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Here’s the Sunday Talking Head line-up for this morning (partially via The Providence Journal).
C-Span’s Washington Journal: 7:45am – Amy Walter, Hotline, Editor in Chief; 8:30am – Newspaper Articles & Viewer Calls; 9am – Mark Lagon, State Department Human Trafficking Office, Director | TIP Report; 9:30am – Michele Dunne, Carnegie Endowment for Int’l Peace, Senior Associate.
This Week (ABC): Sen. Joseph Biden, D-Del.; Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C.; and actor Martin Sheen.
FOX News Sunday: Gen. David Petraeus, commanding general, Iraq, and Tom Friedman of The New York Times.
Meet the Press (NBC): E.J. Dionne and Ryan Crocker, U.S. ambassador to Iraq.
Face the Nation (CBS): Sen. Mitch McConnell, R-Ky.; Sen. Carl Levin, D-Mich.; and Lee Hamilton, co-chairman, Iraq Study Group.
Late Edition (CNN): Iraqi Foreign Minister Hoshyar Zabari; Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas; Sen. Jack Reed, D-R.I.; Seymour Hersh; and Rep. Duncan Hunter of California, a Republican presidential candidate.
60 Minutes (CBS): Steve Kroft reports on the looting of nearly $500 million from Iraq’s Ministry of Defense by people who coalition forces had entrusted to equip the Iraqi army, Lesley Stahl spotlights clinical trials of a promising but controversial treatment to dull the memories of traumatized people, and Morley Safer profiles golfer John Daly.
Message of the day from every single show: Iraq is not going well — at all – but the Bush Administration isn’t likely to be honest with us, or themselves, about that. Welcome to the Sunday morning spin zone.
Today’s photo of a ruby-throated hummingbird comes from Julie’s Magic Light Show. Adorable shot, isn’t it? I have a very territorial ruby-throat who has adopted the flowers on my front porch — and defends them with everything he has. Including from our dachshund as she goes up and down the stairs to get to the yard for her constitutional — which is not appreciated by the doxie, let me tell you.
I found this great video clip from the BBC and David Attenborough on hummingbirds, and thought everyone would enjoy it. Guaranteed to give you a smile this morning. They truly are like little winged jewels, aren’t they?
PS — Happiest of Father’s Days to all our FDL dads! :)
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Good Morning
*crickets*
Happy Father’s Day to all the Dads out there. ;-)
Good morning!
Great to be able to partake of and participate in Sunday morning threads for the next couple of months.
Is it just me or is it embarrassing that American forces are only able to control 40% of ONE CITY in Iraq after 4 years or so of being there?
The incompetency of the Bush Regime goes on….
mornin ‘ all.
not crickets, server boggeled. It has been that way for me since the format changeover. It’s like walking through molasses.
KayInMaine @ 5
Is it just me or is it embarrassing that American forces are only able to control 40% of ONE CITY in Iraq after 4 years or so of being there?
The incompetency of the Bush Regime goes on….
it’d be interesting to see mapped out those parts which we control vis-a-vis the bridges that have been blown up.
But – casualties are up, plain evidence that the surge is working. *s*
Important reads this morning for those of you haven’t seen them yet:
Sy Hersh on Taguba.
Juan Cole on Turkey and the Kurds.
jayt @ 8
it’d be interesting to see mapped out those parts which we control vis-a-vis the bridges that have been blown up.
But – casualties are up, plain evidence that the surge is working. *s*
And how much of that 40% is inside the Green Zone?
time for a ride – have a good morning, y’all.
Good morning, Christy, Jane!
And a big shout out to all you dads out there. Have a good one.
Oh, Christy, thanks so much for the video link. What an incredible h’bird setup that guy has!! We were gone for the whole month of May, and I knew that meant the hummingbirds would come back to MN while we were away. And I wouldn’t be there to welcome them. ^_^ I have this vanity that the whole balance of nature depends on our gardens and bird baths and feeders. It took a while, but they’re back with us. Aren’t they the most amazing little critters? Tiny chirps, tiny wings that work overtime and big attitudes. Funny to watch them get chippy with each other. A metaphor for . . . ?
Happy Baba Day all you Pup Pops! I think I’ll skip the bobbleheads and watch the hummers instead. Shrimp omelette anyone?
I love the hummingbirds. They are amazing to watch—so much energy in such a small package.
I put up a hummingbird feeder this year and an unexpected benefit is watching the little hummer chase chickadees around in my yard. Who know these little guys were so feisty?
You have a dachshund Christy?
