Howard Dean is first!

A friendly word of advice to seashell:  Phil thinks you suck if you post excerpts of trashy articles by Joshua Frank, regardless of the reason for it.

DFA training is great and I recommend that everyone attend one in their area. Even if you've been to one before, go anyway -- you'll always learn something new. We've had a couple already, and Arshad did an excellent job running them.

I also highly recommend that you bring your laptop. You'll want to take notes, use e-mail and do research as part of the exercises. And speaking as a computer geek, few things are more tedious than having to produce a printed Excel sheet using only the calculator in a cell phone.

9:22 AM EST

John is F --

no, not F as in first, rather in terms of fidelity and financially challenged:

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/02/21/AR2008022103141.html

FEC Warns McCain on Campaign Spending

Washington Post Staff Writers
Friday, February 22, 2008; Page A01

The nation's top federal election official told Sen. John McCain yesterday that he cannot immediately withdraw from the presidential public financing system as he had requested, a decision that threatens to dramatically restrict his spending until the general election campaign begins in the fall.

...

The prospect of being financially hamstrung by the very fundraising system he helped create is the latest in a series of bitter challenges for the presumed GOP nominee, who still faces a fractured conservative coalition as he assumes the mantle of party leadership.

Yesterday, McCain blasted the New York Times for an article that alleged that he had an inappropriate, romantic relationship with a female lobbyist eight years ago.

...

9:23 AM EST

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/02/20/vicki-isemans-bio-pulled_n_87698.html

The Huffington Post

February 22, 2008

February 20, 2008 09:47 PM

Within hours of the New York Times story going public, Vicki Iseman's bio was pulled from the web site of her firm, Alcade and Faye.

We've captured a screenshot (click for a larger image), and here's a cached version still available online:

...

9:25 AM EST

My whole take on the prez race between Obama and Clinton is that it reminds me of another race to the end finish:

http://www.screen-novelties.com/tnh/index.html

...

Are they sure it was Vicki he was having an affair with?

9:32 AM EST

Vicki Iseman and you know who:

http://old.www.iup.edu/publications/iupmag/BACKISSUES/Fall02/iseman.shtm

...

9:38 AM EST

Hmhhhh ? Where have we seen this Tammy Wyenette song Stand By Your Man stuff before in politics ?:

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080222/ap_on_el_pr/wronged_women_13

Cindy McCain, like others, stands by man

By LIBBY QUAID, Associated Press Writer

Fri Feb 22, 3:14 AM ET

TOLEDO, Ohio - Cindy McCain did not hesitate as she stepped toward the microphone, taking her place in the history of political wives who stood by their men in the face of rumored or alleged marital infidelity.

...

the other camera angle is the one that shows Cindy McCain's jaw set as John says I violated no public trust in a most careful word choice, because he never said a word about violating private trust ; and if anyone knows McCain is capable of violating the trust of one of his wives it is Cindy McCain

9:57 AM EST

typo - this Tammy Wyenette song

s/b - this Tammy Wynette song

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DwBirf4BWew

I don't usually indulge in drudge type framing, it is like the 27 word exercise I'll get it right and leave it alone.

~~~~~~

McCain said he violated no "public" trust; his first mistress would know he is capable of violating "private" trust. The shoe is now on the other foot.

~~~~~~~~

There, a 27 word drudge. lol

bbl

I'm a veteran myself (Air Force), so I find McCain's extra-curricular affairs, especially whilst in the military, very bothersome.  I don't care if he is a former POW, there's no excuse for what he did.  He came back from Vietnam and he too was disfigured.  Why didn't his wife then (Carol) dump him instead ?

McCain -- he's a proven leader (proven to be an old man with old ideas)

McCain -- he's a proven leader (proven to be an old man with old ideas)

Please save the campaign talking point for a blog where it hasn't aready been posted a hundred times. Thanks.

Jay Rosen's recent post at HuffPo makes an interesting point: why would the Times endorse McCain, while it was clearly researching the Vicki Iseman story?

One Explanation could be 'contrast.' Push for the 'inevitable' MAC, only to suddenly undermine that inevitability by questioning his credibility? That might be why GOP hates the liberal media, especially NYT.

Let's see how deeply this one gets buried

10:14am

Sorry, I forgot we don't code in html here. Here's that post at HuffPo: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/jay-rosen/for-the-new-york-times_b_87764.html

Jay Rockefeller deserves to be drummed out of the Democratic Party. He's spewing Neocon Republican filth.

The tent ain't that big folks

10:17 am

What's going on: <http://www.huffingtonpost.com/jay-rosen/for-the-new-york-times_b_87764.html>

Kyle wrote "why would the Times endorse McCain, while it was clearly researching the Vicki Iseman story?"

Why would irony-impaired conservative windbags like Rush Limbaugh defend McCain against attacks by a supposedly liberal media outlet, after spending most of the past four years trashing McCain as wimpy liberal sympathizer and appeaser?  It's a strange world.

10:22 AM EST

three times is not exactly a hundred times (but I'll stop putting in my 2-cents worth about how I feel about McCain right now -- I just am let down by him, I thought he was more of a maverick, more of a ethical person)

I'll let his own words speak for him:

"play ABBA":

http://www.time.com/time/politics/article/0,8599,1715403,00.html

...

"Very interesting," he said, just before someone showed him the Escape Hybrid. "This is the future obviously." Another Ford executive put him in the driver's seat of a Focus, which could play an iPod on voice command. "Play Abba," said McCain. But the iPod did not have Abba. It could play The Doors—"Roadhouse Blues."

