HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

(Hair is toned down for the winter, and here would be the only place I might actually wear such an outfit.)

Here's looking at what we all hope is a great 2006!!! I'm off to party at RoseBlood's house tonight - everyone be safe!!!

Yay! Spying is Fun!

NSA inadvertently uses banned 'cookies'

The National Security Agency's Internet site has been placing files on visitors' computers that can track their Web surfing activity despite strict federal rules banning most of them.

These files, known as "cookies," disappeared after a privacy activist complained and The Associated Press made inquiries this week, and agency officials acknowledged Wednesday they had made a mistake.

Nonetheless, the issue raises questions about privacy at a spy agency already on the defensive amid reports of a secretive eavesdropping program in the United States.

"Considering the surveillance power the NSA has, cookies are not exactly a major concern," said Ari Schwartz, associate director at the Center for Democracy and Technology, a privacy advocacy group in Washington, D.C. "But it does show a general lack of understanding about privacy rules when they are not even following the government's very basic rules for Web privacy."

Nope, cookies are no big deal. But they'll do it anyway until they get caught and someone complains.

MSNBC has a Year-in-Review thing all about the administration's crappy behavior...

Call it the year of lame excuses
Officials sought any shelter in the year’s storms, both natural and political

From Katrina to the leak investingation...

New ACLU Advertisement

Why is it that doing things without giving them a second thought to legality, morality, or just plain common fucking sense is okay with so many people? When did throwing the law out the window, along with the lives of thousands of soldiers become the American Way?

Can someone explain to me why there are websites that exist to try and stop the ACLU? They are the American Civil Liberties Union - THEY LOOK OUT FOR EVERY INDIVIDUAL'S PERSONAL CIVIL LIBERTIES! Why is that a bad thing?

Ugh. This just gives me a headache.

I Really Like Keith Olbermann

I like him because he is an Akido Master of Attack Journalism. When attacked, he simply and easily uses his opponent's force against them, causing them to fall flat on their asses.

Such was the case when I watched this clip (via C&L, of course).

It's a big file, so here's the rub - John Gibson got angry at Keith because Keith named him the Worst Person in the World one night. He named him so because Gibby had the cajones to imply that Christianity was the only "right" religion, making him sound not unlike those crazy radical fundamentalists we've had some trouble with in recent times.

John Gibson went on the attack, claiming he never said such things but Keith used the brain obvioulsy located in his head to go back and pull the audio from the radio show where Gibby DID say the thinks Keith claimed in the first place.

I wonder how it is that stupid people like John Gibson get high-paying TV shows? When you are such an ass as to go on a radio show and talk religion, then try and claim you never said it when SOMEONE obviously made a recording SOMEWHERE, how is it that anyone can take that person seriously? Who did he blow for that TV show?

So yes, I like Keith. At least he can back up what he says with proof, unlike...say... Bill O'Reilly, who likes to deflect attention to his non-existant Peabody award instead of using actual facts.

Christmas Day 2005

You are still a whisper on my lips
A feeling at my fingertips
That's pulling at my skin

You leave me when I'm at my worst
Feeling as if I've been cursed
Bitter cold within

Days go by and still I think of you...

I hope everyone's had an enjoyable weekend. I'm listening to Dirty Vegas on my new Nomad Jukebox courtesy of my loving mom. I need to visit iTunes and do some shopping to really fill it up a bit (WinMX got taken down by the man, dammit! Not that I used it or anything, because that would be very wrong...). Hehehe, we've moved on to "Dumb Little World" by Tilt. Classic, and fitting.

Anyhoo, I wanted to share some fantastic news! My friend Sean came home from Iraq and didn't tell me until he showed up in my living room Friday night! YAY! Wasn't expecting it at all, and yet there he was... Plus, the darling man brought me dessert liquor. He's back for good, fingers crossed.

I feel obligated to write something about politics, but I promise to keep it short - you can click through if it interests you...