Busy little Devils, ain’t they…
We had one when I was a teenager…”Fritzie” was quite a trip…Absolutely devoted to my Mom…
And when I met Miss Sweet Stuff, she had just ‘aquired’ a gorgeous tri-color miniature…(I refer to him as the “Cocktail-Weenie Dog”)…
“Booger” is very much the Canine Lothario…He adores both my English Bulldogs…And they tolerate him quite well…
Life’s a Kennel…
Happy Poppa’s Day, all you dads! ;->
round here, all the poppa hummers are getting beaten up by the frantic females, as fledglings apparently come 1st. Dad only gets to sneak around & hope for a quick snack when mom’s not lookin’.
then there’s our fledgling downy woodpecker, who’s discovered that nectar feeders are scrumptious, and far easier to feed from than those pesky sunflower seeds his parents keep offering.
what’d you & Peanut prep for Mr. Redd’s special breakfast, Christy? Does she like “helping” you mix up muffins & stuff? -heh Our guys are grown, but some things, you never forget. ;->
Last year I put up a hummingbird feeder and couldn’t believe the amount of ants in it! Yuck. I haven’t put it up this summer because we are in the process of moving to the new house we bought. Besides, feeding the black ants last year wasn’t very gratifying to say the least. :-)
Great story in NYT on one of the downsides of globalization: shady manufacturers peddling lethal chemicals as ingredients for medicines and foods, with the protection of their government.
I guess they forgot to read The World is Flat.
KayInMaine @ 19
I learned somewhere to put oil on the pole or hanger leading up to the feeder. It pretty much stops the ants.
KayInMaine @ 19
try smearing a little axle grease on the hanger, a few inches up from the feeder.
presto – no ants.
or, if you’re into spending $$, your local bird feeder-supply store should have little ant-deterrent thingies you can hang just above the feeder.
hope your move to the new home goes smoothly ;->
Scarecrow- e-mails in your in box.
Christy too.
Christy,
like a character in a gilbert & sullivan operetta, a humingbird’s lot is not a happy one…
you watch ‘em lurking around a feeder, and you realize life’s like a rambo movie for ‘em: always on edge, always looking over their shoulders for the BEEG guys in the ominous black chopper to show up…
it’s hard not to smile when you hear their insanely tiny, hugely aggressive challenges to one another, kinda like the bugle-calls of tin soldiers…
the big rufus hummers’ll be here (northern new mexico) in a coupla weeks, and things for the broadtails and ruby-throats get even MORE difficult…
Thank You Christy, it is virtually a thankless task to tell us which dough heads are on which pretend news show each Sunday. That’s why I am taking this opportunity to thank you for giving me, each Sunday Morning, a heads up on who will be trying to disgust me today.
As much as these guys and their shows disgust me, I feel that it is almost mandatory to check them out at least sometimes, to keep me in touch with what the more “educated” portion of American households are exposed to for information. That is the advanced households that don’t entirely depend on Faux News for their world view.
Those who depend on Rush, O’Reilly et.al for their opinion are are like gravel in the gearbox of sanity, and seriously in need of education, or re-education or perhaps nothing short of electro-shock can help!!!
Wonderful discussion of WaPo article; “We’ve Lost. Here’s How to Handle It” at CSpan. Since we didn’t have any plan in place in 2003, maybe it would make this approach more responsible, we hope.
Hummingbird is lovely. They like reds, so plant something bright red if you want to attract them. Like my crepe myrtles.
Thanks for the tips everyone about the ants! I appreciate it. ;-)
So far, the move is going smoothly. No one is fighting yet, which is a good sign.
RevDeb @ 9
I just came here to post the info on Taguba but I see you beat me to it. Let’s see if the talking heads discuss this bombshell this morning. I hope everyone will make a comment on the WaPo website (link below).
http://www.washingtonpost.com/…..74_pf.html
http://www.newyorker.com/repor…..fact_hersh
From ABlog: Interview with Sen. Jim Webb and his son…LINK
Morning all — Thought you would enjoy the hummingbird clip. Love David Attenborough at all times — but this one was a gem. :)
g’morning pups and happy dads day to all the pops here :o}… off to graduation program – back tonight – enjoy this day people….
Good morning. Biden up on ABC’s “This week”
Biden saying they can’t stop war without the 60 votes for cloture and 67 for override. Says dems raised expectations earlier, so it’s understandable folks are angry.
Ryan Crock(of it)er – Amb to Iran from GWB
Scarecrow @ 32
He’s pushing the same meme that Kerry did yesterday—can’t do anything without 60-67 votes.
Bull pucky. The repigs did lots of damage and agenda hijacking when they had 50 votes and would do so again. The dems didn’t learn a thing from them. More’s the pity.
Biden explains his “yes” vote on supplemental; will not play “chicken” with US troops; wants them to get the upgraded personnel carriers.
Biden — will Petraeas give us a straight story in September? Yes. I trust him to tell the truth.
This is the same Biden who co-sponsored a bill with McCain to add 100,000 permanent active duty forces to the military? Why would anyone think he wants to end the war?
Scarecrow @ 33
he’s right, now, the earlier rhetoric notwithstanding. the Dims have the appearances and trappings of ‘power’ without any meaningful way to exercise it, cuz they don’t have ENOUGH power…
if it weren’t so warm this morning, i’d get my tinfoil sweatband out and wonder aloud if there weren’t some way the Pukes might have engineered EXACTLY this kinda outcome…
.
Biden — we missed opportunity to help Fatah in Palestine; but new PM is good guy.
Q assumes Iran is behind this all: Biden: yep.
Is Iran waging war against the US and allies?
Yes, in same way Soviets waged war by proxy during cold war, with sympathetic movements in many contries.
Sanctions on Iran is the way to go.