Then it was over. The 2 p.m. press conference was canceled, despite the chairs and riser that had been set up for the cameras. The candidate was ushered out of the building, with his family and staff. The press was ushered off to a hotel for three hours in a mirrored dining room, until McCain finished a fund raiser. The campaign entered a rare state of lock-down.

...

I'm with Tom: I literally stopped what I was doing when I heard that on CNN.

 And finally a link that works.

That might be why GOP hates the liberal media, especially NYT.

The NYT and corporate media that helped sell Bush and the WMD charade -- liberal?

Please sell that conservative fertilizer someplace else. 

Vickie Iseman met with Sen. Kerry in June or July of 2006 (the same client who flew McCain on the corporate jet was present at the meeting). 

Tom wrote:

A friendly word of advice to seashell:  Phil thinks you suck if you post excerpts of trashy articles by Joshua Frank, regardless of the reason for it.  

Tom's back to shooting the messenger. I thought the 1st amendment--and BFA rules-- allowed us to post anything we consider relevant.

Not all of Josh Frank's articles are "trashy". Some, or parts of some, reveal important truths.

Now we'll hear for the umpteenth time how Frank dissed Howard!

Some may think I never complain about the Republicans.     One word for them.            Pigs.

John wrote "I thought the 1st amendment--and BFA rules-- allowed us to post anything we consider relevant."

Your ire is more properly directed at Phil.  He's the objecting party brandishing insults.

Sitka, I'm all for liberal media (I'm blogging from The American Prospect). Here is what I was talking about, a NYT article in which McCain supporters bashed the Times:

 "Later in the day, one of Mr. McCain’s senior advisers directed strong criticism at The Times in what appeared to be a deliberate campaign strategy to wage a war with the newspaper. Mr. McCain is deeply distrusted by conservatives on several issues, not least because of his rapport with the news media, but he could find common ground with them in attacking a newspaper that many conservatives revile as a left-wing publication.

“It was something that you would see in The National Enquirer, not in The New York Times,” said Steve Schmidt, a former counselor to Vice President Dick Cheney who is now a top campaign adviser to Mr. McCain."

 I think you misinterpreted my tone.

Correction: instead of supporters I meant those on his campaign. (Probably supporters too though).

Remember, Romney suspended his campaign, he did not end it.

Hi Folks,

Ellen Goodman had an editorial yesterday that talked about Hillary Clinton as an emblem of women in the 70s as leaders.  Remember those awful power suits and ties?  Women had the idea that they had to show the same strengths as men if they were to achieve leadership positions.

Now, Ellen Goodman points out, young women in particular want to be leaders the way women can be effective leaders and that is with cooperation, empathy, a generally more democratic atmosphere where different styles are recongnized, and women don't have to behave or look like men.

She points out that that's why young people are choosing Obama because interestingly enough he exhibits that cooperative, feminine, inclusive style of leadership; whereas Hillary exhibits the old style of authoritarian leadership.

She shows that she is sad about it; it seems unfair, really, but Obama is making a stronger case for his style of leadrship.

These are my words and my interpertations, but it seemed true to me, and yes, there is a sadness to it, much the way that any catalyst, like Howard Dean, doesn't seem to get the rewards, but it could be argued that without HIllary Clinton, without a Howard Dean, we wouldn't be where we are now.  Hillary may never be president, but one day, a woman will be.  Howard will likely never be president, but without his awakening the grassroots, without his telling truth to power, without his 50 state strategy, we wouldn't be looking at the possiblility of Barack Obama becoming president.

Last night seemed to me to be Hillary's Golden Moment when she seemed to acknowledge the possibility that she wouldn't be president, and that she had been tested.  There wasn't a person in that audience who didn't remember vividly the humiliation that Bill Clinton caused with his carelessness, his self-indulgence, his utter selfishness and betrayal of his family.  That she bore up under it with composure, grace, and humanity without causing a greater problem with a divorce and public reprimand is a moment that we can honor.

Finally, she is an old style leader, has all the answers (solutions), and we desperately need new thinking a new style of leadership that's more inclusive, that tries new ways, that doesn't repeat the old bullying ways that have cost us so dearly. But, I'll remember Hillary Clinton because of her ambition, determination, and her role as a catylist that will be a path for women forever after.

Good morning!

My daughter shared with me that two of her girlfriends (first time voters - 18 yrs old) caucused with Gary Hart in Colorado. They said it was so exciting. They shared the experience with their classmates in AP US Gov't. Thought that was pretty cool. I guess the precinct went about 90% to Barack. w00t.

spelling aargh, catalyst

JOSH FRANK ON HILLARY THE WARMONGER

http://www.lewrockwell.com/frank/frank22.html

From Iraq to Palestine, the Democratic Party’s leading lady argues that the current administration has not done enough to combat the threat of terrorism. And like so many other neoconservatives (yes, admit it, Hillary is a bloody neocon), Clinton will never admit that the United States has fallen right into the grasp of Al Qaeda by attempting to fight stateless terror by walloping sovereign Arab countries.

10:40AM

Arab nations announced today they are pissed at Israel . The so called peace talks may be over very soon. Next month in Syria they may decide they have had enough. Aipac supporters should be nervous. The drums for Iran may be beating. What will get the economy going(besides the Bush tax cuts )? War. Oh, and if the tax cuts were so good why is the economy so bad (for some). False flag coming up.

JOSH FRANK ON FEINSTEIN THE WAR PROFITEER

http://www.lewrockwell.com/frank/frank36.html

Democratic Senator Dianne Feinstein of California silently resigned from her post on the Military Construction Appropriations subcommittee (MILCON) late last week as her ethical limbo with war contracts began to surface in the media, including an excellent investigative report written by Peter Byrne for Metro in January. MILCON has supervised the appropriations of billions of dollars in reconstruction contracts since the Bush wars began.

