DeLay Lied

Now I know "DeLay Lied" is definitely not a newsflash to anyone, but take a look at this article published by The Houston Chronicle The day after U.S. Rep. Tom DeLay's grand jury indictment, his lawyer and the jury foreman on Thursday appeared to contradict the Texas politician's assertions that he was not given a chance to speak before the jury. The foreman, William M. Gibson Jr., a retired state insurance investigator, said the Travis County grand jury waited until Wednesday, the final day of its term, to indict him because it was hoping he would accept jurors' invitation to testify. DeLay said in interviews that the grand jury never asked him to testify. [snip] In a Wednesday night appearance on MSNBC's Hardball with Chris Matthews, he said Travis County District Attorney Ronnie Earle never talked to him or asked him to testify. "Never asking me to testify, never doing anything for two years," DeLay said in the interview. "And then, on the last day of his fourth or sixth grand jury, he indicts me. Why? Because his goal was to make me step down as majority leader." Now that is an outright lie. I am listening to the interview with Chris Matthews on iPod as I post this. He even went so far as to accuse Nancy Pelosi and others in the Democratic Party as having a meeting or meetings and conspiring to tell Ronnie Earle to get him. You can read directly from the transcript of the "Hardball" program HERE. MATTHEWS: Right. But, in this case, forced you to relinquish your leadership. DELAY: Never talking to me. Never talking to me. Never asking me to testify, never doing anything for two years. And then, on the last day of his fourth or sixth grand jury, he indicts me. Why? Because his goal was to make me step down as majority leader. and he continues further on MATTHEWS: Do you think there were meetings involving Nancy Pelosi or anyone else in the House leadership or these guys you mentioned who lost their seats and put together this charge against you; they cooked it up? DELAY: Yes, I think so, but I... MATTHEWS: It wasn't just his eager beaver prosecutors helping Ronnie Earle? It was people from outside who involved themselves in this? DELAY: I think so. yes. It's always someone else's fault or a conspiracy with these guys. None of them have ever owned up to wrongdoing or a mistake in their self-centered lives. Well his lies are going to catch up with him big time. As you and I both know, persistent liars always trip themselves up eventually because they can't remember what they said and contradict themselves. See you in the "perp walk" soon Tommy. MORE....

Abuse Photos Ordered Released

U.S. District Judge Alvin K. Hellerstein who is hearing the ACLU case against the Pentagon for the release of the Abu Gharib abuse photos and videos has sided with the ACLU. Hellerstein found in a 50 page decision that “the command structure that failed to exercise discipline over the troops, and the persons in that command structure whose failures in exercising supervision may make them culpable along with the soldiers who were court-martialed for perpetrating the wrongs.” Congratulations to a brave judge who stood up to the Government and ordered this release. Not only should the military personnel involved be punished, but even more importantly, the people in charge, including not only military but civilian officials. If it leads to the top and implicates Rumsfeld turning a blind eye to the conduct, or worse, encouraging it then so be it. The tacit approval or encouragement by Pentagon officials needs to be investigated completely. I am of the opinion that they did indeed encourage this conduct. Why else would the Administration and the Pentagon fight so hard to keep these under wraps? Why else would the current AG say torture is legal? Why else would they refuse to treat these prisoners in accordance with the Geneva Convention? These sick bastards in the Bush Crime Cabal will stop at nothing and I would expect them to appeal this decision all the way to the Supreme Court where of course by the time they get there will have a locked in Right-wing Conservative majority. If what Lindsey Graham said in the Senate Hearing is true that 'The American public needs to understand we're talking about rape and murder here. We're not just talking about giving people a humiliating experience. 'We're talking about rape and murder -- and some very serious charges." then the entire bunch need to be impeached. We even have Maj. Gen. Antonio Taguba saying in his report on the prison conditions that the photos showed videotapes and photographs show naked detainees, and that groups of men were forced to masturbate while being photographed and videotaped and also included a male MP guard having sex with a female detainee. How much clearer can it get that this didn't involve just a small group of rogue members of the military. This is serious, sick and sadistic and heads should roll.

Miller = Ethics & Principles ......NOT

I still maintain that the deal that was struck between Miss Judy and Prosecutor Fitzgerald stemmed from the fact that her highness wanted a guarantee that she could cover her ass and not testify about anything where she would implicate herself. It seems at least one other blogger agrees, and goes into an extensive post that points this out MUCH better than my take on the agreement. Via The Heretik According to NBC news, Judy will testify tomorrow. I think the whole "Libby gave her a release" story is just so much bs, a fig leaf for her to hide behind, and I doubt whatever "deal" she cut at this point allows her to do much more than keep her ass out of jail. And if her testimony didn't incriminate anyone, she would have given it long ago -- any examination of her behavior to date show her to be a complete stranger to commonly held notions of "principle." [snip] Judith Miller has a rather ignominious history as a conduit of "information" the veracity of which recently has been dubious at best. The joke that this woman stood for any journalistic principals in covering "the news" in the past is only now exceeded by the hilarity of righteously covering her vulnerable butt. The truth in this matter was going to come out sooner or later. In this case it is later, because delay is always the last tactic of the losing side. Who exactly is revealed on that losing side we will now find out. As is usual with The Heretik, there are an extensive amount of links provided in the post covering many aspects of the story. Trust me, Miss Judy DID NOT go to jail out of some ethical reason as "protecting a source". First of all she never wrote any articles about the Valerie Plame case so how could there be a "source" for a story. Secondly, she would have to be a true journalist, which I maintain SHE IS NOT. If you look at her history, she is nothing but a mouthpiece for King George's administration. Proof of this can be seen by the way she pushed the WMD story and other lies put forth by the neocons as the justification of an illegal invasion and occupation of Iraq. She knows that other news sources would not ignore any column sent out under the NYT masthead or her byline. Either way, it should be very interesting to see the developments progress regarding the Plame leak. Just keep in mind when the high and mighty Judy writes her column (or book) about her jail experience or the story in general there will be two stories. Hers' and the truth. I would urge all of you to visit The Heretik and see for yourself by examining previous posts. You can read the entire post regarding the Miller story HERE....

Statements From NY Times & Miller

Editor & Publisher has obtained the statements from Sulzberger, Keller, Miller on her release. According to the Times, I. Lewis Libby "had made clear that he genuinely wanted her to testify," and gave her a waiver on their confidential conversations. But the Times account tonight revealed that Libby and his lawyers said he had given his waiver a year ago--and then again two weeks ago--but Miller did not accept it. She was released today after she and her lawyers met at the jail with Patrick J. Fitzgerald, the prosecutor in the case, to discuss her testimony, the Times revealed. I can't help but wonder what was agreed to between Miller and Prosecutor Fitzgerald especially in light of this portion of her statement.. "My attorneys have also reached agreement with the Office of Special Counsel regarding the nature and scope of my testimony." Just what is it Miss Judy will not be testifying to tomorrow? My speculation is that she has been excused from testifying to anything that may implicate herself in the investigation. Then she gives up Rove in return for this concession from Fitzgerald. Well come on, I can at least hope can't I? You can read all three statements HERE...

UPDATE - Miller Released From Jail - Will Testify

UPDATE 9:31 P.M. From The Associated Press After nearly three months behind bars, New York Times reporter Judith Miller was released from a federal prison Thursday after agreeing to testify in the investigation into the disclosure of the identity of a covert CIA officer, two people familiar with the case said. Legal sources said she would appear before a grand jury investigating the case Friday morning. The sources spoke on condition of anonymity because of the secrecy of the grand jury proceedings. The sources said Miller agreed to testify after securing an unconditional release from Vice President Dick Cheney's chief of staff, I. Lewis "Scooter" Libby, to testify about any discussions they had involving CIA officer Valerie Plame. My guess is since she received a release from Libby, Fitzgerald is going after bigger fish to fry, namely Karl Rove. I hope this isn't just wishful thinking on my part, and Fitzgerald does indeed nail that creep also known as "Bush's Brain". As we saw by the screw up by King George during hurricane Katrina, if Rove is not around (he was recovering from a kidney stone) the weasle occupying the Presidency cannot function. One can only hope there is someone else around to hold his hand and whisper instructions in his ear or that nothing else catastrophic happens. MORE....

Miller Released - Will Testify

8:31 P.M. - CBS News is reporting Legal sources say New York Times reporter Judith Miller has been released from federal prison after agreeing to testify to a grand jury, the Associated Press reports. Updates when available

Is Frist Next In Line For The Police Blotter?

