Mike Luckovich

By AJC/DNC Management

June 20, 2008 8:04 AM | Link to this

When gasoline was a buck fifty a gallon, McBushie was against off shore oil exploration.

Now that gasoline is four fifty a gallon, McBushie is for offshore oil exploration.

This signals that McBushie is not a stupid hack who would screw over the American people in favor of some goony special interest groups.

Why do the dhimmokrats seem to prefer screwing the American people over instead of the goony special interests?

Who do they really represent?

~~~~~

{{{{It’s a slow week in the northern territory of the Cape Cod National Seashore, Pinkoville, when a man with a yellow towel flashing passers-by is the sole complaint about public sex acts.}}}}

{{{{In the past decade, the number of complaints about explicit, open public sex in the Provincetown and Truro portions of the national park has more than tripled, Seashore acting chief ranger Craig Thatcher said. The activity ranges from flashing to masturbation to men’s outdoor orgies, he said.}}}}

Aahhh, yes, such love and devotion!!

Let’s get married!

~~~~~

Wednesday morning at the Urinal/DNC:

{{{{Major clash with Taliban forces feared!! Villagers are told to flee as Afghan troops rush in!!!}}}}

Friday morning at thee Urinal/DNC, a somber mood for all as the once proud Taliban juggernaut has been, well, sadly to say, blown straight to hell:

{{{{24-hour offensive: Afghan, NATO alliance backed by warplanes kill 56 Taliban militants, reassure Aghans that a return home is safe.}}}}

So much for that scare mongering.

Kinda makes you wonder about all the other Urinal shreiking and screaming, the economy, “global warming, blah, blah, blah.

By IN THE NEWS

June 20, 2008 8:10 AM | Link to this

LOOKEE HERE! HE GOT A NEW APPLE I-FLOP!

ONWARD….

DAMN - I’M GETTING OLD!!!!

Meant to post this the other day…..

McCain calls for building 45 new nuclear reactors McCain proposes building 45 new nuclear reactors to help reduce reliance on foreign oil…..

NO LET’S MAKE IT 50.

WAIT, MORE….ONE IN EACH STATE CAPITOL AND AN EXTRA SPECIAL SUPER DUPER ONE ON THE WASHINGTON MALL. (at least they’ll get more security)

APARTMENTS ABOVE THE CONTROL ROOMS FOR THE STATES’ CONGRESSIONAL DELEGATIONS.

I am unabashedly “not in my backyard”.

I am also unabashedly “NOT IN ANYBODIES BACKYARD”, but if you want one - give ‘em a call.

By IN THE NEWS

June 20, 2008 8:10 AM | Link to this

SHOULDN’T IT BE EASIER TO BE JUST ONE CHARACTER THAN IT IS TO BE MULTIPLE! Damn, again, just damn. I forgot this one too!

Can Georgia Be Obama’s Ohio? …..No one who has been following Barack Obama’s upstart path to the Democratic presidential nomination should be surprised at his campaign’s claim that he does not need to win Florida and Ohio to have a chance at winning it all in November. Obama has been pursuing an ambitious national strategy from the start……

Guess who’s ahead in OH, PA and FL?

He still has a problem with the “white guy” demographic, but as we have seen, when a decent human being gets to know him they get him.

We’ll get there. One step at a time.

Yes, thank heavens, Yes we can.

By IN THE NEWS

June 20, 2008 8:10 AM | Link to this

GA-Pres: can it be? by kos Thu Jun 19, 2008 at 05:05:17 PM PDT Insider Advantage. 6/19. Likely voters. MoE 5% (5/20 results)

McCain (R) 44 (45)

Obama (D) 43 (35)

Barr (L) 6 (8)

Looking at the internals (PDF), 10 percent of Dems and 19 percent of Independents are still undecided, so Obama still has room to grow.

There’s apparently a reason that the Obama campaign is flooding the state with organizers and television ads.

DUH & Co., Very LTD.

Everybody else

By IN THE NEWS

June 20, 2008 8:14 AM | Link to this

HERE’S SOME HEADLINES FOR YA’

Conservatives Echo McCain’s False Claim That Katrina Caused No Oil Spill Damage

McCain heckled for accepting most money from Big Oil.»

The Bush Legacy Bus…coming to a town near you.

MY PERSONAL FAVORITE NEXT

Bush And McCain Try To Steal Credit For Webb’s GI Bill That They Consistently Worked To Defeat

John and Cindy McCain would reap $373,429 if McCain’s tax proposal were enacted (Obama under 50G’s….under Obama’s - McCain 5641 Obama 6124 (YEP OBAMA 6124)

New wiretapping bill dubbed ‘repugnant’ and ‘a capitulation.’

Bolton Fearmongers: ‘Best Outcome’ Of Obama Presidency Is ‘More Embassy Bombings, WTC Attacks’

Sessions: ‘We ought to be saying the energy companies are our friends.’»

Don Young’s ‘A Team’ Of Lobbyists: ‘These People Can Talk To Whomever They Want’»

Taguba: ‘The current administration has committed war crimes’ and needs to ‘be held to account.’

NO WONDER I’M POOPED!

ALL THIS FROM JUST THINK PROGRESS….

BROUGHT TO YOU BY THESE FINE FOLKS

Let me save the cast of characters some trouble…urinal, POS, pinko, commie, GFY, libs, lefties, hippies, dumb@ss, ….

By IN THE NEWS

June 20, 2008 8:14 AM | Link to this

OBAMA AND MCCAIN

McCain gets these silly ideas to try and take Obama down and they either don’t work or they backfire.

Obama, of course is not perfect, and McCain is not the anti-Christ, but in the end Obama wins

meep, meep

ALERT WATCH FOR IMPLODING RED STATE GREY MATTER

By IN THE NEWS

June 20, 2008 8:14 AM | Link to this

Black Pot Call Home 06.19.08 — 3:18PM By Josh Marshall Someone help me here. McCain is grandstanding on public financing when he is, as we speak, breaking the law by continuing to spend unlimited primary campaign money after opting in to public financing for the primary phase of the campaign? And then greenlighting the outside 527s to go after Obama only days ago? Something doesn’t compute. FROM TPM

AND

I mentioned earlier today that it was quite a thing to see John McCain denouncing Barack Obama for breaking his word on public financing when McCain himself is at this moment breaking the law in continuing to spend over the spending limits he promised to abide by through the primary season in exchange for public financing

AND

Obama Camp: We Opted Out Of Public Financing Because McCain Won’t Discuss Reining In 527sBy Eric Kleefeld - June 19, 2008, 8:01PMSo, did the Obama campaign decide to opt out of public financing because their offers to negotiate with the McCain camp over restricting outside ad spending were rebuffed?That’s what the Obama campaign’s top legal adviser claimed in a conference call a few moments ago, as the skirmishing over Obama’s decision dragged into the evening.Chief legal counsel Bob Bauer insisted that he’d communicated their concerns at his meeting with McCain counsel Trevor Potter. Instead, Bauer says, Potter never answered their concerns — and added that McCain has actually tacitly encouraged such 527s to gear up and go after Obama.”It seems to me that if we scheduled this discussion,” Bauer said, “and we put forward our concerns, and we heard nothing back, nor anything in the meeting that could in any way suggest that fruitful exchanges were productive, it isn’t clear to me that the McCain campaign is in the position to accuse us of failing to negotiate.”Here’s the audio from the call:

By IN THE NEWS

June 20, 2008 8:17 AM | Link to this

McCain: I Can’t Stop Outside Groups From Attacking Obama By Greg Sargent - June 12, 2008, 11:15AM John McCain has claimed that he doesn’t want independent groups to attack Barack Obama, but in a new interview he says that, well, there really isn’t anything he can do about it if those groups do decide to swift boat the Democrat: GOP presidential contender John McCain says he can’t control every attack ad aimed at Democrat Barack Obama and fully expects he’ll face a similar barrage, sounding the bell for a raucous general election brawl. “I can’t be a referee of every spot run on television,” McCain told the Herald in an exclusive interview. “I admire Sen. Obama and his accomplishments, but we all know there are groups who want to attack me.” The Arizona senator’s hands-off posture on attack ads by now-infamous tax-free and unaccountable political groups called 527s marks a softening of his view on the negative campaign tactic — and opens the door to a no-holds-barred five-month scramble. Via The Page. As McCain says, there are in fact groups who want to attack McCain. But guess what — Obama’s finance team has explicitly instructed donors not to give money to those groups. McCain, by contrast, seems to be saying that he can’t control the groups on his side. If McCain can’t stand up to the 527s, how is he going to take on Al Qaeda?

