HOWARD DEAN IS FIRST!

Senator Dodd speaks about his actions to stop retroactive immunity, restoring the Constitution, and upholding the rule of law in a live chat with bloggers on FireDogLake.com.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r47QMIEui...

Chris Dodd discusses "The Rule of Law in U.S. National Security and Foreign Policy" at an event hosted by the Iowa City Foreign Relations Council.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4rApwnQ9s...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2-xIulyVsG8

The original Pledge of Allegiance, "I pledge allegiance to my flag and the Republic for which it stands -- One nation indivisible -- with liberty and justice for all," http://usgovinfo.about.com/blpledge.htm

I too have been wondering about the NIE -- since it appears to be so incriminating why on earth did they allow it to be released??



Seashell, did you get your RealPlayer? It is free. It downloads. I don't think it works unless you keep it on your desktop? You can try this site: http://forms.real.com/real/player/blackj...+OS+X&product=RealPlayer+10&proc=g3〈=&show_list=0&src=macjack



I watched a real downer of a movie but a good movie tonight -- La vie en Rose about Edith Piaf. Some very realistic portrayal of alcoholism. Sober folks will find one more reason to stay that way. The poor lady led some awful life from the cradle on but those songs are immortal.



The Special Comment is up:

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/22134108

(Just in case I get bumped to the head of the thread)....Dean is first.

I didn't watch Romney's free ad given to him by the networks today, but listening to the bloviating heads fawn over it later, I noticed a couple of things. 

"We separate church and state affairs in this country, and for good reason." 

Excuse me, Mitt, but the evangelical nuts you're trying to impress WANT church and state to be inseperable -- so long as it's a Baptist chuch state.

"It is as if they are intent on establishing a new religion in America--the religion of secularism."

Seperating church and state, as you just said is good, is a religion called secularism? And it's bad?

"Freedom requires religion just as religion requires freedom."

It's a good thing Mitt just called secularism a religion, since he previously said it is necessary for good government.

This guy is REALLY full of crap. 

When I finally watched Olbermann and saw him dissect the speech, it was as if what I'd been hearing all day had come from a galaxy far, far, away from this one.

Thank you, Anni.  I had Real Player already installed but for some reason, I can't upgrade it.

I'm driving this incredible new Mac like it's no more capable than a bumper car.  Lessons, I need lessons.

Romney is almost as scary as Huck or should I say he's Huck's Tom Sawyer?  

Are we headed for religious schism?  Will Buddhists be burned at the steak fry?  Will we all have to have little plastic Jesus's or tiny Mormon Tabernacles hanging from the car mirrors?  Or if  Rudy is elected, will we have to use 9/11 17 times in one sentence?  The possibilities are endless.

OTOH, with Hillary, we woman can wear our blue dresses when we visit the BH, and then hope for the best (or worst). 

Yes, let's inundate Keithie with all our concerns.  Off to write him now. 

Keith keeps talking about how Bush's language changed since August. Something else that's changed since August -- gas has gone UP another 30 or 40 cents/gallon:

http://blogs.consumerreports.org/cars/20...

Hmmmmm -- wonder if there's a connection.

Btw -- that was one stinging Special Comment. Wonder why he gets away with it. Do they think no one watches MSNBC? Do they figure it's just the fringe element that waits with baited breath for it to be posted on the MSNBC website and then get sent around the blogosphere?

Ånnilow, shhhh, don't give anybody ideas about muzzling Keith.  Matthews is starting to wake up at times since he's now worried about the Constitution.

When the arms manufactures figure out that there's more money to be made with people like Keith, the CM, always chasing the buck, may turn against putzie big time.  We can only hope.  Then again, what's more lucrative than war and failed states?

I too have been wondering about the NIE -- since it appears to be so incriminating why on earth did they allow it to be released??

The best explanation I've heard is that CheneyBush no longer have power within their own regime. 

Dean and the DNC working with Hispanic leaders to get the GOP candidates to "tone down" their rhetoric on immigration. 

http://journals.democraticunderground.com/madfloridian/1682

 And at least we have a sensible judge in Florida who told Florida they could not just have their way about the primary.  Nelson's case dismissed.

http://journals.democraticunderground.com/madfloridian/1678

10:58

Just talked to Thankful ~~ she won't be leaving till next week. Weather stuff. . . .

Just want to say that I thank my lucky stars for Keith Olbermann. The man is one sane voice in a sea of fake so-called journalists including Matthews. Don't be fooled by Matthews sudden cries about the separation of church and state. Just look at his glowing report on Romney today!

From the previous thread

95.

Imn2Paine
Thu, 12/06/07
8:55 pm


seashell :-)

I think they're dancing the Tango!


105.

Phil Specht
Thu, 12/06/07
9:05 pm

Congratulations!

It appears that the Tennessee Alcoholic Beverages Commission were in need a funding resource. That is going to be one well attended auction with lots of PR and cigars for everybody.

