Record since 04-26-05
Win (41)
Place (13)
Show (4)
Out of the Money (12)
****************************
The Meadows
Race # 12
Horse: BEACH KIT (Won)
Post Position: # 4
********************
Plainridge Race Course
Race # 9
Horse: ART BY KEENE (Out of the Money)
Post Position: # 8
********************
Woodbine
Race # 9
Horse: TIDEWATER (Place)
Post Position: # 7
Tuesday, May 31, 2005
We Already Knew It, FOX News Admits it's Fascist
"Even we at Fox News manage to get some lefties on the air occasionally, and often let them finish their sentences before we club them to death and feed the scraps to Karl Rove and Bill O'Reilly. And those who hate us can take solace in the fact that they aren't subsidizing Bill's bombast; we payers of the BBC license fee don't enjoy that peace of mind. Fox News is, after all, a private channel and our presenters are quite open about where they stand on particular stories. That's our appeal. People watch us because they know what they are getting. The Beeb's institutionalized leftism would be easier to tolerate if the corporation was a little more honest about it." - Fox News' London bureau chief, Scott Norvell
Harness Racing Picks for 05-31-05
Record since 04-26-05
Win (40)
Place (12)
Show (4)
Out of the Money (11)
BET
CHECK RESULTS
****************************
The Meadows
Race # 12
Horse: BEACH KIT
Post Position: # 4
********************
Plainridge Race Course
Race # 9
Horse: ART BY KEENE
Post Position: # 8
********************
Woodbine
Race # 9
Horse: TIDEWATER
Post Position: # 7
Win (40)
Place (12)
Show (4)
Out of the Money (11)
BET
CHECK RESULTS
****************************
The Meadows
Race # 12
Horse: BEACH KIT
Post Position: # 4
********************
Plainridge Race Course
Race # 9
Horse: ART BY KEENE
Post Position: # 8
********************
Woodbine
Race # 9
Horse: TIDEWATER
Post Position: # 7
"The Bush's" Pals Get Conviction Overturned
Supreme Court Overturns Arthur Andersen Conviction
WASHINGTON -- The Supreme Court on Tuesday overturned the conviction of the Arthur Andersen accounting firm for destroying Enron Corp.-related documents before the energy giant's collapse.
In a unanimous opinion, justices said the former Big Five accounting firm's June 2002 conviction was improper. It said the jury instructions at trial were too vague and broad for jurors to determine correctly whether Andersen obstructed justice.
WASHINGTON -- The Supreme Court on Tuesday overturned the conviction of the Arthur Andersen accounting firm for destroying Enron Corp.-related documents before the energy giant's collapse.
In a unanimous opinion, justices said the former Big Five accounting firm's June 2002 conviction was improper. It said the jury instructions at trial were too vague and broad for jurors to determine correctly whether Andersen obstructed justice.
Monday, May 30, 2005
Harness Racing Results for 05-30-05
Record since 04-26-05
Win (40)
Place (12)
Show (4)
Out of the Money (11)
BET
CHECK RESULTS
****************************
The Meadowlands
Race # 11
Horse: VODKAONTHEROCKS (Won)
Post Position: # 3
********************
Raceway Park
Race # 4
Horse: ANGEL TOUCHED (Won)
Post Position: # 3
********************
Scioto Downs
Race # 5
Horse: SANDYS ATTITUDE (Won)
Post Position: # 4
Race # 7
Horse: WHOTOOKWHAT (Won)
Post Position: # 6
*******************
Yonkers Raceway
Race # 1
Horse: MICHAEL Q (Place)
Post Position: # 5
Win (40)
Place (12)
Show (4)
Out of the Money (11)
BET
CHECK RESULTS
****************************
The Meadowlands
Race # 11
Horse: VODKAONTHEROCKS (Won)
Post Position: # 3
********************
Raceway Park
Race # 4
Horse: ANGEL TOUCHED (Won)
Post Position: # 3
********************
Scioto Downs
Race # 5
Horse: SANDYS ATTITUDE (Won)
Post Position: # 4
Race # 7
Horse: WHOTOOKWHAT (Won)
Post Position: # 6
*******************
Yonkers Raceway
Race # 1
Horse: MICHAEL Q (Place)
Post Position: # 5
Ombudsmen Rebuff Move by Public Broadcasting
LONDON, May 27 - An association of news ombudsmen has rejected an attempt by two ombudsmen from the Corporation for Public Broadcasting to join their organization as full-fledged members, questioning their independence.
The Organization of News Ombudsmen, which represents nearly a hundred print and broadcast ombudsmen from around the world, more than half of them in the United States, voted at its annual conference here last week to change its bylaws to allow full membership only to those who work for news organizations.
SNIP
"We want members who are responsive to readers, not to governments or lobby groups," said Jeffrey A. Dvorkin, who was president of the ombudsmen's organization until last week when his term ended and is the ombudsman for NPR. "I was worried about the political nature of the appointment and I was worried about the precedent."
The move is a rebuff to Kenneth Y. Tomlinson, chairman of the corporation, who decided that the corporation should have two ombudsmen as a way to bring balance to what he sees as a liberal bias in public programming and an anti-Israeli bias in NPR's Middle East coverage. (A survey by the corporation itself has shown that viewers and listeners do not share those perceptions.)
The Organization of News Ombudsmen, which represents nearly a hundred print and broadcast ombudsmen from around the world, more than half of them in the United States, voted at its annual conference here last week to change its bylaws to allow full membership only to those who work for news organizations.
SNIP
"We want members who are responsive to readers, not to governments or lobby groups," said Jeffrey A. Dvorkin, who was president of the ombudsmen's organization until last week when his term ended and is the ombudsman for NPR. "I was worried about the political nature of the appointment and I was worried about the precedent."
The move is a rebuff to Kenneth Y. Tomlinson, chairman of the corporation, who decided that the corporation should have two ombudsmen as a way to bring balance to what he sees as a liberal bias in public programming and an anti-Israeli bias in NPR's Middle East coverage. (A survey by the corporation itself has shown that viewers and listeners do not share those perceptions.)
Harness Racing Picks for 05-30-05
Record since 04-26-05
Win (36)
Place (11)
Show (4)
Out of the Money (11)
BET
CHECK RESULTS
****************************
The Meadowlands
Race # 11
Horse: VODKAONTHEROCKS
Post Position: # 3
********************
Raceway Park
Race # 4
Horse: ANGEL TOUCHED
Post Position: # 3
********************
Scioto Downs
Race # 5
Horse: SANDYS ATTITUDE
Post Position: # 4
Race # 7
Horse: WHOTOOKWHAT
Post Position: # 6
*******************
Yonkers Raceway
Race # 1
Horse: MICHAEL Q
Post Position: # 5
Win (36)
Place (11)
Show (4)
Out of the Money (11)
BET
CHECK RESULTS
****************************
The Meadowlands
Race # 11
Horse: VODKAONTHEROCKS
Post Position: # 3
********************
Raceway Park
Race # 4
Horse: ANGEL TOUCHED
Post Position: # 3
********************
Scioto Downs
Race # 5
Horse: SANDYS ATTITUDE
Post Position: # 4
Race # 7
Horse: WHOTOOKWHAT
Post Position: # 6
*******************
Yonkers Raceway
Race # 1
Horse: MICHAEL Q
Post Position: # 5
Sunday, May 29, 2005
Musharraf Denies Making Iran Bomb Remark
BBC
Pakistan has denied that President Pervez Musharraf told a German magazine that Iran was "very anxious" to have a nuclear bomb.
Iran demanded an urgent clarification after the comments were carried in Der Spiegel magazine on Saturday.
Pakistan's foreign office spokesman, Jalil Abbas Jilani, said the president had been misquoted.
Iran, under an international nuclear investigation for two years, says its industry is for peaceful purposes.
Pakistan has denied that President Pervez Musharraf told a German magazine that Iran was "very anxious" to have a nuclear bomb.
Iran demanded an urgent clarification after the comments were carried in Der Spiegel magazine on Saturday.
Pakistan's foreign office spokesman, Jalil Abbas Jilani, said the president had been misquoted.
Iran, under an international nuclear investigation for two years, says its industry is for peaceful purposes.
"The Bush's" Buddy Stiffs U.S. Senators
US senators push for Uzbek probe
A group of United States senators is in Uzbekistan to try to press for an international inquiry into the bloody events there two weeks ago.
Then, the army opened fire on a crowd of demonstrators in the town of Andijan, possibly killing hundreds.
But President Islam Karimov has said that no outside country can assist in establishing the facts.
He declined to meet the senators, a sign of how strained the US-Uzbek relationship has become.
Senator John McCain, leading the team, was blunt in his opening remarks.
"We are here today because we are concerned about recent events which entailed the killing of innocent people," he said.
"I believe that the United States must make this government understand that a relationship is very difficult, if not impossible, if the government continues to repress its people."
A group of United States senators is in Uzbekistan to try to press for an international inquiry into the bloody events there two weeks ago.
Then, the army opened fire on a crowd of demonstrators in the town of Andijan, possibly killing hundreds.
But President Islam Karimov has said that no outside country can assist in establishing the facts.
He declined to meet the senators, a sign of how strained the US-Uzbek relationship has become.
Senator John McCain, leading the team, was blunt in his opening remarks.
"We are here today because we are concerned about recent events which entailed the killing of innocent people," he said.
"I believe that the United States must make this government understand that a relationship is very difficult, if not impossible, if the government continues to repress its people."
China says "Screw You, Yankee Dog"
BEIJING (AP) -- China on Monday revoked plans to sharply increase export tariffs, backtracking on a move aimed at averting a trade war with the United States and Europe.
The government gave no explanation for the step but noted it came after the United States and the European Union moved to restrict imports of Chinese clothing and textiles.
European and U.S. textile makers say their livelihoods have been threatened by a surge in Chinese exports since a worldwide quota system ended on Jan. 1.
China imposed a 1.3 percent export tax on textiles in December on the eve of the end of global quotas, but American officials said that was too low to make a difference. Earlier this month, China said it would sharply increase those tariffs.
But in mid-May the United States imposed import quotas on Chinese-made cotton pants, underwear, synthetic fiber shirts and other goods. The quotas limit annual growth of Chinese textile imports to 7.5 percent -- well below the 54 percent jump reported so far this year by the U.S. Commerce Department.
Then, on Friday, the European Union took its dispute to the World Trade Organization, forcing an immediate curb in shipments of T-shirts and flax yarn.
China lashed out at the 25-nation bloc on Sunday.
''It not only sent the wrong signal of trade protectionism to the European industry, it also harmed the rights that Chinese enterprises should enjoy in the globalization of textile trade,'' Commerce Ministry spokesman Chong Quan said in a statement posted on the ministry's Web site.
The government gave no explanation for the step but noted it came after the United States and the European Union moved to restrict imports of Chinese clothing and textiles.
European and U.S. textile makers say their livelihoods have been threatened by a surge in Chinese exports since a worldwide quota system ended on Jan. 1.
China imposed a 1.3 percent export tax on textiles in December on the eve of the end of global quotas, but American officials said that was too low to make a difference. Earlier this month, China said it would sharply increase those tariffs.
But in mid-May the United States imposed import quotas on Chinese-made cotton pants, underwear, synthetic fiber shirts and other goods. The quotas limit annual growth of Chinese textile imports to 7.5 percent -- well below the 54 percent jump reported so far this year by the U.S. Commerce Department.
Then, on Friday, the European Union took its dispute to the World Trade Organization, forcing an immediate curb in shipments of T-shirts and flax yarn.
China lashed out at the 25-nation bloc on Sunday.
''It not only sent the wrong signal of trade protectionism to the European industry, it also harmed the rights that Chinese enterprises should enjoy in the globalization of textile trade,'' Commerce Ministry spokesman Chong Quan said in a statement posted on the ministry's Web site.
Danika Finish's 4th in Indy 500, Was Leading But Running Out of Fuel Cost Her
She almost won it, Danika Patrick Rules.
Here she is leading.
Here she is leading.
"The Bush" and His Cult Spying on Americans
June 6 issue - The bitter debate about John Bolton's nomination to the United Nations may have called unwelcome attention to the spying practices of the National Security Agency.
Bolton told Congress last month that he asked the NSA for the names of Americans in raw intel reports. NSA rules prohibit the agency from spying on Americans; if electronic eavesdroppers inadvertently pick up American names, the NSA is supposed to black them out before forwarding reports to other agencies. But analysts and policymakers can make written requests to the NSA for U.S. names, which the State Department says Bolton did 10 times since 2001.
The Senate Foreign Relations Committee asked for more information about Bolton's requests, but the administration refused, leading to last week's vote to delay Bolton's nomination. Meanwhile, the Senate intelligence committee's chairman, Pat Roberts, and its top Democrat, Jay Rockefeller, got a closed-door briefing on Bolton's NSA dealings from the deputy intel czar, Gen. Michael Hayden.
The senators agreed Bolton's initial NSA requests for U.S. names were legit. But the normally collegial Roberts and Rockefeller couldn't agree on whether Bolton handled the names appropriately once he received them. In dueling letters made public, the senators aired their differences. Senator Roberts argued that Democrats called unnecessary attention to intel "sources and methods" by raising Bolton's NSA dealings publicly.
Rockefeller complained that Bolton sought out a State Department official whose name was supplied by the NSA "to congratulate him"—for unspecified reasons—which Rockefeller said was "not in keeping" with Bolton's request for the uncensored NSA report. Roberts said this charge was ill founded.
Bolton told Congress last month that he asked the NSA for the names of Americans in raw intel reports. NSA rules prohibit the agency from spying on Americans; if electronic eavesdroppers inadvertently pick up American names, the NSA is supposed to black them out before forwarding reports to other agencies. But analysts and policymakers can make written requests to the NSA for U.S. names, which the State Department says Bolton did 10 times since 2001.
The Senate Foreign Relations Committee asked for more information about Bolton's requests, but the administration refused, leading to last week's vote to delay Bolton's nomination. Meanwhile, the Senate intelligence committee's chairman, Pat Roberts, and its top Democrat, Jay Rockefeller, got a closed-door briefing on Bolton's NSA dealings from the deputy intel czar, Gen. Michael Hayden.
The senators agreed Bolton's initial NSA requests for U.S. names were legit. But the normally collegial Roberts and Rockefeller couldn't agree on whether Bolton handled the names appropriately once he received them. In dueling letters made public, the senators aired their differences. Senator Roberts argued that Democrats called unnecessary attention to intel "sources and methods" by raising Bolton's NSA dealings publicly.
Rockefeller complained that Bolton sought out a State Department official whose name was supplied by the NSA "to congratulate him"—for unspecified reasons—which Rockefeller said was "not in keeping" with Bolton's request for the uncensored NSA report. Roberts said this charge was ill founded.
Indy 500 History Made
Danica Patrick was the first woman to lead a Indy 500 race. She did this on lap 56, as of lap 86 she is running 4th.
