Pretty much as you'd expect, with John McCain's doing his bit to stoke the flames.
Saturday, May 16, 2009
VIDEO- Thoughts on President Obama from the NRA convention
"Extreme Repression Force"-- Spain's probe: Gitmo abuse devastating
By GottaLaff
UPDATE: Please Reddit this post, and don't forget to follow the link at the end to read more. It's mandatory that we stay informed, and get the media to pick up on this. Thanks! Love, Laffy
UPDATE #2: I bumped this up. We need to get this around. Again, please Reddit, Tweet the media. This cannot be ignored. It's horrendous, and it's being done in our name.
If this article doesn't justify an investigation BushCo and others, then I don't know what will. Here's a sick little teaser:
The 'Black Shirts' of Guantanamo routinely terrorize prisoners, breaking bones, gouging eyes, squeezing testicles, and 'dousing' them with chemicals. [...]Omar Deghayes (whose torture began long before he reached Guantánamo, and intensified upon his arrival):
He also described seeing U.S. guards sodomize an African prisoner and alleged guards "forced petrol and benzene up the anuses of the prisoners."Had enough? Too bad. Horrifying, twisted, cruel, wrong, illegal, and it all belongs to us:"The camp looked like the Nazi camps that I saw in films."
According to journalist Jeremy Scahill — best known for his investigations of mercenary firm Blackwater (now Xe) — an ongoing Spanish investigation is painting a devastating picture of the brutality exercised by the US military over detainees at Guantanamo and elsewhere.The investigation focuses in particular on a squad whose standard procedure is to crush even minimal resistance or uncooperativeness by Guantanamo prisoners with a maximum degree of violence. “The force is officially known as the the Immediate Reaction Force or Emergency Reaction Force,” Scahill writes, “but inside the walls of Guantánamo, it is known to the prisoners as the Extreme Repression Force.”
[...] Scahill draws the pieces together, the extent of the deliberate burtality and dehumanization becomes agonizingly apparent.
The IRF teams’ official guidelines indicate that they should use only the minimum amount of force necessary on unruly detainees and should never use force as a method of punishment. However, witnesses tell a very different story. Michael Ratner, the president of the Center for Constitutional Rights, describes the IRF as “Black Shirts” and Clive Stafford Smith, who has represented 50 Guantanamo prisoners, calls them simply “goons.”
It appears that the teams were even directed to create pretexts for brutality where none existed in order to make sure that all the prisoners were fully intimidated.
According to legal expert Scott Horton, the extrajudicial actions of these teams — which include beating prisoners, using attack dogs, rubbing pepper spray directly in their eyes, and leaving them hog-tied and in excruciating pain for hours — were “fully approved” by Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld in consultation with the Justice Department.
[...] Stafford Smith does say that “there is photographic evidence.”
Witnesses now state that the abuses have not only continued since Barack Obama became president and called for the closing of Guantanamo but may have actually intensified.
Here's the insane part:
“The sad fact is that the best chance for justice for the victims of U.S. torture may well be an ocean away in Madrid, Spain,” Scahill concludes.Please make yourself read the rest of the very gory details here. Then explain why we shouldn't prosecute.
PhotObama: Soccer Dad edition
VIDEO: The New RNC Presents: Gay Don't Pay!
By GottaLaff
Via Lee Stranahan, a video that goes back to my Michael Steele's G-Spot post:
Dick Cheney, Patron Saint of Torture-Free
By GottaLaff
The Nation of Dick and the rest of BushCo committed war crimes in order to get the propaganda he wanted to invade Iraq. Yet...
Few in Congress or the mass media have pushed Cheney on this "great success." Fewer still have seen that that Bush and Cheney's illegal use of torture to sell their pre-emptive war in Iraq was probably their single greatest crime. Why the reluctance? Why do so many Americans refuse to see the obvious?In large part because Congress, the corporate media, and even the general public were to some degree complicit in the crime. Whatever the CIA told Congressional leaders about waterboarding, sensory and sleep deprivation, stress positions, or sending captives to other counties for interrogation, only the mentally challenged had any excuse for not knowing from the public record at the time the rough outlines of how far Bush and Cheney had stepped beyond the law.[...]
...Bush, Cheney, Rumsfeld and the others proudly told the world what they were doing. And, very much like the Good Germans of an earlier time, Congress and the media went along, as did most of the American public. Even worse, almost no one questioned the validity of all the so-called intelligence that the administration's methods produced. [...]
We now know from several sources that these selling points for invading Iraq came primarily from torturing al-Libi in Egypt. We also know from the recent report of the Senate Armed Services Committee that the Bush administration pushed the torturers from the beginning to find such a link between Iraq and al-Qaeda. That was one of the major purposes of the entire effort, as only those on the inside truly understood.