• Spying Said to Be Broader Than Reported
• Daschle: Congress Didn't OK Spying Authority
• Powell: 'Nothing Wrong' With Eavesdropping
• Former aide to Powell opens fire on US administration
• Alito urged eavesdropping immunity
• Clinton's Lighter Side Available on DVD

PS: I'm starting to take bets that Brokeback Mountain is going to earn Heath Ledger an Oscar. I'd say Jake will get a nod too, but I think we've seen him give the longing puppy dog look in too many of his flicks.

Why Do Republicans Hate Christmas???

Someone call Bill O'Moron! The Republicans are killing Christmas!!!

Hope everyone's having a great holiday weekend and you're not ready to kill yourself because your idiot cousin is extolling the virtues of Amway on you or something.

PS: Happy Birthday to my friend Suzie-Q.

Politically Correct Season's Wishes ;)

Please accept with no obligation, implied or implicit, my best wishes for an environmentally conscious, socially responsible, low stress, non-addictive, gender neutral celebration of the winter solstice holiday, practiced within the most enjoyable traditions of the religious persuasion of your choice, or secular practices of your choice, with respect for the religious/secular persuasions and/or traditions of others, or their choice not to practice religious or secular traditions at all...and a fiscally successful, personally fulfilling, and medically uncomplicated recognition of the onset of the generally accepted calendar year 2006, but not without due respect for the calendars of choice of other cultures whose contributions to society have helped make America great (not to imply that America is necessarily greater than any other country or is the only "America" in the Western hemisphere), and without regard to the race, creed, color, age, physical ability, religious faith, or sexual orientation of the wishee.

This wish is limited to the customary and usual good tidings for a period of one year, or until the issuance of a subsequent holiday greeting, whichever comes first. "Holiday" is not intended to, nor shall it be considered, limited to the usual Judeo-Christian celebrations or observances, or to such activities of any organized or ad hoc religious community, group, individual or belief (or lack thereof).

Note: By accepting this greeting, you are accepting these terms:

• This greeting is subject to clarification or withdrawal, and is revocable at the sole discretion of the wisher at any time, for any reason or for no reason at all.
• This greeting is freely transferable with no alteration to the original greeting.
• This greeting implies no promise by the wisher to actually implement any of the wishes for the wishee her/himself or others, or responsibility for the consequences which may arise from the implementation or non-implementation of same.
• This greeting is void where prohibited by law.

Have a Wonderful/Joyous/Happy (fill in blank) and, as always, BLOG ON!


(Original Author Unknown)

Hark! I Hear the Abramoff Sing!

Carol T. Powers for The New York Times

Look at him. That poor bastard sure looks like he's contemplating the sharp drop in political capital vs. the number of times Bubba forces him to bend over. He probably needn't worry so, since his upper crust, white collar type of criminal always gets such cushy cells at Club Fed.

Well, whatever the leverage, Jackie is gonna have to sing like his life depends on it.

Jack Abramoff, the Republican lobbyist under criminal investigation, has been discussing with prosecutors a deal that would grant him a reduced sentence in exchange for testimony against former political and business associates, people with detailed knowledge of the case say.

Mr. Abramoff is believed to have extensive knowledge of what prosecutors suspect is a wider pattern of corruption among lawmakers and Congressional staff members. One participant in the case who insisted on anonymity because of the sensitivity of the negotiations described him as a "unique resource."

Now we just wait and see if his friends offer him a better deal than the law does...

Conservative Scholars Argue Bush’s Wiretapping Is An Impeachable Offense

Found this via Think Progress, who quotes the Washington Times and AEI.org.

Conservative scholars Bruce Fein and Norm Ornstein argued yesterday on The Diane Rehm show that, should Bush remain defiant in defending his constitutionally-abusive wire-tapping of Americans (as he has indicated he will), Congress should consider impeaching him.

QUESTION: Is spying on the American people as impeachable an offense as lying about having sex with an intern?

