Another $110 billion down the Iraq sinkhole
[T]he White House reveals that it will ask Congress for another $110 billion for the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan early next year.....more
Friday, July 14, 2006
A Maverick Media Mogul Takes on Mainstream Spinelessness
Mark Cuban is restless, really rich and wants to bring guts to journalism--and he's hired Dan Rather to launch a program on his HDNet channel.....more
Mark Cuban is restless, really rich and wants to bring guts to journalism--and he's hired Dan Rather to launch a program on his HDNet channel.....more
Ralph Reed Allegedly Mulled ‘Mortgaging Black People’
The former Christian Coalition leader and current candidate for Lt. Gov. of Georgia reportedly concocted a scheme with lobbyist Jack Abramoff to collect the life insurance payouts of African-Americans in lieu of charging them fees for the duo’s lobbying and consulting services.....more
The former Christian Coalition leader and current candidate for Lt. Gov. of Georgia reportedly concocted a scheme with lobbyist Jack Abramoff to collect the life insurance payouts of African-Americans in lieu of charging them fees for the duo’s lobbying and consulting services.....more
Most Americans plan to vote for Democrats
Republicans are in jeopardy of losing their grip on Congress in November. With less than four months to the midterm elections, the latest Associated Press-Ipsos poll found that Americans by an almost 3-to-1 margin hold the GOP-controlled Congress in low regard and profess a desire to see Democrats wrest control after a dozen years of Republican rule.....more
Republicans are in jeopardy of losing their grip on Congress in November. With less than four months to the midterm elections, the latest Associated Press-Ipsos poll found that Americans by an almost 3-to-1 margin hold the GOP-controlled Congress in low regard and profess a desire to see Democrats wrest control after a dozen years of Republican rule.....more
No Upside Down Flag in Iowa
Scott Roe was practicing with his band, “Corruption of Blood,” on July 3 at his home in Ottumwa, Iowa. The police came and said he was violating a new city noise ordinance. So that was the end of the practice session.....more
Scott Roe was practicing with his band, “Corruption of Blood,” on July 3 at his home in Ottumwa, Iowa. The police came and said he was violating a new city noise ordinance. So that was the end of the practice session.....more
Thursday, July 13, 2006
Valerie Plame WilsonCIA officer Valerie Plame whose identity was leaked to reporters sued Vice President Dick Cheney, his former top aide and presidential adviser Karl Rove on Thursday, accusing them and other White House officials of conspiring to destroy her career.....more
more from Fire Dog Lake
Israel blockades Lebanon
Israel struck Beirut airport and military airbases and blockaded Lebanese ports on Thursday, intensifying reprisals that have killed 55 civilians in Lebanon since Hizbollah captured two Israeli soldiers a day earlier.....more
Israel struck Beirut airport and military airbases and blockaded Lebanese ports on Thursday, intensifying reprisals that have killed 55 civilians in Lebanon since Hizbollah captured two Israeli soldiers a day earlier.....more
Senate cuts deal on gulf drilling
The compromise would create a 125-mile no-drilling zone off the Florida Panhandle, while the waters off Tampa Bay would be off-limits to drilling for 234 miles. The protections would last through 2022.....more
The compromise would create a 125-mile no-drilling zone off the Florida Panhandle, while the waters off Tampa Bay would be off-limits to drilling for 234 miles. The protections would last through 2022.....more
Mumbai Blasts: Is the spirit of Mumbai being taken for granted?
