Bush's Government, Not The Peoples'

Sorry for the wait in posting a new thread. (Also sorry about the lack of comments.) I've been very overly stressed this week with so many extra things to do.

So...let's chat everyone!

Texas students shut down 7 miles of freeway, marching to the polls

How Al Jazeera English presented the Austin debates

nmp,

Thanks for posting the video of the march in Texas. I was going to use it as a blog header but I lost the link when Fire Fox crashed.

NMP can I have your link please lost it when my computor went down.

Okay I remembered name, Silenced Majority Portal

Kangaroo....

Thanks for your posts the last few days. I know it's hard to hold down the fort when people get swamped.

Here's an interesting post about McCain and his lobbyists support.

Thanks for your posts the last few days.

Your Welcome, certainly been quite the last few days.

Waterboarding Focus of Inquiry by Justice Department
http://www.truthout.org/docs_2006/022308Y.shtml
Scott Shane, writing for The New York Times, reports, "The Justice Department revealed Friday that its internal ethics office was investigating the department's legal approval for waterboarding of Qaeda suspects by the Central Intelligence Agency and was likely to make public an unclassified version of its report."

Two of my latest videos for You Tube:

Expose on "Move America Forward" (btw they now have their own You Tube account and are pumping out rightwing prop). The volume level was very low on this vid when I recorded it, so you have to crank your own volume settings up when playing it -

The FEMA trailers:

Hey Christy what do ya know.

A Bush Myth that Never Dies

The Strange Death of the Woman Who Filed a Rape Lawsuit Against Bush

By Jackson Thoreau

opednews.com

Early one Saturday afternoon in July 2003, I made a simple phone call to Margie Schoedinger, a Texas woman who filed a rape lawsuit against George W. Bush in December 2002. I expected to leave a message on a machine, so I was caught a little offguard when Schoedinger answered.

She, too, sounded somewhat surprised I had called, saying she hadn't heard from many other reporters. But she talked to me for a few minutes about the legal action.

"I am still trying to prosecute [the lawsuit]," said Schoedinger, a 38-year-old African-American woman who lived in the Houston suburb of Missouri City. "I want to get this matter settled and go on with my life."

Well, Schoedinger hasn't gone on with her life. In fact, three months after I spoke to her, she died in an apparent suicide. And this matter remains unsettled.

When I asked her in July 2003 about the lack of media coverage, Schoedinger said she wasn't seeking publicity. She said she did not even know about a December 2002 article in the Fort Bend Star, the only U.S. mainstream media outlet that covered this story, to my knowledge. The Fort Bend reporter, LeaAnne Klentzman, said she even went to Schoedinger's home and talked to a man there, who said she could not come to door. While I reached and spoke to Schoedinger on my first attempt, maybe she wasn't ready to talk back in December.

Anyways, Schoedinger said she was surprised the case wasn't covered more because "it is true......People have to be accountable for what they do, and that's why I'm pursuing it."

To be sure, Schoedinger's accusations - which include being drugged and sexually assaulted numerous times by Bush and other men purporting to be FBI agents - are bizarre and hard for most people to believe. But her story fits in with those told by a growing number of people who say they were used as guinea pigs or whatever by members of the CIA or another U.S. agency who wanted to test out the latest mind-controlling drug or just have a strange form of release. And her death - let's just say government agents have made murders look like suicides before.

In her court petition, Schoedinger said police in Sugar Land, another Houston suburb where she said some assailants linked to Bush attempted to unsuccessfully abduct her from her car shortly before the 2000 election, refused to take a report or do anything about that incident. She filed a lawsuit against the Sugar Land department and said that in preparing its defense, Sugar Land police found out that she dated Bush as a minor. I didn't get a chance to ask Schoedinger about that tie and didn't meet her in person, but her driver's license listed her as being 5-foot-8 and weighing 125 pounds, for what that's worth.

The Fort Bend Star story quoted a Sugar Land police captain saying his department had no record of any complaints by Schoedinger. All he had to do was what I did - go to the Fort Bend County Internet site and do a simple search on Schoedinger's name in the area of civil court records. I found the lawsuit Schoedinger filed in December 2000 against Sugar Land police, and it even had numerous responses by the department's attorneys in that case.

Just wait. This story gets stranger.

When I started asking Schoedinger about certain details of the case, such as alleged surveillance at her home and if she was still legally representing herself, she politely ended our conversation. "I need to see what has been written," Schoedinger said. "I feel like it's best for me to end our conversation."

Obviously, she had learned to be careful about what she said and to whom she said it. I could understand her being leery about talking about her situation with a stranger over the phone.

But I remember being puzzled by Schoedinger's attitude after hanging up the phone. I wondered that if she had made up such a wild story, why she didn't come up with something a little less outlandish, in which people couldn't necessarily dismiss her as a kook. I wondered why she didn't seek publicity to at least provide some form of protection. I've long learned that being as public as possible is one of your best defenses against rogue intelligence agents. But she didn't even seem to want any media to cover her story. I told several writers I knew, some of whom tried to contact Schoedinger. None succeeded, as far as I know.

I remember thinking, "I hope she doesn't wind up on the wrong side of a gun." And sure enough, in late September, Schoedinger did.

The Houston Chronicle wrote a bare-bones obituary that stated only that Schoedinger "expired" on Sept. 22, 2003, and her burial was at Houston Memorial Gardens.

I called the Harris County Medical Examiner's office, and a clerk told me the cause of death: a "suicide" by a "gunshot wound to the head." I hung up amid bombs going off in my mind.

For one, using a gun to commit suicide is predominantly executed by males, according to psychiatrists and other sources like pharmaceutical firm Merck & Co. Women are more likely to overdose on drugs, although the number of gunshot suicides among women has increased in recent years.

Besides Pravda and Internet ezines - one of whom referred to Schoedinger as "deranged" - I haven't seen stories on this strange death of a woman who filed a rape lawsuit against the U.S. president and wound up dead nine months later. I can't say I'm surprised. Or even angry. I don't know what the hell to think. All I know is I was one of the last - if not the last - reporters to speak to Schoedinger, and she didn't sound "deranged" to me in July 2003. She sounded like someone who had gone through something weird and was trying to sort it out. She sounded like someone who wanted the truth to come out. And now she's dead.

