Glenn Greenwald has a very good post up today that recounts the travesy of the Jessica Lynch reporting done by Steno Sue Schmidt, the woman who also brought Whitewater to the front page of the Washington Post. It's unfathomable that she still has a job, but as Greenwald says, both she and the Post continue to defend the Lynch reporting to this day:
So The Washington Post thinks it did nothing seriously wrong here and, astonishingly, defends the behavior of "its sources" as admirable and honorable (just a little inaccurate due to that notorious "fog of war" that put imaginary bullet and stab wounds in Jessica Lynch as a result of a heroic and inspiring firefight that never happened).
And most of all, Schmidt and Loeb continue to protect the identity of their sources, and will until the day they die. The fact that their sources fed them lies in order to manipulate American public opinion about the war is irrelevant to them. Over and over and over, our most influential American media outlets publish false stories based on government "sources" who purposely lie to them, and they never report on the real story — who are the government sources lying to the American public while hiding behind shields of anonymity granted to them, and maintained by, our nation's "journalists"?
Most of our nation's journalists do not report on government conduct. They participate in it actively and consciously as government spokesmen. Judy Miller is the symbol of our political press, not its aberration.
If the Washington Post had a real ombudsman, it would probably be appropriate to contact them and ask them how, if their reporters continue to protect sources who lie to them so egregiously, they plan to keep from being used as a passel of tools to churn out lies to their readership? Sadly, as Teddy noted the other day, the Post has no such ombudsman. Maybe if the Post's media critic Howard Kurtz can stop drooling over Michelle Malkin and her litany of outright, unapologetic fabrications long enough to examine the problems with the reporting at his own paper, we might get some answers?
Yes, I know. All my dogs will have Nobel prizes before this happens.
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Jane!
Fitz!
Froomkin’s as close as the WaPo has to an inhouse critic.
While we’re waiting for everyone else to catch up, just want to congratulate you on having Ms. Clinton and John Kerry here.
Jane!
With your gift for getting to the heart of the matter, you really should have a lead role in Moyers’ look at our failed media.
Thanks for this, and for all you do!
Hey PUPS- this makes me so sick of the media- except this media!!
Weird I saw this post before briefly.
Gross and quite disgusting Bush dancing!!
Wow! I thought my zed from this morning was a goner!
And your dogs will have worked harder and actually done more real journalism to earn those awards, Jane.
Propaganda. That’s what this is, bought and paid for by tax dollars, disseminated via American corporate media.
A Nobel Peace Prize in Bisquet Chewing for Kobe!!!
Jane says:
With apologists like Dingbat Debbie and Hacktacular Howie, the WaPoo is not doing itself many favors these days. But I would bet your dogs get their Nobels before those two get Pulitzers.
That wind you feel is Kay Graham spinning in her grave at the speed of light.
Rayne- Propagenda, that’s what it really is
ABBEVILLE, S.C. (AP) — “A man has been sentenced to 25 years in prison after pleading guilty to having sex and impregnating a then 9-year-old girl.
William Edward Ronca, 26, was arrested last year after doctors discovered the girl was at least seven months pregnant.
Ronca pleaded guilty Tuesday and was sentenced to 25 years in prison. He will have to serve more than 21 years before he is eligible for parole. The judge gave him five years less than the maximum because he admitted to the crime and apologized to the girl’s family.
Ronca had been having sex with the girl for about a year, and told her not to tell anyone, according to arrest warrants”
He only had to wait a few years. Age of consent in South Carolina is 14- for girls- 16 for boys..
Hard ta figure- guess girls reach the age of reason a bit earlier.
Tap Duncan @ 11
KKKarl learned at the feet of his master, Joseph Goebbels.
Slighty OT but everything seems so tied together. It is all KKKarl’s fault! From The Hill, more on the Yang story:
I like that Jane…
Nobel best prizes…
For the life of me, I can’t understand why a reporter who has been lied to and spun six ways from Sunday by a “senior administration official” doesn’t cough up the name.
If I were the reporter in question, I’d be sending an email to my favorite SAO:
“Nice chat we had the other day. Too bad it was fiction, because that really makes me look bad to pass it off as fact.
“Now then, to rebuild my reputation, I’ve got a choice to make. I can either go with the story of how I was lied to, or I can go with the new story that you’re going to give me that’s even better. Of course, if I go with the latter story, I’d need something to confirm what you tell me — documents, emails, second sources.
“Any suggestions you’ve got on which story I should write? Oh, and my deadline is at 3PM.”
Sorry Beast prizes
dakine- I’ve been saying for years, i could swear I heard James Moore say in Bushs’ Brain that KKKarl had dual citizenship us/ germany. Do you know anything about this claim?
THIS is the single biggest issue between journalism as understood elsewhere and journalism as practiced within the beltway.
A SOURCE WHO LIES SHOULD BE BURNED.
it’s not that hard to understand. the lynch story was not a mere fog of war issue — this was an extensive lie, told to manipulate public opinion, and requiring the involvement of SEVERAL government employees, be they the military or civilian. if a source comes back and says, i got this bad information, you then ask WHO GAVE IT TO YOU? and follow it back. otherwise, you hang your source.
iirc, waxman said that steno sue’s incorrect version of events was published the day AFTER dana priest’s correct version of events.
it’s not like it was wrong and then corrected… sounds like it was reported correctly – and then changed.
did anyone else hear that?
what about the yang story.
petrr- “Uh, that’s not the way we operate” (from a commercial for the Nation)
1. Is there some sort of National Code of Ethics for reporters? Some sort of annual convention where they can sort thru this issue and make suggestions?
2. What are our colleges teaching journalism students about this particular ethics issue?
Ghostman
Jessica Lynch! The Pentagon flacks who created the myths about her should have to serve time.
Steno Sue, Ol’ 60 Grit, Victoria Toenails, Barbara Compost.
Was there a certain high school class that we should be looking into?
The fact that any of these woman are still harping their bullsh*t is an amazing feat.Toss in Judy Judy Judy and you have the makings of a right wing tabloid capable of entertaining, say, 30% of the women in this country.
