Won't back down

Check out Tunde Obazee Dallas liberal talker for over 25 years.

Listen Live. Really a great show. Maggiesboy - you have to check this guy out.

Today's Must Read
The latest tax avoidance trick to emerge from the UBS scandal: Smuggle diamonds in your tube of toothpaste.

--David Kurtz

http://tpmmuckraker.talkingpointsmemo.com/2008/07/todays_must_read_360.p...

GOP Firm Raises (Then Keeps) Campaign Cash
BMW Direct, a conservative political firm, has been raising money all over the country for GOP candidate Deborah Travis Honeycutt, who is running in a Democratic stronghold. Only problem is, only a fraction of the funds make it back to Honeycutt.

http://tpmmuckraker.talkingpointsmemo.com/2008/06/georgia_gop_candidate_...

Poll: Lieberman's Approval Rating In Connecticut Sinks To Lowest Ever
By Eric Kleefeld - July 1, 2008, 9:23AM
It's looking like Joe Lieberman's embrace of John McCain and Republican talking points has taken a toll on his numbers back home in Connecticut, according to a new Quinnipiac poll.

The poll gives Lieberman a 45% approval rating, a statistical dead heat with his 43% disapproval rating. This is a decline from his 52%-35% rating this past March, before he really started taking on the role of a partisan attack dog for McCain.

This is Lieberman's lowest ever rating, according to Quinnipiac's analysis, and the first time in 14 years that his approval rating has gone under 50%.

http://tpmelectioncentral.talkingpointsmemo.com/2008/07/poll_liebermans_...

With McCain and his lack of ability to think on the fly as in his Iran/Al-Qaeda statement it shows he lacks the experience and awareness to be an executive. Does flying a plane and getting shot down make you an executive? I think you hit it on the head Sam, unless you expose McCain's assertion that being a hero makes him an executive and gives him good judegement isn't true.

Now a person that is a hero because he was shot down in a war and tortured so he could admit that the bombed babies and mothers only later in life to support the same treatment for others by his country doesn't show good judgement either. I wonder if he is in the back room charging up the portable drills for the next group in Iran?

McCain Heads Today for Colombia, Where Adviser Has Long Had Ties

At a time when the role of lobbyists and special interests are at issue in the presidential campaign, Senator John McCain leaves Tuesday on a trip to Colombia, where a senior adviser to him has long had business and political ties.

Since 1998, the lobbying firm headed until recently by Charlie Black, one of Mr. McCain’s closest confidants, has earned more than $1.8 million representing the Occidental Petroleum Corporation, the leading foreign producer of gas and oil in Colombia. The lobbying firm, BKSH & Associates, has also represented Colombian textile and apparel manufacturers and a former foreign minister and presidential candidate who is also a prominent businesswoman.

According to official filings, Mr. Black, who resigned as chairman of BKSH in March, lobbied Congress, the State Department and the White House on Occidental’s behalf regarding “general energy issues” and “general trade issues” involving Colombia. His list of activities also included winning “foreign assistance for Colombia” and efforts to block an economic embargo against the country, which has a questionable human rights record.

“Though he did not have high visibility, we encountered his shadow often,” said Larry Birns, director of the Council on Hemispheric Affairs, an advocacy group that monitors Latin American human rights and political issues from Washington.

LINK

The Pentagon will inspect buildings handled by KBR, the embattled military contractor in Iraq, for poor electrical wiring. This comes in the wake of at least 13 Americans being electrocuted since the Iraq war began. (New York Times)

LINK

Jack Abramoff, the corrupt former lobbyist, has agreed to cooperate with the attorney general in Guam and has given information related to pending criminal charges for former Superior Court Administrator Tony Sanchez. Prosecutor Jeff Moots claims that the AG is planning to seek the dismisal of criminal charges against Abramoff in return for his cooperation. (KUAM News)

http://www.kuam.com/news/28695.aspx

The Florida attorney general filed a civil suit against Countrywide Financial Corp and its CEO Angelo Mozilo in an ever-growing wave of lawsuits. Countrywide and Mozilo are already facing suits in California and Illinois over supposed deceptive and unfair trade practices against borrowers. (Wall Street Journal)

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB121485891088517069.html?mod=rss_whats_ne...

still way too high, connecticut people wake up! what's wrong with you jeezus! i am so "disappointed" with your judgement

i think they could get the problem fixed real real fast if they had the board of blackwater use the showers...

taking the 2 girls to help with baby...they have gotten so good with him i have to say they are a great help...he can be such a cry baby in the middle of the night and they wake up to play with him no problem..(very sweet)

toodle doo

The Iraqi government has filed suit against dozens of companies for over $10 billion over alleged kickbacks to Saddam Hussein's government under the U.N. oil-for-food program. The government claims that the companies cheated the Iraqi people out of benefits from the U.N. program. (Reuters)

http://www.reuters.com/article/worldNews/idUSL2969467520080701?feedType=...