It's so easy to say 'the spirit of Mumbai', isn't it? Do whatever you want to the city, it will always bounce back. And it's true. We do have remarkable ability to to block things out and pick our bags the next day and catch the local train to work. But is it ability taken for granted? Have we become so numb that we start considering terrorism as a change of seasons?.....more
It's so easy to say 'the spirit of Mumbai', isn't it? Do whatever you want to the city, it will always bounce back. And it's true. We do have remarkable ability to to block things out and pick our bags the next day and catch the local train to work. But is it ability taken for granted? Have we become so numb that we start considering terrorism as a change of seasons?.....more
Wednesday, July 12, 2006
Evangelicals Wrong to Endorse Anti-Torture Statement
A conservative Christian leader says the organization known as the National Religious Campaign Against Torture isn't saying anything about torture in places like North Korea, China, and Saudi Arabia -- but instead is focusing its ire upon the U.S. and the Bush administration....more
A conservative Christian leader says the organization known as the National Religious Campaign Against Torture isn't saying anything about torture in places like North Korea, China, and Saudi Arabia -- but instead is focusing its ire upon the U.S. and the Bush administration....more
It's The Conservatism, Stupid
Ask a conservative what the biggest problem in America is today, and you’ll get answers like overtaxation, a sexualized culture, lack of respect for authority, insufficient church-going or big government running amok. But if you then asked the conservative what the real source of the problem was—the beating heart pumping blood to each and all of these socio-politico-cultural wounds—you’d get the same answer: liberalism.....more
Ask a conservative what the biggest problem in America is today, and you’ll get answers like overtaxation, a sexualized culture, lack of respect for authority, insufficient church-going or big government running amok. But if you then asked the conservative what the real source of the problem was—the beating heart pumping blood to each and all of these socio-politico-cultural wounds—you’d get the same answer: liberalism.....more
German anger at orchestration of visit by Bush to see Merkel Luke Harding in Berlin Wednesday
German soldiers build a razor wire fence in front of the Grand Hotel Kempinski in Heiligendamm, where George Bush will stay on his visit. Thousands of demonstrators are expected to protest tomorrow when George Bush arrives in Germany tonight for a three-day bonding session with its chancellor, Angela Merkel....more
German soldiers build a razor wire fence in front of the Grand Hotel Kempinski in Heiligendamm, where George Bush will stay on his visit. Thousands of demonstrators are expected to protest tomorrow when George Bush arrives in Germany tonight for a three-day bonding session with its chancellor, Angela Merkel....more
Blaming the Victim, Gaza
Traditionally, British media reporting of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict has been heavily biased in favour of the United States' major ally in the region, Israel. A 2002 Glasgow University Media Group report found that television broadcasters were six times as likely to present Israeli attacks as "retaliating" or in some way hitting back as Palestinian attacks.....more
Elevated Crosstown lanes: a high-wire act without a net
SUE CARLTON
I have just taken a tour of the soon-to-be-open, state-of-the-art, elevated commuter lanes over the Lee Roy Selmon Crosstown Expressway in Tampa, and I'm happy to report that nothing fell down.....more
We Could Of Let Trains Do The Same Thing On Tracks Already Laid From Downtown To Brandon. Think Of The Money We Could Have Saved And We Wouldn't Have This Ugly...Thing, Hovering Over The Crosstown.
Molly Ivins: The Politics of Greed
I don’t get it. What’s the percentage in keeping the minimum wage at $5.15 an hour? After nine years? This is such an unnecessary and nasty Republican move. Congress has voted seven times to raise its own wages since last the minimum wage budged.....more
I don’t get it. What’s the percentage in keeping the minimum wage at $5.15 an hour? After nine years? This is such an unnecessary and nasty Republican move. Congress has voted seven times to raise its own wages since last the minimum wage budged.....more
Hugo Chávez
Greg Palast
You’d think George Bush would get down on his knees and kiss Hugo Chávez’s behind. Not only has Chávez delivered cheap oil to the Bronx and other poor communities in the United States. And not only did he offer to bring aid to the victims of Katrina....more
The plot to defeat our liberty
For any form of tyranny to succeed, there have to be people who roll up their sleeves and get the job done. Repression doesn't just happen. It has to be organized, arranged, justified and marketed to a willing populace. In other words, it takes a team.....more
For any form of tyranny to succeed, there have to be people who roll up their sleeves and get the job done. Repression doesn't just happen. It has to be organized, arranged, justified and marketed to a willing populace. In other words, it takes a team.....more
Tuesday, July 11, 2006
Lieberman's divisive actions don't deserve support
It is one thing for them to back an incumbent Democrat in the primary, but it's quite another for them to even vaguely imply that they may support Lieberman if he runs as an independent. Their unwillingness to say unequivocally that they will back the primary election choice of voters suggests that the Democratic wing of the Democratic Party is becoming increasingly hard to find these days....more
It is one thing for them to back an incumbent Democrat in the primary, but it's quite another for them to even vaguely imply that they may support Lieberman if he runs as an independent. Their unwillingness to say unequivocally that they will back the primary election choice of voters suggests that the Democratic wing of the Democratic Party is becoming increasingly hard to find these days....more
Castro slams 'mad' US change plan
The US and Castro have been foes for nearly 50 yearsCuban President Fidel Castro has called the US secretary of state "mad", following American moves to promote democratic change on the island....more
The US and Castro have been foes for nearly 50 yearsCuban President Fidel Castro has called the US secretary of state "mad", following American moves to promote democratic change on the island....more
Monday, July 10, 2006
Florida's Own"The war in Iraq is shameful," "Whether you're pro or con Bush, you've got to admit it: The guy lied. And he continues to do so. I can't understand why he's just not run out on a rail. To send somebody's kids off and have them killed for no good reason — he's going to have his day in hell for that. I wouldn't want that karma." "When you kill somebody's little sister with a missile, he's going to hate you forever. And the next generation......Tom Petty
'A Republic or an Empire?'
