Rahm Emanuel's Speech To The Brookings Institute

To show the utter and complete damage BushCo has wrought, Rahm Emanuel takes the corruption, negligence, incompetence, and cronyism of the Bush Administration point by point.

One of the money quotes:
"The person chosen to oversee Iraq’s health care system was the community health director for the former Republican governor of Michigan. The man he replaced was a physician with a master’s degree in public health and post-graduate degrees from Harvard, Yale, Dartmouth and UC-Berkeley and taught at Johns Hopkins School of Public Health where he specialized in disaster response.

A 24 year-old with a background in commercial real estate was hired by the Authority to reopen and manage the Iraqi stock exchange.

The daughter of a prominent neoconservative was tapped to manage Iraq’s $13 billion annual budget.

Nothing was free from political influence."

Oh, what the heck, here's another money quote:

"There were early signs, not heeded, that this Administration would be driven by partisan politics, not public policy. In Ron Suskind’s book “The Price of Loyalty,” former-Treasury Secretary Paul O’Neill complained that he couldn’t interest anyone in policy discussions at the White House, because it was populated with political operatives rather than policy experts."

Politics over policy. It is policy that drives a functioning government. Take out the policy and we are left with, well, with BushCo.

Okay, last one, I swear!

"Everyone knows about Vice President Cheney’s secret energy task force meetings with top executives from Exxon-Mobil, Conoco, Shell Oil and BP America. But science and sound policy have also taken a back seat to political considerations when it comes to the government’s findings on global warming. The New York Times reported that when Philip Cooney served as chief of staff for the White House Council on Environmental Quality, he removed or adjusted descriptions of scientific research to downplay links between emissions and global warming. Before joining the Bush Administration, Cooney worked for the American Petroleum Institute. After resigning his government post, he went to work for Exxon-Mobil."

If I were a betting man, I would bet that BushCo eats small children for breakfast. You know, if I were a betting man...

I really encourage everyone to read the whole speech.

via TPM Cafe

Contact your Senator and Representative.

The Ironic Headline Of The Year

"Bush 'disappointed by Democrats' direction on Iraq"

Bush is disappointed by the Democrats.

Perhaps Bush should be disappointed by, oh, I don't know, Bush?

"'I'm disappointed that the Democratic leadership has chosen this course,' Bush said."

Lots of disappointment going around these days

via CNN

Charles Darwin From The Grave

Charles Darwin's cold dead skeletal hand is "partly" responsible for the VT shootings.

No, really.

"The president of Creation Worldview Ministries says decades of teaching "evolution only" in public schools and universities is partly responsible for crimes such as the mass shooting earlier this week in Virginia."

via One News Now

Lightbulb bill approved by Assembly panel

"An Assembly committee approved a bill Monday that would make California the first state in the nation to ban the sale of incandescent lightbulbs."

Sadly, this will probably not get anywhere because of stupid people like this:
"Critics of AB722 argue that fluorescent bulbs are more expensive, don't fit all light fixtures and offer inferior light quality."

Yes, "inferior light quality". If we are going to have climate change, I want to be able to see it with superior lights!

via Sfgate

Oh My Gawd! Oh My Gawd! Rufus Wainwright! Rufus Wainwright!

I am so jealous of Seattle right now.

"I was fortunate enough to hear the record beforehand, and have to say, I was blown away"

I want to be, ahem, blown away by Rufus Wainwright, too.


Sadly, I wasn't able to get tickets to Rufus' San Francisco show because it is already sold out. I, therefore, must kill myself. I do this for Rufus. My crazy love for Rufus.

Take The America The Beautiful Cruise...and feel the touch of gawd!

"Fully staffed with crew hailing from the U.S. and it's territories"
Well, thank the lord none of them furineers will be serving my my Mai Tai! LORDY!
Take a look at the video and feel the patriotism

Has Anyone Ever Gone To War Because Everyone's Too Reaonable?

May 3, 2007 is National Day of Reason (not endorsed by George Bush).

Evolve With Me

"63% - Gen Nexters Embrace Evolution"

Big Brother Is Watching Your Prescriptions

"Some news accounts have suggested that Cho had a history of antidepressant use, but senior federal officials tell ABC News that they can find no record of such medication in the government's files. This does not completely rule out prescription drug use, including samples from a physician, drugs obtained through illegal Internet sources, or a gap in the federal database, but the sources say theirs is a reasonably complete search."