Q. Steph quotes Lieberman on need for military aggression vs Iran. Why shouldn’t we “take them out?”
A. Because we’ve got 20 divisions tied up in Iraq — we’d only unify the Iranians; need to isolate but engage Iran. Says Lieberman needs to explain how they can handle Iran when we can’t handle Iraq — that will be the quote of the interview.
jayt @ 8
it’d be interesting to see mapped out those parts which we control vis-a-vis the bridges that have been blown up.
But – casualties are up, plain evidence that the surge is working. *s*
I recall fairly early in the war the Bushbots saying that the US controlled 18 of the 21 Iraqi provinces…that violence was restricted to only three provinces.
So apparently things have really really fallen apart.
I also recall Bush stating that the Iraqi National Guard was almost fully trained…and pointing out all those benchmarks” that had been crossed. Yet in almost every on of those cxases (even the elections) the system had to be jimmied…with appointed representatives effectively revising the elections…or efforts to tie the hands of the “victors”.
Someone should go back and make a list of all those benchmarks and crossroads,,,and promised plans for the “surge”. Where precisely are all these mixed squads that were supposed to “train” the Iraqi’s…”force integration”? And precisely where are Iraqi forces holding areas that these mixed assault teams have already cleared?
Why aren’t the trained forces that were promised going out and fighting?
Why is the Pentagon basically abdicating its strategy by supplying high quality arms to Sunni “warlords”, causing the Iraqi PM to say “we don’t agree with this policy! Stop arming our enemies!”
Is Hillary right about the bumber sticker frame for terror?
Biden say’s it’s not a bumper sticker, but you have to distinguish terrorist from terrorism. We can be attacked here not matter what. al Qaeda is a threat, it’s real, but that’s different from all the groups in Iran — can’t confuse all of these.
We’re not safer; we’ve created more terrorists. All reports show that; we haven’t funding 9/11 commission recs; Adminisration has been criminally negligent.
Christy, not being critical, but you didn’t tell me I was going to get to see the hair of that Libby ExpertByron York. Now I’m really all a twitter!! It’s almost enough to turn me gay for the day!
after 4 years the private security army I hired has been able to reclaim 40% of the yard from the hummingbirds.
Who’s more qualified to be CIC? Hillary or Biden?
Biden: me, by a long short — 35 years; straight talk; know what I’m talking about.
Next President will have no margin for error.
Enough money to stay in the race? Yes, but LA Times article still shows Republicans can beat the Dems in 08.
Thanks, Christy for the hummer links and video! And Happy Father’s Day to all of you Dads!
Has anyone ever seen a hummingbird moth? They used to appear every one in awhile in the midwest farmland, and they were fascinating to watch!
And in a example of unexplainable prescience, the next President of the US will be up next on ABC’s “this week.”
Never mind; it was a tease. Instead we get Lindsey Graham.
the iranians are behind the hummingbirds.
Scarecrow @ 47
Martin Sheen? That would be awesome.
jayt @ 8
it’d be interesting to see mapped out those parts which we control vis-a-vis the bridges that have been blown up.
But – casualties are up, plain evidence that the surge is working. *s*
Another interesting map would be one that shows where these “shaped charges” are being used and the areas controlled by the Sunni militias, al Qaeda, and Shiite militias respectively.
How much you wanna bet that most of these attacks are in Sunni/al Qaeda areas…like Baqouba, Tikrit, Anbar Province, etc. where Shiite insurgents would be caught DEAD if they tried to act there.
Iran supplying these bombs to the Shiite militias, my A**!
Biden understands my hummingbird problem.
This is a guy I can do business with.
Call him ‘ol’ silverfish’ if you like but I’m telling you he’ll get the beaks and slurping nectar and hovering over and done with.
n=1 at 46 — We have one who visits the flowers on our side porch. He’s such a cutie, fluttering around like a hummingbird, with that long, long tongue of his. Nature is so fascinating, isn’t it? Every day some new, amazing thing…
RevDeb @ 9
I used to think that talk of trying Rumsfeld for war crimes was hyperbole.
Not any more.
I’m still steaming over the quotes I read from Russert’s interview at FoxNews. Did anyone see it?
Graham: we’ve a good opportunity to bring calm to Iraq.
What about benchmarks?
G: how can US policians tell Iraq politicians to get their act together. Iraq needs leadership, but so do we.
Recognizes effect of war on Iraq politicians, but hopes they’ll recognized need for accomodation?
blackwater security has made great strides in eradicating the iraqui hummingbird problem.
yankee know-how and ‘get-to-it’ spirit at its best.
Graham explains it’s in our interest to be there, regardless of Iraq progress.
Iraq is a momentum builder for moderation or extremisms for the whole reason.
solai @ 54
Timmeh on WHannnnnnity and Homeslice.
Dahlia Lithwick describes the testimony two-step for Harriet Miers and Sara Taylor. It’s kinda catchy but probably won’t take the place of the Time Warp. Link is from Slate but it is also in today’s WaPo0.
What do you expect from the likes of Timmeh, solai ?
He’s Shooter’s sock puppet. Shooter says so himself.
after the hummingbirds we’ll take out the bees.
Graham: If by September, and Iraq hasn’t met benchmarks, are we worried about our elections or their condition? We need to think about the long term and not worry about 2008.