But, even before the invasion, anyone paying attention should have been able to see that the administration's "evidence" had to be tainted the moment Mr. Bush stepped beyond the Geneva Conventions and began "working the dark side."
Having failed to catch the crime at the time, many major media figures and members of Congress are understandably reluctant to accuse Bush and Cheney of criminal conduct and bring them to trial now. How much easier just to forget the whole sordid mess and get on with the nation's business. But, if Congress and the media do, they will fail again, as Mr. Cheney's spirited defense of torture and unlimited presidential power will come back to haunt us all in the secret memos of a new administration not so many years from now.
It's a little difficult to maintain transparency in this atmosphere.
Quote-O'-The-Day: Jon Huntsman edition
By GottaLaff
"Keep your friends close and your enemies in China."
-- GOP strategist Mark McKinnon, quoted by Politico, on the appointment of Utah Gov. Jon Huntsman (R) to be ambassador to China.
VIDEO: What David Waldman did to expose Cheney's disturbed worldview
By GottaLaff
David Waldman, aka KagroX, makes the points beautifully, as he does in his writings, consistently. Watch.
View the full segment here.
Lambs of Christ NeoHippies? Police make arrests at University of Notre Dame
By GottaLaff
Police Sgt. Bill Redman says 19 protesters were arrested Saturday on trespassing charges and four also faced a charge of resisting law enforcement.
What? Not honoring the officers who enforce the laws they say they cherish? Not respecting the men in uniform? Bucking authority? Why, I do believe these holier-than-thou rebels are turning into NeoHippies!
University spokesman Dennis Brown says none of those arrested were students.
Among those arrested was the Rev. Norman Weslin, founder of the Lambs of Christ abortion protest group. He also was among 21 people arrested during a similar protest Friday.
What next, tea tantrums?
By the way, just wondering: Were any of these arrestees confined to free speech zones?
How to be a Republican in Ten Easy Steps
By GottaLaff
Feel free to add your own in Comments.1. Always act superior, even when your opponent clearly outclasses you intellectually (this will happen frequently).
2. Demand that your opponent provide evidence to prove their point, then dismiss the evidence based on its source when they do, no matter how widely-accepted or valid that source happens to be. If you can’t do that, lie and deny that you said what you said, or lie and say your opponent misinterpreted your statement and is now off topic. Failing those tactics: Change the subject.
3. Lie about all scientific and historical facts when they can’t be ignored; facts often get in the way of right-wing ideology. And don’t forget: No lie is too outrageous. Repeat the same lies loudly and often.
4. Project. A lot.
Michael Steele hits the Republican G-Spot
By GottaLaff
Republicans can reach a broader base by recasting gay marriage as an issue that could dent pocketbooks as small businesses spend more on health care and other benefits, GOP Chairman Michael Steele said Saturday.The last thing I want to think about is Michael Steele's pants.
[...] Steele said he used the argument weeks ago while chatting on a flight with a college student who described herself as fiscally conservative but socially liberal on issues like gay marriage.
"Now all of a sudden I've got someone who wasn't a spouse before, that I had no responsibility for, who is now getting claimed as a spouse that I now have financial responsibility for," Steele told Republicans at the state convention in traditionally conservative Georgia. "So how do I pay for that? Who pays for that? You just cost me money."
As Steele talked about ways the party could position itself, he also poked fun at his previous pledge to give the GOP a "hip-hop makeover."
"You don't have to wear your pants cut down here or the big bling," he said.
Vermont and Iowa have legalized gay marriage in recent weeks, and a Quinnipiac University poll released in April found that 57 percent of people questioned support civil unions that provide marriage-like rights. Although 55 percent said they opposed gay marriage, the poll indicated a shift toward more acceptance.
H/t: Ellen
VIDEO: N.O.M. Warns Gay Marriage Will Turn Your Children Gay
By GottaLaff
Gramma, "my teacher says that [N.O.M] is so old fashioned," and consists of a bunch of homophobic, narrow-minded bigots:
Cornerstone Policy Research (CPR) and the National Organization for Marriage (NOM) are trying their hardest to stop same-sex marriage from becoming legal in New Hampshire. The two organizations have just released an ad airing in New Hampshire called “I’m Confused,” which uses children to express how “confused” they will be if two men or two women are legally allowed to be married.H/t: The Joshua Blog
VIDEO-- Not Joe the Not Plumber: "Men kissing each other...It's just not something I want around my family"
By GottaLaff
Remember this? What's Not Joe so afraid of? Oh, and his so-called book? That crumpled piece of construction paper covered with sticky macaroni, crayon, glue, and Beanie Weenie stains? Epic fail. Surprise, surprise:
That last part refers to the very end of the video, which is the first honest thing I've heard him utter.Earlier this month, Joe “the Plumber” Wurzelbacher told Christianity Today that calling gay people “queer” “is not like a slur” because homosexuality is “strange and unusual.” [...] Yesterday, a local ABC affiliate in Toledo, OH asked Wurzelbacher about his comment. [...]
