Sunday, December 21, 2008

Hedge funds gain access to $200bn Fed aid

FT.com / US / Economy & Fed - Hedge funds gain access to $200bn Fed aid

Your tax dollars helping HEDGE FUNDS! This is just corruption at its finest...and biggest.

AP study finds $1.6B went to bailed-out bank execs

As We Ponder Madoff's Ponzi Scheme, Consider that Social Security IS a Ponzi Scheme

FBI diverts anti-terror agents to Bernard Madoff $50 billion swindle

FBI diverts anti-terror agents to Bernard Madoff $50 billion swindle - Times Online

Another example of big guys get away with things, little guys go to jail. Why did Madoff avoid scrutiny for so long? Most likely he paid some of the auditors off.

The Failure in Afghanistan Echoes Soviet's Failure

Afghanistan: Soviet failures echo for US | csmonitor.com

Man, who could have ever predicted that?

Factories Don't Disappear in Bankruptcy

Fed Refuses to Disclose Recipients of $2 Trillion

Bloomberg.com: Exclusive

And there is it, my friends. A good 'ol looting of the Treasury. Keep supporting the system, boys, it's workin' great!

How Did the Bailout in Ancient Rome Work Out?

A Brief History of CIA Involvement in Drugs

Jim Rogers: "Auto Failure Good For America"

China and Russia Vow to Have Militaries Work Closer

False Flag Operations that Have Changed Our World

Small Banks Still Waiting for Bailout Funds

Many small banks waiting to access gov't funds - Yahoo! Finance

AIG, Bear, Citigroup, and Goldman got their money right away. Why aren't the little guys? Hmmm.

Bipartisan Senate Committee Issues Report Concluding Torture OK by Bush Admin.

The Torture Presidency—By Scott Horton (Harper's Magazine)
"This week the Senate Armed Services Committee issued a powerful report, released jointly by chair Carl Levin and ranking member John McCain, that received the unanimous support of its 13 Democratic and 12 Republican members. The report concluded that Donald Rumsfeld and other high-level officials of the administration consciously adopted a policy for the torture and abuse of prisoners held in the war on terror."

The Fed CAUSES Booms & Busts, Doesn't Protect Us From Them

The Guy Who Blew the Whistle on Wiretaps on Americans

Federal Reserve sets Stage for Weimar-style Hyperinflation

Rove's IT Guy Dies in Plane Crash Just Before Testifying

Thursday, November 27, 2008

Andrew Sullivan: "How the Pentagon Bankrupts America"


The Financial System Bailout: Bigger Than All These COMBINED

Marshall Plan: Cost: $12.7 billion, Inflation Adjusted Cost: $115.3 billion
Louisiana Purchase: Cost: $15 million, Inflation Adjusted Cost: $217 billion
Race to the Moon: Cost: $36.4 billion, Inflation Adjusted Cost: $237 billion
S&L Crisis: Cost: $153 billion, Inflation Adjusted Cost: $256 billion
Korean War: Cost: $54 billion, Inflation Adjusted Cost: $454 billion
The New Deal: Cost: $32 billion (Est), Inflation Adjusted Cost: $500 billion (Est)
Invasion of Iraq: Cost: $551b, Inflation Adjusted Cost: $597 billion
Vietnam War: Cost: $111 billion, Inflation Adjusted Cost: $698 billion
NASA: Cost: $416.7 billion, Inflation Adjusted Cost: $851.2 billion

TOTAL: $3.92 trillion

Big Bailouts, Bigger Bucks | The Big Picture

Tuesday, November 25, 2008

Paulson Changing TARP Program for the FIFTH TIME

George Washington's Blog: Paulson Changing TARP Program for the FIFTH TIME

Are you familiar with the phrase, "Being sold a bill of goods?"

Hey! I Actually Agree With O'Reilly on Something!

World Russian analyst predicts decline and breakup of U.S.

FDIC Says 171 Banks on Watch List

FDIC Says 171 Banks on Watch List - AOL Money & Finance

So, if lots of different banks are suffering, why are the bailout monies just going to Goldman, AIG, and Citigroup? Does it have anything to do with Paulson having worked for Goldman?

Left Out of the Bailout: The Poor

Left Out of the Bailout: The Poor - Yahoo! News

Liberals, wake up! The bailouts are helping corporation, the rich, and the politically well-connected, NOT those underprivileged you THINK you're helping. If you would just let the free markets do what they do best, power would be getting pushed down to the individual and away from the elite right now. But instead, you are circumventing that, and perpetuating a system which is rigged for the privileged.

Ford Builds State-of-the-Art Factory in Brazil

detnews.com | Webvideo | Ford's most advanced assembly plant operates in rural Brazil

Wait, I thought they were telling us that bailing out the auto companies would save U.S. jobs!

Monday, November 17, 2008

How the Investment Banks Fell via the Secondary Mortgage Market

"Long Beach Financial was moving money out the door as fast as it could, few questions asked, in loans built to self-destruct. It specialized in asking home­owners with bad credit and no proof of income to put no money down and defer interest payments for as long as possible. In Bakersfield, California, a Mexican strawberry picker with an income of $14,000 and no English was lent every penny he needed to buy a house for $720,000.
...<snip>...
"“With all due respect, sir,” Daniel told the C.E.O. deferentially as they left the meeting, “you’re delusional.” This wasn’t Fitch or even S&P. This was Moody’s, the aristocrats of the rating business, 20 percent owned by Warren Buffett. And the company’s C.E.O. was being told he was either a fool or a crook by one Vincent Daniel, from Queens."

The End of Wall Street's Boom - National Business News - Portfolio.com

If you want to understand what happened on Wall Street in the past few years, read this article. It is long, but very good. What's most disturbing about it is that as you're reading it, you realize that our tax money is going to bailout these corrupt people, and their insanely greedy and irresponsible behavior. How the f*ck did we get talked into giving them their money back? They deserve to lose it.

Sunday, November 16, 2008

U.S. Mint Makes Drastic Cuts to Its Collector Gold & Platinum Coin Offerings

Former Vice President of Dallas Federal Reserve: Failure of the Government to Provide More Information About Bailout Could Signal Corrruption

Organic Beekeepers Reporting Zero Losses

Surprise! Organic Beekeepers Reporting Zero Losses » GroovyGreen.com - Start Today :: Save Tomorrow

Some speculate that GMO grains or other chemicals are causing colony collapse disorder.

Bailout = Looting

"But We The People won some symbolic victories in that battle, including the explicit promise of complete transparency in the use of that money.

Now it turns out that We The Payers won nothing at all, and that we are not even being afforded the most basic right of being able to view how that money is being spent."

"US Taxpayers Violated" by Dr. Chris Martenson, FSU Editorial 11/11/2008

Did You Think the Bailout Was $700 Billion? Try $5 Trillion...so far.

