The Truth Handler

Thursday, June 28, 2007

Political Chart - Members of Congress

"The two red dots in the libertarian quadrant are Ron Paul of Texas and Jeff Flake of Arizona."
2006 Freedom Democrats House Scorecard | Freedom Democrats

You can take the quiz yourself - click here.

What the chart shows is that Republicans are NOT for small government, by any definition. They are philosophically authoritarian. They prefer less economic and less personal freedoms for us all. Despite their go-go "they hate us for our freedoms" rhetoric, they themselves prefer we have less freedoms. Please keep this in mind next time a Republican tries to tell you that s/he votes that way because they don't like "big government." Maybe you can unburden them from the propaganda which has manipulated them.

More on the Recently Released CIA Files

"The nature of the experiments, gathered from government documents and testimony in numerous lawsuits brought against the CIA, is shocking, from testing LSD on children to implanting electrodes in victims' brains to deliberately poisoning people with uranium.

"The CIA bought my services from my grandfather in 1952 starting at the tender age of four," wrote Carol Rutz of her experiences.

"Over the next 12 years, I was tested, trained, and used in various ways. Electroshock, drugs, hypnosis, sensory deprivation, and other types of trauma were used to make me complain and split my personality (to create multiple personalities for specific tasks). Each alter or personality was created to respond to a post-hypnotic trigger, then perform an act and (I would) not remember it later."

The Australian: Agency's Strangeloves altered mind of a girl aged 4 [ 28jun07 ]

Wasn't one of the excuses that we "deposed" Saddam because he "gassed his own people" (gasp!)? A perfect country like the U.S. would NEVER do something as horrible as this! Right?

Norm Coleman Hypocrite Pot Smoker

“Angered by the senator’s stance on marijuana laws, an old classmate of Norm Coleman reminded the Minnesota Republican of his college days smoking joints in a dorm room, Roll Call reports. Norm Kent, Coleman’s classmate at Hofstra University in New York, sent Coleman a letter reminiscing about their hazy times during college, such as when Coleman smoked pot while standing on the roof of a campus building during a protest. ‘Welcome to the crowd of those who have become a likeness of which they despised,’ Kent wrote in the letter posted at celebstoner.com. ‘Welcome to the mindless myriad of legislators who gather in cocktail lounges to manhandle their martinis while passing laws against drunk driving.’ Kent, who is a board member of the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws, was upset after receiving a form letter from Coleman noting his opposition to marijuana legalization…. ‘Years ago, in a lifetime far away, you did not oppose the legalization of marijuana,’ Kent says in the letter, reminding Coleman when ‘you, me … and a wealth of other students smoked dope.’”

The Raw Story | Republican senator's hazy past revealed by former classmate

House Members Seek $4,400 Pay Raise

"Despite low approval ratings and hard feelings from last year's elections, Democrats and Republicans in the House are reaching out for an approximately $4,400 pay raise that would increase their salaries to almost $170,000.

The cost-of-living raise endorsed Wednesday evening gets lawmakers back on track for automatic pay raises after a fight between the parties last year and again in January killed the pay increase due this year. That was the first interruption of the annual congressional pay boost in seven years.

The blowup came after Democrats last year fulfilled a campaign promise to deny themselves more pay until Congress raised the minimum wage. Delays in the minimum wage bill cost every lawmaker about $3,100 this year."

House Members Seek $4,400 Pay Raise

Gee, I wonder if it will pass?

U.S. forces turning to ‘indirect’ war tactics

“Almost six years after the worst attack ever on U.S. soil, special operations commanders believe that simply killing terrorists will not win a war against an ideologically motivated enemy. That view is reflected in a series of transitions in special operations leadership posts. New senior officers are expected to give greater weight to an indirect approach to warfare, a slow and disciplined process that calls for supporting groups or nations willing to back U.S. interests.”

U.S. turns to 'indirect' war tactics - Military Affairs - MSNBC.com

Unfortunately, the "nations willing to back U.S. interests" are critically fewer in number than they were before Bush took office. His "unilateral" actions and dishonesty have ruined the U.S.'s credibility. As I've said many times, the best "indirect tactic" is to be a good example. The most persuasive argument we can have is to run our country and government with integrity, honesty, caring, and humanity. All Bush has done is make it easier for dictators to justify their iron-hand control, by pointing to the U.S.'s dishonest and murderous actions.

