congress, allows big business to dictate policy, consolidates the media, and fills newspapers with ’syndicated gossip from Hollywood.’ Carping newspapermen worry that America is moving backward …

Given the nature of ‘powerful and secret enemies’ of America – who are ‘planning their last charge’ to take away our freedom – an indefinite state of crisis is declared, and that freedom is stowed away for safekeeping. When the threat passes, we can have it back, but in the meantime, citizens are asked to ‘bear with’ the president.

Sure, some say the methods are extreme, but the plain folks are tired of ‘wishy-washy’ leaders, and feel the president’s decisiveness is its own excuse. Besides, as one man says, a fascist dictatorship ‘couldn’t happen here in America … were a country of freemen!”

Sort of OT, but I’ve had a series of dental appointments and my hygenist and I have been discussing the Libby trial (when I don’t have my mouth propped open). She told me today that she ordered Marcy’s book and is expecting it any day now. Taking back America, one person at a time. :)

cathy @
33

I know this is totally irrelevant but Joe Conason has the dreamiest voice.

He does!!!! And he’s a really nice guy. Saw him here in DC last week @ a book signing.

I recommend his book for those “family & friends” who need a primer re Bush & Iraq. It’s very readable & well-organized. Also, the comparison to the Sinclair Lewis book that inspired him is uncanny.

Go, buy the book.

Well, speaking of above-average Joe’s, I think Joe Wilson is pretty dreamy…(blush).

I will definitely read this book! I was left unfulfilled by Haynes Johnson’s Age of Anxiety although I much appreciated the resurrection of the Red Scare spector.

Stephen Colbert has to be doing a happy dance about the bee story. Fewer bees, less honey. Less honey, fewer bears!…

Final note: I just saw a bumper sticker I might actually put on my car: “IF you are not outraged, you are not paying attention.” I know I am way behind the bloggers here, but I think I have a valid Oprah worthy excuse: I am the recovering adult child of a Rush lovin’ National Review spewin’ wingnut.

Yours newly and truly, dosido (named in honor of another Joe…Lieberman.)

do-si-do –

Am popping back in for just a second, but I can’t leave before extending a hearty welcome to you here at the Lake. It’s a great place, and we are always happy to see new folks like yourself take part in our conversations, enlivening the joint with your own experiences and ideas.

Don’t feel “way behind”! It’s never too late to have your eyes opened to the extent to which our democracy’s been undermined, and everyone here will be happy to fill you in on any details you might have missed, or suggest good links for solid information.

You have a perspective as the “recovering adult child of a Rush lovin’ National Review spewin’ wingnut” which will be valuable in the years to come — in our long-term marathon battle to unite the country around a commitment to the original values of our Founders, and the Constitution we love. You can help us understand what will be necessary to open the eyes of others who are still blind.

Looking forward to hearing more from you in the days to come!

Oh, and one more thing — I second the emotion about Joe Wilson. Mr. K8 and I had the pleasure of meeting the man and chatting with him for a good bit. He’s just as dreamy in person! Sigh.

;-)

Wow, thank you, Mrs. K8!

Let the deprogramming begin!

I’ve got to run to the bookstore and start my bibliotherapy. Maybe I’ll be brave enough to leave them laying around in plain view!

Cheers!

Being a devoted Joe Conason fan I was delighted to listen to his interview with Bernie Ward on KGO radio in San Francisco Wednesday, March 7. I used to live in the Bay Area, now living in another state I listen to Bernie through the inter-net. Too bad Bernie is not nationally syndicated as he makes the case for progressive issues with more knowledge and passion than anyone I have ever heard. Good luck with your book Joe, I will read it after I finish Your last book “Big Lies.”

Gene Lyons is still writing good stuff in his column in AR. A friend e-mails it to me every week and he is none too thrilled with Bush’s regime.

For those of you that have admired Molly Ivins over the years, her old favorite Texas Observer
has a stunning article on an honorable man who killed himself in Iraq.

http://www.texasobserver.org/index.php