Bob thinks Bush flubbed. He's predicting Kerry ahead by 5 points or more in major national poll by the end of next week. I say no. Stakes, the usual, 1 luxury caffeinated beverage.
Thursday, September 30, 2004
Post-Debate Free Association
Instanalysis:
- In the absence of major blunders or drawn blood, Kerry wins just by being on the same stage as Bush. Thank goodness.
- Bush by contrast gets points for competence on foreign policy.
- Biggest single missed opportunity for Kerry: "If you don't want Allawi to be seen as a puppet of the US, here's a suggestion: Don't have your campaign staff write his speeches."
- Second-biggest missed opportunity for Kerry: "I don't have to think Iraq was the right war. I didn't make the decision to invade without getting a real coalition together. I'm not the one who failed to send enough troops to secure the whole country. I'm not the one who failed to plan for the occupation afterwards. And I'm not the one who has no plan for pacifying the country and getting our troops home."
- Bush and team have a good line about not "holding against" Kerry the fact that he thought Saddam was a threat. I don't think he managed to draw blood with that, but it's something to watch out for.
- Bush got Kerry good on the Iran sanctions point, and I think he also had the stronger position on North Korea. As Newsweek editor Zakaria said on ABC, who knew we would be watching a series of exchanges on bilateral vs. multilateral talks with North Korea tonight?
Crawfordians for Kerry
George W.'s hometown newspaper has endorsed the Kerry ticket. Seriously, who would know him better than his home town?
Dick Cheney on Iraq
It appears that our current Veep made a number of prescient points about the invasion and occupation of Iraq in advance of the March 2003 invasion:
[T]he question in my mind is how many additional American casualties is Saddam worth? And the answer is not very damned many....The catch (you knew there was going to be a catch)? All of this is from a speech Cheney delivered in August 1992. Here's the Seattle Post-Intelligencer story.All of a sudden you've got a battle you're fighting in a major built-up city, a lot of civilians are around, significant limitations on our ability to use our most effective technologies and techniques....
Once we have rounded him up and gotten rid of his government, then the question is what do you put in its place?... [Y]ou then have accepted the responsibility for governing Iraq. Now what kind of government are you going to establish? Is it going to be a Kurdish government, or a Shi'ia government, or a Sunni government, or maybe a government based on the old Baathist Party, or some mixture thereof? You will have, I think by that time, lost the support of the Arab coalition... so crucial to our operations over there.
Strange How This Stuff Doesn't Translate
Tony Blair's going in for a heart procedure tommorrow.
Strange how it seems unlikely to divert press attention from Bush's debate loss tonight -- as Clinton's did from the pummelling of Kerry at the RNC.
We're getting all whooped up for the debates here in the North!
Strange how it seems unlikely to divert press attention from Bush's debate loss tonight -- as Clinton's did from the pummelling of Kerry at the RNC.
We're getting all whooped up for the debates here in the North!
Wednesday, September 29, 2004
3 For Bush.
On the NyTimes OpEd are pieces on what questions to put to Bush tonight in his debate with John Kerry, by Madeline Albright , Richard Clarke , and Arthur M. Schlesinger, Jr. .
Looks like W hit the Trifecta
Looks like W hit the Trifecta
Florida needs election handholding like a 3rd world country
Jimmy Carter is facing a lot of flak for his declaration that in the Florida elections "some basic international requirements for a fair election are missing". This is a disturbing trend of our political system, which is sliding ever closer to a closed system with our electronic voting systems that are considered "proprietary", and have proven to be extremely unreliable. What does the opposition fear from this Nobel Prize winner other than a scathing review, or the implication that Florida has less fair elections than the one that elected Hugo Chavez (also monitored by Carter)?
Jeb Bush's most insulting remark:"Without talking to a single person, without getting any information, he joins up with the MoveOn.org crowd and I cannot tell you how disappointed I am,"
In other news, which is gold for the Kerry camp, Nader is off the ballot in OhioSomehow, this guy continually ends up with thousands of fraudulent signatures. Also, the order from Republican Ohio Secretary of State Blackwell that all voter registration form need to be on 80lb stock has been rescinded. This was a big scare because Democrats are said to be leading the drive to register new voters in a BIG way, and were about to lose most of them.
Jeb Bush's most insulting remark:"Without talking to a single person, without getting any information, he joins up with the MoveOn.org crowd and I cannot tell you how disappointed I am,"
In other news, which is gold for the Kerry camp, Nader is off the ballot in OhioSomehow, this guy continually ends up with thousands of fraudulent signatures. Also, the order from Republican Ohio Secretary of State Blackwell that all voter registration form need to be on 80lb stock has been rescinded. This was a big scare because Democrats are said to be leading the drive to register new voters in a BIG way, and were about to lose most of them.
Monday, September 27, 2004
Pentagon Papers leaker Ellsberg Pleads to DoD Officials: Leak, Now.
The New York Times > Daniel Ellsberg, who leaked the Pentagon Papers in 1969, pushing forward a chain of events which lead to the end of the Vietnam war, made a personal plea to administration officials in the DoD: Leak, please. Rumsfeld is covering up, he says, but a greater public good must be served. Ellsberg points out, too, that had he had the conscience to leak in 1964 instead of 1969, there would have been 50,000 lives fewer lost.
Robert Novak in Thumb Screws: Protection for Confidential Journalistic Sources Should Change In the Age of Blogs.
Many folks are wringing their hands over the Plame case. The question which rests before courts is: should a special protection in the 1st Amendment exist protecting the confidentiality of journalistic sources?
Bob says -- why are these sources protected? One reason used to be that journalism was extremely special. Not everyone had a newspaper, with a million readers, which served as a platform for dissemination of the bleaching sunlight of truth. If this protection hadn't existed in the 1960's, the Pentagon papers would never have been published, and Americans would never have known what a mess the Administrations had descended us into.
However, in the age of the internet, blogs, and widespread publication -- **anyone** can disseminate information widely. Newspapers act only as particularly popular information gathering squares. The thinking used to be, threaten the protections, and those few gathering squares would close, and there would be no more recourse for those wishing to out egregious violations of the public trust. However, the gathering squares are no longer few.
Is there any good reason remaining to protect journalistic sources with special rights? In fact, yes, there is. It just may be that the violation of the secrecy law -- in this case, a felonious revelation of secret information critical to the national defense -- serves a public good. In the same way there is a "self-defense" protection for violence, there should be an exception for protection of those confidential sources when their revelations of secret information serve a public good.
After a half-century in which newspapers have enjoyed broad protections for their confidential sources, that protection should be maintained, but only when newspapers can argue that the revelation of the information served a public good. If no public good is served -- and it's probable, but not certain, in the Plame case that no public good was served by outing her CIA connection -- the courts should recognize no protection for the sources.
Besides, who doesn't want to see Robert Novak sporting thumb-screws?
Bob says -- why are these sources protected? One reason used to be that journalism was extremely special. Not everyone had a newspaper, with a million readers, which served as a platform for dissemination of the bleaching sunlight of truth. If this protection hadn't existed in the 1960's, the Pentagon papers would never have been published, and Americans would never have known what a mess the Administrations had descended us into.
However, in the age of the internet, blogs, and widespread publication -- **anyone** can disseminate information widely. Newspapers act only as particularly popular information gathering squares. The thinking used to be, threaten the protections, and those few gathering squares would close, and there would be no more recourse for those wishing to out egregious violations of the public trust. However, the gathering squares are no longer few.
Is there any good reason remaining to protect journalistic sources with special rights? In fact, yes, there is. It just may be that the violation of the secrecy law -- in this case, a felonious revelation of secret information critical to the national defense -- serves a public good. In the same way there is a "self-defense" protection for violence, there should be an exception for protection of those confidential sources when their revelations of secret information serve a public good.