Feinstein, who served as chairperson and ranking member for the committee from 2001-2005, came under fire early last year in these pages for profiting by way of her husband Richard Blum who, until 2005, held large stakes in two defense contracting companies. Both businesses, URS and Perini, have scored lucrative contracts in Iraq and Afghanistan in the last four years, and Blum has personally pocketed tens of millions of dollars off the deals his wife, along with her colleagues, so graciously approved.

10:45 AM

Good morning!

Pat that was a very eloquent tribute to both Hillary and Barack. Thanks for posting it this morning.

JOSH FRANK ON THE CONGRESSIONAL BLACK CAUCUS

http://joshua-frank.dailykos.com/

Something is terribly wrong with the Congressional Black Caucus. There has been for decades. For starters the pro-black organization doesn’t represent the majority of black people in the Untied States. As a matter of fact, one could rightly argue that the Black Caucus is anti-black. Sounds excessively harsh, I know. But let’s take a look under the hood of one the most influential blocs of politicians in Washington

Step 1:  Linda or seashell publish some smear article by Frank about Obama

Step 2:  I publish some smear articles by Frank about Dean and Gore to show what an imbecile he is

Step 3: John writes that I shoot the messenger and publishes a passle of Frank articles he thinks are great

Step 4:  Phil says that I suck for publishing articles by Frank

Step 5:  audrey writes that I will soon be publishing the articles by Frank that I seem to enjoy so much

Step 6:  Repeat Step 1

A quick pop in, because this series is incredibly moving.

This series shows how the Oil companies (and we know, the energy industry as a whole) hurt the environment, people and very way of life all. They exhibit lies, killing and exploitation all for the sake of a few extra bucks for themselves. THe lowest of low.

The Destruction of Niger Delta in Nigeria by Shell.
http://current.com/items/77541681_rebels...


Then after you watch that, watch the full series here:
http://current.com/search/search.do?inde...+in+the+Pipeline+


cIaO!

Clinton might not "admit" she was wrong when she voted for the war in Iraq, but she and Barack both constantly admit their eagerness to pull out. As Mori says at the Prospect blog, maybe Clinton is causious not to talk about the war only in "military terms." This would mean concerning the politcal situation in Iraq at the time of withdrawl (obviously including any terrorist threat), and whehter or not a health politcal situation could emerge.

JOSH FRANK ON DEMOCRATS AND IRAN

http://www.opednews.com/articles/opedne_joshua_f_070720_democrats_as_leviath.htm

The Democrats certainly don’t contest Bush’s Middle East foreign policy, they embrace it. Just last week the Senate voted 97-0 in favor of moving toward war with Iran. So while the Democrats call for withdraw of our troops from Iraq in the future, they insist we must keep an eye on Iran, for the Iranians are opposing the occupation of Iraq by allegedly arming the Shia resistance.

The Democrats don’t really want to end the war despite their veneer of opposition. If they desired to end the war they would have halted its funding long ago. Likelise, if they really preferred to challenge the Bush falsehoods regarding Iran, they would do so. Instead the Democrats, including their top presidential contenders Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama who voted in favor of holding Iran accountable for the killing of US soldiers, seem to want to handle Iran militarily.

American soldiers aren’t being killed because of Iran; we are losing because there is no such thing as real victory for the US in Iraq. There is only death.

Like Iran’s non-existent nuclear arsenal, there is no evidence that Tehran is funding the Shia resistance. Most Iraqi citizens owned automatic weapons under Saddam and most roadside bombs can be manufactured using household products found in most American garages.

11:00 AM

Tom,

I almost used the same step approach about last night's ridiculous go round about people think they are being called racist, though no one used the term except the usual bomb droppers.

But then I figure the intelligent people that blog here would either figure it out, or just realize it's more ramblings of those who are just grasping for straws and creating situations out of thin air - ultimately making them look foolish.

Intelligence usually wins.

Thanks, Denise.

I am grateful for your compliment. 

Denise wrote "But then I figure the intelligent people that blog here would either figure it out, or just realize it's more ramblings of those who are just grasping for straws and creating situations out of thin air - ultimately making them look foolish."

You are keeping hope alive.  I admire you for it, but I'm not putting money down on it.

59.

Phil Specht
Thu, 02/21/08

Reply to this

Daniel

Global warming models show ocean water retaining the heat and since mid continent winter weather is caused by the temperature difference between land and water's relative rate of cool down as the sun is at a lower angle it makes perfect sense that the middle of North America would have colder winters with deeper snow the worse global warming gets

and the greater pressure gradients mean more blizzards as winds increase

wind storms will be the hallmark of a warmer world [ popa cock phil, North America would have colder winters with deeper snow the worse global warming gets} did you read what you posted! colder winters mean the earth is getting warmer? you cant have both way phil! what cause the ice ages? was it globe warming? its the sun phil, it goes threw cycle we are in a warming cycle now, thats why ice caps on mars are melting, dont buy into that globe warming,in the 70s they said the earth was going threw cooling cycle headed for an ice ages, its all about carbon tax, you having a farm your carbon footprint will cost you alot of money, going green means more money for the rich its a con. last year we had a mild winter thay said it was do to globe warming? the model is a theory base on false data, looking back in time is the only way to be acterut predicting weather patterns long term. google sun heating up!

Obama up 14 in TX poll.

http://www.decisionanalyst.com/publ_data...

Tom my personal flaw is that I don't suffer fools gladly which makes for a rough path for me in life at times. But I try to get better at it one day at a time.

44.

Denise
Fri, 02/22/08



Tom,

I almost used the same step approach about last night's ridiculous go round about people think they are being called racist, though no one used the term except the usual bomb droppers.

