Morning, Christy!

Christy!

Now, honestly, how stupid are you to leave threatening phone messages on the answering machine of an aide you believe to be cooperating with authorities? Doesn’t that just scream “arrest my sorry ass”?

So, is this new news? Didn’t we already know Ney was stupid?

BushCo is more or less just coasting till January 2009, when Chimpy will hand over the Iraq mess (among everything else) to the next administration. But between now and then, BushCo (thanks to Cheney and others) might try to pull off something on Iran. The Today Show (with the face of Matt Lauer) is now in Teheran beating the drums for the administration.

Oh my. No wonder Volz got off so lightly, no wonder at all.

If they’re letting us know they have voicemails, you can bet there’s even more in the Fibbies’ folders.

But that does beg the question: why has the entire prosecution dragged out so slowly? are there other fish?

Or was this investigation another walk-don’t-run job by a compromised USA or two?

Ann at 3 — Oh yeah, we knew he was stupid. But I’m not sure that I knew he was THIS stupid. *g*

And Katie Couric is being called by conservative aids as their “sweetie” says Roll Call (in ThinkProgress). Of course we knew this all along, her new facelift not withstanding.

Christy Hardin Smith @ 6

Ann at 3 — Oh yeah, we knew he was stupid. But I’m not sure that I knew he was THIS stupid. *g*

Christy – I’m starting to think that the sign over the RNC front door says, “Welcome to the RNC; leave your brains at the door.”

Christy!

You are so right – Bush has zero credibility and plans to prop-up Petraeus in front of him tonight, just like Cheney used Libby to hide his orchestration of the Plame Leak.

It’s not leadership, it’s toadyship.

I wish to g*d/dess, Reid would throw Lieberman off the DHS committee and onto the curb. It’s like a throwback to the Repug days, watching it. Seems Empty Wheel agrees.

As Howie points out, Rep. John Doolittle is running again, much to the GOP caucus’ dismay.

Woohoo!!

Charlie Brown for Congress

Hat tip to our own Nate.

BlueAmerica contributions here please!

The conclusion of the linked Klein piece is pretty strong:

(something like) “Who is the Iraqi army supposedly fighting for when there IS no central government?”

That question blows the whole Petraeus testimony to smitherines.

It isn’t just that things aren’t getting better- we don’t really know what “better” would be.

Biodun @ 4

BushCo is more or less just coasting till January 2009, when Chimpy will hand over the Iraq mess (among everything else) to the next administration. But between now and then, BushCo (thanks to Cheney and others) might try to pull off something on Iran. The Today Show (with the face of Matt Lauer) is now in Teheran beating the drums for the administration.

Is Iran a threat? Possibly.
Do I trust the Bush admin to tell the truth? Absolutely not.

Does something need to be done about Iran? Possibly.
Do I trust the Bush admin to do it competently and in the best interests of ths US? Absolutely not.

Or maybe, it’s: I agree with Emptywheel.

I had to wander off and read the links you posted from earlier – Woolcott, Tbogg, etc – and then answer Wangdangdoodle’s e-mail to the Central Texas Firepup Brigade about a possible fall reunion.

If there are any other commenters who are or will be around Austin in the near future, contact us. We have a facebook group. It would be so fine if Oilfield Guy could meet with us. He was close by last night.

Ney is obviously a very sick man. He went into treatment hopefully he got some help, tried to pretend that he represented the “people”. His days are done.

Matthews has been hammering on the “Bush is hiding behind Petraeus” issue.

Could Cockburn be right?

September 13, 2007
President Petraeus?
General Confided White House Ambitions to Iraqi Official

By PATRICK COCKBURN
http://www.counterpunch.org/

G’ morning, Redd and other Firepups,

I have a suggestion for another great article, in response to your post from earlier this morning.

Gary Kamiya, over at Salon, has written the pithiest indictment of BushCo’s nearly infinite waste of the world’s sympathy and concern following 9-11. It’s one of the best things I’ve read in the past few weeks:
The Real Lessons of 9/11

In regard to Dolittle running, Craig fighting to keep his seat, Spector backing Craig up, and any other Repug balking about scandals that you can think of recently, I am getting a real kick out of it. I think it’s a matter of, “I’ve been a good Republican for years, walked in lockstep even when I really didn’t believe, and now you’re throwing me under the bus! The nerve! I’ll show you! I won’t go down without a fight! If that inconveniences you, too damn bad! In fact, all the better. Payback’s a bitch, baby!”

rwcole @ 12

The conclusion of the linked Klein piece is pretty strong:

(something like) “Who is the Iraqi army supposedly fighting for when there IS no central government?”

That question blows the whole Petraeus testimony to smitherines.

It isn’t just that things aren’t getting better- we don’t really know what “better” would be.

Of course jo-traitor Klein always has a subtext. In this case it is a tripartite division of Iraq it seems (impossible with the Turkish-Kurd issue and Sunni without oil problem), and perhaps a push to bomb Iran so you won’t have a central government there either.

Ann in AZ @ 3

Now, honestly, how stupid are you to leave threatening phone messages on the answering machine of an aide you believe to be cooperating with authorities? Doesn’t that just scream “arrest my sorry ass”?

So, is this new news? Didn’t we already know Ney was stupid?

It seems to be SOP for asshats with an overinflated sense of entitlement.
Shorter: How dare you!

I just watched the Stewart clip. love the way they refer to Congress as the Buy-Cameral Legislature

so true, so true.

Argh! This is so frustrating, the corruption goes so deep and yet, I fear after 2009 the ball will be dropped and we’ll be left to look forward to an emboldened cabal of criminals to begin work on their next foray into the White House.

Nixon, Reagan, Bush Sr., Bush Jr., every Republican president in my lifetime has been progressively worse than the previous.

We need investigations and prosecutions to keep this crap from resurfacing over and over and over again. A bunch of the same criminals have been involved in every one of these administrations.

rwcole @ 12

(something like) “Who is the Iraqi army supposedly fighting for when there IS no central government?”
.

