Weekend Watchdog

Darkness is my ex-friend

Never did this before but hell when in Rome...

FIRST!!!

I just watched the worse movie I have seen in years. I couldn't even watch the second movie. It ruined anything I would have watched after. It was pretentious and stupid. It was preachy and inane. It was confusing and insulting. It ended with several PHD explaining how the concept of the movie went over my head and how dumb I was to not get it. I get it numbnuts. It's just really really stupid.

Who was a pretty good storyteller before this piece of crap will never get another cent from me. I will never watch another movie he has anything to do with. If I must see it because by some miracle he makes a masterpiece, I will pirate it and then nuke my hard drive.

I have never been so insulted by a movie in my life. I then put on the extras and Guy and his editor are sitting there and Guy is talking about how he had to have several editors because Jim (the guy sitting next to him) didn't understand the movie and he had to have other editors because the layers of the movie were too numerous for just one guy. I nearly shot a hole in my TV.

that always sucks...

*

I sat in the moon for a while..with my blanket on...my cat who hardly ever comes indoors, Bitey came up and got under the blanket too...it's perfect outside tonight, no wind, not too cold and all Moonie....

I work tomorrow...good night, mel & Blog... xo

In my rear view mirror
The sun is going down
Sinking behind bridges in the road
I think of all the good things
That we have left undone
And I suffer premonitions
Confirm suspicions
Of the holocaust to come

The rusty wire that holds the cork
That keeps the anger in
Gives way
And suddenly, it's day again
The sun is in the east
Even though the day is done
Two suns in the sunset
Could be the human race is run

Like the moment when your brakes lock
And you slide toward the big truck
And stretch the frozen moments with your fear
And you'll never hear their voices
And you'll never see their faces
You have no recourse to the law anymore

And as the windshield melts
And my tears evaporate
Leaving only charcoal to defend
Finally, I understand
The feelings of the few
Ashes and diamonds
Foe and friend
We were all equal in the end

Enjoy the rest of your evening.

Weekend Watchdog
Submitted by Bill.Scher on Sat, 03/22/2008 - 1:06am.

www.sigzone.blogspot.com

if they would press their Attorney General to cooperate with information requests out of Congress. Would their Attorney General be required to investigate their own department? Would they appoint an independent investigator if asked?

Mukasey 'surprised' by scope of terrorist threats

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- Attorney General Michael Mukasey has been taken aback by the scope and variety of potential terrorism threats facing the United States, he told reporters Friday at an informal meeting in his office.

"I'm surprised by how surprised I am," said Mukasey, who as a federal judge presided over terrorism-related trials in New York.

"It's surprising how varied [the threat] is, how many directions it comes from, how geographically spread out it is," he said.

Mukasey issued no warnings, made no pronouncements and offered no suggestion of increased danger or newly detected plots.

He would not discuss specifics of potential threats, which remain secret.

---

Asked about the latest taped comments from al Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden, Mukasey shook his head. "Am I alarmed? I'm alarmed, I guess. I wish he weren't in a position to issue them."

===

chutzpah - being concerned that bin laden is still on the loose because you let him get away

fucking bullshit....now please amnesty for telcoms, please!

White House: Computer hard drives tossed
WASHINGTON - Older White House computer hard drives have been destroyed, the White House disclosed to a federal court Friday in a controversy over millions of possibly missing e-mails from 2003 to 2005. The White House revealed new information about how it handles its computers in an effort to persuade a federal magistrate it would be fruitless to undertake an e-mail recovery plan that the court proposed.

"When workstations are at the end of their lifecycle and retired ... the hard drives are generally sent offsite to another government entity for physical destruction," the White House said in a sworn declaration filed with U.S. Magistrate Judge John Facciola.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080321/ap_on_go_pr_wh/white_house_e_mail

What if the other shoe drops but no one hears?

Standard & Poor's analysts tested the tree-falling-in-an-empty-forest scenario, as it lowered the outlooks for Goldman Sachs and Lehman Brothers to negative while markets were closed.

Standard & Poor's analysts Scott Sprinzen and Diane Hinton affirmed their AA-/A-1+ rating for Goldman Sachs Group (nyse: GS - news - people ) and A+/A-1 rating for Lehman Brothers Holdings (nyse: LEH - news - people ), pointing to strong underlying businesses and acceptable first-quarter earnings. But S&P also lowered the companies' outlooks to "negative" from "stable" on expectations of 20%-to-30% drops in net sales after write-downs going forward.

The analysts also revised their outlook for the U.S. securities industry at large to "negative," meaning there is a one-in-three chance that there will be a rating change in the next two years.

Goldman shares closed Thursday ahead by $13.14, or 7.9% , to $179.63 and Lehman stock added $6.42, or 15.2%, at $48.65.

Analysts, while acknowledging the Federal Reserve's support for U.S. broker-dealers boosts confidence in capital markets, said negative outlooks for independent securities firms are appropriate since the potential for decreased profitability is still substantial.

The slashed outlook may be especially difficult for Lehman Brothers to stomach. The financial services firm, whose business mix most closely resembles that of virtually collapsed Bear Stearns (nyse: BSC - news - people ), has dismissed recent rumors that it's headed down the same ditch as Bear (See: Financials Fall Into Bear Pit). Analyst Sprinzen says Lehman has done a better job managing its liquidity than Bear. As of Feb. 29, the firm's excess liquidity structure was $34 billion.

"Lehman is among the largest proportionately of the U.S. broker-dealers, and its sources-to-uses ratio is the strongest of the five," Sprinzen said, adding that earnings have held up and Lehman's fixed income business remains profitable despite being directly affected by the economic slowdown and problematic asset-related write-downs.

Sprinzen called Goldman Sachs' leftover mortgage and leveraged finance-related commitments "manageable" and praised the strength of its liquidity position.

"However ... the firm's emphasis on trading activities and its aggressive risk appetite leave it open to the possibility that major missteps could ultimately occur, leading to a change in investor sentiments," Sprinzen said.

Although Goldman is the most profitable U.S. broker-dealer, Sprizen said last quarter's profits were weak, with sales off 35% from the previous year.

Documents filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on Thursday March 20 show that Goldman's President and Co-Chief Operating Officer Jon Winkelried sold some 30,000 shares at about $173.85 each, totaling approximately $5.2 million, from Wednesday to Thursday. Vice Chairman Michael Sherwood unloaded some 7300 shares at a per share price of about $174.85, totaling close to $1.3 million Wednesday. Goldman could not be reached for comment.

http://www.forbes.com/markets/emergingmarkets/2008/03/21/goldman-sachs-c...

Feds to Appeal Ruling in AIPAC Case
By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
Filed at 7:03 p.m. ET

ALEXANDRIA, Va. (AP) -- Yet another delay is expected in the trial of two former pro-Israel lobbyists accused of disclosing U.S. secrets after prosecutors told a judge Friday they plan to appeal a critical ruling on how classified information will be introduced at trial.

The ruling issued this week by U.S. District Judge T.S. Ellis III is sealed, but a lawyer for one defendant portrayed prosecutors' decision to appeal as the latest in a series of setbacks to the government's case.

Steven Rosen and Keith Weissman, former lobbyists with the American Israel Public Affairs Committee, were accused in 2005 of illegally disclosing sensitive national defense information. Their trial originally was set for 2006 but will now have to be rescheduled an eighth time -- the latest date had been set for next month.

''It's now pretty clear that the government does not want to try this case,'' said Rosen's lawyer, Abbe Lowell. ''They filed these charges without thinking them through, and there appears to be no one in government with enough authority or courage to admit they made a mistake.''

A spokesman for the U.S. Attorney in Alexandria declined to comment.

Even if the 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Richmond hears the appeal on an expedited basis, it will likely take at least several months.

The charges against Rosen and Weissman fall under the 1917 Espionage Act, a rarely used World War I-era law that has never before been applied to lobbyists. They are not charged with espionage.

The indictment alleges that Rosen and Weissman conspired to obtain classified reports on issues relevant to American policy, including and U.S. policy in Iran, the al-Qaida terrorist network and the bombing of the Khobar Towers dormitory in Saudi Arabia, which killed 19 U.S. Air Force personnel. The men are accused of sharing the information with reporters and foreign diplomats.

Rosen and Weissman have argued that the information in which they traffic is commonly traded by Washington insiders, and that government officials tacitly support such disclosures.

Over prosecutors' objections, Rosen and Weissman have already won the right to subpoena Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and other top administration officials. The defense believes their testimony will support their claim that the United States regularly uses AIPAC to send back-channel communications to Israel.

Lawyers have been meeting for weeks in secret hearings in an effort to take classified evidence and develop unclassified substitutes that can be used at a public trial. The process is frequently unwieldy, but has been especially so in this case.

Ellis has voiced frustration several times at the inability of prosecutors and the defense to agree on the wordings of the substitutions.

Ellis previously rejected an earlier proposal by prosecutors to use a series of secret codes to conduct the trial, in which lawyers would have referred to ''Country A'' or ''witness B'' to keep classified information out of the public realm. Defense lawyers had said the plan would have been tantamount to holding a secret trial.

http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/us/AP-Pentagon-Spy-Probe.html?_r=1&oref=...

Passport firms' CEOs donated to Lieberman, Clinton and Obama
David Edwards and Mike Sheehan

Contracting firms identified as Stanley, Inc. and The Analysis Corp., both of Virginia

Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice on Friday apologized to Sen. Barack Obama for a security breach in which three State Department contractors inappropriately reviewed the Democratic presidential candidate's passport file.

CNN also reports, "Hillary Clinton's passport file was breached in 2007, Secretary of State Rice told Clinton, according to the senator's office."

In a statement from her Senate office, Clinton said she had been contacted by Rice. The State Department plans to brief Clinton's staff Friday about the unauthorized breach.

The development came just hours after the State Department fired two contract employees and disciplined a third for inappropriately examining the passport file of Clinton's Democratic rival, Sen. Barack Obama. The episode raised questions as to whether the actions of the three contractors, two of whom have been fired, were politically motivated.

A state department spokesman informed the press at the Friday afternoon press conference that Senator John McCain's passport file was also breached. The same person that breached Obama's passport on March 14th and was disciplined also breached McCain's, according to State Department spokesman Sean McCormack.

snip

The Associated Press later identified Stanley, Inc. as the Virginia-based contractor whose two employees were terminated. One prescient blogger who guessed correctly that Stanley was the contractor in question noted that its CEO is a political donor:

...[O]ne thing that would add to the appearance of impropriety is that CEO Nolan has, according to the Open Secrets database, been a campaign contributor to Sen. Joe Lieberman, a leading supporter of Obama's Republican adversary John McCain. In March 2005 Nolan gave $1,000 to Lieberman's reelection campaign.
The NBC News 'Deep Background' blog has more on Stanley as well as another firm involved in the breaches, The Analysis Corporation of McLean, including the revelation from public records that Stanley CEO Nolan "gave $1,000 to Sen. Hillary Clinton's presidential campaign on Feb. 20, 2008" and Analysis CEO John Brennan "gave $2,300 to Sen. Obama on Jan. 28, 2008."

http://rawstory.com/news/2008/Rice_apologizes_for_Obama_passport_snoopin...

Pentagon rules out Fallon testimony

Pentagon Rules Out Including Fallon in Iraq Hearing Next Month

ROBERT BURNS
AP News

Mar 21, 2008 15:56 EST

The Pentagon on Friday ruled out including Adm. William Fallon as a witness before Congress when the top U.S. military and diplomatic officials in Baghdad testify next month on the way ahead in Iraq.

Fallon's abrupt announcement March 11 that he was resigning, effective March 31, as chief of U.S. Central Command overseeing the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan triggered accusations by Democrats in Congress that he was being forced out for publicly opposing launching a war against Iran.

In declaring that Fallon would not join Gen. David Petraeus and Ambassador Ryan Crocker as witnesses before Congress next month, Pentagon press secretary Geoff Morrell said the decision had nothing to do with Fallon's views on Iran or the reasons for his unexpected resignation and retirement.

"I know there have been requests, in fact, from members of Congress to have Adm. Fallon testify with Gen. Petraeus and Ambassador Crocker, and I can tell you that Adm. Fallon will not be testifying" with them, Morrell told a Pentagon news conference.

Fallon was at the Pentagon on Thursday to join Gates in a video-teleconference meeting with Petraeus in which Fallon and Petraeus gave their views on troop reductions and other issues in Iraq, Morrell said. He said Gates met Friday morning with the chiefs of the Army, Navy, Air Force and Marine Corps, as well as Adm. Michael Mullen, chairman of the Joint Chiefs, to hear their views on Iraq.

The White House has said Bush plans to come to the Pentagon next week to consult with the Joint Chiefs, in the same manner as he did last summer and in the fall of 2006 prior to major Iraq war decisions.

Petraeus and Crocker are due to testify on Capitol Hill on April

http://www.rawstory.com/news/mochila/Pentagon_rules_out_Fallon_testimony...

Officials Close Steel Bridge in Minnesota After Bent Plates Are Found
By SUSAN SAULNY
CHICAGO — A 51-year-old steel truss bridge over the Mississippi River in St. Cloud, Minn., was abruptly shut down on Thursday after inspectors found that its gusset places were bending — a problem similar to the one believed to have critically weakened the Interstate 35W bridge that collapsed in Minneapolis in August.

Transportation officials said that closing the bridge, which is similar in design to the collapsed bridge, was a conservative measure necessary until the structure can be repaired or replaced. The bridge carries State Highway 23, one of St. Cloud’s biggest arteries, over the river.

The bent plates were discovered late Thursday after a visual inspection that was part of what Bob McFarlin, the acting transportation commissioner, called an “extensive, systematic and continuous review” of 25 truss bridges across the state. The inspection found that several gusset plates — metal slabs used to reinforce bridge joints — had bent one-quarter of an inch out of shape.

“The bridge was scheduled for replacement in 2015, but even before today’s action, we had begun planning to accelerate its replacement to sometime in the next two years,” Mr. McFarlin said Thursday in a news release.

Gov. Tim Pawlenty of Minnesota said on his weekly radio program that he supported the decision.

“Even though it presents an inconvenience and a challenge, it’s good that MinnDOT erred on the side of caution and immediately closed the bridge, and is working on whether this bridge needs to be reinforced, replaced or other appropriate measures,” Mr. Pawlenty said Friday, referring to the Transportation Department.

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/03/22/us/22bridge.html?ei=5088&en=eb5fa56631...

