George W. BooksOnTape

The first thing I thought of, when Bush bragged about his summer reading list, was George W. on Air Force One, reclining, with headphones... lulled to sleep by a book on tape narrator.

Like a child lulled to sleep by a bedtime story.

Not a comforting thought , considering that whole "leader of the free world" moniker.




Enough said.

Best bar bet in the world: Delilah didn't do it.
Judges 16:19-- And she made him (Samson) sleep upon her knees; and she called for a man, and she caused him to shave off the seven locks of his head.

News From Planet OH RIGHT SURE

If you believe that George W. Bush has actually read these books this summer...

Quick Red Fox
by John D. MacDonald

The Dreadful Lemon Sky
by John D. MacDonald

After Fidel: The Inside Story of Castro's Regime and Cuba's Next Leader
by Brian Latell

Challenger Park
by Stephen Harrigan

Flashman at the Charge
by George MacDonald Fraser

Finding Fish: A Memoir
by Antwone Quenton Fisher

Revolutionary Characters: What Made the Founders Different
by Gordon S. Wood

The Bridge at Andau
by James Michener

Flash for Freedom
by George MacDonald Fraser

Mayflower : A Story of Courage, Community, and War
by Nathaniel Philbrick

Through a Glass, Darkly : A Commissario Guido Brunetti Mystery
by Donna Leon

Manhunt: The 12-Day Chase for Lincoln's Killer
by James L. Swanson

Decision at Sea: Five Naval Battles that Shaped American History
by Craig L. Symonds

The Big Bam: The Life and Times of Babe Ruth
by Leigh Montville

Clemente: The Passion and Grace of Baseball's Last Hero
by David Maraniss

American Prometheus: The Triumph and Tragedy of J. Robert Oppenheimer
by Kai Bird & Martin J. Sherwin

The Messenger
by Daniel Silva

The Places in Between
by Rory Stewart

Beach Road
by James Patterson & Peter de Jonge

Lincoln: A Life of Purpose and Power
by Richard Carwardine

Polio: An American Story
by David Oshinsky

The Stranger
by Albert Camus

Lincoln's Greatest Speech: The Second Inaugural
by Ronald C. White, Jr.

Promised Land, Crusader State
by Walter McDougall

Cinnamon Skin: Travis McGee Mysteries
by John D. MacDonald

Macbeth
by William Shakespeare

Hamlet
by William Shakespeare

... I want you to clap if you believe in fairies.

Best bar bet in the world: Delilah didn't do it.
Judges 16:19-- And she made him (Samson) sleep upon her knees; and she called for a man, and she caused him to shave off the seven locks of his head.

Bush Admits Ignoring New Orleans Victims

Pitiful. Just pitiful.

Waitress Joyce Labruzzo: "Mister President, are you going to turn your back on me?"

Bush, with a laugh and a pause: "No, ma'am. Not again."

Delilah Boyd: Bush, you're a sorry excuse for a human being.

Best bar bet in the world: Delilah didn't do it.
Judges 16:19-- And she made him (Samson) sleep upon her knees; and she called for a man, and she caused him to shave off the seven locks of his head.

Locks Really Are For Honest People

It's time to rethink spending a fortune on traditional locks...




If it's not one thing, it's another... in a long line of eye-opening info on the internet.

Best bar bet in the world: Delilah didn't do it.
Judges 16:19-- And she made him (Samson) sleep upon her knees; and she called for a man, and she caused him to shave off the seven locks of his head.

Watch Out! She's Gonna Blow!

That guy who claimed he killed little JonBenet was... lying. So who do you think will be most upset?

KUSA - 9NEWS has confirmed from two sources that the DNA taken from John Mark Karr does not match the DNA samples taken from the crime scene in the JonBenet Ramsey murder case.

9NEWS has also confirmed from different sources that no charges will be filed against Karr in connection with the Ramsey case by the Boulder County District Attorney's office.

So...

Will this non-story finally end its Cabal News (not a typo) domination?

Best bar bet in the world: Delilah didn't do it.
Judges 16:19-- And she made him (Samson) sleep upon her knees; and she called for a man, and she caused him to shave off the seven locks of his head.

Privatization: The New York Times Finally Gets It

From The NYT:

Private tax collection costs more than it would cost to give the I.R.S. the resources to pursue the debts. Federal budgeting oddities only make it seem less costly. Private collection also raises serious concerns about fraud and privacy. Mark Everson, the I.R.S. commissioner, should fight hard for the resources the agency needs to do the job it clearly does best. Instead, he supports private collection, allowing the administration and Congress to indulge the fiction that they are saving money.

The rationale for laying off estate tax auditors is also unconvincing. To allay suspicions the cutbacks are a way to shield wealthy heirs from taxes, two Democrats on the House Ways and Means Committee, John Lewis of Georgia and Earl Pomeroy of North Dakota, sent a letter recently to Mr. Everson, asking for facts and figures to justify the job cuts.

Mr. Everson responded with a “trust me” letter.

It's really simple:

Johnny has 100 apples.
His Apple Tax bill is 16 apples.

(By the way, Johnny's Apple Tax doesn't just fund The ARS-- his taxed apple income helps pay for the roads, regional power grids, the schools, and other services that Johnny's family uses, including the salaries and overhead of the ARS workers-- The Apple Revenue Service.)

If the ARS decides to hire private Apple Tax collectors to catch cheaters, some of Johnny's taxed apple revenue will be diverted from critical services to pay for the salaries and overhead of the new private company. (It costs more, remember?)

That means less revenue to spend on roads, power grids, schools, and other services-- including ARS auditors and collectors-- and lost jobs.

Who benefits from this privatization?

Hint: Not Johnny.

It's no wonder that Republicans want to privatize everything. They can reward their political donors and use your tax dollars like an ATM.

Do you really trust them to do the right thing with your tax dollars?

Your livelihood, your personal safety, and your life just might depend on your answer.

So how do you like them apples?

Best bar bet in the world: Delilah didn't do it.
Judges 16:19-- And she made him (Samson) sleep upon her knees; and she called for a man, and she caused him to shave off the seven locks of his head.

Snarky Sermon on the Blog: What's On Your Bumper?