Not seeming to recognize the irony, immediately after making this statement, he then signed a copy of his book.
Steele: We Need Guns To Defend Ourselves Against ‘Terrorists’ Coming To ‘Our Communities’
By GottaLaff
Today, RNC Chairman Michael Steele spoke at the National Rifle Association’s (NRA) “Celebration of American Values” Leadership Forum. During his speech today, Steele criticized Barack Obama’s potential Supreme Court nominee, saying the President is “looking to put Doctor Phil on the Court.”Let's put it this way: I want the guns of anyone who sounds as crazy as these wackos do.Steele also played to his NRA audience by fear-mongering that Democrats may take away Americans’ guns. He claimed that those guns are more necessary than ever since Guantanamo detainees may soon be in the United States and the public will have to defend itself:
It is ironic, to say the least, that at the same time Democrats in Congress are threatening to deny Americans their second amendment right to own a firearm and defend their families and homes, they are considering bringing terrorists like 9-11 mastermind Khalid Sheik Mohammed and other Al Qaeda detainees to our communities once the President follows through on his campaign promise to close Guantanamo Bay.
[...] Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) said yesterday on Fox News. “We don’t want them in our jails.” (Of couse, Guantanamo detainees transferred to the U.S. for trials would actually be housed in federal prisons, where dozens of dangerous terrorists are already held. In fact, the U.S. has already successfully prosecuted 145 terrorism cases in federal court, a sharp contrast to the series of debacles in Guantanamo prosecutions.) [...]
Just two years ago, Steele came out forcefully against assault weapons, saying that they were “overkill.” “If you want to talk about gun control, that’s where you need to start,” said Steele. “We’ve got 300 gun laws on the books right now. At the end of the day, it’s about how we enforce the law.” However, a few months ago he changed his mind and said that a ban on assault weapons was just the first step in the Obama administration’s plan “repeal the 2nd Amendment.”
VIDEO: Conservatives Hope Attacks On Pelosi Will Quiet Calls For Truth Commission
By GottaLaff
We've known all along what this is all about. Now it's right out in the open:
For weeks, conservatives have been launching hypocritical and disingenuous attacks on House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) regarding her level of knowledge of the Bush administration’s torture program.Clear? Clear.
Fox News conservatives are revealing one of the underlying motives for these attacks — to diminish calls for a truth commission on torture. While interviewing Newt Gingrich, and later, Sen. Jon Kyl (R-AZ), Fox host Neil Cavuto wondered whether “both parties will cease and desist” from investigations [...]Pelosi has been clear that recent questions about her level of knowledge about Bush’s torture program only add more — not less — need for an investigation to take place. “Until a truth commission comes into being, I encourage the appropriate committees of the House to conduct vigorous oversight of these issues,” Pelosi said.
If conservatives were being honest about their criticisms, they’d be taking up Pelosi’s desire for a full investigation, an inquiry that would not only examine what members of Congress knew but also the prominent role Cheney played in authorizing illegal acts.
Plouffe warns of 'swiftboat' attacks on health reform
By GottaLaff
Days after President Obama and members of Congress said they were confident they can pass health care reform this year, Obama's former campaign manager warned supporters Saturday that opposing forces are lining up to "torpedo" the plan.::ding!::
David Plouffe [...] wrote in a fundraising e-mail to Obama's massive supporter e-mail list that the same operatives behind the swiftboat campaign that helped end Sen. John Kerry's (D-Mass.) quest to unseat President George W. Bush are regrouping to target Obama's healthcare efforts.::dingding!::
Rick Scott, who helped fund the swiftboat ads during Kerry's run, is helping to fund a new group that is targeting what he and some Republicans consider an effort by Obama to socialize medicine.::siren!::
"The swiftboaters are once again trying to sell the American people short," Plouffe wrote. "As during the election, we deserve a serious conversation -- not fear-mongering and deceit. You and I see the importance of healthcare reform every day."::gasp!:: Oh noes! How can we possibly combat all these Swiftboat attacks?! What effective, folksy-driven means of counterattack can we come up with? A people's revolution, if you will. ::light bulb:: I know! Tea parties! Someone get hold of MSNBC and see it they're up for some genuine, top-down, corporate grassrootery.
PhotObama: Bowing again? edition
By GottaLaff
Awww!
President Barack Obama bends over so the son of a White House staff member can pat his head during a family visit to the Oval Office May 8, 2009. The youngster wanted to see if the President's haircut felt like his own. (Official White House Photo by Pete Souza).
Will the Rushpublics accuse President Obama of bowing to a dictator again?
