Luckovich cartoon changes address!

Mike Luckovich’s cartoon has moved to a new ajc.com address. Click here to view and bookmark.

The new format features a larger version of Mike’s cartoon for the day and allow readers to vote. There are also links to recent Luckovich cartoons and special galleries.

Bloggers who want to comment on issues in the news are invited to blog at any of our four other Opinion blogs:

Thinking Right

Jay Bookman

OpinionTalk

Woman to Woman

Home > Opinion > Mike Luckovich > Archives > 2007 > August > 03 > Entry

We must attack

By Mike Luckovich | Friday, August 3, 2007, 08:47 PM

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Do you like this cartoon?
  Yes
  No


Voter Limit: Once per Day
View Poll Results

Permalink | Comments (143) | Post your comment | Categories: Editorial Cartoon

Comments

By luckovichisaheadcase

August 6, 2007 8:13 AM | Link to this

Another cartoon in poor taste! Congratulations on reaching new highs in lows.

By @@

August 6, 2007 8:20 AM | Link to this

We must attack ml? Naaahhh, lots of stories out there that you could have used in your cartoon.

The deaths of those people in Minnesota shouldn’t be what “feeds” your creativity or lack thereof.

Sometimes you should let your better judgment prevail. If you have any that is. I’ll place you right up there with Minnesota’s governor and Barney Franks; never let a “dim” opportunity pass, right?

By Analchord

August 6, 2007 8:35 AM | Link to this

Funny jab! Great stuff!

Osama’s cave. He’s planning the complete takeover of der verld, and being foiled by pork, his people’s ubiquitous and timeless nemesis.

Increase Pork Barrel spending or the Terrorists win!

Notice the man-sized sarcophagus in Osama’s cave? Great stuff!!

By Analchord

August 6, 2007 8:46 AM | Link to this

I guess Osama found out that you cant make a silk parse out of a sow’s earmark.

We spend on pork like the bridge to nowhere instead of spending on infrastructure. The per dollar yield on preventing terrorism is higher than the yield of the money we spend on homeland security!!

Irony! Oh the irony!!

By IN THE NEWS

August 6, 2007 8:55 AM | Link to this

STATE BY STATE LIST OF OBSOLETE OR DEFICIENT BRIDGES

By Paul

August 6, 2007 9:02 AM | Link to this

Irony is right.

Good Nicholas Kristoff column the other day (NY Times columnist). Wasn’t much discussion last week on the Farmer Subsidy Bill - he wrote a fine column describing the program and his disappointment with the Democratic leadership. A couple of gems:

“What’s especially dispiriting is how quickly the House Democrats under Speaker Nancy Pelosi have tumbled from idealism to cynicism. The Democrats had promised reform — but then the House leaders worried that scrapping welfare for farmers might hurt the re-election prospects of some newly elected Democrats. So they killed the reform proposals (which are backed by many rank-and-file Democrats).”

“There is a familiar trajectory when a political party takes power. At first, it brims with ideals. Then it makes compromises to stay in power. Finally, it becomes devoted simply to staying in office. Can Ms. Pelosi really have compressed this downward spiral into just six months?”

So Reps give corporate welfare to rich business leaders. Dems give it to rich agribusiness leaders.

Talk about irony!

Link: Nicholas Kristof - I’m ripping you off

By Duh stands for Democrats

August 6, 2007 9:04 AM | Link to this

Why worry about America’s “infrastructure” when there are so many children that need to be “converted” to your “religion:”

{{{{Behind the village was a palm grove. I stood there, amid the crushing stench of death, and photographed the remains of decapitated children and murdered adults. I can still smell the rotting corpses of those children.}}}}

