TIME's Person of the Year is coming soon

Often it's someone or something you'd never expect. But this year, I'm thinking it might just be Nancy Pelosi. Not exclusively for who she is, but rather for what she represents. The first female Speaker. The return of Democratic control, en masse, to Washington after 14 years. The demise of George Bush and the Republican party. The overbearing and growing presence and impact of the Iraq disaster on national politics, and the world. Pelosi's return represents all of those things. So does Harry Reid's, and they may just name both of them (or collectively the Democratic Congress). Or they may not. TIME could always pick Iraq. Read More......

Bush "Privacy Board" is a joke

Not that this should surprise anyone. From Wired:

The first public meeting of a Bush administration "civil liberties protection panel" had a surreal quality to it, as the five-member board refused to answer any questions from the press, and stonewalled privacy advocates and academics on key questions about domestic spying.

The Privacy and Civil Liberties Oversight Board, which met Tuesday, was created by Congress in 2004 on the recommendation of the 9/11 Commission, but is part of the White House, which handpicked all the members. Though mandated by law in late 2004, the board was not sworn in until March 2006, due to inaction on the part of the White House and Congress.

The three-hour meeting, held at Georgetown University, quickly established that the panel would be something less than a fierce watchdog of civil liberties. Instead, members all but said they view their job as helping Americans learn to relax and love warrantless surveillance.

"The question is, how much can the board share with the public about the protections incorporated in both the development and implementation of those policies?" said Alan Raul, a Washington D.C. lawyer who serves as vice chairman. "On the public side, I believe the board can help advance national security and the rights of American by helping explain how the government safeguards U.S. personal information."

Yes, you see, the only way to protect your privacy is to convince you that you don't need it. Read More......

White House spokesman Tony Snows implies today that we're actually winning in Iraq

What else could he possibly mean when he said the following during a press conference today:

MR. SNOW: I was speaking last night with a service member just recently back; he was at our party. And he's frustrated because a lot of the activities they do never get reported. Well, one of the things that never seems to be counterposed to the death counts is what our servicemen and women are doing. And one of the things they're doing is they're fighting the bad guys. And as General Chirelli said recently, the bad guys haven't won a single battle. For obvious reasons, going back to Vietnam era, people are loathe to do body counts. But it probably is worth at least giving a general impression of relative battlefield success of what's going on, which is a great many members of al Qaeda in Anbar and also people who are committing acts of violence in Baghdad and elsewhere are dying or being captured as a result of these military activities.

Q Tony, is this something that the White House would like the America public to judge? We killed this many bad guys, versus how many of us are killed? Is that something you want as a metric from now on?

MR. SNOW: I don't know. But I think -- I think the most -- I think it is important that Americans learn as much as possible about what's going on in Iraq, and that's not merely militarily, to get a sense of where the violence is located, how widespread it is, what's going on in civil society, is there hope in certain provinces, what is the full picture in Iraq. And I'm afraid that that is something that people have not fully received. And so we will be talking about the fuller picture, good news and bad news....

Q And if you look back on numbers that have been given here and in the Pentagon about how many enemy there are over the years, I mean, at one point it's 5,000, at one it's 20,000. So in the last three months, you've killed or captured 5,000 -- it seems like all the enemies should be gone at this point.

MR. SNOW: Well, again, Martha, I know. But I'm just telling you that -- I told you I'm not going to put the President on the couch. I'm offering you a possible explanation. But it is important that people get a fuller picture. And you've heard it from troops, I've heard it from troops, and it should not be limited simply to that. But one also should not assume that people out there are simply dying in vain or that our men and women are not accomplishing things when they're taking on the people who are committing acts of violence that has killed thousands of Iraqis.

So again the Bush administration transports us back to 2004-2005 when they were still claiming that we were winning in Iraq - the only thing wrong was that the media wasn't reporting that we were actually winning. That's the only possible meaning of Snow's words, and take into account that Laura Bush said the same thing today, that it's the media's fault for not reporting all the good news coming out of Iraq - that means this is a concerted message being put out by the White House, that things are actually going well but-for the negative media coverage.

This is insane. Either we're winning or we're losing. And if a soldier goes up to the President's press secretary and expresses frustration that all the "good news" out of Iraq isn't being reported, then tell him to talk to his incoming Defense Secretary who just told Congress that we're not winning in Iraq.

We are not winning in Iraq.

We are losing this war because the White House thinks the only thing going wrong is the media coverage. This is beyond delusional at this point. The Republicans are unfit to run our country in such dangerous times. Read More......

