Thursday, September 30, 2004
Networks Refuse F9/11 Ads!
Apparently taking a page from the Michael Eisner school of mismanagement and limiting sales, networks are refusing to sell advertising time to Michael Moore. I believe the DVDS will sell out anyway but the networks once again show their fear of the so-called leader of the free world.
A Different Kind of Pulse Poll
Let's do a quick poll of journalists. How many want to be embedded 24x7 with American troops right now? Contrast that with the number that wanted to be embedded during "major combat operations."
Wednesday, September 29, 2004
The Texacutioner
TalkLeft lets us know the murdering monkey is getting new ways to kill people. The new so-called anti-terror bill adds 23 death penalty offenses. Hmm, I wonder if stepping out of the so called free speech zone will be one of them?
Tuesday, September 28, 2004
WaPo's Filtered Blog Poll
I won't link to the piece of crap but I will tell you my opinions.
Best International Blog includes Little Green Snotballs and neglects Sadly No!????? Sadly, yes!
(if you can't leave something blank use informed comment aka juan cole)
Most original with choices of Little Green Fascists or James "I suck" Lileks ?????
(if you can't leave something blank then Electablog)
For Class Clown, I say skip Wonkette and vote Jesus' General. (none of those listed are as funny as skippy or Sadly No! or World o'Crap)
NY Times Beseeches "Don't Shoot the Pollster"
Best International Blog includes Little Green Snotballs and neglects Sadly No!????? Sadly, yes!
(if you can't leave something blank use informed comment aka juan cole)
Most original with choices of Little Green Fascists or James "I suck" Lileks ?????
(if you can't leave something blank then Electablog)
For Class Clown, I say skip Wonkette and vote Jesus' General. (none of those listed are as funny as skippy or Sadly No! or World o'Crap)
The presumably well meaning but misinformed Jim Rutenberg posits that polls are only a reflection of an opinion and not an attempt to shape it. Research shows that 1/3 of the people can be persuaded to go against their own judgement if subjected to the opinions of a group who thinks otherwise. Additionally, Jim didn't address any of the criticisms of Gallup's methodolgy which overweights the number of Republicans. Statistical samples live and die by their randomness and representativeness. The Gallup polls are rightly criticized because the number of Republicans polled is skewed beyond historic proportions and is therefore not representative. The polls, this year, are more important than most because many communities have bought the Republican Diebold machines without a paper trail so the only validation they have to the easily hackable Diebold systems are opinion polls. That, sadly, is why opinion polls matter more now than in the past and why a biased poll is dangerous; it will make a hacked Diebold system more credible.
When in the hell is Lime Rickey going to get his own blog?
As it turns out, the number one result on Google for Lime Rickey isn't a Lime Rickey drink recipe but one of his limericks on Atrios.
(Special note to Lime Rickey, I will be happy to write you a program that will allow you to post to your own blog and add comments to an Atrios post all at once.)
Over on CounterSpin
(Special note to Lime Rickey, I will be happy to write you a program that will allow you to post to your own blog and add comments to an Atrios post all at once.)
The invaluable Hesiod wrote: Like I said before, Karl Rove is the most overrated "political mastermind" in modern history.
to which I added in comments
The American Presidential Debates
to which I added in comments
If in the last 3 and a half years Bush had shown one iota of bi-partisanship then many Democrats would be willing to overlook his miserable failures. Instead he sowed the wind and shall reap the whirlwind.
Debates. Such a great idea. It allows you to probe an issue to greater depths than a thirty second sound bite on a paid ad or a 60 second news clip on network news.
Except, of course, when the debate rules say no follow up questions and no answer can be no longer than 90 seconds.
I agree with Bartcop, Kerry should have gone for one no holds barred debate rather than 3 canned recite talking points "debates".
Damfa Factors O'Rielly Out
Except, of course, when the debate rules say no follow up questions and no answer can be no longer than 90 seconds.
I agree with Bartcop, Kerry should have gone for one no holds barred debate rather than 3 canned recite talking points "debates".