That’s YOUR hero mikey.

~~~~~~

{{{{The alliance in Salahadin Province of 25 Sunni and Shia tribes around the city of Taji - 12 miles north of Baghdad - to combat members of both al Qaeda in Iraq and Moqtada al-Sadr’s Mahdi Army. Lasting friendly relations between locals and Coalition forces, with more and more Iraqis willing to assist U.S. troops in identifying hostile agents. In another positive development, terrorist-inflicted Iraqi civilian casualties - though remaining intolerably high - are down by one-third. July also saw the lowest monthly U.S. casualty toll of the year.}}}}

As always, America fighting for good in the world, fighting against evil.

Why do democrats want to surrender to evil?

By Bosch

August 6, 2007 9:06 AM | Link to this

Happy Monday!

Debbie Do Right, I just read that article too, and I must say, I feel the same way as you. I never thought I’d agree with Newt either, but then again, Bob Barr is starting to make sense as well. I feel that the true conservatives are quite sick of the incompetency of our current administration, and want the Republican party back to where it used to be (which, in essence is kind of scary as well, but it’s so much better than now).

I also wonder what people like Sam Nunn think about the current “war on terror” whatever the hell that means.

By Paul

August 6, 2007 9:12 AM | Link to this

Bosch DebbieDoRight

Please excuse my cynicism - but Newt strikes me as in the same vein as the “public tour retired generals” criticizing the administration - silent, aiding and abetting while in power; paragons of critical wisdom when they leave.

Bosch steve-o

Old news maybe, but have you seen the clip of the Manchester United 9-year-old prodigy? The clip link is at the bottom of the article.

Link: Soccer Prodigy

By Truthman

August 6, 2007 9:14 AM | Link to this

All corporate welfare sucks.

Why do we give away the farm (pun intended) to rich companies to locate in our states? They rarely benefit the general public, just fatcat politicos and their cronies.

Why don’t all of join the fight against corporate welfare, Hmmmm?

BTW, here is the way to fix Social Security…PERMANENTLY!!!

Do away with the $94K payroll exemption. If you earn more than 94K, you only pay SS taxes on the first $94K of your pay. Do away with that exemption, and we ensure Social Security FOREVER!!

See, that was easy!!

By Jesus

August 6, 2007 9:17 AM | Link to this

IMPEACH BUSH NOW!!!

By DebbieDoRight

August 6, 2007 9:20 AM | Link to this

{{Debbie Do Right, I just read that article too, and I must say, I feel the same way as you. I never thought I’d agree with Newt either, but then again, Bob Barr is starting to make sense as well}}

I know!! It must be close to the end of the world when I start agreeing not only with Newt “love em and leave em then impeach Clinton” Gringrich and Bob “never met a woman in a tight dress he didn’t like” Barr!!!

REPUBLICANS talking about truth and honor in the whitehouse; talking about how they’ve failed the people of the US; how there’s NO WAR ON TERROR … —…..I’m going to church on Sunday!!! The end is near!

By DebbieDoRight

August 6, 2007 9:23 AM | Link to this

[[Bosch DebbieDoRight — Please excuse my cynicism - but Newt strikes me as in the same vein as the “public tour retired generals” criticizing the administration - silent, aiding and abetting while in power; paragons of critical wisdom when they leave]]

Sigh. I know. But like Calamity Jane used to say, (at least in the movie), “better late than never”.

By Paul

August 6, 2007 9:28 AM | Link to this

Truthman

While a good case can be made for that, it seems to me it’s of the “increase the taxes, don’t do changes to the program” school. It’s rather the same with Defense - don’t cut programs that made sense 20-50 years ago, just keep them and add more programs and dollars.

If I understand correctly, SS retirement age has rarely been increased - when it began, most people died within a year or so of collecting benefits (some number like that). I’m not suggesting we fix retirement at 85, but more adjustments for longevity has merit (then you have to deal with subgroups who say “we have shorter longevity so we should retire younger).

I also understand Social Security increases are tied to increase s in average wages, not prices (even though it’s called a “cost of living” adjustment). Since wages generally rise faster than prices, overall Social Security costs rise faster now than if they were tied to price inflation.

By Truthman

August 6, 2007 9:42 AM | Link to this

Exellent point, Paul. COAs as they are called in the government parlance are always behind real price increases and inflation.

New topic: Is there anyone out there who doesn’t believe that Jeri Thompson, trophy wife of the extremely flabby and homely Fred Thompson, is nothing more than a political prostitute? To imagine that she actually mated with him (he’s 64, she’s 40) is icky to the max!!!

So much for those Republican “Family Values!!”

By Analchord

August 6, 2007 9:42 AM | Link to this

For the last time, we liberals support Osama bin Laden because Al Queda has a gay men’s choir, and West Point does not!!

And we’re not just talking about choirs, but we’re talking ‘bout the devil, god, the universe, divorce lawyers, Venus, left lane bandits and gastric bypasses, now do you finally understand what we’re talking about????

By N-GA

August 6, 2007 9:47 AM | Link to this

Paul,

Perhaps this comment is dated and things have changed dramatically. In my day military officers had absolutely no incentive to not spend. At the end of each fiscal year there was a spending frenzy. When supply stockpiles reached ridiculous levels and the inevitable question was asked, the reply was always: “If it doesn’t get spent, then next year’s budget will be lower.

No wonder that there are stockpiles of out-of-date rations, ammunition, forms, etc. There are likely cases of ribbons for old IBM Selectric typewriters stored away somewhere, right next to printer ribbons/cartridges for units no longer in use.

Then again I am probably wrong, and the Pentagon has authorized bonuses for being under budget.

Defense contracts, as well. In 1967 I spent time on the BLU-29 bomblet effort (pre-military service). Countless cost overruns due to hundreds of specification changes. It made me want to hurl.

By Duh stands for Democrats

August 6, 2007 9:51 AM | Link to this

{{{{By Truthwoman August 6, 2007 9:42 AM New topic: Is there anyone out there who doesn’t believe that Jeri Thompson, trophy wife of the extremely flabby and homely Fred Thompson, is nothing more than a political prostitute?}}}}

And what would that make Hillary Clinton?

Plus, I seriously doubt if Fred Thompson is groping his way across the country like Bill is, so this actually makes Hillary MORE of user.

You liberals should really think about your “thoughts” before you share them, if you can think, that is.

