Typhonus

In Response To Uprising Coaltion Unveils New Plan For Iraq

2004-04-12T05:49:00.000-04:00

Convicted Oklahoma City Bomber Accomplice's Wife Had Affair With Bomber!

2004-04-09T23:51:00.000-04:00

Terry Nichols wife revealed that she had an affair with Tim McVeigh. Seems she was upset that Tim kept coming over so she had an affair with him.

When Otters Attack!

2004-04-09T23:48:00.000-04:00

"I don't think I've ever rowed harder in my entire life as I did trying to escape the otter -- that devilish creature had already attacked Scott and now it was coming back for more!"

Meanwhile in Edge City...

2004-04-06T03:30:00.000-04:00

Kevin Drum F/K/A Calpundit in his new digs at Washington Monthly brings us an interesting excerpt from a book called Edge Cities:

The farthest distance an American will willingly walk before getting into a car: Six hundred feet. For example, sightlines in shopping malls never exceed 600 feet because people won't walk that far.
The function of glass elevators: To make women feel safe. Not to offer a view out. Rapes rarely occur in glass elevators.
Why elected officials feel they must encourage commercial development or die: For every $1 of tax revenue that comes in from a residential subdivision, as much as $1.22 goes out to provide services, especially schools. By contrast, for every $1 of tax revenue that comes in from commercial development, at most 32 cents is required in expenditures, usually for roads.
The maximum desirable commute, throughout human history, regardless of transportation technology: 45 minutes.
The prime location consideration when a company moves: The commute of the chief executive officer must always become shorter. [This is not a joke; Garreau cites a genuine study that strongly suggests it's true.]
What people who hire commercial real estate salesmen look for in a resume: Background as a jet-fighter pilot. It is an article of faith that the best commercial salesmen are former sky jockeys, although it is the sheerest speculation exactly why that correlation may exist.

And finally, a series of laws that helps explain the lack of mass transit in edge cities and why this will never change. Note that "FAR" stands for "Floor-to-Area Ratio," the ratio of the total floorspace of a building to the area of the land the building is on. It's basically a measure of population density.

The level of density at which automobile congestion starts becoming noticeable in edge city: 0.25 FAR.
The level of density at which it is necessary to construct parking garages instead of parking lots because you have run out of land: 0.4 FAR.
The level of density at which traffic jams become a major political issue in edge city: 1.0 FAR.
The level of density beyond which few edge cities ever get: 1.5 FAR.
The level of density at which light rail transit starts making economic sense: 2.0 FAR.
The level of density of a typical old downtown: 5.0 FAR.
The density-gap corollary to the laws of density: Edge cities always develop to the point where they become dense enough to make people crazy with the traffic, but rarely, if ever, do they get dense enough to support the rail alternative to automobile traffic.

Meanwhile, Brad DeLong takes a look at Kevin's original review of Edge City from 7 years ago:

What's more, if it was jobs that created our old urban cores, Garreau tells us that it is also jobs that are creating edge cities. Specifically, jobs for women. Edge cities began to take off in the late 70s, which was also the peak year in all American history for women entering the work force: The spike year was 1978. That same year, a multitude of developers independently decided to start putting up big office buildings out beyond the traditional male-dominated downtown. Land was more abundant and more automobile-accessible in the residential suburbs that had once been condescendingly referred to as "the realm of women." And the new advantage was proximity to the emerging work force. These Edge City work centers were convenient for women. It saved them time. This discovery was potent. A decade later, developers viewed it as a truism that office buildings had an indisputable advantage if they were located near the best-educated, most conscientious, most stable workers--underemployed females living in middle class communities on the fringes of the old urban areas.

On a more practical level, Edge City also provides a primer on the nuts and bolts of how development is done in edge cities and how it all revolves around one fundamental, never changing prime motivator: parking. Yep, parking. "Ample free parking" is the touchstone difference between edge cities and CBDs, and developers have to site the parking for their buildings before they can design the building itself...

Yet Another Deportation Outrage

2004-04-06T00:39:00.000-04:00

The Miami Herald brings us the story of a story of Kari Rein age42, wife of an American citizen,mother of a 14 and 7 year old, and Norwegian citizen, whose been living legally in the Seattle area for 15 years. But after a recent trip out of the country the government is now trying to deport her for a conviction for growing 6 marijuana plants 10 years ago. The sentancing judge concluded the plants were for personal use and sentenced Mrs. Rein to a fine and 240 hours of community service. Now a spokesman for the Bureau of Citizenship and Immigration Services claims: ''Everything we do is aimed at national security" in justifying their attempt to kick Mrs. Rein out of the country. Sure it is pal.

I Love The Economist!

2004-04-06T00:08:00.000-04:00

Republican Senate Bigwig Arlen Spectre To Debate Primary Opponent, Hoeffel Provides Drinking Game

2004-04-02T17:57:00.000-05:00

Pennsylvania Senate incumbent Arlen Specter is going to debate his Republican primary opponent Pat Toomey in a battle to see who can position himself as more conservative and right wing!Democrat nominee Joe Hoeffel brings us the drinking game! Technically he never calls it an alcohol drinking game...
Some highlights:
--Every time either candidate invokes his "good friend" George W. Bush;

--Every time Pat Toomey calls Specter a "dangerous liberal";

--Every time Arlen Specter refuses to refer to Pat Toomey by name, instead calling him "my opponent";

--Every time Specter accuses Toomey of ignoring specific constituents with heart-rending stories;

--Every time Toomey accuses Specter of ignoring specific constituents with heart-rending stories;

--Every time either candidate claims that the economy is improving;

--Every time Specter is compared to John Kerry, Hillary Clinton, or Ted Kennedy;

--Every time Specter calls Toomey "far out";

--Every time Specter calls Toomey "groovy";

Hoeffel also has a nice flash of Spectre being endoresed by Senator Rick Santorum, subtitled for the truth impaired!

Pravda Calls The Media's 10 Funniest April Fools Jokes!

2004-04-01T23:46:00.000-05:00

"newspaper Le Parisien has shocked its readers. It stated that the famous Eiffel tower was on the verge of being dismantled" No? How about: Pheonix newpaper starts fund for the poor: Only accepts guns to be given directly to the poor.

Those Crazy Norwegian April Fools Day Pranks!

2004-04-01T23:36:00.000-05:00

One word: Monorail! (audience gasps) I've sold monorails to Brockway, Audbinville, and North Haverbrooke, and by gum, it put them on the map!
Well, sir, there's nothing on earth
Like a genuine,
Bona fide,
Electrified,
Six-car
Monorail! ...
What'd I say?
Ned Flanders: Monorail!
Lyle Lanley: What's it called?
Patty & Selma: Monorail!
Lyle Lanley: That's right! Monorail!
(crowd chants "Monorail" softly and rhythmically)
Miss Hoover: I hear those things are awfully loud.
Lyle Lanley: It glides as softly as a cloud.
Apu: Is there a chance the track could bend?
Lyle Lanley: Not on your life, my Hindu friend.
Barney: What about us brain-dead slobs?
Lyle Lanley: You'll all be given cushy jobs.
Abe: Were you sent here by the devil?
Lyle Lanley: No, good sir, I'm on the level.
Wiggum: The ring came off my pudding can.
Lyle Lanley: Take my pen knife, my good man.
I swear it's Springfield's only choice...
Throw up your hands and raise your voice!
All: Monorail!
Lyle Lanley: What's it called?
All: Monorail!
Lyle Lanley: Once again...
All: Monorail!
Marge: But Main Street's still all cracked and broken!
Bart: Sorry, Mom, the mob has spoken.
All: Monorail!
Monorail!
Monorail!
Monorail!
Homer: Mono... D'oh!
Song text courtesy of this site.

Breaking News: Bush Economic Plan Succeeding!

2004-04-01T05:20:00.000-05:00

Angrybear brings us some amazing progress in the US!

Latest report: 600,000 jobs added in March; Bush now on pace to meet jobs projection in the Economic Report of the President.

Budget will be in balance in 2006, due to rapid economic growth caused by Bush tax cuts. Trade deficit plummets as current accounts deficit turns into surplus.

Citing the shining beacon of democracy in the adjacent country, Iran announced today that it will abandon its WMD program and hold democratic elections next October.

Outing himself, Richard Clarke admitted this evening that his only objective was to maximize book sales; retracts allegations that fighting terrorism was not the Bush administration's top priority from day one.

Ken Lay was indicted this morning; arrest is imminent.

President's Mars plan unveiled. Scientists concur that man will land on the Red Planet in 2007.

Mathematical error discovered: President's Medicare plan will cost $400 billion as promised, not $540 billion!

Actual WMD found in Iraq. Hidden bunker containing 1.5 tons of VX gas, 8,000 liters of anthrax, 7,000 liters of botulinum toxin and nearly 1,000 liters of aflatoxin found in the "area around Tikrit and Baghdad and east, west, south and north somewhat."

Income inequality lessened over the last year. While all income brackets saw gains, the poorest households gained the most.

And April 1 is hear again. April Fools!!

BushCo. Flip Flops! Condoleeza Rice To Testify Before 9/11 Commision Under Oath And In Public!

2004-03-30T20:02:00.000-05:00

More Later!

Latest Republican Attack Ad Revealed. World Shocked!

2004-03-30T19:53:00.000-05:00

Shocking! Simply Shocking! (and completely made up. Still its funny!)

Who's Dumb A-s Idea Was This?

2004-03-30T11:50:00.000-05:00

It seems that not only are some Soviet era satellites leaking radioactive coolant while in orbit, but many satellites were disposed of by being put into higher more elliptical orbits. End result- nuclear satellites that come crashing back to Earth in a few hundred years.

Ford, GM Take Revenge, Crush Electric Cars,

2004-03-30T07:28:00.000-05:00

In response to the governments requirements that they produce electric cars, Ford and GM have decided to take their revenge on the bastardly autos and summarily crush all that they can get their hands on! Reports indicate that at the conclusion of their lease, Ford and GM are requiring that the cars be returned from their frequently infatuated owners and then are summarily crushed so the metals in the car can then be used to create new gasoline powered autos. And the circle of life is complete.

Stephen Hawking Is On His 2nd Wife, Has 3 Kids!

2004-03-30T06:43:00.000-05:00

Right, the guy in the wheelchair. Who talks with the computer voice. The paralyzed guy. Yeah, he's got three kids. If he can have kids, why dont you? Of course theres a downside.. but hey, when your paralyzed in a wheelchair and chicks are still into you, that really says something! We're not sure what, but it does!!

Now This Is Funny!

2004-03-29T22:52:00.000-05:00

OxBlog brings us two powerpoint presentations! Here's the Gettysburg Address. And here's the Pledge of Allegiance. Check em out!

And The Quote Of The Day Is:

2004-03-29T20:26:00.000-05:00

"Of course I like women. Historically, man has always been attracted to Evil."
Timothy McClanahan

From some guy named Tumbleweed on Slashdot..