Damfa takes on the Spinner and the Spin he Spins.
Curse of the Bush Photo-Op Strikes Again!
The WaPo writes: Words, Actions at Odds on Children's Health Care
U.S. Poised to Take Back $1.1 Billion Despite Bush's Vow
Krugman Takes the Media to the Woodshed
U.S. Poised to Take Back $1.1 Billion Despite Bush's Vow
"...front-page coverage of the 2000 debates emphasized not what the candidates said but their "body language." After the debate, the lead stories said a lot about Mr. Gore's sighs, but nothing about Mr. Bush's lies."
Coming to a community near you
The "Slacker Uprising Tour" has begun. What is it? A Get Out The Vote effort by Michael Moore.
Cities Michael Moore will visit:
Elk Rapids, MI, Big Rapids, MI, Mt. Pleasant, MI, Dearborn, MI, East Lansing, MI, Detroit, MI, Ann Arbor, MI, Flint, MI, Grand Rapids, MI, Albion, MI; Seattle WA; Tucson, AZ, Phoenix, AZ, Flagstaff, AZ; Albuquerque, NM, Santa Fe, NM, Las Cruces, NM; Toledo, OH, Columbus, OH, Cleveland, OH, Cincinnati, OH, Athens, OH; Ames, IA, Iowa City, IA; Fairmont, WV, Charleston, WV; Charlottesville, VA, Fairfax, VA; Pittsburgh, PA, Philadelphia, PA, Erie, PA, Bethlehem, PA, Carlyle, PA, State College, PA, Indiana, PA; Minneapolis, MN, St. Cloud, MN; Gainesville, FL, Miami, FL, Boca Raton, FL, Orlando, FL, Ft. Lauderdale, FL, Tallahassee, FL, Jacksonville, FL, Tampa, FL; Nashville, TN, Memphis, TN; Salem, OR, Eugene, OR, Portland, OR; Milwaukee, WI, Madison, WI, Green Bay, WI, Stevens Point, WI, Stout, WI; Kansas City, MO, St. Louis, MO, Maryville, MO; Las Vegas, NV, Reno, NV
Cities Michael Moore will visit:
Elk Rapids, MI, Big Rapids, MI, Mt. Pleasant, MI, Dearborn, MI, East Lansing, MI, Detroit, MI, Ann Arbor, MI, Flint, MI, Grand Rapids, MI, Albion, MI; Seattle WA; Tucson, AZ, Phoenix, AZ, Flagstaff, AZ; Albuquerque, NM, Santa Fe, NM, Las Cruces, NM; Toledo, OH, Columbus, OH, Cleveland, OH, Cincinnati, OH, Athens, OH; Ames, IA, Iowa City, IA; Fairmont, WV, Charleston, WV; Charlottesville, VA, Fairfax, VA; Pittsburgh, PA, Philadelphia, PA, Erie, PA, Bethlehem, PA, Carlyle, PA, State College, PA, Indiana, PA; Minneapolis, MN, St. Cloud, MN; Gainesville, FL, Miami, FL, Boca Raton, FL, Orlando, FL, Ft. Lauderdale, FL, Tallahassee, FL, Jacksonville, FL, Tampa, FL; Nashville, TN, Memphis, TN; Salem, OR, Eugene, OR, Portland, OR; Milwaukee, WI, Madison, WI, Green Bay, WI, Stevens Point, WI, Stout, WI; Kansas City, MO, St. Louis, MO, Maryville, MO; Las Vegas, NV, Reno, NV
Monday, September 27, 2004
All Spin All The Time
Bill O'Reilly, liar ordinaire, admits to giving softballs to Bush. Something even he admits is a departure from his usual style.
But Georgie has already admitted he doesn't read newspapers. I might not want to go mana a mano with Bush on the subject of Pet Goats. What good is the PDB if you don't, you know, read the thing?
What O'Lielly piece is complete without a jab at a heart patient recovering from surgery?
