As if on cue, Jeremy Scahill reports on his (new!!) blog. He was on Thom Hartmann's radio show this morning.
http://rebelreports.com/
Thursday, May 28, 2009
A clown sees life simply, without complications – George Bishop
It is amusing to watch the clowns in the right wing freak show juggling for positions in the New Republican Party. These Bozos and their predecessors were promoted by Reagan in order to increase his base and the hoax was refined by the malodorous Turd Blossom during the Bush Crime Family Dynasty (a period of time that includes the Clinton presidency).
What they refuse to see is that they were always doing the bidding of the RP and continue to do so now. Their comical ravings provide the cover of an actual debate in the country between two parties and two philosophies. But this dichotomy is an illusion --there is only the One, the Corporate America Dream Machine. What is the real difference between Pelosi and the rubes who were calling for her head (until the media got tired of the whole thing)? Torture of detainees in Guantanamo and its way stations was always pretty much accepted as fact, but -like the love that dare not speak its name - was not mentioned by patriots in polite company. (Well of course there was that spoil sport Seymour Hersh, but he never really got over My Lai so why listen to him.) Pelosi did nothing about it – nothing was done or said by any of the weenie Democrats or their Repub cohorts. Now that it cannot be denied by anyone other than, say, John Ashcroft, the debate is centered on who knew what and when (as if the elephant wasn’t in the room all the time) and more important, how it can be arranged so no one is held accountable or, god forbid, testifies.
My point is that while the clowns are running the circus, the country has not changed hands or stripes or direction. It is not just the wealthy Wall Street profiteers, it is the International Free Market Capitalists and their enablers, the war mongrerers (here a pipeline, there a pipeline), and the complacent media. And a public terrified of terrorists or recession or both needs its bread and circuses. There is no longer any need for political parties, except to create the illusion of choice and it matters not a damn whether it is Obama or Bush, Thomas or Sotomayor. So enjoy the show. Popcorn included in price of admission.
It is amusing to watch the clowns in the right wing freak show juggling for positions in the New Republican Party. These Bozos and their predecessors were promoted by Reagan in order to increase his base and the hoax was refined by the malodorous Turd Blossom during the Bush Crime Family Dynasty (a period of time that includes the Clinton presidency).
What they refuse to see is that they were always doing the bidding of the RP and continue to do so now. Their comical ravings provide the cover of an actual debate in the country between two parties and two philosophies. But this dichotomy is an illusion --there is only the One, the Corporate America Dream Machine. What is the real difference between Pelosi and the rubes who were calling for her head (until the media got tired of the whole thing)? Torture of detainees in Guantanamo and its way stations was always pretty much accepted as fact, but -like the love that dare not speak its name - was not mentioned by patriots in polite company. (Well of course there was that spoil sport Seymour Hersh, but he never really got over My Lai so why listen to him.) Pelosi did nothing about it – nothing was done or said by any of the weenie Democrats or their Repub cohorts. Now that it cannot be denied by anyone other than, say, John Ashcroft, the debate is centered on who knew what and when (as if the elephant wasn’t in the room all the time) and more important, how it can be arranged so no one is held accountable or, god forbid, testifies.
My point is that while the clowns are running the circus, the country has not changed hands or stripes or direction. It is not just the wealthy Wall Street profiteers, it is the International Free Market Capitalists and their enablers, the war mongrerers (here a pipeline, there a pipeline), and the complacent media. And a public terrified of terrorists or recession or both needs its bread and circuses. There is no longer any need for political parties, except to create the illusion of choice and it matters not a damn whether it is Obama or Bush, Thomas or Sotomayor. So enjoy the show. Popcorn included in price of admission.
Thursday, May 21, 2009
Four arrested for planning New York terror attacks
This has all the bling of a good old USA sting op, wherein the FBI provides plot, plan, timetable and materiel to entrap a gang of swarthy goofballs with aka’s* like “Daoud” and “Hamza” and who couldn’t find their balls with their right hand.
Meanwhile, Harry Reid is peeing in his garment over Obama’s plan to release the Guantanamo-held terrorists into the USA, finding them jobs as baristas at a Starbucks near you. Better they should stay in Cuba eating Happy Meals with their free colonoscopies.