"For all the fury over Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson's $700 billion emergency economic relief fund, it seems downright puny when compared to the running total of the government's response to the credit crisis.

According to CreditSights, a research firm in New York and London, the U.S. government has put itself on the hook for some $5 trillion, so far, in an attempt to arrest a collapse of the financial system."

Washington's $5 Trillion Tab - Forbes.com

U.S. trails other nations in chronic illness care

The Corrupt Origins of Central Banking

A Credit Crisis or a Collapsing Ponzi Scheme?

"Until Congress holds serious investigations and hearings, the U.S. taxpayer may be funding little more than Ponzi schemes while companies that provide real products and services, legitimate jobs and contributions to the economy are left to fail."

Pam Martens: The Two Trillion Dollar Black Hole

To reiterate, your money they are spending on saving "the system" is ruining the system. It is going to bad businesses and bad businesspeople. Why do you continue to believe Washington is smarter than the markets? Why do you continue to believe they are helping you?

Security focused on protesters more than terror

"U.S. intelligence officials say they have no credible information about potential terrorist or criminal attacks against a weekend summit in Washington of world leaders to deal with the global financial crisis.

In fact, law enforcement officials said they were more concerned about angry protesters, such as people left jobless by the financial meltdown, than they were about terrorists."

Security focused on protesters more than terror - Forbes.com

This is an important distinction to note. Intelligence isn't using its power to protect us. It's being used to protect the government from us.

Exposing Bush's historic abuse of power

"Some of the former U.S. officials interviewed, although they have no direct knowledge of the issue, said they believe that Main Core may have been used by the NSA to determine who to spy on in the immediate aftermath of 9/11. Moreover, the NSA's use of the database, they say, may have triggered the now-famous March 2004 confrontation between the White House and the Justice Department that nearly led Attorney General John Ashcroft, FBI director William Mueller and other top Justice officials to resign en masse."

Exposing Bush's historic abuse of power | Salon News

American Conservative Magazine: Bush a "Disgrace"

"At home, our failed attempt at global liberation has left us less free than ever before. Ancient liberties, cultural imperatives, even basic solvency were subsumed by the war effort. And the conservative movement that gave Bush his margin sanitized his radicalism at the cost of its soul. All he touched turned to dross. Yet he departs unbowed, still a Churchill in his own mind.

It would be easy to leave him to that delusion and turn a more hopeful page. But Bush wasn’t alone in his failure: a country marched behind him and a movement cheered him on."

The American Conservative -- Bush’s Broken Record

Uncle Sam's Credit Line Running Out?

"The yield curve and credit-default swaps tell the same story: The U.S. can't borrow trillions without paying a price."

Uncle Sam's Credit Line Running Out? - Barrons.com

Maybe Republican "borrow & spend" is less fiscally conservative than Democrats' "tax & spend", and less socialist?

Monday, November 10, 2008

Bailout MUCH Bigger Than You Thought

"The Federal Reserve is refusing to identify the recipients of almost $2 trillion of emergency loans from American taxpayers or the troubled assets the central bank is accepting as collateral.

Fed Chairman Ben S. Bernanke and Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson said in September they would comply with congressional demands for transparency in a $700 billion bailout of the banking system. Two months later, as the Fed lends far more than that in separate rescue programs that didn't require approval by Congress, Americans have no idea where their money is going or what securities the banks are pledging in return."

Bloomberg.com: Worldwide

The bailout of banks isn't helping the U.S. It is helping bankers. It's not even exclusively helping U.S. bankers. It's also helping foreign foreign bankers. Your TRILLIONS of tax dollars at work folks. We could have updated the ENTIRE transportation system in the U.S. for that money. But, you dupes listened to the talking heads in the media who parroted what they were told, saying we HAD to have a bailout or the "system" would collapse. People today can be scared into giving it all away these days, I swear. Freedoms, rights, money...they'll give it all away if those that wish it given just use scary enough words. When will they learn that those in gov't aren't working for "the people," they are working for themselves?

Saturday, October 18, 2008

Study says most corporations pay no U.S. income taxes

Study says most corporations pay no U.S. income taxes | U.S. | Reuters

This is where Republican talking points go off the track. They will complain and complain about unfair taxes on corporations and the rich. They talk about the disincentives to business with high taxes. But, the reality is that our tax code is so complicated, and so filled with loopholes, that the rich, and corporations wind up paying much, much less than what their complaints would have you believe. And, as always, the little guy gets stuck with the bill.

Friday, October 10, 2008

Wiretapping Americans, "We'll Only Listen to Terrorists...We Promise."

"The Senate Select Intelligence Committee is looking into allegations
from two U.S. military linguists that the government routinely listened
in on phone calls of American military and humanitarian aid workers
serving overseas."

Report: NSA spied on soldiers' personal calls - Security- msnbc.com

Monday, October 6, 2008

Debtor Nation Status Means U.S. Cedes Sovereignty

"...the next president’s ability to act unilaterally on anything other than
vital national security issues is going to be reduced. As the old
saying goes: He who has the gold makes the rules. Well, we no longer
have as much gold, and until we get some, we will have to pay more heed
to the rules of those who lend us theirs."

Op-Ed Columnist - Swedish Spoken Here - NYTimes.com

We are soon to be in debtor's prison. Which country's prison will we be in? Who must we obey?

Friday, October 3, 2008

Former DEA agent: "I think the American people would be justified in believing that their own government may be as corrupt as any of the countries our government criticizes for corruption."

Feb. 28, 2008: "Housing Bill Will Bail Out Lenders"

"The Senate is considering legislation that would do more to bail
out lenders and speculators than to help homeowners keep their homes,"
he said. "The Senate bill would actually prolong the time it takes for
the housing market to adjust and recover, and it would lead to higher
interest rates."

Earlier this week, the Bush administration said the president would veto
the Foreclosure Prevention Act of 2008 if it passes Congress because it
objected to two key elements. The first is a provision that would
change the bankruptcy law to let judges reduce the amount of principal
and interest due on mortgages of those filing for bankruptcy.


Bush: Foreclosure bill will 'bail out lenders' - Feb. 28, 2008

Chuck Norris Only Trusts One Man...Ron Paul

Ron Paul is going to help Chuck Norris choke some bitches!

Wednesday, October 1, 2008

US Troops favor Obama 6 to 1 over McCain

"US troops serving overseas are donating to Obama 6 times as much as
they are to McCain. Maybe because veterans' groups give Obama an
average grade of B+, while McCain (who voted against the new GI Bill)
gets an F."

Military donations favor Obama - USATODAY.com

Support the troops.

Tuesday, September 30, 2008

Good Interview with former US Army Colonel Andrew J. Bacevich

Bankruptcy, not bailout, is the right answer

"Bankruptcy does not mean the company disappears; it is just owned by someone new (as has occurred with several airlines). Bankruptcy punishes those who took excessive risks while preserving those aspects of a businesses that remain profitable.