It looks as if Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist is in deeper doo doo than thought. AP reports: Frist, R-Tenn., received regular updates of transfers of assets to his blind trusts and sales of assets. He also was able to initiate a stock sale of a hospital chain founded by his family with perfect timing. Shortly after the sale this summer, the stock price dived. How interesting, since a "blind trust" is supposed to keep distance between federal officials and their investments to avoid any conflict of interest. I have a feeling the house of cards the Republican leaders and that hapless nit wit that occupies the Presidency built on the back of the middle class and the poor is beginning to crumble. It will be a great pleasure to watch it happen. I can only hope now that the all too quiet Democratic leaders will show some spine and start rubbing salt in the recently inflicted wounds.

Republican Politics - The Gift That Keeps On Giving

OK kids, it's not bad enough that: - Republican Karl Rove is being investigated for outing a CIA agent. - Republican OMB Director David Safavian,was arrested on a three count indictment. - Republican Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist is being investigated of the sale of his stock in a family owned business just before the stock tanked. - Republican House Majority Leader Tom DeLay is indicted on a felony campaign-finance charge. - Republican House Majority Whip Roy Blunt who is just as dirty as "hot-tub" Tom takes his place as leader of the party House Leader. Now we have the FBI and the Justice Department investigating King George's administration over the demotion of a veteran federal prosecutor whose reassignment nearly three years ago shut down a criminal investigation of the Washington lobbyist Jack Abramoff. The NY Times reports: investigators had questioned whether the demotion of the prosecutor, Frederick A. Black, in November 2002 was related to his alert to Justice Department officials days earlier that he was investigating Mr. Abramoff. The lobbyist is a major Republican Party fund-raiser and a close friend of several Congressional leaders. Colleagues said the demotion of Mr. Black, the acting United States attorney in Guam, and a subsequent order barring him from pursuing public corruption cases brought an end to his inquiry into Mr. Abramoff's lobbying work for some Guam judges. Man this bunch puts the Energizer Bunny to shame the way it keeps going and going and going and....well you get the picture. And of course DeLay says in his statement "I have done nothing wrong and have not not violated any law". Hmmm that kind of reminds me of a former (Republican) President when he said "I am not a crook". MORE.....

Compassionate Conservatism?

The Associated Press reports that King George and his "compassionate" administration is blocking a bipartisan $9 billion health care package for hundreds of thousands of evacuees from Hurricanes Katrina and Rita. After a teleconference with Louisiana Gov. Kathleen Blanco, Mississippi Gov. Haley Barbour and Alabama Gov. Bob Riley the Senate Finace Committee Chairman Sen. Charles Grassley, R-Iowa complained: Four or five senators have been blocking action on the bill after the Bush administration raised objections to provisions that would extend Medicaid coverage to thousands upon thousands of adults who otherwise would be uninsured, including those whose applications have been rejected in Louisiana. Even Sen. Trent Lott, R-Miss spoke up for a change, saying We can work with everybody, including the administration, or against them, and I'm prepared to go either way. "But I'm going to look after our people first." There you go my friends, the "Compassionate Christians" of the Republican Party are showing once again how much they care. They claim that Medicaid extensions are not needed because a newly created fund could be tapped whenever health care providers care for uninsured victims of Katrina between Aug. 24th and Jan. 31, 2006. Ya right....when pigs fly. If it doesn't involve a way for $$$ to line their pockets they don't give two shits about any one else. They're just a damn buch of crooked hypocrites. Meanwhile King George flies over and over again to the Gulf region for photo-ops to show is oh so caring and concern side for the people of the area. I am sure if they can find a way to bring Haliburton or some other wealthy campaign contributor into the mix where they come out on top they will pass the legislation and King George will sign it in a heartbeat. MORE.....

Roy Blunt = A DeLay Clone

The corrupt machine that is the Republican Party keeps on keeping on. Rather than pick a leader who is squeaky clean to replace indicted Tom DeLay, (OK I agree that is like a needle in a haystack), they pick Roy Blunt who is just as corrupt as "hot-tub" Tom. If you recall, Blunt was just named as one of the 13 most corrupt politicians by CREW. Some of the things CREW has reported on Blunt are: Legislative Assistance to Phillip Morris In 2003, Rep. Blunt divorced his wife of 31 years to marry Philip Morris (now Altria) lobbyist Abigail Perlman. Before it was known publicly that Rep. Blunt and Ms. Perlman were dating – and only hours after Rep. Blunt assumed the role of Majority Whip – he tried to secretly insert a provision into Homeland Security legislation that would have benefitted Philip Morris, at the expense of competitors. In addition, Rep. Blunt’s son Andrew lobbies on behalf of Philip Morris, a major client he picked up only four years out of law school. Notably, Altria is Rep. Blunt’s largest campaign contributor, having donated more than $270,000 to political committees tied to him. Legislative Assistance for United Parcel Service, Inc. and FedEx Corp. In 2003, Rep. Blunt also helped his lobbyist son Andrew by inserting a provision into the $79 billion emergency appropriation for the war in Iraq to benefit U.S. shippers like United Parcel Service, Inc. and FedEx Corp. The provision required that military cargo be carried only by companies with no more than 25% foreign ownership. UPS and FedEx were seeking to block the expansion of a foreign-owned rival’s U.S. operations. Andrew Blunt lobbies on behalf of UPS in Missouri, and UPS and FedEx have contributed at least $58,000 to Rep. Blunt since 2001. If you think this is all there is your sadly mistaken. Read the complete CREW report on the DeLay clone HERE. I also came across this while researching the new Republican House Leader: As bad as this report is for Blunt, it gets worse. This report doesn't even touch on the Westar Scandal. Nor does the report go into the extensive ties between Blunt and Tom DeLay, and only touches on Blunt's ties to Abramoff. Read the entire story at Fired Up Missouri! Wow this guy is just as dirty as Tommy by the looks of it. Of course that should not be surprising considering the crooks that now make up the Republican leadership. I can't for the life of me think why any TRUE and DECENT Republican (and yes there are some) put up with this kind of crap.

Blunt (R-MO) Takes Over Leadership

4:23 P.M. - Republicans have selected Rep. Roy Blunt, R-Mo., to temporarily fill the vacancy left by House Majority Leader Tom DeLay. Blunt, the current Republican whip, is No. 3 in the leadership ranks. More when available....

DeLay Indictment Update - Steps Aside From House Leadership

Hooray and Hallejula!!! Via Reuters HOUSTON (Reuters) - U.S. House Majority Leader Tom DeLay said he would "step aside" from his congressional leadership post following his indictment in Texas on Wednesday on one conspiracy count, his office said. "I have notified the speaker that I will temporarily step aside from my position as majority leader pursuant to rules of the House Republican Conference and the actions of the Travis County District Attorney today," he said in a statement. Well it is about time this guy got his come-uppance. Of course as the saying goes, you can indict a ham sandwich. I realize that he deserves the presumption of innocence, but hopefully the prosecuter has all his ducks in a row, and the charges stick. Let's not forget there is still another grand jury out their and Karl Rove will be the next headline as his indictment is filed.

DeLay Indicted

12:35 P.M. - House Majority Leader Tom DeLay indicted on one count of criminal conspiracy by Texas grand jury, according to Travis County clerk's office. Update when available.

Sheehan Arrested

2:05 PM - Police have arrested anti-war activist Cindy Sheehan during a protest in front of the White House. More when available........ UPDATE - 2:15PM - Sheehan and several dozen other protesters sat down on the sidewalk after marching along the pedestrian walkway on Pennsylvania Avenue. Police warned them three times that they were breaking the law by failing to move along, then began making arrests. Sheehan, 48, was the first taken into custody. She stood up and was led to a police vehicle while protesters chanted, "The whole world is watching." MORE....