If this had happened to Clinton when he was in the White House, do you think the story would have been covered non-stop on FOX, CNN and the right-wing talk shows? Do you think we'd have reporters asking Clinton and his people about this death in press conferences? Is FOX unfair and imbalanced to the point of being "deranged?"

There are some more odd twists to this case. I also found a 2002 criminal case related to Schoedinger in which Christopher Schoedinger, her husband, allegedly struck her. He pleaded no contest and was sentenced to a year in jail. Christopher Schoedinger had also filed for divorce. Then since 1997, Margie Schoedinger had filed for at least five assumed business names for various ventures - including a communications firm, health and beauty business, travel agency and publishing company. Could a "deranged" person start all those businesses or even know how to file a lawsuit?

Schoedinger's lawsuit can still be viewed on the Fort Bend County site at http://ccweb.co.fort-bend.tx.us/localization/menu.asp - then go down to the bottom and click on civil court. Then type "schoedinger" in the plaintiff box and click search. You should find another lawsuit she filed against Sugar Land police, as well.

I can really understand media members being intimidated, even frightened, of the Bush administration. As I've detailed before, these are not Boy Scouts running the show. The Schoedinger death is just the latest in a string of strange ones surrounding the Bush family - Bush biographer J.H. Hatfield, Sen. Paul Wellstone, Sen. Mel Carnahan, and others that are detailed on various sites, including at http://members.boardhost.com/gwbush/msg/362.html .

For the record, I contacted Bush's media office about Schoedinger and have yet to hear back. Now that I live in the Washington, D.C., area, I can go down to the White House in person and try to get someone to speak to me about this case. As expected, I haven't had much luck with the Fort Bend County and other Texas authorities. So maybe I'll stand outside the White House, holding a sign saying, "Who killed Margie Schoedinger?" and passing out copies of my column on the case. It would make about as much sense as anything else in this matter.

For all I know, maybe Schoedinger did kill herself. Maybe she dreamed up a lot of this stuff. But I don't know, am I "deranged" to think it's weird that in this mass-media, detailed-information age, so few people are even asking any questions about how a woman who filed a rape lawsuit against the president could be dead less than a year later?

Jackson Thoreau is an American writer and co-author of We Will Not Get Over It: Restoring a Legitimate White House. The updated, 120,000-word electronic book can be downloaded on his Internet site at http://www.geocities.com/jacksonthor/ebook.html. Citizens for Legitimate Government has the earlier version at http://www.legitgov.org/we_will_not_get_over_it.html. He can be contacted at jacksonthor@yahoo.com or jacksonthor@justice.com .

http://opednews.com/thoreau1103bush_rape_suicide.htm

Hey Christy What do ya know? Pity it wasn't published 2000, 2004 when he was running for the highest position in the land
President and Commander in Chief of the USA

We have a number of articles on the FBI pulling security from Obama, before the Thursday Debate

Whoever allowed it to happen-- the security lapse-- should not only be fired but thoroughly investigated. This reminds me of 911, how so many normal protections, usually in place, were lapsed. There are enough bad people and groups out there so all that is necessary to get bad things to happen is to let down the guard so they can do their evil deeds.

SECRET SERVICE LEAVES OBAMA AT RISK / RAISES GRAVE CONCERNS
http://www.opednews.com/articles/opedne_allen_l__080222_secret_service_leave.htm

Leaving Obama Vulnerable Leaves National Security At Risk
http://www.opednews.com/articles/opedne_gail_min_080223_leaving_obama_vulner.htm

Kangaroo
Glad your computer is up - click on my name for the exact link

STILL UNANSWERED 9/11 MIRACLES

Eventually, hopefully during our lifetime, Pandora's Box will be fully opened regarding the 9/11 cover-up and the world will reel in shock and awe ~ when the monstrous truth is known to one and all : Allen L Roland

Every six months I return to the 9/11 scene, not to fan the flames but, instead, to review apparent truths ~ particularly in light of the growing awareness of the ongoing deceptions and lies of the Cheney/Bush Administration.

Americans are not quite ready to look into the Pandora's Box of 9/11 because the implications are truly breathtaking and staggering but as each shocking abuse of power of the Cheney/Bush regime is revealed to America ~ the public becomes more open to the possibility of a monstrous deception beneath the unanswered 9/11 miracles.

If one accepts the " Official Version " of the events that occurred on 9/11 or in the days leading up to it, one must conclude that a series of miracles occurred ~ suggesting factitiously the hand of higher powers.

Here they are ( Courtesy of Alex James )

http://www.opednews.com/articles/opedne_allen_l__080219_still_unanswered_9_2f1.htm

Hey Christy What do ya know? Pity it wasn't published 2000, 2004

Opppps not 2000 after all this was supposed to have happened in 2003 while he was President and residing in the White House

Hello everyone,
Justy a quick note from Nova Scotia to say we are really enjoying a couple of days off and poking around in the beautiful snow!

We are not toally cut off from the nuttiness in lower North America, so we get a whoppin' earful of HRC and Barack daily. I hope the American voters are sick of the bickering over healthcare plans--we all know, don't we, that until we have single payer we will not have universal, right?

Meanwhile, foreclosures continue and powers for the wealthy and elite grow stronger.

It is different up here, btw, although the problems are here too. It does not feel quite as acute though.

Back tomorrow. Will post more then.

Rossi, good to see you up online.

But damn, did you have to say Schoedinger? Cause all the sudden I feel a wee bit paranoid again. It makes my tummy hurt.

That is so wierd though...

I passed on that name to a few lady friends of mine today. Funny you posted that, because for no real reason at all I thought of her today, and I knew I had to tell someone. So, I wrote her name on a piece of paper, and I told them I would not say what it was about, because it was unspeakable, but to google it and find out for themselves what was being hidden from them.

And I warned all of them thier comps may suddenly start getting gremlins as soon as they googled it. They all laughed and said they would not google it then, but I could see by the curiousity in their eyes. I expect in 3 days they will ask me about it again, but, I REALLY REALLY don't want to talk about it.

That is the only dead person who's name even I am afraid to speak.

Good Lord. Thanks for the heebeejeebies.