This is similar to Matt Cooper’s appearance on The Daily Show a couple days ago where Cooper asserted repeatedly that he’d defend keeping Rove’s identity secret no matter what, even though Jon Stewart pointed out repeatedly that Rove used Cooper to peddle lies. It was a stunning display of cluelessness and stupidity.
There is something really broken with these people. They are either so stupid it’s a wonder they know how to write, or they’re all part of the propaganda machinery and intentionally mislead the public. Nothing can save the institution of professional journalism at this point, I’m afraid.
They would burn the source if it wasn’t Rove.
selise @ 20
I heard that too…
Tap Duncan @
18
Google Karl Rove dual citizenship and there are a number of references to US and Austrian.
Bill Moyers’ “Buying the War” tonight on PBS, 9:00 pm
“one of the most gripping and important pieces of broadcast journalism so far this year, but it’s as disheartening as it is compelling.” Tom Shales, Washington Post
ccmask @ 27
I doubt Rove had anything to do with either the Tillman or Lynch myth.
rwcole @ 21
Yang went from an AUSA investigating Rep. Jerry Lewis of California to being hired to work by the legal firm that is defending him.
dakine01 @ 29
Oh Austrian, like Ahhnold. Same creepy world view if you ask me, but I’m ignorant!!
Q And a last on something — is the President — there is a call for the President to fix this disparity problem. There’s word that Shoshana Johnson, shot in the ankle as a POW, she’s only getting 30 percent disability, whereas Jessica Lynch is getting 80 percent disability. And the President is being called upon to fix this disparity of — or get something moving. Have you heard anything about it?
MR. McCLELLAN: I don’t have any update. I think that you might want to address those questions to the Pentagon, they can probably better address those questions.
Q — there is a big disparity gap there. Is he — is there a concern here?
MR. McCLELLAN: Well, he has confidence that the military will address those matters.
whitehouse.gov
Well then what about the ying story?
oops- Sorry Jane, I just sent you 8 new puppies and a pregnant bitch. Terrible timing; I suppose now we’ll never get the answers.
rwcole @ 35
Ying worked for the firm representing Lewis but jumped ship to work as an AUSA! *g*
AZ Matt @ 14
That Miers woman is downright spooky.
I will never forget that surreal circus sideshow of Bush nominating her to the SCt…….she was “plenty bright” enough for that…..but not when it came to protecting his own ass after the Dem takeover of Congress. Nope, for that he needed a REAL lawyer…… and so, back to Texas you go, Harriet.
Ed*ard Teller @ 31
ET — Curiosity. Why? Any particular reason, or a hunch?
Just MHO, it may not have been Rove directly, but I sure wouldn’t be surprised if it were one of his gofers.
Boy RWCOLE I was gonna do that one and I waited too long, lol
It’s subpoenapalooza in Congress, but you’d never know it watching the teebee.
So a “reporter” like Steno Sue protecting her lying source doesn’t surprise me. Just another day in America, except for those pesky blogs. ;)
We have sooooooo much work to do to fix this country. And we will!
epu’d from last thread but just as relevant here:
I credit Jane for inspiring stiff spines to everyone near and within her sphere – most especially politicians great and small.
Clearly Jane & Christy have succeeded in making FDL a force to deal with in our beleagured national body politic from sea to shining sea.
Snoopy Happy Dance break to celebrate our heroines and this amazing community of other posters and commenters.
^^^^^*****^^^^^******^^^^^^
Thanks, Jane! Good post.
I guess I’m not bothered about protecting sources–in fact I think it’s very important in order to keep information coming from people who could be retaliated against, e.g. whistleblowers, if their identity were revealed. It seems to me the real problem is when reporters are used to peddle government propaganda, as you point out. As I. F. Stone used to say, when it comes to the government, the working hypothesis should be that they are lying.
Today, Steno Sue co-wrote a WaPo article about the Hill staffer who’s pled guilty to accepting over $30,000 in bribes from Abramoff without ever using the secret word — REPUBLICAN. I can’t link from here, but you’ll find this discussion on Peter Baker’s chat this morning; Peter thinks readers aren’t confused about Abramoff being a GOP lobbyist.
Of course, most readers aren’t confused — unless the WaPo’s confusion has left them confused. The WaPo has been confused on Abramoff before….
snowbird42 @ 6
His handlers must have been beaming with pride.
let’s see, who was president on 9/11?
oh, that’s right: george bush, a republican
and who was mayor or nyc on 9/11?
why, yes, rudy giuliani, a repbulican
democrats will definitely keep us safer than they did
The poodles will need formal wear for the Nobel Prize ceremonies, that could be expensive. I sure their parents will be proud of them.
All my dogs will have Nobel prizes before this happens.
My four shih tzus want to express their congratulations to your dogs.
The important thing for me is to rid ourselves of the possibility of any Bush ever becoming president again. And to bring GWB and his people to account for war crimes.
AZ Matt @ 47
And the Peanut should attend in the black-tie variant of the dinosaur suit.
Nola Sue @ 39
It was pretty clear from the initial stories on both cases that the misinformation was coming from military sources. During “Shock and Awe” there were military units in Qatr and Kuwait looking for ways to put the best face on any developments in the opening moves of the War on Iraq. The Tillman myth appears to have been concocted inside Afghanistan itself, rather than back in DC.
I don’t reacall any information that has come out on any case which directly links Rove to misinformation coming out of DoD.
Ed*ard Teller @ 24
Wasn’t that the duty of the WHIG? We should make the WHIG our big bright shiny object. FITZ!
Ed*ard Teller @ 31
I don’t think Rove said “Oh, let’s lie about Pat Tillman” — he didn’t have to. Rove just kept asking the question “Who can help me sell this war?” and created a climate where those lower on the food chain knew that part of their job was to spin things the way the WH wanted them spun. Even at the expense of the truth.
OT: The NYT is reporting that Waxman’s committee is issuing a subpoena for Condi; also the Judiciary committee has voted immunity for Monica G. Wahooo!!
