Now imagine if say the President of The Washington Post or The New York Times (both of which have been Bush apologists or pre-invasion cheerleaders quite frequently despite their "liberal" label) visited a rogue state, and shook hands with the leader of one of the "axis of evil" state. Imagine that leader had a nuclear arsenal.

Well you can imagine everyone everywhere would freak. Fox News would rant on about it 24/7 for the next 4 weeks (though occasionally breaking for another update from Aruba).

But it didn't happen.

No it was the President of the Washington Times who shook hands with Kim Jong Il.

Those moonies just love Kim Jong Il. But why do America's Conservative Christian Politicians love the moonies?

Kim Jong Il Receives President of Washington Times Corporation

Pyongyang, August 16 (KCNA) -- Leader Kim Jong Il Tuesday received Joo Dong Mun, president of the Washington Times Corporation, on a visit to Pyongyang. On the occasion the president offered his congratulations to Kim Jong Il on the 60th anniversary of Korea's liberation.

Kim Jong Il welcomed the Pyongyang visit of the president, had a cordial talk with him and posed for a photograph with him.

Why the rest of America's media won't talk about Rev. Moon and his North Korean and Washington D.C. connections is very very odd.

Thank god for: Where in Washington, D.C. is Sun Myung Moon?

- rob 9:22 PM - [PermaLink] -

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Texas shows its support for our troops in a very odd fashion

Marine doesn't qualify for in-state tuition

Former Marine Carl Basham remembers his two tours in Iraq like yesterday.

"Three mortars every single night that were landing within a couple feet of your living area. Pretty scary," he said.

Basham, now home with his parents, wants to start a new life with a quality education.

When he enrolled at Austin's Community College to become a paramedic, they told him he'd have to pay out-of-state tuition, because of his time in the military.

- rob 6:45 PM - [PermaLink] -

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World running out of time for oil alternatives

Ton Hoff, manager of the Energy Research Center of the Netherlands, said it could take decades to make alternatives affordable to the point where they can be used widely, although high oil prices were already stimulating such research.

"If we run out of fossil fuels -- by the time the oil price hits 100 dollars or plus, people will be screaming for alternatives, but whether they will be available at that moment of time -- that's my biggest worry," Hoff said.

"That's why we need to use fossil fuels in a more efficient way to have some more time to develop these alternatives up to a level where the robustness is guaranteed and their price has come down ... This could take decades for some technologies."

What does Cheney think of using oil efficiently? (back in 2001)

His report is expected to call on the US to build at least 5 new power plants a year for the foreseeable future to create enough energy to avert the power cuts which have plagued California this year and are expected in parts of north-eastern US, including New York City, this summer.

Neither Mr Bush nor Mr Cheney made any prominent mention of their readiness to embrace nuclear power in last year's election campaign. The Republican party policy platform for the elections did not mention the nuclear option in its nine-point energy plan.
...
In a speech in Toronto, Mr Cheney said that "conservation may be a sign of personal virtue, but it is not a sufficient basis for a sound, comprehensive energy policy".

His taskforce's report, asked to find solutions to the energy crisis which has caused power blackouts in California and a rise in petrol prices across America, is expected to be published later this month.

Yes his task force did a great job - they assured everyone that the power blackouts in California were because we needed more oil drilling in Alaska... in the end it was discovered it was just his pals at Enron pulling the light switch and laughing. It also looks like his plan for lowering energy prices was a success as gas is twice as much per gallon now, and with his give away to the oil companies they admit any benefit (to, you know, the actual people Cheney supposedly represents) to consumers is years away.

No one Mr. Cheney said conservation was the basis of a sound energy policy, but it is pretty damn key, along with research for alternatives... but you decided to reward oil companies for supporting you during all your years of dedicated work.... of sleeping behind the desk, and you decided to throw some money at the nuclear industry because you need the radiation to recharge your cyborg heart (or something).

Ah nuclear power... let's stroll through the towns of Vilcha , Poleskoye, Pripyat and many other towns.

