So?

Jane – that was in the cards from the very beginning. Blackwater’s business is to make money…they are always going to be looking for something to put in the front end of the “sales pipeline.” War and misery is just good business for them.

This sounds like Groundhog Day for the MIC…except they keep movin’ the hole.

Hi Jane.

Have you been following the efforts of small Texas towns to keep the fed govt (and presumably Blackwater) from building the fence?

Links about the fight to keep the fence from being built:

http://www.elpasotimes.com/ci_8619684
http://feeds.chron.com/~r/hous…..30515.html
http://joshingpolitics.blogspo…..gh-it.html
http://www.star-telegram.com/n…..75322.html

I had a Guatemalan boarder for a couple weeks. A friend hired him to dig ditches. He ended up the way I found him, bicycling to Orlando in search of greener pastures (and an expanded latino community). Rudy no habla ingles.

Can we please get rid of Heath Shuler?

Blackwater apparently gave up on Potrero CA, but there’s a new entity they’ve created that could sneak up on us and resume where Blackwater left off. Watch out for Greystone Ltd.

Other private security/military firms are likely to try the same thing, too; keep your eyes peeled on requests for tax abatements and grants by firms who claim to have worked for the government as contractors.

and people wonder why th eParty has shifted to the right? Must have more Democrats, even if they aren’t.

Hi Jane…

I love you…from Hong Kong…(ducking again…*G*)

Military Contractors: Bye-Bye Iraq, Hello US/Mexico Border

this might mean the war is ending soon…I would much rather the border windfall then the war windfall for these profiteers

I was a boarder once…

border obviously…right, Jane?

Im in TN, next to Shulers district. They got him over the worst Repug. But I agree he is a loser.

Don’t you live in NYC?

My teen keeps complaining that he’s boarder than ever cause we don’t have an x-box.

Mexicans crossing the border can then be boarders with the McCain family in AZ…

right, Jane?

yes he does…

Blackwater morphs into Greystone? Oh, how clever of them…the next one will be Bluefire? Or Redaire? Sheesh…

Refresh your browser and I think you will see it’s been fixed.

Thanks to all for pointing it out.

Never thought I’d be paraphrasing Ronny Ray-gun:

Mr. Bush, tear down that wall!

:-)

SCOTUS told Mr. Bush he couldn’t override the Texas legal system. Maybe he’ll be told he can’t override Texas “landscaping” either….

Geez, mom!! Get with it. Don’t you know EVERYBODY has an x-box (whatever that is) DUUUUUUHHHHHH!!!!

;~P

Jane you look 20 yrs younger!

Beware of the unregulated militia that calls itself blackwater.

They intend to trademark “Earth tones”. You’ll never look at understated colors the same ever again.

Maybe all the brush will be safe now.

Greystone

http://www.greystone-ltd.com/

O/T question: why does Dan Abrams have a teleivision show or better question, what is the purpose of his show?

Star-Telegram link only works a little. Good to see that there is some local opposition, though. The wall is another giant Bushco boondoggle for pals like Blackwater and Haliburger. Another great way to help bankrupt the country so that it can drown in a bathtub.

or the bounties it offered to government employees

Sounds like the Fugitive Slave Act.

The pre-Civil War bounty others weren’t very careful about whether they turned in an actual escaped slave. I doubt modern day bounty-hunters will be any different.

Exactly why he can go play it at THEIR house!

He’s got a big ego????

Did you get my forwarded email?

…or you could make your teen a “boarder”, hmmmm?

I look at this from a purely private standpoint, since I drive over to the States to gas up every weekend. I am not looking forward to having some guy look at my Canadian passport, notice my US birthplace, and put me through the 3rd degree to find out why I left 40 years ago (4Y, like Howard Dean, by thye way). I’ve had the first and first and a half degree already. These guys have quotas to fill. I’m easy.

There’s nothing from you in my InBox today.

Bounties!? That is truly obscene.

Brings many horrific historical precedents to mind.

y’all are both on facebook

well.

It’s Dan’s Verdict.

You know, he decides the verdict in advance, invites some people in to get their POV and then delivers the very same verdict anyway…in an attempt to seem “fair and balanced” amidst a bunch of people talking over one another.

a waste of space and time imho.

Suggested edit:

And once again — thank fuck you, Rahm Emanuel.

RGB is on Facebook as what exactly? As RGB or as something else?

That given, I sent a message to the general box at FDL for forwarding.
How can I get Your addy?
Thank you.

click on the little f next to his name

…am not sure how to handle this one, so here goes:

demi:

are you trying to cause some trouble here?

Actually, it looks like FB decided to disable that account.

And Demi, ygm.

Bueller?

think he took the day off teach

Speaking of “Fair and Balanced,” didn’t Pox Newz just hold some sort of on-air fundraiser for McCandyCain?