81% of Americans say government should pay attention to polls.
In contrast to Vice President Dick Cheney’s dismissive attitude toward Americans’ dissatisfaction with the Iraq war, a recent World Public Opinion poll found that 81 percent of Americans believe that “when making ‘an important decision,’ government leaders ’should pay attention to public opinion polls because this will help them get a sense of the public’s views.’” Moreover, in a sharp rebuke to White House press secretary Dana Perino’s recent claim that Americans only “have input every four years” regarding policy matters, the poll also found that “94 percent say that government leaders should pay attention to the views of the public between elections.”

http://thinkprogress.org/2008/03/21/81-of-americans-say-government-shoul...

The French thank John McCain for Airbus contract?
Earlier this month, Northrop Grumman and the European Aeronautic Defence and Space Co. (EADS), the parent company of France-based Airbus, won a $40 billion Air Force tanker contract, beating out Boeing, DOD’s usual go-to company for Air Force contracts. Some of Sen. John McCain’s (R-AZ) presidential campaign advisers lobbied for EADS while actions by McCain himself helped the deal go through. The contract would create thousands of jobs for Airbus and thus the French have a message for McCain: “Merci.” Watch this new video from the Campaign for America’s Future:

http://thinkprogress.org/2008/03/21/mccain-airbus-merci/

Tony McPeak, a retired Air Force general and current co-chair of Obama's presidential campaign, compared former President Bill Clinton to Joseph McCarthy Friday in response to comments Clinton made earlier in the day that appeared to question Obama's patriotism.

"It sounds more like McCarthy," McPeak said. "I grew up, I was going to college when Joe McCarthy was accusing good Americans of being traitors, so I've had enough of it."

Read more about McPeak's response from the AP

-----

Adding a bit of fuel to the political fire, Bill Clinton made a bizarre comment on Friday, leaving the impression that he believed Barack Obama's patriotism would be a general election issue.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/03/21/another-bill-clinton-mome_n_928...

HALPERIN’S TAKE: Painful Things Hillary Clinton Knows — Or Should Know1. She can’t win the nomination without overturning the will of the elected delegates, which will alienate many Democrats.

2. She can’t win the nomination without a bloody convention battle — after which, even if she won, history and many Democrats would cast her as a villain.

3. Catching up in the popular vote is not out of the question — but without re-votes in Florida and Michigan it will be almost as impossible as catching up in elected delegates.

4. Nancy Pelosi and other leading members of Congress don’t think she can win and want her to give up. Same with superdelegate-to-the-stars Donna Brazile.

5. Obama’s skilled, close-knit staff can do things like silently kill re-votes in Florida and Michigan and not pay a political price.

6. Many of her supporters — and even some of her staffers — would be relieved (and even delighted) if she quit the race; none of his supporters or staff feel that way. Some think she just might throw in the towel in June if it appears efforts to fight on would hurt Obama’s general election chances.

7. The Rev. Wright story notwithstanding, the media still wants Obama to be the nominee — and that has an impact every day.

8. Obama might not be able to talk that well about the new global economy, but she (and McCain) can’t either.

9. Many of the remaining prominent superdelegates want to be for Obama and she (and Harold Ickes) are just barely keeping them from making public commitments to him.

10. She can’t publicly say more than 2% of all the things she would like to say about race, electability, beating McCain and experience.

11. If she somehow found a way to win the nomination, she would have to offer Obama the veep slot, and she doesn’t want to do that.

12. This is a change election, and Bush-Clinton-Bush-Clinton can never truly be change.

13. Obama is having fun most days, and she isn’t.

14. Even though her campaign staff is having more fun than it has for a long time, there’s hardly anyone there who, given half a chance, wouldn’t slit Mark Penn’s throat — and such internal dissension won’t help her in the home stretch.

http://thepage.time.com/halperins-take-painful-things-hillary-clinton-kn...

Rasmussen: Sen. Norm Coleman (R-MN) Narrowly Leads Al Franken
By Eric Kleefeld - March 22, 2008, 12:00AM
A new Rasmussen poll in Minnesota shows Sen. Norm Coleman (R) taking a narrow lead over Al Franken. Here are the numbers, compared to the previous poll from a month ago:

Coleman (R) 48% (+2)
Franken (D) 46% (-3)
With this race going from a narrow Franken lead to a narrow Coleman lead, and all within the margin of error, expect this to be a closely-fought campaign with a lot of reversals in the lead from here to November.

MSNBC Reporter: Obama Campaign Didn't Push Story That Hillary Was Behind Passport Files Breach
By Greg Sargent - March 21, 2008, 5:20PM
I noted below that I was going to try to establish whether the Obama campaign really was peddling the story that Camp Hillary was somehow behind the security breach surrounding Obama's passport files.

After checking into it, I can say that it appears that there's no evidence that this actually happened.

Today on a conference call, a top Hillary adviser attacked the Obama campaign, pointing to the fact that it was alleged on MSNBC this morning that the Obama camp was pushing the tale. This claim appears to have been based on this quote from Morning Joe...

JOE SCARBOROUGH: It's hard to say. It's probably not going to be that big of a story except for the fact that it really helps Barack Obama get some bad news off the front pages of the paper going to the weekend. I think what you're going to see, and already it seems the Obama camp is trying to push the narrative that the supervisor in this episode was a Clinton appointee. They are going to try to point their fingers towards Clinton and make it political.
This appeared to be a reference to a story that MSNBC's David Shuster did yesterday reporting that the former chief of consular affairs received an ambassadorship from Bill Clinton.

But Shuster, who is MSNBC's lead reporter on the passport files story, indicates to me that any reporting suggesting that the Obama campaign pushed this story to him is false. Shuster emails me this:

All of my reporting on the passport story has been based soley on State department and Department of Justice resources. I have received no tips, ledes, contacts, guidance, spin, or anything else from any political campaign.
The story I broke last night about the former chief of consular affairs, Maureen Harty, having received an ambassadorship from Bill Clinton in 1997, was obtained by (1) researching state department web sites and other data bases for the names of current and former consular affairs chiefs, (2) finding a state department biography for Maureen Harty, (3) confirming her ambassadorship via a Clinton foundation web site that had the 1997 press release.

Presuming that Scarborough (who didn't return a call) was basing his assertion on the work done by MSNBC's lead reporter on this story, which seems quite plausible, it appears that Scarborough had this wrong.

CBS Poll Has Mostly Good News For Obama On Race Speech
By Eric Kleefeld - March 21, 2008, 8:24PM
A new CBS poll shows Barack Obama receiving high marks for his speech on race relations.

The poll shows 69% of registered voters saying Obama did a good job of addressing race relations, and 71% said he did a good job explaining his relationship with Jeremiah Wright. The poll also showed 63% saying they agree with Obama on race relations.

Among voters who have followed the Wright controversy, only 14% said they were less likely to vote for Obama as a result — with an equal 14% saying they were more likely to vote for him, and 70% saying it would make no difference.

One bit of lasting damage appears to be on whether voters believe Obama can unite the country, a theme that has been one of the cornerstones of his candidacy. On that question he is at 52% Yes to 35% No, a decline from his score of 67%-25% last month.

http://tpmelectioncentral.talkingpointsmemo.com/2008/03/cbs_poll_has_mos...

Richardson calls out Clinton adviser

(CNN) – Bill Richardson criticized a Clinton campaign adviser Friday for suggesting his endorsement of Barack Obama is insignificant.

"I resent the fact that the Clinton people are now saying that my endorsement is too late because I only can help with Texans — with Texas and Hispanics, implying that that's my only value," the New Mexico governor told CNN's John King.

"That's typical of some of his advisers that kind of turned me off."Earlier Friday, Clinton campaign senior strategist Mark Penn said he thought Richardson's endorsement came too late to make an impact.

“The time that he could have been effective has long since passed," Penn told reporters on a conference call. "I don’t think it is a significant endorsement in this environment.”

In the interview Friday, Richardson also said he called Hillary Clinton Thursday to inform her of his decision to back Obama, a conversation he described as "painful."

"It was painful and it wasn't easy," he said. "I've spoken to others who have had that same conversation and they say at the end, it’s not all that pleasant.

http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2008/03/21/richardson-calls-out-cli...

Mukasey Urges Passage of FISA Reform Bill
Citing daily terror threats and briefings, Attorney General Michael Mukasey on Friday once again urged Congress to pass an electronic surveillance bill that grants telephone companies retroactive immunity for their past cooperation.

"The folks who are out there, who I hear about every morning, have a very long attention span," Mukasey said in reference to terrorist groups. "Fatwahs and other directives do not have an expiration date, and the only weapon we have is intelligence."

The House and Senate have passed competing bills to reform the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act, a portion of which expired last month.

The House version offers a case-by-case judicial review of lawsuits against the telephone companies suspected of having aided the government's warrantless surveillance program after Sept. 11, 2001. The Senate legislation gives blanket retroactive legal protection to the companies.

"We need to stay engaged here because the stakes are tremendous," Mukasey said. "We're willing and happy to work with Congress on a workable bill. The Senate passed a workable, bipartisan bill that contains some compromises. The House passed a bill that was neither bipartisan nor workable."

While Mukasey offered no hint that a compromise is in the works, he said the House proposal does not offer guarantees to the communications industry.

"The people we work with need to know that they can be secure in working with us," he said. "That would introduce the same level of uncertainty that would be introduced by having litigation go on in public...If you tell somebody that you've received assurances, but the propriety of your conduct is now up for grabs, that's not exactly reassuring."
http://legaltimes.typepad.com/blt/2008/03/mukasey-urges-p.html

Former Top CIA Official May Face New Charges In Corruption Case

ALEXANDRIA, Va. -- Prosecutors said Friday that they may obtain a new indictment next month against a former top CIA official accused of corruption, but that the core allegations will not change substantially.

Kyle "Dusty" Foggo has pleaded not guilty to the current charges, which include 30 counts of fraud, conspiracy and money laundering. Specifically, Foggo -- who as executive director held the CIA's No. 3 rank before leaving in 2006 -- is accused of accepting gifts from friend and defense contractor Brent Wilkes in return for help winning contracts.

Foggo was in court Friday for a status hearing, the first since his case was transferred to U.S. District Court in Alexandria from San Diego.
http://www.nbc4.com/news/15667159/detail.html

Craig keeps promise to retire
By Jeffrey Young
Posted: 03/21/08 07:32 PM [ET]
Sen. Larry Craig (R-Idaho), encumbered by a scandal since last summer, did not file for reelection by his state’s deadline Friday, keeping a promise he made and officially marking the end of his congressional career.
Craig’s political future has been in doubt since his arrest and guilty plea on disorderly conduct charges filed after an incident in a men’s restroom at Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport last June.

The three-term senator, who previously served five terms in the House, denied the charges that he solicited sex from an undercover police officer conducting a sting operation to crack down on alleged gay sexual liaisons in the airport’s bathrooms. Craig said he pleaded guilty in hopes of quelling a scandal, a decision he said he regretted.

http://thehill.com/leading-the-news/craig-keeps-promise-to-retire-2008-0...

Pakistan to Talk With Militants, New Leaders Say

ISLAMABAD, Pakistan — Faced with a sharp escalation of suicide bombings in urban areas, the leaders of Pakistan’s new coalition government say they will negotiate with the militants believed to be orchestrating the attacks, and will use military force only as a last resort.

That talk has alarmed American officials, who fear it reflects a softening stance toward the militants just as President Pervez Musharraf has given the Bush administration a freer hand to strike at militants using pilotless Predator drones.

Many Pakistanis, however, are convinced that the surge in suicide bombings — 17 in the first 10 weeks of 2008 — is retaliation for three Predator strikes since the beginning of the year. The spike in attacks, combined with the crushing defeat of Mr. Musharraf’s party in February parliamentary elections, has brought demands for change in his American-backed policies.

Speaking in separate interviews, the leaders of Pakistan’s new government coalition — Asif Ali Zardari of the Pakistan Peoples Party and Nawaz Sharif, head of the Pakistan Muslim League-N — tried to strike a more independent stance from Washington and repackage the conflict in a more palatable way for Pakistanis.
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/03/22/world/asia/22pstan.html?_r=1&hp&oref=s...

so catch up later.

Have a great day, Sederites!!

On the campaign trail, Mrs. Clinton has on several occasions said she “helped to bring peace to Northern Ireland.” In an interview with National Public Radio this month, however, she seemed to go a step further when she said that the role she played was “instrumental” in ending the decades-long conflict there between Catholics and Protestants.

The Obama campaign has responded by accusing Mrs. Clinton of exaggerating her specific role and general experience. Some of the sharpest language has come in a memorandum written by Greg Craig, a foreign policy adviser to Mr. Obama who like Ms. Vargo is a former aide to Senator Edward M. Kennedy, Democrat of Massachusetts, and who also served as the director of policy planning in the State Department during the Clinton administration.

“It is a gross overstatement of the facts for her to claim even partial credit for bringing peace to Northern Ireland,” Mr. Craig wrote in the foreign policy memorandum, which has been distributed to reporters. Though Mrs. Clinton traveled abroad as first lady and had some contact with Irish women’s groups, he added, “at no time did she play any role in the critical negotiations that produced the peace.”

Visiting the United States this week, Ireland’s prime minister, Bertie Ahern, offered a view more nuanced than either of the Democratic campaigns. In Lackawanna County, Pa., on the eve of St. Patrick’s Day celebrations, Mr. Ahern said Mrs. Clinton had been “hugely helpful” in the peace process, but he stopped short of crediting her with a central role in the negotiations.

“She was the first lady of the United States, not a party leader in Northern Ireland,” Mr. Ahern, who has been in office since June 1997, told The Scranton Times-Tribune. “No one would expect her to get into the nitty-gritty of the process.” But, he added, “any fair observer would find that both Hillary and Bill Clinton made peace in Ireland a priority while they were in the White House and after.”

Representative Peter T. King, Republican of New York, was one of several members of Congress who tried to encourage the peace talks. Mr. King described Mrs. Clinton as “definitely a player and not just along for the ride.” He said it would be accurate to describe her as “a knowledgeable and very effective go-between” whom he recalled often seeing “huddled off to the side at receptions,” talking with the Irish parties to the peace negotiations, “trying to break down as many barriers as possible.”

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/03/22/us/politics/22irish.html

who goes to work in the snow? get back to bed!!