When you ask Bush and Cheney what kind of music they like they say "I like all kinds: Country and Western"

When you ask Bush and Cheney what are the future sources of energy for America they say "All kids: oil and nuclear"

- rob 6:39 PM - [PermaLink] -

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Some Quick site notes

By mid-day tomorrow we'll have had 50,000 visitors to this site in the past 25 months (we started keeping track on July 9, 2003, but our first post was on March 6, 2003 - but nobody visited those first few month except people who somehow got off the internet super highway hoping that we had facilities).

Hey you many not think that is impressive, but when you realize it takes a big time site like Eschaton over 6 hours to get that kind of traffic, then you realize what an achievement this really is.

Other bit of news - in the past few days we have become extremely popular (for us) in Norway - anyone know why?

- rob 5:22 PM - [PermaLink] -

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Oh hey way to go Ohio

[Gov.] Taft facing four criminal charges for failing to report gifts

- rob 5:59 PM - [PermaLink] -

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We won't ever know if there was manipulations if the people aren't ready to yell and scream to the media and politicians that they want to know what happened.

Election Fraud Continues in the US
New Data Shows Widespread Vote Manipulations in 2004

In the fall of 2001, after an eight-month review of 175,000 Florida ballots never counted in the 2000 election, an analysis by the National Opinion Research Center confirmed that Al Gore actually won Florida and should have been President. However, coverage of this report was only a small blip in the corporate media as a much bigger story dominated the news after September 11, 2001.

New research compiled by Dr. Dennis Loo with the University of Cal Poly Pomona now shows that extensive manipulation of non-paper-trail voting machines occurred in several states during the 2004 election.
...
Dennis Loo writes, "A team at the University of California at Berkeley, headed by sociology professor Michael Hout, found a highly suspicious pattern in which Bush received 260,000 more votes in those Florida precincts that used electronic voting machines than past voting patterns would indicate compared to those precincts that used optical scan read votes where past voting patterns held."

There is now strong statistical evidence of widespread voting machine manipulation occurring in US elections since 2000. Coverage of the fraud has been reported in independent media and various websites. The information is not secret. But it certainly seems to be a taboo subject for the US corporate media.

To listen to that story is to admit that the President and his men could be capable of such a thing. That is hard for America to accept.

But the time for the Corporate Media to cover this story is now, as the American public may soon be ready to listen: APPROVAL RATING FOR PRESIDENT GEORGE W BUSH

Weighted Average Approve: 41% Disapprove: 55%
('Weighted Average' means each state is weighted proportionally to its share of USA population. For example,
California, the most populated state, is given 71 times the weight of WY the least populated state, in a weighted avg.)

Unweighted Average Approve: 43% Disapprove: 53%
('Unweighted Average' means each state is given equal weight; population density is not taken into account).

- rob 5:57 PM - [PermaLink] -

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War's old companion - Looting - is still around
(wow, just like the crusades... Bush really likes them crusades)

Worries Raised on Handling of Funds in Iraq
A hearing details the transfer of $2.4 billion in $100 bills to Baghdad in 2004 and the billions more sent before. U.S. oversight is questioned.

WASHINGTON — It weighed 28 tons and took up as much room as 74 washing machines. It was $2.4 billion in $100 bills, and Baghdad needed it ASAP.

The initial request from U.S. officials in charge of Iraq required the Federal Reserve Bank of New York to decide whether it could open its vault on a Sunday, a day banks aren't usually open.

"Just when you think you've seen it all," read one e-mail from an exasperated Fed official.

"Pocket change," said another e-mail.

Then, when the shipment date changed, officials had to scramble to line up U.S. Air Force C-130 cargo planes to hold the money. They did, and the $2,401,600,000 was delivered to Baghdad on June 22, 2004.

It was the largest one-time cash transfer in the history of the New York Fed.
...
Both Republicans and Democrats appeared taken aback by the volume of cash sent to Iraq: nearly $12 billion over the course of the U.S. occupation from March 2003 to June 2004, said a report by Rep. Henry A. Waxman (D-Los Angeles), who had reviewed e-mails and documents subpoenaed from the bank.

The cash — a total of 363 tons, generated mostly from oil revenues — was Iraqi funds that had been held in trust by the Federal Reserve under the terms of a United Nations resolution.

