Open thread

Off to watch 24 that I TIVO'd. Read More......

Verbatim text of "the deal"

Here you go, it's a pdf. Read More......

Dobson has been betrayed...the other side ain't happy...

James Dobson is not happy:

"This Senate agreement represents a complete bailout and betrayal by a cabal of Republicans and a great victory for united Democrats. Only three of President Bush’s nominees will be given the courtesy of an up-or-down vote, and it's business as usual for all the rest. The rules that blocked conservative nominees remain in effect, and nothing of significance has changed. Justice Clarence Thomas, Justice Antonin Scalia, and Chief Justice William Rehnquist would never have served on the U. S. Supreme Court if this agreement had been in place during their confirmations. The unconstitutional filibuster survives in the arsenal of Senate liberals.

"We are grateful to Majority Leader Frist for courageously fighting to defend the vital principle of basic fairness. That principle has now gone down to defeat. We share the disappointment, outrage and sense of abandonment felt by millions of conservative Americans who helped put Republicans in power last November. I am certain that these voters will remember both Democrats and Republicans who betrayed their trust."

Crooks and Liars and DailyKos have been documenting the reactions from the other side about the deal. If you think there are some unhappy folks on our side, check in with them.

More Right Wing Cranking Update: Gary Bauer...it's a "sellout" and "travesty:"

"Under this agreement it is now more likely that radical social change will continue to be forced on the American people by liberal courts committed to same sex marriage, abortion on demand and hostility to religious expression. The Republicans who lent their names to this travesty have undercut their President as well as millions of their most loyal voters. Shame on them all."

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Ok, there's a deal. What does it mean?

Still sorting through what details are available. We do know this. The filibuster lives....at least for the time being.

And, there was a compromise.

Today, George Bush told the Senate he wanted all of his nominees to get an up or down vote. Today, the US Senate said no to that.

The right wing, from Weyrich to Perkins and Dobson all said, no compromise. Well, there is a compromise. They did not prevail for a change. GOP Senators actually stood up to the theocrats.

The little puppet doctor, Bill Frist, looks hapless. He wanted to end judicial filibusters. That did not happen. Frist does not control the Senate. And, he let down the theocrats. This is not good for his political aspirations.

Will there be some judges appointed who we despise. Yes.

But, in the long run, this forces the White House to think differently about the Supreme Court. That seemed to be the message from the gang of 14, most notably Lindsay Graham who said as much during the press conference.

Still processing...but those are initial thoughts.

John's doing Dems TV so anxious to get his input, too. Read More......

The Deal

Just watched the press conference.

The gang of 14 includes McCain, Ben Nelson, Pryor, Warner, Byrd, Graham, Snowe, DeWine, Lieberman, Landrieu, Collins and Salazar who spoke at the press conf. Inouye and Chafee also joined.

MSNBC has a report.

Key details:

There will be votes on Brown, Owens and Pryor...no filibuster on them.

Filibusters allowed in "only extreme circumstances" whatever that means.

Harry Reid says it's good news. The nuclear option is off the table. Read More......

Breaking News: Deal on Judges

McCain is doing a press conference live on CNN with the "Gang of 14" to announce the deal on the filibuster. Read More......

Bush: give me my Judges...pass the nuclear option

The Christian Coalition reports that during his press conference with Hamai Karzai, Bush pushed hard -- again -- for the nuclear option:

President Bush said this afternoon from the White House, "My job is to pick people who will interpret the Constitution, not use the bench from which to write laws. And I expect them to get an up or down vote, that's what I expect. And I think the American people expect that as well -- people ought to have a fair hearing and they ought to get an up or down vote on the floor."

Bush and the right wing theocrat's triumverate of Dobson/Weyrich/Perkins are the main proponents of ending judicial filibusters. They want the Bush judges in place to start stripping away the rights of Americans (and btw, not just gays....choice, contraception, even porn....are on their agenda...Bush and these theocrats are sex-obsessed and they are going to involve themselves in every aspect of our personal lives, so straight America -- even red staters, that means you.)

The Senate GOP, whose leader Bill Frist is under the watchful eye and control of the theocrats, is preparing to vote on the nuclear option.

As they merrily follow Bush, the GOP Senators might want to take a look at the latest Gallup Poll, which DailyKos has laid out nicely for them.

