I'm noticing Bush and Cheney are mad at Kerry for undercutting Allawi.
Newsflash, half of America doesn't know who Cheney is, let alone Allawi. If the Bush camp is crying about that it's a good sign for Kerry. Plus it will force the media to explain exactly who Allawi is and how bad the situation in Iraq is as well.
Friday, September 24, 2004
More Liberal Media
WSJ Asia:
Sumner Redstone, who calls himself a "liberal Democrat," said he's supporting President Bush.Imagine the headlines had he supported Kerry, assuming this even holds.
The chairman of the entertainment giant Viacom said the reason was simple: Republican values are what U.S. companies need. Speaking to some of America's and Asia's top executives gathered for Forbes magazine's annual Global CEO Conference, Mr. Redstone declared: "I look at the election from what's good for Viacom. I vote for what's good for Viacom. I vote, today, Viacom.
"I don't want to denigrate Kerry," he went on, "but from a Viacom standpoint, the election of a Republican administration is a better deal. Because the Republican administration has stood for many things we believe in, deregulation and so on. The Democrats are not bad people. . . . But from a Viacom standpoint, we believe the election of a Republican administration is better for our company."
Sharing the stage with Mr. Redstone was Steve Forbes, CEO, president and editor in chief of Forbes and a former Republican presidential aspirant, who quipped: "Obviously you're a very enlightened CEO."
Turner
Don Law mentioned to me last night, as I continued losing money playing cards, that he was blown away by the Ted Turner piece in Washington Monthly.
Loss of localism also undercuts the public-service mission of the media, and this can have dangerous consequences. In early 2002, when a freight train derailed near Minot, N.D., releasing a cloud of anhydrous ammonia over the town, police tried to call local radio stations, six of which are owned by radio mammoth Clear Channel Communications. According to news reports, it took them over an hour to reach anyone--no one was answering the Clear Channel phone. By the next day, 300 people had been hospitalized, many partially blinded by the ammonia. Pets and livestock died. And Clear Channel continued beaming its signal from headquarters in San Antonio, Texas--some 1,600 miles away.I suggest getting blown away.
Same Page?
AP:
The No. 2 official at the State Department (Richard Armitage) said Friday that the elections planned for January in Iraq must be "open to all citizens," contradicting Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld who has suggested that voting might not be possible in the more-violent areas.Armitage wasn't aware that Rumsfeld was actually referring to East St. Louis, Miami, and Watts.
Amazing
NYTIMES:
A 32-year-old woman in Belgium has become the first woman ever to give birth after having ovarian tissue removed, frozen and then implanted back in her body, doctors are reporting.Scary to think where we'd be without science. Get it?
The patient had the tissue removed in 1997 in hopes of preserving her fertility because she had Hodgkin's lymphoma, a type of cancer, and was about to undergo chemotherapy with drugs likely to damage her ovaries and cause infertility. She and her doctors hoped that once she was cured, the ovarian tissue could be thawed and returned to her abdomen to produce eggs.
The strategy apparently worked. The woman, Ouarda Touirat, became pregnant without medical help and gave birth yesterday to an 8-pound 3-ounce daughter, Tamara, at St. Luke's Hospital in Brussels. Both the mother and baby were healthy, a hospital spokeswoman said.
Good Music
Thanks to Pete for pointing this out.
It really is great stuff. There's a ton of stuff on the mainsite.
It really is great stuff. There's a ton of stuff on the mainsite.
Liberal Media
MediaMatters points this out:
On September 21, three top aides to U.S. House Majority Leader Tom DeLay (R-TX) were indicted on charges of illegally raising political funds from corporations in 2002. Major newspapers carried the story, some of them on the front page -- but the evening newscasts on the three major TV networks did not.Hmmm, I wonder how the story would play if it was Dick Gephardt, Tom Daschle, or say, HILLARY! Have Mercy, No!!!
As The Washington Post noted on September 22, the grand jury has not questioned DeLay or sought records from him, but the fund-raising activities in question "were at the heart of one of DeLay's most cherished, high-profile endeavors of the past several years: giving Republicans control of the Texas legislature so the state's 32 U.S. House districts could be redrawn in a way likely to send more Republicans to Congress."
Seriously? Yes, Seriously.
If you're a Senior Citizen, and want to pickup some cash, check this out.
A Republican lobbying firm is offering healthcare consultants almost $4,000 each to find senior citizens who are willing to speak out in favor of the Medicare drug discount card and write letters to Congress thanking members for saving them money on pharmaceuticals.Well, they've been paying people off to vote for them through tax cuts, so why stop there?
The coordinated lobbying effort to convince the public that senior citizens receive significant savings comes at a time when Republicans and Democrats have intensified their debate on the merits of the drug card and the new Medicare drug law.
The DCI Group, a Washington, D.C.-based lobbying shop that advertises to potential clients that it can treat “corporate issues like campaigns,” is offering healthcare consultants $3,750 plus expenses over six weeks to generate positive news stories about the drug card and offer support to Congress for voting for the Medicare drug law.
Inventing the Internet, Again...
EJ Dionne:
At the top of my personal hit parade of Bush Distortions is a statement the president has made over and over, notably during his speech at the Republican National Convention. "If you say the heart and soul of America is found in Hollywood," Bush said to loud cheers, "I'm afraid you are not the candidate of conservative values."What can you say, the guy just likes to lie.
Bush has repeated variations of that sentiment so often that I bet you didn't know that Kerry never said that the heart and soul of America is found in Hollywood.
What Kerry actually said, after a fundraiser in which a group of stars performed on his behalf (and, yes, during which some of them said distasteful things about Bush), was this: "Every performer tonight, in their own way, either verbally or through their music, through their lyrics, have conveyed to you the heart and soul of our country."
And by the way, Kerry didn't even make those comments in Hollywood. The fundraiser was held in New York.
A Friend
This is what my friend emails me.
Dave,It really is both scary and hilarious.
your liberal spin on things is not working out. Bush
has a strong lead and if he takes a few key states
this could be a landslide. Dont worry in the long run
you will realize that the safety of our country is a
lot more important than if some latin aids victim has
a bed to sleep on...The safety of our country is all
people care about and the people feel safe with
bush...BUSH CHENEY 04..
Sobered Up (formerly Too Hammered)
Read this, the title alone makes it worth it.
Even Republicans are starting to voice their concerns about the unfolding disaster. When asked on CBS's "Face the Nation" whether the U.S. was winning the war in Iraq, Senator Chuck Hagel, a Nebraska Republican, said, "No, I don't think we're winning." He said the U.S. was "in deep trouble in Iraq" and that some "recalibration of policy" would be necessary to turn things around.We call these guys "grown ups."
Senator John McCain, the Arizona Republican, said on "Fox News Sunday": "The situation has obviously been somewhat deteriorating, to say the least." He said "serious mistakes" have been made and that most of them "can be traced back to not having sufficient numbers of troops there."
Thursday, September 23, 2004
Funny
Just changed my phone service from MCI (SUCKS!) to Talk America. Lucky for TA they came up first on my Google, and thay they offer $13 service. I was really wasting cash with MCI (as is the US Government, coincidentally).
The comedy, or irony, is the cost vs. taxes.