Cookie Jar Politics - Part 2

Earlier this week, I posted here about the corruption and profiteering going on in the "Family Values" Republican Party. Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington (CREW) has also been watching the corruption taking place, and is calling for ethics investigations of some of the most prominent leaders on Capitol Hill in a report to be released Monday. In the report, they highlight "the 13 most corrupt members of Congress" beyond Tom DeLay, who may arguably, be the MOST corrupt politician in Washington. As it should be, the report is bi-partisan, and included at least one Democrat: • Sen. Bill Frist: The report accuses him of violating federal campaign finance laws in how he disclosed a campaign loan. It also calls for an inquiry over his recent sale of stock in HCA Inc., his family's hospital corporation. The sale has raised questions about possible insider dealing. Frist aides confirmed Friday that the SEC was investigating. They have denied claims of campaign finance violations. • Rep. Roy Blunt: The report criticizes him for trying to insert provisions into bills that would have benefited, in one case, a client of his lobbyist son and in another case, the employer of his lobbyist girlfriend, now his wife. • Sen. Conrad Burns: The report says that questions arose over $3 million in appropriations he earmarked for an Indian tribe in Michigan that was a client of lobbyist Abramoff. The senator received substantial campaign contributions from Abramoff and various clients. "Sen. Burns did nothing wrong, and any accusation to the contrary is pure politics," said James Pendleton, his director of communications. He said Burns had earmarked the appropriation at the request of the Michigan congressional delegation. • Rep. Bob Ney: The report says the chairman of the House Administration Committee went on a golf outing to Scotland in 2002, arranged by Abramoff, at a time when the congressman was trying to insert a provision into legislation to benefit one of Abramoff's tribal clients. Ney reported to the House that the trip was paid for entirely by the National Center for Public Policy Research, a conservative think tank, which denied paying any of the costs. Ney has said he had been duped by Abramoff. • Rep. Tom Feeney: The report says he incorrectly reported that a golf trip to Scotland with Abramoff in 2003 was paid for by the National Center for Public Policy Research, which denied it. A Feeney aide said the congressman had been misled. Questions also have arisen about two other privately funded trips. • Rep. Richard W. Pombo: He paid his wife and brother $357,325 in campaign funds in the last four years, the report says. He also supported the wind-power industry before the Department of Interior without disclosing that his parents received hundreds of thousands of dollars in royalties from wind-power turbines on their ranch. Brian Kennedy, a spokesman for Pombo, said that "each of the charges is baseless." He called the watchdog group "a Democratic attack group, and all of their charges should be taken with a grain of salt." • Rep. Maxine Waters: The report cites a December 2004 Los Angeles Times investigation disclosing how members of the congresswoman's family have made more than $1 million in the last eight years by doing business with companies, candidates and causes that Waters has helped. Before publication of the Times investigation last year, Waters declined to be interviewed, but said of her family members: "They do their business, and I do mine." • Sen. Rick Santorum (R-Pa.): The report says he encountered controversy over disclosures that Pennsylvania taxpayers paid for his children's schooling while they lived in Virginia. Santorum maintained he did nothing wrong, and has pulled his children out of the school, according to reports. • Reps. Randy "Duke" Cunningham and William J. Jefferson: Both congressional veterans are under federal investigation. Cunningham, who has announced that he will not run for reelection, faces questions over his dealings with a defense contractor who allegedly overpaid him when he purchased Cunningham's house. Jefferson is under scrutiny for his role in an overseas business deal. Normally the House ethics committee does not hold inquiries while criminal investigations are underway. • Rep. Charles H. Taylor (R-N.C.): The report says that questions have been raised about his private business interests, including a savings and loan in Asheville, N.C., and personal business interests in Russia. • Rep. Marilyn N. Musgrave (R-Colo.) and Rep. Rick Renzi (R-Ariz.): Both second-term House members encountered criticisms tied to campaign activities, the report says. Musgrave was accused of misusing her congressional office for campaign purposes. Renzi was accused of financing portions of his 2002 campaign with improper loans. CREW Executive Director Melanie Sloan criticized both political parties for what she said was a failure to police ethics. I hope CREW and other watchdog groups continue the put the pressure on both houses of congress and both parties. The cronyism and corruption is not just limited to Bushco and the Republicans. It is time for everyone to demand some accountablility and if necessary clean the whole damn lot of them out. Until that is done, the country will continue to be in the pocket of big business.

Bring our troops home, NOW!

The anti-war sentiment that has been dormant for so long during this illegal occupation of Iraq, arrived in Washington last night. Today, with well over 100,000 other voices, Cindy Sheehan let King George know that it is time to end this illegal occupation of Iraq and bring the troops home now. My only question is where the hell are the leaders of the Democratic Party? It is totally disgusting that not one of those so-called leaders (with the exception of the Black Caucus) have had the balls to stand up King George and his minions. There were also protests held in London and Rome, and even though the MSM in the U.S. did little to publicize the event taking place right before their eyes, Cindy spoke from her heart as always, and the message was sent loud and clear. As we stand here on the grounds of a monument that is dedicated to the Father of our Country, George Washington, we are reminded that he was well known for the apocryphal stories of never being able to tell a lie. I find it so ironic that there is another man here named George who stays in this town between vacations and he seems to never be able to tell the truth. It is tragic for us that o ur bookend presidents named George have two completely different relationships with honesty. I also find it ironic and heartbreaking that my son, Casey, who was a brave person, tall and proud, who loved his country and was honest beyond measure, could be sent to his death by someone who is even too cowardly to meet with a broken hearted mom, let alone go and fight in the illegal and immoral war of his generation. [snip] One thing the Camp Casey movement that hunkered down in Crawford, Texas this past August taught us is that we the people of America have the power and we can and should name our national policy and make sure it is carried out.......WE ARE MAKING A DIFFERENCE!!! And we are here to tell the media, Congress, and this criminal and criminally negligent administration: WE ARE NOT GOING AWAY!!! So I ask again where the hell are the Democratic leaders? This bunch of Bush enablers seem to have lost all regard for their base. If they don't have spine enough to show some true opposition to the King and his neo-con cohorts and stop kissing up to their corporate bum-buddies then they don't deserve to be called Democrats. Perhaps it is time to replace the current Democratic leadership with Cindy Sheehan and others like her who have a better grasp of the grass roots of America. Cindy's entire speech can be read HERE.

What Will The Christians Say?

According to members of the right-wing Christian Militia...Katrina was a fetus..right? Well alright, fair enough, if you strain your eyes hard enough, and your brain cells even harder it's possible it is an angry fetus. Ok then the right-wing Christian Militia will say Rita is....an angry....?" Hey it's a fair question. Both images are actual radar shots from the NWS. I was just...um...askin' them-there upstanding holy people their opinion. All I will say is that I am glad we are past the letter "D" in the naming process.

George Runs For Cover - Again

King George has decided to cancel his trip Texas today and is instead going to Colorado. Now what the hell is so damn important in Colorado? Well, Colorado is where NorthCom is located, and would you believe it will be Bush’s first look at Northern Command since it was created in October 2002 in response to the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. The FIRST TIME? How damn convenient for him. I can't help but wonder if the fact that a member of the press corps asked Scott McClellan if the trip to San Antonio was nothing but a photo-op had anything to do with the sudden change in plans. Reuters reports: White House spokesman Scott McClellan on Thursday dismissed suggestions that Bush's planned trip to San Antonio, Texas was mainly a photo opportunity and the president himself on Friday said there was no danger he would get in the way of operations. Hours later, the trip was off. So now the story is that he doesn't want to "interfere" with FEMA operations underway for hurricane Rita. McClellan said the Federal Emergency Management Agency decided to reposition search-and-rescue teams from San Antonio closer to the storm, "and we didn't want to slow that decision up in any way." He was even confronted directly by David Gregory of NBC News: Q: What good could you do going down to the hurricane zone, might you get in the way Mr. President? A: One thing I won't do is get in the way. Q: Is this over compensation for the response to Katrina?.....[NO ANSWER] Ok now explain to me how yesterday, and even earlier today "there was no danger he would get in the way of operations" and now all of a sudden, "we didn't want to slow that decision up in any way". Flip...Flop.

Cookie Jar Politics

The slime and muck of the Republican Party and King George's administration continue to be exposed, and believe me it is not pretty. It looks like they all have their hand in the proverbial cookie jar. Here are some of the latest examples that have come to light: Sen. Bill Frist (R-TN) sells off all his stock in his FAMILY OWNED COMPANY even though the stock is in a "blind trust" to ward off any hint of conflict of interest. Ya right!! I guess Billy Boy is more than a doctor, he also performs miracles by bringing sight to the "blind" trust. Perhaps that is why he sold his, and his immediate family's stock just days before the value went down. HCA gets subpoena to produce documents. NEW YORK (MarketWatch) -- HCA Inc. (HCA) said Friday it has received a subpoena from the U.S. Attorney's office for the Southern District of New York. The Nashville, Tenn., hospital operator said the subpoena calls for the production of documents, and HCA believes it relates to the sale of HCA stock by Sen. William H. Frist. It plans to cooperate fully with the subpoena. The stock closed Thursday at $45.90, down 3.2%. Karl Rove: Now this guy is just oh so squeaky clean and covered with Teflon nothing sticks to him right? Well maybe not. Of course we all know he is among those being investigated concerning the Valerie Plame outing. Now comes word that he may also be tied to Jack Abramoff Republican lobbyist Jack Abramoff bragged two years ago that he was in contact with White House political aide Karl Rove on behalf of a large, Bermuda-based corporation that wanted to avoid incurring some taxes and continue receiving federal contracts, according to a written statement by President Bush's nominee to be deputy attorney general. And just how close are his ties? Well TPM's Josh Marshall reports: In all the Abramoff business I'm surprised there has not been more mention of Susan Ralston. In Jack Abramoff's heyday at Preston Gates and then later at Greenberg-Traurig, executive assistant, the one who helped dole out the skyboxes, basically administratively ran his whole shop as near as I can figure. Then when Karl Rove came to town, she took pretty much the same job with him, becoming his gatekeeper at the White House. In other words, Susan Ralston was Karl Rove's personal assistant. (Josh Marshall is now reporting that Susan Ralston's new title is "Special Assistant to the President & Assistant to the Senior Advisor.") And to top it all off Rove is in charge of the clean-up in NOLA after Katrina. Now remember that until he learned the day before he was to be indicted, David Hossein Safavian was the administrator of the Office of Management and Budget for the White House, and in charge of recommending the awarding of contracts to companies doing the cleaning up for FEMA. Well I can guarantee you this much, they sure are "cleaning up", since the top three contracts awarded were "no bid contracts" to Haliburton (previously run by DICK CHENEY) and it's subsidiaries. Rep.Tom Delay (R-TX): This jerk is so covered in slime it is too deep to even write here about. So I would direct you instead to The Tom DeLay Scandals from Slate Magazine. Oh what a tangled web of dirty politics that is the Bush administration and the Republican Party. The "Family Values" party that vowed to bring "clean and open politics" to Washington. Not to mention of course how King George was going to bring bi-partisan cooperation back to the administration.