After a half-century in which newspapers have enjoyed broad protections for their confidential sources, that protection should be maintained, but only when newspapers can argue that the revelation of the information served a public good. If no public good is served -- and it's probable, but not certain, in the Plame case that no public good was served by outing her CIA connection -- the courts should recognize no protection for the sources.
Besides, who doesn't want to see Robert Novak sporting thumb-screws?
Summary of current events in the destablization of the Korean Peninsula
Bob had mentioned earlier this month that we should be keeping a close watch on our government and news reports generated from the ever escalating North Korean threat. Here's what has happened in just a few weeks:
North Korea's chief delegate to the UN declared today to the UN that the danger of war on the Korean peninsula is "snowballing", and also reiterated that they have weaponized the fuel from 8,000 spend fuel rods, and accused the US of helping South Korea conduct unauthorized nuclear experiments in 1982 and 2000.
North Korea has threatened to turn Japan into a "nuclear sea of fire" in retaliation for the US launching attacks within North Korea. In response, Japan has sent surveillance aircraft and an Aegis equipped destroyer to watch North Korea.
North Korea also may be preparing a missile launch to test out a short range missile
Also, the US will be deploying Destroyers in the Sea of Japan in an effort to "deploy ballistic missile defenses.
But, to keep this all in perspectve, North Korea is infamous for speaking loudly and carrying a small stick. They have also refused to participate in the 6-way talks with the US until after the November elections because we've eliminated any reason whey they should talk to us.
North Korea's chief delegate to the UN declared today to the UN that the danger of war on the Korean peninsula is "snowballing", and also reiterated that they have weaponized the fuel from 8,000 spend fuel rods, and accused the US of helping South Korea conduct unauthorized nuclear experiments in 1982 and 2000.
North Korea has threatened to turn Japan into a "nuclear sea of fire" in retaliation for the US launching attacks within North Korea. In response, Japan has sent surveillance aircraft and an Aegis equipped destroyer to watch North Korea.
North Korea also may be preparing a missile launch to test out a short range missile
Also, the US will be deploying Destroyers in the Sea of Japan in an effort to "deploy ballistic missile defenses.
But, to keep this all in perspectve, North Korea is infamous for speaking loudly and carrying a small stick. They have also refused to participate in the 6-way talks with the US until after the November elections because we've eliminated any reason whey they should talk to us.
God has sided with the terrorists
I concur, but doesn't that mean that God has sided with the terrorists? He is obviously not "with us". Action needs to be taken, and we can't be soft on these terrorists. It is also obvious that He has weapons of mass destruction, and is just crazy enough to use them, wiping out thousands of people with one wave of His hand. This brutal despot has been in charge TOO long, and needs to be taken down a peg. I also hear that He's been collaborating with Al-Qaeda, and looking for yellowcake.
Let's roll.
Let's roll.
"Why Does God Hate Us?"
Florida has been hit with four hurricanes in a month; on the TV news, I've just seen, a police officer asking rhetorically, "Why Does God Hate Us So Much?"
Isn't it obvious why? It's because state officials stole the 2000 election. God's sending the hurricanes now because, as you know, the next election is coming soon. These hurricanes are just God's warning -- if the state succeeds in stealing the election yet again, Florida will see even worse punishment. Famine. Fire.
Isn't it obvious why? It's because state officials stole the 2000 election. God's sending the hurricanes now because, as you know, the next election is coming soon. These hurricanes are just God's warning -- if the state succeeds in stealing the election yet again, Florida will see even worse punishment. Famine. Fire.
Saturday, September 25, 2004
Dahlia on Hamdi
Dahlia Lithwick, everyone's favorite Slate legal analyst, has issued her opinion on the Hamdi debacle.
She covers some of the same territory as my post, and comes to a similar conculsion (not a great day for civil libertarians) but includes some choice tidbits from the Government's earlier testimony along the way.
She covers some of the same territory as my post, and comes to a similar conculsion (not a great day for civil libertarians) but includes some choice tidbits from the Government's earlier testimony along the way.
Wednesday, September 22, 2004
Deadly danger or not - No rights
Yaser Esam Hamdi, with Jose Padilla one of two citizens held as "enemy combatants" and - until the Supreme Court ruling this spring - refused legal counsel or rights of habeas corpus by the Bush Administration - has now been released and will be deported to Saudi Arabia. Hamdi was captured in Afghanistan, where he is alleged to have been fighting for the Taliban.
Explaining the decision to release Hamdi, Justice Department spokesman Mark Corallo said, "As we have repeatedly stated, the United States has no interest in detaining enemy combatants beyond the point that they pose a threat to the U.S. and our allies."
One could not ask for a balder statement of this Administration's claims. Namely: If we judge you to be a threat, we will hold you (and, perhaps, "vigorously interrogate" you). When we no longer deem you to be a threat, you will be released. Nowhere in that statement - or in any statement by any member of this Administration - is there any acknowledgement that there might be greater principles, or a higher law, at stake. (One is left to hope that if or when they attempt more serious transgressions, they will be proven wrong on this point. So far they have not been.)
Even the release of Hamdi, a US citizen who has not been indicted of any crime by any court, is thus the occasion for further chilling revelations. For example: Hamdi will be forced to "renounce" his US citizenship, and will be forbidden from returning to the US in the future, or traveling to any of Afghanistan, Iraq, Israel, Pakistan, Syria, the West Bank and Gaza Strip.
On what grounds is he denied these privileges? Raw power. If he had not agreed to these conditions, he would not have been released. It's that simple.
Explaining the decision to release Hamdi, Justice Department spokesman Mark Corallo said, "As we have repeatedly stated, the United States has no interest in detaining enemy combatants beyond the point that they pose a threat to the U.S. and our allies."
One could not ask for a balder statement of this Administration's claims. Namely: If we judge you to be a threat, we will hold you (and, perhaps, "vigorously interrogate" you). When we no longer deem you to be a threat, you will be released. Nowhere in that statement - or in any statement by any member of this Administration - is there any acknowledgement that there might be greater principles, or a higher law, at stake. (One is left to hope that if or when they attempt more serious transgressions, they will be proven wrong on this point. So far they have not been.)
Even the release of Hamdi, a US citizen who has not been indicted of any crime by any court, is thus the occasion for further chilling revelations. For example: Hamdi will be forced to "renounce" his US citizenship, and will be forbidden from returning to the US in the future, or traveling to any of Afghanistan, Iraq, Israel, Pakistan, Syria, the West Bank and Gaza Strip.
On what grounds is he denied these privileges? Raw power. If he had not agreed to these conditions, he would not have been released. It's that simple.
John Edwards Found Dead
John Edwards was found dead in the underbrush at the side of I-89 in Indiana this morning, by hitchhikers. Edwards had been missing for 3 weeks -- at least, he hasn't been seen by the American people that long.
Just kidding. He's probably still alive out there somewhere. He may as well have been dead by the side of a road for the better part of a month, for all the campaigning we've been seeing him do. It's beyond ridiculous, and if he doesn't get out there NOW and start stretching the vocal chords, he can sit next to Lieberman at the nomination convention as another in a series of failed VP candidates who didn't pull their weight during a campaign they could have made a difference in.
Just kidding. He's probably still alive out there somewhere. He may as well have been dead by the side of a road for the better part of a month, for all the campaigning we've been seeing him do. It's beyond ridiculous, and if he doesn't get out there NOW and start stretching the vocal chords, he can sit next to Lieberman at the nomination convention as another in a series of failed VP candidates who didn't pull their weight during a campaign they could have made a difference in.