(that’s he message to his party folks who are nervous and thinking about abandoning Bush in September)
Graham sounding like a statesman on immigration; asks what happens if they don’t solve this.
“Lesley Stahl spotlights clinical trials of a promising but controversial treatment to dull the memories of traumatized people.“
… sounds like an idea from the American Enterprise Institute or maybe something one of those German Nazi doctors thought up – a chemical prefrontal lobotomy. How about decent treatment for the traumatized people, and maybe an Administration that doesn’t send children off to get traumatized for no reason?
George Will == “nobody saw this coming” = the epitaph of this Administration.
marthat Radditz: — Administration has been in denial on Hamas/Fatah — they don’t even know what to say.
David Corn – agrees with Will, and they didn’t do the hard work of diplomacy.
Mabel’s Wig Shack @ 51
We need to put up a huge plate glass window…preferably somewhere on Polish and Romanian soil!
George Will just blamed the Palestinian for siding with the wrong side throughout 20th century.
Radditz cites NYT story of Adm. Fallon pressuring al Maliki — a sign that Iraqis can’t do what needs to be done — blame the Iraqis.
KayInMaine @ 19
Try once again whenever you are done moving — but find a can of “tanglefoot“. A little applied around the tree will keep the ants out of your feeder. I’ve got to order some because my mom has the same complaint, too many ants trekking into the feeder.
Will- if the Republicans have to go through another election with Iraq front and center “they will be picking up the pieces of the republican party with tweezers.”
Saw a bumper sticker yesterday “These Colors Don’t Run” with the colors so faded that you could hardly make out the stars. I guess that’s what they call faded expectations.
Can we start impeaching Gonzo this week? I want somebody to be impeached, or a subpoena inforced or something. Libby going to jail is nice, but justice is just hanging by a thread with Bush’s pardon lurking out there.
Re hummingbirds — live in Boston area — is the right time to put out a feeder?
From TP:
The Office of Special Counsel, which has already recommended that GSA chief Lurita Doan be suspended or fired for participating in partisan activities while on the job, is now moving forward with its investigation of nearly 20 other administration agencies.
The White House has admitted that roughly 20 agencies have received a PowerPoint briefing created by Karl Rove’s office “that included slides listing Democratic and Republican seats the White House viewed as vulnerable in 2008, a map of contested Senate seats and other information on 2008 election strategy.”
Politicization of the federal government has been illegal for decades. The 1939 Hatch Act specifically prohibits partisan campaign or electoral activities on federal government property, including federal agencies. But in 2005, Ken Mehlman, formerly one of Bush’s top political advisers, outlined the White House’s strategy of utilizing government resources for partisan gain…
Good morning from L.A. Happy Father’s Day to all the dads out there. My Pop has been gone a long while; he was one of the best people I’ll ever know.
From the look of it up top, so glad I’ll be missing the Sunday Funnies today. BF & I are leaving soon- will be hiking in the Santa Inez Mts. near Santa Barbara today, then taking his 80 yr. old dad to the Cold Spring Tavern for dinner. If you live in the S.B. area or are visiting it, the Tavern is in the San Marcos Pass. It’s off the beaten path & wonderful:
http://www.coldspringtavern.com/
Good Morning!
Happy Fathers Day to all you fathers out there!
and Scarecrow, thank you for watching THIS WEEK so I don’t have to.
Scarecrow at 73 — Absolutely. And if you couple the feeder with a pot of some red flowers near it, you raise your chances for success quite a bit. :)
Stephanos — pushing a “third” way wrt to Libby — allowing Libby free while appealing. No one picks this up. Will actually impressed by fact that 12 jurors and judge found Libby guilty. Gosh.
Scarecrow @ 68
yeah, it’s THEIR fault they were expropriated by an historically dishonest, geopolitically focused western imperialism that just accidentally established a western/european state in the middle of the middle east…
poor deluded saps, thought wogs had rights….
Coming up next on George’s show:
MY president :-)
at least the one I wish I had.
Christy Hardin Smith @ 77
Thanks. I have regular feeder out and I’m now feeding about 100 sparrows. Put a another one out for finches, but haven’t seen any; it’s the one with the tiny holes for tiny seeds. So far all I get is wounded sparrows with broken beaks.
pmorlan @ 28
Anyone for promoting purjury charges against Rumi (yes, I know crimes against humanity is more appropriate but less likely to fly.)
Scarecrow (73) — rule of thumb: if there are native flowers blooming in your area, a hummingbird feeder is appropriate.
Keep one out even through September and into October if there’s no frost as the hummingbirds need fuel on which to migrate.
Scarecrow at 81 — You may be getting some house finches at your finch feeder — they look quite a bit like sparrows, but they do eat the thistle seeds, too.
At the NYT, there is a rancid, little article by Sheryl Gay Stolberg on the subpoenas issued to Sara Taylor and Harriet Miers. At first glance it might seem relatively innocuous but it uses a deceptive technique that I have seen in other Times articles and that is slipping in many sources favoring one position and limiting or manipulating opposing views.
Who does Stolberg quote?