With the electronic voting machines supplied by Republican firms and programmed by Republican operatives, Bush can control election results. Don't bet very heavily that Americans will regain the constitutional protections and democratic accountability that they enjoyed in the 20th century....more
With the electronic voting machines supplied by Republican firms and programmed by Republican operatives, Bush can control election results. Don't bet very heavily that Americans will regain the constitutional protections and democratic accountability that they enjoyed in the 20th century....more
Montana Gov Smacks Down Rightwing on Property Taxes
Folks may be missing the rightwing movement across the states to generate another "tax revolt", this one around the so-called "Taxpayer Bill of Rights" (TABOR) restrictions on government spending....more
Folks may be missing the rightwing movement across the states to generate another "tax revolt", this one around the so-called "Taxpayer Bill of Rights" (TABOR) restrictions on government spending....more
Lesson from America
I was looking forward to sharing the Canadian gospel of equality and justice for lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans-identified (LGBT) people. But it was not to be. I didn't get a chance to meet up with the less-than-friendly Americans. I'm referring to the 800,000 supporters of the American Family Association who apparently emailed President Bush to protest my visit.....more
I was looking forward to sharing the Canadian gospel of equality and justice for lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans-identified (LGBT) people. But it was not to be. I didn't get a chance to meet up with the less-than-friendly Americans. I'm referring to the 800,000 supporters of the American Family Association who apparently emailed President Bush to protest my visit.....more
Howard Dean hates America
According To Billy
So Does Superman and Hollywood....more
According To Billy
So Does Superman and Hollywood....more
Is This A Different Reality That I Dont Know About? What Is Wrong With This Guy?
We've got a plan to succeed, a plan for victory, a plan that will enable a new ally in the war on terror to govern itself, sustain itself and defend itself" . . George W. Bush, June 28, 2006
At least 80 Dead in Civil War Bloodbath
At least 80 Dead in Civil War Bloodbath
Government Forced to Depend on Local Gunmen .....Monday, July 10, 2006...more
What's The Plan George?
Egypt papers stop the press in protest
Egypt's independent and opposition newspapers refrained from publishing on Sunday in protest at a draft law that journalists say will restrict press freedom.....more
Egypt's independent and opposition newspapers refrained from publishing on Sunday in protest at a draft law that journalists say will restrict press freedom.....more
David Brooks--Just Another Joe Lieberman Fan
David Brooks had a laughable column in Sunday's New York Times.
"What's happening to Lieberman can only be described as a liberal inquisition," Brooks proclaims. What Brooks characterizes as an "inquisition" -- an effort, as he puts it, "to expel Joe Lieberman from modern liberalism".....more
David Brooks had a laughable column in Sunday's New York Times.