FROM TPM

AND

MORE ON OBAMA OPTING OUT

By Mike

June 20, 2008 8:18 AM | Link to this

Funny that Lucko would run a cartoon about McCain flip flopping after the self-righteous flip flop from Obama on public funds. If anyone really believed he was any different from the other politicians then yesterday should have proven hes not. He complained about Republican special interest groups smearing him the same week MoveOn.org launched a national ad smearing McCain. Of course Obama won’t denounce that one. Why would he? All the better to act above the fray and let your minions and supports do all the smearing. This guy is a sham like the rest of them.

By IN THE NEWS

June 20, 2008 8:21 AM | Link to this

AND IN THE SPIRIT OF MUTUAL COOPERATION

LET ME HELP PAUL OUT

ITN @ ??? o’clock

blah de blah de blah, don’t you think?

ITN @ ??? o’clock

yada, yada, yada you source if leftie!

ITN @ ??? o’clock

WA WA WA WA WA, but I really meant to say

ITN @ ??? o’clock

boon shaka laka boom shaka laka boom don’t you get my sense of humor?

By reebok

June 20, 2008 8:22 AM | Link to this

Cheap shot at McCain, ML. The guy is like 100 years old, he can’t be expected to remember what he stands for.

By Goldie

June 20, 2008 8:26 AM | Link to this

Good one, Lucko! McBush’s campaign mascot should be a weather vane!

By jethro bodine

June 20, 2008 8:27 AM | Link to this

McBush is so focused on “gaining the prize” that he’s willing to say anything to anybody, change any position, morph into anything he has to, to win the backing of the intelligence challenged, bible thumping, flat earth believing, radical Republican right.

What cries, wailing, and gnashing of teeth we’ll hear when the reprobate, mossy backed Republicans get their asses thumped in November. Maybe we can finally turn our backs on the 19th century and move to the modern world.

By Likkkoduh (MkkkKKKain) Loves Dikkk Cheney

June 20, 2008 8:27 AM | Link to this

With or without the Cheney!

You won’t find me - Lady Andiduh - having sex on a public beach.

No, meet me on Concourse A - come up the escalator, first mens room on the right as you head right. That’ll be me tapping the spiked heels, waiting for you…

By Mike

June 20, 2008 8:34 AM | Link to this

It is always amusing to come here and see the far left of America telling each other how great they are and how bad the right is. The funny things is their candidates and leadership are just as corrupt and self-serving. Of course some people like being led around by the nose I guess.

By GodHatesTrash

June 20, 2008 8:34 AM | Link to this

Mike, you silly whiner, nobobdy is smearing McCain - they are just telling the truth about him, is all.

McCain smears himself. Like an old dog, he rolls around in feces and loves the smell of it.

By Mik

June 20, 2008 8:42 AM | Link to this

Wow Godhatestrash, you obviously put a lot of thought into that one. I am no McCain fan (both candidates are clowns if you ask me). I just find it amusing how Obama is such a a media darling. And you obviously have bought into it based on your blindly partisan postings.

By Repug V.P. Man

June 20, 2008 8:42 AM | Link to this

“The Holocaust was an obscene period in our nation’s history. I mean in this century’s history. But we all lived in this century. I didn’t live in this century.” - J. Danforth Quayle 09/15/88.

By One Voice

June 20, 2008 8:48 AM | Link to this

Enjoy: http://www.electoral-vote.com/

By RW-(the original)

June 20, 2008 9:20 AM | Link to this

BARACK OBAMA isn’t abandoning his pledge to take public financing for the general election campaign because it’s in his political interest. Certainly not. He isn’t about to become the first candidate since Watergate to run an election fueled entirely with private money because he will be able to raise far more that way than the mere $85 million he’d get if he stuck to his promise — and with which his Republican opponent, John McCain, will have to make do. No, Mr. Obama, or so he would have you believe, is forgoing the money because he is so committed to public financing. Really, it hurts him more than it hurts Fred Wertheimer.

{{{{{Pardon the sarcasm. But given Mr. Obama’s earlier pledge to “aggressively pursue” an agreement with the Republican nominee to accept public financing, his effort to cloak his broken promise in the smug mantle of selfless dedication to the public good is a little hard to take. “It’s not an easy decision, and especially because I support a robust system of public financing of elections,” Mr. Obama said in a video message to supporters.}}}}}

Obambi/Nixon ‘08!

By RW-(the original)

June 20, 2008 9:31 AM | Link to this

And the rather overwhelming response came from across the nation. Only DC credited Obama with intelligence rather than dishonesty. Every other state has scolded Obama for his unprincipled reversal on public financing. Pennsylvania, which he needs to hold, cast almost 5,000 votes and 69% believed him to be a hypocrite. Oregon, which he’ll almost certainly win, cast a thousand votes, 64% of them in the negative. Obama hopes to steal Georgia, but 65% of the 3,000 straw-poll respondents think him unprincipled.

{{{{{Has the glow dimmed on the political messiah? I think this latest reversal may have permanently crippled that feeling of phenomenon and returned Obama to Earth as just another politician. Unfortunately, Obama has nothing else to offer but that sense of difference — and if he’s lost that, he’s in big, big trouble.}}}}}

Nationally 68% say he’s just a hypocrite.

Hey! Remember when he said he could no more disown his preacher than he could the black community or his typical white racist grandmother? He stuck with that one didn’t he?

How about NAFTA? DId you hear his new position yesterday? This guy is starting to make Kerry look like a man of conviction.

Obambi/Flipper ‘08!

By Paul

June 20, 2008 9:38 AM | Link to this

ITN 8:10 and today’s ‘toon -

So the implication is, with a Pres Obama we’ll get a Pres who will never, or at least drag out, ever, ever changing his mind?

Just what was it you don’t like about Pres Bush, again?

ITN - France generates three-fourths of its electricity needs from nuclear. Sweden, about half. And they dispose of the waste.

Pity you think Americans are incapable of figuring out how to do something the French and Swedes have been doing for years. Of course, there were people a few years ago, too, who thought American workers were incapable of making automobiles to the same quality standards as Japanese workers.

By @@

June 20, 2008 9:39 AM | Link to this

Democrats and their blackberry?

Gawd you’re such a racist!!!!!

So Obama is not “flexible”?

Well there’s some fuel for the Conserveatives’ fire, the voters’ ire, the economic mire.

Obama is the new George W. Bush, unbending.

Obama, the Bohica Blend.

By Goldie

June 20, 2008 9:40 AM | Link to this

Hey RWanker @ 9:31 — look at what your own “Hot Air” poll states about the 68% results: “Bear in mind that the AOL Hot Seat poll is not scientific, and most of the first 5,000 votes came from Hot Air, which is obviously not Obama territory.”

You’re full of Hot Air, as usual…

By IN THE NEWS

June 20, 2008 9:42 AM | Link to this

I think it’s wonderful that Howard Dean was able to use the Internet, $50, $75, $100 contributions. That’s what we want it to be all about. We want average citizens to contribute small amounts of money, and that’s a commitment to a campaign. So I’m for that. I think it’s a great thing. I think the Internet is going to change American politics for the better. John McCain

By IN THE NEWS

June 20, 2008 9:44 AM | Link to this

Iowa Gov: We Asked McCain NOT to Come ….In what could be the final nail in the coffin of John McCain’s hopes (such as they were) in the state of Iowa, we discover that yesterday’s photo-op in the flood-ravaged areas came AGAINST the request of the state’s governor, who was worried (as with Obama’s canceled visit), that it would divert local resources:

OF COURSE WHEN OBAMA VISITED THE FLOOD AREA - HE FILLED SANDBAGS….

