Jay Bookman

By AJC/DNC Management

January 31, 2009 2:41 PM | Link to this

This is the government health care insaniac we are talking about, the Repugs had better make hay out of it.

But then again, just like the Treasury or Defense Department, you could always find another toady who’s ready to step up.

Like Geithner is a guru, geez.

By Mike

January 31, 2009 3:09 PM | Link to this

JAY -

Why is the AJC refusing to even acknowledge the elections in Iraq today?

You guys spent the past few years harping on every problem in Iraq, yet want to ignore today’s very positive news completely.

What possible explanation can there be for this?

By catlady

January 31, 2009 3:12 PM | Link to this

Dems should not countenance substandard appointees, anymore than we agreed witht them from the Repugs. Remember Brownie? Dems need to lead the way with ethical appointees and show the country what it is like to be governed by NON-crooks. Geithner should have been rejected by the Dems, and now Daschle’s nomination should be pulled. Unless the prospective appointee is Jesus Himself, they need to be able to withstand the scrutiny. (and He would be able to withstand it).

When you are trying to turn around a culture like Bush left, every bow to expediency should be rejected if it means we suffer leaders who have serious flaws.

By @@

January 31, 2009 3:22 PM | Link to this

What interests me most is that Daschle was ABLE to pay $140,167 in back taxes and interest DURING the vetting process.

Pay to Play the Chicago Way.

jay, I answered your big “L” question downstairs.

Enjoy!

By JAY BOOKMAN

January 31, 2009 3:44 PM | Link to this

Mike, I have no idea what you are talking about. Nor do you, to be blunt.

I am looking at today’s paper. On Page 1, I see a story about Salah al-Rekhayis, a candidate in today’s election running for a seat in Basra.

On Page 3, which is considered important real estate in a newspaper because it’s the first page you see when you open the paper, I see a headline “Today’s election in Iraq.” I see a photograph of an Iraqi soldier providing security in Sadr City. I see updates on candidates, security, voting and background.

So I have no idea what you are talking about.

By AJC/DNC Management

January 31, 2009 3:46 PM | Link to this

Oh my-

{{{{In fact, Bush hatred and Obama euphoria — which tend to reveal more about those who feel them than the men at which they are directed — are opposite sides of the same coin. Both represent the triumph of passion over reason. Both are intolerant of dissent. Those wallowing in Bush hatred and those reveling in Obama euphoria frequently regard those who do not share their passion as contemptible and beyond the reach of civilized discussion. Bush hatred and Obama euphoria typically coexist in the same soul. And it is disproportionately members of the intellectual and political class in whose souls they flourish.

Bush hatred and Obama euphoria are particularly toxic because they thrive in and have been promoted by the news media, whose professional responsibility, it has long been thought, is to gather the facts and analyze their significance, and by the academy, whose scholarly training, it is commonly assumed, reflects an aptitude for and dedication to systematic study and impartial inquiry.

Some will speculate that the outbreak of hatred and euphoria in our politics is the result of the transformation of left-liberalism into a religion, its promulgation as dogma by our universities, and students’ absorption of their professors’ lesson of immoderation. This is unfair to religion.-Wall Street Journal}}}}

Let’s call it the age of Reason Lost, shall we?

hopeandchange.duh

By the way, this is On Topic, because if Bush had appointed KKKlinton, Gheitner and Daschle, and they were Republicans, the news media would be in a 24/7 state of hysteria and hair pulling indignation.

Repugs are just decent people, I guess.

By Mike

January 31, 2009 4:04 PM | Link to this

JAY BOOKMAN -

Actually I do know what I am talking about. I canceled my subscription to the AJC years ago, so I am referring to the online edition, which has NO mention of the Iraq elections at all, unlike every other web site in the world.

I’ll accept your apology at your convenience.

By Bud Wiser

January 31, 2009 4:08 PM | Link to this

By AmVet

January 31, 2009 11:27 AM | Link to this

To the non-Goofy Goober,

Too bad cows, sheep, chickens and pigs can’t vote, huh?

Ambling Veterinarian, with his numerous references to barnyard animals, is making an apparent overt push for the new direction of ACORN, and ways to spend their newly bestowed cash from the Dems.

And here I thought his only interest was in sheep……

By Hillbilly Deluxe

January 31, 2009 4:09 PM | Link to this

It’s my belief that Geithner’s tax problems should disqualify him from being Secretary of the Treasury. Daschle’s tax problems should disqualify him from the HHS post. Funny how both men clear up their tax problems when they get a nomination. Looks to me like if they hadn’t received these nominations, they never would have paid.

This is no different than the entitlement mentality of the Wall Street CEO’s. They feel they are special and entitled to be treated differently from the rest of us.

I’m not intending to single out Democrats; that’s just the way the column read. I’m sure there are Republicans out there pulling the same shenanigans. I’d love to see all this kind of behavior exposed. Maybe with all the money Congress is spending now they could set aside some more for IRS enforcement.

We’re all supposedly created equally but when it comes to these matters, some of us are more equal than others it seems.

By Mike

January 31, 2009 4:10 PM | Link to this

JAY -

I also like how you ignore any question other than those you (think) you have the answer to.

Still waiting for your answer on why missile strike assasinations without trial are moral, yet indefinite detention without trial is immoral.

Also still waiting for an explanation of why the DNC has had as many African American Chairmen as the racist RNC.

Feel free to duck the questions for which you have no answer. I’ve come to expect that.

By @@

January 31, 2009 4:26 PM | Link to this

Lawdy! I just read over at Wooten’s that Daschle cheated on his charitable giving taxes as well.

News to me!

I’ll google.

By getalife

January 31, 2009 4:32 PM | Link to this

They want to be like the ones they are bailing out.

Paying taxes is for the lower classes in their minds.

By Pogo

January 31, 2009 4:35 PM | Link to this

Obama is rolling up quite a number of sleazes in his cabinet. But he knows that he is the “first black president” and he has the adoring, non-questioning print and electronic media (like Jay and Chris Matthews, not that one can be compared to the other in national recognition or impact, only that they are of similar mindsets) on his side so hey, it’s just like he was back in Chicago! The king rules! Daley was the man and apparently he still is and his politics are now “nation wide”! When “sista” Pelosi, “brutha” Read and Obama get through with squandering the future of this country we will be ready for healthy dollop of good ole Anarchy. You can only beat a dog so much before he is going to bite you. Enjoy these heady days Jay and Co. They will be short lived.

