Saturday, July 03, 2004
SecState as Village Person
How to get European respect after neo-con's alienation?
Get Colin Powell dressed up and sing "YMCA" on stage.
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How to get European respect after neo-con's alienation?
Get Colin Powell dressed up and sing "YMCA" on stage.
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Is Andrew Fastow Finally Talking?
It looks like Energy Task Force member, GOP Super RangerPioneerAssbag and former Enron Chairman "Kenny Boy" Lay could face an indictment as early as next week.
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It looks like Energy Task Force member, GOP Super RangerPioneerAssbag and former Enron Chairman "Kenny Boy" Lay could face an indictment as early as next week.
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Scary But True
Moe Blues over at Bad Attitudes is a little down lately after talking to three friends. This is one's story:
The small business owner has seen his income slashed by almost half during Bush’s tenure, and he spent much of our conversation complaining about just how bad things are for small business owners. Yet, he was voting for Bush no matter what because everyone knows that Republicans are great for business and Democrats will do nothing but destroy businesses like his. (Never mind that this guy was only able to start his business because of the flush Clinton economy, or that his revenues doubled every year until the end of 2001.)
Blind faith pisses me off.
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Moe Blues over at Bad Attitudes is a little down lately after talking to three friends. This is one's story:
The small business owner has seen his income slashed by almost half during Bush’s tenure, and he spent much of our conversation complaining about just how bad things are for small business owners. Yet, he was voting for Bush no matter what because everyone knows that Republicans are great for business and Democrats will do nothing but destroy businesses like his. (Never mind that this guy was only able to start his business because of the flush Clinton economy, or that his revenues doubled every year until the end of 2001.)
Blind faith pisses me off.
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Senior Perp Walk
There is an amazing rise in robberies by senior citizens. The man above was sentenced to 12 years in prison for an unarmed bank robbery. He stole almost $2,000 from a Texas bank.
He's also 91 years old.
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There is an amazing rise in robberies by senior citizens. The man above was sentenced to 12 years in prison for an unarmed bank robbery. He stole almost $2,000 from a Texas bank.
He's also 91 years old.
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Friday, July 02, 2004
Iraq War Report on Intelligence Due Next Week
As if our friends in the Bush Administrations didn't have enough to worry about with the latest job numbers and the economy, the Select Senate Committee will release at least a partial report of their findings regarding pre-war intelligence failures.
Josh Marshall has an idea of what will be included. Remember the aluminum tubes?
If circumstances were different the whole thing would be released this afternoon at 4:45 p.m. as the country goes about their holiday business. Fortunately, this is much to important for a "Friday afternooning" and Rove will have no say in it's release. Pity, that. Heh.
Finally, I will be around a computer all weekend, but for those who aren't I wish you and your families a safe and happy holiday weekend.
There is much to be fearful of in these times but we have much to be thankful for as well. Take the time this weekend to reflect on what we still have and what can never be taken from us.
Our spirit.
Have a wonderful 4th of July!
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As if our friends in the Bush Administrations didn't have enough to worry about with the latest job numbers and the economy, the Select Senate Committee will release at least a partial report of their findings regarding pre-war intelligence failures.
Josh Marshall has an idea of what will be included. Remember the aluminum tubes?
If circumstances were different the whole thing would be released this afternoon at 4:45 p.m. as the country goes about their holiday business. Fortunately, this is much to important for a "Friday afternooning" and Rove will have no say in it's release. Pity, that. Heh.
Finally, I will be around a computer all weekend, but for those who aren't I wish you and your families a safe and happy holiday weekend.
There is much to be fearful of in these times but we have much to be thankful for as well. Take the time this weekend to reflect on what we still have and what can never be taken from us.
Our spirit.
Have a wonderful 4th of July!
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Krugman on F911
A fair assessment of Moore's film.
A key graf:
...And for all its flaws, 'Fahrenheit 9/11' performs an essential service. It would be a better movie if it didn't promote a few unproven conspiracy theories, but those theories aren't the reason why millions of people who aren't die-hard Bush-haters are flocking to see it. These people see the film to learn true stories they should have heard elsewhere, but didn't. Mr. Moore may not be considered respectable, but his film is a hit because the respectable media haven't been doing their job...
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A fair assessment of Moore's film.
A key graf:
...And for all its flaws, 'Fahrenheit 9/11' performs an essential service. It would be a better movie if it didn't promote a few unproven conspiracy theories, but those theories aren't the reason why millions of people who aren't die-hard Bush-haters are flocking to see it. These people see the film to learn true stories they should have heard elsewhere, but didn't. Mr. Moore may not be considered respectable, but his film is a hit because the respectable media haven't been doing their job...
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Mozilla in Effect!
Blondesense with the excellent answer to one of my questions in the previous post.
Nice!
(Thanks!)