Their plan is $12.95 for just local, which is all I need. The total bill per month is $28, meaning the taxes and surcharges are actually $15, which is more than the service!
I'm not one who cries over taxes, but it is kind of funny.
The comedy, or irony, is the cost vs. taxes.
Their plan is $12.95 for just local, which is all I need. The total bill per month is $28, meaning the taxes and surcharges are actually $15, which is more than the service!
I'm not one who cries over taxes, but it is kind of funny.
New Funnies
They just get better.
Btw, I'm ensconced in "Adult Swim." I believe it's on Nick or Cartoon Network, or something.
Between Brak and Zorak I just can't stop watching when it's on.
...I'm out for the day. If news breaks in Iraq I'm sure the nightly news will cover it for 2.5 minutes.
Btw, I'm ensconced in "Adult Swim." I believe it's on Nick or Cartoon Network, or something.
Between Brak and Zorak I just can't stop watching when it's on.
...I'm out for the day. If news breaks in Iraq I'm sure the nightly news will cover it for 2.5 minutes.
O
I found myself watching Oprah last night. I cannot say why, but I was. There's something about her fat head that just glues me.
She has a magazine called "Oprah" of course, after some porn rag was already called "O." She lost that battle.
I've noticed, and I could be wrong, but the only person on the cover is HERSELF! As if Oprah isn't concerned with topics, just herself. Insane.
Well, apparently she is concerned. There was a promo for the TV show this week featuring one of the women who was inside the school in Russia that was attacked by Chechen rebels.
I think Oprah should read the article above before conducting this "gut wrenching" interview.
It's terrible what happened to those people, but I can only imagine the questions Oprah is going to ask of this woman, and whether or not she's going to blame the Russian Government at all.
I can't believe I have to watch Oprah for this, but I will.
She has a magazine called "Oprah" of course, after some porn rag was already called "O." She lost that battle.
I've noticed, and I could be wrong, but the only person on the cover is HERSELF! As if Oprah isn't concerned with topics, just herself. Insane.
Well, apparently she is concerned. There was a promo for the TV show this week featuring one of the women who was inside the school in Russia that was attacked by Chechen rebels.
I think Oprah should read the article above before conducting this "gut wrenching" interview.
It's terrible what happened to those people, but I can only imagine the questions Oprah is going to ask of this woman, and whether or not she's going to blame the Russian Government at all.
I can't believe I have to watch Oprah for this, but I will.
Republican Allies
WaPo Op/Ed:
I mean, where would be without a Scott Peterson trial...
Even now, an FDA regulation bill is in danger. In the Senate it is paired with a provision to buy out struggling tobacco farmers, the idea being to ally tobacco-state members of Congress with advocates of tobacco control. Unfortunately, the House approved the buyout without the FDA control -- and a version of the buyout that, unlike the Senate bill, would cost taxpayers, not industry, nearly $10 billion. House Speaker J. Dennis Hastert (R-Ill.) has made clear that he means to fight for this favor to the industry, and never mind public health.It's amazing. These people are more than half of Congress and this shit isn't covered.
I mean, where would be without a Scott Peterson trial...
Compassion
WaPo:
Congressional negotiators beat back efforts yesterday to expand and preserve tax refunds for poor families, even as they added $13 billion in corporate tax breaks to a package of middle-class tax cuts that could come to a vote in the Senate today.Don't worry, poor kids are doing just fine.
The House-Senate negotiations concluded last night with the approval of a five-year $146 billion tax cut, the fourth tax cut in as many years. By the end of this week, Republican leaders expect to pass extensions of three tax cuts primarily aimed at middle-income taxpayers -- a $1,000-per-child tax credit, tax breaks for married couples and a 10 percent income-tax bracket that was expanded last year.
But the fight over the child tax refunds during the negotiations revealed a split among GOP tax writers.
Senate Finance Committee Chairman Charles E. Grassley (R-Iowa) sided with Democratic leaders in pushing for changes in the child tax credit to ensure that millions of poor families would not see their credits shrink or disappear next year.
House Majority Leader Tom DeLay (R-Tex.) and House Ways and Means Chairman Bill Thomas (R-Calif.) opposed the move, as did Sens. Don Nickles (R-Okla.) and Trent Lott (R-Miss.). That effectively scuttled changes to existing law.
Must Read
From Philip Robertson, reporting in Iraq for Salon.
Yes, you have to watch a 4 second commercial to read this. Trust me, it's worth it if you want to know what is going on in Iraq right now.
Yes, you have to watch a 4 second commercial to read this. Trust me, it's worth it if you want to know what is going on in Iraq right now.
Insurgency
The Iraqis and other militants who fight against "coalition forces" are viewed as "insurgents." Apparently, it's costing us EVEN MORE than we thought.
Just so you know, the Vietnamese "insurgency" lasted what? 30 years? The Afghan "insurgency" versus the Russians lasted what? 15? The Palestinian "insurgency" has lasted what? Since 1968?
The Pentagon makes it seems as if it's rag tag bunch that will be suppressed and deposed. Uh uh.
So the Pentagon's newest plan, according to MSNBC News which I was just watching, and is about as reliable, well, at least as reliable as FOX NEWS, is one where the U.S. Government waits for elections, all the while building "Iraqi forces" that will eventually take hold of the major cities and stop Iraqis from fighting with fellow Iraqis. Because afterall, the Iraqi people all get along so well, and are actually a natural state not created by the British. Royt.
In the end, this plan is about as good as their last "exit strategy" and if you have been following the news you are well aware that there was no "exit strategy." So this one is at least as good.
I'm so happy to know that kids in strollers are going to be dealing with Iraq when they are graduating from High School, based, of course, on the average length of major modern "insurgencies!"
START AGAIN
Lets go back to 9/11, and rethink this, okay? Okay, great.
How about we go into Afghanistan, kick ass, stay there, and get coalition forces to send troops to rebuild and fight? Sounds goods? Great! As opposed to going there, blowing up dirt, letting the nation get overrun by drug dealing warlords, and we remain holed up in one city, Kabul. That's the current situation. But forget that, we won that war already...
Then we contact the Saudis and Egyptians and say, "Listen, Assholes, you are going to stop the funding of violence in the Saudi Kingdom, and you Egyptians, well you're going to stop helping the Palestinians fight the Israels. Capiche? Oh, no you say? Okay, then we are going to rain nukes on Saudi Arabia, seriously. Okay, maybe not rain, but at least one, and you will die. I know, I know, our families are very close, but we're serious people, and we see beyond just our lifetimes. We truly care about the future, so the shit stops now. We'll spend whatever it takes to fix the problem (we like saying that), and we know you have tons of cash as well, so lets start fixing, or else!
"Next we have Pakistan. We know you want nukes because this you think will protect you from war. Well guess what, you're going to get Nukes, we promise. This whole concept about you not going into the Northwest Frontier Provinces in Pakistan to find Osama and others like him, well, get over it. You're either going to die at the hands of your own, or die by our hands. And we assure you, fighting your own people at least you'll have a chance. We'll even lead the way with coalition forces into Pakistan, and then you will take the lead.
"After we begin all this, and it will take time and money, we are going back to the Saudis and we will have them close all their little schools around the world that are funding Wahabi Islam. You will teach things like Math, History, History, History, and more History. The Koran will be taught, but so will SUBJECTS.