In Steno Sue’s defense, if she burns her source, then Administration insiders will stop peddling their bullshit to her. If that happens, she has to go out and try to do real journamalism. That’s tough work, and there’s no evidence that it’s within her skill-set. See the dilemma?
I like Rosie.
Thanks, ET — good points.
Well described by Peterr, as well — reminds me of the climate established by Rummy & Cheney that makes all the horrors of Abu Ghraib & Gitmo seem reasonable. To some.
What about the PR firms (Rendon group and the Lincoln group). Weren’t/aren’t they used to spread propoganda that shows the US in a favorable light? Who hired them? Who told them what assignments to focus on? I’d like to see their email communications.
LS @ 58
yes
Tap Duncan @
5
Yes! Jane deserves a Pulizer (after the dogs get their Nobel, of course, wouldn’t want them to be jealous :-) )
Haughty answer to Pakistan
By Haaretz Editorial
The launching of Qassam rockets at communities in southern Israel, the assassination of Palestinian operatives in the territories by Israel, and the declaration by Hamas’ military wing that “the lull has ended” amply demonstrate the fragility of the current quiet. Israel’s response can be anticipated: The Israel Defense Forces will certainly attack targets chosen in advance and continue to try to assassinate wanted men. These steps could quickly escalate into a large-scale campaign.
http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/851874.html
Peterr @ 53
Rummy did it.
Frank Probst @
55
Which would mean she’d have to work hard. And as we know from the Chimpenfuhrer, hard works is really hard to do. So she would have to really really really work hard doing all that hard work.
Bush Blames the Troops
Blame it on the military but make it look like you’re supporting the troops.
http://www.thenation.com/doc/20070507/scheer
another example of how the corporate media carries on the fine traditions of william randolph hearst and joe pulitizer
remember the Maine ???
thank God for the innertubes
LS @ 58
A few links here
fwiw, i’vPeterr @ 53
e always felt this had the look and feel of a genius idea by some middle-grade officer in the communications corps looking to win all sorts of in-house praise and promotions.
LS @ 58
IIRC, both Rendon and Lincoln were hired after Lynch’s accident. During the Vitnam War, most friendly fire incidents and village-level atrocities were covered up at the battalion level. That appears to be the case so far in this war. In the 1990-91 Gulf War, the incident of Barry McCaffrey’s division’s war crimes and their coverup ended up extending to the highest level of the US forces’ chain of command.
The longer a military myth is forced to live or military coverup has to be kept in place, the more people end up owning it, but in the USA, unless diplomatic issues come up – as in the case of the USS Liberty – they are generally controlled from within the military structure. There are exceptions, of course, and arguments on both sides of these coverup issues WITHIN the military have sometimes been incredibly intense.
These “reporters” don’t want to get it right. They want to live in the world of delusion, and are angry when somebody wants to break into the dream. The dream of a Dear Leader who is always right, and they don’t have to think about anything troubling. It makes them feel secure.
They will never bust anybody telling them lies, because, dang it, that’s the way it SHOULD be, so that’s what they write. REality-bases people are such spoil-sports!
…plus the fact that they are duped assh*les escapes them.
itwasntme @ 69
Right, except for some of them, like Sy Hersh. How to make him the goal for reporters, that’s the problem…
Muhammad Ali refused to join the military, saying he would not be part of the U.S. government’s efforts to kill people in Vietnam. Ali. A giant.
Badwater @ 45
that’s definitely must-see e-tv
Perception or reality? Which to choose.
AAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHH My ‘Puter crapped out, but I found my way back to the Lake, AH, that’s better…
Reporters are so yearning to get invited to the best cocktail parties in the beltway that they will do about anything to get there, including but not limited to lying to the people. IMHO
Wait til you see the prez dancing with Africans in the Rose Garden
Raven how’s it goin? I see John Kerry remembered you this A.M.!!!
i was in wash last weekend, and lemme tell ya, the whole tizzy surrounding the white house correspondents’ dinner was just so….small-townish. really rank and cheap.
Laura Bush appeared on the Today Show this morning in a one-on-one interview with Ann Curry. Curry asked her about the situation in Iraq, to which Mrs. Bush responded, “No one suffers more than their president and I do.”
Like in all those fallen (in Iraq) GI funerals you and the prez go to?
This one goes up to Rumsfeld, right?
Doesn’t seem to be the best prize in the current sweepstakes, but there’s a lot to be said for the comprehensive approach.
We can all keep complaining about the journalists, and we should–eager to watch the Moyers piece tonight–but my guess is that their “principles” and tough reporting tactics will suddenly come roaring back to life in December and January 08/09. Just a crazy notion… and I must say that I’m legitimately baffled about why that is/will be the case.
Blitzed must be reading Rovie’s steno points too. Mentioned Condi…”subpoena fever?”
Word, Blitz…Congress has 6 years to catch up on oversight. Time’s a wastin’–lives a wastin’…
And just did a drive-by on HuffPo. The vidclip of Laura Bu-Bu suffering more than anybody sure raised a firestorm of response. I’d say What was she thinking, but obviously…NOT.
Repuke Desperation Alert meter now red-hot….
Listening to the Tillman testimony, I was struck by several of the questions that the Tillman family is pursuing. They questioned why there was a split of the troops prior to commencing that particular mission, and they stated that was historically unusual for the military to do that(I don’t know if that is true or not). Why were Tillman’s clothes burned. Why the delay in reporting the cause of death to the family? They referred to it as fratricide as did some questioners. To me, it sounded like they were insinuating the Tillman death was a deliberate hit because he was a celebrity and then used as distraction for the biggest story of the time, Abu Ghraib.
Also, I thought it odd somehow when Kevin Tillman was asked why he and his brother had decided to give up their lucrative jobs to enlist, and Kevin refused to comment. I’m not sure why that struck me as odd, but it did.
It just struck me that they felt they were somehow “set-up” and then used as a publicity stunt distraction when the time was ripe. Very puzzling hearing.