What Is The Cost Of Iraq To The British Army?

2004-03-26T04:46:00.000-05:00

Intel Dump has a nice piece discussing a recent British Major's testimony before parliament where he says the Army wont be ready for another major deployment until 2008-2009 at the earliest. While the British military is vastly smaller then the US, it does serve to remind us that there is a very real opportunity cost in Iraq. And our presence there may mean our weakening elsewhere, encouraging other nations military adventures.

Manned Space Flight: The Wrong Stuff

2004-03-25T16:01:00.000-05:00

The New York Review of Books has an interesting article looking at the value of manned space flight. Its not a pretty picture insofar as manned spaceflight is at best expensive and redundant, and as we've seen twice so far- highly dangerous.
As far as the vaunted Hubble: "Riccardo Giacconi, the former director of the Space Telescope Science Institute, has estimated that by using unmanned rockets instead of the space shuttle, we could have sent up seven Hubbles without increasing the total mission cost. It would then not have been necessary to service the Hubble; when design flaws were discovered or parts wore out, we could just have sent up another Hubble."
And what did Columbia's crew risk their lives for?

It is sad to report that it is not an impressive list of experiments. Roughly half had to do with the effect of the space environment on the astronauts. ... it has no point unless one plans to put people into space for long periods for some other reason.
Of the other half of the Columbia's experiments, a large fraction dealt with the growth of crystals and the flow of fluids in nearly zero gravity, old standbys of NASA that have neither illuminated any fundamental issues of science nor led to any practical applications. ... Much of the "scientific" program assigned to astronauts on the space shuttle and the space station has the flavor of projects done for a high school science talent contest. Some of the work looks interesting, but it is hard to see why it has to be done by people. For instance, there was just one experiment on Columbia devoted to astronomy, a useful measurement of variations in the energy being emitted from the sun... the only intervention of the astronauts consisted of turning the apparatus on and then turning it off.

Who Is This Man: Richard Clarke?

2004-03-23T04:36:00.000-05:00

And the news around the blogosphere is Richard Clarke, Richard Clarke, Richard Clarke!
Richard Clarke was a profesional civil servent for 30 years. He was the terrorism czar for 5 presidents. He quit in March, 2003 and his book just came out, and he was on 60 minutes this Sunday.
Clarke claims the Bush administration is simply incompetent. That in the wake of 9/11, when Al-Qaeda ties were already apparent, Cheney started talking about bombing Iraq. Clarke corrected him: 'Afghanistan, Al-Qaeda is in Afghanistan' to which Cheney replied: 'there are no good targets in Afghanistan, there are plenty in Iraq'. As for Condi- Clarke says she's obsesed with the cold war and a cold war way of thinking.
In response the Bushies have gone on full charachter assasination mode. No rebuttal of the facts just 'he's got a grudge, he's crazy, he was out of the loop, he's political'
Clarke deserves a long post so instead of reading it hear, check out this piece in the Phil Carters very centrist blog Intel Dump. Phil is former military and takes a very middle of the road orientation, largely ignoring political controversies that dont involve the military.
This part was particularly interesting:

Update V: David Frum, a former Bush Administration speech writer who now pens a 'blog for the National Review, has an interesting take on the Clarke allegations from the perspective of someone who served in the same GWB West Wing.
I have yet to read his book, but I have studied his interview, and I think I understand his argument.

Clarke seems to have become so enwrapped in the technical problems of terrorism that he has lost sight of its inescapably political context. One reason that his line of argument did not get the hearing in the Bush admininstration that he would have wished was that he did tend to present counter-terrorism as a discrete series of investigations and apprehensions: an endless game of terrorist whack-a-mole. The Bush administration thought in bigger and bolder terms than that. They favored grand strategies over file management. Clarke may have thought that he was dramatizing his case by severing the threat from al Qaeda from its context in the political and economic failures of the Arab and Islamic world. Instead, his way of presenting his concerns seems to have had the perverse effect of making the terrorist issue look small and secondary - of deflating rather than underscoring its importance.

And this propensity continues.

The huge dividing line in the debate over terror remains just this: Is the United States engaged in a man-hunt - for bin Laden, for Zawahiri, for the surviving alumni of the al Qaeda training camps? - or is it engaged in a war with the ideas that animated those people and with the new generations of killers who will take up the terrorist mission even if the US were to succeed in extirpating every single terrorist now known to be alive and active? Clarke has aligned himself with one side of that debate - and it's the wrong side.
What's Mr. Frum saying? Is he saying that Mr. Clarke's allegations were right, but that he just wasn't articulate enough to sell his agenda to the President? Is Mr. Frum, who was part of the White House political apparatus, saying that Mr. Clarke's real failures were political -- not factual? Did the Bush Administration really ignore a national security threat because one of its advisors couldn't find a way to sell the problem politically? If true, this statement by Mr. Frum is a damning indictment of the entire White House and National Security Council, and it indicates a near-total breakdown of the national security process. The idea behind the NSC staff, intelligence community, Joint Chiefs, and all the other systems in the national security process is to professionalize the decisions of the President in this area -- not to politicize them. Now comes Mr. Frum, saying essentially that the White House ignored its in-house expert on terrorism because he couldn't package it well enough. That's a really disturbing relevation -- especially because it comes from one of the President's own.

Global Warming Set To Destroy New Hampshire...

2004-03-23T00:32:00.000-05:00

's maple syrup crop! Global Warming has pushed up the traditional harvesting season from March to February in just the last 20 years. "Scientists around the world, including some at the University of New Hampshire, predict that by 2050 New England's average temperature will rise between 6 degrees and 10 degrees. That warming will vastly alter the climate needed to support a northern hardwood forest, including sugar maples."

The WSJ Finally Begins To Notice Bush Lies About 9/11

2004-03-22T10:44:00.000-05:00

The Wall Street Journal has finally begun to take notice of the discrepancies in the Bush administrations account of 9/11. Bush's claim that he saw the first plane crash into the WTC and thought it was bad piloting is a lie becouse it wasnt on TV until amateur footage was shown that night of the crash, and the TV in the classroom wasnt connected. After the second WTC attack the president didnt leave the school for another 7 minutes. Bush did not put the military on alert as he claimed. Also there never was any indication that AirForce1 had been targeted despite Cheney's claim to the contrary.

Al-Qaida #2 Claims Group Has Nuke!

2004-03-22T02:10:00.000-05:00

Seattle Post-Intelligencer reports that Osama bin Laden's terror network claims to have bought ready-made nuclear weapons on the black market in central Asia, the biographer of al-Qaida's No. 2 leader was quoted as telling an Australian television station.

if you have $30 million, go to the black market in central Asia, contact any disgruntled Soviet scientist, and a lot of ... smart briefcase bombs are available

No word on when the interview was done.
Scary.

Kautilyan: There is NO POLICY PROCESS

2004-03-22T01:52:00.000-05:00

Kautilyan brings us a nice article reminding us whats really unique about the Bush White House: There is NO POLICY PROCESS. Instead of analyzing issues to come up with solutions, the Bush approaching is frighteningly simple, there are no policy papers. No research into the issues are done. NYTimes' Paul Krugman continues:

The general modus operandi of the Bushies is that they don't make policies to deal with problems. They use problems to justify things they wanted to do anyway. So there is no policy to deal with the lack of jobs. There really isn't even a policy to deal with terrorism. It's all about how can we spin what's happening out there to do what we want to do.

Ozzy Osbourne To Meet E.T.'s, Earth People Say!

2004-03-21T21:25:00.000-05:00

Ozzy Osbourne was voted the person people most want to greet alien visitors to earth in a recent Yahoo!News poll! Ozzy beat out George Bush and Micheal Jordan, nabing 26% of the vote!

Bush Administration Avoided Attacking Terrorists In Iraq-Would Have Weakened Case For War

2004-03-21T21:07:00.000-05:00

After the defeat of the Taliban in Afghanistan, Al-Qaida dispersed and moved. One of the places they moved to was a small compound along the Iranian border in Northern Iraq near the town of Kirma. The enclave was located in the Kurdish areas of the no fly zone- an area not under Saddam's control but under our erstwhile allies. On at least three occasions, a plan was presented to attack the camp but Bush repeatedly refused because it would have weakened the case for invading Iraq. As a result Abu Musab Zarqawi escaped and is now credited with killing over 700 Iraqis in Iraq- primarily by bombing.

Whats Russia Up To?

2004-03-21T05:41:00.000-05:00

OxBlog has a fascinating comment explaining the state of Russia and its economy from someone called TM (Mr. Trademark??):

...Today's Russia is not capitalist. Capitalism requires a vast infrastructure of laws, mechanisms, practices designed to channel savings into productive investments, and Russia's banking system is so corrupt and primitive that the majority of Russian savings are either spirited abroad (as in the case of most of the "oligarchs"' ill-gotten profits) or stuffed under mattresses.

When I worked at Citibank, our emerging markets development matrix put Russia in the same category of market development as Nigeria and Indonesia: the banking system is a shambles, with very little credit available to firms and households; foreign direct investment outside of the oil sector is minuscule (Poland has attracted many times the amount of FDI that Russia has--even when one INCLUDES the oil sector); and the amount of daily trading on the local capital marketslocal market capitalization barely exceeds the size of a single top-tier US high net worth brokerage account.
...
The real challenge for Russia is to create a rudimentary banking system. Khodorkovsky like most oligarchs has his own "bank", called Menatep, and his record here is one of fraud, incompetence and outright theft of depositors' assets. The banking and currency crisis that he, other corrupt "bankers" and the Yeltsin regime perpetrated in August 1998 destroyed the lifetime savings of millions of Russians. For this felony alone the man should go to prison.

The oligarchs have looted Russia and destroyed any hope of that country entering the ranks of the leading economies of the world for at least two generations. For anyone but a Geneva jeweler or a London or Costa del Sol estate agent, there is no silver lining to this cloud.

This is a followup to an earlier post that had this excert:

In his first term in office, Putin continued a brutal and ineffective war in Chechnya, acquired de facto control of all major national television networks, turned both the Federation Council and State Duma into rubber stamps, and tamed regional barons who once served as a powerful balance to Yeltsin's presidential rule. He has arbitrarily used law enforcement structures to jail or send into exile political foes. He has removed candidates from ballots and rigged regional elections; harassed and arrested human rights activists, outspoken journalists, and environmental leaders; and weakened Russia's independent political parties and civil society.

Cross Examining Alan Greenspan!

2004-03-21T05:22:00.000-05:00

Mathew Miller does an imaginary cross examination of Alan Greenspan over his recent claims that we should balance the budget by making Bush's unafordable tax cuts permanent and cutting Social Security to make up any shortfall:

MY CROSS-EXAMINATION OF ALAN GREENSPAN

By Matthew Miller

Tribune Media Services

(ITALICS) "GREENSPAN REVISES HIS POSITION ON THE DANGER OF BUDGET SHORTFALLS - Fed Chairman Now Cites Risk of Raising Taxes" (END ITALICS) - headline, The New York Times, March 16

Prosecuting columnist (PC): Please state your name for the record.