"This is a fine plan, and even some of the Wingnuts in Congress have agreed to sign off on it, so it's a go."
Wow, that's a war America could, and would get behind. Of course, when you're so invested in oil it's hard to really see it that way. You know?
In all serious, I'm pretty liberal, but I have no problem with raining hell on nations hell bent on the destruction of the free people. One may say, "Well Saddam was a threat!" Guess what, he wasn't. Could he be? Sure, anyone could. But after the mighty display of power as laid out above, he wouldn't dare be a threat.
The opposite plan, going after Saddam and letting things turn to shit was not a good plan.
George Bush's face is the biggest recruiting tool for terrorists in the world. This concept that terrorists support Kerry is ABSURD.
Man, I wish I were Republican sometimes. It'd be great to not even worry about this shit!!!
Just so you know, the Vietnamese "insurgency" lasted what? 30 years? The Afghan "insurgency" versus the Russians lasted what? 15? The Palestinian "insurgency" has lasted what? Since 1968?
The Pentagon makes it seems as if it's rag tag bunch that will be suppressed and deposed. Uh uh.
So the Pentagon's newest plan, according to MSNBC News which I was just watching, and is about as reliable, well, at least as reliable as FOX NEWS, is one where the U.S. Government waits for elections, all the while building "Iraqi forces" that will eventually take hold of the major cities and stop Iraqis from fighting with fellow Iraqis. Because afterall, the Iraqi people all get along so well, and are actually a natural state not created by the British. Royt.
In the end, this plan is about as good as their last "exit strategy" and if you have been following the news you are well aware that there was no "exit strategy." So this one is at least as good.
I'm so happy to know that kids in strollers are going to be dealing with Iraq when they are graduating from High School, based, of course, on the average length of major modern "insurgencies!"
START AGAIN
Lets go back to 9/11, and rethink this, okay? Okay, great.
How about we go into Afghanistan, kick ass, stay there, and get coalition forces to send troops to rebuild and fight? Sounds goods? Great! As opposed to going there, blowing up dirt, letting the nation get overrun by drug dealing warlords, and we remain holed up in one city, Kabul. That's the current situation. But forget that, we won that war already...
Then we contact the Saudis and Egyptians and say, "Listen, Assholes, you are going to stop the funding of violence in the Saudi Kingdom, and you Egyptians, well you're going to stop helping the Palestinians fight the Israels. Capiche? Oh, no you say? Okay, then we are going to rain nukes on Saudi Arabia, seriously. Okay, maybe not rain, but at least one, and you will die. I know, I know, our families are very close, but we're serious people, and we see beyond just our lifetimes. We truly care about the future, so the shit stops now. We'll spend whatever it takes to fix the problem (we like saying that), and we know you have tons of cash as well, so lets start fixing, or else!
"Next we have Pakistan. We know you want nukes because this you think will protect you from war. Well guess what, you're going to get Nukes, we promise. This whole concept about you not going into the Northwest Frontier Provinces in Pakistan to find Osama and others like him, well, get over it. You're either going to die at the hands of your own, or die by our hands. And we assure you, fighting your own people at least you'll have a chance. We'll even lead the way with coalition forces into Pakistan, and then you will take the lead.
"After we begin all this, and it will take time and money, we are going back to the Saudis and we will have them close all their little schools around the world that are funding Wahabi Islam. You will teach things like Math, History, History, History, and more History. The Koran will be taught, but so will SUBJECTS.
"This is a fine plan, and even some of the Wingnuts in Congress have agreed to sign off on it, so it's a go."
Wow, that's a war America could, and would get behind. Of course, when you're so invested in oil it's hard to really see it that way. You know?
In all serious, I'm pretty liberal, but I have no problem with raining hell on nations hell bent on the destruction of the free people. One may say, "Well Saddam was a threat!" Guess what, he wasn't. Could he be? Sure, anyone could. But after the mighty display of power as laid out above, he wouldn't dare be a threat.
The opposite plan, going after Saddam and letting things turn to shit was not a good plan.
George Bush's face is the biggest recruiting tool for terrorists in the world. This concept that terrorists support Kerry is ABSURD.
Man, I wish I were Republican sometimes. It'd be great to not even worry about this shit!!!
Wednesday, September 22, 2004
A Shoulder
Isn't nice that when times are tough he's ALWAYS there?
Former President Bush on Wednesday defended the Iraq war and swiped at Democratic presidential nominee John Kerry, saying most people are grateful that Saddam Hussein is out of power.Apparently Sr. thinks Dean is still the candidate.
"Do you think it was better the way it was before the United States forces liberated Iraq and took Saddam prisoner?" Bush asked a group of business people.
Jews
Support Kerry.
Maybe they remember James A. Baker III saying, "Fuck the Jews..."
Or
Maybe they remember George H.W. Bush wanting to punish the Israelis for blowing up Iraq's Osirik Nuclear reactor?
Or
Maybe it's because they hate liars?
Or
Maybe because the Bush family has a closer relationship with the Saudi Royal Family, a group more against Jews than anyone in the world, than any other foreign family has ever had with the Presidency?
Now of course there are 30% here that go a different direction, which isn't exactly a good thing. Many of them Israeli Likudniks who live here, or just Sharon supporters (of course there's the tax cutters). Whatever it is, Bush's policies aren't helping Israel, or most Americans, at all.
Maybe they remember James A. Baker III saying, "Fuck the Jews..."
Or
Maybe they remember George H.W. Bush wanting to punish the Israelis for blowing up Iraq's Osirik Nuclear reactor?
Or
Maybe it's because they hate liars?
Or
Maybe because the Bush family has a closer relationship with the Saudi Royal Family, a group more against Jews than anyone in the world, than any other foreign family has ever had with the Presidency?
Now of course there are 30% here that go a different direction, which isn't exactly a good thing. Many of them Israeli Likudniks who live here, or just Sharon supporters (of course there's the tax cutters). Whatever it is, Bush's policies aren't helping Israel, or most Americans, at all.
Niiiice
Hmm, why didn't they announce this last month.
The Bush administration has proposed reducing the value of subsidized-housing vouchers given to poor residents in New York City next year, with even bigger cuts planned for some urban areas in New England. The proposal is based on a disputed new formula that averages higher rents in big cities with those of suburban areas, which tend to have lower costs.Yeah, like wars.
The proposals could have a "significantly detrimental impact" in some areas by forcing poor families to pay hundreds of extra dollars per month in rent, according to United States Representative Christopher Shays, a Connecticut Republican. That extra burden could be too much for thousands of tenants, "potentially leaving them homeless," Mr. Shays wrote in a recent letter to the Department of Housing and Urban Development.
The changes would affect most of the 1.9 million families who participate in the Section 8 program, the government's primary housing program for the poor, including 110,000 in New York City. People in the program receive vouchers to help them rent private apartments from landlords who agree to participate...
Last month, however, the housing secretary, Alphonso Jackson, suggested a somewhat different rationale for the need to change the Section 8 program, which he said was growing too fast and eating away at other programs.
Barefoot at Coventry?
