I Didn't Write That!
29 March 2007
27 March 2007
Alberto Gives Finger
Gonzales, obviously exhausted with even seeming to care, did what Rumsfeld did right before his firing--lose it in front of the press. Running from his news conference when the questions started coming about his plot with Karl Rove to remove U.S. attorneys who wouldn't do the administration's bidding. And his proven lying about it.
Cops often like to say that innocent men don't run. Also, they don't usually give you the finger.
Gonzales, obviously exhausted with even seeming to care, did what Rumsfeld did right before his firing--lose it in front of the press. Running from his news conference when the questions started coming about his plot with Karl Rove to remove U.S. attorneys who wouldn't do the administration's bidding. And his proven lying about it.
Cops often like to say that innocent men don't run. Also, they don't usually give you the finger.
Labels: politics
¶ March 27, 2007 0 Comments
24 March 2007
Alberto!
He lied.
Outside of a sudden fascist coup, he's fucked.
He lied.
Outside of a sudden fascist coup, he's fucked.
Labels: politics
¶ March 24, 2007 0 Comments
23 March 2007
It Needs To Be Said
I've never had any patience for those who excuse Leni Riefenstahl, Hitler's official filmmaker in all but title, on the basis of being a "great artist." In what way? Certainly she's an artist, but if I eat food I don't like, I don't say, "That's not food," I say, "That's bad food." Leni was a bad artist. Certainly her cinematographer was great, but name me one in Germany who wasn't. One can be an artist and create propaganda. And it can be said that such films as Triumph of the Will are what amounts to official portraits with the element of time added, and so would this mean that a painter who did a portrait of a Borgia, or Richard Avedon, who photographed Henry Kissinger(though it's hardly a glamorous photo), are therefore culpable for their subject's crimes?
But the sole purpose of her art was this glorification, so as an artist she rates not a whole lot higher than a company bugler. An artist, but a limited and primarily functional one. And leeway in how she did it isn't a guarantor of artistic greatness; most ad campaigns are given a lot of leeway, but that doesn't change that the caveman is trying to sell you insurance. And how would Hitler have known how to tell her to film it anyway? That's what you hire competent people to do, to make the people like you better, so you can concentrate on the important things, such as murdering half of Europe.
So I was glad to read this in a review of Steven Bach(author of Final Cut, which you should read)'s new book on Riefenstahl:
Read the rest here.
I've never had any patience for those who excuse Leni Riefenstahl, Hitler's official filmmaker in all but title, on the basis of being a "great artist." In what way? Certainly she's an artist, but if I eat food I don't like, I don't say, "That's not food," I say, "That's bad food." Leni was a bad artist. Certainly her cinematographer was great, but name me one in Germany who wasn't. One can be an artist and create propaganda. And it can be said that such films as Triumph of the Will are what amounts to official portraits with the element of time added, and so would this mean that a painter who did a portrait of a Borgia, or Richard Avedon, who photographed Henry Kissinger(though it's hardly a glamorous photo), are therefore culpable for their subject's crimes?
But the sole purpose of her art was this glorification, so as an artist she rates not a whole lot higher than a company bugler. An artist, but a limited and primarily functional one. And leeway in how she did it isn't a guarantor of artistic greatness; most ad campaigns are given a lot of leeway, but that doesn't change that the caveman is trying to sell you insurance. And how would Hitler have known how to tell her to film it anyway? That's what you hire competent people to do, to make the people like you better, so you can concentrate on the important things, such as murdering half of Europe.
So I was glad to read this in a review of Steven Bach(author of Final Cut, which you should read)'s new book on Riefenstahl:
Some spectators thought even at the time that her cinematic gift had served to legitimize a murderous ideology, but almost nobody belittled her artistic talent. She was thus able, when the Nazis lost, to invoke the principle that art trumps politics. Photographed too often with her raised hand pointed in Hitler’s direction, quoted too often on the subject of his transformative vision, she was unable to deny that she had held her mentor in high regard, but she never stopped denying until her long-postponed last gasp that she had ever known much about what the Nazis were really up to. She had been too busy being a great artist.
Read the rest here.
Labels: crime, film, Germany, history, politics, propaganda, trump
¶ March 23, 2007 0 Comments
22 March 2007
The Dangerous Brothers
Rik Mayall, Ade Edmondson, and extremely hazardous material!
¶ March 22, 2007 0 Comments
Rik Mayall, Ade Edmondson, and extremely hazardous material!
¶ March 22, 2007 0 Comments
He Would Have Had To Learn To Read First
Tom DeLay retreats from "his" book No Retreat, No Surrender. Which not only did he not write, he didn't read it either.
What a sweet gig for an enterprising ghostwriter. You could make DeLay appear to say anything, and as he'd never actually read it, he'd be completely unprepared for the reaction. Myself, I would have put in a passage detailing how much he enjoys fucking underage goats while praising Satan and drinking a tall goblet of virgin's blood, gargling occasionally. And as it would have been true, no risk of libel!
Tom DeLay retreats from "his" book No Retreat, No Surrender. Which not only did he not write, he didn't read it either.