By Mike

January 31, 2009 4:38 PM | Link to this

As usual Bookman ducks any question to which he doesn’t (think) he has an answer.

Lame. Expected, but lame.

By @@

January 31, 2009 4:39 PM | Link to this

It would appear Daschle’s tax oversights involved more than just the car and driver thangy.

Daschle also had unreported consulting income of $88,333, in 2007. He also had reductions to charitable contributions totaling about $15,000 over the three years covered, according to the Senate Finance Committee document. The document, marked “Confidential Draft,” is a committee statement concerning Daschle’s nomination.

The charitable donations didn’t quality for the deduction because the contributions were not paid to qualifying organizations.

That’s the rest of the story.

By My Violin Gently Weeps

January 31, 2009 4:47 PM | Link to this

Well, Jay, I sure think that he should have been able to figure out on his own that he owed those taxes and not need vetting from Obama to figure it out. I think the Republicans should latch on to this issue and drive it home. If I were them, I’d make it a party plank. Something like, “Republicans Pay their Taxes”. That’s the sort of action on their part that just might instill confidence in potential party members. Sort of like that “family values” thing.

By Mike

January 31, 2009 4:58 PM | Link to this

“But if the Republicans choose to make this an issue, I couldn’t blame them.”

Well gee Jay. Why don’t you make an issue? You know that you would be if it was a Republican in question.

Can’t you take off the hyper-partisan hat and treat all politicians the same, whether they share your ideology or not?

By AJC/DNC Management

January 31, 2009 5:02 PM | Link to this

The demoKKKrat party really IS all about Other People’s money.

By @@

January 31, 2009 5:04 PM | Link to this

….and even MORE to the story?

The committee is still looking into whether travel and entertainment services provided to the Daschles by EduCap, Inc., a nonprofit student loan company and its Loan to Learn program, as well as the philanthropic Catherine B. Reynolds Foundation and the nonprofit Academy Achievement in Washington, should be reported as income, according to the draft report.

Medicare Payments Due

The former senator has agreed that he will have to adjust again his 2005, 2006 and 2007 tax returns because he didn’t pay Medicare taxes on the additional taxable income he incurred with the use of the car, the Finance Committee staff reported.

Didn’t pay MEDICARE TAXES?

Obama’s nominee to fill the post of Secretary to HEALTH AND HUMAN RESOURCES didn’t pay MEDICARE TAXES?

Don’t worry…..we’ll keep you up-to-date, jay.

By AJC/DNC Management

January 31, 2009 5:09 PM | Link to this

Dear Tax Guys:

I’ve had a lot on my mind lately, and when I was going through some old receipt boxes in my filing cabinet I suddenly realized I haven’t paid my income taxes for the past 8 years. Am I in trouble? Please help!

Forgetful in Fort Worth

Dear Forgetful:

Here at the IRS, we realize that many well-meaning taxpayers like you can be distracted by various family illnesses, baseball pennant races, political campaigns, and so on. The rules for late filing can be surprisingly flexible if you have the right qualifying circumstances. According to IRS guidelines, you are eligible for the 306(b)(19) “I Forgot” amnesty if the following applies:

(1) Your total adjusted gross income in the “I Forgot” years was equal to or greater than $8,528,000; and (2) You are a nominee to head a cabinet-level federal agency.

If you answered “yes” to (2), or both (1) and (2), then you are in the clear. If you answered “yes” to (1) but “no” to (2), mail 10% of the total to the Democratic National Committee and request a cabinet appointment. If you answered “no” to both, then I’m afraid you are s** out of luck. Turn yourself into your local IRS authorities, who will assist you in computing appropriate penalties, interest, and parole terms.

Tim

PS - If you have any money left, buy a few jars of that ‘Ginkgo Biloba’ supplement from Walgreens. I hear it really helps with memory problems!

By fed up

January 31, 2009 5:34 PM | Link to this

Now that was pretty funny AJC/DNC Management.

By Dusty

January 31, 2009 5:55 PM | Link to this

Tom Daschle..read all about him….go to Google…then call up Wikipedia….very interesting.

The people of his state did not vote to send Daschle back to Washington.

He then served as an advisor to a law firm for lobbyists. He called himself advisor because it was against the law for him to be a lobbyist but he served in the same manner. Many large medical and pharmaceutical companies paid millions to this firm for their work.

Read about the man. He has skirted more legal limitations than the best of the “forgetors”.

Obama wants Daschle in his cabinet!! Perhaps Obama came out of Chicago politics where this sort of thing is OK. I hope this does not mean that Washington is going to be like Chicago. At least, Obama did not take bids (Blago style) to make his cabinet choices. At least, I don’t think he did…..but with a few more appointments like Daschle and Geithner, who knows..

By Midori

January 31, 2009 6:00 PM | Link to this

If I may,

Mike - I just searched the AJC’s website

It appears the stories you say are not there are there.

By JAY BOOKMAN

January 31, 2009 6:02 PM | Link to this

Mike, I’m not ducking a thing. I was out enjoying a very nice January Saturday. Try it.

In the meantime, maybe this will help you:

In your original complaints you did not say ajc.com had nothing on the Iraq elections. You said the AJC has nothing. To me, the AJC is the newspaper. But ajc.com did have coverage as well

Now, our web folks operate on a different philosophy than our print people. The newspaper is conceived as a product that brings you a well-rounded report on everything from world politics to the city council. If you read the paper front to back, you have a pretty good idea of what’s going on.

The web folks conceive their product differently. They don’t see AJC.com as the place people come to get international news, so they don’t display it prominently. It’s there, but it’s not what differentiates ajc.com in the marketplace. The web allows people access to a lot more int’l coverage than we could give them.

However, in your original charge you were claiming something about us hiding the election because it conflicted with our political leanings. The prominent and extensive coverage in the print edition — Page One and Page Three — along with the story on the website makes tthat charge pretty silly.

Now…. I believe you mentioned something about an apology?

By AJC/DNC Management

January 31, 2009 6:10 PM | Link to this

Tax question- Since all of the libs are going to batteries, corn and wind to power their automobiles, does my 300 horsepower Chevy 350 gasoline engine qualify as an “alternative motor vehicle” and can I take the deduction for it?

