Listening to Washington Journal this morning, there seems ot be a new R talking point–global warming on Mars where there is no CO2. What’s the origin of that wingnut idea?

Waxman!

Hi Redd!

Yes, Mother Nature sure does have some ’splainin
to do……….

lurking hard…………..

I think Tom Toles is talking about us.

Mornin’, Christy! Nothing in bloom here in Beantown—it’s 25, feeling like 14.

Morning all — we got snow last night. Brrrrr…thank goodness for warm coffee.

No snow here, just cold and damp, our usual Easter weather.
Did anyone else happen to catch Glenn Beck last night?
V. bizarre. Had lots of religious people on talking about Jesus Christforgiveness and the meaning of Easter.
How does someone like Glenn Beck, who has said some hateful, horrible things, on tv and radio think of himself as Christian?

allan in upstate at 4 — HAHAHAHA That is the perfect cartoon for this morning, isn’t it? Thanks so much for sharing it!

diane at 7 — Christianity is something that you do. Beck thinks of it as something that you say. Very different concepts.

FWIW, we get Tweety’s weekend show on Saturday morning. I caught the end where it was stated Mr. Gore supposedly is on a mission to lose 40 lbs; the sure sign he is getting in the race!

Now, back to Christy’s regularly scheduled post.

eCAHNomics @
1

Listening to Washington Journal this morning, there seems ot be a new R talking point–global warming on Mars where there is no CO2. What’s the origin of that wingnut idea?

I suggest the gooperz go to Mars to do some research.

Sttp in Ohio @ 10

FWIW, we get Tweety’s weekend show on Saturday morning. I caught the end where it was stated Mr. Gore supposedly is on a mission to lose 40 lbs; the sure sign he is getting in the race!

Now, back to Christy’s regularly scheduled post.

i don’t want the old gore – i like the new gore… more substance, less image.

Hi Redd,
I love the idea of a little carrot every once in a while instead of the stick. But, oh how sweet it is when ya’ll bring it with the stick!

I’ll nominate Waxman as a recipient. He seemed like the only one doing his job in Washington back in the Dark Ages, 2000-2006.

I’ll have to leave the method to the big creative brains that frequent the lake.

Is that an azalea? How appropo. Augusta National was in its full glory on Wednesday. 82 and sunny with ice cold $3 Heinekens and $1.50 pimiento cheese sammiches. A little patch of Heaven right here on Earth.

twolf1 @ 11

eCAHNomics @
1

Listening to Washington Journal this morning, there seems ot be a new R talking point–global warming on Mars where there is no CO2. What’s the origin of that wingnut idea?

I suggest the gooperz go to Mars to do some research.

I agree, but was actually asking a serious question. Is there an email list that regular WJ R participants get? Is there a website that prepares talking points that the Rs check before calling in?

twolf1 @
11

eCAHNomics @
1

Listening to Washington Journal this morning, there seems ot be a new R talking point–global warming on Mars where there is no CO2. What’s the origin of that wingnut idea?

I suggest the gooperz go to Mars to do some research.

I suggest the Pukes go to science class: Mars’ atmosphere is mostly CO2.

twolf1 @ 10

eCAHNomics @
1

Listening to Washington Journal this morning, there seems ot be a new R talking point–global warming on Mars where there is no CO2. What’s the origin of that wingnut idea?

I suggest the gooperz go to Mars to do some research.

With the trajectory calculated by that guy at NASA who forgot to convert English to metric units for the Mars Climate Orbiter.

eCAHNomics @ 14

I agree, but was actually asking a serious question. Is there an email list that regular WJ R participants get? Is there a website that prepares talking points that the Rs check before calling in?

There’s an article @ NewsBusters (yuk) – newsbusters.org/node/11122

(you’ll have to copy/paste the link)

Cold and snowing here along the Patuxent.

eCAHNomics, there is simply not nearly enough data on any planet other than earth to either support or deny global warming. Folks can theorize all they want at this point, but the amount of data collected from Mars is a tiny fraction of what’s been collected over the past century here on earth.

So the origin of that wingbut idea is probably the same origin of so many other wingnut ideas, and that’s a dark and smelly place.

Ummm…do those morons still not know how to use the Googles? This site says that the atmosphere of Mars is 95% CO2. Figures. Although its virtually a vacuum at .7% of Earth’s atmospheric pressure at sea level.
eCAHNomics @ 1

Listening to Washington Journal this morning, there seems ot be a new R talking point–global warming on Mars where there is no CO2. What’s the origin of that wingnut idea?

Riesz Fischer @ 15
Thanks for the science contribution. I wasn’t even considering the veracity of the science assertion when I asked the question. I suppose that’s part of the R MO. Baffle with such bullshit that one’s normally sensible functions cease. Neither guest knew enough to dispute the science assertion on the spot, so the point stood unchallenged.

T- @ 13

Is that an azalea? How appropo. Augusta National was in its full glory on Wednesday. 82 and sunny with ice cold $3 Heinekens and $1.50 pimiento cheese sammiches. A little patch of Heaven right here on Earth.

It looks like a blooming pear or crab apple.

eCAHNomics @
1

Listening to Washington Journal this morning, there seems ot be a new R talking point–global warming on Mars where there is no CO2. What’s the origin of that wingnut idea?

LiveScience article:

Sun Blamed for Warming of Earth and Other Worlds

By Ker Than
LiveScience Staff Writer
posted: 12 March 2007
07:27 am ET

Earth is heating up lately, but so are Mars, Pluto and other worlds in our solar system, leading some scientists to speculate that a change in the sun’s activity is the common thread linking all these baking events.

Others argue that such claims are misleading and create the false impression that rapid global warming, as Earth is experiencing, is a natural phenomenon.

While evidence suggests fluctuations in solar activity can affect climate on Earth, and that it has done so in the past, the majority of climate scientists and astrophysicists agree that the sun is not to blame for the current and historically sudden uptick in global temperatures on Earth, which seems to be mostly a mess created by our own species.

(snip)

T- at 13 — Did you get to go to the Masters? Mr. ReddHedd will be sooooooooo jealous.

twolf1, Thanks for the linky. If you go to the National Geographic article itself, however, you get a different idea. Big surprise, eh?

“In 2005 data from NASA’s Mars Global Surveyor and Odyssey missions revealed that the carbon dioxide “ice caps” near Mars’s south pole had been diminishing for three summers in a row. “

HA HA! Three summers’ worth of data does not equal climate change! Period!

There are too many differences between Earth and Mars to try to equate the two.

Thanks Lindy.
I’m much better with the birds…and Heinekens.

twolf1 @ 17
Thanks for the reference. That’s probably the origin of the talking point & probably got widespread attention on the other side. Got mangled in translation by caller who asserted on CO2 on Mars, instead of asserting there was no human CO2 & therefore must be sun’s fault.

Was not aware of newsbusters because I don’t voluntarily go slumming, but will check it in future when I hear an R talking point.

Easter and Passover come regardless of the weather, eh? In the MN theater of seasons (where in the past 10 days it has been 81 degrees and also well below zero, windchill-wise), it is now sunny, extremely windy, and 15 degrees. Crikey! That was a record-short spring and summer.

I’m not a churched person any more. But something I read earlier this morning made me think about the whole resurrection, renewal, recovery thing. Seems the Bushies have given us a boatload of “opportunities” for that, morally, socially, militarily, environmentally. And it has occurred to me that in 2007, resurrection is not a spectator activity.

All y’all (I was born in South Minneapolis) know I’m a Gore fan. Want him to run in 2008. Want him to win. Want to see him take the oath of office (promising to protect and defend the Constitution and the country, and really meaning it). Want to see him then remove his suit coat, roll up his sleeves, step to the mircrophone, look square into the camera, and say, “Folks, we’ve got work to do. Let’s get started.” How’s that for a resurrection story?