By RW-(the original)

June 20, 2008 9:46 AM | Link to this

Have you been following the story of the Obambi campaign not allowing the Muslim women to sit behind him? I’m surre you’ve heard the dozens of breathless apologies from Obambi and his throwing of the volunteer staff in Michigan under the bus with cries of “THAT’s NOT THE VOLUNTEER STAFF I KNEW!”

Looks like the volunteers may have been a lot smarter than Obambi. (Granted that wouldn’t be difficult)

As soon as I heard about the Muslim women in hijabs being excluded from sitting behind Barack Obama at a Michigan rally, I knew what you probably knew: that CAIR and ADC and MPAC and ISNA, the alphabet soup of terrorist-sympathizing, pan-HAMAS/Hezbollah Islamofascist grievance theater, would milk the story like there’s no tomorrow. It was ripe fodder for their PR branch of the jihad against America and the West.

{{{{{Now, I’ve come to learn that one of the hijab-encrusted, rejected whiners, Hebba Aref, was an official of the Muslim Students Association (MSA), in charge of proselytizing. The Chicago Tribune identified the MSA as part of the American manifestation of the Sunni terrorist group, Al-Ikhwan Al-Muslimeen—The Muslim Brotherhood. Aref served on the executive board of the University of Michigan-Dearborn’s MSA, which demanded and obtained tax-funded Muslim foot baths at that university, a story I broke on this site last year. Also, two Muslim students at U-M Dearborn, Lola Elzein and Mohammed Fouad Abdallah, sent me violent rape and death threats.}}}}}

By Bosch

June 20, 2008 9:47 AM | Link to this

Paul,

There are many things not to like about President Bush - changing his mind is not one of them.

By Goldie

June 20, 2008 9:47 AM | Link to this

McBush has stated that he “didn’t love America” until he became a POW — what an unpatriotic turd-blossom! And I’ll bet he doesn’t even wear a flag pin every day either…

By IN THE NEWS

June 20, 2008 9:49 AM | Link to this

Republicans have hammered Michelle Obama for her remarks in February that she was proud of America “for the first time in my adult life.” Tonight, however, Dan Abrams showed footage he uncovered of a Fox News interview with John McCain on March 13, 2008, in which McCain said, “I didn’t really love America until I was deprived of her company.” Abrams thinks McCain’s comments could undermine the “right wing’s steady attacks against Michelle Obama.”

GOTTA LOVE THOSE TUBES AND THE GOOGLE

By @@

June 20, 2008 9:52 AM | Link to this

I am told by Democratic sources that within minutes of Hillary Clinton’s speech “suspending” her candidacy, Johnson was working the phones, calling her most loyal supporters asking—all but demanding—that they attend fund-raisers and start —->Bundling for Obama.<—- (He couldn’t have been that busy on veep vetting.)

(((Johnson made hundreds of millions, perfectly legally, as the leader of Fannie Mae, the —->mortgage-bundling<—- semigovernmental agency that helps homeowners of modest means. Under Johnson, Fannie Mae greatly expanded its role and helped drive home-ownership numbers to record levels, but it also became a gilt-edged ghetto for patronage appointees who used their contacts and chits to insulate the companies (and Johnson) from political attack.)))

(((And Johnson was out. —->He can still Bundle for Obama<—-, and the betting here is that he will.)))

Wouldn’t it be ironic if the same guy whose mortgage efforts put millions of Americans on the street, was out there bringing people to the streets in support of Obama?

Community organizing at its’ worst.

In Washington - as in New York - much-touted reforms have not included a requirement that lobbyists report their bundling efforts.

By IN THE NEWS

June 20, 2008 9:53 AM | Link to this

Obama calls Muslim women to apologize Duo accept senator’s apology for hijab incident, say they still support his run for the White House.

THE GOP

AND JOHN McCAIN

SHOULD LEARN A LESSON HERE.

MAKE A MISTAKE? ‘FESS UP AND APOLOGIZE.

Can we here a great big “We’re sorry for all those lies that lead us to war in Iraq?

By Bosch

June 20, 2008 9:53 AM | Link to this

RW,

I wonder of those 69% who think Obama to be a hypocrit, how many are Republicans?

I thought you didn’t like polls.

I think I’d like to take a poll and only the right wingers can respond the rest will not be calculated in the results:

How many of you do not like Barack Obama and do not plan to vote for him in the Presidential election in November 2008?

By Bosch

June 20, 2008 9:55 AM | Link to this

RW,

The Muslim women thing? Damned if you do, damned if you don’t. I wonder what the response would be if they had let the Muslim women sit behind him.

By IN THE NEWS

June 20, 2008 9:57 AM | Link to this

“”Wouldn’t it be ironic if the same guy whose mortgage efforts put millions of Americans on the street, was out there bringing people to the streets in support of Obama?”“

DID PHIL GRAMM CHANGE JOBS?

By IN THE NEWS

June 20, 2008 10:06 AM | Link to this

The general co-chairman of John McCain’s presidential campaign, former Sen. Phil Gramm (R-Texas), led the charge in 1999 to repeal a Depression-era banking regulation law that Democrat Barack Obama claimed on Thursday contributed significantly to today’s economic turmoil.

AND

Foreclosure Phil

By IN THE NEWS

June 20, 2008 10:08 AM | Link to this

McCain economic policy shaped by lobbyist Swiss bank paid McCain co-chair to push agenda on U.S. mortgage crisis

By Paul

June 20, 2008 10:11 AM | Link to this

Bosch 9:47

That was precisely my point. That’s one of the things, not changing his mind based upon new information, for which people have criticized him. Now we have these same people, whenever the opposition candidates changes or modifies a stand, criticize him. Just illustrates the partisanship ideology, not consistent thought, by which some condemn others.

ITN 8:14

You ducked it yesterday - or maybe you were gone - but if McCain had implied the American middle class makes upward of $250,000 a year you’d ridicule him greatly. With Obama, though, it’s… remain silent on anything difficult to think about.

“New wiretapping bill dubbed ‘repugnant’ and ‘a capitulation.’

Thanks, Democratic Congress.

But you forgot - the Democratic Congress just gave gazillions to continue the Iraq war. No strings. No schedule. No nothing.

Did I say “Democratic Congress?” Kind of passed a bill that more supports McCain’s position, didn’t they?

getalife - condolences. You were right.

Obama’s the first Presidential candidate since the campaign reform laws were passed in the 1970s to refuse to participate in public financing. The reasons? Rep 527s, attack ads, even though Dems have more money rolling in in those areas than Reps. Playing the “fear” card.

Ummm, as far as McCain not “reigning in” the 527s – has Obama done the same? Can you tell us one he’s reigned in?

(and your 8:17) You do know, don’t you, that a candidate is prohibited by law from coordinating with 527s? So either your assertions (McCain greenlights the 527s) are inaccurate… or Obama is advocating candidates break the law? Nice.

That’s real change. And adopting the rightwing politics of fear. Interesting.

By RW-(the original)

June 20, 2008 10:13 AM | Link to this

Bosch,

I don’t like like polls ‘tis true, but if you read the link you would see that this was an AOL poll where the idealogical split to these type questions generally breaks 50/50.

When you couple it with that scathing rebuke by the Washington Post and even a mild rebuke by the New York Times, I think there is a definite backlash against the Obama decision. Oddly he’s doing what I wish would be done in every election and have stated here often.