The RAND Corporation released a delayed report yesterday on planning issues for postwar Iraq. The report details an array of factors that troubled the American effort to stabilize Iraq, including improperly optimistic assumptions and unfounded faith in civilian authorities. (New York Times)

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/07/01/washington/01military.html?partner=rss...

you and me both

on opie and antony but no other clue, well folks i have no idea what this opie and anthony stuff is. Blog, radio show, tv show, what channel, cable? how do we get it? please do not assume we're all media smart around here, some of us are still foreigners and do not get cable

so can someone please help me out here how do i get to see maron on opie and antonie whatever this may be

thanks

gotta go

McCain Camp Manufactures More Outrage Obama Over Wes Clark Comments
By Greg Sargent - July 1, 2008, 10:44AM
The McCain campaign hits Obama over Wes Clark's comments for the third day running, releasing yet another statement...

"Yesterday, Barack Obama's campaign said he rejected Gen. Clark's attack on John McCain's military service. But last night, Gen. Clark admitted to speaking with the Obama campaign, and then went out and repeated his attacks. It's clear that the Obama campaign isn't telling Wes Clark to apologize, and are either encouraging or tolerating his attacks on John McCain's military service.
The Obama campaign even said they were 'glad' that Gen. Clark 'clarified' a comment they supposedly repudiated. If this kind of wink-and-nod game is how Barack Obama wants to run his campaign, then fine. But spare us the empty talk of 'new politics' and raising the dialogue in this country. We just wonder: Will Barack Obama's actions ever match his words?"

It's really unclear what exactly the McCain campaign is pretending to be outraged about. Whatever the wisdom of Obama's repudiation of Clark's comments, this is pretty simple: Obama doesn't stand by Clark's comments, and Clark does. Clark communicated as much to the Obama campaign.

How does this prove that Obama is "encouraging or tolerating" the attacks? It doesn't, of course. At this point McCain advisers are simply manufacturing outrage, secure in the knowledge that they won't get called out for it. Oh, and by the way, Clark didn't "attack" McCain's military service.

http://tpmelectioncentral.talkingpointsmemo.com/2008/07/mccain_camp_manu...

there sure is nothing foreign about you mirelli, that is for sure....i can tell by the way i read you and you me

Rasmussen: McCain Ahead In Florida
A new Rasmussen poll of Florida gives John McCain the lead in this large swing state. The numbers: McCain 48%, Obama 41%, with a ±4.5% margin of error. Other recent polls have put Obama ahead, leaving the situation ambiguous.

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

Other Polls:

http://tpmelectioncentral.talkingpointsmemo.com/polltracker/flpres/

lucille

Poll: Dem Ahead In Deep-Red House Seat In Kentucky
A new SurveyUSA poll suggests that Democrats could be poised to pick up a deep-red Kentucky House district that voted 65% for President Bush in 2004. In the district of retiring GOPer Ron Lewis, Democratic state Sen. David Boswell has a 47%-44% edge over Republican state Sen. Brett Guthrie, within the ±4.3% margin of error.

http://www.surveyusa.com/client/PollReport.aspx?g=8b5ad5ea-be44-42c6-a8e...

We've all felt like foreigners in our own country the past 10 years!

I don't know where to find that Opie thing either.

McCain's energy record is on/off
L.M. Otero / Associated Press
John McCain speaks to a trucker and others in Pennsylvania. An advisor says McCain’s shifts on energy policy reflect a pragmatic approach to governing.

The Republican presidential candidate has swerved from one position to another over the years, taking often contradictory stances on the government's role in energy policy.

http://www.latimes.com/news/printedition/front/la-na-energy1-2008jul01,0...

you'll be missed after the 11th if you don't find a way to be in touch! why not borrow a laptop from somebody? best thing to do that i can think of when you're laid out and can't move for a few days, what better way to pass the time (and take mind off whatever discomfort you might be going through) than blog? second best is a bunch of good books by the bedside - whatever you do do not get dependendent on tv watching, it gets depressing

"whatever you do do not get dependendent on tv watching, it gets depressing"

I usually go to HGTV design programs or the food network to get my mind off politics.

I like the History channel too. But I don't know if the Hospital will have those stations.

Mire, do you have a good recipe for Putanesca?

http://www.opieandanthony.com/

I never cared that much for Wesley Clark. I found him to be a terrible speaker when running for pres. When he represented Clinton everything that came out of his mouth sounded like wah wah wah wah wah. Now that he likes Obama he is making great sense and seems to be a perfect supporter...