Oklahoma kiddo @ 79
That’s why Randi Rhodes calls her Lala- She lives in lalaland
oscars for the poodles too
A SOURCE WHO LIES SHOULD BE BURNED.
Why in the world isn’t this an understood part of the process? As in – “okay, I’ll keep your name out of the story – unless it turns out to be bullshit. ‘Cause if that happens, I’m gonna put your name up in lights. Understood? Good, then we got a deal.”
OK kiddo,
Amnesty International came out with a report yesterday, called Maze of Injustice The failure to protect Indigenous women from sexual violence in the USA. It is very critical of all levels of government in dealing with sexual assault investigations when a Native American or Alaska Native woman is the victim. Oklahoma, Alaska, and North and South Dakota are sharply criticized.
As an example, an Alaska Native woman in Anchorage, which already has the highest rape rates in the country, has 9.7 times more chance of being raped than a non-Native woman. And the percentage of successful prosecutions is abysmally low. But the saddest part of the story is that the statistics have remained unchanged over the past 20 years.
Tap Duncan @ 77
Well he didn’t really remember me. I went up to him at the 10th Anniversary of the Wall and introduced myself and I didn’t get the idea he was dying to talk to me. in his defense, the VVAW had a wide mix of folks and some of the really extreme brothers caused quite a riff. I went to an appearance of his in Atlanta and, because I was wearing my jungle fatigues, they seated me right behind him. One of his handlers said, “you can come here, you look like a vet”. I said, “I don’t LOOK like anything buster”.
raven @ 76
Just saw it on CNN with poor Laura loyally joining Shrub’s burlesque/dancing – truly the most embarrassing performance EVER by a leader and his wife in world history – followed by the most fawning CNN anchors laughing their heads off from Atlanta to Wall Street. I just hope our troops in Iraq and Afghanistan are spared this absurdity from the White House.
LS @ 82
Supposedly, his journal and correspondence with Noam Chomsky also disappeared.
http://rawstory.com/news/2007/….._0425.html
Pelosi pressed to put impeachment back on table
Resolution to Impeach Bush & Cheney
WHEREAS, George W. Bush and Richard B. Cheney have acted in a manner contrary to their trust as President and Vice President, subversive of constitutional government to the great prejudice of the cause of law and justice, and to the manifest injury of the people of California and the United States of America, by intentionally disseminating and propagating knowingly false and fabricated “evidence” regarding the threat from Iraq in order to wage an illegal war against a sovereign nation in violation of Title 18 United States Code, Section 371; and
WHEREAS, George W. Bush further acted to strip American citizens of their constitutional rights in violation of the 4th Amendment to the US Constitution, by ordering the National Security Agency to conduct electronic surveillance of American civilians without seeking warrants from the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court of Review, duly constituted by Congress in 1978, in violation of Title 50 United States Code, Section 1805; and, by suspending or denying the rights guaranteed by the Writ of Habeas Corpus by ordering infinite detention without access to legal counsel, without charge and without the opportunity to appear before a civil judicial officer to challenge the detention, based solely on the discretionary designation by the President of a US citizen as an “enemy combatant,” all in subversion of law; and
WHEREAS, George W. Bush, in violation of the US Constitution Article I Section 1, overstepped his legal authority by the use of signing statements used to ignore or circumvent portions of over 750 Congressional statutes he brought into law, including an amendment to the 2006 Defense Appropriations bill outlawing the use of “cruel, inhumane and degrading treatment” of prisoners in custody of the United States , thereby conspiring with Richard B. Cheney to commit torture of prisoners in violation of the “Federal Torture Act” Title 18 United States Code, Section 113C, the UN Torture Convention and the Geneva Convention, which under Article VI of the Constitution are part of the “supreme Law of the Land”; therefore,
BE IT RESOLVED that George W. Bush and Richard B. Cheney, by such conduct, warrant impeachment and trial, and removal from office and disqualification to hold and enjoy any office of honor, trust or profit under the United States; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the California Democratic Party commit to move the Legislature of the State of California to act under Section LIII, Section 603 of the Jefferson Manual and the Hinds Precedents, which allow impeachment to be set in motion “by charges transmitted from the legislature of a state”; and that the State Legislature, having acted through resolution to cause to be instituted in the Congress of the United States, in concert with their oath of office to defend the United States Constitution, proper proceedings for the investigation of the allegations against George W. Bush and Richard B. Cheney, shall then transmit a copy of this resolution and its adoption by the Legislature to the Speaker of the House of Representatives, under the great seal of the State of California, marked with the word “Petition” at the top of the document and containing the authorizing signature of the Secretary of State; and that the Speaker of the House of Representatives, in conjunction with the Constitutional duty granted the office, shall route the petition to the House Judiciary Committee for consideration.
Submitted by D. Joye Swan, 42nd AD Delegate
——————————————————————————–
And to go back to the actual Tillman/Lynch scandal, and how it leads to Rumsfeld, and Waxman Waxman Waxman.
And the WaPo oversight articles which talks about hiring 200 investigators, etc., along with training seminars about how to study contracts and the rest.
The question is, are all of those “200″ working for the House and Waxman? Is a single one of them working for the Senate and “Govt Affairs” and sleeping/enabling holy Joe?
As Waxman–patient for 12 long years, having to put up with Burton’s junk for the first 6, and then having Condi and others completely ignore him for the next 6–becomes a bigger and bigger story, the fact that Lieberman is doing absolutely nothing should become a story in itself, especially here at the Lake. And especially when–you guys would all know this better than me–he campaigned on doing thorough oversight on Katrina boondoggles, didn’t he?
Ed*ard Teller @
31
Sorry for the long pause, had to do the Mom-Taxi thing…
Keep in mind that DoD issued several hundred millions in contracts to firms like Rendon Group, SyColeman, Lincoln Group and others for the purposes of “information management” — ostensibly to put the best face possible on the war to the Iraqi public. But we know that Rendon was used to manipulate public opinion in the U.S.; at what point did this stop? At what point did the other contract companies pick up the slack?