From the canonical list of Bumper Stickers (in alphabetical order):

Another dopeless hope fiend!
Atheists are Beyond Belief
Blessed by Jesus - Spoiled by my husband.
Come The Rapture Can I Have Your Car?
Don't think God has a sense of humor? Look at the platypus.
Father God created Mother Earth!
Forbidden Fruits create many Jams!
Get a taste of religion. Lick a witch.
God created Whiskey to keep the Irish from ruling the world.
God doesn't support Road Rage!
God gave man 2 heads and only enough blood to use one.
God I will ride with you!
God is Coming and is she PISSED
God is my co-pilot, but the Devil is my bombardier.
God is not dead - he just couldn't find a parking place.
God is still on the throne!
God loves you! And I'm really trying.
God makes miracles, but He doesn't clean cars.
God must love stupid people, he made so many.
God protect me from your followers
God spoke, and BANG! It happened!
God was my co-pilot but we crashed in the mountains and I had to eat him
Heading in the wrong direction? God allows U-turns.
Heaven doesn't want me, and Hell is afraid I'll take over.
Heaven won't take me and Hell is afraid I'll take over.
Heck is a place for people who don't believe in gosh.
Honk if you are God.
How's my driving?.. Pray!
I'm against the death penalty / Look what happened to Jesus
I bet Jesus would have used HIS turn signals
I Have The Body Of A God... Buddha!
If God dropped acid, would he see people?
If God had not meant us to write on walls, he would never have given us an example.
If God intended man to smoke, He would have set him on fire.
If going to church makes you a Christian, does going to the garage make you a car?
If You Are Born Again Do You Have Two Belly Buttons ?
Jesus died for my sins and all I got was this lousy t-shirt!
Jesus has a mullet!
Jesus is coming look busy.
Jesus loves you, everyone else thinks you're an asshole
Jesus may love you, but he won't respect you in the morning.
Jesus saves, Moses invests, but only Buddha gives Dividends
JESUS SAVES... He Passes It To Gretzky... Gretzky Shoots... He Scores!
Jesus, protect me from your followers!
Lord give me patience... But Hurry!
Lord save me from your followers!
My God is alive - sorry about yours.
My Goddess Gave Birth To Your God
National Atheist's Day April 1
Neutrinos have mass? I didn't even know they were Catholic!
Never drive faster than your Guardian Angel can fly.
Reincarnation is making a comeback!
Religious groups should stay out of politics; or be taxed
Sorry I missed Church, I've been studying WitchCraft and becoming a Lesbian.
Sorry I missed church, I was busy practicing witchcraft
Sudden prayers make God jump.
Take a friend to Heaven!
That was Zen. This is Tao!
The Big Bang theory: And God said 'Pulleth my Finger'
The Big Bang Theory: God Spoke and BANG it Happened.
The more you complain, the longer God makes you live
The way I drive, I've gotta have Faith!
There is no God higher than Truth!
You're the reason God created the middle finger.
You are proof that God has a sense of humor.
You found God? If nobody claims him in 30 days, he's yours!

Thus Endeth Today's Sermon.

Go forth today and read the sermons on the bumper stickers. You'll learn a lot about the people who display them proudly for all to see.

But be advised: honking because you love a deity is incredibly annoying.

I mean it, damn it!

Best bar bet in the world: Delilah didn't do it.
Judges 16:19-- And she made him (Samson) sleep upon her knees; and she called for a man, and she caused him to shave off the seven locks of his head.

Richard Reeves Plays The "Have You No Shame?" Card

From Reeves' column:

This is not about patriotism; it is about arrogance and ignorance at the highest levels of a great democracy. Have you no shame, Mr. President? Or is it you and Vice President Cheney and Secretary of Defense Rumsfeld who have never understood the world in which we live and think that you can bully us and bully history into believing it was our doing, not yours?

Missing from Reeves' column: "At long last..."

In my opinion, Reeves' "never understanding the world in which we live" bitchslap is much more powerful than playing the "shame" card. Bush claims to be a History major...

"Beyond the Euphrates began for us the land of mirage and danger, the sands where one helplessly sank, and the roads which ended in nothing. The slightest reversal would have resulted in a jolt to our prestige giving rise to all kinds of catastrophe; the problem was not only to conquer but to conquer again and again, perpetually; our forces would be drained off in the attempt."

Emperor Hadrian
CE 117-138

And the smart kids on the corner say, "Duh."


Best bar bet in the world: Delilah didn't do it.
Judges 16:19-- And she made him (Samson) sleep upon her knees; and she called for a man, and she caused him to shave off the seven locks of his head.

Katherine Harris: "Sure, I'm Going To Heaven! It's A Done Deal!"

OK, those weren't her exact words, but that's pretty much what she said:

Some day all of us have to give an account before God for what we have done. Are you certain in your own heart that when you come to that point of accounting that you’ll spend eternity with God in Heaven?

No question.

One day when you stand before God, if He says to you, “Why should I let you into my Heaven?” What you would say in response?

That’s an interesting question. Because I loved Your Son and because I know He died for my sins. I know He was resurrected at Your right hand and I served Him. You know we’re covered with, our sins are covered with His blood and so we are blameless before Him. We are as white as snow.

Ahem. Click the arrow, Katherine.



Hey, Katherine! Even if you ignore both the video's source and its creator's conclusions, just how big is that eye in your own personal needle, Hon?

Just asking.

Best bar bet in the world: Delilah didn't do it.
Judges 16:19-- And she made him (Samson) sleep upon her knees; and she called for a man, and she caused him to shave off the seven locks of his head.

Seven Clemson Freshmen "Don't Like" The Assigned Reading

Well, Boo Effing Hoo.

This is college, y'all. Guess what. You and your fascist fundie parents don't get to choose the books anymore. You shouldn't have been allowed to choose them before, but that's a blog topic for another day.

By the way, if these Clemson kids had ever actually read the Bible, the content of this reading assignment would be tame in comparison.

Of course, Fox News leads with this "news" story:

Several Clemson students protest freshman reading assignment

CLEMSON, S.C. Several Clemson University students have joined a Higher Education Commissioner to say they don't like a book the school required for freshman summer reading.

Seven students, commissioner Ken Wingate and about 40 parents, grandparents and alumni yesterday talked about the book, "Truth and Beauty," by Ann Patchett.

The best-seller tells the story of Patchett and a friend, Lucy Grealy, who struggled with cancer and later dealt with drug addiction. Wingate says the book glamorizes what he calls "deviant and debasing" behavior. He doesn't like the book's sexual content.

Freshman Michael Melchers of Columbia says he decided --not-- to read the book after hearing about it. But Melchers says he did write an essay explaining his views and plans to attend a lecture by the author.

Fail them. Expel them. They obviously aren't at Clemson to learn anything.

Case closed.


Best bar bet in the world: Delilah didn't do it.
Judges 16:19-- And she made him (Samson) sleep upon her knees; and she called for a man, and she caused him to shave off the seven locks of his head.

McCain & Bush: A Lovers' Quarrel

Why would presidential wannabe John McCain go to so much trouble to distance himself from George W. Idiot this week?

Easy.

McCain can read.



That's all, folks.

Best bar bet in the world: Delilah didn't do it.
Judges 16:19-- And she made him (Samson) sleep upon her knees; and she called for a man, and she caused him to shave off the seven locks of his head.

Happy Birthday/Armageddon To Me!

That's great, it starts with an earthquake, birds and snakes, an aeroplane -
Lenny Bruce is not afraid. Eye of a hurricane, listen to yourself churn -
world serves its own needs, don't misserve your own needs. Feed it up a knock,
speed, grunt no, strength no. Ladder structure clatter with fear of height,
down height. Wire in a fire, represent the seven games in a government for
hire and a combat site. Left her, wasn't coming in a hurry with the furies
breathing down your neck. Team by team reporters baffled, trump, tethered
crop. Look at that low plane! Fine then. Uh oh, overflow, population,
common group, but it'll do. Save yourself, serve yourself. World serves its
own needs, listen to your heart bleed. Tell me with the rapture and the
reverent in the right - right. You vitriolic, patriotic, slam, fight, bright
light, feeling pretty psyched.

