Show today at 3pm

Wow

Lawyer for Chiquita in Colombia Death Squad Case May be Next U.S. Attorney General

In its recent report entitled, "Breaking the Grip? Obstacles to Justice for Paramilitary Mafias in Colombia," Human Rights Watch (HRW) had specific recommendations for the U.S. Department of Justice. Specifically, HRW recommended that, in order to assist with the process of ending the ties between the Colombian government and paramilitary death squads, the U.S. Department of Justice should, among other things, "[c]reate meaningful legal incentives for paramilitary leaders [a number of whom have already been extradited to the U.S.] to fully disclose information about atrocities and name all Colombian or foreign officials, business or individuals who may have facilitated their criminal activities," and "[c]ollaborate actively with the efforts of Colombian justice officials who are investigating paramilitary networks in Colombia by sharing relevant information possible and granting them access to paramilitary leaders in U.S. custody."

Do not expect these recommendations to be carried forward if Eric Holder decides to forgo his lucrative corporate law practice at Covington & Burling and accept the U.S. Attorney General position for which many believe he is the top contendor...

According to Mario Iguaran, the Attorney General of Colombia, Chiquita's payments to the AUC paramilitaries led to the murder of 4000 civilians in the banana region of Colombia and furthered the growth of the paramilitaries throughout Colombia and their violent takeover of numerous Colombian regions.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/dan-kovalik/lawyer-for-chiquita-in-co_b_14...

but I have to strongly disagree with this arrogant and ego stuff about him...at least based on my experience with him, and his writing....Arrogance doesn't think about others...that's what Ralph does..he thinks about us, the citizens...a lot more than other politicians do...he comes out to stress the farce of these two party elections...

If you were the manager of an expansion team would youenlist available veteran players or go for unproven talent that has yet to play in the majors.

Remember, you are under tremendous pressure to win RIGHT NOW!!!
*************************

"The Once and Future Rajah of Bhong."

>>he thinks about us, the citizens...

if he really cares for us, why won't run for senate?

losing a presidential campaign every 4 years does me NO good whatsoever. As a senator, he could improve outr lives and still run for president.

to me, it smacks of diva thinking -- all or nothing.

He may be happy with nothing, but what about the rest of us?
*************************

"The Once and Future Rajah of Bhong."

who is Pres. because every admin is a puppet for the people who have run this government from the start...

is a NATIONAL ISSUE...

I understand your aversion to such vulgarity, I am sure many people share it...Hell, I share it..but when it comes to War Dog, I take pleasure in it...

if it makes you feel better, it's reserved for WaDo and it's a rarity among my posts..you wouldn't see it if he weren't here and it would cease immediately if he left...also I find it light years less offensive than his advocating the slaughter of millions of people...but that's just me...

I appreciate your frankness, though

No. This is when you push to the left. Barack is the government now. He's already proving himself to be supporter of war hawks and corporatists, but that isn't really the issue. We have to push our agenda against the ruling government whether that government is run by George or Barack.
As far as Nader, I doubt I would ever vote him. Four years should be long enough for a progressive party to find an appealing candidate. I would vote for Dennis tomorrow, but he's always going to marginalized as someone who is short with big ears that believes in UFOs. I find it curious, however, that the Dems will embrace Lieberman, but demonize Nader.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y11hsopqmlU

i taped it off cspan the day it happened, but have never found that tape.. fortunately, it's on youtube now - all two hours,twenty minutes of it.

Do watch this speech - he provides a clear, concise (even though it takes two hours plus) exegesis of the corporate takeover of the United States, beginning in the late 19th century.

This is the Ralph Nader for whom i voted in '96 and '00... i'm not sure that he hasn't suffered a stroke or three in the intervening years. I believe he has been diagnosed with Bell's Palsy. He was a great good friend of my father's (who passed away in '98) and was for many years a personal hero of mine. His reluctance or inability to step forward between election cycles has been a source of great disappointment for me. i don't know that he would ever make an effective president, but definitely vp or cabinet post... even today.

Hope and change.

show soon...

Ask yourself: What would Obama do?

The CDC declared Burlington the healthiest city in the US...

Turns out the city is pretty much run by 3rd party progressives..

http://samsedershow.com/node/4087#comment-282535

IT is about quite a bit more than the Presidency....

I side with Bush, I am a Troll...

I side with Obama, I'm stil a Troll...

I always support Our President...

Make me think to now be a Troll you must be a 3%er...!!!

Hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm...

It must be all about Hate..!!

Do you feel like you were inundated with Ralph's platform during this cycle? I don't..anything I wanted to know I had to find and post...So maybe you need to search for information about him to know what he is up to on off election years? It's not like anyone is going to report it...sans Amy, INN or indymedia...

work...hard to concentrate here...(work gets in the way..) ;)

But he never hurt nobody
He just loved to live that way
And he loved to steal your money

So we came to jaz it up
We never loved a shovel
Break your back earn your pay
And don't forget to grovel

At least someone is willing to challenge big oil.

US Navy says Somali pirates are taking a seized Saudi-owned oil supertanker to a Somali port
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/feedarticle/8043843

LOL! The Energizer Bunny of trolls expresses shock and horror that he is called a troll.

He just keeps on keeping on with the shit disturbance.

What an asshole.

(sorry Dada)

I am sorry 60th's rants distress you so...

Read him as you would Patrioterer, Ono, or Nobs and you will better be able to see the humor.

It's a crazy guy on the corner thing...

It has turned into more is less, then becomes a bit...

It could go on to be a classic...

If he doesn't pop his own fuse...!

For once you commented on a subject that you can relate to.

LOL!

Been having that song in my head a lot lately.

Not necessarily about the pirates though.

Barack's support of nuclear power. Is socialism more scary than a world without nukes?

Russia to build nuclear reactor for Chávez
President Dmitry Medvedev is expected to sign a nuclear cooperation agreement with his Venezuelan counterpart, Hugo Chávez, during a visit to Latin America next week, part of a determined Russian push into the region.

The prospect of a nuclear deal between Moscow and Caracas, following a surge in Russian economic, military, political and intelligence activity in Latin America, is likely to alarm the US and present an early challenge to the Obama administration.

"Hugo Chávez joins the nuclear club," Russian's Vedomosti newspaper trumpeted yesterday.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2008/nov/19/venezuela-russia-nuclear-rea...

I'm not the FCC. I'm an advocate of the seven dirty words, and then some. And I think that there's a time and place for everything. I'm just not sure this blog is the place for "Your crackhead mom is a whore, let me share with all of you in graphic detail what I did to her last night"

That's really all I was trying to say.

I never attack the Dog that way. As a matter of fact, I have encouraged the guy that plays War Dog on the internet to seek help for his serious mental problems several times.

I acknowledge that he is NEVER going to cease and desist his shit disturbance on this blog. He doesn't even realize that it is a call for help.

He's a sick person and insulting his family does nothing to help.

Hair from frozen carcasses used to reconstruct woolly mammoth's genome

The decoded genome provides clues to how mammoths and modern elephants evolved from their common ancestor, and why the ancient creatures became extinct

Scientists have decoded the genome of the woolly mammoth by analysing hairs plucked from carcasses recovered from the Siberian permafrost.

The feat was hailed as a milestone in genetic science yesterday and is the first time an extinct animal has had its genome sequenced.

Next year, scientists are expected to reveal the full genetic code of our own most recent ancestor, the Neanderthal. Genetic differences between Neanderthals and modern humans could reveal why humans came to be the dominant species on Earth.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/science/2008/nov/19/woolly-mammoth-genome

"Read him as you would Patrioterer"

Nah, Patrioterer is deliberately low brow humor in bad taste. 60th street isn't trying to be funny. As far as I can tell.

it does more damage to those slinging the insults.....

JMHO

It's funny how each individual responds to the truth of Outcomes.

I think they call that a defense mechanism.

That's why I just stick to the facts.

You can't go wrong with the facts.

---

Blue Dog Democrats Wield Newfound Clout

Tuesday, November 18, 2008 6:54 PM

By: John Mercurio Article Font Size

The left may still be crowing about its resounding Election Day victory, but it’s the fiscally conservative Blue Dog Democrats who are emerging as a significant force in the upcoming Congress.

The influential Blue Dog coalition of House Democrats saw their ranks increase on Election Day, and they’re likely to gain even greater power on Capitol Hill with an ally in the White House.

Just a few days after his victory, President-elect Barack Obama tapped his chief economic adviser, Jason Furman, to consult regularly with the Blue Dog leadership on economic issues.

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, meanwhile, acknowledged the new power of centrists when she said, a few days after her party gained at least 20 House seats, that “the country must be governed from the middle.”

Blue Dogs, for their part, say they’ll hold Obama’s feet to the fire.

Are There Any Other Qualified People In America Other Than Clintonites?