Poll finds mistrust of Bush abroad - 37 of 47 Countries Express Doubts

"Fueled by the Iraq war and the perception that the United States acts without consulting others, anti-Americanism is on the rise across the Muslim world and much of Europe, while global confidence in President Bush has plummeted, a global poll released yesterday shows."

Poll finds mistrust of Bush abroad - The Boston Globe

How does this help our aims?

Warren Buffet Pays Less Tax Than His Secretary

Warren Buffet pays 18% tax on his $48,000,000 income while his secretary pays 30% tax on her $60,000 income

TaxProf Blog: Warren Buffet Pays 17.7% Tax Rate; His Employees Pay 32.9%

A complicated tax code benefits the rich. Their accountants and lawyers find loopholes for them that the poor cannot afford to take advantage of. Laws designed to aid the middle class tax burden are inevitably taken advantage of by the wealthy. Simple, easy to understand laws are the best way to aid the underclasses. Being able to understand your rights without hiring expensive lawyers is the best way to level the playing field.

Wednesday, June 27, 2007

Jonah Goldberg Needs to Take His Own Logic One Step Further

"Sure, the act of building consensus often requires sacrificing on your most preferred policies. But such consensus-building actually persuades the public, the bureaucracy and legislators of the necessity to act and reduces the chances they’ll turn their back on the whole effort. The Cheney method instead creates a blowback that hobbles your efforts in the long run far more than compromise does." (emphasis mine)

Jonah Goldberg on Dick Cheney on National Review Online

Jonah, you've got it! I'm so happy you've finally seen the light! Now, simply apply what you've learned to foreign policy. Unilateral action doesn't work there either! You get blowback which hobbles our long-run efforts...I couldn't have said it better myself!

FBI Wants to Restrict Student Freedoms

"US university students will not be able to work late at the campus,
travel abroad, show interest in their colleagues' work, have friends
outside the United States, engage in independent research, or make
extra money without the prior consent of the authorities, according to
a set of guidelines given to administrators by the FBI."

FBI to restrict student freedoms | Press Esc

How close to the old Soviet Union are you guys willing to let our country go for "safety?"

Tuesday, June 26, 2007

What Happens to Those that Speak Out Against Bushco

"She’s been smeared as “crazy” and as a “disgruntled contract bidder.” And something nastier: after her intention to speak became known, Simpson’s house was burned to the ground, and her car was driven off the road and totaled. Clearly, there are some very powerful people in Alabama who feel threatened. Her case starts to sound like a chapter out of John Grisham’s book The Pelican Brief."

"Justice in Alabama" by Scott Horton (Harper's Magazine)

Burned her house down...wow.

African states oppose US presence

"The Libyan and Algerian governments reportedly told Mr Henry this month that they would play no part in hosting Africom. Despite recently improved relations with the US, both said they would urge their neighbours not to do so, either, due to fears of future American intervention. Even Morocco, considered Washington's closest north African ally, indicated it did not welcome a permanent military presence on its soil.

"We've got a big image problem down there," a state department official admitted. "Public opinion is really against getting into bed with the US. They just don't trust the US.""

African states oppose US presence | Special reports | Guardian Unlimited

More bad results from our tough-guy, black & white, unilateral foreign policy. Instead of leading by example, respecting other nations and their cultures, and using persuasion rather than force (as Dr. Ron Paul suggests), we have done the opposite. Now, other countries will not work with us, and may just work against us. They are afraid we will turn against them, as our word is not good anymore. Our credibility is gone.

Culturally, we are in the midst of a war of ideology right now. With the advent of the internet and instantaneous information, more than ever before, religious, economic, and social ideas are being brought to corners of the world that never had the opportunity to hear them before. Our example, as a country is being watched by more eyes than ever before. Therefore, it is important that we put our best foot forward. One of integrity, credibility, and honor so that our ideas of freedom, free markets, and equal rights win the day in the battlefield of ideas.

Afghan opium production 'soars'

"Opium production in Afghanistan is soaring out of control, the annual UN report on illegal drugs says.

