Thinking Right

By Howard

February 12, 2007 08:31 AM | Link to this

Jim…great column…I like the idea of you reviewing the weekend events. AQs for Barack Obama…has anyone checked out this guy seriously?? He’s further left than Hillary and is a danger to this country…his ideas are being hidden beneath the sheep’s clothing that is the mainstream media’s fawning and gushing. As for Hillary…if that evil woman does get the nomination, there will be no clearer choice for this country. Any Republican or independent that sits out the 2008 prez race because they don’t like Giuiliani or McCain or Romney because of some of their views is NUTS!!! Sitting out the election wil opnly elect that despicable female. If I was Barack, I’d watch my backl and not get in any 737 jets bound for overseas or venture near any parks in the DC area. Ask Ron Brown or Vince Foster. As for the Dixie Chick-en-!@##s, who watches those stupid awards shows anyway?? All they are…are political left lovefests…kinda like that insane Sundance Film Festival.

By Jeff

February 12, 2007 08:31 AM | Link to this

Mr. Wooten:

Our cracks are starting to show…

Item 1: Why the big fuss anyway? Turner should have never paid the $2 million and the CEO should never have resigned. This only fuels wackos who can claim to be scared of a hamburger.

Item 2: Obama will have my vote LONG before Hillary does. That being said, however, I spent quite a bit of time in airports this weekend on my way to and from an interview in Phoenix. (4 hours worth of layovers in ATL in particular.) So I watched quite a bit of this guy. He is also a Poll Mold, and his ideas are the exact OPPOSITE of individual freedom and individual responsibility. Therefore he also stands no chance with me.

Item 3: It won’t happen. As soon as it does, lawsuits will come saying people are not being treated “equally”, and they will win. Now, I’m not a fan of all this “equal” BS from people claiming that me getting into college instead of them is racist or any other -ist. HOWEVER, neither am I a fan of abuse of power, which I see these “Lexus Lanes” as an example of. Why should you get a free ride through traffic just because you have more money?

Item 4: My problem with DC was NOT their comments. At that point, I had never bought any of their records and decided that I never would, but I would listen to their songs on the radio. My problem was their attempts to silence the opinion of conservatives (and, admittedly, neocons - of which I was one at that point), notably with Maine’s infamous “FUTK” shirt… at a remote feed. She didn’t even have the COURAGE to be in the same venue and wear said shirt… then wants to disrespect our men and women who face bullets and bombs rather than words and tomatoes….

By jbmlaw

February 12, 2007 08:40 AM | Link to this

Good morning all. The tying theme of the four issues may be “character.” Generally agree with Jim’s assessment of Mr. Sample’s character; his lapse in judgment was failure to ensure his marketing goons contacted the police before setting out their toys. If you are going to use a city street for filming, it’s a good idea to talk to the police first.

BO on the other may have failed the character test this weekend. The Australian prime minister expressed his opinion that the terrorists would be delighted to see a cut and run democrat elected president of the US – not exactly a radical thought. BO could have done the rational thing, and just let it pass, but noooooooo, he had to tell the Aussie to stuff it – thus magnifying the original comment. Blew himself out of the water, and damaged his policy-switching rival at the same time.

Lexus lanes – certainly no socialist will tolerate the idea of using market forces to clear. The fact that such a self-imposed tax could be used to build new traffic lanes will likely escape their cognition.

President Carter at least got a Nobel Prize and big tax-free bucks for his treachery; the Dixie Chicks sold out for a metal victrola-shaped award.

By jbmlaw

February 12, 2007 08:46 AM | Link to this

Clarification - the “policy-switching rival” is Hilla-witch

By Bob J.

February 12, 2007 08:56 AM | Link to this

Fellow Rednecks,

At the time of the “I’m ashamed…” statement, The Dixie Chicks had a song at the top of the country charts, ironically, about a young VietNam soldier. We should have paid closer attention to the lyrics.

Forget the Grammys. On Iraq, the Dixie Chicks were right, and we were wrong.

By SusieHomeMaker

February 12, 2007 09:12 AM | Link to this

• He’s further left than Hillary and is a danger to this country…*

Oh right!! And Dumbya who has us in a loosing initiative in Afghanistan, (they’re begging for more allied help) AND a loosing initiative in Iraq, (he’s beggin for more allied help); and NOW he’s trying to push up on IRAN is NOT a danger to this country? Dude, you’d better get in shape because once the draft comes back they’re gonna need all the men they can get, no matter they’re age!!

Wooten:The Dixie Chicks win three Grammys Sunday night. The judging standard for the Chicks is 20 percent music, 80 percent politics

What would YOU know about music? Alternative Hitler Youth Music notwithstanding…..

By Jim's an Oligarch

February 12, 2007 09:14 AM | Link to this

Jim,

It’s tough to compare highways and airport lines (but I know how you like to use disparate examples to make your point). People going to the airport are paying for a service, not using a public resource. There are natural levels of deliniation there between services offered and types of users.

Highways are public resources that we all have to use. Your car is no better than mine and your tax dollars are of no more value than mine.

“But wait”, you say. “I pay more taxes than you, so I’m entitled to more highway.”

“You’re right,” I say. “That’s a failed model. Taxes for roads should be levied at the place that separates the heavy users from the light users - at the pump. Let’s slap a $1 a gallon tax on gas to fund the GA DOT…”

“That way,” I continue, “The people who use the resource the most are the ones who are funding the development and maintenance of that resource.”

“Oh”, I add, “and not only that, the tax is an incentive for light users to use alternate forms of transportation which can be funded with some of the gas tax, thereby reducing the amount of traffic messing up your commute and reducing the amount of construction work that must occur to grow that resource.”

“But wait again,” you say. “What about all of those paving contractors who are latched on to Georgia’s engorged DOT teat?”

“This isn’t about them,” I say. “It’s about us. Our roads suck.”

By Dixie Chicks Rule

February 12, 2007 09:14 AM | Link to this

The Chicks were right all along, the neocons were wrong. Deal with it losers.

By CJ

February 12, 2007 09:14 AM | Link to this

Since President Clinton left office with approximately a 63% approval rating, and our current President is likely to leave office with something in the low 30s — it seems that most Americans prefer a president who, at a minimum, considers their views over a “man of principal” who entirely ignores the views of the people he’s supposed to be representing.