AG: Alan Greenspan.

PG: And your position, please?

AG: Chairman of the Federal Reserve.

PC: Would it be fair to say, Mr. Greenspan, that your position arguably makes you the most powerful economic voice on the planet?

AG: Some might say that.

PC: Yes, it must impose an immense sense of responsibility. Now, Mr. Greenspan, you are aware that we are running record deficits in the neighborhood of $500 billion dollars . . .

AG: Of course . . .

PC: . . . and that atop these current budget shortfalls, there are an estimated $25 trillion in unfunded liabilities in Social Security and Medicare?

AG: Yes. These are major problems the nation needs to face.

PC: I see. Yet you have said we should not revisit President Bush's tax cuts mostly aimed at the wealthiest Americans in order to put our fiscal house in order. Indeed you argue that we should make those tax cuts permanent, in ways that would dig our fiscal hole deeper.

AG: I wouldn't put it that directly, but -

PC: But that's the gist?

AG: (looks at counsel)

PC: May I remind the witness that he is under oath?

AG: Yes, that's the gist.

PC: Your position, if I may decode the gobbledygook you've recently uttered before Congress, is that we should move toward budget sanity only by cutting or slowing the growth of planned government spending. Is that right?

AG: That's correct.

PC: Mr. Greenspan, do you recognize the data on this table I now hand you, which, with the court's permission, I shall mark, "The Only Exhibit You or Any of Us Need to Cut Through This Flimflam."

AG: Yes, it shows federal spending and federal revenue as a share of GDP - that is, as compared to the size of the economy.

PC: Precisely. Now, can you tell the court, Mr. Greenspan, on that table, what federal spending averaged as share of GDP under Presidents Reagan and Bush the Elder?

AG: Twenty-two percent.

PC: And President Bush plans to keep federal spending around what level in the years ahead?

AG: Just under 20 percent.

PC: For the record, Mr. Greenspan, is 20 less than, or greater than, 22?

AG counsel: Objection!

Court: Overruled. The witness will answer the question.

AG: Less than, but -

PC: And so President Bush is spending less relative to the size of the economy than did his father or Mr. Reagan. Now, will you please tell the court what revenue was as a share of GDP before the current Mr. Bush took office?

AG: About 20 percent.

PC: And this year?

AG: Just under 16 percent.

PC: Let the record also show that revenue under 16 percent of GDP is lower than at any time since 1950. That is, before Social Security was phased in for most seniors and before Medicare and Medicaid were even invented. Mr. Greenspan, aren't these programs that Republicans vote for and indeed expand every year, and which they have shown no inclination to trim in ways that would come close to restoring fiscal sanity?

AG: Yes, but -

PC: Isn't it therefore the height of irresponsibility - and conclusive proof of what can only be some secret malign agenda on your part, sir - for you to say this nation must hold revenue at levels below that which would support government activities that the vast majority of Americans support and that even conservatives vote for every day? All in order to give deep tax cuts to those who are already well-off, while doing nothing for the 44 million uninsured, or tens of millions of working families who live in poverty, or for the teacher crisis plaguing our poorest schools?

(To the court) Permission to treat the witness as hostile?

Court: Granted.

(PC punches Greenspan in the mouth. The chairman reels, wipes blood from lower lip, spits out a tooth.)

PC: Would the witness like to reconsider his position?

AG: (Inaudible mumbling) . . . Ayn Rand . . .

PC: I can't hear you, Mr. Greenspan, please speak up!

AG: (More mumbling) . . . Grover Norquist . . .

PC: The prosecution rests, your honor.

Check out Matt's website, and the Tribune Media Services for more.

Museum Of Iraqi WMDs Opens

2004-03-21T01:23:00.000-05:00

Until the actual WMD's are found Bush's credibility is being stored here.

Republican Scandals: The Short List... Is Not Short!

2004-03-21T00:34:00.000-05:00

Remember the good ol' days when Republicans talked about scandal fatigue and Bush ran on an 'restoring honor and integrity to the white house', yeah well outside of the infamouse b.j. none of them actually went anywhere as far as the Clinton administration. Today The Carpetbagger brings us a list of the current Republican scandals.. Now Republicans have these:

Cheney's secretive Energy Task Force was investigated by the GAO and the case is currently pending at the Supreme Court.

The Plame Game is under investigation by the Justice Department.

Bush's Medicare scam and the circumstances that led the administration to lie to Congress about the cost of the legislation is under investigation by the HHS inspector general's office.

The massive intelligence failure that led Bush to lie to the world about the Iraqi threat is under investigation by a congressionally-authorized independent commission (which Bush fought the creation of).

Bribes offered on the House floor to Rep. Nick Smith (R-Mich.) in exchange for his vote on Bush's Medicare plan are under investigation by the House Ethics Committee and the Justice Department.

Attorney General John Ashcroft was under investigation by the Federal Election Commission for violating campaign finance laws in 2000, and the FEC concluded that Ashcroft accepted $110,000 in illegal contributions.

An investigation into House Majority Leader Tom DeLay's criminal fundraising schemes in Texas -- which allegedly used corporate funds to help state GOP lawmakers -- is already before a Texas grand jury.

Republican staffers on the Senate Judiciary Committee were investigated for stealing thousands of confidential memos from Dem computers, a matter that has now been referred to the Justice Department for a possible criminal probe.

Republican Connecticut Gov. John Rowland is under a criminal investigation (and an impeachment investigation) after he lied about prominent state contractors and several government aides paying for refurbishments to his lake-front cottage.

Former Rep. Bill Janklow (R-S.D.) was under investigation for vehicular manslaughter, a crime for which he was later convicted.

The Pentagon launched a formal investigation into well-armed evangelist and three-star General William "Jerry" Boykin, Bush's pick for deputy undersecretary of defense for intelligence, and his record of extreme religious rhetoric.

The circumstances that led to the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001 are under investigation by a congressionally-authorized independent commission (which, again, Bush fought the creation of and then later resisted cooperating with).

And honorable mentions should go, of course, to investigations into Halliburton (Dick Cheney's former company) and Enron (George Bush's biggest corporate supporter).

If I'm missing any -- and I'm sure I am -- be sure to let me know and I'll update this list.

Carpetbagger also has thisUpdate: One reader has alerted me to a helpful list of GOP ethics abuses that the Washington Post published yesterday. Only one of the nine on the list actually is under investigation right now, but they all deserve to be.

Is Bush Retarded???

2004-03-19T22:30:00.000-05:00

No, just learning disabled suggests this article in business week. Or possibly hard of hearing or possibly suffering from central auditory processing disorder (CAPD). Fascinating stuff, check it out. Still no explanation of why we invaded Iraq.. Oh right, vengeance against Saddam, and fufilling the dreams of the Project for the New American Century.

Rumsfeld Continues To Lie About Iraqi Invasion, Blames Possible WMD's

2004-03-19T15:37:00.000-05:00

Today's NYTimes features an op-ed piece by secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld where he repeats Bush's latest lie justifying the invasion of Iraq. Continuing on Bush's 'He wouldn't let us in' meme, Rumsfeld claims:

Recognizing the threat, in September 2002 President Bush went to the United Nations, which gave Iraq still another "final opportunity" to disarm and to prove it had done so. The next month the president went to Congress, which voted to support the use of force if Iraq did not.

And, when Saddam Hussein passed up that final opportunity, he was given a last chance to avoid war: 48 hours to leave the country. Only then, after every peaceful option had been exhausted, did the president and our coalition partners order the liberation of Iraq.

Apparently Rumsfeld has either completely forgotten that Hans Blix were in Iraq looking for Iraqi WMD's or is just a blatant liar. Probably the later.

Rumsfeld also took the opportunity to conflate the issue of terrorism in keeping with the Bush administration's meme that 9/11 and Saddam were somehow related:

Today, in a world of terrorism, weapons of mass destruction and states that sponsor the former and pursue the latter, defending freedom means we must confront dangers before it is too late.

Excuse me Mr. Rumsfeld, if your through lying about the imaginary terrorist threat that your administration likes to pretend Iraq had, would you get off your big fat ass and actually do something about North Korea, and Iran which are about to go NUCLEAR...

Iran Peaceful......No One Surprised That NRO Report Wrong

2004-03-18T23:50:00.000-05:00

This is a follow up to a previous post reporting that Iran was seeing outbreaks of violence in the wake of of a pre-Islamic holiday. CNN reports that the mullah controlled government, in an effort to appease an otherwise angry and disillusioned populace, made the holiday legal and it was widely celebrated. NRO's report (see previous post) now seems completely discredited...While the NRO being wrong is not surprising, it is disappointing to consider that hopes for freedom of the people of Iran seem as far away as ever.

"Your'e Fired" Is Trademarked! "You're Outsourced"- Still Available

2004-03-18T23:46:00.000-05:00

The Smoking Gun a website better known for bringing us the latest celebrity arrest report and mugshots, brings us news that Donald Trump has filed a trademark application for his catch phrase "You're Fired" from the tv show The Apprentice.

Bush's $87 Billion Hypocrisy!

2004-03-18T00:17:00.000-05:00

Bushco has been attacking Kerry over his voting against the $87 Billion supplemental spending on the Iraq war is. Billmon's blog "Whisky Bar" reminds us that this same bill might as well have been called the 'Leave No Defense Contractor Behind Slush Fund Act of 2003" and brings us a neat graphic reminding us how that money might better have been spent:

Meanwhile In Scenic Iran...

2004-03-18T00:07:00.000-05:00

the fiercely conservative National Review Online brings us this article by an Iranian native about popular unrest increasing in that garden spot of civilization, Iran... There's a popular Iranian holiday, "Chaahaarshanbeh Souri, the feast of fire" that predates Islam and is celebrated by running through a bonfire. The ruling mullahs have decreed the holiday strictly un-Islamic in multiple pronouncements and fatwas... But that hasn't stopped the Iranian people from celebrating, drawing the wrath of the mullahs. They in turn have responded with "the non-Iranian revolutionary guards, who are often Palestinians, Lebanese, Syrians, Afghan Arabs, and Yemenis who are imported to beat up on the people of Iran, since it is only the rare Iranian who wants to beat up on other Iranians anymore."

And the punch line of the article:
" Few in the West are listening and hearing the cries of the people of Iran, but that's okay, because we will be the power behind forging our own future; for Iranians, the mullahs and their Western enablers will be history. "... yup that's what its about- the "western enablers"... so what if the Iranian revolution chased out the pro-western (and notoriously brutal) Shah of Iran, and instead empowered the notoriously anti-western mullahs who have largely isolated Iran from the rest of the world- what its really about is the mullahs western enablers. In a way its surprising that considering this is a the NRO, Conservatives didn't reposition this as 'Liberal Enablers'...