Bush's approval numbers are tanking -- his approval in the Gallup Poll is 46%. Now granted, Bush doesn't have to run for anything again. And, Frist and the theocrats are playing to their base.

It sure looks like the GOP is following an increasingly unpopular leader. And since this debate is about pure politics, not policy, you can bet some of the GOP Senators are taking a very close look at those polls. Read More......

Anti-gay Mayor West won't quit

A bit ago, CNN did a Breaking News to cover a statement from Anti-gay (but not gay in his mind) Jim West.

Basically, Jim announced he ain't quitting. AP reports he is getting intense pressure from the Spokane business community. But, according to Jim, he hasn't done anything wrong:

"I ask that you accept my apology. I ask for your understanding. But more than anything, I ask that together we turn our attention back to making Spokane a better place to live," West said during a brief news conference.

West, who has 31 months remaining in his term, did not specify what he was apologizing for. He did not accept questions following his statement.

Many people - including some City Council members and, earlier Monday, the Spokane Chamber of Commerce - have called for West's resignation since The Spokesman-Review newspaper reported this month that he offered gifts, favors and jobs at City Hall to lure someone posing as an 18-year-old man on Gay.com.

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Stem Cells

Bush sickens me. Read More......

Senator Reid to address the nation tonight about impending filibuster vote

SENATOR REID TO ADDRESS THE NATION ON EVE OF HISTORIC VOTE

Reid to Discuss Importance of Checks and Balances

WASHINGTON, DC -- On the eve of the historic vote in the United States Senate, Senate Democratic Leader Harry Reid will address the nation about the importance of the critical check in our democracy's system of checks and balances – a Senator's right to filibuster.

The majority of Americans agree that our Constitutional checks and balances must be preserved, and the independence of our judiciary must be protected. Senators Democrats have worked hard to reach out to their Republican colleagues and to look for compromise to protect the Senate from this abuse of power. With a little more than 24 hours until the historic vote, Senator Reid will discuss the real consequences of this historic vote to the strength of this country and to the daily lives of all Americans. The Alliance for Justice is sponsoring this important address to the nation.

WHO: Democratic Leader Harry Reid

WHAT: Address to the Nation, 90-Seconds

WHEN: Monday May 23, 2005

WHERE: WRC 7:58 P.M.
WJLA 7:57 P.M.
WTTG 7:57 P.M.
CNN 8:00 P.M.
CNNHN 8:00 P.M.
FoxNews 7:50-7:55 P.M. Read More......

GOP supports "Activist Judges" if they can overturn elections

Here we go again. When the GOP loses and they can't stand it, they run to the courts. That's what's happening in Washington State where the GOP has gone to court to overturn the Governor's election AP is reporting:

A trial to determine whether the results of Washington state's gubernatorial election last fall should be thrown out opened Monday with the Republicans charging that the Democrats "stole" the contest for Christine Gregoire, who won by 129 votes out of 2.9 million cast.

The GOP wants Dino Rossi declared the winner or a do-over election held.

So while the GOP hypocrites in DC are castigating activist judges, the GOP in Washington State is hoping for a judge to help them win an election....again.

Imagine if the situation were reversed....the right wing would be apoplectic. Read More......

If you're in Evanston, IL on Tuesday...

Cool deal (or, hot one):

On May 24th the US senate will take of the issue of eliminating the use of the filibuster to block judicial nominees. We find this to be an unacceptable abuse of power which only serves to stifle debate and serve the interests of extremists partisans.

We understand that many in the blogging community will be following these events closely. Therefore, Pickacup will be offering a free wireless Internet Services and a free bottomless coffee to any blogger needing a base on May 24th.

Please stop by.

Pick a Cup Coffee
1813 Dempster
Evanston, IL 60201
847.332.2834

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DOD Web site jokes of Christian crusade against Muslims

UPDATE: I'm bumping this post up, I think this is important and indicative of the much larger problem we have in our military, our leadership, and with the Arab world. Didn't want it lost as a Sunday post. Thanks, JOHN

A clever AMERICAblogger sent me the following link to the US Department of Defense's own Marine Corps Web site. It shows a photo taken May 5, 2005 in Iraq. It's a photo of a US tank dubbed the "New Testament" - the name of the tank is written across its barrel. The even funnier part is that this photo MADE IT PAST military censors and the DOD Web page with the photo on it even brags about the name "New Testament" in the caption. So some jerk at the Pentagon knew exactly what this was about and found it funny enough to put on their Web site, and it passed various level of review. Lovely.