Is it just me? Now that he is on my side(kinda since fisa) he sounds real good. I want him for VP and have since I did not even like him. Are my ears filtered thru my opinion or has he changed?

drives me out of my mind and fosters tin hatism.

I asked Marc if he was mmrules
Submitted by mhappenow on Mon, 06/30/2008 - 1:31pm.
his answer was...

"nope not that confident"
*******
Don't get me on Maron's shit list now.. ;)
I wouldn't think he would like to be compared
to a Ex-Airline employee,on disability with insomnia..
Who plays guitar and blogs..

We need to help build back up Maron's confidence..
Not tear it down.. Jeebus :)

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

i don't have a problem with what clark has said, but it seems like the obama camp runs for cover every time those mean old nasty rethuglicans go boo.

i don't think clark is political enough to run as vp. he could easily fill the role of secretary of defense though.

i gave the wiki a glance and didn't make the connection

A type of popular Japanese drama, evolved from the older No theater, in which elaborately costumed performers, nowadays men only, use stylized movements, dances, and songs in order to enact tragedies and comedies.

[Japanese, art of singing and dancing : ka, singing (from Middle Chinese) + bu, dancing (from Middle Chinese muə, wuə) + ki, art, artist (from Middle Chinese giʼ, khi).]

they send out their attack dog(vp candidate) Wesley Clark

don't worry I never thought you were Marc. You are way too confident.

is a Japanese play.

So I think the intent here is that the Clark thing was planned. You saw Obama's response to Clark's opinion. He denounced it. And you saw Clark's response to Obama. He appologized. Like a good cop, bad cop type of thing. The intent still got out there. The idea of McCain's military expereinces don't make him the perfect candidate for president. It was a play!

from everything i've heard the obama camp is project planning on steroids. they game everything but so i guess my problem is that i just don't like their style where they throw people under the bus without blinking. maybe thats the real cost we pay for having a fascist main stream media.

Faith Based

I don't actually have a problem with money going to church-linked organizations as long as they aren't exempt from oversight or anti-discrimination laws and don't proselytize. Early Associated Press reports incorrectly stated that Obama would allow such organizations to discriminate in hiring based on religion, but that apparently is not the case.

http://tpmelectioncentral.talkingpointsmemo.com/2008/07/obama_speech_we_...

As with all of these things the devil is in the details, but there's nothing wrong with supporting good programs.

-Atrios 10:39

On 4th on July week you have to be nuts to attack McCain on his war experience and how it relates to becoming commander in chief. Obama isn't playing a game, he is trying to run from this screw up as fast as he can. Obama knows McCain is going to start to talk about his support for the surge as an example of leadership. This is all going somewhere Obama does not want to go. Obama wanted to talk about judgement not experience. Someone should have given Clark the real talking points.

gee, do you think that would include reverend wrights church?

It's true, I suppose, that there can be temporary market conditions such that "fair value accounting" might give an inaccurate picture, but the financial and mortgage lending crisis we're in isn't temporary. Those foreclosures are real, those loans aren't being paid back, and all of the investors who bought CDOs are going to be getting a bit less than 100 cents on the dollar.

There's really no chance that the housing market will suddenly rebound, that prices will appreciate 30%, that people trapped in mortgages they can't repay - some due to crazy lending terms, some simply because they have big mortgages they could never afford - will cease to be underwater and be able to refinance or sell.

-Atrios 10:09

http://calculatedrisk.blogspot.com/2008/07/when-in-doubt-blame-accountan...

The gift that just keeps on giving..

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

can't play right now. i've got to go get a shovel to help the good general out.

I just heard Sam Seder live. He called into our new radio station in Dallas. It was great to hear him over the AM airwaves. I was in my car when I caught it. They loved all over him at the station and told him they wanted him on as soon as he becomes available.

Make yourself available Sam! The world needs more Seder!!!!

are you thinking Clark?

The Strange Journey of Larry Johnson
David Weigel, The American Prospect
The former CIA officer has morphed from defender of Valerie Plame to crazed purveyor of a debunked Michelle Obama rumor. What happened?

http://www.alternet.org/story/89339/?ses=26720475813537920ffbca25474dd48...

Yeah right..

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

clark.

but also reverend wright and others whose outspokeness raised the ire of the wingers and caused them to be tossed.

Sam actually called in? That is so cool. He is listening to you Nando, o sage one....

which i am convinced it is, Clark is part of their play...watch...soon Obama will be praising him for some other thing he said and then he will announce that he is the vp.

waited on the sidewalk while the bus was coming down the street and then as soon as it was in front of him he jumped while looking back to see where Barack was.