"What's happening to Lieberman can only be described as a liberal inquisition," Brooks proclaims. What Brooks characterizes as an "inquisition" -- an effort, as he puts it, "to expel Joe Lieberman from modern liberalism".....more
Sunday, July 9, 2006
Men never do evil so completely and cheerfully as when they do it from religious conviction......Blaise Pascal
Samm Simpson
Democrat
U.S. Congressional District 10
The bleeding has to stop. Let’s set new priorities. Let’s transform our energy policy from fossil fuels to renewable sources, promote Pinellas County as the solar capital of the U.S.A., provide health insurance for all Americans, rebuild public education, retool our manufacturing, create living wage jobs and provide affordable housing and security to our seniors and the most vulnerable.
Dixie Chicks Stick To Their GunsIn the great galaxy of insults directed at George W Bush, joking that you are ashamed to come from the same state as him seems almost polite.
Yet when Natalie Maines from country rock trio the Dixie Chicks said just that before the invasion of Iraq, all manner of redneck hell broke loose around her and the band.....more
Dixie Chicks : The Accidents & Accusations Tour
St Pete Times Forum, Tampa, FL Thu, Oct 5, 2006 07:30 PM
More Immigrant Bashing on the Way
Molly Ivins
There’s a bunch of people named Gomez and Ramirez
House Republicans, who know a good socially divisive issue when they see one, are perfectly happy to blame illegal workers for everything. Trade policy, repealing taxes for the rich, corruption in Congress—it’s all done by illegal workers....more
Molly Ivins
There’s a bunch of people named Gomez and Ramirez
House Republicans, who know a good socially divisive issue when they see one, are perfectly happy to blame illegal workers for everything. Trade policy, repealing taxes for the rich, corruption in Congress—it’s all done by illegal workers....more
Veronica Mars, Class Warrior
With an artfulness and pathos that no other show has quite pulled off, “Veronica Mars” expresses the deep ambivalence that the working and middle classes feel about the rise of a monstrously flush ruling class in our midst....more
Fox News hosts go off-message in hyping N. Korea missile testsAttempts to try to describe" North Korea's recent missile tests "in breathless World War III terms....more
This Kind Of Talk Scares The Hell Out Of Me. What Is Wrong With That Little Man? Does He Have Short Man Disease? Your People Are Starving, Dude
Saturday, July 8, 2006
50,000 Dead, But Who's Counting?
Juliana Lara Resende
After famously telling reporters that they "don't do body counts", Pentagon officials now say that they have in fact been keeping a record of civilian casualties in Iraq for one year. And while that number remains classified, independent estimates suggest that at least 50,000 people have died in the country since the 2003 invasion.....more
Juliana Lara Resende
After famously telling reporters that they "don't do body counts", Pentagon officials now say that they have in fact been keeping a record of civilian casualties in Iraq for one year. And while that number remains classified, independent estimates suggest that at least 50,000 people have died in the country since the 2003 invasion.....more
Guatemala comes to terms with its past
Guatemala, which suffered from a long civil war in which 200,000 people were killed, appears to be finally coming to terms with its turbulent past.....more
How any chance of an oil deal died
With no unified counterproposal to offer, the Florida delegation ended up able to do little to stand in the way of gulf drilling....more
With no unified counterproposal to offer, the Florida delegation ended up able to do little to stand in the way of gulf drilling....more
Watada, the War and the Law
The Administration's invasion and occupation of Iraq was "manifestly illegal" because it "violates our democratic system of checks and balances. It usurps international treaties and conventions that by virtue of the Constitution become American law.....more
The Administration's invasion and occupation of Iraq was "manifestly illegal" because it "violates our democratic system of checks and balances. It usurps international treaties and conventions that by virtue of the Constitution become American law.....more
Friday, July 7, 2006
Downtowns on the Verge PodcastThe condo boom is in full effect in downtown Tampa and St. Petersburg, sparking different fears in each setting.....more
Japan troops begin Iraq pullout
Japan's troop dispatch, a symbol of Tokyo's willingness to put "boots on the ground" for its close ally, the United States, has won praise from Washington.....more
Japan's troop dispatch, a symbol of Tokyo's willingness to put "boots on the ground" for its close ally, the United States, has won praise from Washington.....more
Kuwait’s shifting tides
Raymond Barrett
The arrival of women on Kuwait’s political stage is matched in significance by the quiet rise of Islamists, says Raymond Barrett.....more
This isn’t Fox News sir.About The Debate
Spazeboy
My Left Nutmeg
In A MSNBC Poll As Of July 7, 6pm
Who won the Connecticut Senate debate?
