1) Complete Antonin Scalia's statement about the Constitution: "I don't think it's a living document. _________________"
Clarence doesn't, either.
And people who say it is are idiots.
I think it's dead.2)....
Wednesday, April 30, 2008
Former Guantanamo Prosecutor Now Says Bush Admin. Ignoring Constitution for Political Gain
Crooks and Liars » Countdown’s Bushed!: Hidden Agendas Edition
And finally, in an ironic twist in the Nexus of Politics and Terror, the original prosecutor of the Hamdan case, Col. Morris Davis, is testifying on behalf of Salim Hamdan and speaking out over the kangaroo courts that the Bush administration is demanding to be able to claim progress in their War on Terror™.
Davis didn’t just say the Hamdan argument wasn’t right, since it permits the use of evidence obtained by coercion or torture, to say nothing of hearsay, he also quoted the former general counsel of the Defense Department who he says told him “We can’t have acquittals. We’ve been holding these guys for years. How can we explain acquittals? We have to have convictions.” Col. Davis put it simply: he was under pressure to hurry through cases and get those convictions, so President Bush could use them politically before the 2006 mid-terms (elections).Guantanamo cases aimed to pique U.S. imagination
Guantanamo cases aimed to pique U.S. imagination - Yahoo! News: "GUANTANAMO BAY U.S. NAVAL BASE, Cuba (Reuters) -
A Pentagon legal adviser accused of improperly influencing the Guantanamo war crimes prosecutions dictated which cases would be tried based on how likely they were to pique U.S. public interest, a prosecutor testified on Tuesday."
A Pentagon legal adviser accused of improperly influencing the Guantanamo war crimes prosecutions dictated which cases would be tried based on how likely they were to pique U.S. public interest, a prosecutor testified on Tuesday."
Monday, April 28, 2008
Sunday, April 27, 2008
Inmate Count in U.S. Dwarfs Other Nations’ - New York Times
Inmate Count in U.S. Dwarfs Other Nations’ - New York Times: "Indeed, the United States leads the world in producing prisoners, a reflection of a relatively recent and now entirely distinctive American approach to crime and punishment. Americans are locked up for crimes — from writing bad checks to using drugs — that would rarely produce prison sentences in other countries. And in particular they are kept incarcerated far longer than prisoners in other nations."
Land of the "free," right? If we have more laws than anyone else, does that mean we're more free?
Land of the "free," right? If we have more laws than anyone else, does that mean we're more free?
Saturday, April 26, 2008
Dave Barry on the Economic Stimulus Payment
Dave Barry on the Economic Stimulus Payment
"This year, taxpayers will receive an Economic Stimulus Payment. This is a very exciting new program that I will explain using the Q and A format:
"Q. What is an Economic Stimulus Payment?
"A. It is money that the federal government will send to taxpayers.
"Q. Where will the government get this money?
"A. From taxpayers.
"Q. So the government is giving me back my own money?
"A. Only a smidgen.
"Q. What is the purpose of this payment?
"A. The plan is that you will use the money to purchase a high-definition TV set, thus stimulating the economy.
"Q. But isn't that stimulating the economy of China?
"A. Shut up."
"This year, taxpayers will receive an Economic Stimulus Payment. This is a very exciting new program that I will explain using the Q and A format:
"Q. What is an Economic Stimulus Payment?
"A. It is money that the federal government will send to taxpayers.
"Q. Where will the government get this money?
"A. From taxpayers.
"Q. So the government is giving me back my own money?
"A. Only a smidgen.
"Q. What is the purpose of this payment?
"A. The plan is that you will use the money to purchase a high-definition TV set, thus stimulating the economy.
"Q. But isn't that stimulating the economy of China?
"A. Shut up."
Friday, April 25, 2008
Tanks, Rockets Roll Across Red Square in Soviet Parade Revival
Bloomberg.com: News: "April 24 (Bloomberg) -- More than 100 tanks, rocket launchers and armored vehicles, flanked by 8,000 soldiers, rattled across the tarmac, while sorties of jet fighters ripped through the sky as army generals saluted below."