After all, getting dressed up in a flight suit and prancing around an aircraft carrier under a "Mission Accomplished" banner isn't a plea for approval.
True to his nature, Bill O'Reilly can't help himself from lying:
Operation Scare Voters
For example, I am known for confrontational interviews, but you simply cannot tell a sitting President that you, the interviewer, know more than he does.
But Georgie has already admitted he doesn't read newspapers. I might not want to go mana a mano with Bush on the subject of Pet Goats. What good is the PDB if you don't, you know, read the thing?
What O'Lielly piece is complete without a jab at a heart patient recovering from surgery?
Unlike Bill Clinton, Bush does not seek personal approval, at least not openly. Clinton loves adoration, Bush is much more private in his presentation.
After all, getting dressed up in a flight suit and prancing around an aircraft carrier under a "Mission Accomplished" banner isn't a plea for approval.
True to his nature, Bill O'Reilly can't help himself from lying:
He was, however, intensely focused, and so was I, except for one secret lapse. In the middle of my talk with the President, my mind flashed back for just a second to my childhood in Levittown, N.Y.The most power drunk man giving up an opportunity for softball questions? He would be silly not to. By the way, Bill, your mom says you are from Westbury not Levittown. If you can't even get where you grew up right how can your audience trust you to get anything else right?
The most powerful man on Earth was answering my questions. Who woulda thunk it?
Election Heightens Terrorism Offensive. This latest psy-ops is purporedly against terrorists but I think it is really targeting Americans. The government wants terra, terra, terra on people's minds for the election and it also gives the appearance that Bubble Boy is doing something about terror other than hiding behind massive security and loyalty oaths.
Bush - A Uniter Not a Divider
The Sunni extremists have moved out of their traditional strongholds of Falluja and Ramadi and are operating all over west and central Iraq with increasing boldness," Beat told potential Iraq investors at the seminar. Iraqi Sunnis and Shiites working together to kill Americans. George "Bloodlust" Bush said, "Bring them on!"
Mission Accomplished!
Mission Accomplished!
Saturday, September 25, 2004
CBS Decides to Filter News
After years of being criticized by right wing demagogues who accused CBS of filtering the news, CBS News has given into right wing demands to filter the news. Henceforth, no negative news about Bush until after the election. How long before the McCarthy Was Maligned crowd gets CBS to apologize for Edward R. Murrow's broadcast?
News You Won't See on CBS
Friday, September 24, 2004
How to Succeed While Failing Miserably
Atrios does a Shorter Rumsfeld: We're going to fail, but who cares?
My reaction to this is: Bush and Thugs don't care because Halliburton and the Carlyle Group are going to make a shitload of money no matter how many American kids get blown up. In fact, they make more money as casualties and equipment damage goes up. The misadministration really has no economic incentive to succeed and huge incentives to prolong the agony as much as possible at as great a cost as possible.
Cheney Calls Kerry Disrespectful? #!@#$%?&*
My reaction to this is: Bush and Thugs don't care because Halliburton and the Carlyle Group are going to make a shitload of money no matter how many American kids get blown up. In fact, they make more money as casualties and equipment damage goes up. The misadministration really has no economic incentive to succeed and huge incentives to prolong the agony as much as possible at as great a cost as possible.
Cheney: Kerry disrespectful to Iraqi leader
Compare and contrast:
Kerry: "The prime minister and the president are here obviously to put their best face on the policy, but the fact is that the CIA estimates, the reporting, the ground operations and the troops all tell a different story."
Cheney (to a US Senator on the Senate floor): "Go fuck yourself!"
Let's all take lessons from Cheney on respect.
Tom Ridge Cheneys America
Compare and contrast:
Kerry: "The prime minister and the president are here obviously to put their best face on the policy, but the fact is that the CIA estimates, the reporting, the ground operations and the troops all tell a different story."
Cheney (to a US Senator on the Senate floor): "Go fuck yourself!"
Let's all take lessons from Cheney on respect.
Yet again from Cursorwe learn Ridge has holdings in companies that do business with the Homeland Security. It isn't on the scale of Cheney's criminal conflict of interest but give it time.