But then I figure the intelligent people that blog here would either figure it out, or just realize it's more ramblings of those who are just grasping for straws and creating situations out of thin air - ultimately making them look foolish.

Intelligence usually wins.


______________________


Let us know when you finally win one.

The good thing is there is reality. And those who lie, get theirs back eventually. And for the rest who hang out here on a regular basis, even if they have no problem lying and denying, because ends justify the means, they KNOW, FOR FACT, THE RACE ACCUSATION HAS BEEN PLAYED HERE ...SO MANY TIMES... From Regulars....or the ones gone long and returning for Obama, so your nasty comments that you have loved to make, just look laughable.

Keep it up and enjoy while you're able.

And go ahead and get indignant and curse again, or put me down, as it it makes everything different.


"First they ignore you, then they ridicule you, then they fight you, then you win. by Mahatma Gandhi."

48.

That's quite a jump. Weds. everyone was saying Obama/Clinton were split descision. And even split descision caters towards Obama. 

There is still a large percentage of people who think 911 was connected to Iraq. There are intelligent people who use marketing tactics to sell their cause for gain. Why every now and then do you see groups of people comment about stuff (the same group appears)? Intelligent marketing. Promoters for profit and gain. Years ago people would promote to say STOP THE WAR. They now promote for a web site, so called progressive get togethers, advertising blogs,and donations to keep the paycheck coming in. Hey, visit my site,donate.( Sorry I do not have one). I suggest , Get in the streets. Bring the troops Home. Stop the war profiteers and the so called progressives and Party profiteers. Remember the people are first. Wage Peace.

If it's been played Linda it was never played by me so leave me out of it. So does this mean your apology to me yesterday meant nothing??

Tom good thing you didn't bet. That didn't take long at all. Ghosts in the machine.

51 Denise, I'm honest and my words do mean something. I don't toss them out there for reactions. I said, IF YOU DID NOT MEAN TO INFER racism in your remark of "but I'm starting to wonder if indeed it has to do with something entirely non political." and I meant that and my above comment in response to your comments today have nothing to do with this comment from yesterday.


Done.



ENJOY!

Linda in nm.             Thanks for all your work for Gore. The main probelm with endorsing is picking a team. Someone loses. People fight before . We need to pick a cause. Write in Gore if you can. Tell the candidates that is what you are thinking. Do we need to settle for the lesser of two evils? The msm wants us to. The Partys do also. What a rackett. Take Back America.

Thanks Linda - my comment yesterday, again not knowing whom it was directed at (some mysterious blogger at Kos) was being empathic to that person. This racism crap has to stop here and I hope today is the day.

Seashell brought it up and off it went. Perhaps that is the person that needs to explain why she posted it. You and audrey got caught up in it for some reason.

It was a mistake on the part of all three of you. I'm glad your apology stands.

You enjoy as well.

Secret Service Stop Searches at Obama Rally

JACK DOUGLAS Jr.
Star-Telegram
February 21, 2008

DALLAS — Security details at Barack Obama’s rally Wednesday stopped screening people for weapons at the front gates more than an hour before the Democratic presidential candidate took the stage at Reunion Arena.

The order to put down the metal detectors and stop checking purses and laptop bags came as a surprise to several Dallas police officers who said they believed it was a lapse in security.

Dallas Deputy Police Chief T.W. Lawrence, head of the Police Department’s homeland security and special operations divisions, said the order — apparently made by the U.S. Secret Service — was meant to speed up the long lines outside and fill the arena’s vacant seats before Obama came on.

Maybe it doesn't go without saying that, in the interests of consistent, evenhanded, fair discussion, with the objective of making or arguing over valid points with some semblance of balance and integrity, Phil should let John know that he sucks, and audrey should explain that she expects him to publish Frank's articles on Dean that John seems so enamoured with.

Former Congressman Warns Of Martial Law Camps In America

Steve Watson
Infowars.net
Thursday, Feb 21, 2008

An article co-written by a former Congressman and carried by the San Francisco Chronicle has gained much attention recently as it shines light on a coordinated federal government program to build detention camps at undisclosed locations within the United States.

"Since 9/11, and seemingly without the notice of most Americans, the federal government has assumed the authority to institute martial law, arrest a wide swath of dissidents (citizen and noncitizen alike), and detain people without legal or constitutional recourse in the event of an emergency influx of immigrants in the U.S., or to support the rapid development of new programs." write Lewis Seiler and former Congressman Dan Hamburg of the watchdog group Voice of the Environment, Inc.

Voice of the Environment’s mission is to educate the public regarding the transfer of public trust assets into private, mostly corporate, hands.

The article continues:

Beginning in 1999, the government has entered into a series of single-bid contracts with Halliburton subsidiary Kellogg, Brown and Root (KBR) to build detention camps at undisclosed locations within the United States. The government has also contracted with several companies to build thousands of railcars, some reportedly equipped with shackles, ostensibly to transport detainees.

According to diplomat and author Peter Dale Scott, the KBR contract is part of a Homeland Security plan titled ENDGAME, which sets as its goal the removal of "all removable aliens" and "potential terrorists."

Seiler and Hamburg also warn of the alarming and numerous freedom killing pieces of legislation that have been passed recently, dovetailing with the build up of infrastructure of tyranny inside the US.

We have previously highlighted the shocking details behind this shining example of modern day corporate fascism.

The issue gained national attention two years ago when it was announced that Kellogg, Brown and Root had been awarded a $385 million dollar contract by Homeland Security to construct detention and processing facilities in the event of a national emergency.

The language of the preamble to the agreement veils the program with talk of temporary migrant holding centers, but it is made clear that the camps will also be used "as the development of a plan to react to a national emergency."