Science Daily is reporting that watermelon may have Viagra-life effects on the body:

"The more we study watermelons, the more we realize just how amazing a fruit it is in providing natural enhancers to the human body," said Dr. Bhimu Patil, director of Texas A&M's Fruit and Vegetable Improvement Center in College Station.

"We've always known that watermelon is good for you, but the list of its very important healthful benefits grows longer with each study."

Beneficial ingredients in watermelon and other fruits and vegetables are known as phyto-nutrients, naturally occurring compounds that are bioactive, or able to react with the human body to trigger healthy reactions, Patil said.

In watermelons, these include lycopene, beta carotene and the rising star among its phyto-nutrients - citrulline - whose beneficial functions are now being unraveled. Among them is the ability to relax blood vessels, much like Viagra does."

Read the rest (and then go chow down on some watermelon!

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/07/01/why-watermelon-is-the-new_n_110...

Connecticut Secretary of State Defies Federal Department of Veterans Affairs

Susan Bysiewicz Visits VA Hospital To Register Veterans
Guest Blogged by John Gideon, VotersUnite

The federal Department of Veterans Affairs (DVA) has decided, this year, that veterans under their care do not need to vote so they have ruled that any voter registration drives or other voting related issues are in violation of the Hatch Act. Of course the Hatch Act is a law that keeps federal employees from participating in partisan politics and veterans in veteran's hospitals and nursing homes are not federal employees but the DVA has chosen to ignore that fact.

The Secretary of State of Connecticut, Susan Bysiewicz, decided "Not In My State" so after asking permission to visit veterans facilities in the state in order to register veterans and show them how to use the states voting machines and being denied permission she, and the state AG, decided to defy the feds.

Con't-Update

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

Submitted by mhappenow on Tue, 07/01/2008 - 12:10pm.
...He is listening to you Nando, o sage one...
------
Herb, to his friends.

watermelon Crank.....

You must be if you give Obama such horrible advice. Who is getting all the airtime on 4th of July? Who is getting all the sympathy of the American people. McCain !!! Clark is off the reservation and if he ever was on any kind of short list, Clark is now history.

If you think Obama is going to win a fight on experience you're nuts. It's all about judgement not experience. Miss that and you miss the whole point of the Obama campaign.

he was live only unfortunately. I wish I could have recorded it. I called them earlier and the station has yet to set up podcast archives. I hope they get to that soon. They have a listen live stream but it's been hit and miss while they configure it for the new format.

I think Sam had set this up in advance. Nancy at the station seemed ready to talk to him about bringing him back to the metroplex.

...my eyes are burning from smoke in the air...and it's not helping my swollen poison oak eye...

O o <<--- my eyeballs...

http://www.uphaa.com/blog/index.php/oddities-world-news/

Not VP - Defense department

________________________________

“The only thing worse than being blind is having sight but no vision.” –Helen Keller

mhappenow,

There are only two classic areas of watermelon jokes.

One of them is a minefield best reserved for satirizing old world bigots (in which case you should include fried chicken, shiftlessness and good rhythm).

The other relies on the diuretic effect.

The Viagra angle is news to me...but there has to be a spilling-seed-on-the-ground joke in there somewhere.

?

Submitted by Alice on Tue, 07/01/2008 - 12:40pm.
...it's not helping my swollen poison oak eye...
------
Annie Oakeye changed her name when she joined Buffalo Bill's Wild West Show.

The rest is history.

Or a spitting contest.

What Wesley Clark really said; how the press missed it
John Aravosis (DC) · 7/01/2008 12:15:00 PM ET · Link
5 Comments · reddit · FARK · Digg It! ·

From the Columbia Journalism Review:
[M]oderator Bob Schieffer interjected that “Barack Obama has not had any of those experiences, either, nor has he ridden in a fighter plane and gotten shot down”, Clark responded: “Well, I don’t think riding in a fighter plane and getting shot down is a qualification to be president.”

The McCain camp, sensing an opportunity, complained that Clark had “attacked John McCain’s military service record.” Of course, Clark had done nothing of the kind. He had questioned the relevance of McCain’s combat experience as a qualification to be president of the United States. This is a distinction that you’d expect any reasonably intelligent nine-year old to be able to grasp.

But many in the press have been unable to....

Even if McCain weren’t running on his military record, it’s undoubtedly something that could convince many voters, rightly or wrongly, that he has the experience to be commander in chief. Why should it be out of bounds for Democrats to argue that McCain’s particular military experience has done little to prepare him for the decisions he’ll have to make as president?
...

It’s crucially important that we have a political debate in this country that’s at least sophisticated enough to be able to handle the following rather basic idea: Arguing that a person’s record of military service is not a qualification for the presidency does not constitute “attacking” their military credentials; nor can it be described as invoking their military service against them, or as denying their record of war heroism.