Republicans:
George Bush, Tony Snow, Ari Fleischer, Charles Black (a Republican strategist), and Dana Perino (twice)
Democrats: Charles Schumer, David Rivkin
How are they quoted? Schumer gets 5 words. Rivkin’s quote is decidedly equivocal:
So you see it really is all partisan, right?
What word is completely absent from the Stolberg piece? Oversight.
What is the take home message? Stolberg proposes a compromise that would allow interviews with transcripts, i.e. not public and not under oath. She suggests that both Specter and Schumer would back such a compromise but it is far from clear that this is true. She says that the White House is looking for a “graceful exit”, i.e. that the White House deal is a good and graceful one and that what the Democrats are doing is neither.
My take home message: I get really tired of Times articles and those who write them whose only object seems to be carrying water for a corrupt and discredited Administration.
realworld @ 82
I’m for promotoing a full, fair and independent investigation into the torture issue. If we have that then all of those responsible can be charged accordingly.
Hugh @ 85
Rivkin is a dem????? You’ve got to be kidding!
Christy Hardin Smith @ 84
I was being facetious; there are no birds at the finch feeder. In a week, I’ve seen only one make an attempt to get the seeds, but he/she had a to large a beak.I’m thinking I need to move it to a more isolated area.
I have floral pillows on my sofa and sometimes one of our hummers will hover just outside the living room window looking longingly at those pillows and then glare at me because the window is in the way. I have to laugh every time, cause the pillows are just the right color to attract the hummingbird. Talk about false advertising. Fortunately there are plenty of other flowering plants in our yard to sustain them. We get the lovliest butterflies also. Which reminds me, I’ve got new plants from the nursery to put in pots before it gets miserable hot.
Scarecrow @ 88
Not necessarily. We’ve got a 3 tube feeder where one of the tubes has thistle. They all either get along or chase one another away or wait it out. Somehow the seed gets eaten (mainly by the squirrels.)
Scarecrow @ 81
No crows though huh?
Pox news starts with Hersh’s story on Taguba/torture investigation. Petraeus now on.
Millineryman @ 91
Never happen while I hang around.
Scarecrow @ 92
spew alert
don’t miss the Power Player of the Week
Scarecrow @ 69
For every time that Raddatz says something reasonable she still comes up with something jarringly stupid. On Washington Week, she was still saying what a great guy General Petraeus is. I think she has a thing for male authority figures. Petraeus is flogging the completely distorted and false point of view that the surge is working and that things are getting better. Somehow I don’t find self serving lies in support of a failed policy have the same kind of cachet that Raddatz thinks they do.
Fox: How is surge working? Only 40 % control of Baghdad?
Pet: Were ahead and behind. Cites progress in Anbar; but 30% of neighborhoods in Baghdad are a problem.
It’s all “al Qaeda.”
Wallace: what about Pentagon report on total violence remaining unchanged? Why shouldn’t public view that as Disappointing?
Pet: We’ve borne the brunt of that. Ducks the question. It’s a mixed . . .
Scarecrow (88) — do you have plenty of cover nearby in the form of shrubs or woody perennial flowers or trees? The hummingbirds seem to be less picky than other songbirds about this, as long as there’s a place to perch; small songbirds like cover near feeders, though, perhaps because they are slower than hummingbirds to escape any nearby predator.
Fox — plays harry Reid criticism of generals.
Pet: I’ve tried “not to pull punches.” there are signs of normalcy — kids playing soccer; traffic on streets, markets open. But also new violence. But won’t shrink from acknowledgin both.
Rayne @ 97
thanks. — I’ll move the feeder. It’s hanging on my window, but I suspect hummers don’t like Fox news.
RevDeb @ 87
You’re right, my bad. I misread. So that would make all Republicans and one Democrat. It was even more one sided than I thought. Thanks for the correction.
I imagine all the killers in the Bush Administration are in church this Sunday morning.
Pet: Al Qaeda is the face of the Sunni violence in Iraq. The central front of al Qaeda’s war is Iraq. Correct to focus on them.
What about arming the Sunni insurgents?
Pet: legitimate concerns by al Maliki about this. But we vet them and get biometric data to identify them. They have to prove themselves before getting to police academy. [Reid was right]
Scarecrow (99) – Yes, absolutely, Faux News will scare off small and large birds alike, along with small mammals. If only a greater percentage of larger mammals could see Faux as the toxic mind-rotting substance it is when not taken with liberal antidotes…
Scarecrow @ 78
But it was a DC judge and a DC jury.
Wink wink, nudge nudge.
Anyone catch MTP this a.m. I can never figure out when it’s on.
allan_in_upstate @ 105
Oh, I missed that; was Will being snide?
Happy Watergate day!
My comment at 85 corrected thanks to RevDeb.
At the NYT, there is a rancid, little article by Sheryl Gay Stolberg on the subpoenas issued to Sara Taylor and Harriet Miers. At first glance it might seem relatively innocuous but it uses a deceptive technique that I have seen in other Times articles and that is slipping in many sources favoring one position and limiting or manipulating opposing views.
Who does Stolberg quote?
Republicans:
George Bush, Tony Snow, Ari Fleischer, Charles Black (a Republican strategist), David Rivkin, and Dana Perino (twice)
Democrats: Charles Schumer
How are they quoted? Schumer gets 5 words.