In contrast, a bailout transfers enormous wealth from taxpayers to those who knowingly engaged in risky subprime lending. Thus, the bailout encourages companies to take large, imprudent risks and count on getting bailed out by government. This "moral hazard" generates enormous distortions in an economy's allocation of its financial resources."

Commentary: Bankruptcy, not bailout, is the right answer - CNN.com

$3 Trillion

Bailout Bill to Allow Banks to Have ZERO Reserves?!

CNN to Ron Paul About Economy: "Do You Feel Vindicated by What Has Happened?"

"There are no necessary evils in government. The Treasury to you, gentlemen, is closed."

Monday, September 29, 2008

Russia Giving Nuke Technology to Venezuela

Venezuela to build nuclear technology with Russia - USATODAY.com

Yeah, we can't have nukes in Iran cause they can hit Israel...
Bush is powerless to do anything because we're in a severe financial crisis caused by our attempt to keep nukes out of Iraq.
Can this get any more stupid?

Canada PM Lectures U.S. on Its Economic Policies

What is Money? (reposted)

The Housing Bubble in 4 Easy Steps

The Housing Bubble in 4 Easy Steps - Mark Thornton - Mises Institute

Please notice step 1 is the Federal Reserve's intervention in the market's interest rate mechanism, causing mispriced credit.

Main Street

Fed Pumps Further $630 Billion Into Financial System

Bloomberg.com: Worldwide

This is one of the many bailouts that didn't need a vote from Congress.

The Economic Consequences of Mr. Bush by Nobel Laureate Joseph Stiglitz

"The next president will have to deal with yet another crippling legacy of George W. Bush: the economy. A Nobel laureate, Joseph E. Stiglitz, sees a generation-long struggle to recoup."

The Economic Consequences of Mr. Bush: Politics & Power: vanityfair.com

His culprits are a tax code that has become hideously biased in favor of the rich; a
national debt increased 70 percent; a record $850 billion trade
deficit; record oil prices; weak dollar...just like Ron Paul has been saying for years.

SNL Doesn't Even Have to Change Palin's Words To Make it Funny

McCain Campaign Owns URL VoteForTheMILF.com

Sunday, September 28, 2008

Fox News Now Calls Ron Paul an Economic Genius

The Royal Bank of SCOTLAND Will Be One of Biggest Beneficiaries of U.S. Taxpayer Bailout

"Bank of Scotland is to be one of the biggest beneficiaries of the
planned $700 billion bail-out that comes courtesy of the American
tax-payer if the US Congress gives the financial rescue package the
go-ahead this weekend."

The Sunday Herald - Scotland's award-winning independent newspaper

Let's bailout the whole world! Then, maybe, they'll like us again!

A shattering moment in America's fall from power

"Here is a historic geopolitical shift, in which the balance of power in the world is being altered irrevocably. The era of American global leadership, reaching back to the Second World War, is over.

You can see it in the way America's dominion has slipped away in its own backyard, with Venezuelan President Hugo Chávez taunting and ridiculing the superpower with impunity. Yet the setback of America's standing at the global level is even more striking... In a change as far-reaching in its implications as the fall of the Soviet Union, an entire model of government and the economy has collapsed.

Ever since the end of the Cold War, successive American administrations have lectured other countries on the necessity of sound finance. Indonesia, Thailand, Argentina and several African states endured severe cuts in spending and deep recessions as the price of aid from the International Monetary Fund, which enforced the American orthodoxy. China in particular was
hectored relentlessly on the weakness of its banking system. But China's success has been based on its consistent contempt for Western advice and it is not Chinese banks that are currently going bust. How symbolic yesterday that Chinese astronauts take a spacewalk while the
US Treasury Secretary is on his knees.

Despite incessantly urging other countries to adopt its way of doing business, America has always had one economic policy for itself and another for the rest of the world. Throughout the years in which the US was punishing countries that departed from fiscal prudence, it was borrowing on a colossal scale to finance tax cuts and fund its over-stretched military commitments. Now, with federal finances critically dependent on continuing large inflows of foreign capital, it will be the countries that spurned the American model of capitalism that will shape America's economic future."

John Gray: A shattering moment in America's fall from power | Comment is free | The Observer

This writer assumes that the failures are due to lack of government intervention. This is wrong. The Fed is the ultimate in intervention. It affects every aspect of our economy. I post this because he DOES get right the hypocrisy of the U.S.'s say one thing, and do another economic foreign policy.

US House of Representatives approves Nasa buying Russian spacecraft

"Nasa's top achievement in Congress this year boils down to a single sentence - one line in a huge spending bill that would allow Nasa to circumvent an arms-control law and purchase Russian-made Soyuz spacecraft."

US House of Representatives approves Nasa buying Russian spacecraft | World news | guardian.co.uk

Saturday, September 27, 2008

Why Didn't McCain Look at Obama?

Support for Bailout Down to 24%

"The more voters learn about the proposed $700-billion taxpayer-backed Wall Street rescue plan, the less they like it. Most voters remain largely unworried about their own money, too.

Just 24% of U.S. voters now favor the plan first proposed by Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson a week ago and the subject of very public negotiations on Capitol Hill ever since, according to a
Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey taken Friday night. Fifty percent (50%) oppose it, and 25% are undecided."

Rasmussen Reports™: The most comprehensive public opinion coverage ever provided for a presidential election.

Friday, September 26, 2008

U.S. Americans...and South Africa, such as

Ten Things You Should Know About Bush's Trillion Dollar Fleecing Plan

"9. Foreign Banks Can Cash in Too

Or perhaps the fact that U.S. tax-payers look like they might also end up bailing out foreign banks will end up being a fly in the ointment.

Now, the U.S. bailout looks as if it is going global, too, a move that could raise its cost and intensifyscrutiny by Congress and critics.

Foreign banks, which were initially excluded from the plan, lobbied successfully over the weekend to be able to sell the toxic U.S. mortgage debt owned by their American units to the Treasury, getting the same treatment as U.S. banks.

On Sunday, Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson indicated in a series of appearances on TV talk shows that an original proposal introduced Saturday had been widened. "It's a distinction without a difference whether it's a foreign or a U.S. one," he said in an interview with Fox News.

He's right, in a way. There are no U.S. or foreign mega-banks -- just multinational financial
institutions with headquarters at home or somewhere abroad. If one accepts the logic of the plan at all, it might as well extend to multinationals with foreign-sounding names. The rabbit hole is only so deep, and we're already way down it."

Ten Things You Should Know About Bush's Trillion Dollar Fleecing Plan

We're going to bail out Middle Eastern sheiks who invested in Citigroup! Cool! This gets better by the second!

Local Entities Want a Piece of the Bailout Action!

"State and local officials, who have seen state pension funds lose
hundreds of millions of dollars in the financial crisis, are seeking
federal help for Medicaid and other programs, as economic woes work
their way through the system."