Bush Silent, but Others Speak Out on Tibet

WASHINGTON — China’s violent crackdown on protesters in Tibet is having powerful political reverberations in Washington, where the White House is weighing how far to go in condemning the Chinese government, even as it defends President Bush’s decision to attend the Summer Olympics in Beijing.

Times Topics: China | Tibet Mr. Bush has long said the United States and China have “a complex relationship,” and that complexity was on full display this week. While his administration has called for an end to the violence, and his secretary of state, Condoleezza Rice, phoned her Chinese counterpart to urge restraint, Mr. Bush himself has remained silent.

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/03/22/world/asia/22prexy.html?ref=washington

Confessions of Fox's Black Boogeyman

Min. Paul Scott

As the spotlight beamed down on my face, I could hear the producer counting down. Ten seconds to Armageddon; my first encounter with Fox New's epitome of evil, Sean Hannity. As I sat there waiting for the big showdown, I asked myself,

"What's a militant, Afrocentric, radical dude, like me, doing in a place like this?"

It started off on a whim. I had watched Hannity and Colmes a few times and developed a strong dislike (OK, bitter hatred) for Sean Hannity before he even opened his mouth. (Something about that permanent smirk on his face makes me wanna slap him.) So, one morning in 2002, I called ABC radio and asked to speak with the producer of his talk show.

"Hold on," the receptionist said. "Too easy," I thought. "She must be new."

I was expecting to talk to an answering machine but, to my surprise, someone picked up the receiver!

Being a seasoned community activist, I knew the drill. You get 10 good seconds to pitch a story idea before a snooty producer, who is up against a deadline, rudely cuts you off midstream and tells you to fax him your info at (212) 555 -"click..." So, before the producer guy could finish saying hello, I had already given him my entire bio.

"Good, no click, yet. Now for the story pitch..."

"I wanna tell Sean Hannity, that Jesus was black !"

After a second of awkward silence, the producer said that he liked the idea and would get back with me soon.

I told myself that I wouldn't hold my breath.

Two weeks later, the phone rang. It was a producer from the Hannity and Colmes tv show who had run across my info. She wanted me on the show that night.

"Let me check my schedule," I said, pausing to shadow box with the giant poster of Sean Hannity with scripto horns drawn on his head that hangs on my living room wall.

"Cool." Ready for prime time.

A few hours later, I was rollin' through the 'hood in an expensive town car with a white chauffeur, courtesy of Rupert Murdock on my way to some secret Fox News bat cave satellite studio.

As I got mic-ed up, the producer made small talk while he adjusted the audio.

http://www.opednews.com/articles/1/opedne_min__pau_080320_confession_of_...

Mr. Clinton helped elevate Mr. Richardson to the national stage by naming him his energy secretary and ambassador to the United Nations. And Mr. Clinton left no doubt that he viewed Mr. Richardson’s support as important to his wife’s campaign: He even flew to New Mexico to watch the Super Bowl with Mr. Richardson as part of the Clintons’ high-profile courtship of him.

But Mr. Richardson stopped returning Mr. Clinton’s calls days ago, Mr. Clinton’s aides said. And as of Friday, Mr. Richardson said, he had yet to pick up the phone to tell Mr. Clinton of his decision.

The reaction of some of Mr. Clinton’s allies suggests that might have been a wise decision. “An act of betrayal,” said James Carville, an adviser to Mrs. Clinton and a friend of Mr. Clinton.

“Mr. Richardson’s endorsement came right around the anniversary of the day when Judas sold out for 30 pieces of silver, so I think the timing is appropriate, if ironic,” Mr. Carville said, referring to Holy Week.

Mr. Richardson said he called Mrs. Clinton late on Thursday to inform her that he would be appearing with Mr. Obama on Friday to lend his support.

“It was cordial, but a little heated,” Mr. Richardson said in an interview.
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/03/22/us/politics/22richardson.html?_r=1&adx...

A US judge has ordered Starbucks to repay its California coffee-makers more than $100m (£50m) in tips that were paid to shift supervisors.

San Diego Superior Court Judge Patricia Cowett said the coffee-makers - "baristas" - were entitled to $86m in back tips, plus interest.

She issued an injunction banning supervisors from sharing future tips.

She said the practice broke a state law barring managers and supervisors from obtaining a share of employee tips.
[...]
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/7308233.stm

Submitted by toniD on Sat, 03/22/2008 - 8:08am.
...“Even though it presents an inconvenience and a challenge, it’s good that MinnDOT erred on the side of caution and immediately closed the bridge..."
----------
In Missouri, the Department of Transportation is known as MoDot.

So-o-o-o...we got's a MinnDOT and a MoDot. If Oregon has an OrDot, I'll write a song (which might conclude as a WashDot).

Campaign contributions correlate with House votes on FISA bill
Submitted by Sean Tanner on Fri, 2008-03-21 21:12.
BERKELEY, CA—MAPLight.org’s research department reveals that the telecom industry gave, on average, $10,660 to members of the House of Representatives who voted “no” as opposed to $7,085 to those who voted “yes” on the House amendment (to the Senate amendment to H.R. 3773), to amend the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act of 1978 (FISA).

The amendment, which passed on March 14, rejects retroactive immunity for phone carriers who helped the National Security Agency carryout their wiretapping program without proper warrants. It does, however, give federal courts special authority to decide whether lawsuits against the phone companies should proceed. According to the Washington Post, “about 40 lawsuits have accused AT&T Inc., Verizon Communications Inc., and Sprint Nextel Corp. of violating the privacy rights of law-abiding Americans swept up in the electronic surveillance of phone calls and email. Damages could total in the billions of dollars.”

“Like many issues in Congress, money closely correlates with votes,” said Daniel Newman, Executive Director of MAPLight.org. “This finding raises the question… What is the link between the thousands of dollars in Telecom PAC contributions and members of Congress who voted to give Telecom companies immunity?”

213 members of the House voted Yes (all Democrats), 197 voted No (185 Republicans and 12 Democrats), 20 Not Voting (13 Republicans and 7 Democrats) and 1 present (Democrat). The amendment imposes tougher restrictions on National Security Agency eavesdropping than the Senate version, and states that court approval would be required for wiretapping procedures to take place prior to action. It also enhances oversight over the Administration’s surveillance activities. For more on HR 3773 visit, Whip Pack.

“Our findings are based on the aggregation of contribution data from the Center for Responsive Politics and voting data from THOMAS via GovTrack.us,” said Sean Tanner, MAPLight.org’s Research Manager. “We looked at PAC donations associated with three major players in the Telcom industry—Verizon, AT&T, and Sprint—from January 2005 through September 2007 to determine our results.”

http://www.opednews.com/maxwrite/linkframe.php?linkid=55012

It's my long day at work
Submitted by toniD on Sat, 03/22/2008 - 9:55am.
so catch up later.
-----
Submitted by Lucille on Sat, 03/22/2008 - 9:59am.
who goes to work in the snow? get back to bed!!
----------------
In outdoor Chicago space, no one can hear you scream.

Iraq Slogger has published a Pentagon Report that they hoped to keep secret.

Critics are questioning a Pentagon decision this week to reverse plans to post on the Web the results of an exhaustive Defense Department-sponsored probe that found the Saddam Hussein regime never had links to al Qaeda.

The Defense Department decided, instead, to provide the report to the press and the public only in response to individual requests for the report to be sent via U.S. snail mail.

Two key sentences from the report's executive summary:

This study found no "smoking gun" (i.e., direct connection) between Saddam's Iraq and al Qaeda. Saddam's interest in, and support for, non-state actors was spread across a variety of revolutionary, liberation, nationalist, and Islamic terrorist organizations.

here is the nine-page executive summary: PDF

Here is the report's first of five volumes (volume one is 97 pages): P_4287_Vol_1.doc

Here is volume two of the report (571 pages): P_4287_Vol_2.doc

Here is volume three of the report (458 pages): P_4287_Vol_3.zip

Volume four of the report (469 pages): P_4287_Vol_4.zip

Volume five of the report (259 pages): P_4287_Vol_5.zip

http://www.afterdowningstreet.org/node/32000

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=38tryJyMnVY

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rwmzMBeZIW0

Italy judge clears way for CIA "rendition" trial
Submitted by davidswanson on Thu, 2008-03-20 20:25. Criminal Prosecution
By Reuters

An Italian judge on Wednesday ordered the resumption of a trial against U.S. and Italian spies accused of abducting a terrorism suspect, in a blow to efforts to halt a case that Rome says violates state secrecy rules.

The trial in absentia against 26 Americans -- almost all believed to be CIA agents -- is the first anywhere over the U.S. practice of "extraordinary rendition," whereby terrorism suspects are secretly transferred to third countries.

Italian spies, including the former head of Italy's military intelligence agency Nicolo Pollari, are accused of helping the CIA team abduct Muslim cleric Hassan Mustafa Osama Nasr in 2003 and fly him to Egypt. There, Nasr says he was tortured.

Judge Oscar Magi had suspended proceedings shortly after they began in June last year, saying the criminal trial should wait until Italy's highest court ruled whether prosecutors had broken state secrecy rules when building their case.

But after months of high court delays, Magi decided the trial in Milan could go forward regardless.

"The measure suspending (the trial) can be removed," Magi told the court. "It will not cause any harm to the defense."

Prosecutors say a CIA-led team grabbed Nasr, also known as Abu Omar, off a Milan street, bundled him into a van and drove him to a military base in northern Italy.

He was then flown to Egypt, where Nasr says he was tortured under interrogation with electric shocks, beatings, rape threats and genital abuse.

Nasr was freed from prison in February last year and lives in Egypt. He faces an arrest order in Italy on suspicion of terrorist activity.

http://www.afterdowningstreet.org/node/31992

grrr.

http://www.truthout.org/docs_2006/031908J.shtml

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IKBlz_6Y-U4

American Public Says Government Leaders Should Pay Attention to Polls
Submitted by davidswanson on Sat, 2008-03-22 00:39. Media
Eight in Ten Say Public Should Have Greater Influence on Government
By World Public Opinion

In sharp contrast to views recently expressed by Vice President Cheney, a new poll finds that an overwhelming majority of Americans believe government leaders should pay attention to public opinion polls and that the public should generally have more influence over government leaders than it does.

Eighty-one percent say when making "an important decision" government leaders "should pay attention to public opinion polls because this will help them get a sense of the public's views." Only 18 percent said "they should not pay attention to public opinion polls because this will distract them from deciding what they think is right."

When ABC News correspondent Martha Raddatz cited polling data showing majority opposition to the Iraq war, Cheney responded, "So?" Asked, "So--you don't care what the American people think?" he responded, "No," and explained, "I think you cannot be blown off course by the fluctuations in the public opinion polls."

Americans also roundly reject the position put forward by White House spokeswoman Dana Perino in an effort to explain Cheney's comments. Asked whether the public should have "input," she replied, "You had your input. The American people have input every four years, and that's the way our system is set up."

When Americans are asked whether they think that "elections are the only time when the views of the people should have influence, or that also between elections leaders should consider the views of the people as they make decisions," an extraordinary 94 percent say that government leaders should pay attention to the views of the public between elections.

These findings are part of a larger international poll conducted by WorldPublicOpinion.org, an international research project managed by the Program on International Policy Attitudes at the University of Maryland. The poll of 975 Americans was fielded from January 18 to 27 by Knowledge Networks. The margin of error was +/-3.2 percent.

The focus of the study is the principle expressed in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights that "The will of the people should be the basis of the authority of government." Presented this statement, 87 percent of Americans say they agree with it.

However, Americans are not satisfied with the extent that the will of the people does govern. Asked, "How much is this country governed according to the will of the people?" and asked to answer on a scale with 0 meaning "not at all" and 10 meaning "completely," the mean response is 4.0. Asked how much the country should be governed according to the will of the people, the mean response is 7.9.

Eighty-three percent of respondents say that the will of the people should have more influence that it does.

http://www.afterdowningstreet.org/node/32028

and wash various parts of my body....later!

Do you remember Al Gore? Anyone remember how the republicans tore him apart? They said Al Gore claimeed he created the internet. And there were many more comments like that.

Look above at what Lucille is posting. Its all the same kind of republican attack but aimed at Hillary. Hillary claims she had a major role in the Ireland peace process. All throughout the campaign the Obama dems have been using republican talking points.

The sad thing about it all is this is done by people who know that their candidate has actually never done anything to help anyone but himself. Obama has certainly burnt the midnight oil writing speeches to save his own ass but when did he ever lift a finger to help the public. Go ahead Lucile-you seem to be a know it all-tell us what you know.

Submitted by wolf on Sat, 03/22/2008 - 10:47am
...their candidate has actually never done anything to help anyone but himself. Obama has certainly burnt the midnight oil writing speeches to save his own ass but when did he ever lift a finger to help the public.

OMG Wolf, you are a "dumb-ass". Keep drinking that 'kool-aid' and spinning your Oppositional Research. Key word is RESEARCH. Try it sometime.

http://www.boston.com/news/nation/articles/2007/02/20/obama_got_start_in...

As the first black president of the Harvard Law Review, Obama had his pick of top law firms. He chose Miner's Chicago civil rights firm, where he represented community organizers, discrimination victims and black voters trying to force a redrawing of city ward boundaries.

Like many lawyers, Obama never took part in a trial. He spent most of his nine-year career working as part of a team, drawing up contracts, briefs and other legal papers.

The firm of Miner Barnhill & Galland, many of whose members have Harvard and Yale law degrees, has a reputation that fits nicely into the resume of a future presidential candidate.

"It's a real do-good firm," says Fay Clayton, lead counsel for the National Organization for Women in a landmark lawsuit aimed at stopping abortion clinic violence. "Barack and that firm were a perfect fit. He wasn't going to make as much money there as he would at a LaSalle Street firm or in New York, but money was never Barack's first priority anyway."

you fucking cunt...its Lucille--- now there! you sneaky barstid...you wait for me to leave, just like you wait for us to move to a new thread than post on the old one...a wolf without balls thats what you are!

I hope the "cunt" will forgive me for abusing it on this msunu!

with my sweet daughters!

make shit up.

"I think it would be a great thing if we had an election between two people who loved this country and were devoted to the interests of the country and people could actually ask themselves who is right on the issues, instead of all this other stuff that always seems to intrude itself on our politics."

while using them. Typical nonsense.

Digging out again today. We have LOTSA snow here if you

need some. Come and get it!