What a sweet gig for an enterprising ghostwriter. You could make DeLay appear to say anything, and as he'd never actually read it, he'd be completely unprepared for the reaction. Myself, I would have put in a passage detailing how much he enjoys fucking underage goats while praising Satan and drinking a tall goblet of virgin's blood, gargling occasionally. And as it would have been true, no risk of libel!
Labels: politics
¶ March 22, 2007 0 Comments
21 March 2007
Jean Schmidt: Fuck the Troops
More Republican troop-supportin'! Said by Rep. Jean Schmidt(R-OH), whom you might recall from her questioning of decorated veteran John Murtha's patriotism, has this to say about Walter Reed, with all the compassion of Barbara Bush after a hurricane:
More Republican troop-supportin'! Said by Rep. Jean Schmidt(R-OH), whom you might recall from her questioning of decorated veteran John Murtha's patriotism, has this to say about Walter Reed, with all the compassion of Barbara Bush after a hurricane:
"I found the situation at Walter Reed to be overblown by both politicians and the media."
Schmidt wrote that in her tour of all four outpatient housing facilities, she was "pleasantly surprised to find that three of the buildings contained clean living spaces, updated television and computer access, and full access to cooking units or cafeterias."
She also inspected Building 18, the focus of the Washington Post stories exposing conditions at Walter Reed.
"While I believe that this building is beneath the standard of what is acceptable, I think it is wrong to suggest that mold found behind an air conditioner somehow is an excuse to say that all of our veterans are receiving substandard medical care.
"It is important to remember that the building in question is an apartment building, not a medical facility. Further the building was scheduled to be torn down within two years."
I particularly love the last part, where she tries to use the fact that the soldiers were being kept in a setting inappropriate for medical care as an excuse, rather than avoiding it as the further indictment it is.
Maybe later every Republican who has sold out the troops to retain Bush's now-worthless political favor will pull a Mel Gibson and claim it was all because they were as drunk as she apparently was when she slipped in her own, or someone else's, puke last week. And I guess that would make squalor a relative thing to the congresswoman.
They're not exactly sure whose vomit it was. You can't really dust for vomit.
Spinal Tap
But I suppose they feel it's right to treat the troops with such callousness, insult and negligence. After all, they lost the war for them. Like Berlin in the last days of Hitler, they need to be punished for letting the leader down. They're the help.
Troops are to the Republicans as toilet paper is to my ass.
Troops are to the Republicans as toilet paper is to my ass.
Labels: Mel Gibson, politics
¶ March 21, 2007 0 Comments
20 March 2007
Watch It Quick 43
Embedding seems to be screwed up thanks to something odd that Blogger has done, but never mind; I have links.
Battlestar Galactica:
"Crossroads" Part 1
Embedding seems to be screwed up thanks to something odd that Blogger has done, but never mind; I have links.
Battlestar Galactica:
"Crossroads" Part 1
Labels: politics, watch it quick
¶ March 20, 2007 0 Comments
Bush's Other Ball Torn Off
The Senate, in a 94-2 vote, took away his power to appoint U.S. Attorneys by whim.
Meanwhile, Mitt Romney loses the anti-Castro Cubans by attributing a famous Castro phrase to them.
The Senate, in a 94-2 vote, took away his power to appoint U.S. Attorneys by whim.
Meanwhile, Mitt Romney loses the anti-Castro Cubans by attributing a famous Castro phrase to them.
Labels: politics
¶ March 20, 2007 0 Comments
17 March 2007
White House Persecutes Christians
The ones who are actually Christians, that is, that protested the war last night in D.C.
The ones who are actually Christians, that is, that protested the war last night in D.C.
Labels: barbie mcmooseburger, mccain, politics, religion
¶ March 17, 2007 0 Comments
15 March 2007
Rove Was In On The Attorney Massacre
And early on, too. Apparently he was discussing it with Gonzales while Alberto was still to be confirmed as Attorney General.
You know, I'll say this for Ashcroft: he was a complete moron, and this seems to have prevented him from doing much, and as all he could have done was damage, that's good. He wasn't imaginative enough for the Pinochet tactics of Gonzales.
Also: Harriet Meiers, whom Bush wanted on the Supreme Court, was also a planner in this operation.
But if you know you're doing things you'll later be prosecuted for, and you have the power to cull anyone smart or competent enough to consider doing it, if you're Bush, you go for it.
And early on, too. Apparently he was discussing it with Gonzales while Alberto was still to be confirmed as Attorney General.
You know, I'll say this for Ashcroft: he was a complete moron, and this seems to have prevented him from doing much, and as all he could have done was damage, that's good. He wasn't imaginative enough for the Pinochet tactics of Gonzales.
Also: Harriet Meiers, whom Bush wanted on the Supreme Court, was also a planner in this operation.
But if you know you're doing things you'll later be prosecuted for, and you have the power to cull anyone smart or competent enough to consider doing it, if you're Bush, you go for it.
Labels: politics
¶ March 15, 2007 0 Comments
Watch It Quick 42
The rest of what's below.
The rest of what's below.
Labels: politics, watch it quick
¶ March 15, 2007 0 Comments
14 March 2007
D.C. Madam Giving It Away For Free
The names of her clients, that is. To a "news organization." Absolutely free. This should be fun.