Bush should be so proud. He's brought the cold war back! Russia was weak and not very influential in the world until Bush's war, fiscal & monetary policies, drove the price of Russia's number one export up by 5x, and made them rich and significant in the world again.
Thursday, April 24, 2008
White House challenges release of visitor logs
White House challenges release of visitor logs - Yahoo! News
Remember how Republicans attacked Clinton for having donors stay in the Lincoln bedroom? Well, Bush has the ethical solution...don't release that data!
Remember how Republicans attacked Clinton for having donors stay in the Lincoln bedroom? Well, Bush has the ethical solution...don't release that data!
Bush Secrecy Policies have Transformed U.S. Government from "Open" to "Closed"
Bush Secrecy Policies have Transformed U.S. Government from "Open" to "Closed"
Democracies are supposed to be about keeping citizens' lives private and government operations open and full of sunlight. Bush's idea of government doesn't resemble this, it looks like a different form of government.
Democracies are supposed to be about keeping citizens' lives private and government operations open and full of sunlight. Bush's idea of government doesn't resemble this, it looks like a different form of government.
AFP: Israel downplays US spy affair
AFP: Israel downplays US spy affair: "US officials on Tuesday said they had arrested Ben-Ami Kadish on charges that he disclosed secret defence information, including on nuclear weapons, to Israel in a case linked to the 1980s Jonathan Pollard spy scandal."
Why would our "ally" steal nuclear secrets from us? And if they steal from us, are they our "ally?"
Why would our "ally" steal nuclear secrets from us? And if they steal from us, are they our "ally?"
US Christian Leaders support Bush's use of Torture
US Christian Leaders support Bush's use of Torture -- Signs of the Times News: "Dr. James Dobson, founder of Focus On The Family, has criticized Republican presidential candidate Senator John McCain's opposition to the U.S. government's use of torture."
WWJD? Clearly, he would torture and pre-emptively strike.
WWJD? Clearly, he would torture and pre-emptively strike.
Harper to U.S.: don’t forget who has the oil
Harper to U.S.: don’t forget who has the oil
This is precisely why spending $3 trillion on a war to keep us on this energy source is making us weaker, not stronger. The U.S. simply doesn't have the oil in the world. By staying dependent on it, we are making other nations richer, and making us subservient to their demands. If $3 trillion had been spent internally, to get us off this dependence, we'd be a stronger, more self-reliant nation.
This is precisely why spending $3 trillion on a war to keep us on this energy source is making us weaker, not stronger. The U.S. simply doesn't have the oil in the world. By staying dependent on it, we are making other nations richer, and making us subservient to their demands. If $3 trillion had been spent internally, to get us off this dependence, we'd be a stronger, more self-reliant nation.
US 'war on terror' backfiring, says thinktank
US 'war on terror' backfiring, says thinktank | World news | guardian.co.uk: "The US 'war on terror' has backfired, strengthening extremists in Afghanistan and Somalia and turning them into legitimate political actors in the eyes of their local populations, a thinktank said today."
Wednesday, April 23, 2008
12,235 stop lossed, and growing
More forced to stay in Army - USATODAY.com: "Gates directed the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and the service secretaries to minimize mandatory tour extensions, known as 'stop loss,' in January 2007. By May, the number of soldiers affected by the policy had dropped to a three-year low of 8,540."
Tuesday, April 22, 2008
Oh, Darn. Torture victim's records lost at Guantánamo, admits camp general
Torture victim's records lost at Guantánamo, admits camp general | World news | The Guardian: "The former head of interrogations at Guantánamo Bay found that records of an al-Qaida suspect tortured at the prison camp were mysteriously lost by the US military, according to a new book by one of Britain's top human rights lawyers."
FBI purposely stalled national security letter process to justify their complaint that it takes too long
EFF Report: FBI Slowed Terror Investigation with Improper NSL Request | Electronic Frontier Foundation: "EFF's report comes as the House Judiciary Committee prepares for a Tuesday hearing on the misuse of NSLs. The Senate Judiciary Committee will hold another hearing on Wednesday."
Problem: Not Enough Enlistees Solution: Let In More Convicted Felons
ABC News: More Felons Allowed to Enlist in Military: "Under pressure to meet combat needs, the Army and Marine Corps brought in significantly more recruits with felony convictions last year than in 2006, including some with manslaughter and sex crime convictions."