Saturday, May 28, 2005
Harness Racing Results for 05-28-05
Record since 04-26-05
Win (36)
Place (11)
Show (4)
Out of the Money (11)
****************************
Freehold Raceway
Race # 9
Horse: AINT GOIN BACK (Won)
Post Position: # 4
Race # 11
Horse: TRUE FORCE (Won)
Post Position: # 7
********************
Scioto Downs
Race # 7
Horse: MARTIMMY (Out of the Money)
Post Position: # 10
Win (36)
Place (11)
Show (4)
Out of the Money (11)
****************************
Freehold Raceway
Race # 9
Horse: AINT GOIN BACK (Won)
Post Position: # 4
Race # 11
Horse: TRUE FORCE (Won)
Post Position: # 7
********************
Scioto Downs
Race # 7
Horse: MARTIMMY (Out of the Money)
Post Position: # 10
RAF bombing raids tried to goad Saddam into war
The Sunday Times - Britain
THE RAF and US aircraft doubled the rate at which they were dropping bombs on Iraq in 2002 in an attempt to provoke Saddam Hussein into giving the allies an excuse for war, new evidence has shown. . . .
The systematic targeting of Iraqi air defences appears to contradict Foreign Office legal guidance appended to the leaked briefing paper which said that the allied aircraft were only “entitled to use force in self-defence where such a use of force is a necessary and proportionate response to actual or imminent attack from Iraqi ground systems”.
THE RAF and US aircraft doubled the rate at which they were dropping bombs on Iraq in 2002 in an attempt to provoke Saddam Hussein into giving the allies an excuse for war, new evidence has shown. . . .
The systematic targeting of Iraqi air defences appears to contradict Foreign Office legal guidance appended to the leaked briefing paper which said that the allied aircraft were only “entitled to use force in self-defence where such a use of force is a necessary and proportionate response to actual or imminent attack from Iraqi ground systems”.
Danica Patrick, Good Chance She Could Win The Indy 500
Danica has been burning up the track and she starts in the #4 position, she is something else.
Harness Racing Picks for 05-28-05
Record since 04-26-05
Win (34)
Place (11)
Show (4)
Out of the Money (10)
****************************
Freehold Raceway
Race # 9
Horse: AINT GOIN BACK
Post Position: # 4
Race # 11
Horse: TRUE FORCE
Post Position: # 7
********************
Scioto Downs
Race # 7
Horse: MARTIMMY
Post Position: # 10
Win (34)
Place (11)
Show (4)
Out of the Money (10)
****************************
Freehold Raceway
Race # 9
Horse: AINT GOIN BACK
Post Position: # 4
Race # 11
Horse: TRUE FORCE
Post Position: # 7
********************
Scioto Downs
Race # 7
Horse: MARTIMMY
Post Position: # 10
Friday, May 27, 2005
Rawstory: Conyers seeks 100,000 to sign letter on Downing Street memo
Raw Story
Congressman John Conyers (D-MI) seeks to amass 100,000 signatures from U.S. citizens calling on President Bush for more answers about a 2002 meeting during which a senior British official said intelligence was "being fixed" to present a case for the Iraq war, RAW STORY has learned.
The congressman's office says Conyers hopes to present the letter to the President in person, in what may be a media event; they believe the letter could have a "viral effect" and spark new interest in the steps taken by the Bush Administration in the run-up to the Iraq war and the so-called "Downing Street Memo."
(Conyers: ) "The conventional wisdom, which unfortunately governs Washington's political discourse, hold that the American people have long ago made peace with the mistakes or deceptions which led us into war. Help me prove them all wrong. I want to show the White House, the Press and my congressional colleagues that nothing could be further from the truth.
That is why today I am giving you the opportunity to sign on to a letter asking the same questions of the President that now nearly 100 Members of Congress have asked. If I get at least 100,000 signatures on this, I will personally deliver the letter to the White House."
Sign the letter at Conyers' website
Congressman John Conyers (D-MI) seeks to amass 100,000 signatures from U.S. citizens calling on President Bush for more answers about a 2002 meeting during which a senior British official said intelligence was "being fixed" to present a case for the Iraq war, RAW STORY has learned.
The congressman's office says Conyers hopes to present the letter to the President in person, in what may be a media event; they believe the letter could have a "viral effect" and spark new interest in the steps taken by the Bush Administration in the run-up to the Iraq war and the so-called "Downing Street Memo."
(Conyers: ) "The conventional wisdom, which unfortunately governs Washington's political discourse, hold that the American people have long ago made peace with the mistakes or deceptions which led us into war. Help me prove them all wrong. I want to show the White House, the Press and my congressional colleagues that nothing could be further from the truth.
That is why today I am giving you the opportunity to sign on to a letter asking the same questions of the President that now nearly 100 Members of Congress have asked. If I get at least 100,000 signatures on this, I will personally deliver the letter to the White House."
Sign the letter at Conyers' website
Sixty Years On, Japanese Soldiers Found On Island
TOKYO: Two men claiming to be World War II Japanese soldiers have been found hiding on a Philippine island.
Japan is sending embassy officials to Mindanao to meet them.
"Embassy officials will check whether they were truly former soldiers" of the now defunct army, Japan foreign ministry spokesman Hatsuhisa Takashima said.
Japanese media said the two men had been living in guerilla-controlled mountains until late this month.
It is not known if they knew of Japan's surrender in August 1945 to Allied forces.
The two men contacted a Japanese national who was on the island collecting the remains of dead Japanese soldiers.
They said they wanted to return to Japan.
But Japan's Sankei Shimbun daily said the men were afraid of facing a court martial for deserting the front lines.
Japan was stunned in 1974 when former imperial army intelligence officer Hiroo Onoda was found in the jungle on the Philippine island of Lubang. He did not know of Japan's surrender 29 years earlier.
After being repatriated, Mr Onoda emigrated to Brazil.
Japan is sending embassy officials to Mindanao to meet them.
"Embassy officials will check whether they were truly former soldiers" of the now defunct army, Japan foreign ministry spokesman Hatsuhisa Takashima said.
Japanese media said the two men had been living in guerilla-controlled mountains until late this month.
It is not known if they knew of Japan's surrender in August 1945 to Allied forces.
The two men contacted a Japanese national who was on the island collecting the remains of dead Japanese soldiers.
They said they wanted to return to Japan.
But Japan's Sankei Shimbun daily said the men were afraid of facing a court martial for deserting the front lines.
Japan was stunned in 1974 when former imperial army intelligence officer Hiroo Onoda was found in the jungle on the Philippine island of Lubang. He did not know of Japan's surrender 29 years earlier.
After being repatriated, Mr Onoda emigrated to Brazil.
Republican Quest for Dirt Fails: Former Hillary Clinton Aide Acquitted
LOS ANGELES, California (AP) -- The former national finance director for Hillary Rodham Clinton's Senate campaign was acquitted Friday of lying to the government about a lavish 2000 Hollywood fundraising gala.
David Rosen was charged with two counts of making false statements to the Federal Election Commission about the cost of the star-studded gala, which attracted such celebrities as Cher, Melissa Ethridge, Toni Braxton, Diana Ross, Brad Pitt and Jennifer Aniston.
The jury of seven men and five women deliberated about six hours before reaching its verdict.
Clinton was not charged, but Republicans closely monitored the trial, hoping fallout from it might damage the New York Democrat's 2006 re-election bid and scuttle any hopes for a possible presidential campaign in 2008.
David Rosen was charged with two counts of making false statements to the Federal Election Commission about the cost of the star-studded gala, which attracted such celebrities as Cher, Melissa Ethridge, Toni Braxton, Diana Ross, Brad Pitt and Jennifer Aniston.
The jury of seven men and five women deliberated about six hours before reaching its verdict.
Clinton was not charged, but Republicans closely monitored the trial, hoping fallout from it might damage the New York Democrat's 2006 re-election bid and scuttle any hopes for a possible presidential campaign in 2008.
College Republicans Teaching Voter Suppression
CRNC Officer Promotes Voter Suppression
College Republican National Committee Treasurer (and leading candidate for CRNC chair) Paul Gourley, on the record...
One recent Sunday, at Morton Blackwell's Leadership Institute, a dozen students meet for the second and final day of training in grass-roots youth politics. All are earnest, idealistic and as right wing as you can get. They take careful notes as instructor Paul Gourley teaches them how to rig a campus mock election.
It's nothing illegal -- no ballot stuffing necessary, even at the most liberal colleges. First you find a nonpartisan campus group to sponsor the election, so you can't be accused of cheating. Next, volunteer to organize the thing. College students are lazy, and they'll probably let you. Always keep in mind that a rigged mock election is all about location, location, location.
"Can anyone tell me," asks Gourley, a veteran mock electioneer, "why you don't want the polling place in the cafeteria?"
Stephen, a shy antiabortion activist sitting toward the rear of the class, raises his hand: "Because you want to suppress the vote?"
"Stephen has the right answer!" Gourley exclaims, tossing Stephen his prize, a copy of Robert Bork's "Slouching Toward Gomorrah."
The students, strait-laced kids from good colleges, seem unconvinced. The lesson -- that with sufficient organization, the act of voting becomes less a basic right than a tactical maneuver -- doesn't sit easy with some students at first. Gourley, a charismatic senior from South Dakota and the treasurer of the College Republican National Committee, assures them: "This is not anti-democracy. This is not shady. Just put somewhere where you might have to put a little bit of effort into voting." The rest, Gourley explains, is just a matter of turnout.
Related Link
College Republican National Committee Treasurer (and leading candidate for CRNC chair) Paul Gourley, on the record...
One recent Sunday, at Morton Blackwell's Leadership Institute, a dozen students meet for the second and final day of training in grass-roots youth politics. All are earnest, idealistic and as right wing as you can get. They take careful notes as instructor Paul Gourley teaches them how to rig a campus mock election.
It's nothing illegal -- no ballot stuffing necessary, even at the most liberal colleges. First you find a nonpartisan campus group to sponsor the election, so you can't be accused of cheating. Next, volunteer to organize the thing. College students are lazy, and they'll probably let you. Always keep in mind that a rigged mock election is all about location, location, location.
"Can anyone tell me," asks Gourley, a veteran mock electioneer, "why you don't want the polling place in the cafeteria?"
Stephen, a shy antiabortion activist sitting toward the rear of the class, raises his hand: "Because you want to suppress the vote?"
"Stephen has the right answer!" Gourley exclaims, tossing Stephen his prize, a copy of Robert Bork's "Slouching Toward Gomorrah."
The students, strait-laced kids from good colleges, seem unconvinced. The lesson -- that with sufficient organization, the act of voting becomes less a basic right than a tactical maneuver -- doesn't sit easy with some students at first. Gourley, a charismatic senior from South Dakota and the treasurer of the College Republican National Committee, assures them: "This is not anti-democracy. This is not shady. Just put somewhere where you might have to put a little bit of effort into voting." The rest, Gourley explains, is just a matter of turnout.
Related Link
MEDIA ALERT: Spaceships Will Appear Over Las Vegas On My Signal
For only 45 days, starting June 1st until July 15, 2005, Prophet Yahweh, Seer of Yahweh, will be calling down UFOs and spaceships for the news media to film and photograph. During this time, a spaceship will descend, on Prophet's signal, and sit in the skies over Las Vegas, Nevada for almost two days.
Las Vegas, NV (PRWEB) May 25, 2005 -- Prophet Yahweh was blessed to discover the lost, ancient art of summoning UFOs and spaceships on-demand.
There is a difference between UFOs and spaceships. UFOs are usually small flying objects: glowing orbs, metallic spheres, satellite-type flying machines, etc. And, their flight patterns suggest that they are not of this world.
But, spaceships are large futuristic vehicles that are clearly designed to carry passengers in like you see in the movies.
Since 1979, more than 1,500 UFOs and/or spaceships have appeared on Prophet Yahweh's signal before witnesses or at unawares.
During this time, he was performing his summons privately with only those close to him as witnesses.
But, starting June 1st until July 15th (45 days) Prophet is going public by opening up to the news media.
He will demonstrate his ability to call down UFOs and spaceships, on-demand, for them to film and photograph.
Prophet is in direct telephatic contact with his space being friends. They have revealed that they will send UFOs as soon as Prophet starts asking for them to appear.
Also, before the 45 day summoning period has ended, a spaceship will descend and sit in the skies over Las Vegas on Prophet's signal.
The spaceship will hover in the sky, not far from Nellis Air Force base, for almost two days. All Las Vegans will be able to see it, day and night, before it goes back up into space.
Some news media representatives won’t be able to come to Las Vegas to film the sightings. But, they would be interested in doing a story on Prophet’s ability to summon them.
Others would like to see videos of the UFOs, first, to determine if they are real, before coming.
Las Vegas, NV (PRWEB) May 25, 2005 -- Prophet Yahweh was blessed to discover the lost, ancient art of summoning UFOs and spaceships on-demand.
There is a difference between UFOs and spaceships. UFOs are usually small flying objects: glowing orbs, metallic spheres, satellite-type flying machines, etc. And, their flight patterns suggest that they are not of this world.
But, spaceships are large futuristic vehicles that are clearly designed to carry passengers in like you see in the movies.
Since 1979, more than 1,500 UFOs and/or spaceships have appeared on Prophet Yahweh's signal before witnesses or at unawares.
During this time, he was performing his summons privately with only those close to him as witnesses.
But, starting June 1st until July 15th (45 days) Prophet is going public by opening up to the news media.
He will demonstrate his ability to call down UFOs and spaceships, on-demand, for them to film and photograph.
Prophet is in direct telephatic contact with his space being friends. They have revealed that they will send UFOs as soon as Prophet starts asking for them to appear.
Also, before the 45 day summoning period has ended, a spaceship will descend and sit in the skies over Las Vegas on Prophet's signal.
The spaceship will hover in the sky, not far from Nellis Air Force base, for almost two days. All Las Vegans will be able to see it, day and night, before it goes back up into space.
Some news media representatives won’t be able to come to Las Vegas to film the sightings. But, they would be interested in doing a story on Prophet’s ability to summon them.
Others would like to see videos of the UFOs, first, to determine if they are real, before coming.
Thursday, May 26, 2005
Governor Cyborg : San Jose Crews Destroy Part of Road for Staged Event
Governor digs fixing potholes
San Jose crews destroy part of road for staged event
Carla Marinucci, Chronicle Political Writer
Friday, May 27, 2005
Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger traveled to a quiet San Jose neighborhood Thursday, and -- dogged by protesters -- filled a pothole dug by city crews just a few hours before, as part of an attempt to dramatize his efforts to increase money for transportation projects.
The choreographed press opportunity -- at least the governor's fourth recent event involving transportation issues -- seemed aimed as much at thwarting the demonstrators who have followed Schwarzenegger for weeks as grabbing new attention for his proposal.
... Porrovecchio and his business partner, Joe Greco, said that at about 7 a.m. they became fascinated watching "10 city workers standing around for a few hours putting on new vests,'' all in preparation for the big moment with Schwarzenegger.
But their street, he noted, didn't even have a hole to pave over until Thursday morning.
San Jose crews destroy part of road for staged event
Carla Marinucci, Chronicle Political Writer
Friday, May 27, 2005
Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger traveled to a quiet San Jose neighborhood Thursday, and -- dogged by protesters -- filled a pothole dug by city crews just a few hours before, as part of an attempt to dramatize his efforts to increase money for transportation projects.