I wonder just how much of a majority of them will be Republicans?...
The names of her clients, that is. To a "news organization." Absolutely free. This should be fun.
I wonder just how much of a majority of them will be Republicans?...
Labels: politics
¶ March 14, 2007 0 Comments
12 March 2007
Nationalize Halliburton
And revoke their corporate charter before their theft of public money is complete.
I mean, you think it's a coincidence that they have overcharged and pretty much stolen taxpayer funds, billions, and now, before the war is over--and the war profiteering hearings begin--they escape to Dubai, like a bank robber evading justice?
Nationalize them and freeze their assets, now. They and Dick Cheney should be in fucking jail.
Gee, wonder where the surplus went? Did we all work so hard in the nineties to wipe out the deficit--and end up with a surplus--so one evil corporation could steal most of it?
¶ March 12, 2007 0 Comments
And revoke their corporate charter before their theft of public money is complete.
I mean, you think it's a coincidence that they have overcharged and pretty much stolen taxpayer funds, billions, and now, before the war is over--and the war profiteering hearings begin--they escape to Dubai, like a bank robber evading justice?
Nationalize them and freeze their assets, now. They and Dick Cheney should be in fucking jail.
Gee, wonder where the surplus went? Did we all work so hard in the nineties to wipe out the deficit--and end up with a surplus--so one evil corporation could steal most of it?
Draft Gore
Hey, he would never run with Lieberman this time! Sign the petition!
Hey, he would never run with Lieberman this time! Sign the petition!
Labels: politics
¶ March 12, 2007 0 Comments
Cowards
The Democrats abandon their attempt to stop Bush from expanding the war into Iran.
Thanks, guys. So you really had no intent but to take power, without actually using it. And here I thought you'd grown spines.
The Democrats abandon their attempt to stop Bush from expanding the war into Iran.
Thanks, guys. So you really had no intent but to take power, without actually using it. And here I thought you'd grown spines.
Labels: politics
¶ March 12, 2007 0 Comments
Bush Might Not Pardon Libby?
And apparently this is driving Cheney crazy.
¶ March 12, 2007 0 Comments
And apparently this is driving Cheney crazy.
¶ March 12, 2007 0 Comments
11 March 2007
Bush Sending Wounded Back To Battlefield
In the last days of the Third Reich, Hitler sent children and old men to defend Berlin, because he had nothing left to throw at the guns.
Today, the U.S. Army is so stretched thin that wounded soldiers that are "medically unfit for battle" are being sent back into combat.
In the last days of the Third Reich, Hitler sent children and old men to defend Berlin, because he had nothing left to throw at the guns.
Today, the U.S. Army is so stretched thin that wounded soldiers that are "medically unfit for battle" are being sent back into combat.
Just in case the enemy wants another shot at the wounded. Anyway, one arm can pull a trigger as well as two, and if they're killed, all the better; Walter Reed problem solved.
On Feb. 15, Master Sgt. Jenkins and 74 other soldiers with medical conditions from the 3rd Division's 3rd Brigade were summoned to a meeting with the division surgeon and brigade surgeon. These are the men responsible for handling each soldier's "physical profile," an Army document that lists for commanders an injured soldier's physical limitations because of medical problems -- from being unable to fire a weapon to the inability to move and dive in three-to-five-second increments to avoid enemy fire.
Labels: politics
¶ March 11, 2007 0 Comments
Evey and Winston
"Seattledan", cleverly slipping this one in past the General, reviews 1984 and V For Vendetta(the book). Read it before it goes down the memory hole!
"Seattledan", cleverly slipping this one in past the General, reviews 1984 and V For Vendetta(the book). Read it before it goes down the memory hole!
Labels: seattle
¶ March 11, 2007 1 Comments
Babes With Arms
Zell Miller longs for the days when, rather than abortion, we had other uses for our unwanted children. Zell's reasoning: Why kill them here when their deaths would be more useful overseas?
Of course, a useless war of attrition and its obvious failure could have nothing to do with the shrinking military.
Zell Miller longs for the days when, rather than abortion, we had other uses for our unwanted children. Zell's reasoning: Why kill them here when their deaths would be more useful overseas?
Of course, a useless war of attrition and its obvious failure could have nothing to do with the shrinking military.
Labels: politics
¶ March 11, 2007 0 Comments
10 March 2007
Jean Baudrillard (1929-2007) RIP
One of the few postmodernist philosophers I ever liked, I just noticed, died on the 6th of this month. But that's just one point of view.
One of the few postmodernist philosophers I ever liked, I just noticed, died on the 6th of this month. But that's just one point of view.
¶ March 10, 2007 0 Comments
Where I Grew Up
A New York Times travelogue about my original hometown, Charleston, South Carolina.
A New York Times travelogue about my original hometown, Charleston, South Carolina.
Labels: politics
¶ March 10, 2007 0 Comments
Bertrand Russell on Religion
As true today as ever.
Compare this passage to the Christianists' current opposition to a vaccine to prevent ovarian cancer (and for that matter, their opposition way back when to AIDS research):
As true today as ever.