By IN THE NEWS

June 20, 2008 10:14 AM | Link to this

Paul @ 10:11

See 8:21

By AJC/DNC Management

June 20, 2008 10:22 AM | Link to this

The pinko media is hunting high and low for any whiners they can find from the Iowa flooding, they need your help desperately so that they do not get stuck with a situation where New Orleans is the only disaster in human history the required government to cradle it’s citizens like wee little babies, so call now, and we’ll make you famous:

{{{{Midwest flood victims feel misled by feds- After all, local officials had assured townspeople in 1999 that the levee was sturdy enough to withstand a historic flood, and FEMA had agreed. In fact, some relieved homeowners dropped their flood insurance}}}}

Only problem is, buried in the bottom of the story:

{{{{It is unclear what, if anything, the uninsured Parks would get in government disaster relief. “We’re hoping to rebuild, but it depends what FEMA says and how much we get,” said Parks.}}}}

Uh, gosh, federal disaster insurance?

Nah, that prolly won’t pay anything.

By RW-(the original)

June 20, 2008 10:22 AM | Link to this

Goldielox,

Check the vote total now.

Bosch,

Had they let the women sit there then it probably never would have been discovered that they were such radicals.

Here’s one the kiddies probably won’t get.

Obambi/Hoffman ‘08!

Later all! Gotta get ready for a Florida trip. Happy Hour perhaps.

By Goldie

June 20, 2008 10:26 AM | Link to this

{{this was an AOL poll where the idealogical split to these type questions generally breaks 50/50.}}

That’s total BS, RWanker— as I posted @ 9:40, your own link states: “most of the first 5,000 votes came from Hot Air, which is obviously not Obama territory.”

What an appropriate website name, Hot Air— and so appropriate that you tried to pass off this link as a “50/50” AOL poll!

You’re a liar full of Hot Air, RWanker!

By Paul

June 20, 2008 10:28 AM | Link to this

ITN 8:21

Cute! Unfortunately, it merely illustrates the difference between a point by point discussion; general statements supported by specific examples; references to law vs opinion; and the style informally referred to as “oh yeah? Well…. sputter…. Thpbbbt!”

Jjust trying to provide a little context to some questionably constructed arguments, here.

ITN 9:57

LOL! I thought you were talking about Democratic Senator Chris Dodd, late of the failed Presidential run, Chairman of the Senate Banking Committee, critic of Pres Bush and Countrywide and the mortgage scandal –

who it turns out got sweetheart deals from Countrywide and was personally profiting, and saved more money than most Americans make in a year.

But you weren’t.

Of course not.

ITN 8:21

Cute! Unfortunately, it merely illustrates the difference between a point by point discussion; general statements supported by specific examples; references to law vs opinion; and the style informally referred to as “oh yeah? Well…. sputter…. Thpbbbt!”

Just trying to provide a little context to some questionably constructed arguments, here.

ITN 9:57

LOL! I thought you were talking about Democratic Senator Chris Dodd, late of the failed Presidential run, Chairman of the Senate Banking Committee, critic of Pres Bush and Countrywide and the mortgage scandal –

who it turns out got sweetheart deals from Countrywide and was personally profiting, and saved more money than most Americans make in a year.

But you weren’t.

Of course not.

@@

Your post from last evening - about the Syrian - Egyptian - Israeli peace process.

Didn’t we just, a few months back, hear from people condemning Pres Bush and his “lack of engagement” in the peace process as the reason there was stalled progress?

And didn’t “some” ask why people think other countries are incapable of acting without American direction?

Don’t think we’ll hear from them –

ITN 10:14

I must admit, I do think “….sputter… thpbbbbt” is much more amusing.

By Bosch

June 20, 2008 10:28 AM | Link to this

RW,

I personally don’t understand what all the hysteria is about. Like everything in presidential elections, those that don’t like him will criticize whatever he does and spin it to the negative - it’s done on both sides.

I heard on NPR this morning a report about this, and they basically said that they didn’t think, for the typical voter, this would matter.

In other words, it’s not scandalous enough, - no drugs or sex, and not enough of the criminal element - not tabloid worthy.

By Paul

June 20, 2008 10:38 AM | Link to this

Reference Democratic Sen Dodd and his preaching and personal finances:

If I had to choose between:

A representative who wanted to preach to me about Family Values and what he thinks I should do with my life, who then engages in extramarital relations with members of either sex, and –

A representative who criticizes others in power for their policies which adversely affect the finances of families, all the while they’re getting sweetheart deals (payoffs?) from the financial institutions they’re supposed to help regulate-

I’ll pick the family values guy (and tune in a deaf ear), not the morality preacher, and let American families keep their homes.

By getalife

June 20, 2008 10:44 AM | Link to this

Scottie testifies today.

Should be fun.

By IN THE NEWS

June 20, 2008 10:49 AM | Link to this

Very Clever As you know, Sens. Kent Conrad (D-ND) and Chris Dodd (D-CT) got the ‘VIP treatment’ from scandal-ridden Countrywide Financial. But what about the other 98 members of the senate. Who’d they get their mortgages from? And did they get any special senatorial consideration. Well, Eamon Javers and Martin Kady II of The Politico decided to pick up the phone and ask. They’re asking every member of the senate who their lender is, who they contacted to get the loan and whether they got any special deals. You can see the results here.

By @@

June 20, 2008 10:55 AM | Link to this

IN THE NEWS:

As I’ve always understood it, easing up on banking restrictions was an effort to ease restrictions that prevented low-income families from home ownership.

The government can’t make consumers smarter, just level the playing field. Abuse by banking, self-abuse by consumers.

I will say, I thought it was a mistake to ease restrictions. I’ve witnessed how stupid and irresponsible people can be.

Seeing you here is a daily reminder.

By IN THE NEWS

June 20, 2008 11:05 AM | Link to this

@@

”” I will say, I thought it was a mistake to ease restrictions. I’ve witnessed how stupid and irresponsible people can be.

Seeing you here is a daily reminder.”“

BACK AT YA’ BARBIE (or is it Midge….)

SAW THIS AND THOUGHT OF YOU

candidates are trying to win over the new ‘It’ demographic: ‘low-info voters.’……Pollster and political scientist Samuel Popkin coined the phrase “low information” in 1991; he called it “low-information signaling”—the way seemingly trivial details have a big impact on political choices. Never mind the issues: the way you felt when you saw Hillary’s perfectly timed near-tears or heard Obama’s “bitter” line may be a better indication of how you vote in November……

By @@

June 20, 2008 11:08 AM | Link to this

(((And didn’t “some” ask why people think other countries are incapable of acting without American direction?)))

It’s that old “self-interest” thingie Paulo.

The problem I see with liberals is that they think self-interest can be confined within our borders.

It’s like a merry-go-round that circumvents the globe. Everything is tied to everything else. Liberals, in their delusional thinking, would like to believe that America is responsible for everything bad that happens.

Not so! We review, react and respond.

By IN THE NEWS

June 20, 2008 11:08 AM | Link to this

WASHINGTON — More than 400 real estate industry players have been indicted since March - including dozens over the last two days - in a Justice Department crackdown on incidents of mortgage fraud nationwide that stem from the country’s housing crisis.

WHAT OUR RESIDENT “LOW INFO” VOTERS NEED TO UNDERSTAND….YOU CAN”T MAKE DE-REGULATED FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS LESS GREEDY….BUT WE MIGHT COULD INCARCERATE THEM!

Why do you blame poor Americans first?

By Bosch

June 20, 2008 11:14 AM | Link to this

@@ @ 11:08,

YAWN……we get it…..liberals bad, conservatives good.

By GMAN

June 20, 2008 11:18 AM | Link to this

“I didn’t really love America until I was deprived of her company.” (John McCain - March 13, 2008)

By Paul

June 20, 2008 11:30 AM | Link to this

ITN 10:49

Just because “everybody’s doing it” only illustrates the extent of poor judgment.

As the conservative Rep family values representatives set themselves up as a moral authority in those areas, then they were found to be hypocritically doing just what they railed against -

So Sen Dodd set himself up as a moral authority in criticizing the Bush administration and Countrywide for the mess - then it was found out he was receiving financial benefits from Countryside. Paint it or justify it any way you want - it’s hypocrisy no different from the conservative Republicans you’ve condemned.

