Claims vs. Facts Database - Center for American Progress
"The Center for American Progress has launched this new database project to chart conservatives' dishonesty and compare it with the truth. In this database, each conservative quote will be matched against well-documented facts, so that users can get a more accurate picture of the issues. And we need your help. If we're missing a lie or distortion you know of, please submit an entry. If it checks out, we will gladly add it to the database."
Friday, May 14, 2004
Thursday, May 13, 2004
Citizens or Consumers? The Zen of Citizenship.
Citizens or Consumers? The Zen of Citizenship.
Bill Moyers asks...which are we?
During an interview today with Terry Gross, Bill Moyers reiterates a point I have often made. Bush, the GOP, treats Americans, and indeed, the world...as consumers. I swear this is true.
John Kerry must make it damn clear that he does not. He must make it damn clear that he treats us, and other peoples of the world...as citizens.
The business of America is not just business.
This is just a trick of language.
But what business is the people's business...should be good business.
Bla bla bla...
Bill Moyers asks...which are we?
During an interview today with Terry Gross, Bill Moyers reiterates a point I have often made. Bush, the GOP, treats Americans, and indeed, the world...as consumers. I swear this is true.
John Kerry must make it damn clear that he does not. He must make it damn clear that he treats us, and other peoples of the world...as citizens.
The business of America is not just business.
This is just a trick of language.
But what business is the people's business...should be good business.
Bla bla bla...
Rumsfeld: "I stopped reading the newspapers." GET HIM LENNY!
Rumsfeld: "I stopped reading the newspapers." GET HIM LENNY!
Now that you publishers know that Mr. Rumsfeld is not even reading you...stop pussyfooting! Get him, Lenny! And you know that Bush doesn't read you either. Quit walking on rice paper. They are not Lao Tse. Quite the opposite, sadly.
Both Bush and Rummy would fail miserably at Sim City. Why do we think they would do any better with the world?
Now that you publishers know that Mr. Rumsfeld is not even reading you...stop pussyfooting! Get him, Lenny! And you know that Bush doesn't read you either. Quit walking on rice paper. They are not Lao Tse. Quite the opposite, sadly.
Both Bush and Rummy would fail miserably at Sim City. Why do we think they would do any better with the world?
Rush Contra Rummy : Watch the Ad by David Brock's Media Matters
Rush Contra Rummy : Watch the Ad by David Brock's Media Matters
Media Matters for America Television Spot Reveals Controversial Iraqi Prisoner Torture Commentary
Ad Cracks Down on Limbaugh's Outburst
Whistleblower, David Brock, is blowing the whistle ever louder with his latest project, Media Matters [mediamatters.org].
Here is their latest contribution; a TV ad showing Rush contradicting Rummy, and showing just how shallow and mean-spirited a man he really is.
RUSH! Dull mind think alike! Better snap to, boy! We'll pull the funds!
Media Matters for America Television Spot Reveals Controversial Iraqi Prisoner Torture Commentary
Ad Cracks Down on Limbaugh's Outburst
Whistleblower, David Brock, is blowing the whistle ever louder with his latest project, Media Matters [mediamatters.org].
Here is their latest contribution; a TV ad showing Rush contradicting Rummy, and showing just how shallow and mean-spirited a man he really is.
RUSH! Dull mind think alike! Better snap to, boy! We'll pull the funds!
Hizb Allah (Hezbollah) condemns beheading
Hizb Allah (Hezbollah) condemns beheading
The Lebanese political group Hizb Allah has condemned the beheading of an American hostage in Iraq as an ugly crime that flouted the tenets of Islam.
The Lebanese political group Hizb Allah has condemned the beheading of an American hostage in Iraq as an ugly crime that flouted the tenets of Islam.
IRAQ GONE WILD: "Almost everybody was naked all the time"
IRAQ GONE WILD: "Almost everybody was naked all the time"
American soldier and namesake of coalition partner, Lyndee England, is a real gangbanger! Or so says those who have seen her latest videos...soon to be available on the Internet, if my prediction that this is just another money-making scheme by the Oil-Drugs-Porn-Guns cartel comes true...no pun intended.