Bush lied in his first campaign when he said that he thought the U.S. shouldn’t be involved in nation building. Bush lied when he said that he would cap carbon emissions. Bush lied when he said that he was a compassionate conservative — as he seeks to cut funding for Medicaid, the Children’s Health Insurance Program, law enforcement, and his own education program — all at the same time that he’s seeking to add billions to the already bloated military industrial complex.

Bush pulled a bait and switch on American voters, and most would take a “Poll Mold” over this guy any day.

By Brian

February 12, 2007 09:15 AM | Link to this

Let’s face it. Obama is a flash in the pan. The media gurus are falling down at his feet. There is no substance to Obama’s political background, personal background, and what kind of upbringing he had, and the mainstream media establishment won’t go there. We’ll all just have to see how Obama handles serious political pressure like having his ears made fun of.

The idea that somebody could use their wealth to buy “special treatment” infuriates most Americans.

No, it merely infuriates the Left in this nation. From their perspective, anything one has as an advantage over someone else is unfair and therefore must be eliminated. It’s the universal Fairness Doctrine of being a Liberal. In a perfect world, we’d all have the same bank account size, the same weight, the same homes & cars, live to the same age before dying, and so on. Unfortunately, utopian dreams aren’t reality, even as hard as the Left tries to make it as such..even at the expense of those who do have more than others. How more fair can you get?

The Dixie Twits winning Grammys is so non-shocking. The Oscars, the Grammys, and other awards shows have become nothing but political venues, especially since George W. Bush got in office. I stopped watching all awards shows years ago. During movies, you only hear what actors are told to say. I don’t care about their personal opinions. The same goes for singers. But back to the Twits, only time will tell if they and the Left who did’nt vote for war authority were right or wrong about Iraq. One of the main faults of the Left, and there are many, is that they want instant fixes for everything. The real world just doesn’t work that way.

By Men's Club

February 12, 2007 09:18 AM | Link to this

Ah hear no one has claimed Anna Nicole’s body. The men’s club will do so if no one else wants it, and if we are permitted to have it stuffed and mounted for display at our secret club house. Are those things real?

By Come the Revolution

February 12, 2007 09:21 AM | Link to this

Lexus drivers will be amoung the first to be put against the wall! So convenient that they label themselves via the car they drive.

By Van

February 12, 2007 09:22 AM | Link to this

Wow, who would have known. A group of girls know more about foreign policy than a whole city of experts.

I am certainly impressed. But I am ashamed that they are from Texas. California maybe, or New England, but not Texas. I am truly ashamed.

As for Turner and Company. I would have to ask where was their legal department? Talk about not doing due diligence.

By Jim want to be Bush's Propaganda Minister

February 12, 2007 09:24 AM | Link to this

But he does not have enough talent for the job, hence this blog to generate ideas for the intellectually weak nit wit.

By abc

February 12, 2007 09:27 AM | Link to this

I’d like to see a black man be the President, but I wish it was Colin Powell instead of Obama. I certainly hope that Hillary doesn’t win the nomination. To me, that’s just ridiculous!

Regarding tax increases and budgeting, I like Chip Rogers’ take on that. Perhaps state and federal budgets don’t relate to each other in such a way that his ideas would be applicable, or maybe they do. I like his thinking about it, at any rate. I’m not a Republican, either.

I don’t know what’s up with Dixie Chicks winning Grammies. I don’t care for them, but it’s not to do with their political psuedo-stances (although they could take a tablespoon of shutup); their personas are irritating to me, their music is simpleton, the singer sounds like a bug.

By Van

February 12, 2007 09:28 AM | Link to this

Re: Lexus Lanes and airport security.

Sounds like a bit of envy. The rewards of hard work is the ability to have a few things not everyone else has. If that is a frequent flier card that gets you through airport security faster, hooray for you.

There is not anything better than having earned a few extra bucks and reaping the rewards. To the socialists out there - eat your hearts out.

As to the Lexus lanes, I do not like them at all. I think they are a waste of time and effort on the part of the DOT. If they were mass transit lanes only, that might be different.

By Jim's a Cherry Picker

February 12, 2007 09:32 AM | Link to this

Some more liberal media.

Jim, let’s form a group of like-minded individuals this very instant and sue the AP for this slandarous bit of libel. Lies. Nothing but lies:

WASHINGTON (AP) — Sworn testimony in the perjury trial of I. Lewis “Scooter” Libby has shone a spotlight on White House attempts to sell a gone-wrong war in Iraq to the nation and Vice President Dick Cheney’s aggressive role in the effort.

Special prosecutor Patrick Fitzgerald rested his case against Cheney’s former chief of staff on Thursday in a trial that has so far lasted 11 days. The defense planned to begin its presentation Monday.

The drama being played out in a Washington courtroom goes back in time to the early summer of 2003. The Bush administration was struggling to overcome growing evidence the mission in Iraq was anything but accomplished.

The claim about weapons of mass destruction that was used to justify the U.S.-led invasion in March 2003 had not been supported. Insurgent attacks were on the rise. Accusations were growing that the White House had distorted intelligence to rationalize the invasion.

Trial testimony so far — including eight hours of Libby’s own audio-recorded testimony to a grand jury in 2004 — suggest that a White House known as disciplined was anything but that.

What has emerged, instead, is:

A vice president fixated on finding ways to debunk a former diplomat’s claims that Bush misled the U.S. people in going to war and his suggestion Cheney might have played a role in suppressing contrary intelligence.

A presidential press secretary kept in the dark on Iraq policy.

Top White House officials meeting daily to discuss the diplomat, former ambassador Joseph Wilson, and sometimes even his CIA-officer wife Valerie Plame.

Libby is accused of lying to the FBI and the grand jury about his talks with reporters concerning Plame. Libby got the White House press secretary to deny he was the source of the leak. He says he thought he first heard about Plame’s CIA job from NBC’s Tim Russert.

But after checking his own notes, he told the FBI and the grand jury Cheney himself told him Plame worked at CIA a month before the talk with Russert, but Libby says he forgot that in the crush of business.

Cheney already was helping manage the administration’s response to allegations that it twisted intelligence to bolster its case on Iraq when Wilson’s allegation — in a New York Times op-ed piece on July 6, 2003 — came into his cross hairs.

Cheney told Libby to speak with selected reporters to counter bad news. He developed talking points on the matter for the White House press office. He helped draft a statement by then-CIA Director George Tenet. He moved to declassify some intelligence material to bolster the case against Wilson.

Cheney even clipped Wilson’s column out of the newspapers and scrawled by hand on it: “Have they done this sort of thing before? Send an ambassador to answer a question? Do we ordinarily send people out pro bono to work for us? Or did his wife send him on a junket?”