Why does Newsweek hate America?

Check out the barrel on the tank.



Here is the caption page from DOD's own Web site about the photo:

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Tomorrow's "Media Bias" panel in the US House

I'll be a panelist:

Press Advisory
Congressman John Conyers, Jr.
Michigan, 14th District
Ranking Member,U.S. House Judiciary Committee
Dean, Congressional Black Caucus

For Immediate Release: Contact: Danielle Brown
May 20, 2005 (202) 225- 6906

*** TUESDAY 1PM***

FROM THE NEWSWEEK CONTROVERSY TO
THE DOWNING STREET MEMO,
CONYERS HOSTS FORUM:

"MEDIA BIAS AND THE FUTURE OF FREEDOM OF THE PRESS"

WASHINGTON, D.C. - On Tuesday, May 24, at 1 p.m., Rep. John Conyers, Jr. and other Members will host a forum concerning the state of the freedom of the press in this country.

There are few liberties which are more precious to our citizenry or important to our democracy than a free and independent press. Unfortunately, in the present environment, the fourth estate appears reticent to cover numerous issues of genuine public import, and has frequently retreated in the face of criticism and threats from government officials.

For example, the mainstream media has largely ignored the implications of the "Downing Street Memo," which points to a secret agreement between the Bush and Blair Administration to not only go to war, but create the conditions necessary for the war. Similarly, in the wake of the Newsweek "retraction" of the Koran story, the Administration has sought to mandate that the magazine alter its coverage of our involvement in the Middle East.

Tuesday's Forum will provide a timely opportunity to assess the nature of media bias and the extent that press freedoms are at risk in the post-9/11 world.

WHAT: Forum: "Media Bias and the Future of Freedom of the Press"

PANEL: Al Franken, the Al Franken Show on Air America Radio, author of Lies and the Lying Liars Who Tell Them: A Fair and Balanced Look at the Right

David Brock, founder of Media Matters

Randi Rhodes, the Randi Rhodes Show on Air America Radio

Joe Madison, The Black Eagle Radio Show

Justin Webb, Senior Washington Correspondent of BBC News

Eric Alterman, Senior Fellow at the Center for American Progress

Steve Rendall, media watchdog group FAIR (Fairness and Accuracy in Reporting)

John Aravosis, America Blog

Mark Lloyd, Senior Fellow at the Center for American Progress

WHEN: Tuesday, May 24, at 1 p.m.

WHERE: 2226 Rayburn House Office Building

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My new article is up on RADAR

Go to the home page, then scroll down to Politics: It's a Family-Values Affair. Read More......

Tillman Family says Bush lied about their dead son, still not telling the truth, allege conspiracy by DOD

Now's there's a cocktail in courage. Take one dead football star, mix in some friendly-fire death and an absolute lie about how he died, then feed it to the masses to placate them in a growing mistake of a war.

From the Wash Post:

More than a year after their son was shot several times by his fellow Army Rangers on a craggy hillside near the Pakistani border, Tillman's mother and father said in interviews that they believe the military and the government created a heroic tale about how their son died to foster a patriotic response across the country. They say the Army's "lies" about what happened have made them suspicious, and that they are certain they will never get the full story.

"Pat had high ideals about the country; that's why he did what he did," Mary Tillman said in her first lengthy interview since her son's death. "The military let him down. The administration let him down. It was a sign of disrespect. The fact that he was the ultimate team player and he watched his own men kill him is absolutely heartbreaking and tragic. The fact that they lied about it afterward is disgusting."

....Patrick Tillman Sr., a San Jose lawyer, said he is furious about what he found in the volumes of witness statements and investigative documents the Army has given to the family. He decried what he calls a "botched homicide investigation" and blames high-ranking Army officers for presenting "outright lies" to the family and to the public.

"After it happened, all the people in positions of authority went out of their way to script this," Patrick Tillman said. "They purposely interfered with the investigation, they covered it up. I think they thought they could control it, and they realized that their recruiting efforts were going to go to hell in a handbasket if the truth about his death got out. They blew up their poster boy."....