Probably not the best call:
About 66 acres of the 600-acre festival site at Newport State Airport were used for the disposal of municipal sludge from the city of Newport’s wastewater treatment plant, according to information provided by the Vermont Department of Environmental Conservation. Approx-imately 1.2 tons of sludge per acre were injected eight inches deep into the soil in a process known as “biosolid application.”Thanks to the Bau for this.
Ordinarily, humans aren’t allowed onto sludge-treated fields for at least one year. The DEC first learned of the sludge last spring when the city of Newport and the festival organizer, Great Northeast Productions, contacted the agency. “We consulted with appropriate state officials regarding this, and secured a permit from the Vermont Agency of Natural Resources allowing us limited use of those areas during the event,” explains Great Northeast President Dave Werlin in a written statement to Seven Days. “To the best of our knowledge, we were in full compliance with that permit at all times prior to and during the event.”
Just to Expand on My Ass a Bit
The reason the milk thing came back is it seriously affects my life. I can't even begin to tell you how much I love milk (ok, ok, stop with the jokes). But seriously, as TDerl & Gerl can atest having spent a summer day with me post-coffee, it's not fun. And emotionally, it's been almost as tough.
But it came back to the table because of the infamous day of my life that became one of my last diary posts. For those that don't remember the story, I think it needs retelling, honestly. Of all the ridiculous shit I've gotten myself into this was truly RIDICULOUS SHIT.
So here goes...
I arrive into Laguardia November 24th 2002, after Ohio State just defeated Michigan to maintain their perfect 13-0 record. I was already in bad shape because that weekend I ran into all the right and wrong friends (they're the same people). We raged. Didn't help that there was a Bachelor Party for an old friend, and since his friends who were actually there for it were being total dickheads, it ended up being a lot of the two of us. At one point he said, "Man, you shoulda been invited to my wedding."
"Chad, I haven't spoken to you since '95."
"True."
But we were best of friends that weekend.
So between no sleep and tons of drinking it was my first time flying an Embreaer, which is a pretty tiny plane. It was not a smooth ride. Post flight to Laguardia I take a cab to my boy Lev's place and decide that I can handle a TALL glass of 1%. This is where the party begins. I even told Lev's girlfriend (now wife) that this could be a mistake. She warned that I shouldn't do it. I smell challenge!!!
So I throw that down and then Lev loans me some of his hoops gear because we have a game at 1 PM at St. Anthony's down on Thompson Street. Things are going fine. Sure, I'm hung over, and the Tequila just took in a gallon of milk, but I'll be fine.
Ball goes just fine, in fact, I had a great day, as was the norm in this lame ass game that I later abandoned (sorry boys, you're fat). It so happens that my best friend Jeff had just run the NYC Marathon a few weeks earlier and he was hacking up a lung. No joke, there was blood. He's the guy that smokes a pack of Reds a day (don't blame him) and then goes on a Lemonade diet just to do the race. He's downstairs near the bathrooms vomiting in the garbage can. I actually feel bad for him. I soon forget all about him.
Now I decide that I am going to use the bathroom, and upon sitting down I realize, "That milk may have been a bad call." I goto the bathroom, it's an average situation at best. (Note: I'll try not to get graphic here, but this is where the story gets interesting). I leave the bathroom and Jeff is still there, hunched over. Keep in mind that I am hauling my luggage around having just come back from Ohio.
We're about to leave together and I say, "Dude, you better go, I have to goto the bathroom."
"I can wait."
"I think you'd better just take off, I could be a while."
So, there I am, back in the church bathroom at St. Anthony's practicing the unholy. Solid, SOLID, 20 minutes. That was all that was solid.
Okay, I gather myself. In fact, I feel so bad I take a shower in the locker rooms thinking this will cleanse me. Oh god, let it cleanse me.
"My son, you shall not be cleansed!"
I clean myself up, take somes deep breaths, splash a little more water on the forehead, and pray that I make it back to Jersey City. I am now not in good shape.
Next thing I do is call both sisters, letting them know that we have a problem, and I may need help. Jenny is up town, Michelle is in Jersey City. Just want to make sure they're around.
Leaving the church, I head up Thompson, cross Houston and already as I head west I have to bail into a restaurant. I'm not even to Sullivan St. I go down the steps into a restaurant, looking like what's inside of me, and I say, "I need your bathroom." I throw 5 bucks on the bar. "Watch my bag, please!" There's no return comments, at least none that I heard.
I spend a good 15 minutes in there. I feel bad about it, but hey, you just got 5 bucks. The worst part is the door wouldn't close so I had to agonize while holding the door shut. Nightmarish.
So I finish up, thank them, and head out of there toward the Christopher St PATH station picking up some Imodium on the way. At this point nothing short of a cement mixer could help me, but I do make it to the PATH station. As I'm waiting for the train nature calls AGAIN. So, I head upstairs into the nearest bar which also happens to be the gayest bar EVAH! I hesitate to walk in, but what choice did I have? All the while I'm lugging this somewhat large bag around the city. It's one of those rectangular bags you can pull.
I ask the bartender where the bathroom is and I get looks from every guy in the room. "New meat?" He points, sensing I don't want to be there.
This bathroom was STERILE. I'm talking scrubbed top to bottom, maybe even painted that morning, and smelling like Lysol, rubbing alcohol, and every other product under the sun. In my mind all I could ask was, "Why?" Just imagining what has gone on in this room doubled my nausea. But what could I do?
So I finish up, ask for some water, throw that back, thank them, and go back down to the PATH.
5 minutes later I'm back in the bar, repeating the process. I explain to the bartender my situation. Again, thank them, leave and head back to the PATH.
I get downstairs and decide to jump the turnstyle having paid for it twice already. Of course, I get caught. This officer starts giving me a hard time, and I explain myself. Other people back me up, having seen me leave twice.
Finally, I am feeling a little better. I mean, at this point the fact that I'm operating minus one lung, some ribs, and other necessary organs is quite impressive, but I'm doing it.
So I walk to the end of the station and take a seat against a pillar. At this point I'm just dying to get back to Jersey City. Moments later this black guy in electric blue workout pants (the kinds that make the swish noise when you walk) and gray sweatshirt comes over to me and starts babbling. I basically give him the "If-You-Want-Me-to-Throw-Into-the-Next-Inbound-Train-Keep-Talking" look. If you know me, you've seen it. He left me alone.
At this point the guy walks away and next thing you know I see him sitting with his legs hanging over the tracks. I start to hear plastic and metal hitting metal. He is throwing things onto the tracks. Then he starts pulling his pants off. He's sitting opposite me across the platform, which is all of 15 feet. He can't seem to get them over his Timberlands, so he gives up.
Next thing you know I see a few officers walking down the platform, and at the same time the uptown 33rd St train rolls in. At this point the officers had made it over to me and another guy, and they were clearly looking for this black guy, or at least someone suspicious. The cops are still a few feet from me, but I start pointing and motioning that the suspected "suspect" boarded the train.
The train pulls out the station, but the officers stop it one car from fully leaving, enabling them to board. As they are on the train this woman comes down with a stroller and baby. She is very shaken up, and with a police officer.
I start talking to her and she tells me that this guy pushed her down, reached under the stroller and grabbed her belongings. The guy was obviously going through the bag throwing useless shit on the tracks. I let her know that I saw him, and that they'll find him. The police found her stuff on the tracks where I said he was located. It was obviously him. I give a description.