Daily discussions on Wilson’s Africa trip Cheney and Libby discussed the matter multiple times each day, according to Libby’s grand jury testimony.

A former Cheney press aide, Cathie Martin, testified she proposed leaking some news exclusives but was kept partly in the dark when Cheney ordered Libby to leak part of a classified intelligence report. Later she arranged a luncheon for conservative columnists with Cheney to help bolster the administration’s case.

“What didn’t he touch? It’s almost like there was almost nothing too trivial for the vice president to handle,” said New York University professor Paul Light, an expert in the bureaucracy of the executive branch.

“The details suggest Cheney was almost a deputy president with a shadow operation. He had his own source of advice. He had his own source of access. He was making his own decisions,” Light said.

Wilson had written that he had not discovered any evidence that Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein was seeking uranium in Africa. Wilson also asserted that the administration willfully ignored his findings.

Bush mentioned the unsubstantiated Africa connection in his State of the Union address in 2003. The White House and the CIA disavowed the 16-word assertion shortly after Wilson’s criticism appeared in print.

A week after Wilson’s article, his wife’s CIA employment was disclosed in a column by Robert Novak, who wrote that two administration officials told him she suggested sending the former ambassador on the trip.

The disclosure led to a federal investigation into whether administration officials deliberately leaked her identity. Her job was classified and it is a crime to knowingly disclose classified information to unauthorized recipients.

Libby, 56, is not charged with that. He is charged with lying to the FBI and obstructing a grand jury investigation into the leak of Plame’s identity. Libby is the only one charged in the case.

Cheney was upset by Wilson’s suggestion that his trip was done at the vice president’s behest and that the vice president had surely heard his conclusions well before Bush repeated the Niger story in his speech.

The CIA later said Wilson’s mission was suggested by his wife but authorized by others. The agency said Wilson’s fact-finding trip was in response to inquiries made by Cheney’s office, the State Department and the Pentagon.

Spokesman appeared to be out of loop Testifying for the prosecution, former White House press secretary Ari Fleischer said he was surprised to find the administration was backing off the 16 words that he had been defending. He said it wasn’t the first time he spoke of the administration’s position with great certainty, only to find it had changed and nobody had bothered to let him know.

Fleischer acknowledged passing along Plame’s identity to two reporters. But he testified he did not know at the time that her CIA job was classified.

According to prosecution testimony, Libby had conversations about Plame’s identity with Cheney as well as with a Cheney spokeswoman, a undersecretary of state and two CIA officials before he talked to Russert. In addition, former New York Times reporter Judith Miller and former Time magazine reporter Matthew Cooper testified that Libby discussed Plame’s CIA employment with them.

Russert, the final witness for the prosecution, flatly denied Libby’s assertion that the two had discussed Plame before Novak’s column appeared.

On the grand jury tapes, Libby also described steps that Cheney took to use parts of a 2002 National Intelligence Estimate, a classified assessment of Iraq’s weapons capabilities, to rebut Wilson.

Among those not informed about this Cheney maneuver, according to the Libby tapes, were then-White House chief of staff Andrew H. Card Jr., then-CIA Director George J. Tenet and then-national security adviser Condoleezza Rice.

“What was interesting to me was what appears to be the total involvement of the vice president,” said Stephen Hess, a presidential scholar who worked in the Eisenhower and Nixon White Houses. “If he’s down to micromanaging news leaks and responses at that level, I found that quite astounding.”

Meantime, it’s become clear that Deputy Secretary of State Richard Armitage was the first to disclose Plame’s work to reporters — Washington Post editor Bob Woodward and then Novak. Armitage says it was a mistake, claiming he didn’t know her job was classified.

Ultimately, he, Fleischer and special presidential adviser Karl Rove all have acknowledged talking to reporters about her. According to testimony, at least six reporters were privately told by top administration officials of Plame’s connection with the CIA.

By Jim's a Cherry Picker

February 12, 2007 09:40 AM | Link to this

Van,

Nice way to repeat a flimsy myth. I’d be interested in seeing the stats you and Jim have relative to this “bit of envy” you describe.

Who are these people who are saying that having nice things as a result of working hard is bad? Ya’ll keep referring to “them”, but I don’t know who “they” are.

Do they have a lobby? You know, the Christain Coalition has a lobby, and their wish list can be pretty well detailed. But I’m just not seeing anything from this dubious group that you refer to as “the left” and all of these speculative wants of theirs.

As for me, I’m repeatedly refered to as one of “them”, but I’m perfectly fine with first class and high-use passengers at airports getting better treatment.

Let’s see that data so we can clear this up.

By Dusty

February 12, 2007 09:41 AM | Link to this

Hey,

I’m not worried about the Lexus Lane. I shall immediately demand a Chevy Cavalier lane for equal rights. That’s fair, isn’t it? My American made Cavie is a fine car and nobody is gonna speed by blowing their fancy fumes on my black beauty. No sir!!

By RJ

February 12, 2007 09:51 AM | Link to this

The Dixie Chicks received the wrath of fans and others for speaking their minds about President Bush and his war. The travesty here is the lack of tolerance for opposing viewpoints. Freedom of speech is a bedrock of our Democracy. The frightening aspect of this matter is how fear, generated by 911, decreases appreciation for rational thinking. Debate is the fuel for American Democracy.

The way those ladies were treated reminded me of the way the Japanese were treated in the 40s and McCarthyism in the 50s… all driven by fear.

Those who love freedom should not be condeming but praising their courage.

By JoeD

February 12, 2007 09:55 AM | Link to this

First of all, Jim, I don’t see why you would need to hire Samples. You do a pretty good job of creating embarrassments all by yourself. And is resigning the only way that a person can prove himself truly contrite? Cherry Picker, great article, but apparently you missed the news that Joe Wilson is actually the reason we went into Iraq. Ann Coulter said so (with irrefutable logic) and JBM shared that with us last week. Obama will be more closely scrutinized as the voting actually gets closer next year. Did you catch that? Next year. He is Now just announcing his candidacy. Did you want him to be eliminated before the first vote was cast? If he didn’t have some unqualified support at this point, he probably wouldn’t be running. Give the process a chance to work.