The World Drug Report says more than 90% of illegal opium, which is used to make heroin, comes from Afghanistan."

BBC NEWS | South Asia | Afghan opium production 'soars'

Another ruinous metric of this failed war. Which war? The "war" on drugs? The war against "terrorists?" The war against those who let terrorists in their country (Taliban)? Take your pick.

Monday, June 25, 2007

White House of Mirrors

"President Bush has turned the executive branch into a two-way mirror. They get to see everything Americans do: our telephone calls, e-mail, and all manner of personal information. And we get to see nothing about what they do.

Everyone knows this administration has disdained openness and accountability since its first days. That is about the only thing it does not hide. But recent weeks have produced disturbing disclosures about just how far Mr. Bush’s team is willing to go to keep lawmakers and the public in the dark."

White House of Mirrors - New York Times

Number of Americans who believe Saddam-9/11 tie rises to 41 percent

"A new Newsweek poll out this weekend exposed "gaps" in America's knowledge of history and current events.

Perhaps most alarmingly, 41% of Americans answered 'Yes' to the question "Do you think Saddam Hussein’s regime in Iraq was directly involved in planning, financing, or carrying out the terrorist attacks of September 11th, 2001?"

That total is actually up 5 points since September 2004.

Further, a majority of people couldn't identify Saudia Arabia as the country of origin of most of the 9/11 hijackers, even given the question in multiple choice format. 20% answered Iraq, while 14% believed the hijackers came from Iran."

The Raw Story | Number of Americans who believe Saddam-9/11 tie rises to 41 percent

Wow.

Librarians Describe Life Under An FBI Gag Order

"After the ACLU took on the case and it went to court in Bridgeport, the librarians were not allowed to attend their own hearing. Instead, they had to watch it on closed circuit TV from a locked courtroom in Hartford, 60 miles away. "Our presence in the courtroom was declared a threat to national security," Chase said."

Threat Level - Wired Blogs

The Patriot Act - keeping librarians shut up since 2001.

Afghan civilians reportedly killed more by U.S., NATO than insurgents

"U.S.-led coalition and NATO forces fighting insurgents in Afghanistan have killed at least 203 civilians so far this year — surpassing the 178 civilians killed in militant attacks, according to an Associated Press tally."

Afghan civilians reportedly killed more by U.S., NATO than insurgents - USATODAY.com

It's time to get out when we're doing more harm than good. Some of you feel that doing something is better then doing nothing, but sometimes doing something is more damaging than doing nothing...especially if it infringes on a native culture's rights and sovereignty.

Americans set record for charity in 2006

"Americans gave nearly $300 billion to charitable causes last year, setting a new record and besting the 2005 total that had been boosted by a surge in aid to victims of hurricanes Katrina, Rita and Wilma and the Asian tsunami.

Donors contributed an estimated $295.02 billion in 2006, a 1 percent increase when adjusted for inflation, up from $283.05 billion in 2005."

AP News | The Columbia Daily Tribune

People often feel charity stems from government, and if we cut its programs, charities will go unfunded. This story shows that people give to charities in huge numbers. The bonus is, they give to the ones they want, not the ones they are forced to, and whose purpose they invariably disagree with.

Federal wages eclipse private-sector pay

"Federal workers, on average, are paid almost 50 percent more than employees in the private sector, an Asbury Park Press analysis of salary data shows.

The average federal worker made $59,864 in 2005, compared with the
average salary of $40,505 in the private sector, according to the
latest data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

And that pay gap appears to have widened in the first nine months of 2006, preliminary data show."

Federal wages eclipse private-sector pay

Bushco Changing Terminology to Call Everyone Shooting at US "al Qaida"

"U.S. forces continue to battle Shiite militia in the south as well as Shiite militia and Sunni insurgents in Baghdad. Yet America's most wanted enemy at the moment is Sunni al Qaida in Iraq. The Bush administration's recent shift toward calling the enemy in Iraq "al Qaida" rather than an insurgency may reflect the difficulty in maintaining support for the war at home more than it does the nature of the enemy in Iraq."

Glenn Greenwald - Salon

This is just insulting to our intelligence.

Bush claims oversight exemption too

"The White House said Friday that, like Vice President Dick Cheney's office, President Bush's office is not allowing an independent federal watchdog to oversee its handling of classified national security information.