But it is kind of creepy. For all the talk of "change," I'm really curious whether Barack Obama thinks there are any worthy, smart, well-qualified people who aren't part of permanent Washington and who didn't serve in the Clinton administration? Certainly, his campaign apparatus appreciated that. But it doesn't seem like his transition team does (a transition team, of course, dominated by former Clinton officials).
http://www.alternet.org/blogs/peek/107688/are_there_any_other_qualified_...

Again I appreciate your candor and reasoned position, dada, I hope you can understand mine.

As to the question of what Obama would do, my response is, what haven't we done here, over the years, as individuals and a collective, that Obama wouldn't have already tried himself with regard to WaDo. If Obama had had to put up with this unproductive asshole in his staff, I'm sure he would have not waited four years to shitcan him.

I'll also add (and please don't take this as condescending, just an observation) that I find your question ironic considering that you disapprove of many of the Democrats' and Obama's positions and would prefer for them/him to be more assertive, aggressive and tougher in the face of the ideals War Dog holds near and dear...

I'll add that if we can come to a set of rules as to what is and is not appropriate on this blog and one to which WaDo must adhere, as well, I will be more than happy to follow them. This isn't a police state-type blog, we're all reasonable here. Why can't he be? It's not enough that he feels he is, we all need to feel that, as well.

I grew up facing down people who taunted me or my friends. I learned long ago that if reason is not possible with a vocally disrespectful individual and avoiding them not an option, neither is running away.

bbl

Probably intentional - *grummphh*

It still comes out that way...

When Ono would get wound up he wasn't tryin to be funny either, but he was!

So Monday all the land lines were out. Tuesday the posted podcast for Rachel's Monday show was the previous Friday show. Today MVS is basically useless live w/ vague promises of a restored show tonight. Is Marc actually the IT guy for AAR? Are the finances that desperate?

Row over altered US Army photo

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/7738342.stm

The Pentagon has become embroiled in a row after the US Army released a photo of a general to the media which was found to have been digitally altered.

Ann Dunwoody was shown in front of the US flag but it later emerged that this background had been added.

The Associated Press (AP) news agency subsequently suspended the use of US Department of Defence photos.

A Department of Defence spokeswoman insisted that the photo had not violated army policy.

Ms Dunwoody, the highest ranking US female military officer, was recently promoted to become a four-star general.

In an original photo of her, she appears to be sitting at a desk with a bookshelf behind her.

For us, there's a zero-tolerance policy of adding or subtracting actual content from an image
Santiago Lyon
AP

The altered photo, distributed by the army and initially sent by AP to its clients around the world, shows Gen Dunwoody against a background of the Stars and Stripes.

When the digital alteration was discovered, AP immediately withdrew the photo and began an investigation.

AP says that adjusting photos and other imagery, even for aesthetic reasons, damages the credibility of the information distributed by the military to news organisations and the public.

"For us, there's a zero-tolerance policy of adding or subtracting actual content from an image," said Santiago Lyon, AP's director of photography.

Mr Lyon said AP was developing procedures to protect against further occurrences and, once those steps were in place, it would consider lifting its ban on the use of US Department of Defence photos. He said AP was also discussing the problem with the military.

Colonel Cathy Abbott, chief of the US Army's media relations division, said the Dunwoody photo did not violate army policy that prohibited the editing of an image to misrepresent the facts or change the circumstances of an event.

She added that she did not know who changed the photo or which office released it.

"We're not misrepresenting her," Abbott said. "The image is still clearly Gen Dunwoody."

Second case

In September, AP banned use of a photo of Darris Dawson, a soldier who was killed in Iraq, in which his face and shoulders appeared to have been digitally altered.

Ms Abbott said Dawson's unit did not have an official photo of him and wanted one that could be used for a memorial service.

"That photo was released to the public strictly by accident," she said. "We apologised for that."

The Dunwoody incident is the latest example of pictures being apparently doctored before being presented to the world's media.

In July, Iran was accused of altering an image of a missile test.

Correspondents say it was an apparent attempt to cover up the fact that one of the missiles had misfired.

*************************

"The Once and Future Rajah of Bhong."

hank paulson, you're doing a heckuva job

(i forgot, we had dropped to 7965 last week, so i guess its happy days and blue skys from here on out)

House Democratic leaders pick Waxman for Energy

WASHINGTON — In a major win for environmentalists, a committee of Democratic leaders in the House of Representative voted Wednesday to put Rep. Henry Waxman in charge of a key panel that will have oversight over global warming issues in the new Congress.

The House Steering Committee voted 25-22 to put the California Democrat in charge of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, replacing Michigan Democratic Rep. John Dingell, the most senior member in the House.

The House Democratic caucus will vote Thursday.
http://www.mcclatchydc.com/251/story/56161.html

A little bird told me...

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/7725086.stm

Outside the Natural History Museum's bird collection at Tring, a cat basks in the late afternoon sunshine.

Every now and again, a large bell attached to her collar tinkles as she adjusts her position.

The security guard tells me that Pusscat, the museum's resident feline, was fitted with this noisy accessory after apparently supplying the researchers with a few too many new birds.

The ornithology collection here is one of the largest in the world.

There are approximately one million eggs, 700,000 bird skins, 16,000 skeletons and 4,000 nests; not to mention a library packed with books, journals, paintings and notebooks.

Robert Prys-Jones, the head of the bird group, says that despite the vast number of items, nearly every one of them has a story to tell.

BBC News was given an exclusive peek behind the scenes by the ornithologists, and a chance to hear about some of their most prized specimens.

(lots more stories and videos)
*************************

"The Once and Future Rajah of Bhong."

Dow is below 8000 at -427.55 7997.24

The most well known one was, of course, Art Tatum...one of the most incredible piano players that ever walked this Earth.

The other one was....well, check him out for yourself.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_CFfpFDKBO8

The Big Auto blame game
Chris in Paris · 11/19/2008

The unions have been trying to change, perhaps they could do a bit more, though I don't see much of an effort by management other than finger pointing. If any bailout ever does happen GM is going to have to clean house starting at the top. They overplayed their hand with the help of people like Dingell (D-GM) and are on the verge of total failure due to gambling with their future and relying on gas guzzlers. Management and the GOP are all too happy about having everyone on minimum wage without benefits but then they'll start crying about no one having money to buy anything. David Horsey of the Seattle PI.

http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/horsey/viewbydate.asp?id=1864

Dingell's ties to GM may be the reason Waxman wants him out.

There is so much we don't know about these Senators and Reps we elect.

According to UN figures, Latin America has the highest concentration of wealth of any region in the world, as well as debilitating poverty levels.

While many suffer under these conditions, the indigenous populations of Latin America almost always are among those living the most immiserated lives. During the 1960s and 70s, although there was impressive economic growth in many countries throughout the region, the indigenous seldom benefited from such prospects. Whatever small gains were achieved during those decades were dashed for them when an economic crisis enveloped the hemisphere during the 1980s.

The economic ramifications of the crisis led to the widespread implementation of what is referred to today as neoliberal economic policies, which were anything but kind to the average Latin American. Mexico was the first country to be “rescued” under the harsh terms of neoliberalism, which are still being resisted to this day.

The defiance of the Zapatistas in the impoverished state of Chiapas, and their subsequent emergence on the world stage, is part of a historical struggle against cultural homogenization and for the ability to live a life consisting of more than mere survival.
...

TPM was the most informative thing I could find.

http://tpmelectioncentral.talkingpointsmemo.com/2008/11/dachle_pick_clea...

I know that he's pushing through Obama's plan not his, but in this post

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/sen-tom-daschle/progressive-solutions-to-_...

from March, he seems to spend a lot of time describing the problems which we all know about and then proposing this Federal Health Board which I don't know what it's supposed to be good for.

I will have to wait for RJ Escow to explain this pick to me, I guess. He seems to have a lot of expertise on this and still to talk nothing but sense.

Here's an email in Spanish. It has lots of cognates.

BOLETÍN DEMOCRACY NOW! EN ESPAÑOL
Miércoles, 19 de noviembre de 2008

Amy Goodman, la presentadora de Democracy Now! ha sido galardonada con el Premio “Right Livelihood 2008”, también llamado el “Nobel alternativo”, y recibirá el premio en el parlamento sueco en diciembre.

Then there's always the site:

www.democracynow.org

Massive privacy breach leads to extortion over medical records
John Aravosis (DC) · 11/19/2008 02:25:00 PM ET · Link
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Wow. This company has records on 15% of the entire US population - and those records now appear to be in the hands of criminals.
Corporate custodians of confidential medical data should be closely monitoring events connected to a nightmarish computer security breach in the St. Louis region.

Express Scripts is one of the nation's largest pharmacy benefits managers. The company, with headquarters in St. Louis County, handles approximately 500 million prescriptions per year for 50 million workers at 1,600 American companies. Early in October, it received an extortion letter, the details of which it released on Nov. 6.

The letter included personal information on about 75 Express Scripts clients — Social Security numbers, dates of birth and, in some cases, information about prescription medications. Whoever sent the letter demanded money from the company — the amount has not been disclosed — and threatened to use the Internet to reveal personal and medical information about millions of people if the demands were not met.