By jbmlaw

February 12, 2007 10:09 AM | Link to this

Dear JaCP @ 9:32, it is now incontrovertible that:

(1) Joe Wilson’s report, contrary to his representations and his intent, totally convinced the CIA that Saddam was seeking yellowcake in Niger,

(2) Joe Wilson lied when he said the Vice President’s office sent him to Niger on the CIA mission, when in fact it was his wife’s recommendation,

(3) Joe Wilson had published his wife’s CIA profession on his website long before the trip to Niger,

(4) Valerie Plame had not been a covert agent within six years of the publication in the newspapers,

(5) that Colin Powell’s aide, Richard Armitage, a non-Bush- or Cheney-insider was the source of the disclosure that reached the newspapers, and

(6) Patrick Fitzgerald was aware of all of the foregoing before Scooter Libby ever testified to the grand jury.

Libby is thus charged with lying to cover-up something that was not a crime in the first place, and giving false testimony because he and another disagree over their recollection of the facts. Andrea Mitchell may well support the Libby version of events, even though Tim Russert is her boss. Doubt that the leftists will laud her courage.

You were one of the “Karl Rove is evil” crowd, so you surely ask yourself, “why Libby instead of Rove?” There it seems Libby and Fitzgerald have crossed swords before. Back in the late 1980s, when Scooter Libby was in private law practice, career-government prosecutor Fitzgerald was chasing billionaire-leftist financier and thief Marc Rich, while Libby was doing some effective defense planning for Rich. Libby ultimately won that battle when Bill Clinton pardoned Marc Rich, thus leaving Fitzgerald a serious case of prosecutus-interruptus. The only real difference between Fitzgerald and Mike Nifong is that Fitzgerald does not answer to voters or anyone else.

By Mid-South Philosopher

February 12, 2007 10:19 AM | Link to this

Good morning, Jim,

I am running a bit late with my verbiage today.

With respect to the myriad field of candidates for the Democratic and Republican nominations for the Presidency of the United States, I am not impressed. For every positive that can be enumerated for each candidate and equal negative can be deduced.

I think something has been overlooked by the pundits.

The United States has been (at least since 2000) and continues to be about evenly divided between the conservative and liberal trains of thought. There are damn few moderates in this country any more. Probably the abortion issue is the clearest manifestation of this phenomenon.

Consequently, how about a unity government?

Make the Vice President truly the President of the Senate, with responsibilities in the chamber.

Then, suppose we run Barack Obama and Mitt Romney…or maybe Newt Gingrich and John Edwards…or how about Hillary Clinton and Condoleezza Rice…or even Mike Huckabee and Bill Richardson.

Likely we wouldn’t have more gridlock than we continue experience. Besides they could keep and eye on one another.

By Curious Observer

February 12, 2007 10:19 AM | Link to this

I think we could save a fortune in road-building if only we used wealth as the sole criterion for traffic accommodation.

People driving Lexuses, Mercedes, and BMWs would have the right to use the fully paved lanes on the left. Those in reasonably new Infinitis and high-end SUVs could use the gravel-paved lanes in the center. And the scum driving economy cars, older cars, panel trucks, and low-end pickup trucks would have to settle for the dirt lanes on the right. We could also have anti-Dixie Chicks signs marking the exits. And, of course, we could have “Trashy Anna Nicole” memorial markers designating the highways—as a fitting tribute to the sexual perversion so revered in the South.

My vision of conservatism has now fully crystallized. No wonder you guys lost the election and will lose many more to come. Even Hillary and Obama look outstanding in comparison. I’m glad I’m mostly bald; otherwise, I would have to tug on my forelock as a precondition of approaching your elite selves.

By jm

February 12, 2007 10:29 AM | Link to this

Just curious, how many people on this blog had ever watched “Aqua Teen Hunger Force” or even knew what it was. For the record, I have. Not something I would tivo.

Interesting comment on “the age of celebrity”, especially considering that the only thing our current president had going for him is his last name, Bush. Unfortunately, this one had the first name of George, not Jeb (you know, the competent one). At least Senator Obama has earned what he has on his own merits, not daddy’s connections. Isn’t the supposed to count for something among conservatives?

As for Lexus lanes, highways are public resources. If you afford to build your own highway, knock yourself out. Otherwise, they belong to the public.

By Dennis

February 12, 2007 10:31 AM | Link to this

jbmlaw said @10:09, “4) Valerie Plame had not been a covert agent within six years of the publication in the newspapers.”

That’s really beside the point. Her outting revealed a CIA operation and its location (active or inactive) and possibly outted other still active or reassigned agents as well.

A good lawyer should know that. Why don’t you?

You don’t have to be a blind conservative not to see it, just an ignorant one to deny it.

By jbmlaw

February 12, 2007 10:32 AM | Link to this

Dear Mid-South @ 10:19, would your argument be served by democrats nominating a truly-anti-abortion presidential nominee, or by republicans nominating a truly-pro-abortion nominee? While I doubt Sen. Casey – he is the only prominent anti-abortion democrat - has a chance at the democrat nomination, the WSJ seems to have switched its support from Mitt Romney to Rudy Giuliani. I could see Giuliani getting the republican nomination – he is the symbol of anti-terrorism in this country.

By Dusty

February 12, 2007 10:42 AM | Link to this

jbmlaw,

You did a great clarification job at 10:09. If only the news people could do as well.

Every day we seem to get some reporter who can’t remember, or remembers INCORRECTLY, or disagrees with other reporters, or like the Wasington Post, quotes the wrong report such as Levin’s comments instead of the official committee report. The Washington Post made a correction on the Levin fiasco but little is said about that. Now, Andrea Mitchell jokingly says that she was drunk when making her statements (with a laugh of course). What you see (or read) in the news these days is all to be taken with a big grain of salt.

By Gold Domer

February 12, 2007 10:46 AM | Link to this

So, what you’re saying is you are wealthy? Since when did the AJC start paying that well? Are you hooking for $10,000 a pop on the side or something? Or maybe Sonny has you in for a cut of the public trough to buy your silence?

By Mid-South Philosopher

February 12, 2007 10:51 AM | Link to this

Dear jbmlaw,

We elected George Bush thinking that he was a “less government, fiscal conservative.” We discovered that he is neither “less government” nor “fiscally” conservative. He borders on “social conservatiism” when it fits his purposes. When it doesn’t (like with the issue of immigration), he wanders away…probably lost in Alabama…

Now we have Hillary Clinton trying to dodge questions about her vote to support the war…which, incidentally was correct…and trying to out shine Barack Obama. Is it possible she is a closet conservative (in a liberal sort of way, of course).

Who knows about Giuliani? Once elected, he might turn out to make a reformation on social issues the like of which George Corley Wallace made on racial issues!

At least this election is not going to be boring.