Local Officials Press for a Piece of the Rescue Plan - WSJ.com

McCain Releases Ads Claiming Debate Win...Before Debate

WTF is going on?! Bernie Sanders against bailout, "free market" Larry Kudlow FOR it!



Sanders: Larry, I’m sure after all of the ranting and raving you have done against government intervention and the virtues of free market I know without saying that you are opposed to the bail out.

Kudlow: No, I’m in favor of it.

Sanders: Oh, you’ve become a Socialist overnight Larry, what happened?….I think your version of socialism is to bail out the rich. My concern is about the middle class and working families who are now asked to bail out the disaster caused by the incredibly greedy people on Wall Street who have fought for this deregulation which is now taking us over the cliff.

Wednesday, September 24, 2008

Brazil's President Mocking U.S. Investment Banks...He's Right

"The President of Brazil, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva said on Thursday,
September 18, that he has watched with "sadness" the collapse of Wall
Street firms that made economic policy recommendations in emerging
markets "as if they were the super intelligent and we were the poor
souls."

"Important banks, very important banks, that spent their lives giving

advice about Brazil and what we should or shouldn't do are now broke,"
news agency EFE quoted Lula da Silva as saying in a speech in southern
Brazil."


Brazil - Brazzil Mag - Brazilian President Makes Fun of Wall Street's Super Brains

THIS Guy is our Fed Chair?!

Bernanke Signals U.S. Should Pay More for Bad Debt

"Bernanke's remarks, an unusual departure from his prepared
testimony, come as lawmakers and the Bush administration
negotiate a rescue plan aimed at easing the worst financial
crisis since the Great Depression. The Fed chief said paying
prices higher than the bad assets would fetch in the open market
would help ``unfreeze'' credit markets and aid the economy. "

Bloomberg.com: Economy

He wants us to pay MORE than what they're worth. This is his solution.

Boston Legal Speech

Tuesday, September 16, 2008

Total Fed Lending(Guess Who Pays for this?)

Economagic.com

The Social Imperative of Sound Money

"This past week, the government announced that it would take Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae, the mortgage giants, under conservatorship, which is a nice way of saying that they will be nationalized.

We don't use the word nationalize any more. We can try an experiment and read the new term conservatorship" back into history. In fact, we might say that Stalin and Lenin put Russia's industries under a kind of conservatorship. Or we might say that Mao pushed a kind of land conservatorship, or that Hitler's policy was one of national conservatorship. Marx's little book could be re-titled: The Conservatorship Manifesto.

You see, the government keeps having to make up new names for these things because the old policies, which were not that different in content, failed so miserably. The old terms become discredited and new terms become necessary, in an effort to fool the public.

It's as if a restaurant served a shrimp dish that gave all the customers food poisoning, and so each night it decides to serve the same shrimp but name the dish something new: crangon cocktail, prawn pasta,
scampi salad, or what have you. But no matter what they call it, it is still poison.

Such a restaurant would be out of business in a matter of days. People would not be fooled. But the government gets away with it mainly because we have no real choice about the matter, and because people are predisposed to believe the government far more than they should. It doesn't help that the media are willing to echo the government line on this, adopting every new phrase as if it were the gospel."

The Social Imperative of Sound Money by Llewellyn H. Rockwell, Jr.

Bin Laden: Goal is to bankrupt U.S.

CNN.com - Bin Laden: Goal is to bankrupt U.S. - Nov 1, 2004

When you're sitting around pondering, "Who is winning the war?", keep this in mind.

Fannie, Freddie Takeover Diminishes Financing Options for Banks

"Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson's
decision to seize Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac may choke off the
biggest source of funding for financial companies suffering from
the collapse of the subprime mortgage market. "
...
"Paulson's ``decision has been devastating to the market,''
said Marilyn Cohen, President of Envision Capital Management in
Los Angeles, which oversees $200 million in fixed-income assets.
``We all thought they would never help exacerbate the banking
crisis and that's exactly what they did.'' "

Bloomberg.com: Exclusive

Gov't interventions don't help. They make it worse and distort the market's natural correction mechanisms.

Monday, September 15, 2008

EU Not Following U.S. Down Socialist Bailout Path

"European finance ministers and
central bankers said they had no plans to follow the U.S. in
stimulating their economy and failed to agree on ways of
rescuing any foundering financial institution."

Bloomberg.com: Exclusive

Saturday, September 13, 2008

Anyone Who Claims Palin Is Ready To Be President Is A Fucking Moron

"They just gave their new child two middle names. Why two? Because, they wanted the second one to be Van. Why? Because they thought it would be cute to have their child's name be Van Palin. You know, it sounds like Van Halen. Funny, huh?

No, I didn't make this up."


Today's M/I Report

Honest commentary.

Friday, September 12, 2008

Anti-immigration panic costs $2-$4 million per mile

"With 2,000 miles to fence in we are spending between $2 million and $4
million per mile in order to protect America from busboys, gardeners
and fast food clerks. But it sure makes the nativists, xenophobes and
bigots feel good. Of course more than bigots benefit from the Wall. Add
in the morons who think this Wall is somehow making them safe. It won’t
help the economy -- quite the contrary, it is very harmful to the
economy. But the emotional comfort that bigots and morons get from it
has to be worth something. Unfortunately, like most government schemes
the people who think they are benefiting have managed to pass the bulk
of the cost off on other people. Let’s face it -- the Minutemen types
and their closet supporters are major Welfare Queens. To give
themselves comfort they are ripping off the taxpayers to the sum of
between $2 million and $4 million per mile."

Classically Liberal: Anti-immigration panic costs $2-$4 million per mile.

Over 40 Journalists Arrested in St. Paul at RNC

More Than 40 Journos Listed as Arrested or Detained at RNC Protests

What's going on here? Is Freedom of the Press dying?

US government staff 'had sex and drugs with energy firm employees'

US government staff 'had sex and drugs with energy firm employees' - Telegraph

"You see, taxpayers, you must allow the government to issue permits to allow drilling and mining. We know how to properly allocate these very valuable licenses efficiently and equitably. If you let the free market decide this, it will do things poorly and unethically."

Bush secret order to send special forces into Pakistan

"A secret order issued by George Bush giving US special forces carte
blanche to mount counter-terrorist operations inside Pakistani
territory raised fears last night that escalating conflict was
spreading from Afghanistan to Pakistan and could ignite a region-wide
war."

George Bush's secret order to send special forces into Pakistan | World news | The Guardian

Sunday, September 7, 2008

Factchecking the Palin Speech

US Military Trained Georgian Commandos Only Months Before South Ossetia Invasion

"The US military provided combat training to 80 Georgian special forces
commandos only months prior to Georgia’s army assault in South Ossetia
in August."

FT.com / World - US military trained Georgian commandos

Pakistan Cuts Supply Lines to U.S.-Led NATO Troops in Afghanistan

"He said that some twenty innocent people lost their lives — most of them were women and children.