Last week, the criminal activity expanded: Express Scripts said that individual clients had received extortion letters directly.

http://www.stltoday.com/stltoday/news/stories.nsf/editorialcommentary/st...

YES YES YES! One of my dreams is coming true!

I've been babbling to my friends for a few years now that we should BRING BACK THE MAMMOTH!

I am going to make my millions by opening a national chain of Mammoth-Burger fast food joints!

thanks for the link g-d, here it is again:
http://www.guardian.co.uk/science/2008/nov/19/woolly-mammoth-genome
--------------------------------------------------
"I am A Great American Patriot !!!" - McCain Scroter
http://www.vodamusic.com/blog/

Dems: Waxman wins leadership backing for House committee

WASHINGTON (AP) — A spokeswoman for Rep. Henry Waxman says he's been selected by a key leadership panel to replace veteran Chairman John Dingell as head of a crucial House committee with jurisdiction over energy and global warming.
Karen Lightfoot said that Waxman and Michigan Democrat Dingell will still square off Thursday in a vote of House rank and file Democrats. But based on a 25-22 vote in the leadership panel Wednesday, Waxman has to be considered the favorite to topple Dingell, the longest serving House member.

Waxman, a Californian, would bring a more environmentally friendly agenda to the committee as it considers global warming, energy and other issues like health matters. Dingell is a longtime ally of Detroit's auto industry and he and Waxman have battled in the past over clean air laws.

http://www.usatoday.com/news/politics/2008-11-19-dems-backing-waxman_N.h...

Conservative writer Kathleen Parker says the religious right is killing the Republican party
John Aravosis (DC) · 11/19/2008 01:24:00 PM ET · Link
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A real tour de force here. You may recall that Parker was one of the first, and only, conservatives to come out an admit that Sarah Palin was an embarrassment. Here she takes on quite possible the GOP's biggest sacred cow, the religious right. She calls it "armband religion" - which means, I think, wearing your religion on your sleeve (but I can't seem to throw off the feeling that she meant a bit of a fascism allusion here as well). This is a hugely important piece - a must read. Here's an excerpt:
As Republicans sort out the reasons for their defeat, they likely will overlook or dismiss the gorilla in the pulpit.

Three little letters, great big problem: G-O-D.

I'm bathing in holy water as I type.

To be more specific, the evangelical, right-wing, oogedy-boogedy branch of the GOP is what ails the erstwhile conservative party and will continue to afflict and marginalize its constituents if reckoning doesn't soon cometh.

Simply put: Armband religion is killing the Republican Party. And, the truth -- as long as we're setting ourselves free -- is that if one were to eavesdrop on private conversations among the party intelligentsia, one would hear precisely that....

Which is to say, the GOP has surrendered its high ground to its lowest brows. In the process, the party has alienated its non-base constituents, including other people of faith (those who prefer a more private approach to worship), as well as secularists and conservative-leaning Democrats who otherwise might be tempted to cross the aisle....

Religious conservatives become defensive at any suggestion that they've had something to do with the GOP's erosion. And, though the recent Democratic sweep can be attributed in large part to a referendum on Bush and the failing economy, three long-term trends identified by Emory University's Alan Abramowitz have been devastating to the Republican Party: increasing racial diversity, declining marriage rates and changes in religious beliefs.

Suffice it to say, the Republican Party is largely comprised of white, married Christians. Anyone watching the two conventions last summer can't have missed the stark differences: One party was brimming with energy, youth and diversity; the other felt like an annual Depends sales meeting.

With the exception of Miss Alaska, of course.

Even Sarah Palin has blamed Bush policies for the GOP loss. She's not entirely wrong, but she's also part of the problem. Her recent conjecture about whether to run for president in 2012 (does anyone really doubt she will?) speaks for itself:

"I'm like, okay, God, if there is an open door for me somewhere, this is what I always pray, I'm like, don't let me miss the open door. Show me where the open door is.... And if there is an open door in (20)12 or four years later, and if it's something that is going to be good for my family, for my state, for my nation, an opportunity for me, then I'll plow through that door."

Let's do pray that God shows Alaska's governor the door....

Given those facts, the future of the GOP looks dim and dimmer if it stays the present course. Either the Republican Party needs a new base -- or the nation may need a new party.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/11/18/AR200811...

AIG paying $3 million to executives who were fired
Chris in Paris · 11/19/2008 10:04:00 AM ET · Link
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Amazing that AIG does not yet get it. It's time to use the power that the government has over there and clean house. The excuse from AIG is that this was deferred compensation that was previously earned. Um, yeah, but that previously earned revenue has been shown to be complete rubbish which is why there's a massive bailout at AIG. If Congress has its way they will call another committee, roll in the TV cameras and then do nothing other than congratulate themselves for the show so to be fair to AIG, they're not the only ones who don't get it.
American International Group, the insurer getting a $152 billion federal bailout, in a regulatory filing late on Tuesday disclosed it would pay roughly $3 million to several executives under deferred compensation plans that are being terminated.

AIG said last week that it would terminate plans totaling $503 million in deferred compensation because it did not want to provide an incentive to employees to quit the company.

The additional disclosure follows New York Attorney General Andrew Cuomo's writing to the insurer on Tuesday to ask for information on any bonuses or salary raises for 2008.
You see, we only know this because Cuomo pushed the issue instead of playing dumb and leaving it all to Paulson.

http://www.cnbc.com/id/27799215

CNN) -- Alaska Sen. Ted Stevens, the Republican lawmaker convicted on felony corruption charges in October, officially conceded the Senate race to Democrat Mark Begich on Wednesday.

Democrat Mark Begich, left, has claimed victory over Sen. Ted Stevens of Alaska.

"Given the number of ballots that remain to be counted, it is apparent the election has been decided and Mayor Begich has been elected," Stevens said in a news release.

"It was a tough fight that would not have been possible without the help of so many Alaskans -- people who I am honored to call my friends. ... I wish Mayor Begich and his family well. My staff and I stand willing to help him prepare for his new position," he added.

http://www.cnn.com/2008/POLITICS/11/18/alaska.senate.race/index.html

Franken granted access to data on rejected ballots

Ramsey County officials must release to the campaign of Democratic Senate candidate Al Franken all written information it has on absentee ballots that were rejected or not counted, a judge ruled this afternoon.

District Judge Dale Lindman granted a temporary restraining order and injunction to Franken's campaign, ruling that the information Franken is seeking is "public data" under the state Data Practices Act and that it should be turned over to the campaign by the end of the day.

As it has with other counties in the state, the Franken campaign had asked Ramsey County officials for the names and addresses of those whose absentee ballots were rejected and the reasons why, if indicated. When Ramsey County officials denied the request, the campaign sued.

In his order, Lindman wrote: "The harm that (Franken's campaign) would suffer absent a temporary restraining order and temporary injunction far outweighs any harm to (Ramsey County). With each passing hour, the Franken campaign is irreparably harmed in its efforts to ensure that each valid vote is properly counted and to prepare for the procedures that will decide this election."

http://www.startribune.com/politics/state/34747259.html?elr=KArksLckD8EQ...

``It's just great to have someone so knowledgeable about Congress because that will assure that things get done,'' Alissa Fox, vice president of legislative policy for the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association, said of Daschle in an interview today."

http://tinyurl.com/5g3pn3

OK took the bold tags out because I obviously cannot be trusted with them.

Insurers Make Pitch For Health Coverage Mandate

The health insurance industry said Wednesday it will support a national health care overhaul that requires them to accept all customers, regardless of pre-existing medical conditions, but in return it wants lawmakers to mandate that everyone buy coverage.

Lawmakers have signaled their intent to craft health care legislation early next year, and the insurance industry's support would make passage easier. That legislation is expected to closely track the proposals of president-elect Barack Obama. However, Obama separated himself from his Democratic challengers by opposing an individual mandate for adults to buy health insurance.

More lawmakers may agree to a mandate if it means the insurance industry will back those efforts. They'll remember it was the industry's opposition 15 years ago that helped scuttle former President Clinton's health plan.

The board of directors for America's Health Insurance Plans agreed to the trade-off Monday night. The board endorsed the proposal after a series of hearings in various states.

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/n/a/2008/11/19/national/w08...

I don't trust the insurance companies! This Health Care they are trying to pass has to be really thought out or in a few years, we will be mandated to buy insurance and the same problems with the insurance companies.

Lavinia - Queen of the Gypsies

Lavinia Bowers- Queen of the Gypsies. Shown with basket and 'wares' for sale.

*************************

"The Once and Future Rajah of Bhong."

Jesus...I just found out I may be descended from gypsies!!!

like the `n1gger in the woodshed' wasn't enough!
*************************

"The Once and Future Rajah of Bhong."

All on my dads side.

The other half is pure Irish....

Gambling Debts: GM and Credit Default Swaps
By: masaccio Wednesday November 19, 2008 1:03 pm

The Depository Trust & Clearing Corporation reports that there are over $65bn in credit default swaps naming GM as the reference credit.