Private Security Forces Roam NOLA

A view of King George's Amerika: As business leaders and government officials talk openly of changing the demographics of what was one of the most culturally vibrant of America's cities, mercenaries from companies like DynCorp, Intercon, American Security Group, Blackhawk, Wackenhut and an Israeli company called Instinctive Shooting International (ISI) are fanning out to guard private businesses and homes, as well as government projects and institutions. Within two weeks of the hurricane, the number of private security companies registered in Louisiana jumped from 185 to 235. Some, like Blackwater, are under federal contract. Others have been hired by the wealthy elite Is this a look into the future? You can read more of this article by Jeremy Scahill in The Nation

Now This Is Wierd

Via Crooks And Liars and CBS NEWS5: By all accounts, the Sophie B. Wright Middle School in New Orleans sits empty and evacuated except for military personnel who have taken over the campus as a staging site for missions around the battered city. But the men in uniform have the feeling that they're not alone. It prompted a chaplain to utter this directive: "In the name of Jesus Chris, I command you Satan to leave the dark areas of this building." Be sure to view the video in the article. "Wherever the soldiers go so goes the word of God"? - Uh Oh the christian taliban wingnuts are going to love this!!!! MORE....

Sex-Slave Trade OK With Bush

King George, the man who is supposed to be such an upstanding Christian, and not only that but actually "talks" with God before making any decisions, has told Saudi Arabia it is OK to indulge in the slave trade of prostitutes, child sex workers and forced laborers. The Washington Post is reporting: WASHINGTON - President Bush decided Wednesday to waive any financial sanctions on Saudi Arabia, Washington's closest Arab ally in the war on terrorism, for failing to do enough to stop the modern-day slave trade in prostitutes, child sex workers and forced laborers. Nice move George. Does that mean there will now be a drop in gas prices now? Did God instruct you to give his personal pass to this kind of crap? The more this f-ing hypocrite does, the more I am convinced the story published yesterday by The National Enquirer is probably true and he IS nothing but a damn drunk who doesn't know what the hell he is doing. I wasn't even going to post about his reported drinking problem because believe it or not, I felt it was "off limits" to assist in spreading the story. However, I gotta tell ya all, when he pulls this kind of stunt I am inclined to believe it. All the grown-ups have left the WH and the drunkard child is in charge. Guided by his slime-ball buddy Karl Rove.

Federal Procurement Office Administrator Arrested

The rap sheet for Republicans continues to grow, this time right into the White House. It seems the Administrator of the Office of Federal Procurement Policy,(which handles policy for the Office of Management and Budget for the White House) David Safavian,was arrested on a three count indictment. According to the Department of Justice press release: David Hossein Safavian was arrested today based on a three- count criminal complaint filed at federal court in Washington, D.C. The complaint charges Safavian with making false statements to a GSA ethics officer and the GSA-OIG, along with obstruction of a GSA-OIG investigation. The affidavit filed in support of the criminal complaint alleges that from May 16, 2002 until January 10, 2004, Safavian served as Chief of Staff at the GSA. During that time he allegedly aided a Washington D.C. lobbyist in the lobbyist's attempts to acquire GSA-controlled property in and around Washington, D.C. In August 2002, this lobbyist allegedly took Safavian and others on a golf trip to Scotland. The false statement and obstruction of the investigation charges relate to Safavian's statements to a GSA ethics officer and the GSA-OIG that the lobbyist had no business with GSA prior to the August 2002 golf trip. According to the affidavit, Safavian concealed the fact that the lobbyist had business before GSA prior to the August 2002 golf trip, and that Safavian was aiding the lobbyist in his attempts to do business with GSA. The arrest gets even more interesting, because as Josh Marshall tells us, before he signed on with the Bush administration Safavian worked for Jack Abramoff at Preston Gates. Say....Wasn't Tom Delay (R-TX) also being investigated about a golf trip to Scotland? Just askin'.

Syria Next On Hit List?

During an interview conducted by Newsweek Secretary of State Condi(liesalot) Rice stated: "Syrians aren't just facing a problem with the United States on Iraq. The Syrians have been quite a problem on Lebanon and the international community is focused very much on what Lebanese generals who clearly had ties to Syria knew about the assassination of Prime Minister Hariri. The Syrians also have to be held to account for how difficult they're making Mahmoud Abbas' life by continuing to support Palestinian Islamic Jihad. So part of the answer is that this is not between the United States and Syria; this is between Syria and three different populations that are trying to make their lives better..." Doesn't this bunch of neo-cons ever learn? Iraq is a total washout as far as "creating a democracy" is concerned. All they have managed to do is to set the stage for civil war, and create a theocracy mimicking Iran. Their neo-con experiment of trying to force an ideology on the Middle-East is a total failure at the cost of thousands of Iraqi and American lives. So now they want to help "better the lives" of the people of Syria and Lebanon? Hey Condi.....a newsflash for ya. Maybe these people would like you to not do them any favors. Ever think of that?

No Free Speech For Sheehan In NYC

First it was when the Republican National Convention took place in New York. The city was divided into so-called "free speech zones", and people were pushed as far away from the convention as possible, and many more were arrested. Now it looks as though the fascists that control the WH have decided that Cindy Sheehan should not be allowed to speak in New York City The New York City Police Department forcibly broke up this afternoon's rally for Cindy Sheehan, moving in as Cindy was speaking at about 3 p.m. in Union Square. As Cindy was speaking, a large platoon of police massed behind from the interior of the park, then formed a circle behind her, the speakers' area and a few dozen people who were deployed in an arc behind her. Overall, about 200 people were in attendance, with the crowd steadily increasing in size as the rally progressed. As the police formed their arc just behind, the men and women immediately behind Cindy linked arms. A captain made a cutting motion at his throat, signalling he wanted no more free speech. He waited about 30 seconds, then the police moved in. They didn't dare arrest Cindy, but they immediately moved in and grabbed zool, the event's organizer and one of the main organizers of Camp Casey-NYC, pulling him away and arresting him. I do not believe anyone else was arrested; at least I didn't see any other arrests. I was nearby, and there was no hesitation on the part of the police in specifically targetting zool. [snip] No warning of any kind was given, and this was a permitted rally. Other than the captain making his cut motion, 30 seconds before forcibly breaking up the rally, there was no warning, verbal or in any other fashion. The police had massed perhaps three or four minutes before moving in. Cindy must be getting to King George who seems to be a bit testy lately since his poll numbers continue to fall. Despite his choreographed appearance on national television last week. MORE...

The Real King George And Friends

I received this in an email tonight. CLICK HERE to view and here a description of the REAL King George and his friends.

The King Says "Let There Be Light"

So electricity has been restored in New Orleans eh? Well one would think so watching King George deliver his "I care - I really, really, do" speech last night. But I guess all is not as it seems. Via Brian Williams. I am duty-bound to report the talk of the New Orleans warehouse district last night: there was rejoicing (well, there would have been without the curfew, but the few people I saw on the streets were excited) when the power came back on for blocks on end. Kevin Tibbles was positively jubilant on the live update edition of Nightly News that we fed to the West Coast. The mini-mart, long ago cleaned out by looters, was nonetheless bathed in light, including the empty, roped-off gas pumps. The motorcade route through the district was partially lit no more than 30 minutes before POTUS drove through. And yet last night, no more than an hour after the President departed, the lights went out. The entire area was plunged into total darkness again, to audible groans. It's enough to make some of the folks here who witnessed it... jump to certain conclusions. Ah the powers of Rove/Bush never cease to amaze. MORE.....