By Bosch

August 6, 2007 9:52 AM | Link to this

DDR, Loved the nicknames.

Paul & DDR, I never said that I trusted Newt, or Barr for that matter (or many politicians), and we must remember that Newt is running for president, so of course, he’s going to go against the Bush train because he and his cronies are so despised these days.

If people can forgive Newt (who knows if they have) for his ethics violations (which got him the boot to begin with), that really tells you something about the current situation in the Republican party.

One thing about Newt I always liked during Clinton’s “I didn’t inhale” scandal, was I read an article about Newt and he said something to the effect of “Yeah, I not only smoked pot, I also inhaled it.” Although I don’t agree with his politics, and certainly not his past behavior, I do wish more politicians would just ‘fess up to what they do. If Clinton had said, “Yeah, I slept with that fat chick and it was GREAT, so what?” we could have been spared so much.

By Bosch

August 6, 2007 9:55 AM | Link to this

Oh Paul, I watched that clip, it wasn’t old news to me. Wow!

By w00t

August 6, 2007 9:55 AM | Link to this

Dwight David Eisenhower:

The Chance for Peace

“Every gun that is made, every warship launched, every rocket fired signifies, in the final sense, a theft from those who hunger and are not fed, those who are cold and are not clothed.

This world in arms in not spending money alone.

It is spending the sweat of its laborers, the genius of its scientists, the hopes of its children.

The cost of one modern heavy bomber is this: a modern brick school in more than 30 cities.

It is two electric power plants, each serving a town of 60,000 population.

It is two fine, fully equipped hospitals.

It is some 50 miles of concrete highway.

We pay for a single fighter with a half million bushels of wheat.

We pay for a single destroyer with new homes that could have housed more than 8,000 people.

This, I repeat, is the best way of life to be found on the road the world has been taking.

This is not a way of life at all, in any true sense. Under the cloud of threatening war, it is humanity hanging from a cross of iron.”

It is so true, even today…

How would you spend a trillion dollars?

By @@

August 6, 2007 9:57 AM | Link to this

Heeeeyy, I’ve always heard that the U.S. grows enough food to alleviate world hunger. I guess the Democrats have put the world on rations?

So the Democrats aren’t supporters of goodwill around the globe afterall. I must say, I am……….

By Analchord

August 6, 2007 9:58 AM | Link to this

did the bridge collapse send Osama a signal? Did Osama go, “Damn! Now we cant blow up the Holland Tunnel. Ratz. Confound it! Now what?”

Fly planes into buildings? Nah. Sick of it. Been there.. Done that.

Poison the Food? I aint copying no chinks. Come up with something original.

We could put anthrax in the American’s douche bags…….IT…..COULD…..WORK!!!!

Oh the humanity! We should surrender now, or it’s back to eating spinach, popeye.

By Duh stands for Democrats

August 6, 2007 10:01 AM | Link to this

So why is the Atlanta Journal Constitution being so quite about the murder of reporter Chaunce Bailey? You would think that the shooting death of a newspaper reporter would at least deserve mention, if not sensational banner headlines, in the pages of another “news” paper:

{{{{After a police raid Friday at Your Black Muslim Bakery in Oakland, bakery employee Devaughndre Broussard admitted to murdering Chauncey Bailey, editor of the Oakland Post. Bailey was writing a series of investigative articles about the Bakery — and that’s why Broussard killed him. Your Black Muslim Bakery is an outpost of the Nation of Islam, not of any orthodox Islamic sect, but in this murder Devaughndre Broussard followed a pattern that some orthodox Muslims have also followed.}}}}}

The M word, that’s why.

The Islamic threat isn’t “real” in the minds of your average lib, so they just ignore the facts.

Endangering all of us in the process.

Where’s the outrage AJC?

By Paul

August 6, 2007 10:07 AM | Link to this

N-GA

I believe there are still elements of that. The appropriation for most day-to-day operations is for one year. While many think “if we don’t spend it next year we get less” that is a decision made at the local level. The aggregate of funds will likely not reduce (for an installation, for instance). So the money given at the end of the year will be spent at the “local” level. No more than 20 percent can be spent in the last three months. But that’s still a lot of money! If too much is left over with a month to go at installation “B”, those monies may get pulled by the HQ - who will still spend it - maybe at installation “C.”

So while next year’s budget may not be lower, at midnight on September 30 (the end of the fiscal year) the money, spent or not, is “gone.”

I believe there have been significant restrictions in specifications changes for new weapons, such as the BLU-29 bomblet, in that changes have to be justified and reviewed at a higher level - so the project manager can no longer make unilateral changes. Contractors can take more of the hits - for instance, the software didn’t run the tracking controls properly. There were unknown factors involved. The contractor will likely absorb a good part of the software rewrite cost.

But we’ll keep the status quo: still build new attack subs, not minesweepers. We’ll pay army troops a bonus every month to remain proficient in parachuting (I guess they can’t rapel or the helos can’t land???). We’ll pay Air Force pilots a $20k a year bonus to fly drones that an Army private or sergeant will fly for no bonus. The list goes on. Millions to monitor “energy conservation” (how many times can you be told to turn off the lights?). Same’s true in other Federal agencies. Care to guess how many inspectors EPA has compared to the total payroll? (Don’t - it’ll depress you). A million here. A million there. Pretty soon you’re talking real money (quip source unknown).

Enjoying Messiah - a bit heavy-handed at the beginning, but the Jesus message is developing well.

By Bosch

August 6, 2007 10:08 AM | Link to this

I know this is off topic, but this is shocking.

Nardelli chosen to run Chrysler

By Truthman

August 6, 2007 10:11 AM | Link to this

Ooooo! I got Andi/Luckodunce/D’oh’s goat!!

Andi, get to work and get off the meds.

Hillary would eat you for lunch in court of law. You neo-conmen are SOOOOO scared of a strong woman it’s laughable. Hillary can stand on her own two feet apart from her spouse (who is near her age). Jeri Thompson, who still has outstanding civil judgements against her in Tennessee, would be a nobody w/o Fat Fred at her side.

End of line!

By getalife

August 6, 2007 10:11 AM | Link to this

Great toon Mike.

Not only the infrastructure is collapsing but the Dems spine again too.