Yes, Redd. Living here in Atlanta makes it much easier to get ahold of tickets. It was a practice round but the advantage there is you get to bring your camera and the golfers are generally much more crowd friendly.
For instance You’ll see them whip out a 4 iron on 16 and skip it across the pond and up on the green on that famous and picturesque hole. Think of the one where Tiger’s chip hung on the lip and finally dropped in the cup a couple of years ago.

Christy Hardin Smith @ 23

T- at 13 — Did you get to go to the Masters? Mr. ReddHedd will be sooooooooo jealous.

Thanks for all the info. Otherwise would have been noodling that one for awhile. Got to finish reading Rumsfeld for tomorrow. Later.

I think I have scandal fatigue.
But maybe its the snow falling on my fully budded flowers, now covered with row covers, sheets and tarps. We have a light bulb in the fig tree to try to save it and its 20 here in Eastern TN.
The Bushies plan to take over is being uncovered piece by piece but do they really care? I always wonder, after all this destruction, how Bushco can consider really leaving office. What then?

Hi, I see some MA people here this morning. I had a rocky start at the lake, but I’d love to try again.

I have been working on challenging right wing radio. This plays to not only MA but NH. What I am challenging is the hate speech used toward illegal aliens (Mexicans).

I’m doing this alone and would love to run it by you.

(My rocky start was in defending Tim Russert. My take is that being victimized by OVP and then standing up to them is a very good thing.)

Well, I haven’t gotten anything in the ground yet, so this snow is just a spectator event. One of the few times being a serial procrastinator has helped, gardenwise. Forsythia and fruit trees should pull through OK, though, since I don’t think it went much below freezing last night.

Christy Hardin Smith @
23

T- at 13 — Did you get to go to the Masters? Mr. ReddHedd will be sooooooooo jealous.

Did I miss something or are women still prohibited from joining the club where they hold the Masters?

T- at 28 — I’ll have to pick your brain on the getting tickets end of that — Mr. ReddHedd is a golf fanatic, and that would make for an amazing birthday present for him some day. :)

To renew our constitutional republic will require the public financing of campaigns.
The political noise this week has been about how much money each of the candidates raised. Those who raised the most were deemed winners.
Perhaps, but ………..

No, you didn’t miss anything, no women allowed at the “toonament.” Freezing here in Indiana as well, we bought a nice dogwood for the front yard and had to bring it inside. Gonna be a cold Easter egg hunt tomorrow!

Hi Boston1775.
I missed the Russert exchange, but I think you’ll find most folks here friendly to reasonable but differing points of view. They are also very quick to let bygones be bygones.

Have you heard of Mike Stark? He’s brilliant with those radio wingnuts

Boston1775 @ 31

Hi, I see some MA people here this morning. I had a rocky start at the lake, but I’d love to try again.

I have been working on challenging right wing radio. This plays to not only MA but NH. What I am challenging is the hate speech used toward illegal aliens (Mexicans).

I’m doing this alone and would love to run it by you.

(My rocky start was in defending Tim Russert. My take is that being victimized by OVP and then standing up to them is a very good thing.)

Riesz at 33 — I believe they still are, but they can go and play with members if invited (which, I am told, does not exactly happen all that often). It’s only a matter of time, though…I feel change in the air, even at Augusta’s staid fairways.

Good Morning.

For those of you who like your Reps served cold, we may have a new sheriff in town.

David Obey:

That led to a lively exchange between Obey and a peace protester outside his office, caught on video and widely circulated on the Web.

“We’re trying to use the supplemental to end the war,” Obey told the activist, Tina Richards, after she asked whether he planned to vote against it. “But you can’t end the war if you vote against the supplemental. It’s time these idiot liberals understand that.” He later apologized.

Rep. Ike Skelton, a Missouri Democrat who chairs the House Armed Services Committee, called Obey “the ultimate legislator. He’s very, very good at doing what he does. He had a near impossible task of gluing the language together that finally passed the House.”

In crafting the bill, Obey was so angered about leaks to the media that he deliberately gave some Democratic members false information to find out who the culprits were. He said he doesn’t regret doing so.

“When people are getting in the way of finding a solution – damaging all you’re trying to do – you use all the techniques you can,” Obey said.

Personally I’m fine with calling out the “idiot liberals” (yes, there are some) if it means progress like this. Flame on.

Good Morning Christy et al.

It’s sunny and about 34 here and Mr. Rev is outside with the lawn guy talking about what we need to do to spiff up the landscaping before putting the house on the market next month.

Ah Rootz. I have to say that it is one of the most rewarding things I’ve been involved with in a long time. Aside from the bonus of making friends outside of church (which happens all to rarely in my “business”) we have done lots of talking with our senators’ staffs about the things we think important. We also got together, a small group of us, and spent a lot of time in CT working for Ned.

I look forward to finding the Rootz people in eastern PA when we move. Any of you in the Chester/Deleware/Lancaster county area, let me know who you are, and Philly, too, of course. I want to meet you and see what we can do to light some nasty fires under Snarlin Arlen and start a relationship with Casey. That will be hard for me since Choice is one of my core issues. But it has to be done.

Just wanted to pop in to say that Jerry Nadler was my congressman for many years, before I moved just across the river. In addition to being, in my opinion, one of the brightest and most well-spoken members of Congress, he also gets points in my book for 1. managing to keep a relatively low media profile in a high media market and 2. with everything else he has going on, being the Congressional Rep for Ground Zero among other things, being absolutely terrific when it comes to constituent services and just an all-around nice guy.

An interesting story as to how Jerry got his seniority over all of those other Dems that came into office in 1992. The Congressional election that year actually had Congressman Ted Weiss on the ballot, however he died approximately 1-2 weeks before the election, which led all of us in the district who loved him to go out and vote for ‘Dead Ted’ (and yes, we all said it and we meant it with affection). As such, there had to be a special election, which took place in mid December. Jerry won, and so was sworn in to take Ted’s seat in late December, giving him seniority over the approximately 50 new Democratic Congresspeople who were elected that year, but didn’t take their seats until January.

old gold @ 35

…
Perhaps, but ………..

Yes, “but”. And I don’t think it was lost on the media, since they talked as much about the number of Hillary’s and Obama’s contributors as the amounts collected.

Redd, I’d love to help with that…and some Sting tix for you. I hear he’s on tour soon.

You have my e-mail addy.

Would it be tacky to ask around here at the lake to see if some folks want to pool our resources and see if we can’t get some seats on the floor for you and Mr. Redd?

Christy Hardin Smith @ 34

T- at 28 — I’ll have to pick your brain on the getting tickets end of that — Mr. ReddHedd is a golf fanatic, and that would make for an amazing birthday present for him some day. :)

T- at 43 — Alas, I have checked the Sting tour dates and he’s coming nowhere near me at this point unless they add more stops. SIGH But it is a lovely thought, and I appreciate it. :)

Christy Hardin Smith @ 38

Riesz at 33 — I believe they still are, but they can go and play with members if invited (which, I am told, does not exactly happen all that often). It’s only a matter of time, though…I feel change in the air, even at Augusta’s staid fairways.

I always lamented the fact that it’s not just women who are barred from Augusta; it’s anyone making less than a 7 figure salary.

But then I think about how it would feel to take 4 hours and 130 strokes just to finish the front nine. Maybe Gem Lake Municipal IS the best place for me.

(BTW, in no way do I support the banning of women at Augusta)

So Christy, what do you think about Bob Thuggins as the ‘Neers new Bball coach?

Christy Hardin Smith @ 44

T- at 43 — Alas, I have checked the Sting tour dates and he’s coming nowhere near me at this point unless they add more stops. SIGH But it is a lovely thought, and I appreciate it. :)

Seeing the Police Live in 2007 – $1000

Having the pro-shot HD Dolby Digital DVD for repeated home viewing – Priceless (well, $25, but priceless)

Twisted at 46 — I am not pleased.