VIDEO: GOP pledges to work with Obama on health care reform
By GottaLaff
So they say:
As much as I would love for Rushpublics and Democrats to work together and achieve real health care reform, I fear that their "working with President Obama" means doing it their way or no way, and that the change we desire is in jeopardy via "compromise"."Let me be clear, Republicans want to work with President Obama and other Democrats to ensure that every American has access to affordable, high-quality health coverage," he said. "Despite our differences, we are convinced there are areas of common-sense agreement on health care reform among Republicans and Democrats. This issue is just too important to let partisanship or blind ideology get in the way. Let’s all work together to do the right thing for the American people."
Boustany, a doctor and member of the House Republican Health Care Solutions Group, said the GOP is "convinced" that there are some areas offering potential for common ground on tackling rising health care costs.
Color me skeptical.
Full transcript here.
The Nation of Dick's legacy
By GottaLaff
Cheney's legacy
Re “Cheney sides with Limbaugh” May 11 --Letter #1:
I used to think of Dick Cheney as a snake -- my apologies to all serpents. Now he just reminds me of a worm -- a big, fat nightcrawler squirming on the end of a fishhook. Our former vice president is wiggling all over the place, hoping to distract us from seeing him at the top of the torture pyramid.
Cheney has granted several interviews to media hosts, all trumpeting the same message. He claims that President Obama is risking the lives of thousands of Americans by outlawing torture.
But this time, repetition won't substitute for truth, and peddling fear won't scare us into acceptance. Cheney broke the law.
Even if he is not brought to justice for it, all of his memoirs will be shelved with the horror genre.***Letter #2:
As the saying goes, when you're already in a hole, stop digging. By all calculations, Cheney should be in China by now.***Letter #3:
Last week, Cheney said that he would choose Rush Limbaugh over Colin Powell when it comes to the future vision of the Republican Party. George W. Bush and Cheney did such a good job of destroying the Republican Party that, as a Democrat, I have encouraged Republicans to listen to Cheney.
In a party in which failure is considered to be the new success, I wish Cheney all the success he deserves.
VIDEO- On Hannity, Randall Terry revisits comparison between Obama and Nazi leaders
I really hope I see this f'r tomorrow.
Obama to make first African visit in July
Nice choice for first African nation to visit, Kenya would have been too obvious.
ACCRA (Reuters) - Barack Obama will visit Africa for the first time since being sworn in as the first black U.S. president when he travels to Ghana in July, a trip many Africans hope will herald powerful help for their poor continent.
Ghanaians celebrated Washington's decision to choose their country for Obama's presidential debut in Africa, where he is a hugely popular figure.
They said the visit represents a chance for Ghana, which expects to start producing oil in 2011, to press its claims for greater engagement with the West.
Tucker Carlson (finally) joins up with Fox News
Don't forget, he tanked a show on PBS too. See ya Tuck!
Will the third network be the charm for Tucker?After appearances on "Red Eye," Tucker Carlson made it official this morning becoming a paid contributor to Fox News Channel. His first appearance, coming on his 40th birthday, was on Fox & Friends just after 7amET.
"Life begins at 40 and your Fox career begins at 40 too," said co-anchor Dave Briggs.
"I've waited a long time to get here and I'm glad to be here," said Carlson. "We're delighted to have you," added Alisyn Camerota.
Saturday Links
Well, it's raining here and per the NBC operative embedded at the Notre Dame campus, there's only a handful of protesters mulling around over there. Guess I'll wait and hop over tomorrow, when they'll be busing the crazies in for entertainment.
Singapore's gay community holds first-ever rally
A year after diagnosis, Kennedy defies odds to secure legacy
Sex park under construction in China
PBS Weighs Separation Of Church & Stations
Face facts: You won't get good pay if you're 'plain'
U.S. sends Gitmo detainee to France for release
Obama picks Republican Gov. Huntsman as China envoy
Well isn't this a nice nugget of intrigue. I like John's take on this.
BEIJING (Reuters) – President Barack Obama has chosen Mandarin-speaking Jon Huntsman, the Republican governor of Utah, to be the next U.S. ambassador to China, a diplomat said on Saturday.
The diplomat, who declined to be identified because he is not authorized to speak to the media, confirmed news reports from Utah that Huntsman, 48, had accepted the job.
The reports said an official announcement from Washington was likely on Saturday.
Friday, May 15, 2009
VIDEO Countdown- Dr Patrick Walen on the Obama commencement "controversy"
Visit msnbc.com for Breaking News, World News, and News about the Economy
I've seen this guy out and about (even on Fox) and he's good. Measured and sober, a big difference from some of the stone crazies advocating for the other side. Here is their site.
Have an Iraq/Afghanistan Vet In Your Life?
Then please take a minute to click thru on the IAVA ad on your right and check out Support Your Vet and Community of Veterans. The sites are run by the IAVA (very good friends of the blog) and are chock full of resources, ideas and support that can really make a difference in your vets life. Paul Rieckoff and his crew are top notch, I can attest.