It's the end of the world as we know it.
It's the end of the world as we know it.
It's the end of the world as we know it and I feel fine.

Six o'clock - TV hour. Don't get caught in foreign tower. Slash and burn,
return, listen to yourself churn. Lock him in uniform and book burning,
blood letting. Every motive escalate. Automotive incinerate. Light a candle,
light a motive. Step down, step down. Watch a heel crush, crush. Uh oh,
this means no fear - cavalier. Renegade and steer clear! A tournament,
a tournament, a tournament of lies. Offer me solutions, offer me alternatives
and I decline.

It's the end of the world as we know it.
It's the end of the world as we know it.
It's the end of the world as we know it and I feel fine.

The other night I tripped a nice continental drift divide. Mount St. Edelite.
Leonard Bernstein. Leonid Breshnev, Lenny Bruce and Lester Bangs.
Birthday party, cheesecake, jelly bean, boom! You symbiotic, patriotic,
slam, but neck, right? Right.

It's the end of the world as we know it.
It's the end of the world as we know it.
It's the end of the world as we know it and I feel fine...fine...

(It's time I had some time alone)


Best bar bet in the world: Delilah didn't do it.
Judges 16:19-- And she made him (Samson) sleep upon her knees; and she called for a man, and she caused him to shave off the seven locks of his head.

Psyche Straining 101: Bush Wants You To Get Your "HO ON"

Well, isn't that what the official photo communicates?




Best bar bet in the world: Delilah didn't do it.
Judges 16:19-- And she made him (Samson) sleep upon her knees; and she called for a man, and she caused him to shave off the seven locks of his head.

Oh, Great! Armageddon Scheduled For My Birthday?

I've never been what you would call a lucky person, but Armageddon on my birthday tomorrow would be the punniest icing on the friggin' cake, wouldn't it?

Best bar bet in the world: Delilah didn't do it.
Judges 16:19-- And she made him (Samson) sleep upon her knees; and she called for a man, and she caused him to shave off the seven locks of his head.

You're No Churchill, Mr. Bush!

Remember learning this quote in school? I do.


We shall not fail or falter;
we shall not weaken or tire...
Give us the tools and we will finish the job.

Sir Winston Churchill,
BBC radio broadcast, Feb 9, 1941
Well...

ATF Strikes Bush's Words

In December, Carl J. Truscott , then director of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and David L. Bibb , acting administrator of the General Services Administration, invited President Bush to the dedication of the ATF headquarters, scheduled for Nov. 14 or 16.

The new headquarters at 99 New York Ave. NE, ATF's first permanent home, is an "architectural masterpiece," the letter said, combining "high security and openness" with "post-Oklahoma City bombing design and construction standards."

But why would the president attend? Because "memorable words from your speech before a Joint Session of Congress on Sept. 20, 2001 will be engraved in stone at our entry threshold," the invite said. Whoa! This puts Dubya right up there with Lincoln and Roosevelt and Jefferson.

The letter said Bush's words -- "We will not tire, we will not falter, and we will not fail" -- "remind us daily of the dedication and commitment with which we at ATF pursue our missions" of fighting terrorists and criminals.

But then Truscott left the agency, and deputy director Edgar A. Domenech , a career employee, became acting director. Although the idea of putting Bush's words on the entry originally came from the construction team and was approved up the ladder at ATF, GSA and apparently the White House, Domenech a week or so ago ordered that the project be dropped.

Gee, ya think someone finally figured out that those words sounded familiar?

Truly heavy sigh.


Best bar bet in the world: Delilah didn't do it.
Judges 16:19-- And she made him (Samson) sleep upon her knees; and she called for a man, and she caused him to shave off the seven locks of his head.

Snarky Sermon on the Blog: The Mother of God or a lump of Chocolate?

Look closely. What do you see: a lump of chocolate or the manifestation of the Holy Mother of God?

Workers discover chocolate Virgin Mary

By GILLIAN FLACCUS, Associated Press

FOUNTAIN VALLEY, Calif. - As a chocolatier to the rich and famous, Martucci Angiano has posed with many celebrities — but on Thursday she held in her hand a figure that dazzles her more than any Hollywood star.

Workers at Angiano's gourmet chocolate company, Bodega Chocolates, discovered under a vat a 2-inch-tall column of chocolate drippings that they believe bears a striking resemblance to the Virgin Mary.

Since the discovery Monday, Angiano's employees have spent much of their time hovering over the tiny figure, praying and placing rose petals and candles around it.

Out of curiosity, I googled "Virgin Mary appears" and found 4,750,000 links. A similar search for "Elvis is alive" yielded 7,080,000 links.

Thus Endeth Today's Sermon.

Go forth today and consider that everything is relative.

Think about it.

I mean it, damn it!

Best bar bet in the world: Delilah didn't do it.
Judges 16:19-- And she made him (Samson) sleep upon her knees; and she called for a man, and she caused him to shave off the seven locks of his head.

The President At 98% Speed

Keep in mind, as you watch Bush in this video, that the speed was only slowed down 2%. This is your president at 98% speed.

Remember, 2%.

Only 2%.



Feel safe?

Best bar bet in the world: Delilah didn't do it.
Judges 16:19-- And she made him (Samson) sleep upon her knees; and she called for a man, and she caused him to shave off the seven locks of his head.

Serious Questions About A Murder Confession

Yesterday, Cabal News (not a typo) was all "We caught the guy who killed Jon-Benet Ramsey."

Today, there are "serious questions" about the man's confession.

I ask you: If you were facing a prison term in a Thailand hell hole, what would you do? Would you confess to a sensational crime that would guarantee your extradition back to the USA?

Best bar bet in the world: Delilah didn't do it.
Judges 16:19-- And she made him (Samson) sleep upon her knees; and she called for a man, and she caused him to shave off the seven locks of his head.

Katherine Harris WOWS "Young Republicans"

I kid you not. The caption reads, "Broward County Young Republican Club Meeting"

This is from Katherine Harris' campaign website (Hurry! I'm sure it will disappear soon):




Desperate much, Katherine?

Best bar bet in the world: Delilah didn't do it.
Judges 16:19-- And she made him (Samson) sleep upon her knees; and she called for a man, and she caused him to shave off the seven locks of his head.

What A Crock!

I just got back from a morning in Baltimore to find

BREAKING NEWS!

"Passenger had vaseline, screwdriver, matches, and a note referencing Al Qaeda."

"This is not terror related."

Yet, this is the only news story on all channels right now.

What a crock!

Best bar bet in the world: Delilah didn't do it.
Judges 16:19-- And she made him (Samson) sleep upon her knees; and she called for a man, and she caused him to shave off the seven locks of his head.