Rivkin’s quote sets the tone for the piece.
So you see it really is all partisan, right?
What word is completely absent from the Stolberg piece? Oversight.
What is the take home message? Stolberg proposes a compromise that would allow interviews with transcripts, i.e. not public and not under oath. She suggests that both Specter and Schumer would back such a compromise but it is far from clear that this is true. She says that the White House is looking for a “graceful exit”, i.e. that the White House deal is a good and graceful one and that what the Democrats are doing is neither.
My take home message: I get really tired of Times articles and those who write them whose only object seems to be carrying water for a corrupt and discredited Administration. Holding them accountable for their failures is not partisanship, it’s called good government, a concept that Stolberg shows no awareness of.
in other news, US Senator Lieberman (R-Ct) is credited with undermining diplomatic solutions to the intense problems in the Middle East with his incessant warmongering.
.
Any of you folks on the East Coast seeing Rufous Hummingbirds? I haven’t seen any myself, but there’ve been sightings of the errant little creatures the past couple years.
Scarecrow at 106 — Am watching it now. Not impressed thus far. (But then, I’m watching it and getting a snack for The Peanut…) Crocker invoked the magic September line again. SIGH
Hugh — don’t mean to ruin your day, but Michael Gordon as another front page NYT story on Iraq — all consistent with this a.m.’s appearance be Petraeus on Fox News. It’a all al Qaeda, and we have a new offensive against them– a “new phase” — as though we haven’t been on the offensive agasint AQ all along.
On ABC “This Week”. I very much respect Martin Sheen. And I like what Biden said during the recent ‘debates’ about “retail politics”. Therefore, I will do something that goes against the grain. I will watch this show.
Thanks for the heads up, CHS.
MTP’s on now, Scarecrow, at least it is in my neck of the woods. I’ll try to watch it although I must admit I’d rather be watching Annenberg Media’s Art of the Western World right now…
Timmeh quoting Eugene Robinson’s Setember Song and Dance from earlier this week, seems to think Robinson’s comments about the selling of September as a “bait and switch” as being strong words.
Piker.
Scarecrow @ 107
No, I wasn’t watching the show and have no reason to smear Mr. Will’s spotless reputation over this.
I was referring to earlier remarks on the right about “DC juries”, with the obvious racial meaning.
Maybe we should nominate Sheen-he is at least as qualified as Fred Thompson…
Just curious, why use the Projo? You are West Virigina based, no? As a RI native it caught my eye.
Oh. My. God. Ol’ 60 Grit is on. She’s riding the fence on the issue of surge success or failure. Figures. Now there will be a flat spot worn down on the fence…
And Hair Boy York is on, too. Jeebus, Timmeh, you really are a f*cking tool. Who else is on that I haven’t seen yet, besides E.J. Dionne?
Twisted Martini @ 117
Thats our ace in the hole. If the Republicans go with Thompson, we go with Sheen. Our actor is better than they’re actor. We’d win in a landslide, cause our guy has far more experience being a good President than anyone on their side.
Twisted Martini @ 117
I’m afraid that, by the standards of the current Republican field,
Martin Sheen is completely unqualified to run for President. From Wiki:
Rayne @ 119
OMG, Rayne, you should have supplied a spew alert on that one!
my bold
Scarecrow @ 113
Thanks, I will go look for it. Gordon is another water carrier for this Adminstration. He is just shameless, a shill who would write on the necessity to invade Mars as long as someone important gives him the story (usually not for attribution), he gets his dose of access, and most importantly he gets a byline.
Timmeh brings up Reid calling Pace incompetent (quoting that rightwing rag Politico in doing so), is this a good move he asks Dionne?
Dionne thankfully points out that criticizing generals is a tradition, extending beyond critique of McClellan in civil war.
Now 60 Grit steps up and says Reid’s comments not smart, Pace widely respected, blah-blah-RNC-talkingpoints-blah-blah
And now to Hair — says he asked somebody in White House what’s reasonable expectation for performance in Iraq by September? that person said “difficult to say”.
Lovely. Grit is on solely provide air cover for the RNC. The Hair is at least open to the questionable lack of performance in Iraq.
Rayne @ 119
Just wanna say that Chris Wallace is doing a pretty good job — much better than Russert could do — in his interview with Petraeus, but Petraeus is really smart and knows what to say and what not to say. He’s a perfect front for a policy of staying in Iraq forever. You can’t get at this guy on details; you have to question the underlying assumptions.
Scarecrow @ 106
In Boston it starts at 10:30 going head to head with Face the Nation.
Scarecrow @ 120
I’ll vote for him!
Timmeh now moves on to immigration. Ol’ Grit is providing cover to the White House’s position by pushing back on the right-wing.
Well, now we know who’s picking up her tab, Karl.
allan_in_upstate @ 116
But the DC judge was appointed by a Bush. Those kinds of nuances are lost by talking point repigs.
Chaos in the Middle East, George S. says on This Week”. Really? Wonder who caused it?
OT: A great commentary on Father’s Day.
Just thinking…
I respect Nifong more than Gonzo…
At least, there was contrition, I think, unless
he is putting on airs…
Biden says we are in the middle of a civil war. Biden seems to have his feet on the ground.
