(Updated below)Finally, some good news out of Iraq, by way of McClatchy:Iraqi who threw shoes at Bush released to hero's welcome Hannah Allam | McClatchy Newspapers | September 15, 2009BAGHDAD, Iraq — The Iraqi journalist who threw his shoes at then-President George W. Bush last year was freed from prison Tuesday, expressing no remorse for hurling what he called a "flower to the occupier."Muntathar al Zaidi received a hero's welcome at the offices of his employer, al Baghdadiya television station, where his colleagues slaughtered sheep and danced in celebration of his release. Originally a …
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The Rev. was right.Here's the evidence.Douche bag - 1, Health Care debate - 0 . . . . …
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Although I hesitate to fan the media flames of the S.C. Representative joe wilson saga, this breaking report from Andy Borowitz is too important to ignore:Wilson Shouts ‘You Lie' After Wife Fakes OrgasmBreach of Congressional Decorum, Experts SayRep. Joe Wilson (R-SC) courted controversy again today as he reportedly shouted "You lie" during a sexual encounter in which his wife pretended to have an orgasm.While details of Rep. Wilson's latest outburst are sketchy at best, congressional experts say that it is totally against the decorum of the House of Representatives to speak out during a …
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Reuters has this depressing bit of news following Obama's health care speech last night:Wall Street sees few surprises in Obama speechThu Sep 10, 2009 | By Lewis Krauskopf and Susan HeaveyNEW YORK/WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Shares of U.S. health insurers climbed on Thursday after analysts saw no "game changers" from President Barack Obama's highly anticipated speech on health reform.Following the speech, analysts predicted any changes to the system would be moderate, with Obama backing many initiatives put forth earlier this week by a leading Senate committee. The possibility a threatening public …
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From McClatchy today: Uruguay will allow gay adoption, a first for Latin America Federica Narancio | McClatchy Newspaper | September 09, 2009 MONTEVIDEO, Uruguay — Uruguay, long-regarded as one of the most progressive countries in Latin America, set a standard for the region by allowing same-sex couples to adopt children with a bill that passed the Senate on Wednesday. While gay rights activists celebrated the passage of the bill, the Roman Catholic Church voiced its opposition, beginning with a strongly worded statement released in August by the Archbishop Nicolas Cotugno of Montevideo, …
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Now let's see how he does . . . .Unfortunate video capture. Caribou Barbie is NOT the featured player in this short video . . . .H/T BTO(Cross-osted from Moved to Vancouver) …
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My apologies for missing the release of this a couple of days ago, but "better late than never," right?Matt Taibbi's "Sick and Wrong" Rolling Stone article is finally available online. Check it out for his take on the USofexpensivehealthcare's fiasco in the attempt to "reform" the health care system. As usual, his writing style is perfect, and his insights/sources are a wealth of information. Too bad the rest of the MSM doesn't have the same level of journalistic quality.Some highlights: Without a public option, any effort at health care reform will be as meaningful as a manicure for a …
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More great news from south of the 49th!Who knew you could actually save $$$ on guns and ammo just 'cuz it's a holiday weekend?From the Miami Herald, but thank goodness, this is not about Florida for a change:Louisiana debuts tax-free shopping for guns, ammo, moreBy DOUG SIMPSON - Associated Press WriterPaul McCrory won't go deer hunting until November, but Louisiana's new "sales tax holiday" on hunting equipment makes this weekend his best opportunity to shop for bullets and a new rifle.Gun shop owners report customers like McCrory are enthusiastically planning to stock up on bullets, shells, …
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The answer to the question asked at the end: "Whoever contribute$ the mo$t $$ to my re-election campaign!"Silly voter. What was he thinking ? ? ? ?(Cross-posted from Moved to Vancouver) …
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The following was a news report from the local newspaper in our former NW Florida home:Fugitive drops to his knees, praysA man who later told cops he was afraid of being Tasered fled when a _______ Police Department officer tried to pull him over for not wearing a seat belt, according to the man's arrest report. The man took off running, leaving the keys in the ignition of his car. The car was towed from the scene. More than three hours later, he came to the police department asking about his vehicle. He said he got nervous when he saw the marked patrol car turning around and following him. …
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This post by Glenn Greenwald summarizing Bill Moyers' appearance on the Bill Maher show last night says it all regarding the current state of affairs in the USAofexpensivehealthcare.Go.Read.Get angry.Think Progressive Party not tied to the dems or repugs . . . .(Cross-posted from Moved to Vancouver) …
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Once again, the group over at The Progressive Economics Forum has a great post.This one references the historical profiteering from US-inspired coups overseas. Why are we not overly surprised?A tidbit:It turns out that the stock of several companies rose sharply after secret meetings in which high government officials decided to give the green light to coup plans. For example, United Fruit Company’s stock rose when plans were made for the 1954 coup in Guatemala that ousted the regime that intended to nationalize its extensive banana –producing lands.Check out the whole post and it's …