Live blogging the vote on the gop spy bill Friday was amazing. All the Dems had to do was vote no together. They could not. Both the House and the Senate passed it and the left is outraged.

Like me, most are at a loss of words for caving to w again. It seems the Dem Party has some gop members especially the blue dogs.

Three strikes and you are out in my book so I will not argue to support the Dems but will vote for a Dem President.

By Truthman

August 6, 2007 10:15 AM | Link to this

P.S. to Luckodunce/Andi/D’oh!

All religion threatens us!! It is the “my god is better than your god” that has plagued mankind since mankind created religion!!

No god? Know peace!!

(and don’t tell me I’m going to hell because one cannot go to a place that does not exist).

By getalife

August 6, 2007 10:15 AM | Link to this

Paul,

They passed 460 billion for the Pentagon in the House.

By Bosch

August 6, 2007 10:15 AM | Link to this

Back on topic - I’m not going to blame Bush personally for this bridge collapsing, that’s futile, the kind of damage to a bridge that would cause that kind of catastrophic outcome was years in the making, but these kinds of tragedies should make us all stop and think about priorities and the responsibility our government has to secure the safety of its citizens.

Now some would argue that the terrorism threat is the most important threat to our security, but I do not agree with that argument. There are many ways for terrorists to “win” and spending billions of dollars on a “war of ideas” and not spending money on domestic needs such as infrastructure and education, health care, border protection, etc. is just another way for OBL to win. If we aren’t a strong nation at home, then we will never be a strong nation abroad.

By Bosch

August 6, 2007 10:20 AM | Link to this

Truthman, “and don’t tell me I’m going to hell because one cannot go to a place that does not exist”

Amen.

By Truthman

August 6, 2007 10:20 AM | Link to this

getalife,

Don’t beleive the Bushit!! The truth is the Dems cannot muster 60 votes to override the Chimperor’s veto.

The only reason Dems are said to be failing is because the mainstream, republican-controlled media harp on the fact that the money and troops are still fighting the illegal, immoral Iraq fiasco.

How can you get 60 votes if people such as Zaxby Chambliss (a.k.a. The Chicken Man) and Johnny Isakson are nothing more than rubber stamps for Bush/Cheney’s criminality!!

By Paul

August 6, 2007 10:25 AM | Link to this

w00t 9:55

The “guns vs butter” debate goes on and while I think Eisenhower has a good point, a lot has changed since he wrote those words. Defense was a huge part of the Federal budget then, much less so now. So we have lots and lots of Federal programs that could be substituted for Ike’s comment, such as “One farm subsidy for a millionaire could provide a school” etc.

Gov’t workers (DoD, Health Human Services, Justice, etc) get recognition and promotion for maintaining and expanding their programs, not for cutting them. I’m afraid all we’ll ever see is tinkering around the margins.

getalife 10:11

On the bright side, one can say it took Democratic voters seven months to figure out what it took Republican voters seven years to figure out? :)

Your 10:15 - boggles the mind.

By Right-wing nut job in full glory

August 6, 2007 10:26 AM | Link to this

Duh says: “Why do democrats want to surrender to evil?”

Whether this is fair comment upon the position of the Democrats is of no moment to me. The real value of this language is its ability to further divide us rather than bring us together. Because as Lincoln said “Together we fall, divided we stand.” We must value such polemistic language because of its inherent value in keeping us from listening to each other. From reaching common ground. For it is only when we were are divided and fearful and distrustful that our great leaders can manipulate us into granting to them the power to keep us safe from the “others.” To show you how stupid any other sort of thought may be I leave you with the dangerous words of a famous liberal:

“We must admit the vanity of our false distinctions among men and learn to find our own advancement in the search for the advancement of all. Our lives on this planet are too short and the work to be done too great to let this spirit flourish any longer in our land. [W]e can perhaps remember – even if only for a time – that those who live with us are our brothers, that they share with us the same short movement of life, that they seek – as we do – nothing but the chance to live out their lives in purpose and happiness, winning what satisfaction and fulfillment they can.

Surely this bond of common faith, this bond of common goal, can begin to teach us something. Surely we can learn, at least, to look at those around us as fellow men and surely we can begin to work a little harder to bind up the wounds among us and to become in our hearts brothers and countrymen once again.”

Isn’t that disgusting? Keep it up Duh. For if you don’t we might come together in this fight. United as one against the enemy. If that happens, the terrorists win. Of course, by terrorists I mean the 70% of the people in America who think you are an idiot and who thus, by your logic, are just as bad as terrorists.

RWNJIFG

By Duh stands for Democrats

August 6, 2007 10:26 AM | Link to this

{{{{By Truthwoman August 6, 2007 10:15 AM All religion threatens us!! It is the “my god is better than your god” that has plagued mankind since mankind created religion!!}}}}

I know this is a futile exercise trying to have an intelligent conversation with you and not get bombarded with lib talking points, but I still have to ask:

So why is it that every “bad” thing that a Christian does get wild screaming headlines and 24/7 coverage in the lib media?

Duh.

By getalife

August 6, 2007 10:31 AM | Link to this

Sorry truthman,

But the gop spy bill got 60 votes because the Dems caved.

All the blue dog Dems caved in the House.

This bill opens the door to warrantless domestic spying with ganzo as oversight.

It was the Patriot Act part 2. The federal judge who was suspected of leaking this illegal activity was raided by the FBI.

The hate us for our freedom so w is taking our freedom away.

OBL is smiling.

There will no accountabilty for w and his gang because the Dems can’t vote together on the tough votes.

They cave everytime.

By getalife

August 6, 2007 10:39 AM | Link to this

Paul,

They figured out why Pelosi took impeachment off the table.

The blue dogs are the gop and will never vote against w.

Feingold was p**. His censure will not be brought to the floor because some of the Dem Senators are gop. Most surprising was Webb. He came out with a pathetic statement.

Feinstein speech was the most pathetic spectacle I have seen on the floor.

I say bash the hell out of these Dems, they deserve it and should be purged.

By Liberal Drive-by

August 6, 2007 10:40 AM | Link to this