TIME accused of publishing plagiarized gay-bashing column

The author of the column, religious right leader James Dobson, appears to have lifted an entire paragraph from an essay by someone else. See for yourself.

Nice work, Time. Read More......

New Jersey legislature passes "civil unions" legislation for gay couples. Governor says will sign.

A short and sweet article from the AP.

Look, is marriage better than civil unions? Yes, in my mind. Separate but equal isn't equal. And calling it a civil union rather than a marriage is demeaning, and it connotes second-class status. Having said that, this is pretty damn historic. It's also politically not unwise to make these kind of advances in bite-sized pieces that the public can digest and become accustomed to, then move on to bigger things. The alternative is to get everything you want immediately, and then suffer a massive backlash by a public that you haven't wooed - and by backlash, I mean a big fat amendment to the US Constitution.

I'm not sure I ever imagined seeing civil unions permitted anywhere in the US in my lifetime, let alone marriage. While today was a let-down in not getting marriage, for second-best it's pretty darn good. Read More......

Johnson having "uncomplicated post-operative course." No further surgery needed.

Via Reuters:

U.S. Sen. Tim Johnson will not need additional surgery, the U.S. Capitol physician said on Thursday, adding the South Dakota Democrat was having an "uncomplicated post-operative course."

Adm. John Eisold, the attending physician at the U.S. Capitol, said, "No further surgical intervention has been required." He gave no further details on Johnson's condition following surgery late on Wednesday for bleeding in his brain.

Perhaps the talking heads could all take a deep breath now. Read More......

TIME slammed by second doctor for publishing anti-gay hit piece misquoting legit science

From my friend Wayne Besen at TruthWinsOut.com:

YALE PROFESSOR SAYS JAMES DOBSON ‘CHERRY PICKED’ HIS RESEARCH IN TIME MAGAZINE ARTICLE

Kyle Pruett, M.D., is Second Professor In Two Days To Challenge Dobson’s Use Of Research

Miami Beach, FLA. – Truth Wins Out urged Time Magazine today to renounce a guest column written by James C. Dobson in this week’s magazine after a second professor, Kyle Pruett, M.D. of the Yale School of Medicine, expressed concerns that the Focus on the Family leader “cherry picked” his work. In a letter to Time and Dobson, Dr. Pruett asked that Focus on the Family, “not quote from my research in your media campaigns, personal or corporate, without previously securing my permission.”

Yesterday, New York University Professor Carol Gilligan, PhD, also wrote a letter to Time and Dobson saying that her research was distorted and twisted.

“Time Magazine should take Dobson’s article off the web and pledge that they will never again use his group as a source on family issues,” said Wayne Besen, Executive Director of Truth Wins Out. “Focus on the Family has damaged its credibility and should stop misleading Americans by misquoting respected researchers.”

TODAY, Pruett wrote the following letter:

13 December 2006

Dr. Dobson,

I was startled and disappointed to see my work referenced in the current Time Magazine piece in which you opined that social science, such as mine, supports your convictions opposing lesbian and gay parenthood. I write now to insist that you not quote from my research in your media campaigns, personal or corporate, without previously securing my permission.

You cherry-picked a phrase to shore up highly (in my view) discriminatory purposes. This practice is condemned in real science, common though it may be in pseudo-science circles. There is nothing in my longitudinal research or any of my writings to support such conclusions. On page 134 of the book you cite in your piece, I wrote, “What we do know is that there is no reason for concern about the development or psychological competence of children living with gay fathers. It is love that binds relationships, not sex.”

Kyle Pruett, M.D.
Yale School of Medicine

Additionally, New York University educational psychologist Carol Gilligan, PhD, demanded an apology from Dobson yesterday and asked that Focus on the Family “cease and desist” from quoting her work in the future.

Truth Wins OUT is a non-profit organization that counters right wing propaganda, exposes the “ex-gay” myth and educates America about gay life. For more information, visit www.TruthWinsOut.org.

** TAKE ACTION **

James Dobson is a discredited political hack who has serially distorted research and twisted the truth to fit his right wing political agenda. He should never have been given a platform to discuss GLBT families in a respected major media outlet, such as Time Magazine.

The use of pseudo-science that aims to discriminate has no place in a publication like Time. Let's face it, they would never dare provide a similar platform for extremist groups to bash other minorities.

Tell Time, that it is way past time, to be giving a stage to Focus on the Family and other groups that blatantly and provably lie about gay life.

Memo to Time: "If the right can't prove it, Don't use it."

WRITE A LETTER TO THE EDITOR:

Time Magazine
Patrick_Smith@timemagazine.com

Read More......

Just how bad a President is George W Bush?