The choreographed press opportunity -- at least the governor's fourth recent event involving transportation issues -- seemed aimed as much at thwarting the demonstrators who have followed Schwarzenegger for weeks as grabbing new attention for his proposal.
... Porrovecchio and his business partner, Joe Greco, said that at about 7 a.m. they became fascinated watching "10 city workers standing around for a few hours putting on new vests,'' all in preparation for the big moment with Schwarzenegger.
But their street, he noted, didn't even have a hole to pave over until Thursday morning.
Judge's Ruling Fuels DeLay's Ethics Woes
HOUSTON (Reuters) - A political committee formed by U.S. House of Representatives Majority Leader Tom DeLay broke Texas law by not disclosing more than $600,000 in mostly corporate contributions, a judge ruled in a case that adds to ethics questions swirling around the powerful Republican.
State District Judge Joe Hart in Austin made the ruling on Thursday in a lawsuit filed by five Democratic candidates defeated in 2002 by Republicans who received money from Texans for a Republican Majority, a political action committee founded by DeLay to help his party capture the Texas Legislature.
Hart awarded the Democrats a total of $196,660 in damages.
DeLay, the second-ranking Republican in the House, was not a defendant in the suit, which was filed against committee treasurer Bill Ceverha.
But the ruling was the latest setback for DeLay, who has been under fire recently over ethics questions involving fund-raising, foreign travel and his relationships with lobbyists. The finding could be a harbinger of the outcome of a criminal probe into the committee's activities, said the head of a campaign-finance watchdog group.
State District Judge Joe Hart in Austin made the ruling on Thursday in a lawsuit filed by five Democratic candidates defeated in 2002 by Republicans who received money from Texans for a Republican Majority, a political action committee founded by DeLay to help his party capture the Texas Legislature.
Hart awarded the Democrats a total of $196,660 in damages.
DeLay, the second-ranking Republican in the House, was not a defendant in the suit, which was filed against committee treasurer Bill Ceverha.
But the ruling was the latest setback for DeLay, who has been under fire recently over ethics questions involving fund-raising, foreign travel and his relationships with lobbyists. The finding could be a harbinger of the outcome of a criminal probe into the committee's activities, said the head of a campaign-finance watchdog group.
Al-Qaeda 'names Iraq acting head'
BBC
The militant group Al-Qaeda has appointed a deputy leader to take control of its activities in Iraq, a statement on a website has reported.
The deputy will take command while leader Abu Musab al-Zarqawi recovers from wounds, the statement said.
The authenticity of the statement could not be verified.
It was reported on an Islamist website on Tuesday that Zarqawi, the man blamed for some of the bloodiest insurgent attacks in Iraq had been injured.
Jordanian-born Zarqawi has claimed scores of attacks against civilians and the security forces, as well as the kidnapping and beheading of foreigners.
The militant group Al-Qaeda has appointed a deputy leader to take control of its activities in Iraq, a statement on a website has reported.
The deputy will take command while leader Abu Musab al-Zarqawi recovers from wounds, the statement said.
The authenticity of the statement could not be verified.
It was reported on an Islamist website on Tuesday that Zarqawi, the man blamed for some of the bloodiest insurgent attacks in Iraq had been injured.
Jordanian-born Zarqawi has claimed scores of attacks against civilians and the security forces, as well as the kidnapping and beheading of foreigners.
Wednesday, May 25, 2005
Harness Racing Results for 05-25-05
Record since 04-26-05
Win (34)
Place (11)
Show (4)
Out of the Money (10)
****************************
Freehold Raceway
Race # 10
Horse: WILDNITEONTHETOWN (Place)
Post Position: # 6
Win (34)
Place (11)
Show (4)
Out of the Money (10)
****************************
Freehold Raceway
Race # 10
Horse: WILDNITEONTHETOWN (Place)
Post Position: # 6
Thousands Protest Governor Cyborg
There are plenty of Californians who are mad as hell at Arhnold these days and in Los Angeles and Sacramento they turned out in thousands in to protest Arnhold’s latest lies, cuts and pandering to “special interests.” The two mass rallies had been planned for weeks in advance.
In their biggest demonstration to date, thousands of teachers, nurses, firefighters and their supporters gathered at the State Capitol Wednesday. They were there to protest the governor's education budget and his spending and pension reform proposals. They're also upset at being characterized as "special interests."Teachers are frustrated by Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger's refusal to repay $2 billion borrowed from mandated Proposition 98 education funding. Education leaders who agreed to the onetime state budget bailout believed the money would be returned in the 2005-2006 spending plan. Instead, the governor wants to repay the funds over 15 years starting with the 2006-2007 fiscal year.
In their biggest demonstration to date, thousands of teachers, nurses, firefighters and their supporters gathered at the State Capitol Wednesday. They were there to protest the governor's education budget and his spending and pension reform proposals. They're also upset at being characterized as "special interests."Teachers are frustrated by Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger's refusal to repay $2 billion borrowed from mandated Proposition 98 education funding. Education leaders who agreed to the onetime state budget bailout believed the money would be returned in the 2005-2006 spending plan. Instead, the governor wants to repay the funds over 15 years starting with the 2006-2007 fiscal year.
US 'Thumbs Its Nose' at Rights, Amnesty Says
LONDON, May 25 - In coordinated broadsides from London and Washington, Amnesty International accused the Bush administration on Wednesday of condoning "atrocious" human rights violations, thereby diminishing its moral authority and setting a global example encouraging abuse by other nations.
Another Member of The Party of WAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA
Associated Press
----------------------
WASHINGTON - Since Republican John Thune defeated the Senate's top Democrat last November, he has been one of the most loyal Republicans to President Bush. He has traveled around the country to fundraise and championed the party's priorities on countless news networks.
But now that the Pentagon has targeted South Dakota's Ellsworth Air Force Base for closure, Thune is increasingly flirting with the opposition.
This week he threatened to vote against the nomination for John Bolton, Bush's embattled nominee to be United Nations ambassador. If he does vote against Bolton, he will be one of only a handful of Republicans to do so.
Thune also has declined to take a position on the Central American Free Trade Agreement, another Bush priority.
----------------------
WASHINGTON - Since Republican John Thune defeated the Senate's top Democrat last November, he has been one of the most loyal Republicans to President Bush. He has traveled around the country to fundraise and championed the party's priorities on countless news networks.
But now that the Pentagon has targeted South Dakota's Ellsworth Air Force Base for closure, Thune is increasingly flirting with the opposition.
This week he threatened to vote against the nomination for John Bolton, Bush's embattled nominee to be United Nations ambassador. If he does vote against Bolton, he will be one of only a handful of Republicans to do so.
Thune also has declined to take a position on the Central American Free Trade Agreement, another Bush priority.
The Washington Post is going to Start a Riot with FBI Memo's on Koran. Who will "The Bush" blame now, the FBI or The Washington Post?
Newly Released FBI Documents Detail Allegations
Nearly a dozen detainees at the Guantanamo Bay military prison in Cuba told FBI interrogators that guards had mistreated copies of the Koran, including one who said in 2002 that guards "flushed a Koran in the toilet," according to new FBI documents released today.
The summaries of FBI interviews, obtained by the American Civil Liberties Union as part of an ongoing lawsuit, also include allegations that the Koran was kicked, thrown to the floor and withheld as punishment and that guards mocked Muslim prisoners during prayers.
The release of the new FBI documents comes in the wake of an international uproar over a now-retracted story by Newsweek magazine, which reported that an internal military report had confirmed that a Koran was flushed down a toilet. The retracted story has been linked by the Bush administration to deadly riots overseas.
Nearly all of the hundreds of pages of documents consist of FBI summaries of detainee interrogations, and therefore do not generally provide corroboration of the allegations. At least two detainees also conceded that they had not personally witnessed mistreatment of the Koran but had heard about incidents from other inmates, the records show.
Nearly a dozen detainees at the Guantanamo Bay military prison in Cuba told FBI interrogators that guards had mistreated copies of the Koran, including one who said in 2002 that guards "flushed a Koran in the toilet," according to new FBI documents released today.
The summaries of FBI interviews, obtained by the American Civil Liberties Union as part of an ongoing lawsuit, also include allegations that the Koran was kicked, thrown to the floor and withheld as punishment and that guards mocked Muslim prisoners during prayers.
The release of the new FBI documents comes in the wake of an international uproar over a now-retracted story by Newsweek magazine, which reported that an internal military report had confirmed that a Koran was flushed down a toilet. The retracted story has been linked by the Bush administration to deadly riots overseas.
Nearly all of the hundreds of pages of documents consist of FBI summaries of detainee interrogations, and therefore do not generally provide corroboration of the allegations. At least two detainees also conceded that they had not personally witnessed mistreatment of the Koran but had heard about incidents from other inmates, the records show.
Democrats Want Crackdown on Tax Frauding Companies, The Party of WAAAAAAAA Cries It's Hard Work
Herald Sun
Several Senate Democrats said Wednesday the government should crack down on businesses that evade taxes before Congress considers Social Security or tax changes.
"We should not cut the benefits of any law-abiding retiree by one dime or raise the taxes of any law-abiding worker by one dime until we have done our best to ensure that all taxpayers are complying with the current tax laws," said Sen. Max Baucus of Montana, the top Democrat on the Senate Finance Committee.
J. Russell George, the Treasury Department's inspector general for taxation, told lawmakers that the government loses billions of dollars annual because businesses avoid paying the employment taxes that fund Social Security and Medicare.
The committee chairman, Sen. Charles Grassley, said some proposals to collect unpaid taxes or expand the reach of employment taxation might be too difficult to pass.
He said lawmakers should not be too optimistic about tax collections and view such proposals as "ripe fruit on the ground waiting to be picked up."
Businesses organized as sole proprietorships pay employment tax on all reported profits. Businesses organized as S corporations pay tax only on the amount described as salary.
George said these S corporations have become a multibillion-dollar employment tax shelter for single-owner businesses.
Several Senate Democrats said Wednesday the government should crack down on businesses that evade taxes before Congress considers Social Security or tax changes.
"We should not cut the benefits of any law-abiding retiree by one dime or raise the taxes of any law-abiding worker by one dime until we have done our best to ensure that all taxpayers are complying with the current tax laws," said Sen. Max Baucus of Montana, the top Democrat on the Senate Finance Committee.
J. Russell George, the Treasury Department's inspector general for taxation, told lawmakers that the government loses billions of dollars annual because businesses avoid paying the employment taxes that fund Social Security and Medicare.
The committee chairman, Sen. Charles Grassley, said some proposals to collect unpaid taxes or expand the reach of employment taxation might be too difficult to pass.
He said lawmakers should not be too optimistic about tax collections and view such proposals as "ripe fruit on the ground waiting to be picked up."
Businesses organized as sole proprietorships pay employment tax on all reported profits. Businesses organized as S corporations pay tax only on the amount described as salary.
George said these S corporations have become a multibillion-dollar employment tax shelter for single-owner businesses.
Harness Picks for 05-25-05
Record since 04-26-05
Win (34)
Place (10)
Show (4)
Out of the Money (10)
****************************
Freehold Raceway
Race # 10
Horse: WILDNITEONTHETOWN
Post Position: # 6
Win (34)
Place (10)
Show (4)
Out of the Money (10)
****************************
Freehold Raceway
Race # 10
Horse: WILDNITEONTHETOWN
Post Position: # 6
Tuesday, May 24, 2005
Harness Racing Results for 05-24-05
Record since 04-26-05
Win (34)
Place (10)
Show (4)
Out of the Money (10)
****************************
Pocono Downs
Race # 3
Horse: GIAMBI (Won)
Post Position: # 1
Win (34)
Place (10)
Show (4)
Out of the Money (10)
****************************
Pocono Downs
Race # 3
Horse: GIAMBI (Won)
Post Position: # 1
Lies told about WMD and Iraq
8 Minute MP3 Stream from Mike Malloy.
Has "The Bush" and his cronies on tape telling all their lies in the run up to war with Iraq. Listen and Remember.
Has "The Bush" and his cronies on tape telling all their lies in the run up to war with Iraq. Listen and Remember.
A Matter Of Public Record
Activist Aims to Scare Officials Into Protecting Personal Data
Betty Ostergren, a feisty 56-year-old from just north of Richmond, is driven to make important people angry. She puts their Social Security numbers on her Web site, or links to where they can be found.
It's not that she wants CIA Director Porter J. Goss, former secretary of state Colin L. Powell, or Florida Gov. Jeb Bush to be victims of identity theft, as were millions of Americans in the past year. Ostergren is on a crusade to scare and shame public officials into doing something about how easy it is to get sensitive personal data.
Data brokers such as ChoicePoint Inc. and LexisNexis Group have been attractive targets for identity thieves because they are giant buyers and sellers of personal data on millions of people.
But as federal and state lawmakers scramble to try to keep sensitive information from falling into criminal hands, they face a difficult dilemma: The information typically originates from records gathered and stored by public agencies, available for anyone to see in courthouses and government buildings around the country.
Betty Ostergren, a feisty 56-year-old from just north of Richmond, is driven to make important people angry. She puts their Social Security numbers on her Web site, or links to where they can be found.
It's not that she wants CIA Director Porter J. Goss, former secretary of state Colin L. Powell, or Florida Gov. Jeb Bush to be victims of identity theft, as were millions of Americans in the past year. Ostergren is on a crusade to scare and shame public officials into doing something about how easy it is to get sensitive personal data.
Data brokers such as ChoicePoint Inc. and LexisNexis Group have been attractive targets for identity thieves because they are giant buyers and sellers of personal data on millions of people.
But as federal and state lawmakers scramble to try to keep sensitive information from falling into criminal hands, they face a difficult dilemma: The information typically originates from records gathered and stored by public agencies, available for anyone to see in courthouses and government buildings around the country.
Chicago Protesters Greet Gov.Cyborg
Nurses Protest California Pension Issue
Schwarzenegger was in the city to attend a private fundraiserevent at the Chicago Hilton and Towers, but several local nurses protested outside the facility.
Schwarzenegger was in the city to attend a private fundraiserevent at the Chicago Hilton and Towers, but several local nurses protested outside the facility.
The Top 10 Conservative Idiots (No. 199)
May 23, 2005 · Hip, Hip... Hypocrisy! Edition
The stench of dishonesty was wafting through the streets of Washington D.C. last week after The Bush Administration accused Newsweek of being responsible for anti-American sentiment in the Middle East. Uh, guys - what about that whole "war" thing?
The stench of dishonesty was wafting through the streets of Washington D.C. last week after The Bush Administration accused Newsweek of being responsible for anti-American sentiment in the Middle East. Uh, guys - what about that whole "war" thing?
FBI Whistleblower Mulls House Race
Former FBI whistleblower Coleen Rowley is considering a bid for the seat held by Rep. John Kline, R-Minn., the Associated Press reported.
Rowley would run as a Democrat. Kline's 2004 opponent, Teresa Daly, said she has not decided whether to run again.
