More CIA propaganda from Iraq

Okay, to be fair to the CIA, they've been so cut out of the picture that this is probably Defense Department propaganda. But one thing is for sure, this document is fake. There is just no way that some "new" damning document just happens to be discovered in the middle of the week that the Republicans have devoted to using the war in Iraq to help their electoral chances in the fall.

Some coincidence. Read the rest of this post...

Ann Coulter says US soldiers want to assassinate Congressman John Murtha

At what point will the traditional media finally accept that Coulter has crossed a line, jumped the shark, become a dangerous un-American freak?

Now she's suggesting that John Murtha should be "fragged" - i.e., murdered by US troops.

To his credit, Mike Krempasky at RedState takes Coulter to task for her words.

Perhaps it's time we had a congressional resolution opposing the murder of members of Congress. And perhaps it's time that Coulter be relegated to the David Duke wing of the Republican party where she belongs.

Peter Daou has more over at Crooks & Liars. Read the rest of this post...

House Republican says America would be speaking Japanese or German if Murtha was congressman during WWII

Of course, if George Bush and these Republicans were in power during World War II, the US would have invaded Canada in order to retaliate for the bombing of Pearl Harbor. And we'd lose.



Rep. Gohmert: Let me close by saying some have not had nice things to say about our colleague Mr. Murtha, and others wanting to pull out of Iraq quickly. I understand the faithful visitation that he does routinely. So i say thank god for his big heart. I say thank god for his compassion. Thank god for his visits to the wounded. Thank god for his ministering to grieving families. But thank god he was not here and prevailed after the bloodbaths at Normandy and in the Pacific or we would be here speaking Japanese or German. Thank you.
Rep. Murtha: Was the gentleman at any of those locations? Either at normandy or any of those locations?

Rep. Gohmert: You want to know which locations?

Rep. Murtha: Yeah. Normandy?

Rep. Murtha: I say were you there?

Rep. Gohmert: No, sir. I wasn't.

Rep. Murtha: Were you in Vietnam?

Rep. Gohmert: No, sir.

Rep. Murtha: Iraq?

Rep. Gohmert: No. I have been over there. I haven't been fighting.

Rep. Murtha: Boots on the ground?

Rep. Gohmert: I do admire the gentleman's compassion and all he has done for our wounded. He has done a great service that would be you, Mr. Murtha. Read the rest of this post...

House Democrats strip William Jefferson of his committee seat

Good. Too bad three years after he outed CIA agent Valerie Plame, endangering US national security, Karl Rove still has his job. Read the rest of this post...

Iraqi aide who supports GOP Senators on setting American-killing terrorists free resigns today

But as Atrios notes, all he did was support the Republican position on amnesty: American-soldier-killing terrorists should be set free, according to top Senate Republicans. So why did the guy resign, and does this mean any Republican Senators are going to resign for giving aid and comfort to America-hating terrorists?

And just as importantly, if even the Iraqis now seem to think it's a bad idea to let American-killing terrorist go free, will Republicans change their mind and endorse the Democratic resolution opposing giving amnesty to such terrorists? Or will Republican Senators continue to mock the memory of 3,000 Americans "incinerated" (per Henry Hyde) on September 11?

Come on Senators, giving amnesty to terrorists who kill American service members is such a pre-9/11 mentality. This is a post-9/11 world, get with the program you traitors. Read the rest of this post...

Republican Bob Corker is running for Bill Frist's seat in 2006

His daugther appears to be running for Mary Cheney's. Read the rest of this post...

Gay books torched in Chicago library

Hey, so what's a little arson between homophobes. Read the rest of this post...

Democrats try to stop Republican "amnesty for terrorists" program

The Senate Democrats are calling for the Iraq government not to release any prisoners who have killed or tried to kill American soldiers. The Republicans, I hear, are opposed to the resolution. Why? Apparently they have a soft spot for evil-doers who hate America and kill American soldiers.

Please tell your Senators to oppose giving amnesty to terrorists who kill American soldiers.

The Dems just issued the following press release:

DEMOCRATS FIGHT TO STOP AMNESTY FOR IRAQI TERRORISTS
Offer Senate resolution demanding reversal and retraction of reported Iraqi proposal

Washington, DC— Democrats today demanded an immediate retraction and reversal of the reported proposal that terrorists and insurgents who kill American soldiers in Iraq may be granted amnesty by the new Iraqi government.