An executive order that Bush issued in March 2003 — amending an existing order — requires all government agencies that are part of the executive branch to submit to oversight. Although it doesn't specifically say so, Bush's order was not meant to apply to the vice president's office or the president's office, a White House spokesman said."

Bush claims oversight exemption too - Los Angeles Times

This regime is out of control. They want to operate outside of any laws...even their own. The desperation is palpable.

Cheney exerts influence out of public view

WP: Cheney exerts influence out of public view - washingtonpost.com Highlights - MSNBC.com

Long, in-depth article on how Cheney works in the shadows.

Friday, June 22, 2007

White House closing Guantanamo: 'As soon as possible'

“The president does not want to be the world’s jailer,’’ said Dana Perino, deputy press secretary. Neither has he put “a timeline’’ on a closing...

“The president has been on record over the years saying he wants to close Guantanamo Bay,’’ Perino said. “He has committed the administration to working toward that end.’’

Chicago Tribune: White House closing Guantanamo: 'As soon as possible'

Hahahaha!!! Talk about revisionist history! Bush has defended Guantanamo tooth-and-nail right up to this announcement! He has argued for being the "world's jailer" the whole time! Can you believe this? What is it like to try and defend this guy and his policies, Republicans? I feel sorry for you. It must be very frustrating.

MUST READ: Only one in six of UK's richest men is paying any income tax

"The super-rich are using loopholes to avoid paying £2billion a year in income tax, official figures have revealed.

Only one in six of those earning more than £10million a year is paying tax on their earnings - with the rest using loopholes to dodge the burden.

The revelation will fuel anger over the private equity tycoons who are making vast fortunes while the gap between rich and poor widens."

Only one in six of UK's richest men is paying any income tax | the Daily Mail

Observe this closely, my friends. This is how a complicated tax system works. The rich can afford lawyers and accountants to use the complicated web of credits and write-offs to avoid paying taxes. Poor people cannot afford to do this. Conservatives whine about the rich paying "more than their fair share," pointing at the higher income tax rate for the wealthy. But, as you can see, this is not the case at all.

Remember this next time your political representative comes up with this great tax incentive to give a break to the underprivileged...simplicity best benefits the poor. Complications are the constructs of the upper classes. They have the smell and feel of helping the poor or middle class, but they don't. When laws and rules are few, and we don't have to hire expensive lawyers to know if we did anything wrong, we are the most free.

Cheney Tries To Abolish Agency Requesting Docs

"...the National Archives protested the Vice President's position in letters written in June 2006 and August 2006. When these letters were ignored, the National Archives wrote to Attorney General Alberto Gonzales in January 2007 to seek a resolution of the impasse. The Vice President's staff responded by seeking to abolish the agency within the Archives that is responsible for implementing the President's executive order."

Dan Froomkin - Cheney: Neither Here Nor There? - washingtonpost.com

Whether there's anything to hide or not, this just isn't how a democratic government should work.

Documents: CIA tapped, tailed newsmen

"Little-known documents made public Thursday detail illegal and scandalous activities by the CIA more than 30 years ago — wiretappings of journalists, kidnappings, warrantless searches and more."

Documents: CIA tapped, tailed newsmen - USATODAY.com

Let freedom ring.

Abu Gharib Truth Beginning to Leak

"Gen. Antonio Taguba is one of America’s most respected senior officers, was put in charge of the Abu Ghraib investigation, and has now leveled a series of powerful public charges that will soon blow this case sky-high.

Gen. Taguba went public early this week in long on-the-record interviews with Sy Hersh reported in his New Yorker piece now on newsstands.

Among other things, Taguba says:

1. He was ordered not to investigate higher-ups in the chain of command, which means there was (is) a cover-up protecting the highest-ranking Bush administration officials who might have criminal liability."

The Hill’s Pundit Blog » Abu Ghraib Cover-up About to Explode

Putin’s War-whoop: The impending clash with Russia

"It is world in which there is one master, one sovereign--- one center of authority, one center of force, one center of decision-making. And at the end of the day this is pernicious not only for all those within this system, but also for the sovereign itself because it destroys itself from within.

