For your reading pleasure and consideration:
– Al Gore has an op-ed in today’s NYTimes. Read it.
– And then read emptywheel’s take on the imperial presidency.
– Glenn explores the authoritarian mind (or lack thereof, as the case may be). Don’t miss the comparison of cartoon dialogue to real life. Priceless. And, just in case you missed this, do read the interview that Glenn did with Helen Thomas — love her.
– Digby tackles some links of her own (Ooooh! I get to write a gender! Still fun…) Both are very interesting, but the juxtaposition is telling.
– Jesus General dumpster dives through the wingnutosphere so you don’t have to…thanks, Mon General.
– Our to do list following the Bush Administration. (via Avedon posting at Eschaton.)
– In case you were wondering, things are going so swimmingly in Afghanistan, that the Taliban and other militant groups are now spilling over into the non-tribal regions of Pakistan and threatening to take over the country. Yeah, that’s the way to make America safer — hand them a country with nukes. Heckuva job, Bushie.
– It’s official. Again. People think President Bush is doing a crappy job.
– Finally, this is a great idea. I’m all for it. So is Jane. And you should be, too.
(Golf ball shot via JonesGGallery.)
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zunoed?
Helen Thomas. ;0)
Prescription for what ails you Mother Earth? President Gore.
Christy -
I have read it and recommend reading another of her current posts: Classification Is Not Declassification
Helen Thomas and Molly Ivins. Gosh Molly, I miss you so.
Morning, Christy and fdlers. I’m on my ?th cuppa, and am smugly crowing that I’ve read all of the links already – I’m getting better at doing homework. *g*
But one request from the CAP obstructionist piece. Make the chart of obstructionists into a Word document. I can’t use the pdf form well on my own blog. By any chance does anyone have that chart downloadable in another format?
Christy -
Here’s another link to hit (Raw Story/Washington Post): Independents, increasingly secular, poised to swing race in 2008
Hey, I’m regsitered as a decline to state–that’s the designation in Cali.
I have voted for a gooper exctly once in more than 35 years of voting, and he was someone I knew.
More to the point of what Dems need to do now….
NO recess.
Troops get no recess.
real votes on the war and real filibusters.
expose the GOP obstruction.
end the war.
no recess while the troops are still in Iraq fighting under King George.
Gee, Micheal is on all the networks talking up the threat level. You don’t suppose the Bushies are feeling the heat, do you?
That’s Michael Chertoff, of course.
Iran. That’s what this latest terror business is about.
I’m not sure whether to laugh my ass off or be really alarmed that David Gregory grooves on Hilary Duff. What a doofus,holy crap.
Good morning, everyone! Another beautiful day in motown. I’ve just finished a latte, so I’m almost awake (yeah, it’s 11am, but I’m still jetlaggin).
I have no stomach for the morning gab fest today. I’m still getting up to speed with all that happened while I was on vaycay, and it’s too pretty of a day to get into a bad mood!
Love “the great idea”. Should we all pledge to call Reid’s office tomorrow to ask him to do it?
What we (Bush) needs is an Iranian, nabbed with a book of matches in his shoe in the NY airport.
There’s only one reason I take Bush seriously. He has his finger on ‘the’ button.
Interesting poll results Redd.
25% want out of Iraq NOW
43% want out within a year.
So 68% of americans want out within a year- the trouble is- they were sayin about the same thing a year ago as I recall.
43% of americans have “just about had it” with Iraq- but they’re not quite willing to give up yet. That’s enough to keep us in through the end of the Bush presidency.
The UK has a new Prime Minister. People have assumed that he won’t support a continuation of Blair’s policy on Iraq- but he has never said as much. Now- with no deaths- he is handed an event that he can try to use to keep the brits fighting in mesopatamia. Interesting co-incidence.
Where was the CIA the night before these events occured?
rw at 16 — I thought that was interesting as well. It’s been the same majority just about for well over a year now. And I’m wondering what that says in terms of things being so polarized that the numbers don’t shift much at all?
rwcole – the timing of these bloodless attacks made me wonder, too. Mr. LOTF thought I was getting all tinfoil-hatty, but then I brought him up to speed on what’s been happening the past couple of weeks, particularly with Blair’s new replacement. Sure, it could be a coincidence, but you have to wonder.
For my morning hahaha (besides the David Gregory clip), something that wasn’t supposed to be funny, about Putin visiting the Bush home in Kennebunkport:
I had to read that three times to realize there was only one P in the word “striper”. Gave a whole new context to that paragraph.
oops, my 19 is a quote from USA Today, as found on the ThinkProgress.org website.
Liberwurst is on “This Weak” with Steffi, talking about how we’re “winning” in Iraq.
My boyfriend Bill says he looks like “Soupy Sales’ mean older brother.”
