Evening open thread

Finally, Star Trek: First Contact is on non-pay TV. Read More......

New study shows FOX is biased

Big surprise there.

Fox News was the most one-sided of all major outlets....

There are clear differences between Fox versus its cable rivals. Fox News stories contain more sources and reveal more about them than those of its competitors, but its stories are also more one-sided and are more opinionated.

Indeed, Fox journalists offer their own opinion in seven out of ten stories on the news channel, versus less than one in ten stories on CNN and one in four on MSNBC.

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Condi

Someone sent me a photo of her, and in searching online to see if the photo is legit, I found an entire contest devoted to Condi. You really need to check it out. Read More......

Off to get a wireless thing-y for my TiVO

TiVO to go... Read More......

Bush REALLY Screwed Up During Aftermath of Iraqi War

No matter how much Bush screwed up securing the peace in Iraq, it didn't seem to make any difference during the elections. When an Iraqi letter detailed all the widespread looting of the very sites we were supposedly invading to clamp down on, it created a furor -- that someone was trying to damage Bush politically. Iraqis were afraid to say more until now, but the New York Times has revealed a lot more detail about the systematic plundering.

"In the weeks after Baghdad fell in April 2003, looters systematically dismantled and removed tons of machinery from Saddam Hussein's most important weapons installations, including some with high-precision equipment capable of making parts for nuclear arms, a senior Iraqi official said this week in the government's first extensive comments on the looting," reports the NYT.

"The threat posed by these types of facilities was cited by the Bush administration as a reason for invading Iraq, but the installations were left largely unguarded by allied forces in the chaotic months after the invasion."

"American military officials in Baghdad did not respond to repeated requests for comment on the findings. But American officials have said in the past that while they were aware of the importance of some of the installations, there was not enough military personnel to guard all of them during and after the invasion."

And my favorite:

"White House officials, apprised of the Iraqi account by The New York Times, said it was already well known that many weapons sites had been looted. They had no other comment."

Geez, everyone already knows how bad we screwed up. Why are you bringing it up again?

This is one more example of why positive effects from the Iraqi election don't mean Bush gets a free pass for his incompetence. Some good may come out of this, but it will be DESPITE Bush's best efforts, not because of them.

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Great Oregonian op ed on the anti-gay anti-AARP ad

The Oregonian:

USA Next, formerly known as the United Seniors Association, depicts itself as supported by 1.5 million members, and often gets away with it. But a recent filing listed no revenue from members, and the group is financed heavily by the drug industry. In 2003, the Social Security Administration fined the group $554,196 for deceptive mailings to seniors. The ad that provoked the lawsuit was driven by USA Next's drive against the 35 million-member AARP, and maybe also by its recently hiring the "Swift Boat Veterans for Truth" consultants....

USA Next Chairman Charlie Jarvis has snickered that he ran the ad to see if liberals would "focus entirely on one image and explode about it. My guess was right."

His guess may be expensive....

There might even be another lawsuit out there. Wolf has heard a report on the Internet that the soldier in the ad isn't too pleased about his picture's use, either.

Wonder if the Internets can find out about that last piece? Read More......

Sunday Morning Open Thread

I'm taking the dog for a walk...chat away... Read More......

Propaganda TV alive and well in "free and democratic" America

For those that still fail to see the importance of GannonGuckert, this Times article should help. Despite recent claims about stopping payments to journalists, the government as well as our news organizations are addicted to propaganda. What ever happened to truth in advertising? If the government wants to churn out this shit, they ought to clearly mark in bold letters that this is sponsored by the government, just like you see with infomercials.

Over the holidays while visiting the US I was disgusted with the absolute, shameless propaganda pieces on the nightly news. I wasn't even watching Fox, which I expect to deliver such garbage. In an effort to cut costs and operate on high margins our so-called independent media has completely collapsed and willingly accepted automated "news" pieces. It's a good thing we're spreading this kind of democracy around the world. Read More......

Who says CNN no longer delivers?

Wow, impressive journalism right there at the top of their page for everyone to see. It's cutting edge. It's just so relevant in this silly old, topsy-turvy world we live in. Brace yourself for this:

Britain's Prince William fell from his horse on Saturday while playing against his brother Prince Harry during a tsunami charity polo match in western England.

The 22-year-old prince was unhurt in the fall and quickly remounted to carry on the game at Longdole Polo Club in Birdlip, Gloucestershire, which his team lost 12-7.

Who says CNN can no longer deliver the goods?

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