The government has no record of medication in its files? The government has files on what medications people are taking?

I hope I'm not the only person to feel a sense of, um, outrage that government seems to have a record of what drugs people are taking.

via Americablog

Qoute Of The Day

"I found that the work of listening, of thinking together, is the beginning of morality. It's a very practical step towards real ethics"

-Philosopher Jacob Needleman

I think Jacob Needleman has just inadvertently explained George Bush's behavior and personality.

via Sfgate

Shoot Me In My Mouth, Fill Me Up Down South

The next Country Music sensation, Sandy Belle.


via SLOG

Feds will retry pot activist on cultivation charges

"The government will retry a prominent marijuana advocate on cultivation charges even though he faces no punishment if convicted, beyond the one day in jail he's already served, a federal prosecutor said today."

So, why is the government going to prosecute someone with no intention of prosecuting? Harassment is the only thing I can think of.

via Sfgate

In the meantime:

"Alcohol is implicated in the deaths of some 85,000 Americans every year, making it the nation's third leading cause of preventable death after smoking and obesity"

via cspinet

How many deaths is marijuana implicate?

I couldn't find any stories on marijuana related deaths. I found a lot of "drug" related deaths, but those always seemed to include drugs such as heroin, cocaine, crack, mixed in with marujuana, but nothing about someone dieing from marijuana alone, it is always mixed with more lethal drugs. Telling...

Climate Change

There is a lot to disagree with when it comes to Andrew Sullivan, but one of the most infuriating canards Sullivan keeps harping on (and there is a pattern) is Andrew's explanation of how the real answers to the world's problems are always a conservative answer. He keeps saying gay marriage is really a conservative idea, for one (!!?). But, his latest solution for climate change? He claims "it's the truly conservative response to an emerging problem. It's simple, involves as little government bureaucracy as possible, and will unleash the private sector to do its magic. Neither Democrats nor Republicans really want to go there, which is a sign of how broken the system is."

Andrew Sullivan is a small government, low tax, little regulation conservative (so am I - to an extent). But his solution to climate change is to, essentially, leave it up to the "magic" private sector by setting a carbon tax. Well, I think we have seen how well the private sector has done when it is barely/badly regulated: tainted pet food, tainted spinach, subprime loans.

So with such a stellar track record of barely-there regulation of the FDA or financial institutions, Sullivan continues to feel the private sector should be left to its own devices to solve the climate change problem. But Sullivan has found a way to do an end-run around his cherished "private sector is the solution for every ill" philosophy; he wants to have a carbon tax. To my mind, Sullivan is simply keeping hold of his conservative principles by slyly slipping in a traditionally "liberal" solution by advocating a tax to spur the private sector to make the necessary changes and innovations (Sullivan would never admit to this).

I don't know why Sullivan is so against regulating greenhouse gasses up front with government mandated regulation (auto mileage/emission, coal plant, etc) when he is advocating, essentially that very thing - a government mandated tax in order to make the private sector do what it needs to do in the first place. Rather than take a direct route to help solve climate change (which, according to scientist, is a pretty damn serious problem!), Sullivan simply wants to take the scenic route in order to arrive at the same destination: to slow climate change. I'm not sure why Sullivan can't just come out and say, this problem requires a quick response, not some slow, "we'll get there eventually" so "I can continue to claim my conservative credentials with this face-saving solution".

If scientist are correct (every indication shows that the science is right when it comes to climate change), the problem of climate change needs a quick response.

The Commander In Chief Wants To Appoint Commander In Chief

If the title of this post sounds confusing, it is entirely accurate. President Bush, Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces (says right there in the Constitution) wants to appoint a War Czar to, um, command the armed forces.

"The White House wants to appoint a high-powered czar to oversee the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan with authority to issue directions to the Pentagon, the State Department and other agencies, but it has had trouble finding anyone able and willing to take the job, according to people close to the situation."

And once again, we see how Bush doesn't want to take responsibility for anything he is supposed to do.