Thanks in advance for your answers.

By Uncle Sam

January 31, 2009 6:25 PM | Link to this

Dear Andy,

Your question has been forwarded to me for reply. Thank you for your question. Unfortunately your gasoline-powered vehicle does not qualify for anything other than it has always qualified for. You, however, appear to qualify for the alternate reality tax. It’s a relatively new tax so please call your local IRS agent and set up an appointment to discuss it.

You are welcome after the fact for your question.

By mm

January 31, 2009 6:28 PM | Link to this

Jay,

Ilove it when a wingnut bashing comes together.

@@,

Are you questioning how a member of Congress can come up with 140k?

Management,

You are free to keep giving your gas money to the terrorists.

By Hillbilly Deluxe

January 31, 2009 6:30 PM | Link to this

To Andy@ 6:10

If you purchase enough carbon credits I think your Chevy becomes the moral equivalent of a Yugo.

By Chad Harris

January 31, 2009 6:36 PM | Link to this

If the Republicans choose to make this an issue, it will be a waste of time. Daschle will be confirmed. And it makes me grin to hear a thuglican talk about Daschle as a “slease.” Ya have to wonder what planet the thuglican was on for 8 years while hundreds of laws were broken and covered up by the claim of “State Secrets” and the thuglicans are skeeeeerrreed to testify about their law breaking and in contem;pt of Congress like Fat Rolly Polly Rove.

The spokesperson for the Rethug party is fatter every day Rush Limpjaw.

It’s another day and of course another Rethuglican Sleazeball has resigned on his way to prison. Say hello to Florida’s Speaker of the House Rethuglican Ray Sampson stemming from his decision last November to take a $110,000 job at a Okaloosa County college where he had diverted more than $30 million for construction projects.

That’s a big Rethuglican Whoopsie!!!

What is it about you thugs that love cinderblock federal prison cubes? There’s 200 plus of ya goin’ to federal prison from the Bushie Administraton. It’s the W-Con thing.

Rethuglicans Headed to Federal Prison After Snitching Afraid to Go To Trial 200 plus and Growin’ Every Day

Daschle will be easily confirmed and the Dems will soon have a 60 Seat Majority Fillibuster Proof In the Senate.

Yee Haw Haw JawJaws.

By mm

January 31, 2009 6:38 PM | Link to this

Oh jay,

Back to your column. Neither one of those guys should have been approved. Which ever party, I’ll bet there are plenty of Congressfolk that couldn’t be safely vetted.

By Mike

January 31, 2009 6:40 PM | Link to this

“By Midori January 31, 2009 6:00 PM | Link to this If I may,

Mike - I just searched the AJC’s website

It appears the stories you say are not there are there.”

LOL. Yeah, you had to search for it because it still isn’t on the front page like it is on every other site on the internet. Of course, any bad news about Iraq is given a screaming headline.

If you don’t recognize the difference, you are truly gullible.

By DB, Gwinnettian

January 31, 2009 6:43 PM | Link to this

Fed up @ 5.34, you don’t think Andy actually did that on his lonesome, do you?

By DB, Gwinnettian

January 31, 2009 6:44 PM | Link to this

Mike, you’re actually back? You enjoy a beat-down, do you?

Oh, and my bad on the bit about andy coming up with the comedy—I see he included a cite. sorry.

By Taxpayer

January 31, 2009 6:45 PM | Link to this

Why aren’t all elected officials subjected to an IRS audit every few years? It just seems like something that they would all want to do in order to demonstrate some level of integrity. Then again, I’m probably confusing a politician with a statesman.

By Midori

January 31, 2009 6:47 PM | Link to this

Mike,

it appears that no answer anyone can give will satisfy you.

but that was the point all along, wasn’t it?

By Mike

January 31, 2009 6:48 PM | Link to this

Jay -

What nonsense. I guess the story about the octuplets in Los Angeles is an example of local news? Do you actually believe what you say? It is so easily and obviously disproved.

The truth is that you guys still feature any intenational news that fits your poltical leanings and hide any that doesn’t. I mean who am I gointg to believe, you or my lying eyes.

Even if your claim about local coverage was true (and it isn’t) why have you personally ignored the story? You are still writing about international events. Why not this one?

Maybe because it conflicts with your disproven statements like:

“”President Bush and others are proposing to escalate our effort in Iraq…It is a futile gesture, a vain attempt to salvage what is already lost…”

By DB, Gwinnettian

January 31, 2009 6:49 PM | Link to this

For the record, Mike’s precious “Peeance Freeance in Eye-Rack” is the second story covered under “international news.”

Later, all. Don’t push anyone down the stairs.

By JAY BOOKMAN

January 31, 2009 6:51 PM | Link to this

Ohhhh. So now it’s the fact that the election story isn’t on the FRONT page that’s the problem, huh Mike?

Is that now your fallback complaint? Is that now your evidence that we were refusing to publish anything whatsoever on the elections?

Ahem…. You made serious allegations based on absolutely false evidence, Michael.

You did mention an apology, did you not?

By mm

January 31, 2009 6:52 PM | Link to this

Chad,

Great post. Nobody can break a law like a wingnut. I believe you also posted the night before Christmas. Am I right? that was some funny stuff and I’d love to see it again (for posterity)!

Mike,

You should go to the Wooten lala land blog. It’s more your aptitude.

By Mike

January 31, 2009 6:54 PM | Link to this

Midori -

No, it’s just that your answers are pathetic and easily dismissed. Particularly ones in which your racist nature is exposed.

Can you or DB or any of the rest of the bleating sheep ever provide a post longer than three sentences? Apparently that is about as many “thoughts” as you are capable of keeping in your heads.

But hey, keep getting your news through the AJC’s partisan filters. Their mindless partisanship is equal to your own, so they won’t disrupt your mindlessly partisan world in which “your side” is right and “their side” is wrong. Just like Rush’s dittoheads, you don’t want to see any information that upsets your fantasy world.

By Mike

January 31, 2009 6:58 PM | Link to this

JAY -

Actually that was exactly what I said when I first raised the issue:

“Anyone notice that the headline at every news site in the country has the successful Iraqi elections as their headline.

The AJC? No mention whatsoever. They clearly have too much invested in American failure there to tell the truth.”