Just because Sen Dodd’s a Democrat and a critic of the Bush Administration doesn’t mean he gets a pass -

By Jesus

June 20, 2008 11:48 AM | Link to this

IMPEACH BUSH NOW!!!

By @@

June 20, 2008 12:02 PM | Link to this

Did ‘ya miss this part of my post ITN?

(((Abuse by banking, self-abuse by consumers.)))

I’m a realist ITN. Unlike you, I don’t fool myself into thinking that backroom deals between corporate america and ALL politicians don’t take place. Everybody’s out to get my money. My responsbility is to know what I’m getting in return.

Barack Obama is no different. As a matter of fact, I’m beginning to realize that he’s among the “shrewdest” politician I’ve ever witnessed.

shrewd (adj.):

Characterized by keen awareness, sharp intelligence, and often a sense of the practical.

Disposed to artful and cunning practices; tricky.

No doubt, being among the easily duped, you’ll override your better judgment (if you ever had any) and go with #1.

I, on the other hand, will go with the second, applying it to ALL politicians.

The candidate who promotes less government intervention and government waste will get my vote everytime. Even then, I’ll be watching closely and communicating often.

I’m of the opinion that we should rename the two parties. The Dependent Party and the Independent Party.

Which one would you join?

By IN THE NEWS

June 20, 2008 12:13 PM | Link to this

BREAKING: Bush Asserts Executive Privilege To Hide Global Warming Documents…..

EXECUTIVE PRIVILEGE?

FOR GLOBAL WARMING DOCUMENTS?

What’s Bush hiding now?

By IN THE NEWS

June 20, 2008 12:15 PM | Link to this

Report: Global Warming Has Changed Our Weather — Worse Heat Waves, Floods, Hurricanes, Storms To Come

MAYBE OLD BUSHIE DOES HAVE SOMETHING TO HIDE.

HECK OF A JOB, BUSHIE

By IN THE NEWS

June 20, 2008 12:18 PM | Link to this

WASHINGTON — It’s a line you’ll hear many times from Sen. John McCain over the next few months: “In just a few years in office, Sen. Obama has accumulated the most liberal voting record in the Senate.” But McCain’s campaign also pointed out recently that Barack Obama votes with President Bush about half the time. So the biggest liberal in the Senate is a solid supporter of President Bush? What gives?…..Voteview.com, a site created by political scientists that plots lawmakers on a liberal-conservative scale based on their voting patterns, calculated that nine senators were more liberal than Obama in the current Congress. “Obama is a liberal, but he’s not the most liberal,” said Keith Poole, a University of California at San Diego professor who runs the site. By comparison, McCain is the eighth most conservative…..

THE TRUTH KEEPS FLORIDA IN PLAY!

By IN THE NEWS

June 20, 2008 12:20 PM | Link to this

For quite a while, it looked as if the Republican Party had just about given up on taking Osama bin Laden seriously. During his presidential campaign, Mitt Romney took a surprisingly passive attitude towards the terrorist responsible for 9/11, saying, “It’s not worth moving heaven and earth spending billions of dollars just trying to catch one person.” Fred Thomson dismissed bin Laden’s significance as mere “symbolism.” The president, of course, famously said of bin Laden, “I truly am not that concerned about him.” But that was then. Now that it’s time for the general election, the GOP has rediscovered OBL. Yesterday, for example, John McCain posted this item on his campaign blog:

By Donovan

June 20, 2008 12:22 PM | Link to this

The caption ought to read, “Guess barack’s position on anything, and you get two free plays. If you’re still right two weeks later, you get free healthcare for life.”

By getalife

June 20, 2008 12:25 PM | Link to this

Spineless dems caving on FISA.

Looks like the failed dem leadership were briefed on this crime and covering their a*-es.

Scottie wants w to come clean on the Plame outing.

Treason.

By Just Saying

June 20, 2008 12:32 PM | Link to this

Clearly, the only party @@ss has seen in years is in her own Depends.

By Bosch

June 20, 2008 12:41 PM | Link to this

Donovan,

Tread lightly - the same prizes could be awarded for McCain’s positions too.

By JESUS

June 20, 2008 12:53 PM | Link to this

Impeach Bush now!

By Paul

June 20, 2008 12:58 PM | Link to this

ITN

Adam Rivera, Environment Florida says “Offshore drilling would be a disaster for Florida’s economy” HUH?

That is an example of ideological speech that leaves many scratching their heads.

You remember the eminent domain case the Supremes settled? The 5-4 where the Justices said local governments could seize peoples’ homes and turn the property over to corporate developers so they could get more tax money?

Seems 42 states enacted laws to counter that decision - largest, fastest backlash ever. Now there’s a challenge against one of those laws - Boston - same thing, homeowners don’t want to move, local gov’t wants more taxes. Care to guess if this reactionary, neocon court will hear the case?

Oh, I forgot - the original decision - the liberal justices voted for it. The conservative justices were the ones who said gov’t couldn’t seize peoples homes to get more taxes.

Liberals good, conservatives bad?

And one last thought on the war funding bill Congress just passed. (I thought, from what you said just a year ago, that Iraq was going to be the number one, overriding, above all else issue in the general election?!!? Am I mistaken?):

(not citing the author as I find the PREDICTION thought provoking. If Obama does what this person says, will be be a flip flopper?):

[[The Democrats clearly don’t want to debate on this. A year or two ago they would have had a long debate and denounced the war. They do not want to have this as an issue. They do not want to be seen on the floor arguing for unilateral surrender.

And I think this tells you what has happened with this issue. The facts on the ground have changed so dramatically, so undeniably, that Democrats, I think, are understanding that the war may not be a plus.

I think that McCain can make it a plus. He can win a significant argue by arguing that Obama’s position of withdrawal on a timetable, which essentially means abandoning Iraq, would be a disaster.

And I predict that between now and election Obama will switch his position. He will gradually start to say that a timetable is an objective, is a goal, but he’ll adjust according to what his commanders have told him and according to conditions on the ground.]]

By Tony

June 20, 2008 1:07 PM | Link to this

Maj. General Antonio Taguba, U.S.A., (Ret.): “There is no longer any doubt as to whether the current administration has committed War Crimes. The Commander In Chief and those under him authorized a systematic regime of torture.

“The only question that remains to be answered is whether those who ordered the use of torture will be held to account.” (sic)

By getalife

June 20, 2008 1:09 PM | Link to this

Scottie is spilling his guts on C-Span2.

Good stuff.

By IN THE NEWS

June 20, 2008 2:02 PM | Link to this

FROM PAUL AT 10:11

Ummm, as far as McCain not “reigning in” the 527s – has Obama done the same? Can you tell us one he’s reigned in?

UH, RIGHT HERE…

Exclusive: MoveOn To Close Its 527 In Response To Obama’s Candidacy

By Just saying

June 20, 2008 2:10 PM | Link to this

Not a bad comeback.

The party’s at your place.

and you wear it proudly?

By Paul

June 20, 2008 2:13 PM | Link to this

ITN

Seems Israel’s conducted an exercise employing 100 warplanes to practice an attack on Iran’s nuke facilities.

Link: Israel exercise

If McCain had said he’d engage the Iranians in negotiations, but if they failed he’d to “anything” to prevent them from getting a nuke,

wouldn’t you be running links questioning him on what he means by this? And asking for proof and accusing him of fear/war mongering?

The Israeli exercise shows the action the US may be forced to take if Obama becomes President. The bottom of the first page of the link details the problems with a strike.

Shouldn’t your sites be questioning Obama more closely on the meaning of “anything”? And if “anything” includes what the Israelis are practicing, and if the problems are not surmountable, shouldn’t Obama tell America just what he intends to do and if he is willing to have us engaged in another Middle East war?

Or is it just too much to think a Pres Obama may take some of the same foreign policy actions they’ve criticized with Pres Bush?