The US government had accepted responsibility for the attack but did not
offer any apology for the same and instead announced to launch more
such attacks against the militants across the border, if so required in
future."

Pakistan cuts supply lines to Nato forces

Remember, the Global War on Terror is making us safer.

GOP Hiding Sarah Palin From Press for Two Weeks

10 Reasons Why We Need a New (Cold?) War

"3. Russia doesn’t play fair. When we get our apparatchiks in Poland to
install missile interceptors on Polish land—the Russkies balk and claim
Poland is now a legit target for Russky missiles. What’s this?
Diplomacy through intimidation? Just because we do it, does that mean
they should? Monkey see, monkey does? Russkovia is full of monkeys with
nuclear warhead missiles!"

» 10 Reasons Why We Need a New (Cold?) War

Afghans Fed Up With Government, US

""This is our land. We are afraid to send our sons out the door for
fear the American troops will pick them up," says Mohammed, who was
chosen by the others to represent them. "Daily we have headaches from
the troops. We are fed up. Our government is weak and corrupt and the
American Soldiers have learned nothing."

A strong sense of frustration echoed through dozens of interviews by
The Associated Press with Afghan villagers, police, government
officials, tribal elders and Taliban who left and rejoined the
religious movement. The interviews ranged from the capital, Kabul, to
the rural regions near the border with Pakistan."


Afghans Fed Up With Government, US - Military.com

Kremlin-watchers warn of direct U.S.-Russia clash

"MOSCOW_ In the aftermath of last month's war between Russia and
U.S.-backed Georgia, Kremlin-watchers in Moscow are worried that Russia
and America are closer to direct confrontation than at any point since
the end of the Cold War."

McClatchy Washington Bureau | 09/05/2008 | Kremlin-watchers warn of direct U.S.-Russia clash

Fannie and Freddie Mac Commit Fraud, We Pay The Bill

"Then, last week, advisers from Morgan Stanley
hired by the Treasury Department to scrutinize the companies came to a
troubling conclusion: Freddie Mac’s capital position was worse than
initially imagined, according to people briefed on those findings. The
company had made decisions that, while not necessarily in violation of
accounting rules, had the effect of overstating the companies’s capital
resources and financial stability.

Indeed, one person briefed on
the company’s finances said Freddie Mac had made accounting decisions
that pushed losses into the future and postponed a capital shortfall
until the fourth quarter of this year, which would not need to be
disclosed until early 2009. Fannie Mae has used similar methods, but to
a lesser degree, according to other people who have been briefed."

...

"These two gigantic hedge funds intentionally
manipulated their accounting to show a capital position that was
stronger than reality, by pushing forward losses instead of recognizing
them as they occurred.

While not illegal, it had the effect of lying to the markets, which put both firms at risk of all-on collapse.

Now the government proposes to bail them out at your expense and risk the collapse of the government's funding,
instead of indicting the executives of these firms and placing them
into rundown, forcing the losses to be taken by the people who profited
from the gains during the "salad years.""


The Market Ticker

Aren't you glad we have a "free market capitalist" system, while those bad, evil Commies manipulate their economy? Well, OK, so the U.S. government intervenes here and there, but it's for the best. Why is it for the best, you ask? Well, that's because I assume the government is omniscient and incorruptible, and therefore smarter than the market.

Saturday, September 6, 2008

Modern Day Iwo Jima

Why Russia’s response to Georgia was right

"Let me be absolutely clear. This is not a conflict of Russia’s making;
this is not a conflict of Russia’s choosing. There are no winners from
this conflict. Hours before the Georgian invasion, Russia had been
working to secure a United Nations Security Council statement calling
for a renunciation of force by both Georgia and South Ossetians. The
statement that could have averted bloodshed was blocked by western
countries."

FT.com / Comment & analysis / Comment - Why Russia’s response to Georgia was right

Putin's war enablers: Bush and Cheney

"Russia's escalating war on Georgia reveals the consequences of the Bush
administration's long assault on the international rule of law."

Putin's war enablers: Bush and Cheney | Salon

9/11


RNC Assign 'Black Hats' To Each of the 250 Ron Paul Delegate

"Fearing demonstrations from Ron Paul delegates here at the
Republican National Convention, the party has created a "black-hat"
squad to track the Paulites and other potential troublemakers to make
sure they don't cause a scene on the convention floor.

Identified by their black baseball caps emblazoned with a white
star, squad members keep an eye on delegates they fear might cause a
scene. The squad is empowered by the convention managers to take
delegates' credentials and kick them off the convention floor -- a step
one convention official said would be unprecedented."

Washington Times - 'Black hats' keep lookout for troublemakers

Aren't you proud of your party?

Monday, September 1, 2008

Russia's government declares its superiority over the West, claims America is on weak ground militarily and morally due to Iraq

"The U.S. and other Western nations may not like what Russia is doing,
but officials in Moscow believe those countries lack the leverage,
strength or unity to intervene, analysts say."

Russia sees Georgia outcome as proof of its dominance - Los Angeles Times

One of the reasons the supporters of this war used to justify staying, was that if we didn't, we'd look weak to our enemies. Well, they were wrong. We look weak by staying, and we look weak to Russia and China, actual countries with missiles, not just some guys in caves. What the Neo-Cons and their supporters don't realize is that the use of our guns don't make us look strong, it's how and when we use them. If you don't behave morally, it doesn't matter how big your show of strength.

Chalabi aide arrested on suspicion of Baghdad bombings

"BAGHDAD — U.S. forces have arrested a deputy of Ahmad Chalabi, who was
once the Bush administration's favorite Iraqi politician, and
implicated him in bombings that killed Americans and Iraqis, Chalabi
and Iraqi government officials said Thursday."

McClatchy Washington Bureau | 08/29/2008 | Chalabi aide arrested on suspicion of Baghdad bombings

So, should the U.S. bomb itself for aiding the "terrorists?"

The Police State, St. Paul, MN

Friday, August 22, 2008

Negotiating with Terrorists, and Cowardly Setting Timetables

US, Iraq close in on deal for pullout of US troops

When people suggested talking with Iran, Neocons, Bush-supporters, Bush, Cheney, FOX News and others called them appeasers. They said, "What?! You can't negotiate with terrorists." Then Bush did it. He sent diplomats.

When people suggested setting timetables for withdrawal, that group said, "What?! That's like giving Al Qaeda the date they can take over. They'll just wait 'til we leave, then take over!" Now, Rice is over there, doing exactly that....setting timetables.

The end result is lack of credibility on the Right, and wasted time, money, and lives.

Justice Department plan would "allow the F.B.I. to open an investigation of an American, conduct surveillance, pry into private records and take other investigative steps 'without any basis for suspicion.'"