Kangaroo,

Yep. It's been quiet around here. Don't know why. Sort of reminded me of the Simon and Garfunkel song, "The sound of silence."

, "The sound of silence." One of my Favorites

Simon & Garfunkel - Bridge over troubled water

World couldn't be more troubled than it is today, could it??????

Scary answer...?

Yes, it could be MUCH worse.

Permanent U.S. Army command taking shape in Kuwait :

U.S. Army Central is establishing a permanent platform for "full spectrum operations" in 27 countries around southwest Asia and the Middle East, its commander says.

http://snipurl.com/201g3

Yes, it could be MUCH worse.

Yes, sadly I suppose that is true, with the thugs that are in the White House for another

330 DAYS
22 Hrs 42 Min 13.6 Sec

FREAKING IMPEACH ALREADY!

Supreme Court Rules Employees Can Sue Over 401(k) Misconduct

http://www.truthout.org/docs_2006/022108E.shtml

Carrie Johnson, writing for The Washington Post, reports, "The Supreme Court handed workers a major victory yesterday by allowing them to sue over mismanagement of their 401(k) retirement accounts, in which more than 50 million employees have invested nearly $3 trillion."

Obama Wins Democrats Abroad Primary

http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/C/CAMPAIGN_DELEGATES?SITE=MSJAD&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT

Someone at Kos is doing a master thesis survey on the candidates' websites. If you want to help them, here's the link.

Nader Announces Another Presidential Bid

Ralph Nader is launching a third-party campaign for president. The consumer advocate made the announcement Sunday on NBC's "Meet the Press." He says most Americans are disenchanted with the Democratic and Republican parties, and that none of the presidential contenders are addressing ways to stem corporate crime and Pentagon waste and promote labor rights. Nader also ran as a third-party candidate in the 2000 and 2004 presidential elections. He is still loathed by many Democrats who call him a spoiler and claim his candidacy in 2000 cost the party the election by siphoning votes away from Al Gore in a razor-thin contest in Florida.

Silenced Majority Portal

Barack Obama said today during a visit at the Ohio State University Medical Center that he wasn’t terribly concerned about the prospect of a Nader campaign. “I think the job of the Democratic Party is to be so compelling that a few percentage [points] of the vote going to another candidate is not going to make any difference.” Wall Street Journal

Interesting clip on President Eisenhower warning the nation of the dangers of the military industrial complex. I think this idea is more true today than it was when he said it in 1961:

UPDATE ON THE WEXLER PETITION:

e-mail Phone (optional) Zip

230,031
signed up
and counting...

The number of signers have slowed down greatly. It will be very lucky if the petition gets up to 250,000.....

(Context - wingnuts are starting to question the patriotism of the Democratic frontrunner, as a line of offense in their customary Swift Boating that they engage in when they are running scared)

The caption is:

Where is Reagan's Flag Pin? Nixon's?
http://www.silencedmajority.blogs.com

You remember, during the Moyers PBS impeachment show, I told you that it had been 'blacked out' down here for a large portion of it?

Seems to have happened in Alabama tonight as well.

"Tonight was something truly unseen in US history. During the 60 Minutes broadcast and ONLY during the Don Siegelman portion -- the screen went black for Huntsville residents and Mobile residents. There are other reports of other locations, but I have not yet confirmed those. In Florida, a series of strange ads were running about the FISA bill and how Democrats are not tough on terrorism, apparently during the 60 Minutes hour and also right before 60 Minutes, but not after (still trying to confirm when the ads stopped running).

In other words, in the United States of America, a man is imprisoned for being a Democrat. When reporters attempt to get this story out, they are threatened and smeared. When all else fails, the public is not allowed to see the news. This is not acceptable and I -- as a US citizen -- demand that Congress investigate this series of blackouts immediately. Any company involved in this must have their FCC license pulled too. Karl Rove may be gone from office, but he clearly is not gone from power. So long as his buddy, George W. Bush, continues to occupy the White House -- what used to be a symbol of how a nation could both be governed and be free -- we will continue toward abuse after imperial, no Soviet, abuse against us. That too is unacceptable.

Contact Congress now, non-stop, and demand a full investigation into what caused this selective blackout. You can find your member's contact information here."

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/larisa-alexandrovna/parts-of-60-minutesi_b_88218.html

These people are no longer just dealing in spin, or product behind those cameras.

F*cking nazis.

"...truly unseen in US history"

Except...they already did it here, during Moyers on PBS.

Kinda makes you wonder how often they are doing it...?

Quiet? Yes it is. I'm going to be pretty quiet, too for a few more weeks. Right-angled fractures in right (dominant) wrist.

nmp - every time I see young people out to make their voices heard, I become more hopeful.

everyone else - great articles and videos - even the truly distasteful ones. I'm glad they reach more people each day.

If you didn't see it - it was gutsy to say the least

Aussie wins best doco Oscar

Australian Eva Orner has won an Oscar for the documentary Taxi To The Dark Side.

The 38-year-old from Melbourne produced the documentary along with Alex Gibney.

The film examines the use of torture by the Bush administration and is critical of the US war on terrorism.

http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2008/02/25/2171884.htm

Jon Stewart at the Oscars - Kayakbiker put up trailers to all the winning documentaries. Jon mentioned that if we're in Iraq for 100 years, there will be plenty of time to watch the winning documentary.
http://www.silencedmajority.blogs.com

I did watch The Simpsons Movie on video - Homer put pigshit into the already polluted lake - the main plot. President Arnold Schwartzenegger and the Environmental Protection Agency (fascists, in this case) along with Hometown Security (inept, in this case) helped him deal with it. The Simpsons' attempt to move to Alaska (on the lam) was thus foiled. There is also a technical error in that the Simpsons could not have had a "wedding video" in the '70s with Carpenters music. Home video was not yet available.

Christy
I read about that and thought of you! (the blackout)

Keep it alive. If you missed 60 Minutes last night, or if you were blacked out in Alabama because Bush's buddy owns the station, here is the link to the CBS video of the Siegelman story:

http://www.cbsnews.com/sections/60minutes/main3415.shtml

NMP

Nader is the ONE COMMUNIST BASTARD people of ALL political stripes can do without.