BRUCE FEIN, constitutional scholar and former deputy attorney general in the Reagan Administration: I think the answer requires at least in part considering what the occupant of the presidency says in the aftermath of wrongdoing or rectification. On its face, if President Bush is totally unapologetic and says I continue to maintain that as a war-time President I can do anything I want – I don’t need to consult any other branches – that is an impeachable offense. It’s more dangerous than Clinton’s lying under oath because it jeopardizes our democratic dispensation and civil liberties for the ages. It would set a precedent that … would lie around like a loaded gun, able to be used indefinitely for any future occupant.

NORM ORNSTEIN, AEI scholar: I think if we’re going to be intellectually honest here, this really is the kind of thing that Alexander Hamilton was referring to when impeachment was discussed.

Discuss. I'm off to long-needed bed.

Wow, Everyone's Talking About Bush's Law-Breaking

I get the impression that the Bush administration is spiraling out of control at this point and it's only going to end very badly for them I mean, I could be wrong. They could end up richer and more powerful than ever before and the rest of us will become more and more poor. But you gotta admit there's a lot of discussion here... (Most via C&L, because they rock)

Newsweek :

The president was so desperate to kill The New York Times’ eavesdropping story, he summoned the paper’s editor and publisher to the Oval Office. But it wasn’t just out of concern about national security.

CNN :

Wolf: Did the President break the law?

Alan: I think the President broke the law. I think congress should hold hearings...

Fox News : (Yea, THAT Fox News!)

Bill: Professor Turley, how do you see it?

Turley: I don't consider this a close case at all. I think that this operation-ahh-it was based on a federal crime.

More from CNN :

QUESTION: I wonder if you can tell us today, sir, what, if any, limits you believe there are or should be on the powers of a president during wartime.

And if the global war on terror is going to last for decades, as has been forecast, does that mean that we're going to see, therefore, a more or less permanent expansion of the unchecked power of the executive in American society?

BUSH: First of all, I disagree with your assertion of unchecked power.

Face The Nation :

[Lindsey] Graham: What executive order or constitutional provision would give the authority to the President to avoid the warrant requirement. There may be some, I just don't know of it, nut if there is not any-that's a problem.

Yep, it's looking ugly. Wonder how Patrick Fitzgerald's doing? I heard there may be some movement from his corner...

Bill Frist, M.D. - A New Show on Fox!

I saw this over at C&L and nearly fell off my chair laughing. Look! It's a new show on Fox!



BILL FRIST, M.D.!!!

Kid Bastard thinks Scott Bakula should star. I agree, this guy can't act his way out of a paper bag.

Waitaminute.... BOB BARR???

Okay, so now Barr is coming down on Dubya?

BOB BARR, CNN CONTRIBUTOR: What's wrong with it is several-fold. One, it's bad policy for our government to be spying on American citizens through the National Security Agency. Secondly, it's bad to be spying on Americans without court oversight. And thirdly, it's bad to be spying on Americans apparently in violation of federal laws against doing it without court order....

BARR: Here again, this is absolutely a bizarre conversation where you have a member of Congress saying that it's okay for the president of the United States to ignore U.S. law, to ignore the Constitution, simply because we are in an undeclared war.

The fact of the matter is the law prohibits -- specifically prohibits -- what apparently was done in this case, and for a member of Congress to say, oh, that doesn't matter, I'm proud that the president violated the law is absolutely astounding, Wolf.

Wow. I'm surprised.

Huh.

Renewal of Patriot Act Is Blocked in Senate

Sweet mother of all things good and pure - lookee what happened here!!!

Efforts to renew the USA Patriot Act collapsed in the Senate yesterday, when four Republicans joined most Democrats in blocking action on a volatile issue that pits anti-terrorism efforts against civil liberties protections.

The rejection triggered a frantic round of closed-door meetings between White House and congressional officials who hope to avert a major setback for President Bush....

For months, many Democrats and a handful of GOP lawmakers had vigorously argued that the renewal would do too little to protect civil liberties. Their hand was strengthened before yesterday's Senate vote by a New York Times report that Bush had signed a secret order in 2002 authorizing the National Security Agency to eavesdrop on U.S. citizens and foreign nationals in this country.

