Sunday, July 16, 2006

Democrats need a new playbook

Democrats have failed to connect with swing voters not because they don't loudly wear their religion or stand for the wrong things. By and large, Americans support the Democratic side of issues ranging from increasing the minimum wage to universal health care and even legal abortion.....more

Saturday, July 15, 2006


"We certainly would not want to have the same kind of democracy as they have in Iraq, I will tell you quite honestly".....President Putin

Watch It Here, The World Laughing At Us
Inside Lebanon
For a newspaper from a city under air attack in a country subject to a military blockade, Lebanon's Daily Star is keeping remarkably positive in the face of the Israeli assault.....more
Five basic reasons that the enormous Roman Empire was destroyed:
1. The dramatic increase of divorce undermined the institution of the family.
2. The imposition of higher taxes undermined the economic stability and vitality of the Empire. Taxes were raised to pay for deficit government spending, to pay for food for all in society and to pay for government-sponsored activities of diversion, such as circuses and sports. Interestingly, as the time of the final collapse drew closer, greater emphasis was placed on sports, to divert the attention of the public from the distressing news of massive trouble within the Empire.
3. The drive for personal pleasure had become very intense, even to the point of obsession. Gibbons noted that, at the very end, sports had become more exciting and brutal.
4. People lost their faith, both religiously and in their government. Paganism gave way to Christianity and the efficient Roman Government gave way to chaos and disintegration.
5. Hidden conspirators were working within the government to secretly destroy it. They worked quietly, invisibly and deceitfully; during the entire time they were secretly dismantling the government of the Roman Empire, they publicly proclaimed their unswerving support of it.
Recognize any of the above 5 points occurring in Western societies today?
Homeless Take Fashion World by Storm

It Grow, Let It Grow, Let It Grow It’s 2006, and yet another style has emerged as the latest trend for fashionable men that may have you thinking twice before your next visit to SuperCuts. .....more
'We're going to open war'
"You wanted open war. We are going to open war," Sheikh Hassan Nasrallah told Hezbollah television....more

U.S. Christian organizations back Lebanon operation
Jewish and pro-Israel Christian groups in both Israel and the United States voiced a chorus of support for the Israel Defense Forces' actions yesterday, the second day of fighting on the northern border....more

"This was certainly an unprovoked attack and Israel has every right to go in and pound them," said Ray Sanders, executive director of Christian Friends of Israel. "

Blood on the streets
In Lebanon, the death toll from three days of air strikes and shelling rose to 65, most of them civilians.....more
US prepares to evacuate nationals from Lebanon
Italy began evacuating its nationals from Lebanon Saturday while the United States, France and the Netherlands prepared to do the same as Israeli planes pounded the country....more
The Hawks All Around Got What They Wanted. May Their God Have Mercy On Them All. As For These U.S. Christian Organizations, Stogie Recommends VIONEX Antimicrobial Soap. It Is Very Good At Getting Blood Off Your Hands.
Man in Coma for 19 Years Asks to Go Back to Sleep

In what members of the medical community are calling an unprecedented development, a man who recently awoke from a 19-year coma has asked doctors to put him back to sleep.
At a press conference in Jacksonville, Fla., today, the man, Jason Deloit, 43, told reporters that at first he was excited to be conscious again, “But then I turned on the TV.”....more

Friday, July 14, 2006


Grass Roots Granny Takes on Senior House Republican in Florida Congressional Race

Anybody who is concerned about their individual freedoms needs to sound an alarm. I've been watching our Constitution crumble since 2000, and in January of 2006, after watching more of the President's rhetoric about terrorism and the war in Iraq, I felt compelled to run....more


Fleeing China, Landing in Guantanamo

In 2000, five men left their homes in northern China to escape the prospect of torture and imprisonment. They dreamed of a future in the United States. Caught up in America's war on terror along the way, they instead ended up in Guantanamo. It's been six years since they last saw their families.....more
Lest we forget: Patio 29
Today Chile declared the Patio 29 Cemetary a national monument. This is where many victims of the dictatorship were buried in unmarked graves during the 70s and 80s. Between 1973 and 1990 3,000 Chileans were killed or assassinated and 28,000 --excuse me, that number bears repeating-- twenty-eight thousand people were tortured!......more
Wes Clark Writes a Thank-You Note
I am a proud member of the Democratic Party, and I believe it is our party’s responsibility to support the will of the Democratic primary voters in Connecticut. I personally look forward to supporting the candidate CT voters elect as the Democratic nominee. Though, as an aside, I must say I find it ironic that Senator Lieberman is now planning a potential run as an independent after he continually questioned my loyalty to the Democratic Party during the 2004 presidential primary....more
PRINCES' FURY AT DYING DIANA PHOTO
Sickening crash picture is published for first time

A SICK photo of dying Princess Diana has sparked outrage after it appeared in two magazines. Her two sons, Princes William and Harry, were today said to be "deeply saddened" by the publication....more

Chi editor Umberto Brindani shamelessly bragged: "I published it for a very simple reason - it's never been seen before."

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

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
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
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
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

Thursday, July 13, 2006

Valerie Plame Wilson

CIA 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







"The Blame is Wide"

Beyond Liberals' and Democrats' Obsession with BIG BAD BUSH....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
Happiest place on Earth

The tiny nation of Vanuatu has topped a new index that measures quality of life against environmental impact, with industrial countries, perhaps unsurprisingly, faring badly....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

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
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
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

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



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

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
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

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
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
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
Howard Dean hates America
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
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
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

Sunday, July 9, 2006

Men never do evil so completely and cheerfully as when they do it from religious conviction......Blaise Pascal
Joe Redner begins campaign for Hillsborough Commissioner with a bang
Mitch E. Perry
One might consider liberal leaning residents of Hillsborough County to be excited about this fall's election, with a chance to alter the heavily Republican leaning slant of the current board.
"The Most Progressive Candidate This Fall On The Ballot is Joe Redner!"......WMNF EVENING NEWS

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 Guns

In 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

After 7 Week's On Billboard's Country Charts And Still #1, Imagine That?
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



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 tests

Attempts 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

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