Kangaroo

A Bush Myth that Never Dies

Strangely, the Republicans accused Bill Clinton of doing the same thing - killing people opposing his rule.

NMP

Where is Reagan's Flag Pin? Nixon's? http://www.silencedmajority.blogs.com

Maybe they were actually wearing the MEXICAN and NICARAGUAN pins, then removed them for the photo ops. After all, they are from SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA, where your allegiance is NEVER to the UNITED STATES, but to your barbaric homeland like KOREA and VIETNAM.

And yes, I am back in Reagan Country.

Christy

As despicable as the blackout is, if the TV watchers owned sets made by the likes of Samsung, they have NO right to complain. After all, they bought a fascist product, and monetarily supported fascism.

Yes, Ally, they do have a right to complain.

I have a Samsung TV, two of them, great big ones. They are good TVs.

And HELL YES I have the right to complain when brown shirted jack booted goose stepping MORONS take over my country and start interrupting my viewing choices with some NAZI BULLSHIT.

I don't like nazis very much. But my TVs are cool.

I WANT MY MTV! And.... 60 Minutes. If I want.

And BY GOD... these NAZI BASTARDS are going to go down.

I think they have a right to complain. They did not support fascist in our country.

They didn't buy Samsung with a little note in the contract that said, "Purchase of this dvd-TV will cause your local news networks to black you out."

Secondly, McClatchy, one of the better US news organizations is now outsourcing their graphics and news layouts to overseas. THAT SHOULD worry people more than if the tv is Samsung or RCA.

Do you see the difference?

One is an object that we COULD compete with if our government were willing to enforce fair wages around the world and universal healthcare insurance--single payer! And the other is a news organization making cutbacks to overseas country who may in fact be fascist regimes creating our newspapers--coming to a McClatchy paper near you soon...

But the fact that a local network is fascist has nothing to do with Samsung

Since we're slower, and I cut two separate fingers on each hand and typing is painful, we will keep this thread up another day.

Hey..lurkers...check in please!

That is the most basic, fundamental right given to anyone under the US flag. The right to complain.

It is the first step to unlocking the chains of slavery and the first step towards justice. It is the whole point...of Revolution.

I am one who doesn't wish to support the tvs or the content.
I will watch the occasional 60 minutes or Frontline, YouTube or things people send me.

If the blackout is really due to a local network owned by a friend of Bush, and Bush is a friend of Moon, it's a correlation not a causal connection, but can still be argued to be troublesome.

I think you guys are on a couple of sides of the Elephant - and it IS an Elephant, symbol of the other party.

"..and I cut two separate fingers on each hand "

WTF were you doing? Stabbing someone?

Do tell...

BTW, nor was there a little note with my TV that said 'If you buy me that must mean you are a facist harlot'. We all know it does not work that way.

Guess what? My money pays war taxes too every time I pay my phone bill. We all do.

Our right to complain is more than paid for.

NMP, I do not watch my own tvs anymore. At all. But that is hardly the point.

The point is, if this was a deliberate blackout, then it goes wayyyyy beyond 'troublesome'.

As I said, I totally believe they did it here too already and even said so here when it happened.

This is not about something troubling, this is a scale of manipulation and BRAZEN information manipulation unlike anything we have ever seen before unfolding in daylight.

If it was deliberate, it is one of the most ominous signs yet that something horrible is STILL happening and he still has a full YEAR to do his worst.

OFCOURSE IT WAS DELIBERATE. So was the black out of Moyers, probably to the ENTIRE REGION.

The freaking 'coincidence theories' are no longer just invalid, they are LAUGHABLE.

How freaking likely is it...? NOT AT ALL.

WOW!!! Look at what Rep. Waxmen and his committee are up to this week - solid hearings:

Electronic Records Preservation at the White House
Committee on Oversight and Government Reform
Tuesday, February 26, 2008, 10:00 AM at 2154 Rayburn House Office Building

Contracting Reform: Expert Recommendations and Pending Bills
Subcommittee on Government Management, Organization, and Procurement
Wednesday, February 27, 2008, 10:00 AM at 2154 Rayburn House Office Building

One Year after Walter Reed: An Independent Assessment of the Care, Support, and Disability Evaluation for Wounded Soldiers
Subcommittee on National Security and Foreign Affairs
Wednesday, February 27, 2008, 2:00 PM at 2154 Rayburn House Office Building

Executive Compensation II: CEO Pay and the Mortgage Crisis
Committee on Oversight and Government Reform
Thursday, February 28, 2008, 10:00 AM at 2154 Rayburn House Office Building

Business Meeting

Subcommittee on Federal Workforce, Postal Service, and the District of Columbia
Thursday, February 28, 2008, 2:00 PM at 2247 Rayburn House Office Building
Implementation of the Postal Accountability Enhancement Act of 2006

Immediately following the business meeting scheduled for 2:00 p.m.
Subcommittee on Federal Workforce, Postal Service, and the District of Columbia
Thursday, February 28, 2008, 2:15 PM at 2247 Rayburn House Office Buildin

Christy,

I was cleaning the basement. I cut one finger last night. I'm not even sure what. All I remember thinking is "Boy...is my Tetanus shot up to date?"

And this morning, I cut my middle finger on the other hand. Somewhat symbolic... don't you think?

Think about it...

What if another terrorist attack occurs.

Will they inform some of us, but not all of Us? Who in the hell is taking it upon themselves anyway to say what SOME can see and not others?

Something about that Seigleman case is making georgie and his little dick nervous. VERY NERVOUS.

As scared as they are of talk of IMPEACHMENT.

Why in the hell else would Alabama be left in the dark in such a brazen attempt to limit their input?

Already all the 'explanations' for it are falling apart at the seems. The finger pointing will start next.

I don't know about you, but I was taught where there is smoke, there is a fire.

Sparrow, Christy

I mentioned Samsung because:

1. Samsung is notoriously anti-labor
2. It's based in the Republicans' most important puppet state.

Seriously, I've been in a very pissy mood, both in Florida and back here in SoCal. I'm sick and tired of Gloria Estefan's ethnic community, and Reverend Moon's ethnic community, both trying to lecture us on what "normalcy" and "morality" are.