Compare this passage to the Christianists' current opposition to a vaccine to prevent ovarian cancer (and for that matter, their opposition way back when to AIDS research):
Take, for example, the question of the prevention of syphilis. It is known that, by precautions taken in advance, the danger of contracting this disease can be made negligible. Christians, however, object to the dissemination of knowledge of this fact, since they hold it good that sinners should be punished. They hold this so good that they are even willing that punishment should extend to the wives and children of sinners. There are in the world at the present moment many thousands of children suffering from congenital syphilis who would never have been born but for the desire of Christians to see sinners punished. I cannot understand how doctrines leading us to this fiendish cruelty can be considered to have any good effects upon morals.
Labels: barbie mcmooseburger, mccain, politics, religion
¶ March 10, 2007 0 Comments
Sullivan Reader Nails Conservatism
Excerpt below, whole thing here.
Excerpt below, whole thing here.
I often think of your blog as "The Education of Andrew". You are incredibly naive when it comes to the real, down-home nature of American conservatism. All this crap you complain about now - this is the real conservatism. This is the conservative id, broken through the conservative super-ego and run rampant. It's true there's some attempt by the super-ego to reassert some kind of control - you detailed several attempts last week, by Gates, Fitzgerald, etc. - but this is the real energy that underlies and animates much of American grassroots conservatism, and always has: a blend of intolerance, machismo, a cultural resentment stemming directly back to the Civil War, anti-intellectual no-nothingness, Christianism - with all its attendant arrogance, anti-democratic self-righteousness and hidden nihilism - and a just plain old blind pig-headedness, which GWB exemplifies in spades. Nary an Edmund Burke or Michael Oakeshott to be seen.
Labels: politics
¶ March 10, 2007 0 Comments
09 March 2007
The End of Gonzales
Looks like Albert really stepped in it.
Looks like Albert really stepped in it.
Labels: politics
¶ March 09, 2007 0 Comments
08 March 2007
"The Fox Designing The Hen House"
Tax lawyers are being allowed to form the tax codes. Are you shocked?
Tax lawyers are being allowed to form the tax codes. Are you shocked?
No, this kind of thing won't save you anything on your taxes, silly mortal worm. More like people like Dick Cheney. ¶ March 08, 2007 0 Comments"The Internal Revenue Service is asking tax lawyers and accountants who create tax shelters and exploit loopholes to take the lead in writing some of its new tax rules," writes the New York Times in a report that will appear in the paper on Friday.
"Don't Discuss Polar Bears"
The U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service is telling scientists who travel abroad this. Seriously.
Whatever You Were About To Say About These Animals...
Don't. No. Don't Even Look At Them. Turn Away.
The U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service is telling scientists who travel abroad this. Seriously.
Listed as a "new requirement" for foreign travelers on U.S. government business, the memo says that requests for foreign travel "involving or potentially involving climate change, sea ice, and/or polar bears" require special handling, including notice of who will be the official spokesman for the trip.
The Fish and Wildlife Service top officials need assurance that the spokesman, "the one responding to questions on these issues, particularly polar bears" understands the administration's position on these topics.
Two accompanying memos were offered as examples of these kinds of assurance. Both included the line that the traveler "understands the administration's position on climate change, polar bears, and sea ice and will not be speaking on or responding to these issues."
Whatever You Were About To Say About These Animals...
Don't. No. Don't Even Look At Them. Turn Away.
All hail our glorious leader! I just can't say it enough times. His wisdom is indescribable, and his plan to make the American people thought of as the stupidest, most ignorant bunch of hicks in the world is proceeding apace.
What I'll never understand about this government is how it still hasn't figured out that geography hasn't been a barrier to communication for quite some time. Or that the rest of the world already knows all this.
What I'll never understand about this government is how it still hasn't figured out that geography hasn't been a barrier to communication for quite some time. Or that the rest of the world already knows all this.
Labels: politics
¶ March 08, 2007 0 Comments
Watergate Started Out As A "Two-Bit Burglary"
Valerie Plame Wilson.
But once you've established a crime, and that crime leads up to the Oval Office because, well, the guy going to jail was the main assistant to the Vice President, the congressional investigations begin. And the thing about that for Bush and Cheney, and Karl Rove, to worry is that a court doesn't have the power to remove a president, or a vice-president.
Congress does.
"Scooter" Libby in Happier Days,
When He Worked For Dick Cheney.
So it's very interesting indeed that, just as Libby is convicted of four of five counts of obstruction of justice and perjury(which established that at least one person in the vice president's office was attempting to deceive, by definition), and the fact that Valerie Plame's name was leaked illegally, unrightfully, and with malice, she herself, the target of the plot that necessitated the deception, testifies before Congress soon.
Dick Cheney Prepares To Deal With Congress.
This is where the end may begin, at the very least for Dick Cheney. If I were he, I'd resign now claiming health problems.
But he's stupid enough to stay.
Oh: and over at the Department of Justice, there's this.
¶ March 08, 2007 0 Comments
Valerie Plame Wilson.
But once you've established a crime, and that crime leads up to the Oval Office because, well, the guy going to jail was the main assistant to the Vice President, the congressional investigations begin. And the thing about that for Bush and Cheney, and Karl Rove, to worry is that a court doesn't have the power to remove a president, or a vice-president.