Rowley, who retired from the FBI last year, said she has spoken to people to get their advice.
Rowley was named one of TIME magazine's Persons of the Year for 2002 after she criticized the bureau for ignoring her pleas in the weeks leading up to Sept. 11, 2001, to investigate terrorism suspect Zacarias Moussaoui more aggressively. He is the only person charged in the United States in the terrorist attacks so far.
Rowley would run as a Democrat. Kline's 2004 opponent, Teresa Daly, said she has not decided whether to run again.
Rowley, who retired from the FBI last year, said she has spoken to people to get their advice.
Rowley was named one of TIME magazine's Persons of the Year for 2002 after she criticized the bureau for ignoring her pleas in the weeks leading up to Sept. 11, 2001, to investigate terrorism suspect Zacarias Moussaoui more aggressively. He is the only person charged in the United States in the terrorist attacks so far.
Attack On Election Board Whistleblower And Leaked Blackwell Threats Re-Fire Ohio's Election Theft Scandal
www.freepress.org
The potential firing of Ohio whistleblower Sherole Eaton, Deputy Director of the Hocking County Board of Elections, has re-fired bitter controversy over the stolen 2004 presidential election.
And newly released documents confirming a pre-election threat by Secretary of State J. Kenneth Blackwell against election board officials has added to the mix, as has the dismissal of Blackwell's highly publicized sanction attempt against attorneys who challenged the election outcome.A paid Hocking County Election Board staff official, Eaton gained national notoriety when she blew the whistle on a Triad vote count technician. The technician reprogrammed at least one voting machine in her precinct before a statewide recount could be completed. According to a December 3, 2004 affidavit sworn by Eaton, the Triad technician "advised" the Hocking County Board of Elections' Republican Director Lisa Schwartz on how to "post a 'cheat sheet'" to make the recount match the officially reported election total. Advocates of the recount complain that the unexplained intrusion by the technician compromised the integrity of the vote count.
Eaton's whistleblower report resulted in heavy national publicity surrounding the technician's intrusion, including dramatic testimony at hearings conducted by Congressman John Conyers (D-MI) that helped lead to the historic January 6 challenge of the seating of the Ohio Electoral College delegation in Congress. Revelations of the technician's intrusion led to angry charges that the vote count had been hopelessly tainted.
In an exclusive May 23 interview, Schwartz told Freepress.org that "Sherole is on vacation." When asked if Eaton had been fired, Schwartz commented that Eaton has until June 30 to resign or be fired, and "that decision came from the Board."
The potential firing of Ohio whistleblower Sherole Eaton, Deputy Director of the Hocking County Board of Elections, has re-fired bitter controversy over the stolen 2004 presidential election.
And newly released documents confirming a pre-election threat by Secretary of State J. Kenneth Blackwell against election board officials has added to the mix, as has the dismissal of Blackwell's highly publicized sanction attempt against attorneys who challenged the election outcome.A paid Hocking County Election Board staff official, Eaton gained national notoriety when she blew the whistle on a Triad vote count technician. The technician reprogrammed at least one voting machine in her precinct before a statewide recount could be completed. According to a December 3, 2004 affidavit sworn by Eaton, the Triad technician "advised" the Hocking County Board of Elections' Republican Director Lisa Schwartz on how to "post a 'cheat sheet'" to make the recount match the officially reported election total. Advocates of the recount complain that the unexplained intrusion by the technician compromised the integrity of the vote count.
Eaton's whistleblower report resulted in heavy national publicity surrounding the technician's intrusion, including dramatic testimony at hearings conducted by Congressman John Conyers (D-MI) that helped lead to the historic January 6 challenge of the seating of the Ohio Electoral College delegation in Congress. Revelations of the technician's intrusion led to angry charges that the vote count had been hopelessly tainted.
In an exclusive May 23 interview, Schwartz told Freepress.org that "Sherole is on vacation." When asked if Eaton had been fired, Schwartz commented that Eaton has until June 30 to resign or be fired, and "that decision came from the Board."
Hands Off PBS
Support Dingell and Obey's call to investigate political influence in public broadcasting
Rep. John Dingell (D-MI), ranking Democrat on the House Commerce Committee, and Rep. David Obey (D-WI), ranking Democrat on the House Appropriations Committee, have written a letter to the Inspector General of the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB) urging him to investigate recent efforts apparently aimed at imposing a conservative political agenda on public broadcasting. Help make sure that the Inspector General conducts a thorough investigation.
Key Points:
The Corporation for Public Broadcasting's own research shows that Americans view public broadcasting as objective and balanced.
Recent actions by the CPB could undermine the trust people have in public broadcasting.
Dingell and Obey's call for investigation can help maintain the public's trust in public broadcasting and make sure that politics keeps its Hands Off Public Broadcasting.
Urge your member of Congress to support this investigation.
Take Action!
Email your member of Congress asking him or her to support the Dingell/Obey letter calling for an investigation into the political influence being imposed on public broadcasting by CPB president Kenneth Y. Tomlinson. Let your member of Congress know that you support public broadcasting's independent journalism and quality programming.
Rep. John Dingell (D-MI), ranking Democrat on the House Commerce Committee, and Rep. David Obey (D-WI), ranking Democrat on the House Appropriations Committee, have written a letter to the Inspector General of the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB) urging him to investigate recent efforts apparently aimed at imposing a conservative political agenda on public broadcasting. Help make sure that the Inspector General conducts a thorough investigation.
Key Points:
The Corporation for Public Broadcasting's own research shows that Americans view public broadcasting as objective and balanced.
Recent actions by the CPB could undermine the trust people have in public broadcasting.
Dingell and Obey's call for investigation can help maintain the public's trust in public broadcasting and make sure that politics keeps its Hands Off Public Broadcasting.
Urge your member of Congress to support this investigation.
Take Action!
Email your member of Congress asking him or her to support the Dingell/Obey letter calling for an investigation into the political influence being imposed on public broadcasting by CPB president Kenneth Y. Tomlinson. Let your member of Congress know that you support public broadcasting's independent journalism and quality programming.
Pentagon Analyst Charged Due to Documents
CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- A Pentagon analyst previously accused of leaking top-secret information to a pro-Israel group was charged Tuesday with illegally taking classified government documents out of the Washington area to his West Virginia residence.
Lawrence Anthony Franklin, 58, was not authorized to take such documents to his home in Kearneysville, according to the federal charge issued along with an arrest warrant by U.S. Attorney Thomas E. Johnston in Martinsburg.
The FBI found 83 classified documents in Franklin's home in the Eastern Panhandle town in June 2004, the documents said. Investigators say 38 of those documents were top secret and 37 others were classified as secret.
Tuesday's charge of unlawfully possessing classified federal defense documents focuses on six of the documents, which were written between October 2003 and June 2004. Four were CIA documents, including three about al-Qaida and one involving Osama bin Laden. Two of those documents were classified top secret, the rest as secret.
Lawrence Anthony Franklin, 58, was not authorized to take such documents to his home in Kearneysville, according to the federal charge issued along with an arrest warrant by U.S. Attorney Thomas E. Johnston in Martinsburg.
The FBI found 83 classified documents in Franklin's home in the Eastern Panhandle town in June 2004, the documents said. Investigators say 38 of those documents were top secret and 37 others were classified as secret.
Tuesday's charge of unlawfully possessing classified federal defense documents focuses on six of the documents, which were written between October 2003 and June 2004. Four were CIA documents, including three about al-Qaida and one involving Osama bin Laden. Two of those documents were classified top secret, the rest as secret.
Seven US Soldiers Killed in Iraq
BBC
Seven US soldiers have been killed in two separate bomb attacks in Iraq.
In the first incident three members of the 3rd Infantry Division died as a car bomb exploded in central Baghdad as their patrol passed along the road.
Shortly afterwards it was announced that four members of II Marine Expeditionary Force were killed in an attack in Haswa, 50km south of Baghdad.
More than 100 Iraqis have also been killed or injured in wave of bombings since Monday morning.
Details of the anti-US attacks are still coming in and the dead soldiers have not been identified as next of kin are being informed.
Seven US soldiers have been killed in two separate bomb attacks in Iraq.
In the first incident three members of the 3rd Infantry Division died as a car bomb exploded in central Baghdad as their patrol passed along the road.
Shortly afterwards it was announced that four members of II Marine Expeditionary Force were killed in an attack in Haswa, 50km south of Baghdad.
More than 100 Iraqis have also been killed or injured in wave of bombings since Monday morning.
Details of the anti-US attacks are still coming in and the dead soldiers have not been identified as next of kin are being informed.
Harness Racing Picks for 05-24-05
Record since 04-26-05
Win (33)
Place (10)
Show (4)
Out of the Money (10)
****************************
Pocono Downs
Race # 3
Horse: GIAMBI
Post Position: # 1
Win (33)
Place (10)
Show (4)
Out of the Money (10)
****************************
Pocono Downs
Race # 3
Horse: GIAMBI
Post Position: # 1
Can't Wait too See This, Better Than Limbaugh Going to Prison
MEDIA ALERT: Spaceships Will Appear Over Las Vegas On My Signal
For only 45 days, starting June 1st until July 15, 2005, Prophet Yahweh, Seer of Yahweh, will be calling down UFOs and spaceships for the news media to film and photograph. During this time, a spaceship will descend, on Prophet's signal, and sit in the skies over Las Vegas, Nevada for almost two days.
Las Vegas, NV (PRWEB) May 25, 2005 -- Prophet Yahweh was blessed to discover the lost, ancient art of summoning UFOs and spaceships on-demand.
There is a difference between UFOs and spaceships. UFOs are usually small flying objects: glowing orbs, metallic spheres, satellite-type flying machines, etc. And, their flight patterns suggest that they are not of this world.
But, spaceships are large futuristic vehicles that are clearly designed to carry passengers in like you see in the movies.
Since 1979, more than 1,500 UFOs and/or spaceships have appeared on Prophet Yahweh's signal before witnesses or at unawares.
During this time, he was performing his summons privately with only those close to him as witnesses.
But, starting June 1st until July 15th (45 days) Prophet is going public by opening up to the news media.
He will demonstrate his ability to call down UFOs and spaceships, on-demand, for them to film and photograph.
For only 45 days, starting June 1st until July 15, 2005, Prophet Yahweh, Seer of Yahweh, will be calling down UFOs and spaceships for the news media to film and photograph. During this time, a spaceship will descend, on Prophet's signal, and sit in the skies over Las Vegas, Nevada for almost two days.
Las Vegas, NV (PRWEB) May 25, 2005 -- Prophet Yahweh was blessed to discover the lost, ancient art of summoning UFOs and spaceships on-demand.
There is a difference between UFOs and spaceships. UFOs are usually small flying objects: glowing orbs, metallic spheres, satellite-type flying machines, etc. And, their flight patterns suggest that they are not of this world.
But, spaceships are large futuristic vehicles that are clearly designed to carry passengers in like you see in the movies.
Since 1979, more than 1,500 UFOs and/or spaceships have appeared on Prophet Yahweh's signal before witnesses or at unawares.
During this time, he was performing his summons privately with only those close to him as witnesses.
But, starting June 1st until July 15th (45 days) Prophet is going public by opening up to the news media.
He will demonstrate his ability to call down UFOs and spaceships, on-demand, for them to film and photograph.
Monday, May 23, 2005
Harness Racing Results for 05-23-05
Record since 04-26-05
Win (33)
Place (10)
Show (4)
Out of the Money (10)
****************************
Harrington Raceway
Race # 14
Horse: WYNFIELD OWINGS (Out of the Money)
Post Position: # 7
Win (33)
Place (10)
Show (4)
Out of the Money (10)
****************************
Harrington Raceway
Race # 14
Horse: WYNFIELD OWINGS (Out of the Money)
Post Position: # 7
Extreme Right Loses on Fillibuster, Frist Failed the "Just Us Sunday" Crowd
Kevin Drum notes: UPDATE: In comments, NSF reports that Lindsey Graham claims that of the three who will get votes (Brown, Owen, and Pryor), one will end up getting defeated on a bipartisan basis. A secret codicil? Hmmm.....Ralph G. Neas isn't happy with everything in the compromise but says: " The unprincipled nuclear option has been averted. This is a major defeat for the radical right. Senators from both parties have rejected demands by the White House, radical right groups, and Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist that the filibuster be eliminated on nominees. It is a rejection of White House demands for virtually unlimited power to undermine the independence of the courts."
Text of Filibuster Deal
MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING ON JUDICIAL NOMINATIONS
We respect the diligent, conscientious efforts, to date, rendered to the Senate by Majority Leader Frist and Democratic Leader Reid. This memorandum confirms an understanding among the signatories, based upon mutual trust and confidence, related to pending and future judicial nominations in the 109th Congress.
This memorandum is in two parts. Part I relates to the currently pending judicial nominees; Part II relates to subsequent individual nominations to be made by the President and to be acted upon by the Senate’s Judiciary Committee.
We have agreed to the following:
Part I: Commitments on Pending Judicial Nominations
A. Votes for Certain Nominees. We will vote to invoke cloture on the following judicial nominees: Janice Rogers Brown (D.C. Circuit), William Pryor (11th Circuit), and Priscilla Owen (5th Circuit).
B. Status of Other Nominees. Signatories make no commitment to vote for or against cloture on the following judicial nominees: William Myers (9th Circuit) and Henry Saad (6th Circuit).
Part II: Commitments for Future Nominations
A. Future Nominations. Signatories will exercise their responsibilities under the Advice and Consent Clause of the United States Constitution in good faith. Nominees should only be filibustered under extraordinary circumstances, and each signatory must use his or her own discretion and judgment in determining whether such circumstances exist.
B. Rules Changes. In light of the spirit and continuing commitments made in this agreement, we commit to oppose the rules changes in the 109th Congress, which we understand to be any amendment to or interpretation of the Rules of the Senate that would force a vote on a judicial nomination by means other than unanimous consent or Rule XXII.
We believe that, under Article II, Section 2, of the United States Constitution, the word “Advice” speaks to consultation between the Senate and the President with regard to the use of the President’s power to make nominations. We encourage the Executive branch of government to consult with members of the Senate, both Democratic and Republican, prior to submitting a judicial nomination to the Senate for consideration.
Such a return to the early practices of our government may well serve to reduce the rancor that unfortunately accompanies the advice and consent process in the Senate.
We firmly believe this agreement is consistent with the traditions of the United States Senate that we as Senators seek to uphold.
We respect the diligent, conscientious efforts, to date, rendered to the Senate by Majority Leader Frist and Democratic Leader Reid. This memorandum confirms an understanding among the signatories, based upon mutual trust and confidence, related to pending and future judicial nominations in the 109th Congress.
This memorandum is in two parts. Part I relates to the currently pending judicial nominees; Part II relates to subsequent individual nominations to be made by the President and to be acted upon by the Senate’s Judiciary Committee.
We have agreed to the following:
Part I: Commitments on Pending Judicial Nominations
A. Votes for Certain Nominees. We will vote to invoke cloture on the following judicial nominees: Janice Rogers Brown (D.C. Circuit), William Pryor (11th Circuit), and Priscilla Owen (5th Circuit).