Article: Standing by the Wrong Guy by Bob Novakula now subject of Timmeh’s inquiry. Novak posed the question whether POTUS JAR would be helped by doing as Novak suggests, ditching Abu G. and pardoning Libby.
Ol’ Grit riding fence once again. There will be no fence left by the end of the show. Methinks she is also on the take from the Libby Defense Fund since she is leaning towards Novak’s suggestion (bully for you, DeadEye, nice to see your money at work, eh?).
No questions to anybody else on that article — Timmeh, you suck.
Overall assessment of Petraeus interview by Fox/Wallace: the best spokesperson the military has had on Iraq — politically savvy, intelligent, articulate.
Message to Harry Reid: Stop trying to attack Bush by attacking the Generals; you are not articulate enough to take on this General. Stick to Bush and stick with the fundamental premise: what are we doing there? what is our mission? and why should American soldiers die (or kill) for it?
mornin’ all. anyone else have a spy crush on them? cant seem to shake this new malware. oh well. have a wonderful Father’s Day. My kids got me Al Gore’s new book. I know what I will be doing at the pool today.
Timmeh now goes to Dionne, re: his article in WaPo earlier in the week about a defining moment.
Oh nuts, interruption here at home…anybody else watching MTP?
Good Morning!!
From Think Progress: LINK
Scarecrow @ 125
Excellent analysis. Petraeus is what I call a political general. He knows how to spin reporters and stroke politicians. But the bottomline is that violence in Iraq under the surge is increasing not decreasing and the Iraqi government on which the ultimate success or failure of the surge depends is doing nothing.
Hugh @ 139
But does he know how to run a war or an occupation?
I really dislike Lieberman’s politics.
On MTP, now discussing candidates on both sides. Can’t hear all the chatter, too much going on here.
But I’ll give Hair Boy York some cred; he really seems skeptical about any progress resulting from the surge and the possible outcome.
Fox panel: immigration splitting the Republicans, between those being overrun by “illegal” immigrants. Brit Hume is former; Charles Krauthammer the latter. As usual, the purist neocons are pushing the regime towards catastrophe, and now they have to argue with the “we just want to stay in power” wing of the Rethugs.
And I dislike HRC’s politics. Particularly on Iraq.
Scarecrow @ 143
707
A story to make you frustrated: LINK
Rayne — am watching MTP as well — and York seems almost resigned to being disgusted with the Bushies this morning. Interesting — haven’t seen him this disgusted with them ever.
MTP: Timmeh says candidates Romney and McCain ready to break out into open warfare. Heh.
Give them some weapons, I say.
Ol’ Grit riding the fence between Romney and McCain. (I think I can step over the fence with my 28 inch inseam now.) NO mention of Thompson’s impact on these two guys. Hmm.
I am adamant. I do not want either of the Democratic front runners as my next president. We Democrats have far better choices available.
TexB @ 140
I think the point is that you don’t get at this problem by attacking the competence of this General. He’s can make himself sound as good as we have — and he may be as good as we have. But that’s not the point. The question is: is there a mission that he can implement. His job is to come up with the best strategy for achieving whatever mission he’s given. The problem is the mission, and that issue should be decided in Congress — are we at war and with whom and what are we prepared to do about it? do we support an permanent occupation of Iraq? If the answer is “NO,” then Petraeus say’s “yes sir” and leads the troops out. I’m saying the Dems should not be debating Petraeus.
AZ Matt @ 146
So do you think they knew this article was coming when they announced on Friday that they were beefing up the hiring of shrinks?
AZ Matt @ 146
that’s a very painful read.
I can’t deal with Russert.
Agh. I should have taped MTP, even if I hate it. Too much going on here with the family.
Christy, I wasn’t going to call it disgust, but you’re right, York has moved past skepticism. Tried to explain to the spouse he’s more moderate.
edit: Meaning, York is a more moderate Repug than the likes of 60 Grit; if Bush has lost the Yorks, he is toast and so is the Repug Party’s chances in 2008 if any of the candidates is too Bushie.
If the GOP is salivating for a Clinton nomination, then I don’t understand this. Unless of course this type activity is to cover all bets.
Anti-Hillary dirty tricks war hots up
Republicans use the internet, books and a film to try to derail Clinton’s White House campaign
http://observer.guardian.co.uk…..53,00.html
A heretical thought: Fox News panel had a better discussion of opposing perspectives on Gaza than anything I’ve seen on other shows. Hume is an insufferable arrogant bully, and Krauthammer is nuts, but Juan Williams takes them on. Where else does this happen?
Rayne @ 154
Another candidate for the “tipping point”? The Gaza mess may have finally convinced even the Rethugs that this Administration is a disaster and they need to cut them loose. They seem to get it; why don’t our Dem leaders see this the critical opportunity to finally say, NO?
RevDeb @ 35
See yer bu*puhkie & raise, Hon. Rev (OH, i do luvs a librul Rev on vacation, heh ;->):
Draw up articles of IMPEACHMENT: whom? whooommm ya think?! jr-de*deye-gonzo THREEPERs! NOW!!!
Christy has a new thread ready.
