Where do we go from here? "I think we're in a moment when political pundits and students of politics are not quite sure what the environment will be in 2006, whether we'll have this deep polarizing divide," Bennett says.
Burgess, of the Conflict Research Consortium, says he'll continue working on the political help-wanted ad he constructs in his daydreams. He wants a candidate who will stand up to "political manipulation," and explain to Americans how opportunistic politicians are distorting real debate for selfish purposes.
"Somebody's got to get up and explain to people how they're being manipulated," he says. "I think there's an opportunity for someone to run against it."
Then he considers what he has just said.
"I might be being naive."
Read full story.
November 06, 2005
November 05, 2005
Bush Orders Staff To Attend Ethics Briefings.
White House staffers will be required to attend briefings next week on ethics and the handling of classified information after the indictment last week of a senior administration official in the CIA leak probe, the Washington Post reported on Saturday.
Quoting a memo from President George W. Bush sent to White House aides on Friday, the paper reported that the White House counsel's office will conduct a series of presentations next week for those aides with security clearances.
The briefings with provide a refresher on general ethics rules, including the treatment of classified material, the paper wrote.
O-boy, some more bullshit coming out of Washington. You’re going to try and tell me Dick Cheney, Lewis Libby, Carl Rove and other White House staffers need a refresher on general ethics rules, including the treatment of classified materials. You’re going to try and tell me you’re going to give a bunch of gangsters a refresher on ethics rules. Bullshit, what they need is to be fired and put in jail and you Bush, you need to resign!
Quoting a memo from President George W. Bush sent to White House aides on Friday, the paper reported that the White House counsel's office will conduct a series of presentations next week for those aides with security clearances.
The briefings with provide a refresher on general ethics rules, including the treatment of classified material, the paper wrote.
O-boy, some more bullshit coming out of Washington. You’re going to try and tell me Dick Cheney, Lewis Libby, Carl Rove and other White House staffers need a refresher on general ethics rules, including the treatment of classified materials. You’re going to try and tell me you’re going to give a bunch of gangsters a refresher on ethics rules. Bullshit, what they need is to be fired and put in jail and you Bush, you need to resign!
November 04, 2005
Bush's Popularity Reaches New Low
Bush's Popularity Reaches New Low
58 Percent in Poll Question His Integrity
For the first time in his presidency a majority of Americans question the integrity of President Bush, and growing doubts about his leadership have left him with record negative ratings on the economy, Iraq and even the war on terrorism, a new Washington Post-ABC News poll shows.
On almost every key measure of presidential character and performance, the survey found that Bush has never been less popular with the American people. Currently 39 percent approve of the job he is doing as president, while 60 percent disapprove of his performance in office -- the highest level of disapproval ever recorded for Bush in Post-ABC polls
Read full story
I bet you republicans and Christians who voted for the gangster republicans are kicking yourselves in the ass right about now, it gets better, wait till the end of the gangster republican Bush’s term in office and he pardons his gangster republican buddies. Then you can give yourselves a relay good kick in the ass.
We should be giving people like Ronnie Earle, Valerie Plame, Joe Wilson, Patrick J. Fitzgerald, Bunnatine Greenhouse and Colin Powell and others, The Presidential Medal of Freedom. The Presidential Medal of Freedom is one of the two highest civilian awards given in the United States.
And putting the gangster republican liars in jail and throwing the key away!
BackyardPit
November 03, 2005
Your E-mails Advice For The President
CNN Readers Offer Ideas For What Bush Should Do.
Bring home the troops. Shake up the White House staff. Focus on issues at home. Listen to voices on the right; listen to voices on the left.
When asked how they would advise the president, CNN.com readers posed these and many other ideas to lift the administration's lagging approval ratings.
A year after President Bush was elected to a second term, he and his administration face an array of troubles, including rising energy prices, the indictment of a former top White House official and waning public support for the war in Iraq.
How can Bush turn his presidency around? CNN.com readers offered suggestions on a variety of themes:
1. Take responsibility.
Many advised the president to admit mistakes and move on. Drew Hunt of Normal, Illinois, cited Harry Truman's famous advice, "The buck stops here," and wrote, "If this administration would take responsibility for its wrongdoings, rather than placing the blame elsewhere or, worse still, forging ahead regardless of the wisdom of the decision, it would go a long way toward restoring the integrity of our government."
Read more recommendations on this theme.
3. Bring home the troops.
An anonymous U.S. soldier serving in Pyongtek, South Korea, said the president should show "humility to the U.S. soldiers in both Iraq and Korea and let them come home ... and be with their families."
Martha Prater of Rusk, Texas, agreed but expressed concern that it may be too late now to pull troops out: "We have gotten ourselves so deep already that pulling out now would only put our country at greater risk of terrorist attacks or worse."