Thanks Peter Dragon.... we have enough here.
Your generosity is overwhelming though. Thanks again.. LOL

I hate to report the beautiful day here..but... :) And the moonlight..dreamy luscious lovliness...

NIN My Violent Heart, mp3

Some places don't have any of this precious stuff and I will

be happy to share it. If you live in the Sunbelt and would

like to experience the joy of sparkling white snow...

We are up to our asses in it here. Free to all takers. The

very best of it is in my driveway so I think you should

take that first.

why is there foam all over your car and driveway?

It's all sunny and the flowers are everywhere here. That foam would wreck my freshly planted peppers and tomato.

Does anyone know what THIS idiot is talking about? I can't decipher.

He was a lawyer who worked at a law firm....Ok.

Ok. Now what did he do to help the public-I'm still waiting. Who has benefited from this guy? Why aren't there people coming forward saying how he helped them?

As a congressman or a lawyer or a senator-tell me-who did he help?

You people like to tear down what Hillary has done now tell me what Obama has done.

go to his site. Why do you come over here, insult people and then ask us to help you out? Wasting time on you is not anything anyone should do. You don't want to see him as a better candidate and you won't no matter what evidence people put in front of you. We have laid it out so many times that you have shown yourself to be motivated by feelings not facts. And I for one question your feelings. Are you a racist or a feminist or both?

Fenando -
I am very jealous that you have planted your garden already.
Won't be able to do that till May (hopefully) we did have a freeze late in the
month of May last year. everyone up here had to cover all their plants.
My nasty next door neighbor is snow-blowing her driveway - I don't know
why she just doesn't wait - we are going to get 40/50 degree weather by Monday.

I can't imagine living that way. I'm in shorts. My daughter is planning on spending her day sun tanning while reading her homework by the pool.

We get a few cold days. I don't like them at all, especially if its cold and wet. Damn it. Now I'm getting the urge to fire up the blender and make Margaritas. Why don't you run and get toniD out of work early and come over? I have a great red pepper/pineapple pork recipe I can grill.

So great posts ! :)
Thanks !

"Hello to our friends and fans in domestic surveillance."

"Hello to our friends and fans in domestic surveillance."

http://www.rasmussenreports.com/public_content/politics/election_20082/2...

I take it then that you are unable to defend your position Ferdy.

As I predicted Obama is starting to fall.

He's starting to remind me of that guy-what was his name-oh yeah

Humpty Dumpty

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Humpty_Dumpty

I hate this weather actually. I didn't mind it growing up... now I just long for summer.
I think that toniD & I would love to come on over and do some fellowship with you & the family.
My 3 BIG dogs hate the summer - to hot for them. They love this winter crap.
The red pepper/pineapple pork recipe sounds delightful. Wish we could be there! :)

How do you do it smcgee43?
new
Submitted by Fernando on Sat, 03/22/2008 - 12:48pm.
I can't imagine living that way. I'm in shorts. My daughter is planning on spending her day sun tanning while reading her homework by the pool.

We get a few cold days. I don't like them at all, especially if its cold and wet. Damn it. Now I'm getting the urge to fire up the blender and make Margaritas. Why don't you run and get toniD out of work early and come over? I have a great red pepper/pineapple pork recipe I can grill.

It's the light bb

~`~`~`~`~`~
Jamesbennett

The AP reports that yesterday in federal court, the White House disclosed that older “computer hard drives have been destroyed,” the latest revelation in the controversy surrounding missing White House e-mails from 2003-2005. The White House said that a court proposed e-mail recovery plan stemming from lawsuits brought on by the National Security Archive and CREW would be worthless because “[w]hen workstations are at the end of their lifecycle and retired … the hard drives are generally sent offsite to another government entity for physical destruction.”

http://thinkprogress.org/

March 19, 2008 : 7:06 PM ET
Here’s something that Hillary Clinton, Barack Obama and John McCain all agree on: the need to protect horses from being slaughtered.
Although the last horse slaughter facility in the U.S. was closed several months ago, the horrific butchery has simply moved across our borders. But there is a solution at hand; it just needs one final boost to be put in place.
As one of the country’s top no-kill horse rescues, Best Friends has joined with other advocates to push for passage of the American Horse Slaughter Prevention Act currently under consideration by Congress.
The bill has 196 cosponsors in the House of Representatives and 38 in the Senate, including presidential candidates Clinton, Obama and McCain. And those are just the numbers of cosponsors; many other legislators would no doubt vote for the bill if given the chance.

http://news.bestfriends.org/index.cfm?page=news&mode=entry&entry=C98D053...

Tear someone down by repeating a hollow talking point.

Never offer your own proof for what your chosen candidate has done as an argument for your case and why you support them. Just accuse others of spreading lies and distortions about them.

Demand proof from the other candidate's supporters without bothering to do the research yourself and creating an argument for your case on that research.

Most here have done our research on both Democratic candidates, and I can fairly say most have leaned towards Obama (now that their primary candidate has dropped out) based on that research.

I was an Edwards supporter. And my thoughts on his delay in endorsement is simple. He's waiting to see who comes out on top of this squabble. He has time.

I do find it disturbing that many journalists have written Hillary's obituary already as that is not their job. We have a ways to go yet. The Wright kerfluffle will dissipate. In the end, whatever momentum Hillary gets and rides in to the convention isn't enough to win. If the superdelagates choose to ignore the numbers, even if she has the momentum from the primaries, it will be mayhem. Tables turned, I believe Obama would accept that defeat. Hillary won't. I base this observation on my perception of their public character. It shows in what her husband just said yesterday, slyly questioning the patriotism of his own party's other candidate.

Bill and Hillary will be solely responsible for finally putting the last nail in the Democratic Party's coffin.

This scenario was also discussed at great length on The Verdict with Dan Ahbrams and on Race For The WH w/ David Gregory.

Have a good day all. :)

Many American Conservatives pointed to Sarkozy's election as proof that France had swung toward the superior ideology of America's militaristic Conservatism.

I haven't read similar claims touting Sarkozy's announcement that France will reduce its nuclear arsenal by half.

Re: Polls

It's a given after the Wright controversy his numbers would slip. Hardly the death knell.

Or, I could pull a Cheney and just say... So?

*snark*

later - beauty of a day here.

~`~`~`~`~`~
Jamesbennett

wolf. I at least have respect for them. Instead you prove you are the other, pointing to the great success of the Southern Strategy. I hope that works for you but I doubt it. I bet it must be hard for hard core skin head types to accept a man who is half black and President of the United States of America.

US air strike kills 'Iraq allies'

Awakening Council members at the site of the air strike near Samarra
Six people have been killed in a US air strike near the Iraqi town of Samarra, with some reports suggesting they were US-allied anti-al-Qaeda Sunni fighters.

It came as four more US soldiers were killed in Iraq, bringing the death toll since the 2003 invasion close to 4,000.

Three soldiers died when a roadside bomb hit their vehicle near Baghdad on Saturday, the US military said.

Another US soldier died after a rocket or mortar attack on Friday, bringing estimated US fatalities to 3,996.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/7309292.stm

http://www.sodahead.com/poll/63992/

~`~`~`~`~`~
Jamesbennett

Is that what you are hoping will happen?

That people will forget that Obama has been listening to his racist minister for twenty years?

You Obama people really are hopeful!

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=88827049

War Fades as Issue for Altoona, Pa.'s GOP Voters
by Linda Wertheimer

Weekend Edition Saturday, March 22, 2008 · Altoona, Pa. — a state where the next Democratic presidential contest will take place — is solidly Republican. GOP voters there say the Iraq war has faded as an issue for them, but their party ties have not.
-------------------
I listened to the above report this morning on NPR. A few of the people who were interviewed lamented that the Iraq War should never have been waged, that it is too costly in lives and treasury, that it might be impacting the U.S. economy, etc. The same people said that they are going to vote for McCain.

This is an example of cognitive dissonance in all of its illogical glory. It is also an example of placing party above country.

Buffalo Tom-Sodajerk

A good tune.......
"Hello to our friends and fans in domestic surveillance."

I heard it several times, never entirely listening but each time finding more baffling statements.

It's gonna be a long haul and after it is over...

"President Nicolas Sarkozy has said France will reduce its number of airborne nuclear weapons by one third."

?

"Hello to our friends and fans in domestic surveillance."

http://www.sodahead.com/question/64014/

4 votes so far

I'm the only one that voted yes

mmr
: )

~`~`~`~`~`~
Jamesbennett

"Hello to our friends and fans in domestic surveillance."

http://news.smh.com.au/france-to-reduce-nuclear-arsenal-warns-of-iran-da...

...The announced cuts will reduce France's stock of air-launched weapons by a third, but leave France's far larger submarine missile arsenal in place...

...The reduction will leave France with less than 300 nuclear warheads, half the maximum number it had during the Cold War, the president said...
-----------
Alice,

We both got it wrong. The reduction is of air-launched nuclear warheads by one-third. This excludes the "far larger" submarine missile arsenal.

The reduction by half applies to a comparison with all French Cold War era nukes.

Either way, it's a step in the right direction. Or the Left direction. One or the other.

Sammy is on KPHX - rerun of Thursdays show! :)

We Accept their Poisoned toys & food..They Beat up & Kill Unarmed Protesters..And,we have them as one of our "Most Favored Trade Partners" ?

By JOE McDONALD, Associated Press Writer
2 hours, 4 minutes ago

BEIJING - The communist government's leading newspaper called Saturday to "resolutely crush" Tibetan demonstrations against Chinese rule.

The statement came as international criticism against the crackdown on Tibetan protesters swelled.

A senior EU official said European countries should not rule out threatening China with an Olympic boycott if violence continues in Tibet. Republican presidential hopeful John McCain and House of Representatives Speaker Nancy Pelosi also joined the growing chorus of critics.

Fighting back against the criticism, Beijing has begun releasing tallies of statements of support from foreign governments and trying to get its version of events before the international community
Con't-YahooNews

"Hello to our friends and fans in domestic surveillance."

Sorry,but could you link that "Did you listen?"post..
Having a hard time loading site..
Thank you.... :)

"Hello to our friends and fans in domestic surveillance."

"Hello to our friends and fans in domestic surveillance."

I watched the You Tube award winner "Chocolate Rain."

Which caused me to watch the parody "Chocolate Rain by Chad Vader."

Which caused me to watch "Chad Vader, Night Manager: Episode 1."

Which caused me to watch "Chad Vader, Night Manager: Episode 2."

Which is where I stopped after noticing that there are at least eight episodes.

Here is a link to Episode 1, if you are Chubby Bubba or similarly humored:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4wGR4-SeuJ0&NR=1

Not my words, from a mailing list:

I have now actually listened to the sermon Rev. Wright gave after September 11 titled, "The Day of Jerusalem's Fall." It was delivered on Sept. 16, 2001.

One of the most controversial statements in this sermon was when he mentioned ''chickens coming home to roost.'' He was actually quoting Edward Peck, former U.S. Ambassador to Iraq and deputy director of President Reagan's terrorism task force, who was speaking on FOX News. That's what he told the congregation.

He was quoting Peck as saying that America's foreign policy has put the nation in peril:

"I heard Ambassador Peck on an interview yesterday did anybody else see or hear him? He was on FOX News, this is a white man, and he was upsetting the FOX News commentators to no end, he pointed out, a white man, an ambassador, he pointed out that what Malcolm X said when he was silenced by Elijah Mohammad was in fact true, he said Americas chickens, are coming home to roost." 

"Violence begets violence. Hatred begets hatred. And terrorism begets terrorism. A white ambassador said that yâ'all, not a black militant. Not a reverend who preaches about racism. An ambassador whose eyes are wide open and who is trying to get us to wake up and move away from this dangerous precipice upon which we are now poised. The ambassador said the people we have wounded don't have the military capability we have. But they do have individuals who are willing to die and take thousands with them. And we need to come to grips with that."

He went on to describe seeing the photos of the aftermath of 9/11 because he was in Newark, N.J., when the planes struck. After turning on the TV and seeing the second plane slam into one of the twin towers, he spoke passionately about what if you never got a chance to say hello to your family again.

"What is the state of your family?" he asked. And then he told his congregation that he loved them and asked the church to tell each other they loved themselves.

His sermon thesis:

1. This is a time for self-examination of ourselves and our families.

2. This is a time for social transformation (then he went on to say they won't put me on PBS or national cable for what I'm about to say. Talk about prophetic!)

"We have got to change the way we have been doing things as a society," he said.

Wright then said we can't stop messing over people and thinking they can't touch us. He said we may need to declare war on racism, injustice, and greed, instead of war on other countries.

"Maybe we need to declare war on AIDS. In five minutes the Congress found $40 billion to rebuild New York and the families that died in sudden death, do you think we can find the money to make medicine available for people who are dying a slow death? Maybe we need to declare war on the nation's healthcare system that leaves the nation's poor with no health coverage? Maybe we need to declare war on the mishandled educational system and provide quality education for everybody, every citizen, based on their ability to learn, not their ability to pay. This is a time for social transformation."

3. This is time to tell God thank you for all that he has provided and that he gave him and others another chance to do His will.

By the way, nowhere in this sermon did he said "God damn America." I'm not sure which sermon that came from.

This doesn't explain anything away, nor does it absolve Wright of using the N-word, but what it does do is add an accurate perspective to this conversation.

The point that I have always made as a journalist is that our job is to seek the truth, and not the partial truth.

I am also listening to the other sermons delivered by Rev. Wright that have been the subject of controversy.

And let me be clear: Where I believe he was wrong and not justified in what he said based upon the facts, I will say so. But where the facts support his argument, that will also be said.

So stay tuned.

[THANK YOU Roland!!!]

"Hello to our friends and fans in domestic surveillance."

http://bigshottexas.blogspot.com/2008/03/five-years-later.html

"Hello to our friends and fans in domestic surveillance."

That is irreplaceable - the speech that is.
I personally agree with Rev. Wright. He didn't say anything that wasn't true.
We have really fucked up a lot of countries & have changed regimes
in the name of GREED... and oh democracy.

So he was quoting some guy quoting Malcol X.

Thats just as creepy.

Where is the part were he screams "God Bless America, no, no, no.. God Damn America" from his pulpit? Was it in that speech or another one just like it?

you are a bigot and see things through those eyes and you are wanting us to vote for Hillary. Do you really think you are doing your cause any good at all? Are you just trying to look silly? Cause ya do.

March 22 / 23, 2008

Worth the Sacrifice?