American soldier and namesake of coalition partner, Lyndee England, is a real gangbanger! Or so says those who have seen her latest videos...soon to be available on the Internet, if my prediction that this is just another money-making scheme by the Oil-Drugs-Porn-Guns cartel comes true...no pun intended.
Advice to Kerry: An Administration of Giants
Advice to Kerry: An Administration of Giants
David Ogilvy, upon hiring a new manager, would send them a set of Russian dolls, one inside the other. Inside the smallest doll was the note: "If you hire people less than you, you will wind up with a company of midgets. Hire people bigger than you, and you wind up with a company of giants. Hire giants."
I paraphrase, but the meaning is the same.
Pick your VP and Administration carefully. Create an Administration of Giants.
David Ogilvy, upon hiring a new manager, would send them a set of Russian dolls, one inside the other. Inside the smallest doll was the note: "If you hire people less than you, you will wind up with a company of midgets. Hire people bigger than you, and you wind up with a company of giants. Hire giants."
I paraphrase, but the meaning is the same.
Pick your VP and Administration carefully. Create an Administration of Giants.
Nick Berg's family business on Right-Wing Hit List. Are you?
Nick Berg's family business of Right-Wing Hit List. Are you? :: HERE IS THE ENEMY -- they have posted their names
The McCarthyites have their panties in a wad.
Further proof...dull minds think alike.
Megadittos!
The McCarthyites have their panties in a wad.
Further proof...dull minds think alike.
Megadittos!
Wednesday, May 12, 2004
Don't behead us! Rape us and sick dogs on us!
Don't behead us! Rape us and sick dogs on us!
HYPOCRISY ALERT!
A POEM
We are better than them.
We are better than them.
We are morally superior.
We are better than them.
Repeat it enough and you'll believe it.
We are better than them.
IN OTHER NEWS
Rush, filled with rage, call Americans "blockheads"
Goofball, Rush Limbaugh, waxes religious as he describes the hate that welled up within him as he saw the beheading of Nick Berg. It was quite moving, actually, but the problem with Rush is that he then goes on to talk about moral equivalences, nuking them, and so on. Devilthink. Satanspeak. Take your shoes off.
He wants people to take out their rage on political opponents, and some probably will.
Rush needs to watch "Fisher King" before he, with his millions of dittoheads, create Hell on our precious soil.
HYPOCRISY ALERT!
A POEM
We are better than them.
We are better than them.
We are morally superior.
We are better than them.
Repeat it enough and you'll believe it.
We are better than them.
IN OTHER NEWS
Rush, filled with rage, call Americans "blockheads"
Goofball, Rush Limbaugh, waxes religious as he describes the hate that welled up within him as he saw the beheading of Nick Berg. It was quite moving, actually, but the problem with Rush is that he then goes on to talk about moral equivalences, nuking them, and so on. Devilthink. Satanspeak. Take your shoes off.
He wants people to take out their rage on political opponents, and some probably will.
Rush needs to watch "Fisher King" before he, with his millions of dittoheads, create Hell on our precious soil.
Graphic images of the first beheading
Graphic images of the first beheading
WARNING: IMAGES WITHIN LINK ARE REAL, BUT SIMILAR TO THIS
Will Mr. Berg be the only American beheaded in retribution for American misdeeds in Iraq? Or is he only the first one?
My hope is that he is the last one.
But we've got to quit digging the hole deeper. We shouldn't have gone into Iraq in the first place, since the reasons for our going have turned out to be bogus. No WMD. No Nuclear threat. No Al Qaeda connection.
As we are witnessing, or supressing, images of our own atrocities, our own inhumanity to man, and woman, and indeed child...we are shown an image of one of our own suffering the consequences of ill-conceived visions, basically, and suddenly we want to step up our violence against those who perpetuated this horrible deed.
There is no either/or. We have both been shown to be capable of atrocious behavior. So stop! And maybe they will!
At least we will not be going our own standards of decency, regardless of the fact that a relatively small minority of others act otherwise.
Greatness is having the power, but not using it.
Store up for true emergencies.