Cheney Lawyers Up (In Wilson/Plame Suit)

Remember, this is a civil suit; hence, the burden of proof is greatly reduced for the plaintiffs, and the threat of perjury and/or obstruction charges will require The Dick to bring his best game during the discovery phase and any subsequent testimony.

Cheney has hired Clinton impeachment legal team member, Emmet T. Flood of Williams & Connolly... a staunch Republican.

Question: What was Clinton thinking when he hired this guy? Jeez, Bill. Why on earth would you set yourself up like that? Never mind. Dumb question.

Best bar bet in the world: Delilah didn't do it.
Judges 16:19-- And she made him (Samson) sleep upon her knees; and she called for a man, and she caused him to shave off the seven locks of his head.

George Allen Apologizes For Racial Slur

Allen apologized yesterday for calling a young native-born Virginian (Allen is from California, y'all) "Macaca" or "Mukakah." Choose your preferred racial-slur spelling.

From The Washington Post:

"...Virginia Sen. George Allen (R) apologized Monday for what his opponent's campaign said were demeaning and insensitive comments the senator made to a 20-year-old volunteer of Indian descent.... At a campaign rally in southwest Virginia on Friday, Allen repeatedly called a volunteer for Democrat James Webb 'macaca.'"

"...Depending on how it is spelled, the word macaca could mean either a monkey that inhabits the Eastern Hemisphere or a town in South Africa. In some European cultures, macaca is also considered a racial slur against African immigrants, according to several Web sites that track ethnic slurs....'The kid has a name," Webb communications director Kristian Denny Todd said of Sidarth, a Virginia native who was born in Fairfax County. "This is trying to demean him, to minimize him as a person.'"

Don't you just naturally expect George Allen to claim that he has no idea why people are so outraged?

Join the club.

Best bar bet in the world: Delilah didn't do it.
Judges 16:19-- And she made him (Samson) sleep upon her knees; and she called for a man, and she caused him to shave off the seven locks of his head.

Yes, Virginia, Bush Just Said That!

Bush on CNN:

"If an Israeli soldier is shot by an Israeli,
he has the right to defend himself."
Nil desperandum, Virginia.

Bush was probably "Coming Through The Rye" just before he said that.

Best bar bet in the world: Delilah didn't do it.
Judges 16:19-- And she made him (Samson) sleep upon her knees; and she called for a man, and she caused him to shave off the seven locks of his head.

George Allen (R- Bigotville) Took His Stupid Pill Today

Long story short: George Allen called the Webb campaign's videographer "Macaca" (as in genus macaca-- Macaque monkey) and welcomed the young man to America.

Funny thing: the young man in question is as American as apple pie (his parents were born in India), and calling someone a monkey is dumber than George Allen, himself... If that's possible.


Click the arrow.

Allen will still get 30%- 40% of the vote this November 7th because there are at least that many GAWD-Awful Crackers who feel the same way he does. But that presidential run George has been planning for... that dog just won't hunt anymore.

Let's face it: No one could possibly beat out George Allen for this week's Backside Of The Bell Curve Award.

Congrats, George!

Best bar bet in the world: Delilah didn't do it.
Judges 16:19-- And she made him (Samson) sleep upon her knees; and she called for a man, and she caused him to shave off the seven locks of his head.

Another Claude Rains Moment: BushCo's War On Foreign Language Skills

I'm shocked! Shocked, I tell you, to learn that BushCo's foreign service workers/ embassy staffers aren't proficient in the languages of the countries where they're posted.

It's not like there are zillions of us with 4.0 GPA master's degrees in those foreign languages. It's not even like there are millions of Americans who are native speakers of those foreign languages.

OK, enough sarcasm.

It's the ideology, Stupid.

Foreign language majors are open to new cultural experiences and accepting of a different way of looking at the world. Let's face it: Foreign language majors are... liberal.

Of course, BushCo wouldn't hire them.

What were you thinking? That BushCo cares more about diplomacy than ideology?

Guess again.

I first noticed this whole Republican anti-foreign language deal when Ronald Reagan appointed his movie actor friend, John Gavin, the US Ambassador to Mexico.

Ahem.

Every regular FSO has the same list of incompetent political appointees. They always include the movie actor John Gavin in Mexico, housing developer Milan Bish in Barbados, Chicago insurance executive Paul Robinson in Canada, uranium mining engineer William Casey in Niger, public relations executive Mark Austad in Norway, big game hunter Theodore Maino in Botswana, and Helene von Damm in Austria. The latter was Reagan's personal secretary.

Many of these people are what Ambassador Cohen call "wild eyed ideologues." Our Ambassador to Romania is a case in point. The State Department's confidential assessment of David Funderbunk, prepared for his confirmation hearings, tries to reassure the Senators that "He has not been identified strongly by the public as an anti-communist. The Romanians see him as fair and impartial." Funderbunk has, in fact, openly antagonized the Romanians with his stereotyped blend of anti-communism and strident Christianity. (He is the editor of the Journal of American Romanian Christian Literary Studies.)

In the spring of 1984, Reagan announced the selection of Thomas Anderson Jr., 38, to be his ambassador to Barbados. Anderson has been an assistant to the House Minority Whip, Representative Trent Lott, for a decade. But his chief asset seems to be the fact that his wife is an executive secretary to Craig Fuller in the White House's Office of Cabinet Affairs. We now have an ambassador in Hungary, Nicolas Salgo, whose qualifications include the fact that as owner of the Watergate apartment complex, he is landlord to not a few of the rich and powerful in Washington.

There's one thing that BushCo does well: Reward incompetence and fundraising ability.

Language skills? BushCo doesn't need no stinkin' language skills. Were it so, English wouldn't be the big damned obstacle that it obviously is for this administration.

Alas, knowledge.

Best bar bet in the world: Delilah didn't do it.
Judges 16:19-- And she made him (Samson) sleep upon her knees; and she called for a man, and she caused him to shave off the seven locks of his head.

The Revolution Has Already Been Televised

No one hates those Billy Mays screaming TV ads more than I do, but this one is great!



Click The Arrow To Play


Best bar bet in the world: Delilah didn't do it.
Judges 16:19-- And she made him (Samson) sleep upon her knees; and she called for a man, and she caused him to shave off the seven locks of his head.

Snarky Sermon on the Blog

Today's Guest Minister: Kung Fu Monkey

Keep in mind, as you read today's sermon, that NBC News is now reporting that BushCo forced BlairCo to screw the pooch and "foil" the "Liquids On A Plane!" terror plot-- BEFORE the terrorists had a chance to get passports, airline tickets, and even false bottoms for their Gatorade bombs-- because the GOP needed a diversion from the successful anti-war vote in last Tuesday's primary elections.

"Wait, Aren't You Scared?"

Errr, no. And if you are, you frankly should be a little goddam embarrassed.

No false bravado and it's not that I don't take terrorism seriously. I do, which I why I voted for the guy who believed in securing our ports and fighting terrorism with criminal investigation methods -- which is, if we may remind everybody, how this particular plot was busted.