Bush Blisters the Truth on Iraq

By RALPH NADER

On the occasion of the fifth anniversary of Bush's illegal war of aggression in Iraq, the Fabricator-in-Chief made a speech at the Pentagon, whose muzzled army chiefs had opposed his costly, ruinous adventure from the start for strategic, tactical and logistical reasons.

As benefits the dictatorial monarch of yesteryear, evicted by America's first patriots, this modern-day King George blistered the truth, somersaulted the facts and declared that a "strategic victory" in Iraq is near. He called the war "a just and noble cause." Sugarcoating the terrible, impoverished state of daily life in Iraq, he acknowledged "the high cost in lives and treasure," but said the recent situation in Iraq made it all worthwhile. "Worth the sacrifice" is how he put it often in previous statements.

At the same time, his V.P. his Prince Regent, Dick Cheney was having this exchange with ABC's Martha Raddatz:

Raddatz: "Two-thirds of Americans say it's not worth fighting, and they're looking at the value gain versus the cost in American lives, certainly, and Iraqi lives."

Cheney: "So?"

Raddatz: "So--you don't care what the American people think?"

Cheney: "No," who then inaccurately wrapped Abraham Lincoln's stand during the Civil War around his relentless illegal warmongering in Iraq.
www.counterpunch.org
**Lesbian Chic**

http://isteve.blogspot.com/2008/03/obama-throws-his-own-living-grannie.h...

Obama is such a slob. Talk about drama queens.

http://www.mydd.com/story/2008/3/22/145941/616

But I thought it was Hillary that broke into the files Ferdy?

"I define it (art) briefly as a human conception made manifest by the use of a medium that could be perceived by the senses of other men--the eye, the ear, the nose, the palate.) ; and if I define good art as a noble (or arresting, or interesting, or valuable) conception made manifest by the skilful use of a medium, I can then have done with definitions."
Art critic Eric Newton (1893-1965)

**Lesbian Chic**

http://www.counterpunch.org/dickinson03222008.html

**Lesbian Chic**

of Artistic Expression in Turkey
http://www.mungbeing.com/petition.html
**Lesbian Chic**

where did you get to see this movie?

http://www.mexconnect.com/mex_/travel/tonysarticles/tbatl.html

**Lesbian Chic**

Anyone?
Almost all of the world’s developed countries consider themselves, and are, social democracies: mixed economies with very large governments performing a wide array of welfare and social insurance functions, and removing large chunks of wealth and commodity distribution from the market. The United States is something different. Or is it? Whatever it has been in the past, the United States in the future will have to choose whether, and how much, it will be a social democracy.

Once upon a time, according to mythology at least, America had little downward mobility. On the contrary, before the Civil War you could start out splitting rails, light out for the Western Territory, make a success of yourself on the frontier, and wind up as president—if you were named Abraham Lincoln. In the generation after World War II, you could secure a blue-collar unionized manufacturing job or climb to the top of a white collar bureaucracy that offered job security, relatively high salaries, and long, stable career ladders.

This was always half myth. Setting out for the Western Territory was expensive. Covered wagons were not cheap. Even in the first post-WWII generation, only a minority of Americans—a largely white, male minority—found well-paying stable jobs at large, unionized, capital-intensive manufacturing companies like GM, GE or AT&T.

But if this story was half myth, it was also half true, particularly in the years after WWII. Largely independent of education or family, those Americans who did value stability and security could grasp it in the form of jobs with “a future.” Even for those not so lucky, economic risks were usually fairly low: the unemployment rate for married men during the 1960s averaged 2.7 percent, and finding a new job was a relatively simple matter. It was during this era—roughly from 1948 to 1973—that sociologists found that a majority of Americans had come to define themselves not as working class, but as middle class.

The post-WWII period stands as a reference point in America’s collective memory, but it was in all likelihood an aberration. In the early postwar decades, foreign competition exerted virtually no pressure on the economy, owing to the isolation of America’s continental market from the devastation of WWII. At the same time, the war left enormous pent-up demand for the products of mass production: cars, washing machines, refrigerators, lawn mowers, television sets and more.

Government policy back then began with a permanent military program of spending and R&D and continued through massive public works program and suburbanization, underpinned by the Federal Highway Program and subsidized home ownership loans from the Federal Housing Administration. The regulatory institutions and behavioral norms that originated in the New Deal and developed during WWII came into full force: Social Security, a system of unionized labor relations, market regulation...
http://www.tompaine.com/articles/social_democracy_anyone.php

**Lesbian Chic**

http://www.cnn.com/2008/POLITICS/03/22/passport.files/index.html?iref=mp...

re Thespian Lipsti... on Sat, 03/22/2008 - 5:10pm.

http://yabanji.tripod.com/
~`~`~`~`~`~
Jamesbennett

Topple Bush

thanks for this link tl
~`~`~`~`~`~
Jamesbennett

mel -
new
Submitted by rctowns on Sat, 03/22/2008 - 5:13pm.

where did you get to see this movie?
''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''

Netflix.

Bush's dog (koepek)?
No (fucking) way!
**Lesbian Chic**

http://www.counterpunch.org/dickinson06082006.html
**Lesbian Chic**

subscription issue
THE INSIDE HISTORY OF THE ISRAEL LOBBY
Former top CIA analysts Kathleen and Bill Christison give CounterPunchers the real scoop on the Israel lobby and precisely how powerful it is. Read how US presidents from Wilson, through FDR to Truman were manipulated by the Zionist lobby; how Israel bent LBJ, Reagan and Clinton to its purpose; how Bush's White House has been the West Wing of the Israeli government; how Washington's revolving doors send full-time Israel lobbyists from think-tanks to the National Security Council and the Pentagon's Office of Special Plans. For all who want a true measure of the Lobby's power, the Christisons' 8-page dossier, exclusive to CounterPunch newsletter subscribers, is a MUST read. CounterPunch Online is read by millions of viewers each month! But remember, we are funded solely by the subscribers to the print edition of CounterPunch. Please support this website by buying a subscription to our newsletter, which contains fresh material you won't find anywhere else, or by making a donation for the online edition. Remember contributions are tax-deductible. Click here to make a donation. If you find our site useful please: Subscribe Now!
www.counterpunch.org
**Lesbian Chic**

"Hello to our friends and fans in domestic surveillance."

is that a tatoo or a lapel pin stuck in his chest?

How ya doing ?
Good I hope :)

"Hello to our friends and fans in domestic surveillance."

am waiting patiently----

i am good Rules---you?

Contractors Punish Workers For Passport Breach

WASHINGTON — Two companies that provide workers for the State Department say they fired or otherwise punished those who improperly accessed the passport records of the three major presidential candidates. The security breaches touched off demands for a congressional investigation.

"None of us wants to have a circumstance in which any American's passport file is looked at in an unauthorized way," said Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice as she offered apologies to the candidates.

Stanley Inc., based in Arlington, Va., and The Analysis Corp., or TAC, of McLean, Va., said Friday that their employees' actions were unauthorized and not consistent with company policies.

Stanley said it fired two subcontractors involved in accessing the files of Sen. Barack Obama when their actions were discovered. A separate search showed that workers also had snooped on Sens. John McCain and Hillary Rodham Clinton, State Department spokesman Sean McCormack said.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/03/22/contractors-punish-worker_n_928...

I'm fine..
AAR..Who knows ?

"Hello to our friends and fans in domestic surveillance."

Thought I would pop in for a bit.

Reality. TV. Two more reasons to read.

You don't have to burn books to destroy a culture. Just get people to stop reading them.
---Ray Bradbury

Book Details U.S. Pressure On Allies Before War

UNITED NATIONS -- In the months leading up to the U.S.-led invasion of Iraq, the Bush administration threatened trade reprisals against friendly countries who withheld their support, spied on its allies, and pressed for the recall of U.N. envoys that resisted U.S. pressure to endorse the war, according to an upcoming book by a top Chilean diplomat.

The rough-and-tumble diplomatic strategy has generated lasting "bitterness" and "deep mistrust" in Washington's relations with allies in Europe, Latin America and elsewhere, wrote Heraldo Muñoz, Chile's ambassador to the United Nations, in his book "A Solitary War: A Diplomat's Chronicle of the Iraq War and Its Lessons," set for publication next month.

"In the aftermath of the invasion, allies loyal to the United States were rejected, mocked and even punished" for their refusal to back a U.N. resolution authorizing military action against Saddam Hussein's government, Muñoz wrote.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/03/22/AR200803...

just popping in...wha no drinks today? no time?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vyYUxbusbV0

Hope your doing good,too. :)

"Hello to our friends and fans in domestic surveillance."

Since you said I made you watch Ice Dancing last night - and I had to leave so abruptly - FYI the French team after 17yrs together and 11 trips to the Worlds- won the 2008 Gold.
The top US team had a very rare fall in the compulsories and as such finished in 4th just off the podium for the Bronze by .26 of a point. BUT the US TEAMS finished so well that we will be sending 3 teams again next year to the World Championships.

Sorry your movie sucked.

Reality. TV. Two more reasons to read.

You don't have to burn books to destroy a culture. Just get people to stop reading them.
---Ray Bradbury

What happened to The Ice Skating ?
It was suppose to be on ESPN 2,today..

Now that you have us all watching ! ;)

"Hello to our friends and fans in domestic surveillance."

Gallup: Obama Retakes Lead Over Hillary
By Eric Kleefeld - March 22, 2008, 5:12PM
Today's Gallup tracking poll shows Barack Obama retaking the national lead over Hillary Clinton, after the Jeremiah Wright scandal had badly damaged his numbers and put him behind for nearly a week. Here are today's numbers, compared to yesterday:

Obama 48% (+3)
Clinton 45% (-2)
It would appear that Obama's big speech on Tuesday, combined with the Bill Richardson endorsement, have gone a long way in fixing his poll numbers for now. But he still has yet to fully recover the six-point lead he had in Gallup a little over a week ago.

I have been having a bit of a pain flare up lately - and Maggies boy has been such a dear and manning the bar for me...but I do not see him here.
But I do keep the bar well stocked at all times - MB wrote down all the ingredients from Rachel's show last night and we just re-ordered and restocked last night so that all drinks from Rachel's show that she gave receipes out for are ready to be made by anyone who wants to help themselves.

So - Bar is OPEN - but it will have to be SELF SERVE - at least until either Maggiesboy shows up to bartend or if someone else wants to volunteer.

PLEASE - help yourself Lucille - make yourself at home.

I must stick to virgin beverages this evening. Pain meds do not mix well with mixed drinks.

Reality. TV. Two more reasons to read.

You don't have to burn books to destroy a culture. Just get people to stop reading them.
---Ray Bradbury

Hello MMR - THe skating on ESPN2 which is NOT on was a repeat of what you have already seen - the results of the Ice Dance Finals I already posted in my post to Mel above.

The Ladies Long program and Men's short programs were on ABC this afternoon between 3-6 EST.

I taped them and haven't watched em' yet. I was out for a girl's afternoon out - lunch and then afternoon at the nail spa.

Damn Nefferkitti
Submitted by MMRules on Sat, 03/22/2008 - 7:20pm.
What happened to The Ice Skating ?
It was suppose to be on ESPN 2,today..

Now that you have us all watching ! ;)

Reality. TV. Two more reasons to read.

You don't have to burn books to destroy a culture. Just get people to stop reading them.
---Ray Bradbury

Cheney Impeachment Not Off the Table

You would not know it for the news blackout, but New Yorkers of Rep. Jerrold Nadler's district held a Town Hall/Impeachment Forum last Sunday to encourage Nadler, chair of the House Judiciary Subcommittee on the Constitution, to begin impeachment proceedings against Vice President Dick Cheney.

Panelists included former congresswoman Elizabeth Holtzman, former Reagan Justice Department attorney Bruce Fein, human rights attorney and Harper's commentator Scott Horton, and John Nirenberg, the activist who at the turn of the year walked from Boston to Washington, D.C., in a futile attempt to meet with House Speaker Nancy Pelosi on impeachment.

The organizers had asked me to be on the panel, but I had to send regrets and submitted a statement instead (see below). A video of the proceedings will be posted on afterdowningstreet.org.
http://www.opednews.com/maxwrite/linkframe.php?linkid=55017

while we are on drinks ----tell mama what ailes you sweetie

If I remember correctly the new AAR website should be out in about 2 weeks or so (maybe a little less now that a few days have gone by since the last time I typed to Sam)
More than that I don't know.
HTH

Reality. TV. Two more reasons to read.

You don't have to burn books to destroy a culture. Just get people to stop reading them.
---Ray Bradbury

I think Roy Zimmerman walks on water. His satire is genius.

Here's a song you won't forget. (It's beautifully angry, rather than
his usual funny.) You may be moved enough to pass it on to a friend
or two. Or fifty...

"Thanks for the Support" at http://www.youtube.com/user/RoyZimmerman

and Sam said Thursday that new AAR website rollout would be in about 10 days.

Saturday, March 22, 2008
Hillary adviser invokes the crucifixion of Christ to Hillary's partisan advantage over Obama
by John Aravosis (DC) · 3/22/2008 06:17:00 PM ET · Link
Discuss this post here: Make a comment · reddit · FARK ·· Digg It!

I'm gonna go on a limb here and say that Jesus did not die on the cross for Hillary's superdelegates.

Again, you have to keep in mind that this is the week that the Associated Press finally went there and talked about Bill Clinton and Monica having relations in the White House while Hillary was in the house. So, it's understandable that the Clintons and their allies are throwing everything they can at Obama to change the subject, even going so far as to use Holy Week - the crucifixion of Jesus - for their own partisan gain.

It's funny. The Clintons have criticized Obama for saying that Hillary would do anything, say anything, to win. I think abusing the crucifixion for political gain, the day before Easter, ranks pretty high up in the say-anything-do-anything category.

http://www.americablog.com/2008/03/hillary-adviser-invokes-crucifixion-o...

Pain Meds do not mix well with mixed drinks

Thanks for asking - but its nothing more than the usual fibro...its spring - major weather systems of cold and warm coming thru rapidly and crashing into each other - very bad for me...causes pain flares - which is normal for me and anyone who might have any sensitivity to barometric pressure weather changes...For me the BP changes are the one super natural thing that my docs and massage therapist etc... just cannot do anything to prevent problems - so we do what we can to alleviate the after effects. AND I will admit that I have over done things a bit this week...so I am partly responsible as well - will be resting the rest of tonight and tomorrow - promise.