Hey look if you claim there is no difference between the headline of the front page and stories that are buried deep within the site (so deep that Midori had to use a search box to find them), then you are even less intellectually honest than I thought.

I’ll take my apology now.

By Chad Harris

January 31, 2009 7:00 PM | Link to this

The story about octuplets is the story of artificial insemination gone completely nuts and a physician who didn’t have a brain. The woman filed for bankruptsy and she already had 6 kids. She’s a single mom with six kids who wanted her first girl. Now she has 14 of ‘em.

And people talk about psychological screening for gastric stapling.

Speaking of pathetic sights—former Mayetta OBGYN Phil Gingrie kissing Limbaugh’s a$$—nothing could be more contemptible.

By mm

January 31, 2009 7:00 PM | Link to this

Mike,

Have you based your whole life on the war in Iraq? Are you OCD? I have a friend who’s son served in Iraq. I have a nephew who served in Iraq. I have a coworker who lost a son in Iraq. What is your connection? Defending Bush?

I really don’t care about Iraq. I’m scared as h#ll about our country right now.

By Mike

January 31, 2009 7:03 PM | Link to this

JAY -

And while I know I have your attention:

Explain why the “progressive” DNC has had exactly the same number of chairman as the “racist” GOP?

mm -

Glad to hear you don’t care about Iraq. I care because I have three family members serving there and Bookman and the AJC have done their best to undermine their mission.

I’ll be sure to tell them that folks like you don’t care about them.

By getalife

January 31, 2009 7:04 PM | Link to this

Fixed noise has it for you Mike.

Russia joins France in protests

By JAY BOOKMAN

January 31, 2009 7:06 PM | Link to this

Michael has had a bad day.

Did I ever tell you about a friend of mine, Michael? He liked the IDEA of being someone who could play the piano, but he didn’t want to put in the time and effort needed to do it. So he learned to play just one song, and not very well at that.

Then, whenever he saw a piano, he’d sit down and bang out that one song, poorly. Over and over.

Did I ever tell you that story?

By Midori

January 31, 2009 7:07 PM | Link to this

mm,

Mike’s full of it.

Like you (and the great majority, I’d guess), I don’t have to go around trying to “invent” stuff to be outraged about.

Our plates are pretty full here in the ole U. S. of A.

By mm

January 31, 2009 7:11 PM | Link to this

Mike,

See, that is what is wrong with you wingnuts. I care about our troops. I don’t worry more about Iraq than I do America. I pledge allegiance…..

By Mike

January 31, 2009 7:12 PM | Link to this

JAY -

Well gee, that some “zinger”, but it doesn’t square with reality. I have challenged you on several issues today, most of which you have ducked.

But hey, if silly zingers and calling me “Michael” for some reason makes you feel good, so be it. Anything must be better than admitting that you are a third rate pundit at a dying paper.

By JAY BOOKMAN

January 31, 2009 7:15 PM | Link to this

Mike, you wrote:

“Actually I do know what I am talking about. I canceled my subscription to the AJC years ago, *so I am referring to the online edition, which has NO mention of the Iraq elections at all, *unlike every other web site in the world.”

And then you said, and I quote:

“I’ll accept your apology at your convenience.”

By Taxpayer

January 31, 2009 7:21 PM | Link to this

I wish there were a blogger here that would share his/her unbiased views on Iraq. Perhaps, a little past, present and future. How it all started. Why we are there. Who has helped. What were the original goals and have they been accomplished. How much has the war cost each nation involved in terms of human casualties and other expenditures. Who gained from the war and what did they gain. How much longer will we be there. Is there anyone out there that can provide an overview with links to detailed analysis. Anyone. I need closure. I need definitive answers.

By mm

January 31, 2009 7:25 PM | Link to this

Taxpayer,

I can ony hope America and Iraq can find those answers. It’s not pretty.

By Mike

January 31, 2009 7:30 PM | Link to this

JAY -

OK. You win. The AJC.com provided the Iraqi elections the coverage that it was due. Coverage commensurate with the coverage of negative stories. Coverage commensurate with every other news outlet in the country.

Oh yes, and liberals don’t dominate the AJC staff. And they don’t let their political views interfere with the news coverage. And you were right about the surge.And you are an intellectually honest person with great talent and a heck of a future ahead of him.

I apologize.

By JAY BOOKMAN

January 31, 2009 7:32 PM | Link to this

You da man, Mike.

By Mike

January 31, 2009 7:32 PM | Link to this

Midori -

Yeah and unlike you, I don’t have a history of making racist comments and then begging the moderator to remove them

By Mike

January 31, 2009 7:36 PM | Link to this

You da talented, accomplished and intellectually honest one, Jay . LOL

By Disgusted

January 31, 2009 7:37 PM | Link to this

You want honesty and an HHS secretary too? The post has a long history, you know. They didn’t call Tommy Thompson “Tomcat Tommy” for nothing. And who, pray tell, is going to oversee CDC’s awarding a six-figure bonus to select executives, as happened with the recently resigned chief operating officer under the administration of the dearly departed Julie Gerberding.

In a Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services, you want someone who is—how should I put this?—sleazy. Someone needs to hound physicians and others who might make a mistake on a Medicare claim, while being selectively blind to much greater abuses. And someone needs to do the administration’s bidding by severely editing the Congressional testimony of agency heads who, if they said the wrong thing, might make the Department and the administration look bad.

Tom, Tom, he’s our man; if he can’t do it, no one can. A hundred thou or so short on tax payments? Picky, picky, picky.

By Chad Harris

January 31, 2009 7:38 PM | Link to this

Iraq was a totally stupid war waged by Bush and his chickenhawks from a safe distance to compensate for their total cowardice in making sure they were never in harm’s way. Bush’s daddy made sure he was in the National Guard training for a plane that would never see action in a war zone. When he was ordered to train for a plane that would see action, he ran away like the Pansie A$$ he will always be.

Everyone killed in Iraq is a wasted life and it still mounts. Everyone paralyzed in Iraq is wasted morbidity and it still mounts.

Pat Tillman should be taking the field tomorrow, but he won’t because his life was wasted in a friendly fire incident that the Bush administration lied about and then tried to propagandize. As his mother said recently, no one has been held responsible for lying about Tillman or trying to propagandize his death.

The US invasion of Iraq accomplished nothing except a run on Dover coffins that no administration has the guts to allow to be photographed. If Blago’s face can become TV wallpaper for weeks, the Dover coffins ought to become TV wallpaper as well.