So we wait, and eventually the cops bring him off the train. Meanwhile, I'm talking with the woman, arm around her, being "Nice Del", hoping I don't shit myself.
Now the cops are asking me all kinds of questions, and would like me to come down to the station. I tell them it's not possible because of my situation. We go back and forth about why I need to leave and why they need me to stay. This is going nowhere.
At this point the train is still one car from leaving the station, but they've put the other local trains on hold. All of a sudden, out of nowhere we start hearing this sizzling, and then an explosion. Before we know it, the place is filling up with toxic smoke. Seriously, it's so bad I think I started dreaming of recent odors.
I grab the woman by the arm, the stroller with the other, and start running for the exit because the smoke is overwhelming, and moving fast. It was insane. We race up the stairs, me carrying the stroller, and the smoke starts pouring out.
This was the most toxic taste, smell, what have you, I've ever come across. I must have lost a year on my life.
Coincidentally, or not, the transformer exploded right where the train was. No one knew why it happened, but it was nuts. The fire didn't seem tiny.
Now we're all outside on Christopher St and I figure it's a good time to visit my favorite bar again, so I did.
Ok, so the firemen come, control it, and the cops still want me to stay. I refuse. They inform me 10 minutes later the PATH is now closed, so it's time to find a new way home. What to do? I ask if I stay can they drive me home to Jersey City. Please.
Well, I make sure the woman is okay, and I hop a cab, leaving the cops to find someone else to deal with (they would call weeks later, but I wasn't needed). Basically, I ditched the scene. I get dropped off at Port Authority, and I'm so miserable that I decide to take the bus back to East Brunswick since I have to work in New Brunswick the next day. I get to gate 420 ;) and the bus is ready to go.
Once on the bus I end up sitting next to this very attractive older woman who ends up in the aisle seat, talking to her friend who is one aisle seat back, across the way. They had just come from the theatre, a weekly Sunday thing for them. Talking to her girlfriend becomes uncomfortable, so there's me.
Honestly, I noticed her before we got on board, and as luck would have it she ends up next to me. I really wasn't in that great of a mood, but I could work it out.
Keep in mind that it's post 9/11 so you're not allowed to put your bags underneath the bus, and mine will not fit on top. So where does it go? Well, it's wedged in between my legs and I'm sitting against the window. Seriously uncomfortable. I mean, those seats blow without such a dilemma.
So, there we are, she's hot, I feel like shit, but we start chatting. She's very nice. And, as some know, I have this thing for...well, as you know. She tells me that she's divorced, lives in EB, has a 17 year old kid, etc. I tell her all about being dumped, single, but having a good time in life.
Ok, so the ride is going well. She's good to talk to, and I'm feeling much better, but still praying nothing happens because there is no bathroom on board. I assure you the driver would be stopping if someone came up.
We get into a discussion about her dating life. I feel sorta bad. I mean, she's really attractive, really nice, succesful, and doesn't seem like the type of woman some guy would walk out on. Then again, I've dealt with this in my past, and it wouldn't be the first time I heard of a freeloader dad, or a cheat, walking on a good woman.
So we're damn close to East Brunswick, right around Exit 12, and all of a sudden I feel my legs cramping up. She's still talking about her situation. I put the hand up and say hold on. I just played hoops, drank excessively for 2 days, and basically had no fluids in me. Also, I have that bag wedged between my legs.
So the first cramp comes and I stand up, slamming my head into the overhead rack, and I manage to get it out. A preview of what's to come.
I explain to Robin that I'm a bit under the weather, etc. and have nothing in me. All of a sudden the most vicious leg cramp shoots up my right leg and sends me yelping. I stand up immediately, but cannot move because the bag between my legs has my left leg pinned against the wall. I'm now hunched over the people in front of me because I'm trying to stretch it out. No can do. When I say hunched, I mean, I'm in their seats, reaching over to the seat in front of theirs trying to get leverage.
I look back at Robin and say, "Grab the back of my leg, you have to!"
She looks bewildered.
I say it again, "Grab the back of my leg, and rub it!"
Well, she does! She starts rubbing my hamstring pretty hard. "Keeping doing it, keep doing it!"
So there I am, ducking from the luggage rack, lurched over the people in front of me, screaming on a bus for some woman to rub the back of my legs, practically crying and sweating. Truly a life highlight.
Finally it goes away, we chat a bit more, pull into Tower Center Bus Terminal in East Brunswick, she gives me her card, and then I exit the bus only to be picked up by mom.
It truly was RIDICULOUS, and all because I had to have a tall glass of milk.
And now I can...I hope.
But it came back to the table because of the infamous day of my life that became one of my last diary posts. For those that don't remember the story, I think it needs retelling, honestly. Of all the ridiculous shit I've gotten myself into this was truly RIDICULOUS SHIT.
So here goes...
I arrive into Laguardia November 24th 2002, after Ohio State just defeated Michigan to maintain their perfect 13-0 record. I was already in bad shape because that weekend I ran into all the right and wrong friends (they're the same people). We raged. Didn't help that there was a Bachelor Party for an old friend, and since his friends who were actually there for it were being total dickheads, it ended up being a lot of the two of us. At one point he said, "Man, you shoulda been invited to my wedding."
"Chad, I haven't spoken to you since '95."
"True."
But we were best of friends that weekend.
So between no sleep and tons of drinking it was my first time flying an Embreaer, which is a pretty tiny plane. It was not a smooth ride. Post flight to Laguardia I take a cab to my boy Lev's place and decide that I can handle a TALL glass of 1%. This is where the party begins. I even told Lev's girlfriend (now wife) that this could be a mistake. She warned that I shouldn't do it. I smell challenge!!!
So I throw that down and then Lev loans me some of his hoops gear because we have a game at 1 PM at St. Anthony's down on Thompson Street. Things are going fine. Sure, I'm hung over, and the Tequila just took in a gallon of milk, but I'll be fine.
Ball goes just fine, in fact, I had a great day, as was the norm in this lame ass game that I later abandoned (sorry boys, you're fat). It so happens that my best friend Jeff had just run the NYC Marathon a few weeks earlier and he was hacking up a lung. No joke, there was blood. He's the guy that smokes a pack of Reds a day (don't blame him) and then goes on a Lemonade diet just to do the race. He's downstairs near the bathrooms vomiting in the garbage can. I actually feel bad for him. I soon forget all about him.
Now I decide that I am going to use the bathroom, and upon sitting down I realize, "That milk may have been a bad call." I goto the bathroom, it's an average situation at best. (Note: I'll try not to get graphic here, but this is where the story gets interesting). I leave the bathroom and Jeff is still there, hunched over. Keep in mind that I am hauling my luggage around having just come back from Ohio.
We're about to leave together and I say, "Dude, you better go, I have to goto the bathroom."
"I can wait."
"I think you'd better just take off, I could be a while."
So, there I am, back in the church bathroom at St. Anthony's practicing the unholy. Solid, SOLID, 20 minutes. That was all that was solid.
Okay, I gather myself. In fact, I feel so bad I take a shower in the locker rooms thinking this will cleanse me. Oh god, let it cleanse me.
"My son, you shall not be cleansed!"
I clean myself up, take somes deep breaths, splash a little more water on the forehead, and pray that I make it back to Jersey City. I am now not in good shape.