Thanks again for asking. Much appreciated.

Reality. TV. Two more reasons to read.

You don't have to burn books to destroy a culture. Just get people to stop reading them.
---Ray Bradbury

Might be a good day to unveil the new website.

is it severe though? does it stop you from doing things? i too have aches and pains but not severe in a sense so i can never understand when someone says pain..we all have that, but does it hold you back? and i am being honest---

THAT is a brilliant observation!!!

AAR's anniversary is March 31st
Submitted by Cat Chew on Sat, 03/22/2008 - 7:45pm.
Might be a good day to unveil the new website.

Reality. TV. Two more reasons to read.

You don't have to burn books to destroy a culture. Just get people to stop reading them.
---Ray Bradbury

unveiling in my old country means tombstones...i hope that is not what it means here!

might be the best day.

Alfred E. Neuman's birthday

I've been dusting off all the recordings I made of Morning Sedition, Unfiltered, Franken, Majority Report and Laura Flanders. I pretty much got everything from mid April thru the end of '04. It's a real trip cuz I have all the info-mercials (Lisa's Dad et. al.).

Ah, the good ol' daze....

___
bluerootsradio

2 days of wet and windy? even my daughter that is in SA now is asking for her winter clothes to be sent to her.. if that is the case TEXAS im there? poom pooms and wife beaters!

fool!

I am retired because of it and have been offically retired since 2004. And while its never appropriate for a lady to speak of her age in public -Lets just say that altho I tried to work in differnt circumstances of every configuration with every contact I have in all the areas of the finance world I just wasn't able to do what I wanted to do well enough even part time...so I retired before 04 when the docs said it had to become official and that was before I turned 40, and to this day I still look like I'm 30. But I take major pain meds under doc supervision which allow me to not be an invalid - as long as I do not try to work, or do anything I know is not allowed like vacuming. I work hard and making sure I have the best quality of life I can, but that doesnt mean that I don't over do things like I did this week did too much for me during Spring weather change when I knew I shouldn't have...but I also knew I would pay for it, and now I am.
Does that answer your question well enough I hope?

but its nothing more than the usual fibro
Submitted by Lucille on Sat, 03/22/2008 - 7:50pm.
is it severe though? does it stop you from doing things? i too have aches and pains but not severe in a sense so i can never understand when someone says pain..we all have that, but does it hold you back? and i am being honest---

Reality. TV. Two more reasons to read.

You don't have to burn books to destroy a culture. Just get people to stop reading them.
---Ray Bradbury

sneaky....can not stand!

Women's ice skating is cool..

It was cool when Hughes(Can't remember her fist name)came
out of nowhere to win the olympics..
They sure put alot of pressure on these kids,though..

Men's Ice skateing is abit too Divish for me.
Thought Scott Hamilton was good..

There's a Ice Dancing or Ice Skating team out here in San Diego that did well in the last Olympic's..Can't remember their name..John something..My landlady know's his father..

"Hello to our friends and fans in domestic surveillance."

When did you get here? HEllo. Did you get your DVR today?

Lucille wants a drink - I told her to help herself because I didn't know where you were and I was just not up to "manning" the bar tonight. But since you are here....???

Reality. TV. Two more reasons to read.

You don't have to burn books to destroy a culture. Just get people to stop reading them.
---Ray Bradbury

i will always ask...thats what i do best...you to me are way to young to listen to dr. my mother suffers from the fibro...but will work! nothing holds her back, she has 11 kids and wakes up every morning refuses for nothing to hold her back--but then again thats jez mia momma! god bless her and you too!

and i want a spliff with it!!!

They might show some of the ladies again tomorrow but it will be during Sam's show so I will be taping it again. That will be the men's Long program for the gold - Its a very good field of competition this year in Mens...I would recommend watching it.

You are referring to Sarah Hughes - Gold Olympics. Her system Emily is a skater now in competition.

I cannot remember the team from san diego at the moment - do you mean Lake Arrowhead where Michelle Kwan and many others train? John Baldwin Jr. and Rena Inowe? Pairs team - just got engaged at the end of their program at the US Nationals.

Bummer..Missed it..
Submitted by MMRules on Sat, 03/22/2008 - 8:05pm.
Women's ice skating is cool..

It was cool when Hughes(Can't remember her fist name)came
out of nowhere to win the olympics..
They sure put alot of pressure on these kids,though..

Men's Ice skateing is abit too Divish for me.
Thought Scott Hamilton was good..

There's a Ice Dancing or Ice Skating team out here in San Diego that did well in the last Olympic's..Can't remember their name..John something..My landlady know's his father..

Reality. TV. Two more reasons to read.

You don't have to burn books to destroy a culture. Just get people to stop reading them.
---Ray Bradbury

Rena Inoue & John Baldwin

Well he's Dad lives in San Diego..Close..
The son might have grown up here,too.

"Hello to our friends and fans in domestic surveillance."

of your system - HBO 8:30PM EST
BLADES OF GLORY is on.
ITs really funny so I highly recommend it.

THanks for playing along with me.

Reality. TV. Two more reasons to read.

You don't have to burn books to destroy a culture. Just get people to stop reading them.
---Ray Bradbury

I love watching bigots squirm. Can you imagine the torture to have a man with a drop of a Black man's heritage? Can you just see the torture that poor idiot has inflicted itself with. We don't need to taunt it. wolf will start chewing on its own limbs soon. Someone pass the popcorn.

who the hell is he anyway?

shoot the barstid---cover its face---cereal killa!!! milk anyone?

I am glad that your mom is able to work and raised and raises her kids. Some people are able to do what they always did and others are not.
I am one who was hit overnight like a ton of bricks from head to toe. And of course in the past few years I have had so many stressful things going on that I have never had time to see if I can do anything but put out fire after fire so to speak. But, we are all different and with my history this dx makes sense out of a lot of things and allowed me to be there for mom when she needed me both while she was taking care of dad during his last year and then me there for her during her last 1 1/2 yrs. So that was to me a gift worth the pain for the rest of my life. Digity at that time is a gift that I am glad to have been able to provide.
Thanks again hon, and more power to your mom - just watch out for her OK? Sometimes the pain gets worse suddenly...and permanent damage can be done if pain is not managed properly OK? That goes for both of you...
Nuff said...
Someone get Lucille a drink!!!

Reality. TV. Two more reasons to read.

You don't have to burn books to destroy a culture. Just get people to stop reading them.
---Ray Bradbury

I got a bit sunburned waiting outside for a car inspection. It was too sunny and nice to be in a waiting area.

I was getting my daughter's car inspected. It failed. It passed every step but the last one. You should have seen the attendants face when he opened the gas cap lid and there was no gas cap. Cost for failed inspection $35. Cost of replacement gas cap after searching 3 auto parts stores $6.

I consider myself lucky. Yes, she's messy and loud and unorganized and loses her gas cap lid, and leaves me her car chores. But she goes to college, is modest, and not into drugs.

"Hello to our friends and fans in domestic surveillance."

you are kidding right?

boo on you?

I am about to shove out to a Ranti Rhodes event. Wish me well.

;)

"Hello to our friends and fans in domestic surveillance."

member mez 3rd world!!!

Have a blast - she is REALLY shy in big crowds...but once you get to her one on one she is really cool.
Have a great time!!!

Believe it or not
Submitted by zeek on Sat, 03/22/2008 - 8:35pm.
I am about to shove out to a Ranti Rhodes event. Wish me well

Reality. TV. Two more reasons to read.

You don't have to burn books to destroy a culture. Just get people to stop reading them.
---Ray Bradbury

love you doll!

throw me sum sound pleeze!

zeek!

Have fun. Try not to lick her.

Attack back with beez.

"Try not to lick her"
LOL - :)
I enjoyed tht one.

Reality. TV. Two more reasons to read.

You don't have to burn books to destroy a culture. Just get people to stop reading them.
---Ray Bradbury

Anyone know?
Lucille did you get your drink?

Reality. TV. Two more reasons to read.

You don't have to burn books to destroy a culture. Just get people to stop reading them.
---Ray Bradbury

Link those Vid puppies.. :)

"Hello to our friends and fans in domestic surveillance."

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/7303177.stm
[...]
Speaking to US troops at Balad air base north of Baghdad, Mr Cheney said the US had "no intention of abandoning our friends or allowing this country of 170,000 sq km to become a staging ground for further attacks against Americans".

Mr Cheney then flew to Irbil, capital of Iraq's semi-autonomous Kurdish region, where he pressed political leaders to pass long-delayed legislation on sharing Iraq's oil revenues.

The law is stalled over disputes over whether the central government or regional authorities should control Iraq's vast oil wealth.

The US sees the legislation as key to reconciling Iraq's rival sectarian and ethnic factions.

Continued distrust
[...]
-------------
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/7306167.stm
[...]
Crucial summit

"America will ask our Nato allies for an even stronger commitment for the future," said Mr Cheney.

"The United States and the other members of the coalition need to have a sufficient force here... to deal with the threat [from] the Taliban and al-Qaeda," he added.

US troops make up a third of the Nato-led International Security Assistance Force (Isaf).

A further 7,000 troops are part of a US-led coalition there, and some 3,200 Marines scheduled for a seven-month deployment in the south have begun arriving in Kandahar.

Afghanistan will be a key topic at a Nato summit early next month in Romania, as Nato force commanders have asked for more troops to send to the south, where the insurgency is the most active.
[...]

-----------------------
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/7308509.stm
[...]
King Abdullah had earlier welcomed Mr Cheney to his al-Jenadriya horse farm.

"Mr vice-president, we've been friends a long time," the king said.

Oil prices have risen in recent weeks to record highs above $100 as investors have purchased commodities as the value of the dollar has fallen.

Mr Cheney's national security adviser John Hannah said before the talks that they would build on the discussions begun by President George W Bush on his visit to Saudi Arabia in January, when he called on Opec to increase oil exports and warned high energy prices were hurting US consumers.

At the time, Mr Naimi insisted the kingdom would boost production only if the market justified it.

Mr Bush said he hoped King Abdullah would "listen very carefully" to US concerns, while White House spokeswoman Dana Perino said the president hoped to "see an increase in production".

Other issues on the agenda of the meetings in Saudi Arabia included concerns about the potential nuclear threat posed by Iran to the region, military and political progress in Iraq, as well as Syria and Lebanon, US officials said.

--------------

Cheney backs Israel over security
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/7310012.stm
[...]
"The United States will never pressure Israel to take steps to threaten its security," Mr Cheney said at a news conference in Jerusalem with Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert.

Mr Cheney reaffirmed Washington's commitment to the establishment of a Palestinian state and said Palestinian leaders could be "certain of America's goodwill".

"We want to see a resolution to the conflict, an end to the terrorism that has caused so much grief to Israelis, and a new beginning for the Palestinian people," he said.

US President George W Bush has said he hopes for a peace deal before he leaves office in January.
[...]
"We recognise that al-Qaeda is on the run, but they are not defeated," Mr McCain said after a meeting with Mr Maliki.

"Al-Qaeda continues to pose a great threat to the security and very existence of Iraq as a democracy. So we know there's still a lot more of work to be done."

Mr McCain said he had also discussed the need for Iraqi political reform, including measures to allow for provincial elections and for sharing out Iraq's oil wealth.

He is continuing meetings with senior American and Iraqi officials, before heading to other countries in the Middle East and Europe.

Mr Cheney is also expected to discuss Iraqi reforms.

It is unclear whether Mr Cheney and Mr McCain will cross paths in Iraq.

The You Tube award nominees and winners are worth a tour.

"Paris In Jail: The Music Video" was nominated in the Comedy category. I posted a link to it many months ago. It's a personal favorite (I know all of the words to the song).

"Powerthirst" is another Comedy category nominee that I recommend. It's a short parody of a commercial for a power drink.

All of the Short Film category nominees (and winner) are good. A few are somewhat disturbing, which is a testament to their power. I can easily recommend "My Name Is Lisa" and "Dollface" but they are all worth viewing. "Pound" will make you feel happy. I guarantee it.

In the Politics category, "Vote Different" is a classic that you probably have already seen. Alice should see "Students: A Challenge For You" and "Stop The Clash Of Civilizations." They are both compelling in their ability to make you thrust your fist into the air and growl "YES!"

In the Creative category, "Women In Art" is excellent and a treat for art, graphic art and cello fans. "What Song Is This" gets points for pulling off an odd idea.

Here is the link to the page with all of the videos in all of the categories on it:

http://www.youtube.com/ytawards07

man hin--baby shoes? how bout chi-lites?

asshole ------got me!

Have a good night. Sorry about your drink - don't know where my bartender went.

Reality. TV. Two more reasons to read.

You don't have to burn books to destroy a culture. Just get people to stop reading them.
---Ray Bradbury

nite Lucille. Enjoy your evening ya lil devil.

dont listen to heemz!

What do you mean by "I"? Nando

Reality. TV. Two more reasons to read.

You don't have to burn books to destroy a culture. Just get people to stop reading them.
---Ray Bradbury

As he arrived in London yesterday, the publishers of his new book insisted the Republican senator's family was descended from the Scottish king, Robert the Bruce.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2008/mar/21/johnmccain.uselections2008
For a veteran war hero staking his presidential campaign on military credentials, an ancestral link to a warrior who overcame the English to reclaim Scottish independence in 1314 has obvious appeal. But according to experts, the story may be no more than that. Asked by the Guardian to investigate McCain's family history, genealogists and medieval historians described the link to Robert the Bruce as "wonderful fiction" and "baloney".
[...]
The secretary of the Scottish Genealogy Society, Ken Nisbet, combed through archive records of known descendants of Robert I for the Guardian, and concluded: "I wouldn't say it's a strong claim at all. This is speculation and it doesn't prove anything."

Some of the claims made in the family memoir about McCain's Scottish roots, he added, read like "some historical novel". "It's a load of baloney - it's a bit like the mixing of history and it's not accurate. A lot of Scots of Irish descent tend to say 'we're related to so and so' - people say Robert the Bruce quite often. William Wallace is another one, as you can imagine."

Accurate or not, just one more reason to add to the list of the reasons that he will want to continue the monarchical presidency.

Reality. TV. Two more reasons to read.

You don't have to burn books to destroy a culture. Just get people to stop reading them.
---Ray Bradbury

Audacious Alice, Nefferkitti.

Ah - must have missed the context.
Thanks.