That’s not a very high bar for sophistication. But right now it’s one the press isn’t capable of clearing.

http://www.cjr.org/campaign_desk/attacking_mccains_military_rec.php?page...

She said it would be Several weeks without a computer.

Submitted by pbtrue1 on Tue, 07/01/2008 - 12:52pm.
Or a spitting contest.
-----
If you're thinking what I'm thinking, I don't want to think about it.

I thought Maron was supposed to be on Hartmann today...

________________________________

“The only thing worse than being blind is having sight but no vision.” –Helen Keller

If McCain has a lack of command experience what does Obama bring to the table. Unless you are going to try to make the case that military experience is a bad thing, this is a debate that can not be won. Clark really wants to be the big dog here. He used his rank to attack Kerry in 04.

"You could argue that 2004’s Democratic nominee, Sen. John Kerry, D-Mass. -- whose military rank Clark once belittled by saying “he's a lieutenant and I'm a general."

The problem is Obama doesn't want this comparison made at all. But it's too late now.

-Annie Oakeye changed her name when she joined Buffalo Bill's Wild West Show.

The rest is history.-

Did you see that thing about her on PBS last night?

-Annie Oakeye changed her name when she joined Buffalo Bill's Wild West Show.

________________________________

“The only thing worse than being blind is having sight but no vision.” –Helen Keller

Toward the end of the Nixon era, some of the Arab oil-producing nations executed an oil embargo against nations that supported the Yom Kippur ("October") War.

I remember reading claims from a few U.S. tourist destinations (like Six Flags) stating that the gasoline shortage would cause families to travel shorter distances while on vacation, so the tourism businesses would gain a nearby customer for every distant customer they lost.

It sounded kinda flaky to me. I figured that some long-distance and some short-distance customers wouldn't travel at all, resulting in less commerce than in better times.

A few weeks ago, a Branson spokesman repeated the same claim, "Gas prices won't hurt us because we'll draw local folks who would have driven to farther destinations."

Again, it sounded kinda flaky to me.

A week ago I heard a different Branson spokesman say (paraphrasing), "Holy fuck! Business sucks!"

Submitted by Meg on Tue, 07/01/2008 - 1:37pm.
Did you see that thing about her on PBS last night?
------
No. I didn't know it existed.

I'm an eclectic punster. That's my story and I'm stickin' with it.

sure you wanna know? Not for the faint of heart

good imported ingredients and timing and a good feel for dosage are necessary like all italian recipes simple but tricky, it helps if you are italian! this recipe is from the Rome region so it's just up my alley

olive oil (extra virgin imported bla bla)in frying pan with garlic, when the garlic gets colorful and start to smell add the tomato sauce - you can use fresh (but in that case you have to peel and deseed the tomatoes, not always worth the effort) or can i use the contadina or Del Monte small tomato can cover and cook for about 10-15 mins low flame - add some black olives depitted and minced - you'll have to depit them yourself because the kind which is required - maroccan, the small black ones bitter and salty with a wrinkly skin - come in the jar with the pit included.Start the water boiling and add a bunch of salt, be generous with the salt, most common american mistake is to not add enough salt to the boiling water - remember you won't be drinking this water, only a small portion of the salt gets absorbed by the pasta as it cooks - also of course do not overcook the pasta

anchovies is a key ingredients - i run two or three fillets under running water to get some of the salt and bones out, then you mash it with some butter using a fork - create some anchovy butter which will be mixed with the drained pasta first thing off the fire - then add the tomato sauce and add fresh chopped parsly on top

the strong flavor and smell comes from the combination garlic-anchovies-black olives

best pasta to go with this is linguine

very tasty and quick and easy to prepare if you have all the ingredients. Those ingredients are never missing from my pantry so it's no problem when i don't know what to cook and don't wanna go shopping and fridge is empty, a simple pasta dish easy to whip up

i look up and what do i see, lots of weirdness on the blog? what's up fernando? gotta run and don't have time to check the videos and graphics and all the articles and links, the blog is hopping today, isn't this a workday?

thanks mhappennow, i have boomarked the opie and anthony link and will check later hopeful for a maron video clip

Super cool countdown clock from Jim Hightower available HERE

Just a slow day at the office mire
Submitted by Fernando on Tue, 07/01/2008 - 1:59pm.
------
Use your Junior Lifesaver skills on a drowning bear.

That'll perk things up.

Believe it or not I have everything but the olives and fresh parsley. I wonder if I can sub calamata olives in place of the marrocon olives? I have those!

I like the idea of the anchovies. Here they use those little black seedy things I forgot the name of. Ah! Capers!