Also during his testimony Crocker said something about distinguishing a “legitimate Iraqi army.” As if one can even do that.

rwcole @ 12

…(something like) “Who is the Iraqi army supposedly fighting for when there IS no central government?”

And wouldn’t that have been an interesting question for someone on a congressional panel to have asked. But, in reality, the answer would have been no more than, “Ah, I don’t know Senator. I, ah, really haven’t formulated in my own mind why I think any Iraqi would have any rational at all for doing any of this crap I’m spewing. I just know it is a good way to parrot the objectives of the moment accomplish our objectives in Iraq.”

Richmond

Yeah- I just read em and comment on the particular piece.

I’m not looking for heroes- just compelling arguments- and that’s one.

For some time I have felt we have been in a knife fight without a knife.
Tonight Edwards, who I have always thought was not tough enough, has bought time to rebut w.
I hope he proves me wrong and comes out like a “Street Fighting Man.” http://www.youtube/watch?v=NASc9eB3Szo

OT, gitmo cases delayed due to game playing with security clearances

JF @ 13

Biodun @ 4

BushCo is more or less just coasting till January 2009, when Chimpy will hand over the Iraq mess (among everything else) to the next administration. But between now and then, BushCo (thanks to Cheney and others) might try to pull off something on Iran. The Today Show (with the face of Matt Lauer) is now in Teheran beating the drums for the administration.

Is Iran a threat? Possibly.
Do I trust the Bush admin to tell the truth? Absolutely not.

Does something need to be done about Iran? Possibly.
Do I trust the Bush admin to do it competently and in the best interests of ths US? Absolutely not.

Is Iran more a threat to the U.S. (i.e. the traditional 50 state boundary of the U.S.) than North Korea, say, or Pakistan, no?

Does something need to be done about Iran? Not by us. If there are concerns, Europe should be charged with this (not us) since they are closer and the complexities of Iran vis-a-vis Russia are strategically closer to them too.

Do I trust Bush to do it right? No. Particularly with AIP*C largely dictating related US policy in the ME.

SufiLizard @ 22

Argh! Nixon, Reagan, Bush Sr., Bush Jr., every Republican president in my lifetime has been progressively worse than the previous.

We need investigations and prosecutions to keep this crap from resurfacing over and over and over again. A bunch of the same criminals have been involved in every one of these administrations.

Yes. Please. Time to pull the root.
Make ‘em grow a new crop of fascist criminals.

Helpless Dancer @ 27

OT, gitmo cases delayed due to game playing with security clearances

that was a link to a death penalty case, is that the right link?

Half the signs I put up yesterday:

http://freewayblogger.blogspot…..e-day.html

RonD @ 29

SufiLizard @ 22

Argh! Nixon, Reagan, Bush Sr., Bush Jr., every Republican president in my lifetime has been progressively worse than the previous.

We need investigations and prosecutions to keep this crap from resurfacing over and over and over again. A bunch of the same criminals have been involved in every one of these administrations.

Yes. Please. Time to pull the root.
Make ‘em grow a new crop of fascist criminals.

Pass the weed killer please.

The other half:

http://freewayblogger.blogspot…..black.html

Imagine if there were more of us.

Elliott @ 30

Helpless Dancer @ 27

OT, gitmo cases delayed due to game playing with security clearances

that was a link to a death penalty case, is that the right link?

I could’ve botched it. here the link to the overall blog.

FAIR hammers the point: Dems don’t need to overcome filibuster or veto to end the war.

Linkum: There’s a difference between “can’t” and “won’t”

Helpless Dancer @ 34

Elliott @ 30

that was a link to a death penalty case, is that the right link?

I could’ve botched it. here the link to the overall blog.

thanks!
UPDATE: D.C. Circuit delays latest detainee issue

this game BushCo plays with clearances is, well, traitorous and treacherous.

– According to Rep. John Boehner, Iraq is a small price to pay. Oh, really?

boehner is disgusting

why doesn’t anyone ask him which of HIS kids lives is he willing invest so HE can “pay this small price”

and a “small price” for what?

Iraq has with no doubt made the world more dangerous, with no doubt increased the amount of terrorists exponentially, with no doubt harmed this country

so what the HELL does he mean “a small price”…he is willing to PAY for what has happened in Iraq?

what KIND of retardation is THIS?

Biodun @ 23

rwcole @ 12

(something like) “Who is the Iraqi army supposedly fighting for when there IS no central government?”
.

Also during his testimony Crocker said something about distinguishing a “legitimate Iraqi army.” As if one can even do that.

And that’s why all these “compromise” plans to go back to training are so infuriating. The reason the focus on training failed last time is that the Iraqi army is thoroughly infiltrated by militias (some government-affiliated and some insurgent), so no one knows the extent to which we’re training those who are fighting against us.

Layers and layers of family values-oriented corruption. BTW it is, uh – was – VECO, not VICO. It is now CH2M Hill, showing that in some places, trading one scandal-ridden name for another is good business.

Right now, in Alaska we’re scaling up to having several simultaneous GOP corruption trials running simultaneously, and there are more grand juries empaneled at present investigating GOP Alaska corruption that at any previous time. While most GOP operatives up here are still in denial about global warming, they are feeling more and more heat every day, helping prove the new maxim that Alaska is the tip of the spear when it comes to climate change.

Meanwhile, I’m listening to the local NPR station report on the corruption trials in a segment brought to us by those responsible Alaska citizens – British Petroleum…

On the “culture of corruption”, you may have missed this list that Tommy Korioth put together over at Basket of Puppies. When I printed it out it ran to more than 15 sheets!

I saw it via Avedon’s Sideshow.

Do you think the “real Republicans” could pull themselves out of their hole by standing on “real values” (they could pretend for a while) and trumping the Democrats by calling for the Impeachment of Bush and Cheney based on their many crimes (just pick one).

We know a Republican controlled congress demanded that a President testify under oath about a BJ and then voted to Impeach him. It stands that they might find it worth their while (know they have been unable to do it for the right reasons) to
hold the traitors to the Republican party accountable for the WMD Intelligence snowjob.
They could capture the “real Republicans” vote who have been straying and even capture quite a few Democrats this way.