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Blondesense with the excellent answer to one of my questions in the previous post.
Nice!
(Thanks!)
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Thursday, July 01, 2004
Blogroll Additions
Ever since I got an iBook for Christmas I've been trying to learn as much as possible about the wonder world of Mac. In order to broaden my horizons I've added some Mac/Apple sites to my blogroll. I know some of my reader(s) work on an Apple and perhaps could answer a couple of questions:
In the Blogger interface, New Post window, the "link" button (icon with the chain links) doesn't show in Safari but it does work on my PC at work. Is there any way to make that work on my iBook?
How can you download TV images into Quicktime? Is there a special program? (I'm thinking Fox News or an SOTU address, if you get my drift.) It would also be nice to post a freeze frame of an image in this forum.
Any help would be appreciated.
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Ever since I got an iBook for Christmas I've been trying to learn as much as possible about the wonder world of Mac. In order to broaden my horizons I've added some Mac/Apple sites to my blogroll. I know some of my reader(s) work on an Apple and perhaps could answer a couple of questions:
In the Blogger interface, New Post window, the "link" button (icon with the chain links) doesn't show in Safari but it does work on my PC at work. Is there any way to make that work on my iBook?
How can you download TV images into Quicktime? Is there a special program? (I'm thinking Fox News or an SOTU address, if you get my drift.) It would also be nice to post a freeze frame of an image in this forum.
Any help would be appreciated.
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CNN wins Right to See FL Voter List
A Florida judge ruled that CNN and other media outlets can examine the list of 50,000 suspected felons on the voter rolls.
I suspect this is not the last we've heard of this.
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A Florida judge ruled that CNN and other media outlets can examine the list of 50,000 suspected felons on the voter rolls.
I suspect this is not the last we've heard of this.
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Give Blood
I found out some very interesting information today while giving blood. First, let me share the percentage breakdown of blood types in the United States:
O Positive 38%
A Positive 34%
B Positive 9%
O Negative 7%
A Negative 6%
AB Positive 3%
B Negative 2%
AB Negative 1%
I found out my blood type, O Positive, (still with me Ashcroft?) can be administered to anyone with a "Positive" blood type. In addition if you have an O Negative blood type your blood can be administered to anyone. Apparently Type O is the universal blood type but I didn't realize how universal it was.
My point? Give blood!
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I found out some very interesting information today while giving blood. First, let me share the percentage breakdown of blood types in the United States:
O Positive 38%
A Positive 34%
B Positive 9%
O Negative 7%
A Negative 6%
AB Positive 3%
B Negative 2%
AB Negative 1%
I found out my blood type, O Positive, (still with me Ashcroft?) can be administered to anyone with a "Positive" blood type. In addition if you have an O Negative blood type your blood can be administered to anyone. Apparently Type O is the universal blood type but I didn't realize how universal it was.
My point? Give blood!
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Wednesday, June 30, 2004
Howard Stern to be Back On The Air in Clear Channel Markets
Plus others:
Stern said he will be returning to four markets -- Pittsburgh, San Diego, Orlando, Fla., and Rochester, N.Y. -- after having been pulled off stations owned by Clear Channel Communications. The new stations are owned by Infinity Broadcasting -- the Viacom Inc. unit that syndicates his show.
Stern said his show will also air in Houston and Austin, Texas, West Palm Beach and Tampa, Fla., and Fresno, Calif., bringing to 45 the number of stations that broadcast his morning show. Of those, 27 are Infinity-owned.
I don't listen to him only because I love my music too much, but anyone that spreads the word about "pruning the Shrub" is ok with me.
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Plus others:
Stern said he will be returning to four markets -- Pittsburgh, San Diego, Orlando, Fla., and Rochester, N.Y. -- after having been pulled off stations owned by Clear Channel Communications. The new stations are owned by Infinity Broadcasting -- the Viacom Inc. unit that syndicates his show.
Stern said his show will also air in Houston and Austin, Texas, West Palm Beach and Tampa, Fla., and Fresno, Calif., bringing to 45 the number of stations that broadcast his morning show. Of those, 27 are Infinity-owned.
I don't listen to him only because I love my music too much, but anyone that spreads the word about "pruning the Shrub" is ok with me.
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QOTD
"A magician pulls rabbits out of hats. An experimental psychologist pulls habits out of rats."
Anonymous
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"A magician pulls rabbits out of hats. An experimental psychologist pulls habits out of rats."
Anonymous
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I Didn't Know Yankee Fans Had It In Them
Vice President Dick Cheney was booed last night at Yankee Stadium during the playing of 'God Bless America' before the game against the Boston Red Sox. Cheney was a guest in George Steinbrenner's suite.
I'd like to think it had nothing to do with the VP's allegiance to the BoSox.