"Drug-addicted …Thugs" - Bill O'Rielly

Is this O'Rielly describing his fellow right-wing broadcaster Rush (oxycontin-man) Limbaugh? Of course not. The fact that his fellow mouthpiece for the rightwing (allegedly) used his housekeeper, Wilma Cline, to find him drugs and also (allegedly) doctor-shopped to obtain hundreds of prescription pills is OK in O'Rielly's world. An addict only becomes a "thug" when they are poor, black, and live in New Orleans. Via MediaMatters.org On the September 13 broadcast of The Radio Factor, Fox News host Bill O'Reilly claimed that "many of the poor in New Orleans" did not evacuate the city before Hurricane Katrina because "[t]hey were drug-addicted" and "weren't going to get turned off from their source." O'Reilly added, "They were thugs." This coming from the same man who paid off his former producer Andrea Mackris, to quiet a sexual harassment lawsuit. What a scumbag!!

Welcome To The New Amerika

Did you listen carefully to King George's speech? I'm sure everyone heard all the ways the "my pet goat" guy intends to get the gulf coast cleaned up and rebuilt. Sure all those massive money taking plans that you all know as well as I do will be given to Bush and Cheney buddies like Haliburton in the form of "no bid" contracts. This is an economic nightmare waiting to happen. However the part of his speech that really grabbed me in the pit of my gut was this brief mention of how he intends to respond to large disasters like this in the future be they natural disasters or terrorist attack. Yet the system, at every level of government, was not well coordinated, and was overwhelmed in the first few days. It is now clear that a challenge on this scale requires greater federal authority and a broader role for the armed forces - the institution of our government most capable of massive logistical operations on a moment's notice. Read that again and then sit back and really THINK of what he is saying: "requires greater federal authority and a broader role for the armed forces" This my friends should scare the bejesus out of every American. In other words, the next massive catastrophic event you can expect the Military to take control of the main and surrounding areas on orders from the President of the United States. To hell with state or local government and their wishes. Do you really want your state to be under total control of the military? THINK of what that means. If the president decides he will suspend the Posse Comitatus provision and will declare martial law "at will", and there go your civil rights immediately. Look at what is happening in New Orleans right now. Not only is the military in charge of some areas, but also their own personal mercenaries they use all over the world Blackwater USA (The highly trained private security contractors support US military operations there, and in Afghanistan). Breaking down doors telling people they MUST leave their homes - oh and by the way - while we're here turn over your weapons immediately. Yes my friends as I posted previously, and was has already been reported, in The New York Times. Waters were receding across this flood-beaten city today as police officers began confiscating weapons, including legally registered firearms, from civilians in preparation for a mass forced evacuation of the residents still living here. No civilians in New Orleans will be allowed to carry pistols, shotguns or other firearms, said P. Edwin Compass III, the superintendent of police. "Only law enforcement are allowed to have weapons," he said. But that order apparently does not apply to hundreds of security guards hired by businesses and some wealthy individuals to protect property. The guards, employees of private security companies like Blackwater, openly carry M-16's and other assault rifles. Mr. Compass said that he was aware of the private guards, but that the police had no plans to make them give up their weapons. The second amendment has already been suspended in New Orleans and all firearms are being confiscated on orders of the federal government. That is only one of the examples of what happens in a police state. How about the reports of armed forces coming in the middle of the night and breaking down doors and ordering people to leave their homes at gun point. This is only the beginning IMO, and go ahead and call me a tinfoil-hat idiot, but that one section of his speech, "requires greater federal authority and a broader role for the armed forces" forbodes a bad situation. Watch carefully any legislation coming out of the Congress in the future. If you see any new laws that allows the president to make the decision to send in the armed forces instead of waiting for a request from the governor of the state, or give him an easier way to declare martial law take notice and be forewarned.

A Breaking News Alert?

Come on give me a damn break. I am signed up for "Breaking News" alerts from several news organizations. Here is one I received moments ago with "Breaking News in the subject line. -- President Bush says he takes responsibility for the federal government's failures in responding to Hurricane Katrina. Watch CNN or log on to http://CNN.com and watch FREE video. More Americans watch CNN. More Americans trust CNN. It's pretty sad when the media have to use a President taking responsibility for something as "Breaking News"!! It seems to me it should be a given that anyone Republican or Democrat who holds the office of the Presidency would take responsibility of such a massive failure. What a friggin' joke!!!!

Poor Georgie

I guess all the lying has finally caught up with him and he is getting a bit testy with reporters woh DARE to question his highness. Via AP In a sign that Bush is growing weary of the accusations, he testily replied to a reporter who asked whether he felt let down by federal officials on the ground. "Look, there will be plenty of time to play the blame game," he said. "That's what you're trying to do. You're trying to say somebody is at fault. And, look, I want to know. I want to know exactly what went on and how it went on, and we'll continually assess inside my administration." He also sharply rejected suggestions that the nation's military was stretched too thinly with the war in Iraq to deal with the Gulf Coast devastation. "We've got plenty of troops to do both," the president said. "It is preposterous to claim that the engagement in Iraq meant there weren't enough troops." Well Georgie I guess getting questioned comes with the territory when you are SELECTED leader of the country. The problem is when you have been sheltered from reality and become a puppet for Rove/Cheney you get a little testy when you get slapped in the face with the real world. Of course he continues to make excuses as usual. Via Think Progress When that storm came by, a lot of people said we dodged a bullet. When that storm came through at first, people said, Whew. There was a sense of relaxation. And that’s what I was referring to. And I myself thought we had dodged a bullet. You know why? Because I was listening to people probably over the airwaves say, The bullet has been dodged. And that was what I was referring to. Of course, there were plans in case the levee had been breached. There was a sense of relaxation at a critical moment. God forbid "Dear Leader" would admit to an error......ANY error in his ENTIRE life. This man has just got to be the worst President in the history of the United States.

Large Power Outage Hits L.A.

A large area of Los Angeles has lost electric power, including downtown and the San Fernando Valley. The city's department of water and power said it was investigating the cause and extent of the outage. CBS News As you may recall, ABC News reported yesterday of receiving a tape containing a terror threat to L.A. and Melbourne, Australia. There is no mention this is related. Updates as they become available UPDATE (5:00 PM) Via CNN The Police Department went on "full tactical alert," meaning no officers were allowed to leave duty. The city was investigating the cause and extent of the outage. But Sgt. Catherine Plows, a police spokeswoman, said terrorism was not suspected. Heavy power usage can lead to blackouts. But the weather in Los Angeles was not unsually hot Monday. UPDATE (5:30 PM) KABC Radio in Los Angeles is reporting that 90% of the power has been restored and was caused by an employee error.

Limbaugh Is A Danger To The Country

On Friday's show, the Oxycontin man himself, Rush Limbaugh, the mouthpiece for the Republican Right had this to say on the Democratic response to the inaction of the administration to the Katrina catastrophe. "I got a sneaking suspicion that the left's reaction to this is something that they had in the works ever since 9/11. I think the left has been waiting for the next terrorist attack. They've got their battle plan in motion, and they knew when the terrorist attack came that they were going to jump on Bush's case as being ill-prepared, unprepared, lousy, having done nothing, make the case for bigger government, roll out all the video of all the disasters and misery," and so forth and so on." This man is the epitome of the hate and racism that permeates the far right wingnuts of the Republican Party. And to think they let this jerk say these things to millions of listeners across the land. If anyone is pulling out the race card in this tragedy, it is this loudmouth, and he does it quite often. He is a racist from the word go, and always has been. Why was he fired from his sports gig at ESPN when speaking of QB Donovan McNabb and the NFL in general, he said "what we have here is a little social concern in the NFL. The media has been very desirous that a black quarterback can do well - black coaches and black quarterbacks doing well." From there he goes on to the talk-show radio circuit and makes himself larger than life by making outrages statements (usually directed to the Democratic voters of American). Outrageouss statements are one thing, but outright racism is another, and the FCC is too busy worrying about a "boob-flash" on TV than this type of hate speach. Who in there right mind would be happy about a devastating hurricane or a terror attack. Certainly not any progressive Democrats I know of. It seems to me Rush is giving us a little look into his own perverted, racist mind and how it works. The way this man and his those like himacrosss the country think, makes it occur to me that this man would like nothing more than a race war to take place in America, giving him and his ilk in the fascist administration in the WH reason to suspend civil liberties and rule by dictate. If you care to, You can read the entire transcript of his comments HERE, and if your really into pain you can listen to his rant for yourself (WMP Format) HERE.