Talk about trumping the Democrats, that would be quite the burn. Just dreamin.

Richmond @ 28:

Is Iran more a threat to the U.S. (i.e. the traditional 50 state boundary of the U.S.) than North Korea, say, or Pakistan, no?

The lid is about to blow off in Pakistan. I have been following with some interest the Musharraf-Nawaz Sharif-Benezir Bhutto scenario (against the background of the Pakistani Supreme Court ruling allowing the exiles to return), the US maneuvers encouraging Musharraf to ally with Bhutto, and the US silent response to Musharraf arresting Sharif at the airport in Islamabad and his subsequent deportation back to Saudi Arabia.

Pakistan is about to blow up. Meanwhile, Condi and others are talking about a phantom US success bringing “stability” to the Middle East. Again, against all forms of logic, how in the heck is US “success” possible in the Iraqi civil war?

Ed*ard Teller @ 39

Meanwhile, I’m listening to the local NPR station report on the corruption trials in a segment brought to us by those responsible Alaska citizens – British Petroleum…

And they say irony is dead.

SufiLizard @ 22

Yes! Yep! Oh Yeah!

Are things backward or what?

With the Nacilbupers currently falling all over themselves, living up to and expressing their fambly val-uhs, you’d think the Tarcomeds
could figure out some basic historic facts. But, with so much ‘off the table,’ I reckon all they’ve got to go on is their own version of self-serving personal and collective stupidity. Jeez.

Well, onward (backwards?) to Iran. That should clear things up, doncha think? Fer sure?

Biodun @ 42

Richmond @ 28:

Is Iran more a threat to the U.S. (i.e. the traditional 50 state boundary of the U.S.) than North Korea, say, or Pakistan, no?

The lid is about to blow off in Pakistan. I have been following with some interest the Musharraf-Nawaz Sharif-Benezir Bhutto scenario (against the background of the Pakistani Supreme Court ruling allowing the exiles to return), the US maneuvers encouraging Musharraf to ally with Bhutto, and the US silent response to Musharraf arresting Sharif at the airport in Islamabad and his subsequent deportation back to Saudi Arabia.

Pakistan is about to blow up. Meanwhile, Condi and others are talking about a phantom US success bringing “stability” to the Middle East. Again, against all forms of logic, how in the heck is US “success” possible in the Iraqi civil war?

Yup!

Richmond @ 28

JF @ 13

Is Iran a threat? Possibly.
Do I trust the Bush admin to tell the truth? Absolutely not.

Does something need to be done about Iran? Possibly.
Do I trust the Bush admin to do it competently and in the best interests of ths US? Absolutely not.

Is Iran more a threat to the U.S. (i.e. the traditional 50 state boundary of the U.S.) than North Korea, say, or Pakistan, no?

Does something need to be done about Iran? Not by us. If there are concerns, Europe should be charged with this (not us) since they are closer and the complexities of Iran vis-a-vis Russia are strategically closer to them too.

Do I trust Bush to do it right? No. Particularly with AIP*C largely dictating related US policy in the ME.

As Juan Cole has pointed out, Iran has not attacked another country for over a hundred years. “Influence” in Iraq does not justify war as a response. Regional hegemony or influence in the region is certainly something that it’s in America’s interest to counter, but again, that doesn’t mean war.

It’s just another round of one-note Bushism — “war is always the last resort, as long as we can take all the others off the list first.”

Is the Magic gone?

Will Bush pull a Britney tonight?

Biodun @ 42

Richmond @ 28:

Is Iran more a threat to the U.S. (i.e. the traditional 50 state boundary of the U.S.) than North Korea, say, or Pakistan, no?

The lid is about to blow off in Pakistan. I have been following with some interest the Musharraf-Nawaz Sharif-Benezir Bhutto scenario (against the background of the Pakistani Supreme Court ruling allowing the exiles to return), the US maneuvers encouraging Musharraf to ally with Bhutto, and the US silent response to Musharraf arresting Sharif at the airport in Islamabad and his subsequent deportation back to Saudi Arabia.

Pakistan is about to blow up. Meanwhile, Condi and others are talking about a phantom US success bringing “stability” to the Middle East. Again, against all forms of logic, how in the heck is US “success” possible in the Iraqi civil war?

Have you seen this yet? Via Juan Cole.

radiofreewill @ 47

Is the Magic gone?

Will Bush pull a Britney tonight?

You mean, dance around in a bikini?

Redshift @ 38:

Precisely. Iraq is a farrago of Shia and Sunni militias, the Mahdi paramilitary, Baathists, corrupt Iraqi military soldiers, Al-Qaeda in Iraq (or Mesopotamia), ragtag jihadist freelancers, US armed forces, and so-called “Coalition” forces.

JF at 49 — Oh, gawd. Now I have to find the bleach to save my brain from that mental image…

JF @ 49

radiofreewill @ 47

Is the Magic gone?

Will Bush pull a Britney tonight?

You mean, dance around in a bikini?

Ow! My eyes!

Redshift @ 46

Richmond @ 28

Is Iran more a threat to the U.S. (i.e. the traditional 50 state boundary of the U.S.) than North Korea, say, or Pakistan, no?

Does something need to be done about Iran? Not by us. If there are concerns, Europe should be charged with this (not us) since they are closer and the complexities of Iran vis-a-vis Russia are strategically closer to them too.

Do I trust Bush to do it right? No. Particularly with AIP*C largely dictating related US policy in the ME.

As Juan Cole has pointed out, Iran has not attacked another country for over a hundred years. “Influence” in Iraq does not justify war as a response. Regional hegemony or influence in the region is certainly something that it’s in America’s interest to counter, but again, that doesn’t mean war.

It’s just another round of one-note Bushism — “war is always the last resort, as long as we can take all the others off the list first.”