Redd–Yeah- and people say “I want out within a year”- and a year goes by- and they STILL say “I want out within a year. Are these people in suspended animation?
By the way- here’s a link to a GREAT story comparing Bush to Churchill- and concluding that “No- he’s MUCH more like Neville Chamberlain. Writen by someone who Rove and Bush supposedly admire:
http://www.washingtonpost.com/…..inionsbox1
It’s probably important for everyone involved in the war debate to be aware of the 43% of the people who are against the war but unwilling to see us pull out quickly–they are the one’s currently driving the debate- and the ones who are keeping middle of the road congresscritters from becoming more radical.
Will they change in september? Logically they should- but it appears that they are very resistant to it.
Heh. I guess Fred Thompson needs someone knowledgeable to feed him lines to read if he’s gonna make a serious run for the Presidency. Too funny: (from TPM):
Fred’s not ready for Prime Time
Freddie- Like that great Ronnie- delivers lines- he doesn’t write em.
He should begin collecting Ronnie’s surviving staff of nursemaids- he’ll need em.
It’s the gooper way to have a lazy incompetent president.
Lieberman was so brutally lame on ‘This Week’ this morning it came damn close to being a ‘Saturday Night Live’ parody. It really was loathsome.
George W. Bush, America’s Greatest Conservative President!
The Bright Shiny Weenie journalists are very worried about their SUV’s being firebombed by terrorists. You would think at least a few might have noticed the previously, censored testimony from the Libby Trial. Emptywheel has, of course.
The previously “redacted” testimony, now shows Libby threw Cheney under the proverbial bus.
Even better,
And Novak threw Rove under a bus also. The CIA Report on the “Niger Yellow Cake” should be released, especially if it said “Italian forgeries”. It looks as if Rove and Cheney kept using these forgeries to start the Iraq War. The remaining redactions should also be released, as they are only a cover up of Cheney and Rove treason.
Morning Dawgs.
Been out tryin’ to keep the veg. garden happy in spite of our drought. We’re up to our eyeballs in bok choy & salad greens (yeah, i know choy’s good that way too – it’s just plain GOOD. wish we could share some with you all.) Beans, tomatoes, broccoli, summer squash coming right along… Who needs a plate? or a stove for that matter. Just pull up a chair & dive in ;->
Our dragonflies and butterflies just love the idea that we finally got serious about turning a lot of the lawn over to them with native grasses and wildflowers. Build it and they will come! By gum, it’s true. Fun to watch them. And our precious bluebirds have a 2nd brood in the nest – right next to the blueberry bush. Someone ever say boids is dumb? NOT!
OKKiddo. Gotta tell you. Still stompin’ ’round here to that killer music you linked last night. Thanks much. Did a good job indeed, swingin’ that mood dial back into positive territory. Just gotta keep goin’. That’s all. Will do. Signed that-there petition last night, and appended a spine-stiffening giddyappyaieee for good measure. I know it won’t be the last. Just gotta keep after ‘em.
Somehow disgustingly reminiscent of previous times to see apposition yestidie of shrubfishiephoto-op, and then the goings-on in Scotl.
Only thing missing was ‘My Pet Goat.’
oops. kitty here says it’s time to leave the keyboard & have a smooch. pardon. back to lurk in just a bit.
take care folks, & thanks again OKK. ;->
Good morning Christy! Thank you for your reply in yesterday’s morning thread. Busy days here; I’ve been dropping in to read when I can.
I admire how you’re getting your daily quota of good writing accomplished while simultaneously hosting family visitors. I can barely get my shoelaces tied in the morning when we have company. :-)
Best to all at FDL and see you in August! I’m planning to participate in the army men project while I’m away from the tubes. Anyone else want to join in? http://www.mouthswideopen.org
Swordswoman at 30 — If you could only see the insanity that is my house at the moment, you wouldn’t be so impressed. *g*
anangryoldbroad @ 12
Well, since he played along on that stupid “MC Rove” skit at the Radio & TV Correspondents dinner back in the spring, draw your won conclusions…
That Gregory clip made me laugh out loud this morning. Doofus is the word that comes to mind. *g*
Since this thread is for links to articles deemed important for our attention, I’m going to try one last time to get some of the good minds and hearts here to focus on this one. Maybe it’s been covered before. If so, I missed it and I apologize.
http://www.texasobserver.org/article.php?aid=2534
dakine01 @ 32
Is he actually seeking a career change?! Looks as if current one could be in jeopardy. Sure hope he has somethin’ else lined up. I mean… goodgawdamitey!
Adie @ 34
Thanks for the link, Adie. The healthcare stories are more difficult for us to follow, IMHO because the agencies that regulate them are all under the beast of the HHS. OSHA, EPA, FDA, CDC, NIOSH, NIH, etc. are hard to track as a single oversight and public protection entity. The HHS under Michael Leavitt’s rule, has decimated the ranks of scientists and disinterested career professionals a la the DOJ, and it is clearly putting the nation’s health second to Republican partisanship.