Talk amongst yourselves, but I for one am pleased to see some IQs returning to normal levels.

PS: In case you missed it, Bush authorized secret eavesdropping operations. Is that legal?

Best Holiday Poem Ever

Congressman John D. Dingell (MI-15) recited the following poem on the floor of the US House of Representatives concerning House Resolution 579, which expressed the sense of the House of Representatives that the symbols and traditions of Christmas should be protected. “Preserving Christmas” has been a frequent topic for conservative talk show hosts, including Fox News’s Bill O’Reilly. (Watch him recite it.)

Twas the week before Christmas and all through the House
No bills were passed ‘bout which Fox News could grouse;
Tax cuts for the wealthy were passed with great cheer,
So vacations in St. Barts soon would be near;

Katrina kids were nestled all snug in motel beds,
While visions of school and home danced in their heads;
In Iraq our soldiers needed supplies and a plan,
Plus nuclear weapons were being built in Iran;

Gas prices shot up, consumer confidence fell;
Americans feared we were on a fast track to…well…
Wait--- we need a distraction--- something divisive and wily;
A fabrication straight from the mouth of O’Reilly

We can pretend that Christmas is under attack
Hold a vote to save it--- then pat ourselves on the back;
Silent Night, First Noel, Away in the Manger
Wake up Congress, they’re in no danger!

This time of year we see Christmas every where we go,
From churches, to homes, to schools, and yes…even Costco;
What we have is an attempt to divide and destroy,
When this is the season to unite us with joy

At Christmas time we’re taught to unite,
We don’t need a made-up reason to fight
So on O’Reilly, on Hannity, on Coulter, and those right wing blogs;
You should just sit back, relax…have a few egg nogs!

‘Tis the holiday season: enjoy it a pinch
With all our real problems, do we honestly need another Grinch?

So to my friends and my colleagues I say with delight,
A merry Christmas to all,
and to Bill O’Reilly…Happy Holidays.

Some people just rock.

Lookin' For Love In All The Wrong Places...

Poor Bob. Seems like just yesterday he was shilling for Bushco. They must have had a lover's quarrel for him to come out with this:

Columnist Bob Novak, who first published the identity of covert CIA officer Valerie Plame, says he is confident that President Bush knows who leaked Plame's name.

Novak said that "I'd be amazed" if the president didn't know the source's identity and that the public should "bug the president as to whether he should reveal who the source is."

Oh, Bobby, this is just NOT the way to kiss and make up. What WILL the Republicans do to you now? (I think I hear the swift boats revving...)

Bush Estimates That 30,000 Iraqis Killed

And then goes on to state that even knowing what he knows now, he'd still go into Iraq.

Why? Just to take down Hussein? If he was such a bad guy (and he was... ironically while he was supported by the US), then why not focus attention on the "leaders" in Africa? What about the Saudis? And how's that Uzbekistan working out?

Another questioner challenged the administration's linkage of the Iraq war to the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. Bush said Saddam Hussein was a threat and was widely believed to have weapons of mass destruction — a belief that later proved false.

"I made a tough decision. And knowing what I know today, I'd make the decision again," Bush said. "Removing Saddam Hussein makes this world a better place and America a safer country."

Except the world and America is hardly safer when Hussein had nothing to do with attacking the United States in the first place. Or how about when the 9/11 Commission could only give the administration a best score of A- in curbing terrorist funds (that should be an easy A anyway, because then they get to take the money, and who doesn't want to steal money from terrorists?)?

"We're frustrated, all of us -- frustrated at the lack of urgency in addressing these various problems," said former commission chairman Thomas Kean, a Republican and former New Jersey governor.

Specifically, the panel gave the government an "F" on homeland security spending for cities most at risk, on improving radio communication for emergency agencies and on airline passenger prescreening...