* 24529 responses
Joe Lieberman 24%
Ned Lamont 68%
It was a draw 7.8%
You Da Man, Ned
Has This Country Gone Completely Insane?
This afternoon, drinking a cup of coffee while sitting in the Jesse Brown V.A. Medical Center on Chicago’s south side, a Veterans Administration cop walked up to me and said, "OK, you’ve had your 15 minutes, it’s time to go.".....more
This afternoon, drinking a cup of coffee while sitting in the Jesse Brown V.A. Medical Center on Chicago’s south side, a Veterans Administration cop walked up to me and said, "OK, you’ve had your 15 minutes, it’s time to go.".....more
Thursday, July 6, 2006
Go to Venezuela, You Idiot
I don't usually take the advice of rightwingers. But I did this time. After receiving inflamed email messages from dozens of angry rightists that I should get the hell out of the USA and go to Venezuela, I accepted their challenge and flew to Caracas.....more
I don't usually take the advice of rightwingers. But I did this time. After receiving inflamed email messages from dozens of angry rightists that I should get the hell out of the USA and go to Venezuela, I accepted their challenge and flew to Caracas.....more
Why Conservatives Can't Govern
Alan Wolfe
Bush's presidency and Congress are imploding, not despite their conservatism, but because of it....more
Alan Wolfe
Bush's presidency and Congress are imploding, not despite their conservatism, but because of it....more
Kinky FriedmanFor Texas
In the latest Rasmussen poll, independent gubernatorial candidate Kinky Friedman jumped five percentage points, surpassing independent candidate Carole Strayhorn and Democrat Chris Bell. Visit Kinky...........Here
Willie Nelson Approved
The Kinky Friedman Talking Action Figure Now Available
The Norah O'Reilly FactorThis "objective" "journalist", and I use both terms with trepidation, is often anything but, her appearances as "Hardball" guest host representing a shameful romp though Republican America armed only with right-wing talking points. Somehow able to simultaneously be manifestly full of shit and an empty vessel....more
Her interview with Cindy Sheehan yesterday
White Supremacist Tactics Adopted by "Mainstream" Right
One of the favorite tactics used by [white supremacist] groups is to find the home address and telephone number of the latest enemy and then publish it on the Internet, accompanied by impassioned condemnations of that person as a Grave Enemy, a race traitor, someone who threatens all that is good in the world. A handful of the most extremist pro-life groups have used the same tactic.....more
One of the favorite tactics used by [white supremacist] groups is to find the home address and telephone number of the latest enemy and then publish it on the Internet, accompanied by impassioned condemnations of that person as a Grave Enemy, a race traitor, someone who threatens all that is good in the world. A handful of the most extremist pro-life groups have used the same tactic.....more
Why dreams must die if peace is to come
When it comes to the Palestinians and the Israelis, it is usually a tale of two stories. Forget whether one version is true and the other false. The important thing is that the people who hold these views believe that they are true, and their leaders make decisions based on them.....more
When it comes to the Palestinians and the Israelis, it is usually a tale of two stories. Forget whether one version is true and the other false. The important thing is that the people who hold these views believe that they are true, and their leaders make decisions based on them.....more
LIBERTARIAN PARTY: MODERATES SEIZE CONTROL, HARDCORES BOLT
The Libertarian Reform Caucus (LRC) -- an "outsider" group of pragmatic moderates within one of America's two largest third parties -- won a dramatic upset victory at this weekend's Libertarian National Convention. "Fringe politics does not work in the United States. A political party must appeal to a plurality of voters (effectively, at least 40%) in some districts in order to win elections....more
The Libertarian Reform Caucus (LRC) -- an "outsider" group of pragmatic moderates within one of America's two largest third parties -- won a dramatic upset victory at this weekend's Libertarian National Convention. "Fringe politics does not work in the United States. A political party must appeal to a plurality of voters (effectively, at least 40%) in some districts in order to win elections....more
Ask a Republican
Richard Martin (R-Ohio)
I often get asked questions about Republican policy by greasy-haired liberal hippies. Watch video of me interacting with them in Los Angeles and Seattle. May God bless you and America....click here
Richard Martin (R-Ohio)
I often get asked questions about Republican policy by greasy-haired liberal hippies. Watch video of me interacting with them in Los Angeles and Seattle. May God bless you and America....click here
Stop The ACLU pogrom is a resounding success
The good god-fearing Christians of the Indian River School District deserve most of the credit. They took to the task of ethnic cleansing with a vengeance , not sparing anyone discomfort.....more
The good god-fearing Christians of the Indian River School District deserve most of the credit. They took to the task of ethnic cleansing with a vengeance , not sparing anyone discomfort.....more
Wednesday, July 5, 2006
Israel's Gaza ProblemMarjorie Cohn
Israel's devastating invasion of Gaza threatens to cripple the densely populated area, and may drive legions of Palestians to jihad.....more
Wanna bet that a hurricane will hit US?