Bush Administration Determines Gay Federal Workers Really Are Second Class Citizens!

2004-03-17T23:23:00.000-05:00

The White House's Office of Special Counsel has made a determination that gay federal workers can be discriminated against and can be fired or demoted without cause solely based on their sexual orientation. They cannot however be fired for attending, for example, a gay pride parade, but presumably can be fired for the inference such an appearance suggests. The OSC said he ways merely attempting to properly interepret a 1978 law. The rulling, if put into effect, would pave the way for the Bush administration to purge all openly gay federal workers, refuse to hire new gay federal workers, and ask if an applicant is gay on federal job applications. There was no word whether gay federal workers would be required to wear pink triangles pending the purge.

Spain Follow Up- What Happened In Their Election?

2004-03-16T14:44:00.000-05:00

Short Form: The election was a dead heat even though nearly 90% of Spaniards were against Iraq. The ruling Popular Party had taken a strong position against the ETA and Basque seperatists, and had gotten support because of it. The bombing happens and they try to spin it as an ETA act which reinforces their position. "Interior (Security) Minister Angel Acebes declared openly that the authors were ETA and anyone denying it was a "miserable"", and generally trying to push the ETA angle. But reports start comming out that its Al-Qaida and the Socialists have to threaten the Popular Party to tell the truth that there have been 5 arrests and that its not the ETA, its Al-Qaida. So an angry populace holds the government accountable for lying to it and out goes the Popular Party.
Read this nice piece in slightly jilted English in Tom Tomorrow's (Salon's Monday cartoonist) Blog

The Passion... Worth Next To Nothing

2004-03-16T07:23:00.000-05:00

The Book Version of Mel Gibson's The Passion... is now being sold for $.99... Yup, Ninety cents.... Of course it could be a tough sell since its a fictionalized account of the Bible, which itself was written only 90 years after the fact so its clearly a paragon of accuracy...

Andrew Sullivan Is An Idiot

2004-03-15T01:57:00.000-05:00

TBogg brings us this pointed reply to a bit of Andrew Sullivan (the Gay Republican's) stupidity:

Sullivan: "3/11: The citizens of Spain stand together against Islamist terror. Meanwhile, U.S. forces look for al Qaeda terrorists in North Africa. This is a war, Senator Kerry, not a law enforcement operation."

Tbogg: "Look for Andy to ignore the fact that troops and intelligence were pulled off the al-Qaeda beat to go to work on those WMD's in Iraq."

And on another topic here's a NYTimes letter for ya Andy:

To the Editor:

Re "Gay and Republican, but Not Necessarily Disloyal to President" (front page, March 9):

It is tragic that there are actually gay people who have internalized the hatred that society has for them, and have internalized it to such an extent that they rationalize their support for the very president who seeks to write discrimination against them into the Constitution.

STEPHEN ROBESON MILLER

Cambridge, Mass., March 9, 2004

Bush Looses An Ally As Spain Reels From Bombing

2004-03-15T01:30:00.000-05:00

On Thursday, Madrid's commuter railway system was rocked by 10 cell phone activated terrorist bombs killing 200 and wounding more then 1400.

The latest casualty is the country's ruling Popular Party which is now neither ruling nor popular. The Popular Party committed Spain to supporting the US lead invasion of Iraq despite approximately 90% of the population opposed to the invasion, and currently has 1300 troops in Iraq supporting peacekeeping operations. In the wake of Thursday's horrific bombings and an Al-Qaida tape claiming responsibility as vengeance for the Spanish support in Iraq, the Socialist party has won a near majority of the countries legislative seats leaving it likely to control the government. A spokesman for the Socialist Party said that the Spanish troops would depart Iraq at the end of their tour in July.

Rioting In Northern Iranian Town Nears Full Scale Rebellion Stage Over Voting Fraud

2004-03-15T01:09:00.000-05:00

In the wake of an election that saw widespread voter anger and apathy due to the ruling ultra religious mullahs throwing about substantial numbers of opposition reform candidates for lacking the requisite religious purity, and for expressing a willingness to question the mullah's authority. Oh, the joys of a religious theocracy...
In one northern town, the voter fraud was so blatant that the population rioted over causing the Mullah party candidate to step down in fear for his life. The battle for the freedom of Iran continues! Power to the people!
Warning- this is a direct news report from a blog. Reliability is completely unknown.

Rice: 'Iraq More Dangerous Than North Korea', Wont Testify About 9/11

2004-03-15T00:54:00.000-05:00

Uggabugga, an excellent site that frequently brings us some utterly bizarre diagrams-(check out this diagram of the 2004 democratic primary from 2002). Today Uggabugga brings us excerpts of Tim Russert's interview of National Security Advisor Condoleezza Rice:

Ladies and gentlemen, this is your National Security Advisor:

From the Meet the Press transcript of the interview with Condoleezza Rice: (emphasis added)
... after 9/11, the president was looking at a situation in which he was presented with an intelligence picture of a Saddam Hussein who had weapons of mass destruction, biological and chemical weapons ...

The international community had a serious credibility problem where it came to weapons of mass destruction and the willingness to enforce tough resolutions, and what the president and the coalition did was to rescue, really, that credibility ...

[Iraq had] the most dangerous regime in the world's most dangerous region ...
MR. RUSSERT: More dangerous than North Korea?
I think more dangerous than North Korea ...

The president wants to know, as much as anybody, and probably more than anyone else, what became of the weapons of mass destruction. We were all somewhat surprised that we have not yet found them.

Did we know on September 10 that September 11 was imminent? No, we did not.

The president, of course, is the president, and he does have a schedule to keep ...

MR. RUSSERT: Will you testify under oath in public about September 11?
Tim, this is not a matter of preference; this is a matter of principle. It has long been a legal and constitutional principle that assistants to the president, the presidential staff, do not testify before legislative bodies. But this is not a matter of preference. ... as a matter of principle, we cannot breach this wall between the legislature and the executive.

Tim normally has a rep as a bulldog, but recently (last month or so?) he was given a rare and coveted interview of Bush2 and while he did ask some hardball questions, there was no follow up to Bush's lame, soundbite non-answers which left Andrew Sullivan (the Gay Republican) to comment that 'the president did not make a case for his reelection'. Here Tim again neglects to ask any real follow up questions. Did you sell your soul to get this interview Tim??? Yes apparently you did, that's why your getting that rarity of a second Bush administration interview.

Bush's Missile Defense Folly

2004-03-14T14:10:00.000-05:00

Slate takes a nice look at Bush's Missile Defense and reminds us that after spending tens of billions on it, in an already bloated budget, we are getting a system that doesnt work, and even Republicans are eyeballing it for the cutting block. It does not mention that it is coming just in time for the election!

"How Often Does That Happen?"

2004-03-14T12:31:00.000-05:00

A florida man was surprised when a small plane made an emergency landing in the bed of his pick up truck while driving. He was heard to comment: "How often does that happen?"

Gay Republican Goes Dumpster Diving!

2004-03-14T04:19:00.000-05:00

Dumpster diving- in the blogging world Dumpster Diving is when you go to a political opponent's open message board (as in anyone can post there) find the most despicable post- and then claim this somehow represents the entire website/political party/opponents way of thinking/whatever.

Today's adventure in Dumpster Diving is brought to us by Andrew Sullivan, the Gay Republican (as seen on this site previously):

BUSH HATRED WATCH: The far-lefties at Democratic Underground are debating whether president Bush is responsible for the massacres in Madrid.

in response to this thread: "Who thinks the US blew up the train in Spain?"

To which one poster on that comment thread replied: "If I thought conspiracy threads like this were what this site was all about, I wouldn't be here."

Fact Check: To be clear- Democratic Underground requires signing up before posting, then records activity. This post was apparently put up by someone who had posted over 1000 posts. A brief look at some of the replies showed general dismissal "They're not that evil" and some acknowledge the possibility: 'they lied and caused all those civilian casualties in Iraq'. Well damn their questioning authority! Any thread questioning the Bush administration should clearly be deleted! Don't they know we're at war and you should believe anything that Bush says without question?

And speaking of hate speech, hey Andy: Haven't Republicans been saying anyone who question the Iraqi Invasion must really be pro-Saddam and/or treasonous? Hasn't Bush been equating a Kerry victory as a win for Osama?

Bush Lied To Congress! Ordered Real Cost Of Medicare Plan Cost Withheld From Congress.

2004-03-14T03:53:00.000-05:00

The government's top actuarial expert was repeatedly told he would be fired if he revealed the true cost of Bush's Prescription Drug Plan. The Bush administration claimed that the plan would cost only $400 Million U.S. (over 10 years) would instead cost $551 Billion. The plan sent drug company stocks soaring over news of the massive giveaway to pharmaceutical companies.

Bush's Flip Flops On Manufacturing Czar Nominee!

2004-03-14T03:34:00.000-05:00

Bush had been expected to be nominate Anthony Raimondo, chairman and chief executive officer of Behlen Manufacturing Co., based in Columbus, Neb., to the new position of assistant secretary for manufacturing- the so called Manufacturing Czar. After it was revealed that Behlen was opening a factory in China, the nominating ceremony, scheduled for last Thursday was cancelled. Bush administration sources claimed that the withdrawal had nothing to do with the recent criticism. Yeah, right...

Women: The Other White Meat Additive... eww gross...

2004-03-14T03:30:00.000-05:00

A man accused of murdering 15 women in Vancouver (that's in Canada so it makes it all okay-right?)has police wondering if some of the remains was distributed as an additive in Pork... Police have asked anyone who may still have frozen pork products from Pickton's farm to return those products to police...
Our condolences go out to the families of the victims.

Paris Hilton's Nipple Takes On JJ's Nipple, Looses..

2004-03-14T03:11:00.000-05:00

Publicity Whore Paris Hilton attempted to follow in JJ's footsteps by showing some nip at a music awards bash but was unable to muster more then passing interest from the press. 'Nothing we havent seen before' seemed to be the sentiment refering to the internet sex tape of Paris and her beau. Here England's The Sun brings us the pic. Link shows NSFW pic. Click on pic for bigger NSFW pic. You might recall The Sun for its naked girls on page 3 (the "Page 3 Girls") and its the only paper family friendly enough that Bush2 deigned to give an interview to in his recent trip to England.

Original Passion... Advertising Poster Revealed!

2004-03-14T02:54:00.000-05:00

The Draft Is Back!

2004-03-13T23:25:00.000-05:00

Selective Service planning for a possible draft of linguists and computer experts began last fall. Lovely....

Hastert Doesnt Believe Bush

2004-03-12T20:11:00.000-05:00

Calpundit: brings us this nice exchange were Dennis Hastert is answering press questions:
A reporter asks a question regarding dealing with the Bush: Hastert replies:"I don't deal with his people anymore."
Later:
Reporter regarding budget numbers:

Q What kind of numbers were you getting from them [Bush admin]?