Sunday, April 20, 2008
Your domestic propaganda tax dollars at work: Those military analysts on TV helping you understand the war? Yeah, they're shilling for the pentagon
Behind Military Analysts, the Pentagon’s Hidden Hand - New York Times: "Published: April 20, 2008"
My own tax dollars going to propagandize me. What a good deal!
My own tax dollars going to propagandize me. What a good deal!
Bush Administration Violates Federal Law
President Is Rebuffed on Program for Children - New York Times: "WASHINGTON — The Bush administration violated federal law last year when it restricted states’ ability to provide health insurance to children of middle-income families, and its new policy is therefore unenforceable, lawyers from the Government Accountability Office said Friday."
Wait, I'm confused, I thought Republicans were for states' rights, not centralized control.
Wait, I'm confused, I thought Republicans were for states' rights, not centralized control.
Saturday, April 19, 2008
Top Bush aides pushed for Guantánamo torture
Top Bush aides pushed for Guantánamo torture | World news | The Guardian: "America's most senior general was 'hoodwinked' by top Bush administration officials determined to push through aggressive interrogation techniques of terror suspects held at Guantánamo Bay, leading to the US military abandoning its age-old ban on the cruel and inhumane treatment of prisoners, the Guardian reveals today."
Friday, April 18, 2008
South Korean Cadets Think U.S. is #1 Enemy
Stars and Stripes: S. Korean cadets’ views shaped by a skewed education: "SEOUL — When the Korea Military Academy asked its incoming cadets in 2004 to name South Korea’s main enemy, they were shocked at the answer: 34 percent said the United States while only 33 percent said North Korea."
Yes, let's continue to keep our troops there for another 50 years. It's working out great for us!
Yes, let's continue to keep our troops there for another 50 years. It's working out great for us!
British sailors captured by Iran were in disputed waters
British sailors captured by Iran were in disputed waters: report - Yahoo! News: "Citing documents released by the defence ministry under Freedom of Information laws, the newspaper said the contingent of Britons was captured because the US-led coalition in Iraq had unilaterally designated a maritime boundary for Iraq and Iran without informing the latter."
Remember how the news and the Bush administration cited this as Iranian aggression, calling it a "kidnapping?" Well, the Iranians returned them quickly, without being tortured, even though they were the ones in the right, and the ones being threatened. We've held people in Guantanamo for YEARS from whom we felt threatened and are only now slowly releasing them without filing any charges. It's a sad day when Iran, the country our government is telling us is our enemy, is treating their prisoners better than we are.
Remember how the news and the Bush administration cited this as Iranian aggression, calling it a "kidnapping?" Well, the Iranians returned them quickly, without being tortured, even though they were the ones in the right, and the ones being threatened. We've held people in Guantanamo for YEARS from whom we felt threatened and are only now slowly releasing them without filing any charges. It's a sad day when Iran, the country our government is telling us is our enemy, is treating their prisoners better than we are.
George Washington's Farewell Address 1796
The Avalon Project : Washington's Farewell Address 1796: "1796"
"So likewise, a passionate attachment of one nation for another produces a variety of evils. Sympathy for the favorite nation, facilitating the illusion of an imaginary common interest in cases where no real common interest exists, and infusing into one the enmities of the other, betrays the former into a participation in the quarrels and wars of the latter without adequate inducement or justification. It leads also to concessions to the favorite nation of privileges denied to others which is apt doubly to injure the nation making the concessions; by unnecessarily parting with what ought to have been retained, and by exciting jealousy, ill-will, and a disposition to retaliate, in the parties from whom equal privileges are withheld. And it gives to ambitious, corrupted, or deluded citizens (who devote themselves to the favorite nation), facility to betray or sacrifice the interests of their own country, without odium, sometimes even with popularity; gilding, with the appearances of a virtuous sense of obligation, a commendable deference for public opinion, or a laudable zeal for public good, the base or foolish compliances of ambition, corruption, or infatuation. ?"