Those 16 Dumocrats who caved on the Spy bill will be out of office next election. Weak b*******.

By w00t

August 6, 2007 10:44 AM | Link to this

Paul, it is still fitting today. It’s fitting because nearly 50% of the US’s discretionary budget is spent on defense.

Also, “the USA is responsible for 48 per cent of the world total, distantly followed by the UK, France, Japan and China with 4–5 per cent each.”

Why do we need to spend so much? I know we need to have an up to date military, but at who’s expense? I mean, what if we were to put a portion of that into health care, or education, or our roads and bridges? What happened to the betterment of the American people?

We are spending ourselves into oblivion.

We can do more through peace than we can war.

By getalife

August 6, 2007 10:47 AM | Link to this

At the very least, they could use this spy bill to get rid of ganzo but did not have the spine.

The Dems had the gop bleeding in the water but threw them a life jacket.

I am still spinning from this total lack of spine.

By getalife

August 6, 2007 10:58 AM | Link to this

How bad is this gop spy bill?

There ya go.

By Dusty

August 6, 2007 11:10 AM | Link to this

Well, once again. Bridges are under the care of the STATE, not the Federal government.

I’m for serveillance for needed repairs but we seem to forget the obvious…that every year EVERYTHING gets older and bridges that shouldn’t fall…FALL! Water and sewer lines that shouldn’t burst…EXPLODE!! Buildings that shouldn’t fall during earthquake tremors…FALL!! I do not think that surveillance can stop all catastrophes unless we spend every cent in the USA budget.

Most things should be considered in moderation and this is one of them. Unless we want to go back to foot paths and stick shanties, we will continue to have the failures of aging in infrastructure even with inspections.

As to preventing terror or the War on Terror, one terrorist attack alone has caused the deaths of almost three thousand people. One bridge falling kills seven. I would say that fighting terrorism (as we are doing in Iraq and with Homeland Security) is even more important than super surveillance of infrastructure.

By mm

August 6, 2007 11:17 AM | Link to this

Dusty,

I knew I could count on you for one of your daily war rants.

Boo.

By getalife

August 6, 2007 11:18 AM | Link to this

We can always count on dusty to dumb it down.

This was the second collapse, the first was the levees in NO.

Add those numbers up dusty.

Geez.

By N-GA

August 6, 2007 11:22 AM | Link to this

Paul,

The guns vs butter argument is too binary. Every expense does not fall into those two categories.

While the states have primary responsiblity for bridge maintenance, the Feds continue to fund, to a large degree, highways, overpasses, “bridges to nowhere”, etc.

Here in Georgia, just look at I-575. Where it ends, SR515 continues all the way to Zell Miller’s hometown (Young Harris). There state funds built Brasstown Country club. I wonder how many connected people made money off that? Of course the green fees are higher than any other state golf course, and there are fewer minorities living there than you will anywhere else in the state (unless you count the illegals doing yardwork).

This when the GOP-run legislature passed a bill increasing the maximum weight allowed on log trucks…a bill authored by a legislator whose family owns a logging operation. Even though more than 200 bridges in the state cannot handle these heavily laden trucks.

Georgia government officials always spend money to help those who got them elected…special interests. I wonder what they will say when a bridge collapses as an overloaded log truck crosses it.

By w00t

August 6, 2007 11:30 AM | Link to this

How do republicans win votes?

Easy, 3 magic numbers 9-1-1.

Basically it’s like telling them “We have intelligence, that Hitler is joining forces with the Legion of Doom to assassinate Jesus!”

Why do republicans claim 9/11 as their own anyway? Just because you think of 9/11 all the time doesn’t make you more American than me, nor does it make a presidential candidate better than any other.

By Bosch

August 6, 2007 11:30 AM | Link to this

I guess it never occurs to Dusty just where most of that STATE money comes from.

Dusty, Why don’t you write the families of those who lost their family members on that bridge and tell them your opinion, also the ones who lost their homes and family members in New Orleans.

A human loss is a human loss, whether it be in the WTC, or on a bridge. Security is the bigger issue, not just fighting the “terrorist.” But I don’t guess you can get your head around “bigger issues” can you Dusty? You have to stay focused on only one issue, “winning in Iraq” whatever the hell that means.

By Paul

August 6, 2007 11:36 AM | Link to this

N-GA

One of my posts dropped - went along with your “too binary” comment. I agree -

There is a blur between what was viewed as state vs Fed responsibility. Much is not the result of rational decision - more of a budget decision (building a road, one-time cost while maintenance goes forever).

This will occur as long as money is involved and we have officials who put personal power and greed over duty to the people. I mentioned earlier “tinkering around the margins” - well, that is a great thing I see about the Internet and forums such as this - what would have been secret or greatly restricted in the past is now able to be seen, discussed and related to many, many people in many locations. Change may come - slowly, incrementally, stutteringly, but change nonetheless.

BTW - getalife - want to feel more amazed? Just a few months back, all the Plame controversy (I do not wish to rehash what is covert, leaked, etc) - but we saw what many described as weaknesses in the statutes preventing prosecution for disclosing an agent’s identity. So what should happen, especially if the critics gain power? Answer - hold hearings, introduce legislation, change the law.

Hearings to date on that topic? Yeah, you guessed it. Follow-up isn’t a strong suit when a new sheriff is in town -

By Right-wing nut job in full glory

August 6, 2007 11:41 AM | Link to this

If there is one thing that we wingers believe and promote it is the free market. I’m tired of sending my tax money in for bridges, roads, highways, sewers etc… If there is enough demand for a bridge then somebody will risk his capital to put one up and charge us for the priviledge of using it.

Remember ‘Government is the problem not the solution’ to getting across rivers.

RWNJIFG

By getalife

August 6, 2007 11:47 AM | Link to this

Paul,

Yes, Plame was outed and there was no accountabilty but that is the way it now.

I think the investigatons is a waste of time because the dems will cave on the vote or w will pardon.

No accountabilty is our government now.

Lets see how far they will take it.

By Truthman

August 6, 2007 11:51 AM | Link to this