Imagine - we're talking billions in cash, hell a guy could have just set up a color xerox machine in Iraq and spit out copies, that much cash floating around no ones going to notice.

I read when Jaws was shooting on location they suddenly realized they needed a shovel so they turned to the crowd and said "$50 for the first shovel!" so they could get a shovel quickly and continue shooting the scene. That actually saved them money given the costs of keeping a film shoot waiting. But all that cash must have been chaos, I see Bremer's folks on the street corners shouting out "$500 cash for some lunch!" "pssst hey buddy, I'll give you this duffle bag of hundreds if you paint this school."

When I lived in NY City there was a store that offered "student discounts" - if you paid in cash they wouldn't charge you sales tax.

Cash - don't leave the green zone without it.

- rob 5:48 PM - [PermaLink] -

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The success of Bush's War on Terror reverberates across the world
(oh, the reverberation is actually from the bombs)

Bombs explode across Bangladesh

Officials say more than 300 explosions took place simultaneously in 50 cities and towns across the country including the capital Dhaka.

Thank god the bombs were crude and only 2 people were killed (how cruel to say only when talking about death). However a coordinated attack in 50 cities (umm. Bangladesh has fifty cities?) does show... well... a lot of coordination (sorry to sound like Bush there). That isn't the coordination we want to see.

- rob 4:06 PM - [PermaLink] -

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Hillary Clinton Must have done it

Library Missing Roberts File
Papers Lost After Lawyers' Review

A file folder containing papers from Supreme Court nominee John G. Roberts Jr.'s work on affirmative action more than 20 years ago disappeared from the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library after its review by two lawyers from the White House and the Justice Department in July, according to officials at the library and the National Archives and Records Administration.

- rob 3:42 PM - [PermaLink] -

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We're on a road to nowhere
Come on inside
Takin' that ride to nowhere
We'll take that ride
- Talking Heads

Biking Toward Nowhere

How could President Bush be cavorting around on a long vacation with American troops struggling with a spiraling crisis in Iraq?

Wasn't he worried that his vacation activities might send a frivolous signal at a time when he had put so many young Americans in harm's way?

"I'm determined that life goes on," Mr. Bush said stubbornly.

That wasn't the son, believe it or not. It was the father - 15 years ago.
...
On Saturday, the current President Bush was pressed about how he could be taking five weeks to ride bikes and nap and fish and clear brush even though his occupation of Iraq had become a fiasco. "I think it's also important for me to go on with my life," W. said, "to keep a balanced life."

George, tens of thousands can no longer get on with their lives because your lies got them killed. So how are you going to achieve balance? Clearing Brush?

Yet his war, which has not accomplished any of its purposes, swallows ever more American lives and inflames ever more Muslim hearts as W. reads a book about the history of salt and looks forward to his biking date with Lance Armstrong on Saturday.

The son wanted to go into Iraq to best his daddy in the history books, by finishing what Bush senior started. He swept aside the warnings of Brent Scowcroft and Colin Powell and didn't bother to ask his father's advice. Now he is caught in the very trap his father said he feared: that America would get bogged down as "an occupying power in a bitterly hostile land," facing a possibly "barren" outcome.
...
The president's pedaling as fast as he can, but he's going nowhere.

The biking has a purpose: the biking is part of his new combo energy/health plan. That's how everyone will be getting to work come 2006.

- rob 2:29 PM - [PermaLink] -

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5 bucks a gallon for gas? Expert sees it in 2006

Oh, dear. And let's face it, the "give the rich oil guys extra cash so they can afford gas for their SUVs" Energy Bill is not going to help, but don't worry the Bush Administration feels your pain - it's like a drag:

Press Gaggle with Dana Perino (Whitehouse.gov)

The Department of Energy and EPA have a joint web site called, Fueleconomy.gov. This is a place where people can learn about gas mileage tips. One of the things that they have there are taken together some of the efficiencies that they lay out in terms of keeping your car in good shape, and other types of -- bundling trips so that you're only going one way in your car and you don't have to make several different trips. Taken together, you can achieve efficiencies that save up to a dollar of savings per gallon.