There is still chaos in Iraq; lights aren’t on in Bagdad 4 hours a day, and critical decisions by the Iraqi legislature have never been made.

There are millions of displaced single Iraqi moms, and the US hasn’t done diddly squat to help them find homes or work.

The water in Iraq is pandemically and systemically cholera infused.

Why haven’t the chickenhawks in the Bush administration been sent to prison for their parts in the Tillman coverup?

The should have chosen the San Diego Chicken for Chairman of the RNC—but they got the next closest thing.

By AmVet

January 31, 2009 7:39 PM | Link to this

Regarding Daschle, I repeatedly voiced concerns about Obama’s then upcoming choices for his closest advisers and staff. Historically some of the people he has surrounded himself with, have caused me concern.

Especially after what the nation just endured, crazy preachers/monied christofrauds, are not a good sign.

When Less than Curious George was first (s)elected, I thought this was one of the earliest and most conspicuous signs of his impending, unending debacle. And after picking Spiro DickHead as his VP, I knew he was going to choose a whole bunch of Nixon and Reagan misfits.

Sadly, he didn’t disappoint.

The book is still out on these new selections, but there are some disturbing business as usual trends here.The way I see it, the old Democratic guard has enormous culpability for some of the messes we are in. Particularly in terms of fiscal irresponsibility and corruption.

Are they the guys to “fix” it?

And, the tragedy of course, is that the reactionary GOP is now not much more than a cinder block to a nation trying to tread water…

By JAY BOOKMAN

January 31, 2009 7:40 PM | Link to this

Oh stop it, Mike. You’re making me blush.

By Mike

January 31, 2009 7:41 PM | Link to this

Chad Harris -

Calling someone a chickenhawk for supporting the war is the same as questioning someone’s patriotism for opposing it.

But hey, by your logic, the vast majority of Americans are chickenhawks, because the vast majority of Americans supported the war at its onset.

Do you support the war in Afghanistan? Does that make you a chickenhawk? Bookm and Obama support it. Are they chickenhawks or are you a hypocrite?

Let me guess.

By Mike

January 31, 2009 7:45 PM | Link to this

Jay -

Feeling is mutual buddy. But hey while I have your ear:

How do you explain the fact that the progressive DNC has had as many African American chairmen as the racist RNC?

By Midori

January 31, 2009 7:48 PM | Link to this

((Yeah and unlike you, I don’t have a history of making racist comments and then begging the moderator to remove them))

example, please Mike?

I do think you’ve completely gone over the edge.

that simply makes absolutely no sense.

I don’t recall asking anyone to remove something “I’ve” written. I also don’t recall making racist comments.

I do, however, “give” as much and as hard as I get

But then, as you’ve indicated, you know so much more than anyone else around here.

Do you get dizzy up there on that perch?

By @@

January 31, 2009 7:51 PM | Link to this

mm @ 6:28:

(((@@,

Are you questioning how a member of Congress can come up with 140k?)))