And from whom, exactly, did they take their orders on how to skew the perception of the war?
I seriously doubt they took their cues from Rummy…
The attitude of the “real” media was summed up by Tweety. “Pat Tillman is a hero. All of this is a distraction.” just move along. They are trying to make a single case of this instead of the custom and practice of the military to lie whenever it suits them.
The foul-mouthed Texan who is the WaPo’s ombudsman
has made it clear in the past:
No retractions. No apologies. No give a s**t.
Don’t let old Republican men dance. Ever.
First Wolfowitz (above). Now Bush. Please, G*d, make it stop!
I meant to work this into a post today and missed it somehow with all of the hearing watching this morning. Bill Moyers has a documentary on PBS this evening about Iraq and the role of journalists in selling the war to the public. Tom Shales has a review of it in the WaPo today that is painful to read. The documentary will be broadcast tonight at 9 pm ET on most PBS stations — thought folks would like a heads up.
“Nobody suffers more than (the president)and I do”.
I’d like to send them both a picture of the little boy with both arms blown off and make ‘em keep it on their desk.
Shrub always has such a clean desk.
Christy Hardin Smith @ 96
Christy — thank you for the reminder on the Moyers. Bits and pieces have been slipping out, and Moyer’s distinctive voice and ability to speak truth to power have come through loud and clear — unlike the disgraceful Charlie Rose interview with the Deciderer last night.
Ed*ard Teller @ 86
Thank-you for illuminating this wretched situation. Many folks are perhaps not aware that this is going on.
Christy, FYI, I sent you pictures on the reddhedd email of honey bees I photographed this morning.
Ed*ard Teller @ 89
I don’t suppose any of our public servants thought to ask Noam Chomsky if he has copies of both his correspondence to and from the late great Tillman?
When does Patreaus testify?
Christy Hardin Smith @ 96
Driving from job to job yesterday, I listened to Limbaugh’s substitute, O’Reilly and Hannity ALL mention Moyers in a negative light, linking him to that evil puppetmaster George Soros, again and again and again… I believe O’Reilly called Moyers “despicable” more than once.
Georgesimian @ 102
I think it’s just in closed session now.
If Shrub didn’t know the truth how could Steno Sue be expected to know anything
http://sfgate.com/cgi-bin/arti…..F6FC13.DTL
Maybe Kucinich could use some of Moyer’s footage as some of the evidence to impeach Bush as well as Cheney.
raven @ 87
I was being facetious Bro’ I apologize. From one Vet to another me(USMC 86-90) that wall is something else. I never cried like I did that day. I had cousins in country that didn’t make it back to reality. They came back, just not to planet earth. We lost them to their memories. So thanks bro. By the way, even those mini-walls make me lose it. I’ve caught a few around the country, very hard to keep it together. It will be the same for this war too I suspect, it already is. Hang Tough, Semper Fi, Tap
newspaperbrat @ 101
IIRC, Amy Goodman brought that issue up the last time she interviewed Chomsky. I read a reference to it, but haven’t seen or heard the interview.
Newspaperbrat 101,
Great observation!!! I knew Tillman had read Chomsky, but I didn’t know he had actually communicated with him (until I read Ed*Teller’s response to me). The plot thickens.
itwasntme @ 97
Is this the photo you are referring to? Here it is, one among many, embedded in a video set to an anti-war song by Phil Ochs:
One More Parade
Might as well bring up one more issue–it’s lunchtime here on the left coast.
Maybe there are reasons why Tillman/Lynch doesn’t go directly up to Rumsfeld (I don’t really see why it wouldn’t), but it’s pretty amazing to me how Rumsfeld doesn’t seem to get mentioned much anymore in discussions of 6 years of horrendous policy and a disastrous war.
Of course, it doesn’t suit Bush to make it part of his current completely bogus argument about having listened to the American people and changing course in Iraq, which led to putting in Petraeus and the surge/escalation. You just don’t hear that Petraeus’ counterterrorism tactics and more troops might have been an effective strategy in 2003, maybe 04, but now it’s just whistling through the graveyard. And that’s all Rumsfeld and Cheney (and Bush). They’ve changed the policy (for one that is, at this point, horrible–troops are more in harm’s way with this strategy at this time), but it’s all taken out of context, with no discussion of how Rumsfeld’s stubborn, idiotic, criminal approach (Torture R Us included) went on for way way too long and it’s never repudiated or criticized.
Noam Chomsky. A giant.
Is there a better show on the radio than Goodman’s “Democracy Now”?
If there is, which is it?
I was being facetious Bro’ I apologize. From one Vet to another me(USMC 86-90) that wall is something else. I never cried like I did that day. I had cousins in country that didn’t make it back to reality. They came back, just not to planet earth. We lost them to their memories. So thanks bro. By the way, even those mini-walls make me lose it. I’ve caught a few around the country, very hard to keep it together. It will be the same for this war too I suspect, it already is. Hang Tough, Semper Fi, Tap
Got ya bro. I had to force myself to go the first time. Here in Athens we had the Moving Wall for about 10 years running. This is my buddy Andy, E 2/7
http://www.virtualwall.org/ds/SteinPA01a.htm
Strange thing is my birthday is 10 November and I went in, the Army, on my 17th! Thanks for suiting up, always.
I like Kucinich.
Join over 426,000 people who participated in this MSNBC poll, 87 percent of whom said yes to impeachment of the President.
I’m missing you, angie.
Ed*ard Teller @ 108
Thanks ET – I’ll google around in hopes I can find a relevant link and check for transcripts from Amy’s broadcast archives.
itwasntme @
69
Speaking of the media, have anyone checked out the latest YouTube? Courtesy of Howie Kurtz’s new girlfriend(Spew Alert!!):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tt_YcQlYxyY
Oklahoma kiddo @ 117
me too!
haven’t seen her commenting on the lake for some time… hope she comes back soon.
ET,
There is also a concerted push against David Brock at Media Matters. It has caused nuts and bolts to pop out of O’Really’s pie-hole. The whole right wing spin machine has Soros and Brock running the world……..