Andi/Luckodunce/D’oh,

It’s because Christians hold themselves up to be so superior (as do most religions), that when they do fall from grace, it just points out their hypocracy.

That’s why so many people who have chosen to live in the 21st century agree that religion is “the opiate of the masses!”

Republicans: Our bridge to the 11th Century!!

By Paul

August 6, 2007 11:53 AM | Link to this

RWNJING

I believe the idea is the good for certain kinds of roads and bridges accrues to the entire country - much the same rationale Eisenhower used when he proposed the national highway system. People outside the immediate area still derive benefit, especially when interstate commerce is involved. That’s as opposed to the kinds of roads and projects N-GA cited earlier.

One of the reasons for the national, public roadway system was to get away from the difficulties encountered with private bridges, ferries, etc in the 18th-19th centuries, esp. for a country on the move.

But now we have many communities taking roadways constructed with public monies and converting them into toll roads (rather than risk public ire by raising the gas tax). So we’ll end up paying again to use a road we’ve already been taxed to build. Ain’t life great?

By Federal Income Index

August 6, 2007 12:11 PM | Link to this

The average income for FARMERS is $15,000.

By Paul

August 6, 2007 12:17 PM | Link to this

Fed Income Index

I think a number of farmers would take exception to that - by several orders of magnitude. Even more if net worth is considered.

Link: Assessing Farm Household Well-Being

By getalife

August 6, 2007 12:31 PM | Link to this

Here is some good news

One state away from the Biden plan to be implemented.

By Right-wing nut job in full glory

August 6, 2007 12:59 PM | Link to this

I would like to take this opportunity to endorse Rep. Tom Tancredo for President. I had thought that Ducan Hunter would be my nut case of choice, but Tancredo has seperated himself from the field with his suggestion that we should threaten to bomb Mecca if there is another terrorist attack.

This is an awfully good idea. I’m sure that if we were to threaten to bomb Mecca that terrorism would end. I can’t see anybody thinking “Hey if we commit this terrorist attack and they bomb Mecca we will finally come together as one Muslim Nation to destroy the great Satan.” Hell no. They wouldn’t think that. They’d just stop being terrorists and get a real job.

TANCREDO IN ‘08, because if you ain’t nutty, you ain’t right.

RWNJIFG

By @@

August 6, 2007 1:01 PM | Link to this

Wow Getalife, your 12:31 is what’s known as democracy. It’s important that they, the Iraqis make that choice, not an outside force.

By mm

August 6, 2007 1:13 PM | Link to this

@@ at 1:01,

Hey, one of you wingnuts finally admitted that we cannot force democracy on Iraq. At least it sounded that way. But then when I read your words again, it sounds like you are saying that it is better for them to make the choice instead of us forcing them to make the choice.

By @@

August 6, 2007 1:24 PM | Link to this

mm:

The stage has been set for them to establish their own form of democracy. It’s happening throughout the ME.

The pushing is coming from the Democrats, it tends to rile that culture when they’re pushed.

Rather interesting that this is happening while Parliament is on their August vacation.

By getalife

August 6, 2007 1:24 PM | Link to this

@@,

I always thought Biden’s plan could work.

Instead of arming the Sunnies we should be pushing for their own state.

They could split the oil for revenue and we should not steal it, it is theirs.

They will need it to rebuild.

By mm

August 6, 2007 1:31 PM | Link to this

@@,

Very good point that this is occuring while the Parliament is on vacation. Too bad we can’t regain control of our country while the morons in our Congress are on vacation.

By Right-wing nut job in full glory

August 6, 2007 1:37 PM | Link to this

With respect to oil revenue sharing in Iraq, if history teaches us anything it is that people are more than willing to share. I don’t anticipate that one group will claim that they are more worthy of the money nor do I think that greedy b******* will seek to draw divisions between people so that they can take it all. It almost never happens that way. Especially, in this area of the world. We should just sit everyone down and say that each group of people will get a pro rata share of the oil. Then there will be great joy and peace throughout the land for decades. Streets will be named after Bush and the American Embassy will be the hot tourist attraction for Iraqis in Baghdad. Believe me, we are in the last throes of this conflict.

Trust us. We haven’t been wrong on anything yet have we?

RWNJIFG

By Cindy

August 6, 2007 1:39 PM | Link to this

Good toon again, Mike.

I remember somebody complaining that Clinton’s greatest sin against this country was letting the infrastructure deteriorate. Hmmm, he’s been out of office how long now?

What was bin Laden’s goals? To start a religious war? To bankrupt America? Destroy the US? Sorry to see bush falling right in with his plans; brick by brick. As bad as any candidate out there might be they’re all better than bush. And that is a very sad statement.

By Analchord

August 6, 2007 1:39 PM | Link to this

We aint nevah gonna git outta Iraq.

Describe a scenario where we could leave in the next 25 years.

Anyone.

Know what? You cant. (and not just because you’re ignorant of the geo-political realities of Iraq, but rather because the cost of leaving will always be greater than the cost of staying)

‘muff said

By getalife

August 6, 2007 1:43 PM | Link to this

Looking at who voted yes on the spy bill and Iraq, you can count on those as being all gop.

This means there is still not an opposition party to the gop.

The solution should come in stages for when these people come up for reelection.

Vote them out. The netroots is very disappointed because the ones they worked for caved and are the gop.

It will be an ongoing battle while the gop sits back, screws the country up even more, waiting on an opposition party.

It will be interesting to see how far w will take this no accountabilty Congress.

By Duh stands for Democrats

August 6, 2007 1:52 PM | Link to this

{{{{By N-GA August 6, 2007 11:22 AM Here in Georgia, just look at I-575. Where it ends, SR515 continues all the way to Zell Miller’s hometown (Young Harris). There state funds built Brasstown Country club. I wonder how many connected people made money off that? Of course the green fees are higher than any other state golf course, and there are fewer minorities living there than you will anywhere else in the state (unless you count the illegals doing yardwork).}}}}

Huh, and here I thought there wasn’t anything but dirt poor, uneducated, “stumpbroke” rednecks up that way.

Thanks for busting up that old liberal boiler plate, N-GA.