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Vice President Dick Cheney was booed last night at Yankee Stadium during the playing of 'God Bless America' before the game against the Boston Red Sox. Cheney was a guest in George Steinbrenner's suite.
I'd like to think it had nothing to do with the VP's allegiance to the BoSox.
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U.S. Alien Tort Claims Act
I'm usually aghast at how litigious our society has become, but in the case of Abu Ghraib (and maybe Gitmo) I think damages could be in order:
WASHINGTON -- The Supreme Court ruled Tuesday that foreigners have only a limited right to use an obscure U.S. law to sue in America over alleged human rights abuses. However, that decision still left open the possibility of lawsuits over inmate mistreatment in Iraq and other claims.
(...)
But while the decision limits suits under that law, Paul Hoffman, the attorney for Alvarez, said: "The limit is not that much of a limit. The community of people who have been involved in bringing Alien Tort Claims Act cases are breaking out champagne bottles over this decision."...
CC: Baghdad Burning
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I'm usually aghast at how litigious our society has become, but in the case of Abu Ghraib (and maybe Gitmo) I think damages could be in order:
WASHINGTON -- The Supreme Court ruled Tuesday that foreigners have only a limited right to use an obscure U.S. law to sue in America over alleged human rights abuses. However, that decision still left open the possibility of lawsuits over inmate mistreatment in Iraq and other claims.
(...)
But while the decision limits suits under that law, Paul Hoffman, the attorney for Alvarez, said: "The limit is not that much of a limit. The community of people who have been involved in bringing Alien Tort Claims Act cases are breaking out champagne bottles over this decision."...
CC: Baghdad Burning
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Tuesday, June 29, 2004
Disney's Response to 'F911'
Disney will release America's Heart and Soul on Friday in an attempt to counteract the overwhelming attention of Fahrenheit 911:
..."This unusual [Disney] film was inspirational," said Howard Kaloogian, chairman of Move America Forward, which has spearheaded a boycotting campaign of Fahrenheit 9/11 after attending a special screening of the film on Monday.
"It was an amazing set of vignettes of stories of different Americans and their pursuit of passion. Each individual was able to explore their passion because of the freedom this country has given us/"...
(...)
But Disney executives said that the release of the new film on Friday - a week after the release of Fahrenheit 9/11 - was simply co-incidental.
Coincidental my ass. The guy from Move America Forward (quoted above) was responsible for pressuring theatres not to show Michael Moore's film.
Disney Chief Michael Eisner is trying to save his job. Good luck toolbox!
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Disney will release America's Heart and Soul on Friday in an attempt to counteract the overwhelming attention of Fahrenheit 911:
..."This unusual [Disney] film was inspirational," said Howard Kaloogian, chairman of Move America Forward, which has spearheaded a boycotting campaign of Fahrenheit 9/11 after attending a special screening of the film on Monday.
"It was an amazing set of vignettes of stories of different Americans and their pursuit of passion. Each individual was able to explore their passion because of the freedom this country has given us/"...
(...)
But Disney executives said that the release of the new film on Friday - a week after the release of Fahrenheit 9/11 - was simply co-incidental.
Coincidental my ass. The guy from Move America Forward (quoted above) was responsible for pressuring theatres not to show Michael Moore's film.
Disney Chief Michael Eisner is trying to save his job. Good luck toolbox!
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Allawi May Not Be The 'Savior' He's Portrayed To Be
Interesting commentary on the new Iraqi PM's involvement with the CIA and what a Hussein trial might look like:
...According to one of the New York Times' sources, Allawi's group, the Iraqi National Accord, was the only exile group the CIA trusted to unleash violence inside Iraq under the agency's direction. In those days, car bombings in Baghdad were thought to be a good thing, according to one U.S. intelligence officer who worked with Allawi. "No one had any problem with sabotage in Baghdad back then," he said, adding, "I don't think anyone could have known how things could turn out today." Now, Allawi has made control over his old rival Hussein a loud demand of his appointed government, which sits in uneasy reliance on 135,000 U.S. troops and must answer to the world's largest American embassy in all important matters.
Such a plan must be tempting for the United States. A show trial under Allawi would be designed to get Hussein out of the way as quickly and quietly as possible, which might save the U.S. some embarrassment. After all, in an open, unbiased trial the old dictator, if he still has his wits about him, could talk about his cooperation with the Reagan and Bush administrations during the 1980s, when he committed many of the alleged crimes — including the use of poison gas — for which he will be brought to trial. He might even discuss his two visits back then with Donald H. Rumsfeld. But even though a fair public trial might prove uncomfortable for our government, Hussein is a prisoner of war captured by the United States, and Washington is responsible for his treatment under international standards. We have no right to turn him over to the tender mercies of a former CIA-financed archrival. That is simply an abdication of responsibility that violates international law.