New Guidelines Would Give F.B.I. Broader Powers - NYTimes.com

"A Justice Department plan would loosen restrictions on the Federal Bureau of Investigation
to allow agents to open a national security or criminal investigation
against someone without any clear basis for suspicion, Democratic
lawmakers briefed on the details said Wednesday."


This isn't what America is about, people. Come on, this is getting out of control.

Russia Says Some NATO Cooperation Frozen

Russia says some NATO cooperation frozen | Reuters

"A senior Russian military official confirmed on Friday that Russia's
Defence Ministry had frozen some cooperation with the NATO military
alliance and queried the merits of a U.S. Navy operation in the Black
Sea."


Don't worry folks, Bush "looked into Putin's eyes."

Monday, August 18, 2008

The Lovely Benefits of the Iraq War, Nicely Summed Up By Russia's Response to Georgia Withdrawal

Russia, on Georgia withdrawal: "If I would ask
you in response to the same question how fast the American forces can
leave Iraq, for example, the answer would be as soon as we have
guarantees for peace and security there"


Lawmaker hints at long stay in Georgia, despite cease-fire - CNN.com


Pakistani Democracy Trumps U.S. Support of Military Dictator, as They Reelect President Deposed by Musharraf's Coup

BBC NEWS | South Asia | Pakistan's Musharraf steps down

More results of tough-guy diplomacy. As we focus a trillion dollars of our blood and treasure on some random guys living in caves, a nuclear power just went to a country which hates us, due to our support of a military dictator....the mind reels.

Monday, July 21, 2008

Bush Failures May Force McCain, Obama to Make Like FDR in 2009

"The next White House occupant will inherit the deepest housing recession in a generation, growing fears of bank failures, a sinking dollar, $4 gasoline and an economy bleeding jobs. He'll confront wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, mounting tensions with Iran and the U.S.'s flagging international reputation.

Historians say the economic and foreign policy crises in Bush's wake will present either Democrat Barack Obama or Republican John McCain with the biggest challenges to a new president since Herbert Hoover left office during the Great Depression." LINK

Chavez Goes Weapons Shopping in Russia Amid Arms Race

"Past Venezuelan arms purchases from Russia have strengthened ties with Moscow as its rivalry with the U.S. intensifies over President George W. Bush's plans for an Eastern Europe missile defense system..." Link


Fill 'er up, America! You're funding (and arming) our enemies! This war, and $140 oil, is great for us!

Wednesday, June 25, 2008

White House Does Not Want Haliburton Oversight

WASHINGTON (AP) — "The Army's march to overhaul its tarnished contracting system has been slowed by an unlikely foe: the White House.

The Office of Management and Budget, President Bush's administrative arm, has shot down a service plan to add five active-duty generals who would oversee purchasing and monitor contractor performance.

The boost in brass was a key recommendation from a blue-ribbon panel that last fall criticized the Army for contracting failures that undermined the war effort in Iraq and Afghanistan, wasted U.S. tax dollars, and sparked dozens of procurement fraud investigations.

As the Army's contracting budget ballooned — from $46 billion in 2002 to $112 billion in 2007 — it had too few experienced people negotiating and buying equipment and supplies, according to the panel. Worse still, there wasn't a single Army general in a job with contracting responsibilities. That meant the profession had little clout at a critical time." Link

Saturday, June 21, 2008

US faces prison ship allegations

BBC NEWS | Americas | US faces prison ship allegations: "The comments come five days after the UN accused the US of stalling on their requests to visit Guantanamo Bay."

I definitely prefer being the pristine accuser, rather than the guilty accused.

Friday, June 20, 2008

Amnesty Bill Covers Torturers, Too; To Be Bundled With War Supplmental

CRIMES AND CORRUPTIONS OF THE NEW WORLD ORDER NEWS - Amnesty Bill Covers Torturers, Too; To Be Bundled With War Supplmental

'Persons immune from lawsuits include "Anyone" who "provid[ed] assistance to an element of the intelligence community . . . in connection with intelligence activity involving communications that was (i) authorized by the President during the period beginning on September 11, 2001, and ending on January 17, 2007 and (ii) designed to prevent or detect a terrorist attack, or activities in preparation of a terrorist attack, against the United States and (B) the subject of a written request or directive . . . indicating that the activity was (i) authorized by the President; and (ii) determined to be lawful."'

Thursday, June 19, 2008

Legalization would end drug war in Mexico, world

Legalization would end drug war in Mexico, world

Legalize All Drugs - By John Stossel

Townhall.com::Legalize All Drugs::By John Stossel

Habeas Corpus: The Bulwark of Our Liberties

Habeas Corpus: The Bulwark of Our Liberties

The following is an excerpt from the majority opinion in yesterday’s Supreme Court decision in Boumediene v. Bush. Citations to books and articles have been removed to facilitate reading.

First Public Interview with "Curveball," the Guy with the 'Intelligence" the Bush Admin Based an Invasion of Another Country On

'Curveball' speaks, and a reputation as a disinformation agent remains intact - Los Angeles Times

McCain's Offshore Drilling Position A Flip From Three Weeks Ago

McCain's Offshore Drilling Position A Flip From Three Weeks Ago - Politics on The Huffington Post: "It is hardly a secret that when it comes to offshore drilling, Sen. John McCain was against the idea before he was for it. On Monday, the Arizona Republican told a crowd in Texas that he was abandoning his long-time support for a federal moratorium on drilling along the nation's coastlines in favor of allowing states to decide for themselves."

Ex-State Dept. official: Hundreds of detainees died in U.S. custody, at least 25 murdered

Think Progress » Ex-State Dept. official: Hundreds of detainees died in U.S. custody, at least 25 murdered.: ""

Documents confirm U.S. hid detainees from Red Cross

McClatchy Washington Bureau | 06/18/2008 | Documents confirm U.S. hid detainees from Red Cross: "WASHINGTON — The U.S. military hid the locations of suspected terrorist detainees and concealed harsh treatment to avoid the scrutiny of the International Committee of the Red Cross, according to documents that a Senate committee released Tuesday."

General Who Probed Abu Ghraib: Bush Officials Committed 'War Crimes'

General Who Probed Abu Ghraib: Bush Officials Committed 'War Crimes' - Politics on The Huffington Post: "The remarks by Maj. Gen. Antonio Taguba, who's now retired, came in a new report that found that U.S. personnel tortured and abused detainees in Iraq, Afghanistan and Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, using beatings, electrical shocks, sexual humiliation and other cruel practices."

Tuesday, June 17, 2008

Legal Drugs Kill Far More Than Illegal, Florida Says

Legal Drugs Kill Far More Than Illegal, Florida Says - NYTimes.com: "An analysis of autopsies in 2007 released this week by the Florida Medical Examiners Commission found that the rate of deaths caused by prescription drugs was three times the rate of deaths caused by all illicit drugs combined."

Good thing the gov't is protecting us from those evil drugs! Thank you DEA!