Congress does.
"Scooter" Libby in Happier Days,
When He Worked For Dick Cheney.
So it's very interesting indeed that, just as Libby is convicted of four of five counts of obstruction of justice and perjury(which established that at least one person in the vice president's office was attempting to deceive, by definition), and the fact that Valerie Plame's name was leaked illegally, unrightfully, and with malice, she herself, the target of the plot that necessitated the deception, testifies before Congress soon.
Dick Cheney Prepares To Deal With Congress.
This is where the end may begin, at the very least for Dick Cheney. If I were he, I'd resign now claiming health problems.
But he's stupid enough to stay.
Oh: and over at the Department of Justice, there's this.
"A Procedure With A Rifle"
Ann Coulter, barely a day after her "faggot" rant, decided to demonstrate empathy for those who shoot doctors who perform abortions.
Ann Coulter, barely a day after her "faggot" rant, decided to demonstrate empathy for those who shoot doctors who perform abortions.
Speaking at the recent Reclaiming America for Christ conference, (televangelist D. James Kennedy's annual political rally), Ann Coulter not only repeated her now infamous anti-gay slur to the Christian group, but she declared that she can "understand" the assassination of doctors who perform legal abortions.In demagogic fashion, Coulter first presented the shocking view -- and then wink, wink -- said she didn't really mean it; but in doing so, still held fast to the argument that leaders of the underground Army of God have used for years to justify the murder of abortion providers -- which she calls "a procedure with a rifle."
Is the base really that base? (Incidentally, Al-Quaida means "the base") Are the only true believers left among the GOP now thoroughgoing Nazis? Coulter, incidentally once expressed approval of "the benefits of local fascism."
Labels: politics
¶ March 08, 2007 0 Comments
"Bad Play"
Fucking wonderful. I'd love to see the rest of it.
Fucking wonderful. I'd love to see the rest of it.
Labels: politics
¶ March 08, 2007 0 Comments
D.C. Madam Gagged?
Not the first time that's happened, I guess. But why do I get the distinct feeling this will lead to much more interesting developments?
Not the first time that's happened, I guess. But why do I get the distinct feeling this will lead to much more interesting developments?
Labels: politics
¶ March 08, 2007 0 Comments
Coulter Loses Papers and Advertisers Internationally
Isn't it beautiful.
Too bad all her much worse words weren't able to do it, but two little syllables did.
Isn't it beautiful.
Too bad all her much worse words weren't able to do it, but two little syllables did.
Labels: politics
¶ March 08, 2007 0 Comments
Gulag
The location, in Poland, of one of the CIA's secret prisons has been revealed.
The location, in Poland, of one of the CIA's secret prisons has been revealed.
The complex at Stare Kiejkuty, a Soviet-era compound once used by German intelligence in World War II, is best known as having been the only Russian intelligence training school to operate outside the Soviet Union. Its prominence in the Soviet era suggests that it may have been the facility first identified – but never named – when the Washington Post’s Dana Priest revealed the existence of the CIA’s secret prison network in November 2005.Another benefit to us of the fall of communism, much as we carried on the fine old traditions already extant at Abu Ghraib. Hail Bush, teacher, leader, favorite friend!
Labels: politics
¶ March 08, 2007 0 Comments
07 March 2007
Dying and Not Knowing Why
The Israeli government suppressed information about a deadly infection that has been killing hospital patients in order to avoid a panic. And suppressing information about something that kills the vulnerable and old certainly is a way to avoid panic. Confusion and despair are calming, soothing emotions, as we all know.
The Israeli government suppressed information about a deadly infection that has been killing hospital patients in order to avoid a panic. And suppressing information about something that kills the vulnerable and old certainly is a way to avoid panic. Confusion and despair are calming, soothing emotions, as we all know.
Well, panic avoided, anyway. Now the public will proceed straight to outrage. It's a frightening thing to have an Israeli government that makes Sharon's look responsible.
A deadly bacterium known as Klebsiella pneumoniae is believed to have killed some 120-200 patients in hospitals across the country.
"Between 400 to 500 people have been infected by the bug, and 30 to 40 percent of them have already died. However, it is important to note that most of them were in a serious condition, and some were suffering from prior medical conditions," said Prof. Yehuda Carmeli, the head of the epidemiology unit at the Sourasky Medical Center in Tel Aviv.
According to Carmeli, most of those infected have been hospitalized for over 25 days, and their average age stood at 74-75.
The virulent stain of bacteria is resistant to all kinds of antibiotics, and has already spread in many hospitals across Israel.
Health Minister Yacov Ben Yizri on Wednesday rejected accusations that his ministry had underestimated the scope of the outbreak, saying the case was kept a secret to prevent mass panic.
"It is true that the bug infects people who have been hospitalized with severe illnesses and this should not scare the public," he said.
Infection expert Dr. Galia Rahav of the Sheba Medical Center told Channel 1 Tuesday that 130 people have been infected in Sheba Medical Center alone, and about a third of them have already died.
Labels: politics
¶ March 07, 2007 0 Comments
06 March 2007
"I Am The Anti-Christ!" --Britney Spears
"Do not try; do."
Yoda.
"Do not try; do."