*James Cromitie, also known as Abdul Rahman; David Williams, also known as Daoud or simply DL; Onta Williams, also known as Hamza; and Laguerre Payen, also known as Amin and Almondo.
This has all the bling of a good old USA sting op, wherein the FBI provides plot, plan, timetable and materiel to entrap a gang of swarthy goofballs with aka’s* like “Daoud” and “Hamza” and who couldn’t find their balls with their right hand.
Meanwhile, Harry Reid is peeing in his garment over Obama’s plan to release the Guantanamo-held terrorists into the USA, finding them jobs as baristas at a Starbucks near you. Better they should stay in Cuba eating Happy Meals with their free colonoscopies.
*James Cromitie, also known as Abdul Rahman; David Williams, also known as Daoud or simply DL; Onta Williams, also known as Hamza; and Laguerre Payen, also known as Amin and Almondo.
Sunday, May 17, 2009
Ada Barker Kennedy
The wedding picture of Ada Barker and Deward Kennedy. These are the parents of Edward Richard Kennedy, AKA Dick Kennedy or, as we used to call him "Grandpa Rat."Ada Barker was only sixteen at the time of their marraige and she died in 1898 when Grandpa Dick was three years old. Her father was a reporter who covered the Battle of Little Big Horn; he had five children: Ada, Edward, Jesse, Eugene & Charlie. My mother's notes say that Edward Richard got the name Richard from Richard Rudolph -- but I have no idea who that is. Deward Kennedy was a professor at the University of Wisconsin. I have been unable to find any more information on Ada and Deward.
Friday, May 15, 2009
As Obama morphs into Bush and the Democratic Party becomes the party of Arlen Specter….one asks
WTF?
Clearly the two party system is, in fact, a one-party system with two interior decorators but only one driving force – the big money machine of Pharma, Monsanto, Boeing etc. – and no matter who we vote for, they will surely continue to drive this boat up our asses and still come out smelling of money. That these greedy bastards end up co-opting just about everyone is obvious, but what is amazing is their ability to convince us plebes that we really do have choices – that there exists a Change We Can Believe In, a New Deal, a Thousand Points of Light – and that Yes We Can doesn’t mean Yes You Can (Suck It Up Again).
Ms. Pelosi is not caught in a net – she is part of the net and mistakenly thought being in the loop would protect her. Actually, it is apathy and a short news cycle that will protect her and all of the rest of those wide-eyed Who ME? sons of bitches.
We have ALWAYS been at war with Eastasia…
WTF?
Clearly the two party system is, in fact, a one-party system with two interior decorators but only one driving force – the big money machine of Pharma, Monsanto, Boeing etc. – and no matter who we vote for, they will surely continue to drive this boat up our asses and still come out smelling of money. That these greedy bastards end up co-opting just about everyone is obvious, but what is amazing is their ability to convince us plebes that we really do have choices – that there exists a Change We Can Believe In, a New Deal, a Thousand Points of Light – and that Yes We Can doesn’t mean Yes You Can (Suck It Up Again).
Ms. Pelosi is not caught in a net – she is part of the net and mistakenly thought being in the loop would protect her. Actually, it is apathy and a short news cycle that will protect her and all of the rest of those wide-eyed Who ME? sons of bitches.
We have ALWAYS been at war with Eastasia…
Thursday, May 14, 2009
What a Boner!
John Boehner in re Nancy Pelosi’s (convoluted and self-serving) statements this morning: “It is hard to believe anyone in our intellegence area would try to deceive Congress.” John! – No one in this entire country could hear that statement without rolling their eyes.
Wednesday, April 29, 2009
Glenn Greenwald on Arlen Specter - Link Below
Exerpts:
Consider Specter’s most significant votes over the last eight years, ones cast in favor of such definitive right-wing measures as: the war on Iraq, the Military Commissions Act, Patriot Act renewal, confirmation of virtually every controversial Bush appointee, retroactive telecom immunity, warrantless eavesdropping expansions, and Bush tax cuts (several times). Time and again during the Bush era, Specter stood with Republicans on the most controversial and consequential issues.