Tuesday, September 21, 2004
Prime Suspect
The Artist Formerly Known As Cat Stevens is apparently the one behind the latest threats.
Sky's a' fallin'!
Washington Times reportsAl Qaeda seen planning for 'spectacular' attack.
The attack is going to be bigger than a breadbox, but smaller than a car, occuring sometime between now and election day, targeting somewhere on the east coast by terrorists we haven't seen in a while.
The attack is going to be bigger than a breadbox, but smaller than a car, occuring sometime between now and election day, targeting somewhere on the east coast by terrorists we haven't seen in a while.
3 Debates
There are 3 Presidential debates coming: Sept 30 (Coral Gables, FL); Oct 8 (St. Louis, MO) Oct 13 (Tempe, AZ).
Edwards/Cheney Debate: Oct 5.
Edwards/Cheney Debate: Oct 5.
Monday, September 20, 2004
TPM Zinger of the Day
Josh Marshall "Zinger of the Day" from TPM:
The young and very serious John Kerry once asked "How do you ask a man to be the last man to die in Vietnam? How do you ask a man to be the last man to die for a mistake?" A less anguished George W. Bush has decided that a soldier or two a day is a reasonable price to pay to avoid admitting a mistake.
Friday, September 17, 2004
Throw away your Kryptonite locks
If you value your bicycle, throw away your Kryptonite locks. They're useless.
And now the Florida Supreme Court Put Nader Back on the Florida Ballot
The New York Times > Washington > Campaign 2004 >They say the Reform Party is a national party, and so he should be able to appear on the state ballot.
Thursday, September 16, 2004
Hussein is Bin Laden, or vice versa?
For those who missed the video on The Daily Show, here is the coverage of a Rumsfeld speech where he repeatedly inserts Saddam's name for Bin Laden.
He just can't remember anymore who we're supposed to be going after.
He just can't remember anymore who we're supposed to be going after.
Wednesday, September 15, 2004
One Million jobs lost in the 9/11 aftermath
The ass from which the White House pulls its numbers gets ever bigger. Dick Cheney claims that a MILLION jobs were lost "within a few weeks after the 9/11 attack because of the damage that that did to our tourism and travel industry". Wow. A million jobs. That's a HUGE impact within a few weeks after 9/11, an economic event that would rival the Great Depression which absorbed a net job loss over a decade.
But it isn't true. This statement confilcts with theUS Dept. of Labor's analysis of the aftermath which says "In the 18 weeks following the September 11 attacks (the weeks ending September 15 through January 12), employers reported 430 events involving 125,637 workers separated as a direct or indirect effect of the attacks."
A million jobs is a far cry from the 125,637 jobs lost, but that doesn't really matter anymore, does it? Because Cheney says it in a speech, the press reports it, and eventually it becomes truth.
Much like McCarthy holding up a sheet of paper saying "I have a list of (x) card carrying members of the Communist pary" with nothing on the sheet.
But it isn't true. This statement confilcts with theUS Dept. of Labor's analysis of the aftermath which says "In the 18 weeks following the September 11 attacks (the weeks ending September 15 through January 12), employers reported 430 events involving 125,637 workers separated as a direct or indirect effect of the attacks."
A million jobs is a far cry from the 125,637 jobs lost, but that doesn't really matter anymore, does it? Because Cheney says it in a speech, the press reports it, and eventually it becomes truth.
Much like McCarthy holding up a sheet of paper saying "I have a list of (x) card carrying members of the Communist pary" with nothing on the sheet.
DeLay gets a pass from ethics committee
In what is sure to be a boost for Tom DeLay's campaign, the House Ethics Committee postponed today's hearing and the Ranking Member has posed the question of whether or not to proceed with its investigation. This investigation has to do with fundraising, and his role in Texas redistricting.
I was going to put something funny here, but the taste in my mouth is so bitter right now...
I was going to put something funny here, but the taste in my mouth is so bitter right now...
Bush: Tax the working Class
The NYTimes OpEd pages put its finger on the goal of Bush's "ownership society". Reduce taxes on savings and investments. What does that mean, in an age where we can't afford to reduce tax revenues? It means to shift the taxes onto wages.
Bush leads the charge, shouting: Tax the working class!
Here come the Republicans with their class warfare again.
Bush leads the charge, shouting: Tax the working class!
Here come the Republicans with their class warfare again.
Robert Novak Believes in Revealing Confidential Sources, After All
From the "it's-a-few-days-late-but-Bob-hadn't-heard-anyway" dept:
During an interview that transcends irony, (we'll call it delicious irony) Robert Novak said that he believes that in SOME cases, not all, a reporter ought to reveal their sources. Specifically, CBS should reveal where they got the memos regarding Bushies' Service records.
"mMMmmmmmmmmm, delicious memo...."
---Homer Simpson
During an interview that transcends irony, (we'll call it delicious irony) Robert Novak said that he believes that in SOME cases, not all, a reporter ought to reveal their sources. Specifically, CBS should reveal where they got the memos regarding Bushies' Service records.
"mMMmmmmmmmmm, delicious memo...."
---Homer Simpson
Judge: Nader is Now Off The Florida Ballot
Earlier, we mentioned that Florida's elections supervisor ordered Nader to be put on the 67 FL counties' absentee ballots, which have to be mailed out by this Saturday. She had done so because Dems sued to keep the Reform party off the FL ballot, arguing it's not a Nat'l Party. But, the hearing wasn't scheduled till today, and the Supervisor said that Hurricane Ivan made it unlikely the hearing would take place. Well, it did. And now, the Judge ruled Nader off the ballot.
I've Never Heard of the Congress Telling the Media to Shut the Hell Up.
(NYTimes) House Republicans Urge CBS Retraction on Guard Report. I don't think the Congress should get into the business of trying to arbitrate when they think the media has spread a false report.
The Congress - specifically, those 40 House Republicans -- should keep their noses out of media criticism. The history of politicians being critical of the news media is not one which reflects positively on the politicians. And those cranky folks who grump: "Yeah, but the media spreads lies about us, and we hate it," should keep in mind that it is the politicians, and not the media, who actually wield power, and they should damn well do so very gently. The media can straighten out its own mistakes -- in fact, we rely on it to do so, and it seems to be working through that pretty well right now. Without the 40 House Republicans' help.
Of course, if anyone actually has any verifiable facts -- like, for example, witnesses who saw Bush show up to his Alabama Guard duty -- that seems like something which would be constructive. But heaping vitriol upon vitriol is not a useful part of this debate.
The Congress - specifically, those 40 House Republicans -- should keep their noses out of media criticism. The history of politicians being critical of the news media is not one which reflects positively on the politicians. And those cranky folks who grump: "Yeah, but the media spreads lies about us, and we hate it," should keep in mind that it is the politicians, and not the media, who actually wield power, and they should damn well do so very gently. The media can straighten out its own mistakes -- in fact, we rely on it to do so, and it seems to be working through that pretty well right now. Without the 40 House Republicans' help.
Of course, if anyone actually has any verifiable facts -- like, for example, witnesses who saw Bush show up to his Alabama Guard duty -- that seems like something which would be constructive. But heaping vitriol upon vitriol is not a useful part of this debate.
After Same-Sex Marriage in Canada: Same-Sex Divorce
The first same-sex divorce in Canada has been granted.
Of course, this followed a string of several other same-sex equality acheievements: Same-Sex I'm Bored In This Relationship; Same-Sex You're Letting Yourself Go; Same-sex How Come We Don't Go Out Like We Used To?; Same-
Sex Accusations of Infidelity, and Recriminations; Same-Sex Screeching Arguments, Tears, Storming From The House; Same-Sex Filing of the Papers; Same-Sex Back-biting; Same-Sex Abandonment By Friends; Same-Sex Never-Gonna-Talk-To-You-Again.