By GOD

June 20, 2008 2:16 PM | Link to this

Right you are, JESUS my Boy. (12:53) I’ve got an idea. Let’s resurrect one of our proudest moments in history. We’ll mount up and round up all the Republicons and slaughter them. We shall call our actions, “The Crusades.”

By AJC/DNC Management

June 20, 2008 2:20 PM | Link to this

{{{{President’s Bush’s call on Wednesday for Congress to lift its 27-year moratorium on offshore drilling is an “example of typical Bush White House politics,” Senate Majority Leader Hairy Reed (Dhimmi-Nev) told Cybercast News Service Thursday.}}}}

{{{{Other leading Democrats on Capitol Hill also said they were surprised that Bush has not yet rescinded the executive office ban on drilling, which was established by his father, President George H.W. Bush, in 1990.}}}}

I agree with Reed, Bushie should have a fat ceremony in the Rose Garden and put to death Papa Bush’s wimpy moratorium right in front of these pooh butt dhimmokrat sissies, let them natter and squeal about it.

Show America where the obstruction lies.

By Paul

June 20, 2008 2:21 PM | Link to this

ITN 2:02

Excellent! I would not have expected that from MoveOn. Good one on Obama - and on MoveOn.

Which leads to the larger issue of attack ads.

527s are but one means by which organizations can spend huge sums in the political process. Their name derives from an IRS designation. Other procedures exist for other kinds of political action groups to raise huge sums and conduct the same type of ads as the 527s.

Having taken the first step to bring their operations in line with Obama’s efforts to reform political conduct, I’m wondering if MoveOn will stop, not just the specific, legally-defined organization-produced (527) ads, but also the same type of ads from its other political arms. That would, I think, move closer to Obama’s intent.

And would put greater pressure on the Right to follow suit.

By Glenn

June 20, 2008 2:28 PM | Link to this

General Taguba is just one of numerous generals/admirals who chose/chooses to speak truths about Iraq, Bush, et al, and who have been pushed of Bush & Co. War Crimes? You bet. The whole Bush regime are criminals.

By Paul

June 20, 2008 2:29 PM | Link to this

AJD/DNC Management 2:20

I think, politically, by not rescinding the Order and leaving it to Congress Pres Bush forces the Dems to justify not drilling.

If he were to rescind the order, the Dems would go on the offense and attack him for ruining the environment, playing to the Oil Lobby, etc etc.

As it is, they’re on defense, and will stay there, continually justifying (badly) to the public why they won’t authorize more domestic production even though gas is over 4 bucks a gallon.

By Lulu

June 20, 2008 2:29 PM | Link to this

I remember a moment in the ‘04 campaign and Cheney was sitting on stage talking and his base was out in force in the audience. Cheney mentioned Kerry’s changing vote on an issue and the whole crowd started chanting “flip flop” over and over. Mature, grown men and women. Affluent. Respectable. Sophisticated.

Cheney smiled, but he didn’t beam. He barely masked his contempt for the Star Trek fan level behavior. I knew then that Cheney was a very complicated man.

that’s why I will never believe that he could have prevented 911 and didn’t. He may have let the intel slip through his fingers, and damn it cheney, that’s the job description, but he isn’t a traitor.

I also believe that Cheney is incapable of stopping another 911 because of the iraq war.

We are sitting ducks if there really are sleeper cells like Cheney swore there is. The reason I dont believe that there are any sleeper cells is because wouldn’t Osama have used ALL his men on 911? Wouldn’t you? You would have used all your assets. So would he.

We were lied to. The Iraq War is one or two lies well told, oft told and scaredly believed.

By N-GA

June 20, 2008 2:29 PM | Link to this

Paul,

Perhaps the Iraq War could be the number 1 issue this election…indirectly.

The damn war is bankrupting the country and making the US dollar a memory.

I suspect Obama’s new position on financing his campaign is a non-issue with the average voter. In fact he will likely come out looking better than his opponent on the subject. His donors will look more like middle class voters while McCain’s will look like the upper class.

So far McCain has been pandering to the wealthy (donors) by switching positions and promising to make the tax cuts permanent.

Personally it all is a waste of time until after the conventions. Then the gloves come off and the debates begin.

BTW, no one seems to really have much to say about how LEADERSHIP ability is needed in a President. If GWB had leadership skills we…oh well.

By Just Saying

June 20, 2008 2:32 PM | Link to this

Oops! I forgot to sign my 2:10.

Luv @@

By @@

June 20, 2008 2:37 PM | Link to this

As he gives up public funding for his campaign, Sen. Barack Obama is reaching out to new sources, including Washington insiders whose influence he has vowed to end.

Sounds good don’t it?

(((Obama is now using lists of contributors to Democratic congressional chairmen, primarily lobbyists of both parties. One recipient of a letter signed by Obama is a Republican lobbyist who has contributed to senior Democratic Reps. John Dingell of Michigan and Charlie Rangel of New York, not out of ideological affinity but to keep their doors open.)))

‘‘Together, we change the way business is done in Washington,’’ said the Obama letter. ‘‘We can end the undue influence of special interests.’’

Say that again…????????

By Paul

June 20, 2008 2:50 PM | Link to this

Glenn

Gen Taguba’s report on Abu Ghraib is here:

Link: Article 15-16 Investigation

His remarks seem to have been prompted by a report issued by Physicans for Human Rights after they interviewed 11 detainees, since released.

His Abu Ghraib report said AG was the result of unsupervised soldiers and lax supervision. His current remarks seem to be not on any inside information or what he uncovered, but on reading the same information available to the general public.

I’ve always wondered why he didn’t go further up the chain in his investigation - particularly given the presence to the “nonmilitary” unit at AG and Gen Karpinski’s plea that they shut her out.

N-GA

Which is why I find the (in)actions of this Congress so exasperating.

And why I’ve repeatedly called for a reduction in the US defense budget, in part to offset these huge expenditures.

Even the most basic texts on leadership styles state that a delegating, nonmicromanager style does NOT mean not having regular followup, enforcing accountability and getting rid of those who won’t get with the program.

As far as the gloves coming off - that’s why I applaud Obama’s action on MoveOn and hope it has a general effect with other organizations, with Republican groups and with other non-527s. I’d like to see the gloves off with reasoned, accurate, issues-oriented remarks.

Obama’s fundraising ability, with middle America, in small amounts, far exceeds McCain’s - which is why McCain has to go after the big guys. Pity. Rather reinforces my past calls for complete, mandatory public financing of electons.

By Lulu

June 20, 2008 2:57 PM | Link to this

I remember a moment in the ‘04 campaign and Cheney was sitting on stage talking and his base was out in force in the audience. Cheney mentioned Kerry’s changing vote on an issue and the whole crowd started chanting “flip flop” over and over. Mature, grown men and women. Affluent. Respectable. Sophisticated.

Cheney smiled, but he didn’t beam. He barely masked his contempt for the Star Trek fan level behavior. I knew then that Cheney was a very complicated man.

that’s why I will never believe that he could have prevented 911 and didn’t. He may have let the intel slip through his fingers, and damn it cheney, that’s the job description, but he isn’t a traitor.

I also believe that Cheney is incapable of stopping another 911 because of the iraq war.

We are sitting ducks if there really are sleeper cells like Cheney swore there is. The reason I dont believe that there are any sleeper cells is because wouldn’t Osama have used ALL his men on 911? Wouldn’t you? You would have used all your assets. So would he.

We were lied to. The Iraq War is one or two lies well told, oft told and scaredly believed.

Obama 08: A man. A war. A solution.

By @@

June 20, 2008 3:02 PM | Link to this

When I started leaning conservative, I resisted putting my money where a politician’s mouth is.

As a liberal, I did it all the time. It just seemed so…….uhhh….uhmmmm…errrr

I don’t know.

I used to pick up every stray animal I ran across too.

By Bosch

June 20, 2008 3:03 PM | Link to this

Paul,

How depressing. Now all we have to talk about is politics.