Following the story, first given wide attention by Prisonplanet.com, the Alternet website put together an alarming report that collated all the latest information on plans to initiate internment of political subversives and Muslims after the next major terror attack in the US.

The article highlighted the disturbing comments of Sen. Lindsey Graham, who encouraged torture supporting then Attorney General Alberto Gonzales to target, "Fifth Columnists" Americans who show disloyalty and sympathize with "the enemy," whoever that enemy may be.

It is important to stress that the historical precedent mirrors exactly what the Halliburton camp deal outlines. Oliver North’s Reagan era Rex 84 plan proposed rounding up 400,000 refugees, under FEMA, in the event of "uncontrolled population movements" over the Mexican border into the United States.

The real agenda, just as it is with Halliburton’s gulags, was to use the cover of rounding up immigrants and illegal aliens as a smokescreen for targeting political dissidents. From 1967 to 1971 the FBI kept a list of persons to be rounded up as subversive, dubbed the "ADEX" list.

According to author Naomi Wolf, the National Counterterrorism Center today holds the names of roughly 775,000 "terror suspects" with the number increasing by 20,000 per month.

Discussions of federal concentration camps are no longer the rhetoric of paranoid Internet conspiracy theorists, they are mainstream news.

Halliburton, through their KBR subsidiary, is the same company that built most of the major new detention camps in Iraq and Afghanistan. KBR have been embroiled in a human sex slave trade that their representatives have lobbied to continue.

We have a company that has been handed a contract to build prison camps in America that is engaged in trafficking young girls and women. Can this horror movie get any more frightening? Sadly, yes.

A much discussed and circulated report, the Pentagon’s Civilian Inmate Labor Program, has recently been updated and the revision details a "template for developing agreements" between the Army and corrections facilities for the use of civilian inmate labor on Army installations."

The plan is clearly to swallow up disenfranchised groups like prisoners, immigrants and Muslims at first and then extend the policy to include ‘Fifth Columnists,’ otherwise known as anyone who disagrees with the government or exercises their Constitutional rights.

Respected author Peter Dale Scott speculated that the "detention centers could be used to detain American citizens if the Bush administration were to declare martial law."

Daniel Ellsberg, former Special Assistant to Assistant Secretary of Defense, called the plan, "preparation for a roundup after the next 9/11 for Mid-Easterners, Muslims and possibly dissenters. They’ve already done this on a smaller scale, with the ’special registration’ detentions of immigrant men from Muslim countries, and with Guantanamo."

George Bush has declared himself to be dictator and to have supreme power over and above the limitations of the US Constitution. Bush administration officials like Alberto Gonzales have declared Bush to be "above the law." White House advisors are openly discussing the legality of crushing a child’s testicles as part of the war on terror. Preparation for the internment of thousands of Americans who are ‘disloyal’ in times of emergency are afoot.

Under the enemy combatant designation anyone at the behest of the US government, even if they are a US citizen, can be kidnapped and placed in an internment facility forever without trial. Jose Padilla, an American citizen, spent over four years in a Navy brig before being brought to trial.

In 2002, FEMA sought bids from major real estate and engineering firms to construct giant internment facilities in the case of a chemical, biological or nuclear attack or a natural disaster.

Okanogan County Commissioner Dave Schulz went public three years ago with his contention that his county was set to be a location for one of the camps.

Furthermore, in May 2006, we exposed the existence of a nationwide FEMA program which is training Pastors and other religious representatives to become secret police enforcers who teach their congregations to "obey the government" in preparation for the implementation of martial law, property and firearm seizures, mass vaccination programs and forced relocation.

A whistleblower who was secretly enrolled into the program told us that the feds were clandestinely recruiting religious leaders to help implement Homeland Security directives in anticipation of a potential bio-terrorist attack, any natural disaster or a nationally declared emergency.

The first directive was for Pastors to preach to their congregations Romans 13, the often taken out of context bible passage that was used by Hitler to hoodwink Christians into supporting him, in order to teach them to "obey the government" when martial law is declared.

It was related to the Pastors that quarantines, martial law and forced relocation were a problem for state authorities when enforcing federal mandates due to the "cowboy mentality" of citizens standing up for their property and second amendment rights as well as farmers defending their crops and livestock from seizure.

It was stressed that the Pastors needed to preach subservience to the authorities ahead of time in preparation for the round-ups and to make it clear to the congregation that "this is for their own good."

Pastors were told that they would be backed up by law enforcement in controlling uncooperative individuals and that they would even lead SWAT teams in attempting to quell resistance.



Though some doubted the accuracy of this report at the time due to its fundamentally disturbing implications, the story was later confirmed by a KSLA 12 news report, in which participating clergy and officials admitted to the existence of the program.

What could the government be contemplating that leads it to make contingency plans to detain without recourse millions of its own citizens? ask Lewis Seiler and Dan Hamburg in the conclusion to their article.

The answer clearly lies in the fact that over the past decade we have witnessed an extreme acceleration of the physical implementation of a framework and infrastructure ready to receive those who will not go along with a coordinated destruction of traditional American values and freedom.

I have a dream.....that eveyone could just make the BEST case for their candidate, without putting the other candidates down (make a distinction on policy/positions), without taking things personally, and without making personal attacks on others.

If you think I'm talking about you, I'm not! ;-)

It doesn't serve your candidate to do anything else. We used to be a place for fairly respectful political discussion and disagreement.  I have a dream.....

Indy wrote "I have a dream.....that eveyone could just make the BEST case for their candidate, without putting the other candidates down (make a distinction on policy/positions), without taking things personally, and without making personal attacks on others."

You dreamer.

