4 US soldiers killed in Afghanistan

Yep, we haven't won the war in Afghanistan yet either. Are you ready for a few more Republican wars? Read More......

Open thread

Saturday night: Go forth and be unserious. Read More......

Happy Birthday President Clinton

What a real president looks like. Read More......

AP documents the failures of Bush to keep his promises after Katrina

Despite the promises of George Bush, it's still a disaster:

Nearly half of New Orleans was still under water when President Bush stood in the Crescent City's historic Jackson Square and swore he would "do what it takes" to rebuild the communities and lives that had been laid to waste two weeks before by Hurricane Katrina.

"Our goal is to get the work done quickly," the president said.

He promised to spend federal money wisely and accountably. And he vowed to address the poverty exposed by the government's inadequate Katrina response "with bold bold action."

A year after the storm, the federal government has proven slow and unreliable in keeping the president's promises.

The job of clearing debris left by the storm remains unfinished, and has been plagued by accusations of fraud and price gouging. Tens of thousands of families still live in trailers or mobile homes, with no indication of when or how they will be able to obtain permanent housing. Important decisions about rebuilding and improving flood defenses have been delayed. And little if anything has been done to ensure the welfare of the poor in a rebuilt New Orleans.

The AP documents the lack of progress in six areas: Emergency Assistance, Clean Up, Housing, Rebuilding, Levees, and Poverty.

Bush's promises meant nothing...again. Does anyone really think this man and his incompetent administration can keep us safe? Read More......

Bush still has no plan for Iraq, but the Democrats do

Bush gave his weekly radio address explaining how hard he worked this past week figthing terror. It's all about terror. Iraq is about terror. A lot of talk...but still no plan.

Then, Joe Sestak, a former vice Admiral in the Navy who is also running for Congress in Pennsylvania against the evil Curt Weldon, gave the Democratic response saying it's time for redeployment from Iraq. Sestak also explained how Iraq is draining the coffers instead of making us safer:

Sestak said ending the U.S. presence in Iraq would free up money and energy to concentrate on other dangers, such as nuclear programs in North Korea and Iran and bolstering homeland security protections. Two days of spending in Iraq would pay for screening all air cargo on passenger planes, while five days of Iraq costs would fund the screening of all cargo coming into the nation's ports, he said.

Iraq is the top issue for voters this year. Bush gives nothing but spin -- while offering nothing new or substantive. He cannot be honest with the American people. The whole GOP Iraq strategy is to disparage anyone who challenges or questions them. Compare his rhetoric to the approach offered by Sestak and the Democrats. Read More......

A bit more Paris blogging

A few more photos I shot today. Click the photos to see larger versions.



This is a building next to the new Musee du Quai Branly. The building is covered in living plants.



The Place de la Concorde, earlier today.



People going up the Eiffel Tower.



A view from the Place de la Concorde. Read More......

Joe Lieberman has become the GOP candidate in Connecticut

It's telling that a Republican party that even holds moderate Republicans in contempt (they're not "real" Republicans, you see) is suddenly so interested in helping Democrat Joe Lieberman be re-elected.

Sidney Blumenthal offers the best explanation so far of the GOP's new love for Joe. Read More......

It was just another day in the quagmire

Washington Post:

The Marine officer who commanded the battalion involved in the Haditha killings last November did not consider the deaths of 24 Iraqis, many of them women and children, unusual and did not initiate an inquiry, according to a sworn statement he gave to military investigators in March.

It says so much. Read More......

Activist dwarves

Guess how many Bush could name? Read More......

Alaska Republicans [heart] Al Qaeda

It's the only explanation. Read More......

Why won't Joe Lieberman come out of the closet?

I was just thinking about Joe Lieberman's claims that he's bipartisan, and it got me thinking about guys who claim they're bisexual. Some are, to be sure, but a lot seem like they're simply afraid to admit who they're really are, so they choose the "bi" label as a way of having their cake and eating it too, as it were.

Which brings us back to Joe Lieberman.

In order to be bi you have to play for both teams, Joe. If you claim you're bi and only play for one team, that doesn't make you bi. It makes you a liar and a closet case.

Come out of the closet, Joe.

Read More......

Open thread

Saturday. What's up? Read More......