Books Made Millions for Obama in 2008
This is news? The man can write, has a compelling personal story, and he was running as the first serious AA nominee for President of the United States. No brainer.
President Barack Obama earned between $1.1 million and $6.1 million beyond his Senate salary last year, much of it in royalties from his book “The Audacity of Hope,” according to financial records released by the White House late Friday.
The book earned the president from $1 million to $5 million. Obama’s other book, “Dreams From My Father,” earned between $100,000 and $1 million last year.
Obama signed an agreement Jan. 15, just before becoming president, to receive an additional $500,000 as an advance against royalties for an abridged version of “Dreams” rewritten in a form suitable for younger readers.
Iman: Michelle Obama no 'great beauty'
Well, that puts the kibosh on Mr & Mrs Bowie getting invited to the White House any time soon, but I actually like what she has to say.
NEW YORK, May 15 (UPI) -- Fashion model Iman says Michelle Obama, wife of U.S. President Barack Obama, is no "great beauty," but does have other admirable characteristics.The 53-year-old model, who also has her own perfume and skin care products, said the first lady should get better with age instead of struggling with her looks as most women of "great beauty" do, Parade magazine reported online Friday.
"Mrs. Obama is not a great beauty," Iman told the publication. "But she is so interesting looking and so bright. That will always take you farther. When you're a great beauty, it's always downhill for you. If you're someone like Mrs. Obama, you just get better with age."
While Michelle Obama is the first black first lady, Iman was among the first black supermodels. The Somalia-born model told Parade magazine breaking through that fashion barrier was difficult for her.
VIDEO- Al Gore to Dick Cheney: 'I waited two years'
Quote of the Day
"I waited for two years after I left office to make statements that were critical, and then of policy... You talk about somebody that shouldn't be talking about making the country less safe, invading a country that did not attack us and posed no serious threat to us at all."
-- Al Gore, in an interview on CNN.
Alan Keyes, six others, to spend the weekend in jail for protesting at Notre Dame
Dammit, at least Terry is still free. I was really hoping to get a little camera time with Keyes tomorrow. Sounds like they're trucking in the crazies though, should be fun!
As Notre Dame prepares for President Obama's commencement visit this weekend, a vocal group of pro-life protesters continues to make their presence known outside the gates of campus.
Led by two men dragging crosses, the group features many familiar faces -- Randall Terry, Alan Keyes, and many others from across the country who have joined the protest.
Slightly after noon, the men and women stepped onto Notre Dame's campus.
Police were there to meet them.
"It's very important for you to understand this message: this is private property," explained an officer.
Alan Keyes was the first to address the onlookers.
"I call on all Christian people to come and bear witness to this betrayal of our faith," he announced.
(snip)
Those arrested for their first offence will be able to bail out today.
But St. Joseph County judges recently instituted a local rule that affects those that have been arrested once already.
If today was their second arrest, they will spend the weekend in jail until they can go before a judge Monday morning.
As a result, Alan Keyes, along with six others, will spend the weekend behind bars.
Poll: GOP Voters Think Party Has Clear Leader -- But Don't Agree Who It Is
Rasmussen tends to lean heavily right...
A new Rasmussen poll finds that only 37% of Republican voters think the party has no clear leader, a definite improvement from a 68% figure two months ago. But there's a catch: There's no agreement on who the party's clear leader actually is.
John McCain comes in first place among possible leaders at 18%, followed by Michael Steele with 14%, Sarah Palin on 10%, Mitt Romney at 8%, Rush Limbaugh with 6%, and Dick Cheney at 4%.
The polling memo reiterates a recent point by Scott Rasmussen: "To be relevant in politics, you need either formal power or a lot of people willing to follow your lead. The governing Republicans in the nation's capital have lost both on their continuing path to irrelevance."
Justice Oprah?
You want empathy?
We don't know whether she's on President Obama's short list, but nearly one in four Democrats thinks television personality Oprah Winfrey would make a good Supreme Court justice.Must note, it's a Fox poll.So says Fox News, which surveyed 900 registered voters on May 12-13 on a variety of subjects, including the Supreme Court vacancy. Overall, 16 percent of respondents thought Winfrey would do well on the high court -- and 23 percent of Democrats and 10 percent of Republicans.
Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton did better among both groups, as did former Vice President Al Gore. But could either of those two get a book club going inside the reclusive court? Or shower the audiences at oral arguments with new cars?
VIDEO: Obama Meets The Phillies
What do the Philadelphia Phillies have in common with President Obama?**Edited to add longer video.
“Nobody thought I would win, either,” the president said, drawing a parallel between his campaign and the Phillies’ championship run in 2008 as he met with the team Friday afternoon at the White House.