Speaker Hastert. Different numbers.

Q Different from?

Speaker Hastert. Where they added up.

Wow.. read Calpundits piece for a bit more context.

Angelina Jolie Supports The Sanctity Of marriage!

2004-03-12T18:42:00.000-05:00

Angelina Jolie, (whose last movie Tomb Raider 2 sucked big time) is showing her commitment to the sanctity of marriage. "Angelina Jolie has admitted to having casual sex romps in hotel rooms with a string of men. The twice-divorced Oscar winner said that after having sex with the unnamed lovers she returned to her own room to tuck in her adopted son, Maddox, for the night." But she's ready to settle down when she meets the 'perfect man' capable of being the "perfect father". Considering its Angelina Jolie, that's not too high a standard....Its seems she still has faith in the sanctity of marriage! No word was given on whether the presence of married gays would affect her decision.

Bush's War On Employment Update: Things Aren't As Bad As They Seem; They're Worse.

2004-03-12T07:46:00.000-05:00

In an op-ed in today's NYTimes, Paul Krugman treads what is now distressingly familiar ground on the employment front with some harsh words for Bush. Meanwhile Republicans are looking to the Household Survey of employment which shows a net gain of nearly half a million new jobs, but of course the experts including Alan Greenspan don't consider it as accurate as the Establishment Survey. The unemployment rate has fallen, but only because of record numbers of people dropping out of the workforce. Of course that only helps Bush in his War On Employment: If they were still looking for work, the unemployment numbers would jump from 5.6% up to a shockingly high 7.4%. And while Krugman doesn't mention it, it means that Bush has successfully rolled back employment numbers to those seen in his fathers presidency....
On the Bush Administration:

Should we blame the Bush administration? Yes because it refuses to learn from experience. George Bush, ... seems determined to try the same thing, over and over again.

In 2001 the administration rammed through long-term tax cuts, heavily tilted toward the affluent. But employment didn't turn around, and by late 2002 [Bush] went for a clone of the 2001 tax cut another big break mainly for those at the top. And once again this failed to deliver the promised jobs.

Meanwhile, Mr. Bush has mortgaged the nation's future. If all of his tax cuts are made permanent, they'll reduce revenue by at least three times the amount that would be needed to secure Social Security benefits at current levels for the next 75 years.

No sensible person blames Mr. Bush for the onset of the recession in 2001. But he does deserve blame for the fact that all he has to show for three years of supposed job-creation policies is a mountain of debt.

The Passion... Blooper Reel

2004-03-11T18:22:00.000-05:00

The Morning News has some text of Passion blooper which are...moderately funny in an intellectual way.

Resistant Form Of STD's Gains Foothold. STD's Blame Abstinence Training.

2004-03-11T17:24:00.000-05:00

A dangerous form of gonorrhea that can't be treated with standard antibiotics has swiftly established a foothold in Massachusetts, highlighting a resurgence of sexually transmitted illnesses across New England, disease trackers report. Infectious disease specialists fear that the number of drug-resistant gonorrhea cases will grow exponentially, as patients with the new strain are unwittingly prescribed drugs that do them no good. Thinking they're cured, the patients may resume unsafe sex practices and pass on the infection. Okay, abstinence training really doesnt have anything to do with it. But on a side note, bacteria have been known to trade genes randomly with other bacteria passing around nifty traits like immunity to an antibiotic, so this could spread to other std's...

Ever Wonder What It's Like To Stick Your Arm Up A Cows Rear?

2004-03-11T17:02:00.000-05:00

Now you can find out! and you dont even need a cow! Thanks to this incredible simulation!! Wow, what will science come up with next? Still no cure for cancer.

Holy Crap! Communists Have Written The Iraqi Interim Constitution!

2004-03-11T16:56:00.000-05:00

Balkinization brings us excerts from the Iraqi Interim Constitution, a shockingly communist document (shocking!) which includes guarantees of "security, education, health care, and social security." arrestee's shall have a right to a judicial determination without delay, and firearms must be licensed. And here's the punchline:

They enjoy all the rights that befit a free people possessed of their human dignity, including the rights stipulated in international treaties and agreements, other instruments of international law that Iraq has signed and to which it has acceded, and others that are deemed binding upon it, and in the law of nations. Non-Iraqis within Iraq shall enjoy all human rights not inconsistent with their status as non-citizens.

Holy International Law Batman! And if Communists didn't draft this law, who did? Better yet, when are we going to get these rights in the good ol' U.S. of A???????????

Abstinence Training doesn't Work. Republicans Blame STD's!

2004-03-10T03:25:00.000-05:00

Signing abstinence pledges does not reduce the rate of STD's a new study reports. Short form: what they lack in not getting laid, they make up for in lack of condom use. Reality check: 99 percent of non-pledgers and 88 percent of pledgers have sex before marriage.

The Passion... Merchandising...

2004-03-10T03:03:00.000-05:00

'nuff said.

Your Chocolate Eating Habits Reveal What Your Like In Bed!

2004-03-10T02:48:00.000-05:00

A psychotherapist has developed a new way to avoiding dealing with patients. Rather then ask straightforward questions, Murray Langham of New Zealand has determined that it is far easier to reveal the truth about a patients personality by feeding them chocolate.

Oval-shaped lovers, for instance, are social and sensual. Those who prefer a coffee filling are open-minded, but also impatient, anxious and immature.

Those who crinkle the wrapping before throwing it away tend to have too many thoughts on their mind and are unable to concentrate in bed. People who roll it into a ball, on the other hand, are having a boring sex life.

No word on people who like chocolate with nuts or who prefer Tootsie Rolls.

America Attempts Regime Change In Zimbabwe

2004-03-10T02:47:00.000-05:00

Zimbabwe state radio claims that the United States is trying to remove President Mugabe from power through the use of "Revolutionary Condoms!" While the condoms are assorted colors, that seems as "revolutionary" as they get:

It said President George Bush's regime was behind the "rebranding" of prophylactics that carry a bright red and yellow sticker advertising "revolutionary condoms" and a message urging Zimbabweans to "get up, stand up!" A bulletin said condoms carrying a sticker with "an oppositional political message" were being distributed throughout Zimbabwe "in what appears to be collusion between opposition groups and a United States-based condom manufacturer". The radio said the appearance of the redecorated condom packets was "not surprising, since the United States government has made it clear it is working toward changing of the regime in Zimbabwe". It says the sticker also bears the name of an underground group of activists with the name and motto, "Enough!"

Bob Marley performed his song "Get up, stand up, stand up for your rights, get up, stand up, don't give up the fight" at the country's independence celebrations in 1980. The Bush administration has denied any knowledge of condoms, revolutionary or otherwise.

Bush Unconcerned About Nuclear 9/11

2004-03-10T02:26:00.000-05:00

Kristoff comments on the Bush administrations failure to deal seriously with nuclear proliferation:

...The risks of a nuclear 9/11 are increasing. "I wouldn't be at all surprised if nuclear weapons are used over the next 15 or 20 years," said Bruce Blair, president of the Center for Defense Information, "first and foremost by a terrorist group that gets its hands on a Russian nuclear weapon or a Pakistani nuclear weapon."

One of our biggest setbacks is in North Korea. Thanks to the ineptitude of hard-liners in Mr. Bush's administration, and their refusal to engage in meaningful negotiations, North Korea is going all-out to make warheads. It may have just made six new nuclear weapons. Then there's Iran, which has sought nuclear weapons since the days of the shah, and whose nuclear program seems to have public support. "I'm not sure there is a way to get an Iranian government to give it up," a senior American official said.

Finally, there's the real rogue nation of proliferation, Pakistan. We know that Abdul Qadeer Khan, the Islamist father of Pakistan's bomb, peddled materials to Libya and North Korea, and we don't know who else.

"It may be that A. Q. Khan & Associates already have passed bomb-grade nuclear fuel to the Qaeda, and we are in for the worst," warns Paul Leventhal, founding president of the Nuclear Control Institute.

It's mystifying that the administration hasn't leaned on Pakistan to make Dr. Khan available for interrogation to ensure that his network is entirely closed. Several experts on Pakistan told me they believe that the administration has been so restrained because its top priority isn't combating nuclear proliferation — it's getting President Pervez Musharraf's help in arresting Osama bin Laden before the November election.

Another puzzle is why an administration that spends hundreds of billions of dollars in Iraq doesn't try harder to secure uranium and plutonium in Russia and elsewhere. The bipartisan program to secure weapons of mass destruction is starved for funds — but Mr. Bush is proposing a $41 million cut in "cooperative threat reduction" with Russia.

Four points:

No mention was made of the administrations outing of Valerie Plame, a CIA agent whose specialty was WMD proliferation.

Libya has been trying to rejoin the 'community of nations' and get out from under sanctions for over a decade, and while this is good this doesnt represent any special triumph of the administration policies. In fact Cuba might take a lesson from the affair.

Iraq.... is worth a whole essay, maybe later...

2 years after 9/11 and the administration still hasnt secured American ports.
How do the Republicans convince themselves that Bush is good for defense??????

UPDATE: Woman Blogger Runs Amok/Kerry's Big Member/GoodForTheJews/Editorial Policy

2004-03-09T16:30:00.000-05:00

A previous post referred to a posting on Wonkette purporting to show that Kerry is hung like...well... some animal that is extremely well hung. Okay big schlong. That post suggest the picture might have been photoshop'ed. Today GoodForTheJews corrects that impression:

FYI, I'm the one that first made the post about the John Kerry photo and the possibility that it shows an outline of his penis. Here's the link: http://goodforthejews.com/kerryshlong.htm
I am writing to assure you there was no photoshop involved. It was a picture that appeared in the L.A. Times Calendar section and was attributed to AP. I scanned the photo myself and posted it unchanged.
You had some very funny riffs on this picture and I love your blog.

Thank you greatly for the update Goodforthejews! For the record: Those riffs were all Wonkette's and her commentors (links in original article) and yeah, they were hysterical! (Okay how's this one: "Kerry: He's Got What It Takes! And Then Some!!")

This site tries to mix serious news and commentary with funny stuff and this Kerry thing was the latter. One reader suggested it degraded this sites seriousness, so it got reworked from: Does Kerry have a big Schlong? to the current: Female Blogger Runs Amok! Frankly its this blog's hope that this wont become an issue in the current election and while it is posted here, it is for entertainment purposes only. GoodForTheJews takes it more seriously for reasons discussed on that site which you are invited to investigate. GoodForTheJews also gives a nice short explanation of why Gibson's The Passion is bad for Jews...

Endnote: if this was a 'Bush has a huge schlong' story first it would gain widespread circulation on Drudge, and then Republicans would be passing this around as one more bit of proof of Bush2's fitness for president.

Bush Waffles!