No! Just saying most hard-working middle classers couldn’t pull $140k out of their accounts on demand.

~~~~~~~~~~~~OO~~~~~~~~~~

I’ve been reading where the legislators in Washington each got $98,000 for their petty cash funds…..maybe $93,000 can’t recall.

$98,000 each to do the people’s business?

To some people that ain’t “petty”cash, it’s grand larceny.

By Mike

January 31, 2009 7:52 PM | Link to this

Midori -

You know exactly what I am talking about and you are just hoping that nobody else here remembers it.

I don’t know if I know so much more than anyone else here. I do know that I know a lot more than you do. But that’s not a very high bar to clear.

By Chad Harris

January 31, 2009 7:53 PM | Link to this

I’m calling the deferment or abandonment (like Bush’s AWOL episode in Alabama) Chickenhawks that include Bush, Cheney, and the Iraq Study Group chickenhawks because none of them served, and many of them did everything they could to avoid serving. They are the poster children for Chicken Hawks. And none of their family have served as well.

The fiasco in Iraq should never have happened. I categorically don’t support it. We should get the frig out. We never should have been there.

The fiasco in Iraq made the effort in Afghanistan a failure and it stands that way now.

Bush and Cheney and the Senate Rethugs liked about Iraq the same as McNamara and LBJ lied about Nam.

To be clear I don’t support anything that’s being done in Iraq, and there is a fiasco in Afghanistan and Pakistan now as well.

They have been the biggest human life and money hemorrhage in the history of this country.

Being called a hypocrite by you Mike is a real cause for concern. You’re a great reason why the Rethugs will never regain the White House, why there will soon be a 60 filibuster proof Majority in the Senate, and why both houses of Congress will be dominated by Dems in a lopsided way.

Keep on truckin’ with that Sarahpack. Can you see Russia, Bagdad, or Kabul from your yard?

By JAY BOOKMAN

January 31, 2009 7:55 PM | Link to this

I don’t know, Mike.

But you remember Muggsy Bogues, the basketball player? He was only about 5 foot 5, but he had a great NBA career. Fun to watch, too, a little guy out there among the giants.

Now, my wife is also 5 foot 5. If you compare them only by that statistic — she’s exactly as tall as he is — and ignore all the other indicators and evidence, you could say that she’s as good at basketball as Muggsy was.

But … not.

I love the girl, but … no.

By Midori

January 31, 2009 7:58 PM | Link to this

again, Mike: examples. PLEASE.

Put your money where your big mouth is.

I’ll be back later to check on your “progress”.

By Mike

January 31, 2009 8:00 PM | Link to this

Chad Harris -

In which unit did Afghan War touting Barack Obama serve?

Answer: none at all.

How many deferments did Afghan War touting Joe Biden have?

Answer: Five. Same as Dick Cheney.

Are Obama and Biden chickenhawks? Or are you a partisan hypocrite? Let me guess.

By AJC/DNC Management

January 31, 2009 8:06 PM | Link to this

Every thing you always wanted to know about Iraq, a pinko’s guide to whining in 3 easy steps-

Chapter 1- Despite Hairy Reed’s bellowing that it was the “biggest foreign policy blunder in American History,” he and his fellow hacks in the US Congress have funded every single solitary war request that ever came before them, almost as though they were themselves warmongers and Blackwater mercenary wannabes. This caused great wailing and gnashing of teeth at Code Pinko headquarters.

Chapter 2- Bruno the KKKlintoon voted for the war before she whined about it. Realizing this wasn’t enough for the legions of surrender monkey demokkkrat voters, she announced that she would not have voted for the invasion if someone had shown her where Iraq was on a map. After all the giggling subsided, she changed her story to “Iraq is full of snipers and I have more experience with snipers than this Jesse Jack, er, the community organizer does. (This chapter is not yet complete, who knows what the hell war she’ll start as SoS.)

Chapter 3- Young prince baraKKK, with whole gaggles of infatuated, moony eyed mainstream press and reporters in tow, criss crossed America, spinning his lovely tales of surrender and desertion of the Iraqi people to the terrorists, which caused the assembled left wing media to wet themselves profusely. This went on and on for what seemed like an eternity, on and on and on with the anti American spewing and babble, interminable and disgusting talk of cowardice and treason before masses of foreigners until the day young baraKKK was elected president and he changed his whole entire story, hired on the war mongers from the ChimpBushitler administration and began talking of a hundred years of war, amazingly, just like what McOld was saying and got ridiculed for. Again, the hair pulling and shrieks of betrayal ensued at Code Pinko Headquarters.

Chapter 4- The Iraqi people, although not really sure about their goofball, immature American liberators, none the less, now free from genocide and state sponsored terror, took the opportunity to vote in the elections for their new leaders and lived happily ever after.

And they all said “Thank You Mr. Bush,” well, except for the “news” reporter, of course.

geez.

The End.

By Mike

January 31, 2009 8:08 PM | Link to this

JAY -

Hmmm. Well that is a fine and dandy analogy, but at its core, is based solely on your subjective, unsubstantiated and intolerant belief that the GOP is racist..

Let’s return to something more tangible. You know that there are relatively few African American Republicans, partly due to the incessant charges of racism from demonzing “journalists” like yourself. That creates a tiny pool of black candidates from which to choose.

On the other hand, the overwhelming majority of African Americans are Democrats, creating a relatively large pool of candidates from which to choose. This means that there were large numbers of African Americans passed over for the last twenty years for the job, which would indicate a greater role of bigotry.

Feel free to come back with some analogy about ships or baskets or cookies or some other nonsense. Doesn’t change the fact that your party doesn’t want an African American to represent them as long as there is a rich white guy available to do the job.

By Chad Harris

January 31, 2009 8:09 PM | Link to this

NBA 1986 Slam Dunk Champ was 5’7” with a 42” vertical jump and a 2 page SI foldout of him doing it.

By AmVet

January 31, 2009 8:16 PM | Link to this

Chad,

Your 7:38 is very interesting, because many complain about how little is reported on the “good news” in Iraq. And to me this is completely accurate.

I’m not saying it can’t be easily found, just it’s not readily available.

But you’ve just illustrated neither is the “bad news”.

The Pentagon and especially their proxies, the corporate interests in country, really don’t want a lot of exposure.

So we don’t even have US Marines or GIs guarding our personnel. We pay modern day Hessians a handsome sum to do so.

???

And you want to send more troops to Afghanistan, Mr. Obama?

Newflash to the CIC. The United States Marine Corps and US Army are stretched to the breaking point already. Share the love.

Draft from the Top.

We’ll soon see who in Washington has the moral clarity and conviction to keep getting other American’s kids KIA’d when it’s their own…

By Mike

January 31, 2009 8:17 PM | Link to this

Chad Harris -

Didn’t get my answer.

Are Obama and Biden chickenhawks or are you a hypocrite?

By Mike

January 31, 2009 8:20 PM | Link to this

Not that he cares what I think, but I give AmVet credit for intellectual consistency.

He holds Obama to the same standard he holds Bush, a welcome change from hypocrites like Chad Harris.

By Midori

January 31, 2009 8:21 PM | Link to this

Why keep harassing Jay? Why not go to the horse’s very own mouth

J.C. Watts was a rare breed, as he was the one and ONLY GOP black member in house leadership.

And his fellow colleagues treated him like crap, and eventially ran him away.

Something tells me Mike is about to change the goal posts. AGAIN.