Balrog @ 45: We could share a cart! Sounds like we play at the same pace. It’s a devil of a game, isn’t it? Happily, Mr. Marks is just as cruddy as I am on the links. We usually finish within a couple of strokes of each other.

Christy, I don’t comment often, but have been an avid reader from the beginning of FDL. I also was in on the roots project when it was only an email list. I would like to help, but not at the micro level.

I am a statistics geek and a retired sociologist, and would like to help with macro-level analysis if I could. For international comparisons of statistics, I often visit Nationmaster
for comparative statistics.

mrsmarks @ 49

Balrog @ 45: We could share a cart! Sounds like we play at the same pace. It’s a devil of a game, isn’t it? Happily, Mr. Marks is just as cruddy as I am on the links. We usually finish within a couple of strokes of each other.

Thank goodness for blood thinners.

Yes, welcome to spring in Atlanta where all those pretty spring blossoms are now frozen stiff. It’s 24 degrees this spring morning.

My husband and I located a copy of the movie Z yesterday. It was so very interesting to watch the movie and match the characters in the movie to the various players in the abundant scandals evolving today…the Judge – Patrick Fitzgerald, etc.

Rats, Christy.
I thought for sure he’d play DC…Pittsburgh, not so much.
If you want to go to Madison Square Garden, let me know and I’ll rally the troops.

Plutonious Monk @ 52

Yes, welcome to spring in Atlanta where all those pretty spring blossoms are now frozen stiff. It’s 24 degrees this spring morning.

Thanks for the tip. Mrs Poopyman is down there with her mother, and IIRC she didn’t pack anything for THAT temp. I sense a trip to the Perimeter Nordstrom’s coming on.

Balrog @ 51

mrsmarks @ 49

Balrog @ 45: We could share a cart! Sounds like we play at the same pace. It’s a devil of a game, isn’t it? Happily, Mr. Marks is just as cruddy as I am on the links. We usually finish within a couple of strokes of each other.

Thank goodness for blood thinners.

707

holleahock @ 53

My husband and I located a copy of the movie Z yesterday. It was so very interesting to watch the movie and match the characters in the movie to the various players in the abundant scandals evolving today…the Judge – Patrick Fitzgerald, etc.

Some of us in the MA roots group watched this together about a month ago and did the same thing. Warning, the ending is a downer. We have lots of work to do to prevent that from happening here.

Hence, the Roots Project. Lots and lots to do.

Good morning, Firedoglake. 57 degrees here in the San Francisco North Bay Area and the sun hasn’t even rolled out of bed yet. Good morning, global warming.

Hi T at 37,
Thanks for the link. I am talking about asking authorities to press charges. I am addressing the public discussion of murdering people with machine guns and snipers if they try to enter America.

I am addressing the targeting of a culture as a cesspool, rats, and worthy of being murdered.

I’ve long been convinced GWB has an Elisha complex. Every time one of his divinely inspired actions results in catastrophe, it’s because God is testing his allegience. This, of course, requires him to cling ever more devotedly to his course.

I think in his heart of hearts, he sees himself as a Bible hero.

(RevDeb: If I’ve cited the wrong Biblical figure, please correct! I’m relying on decades-old catechism here.)

Yowsa, Christy, you’re not kidding about, wtf happened to spring?

It’s 41 here in San Antonio this morning! High winds and rain. Ugh. Usually in April, it’s in the 60s in the morning, and 80s in the afternoon. Or hotter.

I went to work last night with only a sweater, what I usually need this time of year. Wanted my winter coat before 1 a.m. (outdoor breaks for this smoker), and it only got colder. Then it got wet.

I hope this doesn’t hurt our bluebonnets. We’ve had a really good year for those (last year was horrid). And I hope that the mama bird in one of my trees is able to keep her eggs warm enough. Those eggs are the prettiest shade of blue…

Came down to DC this weekend to give a talk at Hopkins and see the cherry blossoms. Seemed like a good idea at the time.

Apropos of nothing, cuteoverload.com has a hilarious mash-up of a trailer for 300 featuring…kittens.

http://mfrost.typepad.com/cute…..posis.html

eCAHNomics @ 1

Listening to Washington Journal this morning, there seems to be a new R talking point–global warming on Mars where there is no CO2. What’s the origin of that wingnut idea?

The origin probably comes from one of these:

1) The crackpot “the Sun is causing the Earth and Mars to warm” theory from a Russian scientist.

2) The legitimate idea, proposed in a recent issue of the journal Nature, that shifting dust storms are darkening Mars, causing temperatures to rise, which cause more dust storms. Link: http://www.space.com/scienceas….._mars.html

In any case, you have idiot wingnuts making a logical fallacy: that there can only be one cause of global warming. Therefore, in their puny minds they think, “if there aren’t any humans on Mars, and there is global warming on Mars, then humans can’t be causing global warming on Earth”.

A few more thoughts after watching Weekend Tweety;

Fred Thompson will get the Republican nomination if he wants it. McCain is done after last week, Romney has money & 3 percent support. Raise your hand if you think Giuliani gets past the hard core nutbags when it really counts.

Thompson is supposedly going to Capitol Hill soon to speak to 50 congressmen about getting in the race. With an overall 39% approval rating of the present candidates you can bet much sunshine is gonna get pumped you know where.

Also, some taking head mentioned Law & Order gets about 25 million viewers per show and that’s more than the total number people that will vote in the primaries. Add to this he has been conveniently away from Washington as the Bush administrations meltdown continues, I think he gets the slot.

I know it’s far fetched that an actor could become POTUS, but…

Rachel Paulose get a Babysitter:

A Justice Department official in Washington is expected to return to Minneapolis next week to help run the U.S. attorney’s office in Minnesota, according to an attorney with knowledge of an upheaval that led three lawyers to quit their management jobs Thursday.

The official, John Kelly, the chief of staff and a deputy director in the U.S. attorney’s executive office in Washington, may wind up being tapped to be the first assistant to U.S. Attorney Rachel Paulose in Minneapolis, the attorney said Friday.

Star-Tribune

Good morning, all.
L.A. Times featuring someone I had hoped to never see in it’s Op-Ed pages. Newt’s expansive explication of last week’s remarks (& why we shouldn’t find them offensive):

Want to Pursue Happiness? Learn English

Christy Hardin Smith @
9

diane at 7 — Christianity is something that you do. Beck thinks of it as something that you say. Very different concepts.

One of the more profound comments I’ve seen, very much worth quoting. It hits on all that seems wrong with things these days. We need deeds, not words; honesty, not hypocrisy. And it’s what has made this blog a great place to hang out. Many thanks.

Looks like G.W. Monkeynuts was trying to amp up the situation in Iran by offering aggressive flyovers and naval maneuvers in order to intimidate the Iranians in the UK troop detainment matter.

Looks like The Poodle told the Chimp to STFU and let diplomacy work.

Too bad we didn’t have President Newton Leroy Gingrich….he would have proved the old Republican line “we have no problems with the Iranian people” a bald faced lie by bombing Iran’s one gas refinery and reducing the Iranians to “traveling on ox-cart” to show them that we are much bigger than them.

These lunatics are going to leave this nation a smoking husk by the time they are done with it.

-GSD

AZ Matt @ 66

Rachel Paulose get a Babysitter:

A Justice Department official in Washington is expected to return to Minneapolis next week to help run the U.S. attorney’s office in Minnesota, according to an attorney with knowledge of an upheaval that led three lawyers to quit their management jobs Thursday.

The official, John Kelly, the chief of staff and a deputy director in the U.S. attorney’s executive office in Washington, may wind up being tapped to be the first assistant to U.S. Attorney Rachel Paulose in Minneapolis, the attorney said Friday.

Star-Tribune

Now the minders are getting minders.

-GSD

As I was doing my exercises this morning I was thinking of some ways to approach Operation Sunshine.