According to its most recent financial statements, GM has a total of $36 to 38bn in outstanding long-term debt, the kind associated with CDSs. Obviously not all of the protection buyers hold GM debt. There is a lot of money bet against GM’s survival, and the holders of that protection have a real reason to want GM to fail.

I’d call that gambling, and I explain why in this diary. It’s important to note that the losses won’t affect GM. Only the protection sellers will have to pay off the bets.

Unfortunately, we have no idea who those gamblers are. The CDS market is private and hidden. The information provided by DTCC was the first public release of data about CDSs, which means there isn’t even any historical data from which we could figure out when all these gamblers bought their lottery tickets.

It's easy to think of people who might want GM to fail. One group might be those who want to buy the pieces cheap. That might include other car companies, or private equity funds. Another group might be hostile governments, who might like to see the US lose industries that can produce weapons and war-fighting machines.

In either case, betting against GM provides a bunch of money to support whatever other goals those people might have.

Any other suggestions?

Update: I wonder if any holders of protection are lobbying against a bailout? (tD-my thought exactly)

More here:

http://oxdown.firedoglake.com/diary/1884

Chinese Want To Buy the Big 3
By: Jane Hamsher Wednesday November 19, 2008 9:35 am 12
diggs
digg it

Per Marcy, who predicted it -- the Chinese car makers SAIC and Dongfeng have plans to acquire the Big 3:

A take-over of a large overseas auto maker would fit perfectly into China's plans. As reported before, China has realized that its export chances are slim without unfettered access to foreign technology. The brand cachet of Chinese cars abroad is, shall we say, challenged. The Chinese could easily export Made-in-China VWs, Toyotas, Buicks. If their joint venture partner would let them. The solution: Buy the joint venture partner. Especially, when he's in deep trouble.

At current market valuations (GM is worth less than Mattel) the Chinese government can afford to buy GM with petty cash. Even a hundred billion $ would barely dent China's more than $2t in currency reserves. For nobody in the world would buying GM and (while they are at it) Chrysler make more sense than for the Chinese. Overlap? What overlap? They would gain instant access to the world's markets with accepted brands, and proven technology.

All the Shock Doctrine fanatics cheering to drive the the Big 3 into bankruptcy "restructuring" (like Mitt Romney, who can kiss future hopes of electoral victory in Michigan goodbye), whereby they stiff all their creditors and stockholders and tear up their union contracts, might want to think about the implications of this.

Of course the same legislators clamouring for bankruptcy could block the sale. But in doing so, and at the same time refusing a bridge loan, they are basically legislating the destruction of the Big 3 by refusing to let the "free market" they love to bang on about have its way and pay the company's legitimate debts. Or were all those insufferable lectures about "personal responsibility" when the bankruptcy bill was going through just so much claptrap?

Because selling the company would be far preferable to the Big 3 and those who are dependent on them than Chapter 7. But long-term it would not be without peril for the US. As ThingsComeUndone notes in the comments:

With no big three making cars what to stop Toyota and Honda from moving the plants to Mexico where costs are really low. Its only the threat of being shut out of the American market that keeps the Japanese building cars here. If we no longer have cars made in America by American companies we will have no choice but to buy their cars no matter where they are made.

I know long-term thinking isn't his forte. But as Richard Shelby is salivating at the prospect of yet another BMW SUV plant in his right-to-work state, it might be something for him to consider.

http://firedoglake.com/2008/11/19/better-think-twice-about-selling-off-t...

Yeah, I think most people are on the same page there.

And it has been thought out, again and again and again. But they're not gonna do the right thing. Stupid dipshits.

Of course the way things are going, even with mandated coverage, if all poor people get subsidies, we'll all be getting subsidies.

No more worrying about mandates being a regressive tax against the middle class because...the what?

Hand over that Weather Bell, Missouri!
by Devilstower
Wed Nov 19, 2008 at 02:10:04 PM PST
Okay, so I know it has nothing to do with weather (for those into strange etymology, the "wether" part of the word "bellwether" actually comes from a term for a castrated sheep).

In any case, Missouri's streak as the state most accurate in predicting the outcome of a presidential election appears to have ended.

More than two weeks after Election Day, the Associated Press today declared John McCain the winner in Missouri, a hotly contested Republican-leaning state where McCain and President-elect Barack Obama both campaigned hard.

McCain leads Obama by 3,632 votes with all jurisdictions reporting, according to unofficial results, a difference of .12 percentage points out of more than 2.9 million votes cast, the AP reports.

Secretary of State Robin Carnahan still hasn't issued an official statement, but unless someone has a trunk full of forgotten ballots somewhere, there's little reason to think things will change from here.

In comparison, the margin in Florida was down to fewer than 500 votes before the Supreme Court decided democracy was too scary to continue.

http://www.dailykos.com/storyonly/2008/11/19/163528/22/369/663726

Thank Barbara Boxer for Opposing Lieberman
by thereisnospoon
Wed Nov 19, 2008 at 02:31:37 PM PST
We spend a lot of time here in the netroots screaming and ranting at politicians for bad behavior. Rarely do we get a chance to thank our beleaguered congressmembers for actually doing the right thing. The carrot and the stick approach doesn't really work if it's all sticks all the time, and no carrots.

The identities of most of the Senators who stood against letting Lieberman escape all accountability remain unknown. My own senator Barbara Boxer, however, has taken a stand.

thereisnospoon's diary :: ::
From Boxer's office:

The resolution that passed today did not reflect Senator Boxer's belief that Senator Lieberman should remain in the Democratic caucus but not retain his full Committee Chairmanship- she voted accordingly.

It also just so happens to be Senator Boxer's 68th birthday today. If you would like to thank Senator Boxer and wish her a very happy birthday, here is her contact info:

DC Phone: (202) 224-3553
Sacramento Phone: (916) 448-2787
Email form is here

Let's reward good behavior by showing Senator Boxer the love she deserves. Hopefully the other Senators who made the right decision yesterday will also make themselves known so that we get a chance to thank them as well. Good behavior deserves it just rewards as much as bad behavior.

Thank you, Senator Boxer!

http://www.dailykos.com/storyonly/2008/11/19/143547/59/432/663663

Experts insist recent sightings of mythical “Democratic Spine" just another hoax.
by Michael Gene Sullivan
Wed Nov 19, 2008 at 02:18:56 PM PST
Scientists dismiss “Legend of Backbone."

Dateline. Washington, D.C.

Bigfoot. The Loch Ness Monster. Batboy. Throughout time there have always been those who insist they have seen mythical creatures, people who swear to the existence of phenomenon of which scientists say there is no tangible evidence, only hearsay, fable, legend.

But unlike the Abominable Snowman, scientists say the Spine of the Democratic Party is more than a fairy tale. Incredible as it seems today, the legend of Democratic Backbone is based on historical fact, says Prof. Wendy Heep, Chair of Political Archeology at Dartmouth University.

"The fossil record clearly indicates vertebrate characteristics during the early NeoDealistic Period.” Prof. Heep explains. “Both the Rooseveltipithicus and the HueyLongicus showed strong indications of backbone, and archeological remains of so-called “Public Works,” and badly eroded but still visible “Social Programs” support the theory of ancient spinal strength in Democrats.” But according to Prof. Heep these rudimentary evolutionary advancements were cut dramatically short, and archeologists and anthropologists are still at a loss to explain the political vertebral collapse.

In his 1987 book “HU-Wacked! The Cataclysm that formed Commie Crater.” Dr. Ewan Collins, of Trinity College, Dublin, first posited the theory that Democratic backbone was extinguished by the sudden, catastrophic psychological impact of a large Anti-Red Hysteria, which the geological record shows hit the western hemisphere in May, 1938. “ With the establishment of the House Un-American Activities Committee in the U.S. Congress,” Dr. Collins says, “ physiological spinal indicators vanish from the Democratic Party,” leading irrevocably, he argues, “to the pitiful, stooped creatures we see today.”

But not all academics agree with Dr. Collins. Another theory, know as the “ Gradual Wimpification Theory,” argues that it was not the initial impact that shattered the Democrats spine, but the increasingly hostile new environment that was created, which eroded it over the ensuing years. In the withering storms of Right-Wing propaganda that whipped through both the McCarthizoic and ColdWarassic Eras, spinelessness allowed Democrats to survive, and by the time of their Convention of 1968 the existence of a Democratic Spine was considered a dangerous mutation by Democrats themselves, and the few still showing backbone were publicly hunted down.