I'm sure Rush Limbaugh is wondering: Will These People Stop At Nothing?
Of course, this followed a string of several other same-sex equality acheievements: Same-Sex I'm Bored In This Relationship; Same-Sex You're Letting Yourself Go; Same-sex How Come We Don't Go Out Like We Used To?; Same-
Sex Accusations of Infidelity, and Recriminations; Same-Sex Screeching Arguments, Tears, Storming From The House; Same-Sex Filing of the Papers; Same-Sex Back-biting; Same-Sex Abandonment By Friends; Same-Sex Never-Gonna-Talk-To-You-Again.
I'm sure Rush Limbaugh is wondering: Will These People Stop At Nothing?
Tuesday, September 14, 2004
Nothing Conservative about spending $3 Trillion
Bush's programs come to $3 Trillion over a decade -- this while he rails on Kerry as a overspending, at $2 Trillion.
Monday, September 13, 2004
Nader back on Florida's Ballot
Why? Because of Hurricane Ivan. Really. No kidding. Because of the hurricane, Nader is back on Florida's ballot.
Putin: The Best Way to Combat Terrorism? Abolish Elections
Putin says, the best way to combat terrorism is to do away with elections for state governers, giving him power to appoint them, and do away with elections for members of parliment, giving him power to appoint them from party lists.
What's a Good Looking Girl Like You Doing In A Place Like This?
Necrophilia is now illegal in California. Apparently, it wasn't before. Eeew.
Why'd that take so long? Who fought the law?
Why'd that take so long? Who fought the law?
On the other hand.... NK Explosion Is US Sabotage?
The US's response to the report of the enormous explosion in North Korea has been one of calm, almost disinterest.
My response, in stark contrast, was one of hysterical concern.
Why the difference? Both the US and I know that NK is marked by Bush as a founding member of the Axis of Evil. That NK is hyping up its nuclear weapons capability. That Bush claims to operate under a foreign policy doctrine called "pre-emption", in which the US acts militarily and unilaterally against another country when it perceives that country contributes to a terrorist threat against the US. These four things add up to loading planes with bombs and an imminent invasion of NK.
Some counter-arguments, which I'm sure Derek had in mind when we bet two days ago on whether or not the US would invade NK within 14 months: (1) Afghanistan and Iraq were politically isolated and friendless; North Korea has a close friend in China -- although its arguable that the Chinese-NK friendship has frayed since the 50's to the point that it's no closer than the Iraq/Russian friendship, or Iraq/France; (2) the Bush administration had a head-on to attack Iraq since Bush's inauguration, and the Iraq war was brought in on pretenses which have been shown to be groundless; they have no such head for a NK invasion; (3) the US is bogged down in Iraq; even if we wanted to, we don't have the people for a unilateral invasion.
And then there's one more: the Siberian possibility. Recall the recent revelation that the US helped engineer the enormous gas explosion in Soviet Russia , by selling them purposely flawed operations chips. Perhaps the relative calm over the recent NK explosion is simply the same public stone-face after the Siberian explosion.
In which case, one can only say, oh. Hmmmm. Well, good show then.
My response, in stark contrast, was one of hysterical concern.
Why the difference? Both the US and I know that NK is marked by Bush as a founding member of the Axis of Evil. That NK is hyping up its nuclear weapons capability. That Bush claims to operate under a foreign policy doctrine called "pre-emption", in which the US acts militarily and unilaterally against another country when it perceives that country contributes to a terrorist threat against the US. These four things add up to loading planes with bombs and an imminent invasion of NK.
Some counter-arguments, which I'm sure Derek had in mind when we bet two days ago on whether or not the US would invade NK within 14 months: (1) Afghanistan and Iraq were politically isolated and friendless; North Korea has a close friend in China -- although its arguable that the Chinese-NK friendship has frayed since the 50's to the point that it's no closer than the Iraq/Russian friendship, or Iraq/France; (2) the Bush administration had a head-on to attack Iraq since Bush's inauguration, and the Iraq war was brought in on pretenses which have been shown to be groundless; they have no such head for a NK invasion; (3) the US is bogged down in Iraq; even if we wanted to, we don't have the people for a unilateral invasion.
And then there's one more: the Siberian possibility. Recall the recent revelation that the US helped engineer the enormous gas explosion in Soviet Russia , by selling them purposely flawed operations chips. Perhaps the relative calm over the recent NK explosion is simply the same public stone-face after the Siberian explosion.
In which case, one can only say, oh. Hmmmm. Well, good show then.
Sunday, September 12, 2004
Electronic Voting Machine Companies Corrupt the Secretaries of State
NYTimes oped notes that electronic voting machine companies have hired former California Sec'y of State Bill Jones, as well as his assistant Sec'y of state; and provided over 40% of the budget for a conference of the National Association of Secretaries of State.
Bet
Resolved: that the US and/or US Allies will launch a military strike inside North Korea within 12 months after the Nov 2004 election. Pro: Bob. Con: Derek.
Saturday, September 11, 2004
Watch Closely, Everyone -- We are in the gravest of situations
Americans should be watching our government and news reports closely. In the Iraq war, the Bush administration purposely inflamed the situation, gave wrong assessments of public information and had no secret information which let them know better the situation -- as was widely assumed, based on things like Cheney's statement "We know where the WMD are.". It is clear that the Bush Administration bent intelligence and inflamed the public into the Iraq war. They remain steadfast on the subject -- insisting that they did everything right.
We are in the run-up to an election. If the Administration truly believes that they handled the Iraq situation correctly, then the claim by a South Korean news agency of an atomic test would be at least as firm a reason to go to war on the Korean peninsula. And, even so, satellite images of a mushroom cloud -- and if an atomic device was detonated, those images exist -- would definitively argue that NKorea has WMD; they are known in the past to have made illegal sales of missles to Pakistan. The case for an invasion of North Korea is at least as strong as that made for Iraq (had the 'facts' floated about Iraq actually been true; while with NKorea, we appear to have a wolf, and not merely a pretext for crying wolf).
Unfortunately, we don't have the manpower in the Army to fight two wars in two different theaters. Too bad we didn't form a coalition to fight in Iraq, and too bad we squandered our historical allies' good will, weakening our ability form such a coalition for North Korea. In other words, Bush's bad works in Iraq have actively harmed our preparedness for protecting American interests in North Korea.
We are in the run-up to an election. If the Administration truly believes that they handled the Iraq situation correctly, then the claim by a South Korean news agency of an atomic test would be at least as firm a reason to go to war on the Korean peninsula. And, even so, satellite images of a mushroom cloud -- and if an atomic device was detonated, those images exist -- would definitively argue that NKorea has WMD; they are known in the past to have made illegal sales of missles to Pakistan. The case for an invasion of North Korea is at least as strong as that made for Iraq (had the 'facts' floated about Iraq actually been true; while with NKorea, we appear to have a wolf, and not merely a pretext for crying wolf).
Unfortunately, we don't have the manpower in the Army to fight two wars in two different theaters. Too bad we didn't form a coalition to fight in Iraq, and too bad we squandered our historical allies' good will, weakening our ability form such a coalition for North Korea. In other words, Bush's bad works in Iraq have actively harmed our preparedness for protecting American interests in North Korea.
Strange -- NYTimes Reports WHouse has confusing intelligence that may indicate a future NKorean nuclear test.
NYTimes. The story appeared about half an hour after the AP reports came out about the SKorean News Agency reporting an explosion. But these reports say the intelligence is not conclusive and only indicates "increased activity" which might indicate a future test. Not a past one.