Scarecrow @ 159
Not really.
Ahhh…there it is!
http://www.firedoglake.com/200…..e-strings/
Scarecrow @ 135
I disagree. The Petraeus hagiography is a Republican setup. In September, he is going to go to Congress and report that progress is being made but that more time is needed. Petraeus’ credibility should be hammered now. He is not a Miles Gloriosus. The surge was never going to work and if Petraeus was half the general that so many Republicans think he is he should have known this and said so. He has several weak points.
The numbers were never there for securing Baghdad even according to his own Counterinsurgency Manual and counting half trained Iraqi soldiers and untrained Iraqi police of highly dubious allegiance is the deceptive sleaze that Petraeus should be called on.
Petraeus’ strategy never addressed the fundamental reality that Iraq is in the middle of a civil war. You can’t solve a problem if you don’t know what it is, and Petraeus doesn’t.
The increasing levels of violence in Iraq put the lie to Petraeus’ fantasies about all those soccer players he says he’s seeing.
The lack of any meaningful action by the Iraqi government. It hasn’t met any benchmarks and has little or no power (or interest) in doing so. Reconciliation is a deadletter.
American casualties. They’re up. And to what purpose?
The American military is broken, overextended, and over worked. Again to what purpose? Because Petraeus can’t read the writing on the wall?
Bush, Cheney, and Petraeus were given their “last” chance. It didn’t work. That won’t stop them. They will want another one or an extension on the previous one. Petraeus is not a great general. He is a great enabler of a failed President, a failed policy, and a failed war. It is time to call Petraeus for what he is: a failed general.
Bay State Librul @ 132
Short ThinkProgress post: Gonzales plans to ‘tighten the leash’ on attorneys
Chicago Tribune link for additional information: http://www.chicagotribune.com/…..;cset=true
RevDeb @ 151
Probably, but it is all PR on their part anyways. They are losing MH workers faster then the can hire them.
Oklahoma kiddo @ 133
He’s frustrating to me ’cause he always seems to have his feet on the ground. He’s the most articulate one out there. But I’ve learned the hard way, you can never tell just which direction those feet are gonna run at any given moment, except that you can bet the direction’ll be calculated precisely to benefit #1. What a waste of a wonderful mind and silver tongue. Phooey.
I’ll give him credit, though. Even at his worst, he’s never as dispicable as a whole bunch who’re really on the dark side. You can probably name most-a those faster than I can…
Keep up the good fight, OKK! The world needs your clear voice. ;->
I’ve had real luck with the hummingbird photos– glad y’all are enjoying them!
This morning, I got green heron pictures– I’ll post them in a few hours.
Would you ever consider doing some kind of live blog of Meet the Press? Maybe as soon as you know who is going to appear and what his/her topic will be, line up a true expert to comment.
All of us who have, over the years, watched one Sunday morning show or another and ended up yelling and throwing something at the TV or storming out of the room would enjoy and expert talking back even if the guest can’t hear.
Julie Waters @ 166
Thanks Julie. You do beautiful work! I often pop into your site just to browse and enjoy. ;->
Two rules of hummingbird life:
1. This is my flower/branch/tree. I chase everyone away from here.
2. I wonder what the nectar over at your flower/branch/tree tastes like.
The action in a large tree in bloom on the California coast is hectic. No wonder the little zippers need so much energy.
Adie @ 168
I’m getting better at it. Eventually I’ll have the real knack where I’m at the quality I’m looking for more consistently. For the moment, though, it works for me to be willing to take 500 pictures of the same bird and throw out all but three :)
Julie Waters @ 166
Julie, your pictures are wonderful…but I really love the puzzles page at your site.
Especially Sudoku 16×16
Lou Costello @ 171
Wow. I didn’t know anyone ever went to that site :)
Really, I’m a geek. I create puzzles because it’s fun to do and I figured I’d post them just in case anyone else decided to try them out. There are several on there that, as far as I can tell, no one has ever solved.
The green heron pictures are up:
http://juliesmagiclightshow.co…..2007-06-17
Well, I catch MTP here on the Left Coast at 6:00am our time and am still watching Geo Many Lettersanopoulus. By the time I get to the meat of Geo Will etc. it is EPU land here. But Lindsey “Deputy Dawg” Graham was kinda priceless with:
Opie, look around anytime, if you ever wake up……..I mean DUH!
By the way Martin Sheen would make a better preznit than Here’s Freddie “I want to do things only a preznit can do” Thompson because he ain’t a chickenhawk – he actually fought in Vietnam, in the movies at least “Apocalypse Now.”
I totally dislike the man, but we all have to be pleased with this. It is really good news…
“North Korea has invited UN nuclear inspectors to discuss shutting down its Yongbyon nuclear reactor, in the first step towards implementing an international agreement aimed at disarming the communist state.
Pyongyang made the move when it became clear that it would soon receive $25m in previously frozen funds that had been a major obstacle to implementing the nuclear deal reached in February at six-party talks between the US, China, Russia, Japan and the two Koreas.
The announcement sets the stage for a test of whether North Korea intends to move forward on the February agreement. President George W. Bush had reportedly become impatient that his team were having so much difficulty arranging the transfer of the money.”