2004-03-09T15:45:00.000-05:00

Since we were looking at Kerry's flip flops, it seems only fair to look at Bush's flip flops. Or better yet, find someone who has already done the work. Wampum is up to part 4 of Bush Flip Flop Watch! He's got the old list:

Mr. Bush's broken promise to retire $2 trillion of the national debt;
Mr. Bush’s broken promise not to spend the Social Security surplus;
Mr. Bush’s violation of his alleged free trade principles by imposing tariffs on imported steel and then his lifting of those same tariffs;
Mr. Bush’s inconsistent position on stem cells and the destruction of human embryos;
Mr. Bush’s opposition to and then support of a cabinet level Homeland Security Department;
Mr. Bush’s broken promise on control of carbon dioxide emissions;
Mr. Bush’s ever changing position of negotiations with North Korea; and
Mr. Bush’s waffling between a policy of disarmament and a policy of regime change in Iraq.
Mr. Bush’s reneging on a promise to fully fund the Low Income Home Energy Assistance program (LIHEAP);
Mr. Bush’s flip flop on apologizing to China when China forced a US spy plane to land without permission; and
Mr. Bush’s flip flop on the abortion issue. Mr. Bush once said that the abortion issue should be left up to the woman and her doctor. Now, of course, Mr. Bush claims to be pro-life.

Today Wampum adds three more:

During the campaign, Mr. Bush appeared on ABC’s This Week. As reported by Rich Lowry of the National Review, George Will asked Mr. Bush a direct question:

WILL: In which case, would you veto the McCain-Feingold bill, or the Shays-Meehan bill?

BUSH: That's an interesting question. I — I — yes I would…

Once in office, Mr. Bush flipped flopped and signed the McCain-Feingold bill into law. Mr. Lowry, before the fact, noted that if Mr. Bush signed the bill:
he will be committing his first bona fide, no-doubt-about-it, can't-be-spun flip-flop and broken campaign promise.

Our second flip flop involves same sex marriage. During the 2000 campaign, Then Governor Bush appeared on Larry King Live. King asked Mr. Bush, "If a state were voting on gay marriage, you would suggest to that state not to approve it?"

Bush took the states right approach, responding “the state can do what they want to do.” Now, of course, Mr. Bush wants a constitutional amendment to make sure that states can not do anything they want.

Our third flip flop involves affirmative action. When the University of Michigan affirmative action cases were before the Supreme Court, the Bush administration filed a brief opposing the programs. Mr. Bush said that the “method used by the University of Michigan …is fundamentally flawed."

After the Supreme Court upheld the law school admissions program and reaffirmed that race can be one criterion in such decisions, CNN reported that Mr. Bush said he was “happy the nation's highest court recognized the value of diversity.”

Wampum promises three more tomorrow. We'll be there!

Reviewing Kerry's Record For Waffles..

2004-03-09T03:11:00.000-05:00

An early theme has emerged from the Republicans on how they are going to run against Kerry: They are saying he Waffles. Slate recently published a scorecard delineating what it saw as some of those Waffles. For the record: Kerry voted for the invasion of Iraq but now says he's against it. Kerry explained that representatives of the White House made claims to various senators that the information being presented on Iraq was just the tip of the iceberg. Later another Democratic senator confirmed his account.
Anyway Slate ran its scorecard including this comparison on Social Security:
Before:

During the 1996 campaign, when I was a Globe reporter, Kerry told me the Social Security system should be overhauled. He said Congress should consider raising the retirement age and means-testing benefits and called it "wacky" that payroll taxes did not apply to income over $62,700. "I know it's all going to be unpopular," he said. "But this program has serious problems, and we have a generational responsibility to fix them."

After

Kerry no longer wants to mess with Social Security. "John Kerry will never balance the budget on the backs of America's seniors," his Web site promises.

Of course after being a Senator for 20 years some change of position is to be expected, but Talking Points Memo takes the article to task: ...some of these "waffles" are really pretty weak...All the author is doing here is comparing a specific statement with a broad and essentially meaningless statement. He should have called up Kerry and tried to see if he still thinks those things should be on the table. The rest of the before and after makes even less sense.

Bush Political Propaganda Takes The Place of Professional Analysis!

2004-03-09T02:26:00.000-05:00

Krugman has a remarkably short piece in todays New York Times but here's the important part: The black line is actual employment, grey lines are Bush administration's job growth predictions.

The punch line:

Economic forecasting isn't an exact science, but wishful thinking on this scale is unprecedented. Nor can the administration use its all-purpose excuse: all of these forecasts date from after 9/11. What you see in this chart is the signature of a corrupted policy process, in which political propaganda takes the place of professional analysis.

UPDATE: Damn. Atrios has the same image and the same quote. For the record, this one was done at 2:26 am vs. Atrios at 9:37 am. Also Wampum has the same article... great minds...?

Spalding Grey Is Dead

2004-03-08T16:49:00.000-05:00

Here's a nice obit. We'll miss you Spalding. Spalding was found in Manhattan's East River this weekend.

9/11 Update

2004-03-08T15:52:00.000-05:00

UPDATE: Some links this time Talking Points Memo:

I will continue to speak about the effects of 9/11 on our country and my presidency ... How this administration handled that day as well as the war on terror is worthy of discussion and I look forward to discussing that with the American people.

George W. Bush
March 6th, 2004

The independent commission investigating the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks won't accept strict conditions set by the White House for the panel's interviews with President George W. Bush and Vice President Dick Cheney, commission members said Tuesday.

The White House wants the interviews to be limited to one hour, with the questioners limited to the panel's chairman and vice chairman.

Detroit Free Press
March 3rd, 2004

TPM Says:When hypocrisy outruns mockery ...

Correction: The WH agreed to talk for an hour with the two co-chairs of the committee- one is a Democrat.

Previous Rambling:fLittle busy so this will be brief for now. Hope to follow up later with a longer post.
Previously House Leader Hastert had said he wont support an extension for the 9/11 investigation commission. But later he relented and agreed to the extension. BUT the legislation still hasn't been passed, or as near as I know, been proposed....
Meanwhile Bush and Cheney had stated that they would speak only to the committee's republican Chair and Co-chair only, and then only for an hour. Seems they have relented and have agreed they wont 'walk out promptly when the hour is over'!
And the commission is saying these restrictions on who they meet with are unacceptable. And still no word on National Security Advisor Condoleeza Rice who has refused to appear entirely.
What is Bush & Co. trying to hide?????????????????????????

In addition to getting flak from the firefighters union over the use of 9/11 footage, families have started complaining. And its not just the families of Democrats either. Also it seems the firefighters that Bush has used in his commercial are actors. (link via Atrios)

Bush Feared Attacking Terrorists Would Weaken Case For Invasion!

2004-03-08T15:32:00.000-05:00

Much has been made by Republicans of the unsubstantiated rumor that Clinton could have gotten Osama from sudan in the the 90's. But not much has been made of the terrorist training camps that were in Norther Iraq. Well except for the Bush adminstration claiming they were one of the key elements justifying the invasion or Iraq. But what was the truth about them? From A WaPo article courtesy Drezner:

Most of the estimated 100 Arab extremists reported to have found a haven in this rocky corner of northern Iraq began arriving early last year, a few weeks after losing their camps in Afghanistan under the Taliban.

The Halabja Valley, their destination, is one of the more obscure places in the world, about 35 miles southeast of Sulaymaniyah and close to the mountainous border with Iran. A U-shaped enclave just inside Iraq had been taken over by radical Islamic Kurds, the Ansar al-Islam, who fielded an estimated 900 fighters and regarded the two secular Kurdish organizations who run the rest of northern Iraq as their enemies.

The Ansar-run pocket, although only 10 to 15 square miles, was the ideal place to hide out. Residents at nearby Anab, just north of Halabja on the road to Sulaymaniyah, noticed how intently their new neighbors guarded their privacy but did nothing to disturb it. The newcomers, they say, kept to a village reserved for Arabs, appeared in the market only to buy provisions and buried their dead in their own cemetery.

Since then, Secretary of State Colin L. Powell and other Bush administration officials have highlighted the foreign fighters' presence in the Ansar enclave in an effort to link Osama bin Laden's al Qaeda organization and the government of President Saddam Hussein, which controls Iraq south of the Kurdish-administered zone but has little influence here. Citing interrogations of Ansar members who were taken prisoner, Kurdish political officials confirm that the group sent a steady stream of trainees to the camps that al Qaeda operated in Afghanistan until U.S. forces ended Taliban rule there at the end of 2001. Given those ties, the officials say, it was logical to expect Ansar to welcome the Arab fighters as they fled Afghanistan after being deprived of the Taliban's protection. (italics added)

To summarize: the Al-Queda link that we invaded over consisted of a small carve out that these terrorists controled, but this was in the area where that is not under Sadam's control. It was in the otherwise Kurdish controlled areas. So why didnt we just knock out that enclave instead of invading the whole country? The Answer-Bush feared attacking (those) terrorists would weaken case for invasion!

In June 2002...the Pentagon quickly drafted plans to attack the camp [but]....the plan was debated to death in the National Security Council....The Pentagon drew up a second strike plan, and the White House again killed it....The Pentagon drew up still another attack plan, and for the third time, the National Security Council killed it.

Military officials insist their case for attacking Zarqawi’s operation was airtight, but the administration feared destroying the terrorist camp in Iraq could undercut its case for war against Saddam.

Calpundit Summarizes:

Unlike Saddam, Zarqawi really was developing poisons such as ricin and cyanide for use in terrorist attacks in the West and elsewhere. But we hesitated to take action because destroying the Ansar al-Islam camps might have been inconvenient for George Bush's speechwriters.

Zarqawi has reportedly killed at least 700 people since then. But it might be many more. We will probably never know for sure how many people died at his hands because of George Bush's uncertainty in the face of danger.

Bush Administration Supports Lead Poisoning!

2004-03-08T14:36:00.000-05:00

Calpundit brings us a nice excert from The Book On Bush

In one revealing case, Bush & Co. intervened at the precise moment that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's Advisory Committee on Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention was set to consider once again lowering acceptable blood-lead levels in response to new scientific evidence. The Administration rejected nominee Bruce Lanphear and dumped panel member Michael Weitzman, both of whom previously advocated lowering the legal limit. Instead, Health and Human Services Secretary Tommy Thompson appointed William Banner--who had testified on behalf of lead companies in poison-related litigation--and Joyce Tsuji, who had worked for a consulting firm whose clients include a lead smelter. (She later withdrew.) Banner and another appointee, Sergio Piomelli, were first contacted about serving on the committee not by a member of the Administration but by lead-industry representatives who appeared to be recruiting favorable committee members with the blessing of HHS officials.

Thank you George Bush, for making the USA safer for the lead industry.