Mire, my husband was Italian but from Argentina. His family was Tuscana. I learned some Italian dishes and Argentine and with my Greek heritage, I've got a good mix of recipes.

I like Puttanesca but I'm not crazy about Capers so I am glad to have this recipe. Love anchovies!

I just printed that recipe out. Thanks.

You should tell the rest here why this pasta dish has that name! Heh!

champ...
he has gained 2lbs in 2 weeks..doctor was not impressed...but i do not know what am i doing wrong..i am feeding him the amount the doctor told me to

He's not getting enough exercise. Do you have a dog park near you?

damn. I read that word in t's comment and a little voice in my head remembered Ron Parsley and I blurted out "IDIOT". I am turning Manchurian.

Being George Bush is a problem for John McCain
· 7/01/2008 01:57:00 PM ET · Link
Make a comment · reddit · FARK · Digg It! ·

From Gallup:
A recent USA Today/Gallup poll finds about two in three Americans concerned that John McCain would pursue policies as president that are too similar to what George W. Bush has pursued. Nearly half -- 49% -- say they are "very concerned" about this.

http://www.gallup.com/poll/108490/Americans-Worry-McCain-Would-Too-Simil...

I heard Ed Schultz interview Wes Clark this morning and he said he was answering a direct question from Bob Scheiffer about things he has been saying for awhile. Clark also had a great frame for this episode. He said he doesn't blame the Obama Camp for their follow up; he said this is an orchestrated Swiftboat attack by McCain's Campaign. He has hired the same people that did the Swiftboat ads in 2004. I wish Kerry would could on the MSM and defend Clark; asking McCain if he is so concerned that Dems are trashing or belittling his military record, why has he hired the people who trashed his (Kerry's) military record?

Right-Wing Apoplectic Over Pixar’s WALL-E: ‘Malthusian Fear Mongering,’ ‘Fascistic Elements’

This weekend, Pixar’s latest film “WALL-E” debuted at No. 1, earning $65 million at the box office. The film has been hailed by critics, scoring a whopping 97 percent “Fresh” rating on RottenTomatoes.

The film portrays a lonely robot’s quest for love, as he is left to clean up a trashed earth. Meanwhile, the over-indulged humans wait it out aboard gigantic spaceships run by a monolithic corporation-turned-government that “resemble spas for the fat and lazy.”

Somehow, this touching love story has outraged the radical right:

Shannen Coffin: From the first moment of the film, my kids were bombarded with leftist propaganda about the evils of mankind. It’s a shame, too, because the robot had promise. The story was just awful, however.

Greg Pollowitz: It was like a 90-minute lecture on the dangers of over consumption, big corporations, and the destruction of the environment. … Much to Disney’s chagrin, I will do my part to avoid future environmental armageddon by boycotting any and all WALL-E merchandise and I hope others join my crusade.

Glenn Beck: I can’t wait to teach my kids how we’ve destroyed the Earth. … Pixar is teaching. I can’t wait. You know if your kid has ever come home and said, “Dad, how come we use so much styrofoam,” oh, this is the movie for you.

Dirty Harry: Have we lost Pixar? Have we lost the wonderful studio who brought us The Incredibles and Ratatouille to Bush Derangement Syndrome? Here you have a winning streak going back ten-years, enormous amounts of public goodwill, equal amounts of credibility as serious storytellers, and they stop things cold, yanking you out of the story with the liberal nonsense. Quite a disappointment.

Jonah Goldberg: I agree with the charges of hypocrisy. I agree that the Malthusian fear mongering was annoying

Goldberg posted a lengthy letter from a reader decrying the film’s “fascistic elements,” which apparently include the movie’s discussion of the environment, a character “getting in touch with her emotional, passionate inner self,” and the use of the color red.

Now we can add a critically-acclaimed and universally-beloved cartoon character to Goldberg’s enormous list of evidence of “liberal facism,” which already includes vegetarianism, love of animals, and Captain Planet.

http://thinkprogress.org/2008/07/01/right-wing-hates-wall-e/

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

It seems like now that Obama has the nomination, he's going out of his way to make stupid statements. Is he trying to sabotage his chances in November?