But there is no doubt that high gas prices have an impact on the economy, they're a drag on the economy. They have an impact on American families, especially those who are getting in the car for the last gasp of summer and trying to make a road trip, maybe to see the grandparents, and that does have an impact. It also has an impact on small businesses who rely on transportation, especially for deliveries -- or such as the trucking industry. So there's no doubt it has a high impact, but again, it's a problem that's developed over decades and it's not going to be resolved overnight.

Yes for decades liberals have been saying "fuel efficiency! Alternative fuels! End dependence on foreign oil!," and Bush et al have been saying "whatever."

So now our economy suffers, and our national security is weakened, and Bush offers some tips (courtesy of the above mentioned Fueleconomy.gov):

Combining errands into one trip saves you time and money. Several short trips taken from a cold start can use twice as much fuel as a longer multipurpose trip covering the same distance when the engine is warm. Trip planning ensures that traveling is done when the engine is warmed-up and efficient.

With a little planning, you can avoid retracing your route and reduce the distance you travel as well. You'll not only save fuel, but also reduce wear and tear on your car.

So all you soccer moms out there, when taking the kid to summer camp, drag them along to a doctor's appointment and a shopping trip too! Think of the money you'll save (the money will come in handy when you take to drink from going nuts dragging the kids around for these extend 'efficient' errand runs)!

Reduce aerodynamic drag and improve your fuel economy by placing items inside the trunk whenever possible.

The mob have been putting things in the trunk for years - bless their hearts.

- rob 2:20 PM - [PermaLink] -

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Just a good ol'boy Texan: Driving over crosses with the names of our soldiers killed in Iraq (oh and a flag or two as well)

Arrest In Texas Protest Cross-Up - August 16, 2005

A row of the memorial crosses, which carry the names of U.S. soldiers killed during the Iraq war, were destroyed when Northern, a Waco resident, allegedly drove his truck (which was dragging a pipe and chains) over them. The crosses are part of an encampment Sheehan has dubbed "Camp Casey" in honor of her late son, a 24-year-old Army Specialist killed in action last year.
...
Northern is a Waco realtor and gun enthusiast who has served as president of a local "shooting sports facility"

And when Northern isn't too busy running over flags he likes to pose in front of them.

For photos of the run over flags and crosses go to: ANTI-AMERICAN ASSHAT MOWS DOWN CROSSES AT CAMP CASEY

- rob 5:56 PM - [PermaLink] -

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Rush Limbaugh Hates The Founding Fathers


He therefore is the truest friend to the liberty of his country who tries most to promote its virtue, and who, so far as his power and influence extend, will not suffer a man to be chosen into any office of power and trust who is not a wise and virtuous man...
- Samuel Adams

**


The means of defense against foreign danger historically have become the instruments of tyranny at home.

All men having power ought to be distrusted to a certain degree.
- James Madison

**


It is the first responsiblity of every citizen to question authority.
-Benjamin Franklin

**


A government is like fire, a handy servant, but a dangerous master.
...
If freedom of speech is taken away, then dumb and silent we may be led, like sheep to the slaughter.
-George Washington

And from one of the great minds of today:


Wouldn't it be great if anybody who speaks out against this country, to kick them out of the country? Anybody that threatens this country, kick 'em out. We'd get rid of Michael Moore, we'd get rid of half the Democratic Party if we would just import that law. That would be fabulous. The Supreme Court ought to look into this.
- Rush Limbaugh

Found at the excellent Media Matters: Limbaugh wistful about Brits' ability to expel ... [Media Matters]

- rob 5:45 PM - [PermaLink] -

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You don't have to be a neo-con to be an idiot (it just helps)

Mitch Landrieu Redoes Office, Official Residence For $955,000

BATON ROUGE, La. -- Improvements to Lt. Gov. Mitch Landrieu's office in the Capitol Annex and creation of his apartment and office at the Pentagon Barracks have cost taxpayers $955,000 since he was elected in 2003.

His staff said the spending is a critical part of efforts to improve the state's image. Others point out that the state already had a $263 million backlog on its list of critical repairs to other buildings and property.