Unlike the poor, meek spin machine assembled by Poop-squirt Murdoch.
-GSD
Please light a candle for Pickles Bush, she’s really suffering through this war thing.
LS @ 109
Thanks but all credit is due to ET whose comment inspired me to keep digging with my improved google skills Suzanne kindly tutored me in recently.
The media lies, and never makes corrections. We’re used to it. Until and unless folks put pressure on the advertisers this is the media we can expect nothing less from.
kemo @ 113
no.
as atrios says, “simple answers to simple questions”.
Please light a candle for Pickles Bush, she’s really suffering through this war thing.
And pigs are flying.
Christy Hardin Smith @ 96:
deEPU’d from a couple of days ago:
scory @ 95
let’s not forget rove rappin’.
actually. let’s.
quickly.
selise @ 120
I saw several comments from angie earlier this month. Maybe she’s really busy? Hope that’s all it is.
For the record:
Yoo Hoo angie? We miss you and we love you. Please come and visit.
Joe Klein’s conscience @ 119
With stuff like this being real, Stephen Colbert needs to worry about his job.
raven @ 114
I was being facetious Bro’ I apologize. From one Vet to another me(USMC 86-90) that wall is something else. I never cried like I did that day. I had cousins in country that didn’t make it back to reality. They came back, just not to planet earth. We lost them to their memories. So thanks bro. By the way, even those mini-walls make me lose it. I’ve caught a few around the country, very hard to keep it together. It will be the same for this war too I suspect, it already is. Hang Tough, Semper Fi, Tap
Got ya bro. I had to force myself to go the first time. Here in Athens we had the Moving Wall for about 10 years running. This is my buddy Andy, E 2/7
http://www.virtualwall.org/ds/SteinPA01a.htm
Strange thing is my birthday is 10 November and I went in, the Army, on my 17th! Thanks for suiting up, always.
Raven, You got me again. I’m from Illinois,(long ago) that freaked me out. My cousin is/was Stanley Newell POW, released 1973. I tried to find him when I was 20, but no luck. You are the best for that link, I had no idea it existed, many thanks, Tap
punaise @ 126
I’ll be lookin’ at it. ;0)
Eureka Springs @ 116
Join over 426,000 people who participated in this MSNBC poll, 87 percent of whom said yes to impeachment of the President.
MSNBC on-line polls always skew hard left in their results. Their on-air prgramming – not so much.
Hi, Jane! Hope you’re doin’ good!
I luuurve Eric Boehlert, btw.
Poor Bob Schieffer was bashing blogs today…”I mean they don’t have editors”….”You don’t know where they get the information”….
I am getting tired of being asked to feel sorry for the top 1% of this country.
-GSD
[Modnote: harrumph. They certainly do have editors.]
Raven and Tap Duncan,
I did not know you guys were vets. Thought you might be interested in the below, which I commented yesterday……or maybe you already know about it……
I heard a very poignant letter read on XM 15 this afternoon from a Vietnam vet turned folk singer saying how he never thought our country would make that mistake again in his lifetime. He has a website, believe it’s suicidewall.com, about all the vets who ended up committing suicide. Also a song called “The Wall” about a vet who shoots himself at the Vietnam memorial.
Powerful stuff. Unfortunately, I can’t remember the man’s name.
Raven, You got me again. I’m from Illinois,(long ago) that freaked me out. My cousin is/was Stanley Newell POW, released 1973. I tried to find him when I was 20, but no luck. You are the best for that link, I had no idea it existed, many thanks, Tap
Yea, I’ve been in Georgia for 23 years after being in Champaign 69-84. There are actually 2 Virtual Wall’s, the one I sent and this more official one
http://www.vvmf.org/index.cfm?SectionID=2
You might want to pick up on Jeffrey Sachs’s Reith Lecture in New York on BBC Radio tonight. I assume it’s on liten again on the website.A truly scorching argument against the Iraq war.
oddmommy @ 135
Yea, lot’s of brothers use a gun and lots more find other ways. People have no idea what we are sowing with this bullshit in Iraq.
Try “listen” in last post! Sorry.
zhiv @ 111
FWIW, in her testimony yesterday, Mary Tillman definitely seemed to believe it went up to Rumsfeld. She flat-out said that, although she didn’t have hard evidence, based on everything she’s learned about the circumstances and his personality, she thinks there’s no way he’d have put up with being left out of that loop.
Speaking of Rummy, do we know f’sure that he’s still got that desk at DoD? If so… YOO HOO, Waxman, we need a little disinfectant in here!!!
oddmommy @ 135
Thanks SO much. Just the topic of the song makes me weep. I wish all the Hawks in this country would go to the wall and then tell me how war is good. They won’t. Some will, but they don’t have a heart or have never lost a friend to war. That is why I don’t give them the time of day. It’s like talking mechanics of a car with a psychiatrist…won’t amount to nothin’.
zhiv @
91
I know how to read government contracts! Kept an employer from getting in some deep sh*t one time years ago because of that. Back in the early PC days, folks were recommending that we purchase some Toshiba laptops as GFE for use on the contract. I had to point out that Toshibas wee banned because of violations of the do not ship to USSR acts. Not that I got any recognition for doing so. Just managed to p*ss some folks off for doing the job.
GSD @ 134
Schieffer’s brother, Tom , is a BFF of Bush.
Tap Duncan @ 141
Wow Stanley Newell, 4th ID. Most POW’s, not all but most, were pilots and officers. Hope he found some peace.
Way OT, but did I hear it right in my sleepy state….on NPR this morning, a clip from last night’s TDS, McCain joking about an IED under Jon’s desk?
Dana Perino blew off a question about whether Osama is alive by saying “I haven’t seen any intelligence about that”.
Boy, I feel so much better now that I know the intelligence is in her hands. I was starting to worry about the country.
Tap Duncan @
18
Dunno. But, wouldn’t do him much good. Germany is well-acquainted with Rove’s type, and they don’t much care for them these days. Doubt they’d want him around.