Since they have such a long history now of being one-sided, and now this, seems like they could be accused of false advertising, since a slogan is clearly advertising. Aren’t there laws for truth in advertising? Could be a worthwhile pursuit is so.

Really quiet at the lake tonight… amd as per usual, I got nuttin.

OT but important:

U.S. may withhold names of retailers in all but ‘greatest risk’ meat recalls 26 Mar 2008 Under pressure from the food industry, the Agriculture Agribusiness Department is considering a proposal not to identify retailers where tainted meat went for sale except in cases of serious health risk, The Associated Press has learned. Had that been the rule in place last month, consumers would not have been told if their supermarkets sold meat from a Southern California slaughterhouse that triggered the biggest beef recall [143 million pounds] in U.S. history.

http://www.legitgov.org/#breaking_news

…and I can’t spell

yep–things are eerily quiet at the Lake tonight…since around 6:54 FDL…hmm…

Shouldn’t Tom Tancredo’s failed presidential campaign tell Democrats all they need to know about the importance of immigration to American voters? When not even a GOP could get any traction in his own party, why waste time on this bill of Heath Shuler’s?

Really, Rahm — your freshman Dems need something real to take home to their constituents this fall, like de-funding this damn occupation.

And some mortgage relief before every wee cul-de-sac turns into slumburbia.

And windfall taxes on the oil companies.

Get stuff done that matters, Rahm. Your freshman don’t need immigration reform — they need the people’s business tended to. A Cheney impeachment would suit just swell with most of us, too.

Relevant to the McCain broke the law FEC complaint post, it turns out I did not receive an e-mail about the petition (I signed it from here, though).

Anybody know how I can get on that mailing list?

where are they all?

I did see, however, on some news feed that Saddam bankrolled a trip by three (D) Senators/Representatives in October, 2002. Oh, here’s the linky… Little did they know that more than five years later their Amerika hating shenanigans would be x-posed…

In defense of Saddam, a dictator’s got to do what a dictator’s got to do… from a PR perspective.

;~P

I think if you sign up at the top right of this page (”FDL ACTION”) you’ll be one of the cool email kids.

well, I’m smoking a montecristo, drinking wine, and holding online office hours for my students, so i’m kinda back and forth :-) and you?

A-freaking-men, brother Teddy.

OT: State Dept violates more passport privacy

Stealth FDLers. Waiting in the wings to pounch when needed.

Or eating dinner.

Considering one of them is David Bonior, who was John Edwards’ campaign manager, I figure this indictment was originally intended to land smack on top of Edwards’ march to the convention, had he not become entangled with haircuts, hedgefunds, and houses too big for himself.

How are all the esteemed firepups tonight? I been working on a website all day, plus reading a shitload of detail on the SCOTUS V BU’USH case, tryin’ to get a better grip on its import.

my back hooked up to my machine. playing with my assorted blogs and hanging out here. monday’s csi miami on in the background.

you feeling better?

cool website!

been up and down. always feels better when i am lying down.

Thanks, Teddy.

Thought I had done that, maybe it fell through the toobz.

is the second part of Bush’s War on? that cleared folks out the other night

Thanks. Cat is off the scale fine.

Hear my first podcast, featuring him.

Yikes!

I was the latter. Back now.

So the neocons accused Saddam of sponsoring terrorists, now he stands posthumously accused of sponsoring U.S. congresspeople?

..something else is going on at FDL…but I ain’t saying anything…I’m outta the country in any case…and I’m off to dim sum and sunny Hong Kong in a few…

Have a lovely day, ladies and gentlemen…it’s almost top of Thursday morning here and it’s glorious, the sun is out and it’s 73 F…

See ya back in the States next week…I need a break from FDL for a while…things have been kinda tense lately at the Lake..

Not to mention Rummy. Recall the pic of the Big Effusive Handshake?

Blackwater will continue to seek, and if necessary provoke, business opportunities for itself worldwide. Since business opportunities for Blackwater are (by definition) wartime, strife, confrontation, calamity, and fighting, expect more of the same until these mercenary armies are outlawed.

Recall from Jeremy Scahill’s book that Blackwater employees are not just US Special Forces retirees, as scary as they can be. No, Blackwater and other mercs are also from really scary countries, from which the employees have been banished or cannot return because of changes in regime at “home.”

We have allowed to be created a shock force of for-hire killers whose corporation has a vested interest in war. Expecting anything other than a vote for chaos from Blackwater is foolishness.

They must be outlawed, worldwide.

safe travels Biodin

The US/Mexico border contractors may be hoping that the good citizens of the United States are so desperate for work that they will turn a blind eye to being ripped off again. Not going to happen. Many of my neighbors are ranting. They are so pissed. There is a real difference about this anger. It is not a hippie kind of anger but a blue collar don’t fuck with me kind of anger. Lots of these folks are retired union people.