A friend of a friend weighs in via London's Sunday Telegraph. Read More......

Bush's friends in Saudi Arabia and OPEC want to cut oil production to keep prices above $60 a barrel

Remember when oil was hovering for the longest time around $20 a barrel. Why then does OPEC, and specifically Saudi Arabia, have the need to keep those prices above $60 a barrel?

I seem to remember that Saudi Arabia wasn't very concerned when oil prices skyrocketed even higher and Americans were paying $3 and even up to almost $4 a gallon for gas. Saudi Arabia didn't do a hell of a lot then to "stablize" gas and oil prices. But now that their windfall is only going to 3x normal prices, Bush's buddies the Saudis (you remember them, the folks who made up the majority of the 9/11 hijackers, the folks who funded the 9/11 hijackers, the folks who now are talking about funding the Al Qaeda insurgency in Iraq - that would be the Saudis) now feel compelled to keep those oil prices "stable."

When will America wake up and realize that Saudi Arabia is not our friend. They're always looking for an opportunity to screw us, when we're the ones propping up their rather hideous regime. Saudi Arabia wants to talk about what will happen if America pulls out of Iraq. Well I want to talk about what will happen if America pulls out of Saudi Arabia. Starting with the (literal) beheading of the entire Saudi royal family by those same Al Qaeda insurgents Saudi Arabia is so keen on financing in Iraq.

Not so funny anymore, this little "what if" game, is it? More from the NYT. Read More......

John McCain wants to legislate the blogs out of existence

John McCain is an arch-conservative Republican who wants the government involved in all of your business. Now he's concerned that political blogs are somehow refuges for child sex predators. Perhaps John McCain should start with regulating his own party, where the real threat to children lies.More here. Read More......

Laura Bush blames the media's Iraq coverage for her husband's low poll ratings

Unbelievable. The whole White House is delusional. The First Lady maintains that the failure in Iraq isn't her husband's fault. It's because the media is mean and they're just covering the bad stuff happening over there. Mrs. Bush said that today in an interview with MSNBC's very painful Norah O'Donnell.

When O'Donnell asked Laura about the latest NBC/WSJ poll that showed only 2 in 10 Americans approve of Bush's handling of Iraq (it's actually 19%), Laura blamed the bad media coverage. Her quote (no transcript on line yet just the video) was:

I understand why those polls are like that because of the coverage we see every single day on Iraq and it is not encouraging coverage for sure.

Yes, Laura, it's not encouraging. But that's your husband's fault. But Laura thinks there is just a media "drumbeat" of bad news and she wants more "balanced" coverage.

Here's an idea, Laura. You and the girls head over to Iraq for a couple weeks to show us all the good things that are happening over there. Blaming the media is so 2005. Your husband is losing this war and the American people know it. He's brought about the deaths of thousands, Laura. Deal with it.

One other thing. It's really hard to understand why Norah O'Donnell didn't challenge Laura Bush when she blamed the media. Norah is the media. She has colleagues from her network in Iraq. Richard Engel and Jane Arraf have both done excellent coverage from that war zone for NBC. Those are the reporters Laura Bush is trashing. Those are O'Donnell's colleagues who aren't sitting in the MSNBC studios, they are covering a war from the front lines. You'd think maybe O'Donnell would understand that Bush is slamming her profession. But Norah O'Donnell would never challenge Laura Bush. She might not get to ask her about Christmas gifts. Read More......

Johnson "recovering without complication." Family is "encouraged and optimistic"

We'll keep providing the latest news on Senator Johnson's condition throughout the day. Amazing how quickly this turned in to a purely political story. The GOP sharks are circling Tim Johnson. CNN has Dr. Sanjay Gupta, a brain surgeon, covering this story and he's been quite informative. Meanwhile, MSNBC's painful Norah O'Donnell, fresh off a scintillating interview with Laura Bush about Christmas, is just weirdly giddy. The latest news from the Associated Press sounds hopeful:

Johnson suffered from bleeding in the brain caused by a congenital malformation, the U.S. Capitol physician said, describing the surgery as successful. The condition, present at birth, causes tangled blood vessels.

"The senator is recovering without complication," the physician, Adm. John Eisold, said. "It is premature to determine whether further surgery will be required or to assess any long-term prognosis."

Eisold said doctors had to drain the blood that had accumulated in Johnson's brain and stop continued bleeding.

Democrats hold a fragile 51-49 margin in the new Senate that convenes Jan. 4. If Johnson leaves the Senate, the Republican governor of South Dakota could appoint a Republican - keeping the Senate in GOP hands with Vice President Dick Cheney's tie-breaking power.