Christy
Yes it's censorship. It's completely wrong and rather shocking really - makes it farcical to talk about freedom, democracy, liberty let alone spreading it.

This is something that one would expect in a fascist dictatorship. I saw where they claimed it was some problem with CNN or something. Yeah right and a friend of Bush just happens to own the media outlet?

CBS's 60 Minutes broadcast Sunday regarding the alleged political prosecution of Democratic Alabama governor Don Siegelman went dark in the northern third of Alabama last night. According to WHNT-TV, the local CBS affiliate, the issue was caused by a technical malfunction.

"We apologize that you missed the first segment of 60 Minutes tonight featuring a report titled, 'The Prosecution of Don Siegelman,'" a WHNT story said.

CBS News – which owns 60 Minutes – denied any problem on their end.

Scott Horton of Harper’s magazine reported late last night that CBS was directly pointing back at the local outlets as the cause of the problem.

"I contacted CBS News in New York and was told that 'there is no delicate way to put this: the WHNT claim is not true. There were no transmission difficulties. The problems were peculiar to Channel 19, which had the signal and had functioning transmitters.' I was told that the decision to blacken screens across Northern Alabama 'could only have been an editorial call.'"

http://rawstory.com/news/2008/60_Minutes_broadcast_on_prosecution_of_0225.html

Christy

I don't know about you, but I was taught where there is smoke, there is a fire.

*nods* I am with you there.

Well I decided I would try to DONATE SOME MONEY to someone deserving. What I did was buy my son a shirt and 30 bumper stickers because technically that IS a donation. They get them wholesale so the org benefits.

There is all too much panic on the party of the one with the high negatives who consistently polls lower against the opponent in the general election. So it would be desirable to some to pull the candidate of hope down via Drudge etc. - by March 4th.

Meanwhile not sure what is happening on the ground but lines in the cold around the block in Ohio for sure and in Texas John Kerry is there with his little overnight bag, out campaigning. I wish I was.

Kerry's words sway crowd
http://www.delrionewsherald.com/story.lasso?ewcd=16374944b7e358fb
Not a large crowd, and he flew far to speak for a short time, but they all know people who know people, and he has other stops.

I wish I was a surrogate. I guess in a way I am.

I love Kerry (from WaPo)

"The Republican attack machine has proven that it's willing to do and say anything," said Kerry, a decorated Vietnam veteran slow to answer the Swift boat attacks on his war record. "If you have any indication that there is something out there that can cut, you have to go at it."

Dollar for dollar, news cycle by news cycle, Kerry said, the Democratic nominee must parry attacks.

"Look, our mistake was not understanding it. Our mistake was that we didn't answer it," Kerry said, referring to the damaging summer of 2004. "I am confident that will not be repeated by any candidate."

With none of the media crush or the incessant demands that whittle a candidate's day into tiny pieces, Kerry now travels light, calls his wife for news updates and gamely hurries through Burger King drive-throughs for a value meal -- Coke, fries and Whopper with cheese, no onions.

Kerry now travels light, calls his wife for news updates and gamely hurries through Burger King drive-throughs for a value meal -- Coke, fries and Whopper with cheese, no onions.

That's my lunch today. The John Kerry value meal. :)

Seriously, that's what I will have today.

Report From a US Military Outpost in Afghanistan
http://www.truthout.org/docs_2006/022508K.shtml
Elizabeth Rubin reports for The New York Times: "I went to Afghanistan last fall with a question: Why, with all our technology, were we killing so many civilians in air strikes? ... After a few days, the first question sparked more: Was there a deeper problem in the counterinsurgency campaign? More than 100 American soldiers were killed last year, the highest rate since the invasion. Why were so many more American troops being killed? To find out, I spent much of the fall in the Korengal Valley and elsewhere in Kunar province alongside soldiers who were making life-and-death decisions almost every day - decisions that led to the deaths of soldiers and of civilians."

George W. Bush created "the greatest foreign policy disaster in American history."
Fall Of The House Of Bush--A Book Review

By Olga Bonfiglio
Although most Americans regard September 11 as the single event that changed the world, journalist Craig Unger would argue that the 2000 presidential election served as a convergence of the Neoconservatives, Christian Fundamentalists and George W. Bush created "the greatest foreign policy disaster in American history."

http://www.opednews.com/articles/genera_olga_bon_080225_fall_of_the_house_of.htm

One of the stories, I have never forgotten of this criminal war of George W's

Alex Gibney's Oscar winning film documents the Bush Administration's reckless disregard for human rights and the rule of law.

How Did America Become a Country That Tortures?

They're a very frail people and I was surprised it had taken that long for one of 'em to die in our custody.
- Pfc. Damien Corsetti, Military Intelligence, Bagram

If the FBI had felt that there was a case to answer for, they wouldn't have taken me into Bagram where I was held, heard the sounds of a woman screaming next door, had me hogtied and threatened to send me to Egypt in order to get me to sign this.
- Moazzam Begg, Now 2006 July 28

Cynthia Fuchs reviews the Oscar-winning documentary "Taxi to the Dark Side" for PopMatters: "In December 2002, a 22-year-old Afghan taxi driver named Dilawar was picked up and delivered to the Bagram Air Force Base prison. Five days later, he was dead. Sgt. Thomas Curtis, one of the Military Police at Bagram, remembers, 'There was definitely a sense of concern because he was the second one. You wonder, was it something we did?' As detailed in Alex Gibney's devastating documentary, Taxi to the Dark Side, Dilawar's demise was officially termed a homicide, like the first detainee to die at Bagram, Habibullah."
http://www.truthout.org/docs_2006/022508O.shtml

George W. Bush created "the greatest foreign policy disaster in American history."

Fall Of The House Of Bush--A Book Review

By Olga Bonfiglio
Although most Americans regard September 11 as the single event that changed the world, journalist Craig Unger would argue that the 2000 presidential election served as a convergence of the Neoconservatives, Christian Fundamentalists and George W. Bush created "the greatest foreign policy disaster in American history."

http://www.opednews.com/articles/genera_olga_bon_080225_fall_of_the_house_of.htm

Heading off to the Gold Coast for 3 days, stay safe everyone, will catch you all when I get back

Kangaroo

Gold Coast? Sounds lovely! Enjoy your days there!