Don't be fooled by Matthews sudden cries about the separation of church and state. Just look at his glowing report on Romney today!

Hopefully, he watched Olbermann's program and now gets it. It must be tough for him to have Olbermann come on right after and debunk his GOP worship. 

4.

Imn2Paine
Thu, 12/06/07
9:29 pm

Interesting choice.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p8i0O15_T...

So insiders are bringing cheney/bush down?  It's not working since it appears they've been trying to do that for several years.

Congress is stopping them.  Conyers and Pelosi in particular.   JMO

Malloy is great tonight talking about the NIE and who knew what when. Apparently the whole world knew, including putz, except the American people.

According to Haaretz, Israel has known about the Iran NIE “for more than a month. The first information on it was passed on to Defense Minister Ehud Barak, and to Shaul Mofaz, who is the minister responsible for the strategic dialog with the Americans. The issue was also discussed at the Annapolis summit by Barak and U.S. Secretary of Defense Robert Gates, and it seems also between Bush and Prime Minister Ehud Olmert.” But Bush claims he didn’t get briefed on the NIE until last Wednesday.  December 6, 2007 12:16 pm | Comment (82)

...from the clickie above.  Our fearless candidates might want to change their stance on AIPAC cuz this is getting very interesting.

"..........Israel has known about the report for more than a month. The first information on it was passed on to Defense Minister Ehud Barak, and to Shaul Mofaz, who is the minister responsible for the strategic dialog with the Americans. The issue was also discussed at the Annapolis summit by Barak and U.S. Secretary of Defense Robert Gates, and it seems also between Bush and Prime Minister Ehud Olmert.

What surprised Israel is the sharp turn from the previous line presented by the DNI, and the fact the report was made public. Based on his short comments yesterday, it seems Barak, like Olmert, is trying to avoid open disagreement with the U.S. government.

But the issue of the NIE is expected to create tension on two levels. It will cloud the tight cooperation between the two countries intelligence agencies, since now it will no longer look as if it is only a disagreement over timing, but a fundamental disagreement over Iran's intentions. It will also cause a feeling of distress on the Israeli side, as now it will seem that the U.S. is abandoning Israel to fight alone.

The report will most likely also have an indirect effect on the Israeli-Palestinian process. If Israel no longer enjoys the full support of the Americans on nuclear matters, then Israel is likely to feel less committed to make concessions and move forward in talks with the Palestinians.

Since the military part of the Iranian nuclear project was exposed in 2003, Iran has made a huge effort to hide its tracks. In one case, the Iranians allowed the inspectors from the UN's International Atomic Energy Agency to visit the site of a nuclear facility near Tehran, but when they arrived, the inspectors discovered it had simply disappeared.

The Israelis interpret the evidence to mean the Iranians have almost certainly continued to conduct their military nuclear program in secret. The Americans think that it has been frozen. This is a worrying gap; it is possible it is actually Israel that has made the mistake in such a critical matter.

The convoluted and hazy phrasings of the American report also raise the fear that someone in Washington is using the report for the ancient practice of covering his ass. On the other hand, Israel has much better reasons than the U.S. for feeling threatened by Iranian nukes, and therefore Israel needs adopt a much more strict line about the information.

So who is right? It just might possibly be the Americans. In practical terms, Israel will now have a harder time convincing the international community of its right to a military option against Tehran. The main avenue still open is increasing sanctions.

It might be that someone in our gov't is trying to cause friction between the U.S. and Israel. 

US/Israel - peas in a pod

Wow, BFA was active yesterday ... nice to see all the conversations.

********
In re interest-only loans, over here many people never aim to pay off a mortgage because it is often used as a tax offset. So, there is indeed a place for interest-only loans, although I believe that the irony is that those who can most benefit from them are the ones who can best afford to pay for the propertues outright.

Unfortunately, that was clearly not the case for those who financed that way in that States and people got caught in the crunch. Phil did make a good point about it being a good deal if the interest payments were less than rent that would otherwise have been paid, but it is like rent in the sense that it is "lost money," unless your income is high enough in the first place so that the interest offsets the tax hit.

As for financing, while I opted for a fixed-rate mortgage (fortunately not too high, but not as good as over a year ago), you can put several loans together, i.e., financing one or more amounts at variable rates, and another for a fixed-term. You can thus mitigate for interest-rate fluctuations to a certain extent, but you need nerves of steel.

Why are Conyers and Pelosi lying about impeachment and giving us excuses?  What are they getting out of it?  Have they been threatened?  What has turned them into neo-cons:?

This business with new NIE report on Iran and the revelation of the further astonishing bad faith by Bush and Cheney on little matters such as, oh, war, raises again the issue of impeachment.

If having lied yet again about such matters doesn't constitute grounds for impeachment, pray WHAT DOES?