Then I was thinking of all the expertise visited upon FDL day in and day out. Maybe there’s a way to have “interest groups” here. Some people are legal experts, others are professional writers, researchers, etc. Grassroots efforts could branch off from here, As examples: 1. taking back our airwaves (they do belong to us, but corporate America doesn’t want you to know it) 2. writing letters to Congresscritters and LTEs on a regular basis 3. a special fund dedicated to supplies we could send to individuals as needed (such as copies of the Constitution and Bill of Rights); those who forget the law should be reminded incessantly and it could on from there.

Right now…it would be terrific if we had an outstanding way of sending Nancy Pelosi some love. She’s taking a beating in the MSM…

Just my 2 cents.

30 Degrees here in Columbus. Bummer about such cold weather for Easter.

We took home a pointesettia from church after Christmas, and it’s pretty close to being on its last leaves. Just in time to bring home an Easter lily, which will probably be an option nest week. :)

landreau @ 68

Christy Hardin Smith @
9

diane at 7 — Christianity is something that you do. Beck thinks of it as something that you say. Very different concepts.

One of the more profound comments I’ve seen, very much worth quoting. It hits on all that seems wrong with things these days. We need deeds, not words; honesty, not hypocrisy. And it’s what has made this blog a great place to hang out. Many thanks.

One of my favorite quotes from the bible is, “By their fruit shall you know them.”

Woops, my manners. Good morning everyone.

Need coffee maybe.

I’ve been thinking it is totally time to be sending some love to David Iglesias. That kettle is still cooking a whole lotta fish.

I strayed over to Fox/Pravda last night. They were pushing the Speaker Pelosi trip.

The bottom right corner had a graphic of Speaker Pelosi wearing the hijab and the words ‘Designer Diplomacy’.

It was so damn disgusting. The efforts to minimize, trivialize and demonize Speaker Pelosi are so egregious.

-GSD

Ugh. Golf.

I used to live at a lake colony that had its own golf course.

When you have golf balls shattering your windows (shatter proof glass isn’t always, just saying…), dinging your cars, or clanking your roof; when you have to do a good walkover of your yard before even thinking about mowing; when you see your tomato plants broken from golf balls–you start to hate golf, a whole hell of a lot. I got tired of looking at white people dressed worse than usual. I got tired of rich farts nearly running over me with their carts, because they weren’t looking where they were going, too busy talking to a companion, or looking for a golf ball, or sucking on a beer bottle.

The only thing fun about it was how some of the kids in our neighborhood (I was in jr. high at the time), tricked out their golf carts (don’t ask!). We also had golf cart races. Plus, it was great fun to have summer slumber parties on the putting greens.

mrsmarks @ 60

I’ve long been convinced GWB has an Elisha complex. Every time one of his divinely inspired actions results in catastrophe, it’s because God is testing his allegience. This, of course, requires him to cling ever more devotedly to his course.

I think in his heart of hearts, he sees himself as a Bible hero.

(RevDeb: If I’ve cited the wrong Biblical figure, please correct! I’m relying on decades-old catechism here.)

Elisha was mostly a do gooder. I would not call George that. Perhaps you are thinking of Job? But I wouldn’t equate his ordeal with that of W’s either.

I hesitate to find any biblical character that fits in with W’s profile, except maybe the Pharaoh in Exodus.

RevDeb at 77 –Does sound like Job. But I remember Rabbi Lawrence Kushner once saying “There’s noone in the Old Testament you’d want your kid to grow up like.” I wrote something a while ago about the whole idea of someone trying to claim they were “called by God” to do something. Basically, from my reading of Hebrew sciptures, God typically calls people to do things they are *reluctant* to do.

bookwoman @ 71

As I was doing my exercises this morning I was thinking of some ways to approach Operation Sunshine.

Then I was thinking of all the expertise visited upon FDL day in and day out. Maybe there’s a way to have “interest groups” here. Some people are legal experts, others are professional writers, researchers, etc. Grassroots efforts could branch off from here, As examples: 1. taking back our airwaves (they do belong to us, but corporate America doesn’t want you to know it) 2. writing letters to Congresscritters and LTEs on a regular basis 3. a special fund dedicated to supplies we could send to individuals as needed (such as copies of the Constitution and Bill of Rights); those who forget the law should be reminded incessantly and it could on from there.

Right now…it would be terrific if we had an outstanding way of sending Nancy Pelosi some love. She’s taking a beating in the MSM…

Just my 2 cents.

the new web site that is in development is set up to do just that kind of thing—put people and expertise together to promote actions.

That’s why we have to support it and give generously.

bookwoman at 71,

One of our big problems is that the airwaves are overseen by the FCC, headed by Kevin Martin, husband of Cathie Martin, who works directly for the President.

My local US attorney, whom I was advised to contact about this hate speech, was visited the day after my faxes by Attorney General Gonzales.

There is an apparent lock on the airwaves.

Renee in Ohio @ 78

RevDeb at 77 –Does sound like Job. But I remember Rabbi Lawrence Kushner once saying “There’s noone in the Old Testament you’d want your kid to grow up like.” I wrote something a while ago about the whole idea of someone trying to claim they were “called by God” to do something. Basically, from my reading of Hebrew sciptures, God typically calls people to do things they are *reluctant* to do.

Yeppers. Nobody volunteered saying, “choose me.” Moses didn’t want to. Jonah tried to hide, others as well. The prophets do not choose themselves. Prophecy is a dangerous business. Most of them get killed for it.

Sttp in Ohio @ 65

A few more thoughts after watching Weekend Tweety;

Fred Thompson will get the Republican nomination if he wants it. McCain is done after last week, Romney has money & 3 percent support. Raise your hand if you think Giuliani gets past the hard core nutbags when it really counts.

Thompson is supposedly going to Capitol Hill soon to speak to 50 congressmen about getting in the race. With an overall 39% approval rating of the present candidates you can bet much sunshine is gonna get pumped you know where.

Also, some taking head mentioned Law & Order gets about 25 million viewers per show and that’s more than the total number people that will vote in the primaries. Add to this he has been conveniently away from Washington as the Bush administrations meltdown continues, I think he gets the slot.

I know it’s far fetched that an actor could become POTUS, but…

I thought Hagel was running. If so, he seems like their only sane choice.

Christy Hardin Smith @
6

Morning all — we got snow last night. Brrrrr…thank goodness for warm coffee.

It is even cold here in Texas today. Brrrrr!

Hey ya’ll,
Christy alluded to some announcement a few days ago. What was it, or has it not occured yet?

Oft -hey – I’ve got free HBO!! yay Sopranos tomorrow – maybe a re-run of Bill Maher, fight tonight. Has Deadwood started yet?

Now the minders are getting minders.

maybe she’ll get a million dollar vacation home out of the deal

- Sue Ellen Wooldridge, former head DOJ/Environmental Division was dispatched to babysit Steven Griles’ ethics – they hooked up and live together in a home she initially purchased with former paramour Don Duncan – top lobbyist for Conoco Phillips – wildly coincidental that 9 months in to that relationship Ms. Woolridge/DOJ signed off
on a settlement agreement that let ConocoPhillips delay the installation of pollution-control equipment and the payment of fines.

ain’t sayin’ she a goldigger . . .

I’m sorry to hear you all are having such cold weather, but it has been unseasonably warm here in Oregon, 76 yesterday. I’m sure it’s coming your way this week.

eCAHNomics @ 1

Listening to Washington Journal this morning, there seems ot be a new R talking point–global warming on Mars where there is no CO2. What’s the origin of that wingnut idea?

hi people,the martian atmosphere is mostly carbon dioxide.
misinformation and misdirection are in motion

Cassie @ 83

Christy Hardin Smith @
6

Morning all — we got snow last night. Brrrrr…thank goodness for warm coffee.

It is even cold here in Texas today. Brrrrr!

It is SUNNY here and I am going to town. It is only a 120 miles one way!