Yup. But try to explain that to the Neo-Cons. As my local neo-con neighbor (who has a tag on his car saying “Is*ael-the only real M.E. Democracy) says “I have never known an Arab who wasn’t a snarling dog or a lizard.” This is the same guy who got the local NPR affiliate to stop “supporting on air the Palestinian cause” on the air with “our donations and tax dollars.” Sweet.

Redshift @ 46

It’s just another round of one-note Bushism — “war is always the last resort, as long as we can take all the others off the list first.”

I think it is usually eighth:

1. Biking
2. Really wanting a drink
3. Golf
4. Really wanting a drink
5. Brush clearing
6. Really wanting a dring
7. War
8. Having a bigass drink

Nemo @ 52

JF @ 49

You mean, dance around in a bikini?

Ow! My eyes!

Well, off to lunch!

Oh…and Go Mountaineers! *g*

Flynt Leverett middle east expert… on Iran. This guy quit the Bush administration just before the invasion of Iraq because he disagree with their policy

http://www.cfr.org/publication/10326/

Leverett: Bush Administration ‘Not Serious’ About Dealing With Iran

Interviewer:
Bernard Gwertzman, Consulting Editor
Interviewee:
Flynt Leverett

March 31, 2006

Flynt Leverett Flynt L. Leverett, who served in senior posts at the National Security Council, the State Department and the Central Intelligence Agency, says that the United States has gotten itself into a diplomatic dilemma with Iran “because we essentially don’t have a strategy” for dealing with the Iranian nuclear issue. Asserting that the Bush administration rejected an invitation made by Iran in 2003 to open a strategic dialogue, Leverett says that Bush “is, on this issue, very, very resistant to the idea of doing a deal, even a deal that would solve the nuclear problem.”

Flynt is at the New America foundation. Lots of articles there by him and others having to do with Iran
http://www.newamerica.net/pres…..n_and_iraq

JF @ 49

radiofreewill @ 47

Is the Magic gone?

Will Bush pull a Britney tonight?

You mean, dance around in a bikini?

Laughed out loud. Thanks

Ahhh, my dear Redd Hedd, it seems you are in a pretty good mood this morning.
And may I say this one is a keeper?

– Neal Volz entered the latest plea (H/T to petwrecker) in the Jack Abramoff/Bob Ney/you name it GOP sweepstakes investigation.

Sweepstakes, Thats a good one!

Redshift @ 46

Richmond @ 28

Is Iran more a threat to the U.S. (i.e. the traditional 50 state boundary of the U.S.) than North Korea, say, or Pakistan, no?

Does something need to be done about Iran? Not by us. If there are concerns, Europe should be charged with this (not us) since they are closer and the complexities of Iran vis-a-vis Russia are strategically closer to them too.

Do I trust Bush to do it right? No. Particularly with AIP*C largely dictating related US policy in the ME.

As Juan Cole has pointed out, Iran has not attacked another country for over a hundred years. “Influence” in Iraq does not justify war as a response. Regional hegemony or influence in the region is certainly something that it’s in America’s interest to counter, but again, that doesn’t mean war.

It’s just another round of one-note Bushism — “war is always the last resort, as long as we can take all the others off the list first.”

The reasons for the coming Iran war are shifting just like they did for Iraq. First it was “they’ve got nucular weapons.” Then it was “they’ll get nucular weapons.” Then, “they’re killin’ our troops.” Now, it’s “their weapons are killin’ our troops.”

JF @ 49

radiofreewill @ 47

Is the Magic gone?

Will Bush pull a Britney tonight?

You mean, dance around in a bikini?

High on anti-depressives, with beer gut showing, and lip-synching (Cheney? the oil barons? AIP*C?)-and even doing that wrong while throwing a tantrum to boot.

By the way, Bush’s new hazy speech, forgetting where he is etc – I bet his Docs have him on some heavy anti-depression drugs as well.

I’m beginning to think the family values crowd unconsciously wants the Ten Commandents displayed on every corner not for the unsaved but for themselves. They seem to have a lot of trouble remembering the commandments. Thou shalt not bear false witness is one that doesn’t sink in.

Christy Hardin Smith @ 56

Oh…and Go Mountaineers! *g*

Who does Appalachian play this weekend? ;)

Richmond sounds like this guy is a member of Bill Kristol and Micheal Ledeen’s “Hate the Arabs” club.

Dems could refuse to let a bill to continue war funding to come up for a vote I suppose- in that event- Clusterfuck says he would get the money elsewhere- continuing the war- but emphasizing that the troops were in grave danger cause he couldn’t buy enough gizmos to protect em…

That, I believe, is the war game scenario.

So who wins if it plays out like that? Beats me.

JF @ 49

radiofreewill @ 47

Is the Magic gone?

Will Bush pull a Britney tonight?

You mean, dance around in a bikini?

Even better, with the same “I’m naked!” look in his eye.

JF @ 49

radiofreewill @ 47

Is the Magic gone?

Will Bush pull a Britney tonight?

You mean, dance around in a bikini?

When the Emperor has no clothes, a bikini would be an improvement, like he’s all covered up.

Kathleen @ 41

Do you think the “real Republicans” could pull themselves out of their hole by standing on “real values” (they could pretend for a while) and trumping the Democrats by calling for the Impeachment of Bush and Cheney based on their many crimes (just pick one).

We know a Republican controlled congress demanded that a President testify under oath about a BJ and then voted to Impeach him. It stands that they might find it worth their while (know they have been unable to do it for the right reasons) to hold the traitors to the Republican party accountable for the WMD Intelligence snowjob.
They could capture the “real Republicans” vote who have been straying and even capture quite a few Democrats this way.

Talk about trumping the Democrats, that would be quite the burn. Just dreamin.

There aren’t enough “real Republicans” to pull it off (if indeed there are any left at all who do more than talk a good game). They could only do it by allying with a lot of Democrats, so I don’t think we have to worry too much about being trumped. They might gain power in their party, but at the expense of drastically weakening it. There aren’t enough “real Republican” voters to replace the loss of the wingnut and Christianist authoritarians who don’t believe the things the administration has done are crimes. And I don’t think there’s a movement waiting in the wings to carry them back quickly, as there was after Nixon.