Serb's Crushed Over Loss Of Ambassador

2004-03-08T10:11:00.000-05:00

Serb media is reporting their disappointment with what is the otherwise routine changing of ambassadors. Seems the outgoing ambassador's wife "the glamorous Mrs. Lynne Montgomery, a cocktail circuit luminary who favored tight black leather or rubber dresses, preferably low-cut, and danced on tables in nightclubs." may have bitten the ambassadors attractive blond secretary in a jealous fight. No video of the fight has been made available.

Correction: Short James Bonds Wanted

2004-03-07T21:03:00.000-05:00

In response to their earlier post (and the earlier post here below) MI5 has announced that its potential James Bond applicants should be no taller then 5'11"- so they don't stand out. This would preclude all the actors who have played James Bond in the movies.

Bush Scores Another Victory In His War On Employment!

2004-03-06T14:00:00.000-05:00

The Labor Department announced another Bush Victory in the administrations ongoing War On Employment. Job growth for February was rated at an anemic 21,000 jobs and the January job growth number was downgraded from 112,000 to 97,000. The economy needs 150,000 new jobs each month to keep up with an expanding population, and since taking office the Bush Administration has successfully prevented job growth from surpassing or even approaching that level. Bush reiterated the administrations cover story: "We've been through a recession. We've been through an attack. We've been through corporate scandals. We've been through war." The recession began and ended in 2001, the same year the U.S. was attacked. The administration had previously predicted 306,000 new jobs a month in July 2003 through December 2004 when it passed the May 2003 "Job Growth tax plan". More recently administration officials were seen backing away from their own just released jobs forecast earlier in the year.

North Korea Supports Kerry, Calls Bush A "Shameless Charlatan"

2004-03-06T00:06:00.000-05:00

Yahoo! News - North Korea Seen Unwise to Wait for End of Bush

Martha Stewart Guilty of All Counts, Will Redocorate Prison

2004-03-05T21:47:00.000-05:00

Martha Stewart was found guilty of all counts today. Juror: "Maybe it's a victory for the little guys who lose money in the market because of these kinds of transactions"

Stewart, who averted more than $51,000 in losses by selling when she did, was not charged with insider trading; instead, she and her broker were accused of lying about the transaction and altering records to support the alleged cover story. Stewart and Bacanovic claimed they had a standing agreement to sell when the price fell below $60. But the government contended that was a phony cover story and that Stewart sold because she was tipped by her broker that ImClone CEO Sam Waksal was frantically trying to dump his own holdings. Waksal later admitted selling his stock based on advance word of the FDA decision. He is serving seven years in prison for insider trading.

See the article for more details.

Now You Too Can Own A Quarter Of A Mllion Dollars Worth Of Muselage!

2004-03-05T21:31:00.000-05:00

IF THIS DOESN'T BLOW YOUR HAIR BACK, NOTHING WILL!

Woman Blogger Runs Amok!

2004-03-05T02:38:00.000-05:00

In a desperate race to find the lowest common denominator, female blogger Wonkette asks: Is John Kerry hung like a horse?

Wonkette's readers came up with some interesting observations:
• What was that he said about 'fire in the belly'?
• If you could only put Edward's face on Kerry's body, you'd have the perfect candidate.
• Maybe it's time to resurrect that Edwards slogan. ["I'd Fuck Him."]
• So that's what they mean about an attractive candidate. I knew it wasn't his hair.
• Penis! [Submitted by "Tina Brown." Nice.]
• The Republicans have still nominated the bigger Dick.
• You can 'bring it on' me anytime, John.
• I guess having a horse face isn't the end of the world as long as you've also got a horse. . . [Reader did not elaborate.]
• And they said the Republicans were the big tent party.
• Though it looks like he leans to the left in this picture, he usually prefers to straddle the middle.
• How can he claim to stand for the little guy now?
• We look forward to head-to-head competition in California.
• Igniting the base, alright.
• Several variations of "good match for Bush." Please make up your own if you're playing along at home.
• Is this what they mean by "polls well"?

Wonkette goes on to give us some campaign slogans:

• Kerry '04 -- The Total Package
• Kerry '04 -- One Size Fits All
• Kerry '04 -- May Cause Internal Bleeding
• Brings new meaning to "JFK's Exit Wounds"
• Is That An Exit Poll In Your Pocket, Or Are You Just Happy To See Us?

No Wonkette, thats probably just a crease in his pants or just a little photoshop applied to the picture, but thanks for reminding us just how sleazy internet journalism can be!

And Now- The Muslim PDA!

2004-03-05T02:37:00.000-05:00

The Emirate 1 is a PDA running Microsoft's PocketPC operating system, built by an Abu Dhabi based company. It incorporates a GSM cell phone, as well as GPS to enable the user to determine the direction to Mecca! Maybe you shouldn't tell that to security when boarding airlines...

Kay Wants Bush To Admit Mistaken Iraqi WMD Claims, Apologize.

2004-03-04T05:56:00.000-05:00

"David Kay, the man who led the CIA's postwar effort to find weapons of mass destruction in Iraq, has called on the Bush administration to "come clean with the American people" and admit it was wrong about the existence of the weapons.

In an interview with the Guardian, Mr Kay said the administration's reluctance to make that admission was delaying essential reforms of US intelligence agencies, and further undermining its credibility at home and abroad."

From England's Guardian
Who knows, this guy may wind up doing Kerry commercials!

Quid Pro Quo With Pakistan!

2004-03-04T05:41:00.000-05:00

Defense Tech reports:
U.S.-PAK DEAL: TROOPS IN, NUKE SALES OK
When A.Q. Khan, the father of Pakistan's nuclear program, "confessed" to mounting a rogue operation to sell the world's bad guys nuclear technology, it seemed awfully fishy.

Now, we know what stinks, thanks to the New Yorker's Seymour Hersh. It’s a "quid pro quo": Bush gets to send troops inside Pakistan to finally hunt for Osama bin Laden; Pakistani president Musharraf is let off the hook for helping countries like North Korea go nuclear.

THERE'S MORE: Pakistan's government is denying Hersh's allegations.

Pakistani Proliferation Program Was Openly Exporting Proliferation Equipment!

2004-03-04T04:51:00.000-05:00

Jane's Defense Weekly reports that A.Q.Khan and his company were openly giving out a 10 page brochure containing all the elements to build a Nuclear enrichment plant.

When Pakistan opened its first international arms exhibition in the port city of Karachi, ...(in) November 2000 ... was the booth of A Q Khan Research Laboratories (KRL). ... KRL is ... a top nuclear weapons laboratory and its employees were distributing stacks of glossy brochures that promised technology for producing a nuclear bomb.

One of the brochures, a 10-page catalogue from KRL's Directorate of Vacuum Science and Technology, offered virtually all the components needed to establish a uranium-enrichment plant. The specialized centrifuge pumps, gauges, valves and other components each have civilian uses, but together provide the means to enrich the rare uranium-235 isotope to a particularly pure grade so that it can be used to fuel a nuclear weapon. If there was any doubt as to what was on offer, a second accompanying brochure under the heading of "nuclear-related products" listed "complete ultracentrifuge machines" and other components needed to build a uranium-enrichment plant.

JDW readily obtained the brochures on the spot and inquired whether all of the listed items were available for sale. Several KRL officials provided positive assurances that all had government approval for export.

page from one of the brochures
Via Defensetech.org

And the News From Iraq Was Good....

2004-03-04T03:56:00.000-05:00

Oxblog had a nice post summarizing the good news coming out of Iraq-electricity- back at prewar levels, oil production-up, attacks on coalition forces and resulting casualties- down.

Then the recent attacks with casualty estimates of up to 271 Iraqis dead- casualties that are roughly proportional to the 9/11/01 attacks suffered by the U.S.

Meanwhile Over At Baylor University...

2004-03-04T03:23:00.000-05:00

Again, Atrios...
Baylor University is a Southern Baptist school located in Waco, Texas but not affiliated with the more extreme Southern Baptist Convention. Recently Baylor had withdrawn the scholarship for a student when it came to light that he is gay... not that he broke any rules or policies... his scholarship was withdrawn, and he was informed he would not be able to remain in school even if he could afford it.

Thus is came as a surprise when the Baylor student newspaper endorsed marriage rights for gays and lesbians. (It doesn't seem to be in this article but it said the editorial was approved by a 5-2 vote)

And of course, Outrage Ensues...:
Baylor spokesman:

"Our student handbook is very clear that homosexual acts are treated with the same disciplinary proceedings as adultery and fornication and other types of sexual sin,"..." The Student Publications Board will be convening in the next few days to discuss what if any punishments[REPRISALS] will be meted out against the paper's editorial staff. He adds that he is not sure whether the editorial was triggered by the school's recent decision to revoke the financial aid for a homosexual seminary student."

It is unclear if acknowledging the existence of homosexuals or considering them to be human beings are grounds for discipline at Baylor. Damn Their Free Thinking! Damn It All To Hell!

Firefighter's Union Assails Bush and Republican Use Of 9/11

2004-03-04T03:10:00.000-05:00

Via Atrios. Oww! Link-

WASHINGTON, March 3 /U.S. Newswire/ -- The General President of the International Association of Fire Fighters, AFL-CIO (IAFF), Harold Schaitberger, issued the following statement today after President Bush unveiled new political ads that use images of fire fighters in September 11, 2001 attacks for political gain:

-- As Bush Trades on Heroism of Fire Fighters, His Homeland Security Funding Cuts Hurt Fire Fighters and Communities --

"I'm disappointed but not surprised that the President would try to trade on the heroism of those fire fighters in the September 11 attacks. The use of 9/11 images are hypocrisy at its worst. Here's a President that initially opposed the creation of the Department of Homeland Security and now uses its first anniversary as cause to promote his re-election. Here is a President that proposed two budgets with no funding for FIRE Act grants and still plays on the image of America's bravest. His advertisements are disgraceful.

"Bush is calling on the biggest disaster in our country's history, and indeed in the history of the fire service, to win sympathy for his campaign. Since the attacks, Bush has been using images of himself putting his arm around a retired FDNY fire fighter on the pile of rubble at ground zero. But for two and a half years he has basically shortchanged fire fighters and the safety of our homeland by not providing fire fighters the resources needed to do the job that America deserves.

"The fact is Bush's actions have resulted in fire stations closing in communities around the country. Two-thirds of America's fire departments remain under-staffed because Bush is failing to enforce a new law that was passed with bipartisan support in Congress that would put more fire fighters in our communities. President Bush's budget proposes to cut Homeland Security Department funding for first responders by $700 million for next year and cuts funding for the FIRE Act, a grant program that helps fire departments fund equipment needs, 33 percent by $250 million. In addition, state and local programs for homeland security purposes were reduced $200 million.

"We're going to be aggressive and vocal in our efforts to ensure that the citizens of this country know about Bush's poor record on protecting their safety and providing for the needs of the people who are supposed to respond in an emergency."

Alternate Endings Of The Passion... Revealed!