I was answering
Submitted by Fernando on Sat, 03/22/2008 - 9:25pm.
Audacious Alice, Nefferkitti.

Reality. TV. Two more reasons to read.

You don't have to burn books to destroy a culture. Just get people to stop reading them.
---Ray Bradbury

Already - sorry bout that

now there you havit!!!

How You all feelin?

Read what Lucille and Fernado have to say.

"Has anyone killed the wolf yet."

"I love watching bigots squirm. Can you imagine the torture to have a man with a drop of a Black man's heritage? Can you just see the torture that poor idiot has inflicted itself with. We don't need to taunt it. wolf will start chewing on its own limbs soon. Someone pass the popcorn."

Do you really feel comfortable supporting people like this? These are typical Obama supporters. There is a big difference between claiming you support lofty ideals and acting on them.

You are different from the other AAR people. What does Janeane have to say about all this? I doubt she was taken in by Obama.

Obama and his various people and culties are ruthless people. As Obama starts to sink in the quicksand of his own murky past you will start to see more and more just how sick he and his people are.

Be careful what you wish for, you are likely to get it.

Quite a day here!

Lucille,
Thank you my dear, I just adore Billy!!! And that is one of his best.

I think that is the first song anyone has ever sent me on a blog before.

As Randi would do "POP". THanks.

Reality. TV. Two more reasons to read.

You don't have to burn books to destroy a culture. Just get people to stop reading them.
---Ray Bradbury

You around?

If you get this, gimme a call bud. I need your priceless advice.

laid down that Billy Joel
now I'm all messed up.

Hello to all who have just arrived. I literally meant to just pop in but Lucille wanted a drink, and then I tried to open the bar, but my bartender wasn't around, then he appeared and then disappeared...

Anyway, I need to warm up some dinner (late lunch) - But, the bar is open well stocked by Maggiesboy with everything for Rachel's 50's theme cocktails - but its self serve unless my bartender comes back.

Be well everyone. And no driving and drinking - you know the rules at NK's bar.

I will try to pop back in around 10:30 or so.

Reality. TV. Two more reasons to read.

You don't have to burn books to destroy a culture. Just get people to stop reading them.
---Ray Bradbury

you showed your stripes over and over. Have fun with your plea. If he'll let you in this pen, he'll let anyone.

I dont want him to ban you Fernando-I want him to study you and Lucille and see what Obama supporters are truly like.

Sam and Janeane are both basically kind people. Sam evidently is supporting Obama because he feels that he will increase the number of democrats elected. Actually he will decrease the number of democrats elected because he will push democrats into the republican party.

I feel that if Sam and Janeane see enough of Obama supporters like you and Lucille in action they will start to question why they are supporting Obama.

So kill away-we Buddhists just come back afterwards anyway-silly head.

Using Public Airwaves To Encourage Criminal Acts
By: Jamie @ 4:02

We all remember earlier this month when Rush Limbaugh encouraged Republicans to vote for Hillary in Texas and Ohio’s primaries. In Ohio when you change parties you must sign a form stating you are doing so because you believe in the political ideals of that party. Lying on that form is a criminal act, and has now spawned an investigation:

The Cuyahoga County Board of Elections has launched an investigation that could lead to criminal charges against voters who maliciously switched parties for the March 4 presidential primary.

Elections workers will look for evidence that voters lied when they signed affidavits pledging allegiance to their new party. And at least one board member, Sandy McNair, a Democrat, wants the county prosecutor to review the findings.

But it remained unclear Wednesday whether the four-member board will agree to pursue prosecution. A 2-2 vote would mean that Ohio Secretary of State Jennifer Brunner, a Democrat, would have to break the tie.

After the election a lot of these cross overs went on the air and proudly proclaimed that they did it for Rush. Little did they know they were admitting before the nation that they may have just broken the law.

Now the question remains about Rush’s involvement in this. Using the public airwaves to encourage people to break the law has been a shady area in the past. If charges do come out of the investigation, then the FCC needs to look at Rush’s involvement and possibly take action against him, as well as all affiliates that carry his show.

http://www.crooksandliars.com/2008/03/22/using-public-airwaves-to-encour...

Damn, took me forever too! Sorry. I'm running late today/tonight. I didn't get a new DVD recorder but I did get that new guitar. Had to drive 220 miles round trip, but I saved over $400 and got a better model than I had planned.

So I've been trying to splice together a new blueroots episode and that's why I wasn't here to mix and roll for Lucille.

I know. I really stink as a bartender.

...back later.

___
bluerootsradio

you cracked me up wolf. Really touché.

I'd welcome a dialog that wasn't based on bigotry. If you are going to act like an animal, expect to be treated like one wolf.

No recommendations from "Adorable"? :(

(I kid.)

YouTube wouldn't show me PARIS IN JAIL: The Music Video.
Here's an alternate site:
http://www.truveo.com/PARIS-IN-JAIL-The-Music-Video/id/487294393

I love that clip. I remember when it came out. Still draws a chuckle.

We'll always have Paris.

Real Time Overtime March 21, 2008

Former Officials Say Clinton Did Not Fight NAFTA
Jake Tapper: "I have now talked to three former Clinton Administration officials whom I trust who tell me that then-First Lady Hillary Clinton opposed the idea of introducing NAFTA before health care, but expressed no reservations in public or private about the substance of NAFTA."

"Yet the Clinton campaign continues to propagate this myth that she fought NAFTA tooth and nail because she opposed the substance of the bill."

http://blogs.abcnews.com/politicalpunch/2008/03/from-the-fact-c.html

Black Glasses Like Clark Kent
BookTV Sun 2AM - this late night 2AM

Terese Svoboda documents the life and death of her uncle, Don Svoboda, who was stationed in Japan in 1946 as an MP guarding convicted American soldier's following World War II. Mr. Svoboda, who had no prior documented mental health problems, became distressed following the revelations of abuse at Abu Ghraib prison and committed suicide. He left a series of audiotapes for his niece where he explained that during his military service in Japan he was ordered to kill prisoners due to prison overpopulation. Ms. Svoboda relays her attempt to verify her uncle's story as she comes to terms with his death. This event was hosted by Powell's Books in Portland, Oregon.

Reality. TV. Two more reasons to read.

You don't have to burn books to destroy a culture. Just get people to stop reading them.
---Ray Bradbury

What is Spliff?

I had to go out and score some spliff Neff! S O R R Y
Submitted by maggiesboy on Sat, 03/22/2008 - 10:02pm.
Damn, took me forever too! Sorry. I'm running late today/tonight. I didn't get a new DVD recorder but I did get that new guitar. Had to drive 220 miles round trip, but I saved over $400 and got a better model than I had planned.

So I've been trying to splice together a new blueroots episode and that's why I wasn't here to mix and roll for Lucille.

I know. I really stink as a bartender.

...back later.

Reality. TV. Two more reasons to read.

You don't have to burn books to destroy a culture. Just get people to stop reading them.
---Ray Bradbury

Quote of the Day
"The time that he could have been effective has long since passed."

-- Clinton strategist Mark Penn, on Bill Richardson's endorsement of Sen. Barack Obama.

However, Ben Smith notes that both Bill and Hillary Clinton called Richardson seeking his endorsement just eight days ago.

http://www.politico.com/blogs/bensmith/0308/Seeking_then_downplaying_Ric...

Clinton "Essentially In The Red"
The latest FEC reports suggest that the Clinton campaign finished February in the red.

http://tpmelectioncentral.talkingpointsmemo.com/2008/03/hillary_campaign...

I know you were really watching the skating this afternoon but don't tell me who won 'cause I taped it and haven't watched it yet...

Tell me about your new guitar - not a gibson but I don't remember the name of the ones you do like. Hope the roads were not washed away in areas.

And as a bartender - well I wouldn't say you stink...depends on whether you tend to spill a lot on you if you try the fancy Tom Cruise movie moves...but does your bartending portend anything about you as a person? Thats what inquiring minds want to know. ;)

Anything SPECIAL on this week's show?

I had to go out and score some spliff Neff! S O R R Y
Submitted by maggiesboy on Sat, 03/22/2008 - 10:02pm.
Damn, took me forever too! Sorry. I'm running late today/tonight. I didn't get a new DVD recorder but I did get that new guitar. Had to drive 220 miles round trip, but I saved over $400 and got a better model than I had planned.

So I've been trying to splice together a new blueroots episode and that's why I wasn't here to mix and roll for Lucille.

I know. I really stink as a bartender.

...back later.

Reality. TV. Two more reasons to read.

You don't have to burn books to destroy a culture. Just get people to stop reading them.
---Ray Bradbury

I watched most of your video-typical smear job of the Obama campaign.

Take for instance the claim that Hillary when asked about Obama said she did not know if he was a Muslim.

She denied he was a muslim eight times in the interview.
http://mediamatters.org/columns/200803110002

CLINTON: Of course not. I mean, that's--you know, there is not basis for that. You know, I take him on the basis of what he says. And, you know, there isn't any reason to doubt that.

KROFT: And you said you'd take Senator Obama at his word that he's not a Muslim.

CLINTON: Right. Right.

KROFT: You don't believe that he's a Muslim or implying? Right.

CLINTON: No. No. Why would I? No, there is nothing to base that on, as far as I know.

KROFT: It's just scurrilous --

CLINTON: Look, I have been the target of so many ridiculous rumors. I have a great deal of sympathy for anybody who gets, you know, smeared with the kind of rumors that go on all the time.

Contrast this to how Obama answered the question on whether Hillary was likable. This fine gentleman's response "She is likable enough"

If you want examples of just how negative Obama has been look at this.
http://attacktimeline.com/

People like Fernando or Lucille can not be helped. I do try to help people when I can but as I get older I see you cant save some people from their own dark feeling. You just have to watch them sink in it all. Its sad.

People like Sam and Janeane-where is the mouse-can be enlightened.

Watch closely Sam the Obama people and how they behave. Do you think that when they come into power they will be any better? The people you see here are the less sophisticated version of the people working for Obama-but they all share the same ugly mindset.

Ruthless people never change. Kind people rarely change, but they do sometimes become ruthless-Sammy.

I just love Bill Maher and PJ ORourke together. ORourke is one of the few true blue repubs that I really like.

Good choice for posting Toni.

Reality. TV. Two more reasons to read.

You don't have to burn books to destroy a culture. Just get people to stop reading them.
---Ray Bradbury

What kind of Geetar did you get ? :)

"Hello to our friends and fans in domestic surveillance."

I'm getting called away. Love you guys. Even the self inflicted wolf.

I just love songs where the sound of the words
rolls along with the rhythm and tone.

Did you know, could you tell
You were the only one
That I ever loved
Now everythings so wrong

===

Was stressed out earlier- thought my internet access was being cut off - sis thought I had screwed up her computer by me enabling the wifi. [did I mention we have that brother/sister don't communicate thing] she had a computer guy friend come by to "fix" her computer. I use the quotes because fortunately I had done nothing, In fact it worked fine when he looked at it (he did update drivers and such.) Such is the nature of morphine based pain meds. Plus did I mention we have that brother/sister don't communicate thing?

Time is dilated - I've been here a week - seems like a moment - seems like forever.

Nine at the beginning means:
Not going out of the door and the courtyard
Is without blame.

Nine in the second place means:
Not going out of the gate and the courtyard
Brings misfortune.

In other words - watch you step right now but the time will come when action without hesitation is necessary.
: )
~`~`~`~`~`~
Jamesbennett

That's my favorite song of hers..

Hang in there.

"Hello to our friends and fans in domestic surveillance."

Ah - seems as if you managed to hold back about the computer - good brother work there.
I am glad to read the nature of the pain meds she is on. Good stuff to manage that level of pain. AND I remember what changes it made to my mom...she was much more pleasant when it was working ;)....
Good that you are there...time is slow and fast at the same time...but it will be "just right" as goldilocks would say, just wait and see.

Hang in there...you are doing family yoeman's work these days.

N-kitti - thanks for letting us know how you are doing.

Was stressed out earlier- thought my internet access was being cut off - sis thought I had screwed up her computer by me enabling the wifi. [did I mention we have that brother/sister don't communicate thing] she had a computer guy friend come by to "fix" her computer. I use the quotes because fortunately I had done nothing, In fact it worked fine when he looked at it (he did update drivers and such.) Such is the nature of morphine based pain meds. Plus did I mention we have that brother/sister don't communicate thing?

Time is dilated - I've been here a week - seems like a moment - seems like forever.

Reality. TV. Two more reasons to read.

You don't have to burn books to destroy a culture. Just get people to stop reading them.
---Ray Bradbury

Ladies first --

Oh sweet innocent sofa swooner N-kitti, spliff is the Jamaican slang for pot. Since I haven't owned any for quite a while now (mostly cuz I refuse to pay $200 for what I used to get for $12) it took me a long time to find a, uh, trader in that commodity.

I did get a Gibson. I got the J-45 Rosewood model in sunburst finish. They have some clips at that link so you can get a sense of the sound it makes. I have to admit, that's what it sounds like.

Are you feeling any better this evening?

MMRules - I guess that answers your question too.

As for the show this week I'm covering The 3 Million Dollar War: ... book. Mostly I'm playing clips from the interview they did on Democracy Now! I'm not gonna get finished tonight cuz I was up early today and am starting to fade Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzz.

___
bluerootsradio

Good night
and good bloggin'

___
bluerootsradio

Sweet ! :)

That must have cost a pretty penny..

"Hello to our friends and fans in domestic surveillance."

Happy Saturday Night...
Could someone please pass me a Fosters'

"Hello to our friends and fans in domestic surveillance."

THank you oh so wise and worldly M'sboy, for sharing your knowledge of the big bad world out there full of spliff and sploff and Sid and Marty Krofft. It is important that we keep our bar well stocked to meet everyone's requests.

Ah - Gibson it was - I will peruse the link a bit later, I hope you enjoy your new treasure and look forward to recordings of your musings on it.

So - your show - its all you - 24hour show - repeats daily or???? When does show 25 start? and are there archives?
Trillion dollar war - DN I am sure has great clips - did you get to see any of the booktv program link I sent you?

And when do you work and when do you do radio?

I am overall feeling better than last night thank you for asking. Am a bit tired and sore - but thats from over doing things this week...but I did have a lovely girls afternoon out with lunch and then trip to the nail salon for some pampering.