CBS Reports Brown Resigned From FEMA

Mike Brown says he has resigned as director of the Federal Emergency Management Agency. CBS NEWS

THE WORLD CHANGED TODAY

The world changed today it was captured on videotape to be played and replayed we cannot bear to look we cannot turn away. The world changed today in an endless pile of steel and glass and paper and plastic and wires and fabric and concrete and flesh. The world changed today smoke and ash are visible from space our skyline is forever altered but our flag is still there The world changed today cowardice and courage met the city’s finest lived up to their name character is measured in sacrifice and service never in suicide and murder. The world changed today evil did what it does and so did good will we ever feel as safe again as we felt before this day. The world changed today millions cried and prayed together hearts broke, heads spun, knees bent fists clenched then became hands again in prayer And Jesus wept. The world changed today but the Word remains the same the Word that creates the Word that saves God said "Let there be light" and there was light and God saw that it was good. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overcome it. The world changed today the Word endures We know that all things work together for good for those who love the Lord. We are convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor rulers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord. The world changed today there is a sadness that will not soon be lifted an outrage not easily extinguished a resolve for justice tempered by profound respect for life a longing for peace a new birth of freedom an awakening of faith. The world changed today I am changed you are changed our children are changed forever for the better somehow The world changed today may God have mercy on us all. Poem: Copyright © 2001 by Andy Smith. All rights reserved. Used with permission. This poem may be reprinted for individual and congregational use with the appropriate copyright information and credit. Andy Smith DSUMCpastor@aol.com is the pastor of Dripping Springs United Methodist Church in Dripping Springs, TX

No Posts Today

NOTE--- Unless there are breaking news reports of any kind - lke the resignation of King George - YA RIGHT!!...there will be no posts made today. If for some reason there is a post to be made, the time will be manually changed in order to keep the Tribute To 9-11 on the top of the page.

King George's Money Men Get Katrina Contracts

Why am I not surprised at this news from Reuters Companies with ties to the Bush White House and the former head of FEMA are clinching some of the administration's first disaster relief and reconstruction contracts in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. At least two major corporate clients of lobbyist Joe Allbaugh, President George W. Bush's former campaign manager and a former head of the Federal Emergency Management Agency, have already been tapped to start recovery work along the battered Gulf Coast. This is all those fascist bastards think about - how to get richer - while the poor can damn well get along the best way they know how. Shaw Group Inc: Shaw Awarded Contract From US Army Corps of Engineers After leaving FEMA in March 2003, Allbaugh, (this would be Joe Allbaugh former head of FEMA) who managed the 2000 Bush-Cheney campaign, founded Allbaugh Co., a lobbying-consulting firm with many clients in the disaster-relief business. Among those clients is The Shaw Group, a provider of engineering, design, construction, and maintenance services to government and the private sector.SOURCE-The Washington Post. Kellogg Brown and Root: is the engineering and construction arm of the Halliburton Company, Awarded a Pentagon contract for advice on rebuilding Iraq's oil fields after the war. Formerly headed by Dick Cheney. Bechtel National Inc.: Selected by FEMA to provide short-term housing for people displaced by the hurricane. Bush named Bechtel's CEO to his Export Council and put the former CEO of Bechtel Energy in charge of the Overseas Private Investment Corporation. I also want to point out that every search I did concerning the Shaw Group, somehow came up with a connection to Enron, Haliburton, and Cheney. Even George Bush Sr.'s name comes into the mix. Now whether a connection can be made I don't know but it is most certainly strange how the Bush/Cheney/Haliburton/Enron names always seem to show up when you do a google search.

Dictator George's Private Police At Work In N.O.

Convincing me even more that this is a fascist administration, is the fact that King George's private police force has gotten involved in a big way in New Orleans. The same private security force Dear Leader is using in occupied Iraq - North Carolina-based, Blackwater USA - is now in New Orleans helping to infringe on the second amendment rights of its' citizens. How very interesting, that while some relief organizations, including the Red Cross have been prevented from having open access to deliver goods and services this private security firm (who will have to answer to NO ONE) in Congress, not only has open access, but also the tacit approval of that dictator in the White House to infringe on the Constitution and Bill of Rights. I invite you to visit the blog Crimes of the State for a complete round-up of fascist actions this administration has performed in New Orleans. Yes my friends fascism is alive and well in the United States Of America.

Judge Issues Restraining Order On Photo Ban

When FEMA (under orders from King George) issued its' order that photos of bodies or their recovery would not be allowed, CNN took them to court. U.S. District Court Judge Keith Ellison issued a temporary restraining order Friday against a "zero access" policy announced earlier in the day by Army Lt. Gen. Russel Honore, who is overseeing the federal relief effort in the city, and Terry Ebbert, the city's homeland security director. Apparently there are no plans to fight the restraining order. Col. Christian E. deGraff, representing the task force announced the joint taskforce "has no plans to bar, impede or prevent news media from their news gathering and reporting activities in connection with the deceased Hurricane Katrina victim recovery efforts." Visit CNN for more on this story.

Where Is The NRA?

With all the screaming and yelling about their second amendment rights where is the NRA to complain about the weapons confiscation goin on in New Orleans? Well a visit to their website and you get this statement that is nothing more than a way of being an apologist for the Republican party: Numerous media sources are reporting on a campaign by New Orleans city authorities to confiscate lawfully-owned firearms from people in the city. Louisiana statute does grant the government, during a state of emergency, broad powers in regulating and controlling firearms. However, we have seen not just with Hurricane Katrina, but other similar situations, that when police are unable to control the criminal element, people turn to the one freedom that protects all others--the Second Amendment. [snip] Of course, the entire situation in New Orleans is constantly in flux. But rest assured NRA is monitoring this situation very closely and will address any activity by the government that unduly infringes upon the rights of lawful gun owners at the appropriate time. As we learn more, we will report to our members accordingly. So they will "monitor" the situation. Where may I ask is this so-called "criminal element" or "out of control" situation at the present time in New Orleans? It seems to me the only people left and in posession of fire arms now are people who are doing nothing more that protecting what is theirs...their homes!!! Isn't that what the NRA has always spouted as a reason to have a weapon? This statement is nothing more than just so much Republican crap. Many people ridicule Alex Jones of InfoWars.com for his tinfoil-hattery, but his statement makes a hell of a lot more sense than the NRA's “The balloon has gone up, the shoe has dropped. Anyone doubting the criminal intentions of the social engineer control-freaks in Washington need only look at middle-class neighborhoods being stormed by black-masked wearing jackboots on a mission to steal guns. This is a precedent setting case for national gun confiscation. This is a clear declaration of war by the Federal Government against the American people. This is exactly how Lexington and Concord started the Revolutionary War in 1775.” This is only the beginning my friends. I am sure Dear Leader and his fascist friends have much more in store for you. MORE

The Real Republican Philosophy

What a bunch. Whenever they open their mouths in public they are lying and when talking when they don't think anyone is listening they show their hatred. Rep. Baker of Baton Rouge is overheard telling lobbyists: "We finally cleaned up public housing in New Orleans. We couldn’t do it, but God did." Visit The Republic Of T for more.

Glenn Beck = Right-wing Mouth Of Hate And Filth

Brace yourself before you read this filthy trash. Via Media Matters Nationally syndicated Clear Channel radio host Glenn Beck referred to survivors of Hurricane Katrina who remained in New Orleans as "scumbags." Also, after acknowledging that nobody "in their right mind is going to say this out loud," Beck attacked victims of the disaster in general and the families of victims of the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, saying: "I didn't think I could hate victims faster than the 9-11 victims." Can you believe this crap? So much for compassionate conservatism, and I truly believe he is speaking exactly what most of these flag-waving, so-called patriots believe. From King George on down to the rest of the right-wing morons that make up the Republican right. BECK: Let me be real honest with you. I don't think anybody on talk radio -- I don't think anybody in their right mind is going to say this out loud -- but I wonder if I'm the only one that feels this way. Yesterday, when I saw the ATM cards being handed out, the $2,000 ATM cards, and they were being handed out at the Astrodome. And they actually had to close the Astrodome and seal it off for a while because there was a near-riot trying to get to these ATM cards. My first thought was, it's not like they're going to run out of the $2,000 ATM cards. You can wait! You know, stand in line. ***** you know it took me about a year to start hating the 9-11 victims' families? Took me about a year. And I had such compassion for them, and I really wanted to help them, and I was behind, you know, "Let's give them money, let's get this started." All of this stuff. And I really didn't -- of the 3,000 victims' families, I don't hate all of them. Probably about 10 of them. And when I see a 9-11 victim family on television, or whatever, I'm just like, "Oh shut up!" I'm so sick of them because they're always complaining. And we did our best for them. And, again, it's only about 10. What a sick low-life bastard this guy is. I never in my wildest thoughts could imagine that someone could look at all the suffering and death of those two tragedies and say this type of thing. Just when you think they couldn't sink any lower, once again the radical right finds a way to dig itself even deeper in slime. MORE....