“It is shocking that the Iraqi Prime Minister is reportedly considering granting amnesty to insurgents who have killed U.S. troops,” said Senate Democratic Leader Harry Reid. “On the day we lost the 2,500th soldier in Iraq, the mere idea that this proposal may go forward is an insult to the brave men and women who have died in the name of Iraqi freedom. I call on President Bush to denounce this proposal immediately.”

Democrats offered a Resolution demanding that this policy be repudiated, and that President Bush immediately inform the government of Iraq—in the strongest possible terms—that the United States opposes granting amnesty to anyone who attacks American soldiers. The text of the Sense of the Senate resolution is attached below.

“We ask you Prime Minister Maliki, are you willing to have ‘reconciliation’ on the pool of American blood that has been spilled to give your people and your country a chance for freedom?” said Senator Menendez, a sponsor of the resolution. “We reject that notion and are outraged that the sacrifice of American troops and the American people could be so devalued.”

“Terrorists and insurgents shouldn’t be rewarded for killing American soldiers,” said Senator Bill Nelson, of Florida, a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee who also sponsored the resolution.

Four years into a war, the Bush Administration’s management of which has been marked by failure and incompetence, the American people expect better than to have American troops killed without threat of punishment. It is time for a change.
###

Sense of the Senate:

(1) The Iraqi government should not grant amnesty to persons who have attacked, killed, or wounded members of the U.S. Armed Forces serving heroically in Iraq to provide all Iraqis a better future.

(2) President Bush should immediately notify the government of Iraq that the United States government opposes granting amnesty in the strongest possible terms.

And by the way, I feel some t-shirts coming on. Please suggest some possible slogans. Read the rest of this post...

Bashir's release: another blow to "Global War on Terror" strategy

The release of Indonesian radical cleric Abu Bakar Bashir (convicted in connection to the deadly Bali attacks in 2002) is obviously disappointing to the U.S. government and, really, to anyone who thinks people responsible for hundreds of deaths should probably be incarcerated for more than 26 months. So, y'know, pretty much everybody.

While this is certainly a failure of the Indonesian legal system, such as it is, it also demonstrates how difficult it is for the U.S. to combat violent extremism when so much of the world despises us. How did the cleric defend himself? By claiming that his prosecution was due to U.S. pressure. Since much of his nation hates the U.S., that's a political winner. I'm not a peace love and flowers type of guy, but simple pragmatism makes it clear that the squandered goodwill towards America is having terrible effects worldwide. Bashir's release is another dangerous example of this. Read the rest of this post...

So Republicans are for amnesty for terrorists who murder US soldiers, but they oppose amnesty for Mexicans seeking a better life in America

Funny, we simply "must" punish "law-breakers" when they're Mexican immigrants because "it would send a bad message" showing law-breakers any mercy. But when the law-breakers are reputed Al Qaeda terrorists who have murdered American soldiers, suddenly the Republican party becomes all warm and fuzzy. So the message for Mexicans seeking amnesty is what? Go to Iraq and pick up a gun first?

Why did Bush just fight a 3 year war in Iraq again? To let everybody go after they killed 2,500 American soldiers?

A friend writes:

This afternoon on the Senate floor, several Senate Republicans are DEFENDING the proposal to give amnesty to terrorists who have killed or wounded American troops. Here is a quick compilation:

MCCONNELL SUGGESTED A RESOLUTION COMMENDING IRAQIS FOR GIVING TERRORISTS AMNESTY. “…might it not just be as useful an exercise to be trying to pass a resolution commending the Iraqi government for the position that they’ve taken today with regard to this discussion of Amnesty?” – Sen. Mitch McConnell

ALEXANDER COMPARED IRAQI AMNESTY FOR TERRORISTS TO NELSON MANDELA’S PEACE EFFORTS. “Is it not true that Nelson Mandela's courage and his ability to create a process of reconciliation and forgiveness was a major factor in what has been a political miracle in Africa…Did not Nelson Mandela, win a - the co-winner of - a noble Nobel Peace Prize just for this sort of gesture?” – Sen. Lamar Alexander

CORNYN: IRAQI AMNESTY DEBATE IS “A DISTRACTION.” “It makes no sense for the United States Senate to shake its finger at the new government of Iraq and to criticize them… it really is a distraction from the debate that I think the American people would want us to have.” - Sen. John Cornyn