"The very fundamental issue is, they don't know where the hell they're going," said retired Marine Gen. John J. "Jack" Sheehan, a former top NATO commander who was among those rejecting the job. Sheehan said he believes that Vice President Cheney and his hawkish allies remain more powerful within the administration than pragmatists looking for a way out of Iraq. "So rather than go over there, develop an ulcer and eventually leave, I said, 'No, thanks,' " he said.

Gives one a warm feeling to know the White House doesn't "know what the hell they're doing," doesn't it? But, we knew that already.

Oh, but it gets better...

"The White House has not publicly disclosed its interest in creating the position, hoping to find someone President Bush can anoint [italics mine-very regal sounding, though] and announce for the post all at once. Officials said they are still considering options for how to reorganize the White House's management of the two conflicts. If they cannot find a person suited for the sort of specially empowered office they envision, they said, they may have to retain the current structure."

I would like to emphasize this little tidbit from the article:
"If they cannot find a person suited for the sort of specially empowered office they envision, they said, they may have to retain the current structure"

"If they cannot find a person suited" for the job? What the hell is Bush there for? He's the damned Commander in Chief!!!

This is the most amazing act of passing the buck I have ever seen. Well, I guess it's progress when Bush finally realizes what the rest of the country has known for a long time, he can't do his job.

Boy, I bet Bush wishes he could just cut more taxes and be done with it.


via The Washington Post

Question Answered

And so the most pressing issue of our time has been answered' - Anna Nicole Smith's (she's dead, btw) former "boyfriend" is Dannielynn's father.

A fund has been created in Danniellynn's name to cover all therapy bills incurred during the child's upbringing and adulthood.

In other news, along with giving full custody of Dannielynn to Larry Birkhead, Howard K. Stern, feeling badly about Birkhead's lack of a nose, said he would donate portions of his nose to Birkhead.

Funny

via Bob Geiger

You Go To War With The Army You Have...

...or the army you've destroyed.

You may remember when former Secretary of Defense, Donald Rumsfeld was asked, "Why do we soldiers have to dig through local landfills for pieces of scrap metal and compromised ballistic glass to uparmor our vehicles?"

Rumfeld's answer?
"As you know, you have to go to war with the Army you have, not the Army you want,"

If I remember correctly, the "army you have" did a pretty good job in Afghanistan. It wasn't until BushCo decided to go "play" in another sandbox that we started to get into trouble.

Is this the army Rumsfeld wanted?

Two soldiers killed in Iraq in February may have died as a result of friendly fire, Army officials said Wednesday, not from enemy fire, as the press reported.

The military suspected friendly fire later in February but did not inform the dead soldiers' families of these new doubts.

One of the soldiers died just hours after arriving in Iraq -- and was one of those troops rushed to the country in the "surge" who did not receive full training.

Zeimer arrived at Fort Stewart on Dec. 18 after basic training and deployed to Iraq just a few weeks later. He missed the brigade's intensive four-week mission rehearsal in October when more than 1,300 trainers and Iraqi role-players came to the post as part of the most realistic training program the Army offers for Iraq operations

Read the above quote, again, and let it sink in. BushCo is sending young men into battle ill prepared to do battle. This is the legacy of BushCo: Throwing away lives for his ego.

Even if you think the invasion of Iraq was worthwhile, you have to see how sending untrained recruits into war is, not only counter productive, but immoral. Then, again, when did Bush ever show any kind of morality?

BushCo has, in six years, destroyed the most powerful army and country the world has ever seen. All because he is a man with a child's mind. A lazy, spoiled child's mind. To me, his whole tenure as President has been one long temper tantrum where he is throwing his Cheerios on the floor because he can't get his way. But he is not throwing away Cheerios, he is throwing away human lives.

What do you expect from a man that thinks paying taxes and flight delays are sacrifices?

The Headscarf Heard Round The (Right Wing) World

This is what the right wing bloggers are in a tizzy over:



"This picture disgusts me. What message is Nancy Pelosi trying to send? Are women equal to men, or not? Why is modesty foisted only upon women? That's the inconvenient truth for conservative Muslims, and for liberal Americans trying desperately (and unsuccessfully) to reconcile the desire for understanding between cultures, and those cultures' starkly illiberal practices."
The wingers seemed to have forgotten these little acts of subservients:


"It pains the left too, I’m sure, to see the most powerful woman in America having to yield, however slightly, to a misogynistic culture’s expectations, but they can’t vent their anger at the people responsible so they’ll vent it at Charles or me or whomever instead."
Only "pains" if you are a Democrat, evidently.