Don't exhaust your resources, especially not frivolously, with mere profit in mind.
In Falluja, they killed 4 Americans, and in retaliation, we killed hundreds. Both them and us.
"Paths of Glory" comes to mind...
How many of us and them will we kill because of this one man's death?
And how many more Nick Bergs will that insure?
If we are truly on a path of Peace...let us be on a path of peace, and stop the warring already.
99.9% of the World are fed up with Powerful People throwing poor schmucks to the proverbial dogs of war, while nothing but Oil pours, nay, trickles, from the other side.
WARNING: IMAGES WITHIN LINK ARE REAL, BUT SIMILAR TO THIS
Will Mr. Berg be the only American beheaded in retribution for American misdeeds in Iraq? Or is he only the first one?
My hope is that he is the last one.
But we've got to quit digging the hole deeper. We shouldn't have gone into Iraq in the first place, since the reasons for our going have turned out to be bogus. No WMD. No Nuclear threat. No Al Qaeda connection.
As we are witnessing, or supressing, images of our own atrocities, our own inhumanity to man, and woman, and indeed child...we are shown an image of one of our own suffering the consequences of ill-conceived visions, basically, and suddenly we want to step up our violence against those who perpetuated this horrible deed.
There is no either/or. We have both been shown to be capable of atrocious behavior. So stop! And maybe they will!
At least we will not be going our own standards of decency, regardless of the fact that a relatively small minority of others act otherwise.
Greatness is having the power, but not using it.
Store up for true emergencies.
Don't exhaust your resources, especially not frivolously, with mere profit in mind.
In Falluja, they killed 4 Americans, and in retaliation, we killed hundreds. Both them and us.
"Paths of Glory" comes to mind...
How many of us and them will we kill because of this one man's death?
And how many more Nick Bergs will that insure?
If we are truly on a path of Peace...let us be on a path of peace, and stop the warring already.
99.9% of the World are fed up with Powerful People throwing poor schmucks to the proverbial dogs of war, while nothing but Oil pours, nay, trickles, from the other side.
Tuesday, May 11, 2004
Flag-burning American Style :: Every flag but US to go up in flames
Flag-burning American Style :: Every flag but US to go up in flames
While it is illegal to burn a US flag, it is not illegal to burn the flags of other nations. To celebrate this fact, we at Anonymoses Inc. suggest we have a bonfire, and burn the flag of every other nation.
It is our right. It will make you feel important.
Your girlfriend will look at you cross-eyed.
But be that as it may...we think you should obey your inner voice
and, so to say, throw in the flag.
Our next project is to study the viability of a map-burning.
What are the ramifications of burning a map?
Is it against the law to burn a map of the United States?
So many important things to think about...
And they say stuff is going on overseas!
While it is illegal to burn a US flag, it is not illegal to burn the flags of other nations. To celebrate this fact, we at Anonymoses Inc. suggest we have a bonfire, and burn the flag of every other nation.
It is our right. It will make you feel important.
Your girlfriend will look at you cross-eyed.
But be that as it may...we think you should obey your inner voice
and, so to say, throw in the flag.
Our next project is to study the viability of a map-burning.
What are the ramifications of burning a map?
Is it against the law to burn a map of the United States?
So many important things to think about...
And they say stuff is going on overseas!
Monday, May 10, 2004
Tao te Ching, Chapters 30 and 31
I am always reminded of chapters 30 and 31 if the Chinese classic, Tao te Ching, when War raises its awful head. So, once again, I bring them to you, my dears with ears and tears...
Chapter 30
1. He who would assist a lord of men in harmony with the Tao will not assert his mastery in the kingdom by force of arms. Such a course is sure to meet with its proper return.
2. Wherever a host is stationed, briars and thorns spring up. In the sequence of great armies there are sure to be bad years.
3. A skilful (commander) strikes a decisive blow, and stops. He does not dare (by continuing his operations) to assert and complete his mastery. He will strike the blow, but will be on his guard against being vain or boastful or arrogant in consequence of it. He strikes it as a matter of necessity; he strikes it, but not from a wish for mastery.