CHAMBLISS: AMNESTY IS OK FOR EX-INSURGENTS AS LONG AS THEY ARE ON OUR SIDE NOW. “Is it not true today that we have Iraqis who are fighting the war against the insurgents, who at one time fought against American troops and other coalition troops as they were marching to Baghdad, who have now come over to our side and are doing one heck of a job of fighting along, side by side, with Americans and coalition forces, attacking and killing insurgents on a daily basis?” - Sen. Saxby Chambliss

TED STEVENS - “IF THAT’S AMNESTY, I’M FOR IT:” “I really believe we ought to try to find some way to encourage that country to demonstrate to those people who have been opposed to what we're trying to do, that it's worthwhile for them and their children to come forward and support this democracy. And if that's amnesty, I'm for it. I'd be for it. And if those people who are, come forward… if they bore arms against our people, what's the difference between those people that bore arms against the Union in the War between the States? What’s the difference between the Germans and Japanese and all the people we’ve forgiven?” – Sen. Ted Stevens

The Republicans actually support setting free terrorists who have murdered American service members. Our soldiers gave their lives capturing these people, and now Republican Senators, and presumably George Bush, want to set the terrorists free.

Nice.

I wonder what those 3,000 "incinerated" victims of September 11 who Henry Hyde likes using for political gain would say about politicians who coddle terrorists who murder US soldiers. Read the rest of this post...

VIDEO: Dems ripping GOP on House floor today over failed Iraq policy

Pelosi's YouTube page will be updated with Dem speeches throughout the day.

http://www.youtube.com/user/NancyPelosi

While Tony Snow reacts to the 2,500th combat death by saying "it's a number," House Democrats call for a moment of silence during the Iraq debate:

2,500 - A Moment of Silence

Some powerful speeches so far:

Rep. McGovern - "I'm not interested in therapy"

Rep. Slaughter - The Republican Play Book on Iraq

Rep. George Miller - Bring an End to the War

Rep. Emanuel - GOP Iraq policy, "See no evil, hear no evil" Read the rest of this post...

Open thread

Time for a breather. Read the rest of this post...

Blue Cross and Central DuPage Hospital try to screw my dying high school Spanish teacher

A terribly sad, and typical, article from the Chicago Trib. Fortunately, the Trib's involvement got the problem solved. But how many other dying cancer patients, or their spouses, are being screwed by insurance companies and hospitals who seem more interested in their own bureacracies than actually helping patients and families? I have heard so many stories like this from friends over the years. When will someone fix America's health care system for good?

Fernando Mendoza was my high school Spanish teacher. A wonderful man, Sr. Mendoza. He immigrated to the US, I'm pretty sure from Cuba. He even emailed me last fall, after I appeared at a House panel discussion on media bias. I was so happy to hear from him, then forgot to get back to him as his email was buried in the hundreds of emails I get each day.

I didn't even know he was sick. Read the rest of this post...

Republican Congressman Henry Hyde blames John Kerry for September 11

I'm watching it live. There is no other interpretation than admitted-adulterer Henry Hyde is blaming John Kerry for the predicament America is in today with regards to the war on terror.

3,000 Americans "incinerated," per Henry Hyde. (Isn't it nice that 3,000 Americans lost their lives in order for Henry Hyde to use their dead corpses for political gain.) And apparently it's all John Kerry's fault because, according to Henry Hyde, John Kerry hates defending America. He hated defending America in the mid-90s, and, well, look where we are today.

These people really are pigs. And it's even sadder that the Republicans have so little to offer America that their only new idea for winning the Iraq war is to bash John Kerry.

Our troops deserve better than an incompetent commander in chief and a Republican congress that has no more ideas. Read the rest of this post...

Here is a simple Democratic message for the Iraq war debate in the House: BUSH'S INCOMPETENCE

Incompetence.

Yes, 9/11 was horrible. We had to act. Too bad the guy who acted, George Bush, was so incompetent that he screwed up everything up.

That is the issue. George Bush's incompetence.

He ran this war into the ground. Even if he was absolutely right for going into Iraq, even if Bush was right to believe the intelligence (which is absurd, since Bush manipulated the intelligence), Bush went to war and made a mess of this war and should be held accountable.

Bush is incompetent. Read the rest of this post...

Dick Cheney to attend fundraiser for rampant homophobe

Selling your lesbian daughter to the highest homophobe? Priceless.

(And more here from Pam.) Read the rest of this post...

Connecticut Senator Joe Lieberman hates these people

Find out why. Read the rest of this post...