Boston 1775 -

That’s Sullivan, right? He’s supposed to be manning two desks soon, iirc. Something in DC and/or USA/MA.

Can’t recall exactly…saw it in an article about the double duty some Mountain State USA is doing.

Too many details to keep track w/o looking it up again.

Oh. Here it is:
http://www.boston.com/news/loc…..or_of_atf/

U.S. Attorney Sullivan named director of ATF

By Andrew Miga, Associated Press Writer | March 21, 2007

WASHINGTON –President Bush on Wednesday announced he would nominate U.S. Attorney Michael J. Sullivan of Massachusetts to be the director of the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.

Sullivan, 52, had been serving as acting director of the agency as well as U.S. attorney for the past six months. He is expected to continue in both roles pending Senate confirmation for the ATF job.

Bush’s nomination will leave a vacancy in the U.S. attorney post in Massachusetts.

T- — am still finalizing details, so no announcement just yet until it is nailed down. Sorry.

Blank Kludge @ 91

Oh. Here it is:
http://www.boston.com/news/loc…..or_of_atf/

U.S. Attorney Sullivan named director of ATF

By Andrew Miga, Associated Press Writer | March 21, 2007

WASHINGTON –President Bush on Wednesday announced he would nominate U.S. Attorney Michael J. Sullivan of Massachusetts to be the director of the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.

Sullivan, 52, had been serving as acting director of the agency as well as U.S. attorney for the past six months. He is expected to continue in both roles pending Senate confirmation for the ATF job.

Bush’s nomination will leave a vacancy in the U.S. attorney post in Massachusetts.

Who’s gonna get this open spot, Jenna or Barbara?

-GSD

LJ/Aquaria @ 76

There’s a fabulous house on the edge of a golf course here, worth about 3 million, that is always on the market because it provides a secluded spot for golfers to pee.

Blank Kludge at 90,

It’s Michael J. Sullivan. I didn’t know about the double duty. What I do know is that they were the first of about eight agencies I contacted to assure me that this “speech is covered by the First Ammendment.”

GSD @ 74

I strayed over to Fox/Pravda last night. They were pushing the Speaker Pelosi trip.

The bottom right corner had a graphic of Speaker Pelosi wearing the hijab and the words ‘Designer Diplomacy’.

It was so damn disgusting. The efforts to minimize, trivialize and demonize Speaker Pelosi are so egregious.

-GSD

Scott Simon on NPR is pushing the “Did Nancy Pelosi violate the Logan Act?” b.s. as well. Said that one Republican went with Pelosi, but no mention of Wolf’s trip to Syria before hers or Issa’s trip afterwards, nor how Newt did this all the time under Clinton.

RevDeb @ 79

Beelzebubya?

It never ends.

GSD -

Don’t know of any Kennedy clan w/those names.

;->

But, I’d bet we’ll have Kennedy names investigated. Or some other prominent D people.

argh.

My brother is in the National Guard, but so far has been safe here in Texas. This story scares me though:

National Guard likely to head back to Iraq

melfeasance @ 97

RevDeb @ 79

Beelzebubya?

works for me

*g*

Dice K will be the next Ambassador to Japan
in the John Edwards presidency…

Jack

Boston1775 @ 94

Blank Kludge at 90,

It’s Michael J. Sullivan. I didn’t know about the double duty. What I do know is that they were the first of about eight agencies I contacted to assure me that this “speech is covered by the First Ammendment.”

Sadly, (and- IANAL) I’d have to agree. Otherwise, you get to agree in essence w/Newt in that some speech just ain’t allowed. I’m not a fan of that concept at all. Makes this keyboard susceptible to all kinds of jeopardy. Only thing is to slog away in ‘the marketplace of ideas’ and call ‘em as ya see ‘em.

jmho.

My brother is here from Chicago for an Easter weekend visit. He just showed me this site, which I hadn’t seen before. (Kind of along the lines of “Cute Overload”.

old gold @
35

To renew our constitutional republic will require the public financing of campaigns.
The political noise this week has been about how much money each of the candidates raised. Those who raised the most were deemed winners.
Perhaps, but ………..

The appeals for money before the deadline and the reports of totals have had a negative impact on me. I seriously feel like it’s all about buying the presidency.

George W. Bush and Dick Cheney have handed a great victory to many who would enjoy doing harm to America.

Now anytime someone is taken into custody by the US they can allege torture, whether real or not and it will be believed.

One more reason Bush/Cheney/Rove are destroying the fabric of this nation.

Iranian envoy alleges CIA torture.

-GSD

CHS, your lovely photo of spring blossoms has inspired me to visit the Huntington Library & Botanical Gardens today. It’s so beautiful & refreshing this time of year. L.A. surprised me w/it’s abundance of parks & gardens when I first moved here. Spring favorites to visit (& I believe they all ship seeds):
Huntington Botanical Gardens
The Arboretum
Descanso Gardens

Hi Cathy,

IIRC isn’t Hagel the one that recently announced a non-announcement? I agree that he is one of the few reality based repugs, but where did that vote against Senate confirmation of Attys. Gen come from? Not that it will hurt him with the true believers.

IM(Very)HO, were looking at Gore vs. Thompson in 2008, which will prove to be a much closer contest than I would prefer.

RevDeb @ 77

mrsmarks @ 60

I’ve long been convinced GWB has an Elisha complex. Every time one of his divinely inspired actions results in catastrophe, it’s because God is testing his allegience. This, of course, requires him to cling ever more devotedly to his course.

I think in his heart of hearts, he sees himself as a Bible hero.

(RevDeb: If I’ve cited the wrong Biblical figure, please correct! I’m relying on decades-old catechism here.)

Elisha was mostly a do gooder. I would not call George that. Perhaps you are thinking of Job? But I wouldn’t equate his ordeal with that of W’s either.

I hesitate to find any biblical character that fits in with W’s profile, except maybe the Pharaoh in Exodus.

Ah, Job! That’s who I was thinking of. Not that he resembles Job, but that he sees himself that way in terms of his “challenges.” Thanks much for the clarification.

Boston1775 @ 80

bookwoman at 71,

One of our big problems is that the airwaves are overseen by the FCC, headed by Kevin Martin, husband of Cathie Martin, who works directly for the President.

My local US attorney, whom I was advised to contact about this hate speech, was visited the day after my faxes by Attorney General Gonzales.

There is an apparent lock on the airwaves.

This lock on the airwaves is another important reason to protect the internet from similar “oversight”.

jayt @ 85

Oft -hey – I’ve got free HBO!! yay Sopranos tomorrow – maybe a re-run of Bill Maher, fight tonight. Has Deadwood started yet?

Sadly, no more new Deadwood. They’re working on two 2-hour movies that will conclude the series. Bill’s show last night was a re-run from March 16, I assume because of the holiday weekend. But hey, free HBO is never a bad thing!

Veritas78 @
5

Mornin’, Christy! Nothing in bloom here in Beantown—it’s 25, feeling like 14.

At least it is happening before Easter. Ten years ago, Easter was a beautiful spring day with temps in the 60s and sun. The next day was a storm that dumped about a foot of snow in Hartford.

The story about Elisha I like is when he gets depressed. Not good in a prophet. So he’s lying there in the desert feeling really sorry for himself. The angel comes and says hey—eat, drink, we’ll talk tomorrow [egr translation]. That seems like pretty good first line advice to someone who is trapped in depression.

Howzabout Gore/Hardin-Smith 2008!!!!

However, this person crossed a line. In talking with a caller trying to defend himself against the call to pick them off, the caller explained that he’d come here legally, then was illegal for awhile, then became legal again.

After the talkhost questioned the caller’s legal status again, and the caller said he was legal now, the host said something like: good, I wouldn’t want to have to draw a bead on you.

Boston1775 @ 114

However, this person crossed a line. In talking with a caller trying to defend himself against the call to pick them off, the caller explained that he’d come here legally, then was illegal for awhile, then became legal again.