Now keep in mind the entire yearly budget of Louisiana's state Department of Educations is only 3.4 billion and you realize a million is actually pretty significant.

But perhaps I'm being tough on Democrat Mitch Landrieu, after all I know a lot of people who had privously cancelled trips to New Orleans because they heard that the Lt. Gov's apartment was sub par, now I really think they'll reconsider.

- rob 1:41 PM - [PermaLink] -

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J writes from Japan to let me know about: unsightly doggy droppings

Last Friday I successfully passed my sanitation course and now licensed tooperate a commercial kitchen in Japan. It was a short one day course full ofsleepy eyed Japanese wanting the same as me; to hopefully not fall asleepand pass the exam. I did!!! Hurray!

I have learned more about sushi bacteria than I had ever wanted to and the social issues confronting a restaurant owner. With the "Bird Flu" and BSE the course offered a unique snap shot into our time. The main theme was food safety but the social issues associated with these new problems were given a considerable amount of time. "Food traceability" is a key phase these days. The global food basket now feeds many nations many of these new problems are not easily sighted as they were in the past. Both of these problems were compounded because the affected companies/farmers did not report the problem until the public was at risk. No need to worry your American food safety is not at risk because the American companies have moral, so said Mr. Bush. This brings me to a funny little story. I was recently asked to help reviewt his free doggy magazine. It had some English in it and one paragraph caught my attention;

"Rules aren't needed if there are morals. In the city, dogs and people co-exist. The pet community is spreading and there are things that need to be done. These are rules. However, even if there are manners and morals, rules; such and laws, are not needed. For example, if there is a baby sitting next to you in a café, can you smoke? It is like sitting in a non-smoking section, right? As long as you have morals, there should not be any trouble. Disposing of your dog's droppings is yours and your partner's responsibility. Morals are important... "

Now besides the poor English the question I had was is this a moral, social or common-sense issue? Now common-sense usually infers to the self and does not necessarily reflect actions toward others unless they in turn effect the self's welfare. So, what is the distinction between morals and social conscience? The example of smoking next to a baby is poorly chosen, for there are many who would argue this to be ethics and not morals. Then what are the differences between these two; morals and ethics? And just to make things more interesting, are not morals and ethics socially based and what might be ethically wrong for one society maybe OK for another.

Sure it started with the question of wording on a doggy magazine but it quickly escalated to the bombing of Hiroshima and Bush's war in Iraqi. As you may or may not be aware of, last week was the 60th year anniversary ofthe bomb of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. The airways have been filled with special programming. Some was very interesting and some was too graphically gruesome to watch. One show in particular chronicled the use of bombs on cities and civilians through-out the war and by both sides. It was well put together and showed how both the Germans and Japanese were the first to use this method of bombing. It also showed the ethical issues the Allies faced when they crossed the line and started doing the same. The show was meant to show how war is hell and even ethical people do unethical things during times of war. Both Hiroshima and Nagasaki had no strategic military value according to US military documents recently release. Both had a 95% kill on civilians, they were chosen to demoralize the populace. The show did not end there. It when on to chronicle the US use of war over the last 60 years and the civilian death toll America has inflected directly and indirectly. It was meant as a message to the Japanese who are about to change their constitution from being a pacifist nation to one that can enact war and "self defend". It is a thin line and this show painted a bleak picture when the use weapons are give priority over diplomacy.

Sorry I got sidetracked... Back to the question is it moral or social to pick up your doggie's dropping?

- rob 10:06 AM - [PermaLink] -

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Hi I'm John Bolton, you just never know where I'm going to show up next.
That's my favorite picture from my fall, 2000 Florida vacation.

The Judy File: Miller’s UN-likely Visitor

But Bolton apparently has a warm spot in his heart for at least one journalist: none other than Judy Miller.

According to a trusted Judy File source, Bolton recently took time out of his busy schedule to pay a jailhouse visit to Judy.

No word on what they talked about.

Bolton lost Chalabi's phone number, he was just checking to see if Judy had it.

- rob 5:39 PM - [PermaLink] -

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And yet we reward Gas companies every day.