Yoda.
Labels: politics
¶ March 06, 2007 0 Comments
People Are Slime, Part Umpteen
Like this guy:
And there seems to be a lot of this going around, but responsible, sane parents are rare these days. Maybe they always were.
Like this guy:
Fermin Rodriguez, 21, attacked his 17-year-old wife Sunday night, after accusing her of cheating on him, police said. He slashed and stabbed her multiple times, then handed the knife to his 2-year-old son ...and told him: "Now you stab Mommy."I doubt the "terrible twos" are that prone to murder.
And there seems to be a lot of this going around, but responsible, sane parents are rare these days. Maybe they always were.
Labels: politics
¶ March 06, 2007 1 Comments
Libby Guilty
On 4 of 5 counts. Which means that Cheney's days are numbered; do you think Libby will hesitate to turn on Cheney, now that he's been left to the wolves and needs to avoid 30 years of jail?
¶ March 06, 2007 1 Comments
On 4 of 5 counts. Which means that Cheney's days are numbered; do you think Libby will hesitate to turn on Cheney, now that he's been left to the wolves and needs to avoid 30 years of jail?
05 March 2007
I Knew It
George Will lets a pronoun slip about "Man" Coulter. (about 00:25 in)
Also, it looks like Mitt Romney has more to repudiate. (Hat tip to Andrew Sullivan).
George Will lets a pronoun slip about "Man" Coulter. (about 00:25 in)
Also, it looks like Mitt Romney has more to repudiate. (Hat tip to Andrew Sullivan).
Labels: politics
¶ March 05, 2007 0 Comments
Watch It Quick 38
Battlestar Galactica: "Maelstrom"
Uploaded by nils82
Battlestar Galactica: "Maelstrom"
Uploaded by nils82
Labels: politics, watch it quick
¶ March 05, 2007 0 Comments
04 March 2007
"Reign": U.N.K.L.E.
You thought a different day had come
A day you thought the earth was done...
You thought a different day had come
A day you thought the earth was done...
Labels: politics
¶ March 04, 2007 0 Comments
Courageous Gingrich Lays the Blame for Katrina Where It Belongs
Newt Gingrich thinks the victim was damn dumb and irresponsible to go and get raped, and thinks said victim should be investigated and punished.
But what can you expect from an asswipe who failed to bring down a president over a blowjob, wrecked his own career in said attempt, after years before dumped his wife in her hospital bed while she was sick of cancer? Who was cheating on his second wife Marianne WHILE said impeachment was going on, and when she called him on it prior to his giving a speech then on "family values," replied:
And anyone listens to this irrelevant, furbrowed pile of shit that ought to shut his idiot ideologue machine mouth? Same being true of Limbaugh, or Coulter, or any of these cruel, sick pieces of garbage that litter our culture, spouting their venom, actively working to make the world uglier and worse. Why does anyone pay them? Why does anyone listen? What is the point of people like these, words like theirs? What is it like to be a person born for no better purpose than to get in the way of anything that might help people?
I'd like to remind Newt of a single word beginning with "L" that is relevant here.
Newt Gingrich thinks the victim was damn dumb and irresponsible to go and get raped, and thinks said victim should be investigated and punished.
How can you have the mess we have in New Orleans, and not have had deep investigations of the federal government, the state government, the city government, and the failure of citizenship in the Ninth Ward, where 22,000 people were so uneducated and so unprepared, they literally couldn't get out of the way of a hurricane. (emphasis original)Still trying to build up that African-American vote, I see.
But what can you expect from an asswipe who failed to bring down a president over a blowjob, wrecked his own career in said attempt, after years before dumped his wife in her hospital bed while she was sick of cancer? Who was cheating on his second wife Marianne WHILE said impeachment was going on, and when she called him on it prior to his giving a speech then on "family values," replied:
“It doesn’t matter what I do. People need to hear what I have to say. There’s no one else who can say what I can say. It doesn’t matter what I live."
And anyone listens to this irrelevant, furbrowed pile of shit that ought to shut his idiot ideologue machine mouth? Same being true of Limbaugh, or Coulter, or any of these cruel, sick pieces of garbage that litter our culture, spouting their venom, actively working to make the world uglier and worse. Why does anyone pay them? Why does anyone listen? What is the point of people like these, words like theirs? What is it like to be a person born for no better purpose than to get in the way of anything that might help people?
I'd like to remind Newt of a single word beginning with "L" that is relevant here.
Labels: bastards, fatboy mcfascist, hurricane katrina, newt gingrich, right wing
¶ March 04, 2007 0 Comments
Why People Believe In God
The perspective of evolutionary biology.
The perspective of evolutionary biology.
Labels: politics
¶ March 04, 2007 0 Comments
03 March 2007
That Didn't Take Long
Yesterday I said Mitt Romney ought to denounce Ann Coulter's statements about John Edwards, and what do you know. It was very wise of not only Romney, but McCain and Giuliani, to join in repudiating her today. (Particularly Giuliani, as he had moved in with a gay couple after his divorce) Though McCain will probably just apologize for doing so tomorrow.