--snip--
Reports today suggest that Democratic officials promised Specter that the party establishment would support him, rather than a real Democrat, in a primary. If true, few events more vividly illustrate the complete lack of core beliefs of Democratic leaders, as well as the rapidly diminishing differences between the parties. Why would Democrats want a full-blooded Republican representing them in the blue state of Pennsylvania? Specter is highly likely to reprise the Joe Lieberman role for Democrats: a “Democrat” who leads the way in criticizing and blocking Democratic initiatives, forcing the party still further towards Republican policies.
--snip--
Specter is also complaining incessently about the fact that Lieberman lost his primary and Specter only won his 2004 primary by 1%. This apparently demonstrates all sorts of bad things about our political process. They really do believe that they are divinely entitled to keep their seats forever, and anything which threatens that is intrinsically illegitimate and wrong.
http://www.salon.com/opinion/greenwald/2009/04/28/specter/index.html?
Consider Specter’s most significant votes over the last eight years, ones cast in favor of such definitive right-wing measures as: the war on Iraq, the Military Commissions Act, Patriot Act renewal, confirmation of virtually every controversial Bush appointee, retroactive telecom immunity, warrantless eavesdropping expansions, and Bush tax cuts (several times). Time and again during the Bush era, Specter stood with Republicans on the most controversial and consequential issues.
--snip--
Reports today suggest that Democratic officials promised Specter that the party establishment would support him, rather than a real Democrat, in a primary. If true, few events more vividly illustrate the complete lack of core beliefs of Democratic leaders, as well as the rapidly diminishing differences between the parties. Why would Democrats want a full-blooded Republican representing them in the blue state of Pennsylvania? Specter is highly likely to reprise the Joe Lieberman role for Democrats: a “Democrat” who leads the way in criticizing and blocking Democratic initiatives, forcing the party still further towards Republican policies.
Specter is also complaining incessently about the fact that Lieberman lost his primary and Specter only won his 2004 primary by 1%. This apparently demonstrates all sorts of bad things about our political process. They really do believe that they are divinely entitled to keep their seats forever, and anything which threatens that is intrinsically illegitimate and wrong.
http://www.salon.com/opinion/greenwald/2009/04/28/specter/index.html?
Sunday, March 29, 2009
Friday, March 27, 2009
Wednesday, March 18, 2009
Friday, February 27, 2009
Weak Sister
So Nancy Pelosi is unhappy about Obama's draw-down plans for Iraq. This is the same Pelosi who was upgraded to Speaker of the House in 2006 by voters unhappy with the continuation of a failed war and pushing for a way out. Instead Pelosi voted lock step with the Bush administration on the appropriation bills which kept the war (and the no-bid contracts) in full force. Now she and her equally ineffective partner in the Senate, Harry Reid, are opposing an effort by President Obama to revive the 1994 assault-weapons ban. For two years Reid and Pelosi have been weak and submissive. Now that they feel safe, they are using their new-found mettle to oppose and obstruct.
They should go away.
They should go away.
Monday, February 09, 2009
Mommy, What's a Republican?
I'm continually looking for some explanation of Republicans. Is it ideology or just plain nastiness? Do they believe all that crap they say? Are they really just a crime syndicate posing as a political party? I'm not the only one asking:
From Suburban Guerrilla
Republicanism Explained
Feb 9th, 2009 at 12:28 pm by Susie
From Jude at First Draft:
In the last few months, as the scavengers have picked at the carcass of the Republican party, I’ve heard a lot of people talk about what “conservatism” means. Most recently, the New York Times saw fit to address the issue in this waste of virtual space.
Well, I can’t definitively say what “conservatism” means. I possess no advanced degrees, am not a philosopher, and have almost no knowledge of political science. However.
I can tell you what Republicanism means, and that, I think, is a more germane issue. As I’m sure you’ve noticed, we don’t have a “Conservative” party on our ballots. No. We have a “Republican” one. So figuring out what they stand for seems to be a much more useful endeavor than attempting to define “conservatism.”
Well, I’ve done a lot of observing and thinking, and it seems to me that the Republican party stands for two things.