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For the good times . . . .(Cross-posted from Moved to Vancouver) …
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Methinks Hillary is not happy with the question . . . .(Cross-posted from Moved to Vancouver) …
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According to this month's edition of the Council for Secular Humanism's "Free Inquiry", g.w.bush felt "that Iraq must beinvaded to thwart Gog and Magog, the Bible’s satanic agents of the Apocalypse."This is not a joke - no doubt to Bill Maher's chagrin - and James A. Haught details the story in his article "A French Revelation, or The Burning Bush."Check out the whole article, but here are some of the highlights:A French Revelation, or The Burning BushJames A. HaughtIncredibly, President George W. Bush told French President Jacques Chirac in early 2003 that Iraq must be invaded to thwart …
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(Playing off Edstock's post below:)Bill Maher has a New Rule posted at The Huffington Post today.Go.Read.Chuckle.Snicker.Guffaw.Shake your head in astonishment.A sampling:A few weeks ago I was asked by Wolf Blitzer if I thought Sarah Palin could get elected president, and I said I hope not, but I wouldn't put anything past this stupid country. It was amazing - in the minute or so between my calling America stupid and the end of the Cialis commercial, CNN was flooded with furious emails and the twits hit the fan. And you could tell that these people were really mad because they wrote entirely …
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In addition to the local television commercials mentioned here, today's discovery is captured below. Have your credit cards handy, as I know you'll leap at the chance to get your holiday shopping done early. Since I've not been privy to local US TV in quite some time, this may not be a recently released marketing blitz. It is, however, the first time I've had the pleasure (?) of enjoying it."Taxi*!! Airport, please . . . . "* That's actually an attempt at humour. There are no taxis within 25 miles of here.(Cross-posted from Moved to Vancouver) …
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A high-paid lobbyist, no doubt.One of the few real journalists left has been running a series of programs on US health care "reform" the past few weeks. I'm just catching up on my podcasts after travelling last week, and this Bill Moyers piece with Trudy Lieberman and Dr. Marcia Angell is great. "drf" and I have long doubted any substantial "reform" of the industry, and after listening to this, I'm even more convinced that it won't happen. Actually, Dr. Angell makes a strong case for the plans being considered to be scrubbed and replaced with single-payer as "the only thing that can be …
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A trip south of the 49th to the United States of Expensive Health Care was required due to some still-retained properties in Florida.While here, between accomplishing some outside chores in the 90+F (32+C) heat and matching humidity, I dash in to the air-conditioned comfort of the house for a break periodically. I flip the TV on to check on the local news, weather, etc. Typically, the ads on TV here are mainly promoting the wonder drug du jour to fix your restless leg, fungus-infected toe nail or limp penis. To my surprise (?) the past couple of days the local television station has been …
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Currently I'm reading and just about to finish The Sorrows of EMPIRE – Militarism, Secrecy, and the End of the Republic by Chalmers Johnson. It's a great book with a look at US militarism and global monetary manipulation and their repercussions both at home and abroad. The author's explanation and history of the Pentagon's influence on US government policies is eye-opening for the those not familiar in the ways of Washington. Written in 2004, some of his references are uncanny in their relevance today. Some excerpts follow as a teaser for you: After the 1992 election, Cheney left …
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Once again, Bill Moyers of PBS puts current events in their respective places.His essay this week was on the winners and losers in the debate over US health care "reform."If anyone has doubts that there will be substantial "reform" I'm with 'ya. There is WAY too much $$ involved on the corporate side to allow it. That $$ funnelled to elected "representative's" political campaign funds was and is not $$ wasted. Politicians know it, lobbyists know it, political "talking heads" know it and the for-profit health industry knows it.So why does the MSM continue to report the story like there is …
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Let the battle begin.It's actually not much $$ involved.It's the principle of the thing.Per McClatchey today:Atheists sue to keep 'In God We Trust' off Capitol Visitor CenterRob Hotakainen | McClatchy Newspapers Posted: July 18, 2009 WASHINGTON — A California Republican congressman wants to do a little writing on the walls of Washington's newest federal building. If Rep. Dan Lungren gets his way, Congress will spend nearly $100,000 to engrave the words "In God We Trust" and the Pledge of Allegiance in prominent spots at the Capitol Visitor Center.Lungren's proposal drew only a whimper of …
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When does this guy get his comeuppance, anyway?Can't he share a room with Bernie Madoff or something?Today's New York Times has the story:Cheney Is Linked to Concealment of C.I.A. ProjectBy SCOTT SHANE | July 12, 2009The Central Intelligence Agency withheld information about a secret counterterrorism program from Congress for eight years on direct orders from former Vice President Dick Cheney, the agency’s director, Leon E. Panetta, has told the Senate and House intelligence committees, two people with direct knowledge of the matter said Saturday.The report that Mr. Cheney was behind the …
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