Next thing I do is call both sisters, letting them know that we have a problem, and I may need help. Jenny is up town, Michelle is in Jersey City. Just want to make sure they're around.
Leaving the church, I head up Thompson, cross Houston and already as I head west I have to bail into a restaurant. I'm not even to Sullivan St. I go down the steps into a restaurant, looking like what's inside of me, and I say, "I need your bathroom." I throw 5 bucks on the bar. "Watch my bag, please!" There's no return comments, at least none that I heard.
I spend a good 15 minutes in there. I feel bad about it, but hey, you just got 5 bucks. The worst part is the door wouldn't close so I had to agonize while holding the door shut. Nightmarish.
So I finish up, thank them, and head out of there toward the Christopher St PATH station picking up some Imodium on the way. At this point nothing short of a cement mixer could help me, but I do make it to the PATH station. As I'm waiting for the train nature calls AGAIN. So, I head upstairs into the nearest bar which also happens to be the gayest bar EVAH! I hesitate to walk in, but what choice did I have? All the while I'm lugging this somewhat large bag around the city. It's one of those rectangular bags you can pull.
I ask the bartender where the bathroom is and I get looks from every guy in the room. "New meat?" He points, sensing I don't want to be there.
This bathroom was STERILE. I'm talking scrubbed top to bottom, maybe even painted that morning, and smelling like Lysol, rubbing alcohol, and every other product under the sun. In my mind all I could ask was, "Why?" Just imagining what has gone on in this room doubled my nausea. But what could I do?
So I finish up, ask for some water, throw that back, thank them, and go back down to the PATH.
5 minutes later I'm back in the bar, repeating the process. I explain to the bartender my situation. Again, thank them, leave and head back to the PATH.
I get downstairs and decide to jump the turnstyle having paid for it twice already. Of course, I get caught. This officer starts giving me a hard time, and I explain myself. Other people back me up, having seen me leave twice.
Finally, I am feeling a little better. I mean, at this point the fact that I'm operating minus one lung, some ribs, and other necessary organs is quite impressive, but I'm doing it.
So I walk to the end of the station and take a seat against a pillar. At this point I'm just dying to get back to Jersey City. Moments later this black guy in electric blue workout pants (the kinds that make the swish noise when you walk) and gray sweatshirt comes over to me and starts babbling. I basically give him the "If-You-Want-Me-to-Throw-Into-the-Next-Inbound-Train-Keep-Talking" look. If you know me, you've seen it. He left me alone.
At this point the guy walks away and next thing you know I see him sitting with his legs hanging over the tracks. I start to hear plastic and metal hitting metal. He is throwing things onto the tracks. Then he starts pulling his pants off. He's sitting opposite me across the platform, which is all of 15 feet. He can't seem to get them over his Timberlands, so he gives up.
Next thing you know I see a few officers walking down the platform, and at the same time the uptown 33rd St train rolls in. At this point the officers had made it over to me and another guy, and they were clearly looking for this black guy, or at least someone suspicious. The cops are still a few feet from me, but I start pointing and motioning that the suspected "suspect" boarded the train.
The train pulls out the station, but the officers stop it one car from fully leaving, enabling them to board. As they are on the train this woman comes down with a stroller and baby. She is very shaken up, and with a police officer.
I start talking to her and she tells me that this guy pushed her down, reached under the stroller and grabbed her belongings. The guy was obviously going through the bag throwing useless shit on the tracks. I let her know that I saw him, and that they'll find him. The police found her stuff on the tracks where I said he was located. It was obviously him. I give a description.
So we wait, and eventually the cops bring him off the train. Meanwhile, I'm talking with the woman, arm around her, being "Nice Del", hoping I don't shit myself.
Now the cops are asking me all kinds of questions, and would like me to come down to the station. I tell them it's not possible because of my situation. We go back and forth about why I need to leave and why they need me to stay. This is going nowhere.
At this point the train is still one car from leaving the station, but they've put the other local trains on hold. All of a sudden, out of nowhere we start hearing this sizzling, and then an explosion. Before we know it, the place is filling up with toxic smoke. Seriously, it's so bad I think I started dreaming of recent odors.
I grab the woman by the arm, the stroller with the other, and start running for the exit because the smoke is overwhelming, and moving fast. It was insane. We race up the stairs, me carrying the stroller, and the smoke starts pouring out.
This was the most toxic taste, smell, what have you, I've ever come across. I must have lost a year on my life.
Coincidentally, or not, the transformer exploded right where the train was. No one knew why it happened, but it was nuts. The fire didn't seem tiny.
Now we're all outside on Christopher St and I figure it's a good time to visit my favorite bar again, so I did.
Ok, so the firemen come, control it, and the cops still want me to stay. I refuse. They inform me 10 minutes later the PATH is now closed, so it's time to find a new way home. What to do? I ask if I stay can they drive me home to Jersey City. Please.
Well, I make sure the woman is okay, and I hop a cab, leaving the cops to find someone else to deal with (they would call weeks later, but I wasn't needed). Basically, I ditched the scene. I get dropped off at Port Authority, and I'm so miserable that I decide to take the bus back to East Brunswick since I have to work in New Brunswick the next day. I get to gate 420 ;) and the bus is ready to go.
Once on the bus I end up sitting next to this very attractive older woman who ends up in the aisle seat, talking to her friend who is one aisle seat back, across the way. They had just come from the theatre, a weekly Sunday thing for them. Talking to her girlfriend becomes uncomfortable, so there's me.
Honestly, I noticed her before we got on board, and as luck would have it she ends up next to me. I really wasn't in that great of a mood, but I could work it out.
Keep in mind that it's post 9/11 so you're not allowed to put your bags underneath the bus, and mine will not fit on top. So where does it go? Well, it's wedged in between my legs and I'm sitting against the window. Seriously uncomfortable. I mean, those seats blow without such a dilemma.
So, there we are, she's hot, I feel like shit, but we start chatting. She's very nice. And, as some know, I have this thing for...well, as you know. She tells me that she's divorced, lives in EB, has a 17 year old kid, etc. I tell her all about being dumped, single, but having a good time in life.
Ok, so the ride is going well. She's good to talk to, and I'm feeling much better, but still praying nothing happens because there is no bathroom on board. I assure you the driver would be stopping if someone came up.
We get into a discussion about her dating life. I feel sorta bad. I mean, she's really attractive, really nice, succesful, and doesn't seem like the type of woman some guy would walk out on. Then again, I've dealt with this in my past, and it wouldn't be the first time I heard of a freeloader dad, or a cheat, walking on a good woman.
So we're damn close to East Brunswick, right around Exit 12, and all of a sudden I feel my legs cramping up. She's still talking about her situation. I put the hand up and say hold on. I just played hoops, drank excessively for 2 days, and basically had no fluids in me. Also, I have that bag wedged between my legs.
So the first cramp comes and I stand up, slamming my head into the overhead rack, and I manage to get it out. A preview of what's to come.
I explain to Robin that I'm a bit under the weather, etc. and have nothing in me. All of a sudden the most vicious leg cramp shoots up my right leg and sends me yelping. I stand up immediately, but cannot move because the bag between my legs has my left leg pinned against the wall. I'm now hunched over the people in front of me because I'm trying to stretch it out. No can do. When I say hunched, I mean, I'm in their seats, reaching over to the seat in front of theirs trying to get leverage.