It has nothing in common with democracy, which is the power of the majority in respect to the interests and opinions of the minority.

In Russia, we are constantly being lectured about democracy. But for some reason those who teach us do not want to learn themselves." Russian President Vladimir Putin’s address to the Munich Conference on Security Policy 2-10-07"

Putin’s War-whoop: The impending clash with Russia :: from www.uruknet.info :: news from occupied Iraq - it

Bush's tough talk turns potential global partners on many issues into adversaries.

Hugo Chavez May Buy Sub Fleet

"Venezuelan could buy a fleet of submarines as part of its broad-ranging military purchases, President Hugo Chavez said on Thursday, a week after reports his government would buy submarines from Russia.

Chavez, a self-described leftist revolutionary, has sparked criticism from Washington with a string of military acquisitions including Russian rifles and fighter jets which he says are necessary to defend the OPEC nation from a possible U.S. attack."

Hugo Chavez May Buy Sub Fleet

Hmmmm...I wonder how he can afford this. Also, I wonder why Russia feels so emboldened to sell them to him... (hint: oil)

Thursday, June 21, 2007

The American Conservative's Article on Ron Paul

“It was a dangerous night in South Carolina: the ten candidates for the Republican nomination gathered, and a debate broke out. Damage control was swift. Party elders rushed to excommunicate the instigator. Pundits howled, bloggers convulsed: ‘moonbat on Kool Aid,’ ‘crackpot,’ ‘cuckoo for Cocoa Puffs.’ But for all that pious fury, a candidate few Americans had heard of owned the next day’s headlines. Ron Paul had committed the sin of truth — and the reaction revealed much about the party that shunned him.”

Stupid Party - The American Conservative

Ron Paul Going International

“I was dumbfounded last week when three radio stations, one in Spain and two in Latin America, asked me to explain who American presidential hopeful Ron Paul is and why his candidacy in the Republican primaries has generated such a buzz. The congressman from Texas has hardly registered in national polls but is a political celebrity in the blogosphere and on cable TV Web sites, and has been the subject of front-page stories in The Washington Post and other major news outlets. Apparently, he is making waves around the world too.”

Why Ron Paul?: Newsroom: The Independent Institute

Ron Paul Bringing Back Traditional American Values

“Ron Paul is not your typical Republican presidential candidate, and that’s unfortunate for the Grand Ol’ Party. He’s the only one of ten GOP candidates who opposed the war in Iraq and he’s the only one who opposed the Patriot Act. Even Hillary Clinton and Barak Obama voted in favor of the Patriot Act, and Clinton voted in favor of the war in 2003. During the first debate between the crowded Republican field of candidates, Paul was asked if he really ought to be running as a Democrat. That’s a chilling indictment on the party of the first Ron, Ronald Reagan. Republicans used to stand for limited government, low taxes, freedom, and liberty. Is Ron Paul the only such Republican left?"

FAIRFIELD WEEKLY - FAIRFIELD WEEKLY

Army Sees Spike in Accidents, Suicides

"The acting secretary of the U.S. Army says he is seeing a troubling spike in key morale indicators among soldiers -- suicide, divorces and accidents."

United Press International - Security & Terrorism - Briefing

Is there another statistic more telling than this?

Is Israel Really the Most Needy Country?

"Israel currently receives $2.4 billion annually in militry aid. This is in addition to the dozens of million dollar loans given to Israel of which most have been forgiven. Since 1973, Israel has cost the United States about $1.6 trillion. If divided by today’s population, that is more than $5,700 for every man, woman and child in Israel, yet Israel is listed as one of the top twenty wealthiest nations.

Sure would be nice if our own government could hand every man woman and child in the United States $5,700. Nope, instead we get some bullshit tax break from Bush amounting to a couple hundred bucks."

Bring it On! » Blog Archive » Bush Pledges more Free Money to Israel

Cheney tells agency that Vice President's office is not part of the executive branch

"The Vice President's office's refusal to comply with the executive order and the National Archives's request prompted the National Archives to file a complaint with the Attorney General's office. But the Justice Department has not followed up on the Archives's request."

The Raw Story | Cheney tells agency that Vice President's office is not part of the executive branch

America is about shining a light into the corners of government, not about working in the dark, in secret. Democracy is about open government, not this.