Johnson's condition, also known as AVM, or arteriovenous malformation, causes arteries and veins to grow abnormally large and become tangled.

The senator's wife, Barbara Johnson, said the family "is encouraged and optimistic."

In a statement from Johnson's office Thursday, she said her family was "grateful for the prayers and good wishes of friends, supporters and South Dakotans."

The GOP needs to be careful here. There have been many Senators who had to recuperate from serious medical conditions. Remember Arlen Specter's brain tumor? They all need to back off. Read More......

Not that Bush cares about what the American public thinks, but...

If Bush did care, he would see that they want out of the mess he created in Iraq. Meanwhile, "the decider" continues to ignore anyone who won't parrot his own idea of staying the course or digging a deeper hole. His listening tour where he only listens to himself but tells everyone how much he's listening becomes more pathetic and desperate each day. How about listening to the American people or don't they count any more now that they disagree?

Nearly seven in 10 respondents say they feel less confident the war will come to a successful conclusion. What's more, two-thirds believe the United States is already doing all it can to reduce the violence there. And a majority even says the U.S. doesn't have an obligation to killed or wounded American soldiers to remain in Iraq until the mission there is completed.

"For the public, there is no confidence left," says Democratic pollster Peter D. Hart, who conducted this survey with Republican Bill McInturff. "It is just not going to happen -- that we're not going to be victorious, that we're not going to be able to stay the course, that we're not going to be able to have a successful conclusion to the war."

Read More......

Update on Sen. Johnson's condition via CNN

CNN reports that Johnson has been "diagnosed with congenital arteriovenous malformation." They also reported that the surgery Johnson had overnight was successful. The attending physician at the U.S. Capitol provided the information. Read More......

50 - 70 abducted on streets of Baghdad today

Can't they hold still for a few weeks while Bush is on his listening tour? Since he's waiting for someone to tell him what a brilliant plan he has, it might take a while.

The attackers drove up to the busy al-Sanak area in about 10 sport utility vehicles and began rounding up shop owners and bystanders. Two police officers said 50 to 70 people were abducted.

The gunman were wearing Iraqi military uniforms, again. How does Bush intend to train the Iraqi troops when so much of what the US provides (including weapons) is sent packing to the other side? Game over George, you blew it. Read More......

After surgery, Senator Johnson in critical condition

Latest news from the Washington Post on the condition of Senator Tim Johnson (D-SD):

Sen. Tim Johnson (D-S.D.) underwent emergency surgery overnight after falling ill at the Capitol and was in critical condition early this morning, introducing a note of uncertainty over control of the Senate just weeks before Democrats are to take over with a one-vote margin.

Johnson, 59, was taken to George Washington University Hospital shortly after noon, after becoming disoriented during a conference call with news reporters. He underwent "a comprehensive evaluation by the stroke team," his office said. Aides later said he had not suffered a stroke or heart attack.

Expecting a more in-depth statement later this morning. Read More......

Freedom to protest wins in UK court decision

Tough break for Blair and his dreams of a police state. Another good day for democracy...real democracy.

Peace protesters and civil rights groups celebrated an "enormous victory for free speech" after the House of Lords condemned the police for preventing a demonstration outside an airbase used in the Iraq war.

Hours before American B-52 bombers took off from RAF Fairford in Gloucestershire in March 2003, 120 opponents of the invasion were travelling from London in three coaches to protest outside its gates.

A few miles away they were stopped by police who confiscated a Frisbee and a bag of toy soldiers during a two-hour search. Their coaches were then sealed and escorted in convoy, without even allowing lavatory stops, back to London.

The High Court and Court of Appeal have already said police acted unlawfully. They won a further landmark ruling yesterday when the Law Lords unanimously concluded that police violated their right to lawful assembly and to freedom of expression, which was "an essential foundation of democratic society".

A Frisbee...how dangerous. Read More......

Don't eat the...

lettuce, green onions, chicken, spinach, eggs, beef, maybe even cheese, but besides that, everything is OK, for now. The Republicans did an excellent job of gutting food protection laws for America because it showered them in campaign contributions. Yes, their political campaigns are much more important than the food safety of America.

Thanks for nothing and could someone please ask Newt what he thinks of this brilliant plan of his to gut the system? Since he is a presidential candidate and is as central as anyone on these countless failures within the system, let's see what he has to say about it now. I'm going to take a wild, stab in the dark here, and guess that his answer will mirror his response to the war in Iraq, which is also strongly supported. The GOP can not be trusted with protecting America whether it is overseas or at home. Read More......

Open thread

Thursday and Friday, high of 62 in DC. This town is insane. Read More......