There is no good argument for not trying Hussein under international law, as has been done with former Serbian leader Slobodan Milosevic. A fair public trial would reveal the crimes of Hussein as well as the machinations of those U.S. officials and agencies that aided him.
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Interesting commentary on the new Iraqi PM's involvement with the CIA and what a Hussein trial might look like:
...According to one of the New York Times' sources, Allawi's group, the Iraqi National Accord, was the only exile group the CIA trusted to unleash violence inside Iraq under the agency's direction. In those days, car bombings in Baghdad were thought to be a good thing, according to one U.S. intelligence officer who worked with Allawi. "No one had any problem with sabotage in Baghdad back then," he said, adding, "I don't think anyone could have known how things could turn out today." Now, Allawi has made control over his old rival Hussein a loud demand of his appointed government, which sits in uneasy reliance on 135,000 U.S. troops and must answer to the world's largest American embassy in all important matters.
Such a plan must be tempting for the United States. A show trial under Allawi would be designed to get Hussein out of the way as quickly and quietly as possible, which might save the U.S. some embarrassment. After all, in an open, unbiased trial the old dictator, if he still has his wits about him, could talk about his cooperation with the Reagan and Bush administrations during the 1980s, when he committed many of the alleged crimes — including the use of poison gas — for which he will be brought to trial. He might even discuss his two visits back then with Donald H. Rumsfeld. But even though a fair public trial might prove uncomfortable for our government, Hussein is a prisoner of war captured by the United States, and Washington is responsible for his treatment under international standards. We have no right to turn him over to the tender mercies of a former CIA-financed archrival. That is simply an abdication of responsibility that violates international law.
There is no good argument for not trying Hussein under international law, as has been done with former Serbian leader Slobodan Milosevic. A fair public trial would reveal the crimes of Hussein as well as the machinations of those U.S. officials and agencies that aided him.
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Bad First Day for New Iraqi Government
Nine killed on the first day of "sovereignty," including three U.S. Soldiers.
I wish there were an easy answer for extracting our troops.
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Nine killed on the first day of "sovereignty," including three U.S. Soldiers.
I wish there were an easy answer for extracting our troops.
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Last Call at the Whiskey Bar
For a variety of reasons detailed here, Billmon has decided to make his blog comment-free.
The post announcing this has already drawn over 450 comments.
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For a variety of reasons detailed here, Billmon has decided to make his blog comment-free.
The post announcing this has already drawn over 450 comments.
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Go "Cheney" Yourself!
Using "Cheney" instead of Cheney's favorite word:
Cheney you!
Cheney me!
I Cheneyed up
He was a lousy Cheney.
Hilarious.
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Using "Cheney" instead of Cheney's favorite word:
Cheney you!
Cheney me!
I Cheneyed up
He was a lousy Cheney.
Hilarious.
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QOTD
"If the world should blow itself up, the last audible voice would be that of an expert saying it can't be done."
Peter Ustinov
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"If the world should blow itself up, the last audible voice would be that of an expert saying it can't be done."
Peter Ustinov
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Monday, June 28, 2004
QOTD
Renewal of purpose installment
"Smoking is one of the leading causes of statistics."
Fletcher Knebel
You'll notice at the top of this page is the description of this blog as a, "...Self Support Journal While I Try to Quit Smoking." That was written in late February and though I started strong I've faded since, falling off the wagon in spectacular style. So when my friend Tina asked why there were no recent updates about my nicotine-free state I decided it was time to climb back on the wagon. Another reason is my 13 month old son who gives me hope that I can conquer this wicked addiction.
I will be making a concerted effort to make it stick this time. I will be writing about it often and any encouragement you could offer me would be appreciated.
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Renewal of purpose installment
"Smoking is one of the leading causes of statistics."
Fletcher Knebel
You'll notice at the top of this page is the description of this blog as a, "...Self Support Journal While I Try to Quit Smoking." That was written in late February and though I started strong I've faded since, falling off the wagon in spectacular style. So when my friend Tina asked why there were no recent updates about my nicotine-free state I decided it was time to climb back on the wagon. Another reason is my 13 month old son who gives me hope that I can conquer this wicked addiction.
I will be making a concerted effort to make it stick this time. I will be writing about it often and any encouragement you could offer me would be appreciated.
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Sunday, June 27, 2004
QOTD
"The fact that man knows right from wrong proves his intellectual superiority to other creatures; but the fact that he can do wrong proves his moral inferiority to any creature that cannot."
Mark Twain
Light blogging today. A beautiful day in Delaware. Too nice to stay inside...
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"The fact that man knows right from wrong proves his intellectual superiority to other creatures; but the fact that he can do wrong proves his moral inferiority to any creature that cannot."
Mark Twain
Light blogging today. A beautiful day in Delaware. Too nice to stay inside...
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