B. Status of Other Nominees. Signatories make no commitment to vote for or against cloture on the following judicial nominees: William Myers (9th Circuit) and Henry Saad (6th Circuit).
Part II: Commitments for Future Nominations
A. Future Nominations. Signatories will exercise their responsibilities under the Advice and Consent Clause of the United States Constitution in good faith. Nominees should only be filibustered under extraordinary circumstances, and each signatory must use his or her own discretion and judgment in determining whether such circumstances exist.
B. Rules Changes. In light of the spirit and continuing commitments made in this agreement, we commit to oppose the rules changes in the 109th Congress, which we understand to be any amendment to or interpretation of the Rules of the Senate that would force a vote on a judicial nomination by means other than unanimous consent or Rule XXII.
We believe that, under Article II, Section 2, of the United States Constitution, the word “Advice” speaks to consultation between the Senate and the President with regard to the use of the President’s power to make nominations. We encourage the Executive branch of government to consult with members of the Senate, both Democratic and Republican, prior to submitting a judicial nomination to the Senate for consideration.
Such a return to the early practices of our government may well serve to reduce the rancor that unfortunately accompanies the advice and consent process in the Senate.
We firmly believe this agreement is consistent with the traditions of the United States Senate that we as Senators seek to uphold.
Murdered Scientist, recently announced a CALL to TEST all CATTLE for BSE
Dr. Robert Lull's Call For BSE Testing Of All US Cattle SFGate.com Open ForumBy Dr. Robert Lull, Steve Heilig5-22-5Mad cow disease remains a worrying mystery. Meat from infected animals can infect consumers with prions, which cause variant Creutzfeldt- Jakob disease, a progressive degeneration of the brain that is always fatal. Mad cow disease (the common term for bovine spongiform encephalopathy) is caused by prions, the infectious misshapen proteins discovered by University of California researcher Stanley Prusiner, who received a Nobel Prize in Medicine for his groundbreaking work. Prusiner has referred to BSE-related diseases as "new, strange and scary." more...http://www.rense.com/general65/DR.HTM
==============================================
http://www.kron4.com/Global/story.asp?S=3370023
SAN FRANCISCO (AP) -- Police found two credit cards believed to have been stolen when the chief of nuclear medicine at San Francisco General Hospital was stabbed to death in his home. But they haven't found the doctor's car or many other clues, authorities acknowledged this week. Dr. Robert J. Lull, 64, was found on the floor just inside the doorway of his home on Thursday, after hospital officials sent his assistant to look for him when he failed to arrive at his clinic.
Congressmen dare Bush to veto expansion of stem cell study
Two local Democratic congressmen yesterday challenged President Bush to go ahead and veto an expansion of federally funded embryonic stem cell research, as he has threatened.
"Bring it on" and face the fallout of public opinion, said U.S. Rep. Jim McDermott, who joined Rep. Jay Inslee and several transplant surgeons, doctors and researchers to publicly press for passage of the Stem Cell Research Enhancement Act of 2005.
The bill, which would lift Bush's 2001 ban on federal funding for research of new embryonic stem cell lines, is scheduled for a House vote this week.
"The White House policy has proven to have been a failure," Inslee said yesterday while at the Washington State Convention and Trade Center for the annual meeting of the American Transplant Congress, a surgeons group. "It has put handcuffs on our researchers."
Pa. Man Accused of Trying to Sell Bomb
HOUSTON - A 68-year-old Pennsylvania man was arrested on charges he tried to build a bomb and sell it to an agent he thought was a member of Al-Qaida, officials said Monday.
Ronald Allen Grecula of Bangor, Pa., was arrested Friday in Houston during a meeting with undercover FBI agents, U.S. Attorney Michael Shelby said. During that meeting, Grecula indicated willingness to build and sell an explosive device that was to be used against Americans, officials alleged in court documents.
Grecula was set to make his initial court appearance Monday afternoon. He has been charged with attempting to provide material support and resources to a designated foreign terrorist organization, specifically al-Qaida, a news release from Shelby's office said.
Ronald Allen Grecula of Bangor, Pa., was arrested Friday in Houston during a meeting with undercover FBI agents, U.S. Attorney Michael Shelby said. During that meeting, Grecula indicated willingness to build and sell an explosive device that was to be used against Americans, officials alleged in court documents.
Grecula was set to make his initial court appearance Monday afternoon. He has been charged with attempting to provide material support and resources to a designated foreign terrorist organization, specifically al-Qaida, a news release from Shelby's office said.
Karzai Denies Article Prompted Riots in Afghanistan
Financial Times
Hamid Karzai, Afghan President, on Monday denied the riots in Afghanistan that led to 16 deaths had been prompted by a magazine article, calling them instead “a political act against Afghanistan's stability”.
“These demonstrations were in reality not related to the Newsweek story,” he said at a joint press conference held after a meeting with President George W. Bush. “They were more against progress in Afghanistan and our strategic partnership with America. We know the people who were behind the demonstrations.”
His comments contrast with those of White House officials who have forcefully condemned the Newsweek report that claimed a Koran had been flushed down a toilet by interrogators in Guantanamo Bay, and have suggested it helped trigger the riots.
Last week Scott McClellan, White House spokesman, said: “This report was used to excite violence and did serious damage. The protests may have been pre-planned but this report was used to excite violence.”
Mr Karzai's remarks echo the views of General Richard Myers, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of staff, who said the violence was “not at all tied to the article in the magazine”.
Hamid Karzai, Afghan President, on Monday denied the riots in Afghanistan that led to 16 deaths had been prompted by a magazine article, calling them instead “a political act against Afghanistan's stability”.
“These demonstrations were in reality not related to the Newsweek story,” he said at a joint press conference held after a meeting with President George W. Bush. “They were more against progress in Afghanistan and our strategic partnership with America. We know the people who were behind the demonstrations.”
His comments contrast with those of White House officials who have forcefully condemned the Newsweek report that claimed a Koran had been flushed down a toilet by interrogators in Guantanamo Bay, and have suggested it helped trigger the riots.
Last week Scott McClellan, White House spokesman, said: “This report was used to excite violence and did serious damage. The protests may have been pre-planned but this report was used to excite violence.”
Mr Karzai's remarks echo the views of General Richard Myers, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of staff, who said the violence was “not at all tied to the article in the magazine”.
Galloway in Washington
"I hope you will not dismiss as exaggeration my saying this about British MP George Galloway's appearance to defend himself against a lazy and cowardly American smear of his ethics. U.S. politicians do drone on, especially hacks like Minnesota's mumble-mouse Republican senator Norman Coleman, who looks, as do all politicians who've had surgery and skin-sanding, like Frankenstein's monster, something manufactured.But even the feeblest British MPs of any stripe don't mumble.
Britons, despite decades of eating their own education system, still speak in complete sentences with immaculate grammar. They select syntax that assassinates and have an icy grasp of their facts.Furthermore, Mr. Galloway is a Scot. They thunder well. It was like Braveheart going to Washington, like listening to comedian Billy Connolly go on one of his genuine rants.
Scots go for the jugular.This is why all British prime ministers sweat and tremble at Question Period. These senators were dumb enough not to know that a fusillade of words was aimed at their heads, words that would shame and frighten them, as you could see from their nervous smiles." CONT
Britons, despite decades of eating their own education system, still speak in complete sentences with immaculate grammar. They select syntax that assassinates and have an icy grasp of their facts.Furthermore, Mr. Galloway is a Scot. They thunder well. It was like Braveheart going to Washington, like listening to comedian Billy Connolly go on one of his genuine rants.
Scots go for the jugular.This is why all British prime ministers sweat and tremble at Question Period. These senators were dumb enough not to know that a fusillade of words was aimed at their heads, words that would shame and frighten them, as you could see from their nervous smiles." CONT
Harness Racing Picks for 05-23-05
Record since 04-26-05
Win (33)
Place (10)
Show (4)
Out of the Money (9)
****************************
Harrington Raceway
Race # 14
Horse: WYNFIELD OWINGS
Post Position: # 7
Win (33)
Place (10)
Show (4)
Out of the Money (9)
****************************
Harrington Raceway
Race # 14
Horse: WYNFIELD OWINGS
Post Position: # 7
Sunday, May 22, 2005
Jones sails a contrarian course, scolds Bush, bucks GOP leaders
The words "freedom fries" are still on the menu in the U.S. House cafeteria, and are likely to appear in the first line of Walter Jones' obituary, perhaps with their lesser-known cousin, freedom toast.
Ask him about it now, and he lays his cheek in his left hand, a habit he repeats dozens of times a day when lost in thought or sadness.
"I wish it had never happened," Jones said.
But Jones now says we went to war "with no justification." He has challenged the Bush administration, quizzing Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld and other presidential advisers in public hearings. He has lined the hallway outside his office with "the faces of the fallen."
Cont
Ask him about it now, and he lays his cheek in his left hand, a habit he repeats dozens of times a day when lost in thought or sadness.
"I wish it had never happened," Jones said.
But Jones now says we went to war "with no justification." He has challenged the Bush administration, quizzing Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld and other presidential advisers in public hearings. He has lined the hallway outside his office with "the faces of the fallen."
Cont
U.N. Official Criticizes U.S. Reluctance on International Law
NEW YORK (AP) - Secretary General Kofi Annan's chief of staff called the United States an "ungainly giant" that only plays by its own rules, criticizing the U.N.'s largest donor in unusually strong terms Sunday.
Mark Malloch Brown said the U.S. contributed most to the development of international law in the last century, but was now the country most opposed to international constraints.
"This ungainly giant of a nation that has led the world in advancing freedom, democracy and decency, cannot quite accept membership in the global neighborhood association, and the principle of all neighborhoods - that it must abide by others' rules as well as its own," Malloch Brown said at the commencement address to Pace University law students.
Liberals and Radicals Rally in Moscow for Press Freedoms, Media Access
MOSCOW (AP) - Hundreds of liberal and radical party activists rallied in Moscow on Sunday, demanding greater press freedom and more access to the country's state-dominated television networks.
Meanwhile, the leaders of two top Russian political parties appeared in a rare prime time interview on state-run television, apparently underscoring new efforts by the Kremlin to improve media access and improve its image.
Critics have accused President Vladimir Putin of cracking down on freedom of speech since he came to power in 2000 and of shutting down television stations whose reporting was critical of the government.
In an apparent effort to counter criticism of a growing centralization of power, Putin promised parliamentary leaders that he would ensure that state media offered access to all political forces.
Liberal party leader Grigory Yavlinsky told protesters that Russia has no freedom of the press.
Meanwhile, the leaders of two top Russian political parties appeared in a rare prime time interview on state-run television, apparently underscoring new efforts by the Kremlin to improve media access and improve its image.
Critics have accused President Vladimir Putin of cracking down on freedom of speech since he came to power in 2000 and of shutting down television stations whose reporting was critical of the government.
In an apparent effort to counter criticism of a growing centralization of power, Putin promised parliamentary leaders that he would ensure that state media offered access to all political forces.
Liberal party leader Grigory Yavlinsky told protesters that Russia has no freedom of the press.
Tillman's Parents Are Critical Of Army
Family Questions Reversal On Cause of Ranger's Death
Former NFL player Pat Tillman's family is lashing out against the Army, saying that the military's investigations into Tillman's friendly-fire death in Afghanistan last year were a sham and that Army efforts to cover up the truth have made it harder for them to deal with their loss.
More than a year after their son was shot several times by his fellow Army Rangers on a craggy hillside near the Pakistani border, Tillman's mother and father said in interviews that they believe the military and the government created a heroic tale about how their son died to foster a patriotic response across the country. They say the Army's "lies" about what happened have made them suspicious, and that they are certain they will never get the full story.
"Pat had high ideals about the country; that's why he did what he did," Mary Tillman said in her first lengthy interview since her son's death. "The military let him down. The administration let him down. It was a sign of disrespect. The fact that he was the ultimate team player and he watched his own men kill him is absolutely heartbreaking and tragic. The fact that they lied about it afterward is disgusting."
Former NFL player Pat Tillman's family is lashing out against the Army, saying that the military's investigations into Tillman's friendly-fire death in Afghanistan last year were a sham and that Army efforts to cover up the truth have made it harder for them to deal with their loss.
More than a year after their son was shot several times by his fellow Army Rangers on a craggy hillside near the Pakistani border, Tillman's mother and father said in interviews that they believe the military and the government created a heroic tale about how their son died to foster a patriotic response across the country. They say the Army's "lies" about what happened have made them suspicious, and that they are certain they will never get the full story.
"Pat had high ideals about the country; that's why he did what he did," Mary Tillman said in her first lengthy interview since her son's death. "The military let him down. The administration let him down. It was a sign of disrespect. The fact that he was the ultimate team player and he watched his own men kill him is absolutely heartbreaking and tragic. The fact that they lied about it afterward is disgusting."
Beatty kicks up political dust at Cal
SF GATE
Academy Award-winning actor-director Warren Beatty delivered a devastating critique of Arnold Schwarzenegger at a UC Berkeley commencement Saturday, and refused to rule out a Democratic run for governor -- saying that he would "think about it" if Schwarzenegger continues to endorse "a totally unnecessary special election."
SNIP
Beatty lambasted the GOP governor for "bullying labor and the little guys'' such as California nurses and teachers while embracing "the reactionary right wing'' in pursuit of his agenda
"We are not the governor's dumbbells,'' Beatty said to applause and laughter. "It's not fooling anybody for him to be running around raising money ... from rich Republicans all over the country who hope that they can get this reactionary stuff started in California.''
He then asked why the state needs "a totally unnecessary $70 million extra election in November, when we're going to have another one anyway in June. That's nothing but a strategy to distract attention from the failure to deal honestly with the budget.'''
"It's become time to define a Schwarzenegger Republican,'' Beatty said. "A Schwarzenegger Republican is a Bush Republican who says he's a Schwarzenegger Republican.''
"He was great,'' said (Anette) Bening...
The tough words from Beatty come as the governor is outside the state -- this weekend in Florida, Texas and Illinois -- attempting to raise millions from GOP loyalists like Texas oilman T. Boone Pickens for a special election which looks increasingly likely in November.
Academy Award-winning actor-director Warren Beatty delivered a devastating critique of Arnold Schwarzenegger at a UC Berkeley commencement Saturday, and refused to rule out a Democratic run for governor -- saying that he would "think about it" if Schwarzenegger continues to endorse "a totally unnecessary special election."
SNIP
Beatty lambasted the GOP governor for "bullying labor and the little guys'' such as California nurses and teachers while embracing "the reactionary right wing'' in pursuit of his agenda
"We are not the governor's dumbbells,'' Beatty said to applause and laughter. "It's not fooling anybody for him to be running around raising money ... from rich Republicans all over the country who hope that they can get this reactionary stuff started in California.''
He then asked why the state needs "a totally unnecessary $70 million extra election in November, when we're going to have another one anyway in June. That's nothing but a strategy to distract attention from the failure to deal honestly with the budget.'''