It would be a good thing for the country if not for the party, but the number of Republicans who would consider it on that basis is even smaller.

JF @49 the image is strong. Will be chuckling all day!

Biodun @ 50

Redshift @ 38:

Precisely. Iraq is a farrago of Shia and Sunni militias, the Mahdi paramilitary, Baathists, corrupt Iraqi military soldiers, Al-Qaeda in Iraq (or Mesopotamia), ragtag jihadist freelancers, US armed forces, and so-called “Coalition” forces.

And don’t forget the just plain criminal element that just want to cash in on the kidnapping for money and other brutal for pay crimes.

Oh, but Christy — Republicans always deal with their criminals right away! Pat Buchanan said so on Dan Abrams last night — “Foley was out the next day!” he said, before blathering on about Gerry Studds.

Helpless Dancer @ 48:

Many thanks for that link! Here’s the interesting bit from it:

So the Pakistani state is one by one shedding its legal-constitutional, Islamic, democratic, and national legitimacy.

And this happened in the state where (1) Usama bin Laden is currently living, having reconstituted the core structures of al-Qaida; (2) the military has nuclear weapons and recently tested a missile delivery system; and (3) President Bush removed Ambassador Ryan Crocker in November to send him to Iraq, the “central front in the War on Terror,” leaving the US ambassadorship vacant during most of this crisis.

Also, in the past few decades, the Pakistani milirary has thoroughly and steathily embedded itself is all aspects of Pakistani state and public space: in government, in the civil service, in the judiciary, and in the legislature. Basically, the military is running all aspects of life in Pakistan. Stability in the Middle East indeed. BushCo is pathetically and pathologically and delusionally focused on Iraq, the so-called central front in the global War on Terror. Some people are surely laughing their head off somewhere.

Here’s the surge politics in a nutshell–NBC Poll:

“The proportion of Americans who say the war remains winnable has edged up to 37% from 32% in July, while the majority who say it isn’t has diminished to 56% from 62%. The proportion saying the troop surge is helping the situation on the ground has risen to 33% from 29% in July and 24% in April.

Mr. Bush’s approval rating on Iraq still is paltry, at 30%. But that is up from 22% in July, while approval for his handling of the economy remained unchanged at 38%. The change in his Iraq approval rating, driven by improved marks among Republicans, independents and men, pushed Mr. Bush’s overall approval rating up to 33%, from 31% in July.”

The increase in support for the Clusterfuck is almost ALL Gooper- dems and indies still hate it and him.

So what’s the big deal?

Well this has been about Goopers all year- will they hold in their support or break ranks with the pres…with the new support numbers from goopers and primaries comin up- goopers can’t afford to cross the idiot prince in public…bottom line- the war will go on.

The next battle in this war, of course- is the 08 general election- and the gooper problem is that the more they please the “base” now- the worse it might go for em in the general. That’s why they want an Iraq bill that expresses some mild disapproval but no real change- if Reid gives em that bill, he’s some kind of idiot- or a genius that I can’t appreciate.

(notwhithstanding that some dems need the ability to vote on such a bill as well).

Ann in AZ @ 18

In regard to Dolittle running, Craig fighting to keep his seat, Spector backing Craig up, and any other Repug balking about scandals that you can think of recently, I am getting a real kick out of it. I think it’s a matter of, “I’ve been a good Republican for years, walked in lockstep even when I really didn’t believe, and now you’re throwing me under the bus! The nerve! I’ll show you! I won’t go down without a fight! If that inconveniences you, too damn bad! In fact, all the better. Payback’s a bitch, baby!”

Ditto. Pass the popcorn!

Kathleen @ 69

JF @49 the image is strong. Will be chuckling all day!

Sorry ’bout that.

OT-but just a very cool scientific innovation for bibliophiles, science geeks & lovers of antiquities…

snip>
‘Super-scope’ to see hidden texts

The hidden content in ancient works could be illuminated by a light source 10 billion times brighter than the Sun.

The technique employs Britain’s new facility, the Diamond synchrotron, and could be used on works such as the Dead Sea Scrolls or musical scores by Bach.

Intense light beams will enable scientists to uncover the text in scrolls and books without having to open – and potentially damage – them.

The research was presented at the British Association science festival.

JF @ 49

radiofreewill @ 47

Is the Magic gone?

Will Bush pull a Britney tonight?

You mean, dance around in a bikini?

o.O

brain bleach!

The reved-up machine, eyes off the ball in Pakistan, with plans for the days ahead:

The day after his televised address, Bush was expected to reinforce the message with remarks from a Marine base in Quantico, Va., just outside Washington, and with the White House’s release of an Iraq status report required by Congress.

As part of the public relations flurry, Vice President Dick Cheney planned to travel to the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Museum in Michigan and MacDill Air Force Base in Florida. Iraq also was chosen as the topic for Bush’s weekly Saturday radio address, and administration officials were being offered to television networks for Sunday news show appearances.

ironranger @ 62

I’m beginning to think the family values crowd unconsciously wants the Ten Commandents displayed on every corner not for the unsaved but for themselves. They seem to have a lot of trouble remembering the commandments. Thou shalt not bear false witness is one that doesn’t sink in.

Ain’t that the truth! ;)

You can boil the clusterfuck PR strategy on Iraq into a joke line that he used early in his presidency:

“You can some of the people all of the time- and those are the ones ya have ta concentrate on”

He’s gotten the goopers to go along with him yet again.

Yesterday I registered some voters. All registered as D except one. Two were first-time registrants. One changed from R to D.

There was one R. She was a nut case. I won’t go into all the nuttiness. Her husband mentioned “morals.” Which went over great with me. I think by morals he means only one thing: abortion. Otherwise, he had nothing to say about the Senator of Bathroom Stall and the Representative of Diaper-Wearing-Prostitute-Seekers.