Tweeting Robert Gibbs' presser
By GottaLaff
- Asked if Obama alienating the left, Spksmn Gibbs said the pres will do what he believes is in the best security interests of the nation.
- On Pelosi's charge that CIA lied, Gibbs said he appreciated the invitation to comment, but won't RSVP.
- WH/Gibbs says its "simply not true" that Obama is embracing the same system for detainee trials.
Richard Shelby does balancing act
By GottaLaff
Oh come on, why bother with the coyness when it's so much easier to just blame Nance:
My post of the video of Bob Graham's statements here.GOP Senator Richard Shelby, who was briefed along with Bob Graham on interrogations not long after Nancy Pelosi, has now weighed in on what he was told.
Shelby is walking a very delicate balancing act. While he’s contradicting Graham’s claim that torture techniques weren’t discussed, Shelby also stops short of saying he was told torture techniques were actually used — a distinction central to the current political war.
Shelby was briefed with Graham on September 27th 2002, about three weeks after Pelosi. Shelby’s spokesperson has now described the briefing to The Hill:
“As Vice Chairman of the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence in 2002, Senator Shelby was briefed by the CIA on the Agency’s interrogation program and the existence of Enhanced Interrogation Techniques (EITs). To his recollection, not only did the CIA briefers provide what was purported to be a full account of the techniques, they also described the need for these techniques and the value of the information being obtained from terrorists during questioning. The Senate briefing also included an explanation of how these techniques were consistent with the law and with the national security interests of the U.S. To his recollection, while there was a great deal of discussion, there were no objections raised during the Senate briefing he attended.”
This is very carefully worded. It says Shelby was told about the “existence” of the techniques and given a “full account” of their existence. This doesn’t address whether they were used. He was also told about the “value of the information being obtained from terrorists during questioning,” but the statement conspicuously doesn’t say the info was obtained through the use of the techniques.
But this from Mark Knoller of CBS, via Twitter:
without mentioning Pelosi by name, CIA Dir. Leon Panetta denies her charge that CIA lied about not waterboarding in 2002.Now what? We need hearings. Now.
Wasilla High Abstains
By GottaLaff
[...]We learned that the senior class advisors, representing the student body, invited Gov. Palin to speak to the graduating class. All signs indicate that she accepted the invitation, but the school’s administration then decided against it, presumably because they did not want a politician speaking at the ceremony. The school’s administration denied any knowledge of this in an email reply to C4P, but the students are sticking by the story as well as our sources in Wasilla.
Even more troubling is the news that Gov. Palin will not be invited on the stage to shake students’ hands when they receive their diploma, which is a traditional practice whenever a governor is in attendance.”
Despite the fact that Wasilla High School has dared to commit this horrible atrocity, this unforgivable sin in the eyes of Palinbots, (they imagine the principal of WH taking a white leather glove and slapping the governor across the face) it seems life will go on. Palin mouthpiece Meg Stapleton had this to say:
At the end of the day, the Governor is excited to sit back and enjoy this graduation with no pressure on the stage and in the spotlight. She will relish the moment with the family.
OK, so when Meg Stapleton is the most level-headed rational voice in the room, you know the others concerned have gone just a wee bit over the edge.
Much more here at Mudflats, the blog of record on all things Palinesque.
CORRECTION
By GottaLaff
I previously posted an outdated article on a same-sex marriage ruling.
You may now feel free to flog me for my error.
I am going to my room now, with no dinner.
VIDEO: Ari in "Fleischerland" v. Paul Begala on torture
By GottaLaff
CNN's Anderson Cooper Hosts: Democrat Paul Begala & Republican Ari Fleischer Bitching At Each Other, Over Torture, Investigations, etc etc - 05/14/09Ari in Fleischerland: "You just want to go after George Bush and call it non-partisan"
Reporters gettin' played
By GottaLaff
That says it all. She wants it all investigated. The whole point of this storm about Pelosi is that her critics want her to be embarrassed and stop supporting a Truth Commission or any sort of examination of what happened. But she's not. She still says there should be an investigation. Her critics still want the book closed. That says it all. She'll have to stand or fall with the results of an actual investigation. Her opponents on this are simply risible hypocrites.Risible hypocrites. Yup.
Dawn Johnsen's Nomination Stalls Thanks to Democrats
By GottaLaff
I've posted numerous times about Dawn Johnsen and all the stalling. Now we have this, directly from the Department of WTF:
Thank you Norm Coleman and Tim Pawlenty.Her biggest problem is that Harry Reid has not been able to muster enough Democrats to overcome a filibuster threat. [...]
Votes Against Johnsen: 37 Republicans
Votes for Johnsen: 57 Democrats plus Indiana Republican Richard Lugar
Undecideds: Republicans Olypmia Snowe and Susan Collins and Democrats Arlen Specter and Ben Nelson
Reid frames the issue by saying he needs a couple Republicans to cross the line before he has the 60 votes necessary to overcome a filibuster. But as the numbers show, it's just as much an issue of Reid not being able to muster the entire Democratic caucus in support of Johnsen.