By jbmlaw

February 12, 2007 10:52 AM | Link to this

Dear Dennis @ 10:31, you raise a great point with your argument on my #4, but does that not trouble you when you lay your argument across my #3 – that Joe Wilson had actually “outed” his wife? Why did he do that? To support the troops?

By jbmlaw

February 12, 2007 10:54 AM | Link to this

Thanks Dusty.

By Van

February 12, 2007 10:54 AM | Link to this

RJ,

What got the Dixie Clucks in trouble was 1) insulting the President (respect the office if not the man) and 2) doing it at a foreign venue. If they had the brass to do it here first that might have made a difference, look at Barbara Streisand and her anti-Bush concerts.

By Brian

February 12, 2007 10:56 AM | Link to this

Who are these people who are saying that having nice things as a result of working hard is bad? Ya’ll keep referring to “them”, but I don’t know who “they” are.

That they would be you unprincipled class warfare liberals, Cherry Picker. Shall we start with you people’s comments of tax breaks for the rich and work our way back? You Liberals can’t let a day go by without complaining about neocons driving SUVs and living in mcmansions. Denying that people are envious of success, especially you Liberals, is unbelievably laughable! Who needs a poll to prove it when we have this blog?

By getalife

February 12, 2007 10:56 AM | Link to this

“At a farewell reception at Blair House for the retiring chief of protocol, Don Ensenat, who was President Bush’s Yale roommate, the president shook hands with Washington Life Magazine’s Soroush Shehabi. “I’m the grandson of one of the late Shah’s ministers,” said Soroush, “and I simply want to say one U.S. bomb on Iran and the regime we all despise will remain in power for another 20 or 30 years and 70 million Iranians will become radicalized.”

“I know,” President Bush answered.

“But does Vice President Cheney know?” asked Soroush.

President Bush chuckled and walked away.”

No laughing matter w.

cheney runs the WH, w is just the idiot with the title.

By Jim's a Cherry Picker

February 12, 2007 11:02 AM | Link to this

Jbmlaw,

Like I said. We shold sue the AP for their slanderous and treasonous report.

You’re a lawyer. Pursue it. The AP is lying.

And in your professional, legal opinion, isn’t this a bit like Clinton being tried for lying about something that wasn’t illegal?

What’s all the fuss about? Lying under oath? Is that it?

If I were you, I’d go sue AP. Whining about it here does no good.

By Brian

February 12, 2007 11:02 AM | Link to this

People driving Lexuses, Mercedes, and BMWs would have the right to use the fully paved lanes on the left. Those in reasonably new Infinitis and high-end SUVs could use the gravel-paved lanes in the center. And the scum driving economy cars, older cars, panel trucks, and low-end pickup trucks would have to settle for the dirt lanes on the right.

Thank you Curious Observer. Cherry Picker, there’s your Liberal class warfare example. Who needs polls to prove Conservative points when we have this blog.

By AstroPain

February 12, 2007 11:05 AM | Link to this

If the Dixie Chick doesn’t have a fit, the our president has quit.

They’ll stand down when bush steps down.

Clown.

By Redneck Convert

February 12, 2007 11:06 AM | Link to this

Well, I’m real upset that the traters Dixie Chicks won that award. My favarite country radio stations won’t play them and that’s good for us all. Anybody that critasizes my President is nothing but a trater. That bunch of libruls was dead set on giving us good folk a black eye. Ought to take them out and horse whip them, like my daddy did the uppity part of Those People.

Up here in north Forsyth, we are all in morning about Nicole Anne. She was a good Southren girl. And like a good Southren girl, she was in a lot of mens beds but never got caught in one. While northren girls get caught. My buddy Jim Earl keeps saying I ought to sue to get that dotter and the money. He says so many men could be the dad that I have as good a chance as anyone.

I don’t care much about the Lexus lane or paying to get 1st in line at the airport. I ain’t never flew and I don’t own a Lexus, so it ain’t nothing to me. I figure all the rich people will just crowd that lane and get in wrecks and have to use the poor folk lane anyway. And you can bet there will be a shootout when some nut like TFTT gets cut off and looses his temper again. There’s only so far that saying “bollocks” and them other English words can go before it comes to blazing away. I been warning you all for a long time. His L-avater don’t go to the top floor.

I’d hate to see my Vice Presadint Cheney in jail but it looks like its headed that way. Sooner or later that Libby guy won’t be able to keep his mouth shut and he’ll tell. If it wasn’t for the libruls we wouldn’t be having this trial. Maybe Anna Nicole would still be living if a bunch of librul press people had left her alone and then I’d have a chance of being the daddy of one of her kids. You never know what you are going to find in your bed down here in the South.

Well, the Baptists really cleaned out the stock at the bars this weekend, so I’m having to hump case after case of beer from the truck to the bars. I went into a new one a while ago and some squirrely guy with make-up asked if I wanted to dance. I didn’t see no women around, so I told him no. Have a good day, everybody.

By Van

February 12, 2007 11:07 AM | Link to this

Jim’s a Cherry Picker,

“Them” refers to the far left socialists. Those are the folks that feel everyone should be treated equally. No one should have a reservation at a restaurant, no one should be allowed to fly first class, no one should drive a kraut-mobile and everyone should be able to have a living wage regardless of the effort they put into the job.

You know, the old Marx and Engel’s “From each according to their means, to each according to their needs.” Or some wording like that.

Is it fair for me to live in a 3000 sq. ft. house on 3/4 acres while some are living in a 675 sq. ft. apartment? Is it fair for me to have only a high school education, but work at a large blue chip IT firm while people with degrees from liberal arts colleges are flipping burgers?

To each according to what they can attain. Work hard and attain all you can. A home, financial security, looking after your family, raising good smart kids, giving to charities and other worthy organizations, supporting your church and its ministries, being a good, fair person.

Wait - that is the description of a conservative.

By Dusty

February 12, 2007 11:08 AM | Link to this

MidSouth,

Now you are making jokes! Hillary Clinton a *closet conservative”???

I think Hillary would rather be in the infamous “Black Hole of Calcutta” than in a conservative closet. (And I’d rather be in ‘said hole’ than vote for her.)

Ohh, that’s a good one, Mid South.

By Dennis

February 12, 2007 11:12 AM | Link to this

jbmlaw @10:52 said, Dear Dennis @ 10:31, you raise a great point with your argument on my #4, but does that not trouble you when you lay your argument across my #3 – that Joe Wilson had actually “outed” his wife? Why did he do that? To support the troops?