4. When things have attained their strong maturity they become old. This may be said to be not in accordance with the Tao: and what is not in accordance with it soon comes to an end.
Chapter 31
1. Now arms, however beautiful, are instruments of evil omen, hateful, it may be said, to all creatures. Therefore they who have the Tao do not like to employ them.
2. The superior man ordinarily considers the left hand the most honourable place, but in time of war the right hand. Those sharp weapons are instruments of evil omen, and not the instruments of the superior man;--he uses them only on the compulsion of necessity. Calm and repose are what he prizes; victory (by force of arms) is to him undesirable. To consider this desirable would be to delight in the slaughter of men; and he who delights in the slaughter of men cannot get his will in the kingdom.
3. On occasions of festivity to be on the left hand is the prized position; on occasions of mourning, the right hand. The second in command of the army has his place on the left; the general commanding in chief has his on the right;--his place, that is, is assigned to him as in the rites of mourning. He who has killed multitudes of men should weep for them with the bitterest grief; and the victor in battle has his place (rightly) according to those rites.
Tao Te Ching
Chapter 30
1. He who would assist a lord of men in harmony with the Tao will not assert his mastery in the kingdom by force of arms. Such a course is sure to meet with its proper return.
2. Wherever a host is stationed, briars and thorns spring up. In the sequence of great armies there are sure to be bad years.
3. A skilful (commander) strikes a decisive blow, and stops. He does not dare (by continuing his operations) to assert and complete his mastery. He will strike the blow, but will be on his guard against being vain or boastful or arrogant in consequence of it. He strikes it as a matter of necessity; he strikes it, but not from a wish for mastery.
4. When things have attained their strong maturity they become old. This may be said to be not in accordance with the Tao: and what is not in accordance with it soon comes to an end.
Chapter 31
1. Now arms, however beautiful, are instruments of evil omen, hateful, it may be said, to all creatures. Therefore they who have the Tao do not like to employ them.
2. The superior man ordinarily considers the left hand the most honourable place, but in time of war the right hand. Those sharp weapons are instruments of evil omen, and not the instruments of the superior man;--he uses them only on the compulsion of necessity. Calm and repose are what he prizes; victory (by force of arms) is to him undesirable. To consider this desirable would be to delight in the slaughter of men; and he who delights in the slaughter of men cannot get his will in the kingdom.
3. On occasions of festivity to be on the left hand is the prized position; on occasions of mourning, the right hand. The second in command of the army has his place on the left; the general commanding in chief has his on the right;--his place, that is, is assigned to him as in the rites of mourning. He who has killed multitudes of men should weep for them with the bitterest grief; and the victor in battle has his place (rightly) according to those rites.
Tao Te Ching
Chì mi na mórbheanna
CHI MI NA MORBHEANNA
O Chì, Chì mi na mórbheanna
O Chì, Chì mi na córrbheanna
O Chì, Chì mi na coireachan
Chì mi na sgoran fo cheò
Chì mi gun dà il an t-nà ite 's d'rugadh mi
Cuirear orm fà ilt' 's a' chà nain a thuigeas mi
Gheibh mi ann aoidh grà dh 'n uair ruigeam
Nach reicinn air thunnaichean òir
Chì mi ann coilltean, chì mi ann doireachan
Chì mi ann maghan bà na is toraiche
Chì mi na féidh air là r nan coireachan
Falaicht' an trusgan de chèo
Beanntaichean à rda is à illidh leacainnean
Sluagh ann an còmhnuidh is còire cleachdainnean
'S aotrom mo cheum a' leum g'am faicinn
Is fanaidh mi tacan le deòin
TRANSLATION:
Oh I see, I see the great mountains
Oh I see, I see the lofty mountains
Oh I see, I see the corries
I see the peaks under the mist
I see right away the place of my birth
I will be welcomed in a language that I understand
I will receive hospitality and love when I reach there
That I will not trade for tons of gold
I see woods there, I see thickets
I see fair, fertile fields there
I see the deer on the ground of the corries
Shrouded in a garment of mist
High mountains with lovely slopes
Folk abiding there who are customarily kind
Light is my step when I go bounding to meet them
And I will remain there willingly
Played at John F. Kennedy's funeral in Arlington, Virginia, 1963, this was one of JFK's favorite songs.