America's prison for terrorists often held the wrong men

McClatchy Washington Bureau | 06/15/2008 | America's prison for terrorists often held the wrong men

Former Army Secretary: A Third Of The Prisoners Don't Belong In Guantanamo. U.S. has wrongfully imprisoned "perhaps hundreds" of men "in Afghanistan, Cuba and elsewhere on the basis of flimsy or fabricated evidence, old personal scores or bounty payments."

McCain Calls Arizona a Swing State...His Home State

McCain Calls Arizona a Swing State - The Washington Independent - U.S. news and politics - washingtonindependent.com

John McCain angrily denounces mandatory caps on carbon dioxide. Guess who's campaign released a plan for mandatory caps last month?

Crooks and Liars » McCain confused about his own energy policy: "QUESTION: The European Union has set mandatory targets on renewable energy. Is that something you would consider in a McCain administration? […]"

What's wrong with this guy? It's gone beyond flip-flopping. It's just a weird lust for power thing.

Article from The Onion in Jan. 2001 Predicts Everything Bush Administration Does

Bush: 'Our Long National Nightmare Of Peace And Prosperity Is Finally Over' | The Onion - America's Finest News Source: "WASHINGTON, DC–Mere days from assuming the presidency and closing the door on eight years of Bill Clinton, president-elect George W. Bush assured the nation in a televised address Tuesday that 'our long national nightmare of peace and prosperity is finally over.'"

Monday, June 16, 2008

Get Osama Bin Laden before I leave office, orders George W Bush

Get Osama Bin Laden before I leave office, orders George W Bush - Times Online: "President George W Bush has enlisted British special forces in a final attempt to capture Osama Bin Laden before he leaves the White House."

George, I know you're trying to do this for your "legacy," but maybe the outlook for your legacy would have been better if you had done this right away, instead of putting it off 'til the last second, spending $3 trillion of our children and grand children's money on an unrelated revenge killing of Saddam.

Saturday, June 14, 2008

Maliki raises possibility that Iraq might ask U.S. to leave

McClatchy Washington Bureau | 06/13/2008 | Maliki raises possibility that Iraq might ask U.S. to leave: "Maliki made the comment after weeks of complaints from Shiite Muslim lawmakers that U.S. proposals that would govern a continued troop presence in Iraq would infringe on Iraq's sovereignty."

Cost of Iraq War 2008

Cost of Iraq War 2008: "
Iraq-war-cost-smaller
"

Army's PR Office Spreading Partisan Attacks On Obama

Army Shows Its Colors - Intel Dump - Phillip Carter on national security and the military.

This is the problem of the military industrial complex that Eisenhower warned us about. The military getting involved in politics. Go to YouTube if you haven't seen his famous TV speech.

The Federal Government Keeps Two Sets of Books

USATODAY.com - What's the real federal deficit?: "The set the government doesn't talk about is the audited financial statement produced by the government's accountants following standard accounting rules. It reports a more ominous financial picture: a $760 billion deficit for 2005. If Social Security and Medicare were included — as the board that sets accounting rules is considering — the federal deficit would have been $3.5 trillion."

Friday, June 13, 2008

Supreme Court Repudiates Bush for Third Time

Court says detainees have rights, bucking Bush: "In a stinging rebuke to President Bush's anti-terror policies, a deeply divided Supreme Court ruled Thursday that foreign detainees held for years at Guantanamo Bay in Cuba have the right to appeal to U.S. civilian courts to challenge their indefinite imprisonment without charges."

Another Iraq War Estimate, This Time $2.7 Trillion

Iraq war could cost taxpayers $2.7 trillion - Jun. 12, 2008

Family Values: McCain vs. Obama

Talking Points Memo | Obama's Baby Mama?:

The Obamas have been married for 16 years, and only to each other. John McCain left his first wife after she was in a car accident to marry an heiress 20 years younger than him. Who's marriage does Fox News insult?

Pakistani Intelligence Giving Taliban in Afghanistan Info on U.S. Troop Movements

Recordpub.com

U.S. Seeking Immunity for Blackwater

Immunity for private guards in Iraq a sticking point: US - Yahoo! News: "'The issue of contractors including (foreign) security contractors is a sensitive one, is a significant one,' David Satterfield, the US State Department's top Iraq adviser told reporters in Baghdad's heavily fortified Green Zone."

U.S. seeking 58 permanent bases in Iraq, Shiite lawmakers say

McClatchy Washington Bureau | 06/09/2008 | U.S. seeking 58 bases in Iraq, Shiite lawmakers say: "Leading members of the two ruling Shiite parties said in a series of interviews the Iraqi government rejected this proposal along with another U.S. demand that would have effectively handed over to the United States the power to determine if a hostile act from another country is aggression against Iraq. Lawmakers said they fear this power would drag Iraq into a war between the United States and Iran."

GOP Senators Hopping Mad About Habeus Corpus

The Crypt: GOP blast Gitmo decision, Graham says he is willing to push for a constitutional amendment if necessary - Politico.com: "Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) vowed Thursday to do everything in his power to overturn the Supreme Court’s decision on Guantanamo Bay detainees, saying that, “if necessary,” he would push for a constitutional amendment to modify the decision.

McCain Says He's Never Supported Privatizing Social Security, But He Has

Think Progress » McCain denies his record of supporting Social Security privatization.:

- “Without privatization, I don’t see how you can possibly, over time, make sure that young Americans are able to receive Social Security benefits.” [C-Span Road to the White House, 11/18/2004]

- “As part of Social Security reform, I believe that private savings accounts are a part of it — along the lines that President Bush proposed.” [Wall Street Journal, 3/3/2008]


McCain is nuts. Does he not remember? Why would he contradict himself so obviously?

Monday, June 9, 2008

Does the Government Manipulate Economic Data?

Does the Government Manipulate Economic Data? at Emac’s Stock Watch | Fox Business: "A generation ago Phillips wrote “The Emerging Republican Majority” which Newsweek magazine described as the “political bible of the Nixon administration,” and previously has dissected the fakery in the government deficit numbers-federal, budget, current account and trade deficits-where he says that essentially the country is living on “borrowed prosperity.”"

At Obama's Request, DNC Will Not Accept PAC or Lobbyist Donations

DNC Will Not Accept PAC or Lobbyist Donations | Election Geek Blog 2008 Election News 24/7

Wednesday, June 4, 2008

McCain: I'd Spy on Americans Secretly, Too

McCain: I'd Spy on Americans Secretly, Too | Threat Level from Wired.com: "If elected president, Senator John McCain would reserve the right to run his own warrantless wiretapping program against Americans, based on the theory that the president's wartime powers trump federal criminal statutes and court oversight, according to a statement released by his campaign Monday."

McCain's newest advisor- and his opinions about how the Founding Fathers intended the President to have "near dictatorial power."