By AmVet

January 31, 2009 8:30 PM | Link to this

Waddayouknow?

Republicans for Environmental Protection (REP) is a national organization of United States Republican Party voters formed in 1995. REP’s stated purpose is to strengthen the Republican Party’s stance on environmental issues and support efforts to conserve natural resources and protect human and environmental health. Incorporated in Illinois, its headquarters are in Albuquerque, New Mexico.

Often labeled by its opponents as part of the Republican Party’s moderate-to-liberal faction, REP boasts a nationwide grassroots membership of Republicans who have united around a strong conservation and environmental stewardship ethic. REP has members in 49 states and formal chapters in 10 states.

REP’s slogan is “Conservation is Conservative,” and asserts in its literature that conservation and responsible environmental stewardship are core conservative values that necessarily extend from concepts such as prudence, personal responsibility, thrift andthe view that society is a partnership among past, present and future generations.

By Mike

January 31, 2009 8:31 PM | Link to this

Midori -

That’s super, but doesn’t explain why that wonderfully diverse Democrat party keeps finding rich white guys to run their party.

By Chad Harris

January 31, 2009 8:33 PM | Link to this

There are relatively few Republican African Americans because every move the Rethugs make undermines the past, present, and future of the way above and beyond the bell shaped curve of their population including every initiative of Michale Steele and Ohio’s failed RNC candidate Ken Blackwell.

GOP March to Federal Prison 2 in One Weekend

Congrats to the newest passengers on the GOP BOP bus—

Florida Speaker of the House Ray Sampson resigned and in true form of chickenlike surrender and late yesterday Jack Abramoff associate Todd Boulonger entered his typical Rethuglican Rule 11 Plea that stated “Ah is guilty and ah is afeeeeerrrrrd to go to trial cause ah is a chicken. But ah do wanna snitch and sing on mah homeboys. Ah don’t need no witness protection program ‘cause Rethugs is too pansya$$ to come after me.”

Here’s some grins:

From the Right Wingnuttia Blog The Next Right:

Now Isn’t the Time for Dispondency by Ed Feulner Pres of Heritage Foundation

Talk about maniacal chutzpah! The Right Wing blogosphere and the Bookman Wingnut Squad rambles on about Democratic Corruption thinking that will get them elected while at the same time the party of DeLay, Ney and Abramoff 2 of whom are in prison and one who is going continue to cry that they were picked on and railroaded.

By Mike

January 31, 2009 8:35 PM | Link to this

Well I guess I need to run off and stop ruining a perfectly fine echo chamber.

Just remember: anyone who doesn’t share your political views is inherently flawed morally.

By Taxpayer

January 31, 2009 8:36 PM | Link to this

I’m in search of some answers to some very basic and fundamental questions about the Iraq War and I was hoping that someone could direct me to a source. Here are a few of the questions in case anyone has seen something published that has the answers, a manual or guide for example, since they are the sort of questions that everyone would likely want anwers to:

1) Which card in the deck of cards used to identify terrorists had Osama bin Laden’s picture on it?

2) How much has the US spent on the war in Iraq since it began?

3) How many people in all, including civilians, military, terrorists, etc., have died in Iraq since we invaded Iraq?

By Mike

January 31, 2009 8:39 PM | Link to this

Chad Harris -

Well gee, an honest person might acknowledge that there is corruption in politics across party lines, whether it be the case of Ted Stevens or Blago. An honest person might say that, but you won’t.

Now I am really gone. Thanks for the chuckles.

By JAY BOOKMAN

January 31, 2009 8:42 PM | Link to this

Midori, I had never seen that Watts column. Interesting.

Fun to see it on the LV Review-Journal site too. That was the paper where I fell into this job of opinion writing.

By Midori

January 31, 2009 8:48 PM | Link to this

GOP governors break with party over stimulus

Most support economic plan that got no Republican votes in U.S. House

NEW YORK - Most Republican governors have broken with their GOP colleagues in Congress and are pushing for passage of President Barack Obama’s economic aid plan that would send billions to states for education, public works and health care.

Their state treasuries drained by the financial crisis, governors would welcome the money from Capitol Hill, where GOP lawmakers are more skeptical of Obama’s spending priorities.

The 2008 GOP vice presidential nominee, Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin, scheduled meetings in Washington this weekend with Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell of Kentucky and other senators to press for her state’s share of the package.

Florida Gov. Charlie Crist worked the phones last week with members of his state’s congressional delegation, including House Republicans. Vermont Gov. Jim Douglas, the Republican vice chairman of the National Governors Association, planned to be in Washington on Monday to urge the Senate to approve the plan.

HMMMMMMM……….

By Midori

January 31, 2009 8:54 PM | Link to this

Thanks Jay.

My thinking is if one wants the opinion of the state of African Americans in the GOP, one should seek out the views of one.

By Taxpayer

January 31, 2009 8:57 PM | Link to this

I read that about the Governors, Midori. This is working out to be quite the entertaining little showdown. I wonder how many Republican governors will turn down any economic stimulus that is offered them.

By Chad Harris

January 31, 2009 8:58 PM | Link to this

I did not see your question. This blog’s comments are for breaks and grins because predominantly wingnuts use it as a crying towel.

BTW doesn’t Wingnut Dick Williams who used to be an AJC employee edit a paper or website now called Dunwoody Crier to be Used for Rethuglican Crybabies like Mike

Obama and Biden are hardly chickenhawks.

Bush used Daddy to get him out of every prosecution and there were several. He then used Daddy to get him out of the Viet-Nam draft. Congressmen Daddy pushed his pansya$$ to the front of the line where he specified that Junya was to be assigned away from any combat zone. This happened. Cheney the one who waddles out of an SUV or RV to shoot turkeys at point blank range after their wings have been clipped, misses and shoots an old man in the face and lies about doing it for days, was skeeerrreeed to go to Nam. Cheney like Rove, talks tough from the safety of a wheelchair. The Iraq study group all found ways to get out of the draft during Nam.

There was no draft on when Obama came up.

Biden was disqualified from the service because of Asthma. I don’t have Biden’s PFT’s with me, and I don’t know his FVC or his FEV1 or TLC. I don’t have Biden’s medical chart with me.

Suxby Chumpuss the old white man who was supposed to be a firewall and now is going to be a gnat on a freightrain since the Dems will soon have a filibuster proof 60 faked a knee injury he did not have. Suxby has cut many Senate votes to play golf all over the DC and Virginia area showing no signs of knee impairment. When asked about his knee injury Suxby has consistently run away for many many years.

Cheney is a has been and Biden is VP of the US. Biden was Chairman of Senate Foreign Relations. There will be no more Republican Chairmen of any House or Senate Committees during your lifetime. Get used to it or as they say in the South, deal with it.

By AmVet

January 31, 2009 9:04 PM | Link to this

Yes, Midori, that was a great article. He is one bright guy.

And who in their right mind doesn’t love Tavis Smiley???

That “reading material” of yours last night was hysterical.

You find the neatest stuff.

Taxpayer, I doubt the real body count will ever be known.

And as long as the bloated and wasteful military industrial complex’s budget in this country is sacrosanct and in some cases, super secret, even the dollars are just a frickin guess.