We fill up our cars with gas
we invade countries on their behalf
and we grant them billions in tax breaks when they are making more in profit each day.

Chevron paid agents who destroyed villages

The bodies of the dead Nigerian villagers had not yet grown cold when the Nigerian navy captain presented Chevron with a bill: 15,000 naira, or $165 for responding to ``attacks from Opia village against security agents.''

Within 24 hours Chevron paid up. It would be years before the San Ramon-based energy company would acknowledge the role it played in the destruction of Opia and another small village called Ikenyan in Nigeria's oil-rich delta in January 1999.

The receipt for the January 4 army raid, which left four villagers dead and nearly 70 missing and presumed dead, came to light only this summer as part of a federal lawsuit filed on behalf of the victims in U.S. District Court in San Francisco. It is being reported first on MercuryNews.com. The receipt also is among documents obtained by the Mercury News.

Oh, by the way, the Bush Administration fought hard to try to stop the victims from being able to sue, and the excuse was that it would harm the war on terror. Strange, but it seems to me that terror is what Chevron was trading in. (I posted about that before but now I can't find that post, what scares me is that it may not have been this case at all, but another case where an oil company paid for village raids).

Oh and Condi Rice used to have a Chevron tanker named after her (just thought I'd throw that little factoid in).

- rob 5:26 PM - [PermaLink] -

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You know I love American and love being American, and that means I have a responsibility to state:

The US doing crap like this only serves to weaken us from a security standpoint, and destroy us as an idea, and America in many ways is a grand idea.

US challenged over 'secret jails'

Two Yemeni men claim they were held in secret, underground US jails for more than 18 months without being charged, Amnesty International has said.
The human rights group has called on the US to reveal details of the alleged secret detention of suspects abroad.

Amnesty fears the case is part of a "much broader picture" in which the US holds prisoners at secret locations.

- rob 5:15 PM - [PermaLink] -

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We mock Fox News, but hey its nice to know it could always be worse

From the official North Korean news agency: Bush Administration Accused of Scuttling Intl' Religious Meeting

Pyongyang, July 8 (KCNA) -- A spokesman for the Korean Council of Religionists in a statement on July 7 denounced the bellicose Bush group for their fascist action to scuttle an international meeting initiated by the prestigious religious organizations in the U.S. Recalling that such prestigious religious organizations of the U.S. as the National Council of the Churches of Christ and the World Conference on Religion and Peace jointly initiated the opening of the "international meeting for peace on the Korean Peninsula" in New York and proposed to the Korean Council of Religionists to make a positive contribution to improving the situation in the peninsula, the statement said: The U.S. religious organizations' proposal to hold an international meeting for peace on the Korean Peninsula in the U.S. chiefly responsible for creating the great danger of a nuclear war on the peninsula is meaningful in every aspect as it arouses a serious concern of the world people.
...
Such outrage committed by the U.S. administration is a brazen-faced action unprecedented in the history of international relationship. This rash act can be perpetrated only by the group of Satans insulting the several religious organizations in the U.S. which jointly promoted the meeting and other religious organizations of the world.

This high-handed fascist action can be committed only by the bellicose Bush gentries who threw the world into uneasiness and horror with war and genocide, pursuant to their strong-arm policy and hegemony, utterly indifferent to religion, justice and peace and international law.

And what's really fun is both Bush (well at least his Dad) and Kim Jung Il Love Rev. Moon.

- rob 5:05 PM - [PermaLink] -

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Those who hate the idea that America is not a theocracy (because theocracy's have always been so succesful - like in Afganistan say) held a little meeting.

Conservatives Rally for Justices

NASHVILLE, Aug. 14 -- Prominent conservative political and religious leaders called Sunday night for Senate approval of Supreme Court nominees who will vote to end the constitutional right to abortion, against recognition of same-sex marriage and for fewer restrictions on religious expression in public places.

The Supreme Court has sanctioned "the right to kill unborn children" and opened the door to legalized "homosexual sodomy," declared Tony Perkins, president of the Family Research Council, which co-sponsored "Justice Sunday II."