I look back at Robin and say, "Grab the back of my leg, you have to!"
She looks bewildered.
I say it again, "Grab the back of my leg, and rub it!"
Well, she does! She starts rubbing my hamstring pretty hard. "Keeping doing it, keep doing it!"
So there I am, ducking from the luggage rack, lurched over the people in front of me, screaming on a bus for some woman to rub the back of my legs, practically crying and sweating. Truly a life highlight.
Finally it goes away, we chat a bit more, pull into Tower Center Bus Terminal in East Brunswick, she gives me her card, and then I exit the bus only to be picked up by mom.
It truly was RIDICULOUS, and all because I had to have a tall glass of milk.
And now I can...I hope.
Air
WaPo:
For the third time, environmental advocates have discovered passages in the Bush administration's proposal for regulating mercury pollution from power plants that mirror almost word for word portions of memos written by a law firm representing coal-fired power plants.Jeffords, that damn turncoat, always reading shit.
The passages state that the Environmental Protection Agency is not required to regulate other hazardous toxins emitted by power plants, such as lead and arsenic. Several attorneys general, as well as some environmental groups, have argued that the Clean Air Act compels the EPA to regulate these emissions as well as mercury.
The revelations concerning language written by Latham & Watkins could broaden an ongoing probe by the EPA's inspector general into whether the industry had an undue influence on the agency's proposed mercury rule, legislative critics of the proposed rule said.
Sen. James M. Jeffords (I-Vt.), ranking member of the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee and one of the senators who called for the probe last spring, said the revelation that the EPA adopted the same wording as an industry source "no longer comes as much of a surprise."
Wall St Joke
This is Claudia Rosett's Op/Ed title today.
What's 'Illegal'? - Kofi Annan helped Saddam Hussein steal food from babies.
The article is another rehash, and effort by the Op/Ed page to make Bush look good by making others look bad.
Question: Who would you trust more, Annan or Bush?
Wish I had the patience to refute her, which isn't tough to do.
What's 'Illegal'? - Kofi Annan helped Saddam Hussein steal food from babies.
The article is another rehash, and effort by the Op/Ed page to make Bush look good by making others look bad.
Question: Who would you trust more, Annan or Bush?
Wish I had the patience to refute her, which isn't tough to do.
Tough Call
It was rumored that instead of actually going to the UN and reading the same speech as last year the President was going to send a blow up version of himself with tape recorder.
However, he went against this idea realizing he couldn't make one of his new, and very funny updated jokes that work so well with large groups.
However, he went against this idea realizing he couldn't make one of his new, and very funny updated jokes that work so well with large groups.
Scum of Earth
One can only hope it gets worse for the biggest piece of shit in the entire US Government.
AUSTIN - Three people linked to U.S. House Majority Leader Tom DeLay were indicted Tuesday along with eight out-of-state companies on charges of illegally using corporate money to help Republican Texas House candidates in 2002.I wonder how DeLay would feel if Clinton or Gore had setup such a group?
The indictments by a Travis County grand jury focus on how the DeLay-founded Texans for a Republican Majority Political Action Committee raised corporate money to help Republicans take control of the Texas House for the first time since Reconstruction. That majority gave DeLay the power to push a major congressional redistricting bill through the Legislature that is designed to give the GOP a majority in the Texas delegation in this fall's elections...
"I was not involved in the day-to-day operations of TRMPAC. ... I raised money for them and made appearances for them when they had fund-raisers," DeLay said.
TRMPAC was set up at DeLay's direction, and he served on its board of advisers.
Tuesday, September 21, 2004
So You Know
I love milk, but for a long time I haven't been able to drink it without "issues." Well, people, I know you've been waiting for this moment, but alas, I can keep it in me! That's right, no pills, no nothing.
For a while I thought it was because I quit hanging with my friend Herb, but then we made amends, and nothing changed.
Until now. It seems that 4 years of sleep deprivation was the problem (and we can include some other forces in my life, aka, her). I am back on the milk train again. Whether or not I can throw coffee into the mix is a trial that shall take place next week.
For there is nothing like free time to fuck with yourself. Who has my DMT? Kidding.
For a while I thought it was because I quit hanging with my friend Herb, but then we made amends, and nothing changed.
Until now. It seems that 4 years of sleep deprivation was the problem (and we can include some other forces in my life, aka, her). I am back on the milk train again. Whether or not I can throw coffee into the mix is a trial that shall take place next week.
For there is nothing like free time to fuck with yourself. Who has my DMT? Kidding.
If
If America actually lost a war after 9/11, especially a terror related war, wouldn't it be a major blow to the Alpha Male ego?
In Iraq there's no war for America to really lose, unless you consider "Credibility" or "Debt" to be a war. There's the long run, which we are losing by the day, but again I can't expect War Mongers to care about that, for they'll be dead.
But, the American public could see Iraq as a war we win or lose, for whatever reason, which is why they seem so willing to accept any rationale, or any news that benefits us, as news and rationale we should accept.
This may be an impossible hurdle for any Presidential challenger to overcome: Our desire to not lose again, like Vietnam. John Kerry may evoke that too much. This gets back to my point about America "never losing" and of course the simplistic "optimist" versus the "realist and optimist."
Paul Krugman hits on some of this today.
In Iraq there's no war for America to really lose, unless you consider "Credibility" or "Debt" to be a war. There's the long run, which we are losing by the day, but again I can't expect War Mongers to care about that, for they'll be dead.
But, the American public could see Iraq as a war we win or lose, for whatever reason, which is why they seem so willing to accept any rationale, or any news that benefits us, as news and rationale we should accept.
This may be an impossible hurdle for any Presidential challenger to overcome: Our desire to not lose again, like Vietnam. John Kerry may evoke that too much. This gets back to my point about America "never losing" and of course the simplistic "optimist" versus the "realist and optimist."
Paul Krugman hits on some of this today.
Allies
Pulling out:
The British Army is to start pulling troops out of Iraq next month despite the deteriorating security situation in much of the country, The Observer has learnt.Nothing like a good "learnt."
The main British combat force in Iraq, about 5,000-strong, will be reduced by around a third by the end of October during a routine rotation of units.
The news came amid another day of mayhem in Iraq, which saw a suicide bomber kill at least 23 people and injure 53 in the northern city of Kirkuk. The victims were queueing to join Iraq's National Guard.
More than 200 people were killed last week in one of the bloodiest weeks since last year's invasion, strengthening impressions that the country is spinning out of control.
Whoa, Whoa, Slow Down...
"Now you're crossing the line! We've only just begun to let niggers in.":
One by one, barriers have been falling at the nation's elite country clubs. Many private clubs have dropped rules in recent decades that discriminated against potential members based on their race, religion, ethnicity or gender.
Now challenges are being raised against rules that are another obstacle to full membership rights at golf clubs. The hot topic at many clubs is one few members could have dreamed of talking about a decade ago: should the partners of gay members be given the privileges of family membership and greater access to the golf course?
The Memos
I don't know how Google News works. I assumed the stories that remained up front, and on top of the page, got there because of "hits." Maybe someone can shed light on this? Or, are they just running it like a newspaper, placing up front what they deem to be most relevant?