"We shouldn't need another wake-up call," Kean said. "We believe that the terrorists will strike again, so does every responsible expert that we have talked to. And if they do, and these reforms that might have prevented such an attack have not been implemented, what will our excuse be?"

I've had a long day, and it boggles my mind that there are STILL people out there backing Bush, happy as clams.

PS: Hat tip to SEAL for the article.

Diebold CEO Resigns Amid Woes

One of my fave readers, Sans-Culotte has finally gotten himself a blog, where I found this little nugget. Thought some of you might also be interested if you haven't already seen it.

Turns out the CEO of Diebold - the man who promised to "deliver" Ohio for George Bush - has resigned due to imminent securities fraud litigation surrounding charges of insider trading. This comes on the heels of a Raw Story interview with a Diebold insider...

In a story last week, RAW STORY recounted allegations made by a Diebold insider who said he/she had become disillusioned after witnessing repeated efforts by the firm to evade meeting legal requirements or implementing appropriate security measures, and who alleged that Diebold had put corporate interests ahead of the interests of voters.

“I’ve absolutely had it with the dishonesty,” the insider said. Blasting Wally O’Dell, the current president of Diebold, the whistleblower went on to explain behind-the-scenes tactics of the company and its officers.

“There’s a lot of pressure in the corporation to make the numbers: `We don’t tell you how to do it, but do it.’ [O’Dell is] probably the number one culprit putting pressure on people,” the source said.

None of this should be a surprise to anyone.

Chris Wallace Is Weird

Gotta say, this takes some balls. First Chris loves his dad...

C. WALLACE: Well, it’s a great book. It is a great life. I couldn’t be prouder of both. And I love you.

M. WALLACE: I love you. And I’m proud of you.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

C. WALLACE: After that, I had to remind myself there’s no crying in Sunday morning talk shows.

Then he wants to lock him up...

“Fox News Sunday” anchorman Chris Wallace says father Mike Wallace has “lost it”…

“He’s lost it. The man has lost it. What can I say,” the younger Wallace lamented to WRKO Boston radio host Howie Carr on Friday.

“He’s 87-years old and things have set in,” the Fox anchor continued. “I mean, we’re going to have a competence hearing pretty soon.”

Even if Mike Wallace HAS lost it, I rather find it in bad taste to go on the radio and dish that your dad is losing his mind. Maybe some people can do that, publicly slam their parents. Usually it's kids who were raised in abusive or neglect-filled homes, and understandably. But he just had him on TV talking about how proud he is of him and how much he loves him.

Weirdo.

Soldiers' Bodies Shipped as "Freight"

Taking one step further in the battle to conceal the visual reminders of the costs of Iraq, the government is shipping the bodies of fallen soldiers as freight enclosed in what appears in the video as plain cardboard.

It had been my impression that the bodies of soldiers are returned to their families draped in the flag. The article suggests that not only are they supposed to be draped in the flag, but also acoompanied by a military color guard.

I've had some real nutcases come by here, accusing me (or of liberals in general) of disrespecting our soldiers for protesting the war they are engaged in. I would be really interested to know if any of those fruitcakes think shipping the body of a dead soldier home as freight, without receiving the honor and dignity it surely commands, is respectful. Or is this just another thing they will wave away with Republican Talking Point of the Day.

Bush Team Envoys "Annoyed" At Clinton For Speaking at UN Conference

Bill Clinton, at the invitation of the City of Montreal, will be speaking at a UN climate conference this afternoon, much to the annoyance of Bush cronies.

See, Bill and Al worked really hard to do good by the environment. But Bush didn't want all those restrictions that would make his friends have to clean up their acts, so he wiped away all those years of work. Thanks George!

As usual, however, they've misunderestimated the Big Dog's popularity, which is attracting hundreds of delegates.

So when is Bush's term over? Damn this is taking forever.

Thursday PM News Morsels

A hot debate is apparently raging in the comments of prior posts, so feel free to stop by and weigh in if you so desire. In the meantime, chew on the latest I've rounded up.