1. Tax cuts are the cure for everything, including the common cold.
2. Fuck you.
And that’s pretty much it. All of the shit that the Republicans do flows from those two points.
Posted in The Shadow Knows
How do you explain Republicans??
From Suburban Guerrilla
Republicanism Explained
Feb 9th, 2009 at 12:28 pm by Susie
From Jude at First Draft:
In the last few months, as the scavengers have picked at the carcass of the Republican party, I’ve heard a lot of people talk about what “conservatism” means. Most recently, the New York Times saw fit to address the issue in this waste of virtual space.
Well, I can’t definitively say what “conservatism” means. I possess no advanced degrees, am not a philosopher, and have almost no knowledge of political science. However.
I can tell you what Republicanism means, and that, I think, is a more germane issue. As I’m sure you’ve noticed, we don’t have a “Conservative” party on our ballots. No. We have a “Republican” one. So figuring out what they stand for seems to be a much more useful endeavor than attempting to define “conservatism.”
Well, I’ve done a lot of observing and thinking, and it seems to me that the Republican party stands for two things.
1. Tax cuts are the cure for everything, including the common cold.
2. Fuck you.
And that’s pretty much it. All of the shit that the Republicans do flows from those two points.
Posted in The Shadow Knows
How do you explain Republicans??
Thursday, January 29, 2009
Beau Garrett Heller
It has been four years now since my nephew Beau Garrett Heller disappeared -- riding off on his bicycle from his parents home in Duarte, California
We are hoping no one has forgotten about him or given up the hope that he will be found. If he is out there, he should know that there are a ton of people who miss and care about him. If you have any information - names of people Beau associated with, or anything that you may think could help in his return - please visit this website:
http://findbeauheller.com/
Beau Garrett Heller
Sex: Male
Race: White
Hair: Blonde
Eye Color: Hazel
Height: 5 ft. 06 in.
Weight: 165 lbs.
Date of Birth: 3/8/1976
Last Seen: 1/29/2005 in Duarte, CA
Race: White
Hair: Blonde
Eye Color: Hazel
Height: 5 ft. 06 in.
Weight: 165 lbs.
Date of Birth: 3/8/1976
Last Seen: 1/29/2005 in Duarte, CA
The Republicans, a crime organization masquerading as a political party, put on their Jack boots yesterday and voted as a block against the Stimulus Bill they were unable to strangle at birth. Who votes for these morons? Ostensibly, their constituents are the fully employed, fully insured, whose lives would be perfect if not for –gasp—taxes! Unable to recognize the principle of cause and effect, these wingers are opposed to government-funded construction of anything not dedicated to Ronald Reagan and never saw a tax cut they didn’t like -- with the exception of those benefiting – well…no one is using the code phrase “welfare queens driving Cadillacs” but I wouldn’t rule out the possibility.
Personally, I recommend four years of shunning the bastards. But if Obama insists on inviting them for cocktails, making sure Cornyn got the first helping of blowfish testicle hors de oeuvres would be a nice alternative.
Tuesday, January 27, 2009
Sunday, January 25, 2009
Department of Frivolous Deflection
from Sunday New York Times Magazine
Interview with Arthur Levitt
Interview by DEBORAH SOLOMON
Published: January 22, 2009
Q: As the former chief of the Securities and Exchange Commission, which is supposed to protect the American people from investment fraud, how do you feel when you look at the current economic landscape and see 401(k)’s going up in smoke?
A: I feel saddened. I feel saddened that so many people have been hurt; that, on reflection, we’ve all acted foolishly. We’ve spent too much money on too many frivolous things.
Yes, it's true -- I have been guilty of frivolous spending. Example: for many years I frittered away large sums on hardback, lavishly illustrated cookbooks, mostly purchased on-line, by big name chefs (Batali, Bittman, Pepin) --knowing full well that most (or equivalent) recipes could be accessed via websites, no charge, no shipping fee. This indulgence was dispensed with several years ago, but I'm still guilty of other frivolities (2 ply bath tissue, fresh mozzarella) and am therefore, I suppose, as guilty as Madoff for the current economic State of the Union.