"It's become time to define a Schwarzenegger Republican,'' Beatty said. "A Schwarzenegger Republican is a Bush Republican who says he's a Schwarzenegger Republican.''
"He was great,'' said (Anette) Bening...
The tough words from Beatty come as the governor is outside the state -- this weekend in Florida, Texas and Illinois -- attempting to raise millions from GOP loyalists like Texas oilman T. Boone Pickens for a special election which looks increasingly likely in November.
Emergency Petition to Save the Courts
Senator Bill Frist has pulled the trigger on the "nuclear option." We now have less than 72 hours to stop him from seizing absolute power to stack the courts — including the Supreme Court. The vote is still too close to call. If we raise our voice, we can win.
We've launched an emergency petition we'll be delivering to congress every three hours, from Monday morning until the final vote is complete. Our allies will read your comments on the Senate floor, and every senator will know the American people are standing ready to hold them accountable. Please sign today: http://www.moveonpac.org/nuclear/
We've launched an emergency petition we'll be delivering to congress every three hours, from Monday morning until the final vote is complete. Our allies will read your comments on the Senate floor, and every senator will know the American people are standing ready to hold them accountable. Please sign today: http://www.moveonpac.org/nuclear/
Laura Bush heckled in Jerusalem
BBC
US First Lady Laura Bush has been heckled by both Jewish and Muslim protesters during a visit to Jerusalem's holy sites.
As she slipped a note between stones of the Western Wall, Jewish protesters demanded the release of an Israeli jailed in the US for spying for Israel.
At the nearby Dome of the Rock mosque, Palestinians said she was not welcome.
The Temple Mount, known to Muslims as al-Haram al-Sharif, is Judaism's holiest site and Islam's third holiest.
A visit there by Israel's Prime Minister Ariel Sharon in 2000 sparked the current Palestinian intifada.
US First Lady Laura Bush has been heckled by both Jewish and Muslim protesters during a visit to Jerusalem's holy sites.
As she slipped a note between stones of the Western Wall, Jewish protesters demanded the release of an Israeli jailed in the US for spying for Israel.
At the nearby Dome of the Rock mosque, Palestinians said she was not welcome.
The Temple Mount, known to Muslims as al-Haram al-Sharif, is Judaism's holiest site and Islam's third holiest.
A visit there by Israel's Prime Minister Ariel Sharon in 2000 sparked the current Palestinian intifada.
Harness Racing Results for 05-21-05
Record since 04-26-05
Win (33)
Place (10)
Show (4)
Out of the Money (9)
****************************
Balmoral Park
Race # 5
Horse: CHEVIE CASH (Won)
Post Position: # 6
********************
The Meadowlands
Race # 10
Horse: THE INTIMIDATOR (Won)
Post Position: # 9
********************
Pompano Park
Race # 9
Horse: BETWEEN THE LINES (Won)
Post Position: # 6
*******************
Scioto Downs
Race # 10
Horse: MARTIMMY (Won)
Post Position: # 5
Win (33)
Place (10)
Show (4)
Out of the Money (9)
****************************
Balmoral Park
Race # 5
Horse: CHEVIE CASH (Won)
Post Position: # 6
********************
The Meadowlands
Race # 10
Horse: THE INTIMIDATOR (Won)
Post Position: # 9
********************
Pompano Park
Race # 9
Horse: BETWEEN THE LINES (Won)
Post Position: # 6
*******************
Scioto Downs
Race # 10
Horse: MARTIMMY (Won)
Post Position: # 5
Saturday, May 21, 2005
It's All Newsweek's Fault
By FRANK RICH
IN the immediate aftermath of 9/11, Fareed Zakaria wrote a 6,791-word cover story for Newsweek titled "Why Do They Hate Us?" Think how much effort he could have saved if he'd waited a few years. As we learned last week, the question of why they hate us can now be answered in just one word: Newsweek.
"Our United States military personnel go out of their way to make sure that the Holy Koran is treated with care," said the White House press secretary, Scott McClellan, as he eagerly made the magazine the scapegoat for lethal anti-American riots in Afghanistan. Indeed, Mr. McClellan was so fixated on destroying Newsweek - and on mouthing his own phony P.C. pieties about the Koran - that by omission he whitewashed the rioters themselves, Islamic extremists who routinely misuse that holy book as a pretext for murder.
That's how absurdly over-the-top the assault on Newsweek has been. The administration has been so successful at bullying the news media in order to cover up its own fictions and failings in Iraq that it now believes it can get away with pinning some 17 deaths on an errant single sentence in a 10-sentence Periscope item that few noticed until days after its publication. Coming just as the latest CNN/Gallup/USA Today poll finds that only 41 percent of Americans think the war in Iraq is "worth fighting" and only 42 percent think it's going well, this smells like desperation. In its war on the press, this hubristic administration may finally have crossed a bridge too far.
IN the immediate aftermath of 9/11, Fareed Zakaria wrote a 6,791-word cover story for Newsweek titled "Why Do They Hate Us?" Think how much effort he could have saved if he'd waited a few years. As we learned last week, the question of why they hate us can now be answered in just one word: Newsweek.
"Our United States military personnel go out of their way to make sure that the Holy Koran is treated with care," said the White House press secretary, Scott McClellan, as he eagerly made the magazine the scapegoat for lethal anti-American riots in Afghanistan. Indeed, Mr. McClellan was so fixated on destroying Newsweek - and on mouthing his own phony P.C. pieties about the Koran - that by omission he whitewashed the rioters themselves, Islamic extremists who routinely misuse that holy book as a pretext for murder.
That's how absurdly over-the-top the assault on Newsweek has been. The administration has been so successful at bullying the news media in order to cover up its own fictions and failings in Iraq that it now believes it can get away with pinning some 17 deaths on an errant single sentence in a 10-sentence Periscope item that few noticed until days after its publication. Coming just as the latest CNN/Gallup/USA Today poll finds that only 41 percent of Americans think the war in Iraq is "worth fighting" and only 42 percent think it's going well, this smells like desperation. In its war on the press, this hubristic administration may finally have crossed a bridge too far.
The Top 10 Filibuster Falsehoods
With Senate debate on two of President Bush's most controversial judicial nominees beginning May 18, the heated rhetoric over the so-called "nuclear option" to ban Senate filibusters on judicial nominations has reached its boiling point. The rules of the Senate thus far remain intact, but filibuster opponents have pulled all rhetorical stops, advancing numerous falsehoods and distortions, and, as Media Matters for America documents below, the media have too often perpetuated that misinformation by unskeptically, and sometimes even deliberately, repeating it.
Falsehood #1: Democrats' filibuster of Bush nominees is "unprecedented"
Falsehood #2: Bush's filibustered nominees have all been rated well-qualified by the ABA; blocking such highly rated nominees is unprecedented
Falsehood #3: Democratic obstructionism has led to far more judicial vacancies during Republican administrations than Democratic administrations
Falsehood #4: "Nuclear Option" is a Democratic term
Falsehood #5: Democrats oppose Bush nominees because of their faith, race, ethnicity, gender, stance on abortion, stance on parental notification ...
Falsehood #6: Public opinion polling shows clear opposition to judicial filibusters, support for "nuclear option"
Falsehood #7: Filibustering judicial nominees is unconstitutional
Falsehood #8: Clinton's appellate confirmation rate was far better than Bush's rate
Falsehood #9: Sen. Byrd's alterations to filibuster rules set precedent for "nuclear option"
Falsehood #10: Democrats have opposed "all" or "most" of Bush's judicial nominees
Congress Moves to Restrict Court Rulings on God
Vermont Guardian
Conservatives balk at accusations that the current Congress and the Bush administration are intent on turning the United States into a theocracy. Yet, a bill sponsored by 28 members of the U.S. House and Senate looks like a move in that direction.
According to the text of the bill, the proposed Constitution Restoration Act of 2005 would remove the Supreme Court’s jurisdiction over “any matter to the extent that relief is sought against an entity of Federal, State, or local government, or against an officer or agent of Federal, State, or local government (whether or not acting in official or personal capacity), concerning that entity’s, officer’s, or agent’s acknowledgment of God as the sovereign source of law, liberty, or government.”
-snip-
If passed, the bill also would limit the ability of judges to interpret the Constitution if it involved “any constitution, law, administrative rule, Executive order, directive, policy, judicial decision, or any other action of any foreign state or international organization or agency, other than English constitutional and common law up to the time of the adoption of the Constitution of the United States.”
Judges who fail to comply could be impeached or prosecuted.
Conservatives balk at accusations that the current Congress and the Bush administration are intent on turning the United States into a theocracy. Yet, a bill sponsored by 28 members of the U.S. House and Senate looks like a move in that direction.
According to the text of the bill, the proposed Constitution Restoration Act of 2005 would remove the Supreme Court’s jurisdiction over “any matter to the extent that relief is sought against an entity of Federal, State, or local government, or against an officer or agent of Federal, State, or local government (whether or not acting in official or personal capacity), concerning that entity’s, officer’s, or agent’s acknowledgment of God as the sovereign source of law, liberty, or government.”
-snip-
If passed, the bill also would limit the ability of judges to interpret the Constitution if it involved “any constitution, law, administrative rule, Executive order, directive, policy, judicial decision, or any other action of any foreign state or international organization or agency, other than English constitutional and common law up to the time of the adoption of the Constitution of the United States.”
Judges who fail to comply could be impeached or prosecuted.
Santorum, perfect example of most American Religous Zealots
"I've never read the Bible cover to cover; maybe I should have."
-- Sen. Rick Santorum (R-PA), quoted in this Sunday's New York Times Magazine, noting that he "is not a reader of scripture" and instead "reads magazines and journals offering commentary on religion."
-- Sen. Rick Santorum (R-PA), quoted in this Sunday's New York Times Magazine, noting that he "is not a reader of scripture" and instead "reads magazines and journals offering commentary on religion."
Harness Racing Picks for 05-21-05
Record since 04-26-05
Win (29)
Place (10)
Show (4)
Out of the Money (9)
****************************
Balmoral Park
Race # 5
Horse: CHEVIE CASH
Post Position: # 6
********************
The Meadowlands
Race # 10
Horse: THE INTIMIDATOR
Post Position: # 9
********************
Pompano Park
Race # 9
Horse: BETWEEN THE LINES
Post Position: # 6
*******************
Scioto Downs
Race # 10
Horse: MARTIMMY
Post Position: # 5
Win (29)
Place (10)
Show (4)
Out of the Money (9)
****************************
Balmoral Park
Race # 5
Horse: CHEVIE CASH
Post Position: # 6
********************
The Meadowlands
Race # 10
Horse: THE INTIMIDATOR
Post Position: # 9
********************
Pompano Park
Race # 9
Horse: BETWEEN THE LINES
Post Position: # 6
*******************
Scioto Downs
Race # 10
Horse: MARTIMMY
Post Position: # 5
Friday, May 20, 2005
Nancy Pelosi: China Policy is a "total failure"
The leader of the Democrats in the US House of Representatives on Thursday denounced Washington's China policy as a "total failure," particularly with respect to the spiraling US trade deficit.
"There has never been any good faith on the part of the Chinese to act in a way that is fair, that honors the opportunity that we give them to grow their economy by using our markets for that growth," Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi said. "As a result, much sensitive technology, some of it related to weapons of mass destruction, was exported from China to unsafe countries."
Because of misguided US trade policy, "the trade deficit has soared, and religious repression continues, and we are up the creek," she told reporters at a press conference.
"There has never been any good faith on the part of the Chinese to act in a way that is fair, that honors the opportunity that we give them to grow their economy by using our markets for that growth," Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi said. "As a result, much sensitive technology, some of it related to weapons of mass destruction, was exported from China to unsafe countries."
Because of misguided US trade policy, "the trade deficit has soared, and religious repression continues, and we are up the creek," she told reporters at a press conference.
Pastor, Deputy Implicated In Church Child/Animal Sex Abuse
More from the Family Values Clan
PONCHATOULA, La. -- Sheriff's deputies in Louisiana made a third arrest Wednesday in the ongoing investigation of a case involving allegations of sexual abuse of children and animals at a Ponchatoula, La., church.
Austin Aaron Bernard III, 36, was arrested on a charge of aggravated rape of a child under the age of 13. Police said Bernard confessed to detectives that he had sex with a young girl in November 2002 and admitted to knowing about sexual acts involving children and a dog that occurred at Hosanna Church."
PONCHATOULA, La. -- Sheriff's deputies in Louisiana made a third arrest Wednesday in the ongoing investigation of a case involving allegations of sexual abuse of children and animals at a Ponchatoula, La., church.
Austin Aaron Bernard III, 36, was arrested on a charge of aggravated rape of a child under the age of 13. Police said Bernard confessed to detectives that he had sex with a young girl in November 2002 and admitted to knowing about sexual acts involving children and a dog that occurred at Hosanna Church."
Karzai Angry at US Afghan 'Abuse'
Afghan President Hamid Karzai has condemned as unacceptable new details of alleged abuse of prisoners by US troops in Afghanistan. The president's spokesman told the BBC the soldiers involved in the deaths of two inmates and alleged abuse of others should be punished.
The allegations are detailed by the New York Times citing a 2,000-page document leaked from a US army investigation. They come at a sensitive time as Mr Karzai flies to the US on Saturday. Correspondents say his four-day trip could also be overshadowed by last week's violent anti-US protests in Afghanistan following allegations in Newsweek magazine - now retracted - that US guards at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, had desecrated the Koran.
Mr Karzai, a US ally who came to power following the collapse of the Taleban regime in late 2001, has recently spoken of "US military mistakes". Officials in Washington said the alleged abuses detailed in the New York Times were being investigated and those responsible would be held to account.
Seven US servicemen have already been charged in relation to the two deaths at Bagram military base, north of Kabul, in 2002. The new allegations relate to the level of abuse the two prisoners are said to have been subjected to.
The allegations are detailed by the New York Times citing a 2,000-page document leaked from a US army investigation. They come at a sensitive time as Mr Karzai flies to the US on Saturday. Correspondents say his four-day trip could also be overshadowed by last week's violent anti-US protests in Afghanistan following allegations in Newsweek magazine - now retracted - that US guards at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, had desecrated the Koran.
Mr Karzai, a US ally who came to power following the collapse of the Taleban regime in late 2001, has recently spoken of "US military mistakes". Officials in Washington said the alleged abuses detailed in the New York Times were being investigated and those responsible would be held to account.
Seven US servicemen have already been charged in relation to the two deaths at Bagram military base, north of Kabul, in 2002. The new allegations relate to the level of abuse the two prisoners are said to have been subjected to.
New Title, Same Lame Story
VIENNA, Austria (AP) -- Iran is circumventing international export bans on sensitive dual-use materials by smuggling graphite and a graphite compound that can be used to make conventional and nuclear weapons, an Iranian dissident and a senior diplomat said Friday.
A New Standard
With a new Wall Street Journal/NBC News poll showing that "disapproval of Congress's performance is higher than it has been since 1994," and that "by 65%-17% [Americans] say Congress doesn't share their priorities," Democrats have stepped up to restore public confidence in the House. This week Democratic Leadership unveiled a comprehensive ethics platform to restore accountability and fight pay-to-play politics in the House. These were the six primary tenets:
* Ban Members from accepting any gifts from lobbyists.