You have had a long day and shouldn't push too much - weekends are for rest too ya know... ;)

Submitted by maggiesboy on Sat, 03/22/2008 - 11:09pm.
Ladies first --

Oh sweet innocent sofa swooner N-kitti, spliff is the Jamaican slang for pot. Since I haven't owned any for quite a while now (mostly cuz I refuse to pay $200 for what I used to get for $12) it took me a long time to find a, uh, trader in that commodity.

I did get a Gibson. I got the J-45 Rosewood model in sunburst finish. They have some clips at that link so you can get a sense of the sound it makes. I have to admit, that's what it sounds like.

Are you feeling any better this evening?

MMRules - I guess that answers your question too.

As for the show this week I'm covering The 3 Million Dollar War: ... book. Mostly I'm playing clips from the interview they did on Democracy Now! I'm not gonna get finished tonight cuz I was up early today and am starting to fade Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzz.

Reality. TV. Two more reasons to read.

You don't have to burn books to destroy a culture. Just get people to stop reading them.
---Ray Bradbury

Submitted by wolf on Sat, 03/22/2008 - 10:54pm.
...The people you see here are the less sophisticated version of the people working for Obama-but they all share the same ugly mindset...
---------
Could you make a more general, sweeping, preposterous and absurd comment? Probably can and will. That's the way with fanaticism. Reality takes a back seat and prudence is nowhere to be found.

Neffer, this weather has been a bear! The barometer is all over the place and I'm flaring also.
Hope you're doing okay!

McCain econ adviser: McCain’s tax plan ‘will make deficits expand.’
On Friday, Center for American Progress Action Fund Senior Fellow Robert Gordon and Domestic Policy Advisor James Kvaal released a report detailing how Sen. John McCain’s (R-AZ) tax plan costs more than $2 trillion in the first decade by doubling the Bush tax cuts. One of McCain’s economic advisers, former CBO Director Douglas Holtz-Eakin, responded to the report yesterday, as well as CAPAF criticism of McCain’s health plan. Holtz-Eakin concedes that McCain’s tax plan “will make deficits expand up front,” but argues that “voters should wait” before “pas
using judgment” on McCain’s plan.

Gordon, Kvaal, and CAPAF Senior Fellow Jeanne Lambrew respond to Holtz-Eakin at the Wonk Room.

http://thinkprogress.org/2008/03/22/mccain-econ-adviser-mccains-tax-plan...

I know Toni - ITs called early spring. Its normal for this time of year. I had a rough week and as you know a bad night last night. If you monitor the BP for your area - determine the normal BP and then watch it for when it starts to move you can take preventative action to keep ahead of things. I learned this when I started having migraines that were out of control 2-3 yrs before the fibro came...and between learning about and monitoring the weather, and taking action ahead of time I was able to really change things for me. I use this site. www.wunderground.com

But today I am doing OK - was flaring up a bit earlier this evening, but have been resting with my feet up all night after lunch out and an afternoon of pampering at the nail salon- so I a doing OK now.

Reality. TV. Two more reasons to read.

You don't have to burn books to destroy a culture. Just get people to stop reading them.
---Ray Bradbury

I have looking forward to this all day.....

toniD & Neffer - I know what you girls are talking about.
Damn that barometer...

Ended up NOT going down to Southern IL. everything has been
handled & there are volunteers galore down there. I am still waiting to hear from
one other shelter. Otherwise they need the usual, foster homes, supplies & donations.

Sleep well and sweet dreams - don't take your guitar to bed with you - the dogs will want to chew on it ;)

Reality. TV. Two more reasons to read.

You don't have to burn books to destroy a culture. Just get people to stop reading them.
---Ray Bradbury

Sorry about that

When Edward G Robinson say's .....

Where's your Messiah Now?

I am watching this movie .... still a while before he says it.

maggieboy - I know what you mean. I will say that I am a little jealous right now.
I have to find someone myself who trades in that commodity. Overcharging sucks though. :(

"Since I haven't owned any for quite a while now (mostly cuz I refuse to pay $200 for what I used to get for $12)
it took me a long time to find a, uh, trader in that commodity."

toniD & Neffer - I know what you girls are talking about.
Damn that barometer...

I am sorry that you do hon...and I hope you will try what I suggested to Toni out with www.wunderground.com as well. It really makes a huge differnce once you can learn to anticipate it and take action to pre-manage your reaction.

AND PLEASE both of you and EVERYONE - understand that yes, it sounds like my life is all fibro and migraine and pain etc... it is most definitly NOT. Once you get past the shock of accepting what I call "the new reality"... you then have a choice about how your life is going to be...My choice is very simple - every morning when I wake up - I can be miserable or not....has nothing to do with anything but what I decide before I get out of bed.
I choose NOT...99.75% of the time and it works for me.

SO, take good care of you - do everything you can to help yourself with the BP and all that goes into that. Just knowing you have done everything you could do makes the difference.

Reality. TV. Two more reasons to read.

You don't have to burn books to destroy a culture. Just get people to stop reading them.
---Ray Bradbury

Submitted by Cat Chew on Sat, 03/22/2008 - 10:17pm.
No recommendations from "Adorable"? :(
(I kid.)
YouTube wouldn't show me PARIS IN JAIL: The Music Video.
-----
I don't do "Adorable." It is not within my purview. And it's weird that you couldn't make You Tube cough up the Paris parody. I've seen it several times today (needed to brush up on the lyrics...what rhymes with Chihuahua?).
------------------------
Submitted by Fernando on Sat, 03/22/2008 - 8:16pm.
I love watching bigots squirm.
-----
You would be best advised to stay out of the mud, too. If you push her too far, wolf will campaign on behalf of Obama and you'll really be screwed.

LOL - Its all a joke from before you got here.
Its the same as the "shopping" MB did for all the ingredients for Rachel's 50's nostalgia night drinks party that he did last night so that we could have my blog bar "NK's" open and ready for anyone who wanted one of what Rachel was talking about last night...Lucille asked for a spliff with her drink hours ago....so MB said he was out shopping for it to keep the bar stocked properly for LUcille.

I know we are nuts - but hey - we are all here...and I try to make it comfy with a beverage center....its nice to have him play along with me and everyone else too of course.

Mary Jane says hello -
Submitted by smcgee43 on Sat, 03/22/2008 - 11:41pm.
maggieboy - I know what you mean. I will say that I am a little jealous right now.
I have to find someone myself who trades in that commodity. Overcharging sucks though. :(

"Since I haven't owned any for quite a while now (mostly cuz I refuse to pay $200 for what I used to get for $12)
it took me a long time to find a, uh, trader in that commodity."

Reality. TV. Two more reasons to read.

You don't have to burn books to destroy a culture. Just get people to stop reading them.
---Ray Bradbury

Where do you find the BP on that site ?

www.wunderground.com

"Hello to our friends and fans in domestic surveillance."

"your momma" ?

Reality. TV. Two more reasons to read.

You don't have to burn books to destroy a culture. Just get people to stop reading them.
---Ray Bradbury

2 hr special on the Protestant Reformation....excellent work...but their example of the fundies - Rev. PARSLEY!!!!
Why couldnt they choose a fundie that was NOT a kook?

Reality. TV. Two more reasons to read.

You don't have to burn books to destroy a culture. Just get people to stop reading them.
---Ray Bradbury

Really tired tonight.

Later.

"Hello to our friends and fans in domestic surveillance."

Enter your zipcode in the search box to get to your area.
Scroll down to find your town or the closest one to you.
Open that page.
Look for the options for daily info... and then look for the graphs for barometric pressure.
BUT because its just turning midnight - at least here EST you might have to go to yesterday to see the chart.
By looking at the chart you can see the changes every 15 min.
ALSO - you will find looking around the site - weather stickers - one of the options has everything including BP updated in real time on it. YOu can put it either on your home page OR even on your desktop directly - which allows you to monitor the BP at all time. That is what I did when I first started monitoring the BP.
Once you have charted it for about a month you will get an idea of what NORMAL is for your area for this season....but you need to see NORMAL for each season so get the full use out of this.
NOW I don't have the weather sticker up anymore I just use the Weather Channel - I check the weather and I know by how I feel if something is coming.

Hope I remembered the directions well.
Let me know if I am wrong, as its been about 7 months since I have been there.

HTH you.

Reality. TV. Two more reasons to read.

You don't have to burn books to destroy a culture. Just get people to stop reading them.
---Ray Bradbury

I see it on my local weather map..

"Hello to our friends and fans in domestic surveillance."

Kevin
I used to love watching it every year... I am such an egyptophile.... I wanted to be an egyptologist at age 11.

Reality. TV. Two more reasons to read.

You don't have to burn books to destroy a culture. Just get people to stop reading them.
---Ray Bradbury

OKie Dokie
But if you need the other its not that difficult to find - I can find it if you give me your zip and then give you the link.

Reality. TV. Two more reasons to read.

You don't have to burn books to destroy a culture. Just get people to stop reading them.
---Ray Bradbury

Yes boys and girls the Sunday talkies will go on despite it being EASTER SUNDAY (them heathen agnostic non-believers in the librul media!).

So, as this thread has reached nearly 300 comments I offer to you for the next open thread

Brick TeeVee Resurrection Sunday

especially if you tune in any of the Sunday talkies!

Happy Easter! (to those that believe)

Have some Easter Bunnies!

Can't find this..

Look for the options for daily info... and then look for the graphs for barometric pressure.

I'll keep lookin. :)

http://www.wunderground.com/US/CA/Coronado/KNZY.html
Thanks ! :)
"Hello to our friends and fans in domestic surveillance."

Gimme a call o wise one!

Great choice for the new thread name.
I enjoy the bunnies even tho Easter isn't on my holiday calendar altho I do enjoy the choco bunnies - the solid choc bunnies - I know I know Crank...

Wishing those who are celebrating Easter a very Hoppy Easter, and to those who are not having a holiday (at least one I am aware of) tomorrow a lovely night and a Happy Sunday.

See you all for Seder Sunday. Easter and Spring themed beverages will be on "tap" - including fruit smoothies in celebration of spring and all things abundant and the promise of the fruit from all this rain.

Good Night, be well and be safe - no drinking and driving.

N-kitti and her fur kitties

Reality. TV. Two more reasons to read.

You don't have to burn books to destroy a culture. Just get people to stop reading them.
---Ray Bradbury

My fault - As I said its been a while.
I left out choosing a weather station -scrolling way down - past the weather stickers I mentioned.... you get to weather stations.... I selected the Coronado one and here is the link. Open and then save as a favorite.

http://www.wunderground.com/weatherstation/WXDailyHistory.asp?ID=MAS414

Reality. TV. Two more reasons to read.

You don't have to burn books to destroy a culture. Just get people to stop reading them.
---Ray Bradbury

Iron Lotus...

Nefferkitti,

The chihuahua rhyme from the Paris parody video:

I went ape on a sex tape
The guys all went gaga.
Now I must make my jail escape
I miss my chihuahua.

If you have never seen the original Paris music video, you should view it before you see the parody video. The original is here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9mKgEy4Ryjc

And the parody is here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k66epna2Sss

Check THIS out. Fear is an easy tool to prey on the elderly.

That will work..

Goodnite if you have to go. :)

"Hello to our friends and fans in domestic surveillance."

:(

"Hello to our friends and fans in domestic surveillance."

Hi people

________________________________

Move forward, not backward, upward not forward, and always twirling, twirling, twirling towards freedom!

How are you doing,Meg ?
Good I hope.
Is your Friend still doing better ?
Hope so.

"Hello to our friends and fans in domestic surveillance."

Still not sure what the extent of the brain damage might be. She recognizes people though, so that's good. They took out her tubes, that's good.

We'll just have to see what happens next.

________________________________

Move forward, not backward, upward not forward, and always twirling, twirling, twirling towards freedom!

Howard Jones-Things Can Only Get Better

"Hello to our friends and fans in domestic surveillance."

...

Yay! Saturday night.....

________________________________

Move forward, not backward, upward not forward, and always twirling, twirling, twirling towards freedom!

Good one :)

"Hello to our friends and fans in domestic surveillance."

:)

"Hello to our friends and fans in domestic surveillance."

Hi Meg. Hi MMRules.

Long time no see..
How ya doing ?

"Hello to our friends and fans in domestic surveillance."

And you?

Alice can't even download this thread because she's on dial up now
And,there are a ton of video's on this thread..

It's taking me along time too..And,I'm on a Ethernet Chord..
O'well..

I try and ask folks to link their Vid's..
But,no one listens.......

"Hello to our friends and fans in domestic surveillance."

http://www.samsedershow.com/node/2708

"Hello to our friends and fans in domestic surveillance."

What died, has been reborn (spring).

The first full moon after the equinox

~`~`~`~`~`~
Jamesbennett

Scroll up one post to Alice Party thread..
This thread is super long,slow and not well. ;)

"Hello to our friends and fans in domestic surveillance."

http://www.samsedershow.com/node/2708

Come one come all

: )

~`~`~`~`~`~
Jamesbennett

http://www.samsedershow.com/node/2708

"Hello to our friends and fans in domestic surveillance."

I think that I could have made the movie myself (written, produced, directed it) in the time that it's taking to download.

www.sigzone.blogspot.com

or

baghdad is safer than new york city...

Jogger training for Army mugged in Central Park

NEW YORK (AP) -- Knife-wielding muggers attacked a jogger running in Central Park to prepare for an Army physical fitness test, police and his family said.

"I'm in a lot of pain," Johnny Reberon, 23, said as he returned from a hospital Friday to his Manhattan home.

He was slashed in the arm and leg by two men who accosted him around 8:45 p.m. Thursday, police said.

His mugging was near the park road where a 28-year-old investment banker was found after being attacked while jogging on April 19, 1989. She became known worldwide as "the Central Park jogger."

Reberon's attackers took his wallet and iPod, police said. They were searching for suspects early Saturday.

"When he saw all the blood coming out, he thought he was going to bleed to death," said his mother, Carmen Zega. "I cried for hours."

She said her son called 911 on a cell phone he'd tucked in one of his socks, but he was in too much agony to talk to the operator. Two bicyclists stopped and helped him, Zega said.

Reberon works as a receptionist at a veterinary hospital, but he recently decided to join the Army, his mother said.

The victim of the 1989 attack was in a coma for 12 days before beginning her near-miraculous recovery. The jogger, Trisha Meili, disclosed her identity in 2003 and published her memoir.

my son is not here to ask but didnt ole dirty die sometime back....cant remember but one of them did right?