The nomination isn't dead yet, but with Reid trying to put the onus on the White House to shore up support for the beleaguered nominee and the White House staying mum about what it role in all this is, or should be, Johnsen's nomination isnt going anywhere fast.
The most high profile of these undecideds is Sen. Arlen Specter (D-PA) who, upon defecting from the Republican party, voiced brusque opposition to the Obama nominee. But his staff confirmed to me yesterday that he's now considering how he'll vote on cloture, which represents, at least rhetorically, a move away from his earlier position.
And then there's Sen. Ben Nelson (D-NE), who says he finds her nomination troubling. But he also seldom votes to filibuster presidential nominees--including, importantly, a number of controversial Bush administration officials. Several weeks ago, Nelson's spokesman Clay Westrope said Nelson hadn't decided how the Nebraska Democrat would vote on cloture, but that he usually votes yes because "he is against obstruction and believes it is important for each issue to get an up or down vote."[...]
On Thursday, Sam Stein reported that Nelson "appears to be the key obstacle to her confirmation."
Reid says he won't bring the nomination to the floor until the votes are there--and as you can see the votes aren't there. A Judiciary Committee source says it's leadership's responsibility to whip up the votes [...]
Johnsen served as acting OLC Chief under President Bill Clinton. Republicans say their opposition to her is rooted in her work and writings for NARAL, where she served as legal director from 1988 to 1993. [...] And the more recent, and more important subtext is that Johnsen was a vocal critic of the Bush-era OLC--the font of the administrations torture and wiretapping policies, which many believe should be investigated by the current justice department.
If the leadership vacuum isn't quickly filled, Johnsen may have to wait until Democrats seat Al Franken (not an easy task in and of itself) to get past the filibuster. In the meantime, Reid hasn't been able to nudge Nelson, or completely turn Specter, and the administration has made little progress getting the Snowe and Collins on board. And so Dawn Johnsen waits.
My wall now has a brand new dent where my most recent head-banging event took place.
VIDEO-- Former Sen. Bob Graham Discusses the Accuracy of C.I.A. Account of Torture Briefing
By GottaLaff
Bob Graham confirms Nancy Pelosi's version of events:
"They're [the CIA] obligated to tell the full intelligence committee, not just leadership..."
"They were discussing the fact that ... they were interrogating detainees, but nothing such as they were using these extreme torture techniques, that would have made it a surprising briefing."
"The notebooks played another role in this. ... the CIA gave me 4 dates... I went back to my spiral notebooks... in 3 of those 4 dates there was no briefing held..."
"Under the rules...I was prohibited from keeping notes of what was actually said during that briefing..."
"The CIA.. responds to directions from higher authorities..."
Shallow Thoughts: Nancy Pelosi edition
By GottaLaff
If, for the sake of argument, Nancy Pelosi did know about BushCo's torture program, and the Rushpublics are wildly pointing fingers of blame at her, then that is an acknowledgment that BushCo, indeed, ordered said torture.That was today's Shallow Thought. Thank you for wading in.
Torture is illegal. Torture is bad. Torture is immoral. Torture doesn't work. All those wildly pointing fingers should switch directions and point at the BushCo war criminals who committed the original crimes. But that won't happen, because that would mean that the Rushpublic party would officially be known as the Party of Torture, and that just won't win elections.
DNC Nails Michael Steele In Puppy Love Flip Flop
Remember this ad from yesterday where the RNC mocked Bo the Dog? Well, the DNC is not sitting down for that crap.
Snap. Via Greg.DNC chair Hari Sevugan wasted no time pouncing on the puppy love flip flop.
“This is the typical Washington politics that the American people voted to change last fall — tell folks during a campaign you “love puppies,” and then, when you’re in power — albeit at the RNC — you go negative on Bo,” Sevugan railed. “I’d say this type of Washington hypocrisy is ‘priceless,’ but really, the Master Card thing has been done to death.”
’09 Notre Dame grads choose President Jenkins as Senior Class Fellow
Yeah, 'cause there's so much (contrived) controversy over Obama's commencement speech...
SOUTH BEND — Graduating seniors at the University of NotreDame have chosen the Rev. John I. Jenkins, university president, as this year’s Senior Class Fellow.
Voted on by seniors, the award is an "accolade traditionally given to a member of the Notre Dame community who has had a significant impact on the graduating class," according to W. Joseph Brown, senior class president.
Jenkins has been under fire for weeks by anti-abortion activists, many Catholic leaders and conservatives for inviting President BarackObama , who is pro-choice on abortion, to be Sunday’s commencement speaker. Some critics have called for Jenkins to be fired.