And the shiny example of Al-Anbar Province may be moribund:

Meanwhile, Abdul-Satter Abu Risha, the most prominent figure in a revolt of Sunni sheiks against al-Qaida in Iraq, was killed Thursday in an explosion near his home in Anbar province, said police in Iraq and a spokesman for U.S. commanding Gen. David Petraeus, who has been in Washington this week.

He was leader of the Anbar Salvation Council, also known as the Anbar Awakening — an alliance of clans backing the Iraqi government and U.S. forces — and was among a group of tribal leaders who met with Bush earlier this month at al-Asad Air Base in Anbar province.

Breaking news…

Welcome to Ramadan .

Wasn’t this the guy that Amy Goodman’s guest on Tuesday , Rick Rowley, was talking about?

Kathleen @ 41

I have not found enough real Republicans nor Conservatives to make up the Republican Party. We continue to call them conservatives when they are right-wing. We continue to call them Republicans when they are the NeoConservative Party. Perhaps we would do ourselves and others a service by ceasing to use the terms Conservative and Republican when we refer to them and replace it with Right-wing and NeoConservative.

This is worth a look!

Naomi Klein – The Shock Doctrine VIDEO

Kathleen @ 64

Richmond sounds like this guy is a member of Bill Kristol and Micheal Ledeen’s “Hate the Arabs” club.

And then some. Really sad. He is (was) a smart guy, liberal etc. It is like a disease takes over in their minds and they lose all rationality and perspective.

kdh22 @ 79

ironranger @ 62

I’m beginning to think the family values crowd unconsciously wants the Ten Commandents displayed on every corner not for the unsaved but for themselves. They seem to have a lot of trouble remembering the commandments. Thou shalt not bear false witness is one that doesn’t sink in.

Ain’t that the truth! ;)

remember when Congressman Westmoreland (R-GA) who’s all for having the 10 Commandments in every courtroom, but he couldn’t even come up with more than like three for Colbert?

ironranger @ 62

I’m beginning to think the family values crowd unconsciously wants the Ten Commandents displayed on every corner not for the unsaved but for themselves. They seem to have a lot of trouble remembering the commandments. Thou shalt not bear false witness is one that doesn’t sink in.

I think all Repug candidates should be asked to recite the ten commandments before they are taken seriously as candidates for public office.

nonplussed @ 76

OT-but just a very cool scientific innovation for bibliophiles, science geeks & lovers of antiquities…

snip>
‘Super-scope’ to see hidden texts

The hidden content in ancient works could be illuminated by a light source 10 billion times brighter than the Sun.

The technique employs Britain’s new facility, the Diamond synchrotron, and could be used on works such as the Dead Sea Scrolls or musical scores by Bach.

Intense light beams will enable scientists to uncover the text in scrolls and books without having to open – and potentially damage – them.

The research was presented at the British Association science festival.

This sort of insight is ALSO why I love FDL. Thanks, that’s fascinating.

Ann in AZ @ 88

ironranger @ 62

I’m beginning to think the family values crowd unconsciously wants the Ten Commandents displayed on every corner not for the unsaved but for themselves. They seem to have a lot of trouble remembering the commandments. Thou shalt not bear false witness is one that doesn’t sink in.

I think all Repug candidates should be asked to recite the ten commandments before they are taken seriously as candidates for public office.

And the great irony is that Mass has one of the lowest Abortion rates (yet no pro-”life” laws) and lowest divorce laws (yet gay marriage is legal). Go figure. Or, um, you have gone a long way toward figuring it out.

Biodun @ 82

And the shiny example of Al-Anbar Province may be moribund:

Meanwhile, Abdul-Satter Abu Risha, the most prominent figure in a revolt of Sunni sheiks against al-Qaida in Iraq, was killed Thursday in an explosion near his home in Anbar province, said police in Iraq and a spokesman for U.S. commanding Gen. David Petraeus, who has been in Washington this week.

He was leader of the Anbar Salvation Council, also known as the Anbar Awakening — an alliance of clans backing the Iraqi government and U.S. forces — and was among a group of tribal leaders who met with Bush earlier this month at al-Asad Air Base in Anbar province.

Marcy had a post up calling him our latest rent-a-thug. They will probably blame it on the terrorists, but it was most likely his peers who did him in.

bg @ 81

Yesterday I registered some voters. All registered as D except one. Two were first-time registrants. One changed from R to D.

There was one R. She was a nut case. I won’t go into all the nuttiness. Her husband mentioned “morals.” Which went over great with me. I think by morals he means only one thing: abortion. Otherwise, he had nothing to say about the Senator of Bathroom Stall and the Representative of Diaper-Wearing-Prostitute-Seekers.

Hence the reason a Republican congress/administration will NEVER overturn roe v. wade. To remove that bright shiny from the grasp of the terminally righteous is to invite them to switch to a party that actually cares about people. Now, on the other hand, would you actually want those people, who cannot think for themselves, to be voting democrats?

In theory, no, I don’t want people voting with me unless they’ve formulated their own ideas. In practice, if it keeps us out of illegal, preemptive wars, I guess I’ll take it; but, again, a Republican administration will never, ever lay down that marker. It is the mother of all divisiveness and it is their bread and butter.

neil @ 85

This is worth a look!

Naomi Klein – The Shock Doctrine VIDEO

I’m so glad she’s back!

No congress can overturn Roe V Wade– only the supreme court can do it.

Now, honestly, how stupid are you to leave threatening phone messages on the answering machine of an aide you believe to be cooperating with authorities? Doesn’t that just scream “arrest my sorry ass”?

Stupid like that Colorado congresscritter who left answering machine messages that threatened a couple of constituents with “consequences” after they wrote a letter to the editor critical of his policies.

Whatever it is that makes them nuts, it’s in the water cooler in the Rethug meeting room.

Richmond @ 86

Kathleen @ 64

Richmond sounds like this guy is a member of Bill Kristol and Micheal Ledeen’s “Hate the Arabs” club.

And then some. Really sad. He is (was) a smart guy, liberal etc. It is like a disease takes over in their minds and they lose all rationality and perspective.