I am growing really disenchanted with Obama. He's the epitome of what the Democratic Party has become; Republican-lite. Carlin was right, this nation is fucked, there is no point in voting anymore.

yeah we are surrounded by parks here..but doc. said only after this shot can he be taken out a bit...after the 3rd one he can run wild outside

Specter switched his vote on Medicare bill after last-minute deal with White House.
On Thursday, a bill “that would have blocked a 10.6 percent cut in Medicare payments to doctors fell just one vote short of the 60 it needed for passage.” Politico reports that the White House pushed vulnerable senators to switch their votes in some “eleventh-hour” dealings. Officials promised Sen. Arlen Specter (R-PA), who has been diagnosed with Hodgkin’s disease and previously supported a similar Medicare bill, “an administrative fix to increase Medicare reimbursements for oncologists.” Specter denied that there was a “quid pro quo.”

http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0608/11456.html

Update
The WSJ notes the failure to pass the bill “will create a backlog in Medicare’s claims processing.”

http://blogs.wsj.com/health/2008/06/30/with-medicare-pay-hold-claims-bac...

Ok..Just let McSame Pick The Next 2 to 3 Supreme Court Justices !

Wake up and stop wetting your pants .. ;)

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

I understand how he feels.

Ed is not always my cup of tea but he has been getting on the cable shows and standing up for Dems/Libs/Progressives. I tune out the sports and fishing talk but endure because he has good guests. He defended Clark on CNN last night by focusing on McCain's current record of not supporting the military while funning on his military creds. Ed said he has voted 10 times against bills to improve VA/military benefits in the last few years. And now, although he said he was against it and didn't bother to come back and vote, he is now taking credit for passing the GI Bill and Bush gave him credit today too!

He said it was very good..it was on here a month or so ago...

I'm trying to watch the vampire orgy and it's not working... :/

It's up in the Movie Archive Database and it does work. I watched it last night. Its just an old B movie but that's better than what was on any other cable channel in my house last night.

"Ok..Just let McSame Pick The Next 2 to 3 Supreme Court Justices !"

McCain is a dangerous whacko, but given Obama's total lack of a backbone of late how can he be trusted to nominate worthy people to the Supreme Court? He could give us idiots just as bad as McCain would. I guess I am just disgusted that I have to support a candidate who is slowly morphing into something I detest simply because the alternative is so much worse.

...

Via Firedoglake.

Gathered For Work in Aurora, CO

McCain In 2003: ‘I Absolutely Don’t Believe’ Military Service Alone Qualifies Somebody For President
This Sunday, on CBS’s Face the Nation, host Bob Schieffer commented that Sen. Barack Obama (D-IL) may not have the experience to be president because he has not “ridden in a fighter plane and gotten shot down.” After having already expressed his respect for McCain’s military record, Gen. Wesley Clark responded by arguing that “getting shot down is [not] a qualification to be President.” The McCain campaign issued this statement condemning Clark’s remarks:

The American people know that John McCain’s record of service and sacrifice is not a matter of debate. He has written about and discussed his service as a POW extensively — often in excruciating and painful detail. The American people will judge harshly anyone who demeans or attacks that service.

Then, last night, on MSNBC’s Veridct with Dan Abrams, Clark again reiterated that “this is an issue about the qualifications to be President” and said, “I want to assure you I would never, never diss someone’s service.” Watch It:

Clark’s argument that military service is not sufficient alone to be president is an argument that has been made by McCain himself:

- During an interview with National Journal, John McCain was asked if “military service inherently makes somebody better equipped to be commander-in-chief.” McCain said, “Absolutely not…I absolutely don’t believe that it’s necessary.” [National Journal, 2/15/2003]

- I believe that military service is the most honorable endeavor an American may undertake. But I’ve never believed that lack of military service disqualifies one from occupying positions of political leadership or as Commander and Chief. In America, the people are sovereign, and they decide who is and is not qualified to lead us. [American Legion Speech, 9/7/1999]

- Earlier this year at Washington’s Gridiron Club, where humor is the required fare, McCain lay bare what underlies his candidacy. Wearing a jacket outlandishly festooned with dozens of fake military medals, McCain said, “The question I ask myself every morning while shaving in front of the mirror is: OK, John, you’re an incredible war hero, an inspiration to all Americans. But what qualifies you to be president of the United States?” [Minneapolis Star Tribune, 11/7/1999]

In fact, in an interview on NPR on May 1, 2004, McCain noted that “some of our greatest presidents have not [had military experience]. … And all of them turned out to be fine commanders in chief.” Thus, by his own admission, McCain’s policies — not his military record — should determine if he is qualified to be president.

http://thinkprogress.org/2008/07/01/mccain-v-clark-qualifications/

LINK

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T.H. Huxley, and the Russian anarchist Petr Kropotkin, both world class naturalists, who came to very different conclusions about altruism. Huxley, under the influence of Thomas Malthus, saw nature as essentially "red in tooth and claw"; altruism in the animal kingdom was a rare occurrence and it was only found among blood kinship. Kropotkin held just the opposite view. His fifty-thousand mile journey through the frozen wasteland of Siberia revealed altruism everywhere, including where there were no blood ties, for the simple reason that survival in such conditions required mutual aid.
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i called you a fascist first

did not, i called it first

nu na, you are. and your mothers ugly too.

i guess goldberg figures if uses the word in the wrong way he can redefine it so that it can't be stuck to his forehead with super glue.