Hmmm, does this sound applicable to anything going on today in the U.S.? Boy, let me think...for which "favorite nation" are "deluded citizens" willing "to betray or sacrifice the interests of their own country" for?
"So likewise, a passionate attachment of one nation for another produces a variety of evils. Sympathy for the favorite nation, facilitating the illusion of an imaginary common interest in cases where no real common interest exists, and infusing into one the enmities of the other, betrays the former into a participation in the quarrels and wars of the latter without adequate inducement or justification. It leads also to concessions to the favorite nation of privileges denied to others which is apt doubly to injure the nation making the concessions; by unnecessarily parting with what ought to have been retained, and by exciting jealousy, ill-will, and a disposition to retaliate, in the parties from whom equal privileges are withheld. And it gives to ambitious, corrupted, or deluded citizens (who devote themselves to the favorite nation), facility to betray or sacrifice the interests of their own country, without odium, sometimes even with popularity; gilding, with the appearances of a virtuous sense of obligation, a commendable deference for public opinion, or a laudable zeal for public good, the base or foolish compliances of ambition, corruption, or infatuation. ?"
Hmmm, does this sound applicable to anything going on today in the U.S.? Boy, let me think...for which "favorite nation" are "deluded citizens" willing "to betray or sacrifice the interests of their own country" for?
Attitudes Toward US Worsen in Arab World
Attitudes Toward US Worsen in Arab World - by Jim Lobe: "Nearly two-thirds, or 64 percent, of more than 4,000 respondents in Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon, Morocco, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) said they held a 'very unfavorable' attitude of the United States, up from 57 percent in late 2006, while 19 percent more said their views were 'somewhat unfavorable' – roughly comparable to the results of 17 months ago. At the same time, support for Iran and its nuclear program appears to have risen over the same period..."
Ronald Reagan said the U.S. should be the "shining beacon on the hill." He was suggesting that pre-emptive strikes aren't the answer. Results come from being a pristine example to the world, one that will give oppressed people of the world hope and one that they can hold up to their totalitarian leaders as proof that another system can work. Instead, we are giving those very leaders the political ammunition to continue to torture, spy, undermine civil liberties, make war, jail without trial, pre-emptively strike imagined enemies, manipulate the economy, etc...
Ronald Reagan said the U.S. should be the "shining beacon on the hill." He was suggesting that pre-emptive strikes aren't the answer. Results come from being a pristine example to the world, one that will give oppressed people of the world hope and one that they can hold up to their totalitarian leaders as proof that another system can work. Instead, we are giving those very leaders the political ammunition to continue to torture, spy, undermine civil liberties, make war, jail without trial, pre-emptively strike imagined enemies, manipulate the economy, etc...
Man found in Lady Bird Lake was teacher, FBI target
Man found in Lady Bird Lake was teacher, FBI target: "Austin police said Thursday that they are leaning toward a ruling of suicide in the death of a middle school teacher and activist whose body was found Wednesday in Lady Bird Lake with his hands and legs bound and tape over his eyes. Police identified Riad Hamad, 55, at a news conference Thursday and said the binding of his limbs and the placement of the tape was consistent with Hamad having done it himself."
1 in 5 veterans found with mental disorder
1 in 5 veterans found with mental disorder - The Boston Globe: "WASHINGTON - The latest and most comprehensive study of veterans of the Iraq and Afghanistan wars has concluded that nearly 1 in every 5 veterans is suffering from depression or stress disorders and that many are not getting adequate care."
The costs of this fake war don't just add up in dollars and cents.
The costs of this fake war don't just add up in dollars and cents.
Pentagon institute: Iraq war a 'debacle'
Politics - Pentagon institute: Iraq war a 'debacle' - sacbee.com: "WASHINGTON – The war in Iraq has become 'a major debacle' and the outcome 'is in doubt' despite improvements in security from the buildup in U.S. forces, according to a highly critical study published Thursday by the Pentagon's premier military educational institute."
Did you get that? "The Pentagon's PREMIER military educational institute."
Did you get that? "The Pentagon's PREMIER military educational institute."