This is where many but not all Jewish liberals go rigid radical and right wing

Kathleen @ 96

Richmond @ 86

And then some. Really sad. He is (was) a smart guy, liberal etc. It is like a disease takes over in their minds and they lose all rationality and perspective.

This is where many but not all Jewish liberals go rigid radical and right wing

Yup.

rwcole @ 94

No congress can overturn Roe V Wade– only the supreme court can do it.

Point taken. No Republican administration would actively seek to have the supreme court overturn Roe V Wade…Not without serious infighting in the seamy back rooms of the hegemony.

johnSwifty @ 98

rwcole @ 94

No congress can overturn Roe V Wade– only the supreme court can do it.

Point taken. No Republican administration would actively seek to have the supreme court overturn Roe V Wade…Not without serious infighting in the seamy back rooms of the hegemony.

I don’t know this one has certainly as hell tried. And they are coming pretty close with the last decision.

johnSwifty @ 92

bg @ 81

Yesterday I registered some voters. All registered as D except one. Two were first-time registrants. One changed from R to D.

There was one R. She was a nut case. I won’t go into all the nuttiness. Her husband mentioned “morals.” Which went over great with me. I think by morals he means only one thing: abortion. Otherwise, he had nothing to say about the Senator of Bathroom Stall and the Representative of Diaper-Wearing-Prostitute-Seekers.

Hence the reason a Republican congress/administration will NEVER overturn roe v. wade. To remove that bright shiny from the grasp of the terminally righteous is to invite them to switch to a party that actually cares about people. Now, on the other hand, would you actually want those people, who cannot think for themselves, to be voting democrats?

In theory, no, I don’t want people voting with me unless they’ve formulated their own ideas. In practice, if it keeps us out of illegal, preemptive wars, I guess I’ll take it; but, again, a Republican administration will never, ever lay down that marker. It is the mother of all divisiveness and it is their bread and butter.

And it is that nutcase that will get to pick the GOP nominee. Which is why it probably won’t be Guliani.

Elliott @ 87

kdh22 @ 79

Ain’t that the truth! ;)

remember when Congressman Westmoreland (R-GA) who’s all for having the 10 Commandments in every courtroom, but he couldn’t even come up with more than like three for Colbert?

I didn’t hear about that…lol…figures!

John

I agree that gooper politicians are scared shitless of the possibility of Rove/Wade being reversed.

It takes away their ace in the hole with the snakehandlers-and it creates an INCREDIBLE backlash that they might never recover from.

Abortion has been a backburner issue for dems for years- because of Roe—take it away and it moves to the front and millions of angry americans go to the polls.

Trouble is- gooper presidents have put supreme court justices onto the court who may vote to reverse anyway- they don’t have to stand for election.

Helpless Dancer @ 91

Biodun @ 82

And the shiny example of Al-Anbar Province may be moribund:

Marcy had a post up calling him our latest rent-a-thug. They will probably blame it on the terrorists, but it was most likely his peers who did him in.

Lie down with dogs and you get…….dead?

Meanwhile, make of this what you will:

Filed at 11:31 a.m. ET

WASHINGTON (AP) — Only a third of the public is satisfied with the job President Bush is doing and even fewer are pleased with Congress, according to a poll by The Associated Press and Ipsos released Thursday.

With the clash between Bush and congressional Democrats over Iraq continuing to dominate the news, 33 percent said they approve of Bush’s performance. That essentially matched his all-time low of 32 percent measured several times in the AP-Ipsos survey, a level that has barely changed since late last year.

Bush’s approval on various issues ranged from 40 percent on foreign policy and terrorism to 33 percent on Iraq. But he wasn’t the only one whose popularity was in the doldrums.

Congress’ 26 percent approval was also about the same as its low point since Democrats took control this year, which was 24 percent in July.

rwcole @ 65

Dems could refuse to let a bill to continue war funding to come up for a vote I suppose- in that event- Clusterfuck says he would get the money elsewhere- continuing the war- but emphasizing that the troops were in grave danger cause he couldn’t buy enough gizmos to protect em…

Beg pardon, but there is no elsewhere to get money from! The Congress has not passed the Defense appropriation bill for FY 2008, and the current funding for the Defense Department ends midnight September 30th, 2007.

If an appropriation bill, supplemental, or continuing resolution are not in place at 12:01am October 1, 2007, for all intents and purposes the money does not exist.

AP this AM:

An associate and fellow sheik, Jubeir Rashid, said members of the council expected attempts on Abu Risha’s life, but vowed that “it will not deter us.”

“It is a major blow to the council, but we are determined to strike back and continue our work,” Rashid said, according to the Associated Press.

So there you have it straight from the horse’s mouth – “determined to strike back” the first order of business.

Ask any anthropologist and they will tell you most cultures on this planet are vendetta cultures.

So what do I expect from the White House? Some statement like this is proof the surge is working. It shows how desperate they are.

kdh22 @ 101

Elliott @ 87

remember when Congressman Westmoreland (R-GA) who’s all for having the 10 Commandments in every courtroom, but he couldn’t even come up with more than like three for Colbert?

I didn’t hear about that…lol…figures!

Here.

QuakerGirl @ 84

Kathleen @ 41

I have not found enough real Republicans nor Conservatives to make up the Republican Party. We continue to call them conservatives when they are right-wing. We continue to call them Republicans when they are the NeoConservative Party. Perhaps we would do ourselves and others a service by ceasing to use the terms Conservative and Republican when we refer to them and replace it with Right-wing and NeoConservative.

my daughter asked me what a “conservative” is the other day. Boy was that a toughie.

QuakerGirl @ 84

Kathleen @ 41

I have not found enough real Republicans nor Conservatives to make up the Republican Party. We continue to call them conservatives when they are right-wing. We continue to call them Republicans when they are the NeoConservative Party. Perhaps we would do ourselves and others a service by ceasing to use the terms Conservative and Republican when we refer to them and replace it with Right-wing and NeoConservative.