There are some good websites to follow for those interested:
The Science Blogs host many “channels that monitor public health and safety and worker safety and worker rights.
The Pump Handle is another public health and safety blog which monitors the government and MSM for pertinent issues and reportage.
and Chronicles of Dissent covers civil rights where they intersect with workers’ rights and safety.
My own blog monitors issues from a patient advocacy and health policy perspective, and it also covers professional nursing issues which aren’t covered at all by the MSM.
Hope this helps with some wider exposure for these issues.
Thanks N=1 ;->
I can hear Molly tapping us on the shoulder when I see things like this. It just doesn’t get much worse.
After reading Wolcott I think that McCain’s best shot at the nomination is to go after pet fish, turtles and/or hamsters. Everything else has been taken out by other Republicans. Fred Thompson is big enough that he could torment goats or llamas or something like that.
apologies for the downer, Christy.
didn’t mean to ruin your thread…
time to go pull thistles again…
According to MyDD, even Fox
knowsadmits there’s a problem.First it should be noted that, as per his trend lately, George Bush receives his lowest rating ever in a Fox News poll: 31%.
As for Congress, rather than asking for an overall approval rating, the Fox poll splits the question by party.
Do you approve or disapprove of the job Democrats in Congress are doing?
Approve: 36%
Disapprove: 49%
Do you approve or disapprove of the job Republicans in Congress are doing?
Approve: 30%
Disapprove: 56%
In other words, congressional Republicans are the ones who are less popular than Bush, not the Democrats. You got that, Broder?
Robert Paehlke @ 38
uh, imho, yer average goat’s smarter than most of the R. candidates i’ve seen so far…ymmv
Morning pups. It’s cold today in the Frozen North, temperature hovring around 12 Celsius. Keeps the seadoo riffraff off the lake, but tough on tomatoes.
I think the true horror of what this administration has wrought at home and abroad is finally penetrating the American consciousness. It took a lot of time, a lot of deaths, a lot of foreclosed homes and $3.25 gasoline to get there. Wish there was some more efficient negative feedback system for this country, but we have to do our politics with the one we got, not the one we’d like, at least for the time being.
Thinking of Kennebuckport — in a much earlier life I spent about three weeks in the home of Prescott Bush’s sister driving Miss Daisy and getting her Mercedes serviced. To entertain me in the evenings, she would bring out all the family pictures — the Bushes playing at K-port, and especially one, her nephew, then a rising Congressmen from Houston. Seemed like a nice enough family at the time. Just goes to show: appearances are so deceiving.
From the Glenn Greenwalk article, a quote from the Goldberg/Carlson gabfest:
“Have you ever seen Dick Cheney give a speech? I mean, the contempt for the audience is palpable” — “I know, I — see, I love that.
How nice. Seeing as how Cheney only speaks to audiences of supporters, that’s even more bizarre.
Hey, Peter King agrees with Lieberman. Mensa meeting on CNN!
Americans should remember- it was Bush that gave us Cheney- not the other way around.
Whatever is fucked up in this administration- it ain’t Cheney’s fault- it’s the GREAT man.
Here is a local Texas story you may be interested in:
rwcole @ 45
That’s a real stretch, like they are not both culpable.
Adie – thanks for that article. Yes, it’s a downer, but it’s so important to see that some corporations continue to skirt around taking care of those they poison. I feel terrible for the people who live there, who had no idea what toxicity they were living and raising their children in. Toxic dumplands like this are all over our nation, and while the Superfund helped to clean some sites, others still need a lot of attention.
Time for practice (Adie – I got a couple new toys a couple weeks ago at the conference!)
Have a good afternoon, everyone.
Has anyone at FDL covered the gutting of food inspections in the new farm bill?
raven
It’s not a stretch at all.
If I am hired as CEO and I hire a COO under me- and he fucks up- it’s up to me to get rid of him. If I DON’T it’s on MY head not his.
I get agitated to see all the bile dumped on Cheney- as if every drop of it doesn’t rightfully belong to Bush.
Bush picked him. Bush gave him the keys to the Emerald City- then he picked him as a running mate the second time- and renewed his license to do whatever the fuck he wants.
People need to understand that the only constitutional duties of the VP are to preside over the senate- ANYTHING ELSE he does- he does cause the Pres allows him to….
Cheney is a puppet- organizationally.
dakine01 @ 32
They’re both jealous of Tucker.
Christy — great Salon interview with Helen Thomas. Thanks for sharing it! (And for all the other links as well.)