* Ban Members from secretly working with corporate lobbyists to write legislation.
* Ban lobbying by Members of Congress and high level staff for two years after leaving Congress.
* Enforce the ban on Members and staff soliciting privately-funded travel.
* Ban lobbyists from arranging and financing travel.
* End the 'K Street Project' - ban Members and staff from threatening lobbyists with official actions.
When Republicans claim that Democrats are not asserting a positive agenda, keep this milestone in mind.
* Ban Members from accepting any gifts from lobbyists.
* Ban Members from secretly working with corporate lobbyists to write legislation.
* Ban lobbying by Members of Congress and high level staff for two years after leaving Congress.
* Enforce the ban on Members and staff soliciting privately-funded travel.
* Ban lobbyists from arranging and financing travel.
* End the 'K Street Project' - ban Members and staff from threatening lobbyists with official actions.
When Republicans claim that Democrats are not asserting a positive agenda, keep this milestone in mind.
Defiant Uzbeks Stage New Protest
BBC
Several hundred people have held a rally in the Uzbek town of Korasuv, where residents threw out their leaders last week in a popular protest.
More than 500 people gathered outside government buildings, a day after Uzbek troops took back control of the town.
Unconfirmed reports said up to 80 people had been arrested.
The Uzbek government has rejected calls for an international inquiry into last week's bloody crackdown on protesters in the nearby city of Andijan.
The alleged massacre in Andijan triggered last week's uprising in Korasuv. Although the authorities are back in control of Korasuv, protesters are angry at the arrest of two of the leaders of the rebellion.
Uzbekistan has said 169 people died when soldiers put down a "bandit uprising" in Andijan on 13 May. An army source told the BBC 500 people were killed.
The unrest in Andijan began when a group of men stormed the town's prison and freed 23 businessmen accused of being Islamic extremists. A large protest was then staged, joined by hundreds of Andijan's residents as well as the freed prisoners.
Witnesses said troops fired indiscriminately at civilians in the crowd.
Several hundred people have held a rally in the Uzbek town of Korasuv, where residents threw out their leaders last week in a popular protest.
More than 500 people gathered outside government buildings, a day after Uzbek troops took back control of the town.
Unconfirmed reports said up to 80 people had been arrested.
The Uzbek government has rejected calls for an international inquiry into last week's bloody crackdown on protesters in the nearby city of Andijan.
The alleged massacre in Andijan triggered last week's uprising in Korasuv. Although the authorities are back in control of Korasuv, protesters are angry at the arrest of two of the leaders of the rebellion.
Uzbekistan has said 169 people died when soldiers put down a "bandit uprising" in Andijan on 13 May. An army source told the BBC 500 people were killed.
The unrest in Andijan began when a group of men stormed the town's prison and freed 23 businessmen accused of being Islamic extremists. A large protest was then staged, joined by hundreds of Andijan's residents as well as the freed prisoners.
Witnesses said troops fired indiscriminately at civilians in the crowd.
The Start of The Greatest Mistake?
Russia urges US to avoid space arms race
By Demetri Sevastopulo in Washington
Russia would consider using force if necessary to respond if the US put a combat weapon into space, according to a senior Russian official.
According to a New York Times report yesterday, the Bush administration was moving towards implementing a new space policy that would move the US closer to placing offensive and defensive weapons in space. Russia, China and many US allies oppose any weaponisation of space, partly out of concerns that it would lead to an extremely expensive post-cold war arms race.
Vladimir Yermakov, senior counsellor at the Russian embassy in Washington, on Tuesday told a conference on space militarisation that Russia was working through diplomatic channels to urge the US not to move towards fielding weapons in space. But he said Russia would have to react, possibly with force, if the US successfully put a "combat weapon" in space.
In an interview yesterday, Mr Yermakov emphasised that Russia's priority was to solve the problem diplomatically. Russia has voluntarily declared that it will not be the first country to place weapons in space in an effort to encourage the US to move away from space weaponisation.
By Demetri Sevastopulo in Washington
Russia would consider using force if necessary to respond if the US put a combat weapon into space, according to a senior Russian official.
According to a New York Times report yesterday, the Bush administration was moving towards implementing a new space policy that would move the US closer to placing offensive and defensive weapons in space. Russia, China and many US allies oppose any weaponisation of space, partly out of concerns that it would lead to an extremely expensive post-cold war arms race.
Vladimir Yermakov, senior counsellor at the Russian embassy in Washington, on Tuesday told a conference on space militarisation that Russia was working through diplomatic channels to urge the US not to move towards fielding weapons in space. But he said Russia would have to react, possibly with force, if the US successfully put a "combat weapon" in space.
In an interview yesterday, Mr Yermakov emphasised that Russia's priority was to solve the problem diplomatically. Russia has voluntarily declared that it will not be the first country to place weapons in space in an effort to encourage the US to move away from space weaponisation.
George Galloway on BBC's Question Time
"I was against Saddam Hussain when Toney Blair was still in short trousers"
Streaming video
Streaming video
Thursday, May 19, 2005
Republicans Scrubbed Galloway Speech
The Republicans have Scrubbed the speech given by MP George Galloway from his hearing on 05-17-05. The official government site of the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs doesn't have a link to video of Galloway's testimony. They have a link to everyone else's testimony.
Good thing there are plenty of sites that it. There are two listed on this Blog below, but here is another. Link
Good thing there are plenty of sites that it. There are two listed on this Blog below, but here is another. Link
Preserve the filibuster-please sign this petition!
Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist (R-TN) is considering the radical elimination of the 200-year-old filibuster in order to pave an easy path for controversial nominees to the Supreme Court. Frist’s effort is called the “nuclear option,” and there are some Republicans who may think it goes too far. Tell these Senators you think it does. Sign the petition now at http://pfaw.kintera.org/SaveTheFilibuster .
Sen. Richard Shelby (Alabama)
Sen. Ted Stevens and Sen. Lisa Murkowski (Alaska)
Sen. John McCain (Arizona)
Sen. Richard Lugar (Indiana)
Sen. Charles Grassley (Iowa)
Sen. Pat Roberts (Kansas)
Sen. Jim Bunning and Sen. Mitch McConnell (Kentucky)
Sen. Olympia Snowe and Sen. Susan Collins (Maine)
Sen. Thad Cochran (Mississippi)
Sen. Chuck Hagel (Nebraska)
Sen. Judd Gregg and Sen. John Sununu (New Hampshire)
Sen. Pete Domenici (New Mexico)
Sen. Mike DeWine and Sen. George Voinovich (Ohio)
Sen. Gordon Smith (Oregon)
Sen. Arlen Specter (Pennsylvania)
Sen. Lincoln Chafee (Rhode Island)
Sen. Lindsey Graham (South Carolina)
Sen. Lamar Alexander (Tennessee)
Sen. John Warner (Virginia)
Sen. Richard Shelby (Alabama)
Sen. Ted Stevens and Sen. Lisa Murkowski (Alaska)
Sen. John McCain (Arizona)
Sen. Richard Lugar (Indiana)
Sen. Charles Grassley (Iowa)
Sen. Pat Roberts (Kansas)
Sen. Jim Bunning and Sen. Mitch McConnell (Kentucky)
Sen. Olympia Snowe and Sen. Susan Collins (Maine)
Sen. Thad Cochran (Mississippi)
Sen. Chuck Hagel (Nebraska)
Sen. Judd Gregg and Sen. John Sununu (New Hampshire)
Sen. Pete Domenici (New Mexico)
Sen. Mike DeWine and Sen. George Voinovich (Ohio)
Sen. Gordon Smith (Oregon)
Sen. Arlen Specter (Pennsylvania)
Sen. Lincoln Chafee (Rhode Island)
Sen. Lindsey Graham (South Carolina)
Sen. Lamar Alexander (Tennessee)
Sen. John Warner (Virginia)
Bolton Lied to Senate Foreign Relations Committee: Read Bolton Report
Here is one excerpt of a report very well worth reading in full:
VI. MISLEADING THE FOREIGN RELATIONS COMMITTEE
The record before the Committee demonstrates that Under Secretary Bolton did not live up to his reputation as a "straight-talker" during his testimony to the Committee. He made several statements to the Committee that were contradicted by others, at odds with available evidence, and may be fairly described as misleading, disingenuous or non-responsive.
A. Mr. Bolton says he did not try to have INR analyst Christian Westermann disciplined.
Mr. Bolton insisted, on several occasions, that he did not try to have Christian Westermann, an analyst in the Bureau of Intelligence and Research (INR), removed from his position or disciplined.
This testimony was contradicted by four other witnesses, including his Chief of Staff.
VI. MISLEADING THE FOREIGN RELATIONS COMMITTEE
The record before the Committee demonstrates that Under Secretary Bolton did not live up to his reputation as a "straight-talker" during his testimony to the Committee. He made several statements to the Committee that were contradicted by others, at odds with available evidence, and may be fairly described as misleading, disingenuous or non-responsive.
A. Mr. Bolton says he did not try to have INR analyst Christian Westermann disciplined.
Mr. Bolton insisted, on several occasions, that he did not try to have Christian Westermann, an analyst in the Bureau of Intelligence and Research (INR), removed from his position or disciplined.
This testimony was contradicted by four other witnesses, including his Chief of Staff.
No Coke, only Pepsi
WASHINGTON: Students graduating from the Columbia Business school MBA class of 2005 may have expected some fizz in a commencement speech by Pepsico president Indra Nooyi, an Indian-American acclaimed as one of the most powerful corporate executives in America and a putative CEO of the soft drink giant.
But a political critique of the United States in course of her remarks has left conservatives frothing and stoked some anti-immigrant sentiments.
In her address last Sunday, the Chennai born Nooyi compared the five major continents of the world to the five fingers of the human hand.
First was Africa - the pinky finger - small and somewhat insignificant but when hurt, the entire hand hurt with it. Next was Asia -the thumb - strong and powerful, yearning to become a bigger player on the world stage.
Third was Europe - the index finger - pointing the way. Fourth was South America -the ring finger -the finger which symbolises love and sensualness.
According to some students who were present at the graduation ceremony and who fired up the issue in the blogosphere, Nooyi then reserved the remaining finger for the United States (and not North America, they say), launching into "a diatribe about how the US is seen as the middle finger to the rest of the world."
They say she then went on to make "condescending" remarks about America's role in the world and how it is "our responsibility to change the current state of world opinion of the US and make the other fingers rise in unison with us as we move forward."
But a political critique of the United States in course of her remarks has left conservatives frothing and stoked some anti-immigrant sentiments.
In her address last Sunday, the Chennai born Nooyi compared the five major continents of the world to the five fingers of the human hand.
First was Africa - the pinky finger - small and somewhat insignificant but when hurt, the entire hand hurt with it. Next was Asia -the thumb - strong and powerful, yearning to become a bigger player on the world stage.
Third was Europe - the index finger - pointing the way. Fourth was South America -the ring finger -the finger which symbolises love and sensualness.
According to some students who were present at the graduation ceremony and who fired up the issue in the blogosphere, Nooyi then reserved the remaining finger for the United States (and not North America, they say), launching into "a diatribe about how the US is seen as the middle finger to the rest of the world."
They say she then went on to make "condescending" remarks about America's role in the world and how it is "our responsibility to change the current state of world opinion of the US and make the other fingers rise in unison with us as we move forward."
Hot Topics
Newsweek's rollover and the overall canceling of the news
Senate Showdown...because the Constitution apparently is nothing more than a "suggestion" on how to govern ourselves
Downing Street Memo...gee, you mean he lied? Who knew?
Mega Churches (Get the May 2005 issue of Harper's and read "Soldiers for Christ")
National ID Civil Liberties Giveaway
Empowerment of the Predatory Lenders
The Curious Sexual Hypocrisy of your Favorite Conservatives
Find these stories and more in Randi's Article Archive.
Senate Showdown...because the Constitution apparently is nothing more than a "suggestion" on how to govern ourselves
Downing Street Memo...gee, you mean he lied? Who knew?
Mega Churches (Get the May 2005 issue of Harper's and read "Soldiers for Christ")
National ID Civil Liberties Giveaway
Empowerment of the Predatory Lenders
The Curious Sexual Hypocrisy of your Favorite Conservatives
Find these stories and more in Randi's Article Archive.
"The Bush" Doesn't Care Anymore if His "Secrets" Get Out. Will "Pickles" be out of Town?
Porn Star Mary Carey to Dine with President Bush
Porn star and former gubernatorial candidate Mary Carey will be joining her boss, Kick Ass Pictures president Mark Kulkis, in attending a dinner with President Bush in Washington, D.C. on June 14.
“I’m honored to be invited to this event,” Kulkis said.
Kulkis serves as an Honorary Chairman on the NRCC’s Business Advisory Council, a group of business people who advocate a progressive, pro-business agenda. His company produces hardcore adult videos with a guarantee of “No Fake Boobs & No Condoms.” Carey ran for Governor in the 2003 California Recall Election, while Kulkis served as her campaign manager.
Official, Lame Duck Status has set in.
Porn star and former gubernatorial candidate Mary Carey will be joining her boss, Kick Ass Pictures president Mark Kulkis, in attending a dinner with President Bush in Washington, D.C. on June 14.
“I’m honored to be invited to this event,” Kulkis said.
Kulkis serves as an Honorary Chairman on the NRCC’s Business Advisory Council, a group of business people who advocate a progressive, pro-business agenda. His company produces hardcore adult videos with a guarantee of “No Fake Boobs & No Condoms.” Carey ran for Governor in the 2003 California Recall Election, while Kulkis served as her campaign manager.
Official, Lame Duck Status has set in.
FOX News Ratings in Free Fall. Audience is either Dying or Getting Wise, You Be the Judge
According to TV Newser, the number of people watching Fox during prime time in the 25 to 54 age bracket dropped in April for the sixth straight month.
TV Newser cited a CNN press release which gave these totals for Fox's primetime audience in the 25 to 54 age bracket: Oct. 04: 1,074,000; Nov. 04: 891,000; Dec. 04: 568,000; Jan. 05: 564,000; Feb. 05: 520,000; March 05: 498,000; April 05: 445,000. That amounts to a decline of 58 percent, with no sign of leveling off.
Other cable stations' ratings were also down since the election, but CNN's, for example, appeared to have stabilized last month while Fox's continued to drop.
What the press release didn't say is that we can add 629,000 people to those who don't watch Fox. That works out to just over 89,857 people for each of the seven News Hounds who are watching Fox so those people don't have to.
TV Newser cited a CNN press release which gave these totals for Fox's primetime audience in the 25 to 54 age bracket: Oct. 04: 1,074,000; Nov. 04: 891,000; Dec. 04: 568,000; Jan. 05: 564,000; Feb. 05: 520,000; March 05: 498,000; April 05: 445,000. That amounts to a decline of 58 percent, with no sign of leveling off.
Other cable stations' ratings were also down since the election, but CNN's, for example, appeared to have stabilized last month while Fox's continued to drop.