This is what solai was worried about this morning. She said that at 7:00 eastern, there was a kind of fundraiser ($50. requested) for McCain. I haven’t seen anything about it. Have been in and out all day.

Travel safely, Biodun, see you when you return!

Thanks. Thought I had seen something while doing a quick read-through earlier.

It’s really a non-issue here in North San Diego County. I’m seeing a whole lot less workers on corners looking for work. I’ve also seen declining enrollment at school.

Speaking Rahmen Noodle, he’s the only undeclared Illinois superdelegate. Dan Lipinski (gag) went for Obama today.

http://www.chicagobusiness.com…..8;id=28718

I’ll bet they have it now that you signed the petition.

ironic, innit?

Thanks, TSF and TexBetsy–

…two of my favorites at FDL…stay outta trouble…take a deep breath, spend time with the ones you love, drink some red wine with a fine dinner, take a walk…and all that…forget ’bout FDL for a while…

At least there’s push back already, one Indian tribe has gotten a cease and desist court order and private land owners all along the border are fighting it as well…!

I do, why do you ask?

I sent ya some good karma, bro…! Stay safe! *g*

I have been gone all day, which is a first since I cannot honestly remember when. I’m thinking this: i didn’t miss much, it’s only one day, nonCongress isn’t in session, Hill is still desperate, Obi is still ahead, no poo flinging, just statin’ facts, the Shi’ites have had ENOUGH (again) (so have Suni’s), death no.s are up, Iraqi citizens are horrified and praying for Saddam daaaaz, the econ here in the USofA is STILL swirling down the bowl, and McStain has likely done or said something equally stupid and dangerous but press didn’t care, and what…… what…..
OH YEAH,
more devestation at some ice cap someplace, more planet meltage.
did i miss anything here?
BESIDES all you “pups” and the good Pats at FDL?????
I saw rock formations and awesome scenery at Moab and Bluff and Navajo Rez today. I looked at EVERY SINGLE THANG FOR EVERYONE WHO WAS HERE AND couldn’t be there, and trust me when i tell y’all,
IT IS BEAUTIFUL beyond eyeball belief!
sorry if i ramble, Margueritas after a good and sunny and red and gold SouthWest day.
u r loved.
:)

Since we’re all OT right now… Bradford Pears exploded this week. Oaks are starting to bud and shed their final dead leaves, can’t be too long before the Dogwoods and Redbuds get on it. Daffodils are ’bout done. When I walk out my front door at ’bout 10:00 pm (CDT) and Orien is still about straight up, but steeing, I know spring is just around the corner.
My favorite season.

Did you take pictures? I love the southwest.

ah, Twain, I did not. But I will next time, I promise. and i did promise meself to do this mo, and mo often, so
soon,
i promise!
otay?
:)

Well…

okay, let you off the hook just this one time :)

Yes siree neighbor.. It’s incredibly beautiful in the Ozarks this week. Today was the first time in three years I saw honey bees in my neck of the woods.. My Japonica is hosting a buffet this week.

Orien SETTING, not steeing…

Here’s a link from the past that explains the entire plan for ICE. They took the document down from their websites but the idiots were dumb enough to post the original PDF so lots of Human Rights groups have it posted.

Operation Endgame – Detention and Removal Strategy for a Secure Homeland

ICE’s own mission statement, declaration and sick outsourcing strategy.

Gorgeous down here in the ninth ward too … although I’m a bit sneezy from all the live oaks pollanating on the neutral ground … students are not ready to come back from spring break, they’re snoozing in their seats, either that or my lectures on the Aggregate Expenditure model is getting to their young brains

and while it’s still early in the season, I adorn the entire front of my humble abode with pansies, before it gets too warm…

seein double

Okay. I’m officially jealous. Snow’s barely pulled back from the sidewalks around here. Lawn edges are brown and mucky. Dog doo melts are adorning the boulevards like demented sprinkles on whipped cream gone stale, but has winter gotten to me? Driven me over the deep end? Naaaaaaaaaaaaaahhhhh.

Biodun’s lucky to be out of country. Bleeucchy as ol’ Fargo is, south MN’s sounding downright nasty.

Prairie Today: Harbingers

hit f5 or refresh

Now everybody is going to ask what a neutral ground is.

I want two things from the presumed democratic president: good judicial appointments, and Blackwater squashed like the horrid insect that it is.

it’s the middle green space in between like a boulevard street. they are every where. We call it neutral ground down here in new orleans because it used to be used as a “neutral” space between french and spanish… they were only allowed to trade and socialize there… not find

Pansies are such happy flowers.

As are daffodils.

I wish that these beautiful harbingers of hope are not so fleeting this year.

As Antarctica melts and people are dying (in our name), I fervently wish that a lasting and positive change comes to our country.