UPDATE Brown Officially Removed

Removed but NOT out....Via Associated Press Federal Emergency Management Agency Director Michael Brown is being relieved of his duties in managing the Bush administration's Hurricane Katrina relief and recovery efforts, The Associated Press has learned. Brown is being sent back to Washington from Baton Rouge, where he was the primary official overseeing the federal government's response to the disaster, according to two federal officials who declined to be identified before the announcement. Brown will be replaced by Coast Guard Vice Adm. Thad w. Allen, who was overseeing New Orleans relief and rescue efforts. Finally, something that should have been done days ago has taken place. Isn't this just typical of the response to this tragedy however. Something that should have taken place days ago gets done too late to truly save lives and assist the victims of Katrina. Unfortunately he is still not out as FEMA Director. God help us if another major disaster or terror attack strikes the U.S. The whole idea of FEMA and Homeland Security is not just to protect the country, but to be ready to respond immediately to disaster. This showboat move by this fascist regime in nothing but a media event to attempt to show they can handle things and make "difficult" decisions. Wasn't it just last week that Dubya exclaimed “Brownie,” he said in Mississippi last Friday, “you’re doing a heck of a job.”. Just asking? What BS!!!! Things are no better than they were before Katrina struck. In fact I would venture to say thing are not much better than they were before 9-11. MORE....

FEMA Director OUT

CBS News has learned Homeland Security Chief Michael Chertoff will announce the removal of FEMA Director Michael Brown from his role overseeing Hurricane Katrina relief efforts. MORE DETAILS WHEN AVAILABLE.....

DeLay's State PAC Indicted - So Far He's Off The Hook

Although Sen. Tom Delay (R-TX) was not named, the PAC that he founded, served on its board of advisers, and helped raise some of the corporate money at the core of the controversy. The Houston Chronicle is reporting the indictment names "Texans for a Republican Majority Political Action Committee" of two counts of illegally soliciting corporate money for political campaigns, and against "Texas Association of Business" which received the majority of the indictments issued on Thursday. TAB President Bill Hammond bragged in the organization's newsletter about giving control of the Texas House to Republicans by spending almost $2 million in corporate money to influence district elections. TAB and TRMPAC together spent about $2.3 million in corporate money in the 2002 elections. Texas election law prohibits the use of corporate or labor-union money to influence races for elective office. Many are wondering why, if DeLay was overseeing these operations he was not personally indicted. Well according to Travis County District Attorney Ronnie Earle, he might have indicted DeLay if the congressional leader had fallen under his jurisdiction. Because DeLay lives in Sugar Land, jurisdiction under Texas election law would fall to Fort Bend County District Attorney John Healey Jr. He did not say if he had referred the matter to DA John Healey (who was unavailable to comment), however he did make an assurance that he has refused to rule out possible legal action if other criminal actions are discovered. saying "No one's off the hook. The investigation is ongoing". The question now remains however, if the Republican controlled congress will have enough cajones to finally force DeLay to step down as Leader and conduct an honest bi-partisan investigation of his actions. Somehow I doubt it, and it will try to use the current controversy over the Katrina response to drown out any mention of it by saying "or focus has to remain on assisting the victims of this tragedy" let's just hope the Democratic members of the House will force the issue. MORE.....

Media Threatened At Gun Point

This is simply unbelieveable. That no good fascist dictator in the White House is determined to turn the country into a police state eventually. Yesterday it was orders not to take photographs of the dead. Now it has reached the point where some in the media are even being threatened at gun point. Via MSNBC An interesting dynamic is taking shape in this city, not altogether positive: after days of rampant lawlessness (making for what I think most would agree was an impossible job for the New Orleans Police Department during those first few crucial days of rising water, pitch-black nights and looting of stores) the city has now reached a near-saturation level of military and law enforcement. In the areas we visited, the red berets of the 82nd Airborne are visible on just about every block. National Guard soldiers are ubiquitous. At one fire scene, I counted law enforcement personnel (who I presume were on hand to guarantee the safety of the firefighters) from four separate jurisdictions, as far away as Connecticut and Illinois. And tempers are getting hot. While we were attempting to take pictures of the National Guard (a unit from Oklahoma) taking up positions outside a Brooks Brothers on the edge of the Quarter, the sergeant ordered us to the other side of the boulevard. The short version is: there won't be any pictures of this particular group of Guard soldiers on our newscast tonight. Rules (or I suspect in this case an order on a whim) like those do not HELP the palpable feeling that this area is somehow separate from the United States. At that same fire scene, a police officer from out of town raised the muzzle of her weapon and aimed it at members of the media... obvious members of the media... armed only with notepads. Her actions (apparently because she thought reporters were encroaching on the scene) were over the top and she was told. There are automatic weapons and shotguns everywhere you look. It's a stance that perhaps would have been appropriate during the open lawlessness that has long since ended on most of these streets. Someone else points out on television as I post this: the fact that the National Guard now bars entry (by journalists) to the very places where people last week were barred from LEAVING (The Convention Center and Superdome) is a kind of perverse and perfectly backward postscript to this awful chapter in American history. This is the new Amerika - Heil Bush! - that no good fascist bastard will not stop until the entire country is under the rule of the military, and all rights are suspended. I fear this is only the beginning. A practice run if you will. And what the hell is the matter with the media? Why are they now all of a sudden backing down to that tyrant in the White House? As Media Matters asks Assuming Williams's experience isn't unique among journalists -- and his description suggests it is not -- where is the media outrage? Where is the media's sense of responsibility to the public, at least to let them know what they are and are not being told? And why hasn't Williams mentioned the incidents in his on-air reporting from New Orleans? I am moving this post up because of its' importance in showing just how the fascist regime in power once again appears to be controlling the media. And what's worse, is that the media is letting them get away with it!!!

Fascism Alive And Well In America

In my post HERE, I spoke of how I fear that what is taking place in New Orleans through FEMA and the military is a "practice run" if you will of how that fascist occupying the White House wants to turn the U.S. into a police state. Once the Federal Government shows how it can insert itself into the total control of New Orleans it won't take long until it does it elsewhere. All it will take is one more major terror attack and nothing can stop Bush from declaring Marshal Law throughout the entire country suspending the liberties of everyone as they have done now in New Orleans. The former head of Centcom Tommy Franks said it himself in an interview with Cigar Officianado magazine, that if the United States is hit with a weapon of mass destruction that inflicts large casualties, the Constitution will likely be discarded in favor of a military form of government. Just what the neocons King George has surrounded himself with have been hoping for. In case you don't remember, King George has stated at least three times in the past that he prefers to be a dictator: "I told all four that there are going to be some times where we don't agree with each other, but that's OK. If this were a dictatorship, it would be a heck of a lot easier, just so long as I'm the dictator," Bush joked. CNN Dec. 18, 2000 "A dictatorship would be a heck of a lot easier, there's no question about it, " [Bush] said. Business Week July 30, 2001 "You don't get everything you want. A dictatorship would be a lot easier." Describing what it's like to be governor of Texas...Governing Magazine 7/98 (link unavailable). A coincidence with what is happening now, what happened after 9/11 and the subsequent "Patriot Act"? That little document needed for the so-called "protection of the country", where they took away habeas corpus and can detain you at will. Just look at that to see how much civil liberties have been infringed upon. As Paul Craig Roberts, former Assistant Secretary of the Treasury under President Reagan, asks in his essay Impeach Bush Now, Before More Die, What will it take for Americans to reestablish accountability in their government? Bush has got away with lies and an illegal war of aggression, with outing CIA agents, with war crimes against Iraqi civilians, with the horrors of the Abu Ghraib and Guantanamo torture centers, and now with the destruction of New Orleans. ******** The neoconservatives have brought these disasters to all Americans, Democrat and Republican alike. Now they must he held accountable. Bush and his neoconservatives are guilty of criminal negligence and must be prosecuted. The only thing that will stop this, is to hold them all accountable and not fall for Roves' lies that it was the fault of local or state government. That is impossible. The fault still falls on the Federal Government, since every major agency was federalized and was being run by FEMA two years ago. How else did that group of sociopathic predators we know as FEMA have the power to hold up supplies and rescue personnel going into New Orleans? If you think I and my tinfoil hat on too tight, do some research yourself and ask yourself some additional questions like why is the media again being controlled and manipulated by the administration the same way it was regarding the lead up to the Iraq war? Go back to the last two elections and ask what really happened and why were recounts stopped or not held at all? Just stop and really think about all that has gone on the last few years.