Certainly I share more responsibility than Mr. Levitt, who points out later in the interview that he "canceled a vacation to the Far East that [he] had planned for the spring" because he didn't "feel right about spending large sums of money in this environment." But in my defense I would like to point out that were I able to make such a sacrifice I would not hesitate a minute.
Interview with Arthur Levitt
Interview by DEBORAH SOLOMON
Published: January 22, 2009
Q: As the former chief of the Securities and Exchange Commission, which is supposed to protect the American people from investment fraud, how do you feel when you look at the current economic landscape and see 401(k)’s going up in smoke?
A: I feel saddened. I feel saddened that so many people have been hurt; that, on reflection, we’ve all acted foolishly. We’ve spent too much money on too many frivolous things.
Yes, it's true -- I have been guilty of frivolous spending. Example: for many years I frittered away large sums on hardback, lavishly illustrated cookbooks, mostly purchased on-line, by big name chefs (Batali, Bittman, Pepin) --knowing full well that most (or equivalent) recipes could be accessed via websites, no charge, no shipping fee. This indulgence was dispensed with several years ago, but I'm still guilty of other frivolities (2 ply bath tissue, fresh mozzarella) and am therefore, I suppose, as guilty as Madoff for the current economic State of the Union.
Certainly I share more responsibility than Mr. Levitt, who points out later in the interview that he "canceled a vacation to the Far East that [he] had planned for the spring" because he didn't "feel right about spending large sums of money in this environment." But in my defense I would like to point out that were I able to make such a sacrifice I would not hesitate a minute.
Friday, January 23, 2009
My bro's letter to the editor of the Siskiyou Daily News
Jan 21, 2009
Dear Editor:
There you go again. Four more columns of guest opinion for Virgil Morton to chime in his support for John Roberts' guest opinion of 1-9-09 argument that we atheists are an intolerant bunch.
Virgil, by tinkering with the phrase-- "Congress shall make no law respecting the establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof."--by italicizing the latter part does not negate the opening clause. How much more profound and clear does this need to be? Government grants you freedom of religion and me freedom from religion.
I am somewhat heartened that you are not now condemning all atheists as intolerant but rather saying that some of us are. As you cite no specifics other than they live in Washington State, I must ask. Have they killed anyone? Enslaved millions? Burnt thousands at the stake? Condemned minority groups for their lifestyle?
As I stated in my letter to John Roberts: We don't care what you believe, we just want your religion (whatever it may be) out of our government, public schools, State sponsored events, and off our money. We have a small victory as the new 1$ coins make no mention of any god. Would you be so emboldened if "in Allah we trust" was stamped on them?
In closing, thank you Virgil for tacitly approving my right to my beliefs or non-beliefs. Hey, I'm not intolerant. You do indeed have a constitutional right to your religion. If you feel the need to pray to burning bushes or communicate with ghosts, feel free.
Christopher Garrett
Dear Editor:
There you go again. Four more columns of guest opinion for Virgil Morton to chime in his support for John Roberts' guest opinion of 1-9-09 argument that we atheists are an intolerant bunch.
Virgil, by tinkering with the phrase-- "Congress shall make no law respecting the establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof."--by italicizing the latter part does not negate the opening clause. How much more profound and clear does this need to be? Government grants you freedom of religion and me freedom from religion.
I am somewhat heartened that you are not now condemning all atheists as intolerant but rather saying that some of us are. As you cite no specifics other than they live in Washington State, I must ask. Have they killed anyone? Enslaved millions? Burnt thousands at the stake? Condemned minority groups for their lifestyle?
As I stated in my letter to John Roberts: We don't care what you believe, we just want your religion (whatever it may be) out of our government, public schools, State sponsored events, and off our money. We have a small victory as the new 1$ coins make no mention of any god. Would you be so emboldened if "in Allah we trust" was stamped on them?
In closing, thank you Virgil for tacitly approving my right to my beliefs or non-beliefs. Hey, I'm not intolerant. You do indeed have a constitutional right to your religion. If you feel the need to pray to burning bushes or communicate with ghosts, feel free.
Christopher Garrett
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