Bush's Supporters Must Clap Louder
From Cursor, we learn Sidney Blumenthal writes:
[Bush's] true opponent is not his Democratic foe -- called unpatriotic and the candidate of al-Qaida by the vice president -- but events.
Thursday, September 23, 2004
Bush's Economy "Working" For His Base
Americans' income fell for two years. The Forbes 400 list saw their wealth grow by $45 billion over the last 12 months. That doesn't sound like class warfare to me but more like open season on working Americans.
Interesting Point about the CIA
It appears the failure in intelligence can be traced back to Bush's daddy.
As CIA director, the senior George Bush also set the stage for the “politicization” of the CIA’s analytical division by letting in conservative ideologues for the so-called Team B experiment, the first step in a systematic exaggeration of Soviet military power and the gutting of the CIA’s tradition of analytical objectivity. In 1991, Bush named Robert Gates, a key “politicization” figure, to run the CIA.
Wednesday, September 22, 2004
Skippy says post link
I must obey. Bush doing Imagine and Walk on the Wild Side. Personally, I think this song could make his ratings go up. So there is this link to make sure they remain in the crapper - Bush and Blair singing "Gay Bar."
Is he being followed by a moon shadow?
ChoicePoint is Watching You
The company that did Kathleen Harris's dirty work in Florida in 2000 is about to receive all flight records on every American who flew in June as part of a test. It was a scandal last year when Jet Blue betrayed the trust of its customers and it looks like it is going to be standard operating procedure next year.
In the interest of full disclosure, I took an airplane flight in June. I went to Disneyland in pursuit of mass entertainment program related activities. I am angry that my records will be among those culled and I am mad at this senseless invasion of privacy that will only enrich ChoicePoint and probably do nothing towards securing airplane flights with the Orwellian sounding name of Secure Flight. Apparently, Homeland Security and the TSA hopes their program will prevent any planes from being hijacked last June.
From the I broke it you fix it department
In the interest of full disclosure, I took an airplane flight in June. I went to Disneyland in pursuit of mass entertainment program related activities. I am angry that my records will be among those culled and I am mad at this senseless invasion of privacy that will only enrich ChoicePoint and probably do nothing towards securing airplane flights with the Orwellian sounding name of Secure Flight. Apparently, Homeland Security and the TSA hopes their program will prevent any planes from being hijacked last June.
Tuesday, September 21, 2004
A question only I am rude enough to ask
So do George W. Bush's poll numbers go up or down after an American civilian is beheaded? If they go up it implies Bush is making us safer (higher poll numbers would then mean more beaheadings are good) or is Bush making us less safe (number of beheadings of Americans under Carter, Bush the Elder, Reagan and Clinton: 0, Bush the Lesser: 3.)
Wait a minute! So more Americans have been beheaded by Islamic fundamentalists after George W. Bush invaded Iraq then all presidents combined before him. Hmm. Not exactly a good argument that he is making us safer.
Wait a minute! So more Americans have been beheaded by Islamic fundamentalists after George W. Bush invaded Iraq then all presidents combined before him. Hmm. Not exactly a good argument that he is making us safer.
Monday, September 20, 2004
Hesiod is a genius
Over a week ago at Counterspin:
The Mighty Wurlitzer is trying to make it look like a plot by the Kerry campaign and CBS.
Meanwhile-
Would that individual happen to be Rove?
The upshot of this is now whenever anyone asks about Bush skipping out on his Guard Service - verified independently of these memos - the Republicans will act like people are using the discredited memos for their source.
A third and very sinister possibility, is that Karl Rove or one of his operatives deliberately created the documents as a false flag in order to defuse the Bush National Guard story, and rebound it back on the Kerry campaign.
The Mighty Wurlitzer is trying to make it look like a plot by the Kerry campaign and CBS.
Meanwhile-
Burkett, in an interview with Rather broadcast on the CBS Evening News, said he was pressured by CBS to disclose his source for the documents, and "I simply threw out a name that was basically, I guess, to get a little pressure off for the moment." He said he did not fake or forge any documents.