I am just not going to wet my pants every time some guys get arrested in a terror plot. I will do my best to stay informed. I will support the necessary law enforcement agencies. I will take whatever reasonable precautions seem, um, reasonable. But I will not be terrorized. I assume that the terror-ists would like me to be terror-ized, as that is what is says on their nametag, rather than, say, wanting me to surrender to ennui or negative body image, and they're just coming the long way around.

Osama Bin Laden got everything on his Christmas list after 9/11 -- US out of Saudi Arabia; the greatest military in the world over-extended, pinned down and distracted; the greatest proponent of democracy suddenly alienated from its allies; a US culture verily eager to destroy freedoms that little scumfuck could never even dream to touch himself -- I would like to deny him the last little check on the clipboard, i.e. constant terror. I panic, they win. To coin a phrase, Osama Bin Laden can suck my insouciance.

I am absolutely buffaloed by the people who insist I man up and take it in the teeth for the great Clash of Civilizations -- "Come ON, people, this is the EPIC LAST WAR!! You just don't have the stones to face that fact head-on!" -- who at the whiff of an actual terror plot will, with no apparent sense of irony, transform and run around shrieking, eyes rolling and Hello Kitty panties flashing like Japanese schoolgirls who have just realized that the call is coming from inside the house!

I may have shared too much there.

To be honest, it's not like I'm a brave man. I'm not. At all. It just, well, it doesn't take that much strength of will not to be scared. Who the hell am I supposed to be scared of? Joseph Padilla, dirty bomber who didn't actually know how to build a bomb, had no allies or supplies, and against whom the government case is so weak they're now shuffling him from court to court to avoid the public embarassment of a trial? The fuckwits who were going to take down the Brooklyn Bridge with blowtorches? Richard Reid, the Zeppo of suicide bombers? The great Canadian plot that had organized over the internet, was penetrated by the Mounties on day one, and we were told had a TRUCK FULL OF EXPLOSIVES ... which they had bought from the Mounties in a sting operation but hey let's skip right over that. Or how about the "compound" of Christian cultists in Florida who were planning on blowing up the Sears Tower with ... kung fu?

And now these guys. As the initial "OH SWEET MOTHER OF GOD THEY CAN BLOW US UP WITH SNAPPLE BOTTLES!!" hysteria subsides, we discover that these guys had been under surveillance, completely penetrated, by no less than three major intelligence agencies. That they were planning on cell phones, and some of them openly travelled to Pakistan (way to keep the cover, Reilly, Ace of Spies). Hell, Chertoff knew about this two weeks ago, and the only reason that some people can scream this headline:

"The London Bombers were within DAYS of trying a dry run!!!"

-- was because MI-5, MI-6, and Scotland Yard let them get that close, so they could suck in the largest number of contacts (again, very spiffy police work). The fact that these wingnuts could have been rolled up, at will, at any time, seems to have competely escaped the media buzz.

This is terrorism's A-game? Sack up, people.

Again, this is not to do anything less than marvel as cool, well-trained, ruthless law-enforcement professionals -- who spent decades honing their craft chasing my IRA cousins -- execute their job magnificently. Should we take this seriously? DAMN STRAIGHT we take this seriously. Left unchecked, these terror-fanboy bastards would have gone down in history. These cretins' intent was monstrous; they should, and will, all go to jail for a very long time. This is the part where we all breathe a sigh of relief that there are some actual professionals working the job in some countries.

But God gave me a brain, and a modicum of spine. Taking something seriously, and panicking over it are two different things. I do not assign all dangers and risks equal value. Tight little freelance squads with leak-proof operational discipline, like the 7/7 guys, -- those I worry about. A nuke coming in through one of ridiculously open ports -- I am concerned. Not bio-terror so much, because it's a shitty delivery mechanism. That the Muslim population of England seems to be becoming radicalized enough to sprout up these plots, that's not a good thing to consider. al-Queda involvement -- good if true because this means their recruiting is shitty: bad if true because this means they're back in business: bad if false because it means al-Queda has indeed become a "brand": but good if false because it reinforces the idea that they're operationally crippled (and if Zwahari is involved, I personally would like a word with whatever idiot nation took their eyes of the ball and let him escape ...)

... You get the point. There are a million factors in this New World of Terror. You weigh 'em, you process, and then you move on.

You move on, building a better international society so that luddite fundamentalist criminal gangs/cults of personality are further and further marginalized.

Or, if you don't understand 4th Generation Warfare at all, you move on, bombing the shit out of nation-states and handing your opponents massive PR victories. Either way, you move the fuck on.

Maybe it's just, I cast my eyes back on the last century ...

FDR: Oh, I'm sorry, was wiping out our entire Pacific fleet supposed to intimidate us? We have nothing to fear but fear itself, and right now we're coming to kick your ass with brand new destroyers riveted by waitresses. How's that going to feel?

CHURCHILL: Yeah, you keep bombing us. We'll be in the pub, flipping you off. I'm slapping Rolls-Royce engines into untested flying coffins to knock you out of the skies, and then I'm sending angry Welshmen to burn your country from the Rhine to the Polish border.

US. NOW: BE AFRAID!! Oh God, the Brown Bad people could strike any moment! They could strike ... NOW!! AHHHH. Okay, how about .. NOW!! AAGAGAHAHAHHAG! Quick, do whatever we tell you, and believe whatever we tell you, or YOU WILL BE KILLED BY BROWN PEOPLE!! PUT DOWN THAT SIPPY CUP!!

... and I'm just a little tired of being on the wrong side of that historical arc.

This is it, folks. This is the world, from now on. Even assuming the War on Terror is a not just a bad metaphor and there is an actual measurable winning point*, the short 4GW struggles last fifty years or so. We're going to be stopping one or two of these bastard mass-murder plots a year, minimum, for the rest of our lives. Hell, the way terror tactics and tech evolve, five years from now we're going to be pining for the dudes with the flammable juice boxes.

It's now part of our life. Let's try not to hop like the trained monkeys every time it happens.

I'm just pleased that for once, nobody --

"Weeks before September 11th, this is going to play big," said another White House official, who also spoke on condition of not being named, adding that some Democratic candidates won't "look as appealing" under the circumstances."

-- ahhhh. Never mind

Thus Endeth Today's Sermon.

Go forth today and consider why your president wants to keep you constantly fearful. The Cold War may be over, but in BushCo's War On Terror... Democracy is the ultimate victim.

Think about it.

I mean it, damn it!

Best bar bet in the world: Delilah didn't do it.
Judges 16:19-- And she made him (Samson) sleep upon her knees; and she called for a man, and she caused him to shave off the seven locks of his head.

Are You Impressed?Bush Reads High School Level Novel On Vacation

So George W. Bush is reading Camus' The Stranger while on vacation?

Am I supposed to be impressed?

Do you think he could pass this high school-level comprehension test after reading this novel?

Albert Camus' The Stranger
Literature, level: Senior
Meadowdale High School, Dayton
Materials Required: pen and paper
Activity Time: varies
Concepts Taught: Comprehension of text

The Stranger - Chapters 1 & 2
(On a separate piece of paper, answer all questions in complete sentences.)