I need to get my own behind down to Australia one of these days, especially now that John Howard is history.

Good for You Ally, know you will always be welcome, here Down Under.

from a local friend, re the Siegelman affair

If you wish to get involved in protecting our democracy here are some numbers to call to voice your concerns over the Siegelmann piece:
Sen Leahy's office, Chairman of the Senate Judiciary, at 202-224-4242
Rep John Conyers office, Chairman of the House Judiciary, at 202-225-5126
Alabama Attorney General's Office at 334-242-7300

Thom Hartmann on Air America had several Alabama callers say that the 15 min segment was blacked out in their area. Isn't that free press at its best? I can hardly believe any of this.

The Republican party in Alabama and the Bush Administration with Rove at the helm have become no better than Russia, who throws their political dissenters and opposition party members into the Gulag. Putin has been guilty of this since 2002. 60 Minutes could do another piece on the CEO of Quest, Nacchio, who refused to allow the Bush Administration access to wiretap their customers. Bush then put Nacchio's career under the high-powered microscope and he was recently sentenced to 6 years. How much of that was trumped up charges on Nacchio from overzealous Bush appointed judges?

It is so troubling, as NOTHING ever happens to this criminal administration. There was far more to this story than 60 minutes reported. Hopefully PBS will have Frontline do a thorough piece on this issue. Email them to make a request at http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/contact/.

This morning I called Sen Leahy's office at 202-224-4242 asking if they plan on investigating the Don Siegelmann case. They said they have been getting quite a few calls making that request. I also called Rep John Conyers office 202-225-5126 asking the same question. She said the House has been doing an ongoing investigation on Siegelmann and attempting to get the Justice Dept more involved, as the President's office stonewalls them on witnesses and information. What a crime!!!!

Kangaroo, have a safe and happy journey!

This Siegelman stuff is really getting me steamed. I'm gonna do everything to cut down on my spending on "red" companies and products (not necessarily just Republican, but companies that are bad corporate citizens politically and otherwise), including foreign corporate allies of the neocons.

One of my business computers (a cut-rate Dell, like all others) is down. I have no clue as to how to fix it. And I have a feeling that my father will immediately place an order for a new working computer - from Dell again.

I will bluntly tell him two things:
- Be careful who you vote for (given my sister's education woes)
- Buy a Dell, never get tech support from me again. Get your tech support from those a-holes themselves.

I will strongly push for Apple products if possible. Granted, running Windows is a requirement here, but Intel Macs can do it easily. And better to pay a bit more for quality hardware/software from Apple, than for cut-rate hardware and crapware from Dell.

People compare Apple vs. Dell to BMW vs. Ford. (Well, BMW is a whole bunch of reactionary a-holes too, but that's another story.)

Yall do realize where they put Siegelman?

Louisiana.

Think 'Angola', just not as flashy.

I guess Alabama must not have their own Federal prisons. Except, they do. Several of them. Hmmm.

In the context of informational manipulation, I find it very interesting he wound up in the most dense part of the filter.

I'm more than willing to throw out my career and livelihood, even.

I'm sick of my industry, construction, where Republican lies and other talking points are considered gospel. After all, W made the world safer, and Iraq is a better place thanks to American liberation and occupation.

If that means I throw out everything I've done over the past 7 years, including my past week's business in Orlando (which cost me thousands), so be it. They attempted to brainwash me into various Republican talking points on death penalty and other crap, anyway.

Now, I need to find a career where cooler heads and common sense prevail. Unfortunately, fine arts (including writing, which I am doing) and other predominantly progressive industries don't seem to pay consistently.

OK, considering the John Kerry special for lunch sometime, which will be the first time in a BK (or any fast food joint) for over ten years.

But this has me steamed (from Code Pink):

War is hell for everyone involved. For women, this hell can be especially deep. Recruiters don't tell those who enlist that 30% of military women will be sexually assaulted while serving. Women who work as contract employees in Iraq face similar dangers.

Jamie Leigh Jones, a former Halliburton/KBR employee in Iraq, recently testified at a Congressional hearing that she was drugged and brutally gang-raped by her co-workers in 2005. Three years later, KBR and the military have failed to punish the perpetrators or provide redress for Jamie Leigh.

We met Jamie Leigh in Washington and we were moved by her courage-under tremendous pressure-to speak out publicly and start an organization, The Jamie Leigh Foundation (http://www.jamiesfoundation.org), to help other women. Since Jamie Leigh spoke out, 38 U.S. women, all contract employees in Iraq, have come forward to report crimes of sexual harassment and assault in the workplace.

Halliburton/KBR has failed to protect the safety of its contract employees, and, in fact, has fostered an environment wherein sexual violence is accepted. Moreover, the company requires employees to sign a private arbitration agreement, forcing them to give up their right to sue the company or have a trial by jury.

"Halliburton is trying to force this into a secret proceeding, which will do nothing to prevent continued abuses of this nature," Jamie Leigh told Congress. "The United States government has to provide people with their day in court when they have been raped and assaulted by other American citizens."

Due to Halliburton/KBR's pattern of fraudulent and abusive behavior, including fostering a work environment conducive to violence against its own employees, we call upon Mr. Robert Kittel, Suspension and Debarment Official of the U.S. Army Legal Services Agency, to debar Halliburton/KBR from future contracts in Iraq.

1. Click here to read Medea Benjamin's letter to Mr. Kittel http://www.codepink4peace.org/article.php?id=3988

2. Click here to send your own letter using our sample email.
http://www.codepink4peace.org/article.php?id=3987

3. Please also sign our petition in support of the Jamie Leigh Act of 2008, which mandates that companies report criminal violations and provide this information to new employees.
http://salsa.democracyinaction.org/o/424/t/4589/petition.jsp?petition_KEY=922

For more information, please read the recent New York Times article, "Limbo for U.S. Women Reporting Iraq Assaults" http://www.nytimes.com/2008/02/13/world/middleeast/13contractors.html and see http://www.jamiesfoundation.org.

Thank you for helping us hold abusive companies accountable and provide justice to courageous women like Jamie Leigh.

Karen

I received that CodePink email too.