"I didn't totally mislead you," he said. "I did mislead you about one individual."
Would that individual happen to be Rove?
The upshot of this is now whenever anyone asks about Bush skipping out on his Guard Service - verified independently of these memos - the Republicans will act like people are using the discredited memos for their source.
Sunday, September 19, 2004
Some advice for Dan Rather
New York Times:
"If it is shown that I made a mistake based on some bad intelligence, I will resign right after George Bush does."
It could have been worse. The NY Times story could have been bylined by Judith Miller.
CBS News Concludes It Was Misled on National Guard Memos, Network Officials SayDan, when pressed about when are you going to resign over the "forged documents" reply
"If it is shown that I made a mistake based on some bad intelligence, I will resign right after George Bush does."
It could have been worse. The NY Times story could have been bylined by Judith Miller.
Saturday, September 18, 2004
When Bookmarks are Outlawed
only outlaws will have bookmarks.
Bush's "airport security forces" going after bookmarks. What next? Books?
Bush's "airport security forces" going after bookmarks. What next? Books?
Friday, September 17, 2004
Airport Screening Changes
Transportation Security Administration announced Thursday that, starting next week, all airline passengers must take off jackets before passing through metal detectors.
How long before we start wearing hospital gowns on commercial flights? Could a clothing optional airlines advertise themselves as being more secure?
Let me get this straight
How long before we start wearing hospital gowns on commercial flights? Could a clothing optional airlines advertise themselves as being more secure?
We are supposed to disbelieve Dan Rather's honesty and integrity and believe in George "Iraq has WMD" "Iraq helped Osama bin Laden on 9/11" "The economy is better than you think" W. Bush's honesty and integrity.
Hahaha. Up next: Bush and Congressional Republicans plan to balance budget by selling cities and states a piece of the Brooklyn Bridge.
Bush's Brown Shirts
Hahaha. Up next: Bush and Congressional Republicans plan to balance budget by selling cities and states a piece of the Brooklyn Bridge.
Wednesday, September 15, 2004
Gore Criticizes Bush-Cheney Bush - One Catastrophic Success After Another
Krugman writes: The invasion of Iraq, intended to demonstrate American power, has done just the opposite...
Monday, September 13, 2004
Truer Words Were never Spoken
Buzzflash has a great editiorial which includes the line John Kerry is running against a political criminal enterprise.
Catch This If You Can
I never thought Michelle Malkin could be this funny.
Well, she's not but she sure gave them a lot of fodder.
Well, she's not but she sure gave them a lot of fodder.
Sunday, September 12, 2004
In Other News
Republicans tried to patch up hard feelings with active military by sending them a bunch of Band-Aids.
Friday, September 10, 2004
Hesiod has good advice - will Kerry campaign take it? Great takedown at CorrenteThursday, September 09, 2004
I hate to see a good post go to waste
At Atrios someone challenged readers to a six degrees of Kevin Bacon to Ed Gillespie. I post it here in hopes of a Koufax nomination (fat chance, I didn't get a nomination for the MF google bomb)
Six degrees of Kevin Bacon to Ed Gillespie done in 5:
Ack, their terrorist is our freedom fighter
Six degrees of Kevin Bacon to Ed Gillespie done in 5:
Kevin Bacon with Alicia Silverstone in Beauty Shop
Alicia Silverstone with Arnold Schwarzenegger in Batman & Robin
Arnold Schwarzenegger with Ken Lay in Hotel California
Ken Lay with George Bush in Airplane.
George Bush with Ed Gillespie in Titanic.
Russia is angry that Britain and the United States have given asylum to spokesmen for Chechen rebel leader Aslan Maskhadov who Russia suspects of being behind the school siege with another rebel chief Shamil Basaye.
What about the schools? Oh, wait, wrong war.
What about the schools? Oh, wait, wrong war.
