So NOW we need more troops?

Commanding generals in Iraq are asking for "several battalions" more troops (somewhere between 3000 and 5000 more people). They're also talking about extending the tours of more soldiers already there. They're saying the conflict has moved into a new phase -- the pummeling of insurgents in Fallujah is essentially complete, and now we need more troops to press an increasingly mobile enemy.

"Our assessment is that the insurgency remains viable," a senior military intelligence officer here said. "One of the things we see the insurgents doing is moving to areas where we don't have a lot of presence."

Finally, some refreshingly candid quotes from military leaders telling us what we're doing right and what we need to do better, and none of this "we've broken their backs" cheerleader crap.

My question -- why are we doing this now? Didn't the pentagon plan for this? Did we suddenly realize that the enemy moves around a lot? And wouldn't it make more sense for the troops to already be on the ground there, so they can strike now, when they are needed most?

Or would news of more tour extensions and literally thousands of new call-ups have, say, certain domestic political ramifications for the administration if announced prior to November 2?
Read More......

Late Sunday evening thread

Have you hated anyone for Jesus today? Read More......

Time to ban divorce and adultery... and masturbation

I'm serious. It's high time we started fighting back against the far-right and their religious coup against our democracy. And I think the way to do it is to give them what they want, and watch the American people freak out.

First off:

1. A constitutional amendment banning divorce.
2. A federal law making adultery a felony.
3. A federal law making blow jobs (i.e., sodomy) a felony, even for married couples in the privacy of their own homes.

We can then move on from there later. I'm quite serious. The next time the fundies want an amendment "protecting" marriage, we ought to give it to them. Stop debating gay marriage. Let's REALLY talk about marriage. Let's get the fundies to admit what their REAL agenda is. Ask them to make their marriage amendment broader to include all of the above.

I did this a year ago when I was sitting in for Mike Signorile on Sirius radio. I was interviewing a lawyer with the American Family Association. I got him to admit, on the air, that if he were a state legislator he would vote to ban all sodomy, even between consenting married heterosexual adults in their own bedrooms (and he specifically included blow jobs, when I asked him about it). I wanted to make the entire debate on gay marriage this year about blow jobs and the religious right wanting to ban them.

Then there's masturbation.

Did you realize that last year when Justice Scalia dissented in the Lawrence v. Texas decision, the one that overturned ant-gay sodomy laws, he angrily included a long list of things that the state would no longer be able to regulate as a result of the Lawrence decision - i.e., things that Scalia and his religious right ilk WANT to be able to regulate:

State laws against bigamy, same-sex marriage, adult incest, prostitution, masturbation, adultery, fornication, bestiality, and obscenity are likewise sustainable only in light of Bowers' validation of laws based on moral choices. Every single one of these laws is called into question by today's decision; the Court makes no effort to cabin the scope of its decision to exclude them from its holding.

That's who we're up against, folks. People who want the power to regulate masturbation.

Again, I cannot believe that no one made an issue of this last year. This would have been my number one talking point. And we should add that to the list of new state laws and state constitutional amendments we propose - regulating masturbation. Could you imagine your local politicians having to answer questions about masturbation at their press conferences, all because THEY started this debate? How about writing letters to the editor about it, and letters to your member of Congress? Tell me that wouldn't be a hoot.

The religious right activists are absolute nut jobs. And the American people would freak if they saw how utterly evil and stupid religious right activists really are. It's time we showed them. I'm not sure any organized political group at the federal level has the cojones to grab on to something like this, but perhaps some local activists can in their own state. Hell, form your own pro-family group and start your own campaign to defend marriage, while pushing the agenda I've outlined above. What would the fundies do? Oppose you? Not likely, when it's what they actually believe. And in the end, they'd be exposed as the extremist wack jobs they really are. Read More......

Sunday open thread

Feels a bit odd having Christmas approach so quickly, doesn't it? Read More......

What Martin Luther King thinks of gays

In the Washington Post anti-gay insert, the religious right bigots spouted their usual nonsense about how Martin Luther King would supposedly have been appalled that the gay civil rights movements is, well, a part of the civil rights movement. Of course, what the homophobes who falsely claim to speak for MLK never tell you is that Coretta Scott King, Mr. King's widow, long ago embraced the gay civil rights movement on behalf of herself and her husband. So basically, the bigots are full of it while they dishonor MLK's name and memory.

A while ago I put together a page of Mrs. King's quotes on the gay issue. It's still quite useful today. Feel free to use any of this as need be.