Are All Bush Women Brain Dead?

I think the maids are slipping something into the tea they are serving to the pampered Bush women. Either that or they are getting into Georgies supply of nose candy.Yesterday we had Babs saying how wonderful the victims are being treated and inferring at the same time that they never had it so good. Now today we have Laura the Lovely Librarian renaming the hurricane and calling it "Corrina" via Kos. What a pathetic bunch.

Pelosi/Phillips Smackdown

Democratic House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi put a stop mighty fast to CNN's Kyra Phillips when she tried to spout the administrations talking points during an interview, when she told her "if you want to make a case for the White House you should go on their payroll". Video (WMP) of the exchange is available HERE.... Meanwhile, Jack Cafferty on CNN's "Situation Room" let loose again. We pick up the transcript shortly after a bystander yelled at Dickhead Cheney to "Go Fuck Himself" WMP Video of that is available here from Crooks And Liars BLITZER: Vice president clearly shrugging that off. Let's go to CNN's Jack Cafferty. He's standing by in New York. You heard that bleep, I hope, Jack. JACK CAFFERTY, CNN ANCHOR: The vice president said that's the first time he heard it. Didn't he utter the same phrase to Senator Patrick Leahy on the floor of the United States Senate? BLITZER: Yes. CAFFERTY: So it wasn't the first time he heard it. He said it ... (CROSSTALK) BLITZER: It is the first time he heard it in this context of this trip. CAFFERTY: You know what, I'll bet it's not the last. At long last, here's a bulletin, Wolf, at long last the Democrats have agreed on something. It's been a long time, but they have come together on this. From Hillary Clinton to Howard Dean, to Nancy Pelosi, the Democrats are pouncing on the weak response of the Bush administration in the initial days following Katrina. While Democrats blame Republicans, the Republicans want to shift the blame away from the federal government and shift it down to the local and state officials. Even some prominent Republicans are calling on the president to have an independent investigation of all of this. And in this humble reporter's opinion, if there's not an independent investigation, the investigation won't be worth the paper it's written on. The fact there are still victims of Katrina who need to be rescued, and who are dying every day, of course, doesn't stop our politicians from the posturing and the finger pointing. It's particularly obvious and distasteful when it comes from those who are trying to turn a massive government failure into a political opportunity for themselves. See some of the names mentioned above. Here's the question. What effect will Hurricane Katrina have on the off-year elections in 2006? Caffertyfiles@cnn.com -- Wolf. BLITZER: Thanks, Jack. Jack Cafferty in New York. I can't get over Cafferty since this whole thing started. Usually he is one of the loudest apologists for the administration and its' talking points. It looks like even he has had enough of their bullshit.

Canadians Beat FEMA To Disaster Area

Here is yet another example of the inept management of FEMA and it's leader Michael Brown (who's only claim to fame until now was checking to see if some horse breeder liposuctioned some horses' butt before a competition). Common Dreams reports: A Canadian search-and-rescue team reached a flooded New Orleans suburb to help save trapped residents five days before the U.S. military, a Louisiana state senator said on Wednesday. Republican State Senator Walter Boasso (Chalmette) said the 68,000 people of his parrish were largely ignored by U.S. authorities who scrambled to get aid to New Orleans, a few miles (km) away. Boasso said residents of the outlying parishes had to mount their own rescue and relief efforts. Boasso said U.S. authorities began airdropping relief supplies to St. Bernard last Wednesday, the same day the Canadian rescue team of about 50 members arrived from Vancouver, nearly 2,200 miles away. The Canadians beat both the Army and the Federal Emergency Management Agency, the U.S. disaster response department, to St. Bernard Parish east of New Orleans, where flood waters are still 8 feet deep in places. This is why I am proud to be a Canadian, and long for those days when the U.S. agencies responded just as quickly to both its' own and outher countries' citizens when there were tragedies. If King George had any pride at all he would be totally ashamed and show it instead of making excuses and passing the blame of on local officials. MORE....

New Blog - CanadianPerspective 2 - Created

Since I love humor, politics, and conspiracy theories (especially when they all combine together), I guess it made it inevitable that I would combine those three things to create a new blog. Thus CanadianPerspective 2 was created. Another great aspect to the new blog, and one that I am expecially excited about is the addition of guest bloggers. My first pick (and she was kind enough to accept) is a blogger I have admired with her wit, charm and just her over-all posting ability is Sylvana who is the owner of 4 blogs. Syllogism, Renegade Mouth, Sylvana Finds, and The Obsessive Gardener. I am confident you will find her just as entertaining as I do, and as you can see she is a lady of many varied interests. There will be other bloggers added as we go along. In fact if you would like to join us, use the email icon and let us know ( be sure to include a link to your blog). I kind of like this idea for a new blog, since this way we can keep regular news, conspiracy theories (you'll read a lot from Alex Jones etc.), and humorous "out there" stories available to brighten your day and give you an escape from the crap the current administration and their wing-nut, hypocritical criminal friends force on us everyday, and the MSM constantly treats as infallible. So stop by and take a look at our newest experiment/blog CanadianPerspective 2, and take a look and enjoy yourself. If you have some suggestions be sure to let us know. Just remember, lite, funny, and conspiratorial. That ought to make for some very interesting reading to say the least.

Photo-op Instead Of Rescue For Firefighters

This is the one of the most disgusting actions (and there have been many) committed by that fascist self-centered bastard occupying the White House under the guise of being a President. According to The Salt Lake Tribune, firefighters from across the United States who went to New Orleans to help with search and rescue and give the New Orleans crews a break are being used instead as "good-will ambassadors" for FEMA, and for a "photo-op" for King George. Not long after some 1,000 firefighters sat down for eight hours of training, the whispering began: "What are we doing here?" ***** Instead, they have learned they are going to be community-relations officers for FEMA, shuffled throughout the Gulf Coast region to disseminate fliers and a phone number: 1-800-621-FEMA. ***** specific orders began arriving to the firefighters in Atlanta, a team of 50 Monday morning quickly was ushered onto a flight headed for Louisiana. The crew's first assignment: to stand beside President Bush as he tours devastated areas. No wonder King George wants to delay any investigation into the problems with the response. Actions like this make me nauseated with rage. And people wonder why I call him a self-centered, incompetent bastard? MORE.....

Fascist Administration Strikes Again - Censorship Ordered

Everyones' favorite dictator King George has struck yet again. As you may remember, a policy was put in place at the beginning of the illegal invasion and occupation of Iraq, that NO PHOTOS of our dead military is allowed. Well now it looks as though that policy is being extended to the dead caused by Katrina. Reuters reports: The U.S. government agency leading the rescue efforts after Hurricane Katrina said on Tuesday it does not want the news media to take photographs of the dead as they are recovered from the flooded New Orleans area. [snip] "We have requested that no photographs of the deceased be made by the media," the spokeswoman said in an e-mailed response to a Reuters inquiry. The Bush administration also has prevented the news media from photographing flag-draped caskets of U.S. soldiers killed in Iraq, which has sparked criticism that the government is trying to block images that put the war in a bad light. As can be seen by this report, King George and his band of criminals currently occupying the White House is determined to keep the facts from the American people. The next thing you know we will here (as we do with Iraq) all is well in the Gulf states, the people are excitedly happy and are applauding and throwing flowers at the feet of the military, all is well, just remember to tap those red slippers together like Dorothy in Oz and follow the yellow brick road to George's America. Oh and by the way the photos above are just a delusion of the liberal left and anti-Bush press corps. MORE

Don't Point Fingers Says King George

Of course he doesn't want that because they will end up right at him. Answer this question for me Georgie you fascist bastard. Who appointed Michael Brown to be head of FEMA? YOU DID YOU MORON!!! And now we find out through leaked memos to AP that The government's disaster chief waited until hours after Hurricane Katrina had already struck the Gulf Coast before asking his boss to dispatch 1,000 Homeland Security employees to the region — and gave them two days to arrive, according to internal documents Michael Brown, director of the Federal Emergency Management Agency, sought the approval from Homeland Security Secretary Mike Chertoff roughly five hours after Katrina made landfall on Aug. 29. Brown said that among duties of these employees was to "convey a positive image" about the government's response for victims. Of course he doesn't want fingers pointed or the "blame game" as he calls it. Of course he wants to stall any official inquiry into the response to this disaster. Someone might just have the audacity to ask what were his qualifications? As I posted HERE he was in charge of some Arabian Horse Association in Colorado that he got fired from. But don't point fingers or ask any questions says King George. MORE....