These different stories are like ships in the night -- they don't seem to know about each other. Update: The end of the article parenthetically refers to the AP and Rueters report. It's clear this article was in the works, and rushed out in response to those reports.
These different stories are like ships in the night -- they don't seem to know about each other. Update: The end of the article parenthetically refers to the AP and Rueters report. It's clear this article was in the works, and rushed out in response to those reports.
South Korean News Agency Yonhap Reports Atom Bomb Explosion in North Korea
Happened Thursday. Here it is.
I find this hard to believe. It's been two days, we have satellites to monitor this sort of thing --- why do we have to get this news from a "diplomatic source" in Seoul?
Nader as Spoiler
I compared the list of states whose ballots Nader will appear on with the Cook Political Report's present outlook of the 2004 Electoral College.
Nader is polled at 2% of the vote nationally. Splitting of electoral college votes for states considered "solid" or "likely" for the candidates, gives 179 Kerry vs. 172 Bush. 270 votes are needed to win, so the election is about finding the 90-100 votes each candidate needs.
Swing states where Nader is definitely OFF the ballot have 15 votes: Maine(4), Missouri (11).
Nader is challenging being thrown off the ballot in states with 73 EC votes, although it seems likely that he will lose: Arizona (10), Florida (27), N. Carolina (15), Pennsylvania (21).
Swing states where Nader is on the ballot are (89 EC votes): Colorodo (9), Iowa(7), Michigan (17), Nevada (5), New Hampshire (4), New Mexico (5), Ohio (20), Oregon(7), Wisconsin (10), West Virgina (5).
Nader claims to have 2,400 signatures in Minnesota (10), where 2,000 signatures are needed. Signatures are due there Sept 14.
With 89 EC votes that Nader is eligible for, and 2% under his thumb, Nader could deny victory in states where the Kerry-Bush difference is less than 2%. Unless Nader pulls out -- and he should -- he is already on the map as the spoiler.
Nader is polled at 2% of the vote nationally. Splitting of electoral college votes for states considered "solid" or "likely" for the candidates, gives 179 Kerry vs. 172 Bush. 270 votes are needed to win, so the election is about finding the 90-100 votes each candidate needs.
Swing states where Nader is definitely OFF the ballot have 15 votes: Maine(4), Missouri (11).
Nader is challenging being thrown off the ballot in states with 73 EC votes, although it seems likely that he will lose: Arizona (10), Florida (27), N. Carolina (15), Pennsylvania (21).
Swing states where Nader is on the ballot are (89 EC votes): Colorodo (9), Iowa(7), Michigan (17), Nevada (5), New Hampshire (4), New Mexico (5), Ohio (20), Oregon(7), Wisconsin (10), West Virgina (5).
Nader claims to have 2,400 signatures in Minnesota (10), where 2,000 signatures are needed. Signatures are due there Sept 14.
With 89 EC votes that Nader is eligible for, and 2% under his thumb, Nader could deny victory in states where the Kerry-Bush difference is less than 2%. Unless Nader pulls out -- and he should -- he is already on the map as the spoiler.
Friday, September 10, 2004
Sky Captain Sneak
There's a report from a Sky Captain sneak attendee over at Slashdot.
No real spoilers, so it's safe to click.
I'm still more intrigued than amped up.
No real spoilers, so it's safe to click.
I'm still more intrigued than amped up.
Bush Lies on Deficit
Paul Krugman spends the day quoting other budget analysts on the fact that, over the last three years, the Bush administration routinely over-estimates the budget deficit at the beginning of the year. Then, when it comes in lower, they claim they've "made progress reducing the deficit". Even though the deficit has gone up up up over the past 3 years.
Just in case you thought there might be some reason politicians can't lie.....
Dick Cheney comes out again to say that Saddam Hussein provided safe harbor to al Qaeda.
This is a bald-faced lie, and everybody knows it. It's not even a cute little lie, as in, "Oh, look, he has courage in his convictions, even if he is a little misguided." It's a lie which cost us 1000 American US soldiers lives, thousands more in lost limbs and their lifelong health, $200B in national treasure, the support and friendship of some of our closest historical allies at a time when we would need them most.
Who goes fishing with this guy? "That's my bait and tackle." "Well, Dick, I'm pretty sure it's my bait and tackle, since I remember purchasing it, storing it in my garage this week, and bringing it with us to the boat." "My bait and tackle, gimme".
Dick Cheney shouldn't be anybody's friend, let alone Vice President.
This is a bald-faced lie, and everybody knows it. It's not even a cute little lie, as in, "Oh, look, he has courage in his convictions, even if he is a little misguided." It's a lie which cost us 1000 American US soldiers lives, thousands more in lost limbs and their lifelong health, $200B in national treasure, the support and friendship of some of our closest historical allies at a time when we would need them most.
Who goes fishing with this guy? "That's my bait and tackle." "Well, Dick, I'm pretty sure it's my bait and tackle, since I remember purchasing it, storing it in my garage this week, and bringing it with us to the boat." "My bait and tackle, gimme".
Dick Cheney shouldn't be anybody's friend, let alone Vice President.
Thursday, September 09, 2004
Nader off the ballot in Florida
Nader calls the Democratic party "corrupt", except HE's the one taking money and support from the Republicans knowing full well their intentions.
Nader USED to have principles. That's all he had. He doesn't even have those anymore.
Good riddance.
Nader USED to have principles. That's all he had. He doesn't even have those anymore.
Good riddance.
Allright Florida, Now Hear This....
Hurricane Ivan is on the way. This is what you can expect when the Bush administration treats major weather systems like criminal acts, instead of waging a war -- a war that none of us asked for, and Bush has done nothing about.
And Florida, if you vote in November to elect the wrong people, you can expect to be hit by hurricanes again, and again, and again.
And Florida, if you vote in November to elect the wrong people, you can expect to be hit by hurricanes again, and again, and again.
Powell Says It's Genocide
Apparently, the US has declared that genocide occurred and may still be occurring in the Sudan. That's a big deal --- recall that we never declared genocide occurred with the >1 million Tutsis were killed systematically by Hutus in Rwanda. Finding genocide legally binds us, and the UN, to act on it.
Donald Rumsfeld is Dead
He must be. How else can you explain that Bush is claiming he wants to give a new national intelligence director "full budget authority", pulling $32B out of the Pentagon's column -- a suggestion which previously got Rumfseld to respond with something which translates roughly from bureaucratize as 'over my dead body.' (Times).
When was the last time any one's seen him at a staff meeting?
When was the last time any one's seen him at a staff meeting?
Photo Roster of the Iraqi Dead
The NYTimes has a photo-roster of the first 1000 American solidiers killed in Iraq, Roberto Abad to Robert P. Jr Zurheide.
Wednesday, September 08, 2004
Bush Used Coke at Camp David?
Not that anyone believes anything Kitty Kelley says, but, in her new book on the Bush family, she quotes the divorced wife of Neil Bush (as of mid-2003) as saying that W used cocaine at Camp David.
She's denying she ever said that, now, but the publisher claims to have been present for one of the conversation from which the quote was derived. I'm sure W. wishes her well
She's denying she ever said that, now, but the publisher claims to have been present for one of the conversation from which the quote was derived. I'm sure W. wishes her well
Report: Bush short on Guard duty
The Boston Globe is reporting that George W. Bush did not satisfactorilly complete his obligations to the Texas Air National Guard, concludes a study by retired Army Colonel Gerald A. Lechliter.