Wednesday, September 08, 2004
MoveOn Organizes Candlelight Vigils To Honor War Dead
There is probably one your neighborhood. Thursday night - 8PM local time.
Enter your zip code to find a MoveOn Candlelight Vigil near you.
Strange! No vigils scheduled near Crawford, Texas.
1111
Enter your zip code to find a MoveOn Candlelight Vigil near you.
Strange! No vigils scheduled near Crawford, Texas.
That is the backdoor secret code to Diebold systems if you have the access card. I wonder if some underpaid election officials are going to let a friend "hold their cool Diebold card" for a little while?
Tuesday, September 07, 2004
More Like This Please
Kerry vows to withdraw troops from Iraq.
Bush, of course, reflexively criticizes Kerry but what an interesting idea. A Presidential candidate actually stating their plans on a controversial and divisive issue. Bush should follow Kerry's lead and tell us his plan even if it is only to tell us he wants to start a thousand year reich.
Bush, of course, reflexively criticizes Kerry but what an interesting idea. A Presidential candidate actually stating their plans on a controversial and divisive issue. Bush should follow Kerry's lead and tell us his plan even if it is only to tell us he wants to start a thousand year reich.
Monday, September 06, 2004
I like it! I like it! Mission Accomplished?
The New York Times:
Is there anything Bush hasn't failed at?
In Iraq, the list of places from which American soldiers have either withdrawn or decided to visit only rarely is growing.
Is there anything Bush hasn't failed at?
Sunday, September 05, 2004
Putin, unlike Bush, doesn't seem like he is going to be able to use a tragedy for his re-election bid.
Disappeared from public sight? Just like Bush! Maybe Putin can borrow some firefighters and a bullhorn...
Like we have been saying!
Some of the blame also fell on President Vladimir Putin, who all but disappeared from public sight during the 53-hour standoff in North Ossetia and came across as unfeeling during a whirlwind predawn visit the day after the siege ended.
Disappeared from public sight? Just like Bush! Maybe Putin can borrow some firefighters and a bullhorn...
DailyKos has a good post about the Miserable Failure and the polls and how we Democrats have strayed off message.
Miserable Failure.
Miserable Failure.
Saturday, September 04, 2004
Cheney and Bush - Unfit for Command
Cheney is having his company, Halliburton, unnecessarily endanger US soldiers' lives so their subsidiary KBR can save a few bucks (none of which get passed on to you, the taxpayer.)
American troops want the practice of Cheney's company forcing them to ride shotgun in KBR trucks to end.
American troops want the practice of Cheney's company forcing them to ride shotgun in KBR trucks to end.
Friday, September 03, 2004
Kerry, Kerry, Kerry - This is how it is done!
Weak counter from Kerry in Kerry Takes His Gloves Off:
I think it would have been for more effective for Kerry to say:
Dick Cheney calls me unfit for office? This from a man who gives no bid, cost plus contracts to the company he still owns stock in? Cheney's company is having difficulty accounting for billions of American tax dollars. Is that supposed to make Cheney fit for office? Did Bush not show up for his MBA classes either?
Saying that Cheney has described him as "unfit for office," Kerry, whose Vietnam War service has been questioned by a group of Swift boat veterans whom he has accused of working with the Bush campaign, broke with his usual practice of not questioning the military credentials of his opponents.
"I'm going to leave it up to the voters whether five deferments makes someone more qualified than two tours of duty," Kerry said. Cheney received a series of deferments from 1962 to 1966 for college and graduate school and then for having a child.
I think it would have been for more effective for Kerry to say:
Dick Cheney calls me unfit for office? This from a man who gives no bid, cost plus contracts to the company he still owns stock in? Cheney's company is having difficulty accounting for billions of American tax dollars. Is that supposed to make Cheney fit for office? Did Bush not show up for his MBA classes either?
Thursday, September 02, 2004
Cursor has new coverage
Derelection. I like it - it sounds so much like Bush's dereliction.
During the debates
Kerry should open a bag of pretzels, offer some to Bush and enjoy a few himself.