Read more recommendations on this theme.
4. Focus on issues at home.
Some of those who wrote in suggested the president turn his attention toward problems at home, putting priority on gas prices, disaster relief and support for the poor.
"Remember that you are the president of the United States, not the world," advised Mary from Temecula, California.
Andy Park of Key Largo, Florida, posed this idea for combating high energy prices: "Push legislation to regulate oil companies as public utilities -- just like electric, natural gas and telephone companies. This would require that companies obtain regulatory approval before raising gas prices." Hurricanes Katrina and Rita knocked out oil platforms and pipelines as they cut back-to-back paths through the U.S. Gulf Coast, causing a spike in energy prices.
Andrew M. Herold of Beltsville, Maryland, said the president could give jobs and wages a boost by closing the country's borders to illegal immigrants.
Read more recommendations on this theme.
5. Lean to the right (or to the left).
Many of those who wrote in advised the president to follow the lead of a particular group. Respondents did not, however, agree on which group that would be.
Cheri Windsor of Colorado recommended the president get "off the evangelical tract." But Pedro Delgado of Miami, Florida, gave opposite advice: "Give full true backing (no lip service) to the people that voted twice to put a man in office to gain back our country. No euthanasia, no abortion, no persecution of Christians, no judicial tyranny, no homosexual privileges, no attacks on the institution of marriage, no attacks on the family."
Read more recommendations on this theme.
Bring home the troops. Shake up the White House staff. Focus on issues at home. Listen to voices on the right; listen to voices on the left.
When asked how they would advise the president, CNN.com readers posed these and many other ideas to lift the administration's lagging approval ratings.
A year after President Bush was elected to a second term, he and his administration face an array of troubles, including rising energy prices, the indictment of a former top White House official and waning public support for the war in Iraq.
How can Bush turn his presidency around? CNN.com readers offered suggestions on a variety of themes:
1. Take responsibility.
Many advised the president to admit mistakes and move on. Drew Hunt of Normal, Illinois, cited Harry Truman's famous advice, "The buck stops here," and wrote, "If this administration would take responsibility for its wrongdoings, rather than placing the blame elsewhere or, worse still, forging ahead regardless of the wisdom of the decision, it would go a long way toward restoring the integrity of our government."
Read more recommendations on this theme.
3. Bring home the troops.
An anonymous U.S. soldier serving in Pyongtek, South Korea, said the president should show "humility to the U.S. soldiers in both Iraq and Korea and let them come home ... and be with their families."
Martha Prater of Rusk, Texas, agreed but expressed concern that it may be too late now to pull troops out: "We have gotten ourselves so deep already that pulling out now would only put our country at greater risk of terrorist attacks or worse."
Read more recommendations on this theme.
4. Focus on issues at home.
Some of those who wrote in suggested the president turn his attention toward problems at home, putting priority on gas prices, disaster relief and support for the poor.
"Remember that you are the president of the United States, not the world," advised Mary from Temecula, California.
Andy Park of Key Largo, Florida, posed this idea for combating high energy prices: "Push legislation to regulate oil companies as public utilities -- just like electric, natural gas and telephone companies. This would require that companies obtain regulatory approval before raising gas prices." Hurricanes Katrina and Rita knocked out oil platforms and pipelines as they cut back-to-back paths through the U.S. Gulf Coast, causing a spike in energy prices.
Andrew M. Herold of Beltsville, Maryland, said the president could give jobs and wages a boost by closing the country's borders to illegal immigrants.
Read more recommendations on this theme.
5. Lean to the right (or to the left).
Many of those who wrote in advised the president to follow the lead of a particular group. Respondents did not, however, agree on which group that would be.
Cheri Windsor of Colorado recommended the president get "off the evangelical tract." But Pedro Delgado of Miami, Florida, gave opposite advice: "Give full true backing (no lip service) to the people that voted twice to put a man in office to gain back our country. No euthanasia, no abortion, no persecution of Christians, no judicial tyranny, no homosexual privileges, no attacks on the institution of marriage, no attacks on the family."
Read more recommendations on this theme.
November 01, 2005
Fuck The Poor
The Senate gave a rousing "Fuck the Poor" to the elderly and disabled by voting to cut Medicare and Medicaid spending over the next 5 years by a measly $10B. If they would quit the war in Iraq, imagine how much could be spent helping our least brethren in this oh so (not) Christian country. In typical party politics that have nothing to do with the actual human beings that live in this country, the committee's 11 Republicans supported the legislation. The committee's nine Democrats opposed it.