In a startling reversal and a disgusting display of gall, retired Lieutenant Colonel Albert C. Lloyd Jr., who supported Bush by claiming that he had indeed shown up for duty, changed his position, but then added "singling out Bush for criticism is unfair. ''There were hundreds of guys like him who did the same thing," he said."
Unfair? Hundreds of guys like him aren't President of the US on the promise to restore honor and dignity to that office. Also, according to the article, it costs the taxpayer $1 million to train a fighter pilot. All of these people should have been held to a higher standard.
It's time for the military to start calling in some old debts, starting with W.
In a startling reversal and a disgusting display of gall, retired Lieutenant Colonel Albert C. Lloyd Jr., who supported Bush by claiming that he had indeed shown up for duty, changed his position, but then added "singling out Bush for criticism is unfair. ''There were hundreds of guys like him who did the same thing," he said."
Unfair? Hundreds of guys like him aren't President of the US on the promise to restore honor and dignity to that office. Also, according to the article, it costs the taxpayer $1 million to train a fighter pilot. All of these people should have been held to a higher standard.
It's time for the military to start calling in some old debts, starting with W.
flip-flop
In a "change of stance" Dubya has decided to support giving the new national intelligence director full budgetary authority.
First he was against the post of a national intelligence director, then he was for it, but without budgetary authority.
Now we're for it, because "After all, we're still at war," Mr. Bush added.
How many more flip-flops is George W. Bush gonna make?
First he was against the post of a national intelligence director, then he was for it, but without budgetary authority.
Now we're for it, because "After all, we're still at war," Mr. Bush added.
How many more flip-flops is George W. Bush gonna make?
Tuesday, September 07, 2004
Bush's Catastrophic Success
The US is conceding that rebels loyal to Sadr control important parts of central Iraq even as the number of American war dead breaks 1000 (a number which Donald Rumsfeld dismisses because it's small compared to those already killed world-wide by terrorism. So you see, Rumsfeld implies, we can ignore those 1000, they don't really amount to much.).
This is what Bush calls "catastrophic success."
Success! Success! Success! Everyone ready for years and years of catastrophic success?
This is what Bush calls "catastrophic success."
Success! Success! Success! Everyone ready for years and years of catastrophic success?
Cheney Threatens Attack on U.S. if he Loses
Dick Cheney is saying that if the US makes the "wrong choice" on election day, we risk a devestating terrorist attack.
What a load of irresponsible scare-tactic crap.
What a load of irresponsible scare-tactic crap.
Bush Is Already Breaking His Promises for the NEXT Term
You know how Bush's big economic promise, which he's been stumping on, and figured into his convention speech, is to cut in half that $400B yearly deficit he started running (after a 10-year bipartisan effort to bring our budget to a surplus)?
The non-partisan Congressional Budget Office says No Way In Hell can he do it.
I think it's a record for a President to break his promises even before he gets elected.
The non-partisan Congressional Budget Office says No Way In Hell can he do it.
I think it's a record for a President to break his promises even before he gets elected.
One Thousand Americans Dead -- Rumsfeld: So Many Deaths, why bother counting?
Iraq has consumed one thousand American lives.
Rumsfeld -- apparently under the mistaken impression that Iraq was somehow related to terrorism -- responded to the milestone that the civilized world had long passed the 1000th death at the hands of terrorists. Get it? So many deaths, why bother counting any more, asks the Bush administration.
Rumsfeld -- apparently under the mistaken impression that Iraq was somehow related to terrorism -- responded to the milestone that the civilized world had long passed the 1000th death at the hands of terrorists. Get it? So many deaths, why bother counting any more, asks the Bush administration.
Nader off the Virginia Ballot -- 13 Electoral College Votes
They only had 7,000 of 10,000 signatures. Candidates for the Libertarian and Constitution party did have enough, so they're on.
VA has 13 electoral college votes, and is considered a "leans Bush" state by Cook's Political Report. In 2000, VA went Bush over Gore, 54% to 46%.
VA has 13 electoral college votes, and is considered a "leans Bush" state by Cook's Political Report. In 2000, VA went Bush over Gore, 54% to 46%.
Don't Be Practicing Your Love
Another Bush gaffe. "Too many OB-GYNs aren't able to practice their love with women all across this country."
Look, sloppy writing and slopping speaking mean sloppy thinking.
It means he hadn't formed the concept in his head when he started the sentence.
Monday, September 06, 2004
Do you expect fulfillment from work?
I sure do. And (I'm happy to say) I get it too, most of the time. But is that sort of attitude just a big mistake?
Wow! Who Knew?
It seems some folks think Neo-con Richard Perle is a crook.
Lessseee, we have Cheney implicated in the Nigerian gas bribery scandal. Rumsfeld is pointed to as he who approved the aggressive military intelligence tactics which brought us Abu Gahraib. Who's left? Rove? I suppose we're waiting for the final words from the Plame scandal ---- since, because he's already admitted he called reporters to whip up the story before the executive branch acknowledged Plame is a CIA spy, he's prima facie guilty of a felony.
Is there anyone left in Bush's administration who doesn't have dirty hands?
Lessseee, we have Cheney implicated in the Nigerian gas bribery scandal. Rumsfeld is pointed to as he who approved the aggressive military intelligence tactics which brought us Abu Gahraib. Who's left? Rove? I suppose we're waiting for the final words from the Plame scandal ---- since, because he's already admitted he called reporters to whip up the story before the executive branch acknowledged Plame is a CIA spy, he's prima facie guilty of a felony.
Is there anyone left in Bush's administration who doesn't have dirty hands?
The Beginning of the End of Post-Soviet Gangsterism in Russian Government
During the era of political machines and gangster-government in the US, mob buddies held comfy positions, with no need for accountability, and no need to actually do anything. The government-by-mob didn't happen because the electorate believes in criminals, or the institutions were weak; it was because government was seen as largely irrelevant in people's lives. What exactly do they do for us anyhow? Take money in taxes, build roads? Then let someone who can get those jobs done do it.
That is, until a crisis occurs, in which case the corrupt comfy-boys weren't suited to it, nothing was done, tragedy struck, the people were outraged and the bums were thrown out by an electorate enraged by incompetence, headed by the reformist movement.
During the Beslan hostage crisis, the Russian government lied and hid facts about the crisis from the press and the people -- saying, for example, there were only 354 hostages, when in fact they numbered 1,200; and not saying that the hostage-takers had demands, to get Russia out of Chechnya. That crisis has ended in outrageous carnage.
The Russian people now know these facts . And this is where a democracy swings into action. With strong democratic institutions, comes to the fore the reformer -- someone who rails against the present administration and their failures, and promises better to the people. That person can win an election, and throw the corrupt people out of their comfy positions, perhaps imprison some.
This is exactly how the US evolved out of machine politics. Now we can watch Russia do the same. And when it is done, it will be one of the strongest, largest democracies in the world.
That is, until a crisis occurs, in which case the corrupt comfy-boys weren't suited to it, nothing was done, tragedy struck, the people were outraged and the bums were thrown out by an electorate enraged by incompetence, headed by the reformist movement.
During the Beslan hostage crisis, the Russian government lied and hid facts about the crisis from the press and the people -- saying, for example, there were only 354 hostages, when in fact they numbered 1,200; and not saying that the hostage-takers had demands, to get Russia out of Chechnya. That crisis has ended in outrageous carnage.
The Russian people now know these facts . And this is where a democracy swings into action. With strong democratic institutions, comes to the fore the reformer -- someone who rails against the present administration and their failures, and promises better to the people. That person can win an election, and throw the corrupt people out of their comfy positions, perhaps imprison some.
This is exactly how the US evolved out of machine politics. Now we can watch Russia do the same. And when it is done, it will be one of the strongest, largest democracies in the world.