Well, that’s interesting. and if you can give me a source for that I’ll send it on to Libby’s lawyers and Libby should be a free man within 24 hours.

In fact, why don’t you do it. You’re welcome to the credit and no doubt, Libby, Rove and in particular, Cheney, will be greatful. Hell, you might even get a position in the White House as their new attorney general. God only knows we need a good one.

You don’t have to be a blind conservative not to see it, just an ignorant one to deny it.

By harold

February 12, 2007 11:13 AM | Link to this

the only problem with lexus lanes is eventually they will all be lexus lanes and we will just have a toll road

of course, harold does not think that’s a problem if the tolls have the road users paying for the roads instead of taxpayers paying for the roads.

road users need to pay daily in cash for their roads so they can realize how absurdly expensive driving a car everywhere is.

harold says “make every lane on every road a lexus lane! except the HOV lane. leave it as the one free lane.”

Harold does not care what Hilary and Barracks are up to. They need to STFU until next year. They are the ticket, the only question is who will be the P and who will be the VP? Until they decide that, STFU about them!

By KP

February 12, 2007 11:19 AM | Link to this

Van,

The other side: The ones in that 675 SF apartment call it a condo and they own your blue chip IT firm.

By harold

February 12, 2007 11:21 AM | Link to this

!!!!!!!!CYNTHIA MCKINNEY PARKWAY SHOULD BE RENAMED DIXIE CHICKS SPEEDWAY!!!!!!!!!

By Jim's a Cherry Picker

February 12, 2007 11:22 AM | Link to this

Van,

Well, since you feel obliged to lump eveyone who disagrees with you into that category, I’ll do the same.

Moving forward, “ya’ll” are a bunch of intolerant, bible-thumping, gun-toting, corrupt, morally suspicious, self-righteous, greedy, paranoid, racist white sepratists.

I’m sorry that it has to come to this, but since generalizing large swaths of humanity helps you bang your square peg into whatever round circle is in front of you, I feel compelled.

Oh, and I don’t have any data that backs up my assumption, but that’s ok. It helps me make my arguments so I use it.

By JP

February 12, 2007 11:27 AM | Link to this

SusieHomeMaker @ 9:12AM, I’m with you 110%.

Some Faux News anchor recently bashed the Academy Awards—intended to spotlight the best in film arts—because the nominees weren’t movies he’d seen at the local multiplex. Apparently he’s confused the Academy Awards with the MTV Movie Awards. Howard seems to have the same problem.

I’m not a Chicks’ fan, but I respect their stand. Freedom-loving Americans should take dissent as a CHALLENGE to establish better evidence and deliver a more persuasive argument, rather than bashing their patriotism.

Mid-South Phil, I suggest you look into Unity08. There’s a movement toward the direction you seek, and I’m somewhat on board at the moment. Need more convincing, but the idea has some merit.

By harold

February 12, 2007 11:30 AM | Link to this

“ya’ll are a bunch of intolerant, bible-thumping, gun-toting, corrupt, morally suspicious, self-righteous, greedy, paranoid, racist white sepratists.”

not true! there are probably some black folk reading this. they’s intolerant, bible-thumping, gun-toting, corrupt, morally suspicious, self-righteous, greedy, paranoid, racist black sepratists.

By Stella Nuther

February 12, 2007 11:32 AM | Link to this

The market seems to have approved of the Bush adminisration. Long bull market. Market must approve the war too. The market is the litmus test. The country appears strong. The media can make it seem that everything is going to H in a hand basket, but when you look back at the last twenty years, overall, no matter what the media protrays, the USA keeps getting better. People keep buying things. The world just passes us by when we try to declare an era or a trend. We can never know what’s really going on, only assume that it’s all for the best and keep the faith.

By Doing the Math

February 12, 2007 11:42 AM | Link to this

The market seems to have approved of the Bush adminisration.

That oil and defense stocks have raised the overall “market” performance does not equate to a strong economy for most Americans.

If 49 of us bloggers were in a room with Bill Gates, our combined and average net worth would be BILLION$. To say that “the room” is doing great, based on those numbers is false. Most of us are paying more for less every year on stagnated wages. A few folks are doing great. Unless you are a “socialist” GASP! Call the Exorcist! who thinks we actually all share that money, then your “point” is a non-point.

By jbmlaw

February 12, 2007 11:46 AM | Link to this

Dear Dennis @ 11:12, this is all old news: WSJ, 2/1/2006, http://www.opinionjournal.com/extra/?id=110007888 WSJ, 9/15/2006, http://www.opinionjournal.com/editorial/feature.html?id=110008948 I previously supplied the info on Ann Coulter’s brilliant argument; advise if you need that again. You err in giving me credit for anything; all I know is what I read in the papers.

By tired

February 12, 2007 11:50 AM | Link to this

Doing the math:

You really should use some form of statistics to make your point, not just your word!

The market is a great indicator.

By harold

February 12, 2007 11:56 AM | Link to this

statistics are nothing more than the word of some statistician

By Van

February 12, 2007 11:56 AM | Link to this

KP,

maybe they have a bit of Big Blue, but then again I have some of the Retail REITs they use.

By Devastator

February 12, 2007 12:03 PM | Link to this

The Dow Jones setting records is a good indicator of what’s going on economically, but don’t forget other factors, such as unemployment, an idiotic war and increased competition from foreign nations(Toyota surpassing Ford).

By melo

February 12, 2007 12:12 PM | Link to this

DEAR HEAD IN THE SAND CREW, Welcome to real world

The Dixie chicks win BIG and BO is all over the map.Redneck hatrade is in the air.

Jim was up till 11.30pm like the lefties, watching the Grammys!!pseudo redneck?

By jbmlaw

February 12, 2007 12:12 PM | Link to this

Dear Devestator @ 12:03, you suffer from “economics deficit.” In market economies, competition comes from companies, not nations. Your appeal to xenophobia notwithstanding, Toyota is about as American as any other automobile company. They now have multiple plants in the US – it is almost impossible to buy a Japanese-made Toyota, and you can buy stock (ADRs, actually) on the NYSE.

By Doing the Math

February 12, 2007 12:14 PM | Link to this

Tired, bend over, and I’ll put some out of your behind. Isn’t that where you keep them?

If I had Exxon stock, I’d be doing great in the current economy! If I can’t afford stock, because insurance, health care, fuel, and utility costs keep rising and my wages don’t, and several hundred decent-paying jobs in my town were outsourced last year, then it ain’t so great.