But the Democrats who control this issue in Congress shake their wise heads, Conyers and Pelosi, and say: Sorry, we just don't have the votes.

Really? Apart from how then will we ever have a chance at an accounting of the radical criminality (no hyperbole) of this Administration, I want to point out this:

Just one ... and must run ...

***************
The CIA video destruction is topping the news over here. Thanks again, putzCo.

***************
In line with sea's latest postings, here's an interesting one. putz, prick & co had better beware as well.

=================
Israeli minister cancels UK trip in fear of arrest
· Avi Dichter wanted on war crimes charges
· Former Shin Bet head was to make speech at college
Rory McCarthy in Jerusalem
Friday December 7, 2007
Guardian

An Israeli government minister has cancelled a trip to Britain next month after he was warned that he risked arrest on war crimes charges.

Avi Dichter, the public security minister and a former head of the Shin Bet internal security agency, was to speak at a conference on security at King's College London. But he was advised by Israel's foreign and justice ministries not to risk the visit.

Dichter's concerns relate to an Israeli military attack in July 2002 on a house in Gaza that killed Hamas military commander Salah Shehadeh, his bodyguard and 13 civilians, including children. The strike drew strong international criticism, including from then UN secretary general Kofi Annan, who warned Israel to comply with international law. Dichter was head of Shin Bet at the time.

The law in Britain allows individuals to seek warrants for the arrest of those suspected of serious human rights abuses abroad. Dichter is not the first Israeli official to risk arrest under this law. In September 2005 detectives were waiting at Heathrow airport to arrest a retired Israeli general, Doron Almog, on war crimes charges relating to house demolitions and "targeted killings" in Gaza. Almog's plane landed but he was tipped off by Israeli diplomats and stayed on board until the El -Al flight took off again for Israel.

A year later Moshe Ya'alon, a former military chief, cancelled a trip to London for fear of arrest and Israeli authorities warned the then chief of staff, Dan Halutz, that he should also avoid travelling to the UK. Both men were also involved in the decision to attack Shehadeh in 2002.

[...]
http://www.guardian.co.uk/print/0,,33148...

Since the neoconservatives began to emerge as a political force in the mid-to-late 1970s, they have followed a consistent strategy of targeting the information flows inside the United States, paying particular attention to controlling the nation’s intelligence analysts and purging independent thinking from the U.S. news media.

Those were the two key switching points that allowed the neocons to push out favorable information and suppress contrary facts to shape how Americans perceived reality. Thus, the neocons could guide the public on issues such as the severity of the Soviet threat in the late Cold War or the WMD danger from Iraq and Iran this decade.

We need somehow to organize millions of us to get Conyers and Pelosi either to step down, or step up to impeachment.

In the Fantasy Middle East, the troop surge is helping plucky Iraq get its act together; and Iran, as serious a threat as ever and still lusting to start World War III, awaits liberation by the superpower known as "Johnny Democracy."

In the reality version, our legacy is bad water, cancer and social chaos. Iraq has, by one scientific extrapolation, surpassed the million mark in war dead and continues to rack up other numbers (4 million internal and external refugees, for instance, but not to worry, only 133 of them got into the U.S. this year) that . . . I dunno, maybe it's just me . . . seem antithetical to the idea of democracy. And of course, as the latest National Intelligence Estimate has just embarrassingly informed the world, Iran shut down its nuclear weapons program four years ago.

I too have been wondering about the NIE -- since it appears to be so incriminating why on earth did they allow it to be released??

The best explanation I've heard is that CheneyBush no longer have power within their own regime. 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

the rovian take:

if they stopped a program

it proves they had one (and could start again with the turn of a switch)

bombs away

Hi/bye, Judy!

I think I'm gone too. 

Phil, does the NIE say it was "stopped" or that they never had one?

If the wording is "stopped", your Rovian logic could be at work.

Why can't we stick together just this once like the repugs do and get behind impeachment?  

I've been behind impeachment for a long time.

The blog clock/NSA server fiasco drives me nuts. barn check time bbl

the rovian take:

if they stopped a program

it proves they had one (and could start again with the turn of a switch)

bombs away

If that's the way they're trying to convince anyone but psychopath NeoCons of the neccessity to attack, they've already failed miserably. The drubbing they're taking over this is Katrina like.

Good morning.

There has been a new thread since two AM east coast time, but nobody's visited yet.

Well. except me.

http://blogforamerica.com/view/23192#comment-1142478 

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6.  No, it's not crap.  If you start with the premise the freedom is obedience to the law, then freedom of religion simply means that the law is what's promulgated by the dominant religion.  From this perspective, the prohibition on state interference with the establishment of religion simply means that the state will not set the criteria for belief, but will submit to religious directives.  It's all about who's on top and calling the shots. What it's not about is considering all men to be equal and entitled to disgnity and being treated with respect.  None of that "love the sinner, hate the sin" for these people.