George Clooney talks about Bill O'Reilly's awful journalism, specifically in the sense that he can't tell the difference between the United Way and the Red Cross (which makes sense, since he can't tell the difference between a Peabody and a Polk). He also pointed out that Bill O'Reilly isn't being allowed to debate him on Charlie Rose because "Rupert Murdock won't let him." Awww, I wonder if Rupert will give him a spanking.

Speaking of Bill O'Reilly, for some reason, he thought he could take on Howard Stern. I used to listen to Stern, but I don't anymore for two reasons. 1. He and his wife split 2. Every time I turned it on, I'd hear him whining like an old man - his schtick got tiring. I will, however, acknowledge him to be a very smart businessman and not someone to try and take on in a debate. So what did Billy O do? Tried to take on Stern. Predictably, he came out looking like a fucking douche. The entire interview was Stern trying to explain how satellite radio will do for radio what HBO did for TV in that it allows entertainers more freedoms. Bill spent the entire time trying to figure out how much Stern is getting paid, and trying to get him to say his show will only be curse words. I didn't think it could happen, but someone came off looking more infantile than Stern. Dipshit.

Good God Almighty, I've just hit the Bill O'Reilly Trifecta! Just caught this bit where Bill apparently used a Daily Show clip FROM LAST YEAR to try and make a point about his home-made "War on Christmas". Does ANYONE actually take O'Reilly seriously anymore? And if so, HOW?????

Heh, I'm all chuckled out from this Bill character. Back later with more.

(PS: Don't forget to go back and vote for Yellow Dog for Best New Blog!)

Wednesday AM News Nibbles

Already enjoying my internship more than my classes, since I feel like I'm really getting some good hands-on experience. I'm working on getting a messy file straightened out, and it sounds menial, but it's actually very helpful because I've read examples of what motions, complaints, briefs and legal correspondence look like, but never actually saw anything firsthand. Fascinating stuff. I've been taking my time on it, reading the case info a bit as I go.

Anyhoo, today is a make-up day, but since we haven't had any snow days yet, I am free this morning, which is good because I have a legal paper due tomorrow AM, and with my internship, evening class (and Jeff's wake), I'm not sure I'd be able to get it done this evening. I may have to consider investing in a laptop so I can work on things anywhere.

So, what did I find in my web perusals? Oh I found some doozies.

First there's this bit about Michael Reagan, who apparently believes that Howard Dean should be hung for treason. Because treason (and then capital punishment) should be applied to anyone who thinks the war in Iraq is unwinnable. Except that Michael Reagan fails to realize that George W. Bush should then be hung for treason, since he told Matt Lauer in 2004 that "I don’t think you can win it." when asked about winning the war on terror (that IS why we're there now, right?). I have concluded that Michael Reagan is just another in a long string of morons.

Then there was this excellent policart from Horsey:



Oh, and you've heard the asshattery of Fox News dumbasses that created some false sense of a "War on Christmas", right? Well they can add the White House to their list of evildoers, since the White House sent out their HOLIDAY CARDS. I can't tell you how satisfying it is to see the very people Bush was blowing for support turn on him like a rabid pack of chihuahuas.

C&L points out more hypocrasy among the right-wingers.

And finally, Rush Limbaugh accidentally took a call from a non-dittohead who told him exactly how things are down in New Orleans. Poor bastard - he should really get a better call screener.

Okay, enough procrastination. I have to get my work done.

Dammit, Who's Number Three?

Heard last night that someone I knew died. After Adam, it briefly flitted through my head that people go in threes, but it was such a pessimistic view that I ignored it and moved on. Well, here's number two, Jeff Besen.

I don't want to call him a close friend, because he wasn't, but I've known him for about 10 or 11 years. He was a former co-worker, and someone who could make me laugh at crude jokes (even though I'm typically unamused by them), and a decent fellow.

His wake's tomorrow... going to try really hard to get there. I'm a little anxious about the third person. Getting very tired of people dying. It sucks.