You say “people keep buying things?” Don’t you mean: people (like our government) keep buying things ON CREDIT they can’t afford, resulting in debt they can never repay, setting up financial disaster, which is the opposite of strong economy?

By jbmlaw

February 12, 2007 12:20 PM | Link to this

Dear Devestator @ 12:03, your “unemployment” note puzzles me. Total employment when President Clinton left office was 136.0 million (ftp://ftp.bls.gov/pub/news.release/History/empsit.02022001.news) Today it is 146.0. (http://www.bls.gov/news.release/archives/empsit_02022007.pdf) Ten million more jobs, despite the dotcom bust, the world trade center attack, the war in Iraq. Frankly that sounds like pretty good economic performance.

By Dennis

February 12, 2007 12:27 PM | Link to this

By jbmlaw February 12, 2007 11:46 AM said, “Dear Dennis @ 11:12, this is all old news: WSJ, 2/1/2006, http://www.opinionjournal.com/extra/?id=110007888 WSJ, 9/15/2006, http://www.opinionjournal.com/editorial/feature.html?id=110008948 I previously supplied the info on Ann Coulter’s brilliant argument; advise if you need that again. You err in giving me credit for anything; all I know is what I read in the papers.”

JMB, you need to read a better paper.

OK, and I will read those articles. But NOTHING by Ann Coulter. That dame belongs on a stool in a bar somewhere.

In the meantime, if what the articles state is correct, then why hasn’t the justice department called off this whole thing a long time ago; after all, could not Gonzales as attorney general squelch it all in a moment, or is there a case? It seems now that even Cheney could be on the witness stand - something he has tried desperately to avoid.

(Thankfully he’s not being questioned by Tim Russert).

For your viewing pleasure, I just ran across this site; http://www.morethings.com/images/anncoulter/anncoulterphotogallery01.htm

You don’t have to be a blind conservative not to see it, just an ignorant one to deny it.

By Devastator

February 12, 2007 12:27 PM | Link to this

JBMlaw,

I’m aware that competition comes from companies, that’s kind of why I used a company as an example. Also, I was referring to technological advances in certain areas, like autos or techs. It think its wonderful that they have offices here, but that’s nothing in comparison to the headquarters there. What are you going to do when Ford goes bankrupt? Still buy Toyota stock? I hope so, I’ll sell it to you.

By melo

February 12, 2007 12:27 PM | Link to this

IS THE MISSION ACCOMPLISHED YET?, OH BY THE WAY, THE TEXAS NATIONAL GUARD GRADUATE SAY IT IS!

BRAVO COMRADES.

By jm

February 12, 2007 12:28 PM | Link to this

As Mark Twain said: “There are lies, damn lies and statistics”. You can prety much spin economic indicators anyway you choose to try and make the point you are trying to make.

Shoot, it is amazing how many people the last 25+ years have made the national debt and federal deficit sound like a “good thing”.

By Rod

February 12, 2007 12:29 PM | Link to this

Jim, you’re critisizing the Clintons for caring about what the US public thinks?

Oh yeah, that’s right - you agree with Georgie Bush who says “to hell with what Americans think, I’m gonna stay in Iraq.”

I’d much more gladly vote for a candidate who has the interests of the country at heart - not just his own bloated ego.

By Rod

February 12, 2007 12:32 PM | Link to this

Jim - do you ever check your facts before writing? Oops, sorry - I guess it’s obvious he doesn’t.

“The Dixie Chicks win three Grammys Sunday night.”

WRONG. The Dixie Chicks won five Grammys - including the three biggest awards out there: Album of the Year, Record of the Year, Song of the Year.

Ever check your facts Jim? (If you did, you’d be a Bush Basher!)

By harold

February 12, 2007 12:37 PM | Link to this

harold does not want a 2nd clinton any more than harold wanted a 2nd bush

division of powers should have an exclusion about families retaining control such that anybody becomes president no descendant of theirs can for at least 4 terms from their departure from office

By Rick

February 12, 2007 12:38 PM | Link to this

jbmlaw - are you that stupid? You say there are 10 million more employed - uh, yeah, but that’s because it’s several years later and more people have entered the job market. DUH?

The unemployment rate is higher under Bush. Try comparing apples to apples, not to oranges.

By Doug

February 12, 2007 12:39 PM | Link to this

Did the Dusty/RW/Buy Danish/Marcus ship of fools UE checks finally run out? Did he/she/they finally have to get a job?

By jbmlaw

February 12, 2007 12:40 PM | Link to this

Dear Dennis @ 12:27, you erroneously assume I do not read the AJC; I do. As to your willful blindness re: Chairman Ann’s brilliant argument, I can understand why you don’t want to be in a position where you have to confront irrefutable logic; you can continue to argue from ignorance.

By MarkP

February 12, 2007 12:43 PM | Link to this

Correction: The Dixie Chicks’ grammy awards were 100% about music, 0% about politics. The Nashville and Branson-based Country Music Industry, on the other hand, are now 0% about music, 100% about politics. No other music genre has been so dominated by associations with specific political causes and issues while producing such a bland generic product. The Dixie Chicks were one of a few exceptions, but then they had the gall to publicly state an opinion contrary to Charlie Daniels and Toby Keith, apparent spokespersons for the industry, leading to the Dixie Chicks’ mutual defection from / disownment by the Country Music Industry. The last gasp of decent country music that was acknowledged as such by the Industry was probably in the early nineties. The songs and albums that gained the Dixie Chicks their grammies this year fetaure great music, as have their previous albums. Long live all of the country music outlaws.

By jbmlaw

February 12, 2007 12:45 PM | Link to this

Dear Rick @ 12:38, I agree that one of us probably is uninformed, but I disagree with your analysis. I understand that workers, when discouraged, leave the market and give up trying to find jobs, as they did in droves at the end of the Clinton administration. I am also smart enough to see real growth – not the inflated stock prices of the dotcom era, but one where tax cuts stimulated true job formation and long-term expansion. These are the good times.

By jbmlaw

February 12, 2007 12:49 PM | Link to this

Dear Mark P @ 12:43, so all music awards except the Grammys are political? Are you on the payroll of NARAS?

By Doing the Math

February 12, 2007 12:52 PM | Link to this

Hey! The stock market IS a good indicator of success if your name is Bush and you’re willing to break some rules, through a few favors around, and keep it all between friends and family. Can’t make this stuff up, folks. Money gone from treasury - money into Bush pockets! Lexus lanes, here they come!