Not all Republicans are “right wing” and they are certainly not all “neo-cons”. Hell Pat Buchanan, William Buckley, Kevin Phillips were all writing about the radicals that took over the Republican party years ago.

Sufilizard @22 Sorry you in my mind forgot the biggest RAT PRES. G. FORD

Dan Abrams had Diaper Dave Vitter’s favorite New Orleans prostitute and Larry Flynt on Tuesday night’s show.
Flynt contrasted the importance of protecting Vitter’s seat from a Democratic governor’s democratic appointment of Vitter’s replacement AND the importance of dumping Craig in Minnesota.

The R’s are forced to tolerate and keep Vitter and do damage control while its more expedient to throw Craig under the bus (his seat is safe for R’s b/c of Minnesota’s Republican goopernor). R’s fear that if Craig keeps his seat and runs next year he may be toast. Family Values are a bitch when you’re caught with your pants down.

Well, last night, Abrams said that the reason for the inconsistent treatment of the two is because the Craig issue is a gay one. To recant the story thus was a bit of ass covering on the part of MSNBC.

The Flynt explanation is far more accurate and therefore it is less widely disseminated in the MSM. It is unfortunate that Flynt’s speaking voice and syntax is so poor. I fear that many missed his important point.

Richmond @ 99

I don’t know this one has certainly as hell tried. And they are coming pretty close with the last decision.

And it was singularly deplorable. I am cynical, of course, but I saw that legislation as absolutely nothing other than this administration throwing a bone to the kool aid crowd. That is the most deplorable aspect, in my mind. That they would circumvent the better judgment of a medical professional in an effort to protect a woman’s health, merely to make political points with the base. It disgusts me still.

Yes, this group will whittle at anything regarding a civil liberty that any American Citizen might ever poses (with the possible exception of the right to bear arms — fur now); but they won’t give up the divisive motherload, not yet anyway.

rwcole @ 102

John

I agree that gooper politicians are scared shitless of the possibility of Rove/Wade being reversed.

It takes away their ace in the hole with the snakehandlers-and it creates an INCREDIBLE backlash that they might never recover from.

Abortion has been a backburner issue for dems for years- because of Roe—take it away and it moves to the front and millions of angry americans go to the polls.

Trouble is- gooper presidents have put supreme court justices onto the court who may vote to reverse anyway- they don’t have to stand for election.

I have another explanation. I think that (unlike what Rove would have us believe) they do not do everything because they think it would benefit the party. (the same of course in spades for the Dems). Rather, the Rethugs are the party of Emotions Central: the 10 Commandments, abortion, gay marriage, anti-immigrants, patriotism, the flag, motherhood above all else, law and order. They thrive on emotion. And the abortion issue (all those dead babies every time a woman menstruates or shaves her legs (cells)-they just can’t help themselves but attack. Look at the wording of the last supreme court decision (saving women from themselves) spare me, it is again, emotion over rationality.

kdh22 @ 101

Elliott @ 87

remember when Congressman Westmoreland (R-GA) who’s all for having the 10 Commandments in every courtroom, but he couldn’t even come up with more than like three for Colbert?

I didn’t hear about that…lol…figures!

It’s a classic!

Biodun @ 104

Meanwhile, make of this what you will:

Filed at 11:31 a.m. ET

That is because they want Congress to do something about this war. That is why the Dems were elected so handily i the last election.

WASHINGTON (AP) — Only a third of the public is satisfied with the job President Bush is doing and even fewer are pleased with Congress, according to a poll by The Associated Press and Ipsos released Thursday.

With the clash between Bush and congressional Democrats over Iraq continuing to dominate the news, 33 percent said they approve of Bush’s performance. That essentially matched his all-time low of 32 percent measured several times in the AP-Ipsos survey, a level that has barely changed since late last year.

Bush’s approval on various issues ranged from 40 percent on foreign policy and terrorism to 33 percent on Iraq. But he wasn’t the only one whose popularity was in the doldrums.

Congress’ 26 percent approval was also about the same as its low point since Democrats took control this year, which was 24 percent in July.

kdh22 @ 101

Elliott @ 87

remember when Congressman Westmoreland (R-GA) who’s all for having the 10 Commandments in every courtroom, but he couldn’t even come up with more than like three for Colbert?

I didn’t hear about that…lol…figures!

It’s a classic!

Tribals could have killed Abu Reesha – just for the pictures of him breaking bread with Bush.

They aren’t ready for that. They want us to leave first, then maybe we can talk.

Abu Reesha jumped the gun…

Looseheadprop has a new post upstairs:

Internet Access To Federal Criminal Cases

Watching the General and Ambassador yesterday, not considering whether to agree, at least these 2 could put 2 sentences together. I have never understood this war: like, Now why is it we invade Iraq? Think of those trying to do the explaining. Well, yes, there is W. And Cheney with Brain damage; Condi with contempt and snark; Rummy with arrogance and condescension. Was there anyone who could speak in the way to make an arguement, look at something from various points of view, consider outcomes? To think W had the b** to say Language is important; who gave him that script? Yeah, I guess I’ve forgotten Ashcroft, Ari, Scott, Snow, now Perino, and belligerent Tenet. Send this people to critical thinking, elocution school: do you have to be a Dem (Clintons, Edwards, Obama) to speak the King’s English (Is that a pun?) Or, the Emperor has no words, let alone truth.

egregious @ 11

As Howie points out, Rep. John Doolittle is running again, much to the GOP caucus’ dismay.

…
Charlie Brown for Congress
…
BlueAmerica contributions here please!

Think the voters won’t have figured it out by now — Charlie Brown was the right choice before and will be again.

perris @ 37

– According to Rep. John Boehner, Iraq is a small price to pay. Oh, really?

why doesn’t anyone ask him which of HIS kids lives is he willing invest so HE can “pay this small price”
…
what KIND of retardation is THIS?

So far Dubya hasn’t been able to face Cindy Sheehan and tell her it was “a small price to pay”. And, so far Dubya hasn’t sent his own children to “pay a small price”.

Indeed, what kind of sick statement is that? What’s the matter with these sick Republicans?