Justice Sunday II: This time it's personal didn't seem to be the blockbuster that pervious Justice Sunday had been so they're thinking of throwing in some nudity, cute kids, and car chases in Justice Sunday III: First We Take Manhattan, Then We Take Berlin.

- rob 3:50 PM - [PermaLink] -

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U.S. Lowers Sights On What Can Be Achieved in Iraq
Administration Is Shedding 'Unreality' That Dominated Invasion, Official Says

• Find weapons of Mass Destruction and Make Iraq a democratic nation of religious tolarence and woman's rights and make it become a beacon of freedom for the whole middle east - scratch that
  
• Make Iraq stable - scratch that
  
• Give the Iraqis better cable stations - not looking good

The Bush administration is significantly lowering expectations of what can be achieved in Iraq, recognizing that the United States will have to settle for far less progress than originally envisioned during the transition due to end in four months, according to U.S. officials in Washington and Baghdad.

- rob 3:46 PM - [PermaLink] -

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Another Bush Success

Iraq didn't have chemical weapons - well they do now!

Iraqi Chemical Stash Uncovered
Post-Invasion Cache Could Have Been For Use in Weapons

BAGHDAD, Aug. 13 -- U.S. troops raiding a warehouse in the northern city of Mosul uncovered a suspected chemical weapons factory containing 1,500 gallons of chemicals believed destined for attacks on U.S. and Iraqi forces and civilians, military officials said Saturday.

- rob 3:42 PM - [PermaLink] -

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Krugman: Social Security Lessons

Social Security turned 70 yesterday. And to almost everyone's surprise, the nation's most successful government program is still intact.
...
But I'd like to revisit Social Security for a moment, because it's important to remember what Mr. Bush tried to get away with.

Many pundits and editorial boards still give Mr. Bush credit for trying to "reform" Social Security. In fact, Mr. Bush came to bury Social Security, not to save it. Over time, the Bush plan would have transformed Social Security from a social insurance program into a mutual fund, with nothing except a name in common with the system F.D.R. created.

In addition to misrepresenting his goals, Mr. Bush repeatedly lied about the current system. Oh, I'm sorry - was that a rude thing to say?

- rob 2:47 PM - [PermaLink] -

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Christopher Walken in 2008?
According to his website, Christopher Walken is indeed planning to run as an independent candidate in the next presidential election. Not many details on his platform. Let's face it, if it were between Walken and a Chimpy McFlightsuit wanna-be, I know I'd start handing out "More Cowbell!" t-shirts.

- Edoc 2:36 PM - [PermaLink] -

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"To announce that there must be no criticism of the president, or that we are to stand by the president, right or wrong, is not only unpatriotic and servile, but is morally treasonable to the American people."
- Teddy Roosevelt



"Government has a final responsibility for the well-being of its citizenship. If private cooperative endeavor fails to provide work for willing hands and relief for the unfortunate, those suffering hardship from no fault of their own have a right to call upon the Government for aid; and a government worthy of its name must make fitting response."
 - Franklin Delano Roosevelt



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- Thomas Jefferson



"The means of defense against foreign danger historically have become the instruments of tyranny at home."

"All men having power ought to be distrusted to a certain degree."
- James Madison



"I believe in human dignity as the source of national purpose, in human liberty as the source of national action, in the human heart as the source of national compassion, and in the human mind as the source of our invention and our ideas. It is, I believe, the faith in our fellow citizens as individuals and as people that lies at the heart of the liberal faith. For liberalism is not so much a party creed or set of fixed platform promises as it is an attitude of mind and heart, a faith in man's ability through the experiences of his reason and judgment to increase for himself and his fellow men the amount of justice and freedom and brotherhood which all human life deserves."
- John F. Kennedy



"Should any political party attempt to abolish social security, unemployment insurance, and eliminate labor laws and farm programs, you would not hear of that party again in our political history. There is a tiny splinter group, of course, that believes you can do these things. Among them are [a] few other Texas oil millionaires, and an occasional politician or business man from other areas. Their number is negligible and they are stupid."
- Dwight D. Eisenhower

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"There's nothing wrong with America that can't be fixed by what's right with America." - Bill Clinton.