Now here's justice: The new Patriot Act terrorism law would allow smaller juries to decide on executions and give prosecutors the ability to try again if a jury deadlocks on sentencing. Why don't they just shoot suspected terrorists and save the money? (Snark)
Bush let his more articulate brother take the fall for the FEMA failures in Florida. Senior citizen communities are being ignored. Shameful. (Speaking of Florida, when is Pissed off Patricia going to be able to get back online?)
The most disgraceful and nauseating news this week were the reported 3Q earnings of big oil. With so much havoc after the hurricanes, people losing their jobs and homes while reconstruction jobs going to illegal aliens, Exxon Mobile reaped 75% growth and ConocoPhillips profits soared 89% in the 3Q. This is very good news for the stockholders and big "Fuck You" to those who have to pay for it (if they can afford it).
But the Republicans are still soft on treason unless it's a Democrat being accused.
By BlondeSense Liz
Now here's justice: The new Patriot Act terrorism law would allow smaller juries to decide on executions and give prosecutors the ability to try again if a jury deadlocks on sentencing. Why don't they just shoot suspected terrorists and save the money? (Snark)
Bush let his more articulate brother take the fall for the FEMA failures in Florida. Senior citizen communities are being ignored. Shameful. (Speaking of Florida, when is Pissed off Patricia going to be able to get back online?)
The most disgraceful and nauseating news this week were the reported 3Q earnings of big oil. With so much havoc after the hurricanes, people losing their jobs and homes while reconstruction jobs going to illegal aliens, Exxon Mobile reaped 75% growth and ConocoPhillips profits soared 89% in the 3Q. This is very good news for the stockholders and big "Fuck You" to those who have to pay for it (if they can afford it).
But the Republicans are still soft on treason unless it's a Democrat being accused.
By BlondeSense Liz
October 20, 2005
Electrical Energy
The CIA's venture capital arm, In-Q-Tel, has announced a strategic development agreement with SkyBuilt Power Inc. The CIA seems to be interested in SkyBuilt's new Mobile Power Station, which can be parachuted into remote locations (my back yard) and be up and running in a few hours with only 2 people needed to set it up. The MPS harnesses both solar and wind power and is capable of up to 150 kilowatts of electricity. The devices use off-the-shelf components and easily swappable parts to be cost-effective."
October 19, 2005
I QUIT.
After 50 years of cigarette tobacco smoking, I quit October 11, 2005. No cold turkey bullshit for me, been their don that. Patches for 8 weeks and Bupropion for how ever long it takes.
Why did I quit?
$7.12 a day.
$2534.72 a year.
Why did I quit?
$7.12 a day.
$2534.72 a year.
"Signs You Smoke Too Much"
1. In the middle of smoking a cigarette, you pause for a "cigarette break."
2. Your birthday is a state holiday in North Carolina.
3. Your title for the Surgeon General: "Captain Bring down".
4. Cracking your knuckles leaves you winded.
5. Morning schedule: Wake up, cough for three hours, take nap.
6. In your neighborhood, they give directions by saying. "Go down to the big pile of cigarette butts...”
7. You get mattress fires more often than haircuts.
8. You smoke during sex.
9. You refer to nonsmokers as "pink-lunged sissy boys."
10. You explain to the nurse that you didn't realize you were in a "nonsmoking" iron lung.
2. Your birthday is a state holiday in North Carolina.
3. Your title for the Surgeon General: "Captain Bring down".
4. Cracking your knuckles leaves you winded.
5. Morning schedule: Wake up, cough for three hours, take nap.
6. In your neighborhood, they give directions by saying. "Go down to the big pile of cigarette butts...”
7. You get mattress fires more often than haircuts.
8. You smoke during sex.
9. You refer to nonsmokers as "pink-lunged sissy boys."
10. You explain to the nurse that you didn't realize you were in a "nonsmoking" iron lung.
October 12, 2005
Reporter testifies over CIA leak
A New York Times reporter has appeared for the second time before a grand jury investigating the leaking of the identity of a secret CIA agent.
Judith Miller is reported to have found notes about previously undisclosed talks with a vice-presidential aide.
The name of CIA agent Valerie Plame was revealed by another journalist in 2003. Her identity was alleged to have been leaked by a White House official.
Ms Plame's husband, an ex-diplomat, had criticised President Bush over Iraq.
Former ambassador Joseph Wilson claims the Bush administration deliberately tried to get back at him by identifying his wife.
The special prosecutor must determine if anyone deliberately revealed Ms Plame's identity to journalists and whether they knew she was a covert agent.
If he finds that this was the case, he could bring criminal charges.
Several White House officials have appeared before the grand jury, including Lewis "Scooter" Libby, an aide to the vice-president, and presidential adviser Karl Rove.