Even noted fascist blogger Michelle Malkin criticized what Coulter said, but Coulter is her competition, and no one is with her on this, so of course Malkin would make sure Coulter's slime wouldn't splash back on her. Still, I suppose she should be commended for being sensible this once.
Yesterday I said Mitt Romney ought to denounce Ann Coulter's statements about John Edwards, and what do you know. It was very wise of not only Romney, but McCain and Giuliani, to join in repudiating her today. (Particularly Giuliani, as he had moved in with a gay couple after his divorce) Though McCain will probably just apologize for doing so tomorrow.
Even noted fascist blogger Michelle Malkin criticized what Coulter said, but Coulter is her competition, and no one is with her on this, so of course Malkin would make sure Coulter's slime wouldn't splash back on her. Still, I suppose she should be commended for being sensible this once.
Labels: politics
¶ March 03, 2007 0 Comments
Walter Reed: Again, It Comes Back To Halliburton
What the fuck? What part of our government was not auctioned off to them or their minions? And how much of a kickback does Cheney get?
What the fuck? What part of our government was not auctioned off to them or their minions? And how much of a kickback does Cheney get?
The Bush Administration's drive for privatization may be responsible for the "deplorable" outpatient care for soldiers at Walter Reed Army Medical Center, according to a top Democratic Congressman investigating the scandal, which has already led to the resignation of the Secretary of the US Army.A five-year, $120 million contract awarded to a firm run by a former executive from Halliburton – a multi-national corporation where Vice President Dick Cheney once served as CEO – will be probed at a Subcommittee on National Security and Foreign Affairs hearing scheduled for Monday.
¶ March 03, 2007 0 Comments
Edwards Responds To Coulter
Here. And I've already donated here--you should do the same.
Ann Coulter has only managed to make the best Democratic candidate more visible. Now the media are mentioning him. Good.
Here. And I've already donated here--you should do the same.
Ann Coulter has only managed to make the best Democratic candidate more visible. Now the media are mentioning him. Good.
Labels: politics
¶ March 03, 2007 0 Comments
02 March 2007
Andrew Sullivan Is Shocked, Just Shocked
I don't agree with this, regarding Ann Coulter's calling John Edwards a "faggot"at a public event earlier today.
This, however, I very much think is an important point.
I wonder what Romney will say.
I don't agree with this, regarding Ann Coulter's calling John Edwards a "faggot"at a public event earlier today.
Seeing college kids line up to worship her tore me up. These kids deserve better. They're young and smart enough to be interested in conservatism - and this is what they are getting?I'll leave it to you to count the number of mistaken presumptions represented in that passage. I like Sullivan, but he has too much of a tendency to give fascists like Coulter or authoritarians like Bush a pass till they give him not choice but to realize he's wrong. And he does admit it, but he's had to admit it so often.
This, however, I very much think is an important point.
From a stage where two presidential candidates just spoke?That's so, including Mitt Romney, the current right-wing darling that, frankly, I'd love to see become the Republican candidate, as he will not win over anything but the severely diminished hard right wing that proved how exhausted they were last November. But Romney was more or less Coulter's opening act. The event was promoting him, and if he does not denounce her statements, one is left to assume that he agreed with her. (He also introduced her as a "moderate")
I wonder what Romney will say.
Labels: politics
¶ March 02, 2007 0 Comments
Amazon Sells Weapons?
Like this one. Or this one. Or this. Or this replica sniper rifle that looks just like the real thing, which--isn't that banned because it helps in robberies? To the general public if they can pretend they're 18, and in their "Sports and Outdoors" section. I don't mean to go into a knee-jerk hissy fit here, but huh? You can order that from a major internet outlet, anonymously, and receive it by mail? Across state lines, I'd presume. And some of these are seriously deadly weapons, in untrained hands possibly the most so.
This is a real sword.
Is this ethical, even if it's legal? I may write them and find out, and I encourage you to do the same. If I receive any reply I will post it here. As they advertise here, I think I'm entitled to know.
Incidentally, I grew up in a hunter's household and learned to shoot by the time I was ten, so don't assume that my loathing of guns and most weapons is based on some doctrinaire liberal ideological problem coming from unfamiliarity and pussydom. I was a dead shot. And I know what they can do. That's why I don't think that they should be so easy to get. They make a moment deadly too easily.
Like this one. Or this one. Or this. Or this replica sniper rifle that looks just like the real thing, which--isn't that banned because it helps in robberies? To the general public if they can pretend they're 18, and in their "Sports and Outdoors" section. I don't mean to go into a knee-jerk hissy fit here, but huh? You can order that from a major internet outlet, anonymously, and receive it by mail? Across state lines, I'd presume. And some of these are seriously deadly weapons, in untrained hands possibly the most so.
This is a real sword.
Is this ethical, even if it's legal? I may write them and find out, and I encourage you to do the same. If I receive any reply I will post it here. As they advertise here, I think I'm entitled to know.
Incidentally, I grew up in a hunter's household and learned to shoot by the time I was ten, so don't assume that my loathing of guns and most weapons is based on some doctrinaire liberal ideological problem coming from unfamiliarity and pussydom. I was a dead shot. And I know what they can do. That's why I don't think that they should be so easy to get. They make a moment deadly too easily.