I always think it is silly for grown men to wear some other guys jerseys to ball games. But hey! That’s my hangup!

Pat Tillman I would make an exception for…

By getalife

January 31, 2009 9:13 PM | Link to this

Whoa, Palin for the stimulus, what shall the base do now?

D’oh!

I hope she evacuated folks around that volcano before she went begging.

By Chad Harris

January 31, 2009 9:22 PM | Link to this

If Palin looked like Helen Thomas does currently, and I don’t want to insult Mrs. Thomas who is an icon of a newswoman by comparisons, would the Rignt Wing base still luv her in the mornin’?

Would the exponentially fattening Rushie be so hot for her if she looked like Helen Thomas?

Palin is hustlin’ for da pork while South Yukon natives are starving. She will lose if she runs for reelection in Alaska in 2010. I don’t think there is any limit to their stupidity, but it will be interesting to see if Rethugs are dumb enough to put Palin on the ticket in 2012. I’d be willing to bet the farm the answer is hell no.

By Midori

January 31, 2009 9:36 PM | Link to this

AmVet, Taxpayer, Getalife, Chad —

It sure has gotten quiet in here, hasn’t it?

CHIRP

By Chad Harris

January 31, 2009 9:40 PM | Link to this

They’re focusing on how to stop wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald so they can cover the spread tomorrow.

By AJC/DNC Management

January 31, 2009 9:41 PM | Link to this

al-Gitmo: Yeah, she wants to build a “bridge to……..the White House.”

Bwahahaha, give her the money, klown.

By Midori

January 31, 2009 9:46 PM | Link to this

Andy,

today is Clint Eastwood day on AMC.

Why do I imagine you dressed up in a little cowboy oufit, like the kid in “A Christmas Story”?

By Chad Harris

January 31, 2009 9:51 PM | Link to this

I didn’t think Gran Torino was all that by comparison with some of the others.

Palin is building a bridge to non-electability in Alaska and the lower 48 period.

By Taxpayer

January 31, 2009 9:51 PM | Link to this

We were at Sam’s Club doing some grocery shopping today and people were out in force getting ready for the game.

By AmVet

January 31, 2009 9:53 PM | Link to this

Well, if nothing else, at least the science-free White House is gone forever.

RIP Neo-Conservatism 1980 -2008

By AJC/DNC Management

January 31, 2009 9:55 PM | Link to this

i r o diM: Imagine instead me pointing a 44 Magnum, “the most powerful handgun in the world,” at some little pervert’s head.

Now that’s what I’m talking about.

Feel lucky punk?

By getalife

January 31, 2009 10:15 PM | Link to this

Midori,

I posted that link about Palin at Hot Air. One called her an idiot so I had to call him or her a lib.

They have been calling their reps. to oppose and our old friend “Buy Danish” was trying to get them to march.

I think they forgot about the President’s meeting with the Governors.

By Midori

January 31, 2009 10:16 PM | Link to this

Andy,

you’re sooooooo predictable.

Can’t back up his own lunacy? Resort to name calling.

Can’t back up his own fire breathing crap? Resort to name calling.

Can’t pull a viable, sustained argument out of his brain? Resort to name calling.

You’ve jumped your own shark, Andy.

By Midori

January 31, 2009 10:22 PM | Link to this

prove me wrong, Andy.

you see, I’m not going to follow you off the cliff. I can put a sentence together without a hammer, nails and a bucket of glue. That’s all your name calling is, by the way. Just another “go to” crutch, when you can’t summon the words or rationale to back up your transparent bluster.

Prove us wrong.

Can you do it?

Are you even capable of letting the name calling go?

Prove me wrong.

All,

I’m out. For a Few Dollars More is on, and it’s getting to the best part.

I’m quite sure I won’t be missing anything here. Andy is going to need a few hours in order to “compose” his snappy comeback.

By @@

January 31, 2009 10:38 PM | Link to this

Whoa nellie!

I like J.C. Watts because he’s a conservative and while I respect his opinion, there’s something that’s been left out.

I was not happy when several of the GOP candidates didn’t address black organizations during the campaign, but let’s be honest here.

Candidates appeal to NAACP Both presidential candidates plan to reach out to NAACP conventioneers this week.

Obama is to speak Monday night. On the surface, the venerable civil rights organization’s 99th convention should be a love fest between the African-American attendees and the first African American with a real chance of being elected president.

But last week’s crude comments by the Rev. Jesse Jackson about Obama ”talking down” to blacks brought to light concerns among some civil rights activists and black academics about Obama.

Some have taken quiet umbrage at Obama’s proposal to expand President Bush’s faith-based initiative and his comments about the moral responsibilities of black fathers, saying his remarks are designed more to woo and soothe white voters than to address issues affecting the black community.

”I think the public reception at the NAACP will be very warm, but I think behind closed doors there will be some frank give and take, something short of contentious, but sharp give and take,” said Michael Dawson, a University of Chicago political scientist who specializes in African-American politics.

The white elitists in the democratic party have gladly used the Jessie Jacksons and Al Sharptons to further their divisive agenda for decades.

It was only recently when someone “better” came along that all of their followers decided to toss the Sharptons and Jacksons under the bus.

THAT ^^^ cannot be denied.

Maybe J.C. and other black conservatives should allow THEMSELVES to be more visible. A little more effort on their part would have been greatly appreciated. Were they afraid they’d be called Uncle Toms or Sambos?

By Chad Harris

January 31, 2009 10:50 PM | Link to this

That 44 magnum is a symbol of some microanatomy you have Andy—you’d locate it faster if you pointed a tweezers or a very small forceps at it but you’d have to wake it up from a 1 on the GCS and that’s pretty far gone.

@@ if I haven’t given it to you here’s one of my fave Lost sites with access to all of the many articles Jensen has done over the years of the 5 or 6 seasons:

Doc Jeff Jensen Totally LOST

By AJC/DNC Management

January 31, 2009 10:55 PM | Link to this

i r o diM: See, it only took a few minutes.

“Are you gonna pull them pistols or whistle Dixie?”

bwa

By @@

January 31, 2009 11:12 PM | Link to this

Chad:

I saw that last night. I usually like to decipher shows like “Lost” on my own. I find that to have my observations skewed by someone elses may lead me down the wrong path.

I’m suspicious that way.

Years ago my brother, much older than I, and very competitive when it comes to solving mysteries, gave me the entire set of episodes “Twin Peaks” one at a time. He had me call him after I watched each episode to see if I’d figured out who killed Laura (I think that was her name).

After viewing the third episode I called the murderer correctly.

Drives him crazy. He couldn’t figure it out until they revealed it.

Great musical intro to the program.

By @@

January 31, 2009 11:28 PM | Link to this

…and Chad? If you really what to see how weird that program was visit some of the related videos in the right-hand column. “Cooper’s Dream” will give you an idea.

It really was a great series however short-lived.

Off to cook for tomorrow’s church “Souper Bowl” and the Super Bowl Party with friends.

By Chad Harris

January 31, 2009 11:42 PM | Link to this

I saw TP several years ago but I think LOST is hands down better—more action, exponentially better script writing. Lynch is pretty wierd

I know there are a lot of Easter Eggs in LOST. I have a hard time reading all the captions they are now throwing in to try to get people to watch it at peak levels that they used to have 16 million and above.

I like Jensen and I learn from some of his references. I have one book that deciphers LOST and I open it at random once in a while.

Lost’s Buried Treasures (Paperback)

By AJC/DNC Management

February 1, 2009 7:47 AM | Link to this

Don’t be skeered Chadly, it’s only a movie.