What the press release didn't say is that we can add 629,000 people to those who don't watch Fox. That works out to just over 89,857 people for each of the seven News Hounds who are watching Fox so those people don't have to.
Lost, The Party of WAAAAAAA
Lost
A woman in a hot air balloon realized she was lost. She lowered her altitude and spotted a man in a boat below. She shouted to him, "Excuse me, can you help me? I promised a friend I would meet him an hour ago, but I don't know where I am."
The man consulted his portable GPS and replied, "You're 30 feet above sea level. You are at 31 degrees, 14.97 minutes north latitude and 100 degrees, 49.09 minutes west longitude."
She rolled her eyes and said, "You must be a Democrat."
"I am," replied the man. "How did you know?"
"Well," answered the balloonist, "everything you told me is technically correct, but I have no idea what to do with your information, and I'm still lost. Frankly, you've not been much help to me."
The man smiled and responded, "You must be a Republican."
"I am," replied the balloonist. "How did you know?"
"Well," said the man, "you don't know where you are or where you're going. You've risen to where you are, due to a large quantity of hot air. You made a promise that you have no idea how to keep, then you expect me to solve your problem. You're in exactly the same position you were in before we met but, somehow, now it's my fault."
A woman in a hot air balloon realized she was lost. She lowered her altitude and spotted a man in a boat below. She shouted to him, "Excuse me, can you help me? I promised a friend I would meet him an hour ago, but I don't know where I am."
The man consulted his portable GPS and replied, "You're 30 feet above sea level. You are at 31 degrees, 14.97 minutes north latitude and 100 degrees, 49.09 minutes west longitude."
She rolled her eyes and said, "You must be a Democrat."
"I am," replied the man. "How did you know?"
"Well," answered the balloonist, "everything you told me is technically correct, but I have no idea what to do with your information, and I'm still lost. Frankly, you've not been much help to me."
The man smiled and responded, "You must be a Republican."
"I am," replied the balloonist. "How did you know?"
"Well," said the man, "you don't know where you are or where you're going. You've risen to where you are, due to a large quantity of hot air. You made a promise that you have no idea how to keep, then you expect me to solve your problem. You're in exactly the same position you were in before we met but, somehow, now it's my fault."
Senator Boxer on Lou Dobbs
Transcript
"DOBBS: Senator, negotiations have been going on. We're being told in rather stark terms that this is critically important to the Republican Party and leadership and majority. We're being told by the Democrats it's a constitutional crisis.
In point of fact, this is a confrontation that would be unnecessary if the Democrats would back off of the judicial nominations as the venue for the filibuster, wouldn't it?
BOXER: Well, Lou, you are talking the Republican line here which is your prerogative to do. We have confirmed 208 of President Bush's nominees for the court. We have stopped ten. Now that number is actually a little lower, but we'll stick with the ten. That's 95 percent.
And I would say to you, Lou, just in your life if CNN gave you 95 percent of what you wanted and your family did, and the same for me, I'd have a smile on my face. But if you really wanted everything, if you had that arrogance that you wanted 100 percent, you wouldn't be happy. And what we're fighting here is an arrogance of power that isn't good for the country, because these judges that we have stopped are way out of the mainstream.
DOBBS: Well, now, senator, you and I are having a face off. And I'm going to force that, taking the Republican line on some of this. But let me quote something you said eight years ago.
BOXER: Sure.
DOBBS: According to the -- if we could put that up it would be great -- "according to the U.S. constitution, the president nominates and the Senate will provide advice and consent. It is not the role of the Senate to obstruct the process and prevent numbers of highly qualified nominees from even being given the opportunity for a vote on the Senate floor." One Senator, Barbara Boxer on May 14, 1997.
BOXER: I stand by that. You have to understand that 61 of president Clinton nominees never got out of committee. They were pocket filibustered. These nominees have all had votes. Priscilla Owens has had four votes on the Senate floor. She just didn't make the 60 vote cut.
Janice Rogers Brown, someone who I know pretty well in terms -- I don't know her personally, but I know her record, way out of the mainstream from California, had a vote. Didn't make the cut of 60.
So what I was talking about is the fact that the Judiciary Committee wasn't even allowing us to have this vote to see if we could get to 60 with some of the nominees."
"DOBBS: Senator, negotiations have been going on. We're being told in rather stark terms that this is critically important to the Republican Party and leadership and majority. We're being told by the Democrats it's a constitutional crisis.
In point of fact, this is a confrontation that would be unnecessary if the Democrats would back off of the judicial nominations as the venue for the filibuster, wouldn't it?
BOXER: Well, Lou, you are talking the Republican line here which is your prerogative to do. We have confirmed 208 of President Bush's nominees for the court. We have stopped ten. Now that number is actually a little lower, but we'll stick with the ten. That's 95 percent.
And I would say to you, Lou, just in your life if CNN gave you 95 percent of what you wanted and your family did, and the same for me, I'd have a smile on my face. But if you really wanted everything, if you had that arrogance that you wanted 100 percent, you wouldn't be happy. And what we're fighting here is an arrogance of power that isn't good for the country, because these judges that we have stopped are way out of the mainstream.
DOBBS: Well, now, senator, you and I are having a face off. And I'm going to force that, taking the Republican line on some of this. But let me quote something you said eight years ago.
BOXER: Sure.
DOBBS: According to the -- if we could put that up it would be great -- "according to the U.S. constitution, the president nominates and the Senate will provide advice and consent. It is not the role of the Senate to obstruct the process and prevent numbers of highly qualified nominees from even being given the opportunity for a vote on the Senate floor." One Senator, Barbara Boxer on May 14, 1997.
BOXER: I stand by that. You have to understand that 61 of president Clinton nominees never got out of committee. They were pocket filibustered. These nominees have all had votes. Priscilla Owens has had four votes on the Senate floor. She just didn't make the 60 vote cut.
Janice Rogers Brown, someone who I know pretty well in terms -- I don't know her personally, but I know her record, way out of the mainstream from California, had a vote. Didn't make the cut of 60.
So what I was talking about is the fact that the Judiciary Committee wasn't even allowing us to have this vote to see if we could get to 60 with some of the nominees."
GOP Waste of Taxpayer Money: $1.5M Bus Stop
ANCHORAGE, Alaska (AP) - Tom Wilson is faced with a problem many city administrators would envy: How to spend $1.5 million on a bus stop.
Wilson, Anchorage's director of public transportation, has all that money for a new and improved bus stop outside the Anchorage Museum of History and Art thanks to Republican Sen. Ted Stevens - fondly referred to by Alaskans as ``Uncle Ted'' for his prodigious ability to secure federal dollars for his home state.
Republicans the Party of WAAAA and Waste
Wilson, Anchorage's director of public transportation, has all that money for a new and improved bus stop outside the Anchorage Museum of History and Art thanks to Republican Sen. Ted Stevens - fondly referred to by Alaskans as ``Uncle Ted'' for his prodigious ability to secure federal dollars for his home state.
Republicans the Party of WAAAA and Waste
Harness Racing Results for 05-18-05
Record since 04-26-05
Win (29)
Place (10)
Show (4)
Out of the Money (9)
****************************
Cal-Expo
Race # 8
Horse: FUNNYWHITESHOES (Show)
Post Position: # 4
********************
Freehold Raceway
Race # 11
Horse: WILDNITONTHETOWN (Show)
Post Position: # 2
********************
Pompano Park
Race # 6
Horse: STARFLEETS TRIBUTE (Out of the Money)
Post Position: # 3
*******************
Scioto Downs
Race # 3
Horse: CREDITABILITY (Won)
Post Position: # 4
Win (29)
Place (10)
Show (4)
Out of the Money (9)
****************************
Cal-Expo
Race # 8
Horse: FUNNYWHITESHOES (Show)
Post Position: # 4
********************
Freehold Raceway
Race # 11
Horse: WILDNITONTHETOWN (Show)
Post Position: # 2
********************
Pompano Park
Race # 6
Horse: STARFLEETS TRIBUTE (Out of the Money)
Post Position: # 3
*******************
Scioto Downs
Race # 3
Horse: CREDITABILITY (Won)
Post Position: # 4
Wednesday, May 18, 2005
Generals Offer Sober Outlook on Iraqi War
Just a few weeks ago "The Bush" said we would be lowering our Troop level in Iraq.
BAGHDAD, Iraq, May 18 - American military commanders in Baghdad and Washington gave a sobering new assessment on Wednesday of the war in Iraq, adding to the mood of anxiety that prompted Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice to come to Baghdad last weekend to consult with the new government.
In interviews and briefings on Wednesday, the generals pulled back from recent suggestions, including some by the same officers, that positive trends in Iraq could allow a drawdown in the 138,000 American troops late this year or early in 2006. One senior officer suggested Wednesday that American military involvement could last "many years."
BAGHDAD, Iraq, May 18 - American military commanders in Baghdad and Washington gave a sobering new assessment on Wednesday of the war in Iraq, adding to the mood of anxiety that prompted Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice to come to Baghdad last weekend to consult with the new government.
In interviews and briefings on Wednesday, the generals pulled back from recent suggestions, including some by the same officers, that positive trends in Iraq could allow a drawdown in the 138,000 American troops late this year or early in 2006. One senior officer suggested Wednesday that American military involvement could last "many years."
Full audio/video of the Senate hearings and Galloway's Testimony
Testimony is at http://hsgac.senate.gov/audio_video/051705video.ram
It's about 3 hours long, with Galloway about 1:52 into it.
It's about 3 hours long, with Galloway about 1:52 into it.
What a Crybaby!!!!
It's all Newsweeks Fault There are Dead People in the Middle East
No one like's My Corrupt Republican Congress
The Democrats are Blocking My (7) Right-Wing Extremist Judges
No one like's My Corrupt Republican Congress
The Democrats are Blocking My (7) Right-Wing Extremist Judges
American's Are Sick of the Republican's and Their Agenda. In 2006 American's Want Democrats Incharge
Voters dissatisfied with Bush, Congress
NBC/WSJ poll reveals 'angry electorate'
WASHINGTON - As the Senate marches closer toward a nuclear showdown over President Bush’s judicial nominees, the latest NBC News/Wall Street Journal poll finds that the American public is dissatisfied — with Congress and its priorities, with Bush’s plan to overhaul Social Security and with the nation’s economy and general direction. Moreover, a majority believes that the Senate should make its own decision about the president’s judicial nominees, rather than just generally confirming them.
“The public is exceptionally displeased with the Congress,” Hart said. “It is lowest set of numbers since May of 1994,” the year when congressional Republicans defeated their Democratic counterparts in the midterm elections to take control of both the House and Senate. According to this poll, by 47 percent to 40 percent the public says it would prefer Democrats controlling Congress after the 2006 elections.
NBC/WSJ poll reveals 'angry electorate'
WASHINGTON - As the Senate marches closer toward a nuclear showdown over President Bush’s judicial nominees, the latest NBC News/Wall Street Journal poll finds that the American public is dissatisfied — with Congress and its priorities, with Bush’s plan to overhaul Social Security and with the nation’s economy and general direction. Moreover, a majority believes that the Senate should make its own decision about the president’s judicial nominees, rather than just generally confirming them.
“The public is exceptionally displeased with the Congress,” Hart said. “It is lowest set of numbers since May of 1994,” the year when congressional Republicans defeated their Democratic counterparts in the midterm elections to take control of both the House and Senate. According to this poll, by 47 percent to 40 percent the public says it would prefer Democrats controlling Congress after the 2006 elections.
Bolton was "Disingenuous", Fancy Way to Say Bolton "Lied Under Oath"
WASHINGTON (AP) - John R. Bolton planned to ask then-CIA Director George Tenet to help punish a government intelligence analyst who disagreed with Bolton, and then misled a Senate committee about the matter, says a Democratic draft report obtained by The Associated Press.
Bolton pushed for months to have the analyst removed from his job or otherwise disciplined, but testified under oath at his confirmation hearing to be United Nations ambassador that he ``made no effort to have discipline imposed'' on the man, the report said.
``Bolton's effort to minimize the significance of his efforts is disingenuous,'' said the report from Democrats on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee.
The committee investigated allegations about Bolton's conduct and temperament for weeks before sending his name on to the full Senate for debate without the customary recommendation of approval...
Bolton pushed for months to have the analyst removed from his job or otherwise disciplined, but testified under oath at his confirmation hearing to be United Nations ambassador that he ``made no effort to have discipline imposed'' on the man, the report said.
``Bolton's effort to minimize the significance of his efforts is disingenuous,'' said the report from Democrats on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee.
The committee investigated allegations about Bolton's conduct and temperament for weeks before sending his name on to the full Senate for debate without the customary recommendation of approval...
Touching Evil: Holding Hands with Uzbekistan
Last week, President Bush spoke to thousands of adoring fans in the former Soviet republic of Georgia. He spoke of freedom, liberty and justice and held up Georgia as an example for other nations to follow.
Referring to Georgia's progression to democracy, Bush declared, "Now, across the Caucasus, in Central Asia and the broader Middle East, we see the same desire for liberty burning in the hearts of young people. They are demanding their freedom – and they shall have it."
Unless, of course, they happen to live in Uzbekistan.
Days after Bush got his ego stroked in Georgia, soldiers in Uzbekistan killed hundreds of civilians in the city of Andijon as they protested the arrest of several prominent business owners on charges of religious extremism.
At one point, the protesters began calling for the resignation of Bush's "key ally" in his global war on terrorism, Uzbek President Islam Karimov.
That's when Uzbek soldiers opened fire into a crowd of women and children, and even Uzbek police officers, who begged the soldiers not to shoot.
After the opening salvo, the soldiers walked among the hundreds of bodies, shooting the wounded. The dead were laid out for identification in front of a local school. On Monday, Uzbekis began digging a mass common grave under the watch of Uzbek forces.
While denying that his soldiers opened fire on the demonstrators, President Karimov attempted to keep reporters out of Andijon, as well as Pakhtabad where another 200 civilians were killed by Uzbek troops.
Referring to Georgia's progression to democracy, Bush declared, "Now, across the Caucasus, in Central Asia and the broader Middle East, we see the same desire for liberty burning in the hearts of young people. They are demanding their freedom – and they shall have it."
Unless, of course, they happen to live in Uzbekistan.
Days after Bush got his ego stroked in Georgia, soldiers in Uzbekistan killed hundreds of civilians in the city of Andijon as they protested the arrest of several prominent business owners on charges of religious extremism.
At one point, the protesters began calling for the resignation of Bush's "key ally" in his global war on terrorism, Uzbek President Islam Karimov.
That's when Uzbek soldiers opened fire into a crowd of women and children, and even Uzbek police officers, who begged the soldiers not to shoot.
After the opening salvo, the soldiers walked among the hundreds of bodies, shooting the wounded. The dead were laid out for identification in front of a local school. On Monday, Uzbekis began digging a mass common grave under the watch of Uzbek forces.
While denying that his soldiers opened fire on the demonstrators, President Karimov attempted to keep reporters out of Andijon, as well as Pakhtabad where another 200 civilians were killed by Uzbek troops.