Ed is not always my cup of tea but he has been getting on the cable shows and standing up for Dems/Libs/Progressives. I tune out the sports and fishing talk but endure because he has good guests. He defended Clark on CNN last night by focusing on McCain's current record of not supporting the military while running on his military creds. Ed said he has voted 10 times against bills to improve VA/military benefits in the last few years. And now, although he said he was against it and didn't bother to come back and vote, he is now taking credit for passing the GI Bill and Bush gave him credit today too!

» Also I don't hear Hartmann until later because XM delays him for Schultz. Any other XM users here? Don't you think, especially with the merger, XM needs two liberal talk channels. I remember hearing SAM say on a VOD that he thought he burned his bridges with XM but I think time can heal. I think they are hungry for political content. I heard Jon Elliot talk about how AAR is worried they are losing some of their listeners to XM's POTOS08 channel. But if AAR continues to get rid of serious political content they shouldn't be surprised. I've only heard Kuby on weekend replays. He sounded like another lawyer who likes to listen to himself talk although he was decent with callers. His show may be liberal, but it doesn't seem political so I'm not interested.

You're CHOOSING to...

:)

I agree with ya there..
He's FISA backtrack is pathetic..
And,I've been emailing his ass alot on that one..
Hopefully,it will help..If enough folks besides me do it..

Bottom line,Politics sucks in this Crazy old country of ours..
I want
A end to this boody war !

Public Financing of Elections..

A real Progressive 3rd party that has a chance of winning,one that doesn't just show up every 4 years.(Nader)

And,a Snowcone.. :)

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

commented on last night. thanks for the russ clip...i love him.

Why are these so called Democratic leaders putting up fences to hold back DNC protests? This tactic is unconstitutional. We Democrats don't have to act like the bed-wetting Republicans that are too afraid to be confronted....

Lose the fence!

I'm happy that KO put it the way that he did mhappenow. Not sure how the Obama camp takes that kind of input. He really does have just this last chance to get it right.

I just don't see how he can win if he lets the hope out of the bag this quickly.

hi ma,
sorry i've been missing in action..i'm not using Aunty Faith's laptop anymore
due to the fact that i ran up her internet acct for R3000..she was in huge trouble
b/c of me..i'm was so ashamed..i now need to pay her back for my internet use..
(at least half of the money..and i actually don't have anymore money to spend)
i was wondering if maybe u could deposit some money into my acct to pay her
back and to spend for my birthday..the only money i have left is to pay for
my ticket back home..the $400 i need to pay Emirates for the extension of my
ticket.. PLEASE!! if it's only possible if not it's ok..
so otherwise how has everything been with u guys at home..
i'm actually excited that i'll be home in like 2 weeks exactly.. i leave on the
15th of July..so i'll be home on the 16th and my flight lands @ 7am..
i miss home at this point and can not wait to see everyone..i'm tired of sitting
around and doing absolutely nothing..i stay in Mayfair at this point and watch
soapies with mummy all day long..LOL it's fun and we argue and bicker all the time..
she says that i'm more of an old woman than she is..LOL!!
ohhh i had to send another box home on saturday, b/c i have so much crap..
so please look out for both of them..i sent both packages filled with my clothing
under my name..i'm hoping i'll beat them home..if not please look out for them for me..
if Josh is working at the post office, please ask him to bring them home for me..i would
REALLY appreciate it..
i was wondering if u wanted me to bring any atchaar home as well as biltong?
if u want them please send me the list and the money...so i can get cracking on that
ASAP..

McCain Accuses Webb Of Collaborating With Obama Campaign
John McCain has accused Sen. Jim Webb of collaborating with the Obama camp after Webb said last night that politicians, including McCain, need to stop politicizing the issue of military service.

http://tpmelectioncentral.talkingpointsmemo.com/2008/07/mccain_campaign_...

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Poll: Obama Pulls Into Narrow Lead In Florida
By Eric Kleefeld - July 1, 2008, 1:29PM
Barack Obama's support has significantly risen in Florida -- a place where John McCain is thought to have an advantage -- to the point where he's taken the lead in a new poll.

The latest numbers from Public Policy Polling (D): Obama 46%, McCain 44%, within the ±3.6% margin of error. In their last poll from March -- taken right in the middle of the first Jeremiah Wright controversy -- Obama trailed 50%-39%.

For now, the polls are mixed on Florida. PPP, Quinnipiac and ARG have given Obama a narrow lead, while Rasmussen puts McCain ahead.

http