After the talkhost questioned the caller’s legal status again, and the caller said he was legal now, the host said something like: good, I wouldn’t want to have to draw a bead on you.

where was that?

laurie9 at 110 This lock on the airwaves is another important reason to protect the internet from similar “oversight”.

But they will argue it’s necessary to protect children from pornography and help prosecute cases.

Never mind that parents can already keep their children off computers and that investigators [including an immediate family member] looking into predators say they do NOT need any additional internet tools.

Internet restrictions: coming soon. We are the last gasp of democratic opposition.

This is hate speech. There are laws.

FYI – Goodling resigns, announced late on Bad Bush News Friday…

Hi Cassie at 114,

This is someone in Massachusetts.

a major point left unclear in the Inspector General’s report is the source of the fictitious narrative that portrays Tillman’s “bravery” in the face of enemy fire. Possibly it originated within Tillman’s platoon as a sort of “reparation” for his death. This might also provide a rationale for why the other soldiers in the platoon burned Tillman’s uniform and body armor the day following his death. However the false narrative began, the written justification and citation that must describe in sufficient detail unusual bravery in the face of a determined enemy to merit a Silver Star incorporated the fiction of enemy fire–and was completed in time for the medal to be awarded posthumously on April 30, eight days after Tillman died. As it happens, the two general officers who wrote the justification of and approved the award of the Silver Star to Tillman–Lieutenant General Stanley McChrystal and Brigadier General James Nixon–are still on active duty. The other two generals named in the report–Lieutenant General Philip Kensinger and Brigadier General Gary Jones, commander and chief of staff, respectively, of the U.S. Army Special Operations Command in 2004–have since retired. Kensinger is accused of “providing misleading testimony” about when he knew friendly fire might be involved while Jones is faulted for an incomplete follow-up investigation by failing to interview everyone present when Tillman was killed.

“Have You No Sense of Decency?”
By Col. DAN SMITH
CounterPunch LINK

grape_crush — Hey — thanks. Jane had something on that yesterday. Interesting news, isn’t it?

I’ll tell you what we really need to absolutely dominate the next election and to get swing republicans calling themselves democrats from now on;

we need to find a corrupt democrat and have waxman make him part of his inquiries

then we need to make it clear, corrupt is corrupt and we are purging government from these criminals no matter what party

Been thinking how we are a very, very sleepy nation.
We allow the surge to continue when in three months, we will be in the same place with
needless deaths.
We allow Bush and Cheney to lie their arse off
to try to win the unwinnable…
We fail to see that his Cabinet tows the party
line and corrupts the nation with clear
disregard of our laws…
It comes from the top down, Bush knows about
Gonzo, knows about Libby, and knows every detail what’s going on.
He needs to be impeached…
Why would anyone believe anything that emanates
from his mouth?
Who gives a shit about how much Obama and Clinton have raised… it’s all about stinking
cash….
I feel sad on this holiest of weeks…

I wish Gore didn’t feel like he needed to lose weight to run for president. Losing weight for your health or to feel good is a positive thing. Losing weight because our society still thinks discriminating against overweight people is sad.

T- @
114

Howzabout Gore/Hardin-Smith 2008!!!!

We should be so lucky!
Would that mean we would then have a “First Peanut”?

Sttp in Ohio @
65

A few more thoughts after watching Weekend Tweety;

Fred Thompson will get the Republican nomination if he wants it. McCain is done after last week, Romney has money & 3 percent support. Raise your hand if you think Giuliani gets past the hard core nutbags when it really counts.

Thompson is supposedly going to Capitol Hill soon to speak to 50 congressmen about getting in the race. With an overall 39% approval rating of the present candidates you can bet much sunshine is gonna get pumped you know where.

Also, some taking head mentioned Law & Order gets about 25 million viewers per show and that’s more than the total number people that will vote in the primaries. Add to this he has been conveniently away from Washington as the Bush administrations meltdown continues, I think he gets the slot.

I know it’s far fetched that an actor could become POTUS, but…

FWIW, unlike the previous actor/POTUS, Thompson at least had a legitimate political career prior ro acting. He was Howard Baker’s senior staffer/counsel on the Senate Select Watergate Committee. IIRC, Richard Ben-Veniste was his Dem counterpart. But Thompson came across as photogenic so the movie people brought him into their world.

Reading the NYT about Goodling resignation this morning, I began to see the Bush/Rove strategy for fighting this thing. Everything in the article points to Gonzo’s testimony on April 17th. On the radio, I heard he was rehearsing his performance there. This is going to be the MAIN EVENT, because that is how THEY WANT IT TO BE. They want this because it will take the attention away from all the emails, redacted papers, etc – ie. the facts. They are not going to give those up.

So, they will have Gonzo testify. He’ll say whatever it is he’ll say, and then, as far as Bush/Rove is concerned, they will have cooperated and it will be “old news”. It will look like political showmanship, with the Repug stooges towing the line and the Dems breathlessly trying to get Gonzo to say something, but in the end, the only thing that matters is the facts – AND THEY WILL BE WITHHELD.

Then as far as the Rove strategy goes – onto the next scandal, or next story, or whatever. Watch this go away, and, right now, I don’t see anyway that’s going to change.

Boston1775 @ 31

I have been working on challenging right wing radio. This plays to not only MA but NH. What I am challenging is the hate speech used toward illegal aliens (Mexicans).

It seems the new Jews were found. The rise of Nazi propaganda took root within the middle class which saw their livelihood disappearing because of big corporations – but the Jews were blamed.

There are many Mexicans where I currently live; they are the ones doing the work, without them, the whole place (ski resort) would not function. They run the gas stations and staff the housekeeping – and, they are mostly happy with themselves and the world. You see them laughing, you never see the rich second home owners laughing.

oops as V.P. that would be “Second Peanut”!

“It bothers me to no end that a 35-year-old guy can evaluate Pat Fitzgerald and call him mediocre when he doesn’t know the first thing about being a public servant,” said Collins. “And when the attorney general came to tow last week and was sitting next to Pat, had every opportunity to put his arm around Pat and say, this is one of the best guys I got– he said nothing.”

That anger and frustration over politics in the Department of Justice is shared by other prosecutors. Collins is now free to express it.

http://abclocal.go.com/wls/sto…..id=5189901

watch the video, if this is an indication of how some of the AUSA feel, gonzo is toast.

melfeasance @
97

RevDeb @ 79

Beelzebubya?

LOL! Seriously!

I gotta be more dilegent. More on Sullivan from link above:

Sullivan, a former Republican state legislator and district attorney, was appointed U.S. attorney just one week before two planes hijacked from Boston’s Logan International Airport were used in the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks.

Sullivan also led the prosecution of would-be airplane shoe bomber Richard Reid when the international flight carrying Reid was diverted to Boston later that year, putting the case in Sullivan’s jurisdiction.

As U.S. attorney, Sullivan has been known for a tough stance on drug and gun cases, and one judge criticized him publicly for burdening the federal system with cases that could be handled by state prosecutors.

“I think he’s reflected the policies of the Justice Department in the last six years of the Bush administration,” Boston defense attorney Martin Weinberg said. “Although I’m a vigorous opponent of many of those policies, he’s been a forceful implementer of Washington-dictated sentencing and law enforcement policies.”

and

Lawyers who practice in federal court in Boston said names of possible replacements for Sullivan were already being discussed, including Michael Loucks, a prosecutor who has been working as acting U.S. Attorney during Sullivan’s time in Washington; Assistant U.S. Attorney Brian Kelly, who heads the office’s public corruption unit; and Mark Nielsen, who was chief legal counsel to former Gov. Mitt Romney.

Don’t know much about these last names, except the corruption angle has been active out here in WMass lately.

Bookwoman @ 71

Good idea. Someone going to start a lawyer group? Someone with enough time to mind one?