Thanks for coming, and, by the way, we're giving amnesty to terrorists and insurgents who killed your soldiers

As a big thank you to Bush's surprise visit, Iraq's new prime minister is going to grant amnesty to terrorists and insurgents who attacked U.S. soldiers. That's not a serious enough crime in Iraq:

Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki on Wednesday proposed a limited amnesty to help end the Sunni Arab insurgency as part of a national reconciliation plan that Maliki said would be released within days. The plan is likely to include pardons for those who had attacked only U.S. troops, a top adviser said....Reconciliation could include an amnesty for those "who weren't involved in the shedding of Iraqi blood," Maliki told reporters at a Baghdad news conference. "Also, it includes talks with the armed men who opposed the political process and now want to turn back to political activity."

No problem for those involved in the shedding of American blood. That sums up what the new Iraqi government thinks of the U.S. soldiers.

Exactly why do the Republicans in Congress feel so strongly about keeping U.S. troops in Iraq when the leadership of Iraq doesn't think killing them is a problem? Read the rest of this post...

Thursday Morning Open Thread

Should be an interesting day.

In fantasy world a.k.a. Capitol Hill, both the House and Senate will be debating Iraq.

In the real world, the death toll for U.S. soldiers killed in Iraq passed 2,500 today CNN just reported.

Ironic. Read the rest of this post...

The media can't believe it, Bush isn't moving in the polls

The latest NBC/Wall Street Journal poll had Bush "surging" 1 point -- all the way from 36% to 37%. This morning, Matt Lauer was incredulous that the numbers for Bush haven't spiked. The media is waiting for -- and pushing the narrative that there will be -- a Bush surge. The American people, who, unlike the media, grasp that Bush has lied to them about Iraq many times, aren't giving him one:

According to the poll, 37 percent approve of Bush's job performance — an increase of one point since the last survey in April. This is the seventh straight NBC/Journal poll that has had Bush's job approval below 40 percent.

For whatever reason, the traditional media always, always, always falls for the Bush spin. Yet, these days, the public doesn't. Bush can -- and does -- play the media. Exhibit A yesterday was CNN's John King who was literally gushing about the Bush trip to Iraq. But Bush's tricks and lies don't seem to be working on the American people -- yet anyway.

And, yes, everyone hates Congress:

Meanwhile, just 23 percent approve of Congress' job, while a whopping 64 percent disapprove.

Read the rest of this post...

Will does his part to over-hype al-Zarqawi

Why give the guy so much credit and power? A brutal killer, sure, but Will is going overboard and really playing up the WH/Pentagon hype to a level I didn't even think was possible. Sheesh, I hope that your check is in the mail from the Pentagon PR office. With the massive bombardment of pro-war PR going on right now, I guess he felt he had to be more outrageous then others. Compared to the AP headline of "Attacks dip after Iraqi security operation" this certainly takes poll position in the race to prop up the failed policies of Bush.

To understand the diabolical genius of Abu Musab al-Zarqawi, that pornographer of violence, begin with this:

He was a primitive who understood the wired world and used an emblem of modernity, the Internet, to luxuriate in gore. But although he may have had an almost erotic enjoyment of the gore, it was also in the service of an audacious plan. And he executed it with such brutal efficiency that he became, arguably, the most effective terrorist in history.

Read the rest of this post...

AIG loses data on almost 1M people

AIG has had plenty of problems in recent years and now they have yet another. Once again it's the old stolen computer story that is happening week after week after week. As John mentioned before, the Dems have really blown it on this issue and nobody in politics seems to care unless it is their own personal data that has been lost.

Big business uses their traditional whine about the costs and of course they will have to be passed along to consumers but as Gartner Group has shown, the costs are considerably higher when the problem has to be corrected after a breach.

Personal data loss stories are happening too often and it is much more important then fluff such as flag burning and marriage amendments and patting the president on the back for the war (which I still don't get) but somehow no one gets it. The only reason I can think of for ignoring the problem is related to campaign contributions. What else could it be? Read the rest of this post...

Open thread

Off to bed. Read the rest of this post...

House debate on Iraq resolution is causing problems for Republicans

What moron came up with the brilliant idea of debating Iraq as a way of helping Republicans in the fall elections? Yeah, Republicans get to stand up before the country and profess their undying admiration for Bush as commander in chief and for how "great" they think the war is going.

Brilliant strategy. If you want a Democratically-controlled House come the fall. Read the rest of this post...