Kinda OT here, but out west we are just being subjected to George and LIEberman. I hadn’t seen him on the TeeVee lately and had forgotten how disgusting an organism can actually be. He is somewhat more articulate that the Chimpenfuhrer which means he can tell more lies in less time.
He sure reinforces my agnostic view of the universe – if there was a god, a bolt of lightning would have struck Lyin’ Joe down while I was watching him lie his ugly face off. The casual way he conflates Iran with Al Quaeda (not to mention the Third Reich) should be enough to have him arrested, since obviously no God is going to turn him into a charred grease spot!
I’m coming to find most politicians distasteful, but some like JoMenDum and Tom Delay set new standards for sewage that walks and talks.
rwcole @ 50
somebody is a puppet, you have your model and I have mine.
rwcole @ 50
Cheney picked himself and actually tells Bush what to do and say (with assistance from the other ugly fat guy -KKKarl.
landofthefree @ 24
Fred Thompson is a serious nutjob. Me thinks we’ve only begun to hear the real gems from his mouth.
Maybe we could arrange a ride in a tank for him?
:P
rwcole @ 50
I’m finding it hard to believe that no one in the White House saw Shooter’s backstage machinations. Addington’s good, but the VP’s office has too much influence to go unnoticed by, say, Chimpy’s COS, White House counsel, etc. Shooter carved himself out a huge bureaucratic channel in the Executive branch and traveled it frequently. How could it possibly go unnoticed? I don’t believe it could. Who kept quiet? Everyone.
newtonusr @ 57
And/or …. they were all in it together.
President Gore, please, please let us reelect you.
Newton
Cheney/Bush are playin “good cop/bad cop”- but Bush is respnosible for the whole mess- without a doubt- and yet the press lets him off scott free and concnetrates on the sins of Cheney- as if he MADE Bush go along.
TexB @ 58
The stories about Powell and Rice being incensed at being back-doored by Shooter are interesting. If the stories are plants by TurdCo, they paint a pretty awful portrait of life with this executive. If they’re true (and I believe they are), they confirm the exact behind-the-scenes bull they wish to conceal.
I know it’s a remarkably simple distillation of events…
The general principle of executive responsibility is that you are responsible for whatever happens on your watch. Cheney happened on Bush’s watch. He’s totally responsible.
rwcole @ 62
Bush? Responsibility? Did you just use those two words in the same sentence??????
For Lahoma. Remember when we danced to this so long ago?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KOeUc7Ucvao
rwcole @ 60
Agreed. The fish rots from the head. I would never suggest Chimpy gets a pass. He’s a war criminal for just the gross negligence in the maintenance of his office, and much more.
But I’ll never believe Chimpy is the brains of this outfit.
Gunga Djinn @ 56
Maybe we could arrange a ride
inunder a tank for him?rwcole @ 50
Pickle them both in bile. Cheney is the more dangerous one. He’s actually capable of planning.
Christy Hardin Smith @ 18
I think that means people are comfortable they have an opinion of some sort so they don’t have to go any deeper.
rwcole @ 45
How true! Level of being attracts level of life.
Once upon a time I made two mistakes. I sold a couple of actors (Ronald Reagan and Arnie) short. ;0)
TexB @ 49
I would like an expose on this also. Another sign of the virtues of deregulation. Let’s deregulate driving.
We gave ourselves Bush, Cheney, Nixon, Spiro, Reagan and George Sr.
rwcole @ 50
In the typical CEO situation the Board of Directors would come in and fire them both. Now who would that be? Could it be Congress, guardians of the Constitution? Hum!!!
new thread
landofthefree @ 48
You’re sweet (you and N=1 were only reactions i got to that link). After deathly silence to – well – that was my 3rd query in 2 days – I was beginning to feel like some sorta icky tro**, sigh. I think I finally figured out what’s wrong with me. It’s just not proper around here to tilt at windmills, & that’s probably exactly what I was getting into, sigh. The powers that be want ideas for tackling solvable problems. So be it. I’m not gonna mention it again; At least I’m now certain they saw it & reacted the way they see fit.
On a brighter subject: NEW TOYS! at IDRS??? Do tell! d’amore? bass racket? e.h.? baroque? modern new whatses? gouger? congrats! We’ve been thru that sorta excitement/trauma. Enjoy ;->
Got this link from a Kos diary – whistleblower comes forward re: spying on Americans.
http://www.davidswanson.org/?q=node/852
calvin linked to the Wolcott article, but was disappointed to see that Mr. Wolcott had neglected to include another cruel to animals GOPer. That would be “Macaca” Allen. Didn’t he stuff the head of a deer into a mail box? calvin, being a cat, isn’t overly intellectual, so doesn’t recall if he read that Sen. Allen’s sister’s tell-all-book included other stories of animal cruelty. But, the deer-in-mailbox story should be sufficiently graphic. And, he was going to be a top GOP candidate in ‘08?