GeorgeSimian,

You are assuming that Gonzo and Rove have control of all of the x-factors….That is folly.

Besides, if you have witnessed Gonzo’s performance, he is a stooge.

They are going to rue the day they hung their hat on his testimony.

I get the sneaking suspicion that there are lots of moles inside Justice that are shoveling info to the Dems.

-GSD

Well, how could I not chime in on “Operation Sunshine”? Hi, Christy and pups.

Something that caught my eye in our local [Fargo] newspaper, which serves a wide area including NW Minnesota.

In reporting on the USAttys who resigned their managerial responsibilities, an article in the print edition notes that Rachel Paulose was confirmed by the U.S. Senate. It also notes– and I think this is striking–Paulose was not subjected to peer review.

Thanks to that dandy little Patriot Act gaming under the cozy umbrella of Sens Specter and Hatch. And thanks to that cynical, Constitution-hating team Bush-Chee-knee-Rover put in place at DOJ.

eCAHNomics @
1

Listening to Washington Journal this morning, there seems ot be a new R talking point–global warming on Mars where there is no CO2. What’s the origin of that wingnut idea?

Those guys make shit up. Per the Wikipedia’s article on the atmosphere of Mars:

The atmosphere on Mars consists of 95% carbon dioxide, 3% nitrogen, 1.6% argon, and contains traces of oxygen and water.

selise @
12

Sttp in Ohio @ 10

FWIW, we get Tweety’s weekend show on Saturday morning. I caught the end where it was stated Mr. Gore supposedly is on a mission to lose 40 lbs; the sure sign he is getting in the race!

Now, back to Christy’s regularly scheduled post.

i don’t want the old gore – i like the new gore… more substance, less image.

me too!

Gracious while being smeared by Inhofe, roaring with sense when it comes to bushco, caring about our beautiful blue ball that we inhabit.

He’s the person who can take this species forward.

dakine01 @ 127

Sttp in Ohio @
65

A few more thoughts after watching Weekend Tweety;

Fred Thompson will get the Republican nomination if he wants it. McCain is done after last week, Romney has money & 3 percent support. Raise your hand if you think Giuliani gets past the hard core nutbags when it really counts.

Thompson is supposedly going to Capitol Hill soon to speak to 50 congressmen about getting in the race. With an overall 39% approval rating of the present candidates you can bet much sunshine is gonna get pumped you know where.

Also, some taking head mentioned Law & Order gets about 25 million viewers per show and that’s more than the total number people that will vote in the primaries. Add to this he has been conveniently away from Washington as the Bush administrations meltdown continues, I think he gets the slot.

I know it’s far fetched that an actor could become POTUS, but…

FWIW, unlike the previous actor/POTUS, Thompson at least had a legitimate political career prior ro acting. He was Howard Baker’s senior staffer/counsel on the Senate Select Watergate Committee. IIRC, Richard Ben-Veniste was his Dem counterpart. But Thompson came across as photogenic so the movie people brought him into their world.

Agreed. That’s why I think he will be an even easier sell to Republicans desperate to distance themselves from this stink bomb of an administration.

mulligatawny @ 127

Boston1775 @ 31

I have been working on challenging right wing radio. This plays to not only MA but NH. What I am challenging is the hate speech used toward illegal aliens (Mexicans).

It seems the new Jews were found. The rise of Nazi propaganda took root within the middle class which saw their livelihood disappearing because of big corporations – but the Jews were blamed.

There are many Mexicans where I currently live; they are the ones doing the work, without them, the whole place (ski resort) would not function. They run the gas stations and staff the housekeeping – and, they are mostly happy with themselves and the world. You see them laughing, you never see the rich second home owners laughing.

This is the strategy. It must be challenged because it has been a huge part of the plan to gain power that cannot be touched.

Watch a report from Iraq flushed down the memory hole before your very eyes.

The breadth of Waxman’s investigations is absolutely breathtaking, Chronology of investigations

Joining this thread late. Snowy and cold here, but this is what spring is in Vermont. I can’t remember when my son didn’t have to hunt for Easter eggs in the snow drifts.

Just from the few calls I made this week, I sense that Congress critters really want to hear from constituents. They are pissed, ready to take a stand, but the more encouragement they here, the more resolve they’ll be able to show.

So, remember how hard we all worked back in October, November? This is the time for another round of public political will. Write a letter to the editor. Raise the consciousness of people in your community. Encourage them to call their representatives. Call yourself, Write letters. We are reaching a tipping point. LET’S PUSH.

Bay State Librul @ 124

Been thinking how we are a very, very sleepy nation.
…

The years after 2001, have been going back and forth to Europe a lot; it was very strange because after 9/11, there seemed to be a cloak of trance over the whole of US, a kind of heavy gooey sticky collective, almost physically perceivable huge umbrella of a(well, i do have some psychic perception)trance. The first time I saw some of it lift was with the Libby indictment. It has been slow and tedious, seems to speed up in these days.

carolyn urban @ 143 says: “Just from the few calls I made this week, I sense that Congress critters really want to hear from constituents. They are pissed, ready to take a stand, but the more encouragement they here, the more resolve they’ll be able to show.”

Except when the congresscritter is the “Honorable” Lamar Smith, R-Idiots, who parrots the standard Republic talking point of the day whenever called on his BS.

TJ @ 125

It’s all speculation on our part. Who knows what Gore is or isn’t feeling?

Right after Nixon resigned, someone asked Pat what her thoughts and feelings were during Watergate. She replied that she had not known about it. It impressed me for life how little we know about public figures. If the president’s wife doesn’t know what her own husband is about, how are we supposed to know?

twolf1 @
11

eCAHNomics @
1

Listening to Washington Journal this morning, there seems ot be a new R talking point–global warming on Mars where there is no CO2. What’s the origin of that wingnut idea?

I suggest the gooperz go to Mars to do some research.

Hoo boy, I second that suggestion! Put them on the Rover and then send it far, far away.

Blue America is up and running a little early today, gang. And Howie has a great interview and chat guest: Rep. Jerry Nadler of NY-08. Please drop in and say hello to the Congressman — and give him a great FDL welcome! Thanks!

Thanks Blank Kludge,

The person who signed my letter was Assistant U.S. Attorney B. Stephanie Siegmann.

AZ Matt @ 66
Rachel Paulose get a Babysitter:

A Justice Department official in Washington is expected to return to Minneapolis next week to help run the U.S. attorney’s office in Minnesota, according to an attorney with knowledge of an upheaval that led three lawyers to quit their management jobs Thursday.

The official, John Kelly, the chief of staff and a deputy director in the U.S. attorney’s executive office in Washington, may wind up being tapped to be the first assistant to U.S. Attorney Rachel Paulose in Minneapolis, the attorney said Friday.

Star-Tribune

A-yep. I was wondering if they’d do that.

Thing is, as was mentioned on Minnesota Public Radio last night, the assistants and deputies are the ones who keep the office running and do the actual work, as much of the time the political appointees just don’t have the knowledge/experience/skills/talent to do so. (This last was expressed somewhat more diplomatically, but it came to the same thing.)

Heffelfinger was one of the exceptions to this rule: He’s smart, experienced, dedicated and has a freakin’ clue. He hires good people and they can work with him or with anyone who isn’t a total flippin’ moron. That’s why his office was so stable and well-regarded, until Paulose took over.

dakine01 @ 127

Sttp in Ohio @
65
A few more thoughts after watching Weekend Tweety;

Fred Thompson will get the Republican nomination if he wants it. McCain is done after last week, Romney has money & 3 percent support. Raise your hand if you think Giuliani gets past the hard core nutbags when it really counts.

Thompson is supposedly going to Capitol Hill soon to speak to 50 congressmen about getting in the race. With an overall 39% approval rating of the present candidates you can bet much sunshine is gonna get pumped you know where.