Note that Halliburton is a CONSTRUCTION company, predominantly. The largest non-union construction company in the nation.

I am really sick of this industry. Sick of my coworkers taking me to Hooters to reduce women to little sex objects. Sick of all the lies that pass as gospel (including Bill Clinton killing off lots of political opponents).

Oh, and one more thing - virtually ALL Asians in construction are Korean and Vietnamese. I don't think this is a coincidence.

Jonathan Alter says for Newsweek: Hillary should drop out

http://www.newsweek.com/id/114725/

Ally, check you email.

And, no, it is not about my tv.

Christy

I don't see an email from you. Did you send it to Hotmail or GMail? (Neither is showing your email, not even in junk mail filter)

I read the first article out about Jamie Leigh. And now I simply can not read anything related to it.

For some reason I would rather be forced to contemplate the crimes of a child killer than a gang rape.

Maybe once Homeland Insecurity is done with it they will pass it on through Ally.

Nazi bastards.

Christy

I got it now! It took a few minutes.

Ally, I tried to respond in a long email, but apparently it was not to be. I have a very specific glitch and it just totally #$%^& ME OFF AGAIN!

Will retry right now.

Grrr.

Ok. It should be there.

McCain just got busted for covering up for his buddies by leaving them out of corruption investigations AND it lands him right in the middle of the Siegelman matter.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/02/25/mccain-withheld-controver_n_88304.html

Stabbing as relatives argue politics
http://www.smh.com.au/news/us-election/stabbed-in-obama-v-clinton-argument/2008/02/26/1203788290393.html

So good to be back on my home Mac, at last.

Christy
Thanks for the email - will need to study your info further, but it will be of immense help.

NMP
That's the kind of news we want to avoid... (Though a Republican for Hillary is more common a species than people realize, it's good and bad!)

The changing religious landscape of America:
44 percent of adult Americans have changed to another (or no) religion from their faith of upbringing.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/23337807

Video Mash-up of Hillary to the music of Pink Floyd

I would call it "Hillary Un-Hinged"

I hate negative politics. It isn't going to work.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=97aYxpt8HY8&feature=related

Just a little bit easier...

That by no means changes my vote in the TX primary, BTW....

W's newest puppet/buddy takes office:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/7262117.stm

I am with Hillary till the last dog dies. I believe in loyalty and trust. I do not drag up on people I have stuck by for decades which have stuck by me. You all may have different values than me on that; if so, God bless and good F'ing luck.

Ally said

Now, I need to find a career where cooler heads and common sense prevail. Unfortunately, fine arts (including writing, which I am doing) and other predominantly progressive industries don't seem to pay consistently.

Obama’s Support Grows Broader, New Poll Finds

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/02/26/us/politics/26poll.html?_r=1&adxnnl=1&oref=slogin&partner=MYWAY&pagewanted=print&adxnnlx=1204027852-5Ck1BbYM71qH7Cufspr37g

Poor hillary supporters.

I guess they really don't have a choice but to be loyal to the end while pretending somehow they have superior 'values' than everyone else.

If only bitterness and sorrow could elevate her, she would be there already.

Christy,

I feel bad for Hillary supporters. Some have been supporting her since 2000 when there were hints that she'd run.

I remember meeting a few women who had told me of meeting her (way back then) and saying there were clues that she'd be running for President. (These were loyal Democrats who supposedly at the time had the 'inside scoop.') They did end up being correct.

I actually feel sorry for Hillary because she was considered the shoe-in since 2004. It's gotta smart having a person like Obama just come in and grab your dream.

I HOPE, seriously HOPE, that Clinton and Obama don't split the party. I think Nadar won't split it because everyone knows he's just an egocentric jerk! There's not a moderate, independent, or Dem who didn't learn their lesson from 2000--except those moderates or indies who lean right.

Anyways, I know primaries are suppose to be a little tense as people take sides, but I hope that the wounds will heal. I know I can work with Hillary supporters or Obama supporters, even though the one thing I truly believe neither is doing enough about (single payer health care), they aren't that different. (I think they may be different war issues. But I have to admit, the thing that soured me a little bit on Hillary was Bill Clinton's actions on BCCI/Iran-Contra and my concern that Hillary would do the same thing with any investigations into Bush and Cheney.)

Anyways, I meandered again, as I'm so prone to do when half awake and wishing I were in Hawaii... But, I can support Hillary or Obama, whoever would have been our candidate, and I can play in the sandbox with people who supported either. BUT...if you're a Nadar supporter, come let me get you an MRI so that I can see what part of your brain is working. (We know it isn't the left or the right!)

Nader is a joke. So is anyone still left supporting him.

Me, too, sometimes I feel sorry for Hillary, but, her political demise is a direct result of her own politics.

I can play in the sandbox with anyone too, until they start acting like 7 year olds and talking smack about how only they must know loyalty as a 'value'. Those are the ones who are all about 'splitting the party' and use it like it is a threat to keep others in the sandbox in line.

For all the agreement that we need more than 2 parties, funny how no one is really ready to consider anything other than those two parties.

Here is the thing though... between dems like Obama and lieberman, there is already a vast void. A 'split' within the democrats is as inevitable as the sun will set tonight.

Do you really think a Pelosi or a conyers can keep the true liberal base of the democrats in tact? I say it is already split wide open. The anti and pro war democrats have already formed their own camps and the division was deliberately fostered, not by republicans, but by elite dem leaders who just can not be bothered to mount anything resembling an 'opposition party'.

Yes, Obama and hillary are similar, but this basically comes down to Iraq and who can be trusted at their word on Iraq. Hillary has already proven herself to be a bushevik that will not only vote for the war and constantly defend that vote, but she would as her 'first act as president' send out her hubby and georgies daddy to clean up his crimes and whitewash her own involvement in the midst of High Treason and war profiteers.

It is funny to me. I mean funny woo woo not funny HAHA!

The anti war dems make up about 90% of the party.

The prowar, or atleast pro letting it go on for however long while they beg for scraps at the foot of a tyrant - democrats... are no more than 5 to 10% of the party.

Yet it is these pro war dems, or atleast those apathetic to it, that is in control of the other 90% of the party.

For a moment, think about what does 'a split in the party' actually MEAN...?