HEADING: Name, date, period #, Stranger - Chapters 1 & 2

Chapter 1

1. What does the reference to "a soldier" tell you about the time period of the story?

2. After Meursault arranged for his mother to live in a nursing home, why did he visit her so infrequently?

3. Why was it odd that Madam Meursault desired a religious burial?

4. Does Meursault give an explanation for wanting/not wanting to see the open casket? Why would someone respond in this way? In your opinion, is this normal behavior?

5. Where is the caretaker from? His age?

6. Describe Meursault’s dream-like experience beginning on page 9. What is happening?

7. What is the purpose of holding a vigil? How long does it last?

8. What is Thomas Perez’s relationship with Maman?

9. How do they reach the church? How long does it take? How is the casket transported?

10. What are three (3) of Meursault’s last thoughts of the burial?

Chapter 2

1. Who does Meursault meet the day after his mother is buried?

2. On page 21, what hint is the reader given as to where Meursault lives?

3. What does Meursault choose to do on Sunday? What does this demonstrate about his character/personality?

4. What does Meursault mean when he says, "It occurred to me....really, nothing had changed." (See last sentence on page 24 for clarification).


The Stranger - Chapters 3 - 6
(On a separate piece of paper, answer all questions in complete sentences.)

HEADING: Name, date, period #, Stranger - Chapters 3 - 6

Chapter 3

1. What is your opinion on Meursault’s compulsion to wash his hands?

2. In your opinion, offer an explanation for why Meursault takes a "flying leap" onto a truck with Emmanuel.

3. Who is Salamano? Explain his relationship with his pet. Do you think Salamano cares about its health care?

4. Who is Raymond Sintes? What is "the word around the neighborhood" regarding Raymond?

5. What prompted Raymond’s fight with "the man"?

6. What prompted Raymond to beat his girlfriend "till she bled"?

7. What does Meursault do for Raymond to have Ray say, "Now you’re a pal, Meursault."

Chapter 4

1. What do Meursault and Marie hear coming from Raymond’s room? What is happening?

2. How do you know if Meursault is upset or calm about what just happened?

3. What happens to Salamano’s dog?

4. How does Salamano react?

Chapter 5

1. Where/who does Ray invite to spend Sunday together?

2. What ethnicity is Marie?

3. What opportunity does Meursault’s boss offer?

4. What offer does Marie propose?

5. In your opinion, is Meursault’s behavior normal regarding his job and his girlfriend? Why/why not?

6. What explanation can you offer as to why Meursault follows the woman from Celeste’s?

(Continued on back)
Chapter 5 (continued)

7. What two places does Salamano check for his missing dog?

8. During a brief discussion between Salamano and Meursault, what new information does Salamano convey about Meursault’s Maman?

9. How has Salamano’s loss brought out his humanitarianism? Give one example.

Chapter 6

1. When leaving for the beach, whom do Ray, Meursault, and Marie see across the street?

2. Who is Masson? How often is he here?

3. When they first arrive at their destination, what do Marie, Meursault, and Masson embark upon?

4. Who do the three men see on the beach?

5. On page 53, what is symbolic about Meursault’s statement, "The blazing sand looked red to me now."

6. What happens to Raymond?

7. On the second trip to the beach, where do the three men find the two Arabs?

8. Do the Arabs seem frightened by the approach? Why/why not?

9. What does Raymond consider doing to the Arabs?

10. Why don’t the Arabs react to this discussion unfolding directly in front of them?

11. On page 57, Meursault returns to the beach by himself. Camus uses symbolism when he states "There was the same dazzling red glare," and "With every blade of light...". In your opinion, what is being inferred?

12. When Meursault encounters the lone Arab, he is once again overcome by the sun’s heat. What event does the heat force him to recall?

13. What occurs to "shatter the harmony" of Meursault’s day?

14. Why does Meursault feel threatened and consequently pull out a gun?

15. On page 59 (last sentence), what is meant by "it was like knocking four quick times on the door of unhappiness." Explain briefly.


The Stranger - Part II
(On a separate piece of paper, answer all questions in complete sentences.)

HEADING: Name, date, period #, Stranger - Chapter #’s

Chapter 1 - Part II

1. What has happened to Meursault?

2. Is he taking his circumstances seriously? Give an example.

3. What question does the attorney feel compelled to ask?

4. What explanation does Meursault give regarding his "nature"?

5. How many times did Meursault fire his revolver?

6. The magistrate becomes frustrated with Meursault. What does he retrieve from his filing cabinet?

7. What’s the BIG question the magistrate finally asks Meursault?

8. On p. 70, Meursault says, "I thought about it for a minute and said that more than sorry I felt kind of annoyed." Does Meursault have a conscience? Why or why not?

9. In your opinion, does Meursault feel complemented when referred to as Monsieur Antichrist?

Chapter 2 - Part II

1. Briefly describe Meursault’s prison cell. Is this what he had expected?

2. Who is Meursault’s first visitor?

3. Describe Marie’s mood during the visit.

4. In a sense, what item was more difficult for Meursault to lose than his freedom?

5. On p. 79, Meursault states that having "a memory" is "an advantage." Briefly explain.

6. The last sentences on p. 81 refer to Meursault’s mother’s funeral and to what nights in prison are like. In your opinion, is there a connection between the two?

Chapter 3 - Part II

1. What is Meursault’s first impression of the jury?

2. What clues is the reader given to show that the Algerian court system is different than the U.S. Judicial System?

3. Who are the eight witnesses that will testify at Meursault’s trial?

4. A previous incident occurred between the caretaker and Meursault, which is briefly discussed during the trial. This leads to Camus’ title of the novel. What is the incident?

5. When Celeste, the fourth witness, is called to testify, how does he show support for Meursault?

6. How does the prosecutor attempt to prove that Meursault has no conscience?

7. What is the prosecutor implying when he questions Raymond? (refers to "chance" numerous times.)

8. Explain what Meursault means when he says, "it was back to my cell...sleep of the innocent. (p.97)

Chapter 4 - Part II

1. Does Meursault feel like he has anything to say to defend himself?

2. In your opinion, does Meursault believe that his crime was premeditated?

3. On p. 100, Meursault reveals the key to his character/personality. What is this?

4. What penalty does the prosecutor ask of the jury?

5. Does Meursault have faith that his attorney will convince the jury of his innocence?

6. Imagism is used on p. 104. "left me with the impression.... Was making me dizzy." In your opinion, what is Meursault feeling at this point?

7. Why can’t Meursault return Marie’s smile in the courtroom?

8. What is Meursault’s sentence? In your opinion, is his reaction normal?

Chapter 5 - Part II

1. According to Meursault, why is witnessing an execution so important?

2. What is "the trouble with the guillotine"?

3. What is ironic about this when compared to how Meursault originally got into this predicament?

4. When Meursault’s situation finally "sinks in", what are the two things he always thinks about?
5. What is Meursault’s pessimistic view on life and living?
6. Is Meursault a religious person? How do you know?
7. Meursault shows no respect for religion or the priest. Give one example of this.
8. What does the priest mean when he says, "your heart is blind."
9. In the last few paragraphs, how does Meursault finally relate to Maman?
10. Why does Meursault wish that a large crowd of spectators greet him with cries of hate at his execution?