Olbermann Shows More O'Reilly Hypocracy

Crooks and Liars Media

Sean Hannity Quotes

"Why should one U.S. airman give up his life when our national security is not in imminent danger?"
March 24, 1999

"Congressman Moran, a couple of things that are in my mind. Number one is the president has really failed to lay out before the American people the reasons why we need to be involved militarily. That's number one.

And then we go back to Henry Kissinger's test, which is number one, is there a vital U.S. national interest? And do we have a plan to disengage? What's the exit strategy? I don't see that we've met that test either. And why does it have to happen this second, this hour? Why don't we have a national debate first?"
March 24, 1999

"But you know what? There's a lot of massacres going on in the world. As you know, 37,000 Kurds in Turkey, over a million people in Sudan. We have hundreds of thousands in Rwanda and Burundi. I mean, where do we stop?"
March 24, 1999

"Slobodan Milosevic is a bad guy. He's an evil man. Horrible things are happening. I agree with that. Is Bill O'Reilly then saying we go to Rwanda, Burundi, Somalia, Sudan? Where does this stop? And when you look at sheer numbers, 2,000 -- and I'm not minimizing death. It's horrible. What this man is doing with ethnic cleansing is abhorrent, but sheer numbers -- 2,000 killed in the last year versus hundreds of thousands, millions in some cases in other parts of the world. Are you saying the United States should go to all those places?"
on "The O'Reilly Factor," April 5, 1999

Wednesday, June 20, 2007

Military knew children were present but considered risk worth it

"U.S. special operations forces were targeting the leader of al-Qaida in Afghanistan — one of the organization's top commanders — when they launched an attack against a compound that killed seven children Sunday in Paktika province of eastern Afghanistan, U.S. officials tell NBC News."

NBC: Attack that killed kids targeted al-Qaida leader - International Terrorism - MSNBC.com

We don't want to be this country, do we? I feel like I'm reading something from some dictator in Africa. "We must kill all revolutionaries at all costs!" Come on, killing children with our tax dollars?

Guess the Quote!

Let’s play a game this Tuesday. See if you can guess who/which organization offered this gem: “The rule of law, the very foundation for a free society, has been under assault, not only by criminals from the ground up, but also from the top down. An administration that lives by evasion, coverup, stonewalling, and duplicity has given us a totally discredited Department of Justice. The credibility of those who now manage the nation’s top law enforcement agency is tragically eroded. We are fortunate to have its dedicated career workforce, especially its criminal prosecutors, who have faced the unprecedented politicization of decisions regarding both personnel and investigations.”

E-mails? What e-mails?? - Couric & Co.

Democrats going after Bush and Gonzales, right? Nope. Bush in 2000 running for president. Hypocrite.

You Owe $516,348. Pay Up...or Make Your Grandchildren Pay

"Bottom line: Taxpayers are now on the hook for a record $59.1 trillion in liabilities, a 2.3% increase from 2006. That amount is equal to $516,348 for every U.S. household. By comparison, U.S. households owe an average of $112,043 for mortgages, car loans, credit cards and all other debt combined."

Taxpayers on the hook for $59 trillion - USATODAY.com

Come on folks. Is any of this sinking in yet? Do you realize these debts are going to come due sometime? Do you realize we are just pushing them out to our children?

Iraq becomes prime training ground for export of Jihadists

"Iraq has overtaken Afghanistan as an ideal training ground for Jihadists to export their battle across and beyond the Middle East, experts say. The new generation of Islamist militants in Iraq are more battle-hardened than their veteran anti-Soviet counterparts from Afghanistan, and the export of their Muslim "holy war" to calmer Arab countries has become a phenomenon."

Iraq becomes prime training ground for export of Jihadists - Yahoo! News

Again, we are not safer because of this war. We shouldn't believe, "they will follow us home," just like we should have believed, "they will welcome us with flowers," or "there are WMD's," or "it won't be a quagmire," or any other predictions the perpetuators of this war have put forth to us. They are lying or they are the worst political analysts in the history of the world. Either way, we should not believe their attempts to scare us anymore. If anything, we should do the exact opposite of what they suggest, as that seems to be what eventually turns out to be true.