The ones really intent of making us scared of it is that 10%. Why?

Because they know what will be 'split'...or amputated...from the democrats...is THEM. And they make up no more than 10% of the overall party.

I say the split is ALREADY there. But at best, it is 90% vs. 10%. But, as long as the MSM can pretend it is an even split, then we must just be SOOO DOOMED. HAHA!

I do not know about yall, but 10% don't really scare me at all. I hope the door don't hit them on the way out.

With the numbers Obama is drawing, that 10% can be replaced lickity split and then some.

Christy,

I don't think it's that people "start acting like seven year olds and talking smack about how only they must know loyalty as a 'value'."

I think it's more about the fact that people know what they know and nothing is going to change their mind--nothing!!!

Take a look at all of us (here at the DCP)...

We all 'mostly' think a like. We're ALL intelligent. We're all focused. We're all moral, ethical, and fair minded. We also have our differences too. Some of us were Republicans. Some were life-long Dems. Some of us are very religious or of spiritual beliefs. And some are not.

We're basically ALL trying to be good, ethical people. We have a lot in common with the 'religious-right.'

But what makes us different? Why can't ALL of us can't get along or work together and just make the world a better place? (meaning all of us at the DCP, all of us in cyberspace, all of us in America, and all of us in the world)

In my opinion, the reason we all find ourselves in this mess is because we're all opinionated. We base our opinions on what we've learned, seen, or who we know. Afterall, you can swoop into Free Republic and see people who have the same desire to have a better world, but their belief of how to make the better world is different from our.

You mostly hang with people of 'like mind' and by doing so, you lose the ability to understand how other people are forming their opinions and why.

Now...take the fact that we have a two system party and corporations who want to run our government by making self-beneficial laws. And add to that the fact that the toxic air in DC and in state congresses have been PUSHING obstruction and one-upmanship. Add the fact that our education system has lost funding. We've lost science systematically. We've lost fair elections, fair media, fair trade, etc..all of them have been lost systematically. And how did they accomplish this?

It's not the two party system that did it. It's the fact that we've lost education and media. And we're all firmly entrenched into our own self-views instead of learning the art of compromise.

I feel as if I've learned one big lesson over the years. That lesson is that we all want to have a good, safe, ethical world. We all want the best for our kids our families. But when you start hearing every single argument to a situation (ie homeland security, war...) then you actually see that there are big differences in what people feel are EFFECTIVE laws. Then when you see all those different arguments, you either have to dig yourself deeper into your own ideas, which makes you think, "I'm the only one right." Or you have to open your mind to finding a compromise in the middle. If you compromise, does that mean your original opinions are wrong?

So that's why I don't believe people are acting like seven year olds. I think people are just so sure that their view is the only one right, that the idea of compromise means that they have to give up their ideas. (Or it means they just give up because they decide they don't know enough...it's too difficult for them to understand.)

Oh...speaking of the two party system....

I have to say, I think if we had 4 parties or 5 parties, it would take a smaller vote for one person to win. It makes me think that may not be the best solution.

But I wonder if there is a way to have a caucus like vote. Where you can have a first choice and second choice and then the highest wins. Or maybe this is run-off voting?

I am unsure what is a better plan to get more ideas out there represented. But what I do know is that we have to take the money and the corps out of government and put the power back into our hands.

I have to run out for an hour or so. Will post a new thread when I return.

received from Texas:

Here's a funky, fresh use of new media to highlight preparation for Obama's Ft. Worth appearance, coming from the grassroots.

http://www.silencedmajority.blogs.com

"In my opinion, the reason we all find ourselves in this mess is because we're all opinionated."

No, I truly digress. Us all having different 'opinions' is not the problem. Opinions and debate are the reason we are here and determined to hear each other out.

Let me show you an example of the problem from a hillary supporter.

"I do not drag up on people I have stuck by for decades which have stuck by me. You all may have different values than me on that; if so, God bless and good F'ing luck."

Let's break that down, shall we?

He is not saying that to show he has a different 'opinion'. He is OUTRIGHT implying somehow because he will stick by hillary NO MATTER WHAT he is somehow capable of a loyalty none of us are. Because 'you all may have different VALUES than me'.

Oh, then he basically added a 'f*ck you' at the end.

I mean really, GAG. It was no less disgusting when republicans annointed themselves with 'value voters' to imply they somehow had a lock on all things moral.

The problem is not when our opinions differ, the problem is when the arrogant take it upon themselves to see only themselves as someone worthy of an opinion.

"The New York Times' ombudsman strongly criticized the newspaper's insinuation this week that White House hopeful John McCain had a tryst with a female lobbyist 31 years his junior, nearly 10 years ago.

"The newspaper found itself in the uncomfortable position of being the story as much as publishing the story, in large part because, although it raised one of the most toxic subjects in politics -- sex -- it offered readers no proof that McCain and (Vicki) Iseman had a romance," public editor Clark Hoyte wrote in the Times' online edition.

http://rawstory.com/news/2008/NYT_ombudsman_slams_own_paper_for_0225.html

How many republicans out there were already brain washed by other republicans into believing McCrazy had an illegit 'black baby'?

And even other republicans touted the fact he cheated on his first wife many times to take him down so Duh Leader could be crowned.

Too late NYTimes. They already believed it of him.

Oh the irony!

Christy,

You and I mostly agree. You used the word "arrogance" to describe people who don't believe other peoples' opinions are worthy of hearing or learning from.

And I said, "In my opinion, the reason we all find ourselves in this mess is because we're all opinionated. We base our opinions on what we've learned, seen, or who we know...(snip)...
You mostly hang with people of 'like mind' and by doing so, you lose the ability to understand how other people are forming their opinions and why. (a big snip) It's the fact that we've lost education and media. And we're all firmly entrenched into our own self-views instead of learning the art of compromise."

I agree with you that people in their arrogance do not listen to others. They think they are the only one correct and with the correct values.

But in our differences with Republicans and with Bushco and with the religious-right, could we be said to have the same arrogance?

I can speak for myself and say that I have.

New thread--which is DiAnne's open thread. She did such excellent work on her compilation that I don't want it to go unnoticed.

Great job DiAnne!