Truly heavy sigh.


Best bar bet in the world: Delilah didn't do it.
Judges 16:19-- And she made him (Samson) sleep upon her knees; and she called for a man, and she caused him to shave off the seven locks of his head.

Did Kathy Griffin Foil The UK Terror Plot?

Think I'm kidding? Watch this:



By the way, airport security guards aren't even checking the contents of those liquids they started confiscating yesterday. They're just throwing them in the trash.

Feel safe yet?

One last note: I'll bet Sierra Mist pulls that cute commercial, thereby forcing Kathy Griffin et al to sacrifice residual payments for their successful work.

In my humble opinion, BushCo's completely pig ignorant overreaction means that the terrorists have won.

For this reason, the sheeple who cower in fear today-- instead of insisting that our government DO SOMETHING CONSTRUCTIVE about airport security, like hiring REAL EXPERTS-- are this week's Backside of the Bell Curve winners!

Congrats.

Best bar bet in the world: Delilah didn't do it.
Judges 16:19-- And she made him (Samson) sleep upon her knees; and she called for a man, and she caused him to shave off the seven locks of his head.

The Great Lipstick Terror Plot of '06

Leanna Diaz, of Palm Desert, Calif., left, uses her lipstick one last time before throwing it out as liquid containers are collected from passengers' carry-on bags at the Portland International Jetport, Thursday, Aug. 10, 2006, in Portland, Maine. Heightened security measures quickly produced long lines at airport checkpoints as the government banned passengers from carrying nearly all liquids and gels aboard flights after a major terror plot was foiled in London. The ban extended to toothpaste, makeup and suntan lotion. (AP Photo/Robert F. Bukaty)

Would Leanna's lips have exploded, had she been allowed to board a plane in Portland, Oregon, yesterday?

Could Leanna have been part of a Portland terrorist cell, just waiting for instructions to use her deadly exploding lips to kill on an "unimaginable scale?"

Did success really spoil Rock Hunter?

As you watch Cabal (no, it's spelled correctly) TV news of the foiled UK terror plot today, listen to the verb tenses used by the hairdos & their guest "terrorism experts."

And think of Leanna, who gave up her favorite lipstick for BushCo's War On A Noun.

Here's to you, Leanna! You're fighting them here (by having to buy another expensive retail product) so BushCo can pretend to be doing something about national security while he vacations and attends political fundraisers.

For those of you, like me, who think this plot might've been real (but with highly doubtable scientific results had it been implemented), rest assured that BushCo insists that this was the "real deal."

The real deal. Got it?

http://www.csmonitor.com/2006/0728/p18s02-hfes.html

And no wonder it's catching on. After all, "aspirational" is a dignified-sounding five-syllable word, which, if you're a government official trying to buy yourself time to think on your feet under hot TV lights, must seem like a godsend. If I were, say, an FBI spokeswoman trying to talk about alleged plotters under arrest who may not be the real deal, I'd rather be able to call them aspirational terrorists than have to call them wannabes. Wouldn't you?


http://americaabroad.tpmcafe.com/blog/americaabroad/200...

1)When U.S. counterterrorism officials said that this one is the "real deal" (their words, not mine), what wasn't the real deal? There has been a lot of concern about their crying wolf, and is this their admission that they may have thought the same (i.e. that pesky Miami plot?)


http://www.wtkr.com/Global/story.asp?S=5263543&nav=menu...

"This is not a case of wanna-bes fantasizing about an attack. We believe it was the real deal. To target multiple airlines with such a plan requires a sophistication that strongly points to al Qaeda," a senior U.S. official told Stewart.


http://www.1010wins.com/pages/66921.php

Long Island Congressman Peter King - who chairs the House Homeland Security Committee - said the terror plot was "very, very serious,'' saying "this is the real deal.''


http://www.statesboroherald.net/showstory.php?=7513

‘‘I’m not going to say it’s business as usual,’’ he said. ‘‘We’re looking at all sources of information — this is a real threat to the nation.’’



http://www.kxmc.com/getARticle.asp?ArticleId=32478

The plan involved airline passengers hiding masked explosives in carry-on luggage, the official said. "They were not yet sitting on an airplane," but were very close to traveling, the official said, calling the plot "the real deal."


http://www.acorn-online.com/news/publish/article_8604.s...

Sgt. Karnes did not want to comment on the World Trade Center movie, or the strong, positive reaction audiences have had to his character in the film because, he said, he had not yet seen it. A private screening of the film was scheduled for the Marine Tuesday evening.
And, while he says there are probably some parts of the rescue story that Mr. Stone may have erred on or left out, that is to be expected in a Hollywood film of a real-life event.
“I know the real deal and so do a lot of other people,” he said. “And I am satisfied with that.”


http://www.canadafreepress.com/2006/hagmann071106.htm

According to Assistant FBI Director Mark Mershon, head of the FBI’s New York field office, the plot involved at least eight-(8) conspirators based in other countries and was "the real deal."


http://www.cantonrep.com/index.php?ID=297535&Category=1...

Should it matter that most plotters have not advanced beyond chattering? As a legal matter, no. Even if conspirators haven’t entered the country, acquired explosives or scoped out the target, as was evidently the case in the New York plot, they may be criminally liable under our conspiracy laws. The policy question is whether this plot could have ever gotten beyond the chatter stage. We don’t know, though Mark Mershon, FBI assistant director for New York, called the threat “the real deal.”


http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=56...

Now, we recognize these measures are going to be inconvenient, but they are proportionate to the very real threat to the lives of innocent people that was posed by this plot.

So...

What were all of those other duct tape and plastic sheeting warnings? NOT the real deal?

Interesting word choice for an administration that cries wolf so often in election years.

Truly heavy sigh.


Best bar bet in the world: Delilah didn't do it.
Judges 16:19-- And she made him (Samson) sleep upon her knees; and she called for a man, and she caused him to shave off the seven locks of his head.

Banning Liquids & Gels: Vanity Security?

The skeptic in me says this latest "We've foiled a terror plot! No, we really mean it this time! This is the real deal. Honest!" 24/7 cable news giddyfest is a scathingly brilliant plot to make us buy more consumer goods like shampoo, facial cleanser, and mouth wash-- to jump start a dumpster-diving economy. It could even be a cover up of airlines (the rumor is NorthWest Airlines) going under.

OK, maybe this British "Project Runway" plot was real. But why should we believe these bozos this time? And why scare the cream rinse out of people if they've already arrested 21 people? The answer is simple.

It's The Fear Factor, Stupid... and that's the subject of my Blog Box column tomorrow morning (above the virtual fold) at Democratic Underground.

I for one, am sick of BushCo & BlairCo sucking every morsel of joy out of the western world. Aren't you? Capture the damned criminals, prosecute the shit out of them, and get on with the life, liberty and pursuit of happiness stuff.