. http://www.huffingtonpost.com/jay-rosen/for-the-new-york-times_b_87764.html

Indy wrote "We used to be a place for fairly respectful political discussion and disagreement.  I have a dream....."

Ha ha.  You used to write to tell us what a blown-dry gasbag Edwards was.  I know, people change, so we're all supposed to change our approach to the discussion like you.

The Return of Arnold’s Nazi Belt Buckle

JonesReport.com
February 21, 2008

For at least the second time now, Gov. Arnold Schwartzenegger has posed in trendy magazines bearing a Nazi-issue ‘deathshead’ belt buckle. Arnold, the son of a high ranking officer in the Austrian Nazi Party, first made waves with the belt-buckle when he posed with Mayor Bloomberg on the cover of TIME (June 21, 2007).

Now, Esquire has written a glowing– if not worshipful– piece on the Austrian-born Arnold as governor (transforming into a stately god?) that proclaims him the "president of 12% of us" while he grandstands in various poses with his cigar, the Nazi deathshead belt buckle and also a chair decorated with eagles.

This is anything but the first time propaganda has pushed the image of Arnold as President– not only was a full-bore campaign launched to convince the subjects of the U.S. to "amend for Arnold" circa 2004, but the 2008 GOP debates featured at least two canned questions where candidates were asked to ‘look Arnold in the eye’ and tell whether or not they would change the Constitution to acquiesce to Arnold’s thirst for power (McCain and Huckabee didn’t seem to mind). Even in 1993, the film ‘Demolition Man‘ features a scenario where the Constitution is amended and Schwarzenegger becomes President.

I liked Indy's post this morning. Make the best case for the candidate one supports and not the perceived worst case for one they do not.

It would draw more people to the blog than just the "regulars" whatever that means. Are the regulars a clique? LOL (j/k)

Racism is alive and well in America and will rear its ugly head many times before November Denise.

 You would be dreaming if you thought no Democrat voting for Hillary did it on the basis of race.  .... you from Chicago?

one of the most racist guys I ever met in my life was from Cicero and wouldn't dream of voting Republican

but no one who has posted here is anything like that guy

and support for Hillary is just that, Obama has his faults and isn't above criticism whatever his background