By GMAN

June 20, 2008 3:06 PM | Link to this

“I didn’t really love America until I was deprived of her company.” (John McCain - March 13, 2008)

By Paul

June 20, 2008 3:12 PM | Link to this

Bosch

Glad you’re back. You’re right. That was one bright spot I had to look forward to. I’d read some of these posts, then turn to BSG for the reassurance that humanity can progress.

I did set up my DVR for Robin Hood, though. And just finished the Rome series by HBO. And zip through an Outer Limits at lunch - the themes of those are good, many cases remakes of old, old SciFi stories.

But a hiatus on BSG. Withdrawal. Mourning.

By @@

June 20, 2008 3:21 PM | Link to this

(((The reason I dont believe that there are any sleeper cells is because wouldn’t Osama have used ALL his men on 911? Wouldn’t you? You would have used all your assets. So would he.)))

Could they be camping out in Latin America?

From the start of President Chavez’s government, terrorist organizations such as Hezbollah, Hamas and al-Qaeda have used Venezuela as their bridge to other Latin American countries since Venezuela is an allied government.

By AJC/DNC Management

June 20, 2008 3:22 PM | Link to this

{{{{Barack Obama is so uplifting. He has said, “We need a president who sees government not as a tool to enrich friends and high-priced lobbyists (note: don’t you hate those low priced lobbyists?) but as the defender of fairness and opportunity for every American.” Yes, yes, yes. When he released a list of earmarks he had requested over the past three years in the U.S. Senate, he was being open and honest about the favors he has done. Some might say that $740 million is hardly worth mentioning in the context of the huge federal budget. And if $1 million went to the hospital that happens to employ Mrs. Obama, well, that’s because she looks incredible in a black-and-white print sundress.}}}}

When McBushie flip-flopped it was on behalf of the American people, trying to lower gas prices for them.

When Obambi flip-flopped it was on behalf of…………..himself.

Big difference.

McBushie respects the intelligence of his voters to know where his motivations are, Obambi mocks the “intelligence” of his voters.

He knows you libs are just as dim as they come, same as I do.

By Bosch

June 20, 2008 3:35 PM | Link to this

Paul,

Grief and despair, yes I know.

Don’t judge me if you hate Robin Hood - it’s kind of brain candy, nothing like BSG, but I just love Robin Hood - the whole concept - it’s just my bleeding, liberal socialistic heart, I guess.

I even liked the Robin Hood with Kevin Costner and his Mid-West British accent - and I really don’t like Kevin Costner.

You know, I have to admit, it doesn’t take much to entertain me.

Hey, I just remembered something! I bought a book - a really neat book - it’s not “John Adams”, but it’s a series of essays about the Philosophy about BSG - “Battlestar Galactica and Philosophy: Knowledge Here Begins Out There”

Again, it’s complete brain fodder for those with nothing better to do, but hey, I like my “not having anything to do” moments.

I read an essay last night called “Nietzsche on the Cylon Uprising.” Good stuff. Nietazsche and Cylons, yeap, hard to beat that - even if you tried.

Sometimes I worry about myself.

By AJC/DNC Management

June 20, 2008 3:39 PM | Link to this

{{{{In some circles, Murtha’s reputation remained unblemished after this unsubstantiated slur. Only a couple of months after his remarks, presidential candidate Barack Obama said of Murtha: “I would never second guess John Murtha … I think he’s somebody who knows of which he speaks.”}}}}

{{{{This week, U.S. Lt. Col. Jeffrey Chessani, a Colorado native, was the latest Marine to have all charges dismissed against him in relation to Haditha. That means seven of the eight charged for the massacre and “coverup” have been exonerated. (One case is still pending.)}}}}

{{{{The judge declared that had it not been for the politics involved in the case, Chessani likely would not have faced any charges.}}}}

{{{{Brian Rooney, a lawyer with the Thomas More Law Center, a Michigan-based conservative public interest law firm that has been defending the Haditha Marines, told me, “Everyone knows this massacre didn’t happen. We know it was a complex attack and terrorists were hiding behind women and children.”}}}}

{{{{Even harder to believe is how this case is unfolding. Many of the accused Marines were ecstatic to get their day in court. First Lt. Andrew Grayson even refused a plea that would have reduced charges and kept him out of jail. “I was the one that had to look at myself in the mirror,” he explained. “To take the easy way out, you are the one that has to live with that.”}}}}

Since it has never been said but it is definitely owed, I apologize on behalf of all the non scumbag POS politicians in America by saying that you brave soldiers were wronged.

And that is wrong.

Now go get Murtha and drag his as-s into court.

By @@

June 20, 2008 3:40 PM | Link to this

A recent personal experience to display my politics today. Keep in mind that I used to pick up every stray I saw.

Every morning I take my dog (rescued bait dog) on my seven, yes SEVEN RW! mile jaunt with two friends in tow. One of the friends still takes in strays. Fifteen cats at last count.

So we’re making our laps when all of a sudden a German Shepard comes charging at my dog with teeth bared and growling.

I pull my dog (deaf and bummed leg) in close, placing myself between him and the German Shepard. He’s circling me and I’m circling right along with him, using my lower body as a barricade.

My friend, who still takes in strays said “Oh, he’s not gonna hurt Buddy.” “He just wants to say Hello.”

The sheer terror on the owners face when he came to pull his dog off indicated otherwise.

My other friend froze.

I turned to my stray loving friend and said “ARE YOU NUTS OR WHAT!!!!”

The End.

By Bosch

June 20, 2008 3:43 PM | Link to this

Paul,

Some people just REALLY think toooooo much.

Aaron P. guest-blog on the cycles of BSG

By @@

June 20, 2008 3:49 PM | Link to this

and I think it’s a damned shame that the liberals on this blog who were so eager to condemn before the facts were known on Haditha can’t be sued as well.

By Paul

June 20, 2008 4:24 PM | Link to this

AJC/DNC

Your wish may come true:

Link: Marine Lt Col Prepares Smear Lawsuit Against Murtha

Hey Bosch

“Sometimes I worry about myself.”

Don’t worry. So do we.

Those BSG books rather remind me of some of the stories I heard about JRR Tolkein and Lord of the Rings. Doctoral degrees were earned based upon examinations of themes in those books. I’d heard one person questioned Tolkein about the imagery, evil, Hitler, etc and Tolkein snapped “I was writing a book for my grandkids.” Don’t know if it’s true, but it’s a good story.

One of the earliest BSG questions - does humanity deserve to survive? The episode where they debated if it was moral to use biological warfare to eliminate the Cylons - AFTER the Cylons had begun their campaign to eliminate humans. I must say, after the (third?) season began with the suicide bombers I thought the writing had descended into pandering - until they developed the theme over a couple of episodes.

Yup - gonna be a long six months.

Speaking of a weird sense of humor - it’s not so much political, but I saw this political cartoon in a paper this morning. Boy, did I laugh! The thought of really ticking off so many people. Passionate people. People in denial. It was one of the best I’ve seen in a while:

Link: {fun cartoon](http://www.cagle.com/politicalcartoons/pccartoons/archives/koterba.asp?Action=GetImage)

By Paul

June 20, 2008 4:33 PM | Link to this

Bosch:

Oops, forgot, only one link at a time.

You’ll like this, too, @@, based on that last post:

Link: fun cartoon

By Paul

June 20, 2008 4:38 PM | Link to this

It seems my link at 4:33 takes you back to the main page. It’s for Jeff Koterba. Select May 20th from the drop-down menu and hit “get image.”

By Pete

June 20, 2008 4:43 PM | Link to this

Hey all you Repugs! It’s Friday agin. NASCAR time fer you. Put on them flipflops, them ballcaps, them gangsta shirts/panties. Wear yer caps at a “tough-guy” angle. Grab them SUV/PU keys. Turn on yer cell phone. Spin sum gravel. Head on down ta yer sportsbar. Talk tough, inhale a bar-rag. Hell, hit don’t git no better’n this, do hit? Class acts! March with McShame. Yoooooo…

By N-GA

June 20, 2008 4:43 PM | Link to this

Paul,

Considering your suggestion, what about the funding for the primaries? Also, what about the 527’s? I like the idea, but wonder what the major parties will do to get around the law. After all, just the support of a major network and their legions of talking heads can swing a close election.