Here's a smattering of Mrs. King's quotes on gay civil rights:

"I still hear people say that I should not be talking about the rights of lesbian and gay people and I should stick to the issue of racial justice," she said. "But I hasten to remind them that Martin Luther King Jr. said, 'Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.' I appeal to everyone who believes in Martin Luther King Jr.'s dream to make room at the table of brother- and sisterhood for lesbian and gay people."

"Homophobia is like racism and anti-Semitism and other forms of bigotry in that it seeks to dehumanize a large group of people, to deny their humanity, their dignity and personhood."

"We are all tied together in a single garment of destiny . . . I can never be what I ought to be until you are allowed to be what you ought to be," she said, quoting her husband. "I've always felt that homophobic attitudes and policies were unjust and unworthy of a free society and must be opposed by all Americans who believe in democracy."

"For many years now, I have been an outspoken supporter of civil and human rights for gay and lesbian people," King said at the 25th Anniversary Luncheon for the Lambda Legal Defense and Education Fund.... "Gays and lesbians stood up for civil rights in Montgomery, Selma, in Albany, Ga. and St. Augustine, Fla., and many other campaigns of the Civil Rights Movement," she said. "Many of these courageous men and women were fighting for my freedom at a time when they could find few voices for their own, and I salute their contributions."

"We have a lot more work to do in our common struggle against bigotry and discrimination. I say 'common struggle' because I believe very strongly that all forms of bigotry and discrimination are equally wrong and should be opposed by right-thinking Americans everywhere. Freedom from discrimination based on sexual orientation is surely a fundamental human right in any great democracy, as much as freedom from racial, religious, gender, or ethnic discrimination."

"We have to launch a national campaign against homophobia in the black community."

"For too long, our nation has tolerated the insidious form of discrimination against this group of Americans, who have worked as hard as any other group, paid their taxes like everyone else, and yet have been denied equal protection under the law.... I believe that freedom and justice cannot be parceled out in pieces to suit political convenience.... Like Martin, I don’t believe you can stand for freedom for one group of people and deny it to others. So I see this bill [ENDA] as a step forward for freedom and human rights in our country and a logical extension of the Bill of Rights and the civil rights reforms of the 1950’s and ‘60’s. The great promise of American democracy is that no group of people will be forced to suffer discrimination and injustice."

Read More......

Easier to download copy of anti-gay Wash Post insert

Thanks to all who sent me jpg copies of the Washington Post anti-gay insert. RawStory.com has been kind enough to host the zipped file for us (so you can download it faster) - click here to download.

And you can read Raw Story's coverage of the controversy here. Read More......

We must kill the children to save them

But seriously, we're winning.

Acute malnutrition among young children in Iraq has nearly doubled since the United States led an invasion of the country 20 months ago, according to surveys by the United Nations, aid agencies and the interim Iraqi government.

After the rate of acute malnutrition among children younger than 5 steadily declined to 4 percent two years ago, it shot up to 7.7 percent this year, according to a study conducted by Iraq's Health Ministry in cooperation with Norway's Institute for Applied International Studies and the U.N. Development Program. The new figure translates to roughly 400,000 Iraqi children suffering from "wasting," a condition characterized by chronic diarrhea and dangerous deficiencies of protein....

The surveys suggest the silent human cost being paid across a country convulsed by instability and mismanagement. While attacks by insurgents have grown more violent and more frequent, deteriorating basic services take lives that many Iraqis said they had expected to improve under American stewardship.

Read More......

Next 9/11, Bush's fault

Per Rob's post below.

You voted for it, you got it. Read More......

House Republicans Thwart Intel Reforms

Hey look at that, I didn't even have to change the headline one bit and it looks right -- thanks Yahoo!:

In a defeat for President Bush, rebellious House Republicans on Saturday derailed legislation to overhaul the nation's intelligence agencies along lines recommended by the Sept. 11 commission.

"It's hard to reform. It's hard to make changes," said Speaker Dennis Hastert, R-Ill., who sought unsuccessfully to persuade critics among the GOP rank and file to swing behind the measure.

These Republicans seem to be having such a difficult time running the nation, they all think it's such hard work. Aww, makes me want to vomit. Try bringing that bullshit excuse to work tomorrow and see how the boss likes that one.

Talking about those opposed to the bill:

"They remain unapologetic as they pursue an agenda that is contrary to the express wishes of President Bush and Vice President Cheney," said a statement from the 9/11 Family Steering Committee.