Denial
Miller - who never wrote a story about Ms Plame - initially refused to co-operate with the investigation, citing a confidentiality arrangement she had made with her source.
But after she had spent 85 days in jail, Mr Libby waived the pledge and she testified on 30 September about two conversations with him.
After that appearance, the New York Times reports, Miller found some notes in the newsroom relating to a third conversation with Mr Libby.
She handed these notes over to the prosecutor, Patrick Fitzgerald, on Tuesday, ahead of her second appearance before the grand jury.
Mr Fitzgerald has said he will also summon Karl Rove to testify for the fourth time before the grand jury, which is not open to the public.
Mr Rove had conversations about Plame with at least two other journalists, but he says he did not name her and did not even know her name at the time.
Mr Libby also says he learnt her name at a later date.
The prosecutor is expected to report on the inquiry by the end of the month.
Judith Miller is reported to have found notes about previously undisclosed talks with a vice-presidential aide.
The name of CIA agent Valerie Plame was revealed by another journalist in 2003. Her identity was alleged to have been leaked by a White House official.
Ms Plame's husband, an ex-diplomat, had criticised President Bush over Iraq.
Former ambassador Joseph Wilson claims the Bush administration deliberately tried to get back at him by identifying his wife.
The special prosecutor must determine if anyone deliberately revealed Ms Plame's identity to journalists and whether they knew she was a covert agent.
If he finds that this was the case, he could bring criminal charges.
Several White House officials have appeared before the grand jury, including Lewis "Scooter" Libby, an aide to the vice-president, and presidential adviser Karl Rove.
Denial
Miller - who never wrote a story about Ms Plame - initially refused to co-operate with the investigation, citing a confidentiality arrangement she had made with her source.
But after she had spent 85 days in jail, Mr Libby waived the pledge and she testified on 30 September about two conversations with him.
After that appearance, the New York Times reports, Miller found some notes in the newsroom relating to a third conversation with Mr Libby.
She handed these notes over to the prosecutor, Patrick Fitzgerald, on Tuesday, ahead of her second appearance before the grand jury.
Mr Fitzgerald has said he will also summon Karl Rove to testify for the fourth time before the grand jury, which is not open to the public.
Mr Rove had conversations about Plame with at least two other journalists, but he says he did not name her and did not even know her name at the time.
Mr Libby also says he learnt her name at a later date.
The prosecutor is expected to report on the inquiry by the end of the month.
October 11, 2005
10 Most Wanted
F. B. I.
Federal Burial of Investigations
10 Most Wanted.
Texas Mafia.
By BackyardPit
1. George W. Bush
2. Dick Cheney
3. Karl Rove
4. Tom Delay
5. Jack Abramoff
6. Bill Frist
7. Donald Rumsfeld
8. Lewis Libby
9. Dennis Hastert
10. Condoleezza Rice
This is what the F B I's, 10 most wanted list should look like. And this is just 10 of them.
Two down, eight to go.
October 10, 2005
I just like the way it sounds.
Tom Delay indicted for illegal campaign financing, I’ll say it again, Tom Delay indicted. I just like the way it sounds. After years of pushing it to the ethical edge and at least five admonishments for it, Tom Delay finally slipped and fell flat on his face. Of course that’s not how the Hammer is telling it.
You know the drill, when accused of something don’t defend, attack. Ronnie Earle; the man prosecuting Delay, is a partisan zealot out to derail a distinguished career. It couldn’t have been Delay’s fault. He lives a special rarefied place called, the GOP no guilt zone. It’s a magic place where all you have to say is, “I’m not guilty” to make it so, whether its outing a CIA agent, starting an illegal war, handing out no bid contracts, screwing up disaster relief or illegal, campaign financing. If you say you didn’t do it, you obviously didn’t do it. Why? Because you said you didn’t do it, silly.
Of course, the no guilt zone is only open to those who serve under Emperor George Bush. The good news is, as of this week, thanks to Tom Delay, it’s in the process of being redistricted.
~Randi Rhodes
You know the drill, when accused of something don’t defend, attack. Ronnie Earle; the man prosecuting Delay, is a partisan zealot out to derail a distinguished career. It couldn’t have been Delay’s fault. He lives a special rarefied place called, the GOP no guilt zone. It’s a magic place where all you have to say is, “I’m not guilty” to make it so, whether its outing a CIA agent, starting an illegal war, handing out no bid contracts, screwing up disaster relief or illegal, campaign financing. If you say you didn’t do it, you obviously didn’t do it. Why? Because you said you didn’t do it, silly.
Of course, the no guilt zone is only open to those who serve under Emperor George Bush. The good news is, as of this week, thanks to Tom Delay, it’s in the process of being redistricted.
~Randi Rhodes
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