By the 1980’s most experts accepted the apparent fact of EvoNeoLibolution, a theory first proposed by Prof. R Reagan, which states that Democrats had never developed a backbone of their own, represented an evolutionary dead end, and existed solely to be fed upon by the stronger, more adaptive Conservatives fed. In addition both Dr. Collins and Prof. Heep also believe that, under the control of the parasitical DLC (the Democratic Lumbarless Council) Democrats had been convinced that during the Deregulazoic Era, a time dominated by corporate behemoths like the Healthcaredon, and the Petrodactyl ( both of which fed insatiably on the Public Wealth) and the wily Jesuschristislordasaurus (which dazzled small creatures with it’s brilliant display before devouring their brains) the only way to survive was to adapt the characteristics and plumage of the Democrat’s greatest habitat competitor, the gelatinous Republicans. This adaptation was so complete by the election of 2000 that some observers said they could not tell the difference between the two. By the end of these epochs the Democratic Spine had completely disappeared, and soon existed only in memory, legend, and the periodic march. After September 11, 2001 the idea that Democrats had ever stood up for anything had been reduced to a theory held by only a fringe of scattered academics, and only the hairiest of people in Berkeley.

“The Democratic Backbone is long extinct.” says Prof. Heep.
More here:

http://www.dailykos.com/storyonly/2008/11/19/17545/717/353/663742

http://www.dissidentvoice.org/2008/11/obama-and-lieberman-two-of-a-kind/

Whatever else may be said about him, Lieberman is not stupid. When he embarked on his plan to endorse John McCain, and disparage Barack Obama, his party’s nominee, he did so believing that he would not pay a price for his actions. So great was Lieberman’s confidence in his untouchability, that McCain considered choosing him as a running mate instead of Sarah Palin.

...

Obama’s victory should have been the nail in Lieberman’s coffin. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid has the authority to immediately strip Lieberman of his committee chairmanship. Instead of doing what he has the power to do on his own, he told an outright lie, “Joe Lieberman is not some right-wing nutcase, Joe Lieberman is one of the most progressive people ever to come from the state of Connecticut.” After saying those words with a straight face, he punted to the rest of the Democrats in the Senate.

...

It is amusing to watch “progressives” express shock and horror at the sight of Lieberman’s victory over Barack Obama and the rest of the Democrats. They rant and rail against the perfidy of their leaders and wonder why Obama lets Lieberman off the hook so easily.

As always, the explanation for seemingly irrational behavior is quite obvious. Lieberman’s supporters have the deepest pockets of all Democratic party supporters. Simply put, there is money behind Lieberman, lots of money.

Barack Obama knows this better than anyone. When he entered the Senate as a freshman in 2005 he chose Joseph Lieberman as his mentor. The following year Obama endorsed Lieberman when he faced his primary challenge. It seemed incongruous for a politician thought of as a progressive to support the most conservative Democrat in the Senate.

“There is money behind Lieberman, lots of money.”
...

Sen. Specter: Telecom immunity is 'festering wound'
David Edwards and Nick Juliano

Sen. Arlen Specter, the ranking Republican on the Senate Judiciary Committee, says he is prepared to move forward with the confirmation of Barack Obama's Attorney General nominee Eric Holder, who he hopes will help "reprofessionalize" the Justice Department.

Specter, who has been among the most vocal critics within President Bush's party, criticized former Attorney General Alberto Gonzales for politicizing the department.

The Pennsylvania Republican also criticized some of the president's policies in the war on terror.

"This business of wiretapping is not in order in accordance with Constitutional rights and where you have the immunity granted to the telephone companies," Specter told MSNBC's Andrea Mitchell Wednesday. "That is still a festering wound and some speculation as to whether that will be asserted by a new administration."

Congress passed an update to the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act this summer that included retroactive legal immunity for telecommunications companies that participated in the president's warrantless surveillance of Americans. Obama said he was against immunity but nonetheless supported the bill.

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid has said the Senate will revisit the FISA update when it considers renewing the Patriot Act later next year.s

This video is from MSNBC's News Live, broadcast Nov. 19, 2008.

http://rawstory.com/news/2008/Sen._Specter_Telecom_immunity_festering_wo...

Who says donkeys and elephants don't mix?

Rep. Dennis Kucinich (D-OH) is urging the L.A. City Council to free a captive elephant languishing in a county zoo.

The former Democratic presidential candidate asked the city "to reject a measure that would expand the L.A. County Zoo's 'Pachyderm Forest,'" according to a statement issued by the lawmaker's office. "Instead of expanding the space, Kucinich called upon Council Members to release the lone captive elephant to sanctuary."

In 2006, the statement notes, the city approved a $40 million expansion to the habitat. "Two months later an elephant named Gita died, leaving just one elephant named Billy in captivity," continues the press release. "Billy has a rare habit of bobbing and swaying his head. ... [E]lephant expert Joyce Poole is quoted as saying, '...[H]aving observed elephants for many, many years... I have never seen head-bobbing and I have never seen swaying. This type of behavior is pathological. It is a result of being in a confined space.'"

In the letter to the City Council, Kucinich writes, "In the wild, Asian elephants can live 50 to 70 years, African elephants up to 80 years. It is a matter of record that fifteen elephants have died in the L.A. Zoo since 1974 before reaching 20 years of age. Cramped confinement of such majestic creatures is cruel and inhumane."

http://jazz-from-hell.blogspot.com/2008/11/peace-gnome-to-rescue.html

Obama Policy Leaders Chosen
President-elect Obama's transition team released a list of policy working group leaders who will "develop the priority policy proposals and plans from the Obama Campaign for action during the Obama-Biden Administration."

Economic: Daniel K. Tarullo

Education: Linda Darling-Hammond

Energy and Environment: Carol M. Browner

Health Care: Sen. Tom Daschle

Immigration: T. Alexander Aleinikoff, Mariano-Florentino (Tino) Cuéllar

National Security: James B. Steinberg, Dr. Susan E. Rice

Technology and Government Reform: Sonal Shah, Julius Genachowski, Blair Levin

Expect to see all of these people take senior roles in the Obama administration.

http://politicalwire.com/archives/2008/11/19/obama_policy_leaders_chosen...

Been doing a little reading about the Romani people.

I always thought there was a place called Romany, not just the people...

weird.

anyway, who wants their fortune told?

(I can steal your chickens later)
*************************

"The Once and Future Rajah of Bhong."

Bush's Eleventh-Hour Rule Changes Could Take Years To Reverse
The rule changes that Bush is pushing through the byzantine regulatory process at the Office of Management and Budget -- such as loosening pollution standards for power plants -- may well take years for Obama to undo.

http://dyn.politico.com/printstory.cfm?uuid=B24C4472-18FE-70B2-A88908583...

"It Could Be Structured By Cows And We Would Rate It": How The Ratings Agencies Helped Cause The Financial Crisis.
By Zachary Roth - November 19, 2008, 5:43PM
This morning, reports the Wall Street Journal, credit ratings agency Standard & Poor's sharply downgraded its rating for bond insurer Ambac Financial, anticipating that the company's debt obligations would continue to absorb losses.

Why should we care?

Because this seemingly mundane piece of financial news offers a window into one of the crucial -- and often under-covered -- causes of the financial crisis currently shaking Washington and the country: the role of the credit ratings agencies. And inside that wider crisis, as we'll be making clear in the coming weeks, there's perhaps as much muck, both personal and institutional, as anything the Bush administration has given us over the last eight years.

First, a very quick and dirty rundown of the issue:

http://tpmmuckraker.talkingpointsmemo.com/2008/11/it_could_be_structured...

we dance!!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a40ZYqMH4G8

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Vom7-6fchg

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A0CJoxjjqNM

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DY3H3FHRQao (suits modern sensibilities)

from my `research, I am starting to wonder if gypsies may have been off-shoots of traditional Jewish people...Jews that couldn't quite cut it?

*************************

"The Once and Future Rajah of Bhong."

"I'll also add (and please don't take this as condescending, just an observation) that I find your question ironic considering that you disapprove of many of the Democrats' and Obama's positions and would prefer for them/him to be more assertive, aggressive and tougher in the face of the ideals War Dog holds near and dear..."

By asking What would Obama do, I was just trying to appeal to something you hold in high regard, to persuade you. If you had been vocal about being a christian, I would have asked you what Jesus would do. I don't necessarily have to be a christian to lay on the guilt trip. It was a "know your audience" thing. I'm well aware of the irony. And I simply don't believe Obama would stoop to that level for any reason.

-----

"I'll add that if we can come to a set of rules as to what is and is not appropriate on this blog and one to which WaDo must adhere, as well, I will be more than happy to follow them. This isn't a police state-type blog, we're all reasonable here. Why can't he be? It's not enough that he feels he is, we all need to feel that, as well."

I don't think there's really a need for any hard and fast rules here. I don't see the usefulness of comparing the rest of our behavior to wardog's. If he wants to make an ass of himself, that's fine with me. I guess I'm taking the time to appeal to you, because I feel that you have integrity of character. There's a place for a jester in any court worth it's salt. Wardog is our jester.

----

"I grew up facing down people who taunted me or my friends. I learned long ago that if reason is not possible with a vocally disrespectful individual and avoiding them not an option, neither is running away."

I see where you're coming from. I grew up in Brooklyn. I still think you can take the high road in this case. It makes us all look better if you do. And again, I'm not saying no insults entirely, just maybe some of the heaviest sailor language.