Sorry to bum anyone out. I'll try to update tomorrow AM - no class then, but have homework to do.

Quick and Dirty Update

Came to my attention that Yellow Dog Blog is up for a Weblog Award. Woot to Bob! Please take a second and show him some love by way of voting, won't you?

Blanco Releases Kat Records

I saw this earlier, but didn't have a change to toss it up here. If you missed it, Louisiana Gov. Kathleen Babineaux Blanco has released over 100,000 pages of documentation relating to the Katrina disaster. Excerpt:

Among the more than 100,000 pages of newly released records, which ranged from after-action reports to hand-scrawled notes written at the height of the storm, are memos showing Blanco frustrated and angered over delays in evacuations and the slow delivery of promised federal aid.

"We need everything you've got," Blanco is quoted in a memo as telling President Bush on Aug. 29, the day Katrina made landfall. But despite assurances from the Federal Emergency Management Agency that 500 buses were "standing by," Blanco's aides were compelled to take action when the FEMA buses failed to materialize, documents show. "We need buses," Andy Kopplin, chief of staff to Blanco, said in an e-mail to Blanco staffers late on Aug. 30, the day after the storm hit. "Find buses that can go to NO [New Orleans] ASAP."

Two days later, on Sept. 2, Blanco complained to the White House that FEMA had still failed to fulfill its promises of aid. While cloaked in customary political courtesies, Blanco noted that she had already requested 40,000 more troops; ice, water and food; buses, base camps, staging areas, amphibious vehicles, mobile morgues, rescue teams, housing, airlift and communications systems, according to a press office e-mail of the text of her letter to Bush.

"Even if these initial requests had been fully honored, these assets would not be sufficient," Blanco said. She also asked for the return of the Louisiana Army National Guard's 256th Brigade Combat Team, then deployed to Iraq.

Tensions between state leaders and the White House seemed at times near the boiling point. At 3:49 p.m. on Sept. 2, after spending three hours to appear with Bush at a Mississippi news conference, Rep. Charlie Melancon (D-La.) wrote Blanco's staff, "I am returning home to baron[sic] rouge in hoping I can accomplish something for the people I represent other than being occupied with PR."

He added that Bush's "entire effort on behalf of the federal government has been reflected in his and his people's nonchalant attitude to the people of LA. You may give him this to read."

Let's take a moment and compare two of the most devastating disasters in US recent history...

• On September 11th, despite warning signs, 3,000 people lost their lives.
• When Katrina hit, despite warning signs, a still unknown number of people lost their lives.
• On September 11th, George W. Bush went on with his day even after being told the WTC towers had been hit by planes until it was decided he should go hide in AF1 for the rest of the day.
• When Katrina hit, George W. Bush went on with his day(s) - playing guitar, giving John McCain a birthday cake, and making stupid jokes with old people who don't realize what a tool he is.
• On September 11th, Rudy Giuliani made it abundantly clear he was the definition of "LEADER" by taking control of the situation, issuing commands, establishing the best communication possible with his people in the field, and talking with the press at every opportunity. George W. Bush was still hiding in AF1.
• When Katrina hit, local and state officials made it clear that help was needed and desired, and also made it clear that no one on the federal level was doing one motherfucking thing about it.

Bush was no leader on 9/11 and he was no leader after Katrina rolled through. Bush enjoyed record approval ratings after September 11th, but it was on Rudy Giuliani's coattails. If Giuliani hadn't been such a pillar of strength, people would not have been as quick to forgive Bush for flying around the air not talking to the public for 12 hours.

Quite frankly, I don't know how Giuliani can stand being in the same party as Bush. Coattail ridin' pussy.

Right-Wing Whack Job Calls on Mindless Drone Followers to Question the Patriotism of Fellow Americans

Right-wing freaks: Read this sloooowly and caaaarefully...

THERE IS NOTHING WRONG WITH QUESTIONING THE GOVERNMENT! Anyone who tells you different is trying to gain control over you. END OF FUCKING STORY.