Anyway, the CBS Memo story seems to take the cake, and I find it surprising since I would think those interested are reading Fox News or MSNBC more so than Google. Maybe I'm giving the Google News readers too much credit. You know what they say about those who assume.
The top story is from the San Fran Gate and it's the readers comments. Still amazing to me that people think the news media is bias toward the left. I'm sorry, you must have missed something called the War in Iraq, or the President Who Lies.
Sure, there is bias because those who are learned, and choose to go into journalism over say, Corporate Law or Finance, are clearly making a choice to choose enjoyment and purpose over straight cash (not a bash against lawyers or finance, I have no issue with either, or against all who make that choice). So if money isn't the issue, and they are objective, things will generally fall to the left since that's where the honest story usually rests.
It's when profit and greed enters your work, or you come to believe that what you're doing is actually right, that things tend toward the right. It takes some internal convincing, I believe, or the ability to say, "I don't care about those people...I earned this..."
Point being, the media should be liberal, and yet isn't enough. The owners of the media certainly aren't, and in a Pew poll of journalists they tend to come up pretty moderate.
I think Air America has been trying to push this point, but they're so clueless, it won't happen. I don't expect the rest of the media to help either, and of course, Republicans are like pig in slop over this CBS thing.
Democrats need to do what Republicans are doing, and say, "We agree! CBS should never run an undocumented story. That's just wrong. But at the same time, did Bush get preferential treatment?" KEEP SAYING IT! If they are coming to float part of the story, FLOAT THE OTHER PART! Trust me, they'll stop floating it.
Anyway, the CBS Memo story seems to take the cake, and I find it surprising since I would think those interested are reading Fox News or MSNBC more so than Google. Maybe I'm giving the Google News readers too much credit. You know what they say about those who assume.
The top story is from the San Fran Gate and it's the readers comments. Still amazing to me that people think the news media is bias toward the left. I'm sorry, you must have missed something called the War in Iraq, or the President Who Lies.
Sure, there is bias because those who are learned, and choose to go into journalism over say, Corporate Law or Finance, are clearly making a choice to choose enjoyment and purpose over straight cash (not a bash against lawyers or finance, I have no issue with either, or against all who make that choice). So if money isn't the issue, and they are objective, things will generally fall to the left since that's where the honest story usually rests.
It's when profit and greed enters your work, or you come to believe that what you're doing is actually right, that things tend toward the right. It takes some internal convincing, I believe, or the ability to say, "I don't care about those people...I earned this..."
Point being, the media should be liberal, and yet isn't enough. The owners of the media certainly aren't, and in a Pew poll of journalists they tend to come up pretty moderate.
I think Air America has been trying to push this point, but they're so clueless, it won't happen. I don't expect the rest of the media to help either, and of course, Republicans are like pig in slop over this CBS thing.
Democrats need to do what Republicans are doing, and say, "We agree! CBS should never run an undocumented story. That's just wrong. But at the same time, did Bush get preferential treatment?" KEEP SAYING IT! If they are coming to float part of the story, FLOAT THE OTHER PART! Trust me, they'll stop floating it.
Hey Jews, Watch Me Lie
Is this really happening?
``Do you remember Abu Nidal?'' Bush asked the crowd. ``He's the guy that killed Leon Klinghoffer. Leon Klinghoffer was murdered because of his religion. Abu Nidal was in Baghdad, as was his organization.''As the article rightly points out, Abu ABBAS killed Klinghoffer. Bush said this twice. He lies, and doesn't care. Here it is again, Jews:
``Remember Abu Nidal?'' Bush asked Aug. 28 in Lima, Ohio. ``He's the guy that killed Leon Klinghoffer because he was Jewish? He found safe haven in Iraq. In other words, terrorist groups were in this guy's country.''
``We knew Saddam Hussein's record of aggression and his support for terror,'' he told another crowd Sept. 13 in Battle Creek, Mich. ``Abu Nidal, the guy who killed Leon Klinghoffer, he and his organization were in Baghdad.''
Comes Out in the Wash
John Stewart on Leno right said:
Well, Dan Rather used forged documents to show people that Bush may have received preferential treatment to avoid war in Vietnam, and Bush used forged documents when he told the world that Iraq tried to buy Uranium in Niger, and then took us to war. So, it's sorta even, right? It all comes out in the wash.It does.
Monday, September 20, 2004
Bush's Brain
Author James Moore:
Don't worry, one day we'll all be dead, and no one will remember any of this.
The bonus for Rove is that Dan Rather is enduring greater evaluation than the President of the United States. The CBS anchor, who rode to the top of his profession on the crest of great national events like Hurricane Carla, the Kennedy assassination, the Civil Rights Movement, Vietnam, and Watergate, has long been vilified by the right. If Rather and his talented producer Mary Mapes did not bring proper skepticism to their analysis of the documents, they will likely pay a dear professional price. And John Kerry, who ran a positive convention and ignored the Swift Boat attacks while the GOP spat vitriol, can also be expected to pay a price for bad advice and a lack of political diligence. No toll, however, has ever been exacted on the life and political career of George W. Bush. The magnitude of his lies and mistakes far outweighs any possible transgression by CBS or those who might have fabricated the Killian memos. If they get caught, they suffer. Mr. Bush has been proved both wrong and deceptive and has danced into a lead in the polls through our collective American delusion. We punish the anchorman and praise the president.Yeah, that's pretty much it.
Don't worry, one day we'll all be dead, and no one will remember any of this.
CBS Errs
And admits it.
So I guess this means Bush really did fly planes during Vietnam, or something...but not in Cambodia, for that would be wrong.
So I guess this means Bush really did fly planes during Vietnam, or something...but not in Cambodia, for that would be wrong.
Not Concerned
Someone needs to tell Afghan Terrorists that we're not even concerned, and that they're wasting their time.
A roadside bomb hit a convoy carrying an Afghan vice president and a Cabinet minister in northern Afghanistan Monday, injuring one of their bodyguards without harming the politicians, police said.
The attack follows a failed assassination attempt last week on President Hamid Karzai and warnings that violence could surge ahead of Oct. 9 elections.
Sunday, September 19, 2004
Investigation
Josh Marshall keeps eye on the ball.
This is still the most ridiculous story not being covered, and in any other time it could possibly derail an entire administration. Not in these times.
Frank Rich's Sunday Times piece located on the Front Page of the Arts Section has become another must read.
Rich has discussed the shape of our media and culture in the Arts Section for a bit more than a year. It's a great take.
This is still the most ridiculous story not being covered, and in any other time it could possibly derail an entire administration. Not in these times.
Frank Rich's Sunday Times piece located on the Front Page of the Arts Section has become another must read.
Rich has discussed the shape of our media and culture in the Arts Section for a bit more than a year. It's a great take.
Should network news ride into the sunset, bargain-budgeted 24/7 cable will inherit the news franchise in our TV culture. That would be the final victory for Fox News. The only hope for a successful alternative is not to fight Fox's fire with imitation Fox fire in the form of another partisan network but to reinvent the wheel with a network that prizes news over endless left/right crossfire. Against the backdrop of what looks to be an indefinite war, there might even be a market for it.I read this and laugh at my old employer.
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