>>just maybe some of the heaviest sailor language.

Hoist the mainsail, me hearties!!! We be making sail for Bermuda!
*************************

"The Once and Future Rajah of Bhong."

Is pirate language close enough to sailor language?/ARRRR, I be hopin' it be so...
*************************

"The Once and Future Rajah of Bhong."

I'm just watching now.

more _be_s.

Ojo: "NOT: 'I _be_ [being?]Popeye the Sailor Man.'"

But that's probably not a real barrier to understanding.

he wasn't tryin to be funny either, but he was!"

Oh, come on, that's different. You can't blame ono, he's Australian. And he's an equal opportunity offender. But you're right, it was goddam funny when he'd get going.

But are you sure that wasn't a pirate that said that--while sailing?

Annals of Bad PR
Detroit CEOs fly private jets to DC to seek taxpayer bailout.

--Josh Marshall

http://www.cnn.com/2008/US/11/19/autos.ceo.jets/index.html

1) A day of training for a new system at work for me today.
2) The new XBOX GUI is here and my daughter already picked out an avatar for me - not a good thing.
3) The DOW below 8000. Dan - Doesn't this reset everyone's expectations for where the floor is to about 7400?

Worst of all TOOL is playing at 107db in the house and I can't find the volume button.

Wow, Tool that loud?

Got my avatar all set up. Not bad. 'HD Jennings'

oooh! NETFLIX

Anchors aweigh!

actually if we break support the next level is a lot closer to 6000 then anyone wants to think about (that would be close to a 25% drop).

the pundits and talking heads are absofuckinguseless on whats going on. some are blaming it on big 3, some on finance, others on obama, and some on the lame duck asshole that we can evict fast enough. if you can the best place to be is on the sidelines in cash or equivalents. it might fall in which case you would be protected or it might bounce in which case you wouldn't make a gain, but not gaining is much better than losing.

always get a 2nd opinion. from big picture:

Stopped Out Longs, Possible Shorts

Posted: 19 Nov 2008 12:54 PM PST

Dow is at 7997.28; S&P500 is at 806.58. Our cash position is back to 75%, we are still 25% long (including inverse funds). On this break, we could see (technically) a low of 681 on the SPX, Dow 7,100, and Nasdaq 1070. (There are deeper levels, but its too ugly to write now).

Last week, I was encouraged by the retest Thursday on lighter volume than Oct 10th — but lacking a high volume follow through meant we could not become complacent.

We’ve been trading in and out of the QLDs and SSOs — most of the trades have been money makers — but not the most recent buy, which we took a sale on earlier today for a loss. A large part of our capital preservation strategy is allowing the market to take us out of positions rather than fight it.

Overall, the trades from October 10th and 24th, November 13th have been money-makers. We are now looking at the QIDs — 2 for 1 short Nasdaq 100s.

On a closing basis, the QIDs are potentially a $120 stock. They really need a breakout over $88 — a stone’s throw from here.

whatever you do don't google image that one

I've never felt that Ralph had the least opportunity to get 'heard', even before media consolidation made corporate 'news divisions' a profit center, and ended all third-party participation. but hell, we haven't heard anything at all like a real political discussion of any issues since reagan shut down the fairness doctrine.

in this last go-round, no democratic candidates other than hillary and the skinny kid who was the DLC's pick to run interference for her had more than a few moments *total* in the entire year and a half of 'primary races'.

i think biden's one-word answer in that mass 'debate' summed it up. EVERYONE is marginalized by the corporate media, except the corporate picks.

even Edwards, who edged out Clinton in New Hampshire, was marginalized off the stage.

I completely agree with Ralph in that we don't even have a two-party system - it's 'tweedle-dum and tweedle-dee' as he used to say - not a sliver of daylight between the parties, when the rubber meets the road.

That said, i think that a candidate like Bill C comes along and blows us away when they buck the system. Bill C got slapped down, hard, and put in his place, but not before passing the balanced budget amendment which provided the basis of a solid, growth economy for the next 5 years, despite the 'hunting of the president' he had to endure.

I blame Hillary's ambitious attempt to take on the insurance companies - as a new kind of first lady/co-president - for the loss of congress, for the first time in four decades. i don't think the gingrich revolution would have got off the ground without hillary's 'socialized medicine' issue to galvanize them. the first act of the clinton administration was 'don't ask don't tell'... not an auspicious beginning.

Ralph was an effective 'gadfly', with tremendous street-cred: no other single human of any generation except jonas salk had saved as many lives as ralph did with his automotive safety crusade. I think that probably still stands.

But as much as we need crusaders working for us folks, we need someone who can caucus the shit out of congress, beat back the lobbyists and influence-peddlers - and one guy, not even ralph - can do that.

Watching the Woot-Off?

you know, don't you, the derivation of the name 'gypsy'? the romany were thought to be descendents of egyptians.

and the pre-hebraic, pre-phoenecian, and possibly pre-egyptian mediterranean people also called 'the sea-people' or 'hyksos' were thought to have been the engineers of the pyramids...

what we don't know about the world before the burning of the library of alexandria would fill a liberry.

*Weep* *Sob*

*Collapse in despair...*

*

eric cartman's 'sea-people', or 'sea-men'.

-we need someone who can caucus the shit out of congress, beat back the lobbyists and influence-peddlers - and one guy, not even ralph - can do that.-

The point I was making is that Ralph could probably be found with effort during non election seasons...but not going to be put in our face...

I chose my route after the 4th - Equal and Fair access for Presidental candidates...So...I don't see myself on the 'push Obama' bandwagon...Although people say that is what is required if you want Obama to be working for you...Now seems like the time to contact his office daily with a list of demands...I mean he isn't on vacation until the Inauguration...

There are a kajillion excuses being placed for why he won't be all he is hoped to be...He said them in the first two seconds of his acceptance speech in Grant Park...and this is precisely why I gave up on that party...There ARE enough excuses to fill the universe..none of them hold water in my eyes any more..They have no trouble doing all that they are capable of doing when they want to..and nothing but excuses for the citizens when we want what's fair...They mostly all exist to keep their power...nothing more...

If they had to debate someone like Ralph Nader ....well...now I'm just dreaming...

...
Diamond and her friends are among the 95 percent of African American voters 18-29 who voted for Obama. Seventy-five percent of Hispanic and 54 percent of white voters in that same age group cast their ballot for him as well.

That a handsome, intelligent, charismatic man whose genome was sufficiently ambiguous enough to break the color barrier has reached savior status and motivated 2.2 million more young people than in 2004 to vote is a reassuring sign that democracy in America can compete with the insularity of ipods and cell phones.

However, the religious-like furor and blind faith that young—and many older—voters have in Obama that he will single-handedly raise America up from the ashes of the Bush presidency and create a “shining city upon a hill” are unsettling.

President-elect Obama is, first and foremost, a consummate politician who has no doubt compromised himself to become the zenith star of one of the two political parties that control the electoral process, and whose well-heeled and connected sponsors are not at all interested in “change you can believe in” if it adversely affects their bottom line or their particular agenda.

Diamond and her friends should let the post victory euphoria subside and then ask Obama a few questions. They need to call in some chits, which will be redeemable only until November 2012.

Diamond might ask him why he was too busy on the campaign trail last February to go on congressional record by voting for the Intelligence Authorization Bill, which banned torture as an interrogation technique. He owes Diamond more of an explanation than it was a politically prudent absence.

Diamond might ask the President-elect why early in his campaign he promised to begin withdrawing troops from Iraq on day one of his presidency, which played well with the dove vote, only to later adjust his withdrawal policy “based on the advice of military commanders,” which played well with the hawk vote. She might also ask about his apparent support for the Bush Doctrine of preemptive strikes against any country deemed to be a threat to US security. Obama owes Diamond more of an explanation than Bush-era bromides about winning the “war on terror.”

Diamond might ask the first president of color—though not a descendant of American slaves—how he can support and defend Israel’s brutal apartheid policies regarding the Palestinians, or what signal his appointment of Rahm Israel Emanuel as Chief of Staff sends to Arabs in the Middle East. Emanuel is literally a son of Israel who rabidly supports its occupation of the West Bank, its imprisonment and unconscionable blockade of the Gaza Strip, and its 2006 invasion of Lebanon. This is not a good faith move for brokering a just and lasting peace in Middle East.

Obama owes Diamond more of an explanation than Israel is our most important ally in the Middle East whose “security is sacrosanct” and “non-negotiable.” He needs to explain to Diamond that national politicians must first pledge allegiance to Israel before they can swear to “protect and defend the Constitution of the United States.” Diamond and her friends need to know that Israel’s shadow government on K Street dictates Middle East policy to American presidents. Consequently, in the “war on terror” America’s security is second to that of Israel’s.

Most importantly, Diamond might ask the new president who will be heard the most often. Will it be the voices of the 1.5 million small contributors ($200 or less) to his staggering $850 million war chest, or will it be the whispers of a relatively few on Wall Street and K Street? If Diamond knew that Obama’s economic advisors are the same people who a decade ago helped dismantle Depression-era banking regulations, which has lead to the current economic meltdown and trillion-dollar-plus bailout, she would have her answer.