Sunday, September 05, 2004
NYT on "Sky Captain"
Today's Sunday Arts & Leisure section has a short piece on the compositing of a single frame from "Sky Captain and the World of Tomorrow".
Or go directly to the slide show.
Or go directly to the slide show.
The Right at War With Itself. (Meet the Press)
Newt Gingrich believes the Iraq war was an absolutely necessary war, and the US and the world are better off now that he's gone.
Patrick Buchannan believes the Iraq war was an unnecessary and unwise war, creating more terrorists than we are killing.
That's the sound of the Right at war with itself -- a wedge to wiggle in the Republican party. Gingrich's flavor of the Right is the neo-con flavor -- traditional red-meat Republicans, retired military, wealthy business owners, people who believe in a militaristic government, that our military power should define our relations with other countries. This is the Right which is in power in the administration. Buchannan's flavor is the isolationist flavor -- which falls in line with the "left-wing" anti-globalization constituencies within American manufacturing labor.
Patrick Buchannan believes the Iraq war was an unnecessary and unwise war, creating more terrorists than we are killing.
That's the sound of the Right at war with itself -- a wedge to wiggle in the Republican party. Gingrich's flavor of the Right is the neo-con flavor -- traditional red-meat Republicans, retired military, wealthy business owners, people who believe in a militaristic government, that our military power should define our relations with other countries. This is the Right which is in power in the administration. Buchannan's flavor is the isolationist flavor -- which falls in line with the "left-wing" anti-globalization constituencies within American manufacturing labor.
Saturday, September 04, 2004
Rock, Paper, Scissors
Robin alerted us to this trend some time ago, but here's a NYTimes article on tournament play. The writer, having read the strategy books, at the beginning of her first tournament play, stared deep into the eyes of her opponent, and uttered in a flat voice: "I'm going to throw rock."
So, I invented a new game, this one for three players, called "Toss". Three people get together, each toss a fair coin (heads or tails). The winner is the one different from the other two. Unlike the old-world "rock, paper, scissors" game, where chances of a "push" (both throwing the same move) are 1/3, the chances of push in "Toss" are only 1/4, and with three players scrambling on the field, instead of the chess-match excitement of two players, the game moves a lot faster. It's the soccer to RPS's lazy baseball. RPS purists will sneer, "coin tossing is random, whereas there's real strategy in RPS". But at least that offers a new way of separating out those with a tenuous understanding of causality than the tired, old, "So, voting Republican in the next election?"
So, I invented a new game, this one for three players, called "Toss". Three people get together, each toss a fair coin (heads or tails). The winner is the one different from the other two. Unlike the old-world "rock, paper, scissors" game, where chances of a "push" (both throwing the same move) are 1/3, the chances of push in "Toss" are only 1/4, and with three players scrambling on the field, instead of the chess-match excitement of two players, the game moves a lot faster. It's the soccer to RPS's lazy baseball. RPS purists will sneer, "coin tossing is random, whereas there's real strategy in RPS". But at least that offers a new way of separating out those with a tenuous understanding of causality than the tired, old, "So, voting Republican in the next election?"
Friday, September 03, 2004
The World of Tomorrow
Sky Captain and the World of Tomorrow is the most anticipated movie of the Fall over at Box Office Prophets.
I've seen one television ad - it was intriguing, yet at the same time oddly flat. Naturally I am in the target market as far as brave-new-world style scifi goes.
Should I really be this excited?
I've seen one television ad - it was intriguing, yet at the same time oddly flat. Naturally I am in the target market as far as brave-new-world style scifi goes.
Should I really be this excited?
Bush Wishes
Bush's wishes for Clinton's speedy recovery receives boos from an audience. Bush does nothing to stop them. I guess the Republican party does nothing but inspire hate.
Jesus Christ, I hate George W. Bush.
Jesus Christ, I hate George W. Bush.
Bill would do anything for the party
Bill Clinton will be undergoing a heart bypass surgery in a New York Presbyterian Hospital. He went there complaining about chest pains and shortness of breath.
I love this man. EVERY major news source is covering this which has, in turn, knocked Bush's acceptance speech at the RNC from the headlines. GW got about 10 seconds worth of coverage before Clinton took away the spotlight. Why? Because he's actually a President we liked, and in some ways, personally cared about.
I love this man. EVERY major news source is covering this which has, in turn, knocked Bush's acceptance speech at the RNC from the headlines. GW got about 10 seconds worth of coverage before Clinton took away the spotlight. Why? Because he's actually a President we liked, and in some ways, personally cared about.
Owned vs. Owed
What a difference a letter makes. In Slate today, Daniel Gross gives the best rhetorical-question-followed-by-biting-response answer to El Presidente's acceptance speech that I've seen yet:
How does the rise in debt jeopardize President Bush's plans for expanding ownership? Unlike the loan Bush took when he was on the board of Harken Energy, these debts have to be paid back.Is it too much to ask whether, indeed, such subtleties might be lost on the man?
Having Served, Zell Miller is Discarded by the Republicans
After screaming like a certifiable nut-job as the keynote speaker for the Republican National Convention, and angrily challenging a reporter (Chris Matthews) to a duel after Matthews asked him, on live TV, "Do you really believe that Kerry is going to arm the armed forces with spitballs?", Zell Miller was quietly disappeared. He and his wife were supposed to sit next to Laura while W. accepted his nomination. But, on Thursday, their names were dropped from the list. "Too many television interviews to do," explained the Bush campaign.
Zell now has the honor of being abandoned by both the major political parties.
So, if the Republicans pick freaky-crazy schizos to be keynote speakers at their party convention, that means that Republicans are looking to follow........ what kind of leader?
Zell now has the honor of being abandoned by both the major political parties.
So, if the Republicans pick freaky-crazy schizos to be keynote speakers at their party convention, that means that Republicans are looking to follow........ what kind of leader?
Handwritten Memos at Haliburton Discuss Bribing Nigerian Officials
An internal investigation at Haliburton discovered handwritten memos by Haliburton executives which discuss bribing Nigerian officials. The internal investigation was prompted by an SEC investigation into actual bribes which were paid by Haliburton contractor Jeffrey Tesler (an English Lawyer, whose entire use to Haliburton historically appears to be to act as the conduit for bribes to Nigerian officials).
(We talked about this before, with references to articles here .)
The internal investigation concluded that there was no evidence that the bribes were ever paid. Except, apparently, they were.
(We talked about this before, with references to articles here .)
The internal investigation concluded that there was no evidence that the bribes were ever paid. Except, apparently, they were.
Point-for-Point
In Slate, there's a nicely written point-for-point answer to many, many -- um, well, what to call them if not lies? -- said by RNC speechmakers.
My personal favorite, said by Zell Miller, that Kerry voted to kill the M-1 tank, apache helicopter, F-14, F-16, F-18 jet fighters, and just about every other weapons system. What's he talking about? Well, first, the accusation came from an RNC talking-points memo. That memo was referring to a time in the 1990's when Kerry voted against, with 15 other Senators including 5 Republicans, a defense authorization bill -- so the RNC cherry-picked weapons programs out of it, as if Kerry sought to cruise-missle the programs into oblivion. By the same logic, Kerry voted to dismantle the entire US military. Oh, and this while Cheney was Defense secretary, and, in Senate testamony, complained that Senators were not slashing the budget enough to get that peace dividend (remember that?), and forcing weapons purchases -- of M1 tanks, F-14s and F-16s -- that he didn't want and didn't need.
Get ya coming and going, these folks.