Oh. My. Gawd.
Jane, you have to see this one. Oh Trex…where are you????? Late Nite has just been written…
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tt_YcQlYxyY
I love the smell of desperation in the morning.
Rudy picked up an old copy of one of Cheney’s speeches. I guess he’s only really got 9/11 to run on, but still, wtf?
http://www.politico.com/news/s…../3684.html
Georgesimian @ 149
Giuliani is a great man.
Through him, America got to know Bernie Kerik.
And Kerik taught us that it’s not OK to cheat on your mistress.
Is there no Patraeus in public today? I thought he was going to the hill to preach the Bush gospel. The Repugs were outraged, as usual, that Pelosi had something else to do. (I guess they were saving their outrage for Pelosi, because Rice said she had something better to do than testify in Congress too, but they didn’t get all huffy about that.)
raven @ 143
I went to college @ WIU and one weekend I got a ride to Pekin, Il, his hometown, to try to find him or some relatives. I met a biker in a liquor store (Imagine That!!) and he took me to his “Bosses” house who was another vet. He told me Stan came home briefly, then left. No one knew to where or what he went looking for. (I think we both know the answer to that) so I hung around for a few hours, got drunk with a bunch of bikers (I’m a cowboy) and went home. I, too, hope he found what he went looking for, it’s all anyone would want. Peace.
EDITORIAL
Losing Muslim hearts and minds
Why the White House should worry about a new poll suggesting that even allied Muslim countries believe the U.S. wants to weaken and divide the Islamic world.
April 25, 2007
http://www.latimes.com/news/op…..n-leftrail
Mr. Peabody @ 145
’tis true. start here
Ghostman @
23
My husband is a journalism student. This morning I asked him what they teach about reporters taking a political side on an issue. His teacher said that if you work for a paper like “The Register” (the local paper here in Orange County, CA – very conservative) you’ll obviously have a certain perspective in your piece. I had him repeat it because I was floored. So, apparently, journalist students are being taught that the truth can be bought for the price of a paycheck.
Perino’s out, Snow’s back on Monday.
CNN – Tony Snow to return to work on Monday…
tbsa @ 125
Please don’t light it near her. The alcohol fumes may ignite.
http://www.tpmmuckraker.com/archives/003102.php
Court Reverses Wisconsin Voter Fraud Case
Another voter fraud case thrown out on appeal.
Tony Snow coming back to work on Monday. (?)
martha @ 148
More proof that Republicans have no sense of humor, rhythm or comic timing (see Karl Rove).
Paul Begalia just hammered the Repubs on Situation Room.
I went to college @ WIU and one weekend I got a ride to Pekin, Il, his hometown, to try to find him or some relatives. I met a biker in a liquor store (Imagine That!!) and he took me to his “Bosses” house who was another vet. He told me Stan came home briefly, then left. No one knew to where or what he went looking for. (I think we both know the answer to that) so I hung around for a few hours, got drunk with a bunch of bikers (I’m a cowboy) and went home. I, too, hope he found what he went looking for, it’s all anyone would want. Peace.
A double Leatherneck! We used to go fishing in Hamilton, Lock and Dam # 19. We’d do well when we didn’t start drinkin till we got to the Ringside Tap in Havana. When we’d get to Hamilton we’d camp at Wildcat Springs and bank fish below the dam. We usually had a group of 20 plus and the bikers from Keokuk would come of and we would get on down! Damn, them were the days.
lolo @ 159
Congratulations Milwaukee Steve!
This is probably not the most politically astute observation, and hardly advances the discussion in any way, but I have to say…. Pvt. Lynch is, really, really… uh, attractive.
Like cute as a button and sharp as a razor attractive.
I have heard that Steno Sue really, really hates that nickname. Funny thing, that. Because she’s sure earned it.
Sen. Hillary Clinton (whose domestic agenda I support) might want to consider ‘boarding the foreign policy bus’, before it leaves the station.
http://www.talkingpointsmemo.com/archives/013837
snip
Quite a few of you have been writing in asking: Why the sudden explosion of movement on the Abramoff and other GOP corruption investigations? Is it tied in some way to the Purge story? It’s always hard to infer just what the delays and speed-ups in these investigations mean. Most of the big developments we don’t know about until long after the investigation is completed. Sometimes we never know. And that leaves us like the proverbial blind men and the elephant, each speculating based on our little patch of facts with little understanding of the big picture.
.php
great video on Carol Lam from TPM
http://www.talkingpointsmemo.c…..013555.php
Another bird coming home to roost:
Gov. to sue EPA over enforcement
The suit will accuse the agency of acting too slowly on regulating emissions from cars.
Ahnold is a ‘pragmatic’ Republic; he know which party has more potential voters.
OK, I just got to the part of the video where Ms. Lynch lists “the real heroes,” and thanks Pat Tillman for his sacrifice.
Awesome.
NH
New Hamsher
Give Em The Stick
RAVEN- Right on bro, them were the days. I can remember tryin’ to find someone to let me hunt/fish on their property, where no one else goes. Yeah, a double leatherneck doesn’t gaurantee a lot brain capacity, but it helps. Maybe not, I was a TKE in Macomb. (The animal house)
patrick rex @ 164
At least you didn’t say Monica Goodling was “hot” like a previous poster.
punaise @ 154
OK, old white repugs attempts at humor and dancing… back to back…nauseating
How would that EVER be funny?
I think they “did” something to McCain a few years ago around the time he hugged Dubya.
Tap Duncan @
130
Got ya bro. I had to force myself to go the first time. Here in Athens we had the Moving Wall for about 10 years running. This is my buddy Andy, E 2/7
http://www.virtualwall.org/ds/SteinPA01a.htm
Strange thing is my birthday is 10 November and I went in, the Army, on my 17th! Thanks for suiting up, always.