Also, some taking head mentioned Law & Order gets about 25 million viewers per show and that’s more than the total number people that will vote in the primaries. Add to this he has been conveniently away from Washington as the Bush administrations meltdown continues, I think he gets the slot.

I know it’s far fetched that an actor could become POTUS, but…

FWIW, unlike the previous actor/POTUS, Thompson at least had a legitimate political career prior ro acting. He was Howard Baker’s senior staffer/counsel on the Senate Select Watergate Committee. IIRC, Richard Ben-Veniste was his Dem counterpart. But Thompson came across as photogenic so the movie people brought him into their world.

If anyone needed any proof that the backing for Rudy is a mile wide and an inch deep, bear in mind that Fred Thompson’s twelve points were taken straight out of Rudy’s hide.

GSD @ 135

GeorgeSimian,

You are assuming that Gonzo and Rove have control of all of the x-factors….That is folly.

Besides, if you have witnessed Gonzo’s performance, he is a stooge.

They are going to rue the day they hung their hat on his testimony.

I get the sneaking suspicion that there are lots of moles inside Justice that are shoveling info to the Dems.

-GSD

I hope you are right. But if Congress has proven one thing in the past six years, it’s that anything they do or say can be portrayed as political gamesmanship. And Rove loves that.

Christy Hardin Smith @ 122

grape_crush — Hey — thanks. Jane had something on that yesterday. Interesting news, isn’t it?

Whoopsie; didn’t scroll down far enough…thanks for the linky, ‘tho…

Get in touch with key communicators in your neighborhood, bartenders, beauticians, barbers and see how restless the natives are.

Keep it apolitical as far partisan politics go. The Constitution belongs to Americans first, and NEVER to any political party.

Use Meetup as organizing tool, and craigslist to list to reach out to people.

Perris at 125 – How about Bill Jefferson, then?

cathy @
82

Sttp in Ohio @ 65

A few more thoughts after watching Weekend Tweety;

Fred Thompson will get the Republican nomination if he wants it. McCain is done after last week, Romney has money & 3 percent support. Raise your hand if you think Giuliani gets past the hard core nutbags when it really counts.

Thompson is supposedly going to Capitol Hill soon to speak to 50 congressmen about getting in the race. With an overall 39% approval rating of the present candidates you can bet much sunshine is gonna get pumped you know where.

Also, some taking head mentioned Law & Order gets about 25 million viewers per show and that’s more than the total number people that will vote in the primaries. Add to this he has been conveniently away from Washington as the Bush administrations meltdown continues, I think he gets the slot.

I know it’s far fetched that an actor could become POTUS, but…

I thought Hagel was running. If so, he seems like their only sane choice.

Exactly! And that’s why he won’t get it and Thompson will. ;-)

bill in turkey @ 155

Perris at 125 – How about Bill Jefferson, then?

I think the general idea here is a good one but isn’t this something for the Ethics Committee.

mulligatawny @ 144

Bay State Librul @ 124

Been thinking how we are a very, very sleepy nation.
…

The years after 2001, have been going back and forth to Europe a lot; it was very strange because after 9/11, there seemed to be a cloak of trance over the whole of US, a kind of heavy gooey sticky collective, almost physically perceivable huge umbrella of a(well, i do have some psychic perception)trance. The first time I saw some of it lift was with the Libby indictment. It has been slow and tedious, seems to speed up in these days.

Thanks, I was beginning to think that
I’ve lost my mind.
I remember how bad Watergate was but this is
twice as bad…
Thanks to FDLer’s KO and John Dean, and
yeah the Red Soxs for saving my soul…

Anyone here used to post on the GeorgeWBush.org forum? I miss that one.

Quick reminder about this weekend’s Blog Against Theocracy. Just did my own post about it here.

Okay, totally OT, but I have to share this. Just walked my hound out and he saw something in the snow and pulled free dragging his leash. I saw that he was chasing a little tiny vole type guy, size of a hamster and dark gray. My dog was ecstatic to have his little prey, and was chasing him back and forth.

I thought the vole would tunnel down into the snow but he couldn’t seem to get away. So he sat up, went face to face with my 110 pound lab, nose to nose really, and he whacked my dog across the nose with his tiny paw!

What an awesome little guy!

And the end of the story is I grabbed hold of Lou and the little guy got away.

Phoenix Woman @ 150

AZ Matt @ 66
Rachel Paulose get a Babysitter:

A Justice Department official in Washington is expected to return to Minneapolis next week to help run the U.S. attorney’s office in Minnesota, according to an attorney with knowledge of an upheaval that led three lawyers to quit their management jobs Thursday.

The official, John Kelly, the chief of staff and a deputy director in the U.S. attorney’s executive office in Washington, may wind up being tapped to be the first assistant to U.S. Attorney Rachel Paulose in Minneapolis, the attorney said Friday.

Star-Tribune

A-yep. I was wondering if they’d do that.

Thing is, as was mentioned on Minnesota Public Radio last night, the assistants and deputies are the ones who keep the office running and do the actual work, as much of the time the political appointees just don’t have the knowledge/experience/skills/talent to do so. (This last was expressed somewhat more diplomatically, but it came to the same thing.)

Heffelfinger was one of the exceptions to this rule: He’s smart, experienced, dedicated and has a freakin’ clue. He hires good people and they can work with him or with anyone who isn’t a total flippin’ moron. That’s why his office was so stable and well-regarded, until Paulose took over.

The Executive Office of the USAs is already a mess due to turnover, with one deputy also serving as the acting director and another deputy doing double duty as the acting counsel to the director. Now they’re thinking of making Kelly an Asst USA in Minneapolis, creating yet another vacancy in that office?

There’s only one reason why this kind of thing would even be considered: someone is very, very, very worried.

McCain “apologizes” – admits that he’s a senile old fool who is should never refer to facts to promote the WAR! After being pummelled by the comments of citizens of the market area (though not by the repeated mortars that killed those before and after his visit) in Iraq, McCain admitted that the huge entourage of armored vehicles and over 100 protective forces that surrounded him likely wouldn’t replicate the conditions that Baghdadis would normally experience.

Mr. McCain, in an interview to be broadcast on CBS News’ “60 Minutes” on Sunday, acknowledged that his critics were right. “Of course I am going to misspeak and I’ve done it on numerous occasions and I probably will do it in the future. I regret that when I divert attention to something I said from my message, but you know, that’s just life.”

“That’s just life” for a senile old flatulent douchbag that parrots the line that the US must send more and more forces into Iraq (thus destroying the military by a thousand cuts…where are they going to come from McCain…a DRAFT?).

Maybe his adopted son wiould be wiulling to stay over there for multiple tours without having any home leave to serve in “Daddy’s War”.

Jane here in southeastern Ohio the woods are filled with red buds, dogwoods, spring beauties, crocus, delicate dutchman britches and rue anenome. The beauty makes one thankful for being alive.

Why my mind goes to the hundreds of thousands of dead and injured due to this war of choice when I am blessed to be alive and witnessing another beautiful spring, I am not sure. Must be that Catholic and blue collar union upbringing! Brought up to have a conscience! Curses

Sorry Christy! (I wrote Jane)

Way epu’d but this is where this belongs. The children’s book thread is 220 pages long in MS word before pulling everyone’s comments out. I’m plugging along. I’m making the format book/author/brief comment or synopsis/FDL commenter providing title.

I think I’ll probably find a place to put it on the web and link to it, and/or offer the word doc, as it is a wonderful list! I am plugging away as moments allow.

One more thing: I’m seriously bummed out about my flowers and this darn freezing weather. I’m in Central Ohio, and my beautiful magnolia was covered in pale pink flowers for only part of a day before the frost turned the entire thing brown. 12 hyacinths are lying on their sides. The 15 pink tulips are hanging their heads low and the snow keeps falling–they never opened. I’m trying to be philosophical about it, but my heart’s really heavy about it.