What are your thoughts about riders attached to legislation? I know our founding fathers never anticipated such a thing - I would like to see them outlawed.

And what about lobbyists? If we eliminate their money from funding the presidential candidates, can we also just make them go away entirely? There would be a heck of a jump in unemployment.

Perhaps a day of blogging dedicated to the changes we would like to see in our government is something to think about. Like going with a popular vote and eliminating the electoral college?

By Bosch

June 20, 2008 4:44 PM | Link to this

Paul,

Same with Harry Potter.

My sister and I were once discussing Lord of the Rings with one of my German friends - after several drinks she said, “You know something? You’re an Orc! Ha!” He wasn’t amused.

Sometimes, alcohol, science fiction and Germans don’t mix well - especially when the icky, slimy bad guys are supposed to be the Germans. And Germans are pretty famous for telling you exactly what they think - they don’t care about hurting feelings and all that.

Sci-fi people are, by nature I think, kind of too deep for their own good sometimes.

By N-GA

June 20, 2008 4:53 PM | Link to this

Bosch,

{{Sci-fi people are, by nature I think, kind of too deep for their own good sometimes.}}

I grok that!

By Bosch

June 20, 2008 5:00 PM | Link to this

N-GA,

Frakkin’ A! :-)

By Paul

June 20, 2008 5:01 PM | Link to this

Bosch

As that article you linked to illustrates. I rather think he got some of it backwards. The imagery (40 years) was a deliberate plant in the original - not something to be discovered by an observer and have meaning attached to.

Speaking of the original - bring back Maren Jensen as a Cylon?

N-GA

That’s an excellent idea - a day devoted to changes.

Riders - goes counter to what I wrote the other day about openness, no secrets. I don’t really buy the idea that examining each issue on its own, no riders, would bog down the process. That’s like saying putting molasses in a freezer would make it flow more slowly than if it were kept in a refrigerator.

Aside from no public discussion, there’s the issue of combining unrelated issues. No, I like an examination of each issue that will become (here comes the all caps boldface) LAW.

Lobbyists? I know some of my wants are a dream - as RW-(the original) pointed out, the Constitution provides for the right to petition for grievances. And as I’ve noted, lobbyists come in all shapes and sizes. For consideration for mentally ill. For kids with autism. For environmental protection. For worker protection. I detest the broad brush painting of a huge, disparate group portrayed as so homogeneous - “evil” lobbyist.

But they can be restricted. Oftentimes, the bills introduced are passed from lobbyist to Congressional staffer. Again, if the lobbying industry, or their minions, were prohibited from giving anything of value, or say if an entity (pharmaceutical group) were prohibited, either by company or their employees, from donating to any representative whom they lobby, well, that could be a way around.

Takes away the influence buying aspect. Would put Joe Average Citizen on a more equal footing with the moneyed interests.

Reminds me - Sen Dodd - also the guy from North Dakota - with Countrywide - they lost credibility when they said they picked up the phone and called the HEAD of the company to ask for a loan, then didn’t expect “special” treatment.

I can’t get past the first person who comes on after the automated answering system.

By Paul

June 20, 2008 5:12 PM | Link to this

Bosch - N-GA

“I grok that”

Wonderful! I loved the part - made perfect sense to me - where they were discussing a “Fair Witness” in the legal system. The one guy said “Jill is a Fair Witness,” pointed to a house on a hill and said “Jill, what color is that house?” Jill said, “This side is blue.”

Maybe that’s why we can have a difficult time with some on this blog - those who read that and go “what?!!?”

By N-GA

June 20, 2008 5:12 PM | Link to this

Paul,

I wonder where in the Constitution it says that the Federal government needs to fund a pickle museum in Selma, or a grant to analyze why some college students cheat on exams.

We’ve got to do something about the pork! Then we can EARN our tax cuts.

Sen. Dodd and his colleague should be required to appear on the Jerry Springer Show and explain their nefarious conduct.

By Paul

June 20, 2008 5:22 PM | Link to this

Bosch - N-GA

In context - I was about 10 when I read that book - some people are just wired differently -

By N-GA

June 20, 2008 5:35 PM | Link to this

Back in the early 1960’s I read a book called Flatland by Edwin Abbott. It was written in 1884. It was recently adapted to cinema (DVD) and is available online.

I’m just curious if anyone else on the blog read the book (BTW - admitting that you’ve read it is the same as admitting you’re a nerd!).

By RW-(the original)

June 20, 2008 5:42 PM | Link to this

Paul,

Just in case you want to bypass some of the automated stuff before you get to the gatekeeper that won’t let you in anyway.

By N-GA

June 20, 2008 5:49 PM | Link to this

Shoot, they let POTUS into the country. Go figure???

By Paul

June 20, 2008 5:50 PM | Link to this

N-GA

I just requested in on Netflix. Wasn’t in their database but they do special requests. Has the voices of Martin Sheen and Kristen Bell.

Book sounds worthy of a read. Reminded me (concept: artificial barriers, seeing beyond the five senses) of a short story - Surface Tension - about a civilization under the water. That was their universe - they speculated what was “out there” but could never break through because of the surface tension of the water.

By Paul

June 20, 2008 5:59 PM | Link to this

RW-(the original)

In the spirit of Raymond E Feist

“Many Thanks, O Great One”

That link’s going out to my email address book - ‘specially my folks -

By RW-(the original)

June 20, 2008 6:23 PM | Link to this

Paul,

You’re welcome. Here’s another set of tips although I wouldn’t use the “press the star key” option much. On most systems that identifies you as a voice mail subscriber on that system and the only choices you have then are to hang up or try to hack someone’s mailbox.

By RW-(the original)

June 20, 2008 6:33 PM | Link to this

Falling Down Laundry Chute And Breaking Neck Remains America’s No. 548,221 Killer

My apologies if little newsie namejacker has already linked that story.

By Paul

June 20, 2008 6:42 PM | Link to this

RW-(the original)

Are you implying there’s a story that hasn’t been linked to?

Just about finishing up - Friday night, fish fry and a good ale seems in order. No BSG so…. something.

Pleasant weekend, all -

By getalife

June 20, 2008 6:54 PM | Link to this

“Obama Backs Bill Giving Immunity To Telecoms”.

I see the kool aid has worn off most Obamaniacs.

Much ado about nothing.

By RW-(the original)

June 20, 2008 7:05 PM | Link to this

Paul,

Actually my story being from The Onion is probably fact checked better than OOZY’S links.

Speaking of FactCheck. We find that to be a large exaggeration and a lame excuse. In fact, donations from PACs and lobbyists make up less than 1.7 percent of McCain’s total receipts, and they account for only about 1.1 percent of the RNC’s receipts.

Oh what a tangled web we weave when first we practice to deceive…..

By AJC/DNC Management

June 20, 2008 7:13 PM | Link to this

{{{{By getalife June 20, 2008 6:54 PM “Obama Backs Bill Giving Immunity To Telecoms”. I see the kool aid has worn off most Obamaniacs. Much ado about nothing.}}}}

al-Gitmo: It is the lie to the general public portion of the dhimmokrat presidential season, he can’t be a flaming lib like he was against Bruno.

Whole different group of voters now.

The real surprise will be when he wins and we figure out that he was lying to all of us, save for the all of us who are radicals, socialists, terrorists and Pol Pot wannabes.

We could avoid all of this discontent if you would just vote for McBushie, 4 more years of whining and then the triumphant return and the glorious shoo in of Bruno.

Either that or you can wait until 2012.

Know what I mean?

By AJC/DNC Management

June 20, 2008 7:25 PM | Link to this

{{{{Either that or you can wait until 2012.}}}}

Ooops, make that “2016.”

Time flys…..