The answer clearly lies in the fact that over the past decade we have witnessed an extreme acceleration of the physical implementation of a framework and infrastructure ready to receive those who will not go along with a coordinated destruction of traditional American values and freedom.
~~~~~~~~

Rooney you are the one that rants about illegals

senselessbrenner had a plan to arrest priests with food pantries for immigrants right along with anybody that resisted the request to "show me your papers"

you need 12 million jail cells to round 'em up and deport them like some of the posts you put up

what gives? is liberty a basic human right or is it what you say it is? or Oliver North?

12:17 PM EST

Well, I'll say something that has been on my mind for awhile now.

I can remember on this blog when it was just a few of us here who were posting positive pieces/comments about Obama (ie. Tom, Karen, myself and few others).  I overcompensated in a way (and still have that tendency) by posting many articles -- to the point that I was accused of spamming.

I probably was but that's the feeling you get sometimes when you feel in the minority position.

Well, before I knew it, suddenly some middle-of-the-road bloggers here started posting positive things about Obama.

Initially I selfishly boasted to myself, "finally my comments, etc. here are having an influence".  Then I realized that it was more a result of a process of elimination (as dem candidates dropped put of the race) and more a result of those bloggers taking the time to find out more about Obama.

My point is this -- blogging here is a individualistic undertaking, that can overlap with others, or not.  I've come to realize that what I have to say, or post here, has less influence than what happens out there -- can I say it ? -- the real world.

I don't know if any of this makes any sense, especially to those here who might feel they are "swimming against the tide".

12:19 PM EST

mind your o's and your p's

typo - (as dem candidates dropped put of the race

s/b - (as dem candidates dropped out of the race

Phil I'm talking about bringing up racism here on the blog against bloggers.

I know full well that it's still alive and well, but throwing it out against bloggers here with no solid evidence, just assumptions, is not acceptable to me.

Is it acceptable to you, Phil? If anyone thinks it's acceptable here I'd like to hear from them.

Denise writes that I was drawn into her game. Not true, I responded to her insinuations of racism, the same as Seashell and Linda. First the insinuation, then the innocent indignation to your response, then the spin to put some kind of blame on others, then the demand for an apology for what she initiated. She asks people to leave the blog, and even the country. There's a problem here. I scroll, but when my name is mentioned I might want to respond, otherwise I ignore.

 I've come to realize that what I have to say, or post here, has less influence than what happens out there -- can I say it ? -- the real world.

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

rdorgan

Probably not true. It is very hard to pursuade anyone in the "real world" too.

and there are hundreds of lurkers for every poster and since this is the opinion page those here are already more "opinionated" than the average public and less likely to be swayed 

And now for something different. 

Is it acceptable to you, Phil? If anyone thinks it's acceptable here I'd like to hear from them.

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

my point is I never seen actual racism here, but I sure have out in rdorgans "real world"

have people been called racist here? yes and the ones doing it were Obama supporters

are they going to stop?

Audrey you are flat out wrong.

I would love to see solid evidence of me or anyone else calling someone racist here on this blog. Can anyone produce it? SOLID evidence, not assumptions made by people looking for something.

Audrey you seem to be the one still throwing the sword. Care to back it up?

12:36 PM EST

Phil -

What I'm referring to in the real world, is the first source people, events themselves.  Someone meeting that person, seeing them in a rally, is much more of a personal, real experience than hearing about that person from a blogger here online or hearing about that person offline in a conversation.

I never meant Obama or Edwards in person, never had gone to one of their rallies.  But something about what they said, and how they said it, caused me to believe in them -- to trust them.

I don't trust easily, so I have some sympathy to any who might be not trusting of Obama.  It's a bit of a risk to go with someone who has not been in one's frame of reference.

First impressions count though for me, and Obama's speech at the 2004 dem convention, did it for me.

So I guess I'm taking a leap of faith, that he would make a good president.  Time will tell.

Tom Bearse
Fri, 02/22/08

Quit making things up. I never used any such terms about Edwards. EVER.

I was not an Edwards supporter in 03/04. There was a guy named Dean in the race, and I thought he would make a great President. But Edwards in 08 was the best of the three, IMO. 

He was a much better candidate in 07/08 than he was in 03/04

rdorgan

posts here have a similar effect as a LTE in a daily paper

the effect can be cumulative in both cases and anyone of them doesn't do much, but a well argued case will be listened to by open minded rational voters. at least you are in the right Party

12:36 PM EST

...

have people been called racist here? yes and the ones doing it were Obama supporters

are they going to stop?

+++

Phil -

In all due respect, you're reaching with that comment. It's false.

Denise

you might have missed them but they were posted

12:37

...

at least you are in the right Party

+++

Phil -

That sounds like a put down of me in a way "at least you".  Is it ?

Audrey,

Your personal attacks, and those of others, are not helping to focus on things that matter. Please take it to the veritable woodshed (private email) if you have problems with a particular person. This is getting petty folks.

12:39 PM EST

is the bashing of Obama supporters coming back to this blog ?

Denise

you might have missed them but they were posted

Phil were they posted by me? If so, please tell me when.

This started back when Pat wrote something to audrey and audrey erroneously accused me (who didn't even post until much later that day). And it's gotten way out of hand since then.

Only a few of you know me really well here and this is very important to me. I feel if I say too much I'm accused of protesting too much.

I guess the real question is why I care about accusations posted by people I don't know and probably never will meet in person. But those that do know me know that these accusations are despicable, unwarranted and ignorant.

I know the truth in my heart and it's clean.

Phil, others,

Racism in the "real world" is alive but underground. I've seen/heard it in the most Conservative areas AND even in the most Liberal areas of the country. The obama campaign and Obama supporters will need to have a strategy around it......anything less would be unwise.

But calling people racist or even insinuating it (I confess I missed that) would be counter-productive.

12:43 PM EST

Denise -

IMO, you have nothing to apologize for.

I seriously doubt Denise would say anything racist or even accuse someone of being motivated by racism. I know Denise and her heart is pure! So knock off the personal attacks.

BAck to issues: The debates last night clearly showed to me this is not about any substantive differences on policy (with the exception of health care and "mandates"). So it boils down to the candidate's approach, their experience and abilities, and his/her advisors.

On the advisor question, Clinton has surrounded herself with the likes of Penn, McCauliffe and Wolfson. Obama has Goolsbee, Axelrod and ???

If their advisors are any indication of who they would appoint to key positions, does Clinton or Obama look better?

It is NOT racist to talk about racism in America and whether it will have an influence in this election. In fact, to deny it and act as if it isn't around would be a huge mistake. Get it out in the open, deal with it and devise a strategy to counter-act it.

Hiding it will only allow it to fester, and grow.

Thanks guys you have no idea how much that means to me. It really made me sad to see those posts last night and this morning. Kleenex sad.

I would love to see solid evidence of me or anyone else calling someone racist here on this blog.

I called it racist to spread the hillaroid talking point that caucasian people wouldn't vote for Obama because his pigmentation is darker than theirs.

And judging by this definition of racism:

Discrimination or prejudice based on race.

I stand by it.

(And subsequent events have proven that smear to be untrue as well.)

Denise,

Apparently, you have bottom of the blog rights today! Use it well.....it won't last long. The blog is fickle in who it chooses for such an honor! ;-0

Sitka
Fri, 02/22/08

Wrong. It is not racist to be aware of the possibility of racism motivating people's votes and/or discussing racism in America. Or sexism. And the campaigns would do well to devise a strategy to address it.

What is so cool about Obamas campaign is it makes me feel like the United States is starting to wake up from a nightmare, finally!

Like many here have said, no one knows what can happen but I feel it can best happen with him. He is drawing people from all walks of life, all incomes, all political persuasions. It's intense and I admire the way he keeps his composure. Michelle would be an asset to the White House and to all Americans with her can do attitude and outright frankness.

Ralph Nader may announce his candidacy on MTP this Sunday. Here we go again...

I support anyone's right to run if they gain the necessary sigs and support, BTW.

It is NOT racist to talk about racism in America and whether it will have an influence in this election. In fact, to deny it and act as if it isn't around would be a huge mistake. Get it out in the open, deal with it and devise a strategy to counter-act it.

Look at the results so far and exit polling.....Obama himself has counteracted it.  

It's time to stop carrying Rove's water and move on to relevancy. 

66.

* rdorgan
======================

I remember the "obamaspamming" brouhaha. I was not blogging for a while and when I came back, you were not around, taking a break yourself.

I got a lot of heat for pushing the Biden Plan, which I thought sucked too (the heat, that is.)

Some people just don't see liberalism as a truly liberal thing, but as a fixed ideology.

Hi Folks,

Just a quick comment.  The enemy isn't people on this blog or even in the real world.  The enemy is fear, prejudice, deception, anger, distrust.  

How do we overcome that?  I guess by recognizing the enemy, then trusting that people don't want that enemy to take over.  Honesty, carefulness of what we say, taking responsiblity for it, and seeking the truth of the matter will defeat the enemy of fear, prejudice, deception, anger and distrust.

I have to take responsibility of some of this.  I characterized my interprettation of various comments about Obama, fundamentalist believers both Jewish and Christian as prejudiced and mistaken.  I saw the comments that way and reported that.  I also apologized for characterizing the person and persons who made them.  I have no way of knowing what's in someone's mind and heart, can't possilby know the life experiences that would generate anger, distrust, and fear.  So, I owed an apology and gave it.

But, the comments still seemed prejudiced, angry, fearful, and untrue to me.  I think that's permissible.  In fact, I think that's what much of the dialogue is.  What do we perceive? What is our evidence and reasoning? And what is true?

So, in my perception, Denise, Audrey, Linda in NM, Phil, Seashell, Indy, Tom, and others. We are not the enemy.  The qualities of thinking, speaking, feeling, and promoting that cause distrust, anger, fear, etc. are.

So, I apologize once again for mischaractering people, though I stand by my perceptions of statements.  

DOW falling, unemployment and inflation rising, dollar falling, recession looming, debt collapse imminent. Wow, it's the economy, supid!

I like Obama because he is hard to label or categorize. He's obviouly a liberal or progressive, but he doesn't always talk like one or use the same old cliches and mottos.

I think it is deliberate. He doesn't want to be labeled, and tries very hard not to be. That may be the reason for his appeal to independents.

Indy....

Chill and scroll, like I'm trying to do.

Oh Ralllllphhhh!!

85.

Phil Specht
Fri, 02/22/08

Reply to this

Racism is alive and well in America and will rear its ugly head many times before November Denise
=======================================

Not all social conditioning is racism. Many people struggle with their social conditioning that is pounded into their brains from their early childhood.

It could work either way for Obama. Some socially conditioned people will succumb to it and see him as inferior, and some will vote for him partially as a way to put a stake through the heart of that conditioning.

For them it is a struggle within.

I remember the "obamaspamming" brouhaha

There's a difference between posting information and infomercials although some clearly don't know it.

Ralph Nader may announce his candidacy on MTP this Sunday. Here we go again...

Don't fear the bogeyman. He isn't real as some like to believe.

But I'll be happy to have one more choice on my ballot, to hopefully keep Obama from sliding into Republicanism if nothing else. 

New front thread

Indy it's almost like you called for it.

NEW THREAD

1:15 PM EST

SD movement since Wed 2/20:

http://demconwatch.blogspot.com/2008/01/superdelegate-list.html

...

2-20-08 - Moved DNC John Rednour (IL) to Obama from Clinton. His son, also John Rednour, is on Clinton's steering committee
- Added DNC Donald Norcross (NJ) for Obama.
- Switched DNC Dana Redd (NJ) from Clinton to Obama
- Added Rep. Lloyd Doggett (TX) , Rep. Ron Kind (WI) , Rep. Kathy Castor (FL) for Obama
2-21-08 - Added DNC Jason Rae (WI) for Obama.
- Added DNC Margaret Xifaras (MA) for Obama
- Added Rep. Steve Kagen (WI) for Obama
2-22-08 - Added DNC Sonni Nardi (OH) for Obama

Stay tuned... we'll update this list as we find out more.

Wrong. It is not racist to be aware of the possibility of racism motivating people's votes and/or discussing racism in America. Or sexism. And the campaigns would do well to devise a strategy to address it.

What's wrong is to keep beating a drum that has been discredited, as your concerns about Obama's pigmentation have clearly been by the voters themselves. 

Denise
Fri, 02/22/08

Obama is tapping into people in way that you often don't see, except from actors like Reagan, who can do it well. He may well be the type of progressive that can cross over as Reagan did for Conservatives in the 1980's. People who wouldn't ordinarily support progressive positions support him for the inspiring words he uses and the actions he takes.

Indys are fed up with Washington as usual. I don't think McCain can capture that group any longer. He's hardly inspiring and cannot run as a DC outside. He'll be too busy going after the Conservative base. An historic opening.

Denise - I've never read anything racist in your posts. You seem to be a first rate person. Buona Giornata!

ON TOPIC: That is a great list of places where DFA training will take place. Hopefully, everyone will consider attending if you're near one.

Now purty please, fix the blog and online tools!!

Me too, Denise.  You've  never made racist comments, and I can't imagine you ever doing so.

86.

Specht
libety is a human right but freedom is too! a human right but its not free, its paid in blood my men who died for that right, a country without laws where is liberty? we cant keep spending money on illegals and the war,were broke! sometime i think phil you are here to keep the propaganda alive an well are you a pay blogger? i think you are!

~*~*~{{HUGS, DENISE}}~*~*~

I have noticed the tendency of some folks to forget which one of us goshawful Obama supporters they're supposed to be attacking - it must be hard work for some to remember who actually said what.  sorry if you got pulled into someone else's mess.  you certainly don't deserve it! 

whoa....... and the gloves are off!  one teeny little excerpt from my fresh Howard communique - and oh, there's sooo much more!!!

...The facts are clear: from Keating Five to today, throughout his 25 years in Washington John McCain has consistently taken hundreds of thousands of dollars from his special interest friends, flown on their corporate jets, and then turned around and tried to do favors for them. And he's surrounded himself with just the type of people he claims to fight against -- including Rick Davis, Charlie Black, and senior advisers Steve Schmidt and Mark McKinnon.

McCain and the right-wing noise machine will do anything and say anything to win. Turning an ethics scandal into a fundraising opportunity is just the start, and exactly what you'd expect a team full of lobbyists to come up with.

and here's the facts, Jack...

http://www.democrats.org/blog.html

nobody has made racists remarks that I know of, that didn't stop some people from being accused of racism

The campaign with the best music video gets my vote. Powerful stuff Monica