~~~~~~

{{{{By Truthman August 6, 2007 11:51 AM Republicans: Our bridge to the 11th Century!!}}}}

Like I said, bombarded with lib talking points.

Let’s see here, Muslims are the ones shooting, stabbing and cutting people’s throats in the street, flying planes full of people into office buildings and make whole nations into slaves, all of it based on their religion.

Christians want you to respect life and attend Church, they haven’t killed anybody in nearly 25 centuries over their religion.

So guess who the big bad libs are going to nut up on, getting down with their bad selves?

Geez, not the Islamics, that’s for sure.

Duh.

By getalife

August 6, 2007 1:55 PM | Link to this

“Christians want you to respect life and attend Church, they haven’t killed anybody in nearly 25 centuries over their religion.”

Duh, some of your best work.

Too funny.

By rushncap

August 6, 2007 2:02 PM | Link to this

Is it just me, or is @@ now trying to pass herself off as an expert on Iraqi (or Arab, or Middle Eastern) culture? Sunstroke?

By RE

August 6, 2007 2:06 PM | Link to this

Is Duh the new incarnation of Andy?

This latest post is filled with more incorrect statements than usual.

Just on the 25 centuries thing, if Christ was about 2007 years ago, where did the extra 500 years come from?

And christians never killed anyone in the name of religion…. hmmm.

Crusades, inquisition, conquest of North and South America.

This guy cannot be andy, Andy was not quite that dumb

By Right-wing nut job in full glory

August 6, 2007 2:06 PM | Link to this

Duh’s right. Nobody has ever been killed because of Christianity. Ever. And certainly not 500 years before Christ was born. I would say that those 5 centuries prior to Jesus’ birth were among the most peaceful for the Christian people.

RWNJIFG

By getalife

August 6, 2007 2:06 PM | Link to this

gop creep show

I like it but the little ole lady wingnuts will not.

BTW, Rudy’s daughter is for Obama.

Bwa.

By Paul

August 6, 2007 2:11 PM | Link to this

rushncap

I missed telling you the other day I appreciated the information about your background. A (30s 40s) woman in our neighborhood’s father was very young when his father got them out of Ukraine (1940s). He’d watched his very young sister shot by Russian soldiers after a brother taunted them. How they made it out of there I haven’t a clue - but they came here. Says a lot.

By Analchord

August 6, 2007 2:12 PM | Link to this

Is Osama really hiding in caves or spider holes ala Saddam? Is that a real situation? Does he communicate via local farmers and herders to his commanders because any electronic signature would give his position away?

And what is the real profile of Al Queda in Iraq. Where are they coming from? Who are they. What is their strength. What resources are they using? Are they just the radical youths of the bordering regions who are running away from home to fight the infidel for some general principle based on a generic etho-sectarian crisis?

Are we supposed to hear the phrase, “Al Queda in Iraq”, and know what that means, and be afraid, and then decide that Bush was right to invade Iraq?

Is every communique from Bush about the war loaded with sell? Can we trust one word the administration says?

Is the war itself a con? Is there really civil war over there? Is there really sunni oppostition to the shia majority parliament?

Are the Kurds really dug in behind fortifications waiting for the Shia and Sunni to unite and attack them?

What is meant by the term, “rogue Shia militia”? We’re supposed to believe that there’s good shia militia and rogue shia militia?

Is General Patreaus gonna tell congress in September that we were just about to take over all of Baghdad, and “we would have got away with it too, if it weren’t for those dang rogue shia militia who ruined everything.”

What nonsense is the administration basing it’s hopes on? How gullible are the american people?

By Civics Lesson

August 6, 2007 2:14 PM | Link to this

A cloture vote requires 60 votes in the Senate, it still takes 67 to override a veto.

By getalife

August 6, 2007 2:20 PM | Link to this

RE,

I think it is Andy but he said he was banned.

@@ reads Stratfor so she is now a ME expert.

dusty is a patriot until we get a Dem President.

By Dusty

August 6, 2007 2:24 PM | Link to this

mm,

Why don’t you get covered with chocolate to sweeten up? You could use it.

Bosch,

Just because I think it is more sensible to take action against enemies who would kill us as opposed to spending on infrastructure surveillance, does not mean I do not value life. I am saying what I believe will SAVE the MOST lives.

I do not get twisted into anti-war statements because a bridge fell. Nor do I think it is sensible to imply that I don’t care about the families of bridge victims. What gave you that idea? Because you are dead set against our War on Terrorism(yes, there is one) and you are trying to say that my support is for killing?

Now that is about as far afield as you can get. Go back to reading Harry Potter. He is as “far fetched” as you are.

By Paul

August 6, 2007 2:28 PM | Link to this

getalife

Saw “Bourne Ultimatum” this weekend. A bit overdone on the bad guys in the CIA running their own secret hit teams and taking out Brits, Americans and others willy-nilly but the technology used will make you wonder “can they really do that?!!?” The picking up one targeted word out of all the phone conversations going on is real. The good guys win. You’d like it.

By Paul

August 6, 2007 2:31 PM | Link to this

Apologies to anyone who’s not familiar with the Bourne movies if I gave away too many plot elements. I should have put a “warning” up at the beginning.

By Analchord

August 6, 2007 2:31 PM | Link to this

Good comeback, dustine! Gonna be hard for mm to get happy after that one!

well played, my fine friend.

By Duh stands for Democrats

August 6, 2007 2:32 PM | Link to this

{{{{By RE August 6, 2007 2:06 PM Just on the 25 centuries thing, if Christ was about 2007 years ago, where did the extra 500 years come from?}}}}

Have you ever read the Old Testament?

{{{{Crusades, inquisition, conquest of North and South America.}}}}

The Crusades and Inquisitions took place in the 15th Century, way to relate that to the modern Protestant Church, nice stretch.

So let’s summarize, you can slaughter people in the name of religion as long as you do it now, and not in the past or else the big bad liberals will git you.

Geez.

By @@

August 6, 2007 2:48 PM | Link to this

rushncap:

(((Is it just me, or is @@ now trying to pass herself off as an expert on Iraqi (or Arab, or Middle Eastern) culture? Sunstroke?)))

Not an expert on ME culture. But I’ve encountered ME men not long in this country, and they do have a machismo thing going on. You know all about the machismo thing, don’t you? Maybe that’s because of where you originate from…oppression and all. You feel the need to overcompensate here.

(((Bahrain journalist Omran Salman endorses this claim, asserting that the struggle against America and the West is a direct result of the hatred that exists only among the Islamic and national leadership. In Salman’s opinion, average citizens are no more than “blindfolded hostages held by this alliance (the Islamic and national leaderships).”[15] As a result, the state or organization becomes a formal framework in which the leader’s behavior is affected more by a feeling of the ——->personal threat<——- to him than by the threat to his people or members of his organization.)))