Newest McCain official: President has "near dictatorial powers" - Glenn Greenwald - Salon.com

McCain slams Obama for being weak on Iran, then promptly proposes the same sanctions Obama proposed a year ago

Daily Kos: State of the Nation: "by HoundDog"

New Venezuelan law allows warrantless wiretapping and manipulation of the judicial process to favor the government over the rights of the accused

BBC NEWS | Americas | Venezuela 'spy' law draws protest: "Mr Chavez argues the law will help Venezuela guarantee its national security and prevent assassination plots and military rebellions."

Good thing we live in America, where that would never, ever happen.

U.S. to require electronic travel data

U.S. to require electronic travel data | Politics | Reuters: "WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The United States will make visa-free foreign travelers provide electronic information about themselves and their trip before they depart, Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff said on Tuesday."

This will be good for tourism. And keep believing the Republican line that they are pro-business, and Dems aren't.

Canada's parliament votes to grant asylum to US war resisters

The Raw Story | Canada's parliament votes to grant asylum to US war resisters: "Parliament on Tuesday voted to allow US resisters of the Iraq war who fled to Canada to stay in this country, thus avoiding military court-martial in the United States."

Sunday, June 1, 2008

Carter Reveals Israel's Possession of 150 Nuclear Weapons

Carter Reveals Israel's Possession of 150 Nuclear Weapons - Salem-News.Com: "(SALEM, Ore.) - At this moment a search of 'Israel' in Google News turns up endless results. The first entry about a 'Call for PM to Step Down' shows 1,761 articles. If you search 'Carter' however, you pull up 214 stories with the biting revelation that Israel has 150 nuclear weapons."

Get the inspectors in there!!!!! If they balk for one second, we're going in!!

Australia lowers flag in Iraq

Australia lowers flag in Iraq - World - smh.com.au: "FOR Australian combat troops the war in Iraq is over."

Guantanamo trials 'being rushed' to get done before elections

BBC NEWS | Americas | Guantanamo trials 'being rushed': "They have called for the military judge to dismiss the case on the grounds it is politically motivated, according to documents seen by the Associated Press."

Coalition of the Billing: US paying allies to fight war in Iraq

US paying allies to fight war in Iraq-USA-World-The Times of India
"In her testimony, Ugone also revealed that $135 million were given to forces from three countries UK, South Korea and Poland to facilitate their participation in the war. This is the first time that the US has officially admitted paying its allies in the so-called Coalition of the Willing that invaded Iraq in March 2003."

In the first Gulf War, Bush Sr. got paid by our allies. In this one, Jr. is paying them.

Judge critical of Guantanamo war crimes case is dismissed - Los Angeles Times

Judge critical of Guantanamo war crimes case is dismissed - Los Angeles Times

Wednesday, May 28, 2008

Why do conservatives hate the ACLU?

KSDK NewsChannel 5 - St. Louis Woman Says She Lost Job over Harry Potter Dispute

Southern Baptist library worker refuses to work at Harry Potter promotional event, and is forced to quit. ACLU suing on her behalf, but don't let that stop you from claiming they're out to destroy religion (courtesy of fark)

Tuesday, May 27, 2008

Former White House Press Secretary, McClellan whacks Bush, White House

Exclusive: McClellan whacks Bush, White House - Mike Allen - Politico.com
"Former White House Press Secretary Scott McClellan writes in a surprisingly scathing memoir to be published next week that President Bush “veered terribly off course,” was not “open and forthright on Iraq,” and took a “permanent campaign approach” to governing at the expense of candor and competence.

Among the most explosive revelations in the 341-page book, titled “What Happened: Inside the Bush White House and Washington’s Culture of Deception” (Public Affairs, $27.95):

• McClellan charges that Bush relied on “propaganda” to sell the war.

• He says the White House press corps was too easy on the administration during the run-up to the war.

• He admits that some of his own assertions from the briefing room podium turned out to be “badly misguided.”

• The longtime Bush loyalist also suggests that two top aides held a secret West Wing meeting to get their story straight about the CIA leak case at a time when federal prosecutors were after them — and McClellan was continuing to defend them despite mounting evidence they had not given him all the facts.

• McClellan asserts that the aides — Karl Rove, the president’s senior adviser, and I. Lewis “Scooter” Libby, the vice president’s chief of staff — “had at best misled” him about their role in the disclosure of former CIA operative Valerie Plame’s identity."

Monday, May 26, 2008

John Boehner demands protection from illegal wiretapping - but only for himself

Boehner's wiretapping stance draws ire - Chris Frates - Politico.com
"'Mr. Boehner is trying to kick millions of Americans out of court in a wiretapping case while collecting more than $1 million in his own wiretapping case.'"

Gov't tells fed. judges that president can send military into any U.S. neighborhood, capture a citizen and hold him in prison w/o charge, indefinitely

'Sleeper cell' case tests Bush powers - Security- msnbc.com: "To justify holding him, the government claimed a broad interpretation of the president's wartime powers, one that goes beyond warrantless wiretapping or monitoring banking transactions. Government lawyers told federal judges that the president can send the military into any U.S. neighborhood, capture a citizen and hold him in prison without charge, indefinitely."

Sunday, May 25, 2008

Bush May 17, 2008: Saudi oil output hike would not solve US problems

AFP: Saudi oil output hike would not solve US problems: Bush: "'It's not enough, it's something but it doesn't solve our problem,' Bush told reporters in Egypt's Red Sea resort of Sharm el-Sheikh."

May 16, 2008: Saudi Arabia rebuffs Bush on oil output

Saudi Arabia rebuffs Bush on oil output - Saudi Arabia- msnbc.com
"It was Bush’s second personal appeal this year to King Abdullah, head of the monarchy that rules this desert kingdom that is a longtime prime U.S. ally and home to the world’s largest oil reserves."

Bush in June 2000: My Personality Will Drive Down Oil Prices

THE 2000 CAMPAIGN: THE TEXAS GOVERNOR; Bush Would Use Power of Persuasion to Raise Oil Supply - New York Times: "Gov. George W. Bush of Texas said today that if he was president, he would bring down gasoline prices through sheer force of personality, by creating enough political good will with oil-producing nations that they would increase their supply of crude."

Suicides of Vets from Iraq and Afghanistan May Exceed Combat Deaths

Bloomberg.com: Science: "May 5 (Bloomberg) -- The number of suicides among veterans
of wars in Iraq and Afghanistan may exceed the combat death toll
because of inadequate mental health care, the U.S. government's
top psychiatric researcher said."

How Does the Federal Reserve System Work?

Fox News Subliminal Message

Friday, May 23, 2008

Internal audit of $8 bil. paid to Iraqi and US contractors finds that the govt skirted rules designed to prevent fraud in almost every transaction

News from The Associated Press: "WASHINGTON (AP) -- An internal audit of some $8 billion paid to U.S. and Iraqi contractors found that nearly every transaction failed to comply with federal laws or regulations aimed at preventing fraud, in some cases lacking even basic invoices explaining how the money was spent."