My personal favorite, said by Zell Miller, that Kerry voted to kill the M-1 tank, apache helicopter, F-14, F-16, F-18 jet fighters, and just about every other weapons system. What's he talking about? Well, first, the accusation came from an RNC talking-points memo. That memo was referring to a time in the 1990's when Kerry voted against, with 15 other Senators including 5 Republicans, a defense authorization bill -- so the RNC cherry-picked weapons programs out of it, as if Kerry sought to cruise-missle the programs into oblivion. By the same logic, Kerry voted to dismantle the entire US military. Oh, and this while Cheney was Defense secretary, and, in Senate testamony, complained that Senators were not slashing the budget
Get ya coming and going, these folks.
Thursday, September 02, 2004
Win or won't-win
An anxious nation tuned in tonight to hear from their leader, once and for all, whether they should or should not expect to win the "war on terror."
The answer? "We will prevail."
No details on how we'll know when we've won, except that it will be a time of "hope, and peace." Hmm... sort of like the Clinton era? I think that qualifies as a flip-flop.
The answer? "We will prevail."
No details on how we'll know when we've won, except that it will be a time of "hope, and peace." Hmm... sort of like the Clinton era? I think that qualifies as a flip-flop.
Crash Into Me? Boom Crash Opera?
Yes, Microsoft is introducing online music for sale, to support devices to play Windows Media music. It has tons of capabilities that Apple's iTMS has, plus three others that it doesn't have: Crash Crash Crash.
The innovation at MS is astounding. Next year, I hear they will introduce to the marketplace new hand-held lightweight gadgets with a digitial display, which can be used to perform specific numerical calculations with up to 8 digits precision, on the go -- away from your desk computer! Plus, sports scores, stock quotes!
Oooh! And in 2006: A new line of Microsoft wall paint! Fabulous colors!
The innovation at MS is astounding. Next year, I hear they will introduce to the marketplace new hand-held lightweight gadgets with a digitial display, which can be used to perform specific numerical calculations with up to 8 digits precision, on the go -- away from your desk computer! Plus, sports scores, stock quotes!
Oooh! And in 2006: A new line of Microsoft wall paint! Fabulous colors!
Wednesday, September 01, 2004
Zell Miller (D-GA)
Can you imagine if Zell Miller were your Dad?
I would be, like, totally dying here.
I would be, like, totally dying here.
Schwarzenegger Appeals to Republican Sexism on the Economy, using Stereotype of Women as Weak and Stupid
Arnold Schwarzenegger, at his speech of support for George Bush at the RNC last night, said to anyone complaining about the Economy, he would say "Don't be a bunch of girlie-men". By this, Schwarzenegger means that they are being weak and stupid. CSPAN showed the entire RNC auditorium leaping out of their seats to applaud him.
Aside from the fact that the script is old; that in public politics, it's not polite to use name-calling; and finally that many serious economists are women themselves, we have now the Governor of California -- long known for his debasing and humliating treatment of women -- using being a woman as an epithet from the podium of the Republican National Convention, saying that thinking like women means thinking like you're weak and stupid. And being applauded by the Republican Party for the aptness of the analogy.
Serious adults don't say "you throw like a girl", "you're about as strong as a woman", "you act like a woman" -- because serious adults realize that the idea of being a woman shouldn't be used as an insult. Women are not weak and stupid.
Saying men act like women, in order to imply them to be weak and stupid, is unacceptable, in the same way that it's unacceptable to say that someone is lazy like a Mexican, or steals like a black person, or is dumb and self-centered like an actor. These are harmful stereotypes -- and it is just as harmful to say that women are weak and stupid.
One can only wonder, in the middle of a cabinet session, after Condoleeza Rice presents her recommendations for national security, if Bush leans over and offers the criticism: "Shut up Condi, and stop thinking like a girl", getting a laugh from Rummy, Ashcroft, and all the other boys around the table.
Aside from the fact that the script is old; that in public politics, it's not polite to use name-calling; and finally that many serious economists are women themselves, we have now the Governor of California -- long known for his debasing and humliating treatment of women -- using being a woman as an epithet from the podium of the Republican National Convention, saying that thinking like women means thinking like you're weak and stupid. And being applauded by the Republican Party for the aptness of the analogy.
Serious adults don't say "you throw like a girl", "you're about as strong as a woman", "you act like a woman" -- because serious adults realize that the idea of being a woman shouldn't be used as an insult. Women are not weak and stupid.
Saying men act like women, in order to imply them to be weak and stupid, is unacceptable, in the same way that it's unacceptable to say that someone is lazy like a Mexican, or steals like a black person, or is dumb and self-centered like an actor. These are harmful stereotypes -- and it is just as harmful to say that women are weak and stupid.
One can only wonder, in the middle of a cabinet session, after Condoleeza Rice presents her recommendations for national security, if Bush leans over and offers the criticism: "Shut up Condi, and stop thinking like a girl", getting a laugh from Rummy, Ashcroft, and all the other boys around the table.
Laura Bush Lies on W's Deliberations on Iraq
We are presented with bizarre and unpleasantly public evidence that Laura Bush is a liar.
Mrs. Bush, during her speech at the Republican National Convention last night, described long, agonized deliberations by W. on whether or not to go to war in Iraq. She describes him, walking the White House lawn, deliberating the attack.
W. may have been doing some agonizing thinking on that lawn, but it wasn't about whether or not to attack Iraq.
Laura Bush's account stands in sharp contrast to every other insider account of Bush's decision to attack Iraq -- for example, Bob Woodward, Richard Clarke, -- in which Bush exhibited aggressive relish to get the goods on Iraq and invade immediately. Bob Woodward's accounts ("Bush's War", "") have Bush drawing up war plans as soon as he entered the White House, a year before 9/11. Richard Clarke famously describes how, in the hours after the 9/11 attacks, Bush insisted Clarke turn his sights on Iraq, and find a connection. And, the very famously public battles of Colin Powell to take the Administration's case for war to the UN before a US attack revealed W was not pining long hours over whether or not to send troops in, but was in full blush ready to go mode.
Mrs. Bush, in describing her husband as deliberating and agonizing over whether or not to attack Iraq, has given the only existing evidence that W. had any hesitation whatsoever in doing so. Nobody else describes W raising questions -- to himself, or to others -- about the quality of our intelligence, the trustworthiness of its conclusions, the proportionate risks to the lives and sacrifices of the 120,000 soldiers he would send. He was all to ready to do it.
Mrs. Bush, during her speech at the Republican National Convention last night, described long, agonized deliberations by W. on whether or not to go to war in Iraq. She describes him, walking the White House lawn, deliberating the attack.
W. may have been doing some agonizing thinking on that lawn, but it wasn't about whether or not to attack Iraq.
Laura Bush's account stands in sharp contrast to every other insider account of Bush's decision to attack Iraq -- for example, Bob Woodward, Richard Clarke, -- in which Bush exhibited aggressive relish to get the goods on Iraq and invade immediately. Bob Woodward's accounts ("Bush's War", "") have Bush drawing up war plans as soon as he entered the White House, a year before 9/11. Richard Clarke famously describes how, in the hours after the 9/11 attacks, Bush insisted Clarke turn his sights on Iraq, and find a connection. And, the very famously public battles of Colin Powell to take the Administration's case for war to the UN before a US attack revealed W was not pining long hours over whether or not to send troops in, but was in full blush ready to go mode.
Mrs. Bush, in describing her husband as deliberating and agonizing over whether or not to attack Iraq, has given the only existing evidence that W. had any hesitation whatsoever in doing so. Nobody else describes W raising questions -- to himself, or to others -- about the quality of our intelligence, the trustworthiness of its conclusions, the proportionate risks to the lives and sacrifices of the 120,000 soldiers he would send. He was all to ready to do it.
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