Called "one of the most hauntingly evocative gaelic songs", it is beautifully rendered by the great Talitha Mackenzie. A family name on the distaff.
One to own and treasure...
-Anon
O Chì, Chì mi na mórbheanna
O Chì, Chì mi na córrbheanna
O Chì, Chì mi na coireachan
Chì mi na sgoran fo cheò
Chì mi gun dà il an t-nà ite 's d'rugadh mi
Cuirear orm fà ilt' 's a' chà nain a thuigeas mi
Gheibh mi ann aoidh grà dh 'n uair ruigeam
Nach reicinn air thunnaichean òir
Chì mi ann coilltean, chì mi ann doireachan
Chì mi ann maghan bà na is toraiche
Chì mi na féidh air là r nan coireachan
Falaicht' an trusgan de chèo
Beanntaichean à rda is à illidh leacainnean
Sluagh ann an còmhnuidh is còire cleachdainnean
'S aotrom mo cheum a' leum g'am faicinn
Is fanaidh mi tacan le deòin
TRANSLATION:
Oh I see, I see the great mountains
Oh I see, I see the lofty mountains
Oh I see, I see the corries
I see the peaks under the mist
I see right away the place of my birth
I will be welcomed in a language that I understand
I will receive hospitality and love when I reach there
That I will not trade for tons of gold
I see woods there, I see thickets
I see fair, fertile fields there
I see the deer on the ground of the corries
Shrouded in a garment of mist
High mountains with lovely slopes
Folk abiding there who are customarily kind
Light is my step when I go bounding to meet them
And I will remain there willingly
Played at John F. Kennedy's funeral in Arlington, Virginia, 1963, this was one of JFK's favorite songs.
Called "one of the most hauntingly evocative gaelic songs", it is beautifully rendered by the great Talitha Mackenzie. A family name on the distaff.
One to own and treasure...
-Anon
Fox Fux with Faux Fax
Fox Fux with Faux Fax
In a scathing critique of Fox News and some talk show hosts, such as Bill O'Reilly, Carroll said they were a "different breed of journalists" who misled their audience while claiming to inform them. He said they did not fit into the long legacy of journalists who got their facts right and respected and cared for their audiences.
Carroll cited a study released last year that showed Americans had three main
misconceptions about Iraq: That weapons of mass destruction had been found, a connection between al-Qaeda and Iraq had been demonstrated and that the world approved of U.S intervention in Iraq. He said 80 percent of people who primarily got their news from Fox believed at least one of the misconceptions. He said the figure was more than 57 percentage points higher than people who get their news from public news broadcasting.
"How in the world could Fox have left its listeners so deeply in the dark?" Carroll asked.
In a scathing critique of Fox News and some talk show hosts, such as Bill O'Reilly, Carroll said they were a "different breed of journalists" who misled their audience while claiming to inform them. He said they did not fit into the long legacy of journalists who got their facts right and respected and cared for their audiences.
Carroll cited a study released last year that showed Americans had three main
misconceptions about Iraq: That weapons of mass destruction had been found, a connection between al-Qaeda and Iraq had been demonstrated and that the world approved of U.S intervention in Iraq. He said 80 percent of people who primarily got their news from Fox believed at least one of the misconceptions. He said the figure was more than 57 percentage points higher than people who get their news from public news broadcasting.
"How in the world could Fox have left its listeners so deeply in the dark?" Carroll asked.
Sunday, May 09, 2004
Book: "Kiss My LEFT BEHIND" on Amazon
Book: "Kiss My LEFT BEHIND" on Amazon
First there was "LEFT BEHIND".
Then there was "No Child LEFT BEHIND".
Now the trilogy is complete, with...
"Kiss My LEFT BEHIND"!
Folks, there are people out there who are trying to scare you.
Some of them do it because they are able to make money off your fears.
Others do it because they are fearful, and want to make sure they are not the only ones.
But some people want you to be afraid for both reasons.