Sieg Heil - all hail the Dick and Bush, whatever they say goes. Why are we turning into a nation of zealots in every area of life?

Sen. Susan Collins of Maine, the primary negotiator on the measure for Senate Republicans, said, "I am very disappointed that these objections have been raised at the 11th hour and temporarily derailed this bill."

Collins said it was surprising, given Bush's recent re-election triumph, that Republicans were not willing to approve legislation that he favored and his aides lobbied for throughout the day.

Someone please bring Ms. Collins the clue phone. Tom Delay just changed the rules in the House so that he can stay in power in case he is indicted. When a lawmaker avoids the very laws he made, honey, I really don't think he gives a rats ass about lame duck Bush.

"Republicans control the House, the Senate, and the White House, and the blame for this failure is theirs alone," said House Democratic leader Nancy Pelosi of California.

Come on trolls! I challenge you to a collective duel - in two sentences or less, blame this failure on:

1) The Democratic Party, in general or specific (I'm feeling generous)
2) Osama Bin Laden / Terrorists
3) Saddam Hussein / Insurgents
4) Hard work is harder for small minded people
OR
5) Bill / Hillary Clinton

Come on, I know you can do it! That hatred is right on the tip of your tongue -- it's everyone's fault but your own. God you must all make really shitty parents if you let your kids get away with what you let the Republicans get away with.

P.S. - nothing like a good screed on a Sunday morning to get the blood pumping! Read More......

The world needs ditch diggers too, right Charles?

Considering the incredible support for Tony Blair I suppose it shouldn't be too much of a surprise that the Brits tolerate such windbags as Prince Charles opened his mouth and complained about people trying to move ahead in life. Didn't John Ruskin and that paternalistic thinking go out of fashion about 150 years ago? What is with all of these families (including our own royal families in both political parties) that are "born on third base and think they hit a triple?"
Read More......

Values Party cuts college loans

Lovely people on the right, just lovely. Good thing they are rolling in the cash thanks to that tax cut. Whew! All problems are solved now.

Nearly 100,000 more students may lose their federal grants entirely, as Congress considers legislation that could place more of the financial burden for college on students and their families.

Read More......

Child malnutrition in Iraq twice as high as pre-war Iraq

Considering the fact that the pre-war numbers were already staggeringly high, this is yet another shameful moment in the American occupation of Iraq. The long term impact of malnutirition means that we are going to witness a generation of sick Iraqis (those who will manage to survive) who will not be able to contribute their full potential to the rebuilding of Iraq. When I traveled across Southeast Asia I remember being alarmed at the number of locals who suffered from sicknesses such as various eye problems and even TB of the spine, all because of malnutrition in the 1970s. Now remind me again of who the "values" party is these days?

After the rate of acute malnutrition among children younger than 5 steadily declined to 4 percent two years ago, it shot up to 7.7 percent this year, according to a study conducted by Iraq's Health Ministry in cooperation with Norway's Institute for Applied International Studies and the U.N. Development Program. The new figure translates to roughly 400,000 Iraqi children suffering from "wasting," a condition characterized by chronic diarrhea and dangerous deficiencies of protein.

The surveys suggest the silent human cost being paid across a country convulsed by instability and mismanagement. While attacks by insurgents have grown more violent and more frequent, deteriorating basic services take lives that many Iraqis said they had expected to improve under American stewardship.

Iraq's child malnutrition rate now roughly equals that of Burundi, a central African nation torn by more than a decade of war. It is far higher than rates in Uganda and Haiti.

Read More......

Sat. Late Night Open Thread

What are you still doing up? You've got church in the morning! Shame on you, violating the Fourth Commandment and finding joy on the Sabbath! Read More......

And thus they unfurled their banners for Christ...

Well folks, it looks like some over at the Air Force are asking cadets not just to "Cross Into The Blue", but also to join Team Christ. From CNN:

The Air Force Academy's longtime football coach has agreed to remove a Christian banner from the team's locker room after school administrators announced they would do more to fight religious intolerance.

Coach Fisher DeBerry agreed Friday to remove the banner, which displayed the 'Competitor's Creed,' including the lines 'I am a Christian first and last ... I am a member of Team Jesus Christ.'

DeBerry put the banner up Wednesday to encourage the team, which has experienced one of its worst seasons in recent years, academy spokesman Lt. Col. Laurent Fox said.

More practice, coach? Hell no, we've got Jesus! A few more drills coach? Hell no, get on your knees and pray son.

Read More......