Moments after Amy Goodman interviewed Diamond, she asked an older, unidentified woman—a mother who wants her daughter to go to college—why she had voted for Obama: “I was going to give my vote to someone else, but since she didn’t win, I gave it to him … I just hope he do—I know he can’t do everything, but just do something better than what it is. That’s all.”

President Obama does not owe Diamond perfection, neither can he “cure everything,” but he does owe her the promise to ”do something better than what it is.”

And “something better” will only happen if Diamond and her friends have not already plugged in their earphones and flipped open their cell phones waiting for President Obama to “cure everything.” If they are not calling or text messaging the White House and making their voices heard above the whispers, their “savior” will continue to be nothing but a politician.

-Robert Weitzel is a contributing editor to Media With a Conscience.

http://www.dissidentvoice.org/2008/11/obama-owes-diamond-real-change-not...

wants etc...After my own experiences with politics, I decided it's not worth the time and effort to only feel burned in the end...I feel like for me third (or second) party access to Presidential elections is important too...So that I am not forced to choose evil and less evil in the future...I have no idea how to go about that really...but I will figure it out as I go...

Which again is why I asked the blog where you all were going to focus now...there's no beating up bush co now...there seems to be one choice...pick a cause you want Obama to make or change or whatnot and force it down his effing throat with all your might...

and scientists reconstructing the woolly mammoth. All of my childhood dreams are coming true!

Any day now a band of merry men will descend from Sherwood Forest and Superman will crash to Earth following the destruction of his home planet Krypton!

--------------------------------------------------
"I am A Great American Patriot !!!" - McCain Scroter
http://www.vodamusic.com/blog/

- Have you found your Pandora?

http://ww2.startribune.com/news/metro/elections/returns/2008/recount/mse...

I am having a blast!!

--Alice, did you see the posts about Burlington, VT?
Submitted by cent on Wed, 11/19/2008 - 3:57pm.--

I understand local...but in Ralph's case..he has one idea in mind...and it isn't to be the mayor of vermont...and for all I know maybe he doesn't even want to be the president..but he puts himself out there to help us see that we are being purposely prevented from REAL CHANGE...(CHOICES)...

That's my station seed.

Now show me yours ;p

Submitted by SEDER on Wed, 11/19/2008 - 3:20pm.
...Loaded was my first love affair with an album in 7th grade.
-----
I have a vague recollection that dada believes that the Velvet Underground is overrated.

Or maybe dada believes that Lou Reed is overrated?

Either way, I suspect that his consternation might eventually turn to elucidation (wordplay stolen from Firesign Theatre).

When I was twenty-one years old, an apartment neighbor and, eventually, a good friend insisted that I was missing a lot by dismissing the Velvet Underground as another rock band.

He was right, of course. I confess that my Weird Artist basket was pretty full by then, so I was not inclined to seriously interview new applicants.

http://pandora.com/share/station/eaebdf6421babb9babcfa8986a7f4664e3c751e...

Lou Reed was a jerk to dada's brother....

mhappenow. Not a station.

This will clear things up.

nando

it's all these ally scared looking balloons on the front, and the caption says

"The room fell silent. Someone thought they heard a pin drop"

The truth is demoralizing to War Dog. He lives in the backward world of conservatism. It doesn't expand the mind, it compresses it. He will never listen to you. That would require something he is lacking. He has too many doubts about himself and his opinions. His pittance of self-esteem is derive from right-wing authority figures. When the evidence is stacked against him, he simply regroups and preaches their dogma. God forbid if you take that away from him. Obviously, there is something going on in that subconscious of his that's terrifying. Maybe it's conservative, repression overload?

Therefore Dr. Edna saids he's phuccing nuts.

The treatment plan, kick him to the curb.

east village. played drums in an electric blues band. wore a fake moustache when we auditioned to play in the west village clubs that served alcohol.

other bands on that circuit that summer: 'jimi james and the blue flames' and 'the flying machine' (cafe wha); blues project (cafe a go-go); johnny hammond (the gaslight).

down the street was an odd place called 'the exploding plastic inevitable' - the 'house band' was a musical collective of sorts called 'the velvet underground' which was the same as the name of the room that they played in, as i recall.

paul morrissey was the guiding hand of the velvet underground, sort of andy warhol's lieutenant in charge of making things actually occur.

very interesting time - difficult time to be ahead of...

I've picked up a couple things already...

Solar Power Car-Battery Charger!

and the Super Green Laser.

The power of accurate observation is commonly called cynicism by those who have not got it. ~ George Bernard Shaw

Those air-drumsticks are stupid.

Submitted by CranesAreFlying on Wed, 11/19/2008 - 5:37pm.
YES YES YES! One of my dreams is coming true!

I've been babbling to my friends for a few years now that we should BRING BACK THE MAMMOTH!

I am going to make my millions by opening a national chain of Mammoth-Burger fast food joints!
--------
If suburban whiners have thought that having deer eat their daisies is bad, wait 'til a six-thousand pound herbivore wanders through the backyard gazebo.
-------------------------------
Heard on the local Arkansas AM radio talk program:

"Them pirates took a oil tanker. Isn't Obama's dad from Somally?"

If I ever feel suicidal, I'm taking some of these ignorant motherfuckers with me.

is what i've been doing for the past four or five years... taking over the local democratic party, and making life difficult from my recent opponent, the incumbent minority floor leader of the state assembly.

only about 18 months until we file for the 2010 election cycle.

His reluctance or inability to step forward between election cycles has been a source of great disappointment for me. [Obviously you don't try to keep track at what Nader does "between election cycles". This is a Democrat propaganda point that gets thrown out to stifle debate and prevent clear thinking. He speaks and writes. Critiques policy.] i don't know that he would ever make an effective president, but definitely vp or cabinet post... even today. [ I think Alice answered this point well, at least the president question. He definitely wants to set an example, or model for a true democratic campaign for the people to have more viable choices on their presidential ballots. Both parties are dominated by corporations, whose interests they serve. Who does not know that? Democrats hate him because they see him as a threat to their overlords]

--wore a fake moustache when we auditioned to play in the west village clubs that served alcohol--

-it made me....
Submitted by mhappenow on Wed, 11/19/2008 - 10:14pm.-

paul morrissey was the guiding hand of the velvet underground, sort of andy warhol's lieutenant in charge of making things actually occur.

It sort of sketches the factory, the filmmaking dimension. Nothing about Plastic inevitable. I romanticize about that time and place. Missed it. Now Manhattan is way overpriced condoville. Where is the old neighborhood? Move to New Jersey, it's cheaper.

War Dog told me things couldn't be better.

We have a tax cut coming...!!!!

Woooohoooooo!!!!

Barack is fixin to kick some terrorist ass..

Hillary is gonna take on the fight with Iran...

Obama is loading The Clinton Administration Ver 2.0

And we all made a bunch of cash with Big Willie in office!

...

Submitted by rctowns on Wed, 11/19/2008 - 10:18pm.
...what i've been doing for the past four or five years... taking over the local democratic party, and making life difficult [for] my recent opponent...
------
I'd go with the itch powder, peanut can o' snakes and a few exploding cigars.

...but that's just me.

well, I'm back from my adventures in Outsideworld.

gypsies made the pyramids?

I don't know, never heard that before...Wikipedia suggests they had their origins in south asia...like thae aryan people...seem like everyone originated there ecxept Africans.

I still think that gypsies were just Jews that didn't get a break in show business.
*************************

"The Once and Future Rajah of Bhong."

Sam's Jewish and gypsy like and he's in da budniz.

I know, I know.... gypsy's don't get lost in the woods...

http://www.suntimes.com/news/roeper/1287218,CST-NWS-roep19.article#

Does Obama victory make White Sox America’s Team?
Maybe he’ll throw out the first pitch in 2009

November 19, 2008
BY RICHARD ROEPER Sun-Times Columnist

The New York Daily News headline: With superfan Barack Obama leading cheers, White Sox now America's team.

Uh-huh.

From writer Bill Madden: "For more than 100 years, the Chicago White Sox have had to live as second-class citizens to the Cubs in the Windy City, while, nationally, they had a fan base and recognition factor equal to that of the Houston Astros or San Diego Padres."

We all know the first part is accurate -- but I wouldn't say the Sox are in the same league (so to speak) as the Astros or the Padres. As a charter franchise of the American League, the Sox have a lot more history than the Astros (founded as the Colt .45s in 1962) or the Padres, who were born in 1969. We've got the Black Sox and Shoeless Joe, the Go-Go Sox and Disco Demolition, the South Side Hitmen and the Big Hurt and the 2005 World Series.