This is the "Go Right Ahead" crowd. They hail from the halls of Righteousness, or perhaps it is really just a mixture of self-righteousness mixed with Right-wing ideology. They want the Left to be Left Behind when their famous Armageddon comes to 'copter away The Elect.
They simply will not give it up.
They promised us a good old fashioned Armageddon at the turn of the century, and you might think that when it didn't happen, they would admit they were wrong. But instead, they simply move the date up. Just like they've done for centuries.
These people fear going to Hell. They fear it because they have been such bad people.
Phat Robertson writes a book and calls it "Common Sense". Bush starts talking about 'common sense" government. These are all products.
And we are all customers, guinea pigs, suckers.
That is why it is important to buy, read, and memorize "Kiss My Left Behind". The wisdom that may or may not be contained therein, may possibly be just the thing you need in order to become a better shlamazl. And after all...YOU deserve it!
MORE
First there was "LEFT BEHIND".
Then there was "No Child LEFT BEHIND".
Now the trilogy is complete, with...
"Kiss My LEFT BEHIND"!
Folks, there are people out there who are trying to scare you.
Some of them do it because they are able to make money off your fears.
Others do it because they are fearful, and want to make sure they are not the only ones.
But some people want you to be afraid for both reasons.
This is the "Go Right Ahead" crowd. They hail from the halls of Righteousness, or perhaps it is really just a mixture of self-righteousness mixed with Right-wing ideology. They want the Left to be Left Behind when their famous Armageddon comes to 'copter away The Elect.
They simply will not give it up.
They promised us a good old fashioned Armageddon at the turn of the century, and you might think that when it didn't happen, they would admit they were wrong. But instead, they simply move the date up. Just like they've done for centuries.
These people fear going to Hell. They fear it because they have been such bad people.
Phat Robertson writes a book and calls it "Common Sense". Bush starts talking about 'common sense" government. These are all products.
And we are all customers, guinea pigs, suckers.
That is why it is important to buy, read, and memorize "Kiss My Left Behind". The wisdom that may or may not be contained therein, may possibly be just the thing you need in order to become a better shlamazl. And after all...YOU deserve it!
MORE
The Taguba Report : On Bush's Reich Wing Concentration Camps
The Taguba Report : On Bush's Reich Wing Concentration Camps
The following is the text of the executive summary of the Taguba report with only the names of some witnesses removed for the sake of privacy.
The report was prepared by Maj. Gen. Antonio M. Taguba on alleged abuse of prisoners by members of the 800th Military Police Brigade at the Abu Ghraib Prison in Baghdad.
The following is the text of the executive summary of the Taguba report with only the names of some witnesses removed for the sake of privacy.
The report was prepared by Maj. Gen. Antonio M. Taguba on alleged abuse of prisoners by members of the 800th Military Police Brigade at the Abu Ghraib Prison in Baghdad.
Chechen President Killed in Explosion at Stadium while celebrating the defeat of Nazis
Chechen President Killed in Explosion at Stadium while celebrating the defeat of Nazis
GROZNY, Russia (AP) -- The Kremlin-backed president of Russia's warring Chechnya region and a top Russian general were killed Sunday when an explosion tore through a stadium in the Chechen capital where they were attending Victory Day observances marking the defeat of the Nazis in World War II, the republic's Interior Ministry said.
President Akhmad Kadyrov died about 30 minutes after the blast, likely caused by a land mine planted under the stadium's VIP seats, a ministry official said on condition of anonymity. Col. Gen. Valery Baranov, a top regional commander, died at the scene, the official said.
GROZNY, Russia (AP) -- The Kremlin-backed president of Russia's warring Chechnya region and a top Russian general were killed Sunday when an explosion tore through a stadium in the Chechen capital where they were attending Victory Day observances marking the defeat of the Nazis in World War II, the republic's Interior Ministry said.
President Akhmad Kadyrov died about 30 minutes after the blast, likely caused by a land mine planted under the stadium's VIP seats, a ministry official said on condition of anonymity. Col. Gen. Valery Baranov, a top regional commander, died at the scene, the official said.
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