In other words, do what you promised you were going to do when you claimed to be the grownups in charge, damn it.

By the way, Rove has promised to make "the war on terror" a winning issue for Republicans this November 7th. He wasn't kidding. Take a hint from their playbook: If you're afraid, Rove wins.

As for me, I'm with FDR. I refuse to be afraid of Rove's Fear Factor. How about you?

Best bar bet in the world: Delilah didn't do it.
Judges 16:19-- And she made him (Samson) sleep upon her knees; and she called for a man, and she caused him to shave off the seven locks of his head.

Kissmas In Connecticut Update

It's not just the war, Joe. At least, not for me. You started losing my support right after the 2000 presidential election (and I wasn't too keen on your VP run, either. Your self-proclaimed moral superiority to President Clinton was unattractive, to say the least.)

Yes, you either voted for or voiced support for a great many Democratic Party initiatives, but there were deal breakers for me as the 2004 presidential election approached (and many since then).

I should've told you so to your face that day in July, 2003, when I shook your hand on Massachusetts Ave... after I'd just signed onto the Kerry campaign. But I thought it would be rude.

Here are my deal breakers, Joe. I suspect the people of Connecticut agree on some of them:

Rated 40% by the ACLU, indicating a mixed civil rights voting record. (Dec 2002)

Voted YES on restricting rules on personal bankruptcy. (Jul 2001)

Death penalty for egregious crimes, but applied fairly. (Jan 2004)

Rated 50% by CURE, indicating mixed votes on rehabilitation. (Dec 2000)

Support public school choice; experiment with private choice. (Jan 2004)

Supports charter schools, private education savings accounts. (Aug 2000)

Voted YES on funding student testing instead of private tutors. (May 2001)

Cheney energy bill was imperfect but good for CT. (Jul 2006)

Religion is the foundation of environmentalism. (Oct 2000)

Rated 42% by the LCV, indicating a mixed record on environment. (Dec 2003)

With Bill Bennett, “Silver Sewer Awards” for immoral videos. (Aug 2000)

Progressive Internationalism: globalize with US pre-eminence. (Aug 2000)

Bush Recession will become Dean Depression. (Sep 2003)

Voted YES on implementing CAFTA for Central America free-trade. (Jul 2005)

Voted YES on allowing some lobbyist gifts to Congress. (Mar 2006)

Licensing & registration violate fundamental right to guns. (May 2003)

Voted YES on banning lawsuits against gun manufacturers for gun violence. (Mar 2004)

Too large health programs will force tax increases. (Sep 2003)

Supports health insurance industry (based in Hartford CT). (Aug 2000)

Limited lawsuits against HMOs and automakers. (Jan 2000)

Last thing we want is to release dangerous Gitmo detainees. (Jul 2006)

The president has the right to act alone. (Jan 2004)

Unwavering support for our troops in battle. (Jan 2004)

Win the hearts and minds of the Muslim world. (Jan 2004)

Prosecute War on Terror, even if unpopular. (Sep 2003)

9/11 requires strength abroad to provide security at home. (May 2003)

More $ for weapons; including SDI recently. (Aug 2000)

Voted YES on reauthorizing the PATRIOT Act. (Mar 2006)

Rated 10% by SANE, indicating a pro-military voting record. (Dec 2003)

Earn citizenship only after 11 years of waiting within rules. (Jul 2006)

One-time earned legalization for undocumented immigrants. (Jan 2004)

Voted YES on establishing a Guest Worker program. (May 2006)

Trade creates jobs, despite it being unpopular to unions. (Sep 2003)

Clinton’s affair was inappropriate, immoral, & harmful. (Aug 2000)

Religion fills “vacuum of values” & provides common ground. (Oct 2000)

Freedom OF religion, not freedom FROM religion. (Aug 2000)

Voted YES on confirming John Roberts for Chief Justice of the Supreme Court. (Sep 2005)

New Democrat: "Third Way" instead of left-right debate. (Nov 2000)

OK to invest (Social Security) in private markets, a little. (Aug 2000)

Zoning, ratings, & code of conduct to keep Internet safe. (Jun 2000)

Leadership means consistency on war views. (Oct 2003)

Failure is not an option in War on Terror. (Sep 2003)

Overthrowing Saddam was right, and we can't abandon Iraq now. (Jul 2006)

Getting out too soon will be a disaster for Iraq and for us. (Jul 2006)

Saddam's overthrow caused Libya & Iran to capitulate. (Jan 2004)

We made the right decision to send soldiers to Iraq. (Jan 2004)

Iraq victory opens door to Israeli-Palestinian peace. (Jan 2004)

US and world are safer with homicidal maniac Saddam gone. (Jan 2004)

Stabilize Iraq before pulling out the troops. (Dec 2003)

$87B for Iraq was unpopular, but that's leadership. (Nov 2003)

$87B to never leave American troops without support. (Sep 2003)
Not an inch of difference from Bush on Iraq. (Sep 2003)

Purpose of war is to let Iraqis control Iraq. (Sep 2003)

Send more US troops to Iraq, with UN force. (Sep 2003)

Iraq was a heroic struggle against enemies of civilization. (Sep 2003)

Saddam was a threat; we did the right thing by invading. (May 2003)

Voted NO on redeploying troops out of Iraq by July 2007. (Jun 2006)

Don't go away mad, Joe. Just go away. Or accept a Bush appointment... But I wouldn't hold my breath waiting for one, Joe. Where's Zell Miller these days?


Best bar bet in the world: Delilah didn't do it.
Judges 16:19-- And she made him (Samson) sleep upon her knees; and she called for a man, and she caused him to shave off the seven locks of his head.

Lieberman Loses

Here's a Lieberman blast from the past, courtesy of My Left Nutmeg:

Still, another Democratic senator who did not want to be identified said that given Mr. Lieberman's popularity at home, the agitation about a primary challenge was something less than a meaningful threat. "Is it serious? No?" the senator said. "Is it an annoyance? Yes."

Mr. Lieberman said he was not worried about the phone calls and blogs. He added that his views had not changed. "In part, those folks are angry with me because of my position on the war," he said. "I wish they would come to talk to me about what my position is on Social Security."

For anyone questioning his party affiliation, Mr. Lieberman said, "I am proud to be a member of the Democratic Party and I intend to stay that way."

Lieberman said that way back in 2005.

Today...

Lieberman concedes to Lamont, vows to run in November

ATLANTA, Georgia (CNN) -- Sen. Joseph Lieberman conceded to anti-war cable executive Ned Lamont in the Democratic primary for the Connecticut Senate nomination Tuesday night but vowed to run as an "independent Democrat" this fall.

You lost every county except New Haven, Joe.

And there's no such thing as an "independent democrat." You're either a Democrat, or you're not.

Best bar bet in the world: Delilah didn't do it.
Judges 16:19-- And she made him (Samson) sleep upon her knees; and she called for a man, and she caused him to shave off the seven locks of his head.