McCain's $3.3 Trillion Tax Cut at Odds With Balanced Budget Pledge
Bloomberg.com: News: "By Ryan J. Donmoyer and Matthew Benjamin"
"John McCain's plan to cut taxes and balance the budget wins praise from fellow Republicans. Economists and nonpartisan analysts say his numbers don't add up."
Typical neocon Republican. Run up deficits, let the next generation pay for the results. They love the economic arguments that support tax cuts, but ignore the parts that talk about the parallel spending reductions. They, like most Americans, don't realize/admit that the debt they create is a tax. It creates inflation, and inflation is a tax. Their characterization of liberals/Democrats as tax/spenders is a complete lie.
"John McCain's plan to cut taxes and balance the budget wins praise from fellow Republicans. Economists and nonpartisan analysts say his numbers don't add up."
Typical neocon Republican. Run up deficits, let the next generation pay for the results. They love the economic arguments that support tax cuts, but ignore the parts that talk about the parallel spending reductions. They, like most Americans, don't realize/admit that the debt they create is a tax. It creates inflation, and inflation is a tax. Their characterization of liberals/Democrats as tax/spenders is a complete lie.
Tent city highlights US homes crisis
BBC NEWS | Americas | Tent city highlights US homes crisis: "Forty miles east of Los Angeles, on a patch of waste ground, is the place they call Tent City."
Remember Hoovervilles? Here are "Bushvilles."
Remember Hoovervilles? Here are "Bushvilles."
Wednesday, April 16, 2008
Report: Connecticut poor pay more of income on taxes, than rich
WTNH.com, Connecticut News and Weather - Report: Connecticut poor pay more of income on taxes, than rich
"A new report shows Connecticut's middle class and poor families pay a higher percentage of their income in state sales and local taxes than the wealthiest families.
The report by Connecticut Voices for Children is based on an analysis of state and local tax data, the New Haven Register reported.
The report says the wealthiest Connecticut families pay 4.7 percent of their income in state and local taxes.
Middle-class families pay 9.6 percent of their income in state and local taxes. The report shows the poorest 20 percent pay 10.9 percent."
Republicans love to argue that the progressive tax structure is unfair.
Democrats try to tax the rich more.
Each of them make the tax code more and more complicated, making
it easier for the rich to hire lawyers and accountants who can take
advantage of the loopholes. This is my ongoing argument that the
rich are not taxed unfairly.
"A new report shows Connecticut's middle class and poor families pay a higher percentage of their income in state sales and local taxes than the wealthiest families.
The report by Connecticut Voices for Children is based on an analysis of state and local tax data, the New Haven Register reported.
The report says the wealthiest Connecticut families pay 4.7 percent of their income in state and local taxes.
Middle-class families pay 9.6 percent of their income in state and local taxes. The report shows the poorest 20 percent pay 10.9 percent."
Republicans love to argue that the progressive tax structure is unfair.
Democrats try to tax the rich more.
Each of them make the tax code more and more complicated, making
it easier for the rich to hire lawyers and accountants who can take
advantage of the loopholes. This is my ongoing argument that the
rich are not taxed unfairly.
Friday, April 11, 2008
Forever Making "Significant Progress"
Crooks and Liars » Why ’significant progress’ sounds kind of familiar
Yesterday, speaking from the White House, the president boasted, “American and Iraqi forces have made significant progress” in Iraq. It got me thinking, haven’t we heard that phrase before in relation to Iraq?
Yesterday, speaking from the White House, the president boasted, “American and Iraqi forces have made significant progress” in Iraq. It got me thinking, haven’t we heard that phrase before in relation to Iraq?
* White House Press Secretary Scott McClellan on October 27, 2003: “In the north and south [of Iraq], we have made significant progress.”
* President Bush on November 13, 2004: “Fighting together, our forces have made significant progress in the last several days.”
* President Bush on June 28, 2005: “In the past year, we have made significant progress.”
* Vice President Cheney on October 19, 2006: “[W]e’ve made significant progress.”
* President Bush on February 23, 2007: ” I think we have made significant progress in Iraq.”
Indeed, it’s a phrase the White House has used to describe events in Iraq several hundred times over the last five years. I can’t imagine why anyone would be skeptical about the claim now.
Thursday, April 10, 2008
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