Patrick Tillman Sr. believes he will never get the truth, and he says he is resigned to that now. But he wants everyone in the chain of command, from Tillman's direct supervisors to the one-star general who conducted the latest investigation, to face discipline for "dishonorable acts." He also said the soldiers who killed his son have not been adequately punished.....

That their son was famous opened up the situation to problems, the Tillmans say, in part because of the devastating public relations loss his death represented for the military. Mary Tillman says the government used her son for weeks after his death, perpetuating an untrue story to capitalize on his altruism -- just as the Abu Ghraib prison scandal was erupting publicly....

This lie was to cover their image. I think there's a lot more yet that we don't even know, or they wouldn't still be covering their tails.

"If this is what happens when someone high profile dies, I can only imagine what happens with everyone else."

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Monday Morning Open Thread

This should be an interesting week... Read More......

Grover's getting some unwanted attention

Grover Norquist, one of the leaders of the right-wing here in DC, is getting some intense scrutiny because of his very close relationship with notorious lobbyist Jack Abramoff. The NY Times has the story:

In Republican Washington, Jack Abramoff and Grover Norquist worked all the angles.

One was a $750-an-hour lobbyist, the other an antitax activist, and they helped drive the Republican takeover of the capital and cement the party's power. Both had a close ally in the House majority leader, Tom DeLay. And they shared a conservative ideology and a friendship going back to their days in college.

Now, with widening Congressional and criminal inquiries in the capital into Mr. Abramoff's dealings, they are sharing trouble, too.

While Mr. Abramoff has been under scrutiny for more than a year, Mr. Norquist has attracted unwelcome attention in recent weeks. A Congressional committee investigating whether Mr. Abramoff defrauded Indian tribes has subpoenaed records from Mr. Norquist's group, Americans for Tax Reform, after he refused for six months to turn them over voluntarily.

The Justice Department is reviewing records of an advocacy group Mr. Norquist started with Gale A. Norton, now secretary of the interior, after reports that Mr. Abramoff instructed Indian tribes to give it $250,000. And Mr. Norquist's name appears over and over in newly disclosed documents outlining Mr. Abramoff's work in the Northern Marianas Islands, an American protectorate in the Pacific, which Democrats are agitating to investigate.

Grover explains it all:"McCain hates me." Sure, Grover, that's probably what it is.

It is going to be fun to watch Grover squirm. Read More......

Did Laura Bush's visit almost trigger a massacre?

That's what an employee of the US-consulate general told The Independent says. Despite the post-event spin by Peace Envoy and horse-masturbation-comedian Laura Bush, the event sounded a little more sensitive than you might read in the AP version of the story.

"If the police hadn't stepped in," a Palestinian employee of the US consulate-general told The Independent, "there would have been a massacre. The Muslim officials didn't do anything to stop the protesters. If they'd got any closer, the American security men would have shot them."

Also missing in the AP version was the lukewarm response to her "human rights" pitch. Considering the constant stream of stories about Muslim prisoners being abused and even murdered, this should not come as a surprise. (Must still be Newsweek's fault.)

Hey Laura, if you're going to talk the talk then walk the walk.

Update: I missed the WaPo article on the same subject (which also smooths over a few points and finishes with a sugary ending) that says Laura met with a local peace activist. Ha! In nthe US peace activists are singled out, arrested, followed by the FBI but not so overseas, apparently. Read More......

Just how well off is Afghanistan?

With Karzai visiting the US for talks with Bush and the wingnuts talking about the Afghanistan success story (and who could forget those incredible 2 hours in country by Laura Bush?!) it's time people wake up and give Afghanistan a more serious look. Besides the anti-US protests, Afghanistan is still not what anyone would really consider a haven for womens rights and opium production has hit record highs under the new regime. It's a little too easy to blame Karzai for this problem when the US is supposed to be controlling the country and controls the pursestrings. Didn't Condi even brag about the anti-opium campaign there earlier this year?

We've seen limited success in Afghanistan but it's not exactly what anyone could honestly call a success story. Maybe we'll see another "Laura Bush to the rescue" campaign because her first visit worked out so well. Read More......