Raven, You got me again. I’m from Illinois,(long ago) that freaked me out. My cousin is/was Stanley Newell POW, released 1973. I tried to find him when I was 20, but no luck. You are the best for that link, I had no idea it existed, many thanks, Tap
One of my friends gave me this link; I hope it will help: http://www.pownetwork.org/bios/n/n026.htm
FYI, new thread
OT:
Gonzo says he has no recollection of the November 27, 2006 meeting he had with Sampson and Co., where he approved the firings, but he said he remembers making the decision to fire them.
So, when Sampson presumably spoke with him at anytime after that meeting regarding the firings, did Gonzo just look at him and say, “Say, Wha..”, “I remember making that decision, but I don’t remember telling you to actually go ahead and do it!”
Did Gonzo just wake up in say early January and ask Sampson, “Hey Sammy dude, did you ever fire those USA’s I decided to fire last year, because I don’t remember ever meeting with you to tell you to actually go ahead and do it, and now this hearing guy wants me to come to a hearing and ’splain what happened.
Honestly, this stuff is actually so funny.
?
LS @
58
And wasn’t there a HUGE, Gi-Normous amount of money allocated for PR? I’d wager that it’s been spent on some of these journalists…in fact, weren’t some of the payroll commentators of lesser-stardom outed by accident a couple of years ago? (Follow the money…) Why with the polls polling they way they are, are commentators still increasingly conservative wonks? Why are disproven GOP talking points still repeated ad nauseum? CASH MONEY.
So who can be the checks on the media, a.k.a. one of our supposed checks and balances? Who can take up the fight to track the emails to Tillman’s brother’s pre-written eulogy? As each of these seemingly disparate pieces begin coming to light, what we are seeing is a far reaching strategic manipulation of most pillars of influence and the dismantling of the pillars that our society has come to rely on for protection of the people, i.e. OSHA (see today’s NYTimes), FDA, EPA, etc., etc., etc. Iraq and its ilk was a distraction that also lined the pockets of the interested parties plus consolidated their power. The real satisfaction from this team came from dismantling a government they loathed while trying to build a dynasty behind the messianic fool/puppet at the hjelm. Turdblossom you are a loathesome stench of a creature and my guess, like most bullies, you’ll go down like Ned Beatty in deliverance (on your knees and squealing like a pig). For some of the guys, who are re-hashed, humiliated Nixonian leftovers re-invented as NEOCONS, their fixation on that time period and this one has a chance to finally get revenge. You could almost feel Cheney’s obsession as he pulled quite the non-sequitor yesterday by pointing the finger at McGovern of all people. McGovern?!!?? The only thing missing is the Snidely Whiplash ’stache. Anyway, I digress. How do we both force the media and the government into some semblance of accountability at the same time, with only a handful of almost impotent congressional types on our team?? Somebody please explain it to me. It seems like a mighty tall order. And who amongst them are men among men, finally willing to step up and ’cause a tipping point on our “airwaves”?
LS @ 175
Yes he did!
Poptart, 176
No kidding!!
Tap @152
Stan has been home. He was the guest of honor at the stadium rededication. His sister was on the committee.
mitchIL @ 178
There ya go, the value of OT comes through in spades!
Jessica Lynch was there as a witness, no. I do find it hard to understand how she could be so wrong. Must be the painkillers.
MSM, complicit, compliant and compromised. The traditional 4th Estate is a sham and they know it. They are merely going through the motion until their final epitaph is written, hopefully soon. Until then they continue to be stenopgraphers apologists and enablers of fascist leanings of the Republican Party, doing a great disserve to America. The net is the new 4th Estate.
I’d like to be outraged, but truth is, I stopped reading the Washington Post years ago. I just don’t consider it a reliable news source.
I am so sorry-
Raven and mitchil- I had to go answer the phone. My uncle Robert Miller 5th Army Tank Div. Has just died. He was awarde 3 purple hearts for action on d-day 1. This just hit me like a 5 inch round in the heart. He was my hero. I grew up in his shadow, such a brave man. He had more schrapnel in his body than an m-65 could give. My God, it’s like my own personal John Wayne died today. He was my HERO. War is useless. War ruins lives. War is what we are when we have run out of common sense. God Bless All Of you, Hang Tough, Tap
mitchIL @ 179
I wish I would’ve known
Tap Duncan @ 184
So sorry, Tap.
Here’s to my great uncle, Robert Miller, who fought so valiantly @ Normandy- You Sir Were Brave Beyond Belief, may we all stand in silence before the history you were a part of.
Your loving nephew, Tap
Tap Duncan @ 187
Thanks, He was MY HERO!!!!
Tap–from the daughter of a dog soldier who was wounded at Anzio, my heartfelt condolences on the loss of your uncle. To you and raven and all who wear the uniform, my deepest gratitude.
I did not answer myself, for the record;)
jane_jericho @ 189
Thank you so much, it really came as a sudden blow, but I do appreciate your thoughts/feelings, Hang Tough, Tap
I think journalists should promise to protect the identity of their sources as long as the protection is extended to allow the source to speak honestly. Journalists should immediately reveal their previous sources in the case that false, self serving information was provided. Editors should promise to fire journalists who don’t follow these rules.
Tap Duncan @ 191
Thank You Jane, It hit me like a ton of bricks
I thought Steno Sue was Susan Haigh (found under Political Characters Mydd.com).
There’s another ‘Steno Sue’? I hope you never apply that adjective to me, girl.
GSD @
134
Hear hear!
Her speech moved me to tears and made me angry that she went through what she did because of a Bush/Cheney lie.
God bless Private Lynch.
I can’t imagine Walter Cronkite being a patsy for some anonymous spokesperson in any administration and spreading lies passed onto him by some anonymous spokesperson. Nor Carl Bernstein. Nor Dan Rather. Nor any number of reputable, real journalists, who take truth and honesty, and our U.S. Constitution seriously.
Shame on the rest of them. They are an abomination. They are a threat to our democracy. They are traitors to truth, honesty and our U.S. Constitution.
Did you mean travesty instead of “travesy”in the first sentence? Have you been staying too long at LGF lately? Has the poor spelling there has worn off on you?