FEMINIST IN AMERICA, subservient in Syria.
"Subservient" seems to be a popular thing.


The modern Democratic leadership. How ... quaint.
Leadership is quaint, isn't it?


Short memories, doncha think?

via Think Progress

Photos courtesy of The SLOG

My Hump

Been busy at work (project thrown my way - yay!), that's why I haven't had a rant against the BushCo crooks.

In the meantime, why don't you look at the most incredible cover of a song ever in the history of life, the universe and everything:

Safe, Safe Iraq, Part II

Not sure if you know about the minor dust up between the "iraq is safe" crowd and CNN correspondent, Michael Ware. Ware has called McCain to the matte (mat? matt? floor?) about the Senator's preposterous claims of many areas in Baghdad safe to walk around. I won't go into some long explanation of the controversy because Americaglog has the goods and a video link to press conference where there are allegations the Ware heckled McCain (didn't happen, btw. Ware didn't even ask a question).

Anyway, take a look.

McCain really is taking a page from the BushCo playbook. 'If you say something enough, it will become reality.'

Safe, Safe Iraq

"20 bullet-riddled bodies were found, most in Baghdad, apparent victims of so-called sectarian death squads that are believed to be run by Shiite militias. The number was low compared to the average of 50 bodies per day that were turning up before the security crackdown."

"Two top Sunni officials — lawmaker Omar Abdul-Sattar and Omar al-Jubouri, an aide to Sunni Vice President Tariq al-Hashemi — escaped an assassination attempt when a roadside bomb struck their convoy as it passed through one of Baghdad's most restive neighborhoods — the latest in a series of attacks by suspected Sunni insurgents against fellow Sunnis who have joined the political process."

via: SFgate
Can we please stop calling this a Civil War and call it what it is, a religious war. Who's toes are we afraid of stepping on?

John McCain takes a stroll through one of those 'safe' neighborhoods accompanied By 100 Soldiers, 3 Blackhawks, 2 Apache Gunships." Safe, indeed (click on the 'safe' link to watch McCain make the claim that anyone can walk through the street safely).

Romney And Giuliani: If There Was Any Doubt Why You Should Not Vote For These Two Dangerous People...

...here it is:

"Crane says he was disappointed with Romney's answer to his question the other night. Crane asked if Romney believed the president should have the authority to arrest U.S. citizens with no review. Romney said he would want to hear the pros and cons from smart lawyers before he made up his mind. Crane said that he had asked Giuliani the same question a few weeks ago. The mayor said that he would want to use this authority infrequently."

via NRO

The above qoute clearly reveals the basic disregard and contempt Romney and Giuliani (and, I wager, the Republican Party, in general) hold toward the United States The Bill of Rights.

Many of you may recall this from Civics class:

Amendment IV

The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized.

Amendment V

No person shall be held to answer for a capital, or otherwise infamous crime, unless on a presentment or indictment of a grand jury, except in cases arising in the land or naval forces, or in the militia, when in actual service in time of war or public danger; nor shall any person be subject for the same offense to be twice put in jeopardy of life or limb; nor shall be compelled in any criminal case to be a witness against himself, nor be deprived of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor shall private property be taken for public use, without just compensation.

I've italized part of the 5th Amendment to indicate where the current President of the U.S. says he is taking his authority for detaining U.S. citizens. The problem is, war has never been declared (only congress can do that, "Article One, Section Eight of the Constitution says 'Congress shall have the power to ... declare War,'")

What BushCo has done is say that because they this is not a normal or conventional "war" (which, remember, has not been declared!) where the U.S. is fighting a country (meaning no battle field in the traditional sense like Bull Run or Iwo Jima, etc.), but an ideology, BushCo feels everywhere is the battle field and, because of that, Bush feels he has the authority to treat the whole of The United States of America as a petentioal "battle field." When the whole country is a battle field in BushCo's eyes, that means we are all potential enemy cambatents and are, therefore, exempt from the 5th Amendment. This philosophy seems to be the same philosophy of Romny and Giuliani.

Stay informed.

Update
I just noticed Glenn Greenwald has a much more detailed post about this very subject. It's, like, synergy, man! Synergy