Mika Defends Joe in NYTimes, and Shows Her Stripes
Whatev, he's still a humongous dick. Worst case of Stockholm Syndrome I've ever seen.
In a letter to the The New York Times, published in the A section of today's paper, MSNBC's Mika Brzezinski defends her co-host Joe Scarborough while describing herself as a "liberal."
My television and radio co-host has spent the last five years being equally tough on Republican and Democratic leaders in Washington. Joe was one of the first TV reporters to criticize the Bush White House during Hurricane Katrina. And while others were writing of a permanent Republican majority, Joe was predicting the collapse of the G.O.P. because of its reckless economic policies.Joe's evenhanded approach angers harsh ideologues on both sides. Last week, he was attacked by right-wing hosts for being too open-minded, and now by your liberal editorial page.
This liberal thinks The New York Times should follow Joe Scarborough's example of speaking truth to power - regardless of which party is in power.
Mika Brzezinski
New York, May 11, 2009
Sheldon Whitehouse: Iraq Justification Raises the Prospect of Criminal Prosecution for Torture
Oh look!!! Someone talking about the real issue, not the pretend ones...
New feature- Fact Check Weekly
I keep on wanting to do this, but forget, so today I'll really do it. I get an email from Fact Check every week with questions that have been posed to them for debunking or correcting. I find them reflective of the stupid crap that floats around the intertubes.
Q: Would the "hate crimes" bill make it a crime to denounce homosexuality from the pulpit and give legal protection to pedophiles?Funny thing is that you can hear all of this repeated as truth on Fox News any day of the week.
A: No on both counts. The First Amendment is still operative, and pedophiles would get no breaks under this bill.
Q: Did Obama accuse veterans of "selfishness" and whining? Would he have forced them to "pay for their war injuries"?
A: This chain e-mail contains fabricated quotes and misrepresents a budget idea that the White House scrapped.
Q: Did gun control in Australia lead to more murders there last year?
A: This 'Gun History Lesson' is recycled bunk from a decade ago. Murders in Australia actually are down to record lows.
Bristol Palin graduates high school
I'm sorry, I may have pulled a muscle rolling my eyes...
Looking like a lot of her classmates – giddy and irreverent, wearing a silly necklace of Blow-Pop lollipops strung together with curly gift ribbon – Bristol Palin stepped toward the stage in Wasilla Sports Complex Thursday night to receive her high school diploma, more a worried mom than a jubilant teen.
"Where's my baby?" Bristol mouthed, searching the two front rows where her family sat until she finally spotted son Tripp near the backstage door, where Bristol's Aunt Heather was feeding the infant a bottle. With a wave to the little one she alternately calls "Handsome" and "My Guy," Bristol crossed the stage – and crossed "graduate high school" off her to-do list.
"I knew it would be hard work, but I knew I was going to do it," Bristol, 19, tells PEOPLE.
The 5 Things Americans Won't Live Without
I could live without the clothes dryer and landline phone and not live without books or internet.
- Car 88 percent of Americans rank this as a necessity
- A Landline Phone 68 percent of Americans rank this as a necessity
- Clothes Dryer 66 percent of Americans rank this as a necessity
- Home Air Conditioning 54 percent of Americans rank this as a necessity
- TV Set 52 percent of Americans rank this as a necessity
GOP Insider Poll Says Cheney is Hurting Party
Thankfully Cheney listens to no one.
A solid 57% of Republicans said former Vice President Dick Cheney has "hurt the Republican Party since leaving office" in this week's National Journal Political Insiders Poll.
Representative comments:
"Anything that reminds the public of the Bush administration harms the party's ability to turn the page. If he'd had any concern for his public image when he was in office, he wouldn't have to worry as much about defending his reputation now."
"There is nothing Dick Cheney can say or do to help the Republican Party today. The best thing he can do is disappear for the next 10 years."
Friday Links
How am I still coffeeless? Ugh.
Bizarre Bird Gets Private Beach in Indonesia
Swedish CEO 'lays himself off' rather than fire more workers
Patti Blagojevich making reality TV deal?
South Africa drops Dalai Lama visa ban
Bloomberg: Republicans Adopt Emanuel’s Tactics to Deliver 2010 ‘Thumpin” Republicans are getting inspiration on how to rebuild their party in the U.S. Congress from an unlikely source: White House Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel.
Abba fans go for 'world record' ahead of Eurovision finals
Lexmark study claims Fed wastes $1M daily on printing
Muslim Brotherhood Falters
Burger King set to launch pilgrimage trips to the burger
Boston Globe: Health pioneer may get Obama post
Dr. Paul Farmer, the global health crusader who has crafted lifesaving projects from Haiti to Rwanda, has told colleagues privately that he is mulling a possible appointment by the Obama administration to coordinate the United States' growing overseas health initiatives.
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