Hurricane gamblers have several options for placing bets. One is how many hurricanes will hit the United States. Another is how many will hit Florida and what category they will be.....more
Hurricane gamblers have several options for placing bets. One is how many hurricanes will hit the United States. Another is how many will hit Florida and what category they will be.....more
Sir, your urine is a fraud!
Ahmed R. Hicks of Zephyrhills is charged with fraudulent urine testing.
He ran into trouble when an observer of the test noticed the penis did not match Hicks' dark complexion.....more
Ahmed R. Hicks of Zephyrhills is charged with fraudulent urine testing.
He ran into trouble when an observer of the test noticed the penis did not match Hicks' dark complexion.....more
Democrats fear rifts risk midterm victory
"In Washington, the fingers of blame are wagging largely at Howard Dean, chairman of the Democratic National Committee.......But outside of the capital, party officials praise Dean for taking a longer view and devoting attention to Democrats everywhere, from Alaska to the Virgin Islands.....more
"In Washington, the fingers of blame are wagging largely at Howard Dean, chairman of the Democratic National Committee.......But outside of the capital, party officials praise Dean for taking a longer view and devoting attention to Democrats everywhere, from Alaska to the Virgin Islands.....more
The United States of Total Paranoia
Jeremy Clarkson
You do not need a permit if you want — as I did — to transport a dead cow on the roof of your car through the Florida panhandle. That’s because this is banned by a state law.
Think about that. Someone has gone to all the bother and expense of drawing up a law that means that at some point lots of people were moving dead cows about on their cars. It must have been popular. Fashionable even.....more
Jeremy Clarkson
You do not need a permit if you want — as I did — to transport a dead cow on the roof of your car through the Florida panhandle. That’s because this is banned by a state law.
Think about that. Someone has gone to all the bother and expense of drawing up a law that means that at some point lots of people were moving dead cows about on their cars. It must have been popular. Fashionable even.....more
Tuesday, July 4, 2006
Patriotism & The Fourth of July
Howard Zinn
Today, U.S. soldiers are dying in Iraq and Afghanistan are not dying for their country, they are dying for their government. They are dying for Bush and Cheney and Rumsfeld. And yes, they are dying for the greed of the oil cartels, for the expansion of the American empire, for the political ambitions of the President. They are dying to cover up the theft of the nation’s wealth to pay for the machines of death. As of July 4, 2006, more than 2,500 US soldiers have been killed in Iraq, more than 8,500 maimed or injured.....more
The State of Sunshine:
"We must hang together, for we will surely hang seperately"........B. Franklin
"We must hang together, for we will surely hang seperately"........B. Franklin
Jefferson's Wall of Separation Letter
I contemplate with sovereign reverence that act of the whole American people which declared that their legislature should make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof, thus building a wall of separation between church and state.....more
I contemplate with sovereign reverence that act of the whole American people which declared that their legislature should make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof, thus building a wall of separation between church and state.....more
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