(((In general, both domestic policy and foreign policy in most Arab countries are a direct continuation of the same philosophy that regards ——->pride as an absolute value.<——-

Maybe you could better understand it in this context:

But such behavior “should never be known” by his family or friends, he said, because “the shame would ruin me.” He refused to speculate what might happen if his penchant for men was discovered.

Ahmad was also insistent that in any sexual relationship he had with other males, he played the role of “the man.” In the ——>machismo of Arab culture,<—— being the ——>top<—— is important in ——>preserving manhood.<——

Better?

You’re a big advocate of GLB rights in this country, don’t you think they should be universal?

By Bosch

August 6, 2007 2:51 PM | Link to this

Dusty, You backed yourself in the “stupid” corner and can’t seem to get out. Again, your brain can not “get” the bigger picture of what is going on. OBL doesn’t need to send planes into buildings anymore, we are imploding upon ourselves, but people like you who can’t focus on anything else, who can’t multi-task your brain functions enough to see past all the hysteria.

“I would say that fighting terrorism (as we are doing in Iraq and with Homeland Security) is even more important than super surveillance of infrastructure.”

You said that yourself, and yes, I can take that to believe that you do care more about 9/11 victims than the people who died on that bridge or in New Orleans. You do not view human loss as equal, only those who died on 9/11 or in Iraq are deemed worthy enough for your pathetic cause of this “war of ideas” you simply call the “war on terror.”

Homeland Security is not just blowing up Islamic terrorists in Iraq, do you not understand that?

I know that your brain can not see past anything other than the war in Iraq, but believe it or not, there are some of us who can see past the bullsh!t or this incompetent administration.

Now, why don’t you go back to reading your fantasy books and articles that claim George W. Bush as the greatest American hero and President - maybe they’ll come out with action figures soon for him/Cheney/Rumsfeld/Gonzales/Rove/Rice and you can add them to your Jesus action figure collection.

By getalife

August 6, 2007 2:52 PM | Link to this

Well Paul,

There will be many Americans who will use these code words on the phone to mess the NSA.

Its funny how the borders are not secure but spying will catch em.

Geez.

By Bosch

August 6, 2007 2:53 PM | Link to this

Um, Duh, The Old Testament is about the Jews. They are quite a bit different than Christians.

By RE

August 6, 2007 2:53 PM | Link to this

what year was christ born?

What year is it now?

See, you subtract one number from the other, and that would be maximum time that chritianity would have been in existence. Before that there were Jews. Or do you count that along with Christianity’s history, because then the muslims would have been around 2500 years as well. They are an offshoot of judiasm, incase you didn’t know.

And then you go back to saying you are only talking about the modern protestant church, well that would have started with martin luther about 500 years ago.

You know, maybe you just aren’t that bright.

By Bosch

August 6, 2007 2:59 PM | Link to this

RE, Don’t you know? Jesus Christ was born on December 25, 0000. He was born to a virgin in a stable because there was no room for him in the inn. He was wrapped in swadling clothes and laid in a manger. He was visited by three wise men and some shepherds, and oh, yeah there were angels there too (and probably some cows and donkeys because it was a stable).

Sorry, I just can’t bear for anyone to not know the Christmas story.

You’re welcome.

By Duh stands for Democrats

August 6, 2007 3:07 PM | Link to this

Christ was a descendant of Abraham, duh.

The Old Testament foresaw the coming of Christ, duh.

Geez.

So when you going to quit sidetracking and tell me why you are so afraid to condemn the Islamic cut throats, too scared to even publish an article in a newspaper about a newspaper reporter getting shot down in the street by an Islamic loony?

I already know how much courage it takes to attack a bunch of Christians, how brave you are.

By Bosch

August 6, 2007 3:13 PM | Link to this

Duh, Ishmael was a descendent of Abraham too, a pretty close descendent, so did the Old Testament also predict Islam?

By Pau

August 6, 2007 3:16 PM | Link to this

@@ 2:48

If I may add - reference the latter part of your post - I was listening to a commentator on NPR, I believe it may have been the Prof from U North Carolina who wrote “Misquoting Jesus” that homosexuality as neither understood nor commented on as we understand it today. The phrase in the Old Testament Mosaic law of it shall be an abomination for a man to lie with a man - the “abomination” was because one man would take the “role” of the woman - and for a man to be considered as a woman was an abomination.

I’d wondered about that - but your post of present-day attitudes from that part of the world strengthens his assertion. Amazing, isn’t it - attitudes from 2000 years ago are alive, believed and promulgated.

getalife

I’ve had friends who’d talk like that on the phone - for the same reason - I never wanted the attention. Some things just aren’t worth messing with.

Bosch 2:59

So how come, when the wise men went to Herod, then went to visit the manger, then fibbed to Herod, that Herod ordered the death of all males under two years old? Not two weeks?

:)

By getalife

August 6, 2007 3:27 PM | Link to this

Paul,

Like spying on Americans. The dems should be p**, they are the ones getting spied on.

I agree with this guy:

“Some people object to the words “Under God” in our Pledge of Allegiance but find the words “Liberty and Justice for all” even more offensive. Tonight Congress voted away our liberty so they could start their summer vacation without delay. They voted to let Bush spy on us without a warrant.

I am disgusted on a level I’ve never experienced before.

Please quit calling America a free nation when we give up our freedom by voting it away. I feel as if I should burn a flag but I question if the flag it worthy of burning because it no longer stands for anything. Our soldiers in Iraq are not even dying for the illusion of freedom anymore. We are a nation of dishonest cowards.

If the Democrats can’t stand up to Bush how the hell are they going to stand up to terrorists? Bin Laden is free and we aren’t. The terrorists are laughing at us tonight. They say they hate us because we’re free. That reason is now gone.”

Marc Perkel San Bruno, CA.

He writes Bartcop who wrote:

“I have a feeling B