Excerpt from YDB:

In yesterday's column, [retarded fearmonger Melanie] Morgan, among other things, calls decorated-Veteran Congressman John Murtha a coward, accuses Bill Clinton of emboldening Osama bin Laden and urges her readers to question the patriotism of their fellow Americans who oppose the war in Iraq.

Stupid cow.

Bushwhacked : The Video Montage

Tom at TomSongs.com left a comment about his new video, which is just had a chance to check out.

I love genuine, homegrown work. Nice job, Tom. Keep it up.

Wow, He Really IS The Worst President Ever

This is what those historians said -- and it should be noted that some of the criticism about deficit spending and misuse of the military came from self-identified conservatives -- about the Bush record:

• He has taken the country into an unwinnable war and alienated friend and foe alike in the process;
• He is bankrupting the country with a combination of aggressive military spending and reduced taxation of the rich;
• He has deliberately and dangerously attacked separation of church and state;
• He has repeatedly "misled," to use a kind word, the American people on affairs domestic and foreign;
• He has proved to be incompetent in affairs domestic (New Orleans) and foreign (Iraq and the battle against al-Qaida);
• He has sacrificed American employment (including the toleration of pension and benefit elimination) to increase overall productivity;
• He is ignorantly hostile to science and technological progress;
• He has tolerated or ignored one of the republic's oldest problems, corporate cheating in supplying the military in wartime.

Santorum Uses Same Stock Footage As Third Party Group

Now, I'm willing to give them the benefit of the doubt on this. They probably just picked from the same stock pool.

What confounds me is that a rich Republican asshole is SO stingy with his money that he can't even shell out for a couple of supporters. That's like Scrooge level. Maybe he's Hetty Green's long lost relative.

Another Reason Why I Find Religion Just Plain Silly

Remember Father Mychal Judge?



Father Mychal was giving last rites to a dead man at the World Trade Center, when falling debris killed him. This is how many people will recall him:



As AmericaBlog reflects, he was a beloved member of the community, and he was openly gay and supportive of them.

His church has decided, however, that men like him should no longer to be considered to teach or run seminaries, not to mention disallow gay men from entering the seminary to begin with.

Obviously Father Mychal loved his work, and obviously he was loved FOR his work, judging from the enormous turnout at his funeral three weeks after 9/11. To deny someone like Father Mychal the opportunity to serve his community like he did merely illustrates just how asinine religion can truly be.

Just sayin'.

Pass The Smelling Salts!!! Bush Lied Again!!!

I know, such a shocker, right? I mention this merely to add more fodder to the truth gun you keep shooting at your Ostrich-like Bush-supportin' brother-in-law/neighbor/spouse/SO.

Embedded TIME Reporter: Bush Lied In Speech Yesterday About Iraqi Security Forces

Yesterday, President Bush claimed that Iraqi security forces “primarily led” the assault on the city of Tal Afar. Bush highlighted it as an “especially clear” sign of the progress Iraq security forces were making in Iraq.

"The progress of the Iraqi forces is especially clear when the recent anti-terrorist operations in Tal Afar are compared with last year’s assault in Fallujah. In Fallujah, the assault was led by nine coalition battalions made up primarily of United States Marines and Army — with six Iraqi battalions supporting them…This year in Tal Afar, it was a very different story. The assault was primarily led by Iraqi security forces — 11 Iraqi battalions, backed by five coalition battalions providing support."

TIME Magazine reporter Michael Ware, who is embedded with the U.S. troops in Iraq who participated in the Tal Afar battle, appeared on Anderson Cooper yesterday. He said Bush’s description was completely untrue:

"I was in that battle from the very beginning to the very end. I was with Iraqi units right there on the front line as they were battling with al Qaeda. They were not leading. They were being led by the U.S. green beret special forces with them."

Think Progress also have the video for your viewing pleasure.

PS: Get your chuckles now!!! Fox changed their "holiday" ornament to "Christmas" ornament after being made to look like absolute fools by Keith Olbermann (and many libblogs).