Good Times With Weapons
Uploaded by beginner3
Labels: politics
¶ March 02, 2007 0 Comments
We Need This Why?
A brand-new nuclear warhead design, the first in nearly twenty years.
Oh yes, I'm as thrilled as you. I grew up in the setting for this, in the 1980s. About ten miles from the Naval Weapons Station, which was among the targets of a first strike. So yes, my love of the Bomb is well-documented. It helped make my childhood a relaxing one, knowing that in the first salvo we'd be molecules floating in the upper atmosphere that didn't feel a thing.
A brand-new nuclear warhead design, the first in nearly twenty years.
Oh yes, I'm as thrilled as you. I grew up in the setting for this, in the 1980s. About ten miles from the Naval Weapons Station, which was among the targets of a first strike. So yes, my love of the Bomb is well-documented. It helped make my childhood a relaxing one, knowing that in the first salvo we'd be molecules floating in the upper atmosphere that didn't feel a thing.
Labels: politics
¶ March 02, 2007 0 Comments
Barack Obama and I Have Something In Common
Both of us are fairly embarrassed that our ancestors owned slaves.
Both of us are fairly embarrassed that our ancestors owned slaves.
Labels: politics
¶ March 02, 2007 0 Comments
Michael Moore's Wife Kidnapped
Along with a dozen or more other European tourists in Ethiopia. More here. My thoughts and best wishes for their safe return.
I expect conservatives will be cackling over this, but then, hate is the only emotion they can feel and enjoy without worrying about goin' all queer and stuff.
Along with a dozen or more other European tourists in Ethiopia. More here. My thoughts and best wishes for their safe return.
I expect conservatives will be cackling over this, but then, hate is the only emotion they can feel and enjoy without worrying about goin' all queer and stuff.
Labels: politics
¶ March 02, 2007 0 Comments
Keep Winning Over The Undecideds, Ann
Ann Coulter: why do the cons think she's any kind of spokesperson for their cause? But I hope they keep thinking that so she can keep scaring away potential converts. She couldn't do a better job if she were a mole from the ACLU.
Ann Coulter: why do the cons think she's any kind of spokesperson for their cause? But I hope they keep thinking that so she can keep scaring away potential converts. She couldn't do a better job if she were a mole from the ACLU.
Ann Coulter, speaking at the Conservative Political Action Conference: "I was going to talk about the other Democratic candidate John Edwards, but it turns out that you have to go into rehab if you use the word "Faggot."Interesting coming from a "woman" with such a pronounced Adam's Apple. Ah well. Here's a video.
Labels: politics
¶ March 02, 2007 0 Comments
What Made Them Think They'd Get Away With It?
It was incredibly dumb of the Army to tell the soldiers at Walter Reed to stop talking to the media, as though the media would not hear that and report it. Wishing problems away never did the job, and of course the only problem they were worried about was a PR one. Are they not aware that, because of the Internet, very few problems can be hushed up anymore?
Which has resulted in General Weightman being fired earlier this week, and U.S. Army Secretary Francis Harvey resigning today.
Francis Harvey: A Very, Very
Bald Man Inside & Out.
Meanwhile, Bush is forced to pretend he cares.
It was incredibly dumb of the Army to tell the soldiers at Walter Reed to stop talking to the media, as though the media would not hear that and report it. Wishing problems away never did the job, and of course the only problem they were worried about was a PR one. Are they not aware that, because of the Internet, very few problems can be hushed up anymore?
Which has resulted in General Weightman being fired earlier this week, and U.S. Army Secretary Francis Harvey resigning today.
Francis Harvey: A Very, Very
Bald Man Inside & Out.
Meanwhile, Bush is forced to pretend he cares.
Labels: politics
¶ March 02, 2007 0 Comments
01 March 2007
Or Not
So the soldiers recuperating in the barbaric, neglectful conditions prevailing at Walter Reed speak up. After which they're told to shut up about it, and oddly, the media report that as well.
So: The asswipe in charge of Walter Reed, Major General George W. (?) Weightman has gotten what asswipes ought to get more often. Fired.
So the soldiers recuperating in the barbaric, neglectful conditions prevailing at Walter Reed speak up. After which they're told to shut up about it, and oddly, the media report that as well.
So: The asswipe in charge of Walter Reed, Major General George W. (?) Weightman has gotten what asswipes ought to get more often. Fired.
The general was informed that “the senior Army leadership had lost trust and confidence in the commander’s leadership abilities to address needed solutions for soldier outpatient care” at Walter Reed, the Army said...General Weightman was undone by [a] recent report in The Washington Post on poor conditions at Walter Reed, long considered the flagship of Army medical care. As the number of service members wounded in Iraq and Afghanistan has climbed, Pentagon officials have long held up Walter Reed as a facility offering unmatched care.
But the large number of patients there, currently about 650, has forced officials to rely on overflow facilities. Last week, Mr. Gates toured Walter Reed and said he was upset by reports in The Post describing wounded soldiers living in dilapidated buildings near the Walter Reed campus and portraying the huge paperwork and other bureaucratic hurdles they had to overcome during treatment.
Nice to see the guy in charge get in the neck for once.
Labels: politics
¶ March 01, 2007 0 Comments