Obama recognized that history in his statement on the Senate floor in 2005: "White Sox fans have cheered for such superstars as Luke Appling, Nellie Fox, Carlton Fisk, Luis Aparicio, Harold Baines and of course Big Frank Thomas. But we haven't savored the sweet taste of a World Series championship since 1917, until now."
When the Red Sox were going through their drought, it was the stuff of poems and books and HBO specials. When the White Sox finally broke THEIR drought, most fans across the country said, "They hadn't won in that long? Who knew?"
The Sox are never going to be the Yankees, the Cubs, the Red Sox. They're more like the Indians, the Tigers, the Phillies.

We've heard Obama say "real baseball" is played on the South Side. We've seen the president-elect in his Sox cap as he takes the girls to school or goes for a workout. We've seen pics of Obama throwing out a first pitch before Game 2 of the ALCS. (Note: after Obama's appearance, the Sox never lost another postseason game. Maybe he really is The One.)

But will this translate into some sort of boost for the Sox nationwide?

Writes Madden: "Dare we say it? Can it be? The White Sox America's team?"

In a word: No.

They're still Bridgeport's Team

Did the Texas Rangers become America's Team when W. was elected?

Did the Arkansas Razorbacks become America's Team when Billy Clinton was in office?

Heck, Richard Nixon once drew up a play for the Washington Redskins, and they still weren't America's team.

Of course it's a boost for Sox Nation that the president-elect is such a loyal fan. It'll be an amazing moment if President Obama throws the first pitch on Opening Day in 2009.

But it still won't solve the Sox' third base problem and it still won't make them America's Team.

Hats off to the president-elect

Apparently Obama's been sporting the same well-worn Sox hat forever. The Tribune reported that the Sox sent him a couple of new hats, but he ain't wearin' 'em.

That said, I'd be glad to send the president-elect a Sox hat from my collection:
But I think I have a better hat for him to wear once he's in office -- one that'll impart the message he wants to send to people around the world. It's a universal symbol, and it's in White Sox colors.

I've even got a couple that have never been worn before. Just say the word, Mister President-elect, and the hat is yours.

that the democrats 'hate' ralph, and he's not really a credible 'threat' to the corporate machine that's running both parties... they marginalize him, or anyone else - even those voices coming from the populist wing of the democratic party - without effort. The DLC's tentacles reach deep into both parties.

I supported ralph even before public citizen existed. Ralph wrote my dad's obit in the NYTimes. I'd guess that I've paid attention to Ralph and his doings longer than many people on this blog have been alive.

i voted for him in '96 and '00... and if you missed it, i posted a link to his 1996 acceptance speech at UCLA upthread, as possibly the most important nomination speech in your lifetime or mine.

The true, root (radical) small-d democratic message is and has always been that true change and innovation comes from the bottom up.

no industry has ever 'invented' anything. no political 'machine' has ever brought about social change.

>>gypsy's don't get lost in the woods...

how DARE you denigrate my long suffering people!

We are sick of the bandanaed, golden-earinged, caravan-travelling, violin and accordion playing, campfire dancing, crystal ball-gazing stereo-types!

At least have some respect, if not some god-damned compassion for these people!

These people suffered through the holocaust, and unlike the Jews, they didn't do a thing to deserve it!!! ;)
*************************

"The Once and Future Rajah of Bhong."

Welp, I honestly have to say it's good to have these talks, dada and I appreciate you weighing in, cent, Kcin.

While I am not promising to be respectful to the sorry bastard forever, I will abstain from attacking WaDo through his darned mother for the time being. Although I have no idea what you mean by sailor language. I curse as much as the next person here. The vulgarity was more in the content of the scenarios I described than it was in using foul language.

Actually, considering that such visual vulgarity has now been built it up as somehow out of bounds, (I really do beg to differ), it's effectiveness is probably fairly neutralized at this point. Also, coming to WaDo's rescue, whether intentional, or not, has probably managed to add to his ego. I'm sure he appreciates it. I doubt it, though. I'm sure it will translate to a renewed vigor for him.

I did it simply because it's the ONLY thing I have ever seen that has not only really pissed him off, but actually chased him off, at least while I wanted to be in the room at the same time as he. He knows it. It wouldn't take long after I went on a tear for him to bail. Moreover, it would also get him to stop smearing his poop on the tiles and, on more than one occasion, to betray his inane guise.

Oh, those moments, how I relish them...

You know it, Doggie!

There really is no malice to the act, I don't do it to make him suffer, I just found out one night that it infuriated him and have enjoyed doing it ever since because it amuses me to no end. But if my amusement honestly comes at the expense of bruising more fragile sensibilities here, then I will refrain.

All I can say to that is, BORING!

I hope this gives you a new outlook on Obama, dada, cent. because WarDog is now officially this blog's Lieberman, we are now his Senate.

Wardog's mommy gave me BJ in the back of a city bus!
*************************

"The Once and Future Rajah of Bhong."

east 10th street, across from Tompkins Square park. Warhol's (morrissey's) filmmaking was barely underway.
Ingrid Superstar was working on her first heroin habit - we smoked the same brand - unfiltered Kools.

did you do anything to deserve that?

unfiltered Kools.. Really? ewwe those are kinda gross.

Q: I have two hollow glass "cones" that have a flower design on all four sides. They are 6 1/2 inches tall. I've been told they may be car vases or wall vases for the home.

A: You have a pair of vaseline glass bud vases that were meant to be attached to the inside of a car. They were often found in electric cars made from c.1903-1920. Electric cars were thought to be more suitable for women and usually had fancier interiors. Also they were cleaner and easier to operate because they didn't require cranking to get them started. Bud vases were also available as accessories for gasoline-powered cars in the 1920s. Volkswagen offered bud vases ("blumenvasen") as optional accessories during the 1950s and '60s. A plastic bud vase with an artificial flower was an optional accessory in the 1998 Beetle. You can buy bud vases today that are held onto the dashboard by a suction cup or that attach to a vent on the dashboard. A pair of old car bud vases like yours are worth about $150-$200.

*************************

"The Once and Future Rajah of Bhong."

I wish you'd reconsider, 60th street

Submitted by OBAMAS 97 PERCENT on Wed, 11/19/2008 - 4:22pm.

"I am sorry 60th's rants distress you so...

Read him as you would Patrioterer, Ono, or Nobs and you will better be able to see the humor.

It's a crazy guy on the corner thing...

It has turned into more is less, then becomes a bit...

It could go on to be a classic...

If he doesn't pop his own fuse...!"
___________________________________

It's a crazy guy on the corner thing...

Submitted by Regnad Kcin on Wed, 11/19/2008 - 4:25pm.

"For once you commented on a subject that you can relate to."

LOL!
___________________________________________________________

This is too funny! And absolute proof of dumb ignorant arrgant wado's way too far around the bend mental illness where black is white, up is down and his over 90% wrong ratio is also upside down.

Then wado unintentionally compares himself as a "crazy guy on the corner" with Patrioterer, Ono, Nobody and 60th street.

LOL!

"I Think He's A NUT!"

- Barney Fife -

>>did you do anything to deserve that?

I fell asleep.
*************************

"The Once and Future Rajah of Bhong."

perhaps the bad link

>>unfiltered Kools..

that's WarDdog's mom's brand!
*************************

"The Once and Future Rajah of Bhong."

I've heard of her!

Did she have on fatigues and a Santa hat and a microwave full of Sylvia Plath's books of regretful sex toys slung over her shoulder??

Crap, I broke my promise, already! DAMN YOU CHUBBY!

Submitted by 60th Street on Wed, 11/19/2008 - 10:57pm.
...I'm sure he appreciates it. I doubt it, though...
------
This paradox is gonna take some time to work through.

I'll be in my office if you need me.

unprotected man parts aren't safe around War Doggies mommy then. Note to self.....

>>chubbs your kovel thing REALLY stretched the blog

DID NOT!!!
*************************

"The Once and Future Rajah of Bhong."

>>Did she have on fatigues and a Santa hat and a microwave full of Sylvia Plath's books ...

ROFLAO!!!
*************************

"The Once and Future Rajah of Bhong."

I just want you to know the moment I fell for you when I was new. It was when you posted the baby ducks on the freeway. If I had known you when you were "contained" I would have written because you do have the sweetest of hearts...I guess just a bit heavy handed even though I am not clear on what you got in trouble for. No need to enlighten me.

Being as there are multiple new threads up now, which one should we use??

.

TIP FOR THANKSGIVING DINNER

Remember this next week. To remove candle wax that has dripped on your Thanksgiving tablecloth, first harden the wax by putting a plastic sandwich bag filled with ice on it. Next, scrape off as much as possible with a dull knife or a credit card. Put the tablecloth between two pieces of paper from a brown paper bag and iron the "sandwich" on low heat until the remaining wax melts into the paper. Wash the tablecloth with a detergent.
*************************

"The Once and Future Rajah of Bhong."

>>Being as there are multiple new threads up now, which one should we use??

lets use this one, it is War Dog Free (as far as I can tell, WD is on the other sheet now)

http://www.samsedershow.com/node/4101#new
*************************

"The Once and Future Rajah of Bhong."

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