2004-03-04T03:02:00.000-05:00

Seems Gibson shot alternate endings for his recent release of The Passion of Christ. Despite Gibsons effforts to supress the footage, some of it has hit the streets. Here are some of the scenes...

The Nipple Overpowers Mickey Mouse

2004-03-04T02:55:00.000-05:00

Janet Jackson's awesomely powerfull nipple has once again wrought havoc on an unsuspecting public, taking out the 700 pound statue seen here. The statue used a tight black outfit mimicking one Jackson wore in 1990 after the release of her album, Rhythm Nation 1814.

And Kerry's Running Mate Is...Bill Clinton!

2004-03-03T22:16:00.000-05:00

NYULaw Professor Stephen Gillers writes an op-ed suggesting Former President William Clinton would make a good choice for V.P. as Kerry's running mate!

Gillers notes that the 22nd amendment doesnt prohibit it, merely the he cannot be "elected to the office of the president more then twice." so Bill could succeed Kerry only if Kerry left office prematurely.

Think about it- a return to the responsible economic startship that was Clinton.... Read the article for more. Clinton could take on something important- Middle east peace maybe, or national medical coverage. He could then bow out after a the first term to have the V.P. spot filled by some likely contender...Clark, Dean, or possibly Hillary... wow, talk about a dynasty...

Update: A St. Luis U.Law. Prof. (who I've never heard of) points out that one of the qualifications for V.P. laid out in the 12th amendment is: "no person constitutionally ineligible to the office of President shall be eligible to that of Vice-President of the United States." hmmm.... He goes on to say:

Of course, one might argue that Mr. Clinton is not constitutionally ineligible to be president but simply cannot be elected again as president. Since the 22nd does not disqualify him to be president, the 12th Amendment would not disqualify him to be, or to be elected as, vice president.

But it makes little sense to construe the Constitution to bar Mr. Clinton from running again for president but to allow him to succeed to the presidency after having been elected vice president. The location of the sentence regarding vice-presidential eligibility in the 12th Amendment seems to equate qualifications to serve with those to be elected.

Oscars Ran Long? What a Shock!

2004-03-03T04:58:00.000-05:00

Calpundit writes that the Oscars always go long, and are produced by some very capable people. Also, every other awards show ends right on time, so why wont the Oscars fess up and simply say 'The show is 4 hours.'?

Update: Today Calpundit asks why some media people were told the show is 3 1/2 hours long? TV guide says its only 3 hours.

Krugman on Greenspan: Maestro of Chutzpah!

2004-03-03T04:54:00.000-05:00

Paul Krugman has some harsh words for Alan Greenspan. Greenspan chaired a commission that pushed for increases in Social Security taxes in the 80's to head off the forthcoming boomer retirement bulge where an increase in baby boomers retiring would over tax the social security system- more retiree's fewer workers... The result is that SS is a pretty hefty tax of 6.5% of the first $87,000 plus an equal amount from the employer. This is a very regressive tax as it most effects low and medium wage workers, higher incomes are untaxed. So instead of paying say $5000 for your future benefits, your paying $7,500. Now the Republicans have been using the extra $2500 to cover the shortfall in taxe revenue to pay for those tax cuts that have primarily benefited the rich. Greenspan says that the solution is not to get that money back by taxing the rich but in fact to reduce social security benefits- in effect a tax increase on the low and middle class to pay for a tax cut for the rich!

More Passion Induced Bizarreness

2004-03-03T04:22:00.000-05:00

Hundreds of Long Island teens dragged crucifixes to see the premier of The Passion.... For all those folks who consider the movie a holy experience should pay some attention to the disclaimer at the end:

McDonald's Kills The Supersize Before The Supersize Kills You!

2004-03-03T04:12:00.000-05:00

McDonalds has announced its intention to remove the Supersize Fries and Drinks from its menu. Oh the humanity!

Get Your Passion Catch Phrases! Cant See The Passion Without A Good Catch Phrase

2004-03-03T03:53:00.000-05:00

The Guardian has some lines in Aramaic for use while seeing The Passion....
Some favs:

Sorry I'm late. Have I missed any scourging?
Shbuuq shuukhaaraa deel. Man ethnaggad udamshaa?

Yes, I'm Jewish, but I wasn't there that day.
Een, Yuudaayaa naa, ellaa b-haw yawmaa laa hweeth ba-mdeetaa.

It's not as good as the book.
Ktaabaa taab hwaa meneyh.

This film is terrible. I want my blood-money back.
Feelmaa haanaa tpeelaw! Proo' lee ksef dmaa!

I blame the Romans.
Enaa mqatreg naa l-Ruumaayey.

Which ones are the Orcs?
Ayleyn enuun Oorqey?

It's all an allegory of Star Wars.
Peletaa kuullaah da-Qraabay Kawkbey.

Devil Disrupts Passion!

2004-03-03T03:04:00.000-05:00

Meanwhile a man wearing a ‘red devil’ costume disrupted a showing of The Passion in Tennessee.

Once inside the movie, Christians began pelting Wendell (age 19, dressed as the devil) with Gummy Bears, Ju-Ju Bees, and popcorn. Management got involved after a 75-year-old woman, Hazel Meyer, poured a 64-ounce Coca-Cola on Wendell.

Brian Fitzgerald, General Manager of Country Cinemas, asked Wendell to leave because he was such a disruptive presence. “Our corporate policy is to eject anyone that interferes with the movie experience of fellow patrons,” Fitzgerald said.

Scott Brown, a member of Corpus Christi Catholic Church, was outraged. “This is no place for this type of behavior,” Brown remarked, “This was already a sensitive subject, and then to mock it by dressing up as Satan is despicable.”
...
Fitzgerald replied that Wendell was “a misguided and deranged person.” Fitzgerald also said measures are being taken to ensure this type of disruption does not occur again.

It is unclear if these measures included ritually sacrificing Wendell on the holy alter of the cinema.

Wendell was later heard to say: “If God really existed, He would have struck me down for dressing as the devil.” and noted “that Christians aren’t as forgiving as they portray”.

Passion Premiers, Gibson To Go Straight To Hell

2004-03-03T02:49:00.000-05:00

Last week Mel Gibson's The Passion Of Christ Premiered.
From the New Yorker:

[T]he signal trait of The Passion is its relentless violence. ... Jesus is unsparingly pummelled, flayed, kicked, and otherwise smitten from first to last. After his arrest in the Garden of Gethsemane by Jewish temple guards, Jesus is dragged in shackles to the high priests. By the time he arrives, he has been beaten, knocked down, and thrown off a bridge. His right eye is swollen shut. (I didn't want to see Jesus looking really pretty, Gibson said. I wanted to mess up one of his eyes, destroy it.)

When the Romans take over, things get worse. Gibson studied the details of Roman crucifixion, reading, among other sources, a famous clinical investigation of the practice, On the Physical Death of Jesus Christ, published in the Journal if the American Medical Association in 1986. That study explained why crucifixion inspired the word excruciating: Scourging produced deep stripe-like lacerations and appreciable blood loss, and it probably set the stage for hypovolemic shock. . . . The major pathophysiologic effect of crucifixion was an interference with normal respiration. Gibson seems to have relied heavily upon this study, which describes the Roman tools of punishment (The usual instrument was a short whip . . . with several single or braided leather thongs of variable lengths, in which small iron balls or sharp pieces of sheep bones were tied at intervals), the choreography of the infliction (The man was stripped of his clothing, and his hands were tied to an upright post [and] the back, buttocks, and legs were flogged either by two soldiers . . . or by one who alternated positions), and its severity (scourging was intended to weaken the victim to a state just short of collapse or death). All these elements are directly reflected in Gibson's film.
...
The antagonist in Gibson's vision is plainly the Jewish high priest Caiaphas, played by an Italian actor who can seem a bit of a ham as he cajoles the ambivalent Pilate into executing Jesus. Finally, an exasperated Pilate relents and condemns the prisoner, but, according to the Gospel of Matthew, he first makes a show of his own guiltlessness by publicly washing his hands. In Matthew, that gesture is followed by a shout from the crowd: "His blood be on us, and on our children." This passage, which is depicted only in Matthew, is one of the sources of the notion of collective Jewish guilt for the death of Jesus. Gibson shot the scene, but with Caiaphas alone calling the curse down.

Gibson later decided to manufacture a Jewish opposition controversy about the movie before any existed, and used a quote from the Pope that the church promptly disavowed (isn't that some kind of 'go straight to hell' sin?- no, the answer is 'stoning, stoning') to promote the film. Later Gibson said he would remove the "blood be on us" scene, but reports are that it simply isn't subtitled. The actors speak Aramaic, Hebrew and Latin in the movie. The film also reportedly violates numerous rules in the Catholic Church's Bishops Conference on the portrayal of the death of Christ.

Kerry To Be Democratic Nominee as He Sweeps Super Tuesday, Edwards Drops Out.

2004-03-03T02:46:00.000-05:00

Seems it wont be official until Kucinich and Sharpton drop out, which they wont. Still...

Speaking Of Seinfeld

2004-03-03T02:10:00.000-05:00

After much delay they will finally come out with the Seinfeld series DVDs. Seems only Jason Alexander, Julia Louis-Dreyfus and Michael Richards weren't going to get anything substantial by way of residuals and weren't interested in doing any supplemental stuff or promotional work for the DVDs without points or substantial cash up front. Both sides finally came to an arrangement.

Cheney Smokes Crack! War on Employment Continues!

2004-03-03T01:43:00.000-05:00

What other explanation could there be for this statement by V.P. Dick Cheney:

"If the Democratic policies had been pursued over the last two or three years, the kind of tax increases that both Kerry and Edwards have talked about, we would not have had the kind of job growth that we've had,"

First off, the 'tax increases' that Cheney seems to be referring to are actually to are the failure to pass the Republicans much vaunted tax cuts which, as we've seen from the disappearance of the surplus, we couldn't afford. Second, Dick suggests that the Bush administration has a handle on the whole cause and effect thing as far as tax cuts go. To recall: the May 03 tax cut package was projected to produce 1.4 million additional new jobs in addition to the 4.1 million the economy would produce anyway, over July 03-Dec. 04. or over 300,000 a month. In that time frame around 300,000 jobs were created versus what should have now been over 2 million. Okay, maybe its the fact that Cheney has had 4 heart attacks... Or more likely this is obviously another bit of disinformation in the Republicans 'War on Employment' discussed previously.

Jobwatch.org has the details as usual and notes that increased unemployment has put downward! pressure on low and middle income wage workers: "This clearly indicates that the weak labor market is now hurting employed workers as well as those looking for work."

Light blogging

2004-03-01T14:27:00.000-05:00

Ive been changing computers and helping a friend move. Regular posting should resume tonight/tomorrow.

Update: Moving sucks. Budget, the rent a car and truck people, didnt have the truck we reserved. Didnt I see this on a Seinfeld skit?