By 911

February 12, 2007 12:53 PM | Link to this

wait a minute,you say that the people on the left are envious of rich people who get special privliages because they “earned” the right to be in 1st class,and have the lexus lane.But yall get mad at young,rich,black athletes like Mike vick who yall say are spoiled thugs who gets special priviliages because he’s rich!(remeber the airport incident?)yall hate young black rich rappers who wear flashy jewerly and drive fancy cars. And yall hate O.J because he got off because he was rich. Now whose jealous of who?

By Magneto

February 12, 2007 12:58 PM | Link to this

911:

Please don’t ever blog here again. You cannot see past race and don’t have the intelligence to use proper english when speaking. This is not a children’s blog, get lost.

By Quick Observation

February 12, 2007 01:04 PM | Link to this

Quick observation — It took over five years for both federal revenues and the Dow, under Bush, to reach the heights they were at under Clinton (so much for the Laffer curve argument to support Bush’s tax cuts).

I’m sorry, but celebrating such recent “all time highs” as evidence of Bush’s economic competence is like telling your wife that it was great that you were laid-off in 2001 because you’re finally earning more today than you did back then (which, by the way, is exactly what has happened to millions of families).

By harold

February 12, 2007 01:05 PM | Link to this

jbmlaw you must remember that 20 million AMERICANS lost their jobs and got replaced with 30 million MEXICANS and THAT is why employment is higher

By My dreams long passed

February 12, 2007 01:10 PM | Link to this

Regarding the Dixie Chicks, Anna Nicole Smith, and Rosie O’Donnell, I can only say that I hope hell is a never ending treadmill. Run pigs run!

By JoeD

February 12, 2007 01:11 PM | Link to this

jbm, first, neither of the two citations say Joe Wilson outed his wife first. They mention his 2004 book, which was after she was outed. And as I noted on Friday, where has this “brilliant, irrefutably logical” argument been for the last three years. Why hasn’t Cheney or anyone else in the administration, or Libby, for that matter, raised it? Is Charwoman Ann just that much smarter than everyone else? Or has it just taken her three years to come up with some story to try and let the Bush administration off the hook?

By jbmlaw rationalizations

February 12, 2007 01:11 PM | Link to this

jbmlaw wrote “I am also smart enough to see real growth – not the inflated stock prices of the dotcom era, but one where tax cuts stimulated true job formation and long-term expansion. These are the good times.”

Let me get this straight. So the longest peace time economic expansion ever under Clinton — when government deficits were falling and surpluses were materializing — wasn’t real? On the other hand, the economic fits and starts under Bush — much of which is generated by government deficits and war time spending — is real?

jbmlaw — Such rationalizations do not serve you well.

By Dusty

February 12, 2007 01:12 PM | Link to this

Doug @ 12:39

Sorry you can’t read. I’ve been posting this morning with a nice discussion tone.

Whatsa matter? You want to be a prevaricator, commentator, agitator or sissyphant simpleton and can’t find a good name calling suspect?

If you are looking for a ship of fools, there’s plenty here but none are conservative.

By JoeD

February 12, 2007 01:27 PM | Link to this

Van, @11:07, which conservative were you describing?

By Old Teacher

February 12, 2007 01:35 PM | Link to this

jbmlaw re: your 10:09. I couldn’t find any support for your #3 in either article. I read both twice. Could you direct me to the appropriate paragraph of which article? Both articles seem to be opinions of the authors, similar to the op-eds of the New York Times re Bill Clinton’s impeachment, instead of verifiable information.

By melo

February 12, 2007 01:49 PM | Link to this

Do not worry about this jbmlaw woman. Shim is too senile to research.

By Van

February 12, 2007 01:56 PM | Link to this

JoeD,

Just a regular old fashion conservative.

By Van

February 12, 2007 01:59 PM | Link to this

911,

I would be just as critical of a well dress white rich guy caring on like Mike Vick.

Regardless of your wealth or lack of wealth, a class act is just that. Childish actions earn all the respect they deserve.

By Doug

February 12, 2007 02:20 PM | Link to this

By Dusty

February 12, 2007 01:12 PM | Link to this

If you are looking for a ship of fools, there’s plenty here but none are conservative.

Since there are no TRUE conservatives here, I think that the ship of fools is full up today. And Dusty, you are the captain.

By melo

February 12, 2007 02:26 PM | Link to this

The Dixie chicks also got Death threats for voicing their opinion on President DUMB’s Iraq War.I wonder who, among the HEAD IN THE SAND CLUB members, was responsible.

Reminds of SCOOTER THE LIMP LIBBY and MY DICK, THE CHENEY. Their strategies reminds me of Hitler’s GESTAPO.

By jbmlaw

February 12, 2007 02:27 PM | Link to this

Dear JoeD @ 1:11, Oldteacher @ 1:35, and Melo @ 1:49, I understand you guys are incapable of learning anything on your own and that you rely on the genius of conservatives to spoon feed you. As to how Joseph Wilson indisputably outed his wife, a good place to start is wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Plame_affair “In that column Novak also claims to have learned Mrs. Wilson’s maiden name “Valerie Plame” from his [Joe Wilson’s] entry in Who’s Who In America,[19] though it was her CIA status rather than her maiden name which was a secret.”

All Novak did was conjoin Wilson’s disclosure of his wife’s name with the “public secret” in the second WSJ link I provided: “There was a crime only if Ms. Plame were covert and the person revealed that fact with knowledge of her status. Mr. Fitzgerald learned during the investigation that not one person had any basis to think she was covert. Just ask Mr. Armitage, who asserted in his apologia, ‘I had never seen a covered agent’s name in any memo … in 28 years of government.’ “During the investigation Mr. Fitzgerald learned that a former New York Times reporter, Cliff May, twice told the FBI that, prior to Mr. Novak’s column, he had heard in an offhand way from a nongovernment employee that Mr. Wilson’s wife worked for the CIA, a clear indication that her employment was known on the street. Ditto columnist Hugh Sidey, who wrote that Ms. Plame’s name was ‘knocking around in the sub rosa world … for a long time.’” Hope that helps you guys. Dear JR @ 1:11, I understand you do not distinguish illusory (i.e., “phony”) economy from substantial growth. I also suspect you do not acknowledge that the then-coming recession – which G. W. Bush was smart enough to identify during the 2000 campaign, remember his call for tax cuts immediately, to prevent the recession? – began before the change in administrations. The recession that eventually proved to have begun in March 2000 was attributable to the economic policies that went before – economic rule of jbmlaw says an 18 month lag is abo