I need the emails for these people. I have found Marc Aronchick,s and Susie Buell’s came back. Are any of you close personal friends with any of these people? I need their emails.

Clarence Avant, Susie Tompkins Buell, Sim Farar, Robert L. Johnson,
Chris Korge, Marc and Cathy Lasry, Hassan Nemazee, Alan and Susan Patricof,
JB Pritzker, Amy Rao, Lynn de Rothschild, Haim Saban, Bernard Schwartz,
Stanley S. Shuman, Jay Snyder, Maureen White and Steven Rattner

well, living in a tropical zone is great until summer .. I’ll envy you in a few a months when i’m sweating like mouse in a room full of hungry cats

Sigh, clown cars at the treehouse too, have you no mercy…? ;-)

Sacramento can get to 115 in the summer. Year before last it did that for five straight days. yuk.

A womb, I mean a woman has to do what a woman has to do.

Well we went for a long walk with the pup and while out had a nice dinner and just enjoyed each others company. Now i’m hunting for something for the dessertarian.

summers get sweltery up in the north country, too. we’ve got the worst–and best–of all worlds….

ouch! sounds like you could make omlettes on the roof!

have a great night.
bu’bye

Apparently! 8-)

and why do Stewart and Colbert get so many vacations? They’re creeping into Bush range….

Mary, are they super delegates?

*APPLAUSE*!!!!!!!

Aloha, siri!

LOL !

Not just Blackwater, though this most, but all of the private contractors taking our tax dollars. We need to get back to regular Americans working union jobs with benefits and retirement.

I was in Nashville and it was 101 or 102 and I felt a little sick, I cannot imagine what 115 feels like.

*boing* simple forward dive, no splash, ‘natch

g’evening pups

hey suzanne

Heh, that’s why I appreciate the tradewinds here in the Isles… I remember the stifling heat while I was stationed at Ft. Polk… Yuk!

Evening Suzanne!
The dive is back!

Big DCCC donors and Clinton supporters

Nope. They are the rich a**holes that wrote and told Pelosi to keep her pie hole shut about the not super delegates.

She’s diving again, happy days are here again…! *g*

nate at 98 thanks for the link

howdy newt

Wow siri, I was just imagining all that you saw today. it is a beautiful part of the world. Enjoy yourself and your time there

the only thing that helps me is I’m close to the River so there’s a slight breeze off of that

Evening Betsy
How’s TX today?

Linky on letter to Pelosi

Suzanne, did you see this bit of news…?

http://latimesblogs.latimes.co…..-free.html

Where’s Nahant? We live in the same city and we have the world’s best climate – guaranteed by the City Council. Not too hot…..

spring has certainly sprung here at the little cottage by the creek in the redwoods

sigh yes

Warm and sunny. Great weather. So, of course, I had to proctor an exam inside a gym all morning. Ugh. Otherwise good. You?

Warm. Clear.
After hearing from our snowy friends, I’m ashamed of how nice it is here in the Spring.

I am sure you will get over it. :)

i’m still chilly at nites with lows down into the 30’s but no longer the low 30’s. almost time to remove the down comforters from the bed … almost

Heh, my wife was just complaining that it was getting a bit nippy…1 (ducking…)

gee ct, musta gotten down to 75 *setting glare to stun*

I lived off Zinfandel, in Davis and in South Sac for 11 years…. I know the act up there, so I have this coming :-)

Don’t stun the messenger…! 8-P

prefer cuffs?

And winter has returned to the forests of the Pacific Northwest. My kids were out dancing in the snow this evening!

he had his chance and bawk bawk bawk

Any day…! *g*

that’s just forking wrong, smgumby

Zinfandel is about five blocks from me. I forgot that you live out here.

This is a secret. I wish I was back in Sonoma or Marin or SF. shhhhhhh.

My bad, Mary – lived…
Back in teh Bay Area now.

I forgot that you live out here.

That should read
I forgot that you lived out here.

Okay. I will say it out loud.

I forking hate it here.

Watching stop-motion animated adaptation of Peter and the Wolf by Suzie Templeton on PBS’s Great Performances

It’s nice to stop in here and read talk of spring, its been a dark winter literately and figuratively with just the storms of late spring and early summer to get by. The is hope that all will be well or at least better.

argos!
Nice to see you!

you all as well

where?

Aren’t you on the California coastish?

I live in Sacramento, sort of.

Well its back to dragons and green men my web and movie break is over thank you all for informing me even though I’m rarely here these days.

Come back soon Argos.

have fun argos

The other day you mentioned that the allergens in Sonoma were really bad. But I can’t really imagine that they’re much worse than here in the Sac area. My oldest boy and I are in pollen hell every year at this time.

Thank you.

As to the post, I do fear that these mercenaries will never be out of areas we want to control.

Endless war, no accountability unless we demand it.

These pigs have no business doing business in America.

Hello?