Hey there Steph,
Here's a good one for the "republicans eating their own" file - I can't help it, I gain a special kind of glee from reading about the mess that the ultra-right-wing has made of politics in our northern neighboring state. Happy New Year!
Cheers - your radical militant librarian,
Faye in Tulsa, OK
Trounced at Polls, Kansas GOP Is Still Plagued by Infighting
Party Puts Ousted Official In His Opponent's Old Post
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wpdyn/content/article/2006/12/29/AR2006122901220.html
By Peter Slevin, Washington Post Staff Writer
Saturday, December 30, 2006
CHICAGO, Dec. 29 -- Phill Kline is not one to slink away -- and the ideological wars inside the Kansas Republican Party show no sign of ending.
The fiercely antiabortion Republican attorney general in Kansas lost his reelection bid in November when moderate Republicans voted in droves for Paul Morrison, a longtime Johnson County district attorney who became a Democrat in hopes of vanquishing Kline.
Statewide, Kline got barely 4 in 10 votes. In Johnson County, the state's most populous county, his loss was more dramatic. That made it especially shocking after the election when Republican precinct leaders in the county chose Kline to finish the final two years of Morrison's term as prosecutor.
Gov. Kathleen Sebelius (D), a vocal Kline foe, refused to sign his nomination papers, a ceremonial task, lambasting a "small narrow group of partisan political operatives" for choosing him. At the Westside Family Church in Lenexa, after precinct leaders backed Kline over a Morrison aide 316 to 291, Republicans showed just how divided they are.
"The moment Phill Kline got the nomination, half the room got up and walked out," said Scott Schwab, the county GOP chairman. "It wasn't so much yelling or cussing. They threw up their arms and said, 'What do we do now?' "
Kline's reincarnation as Johnson County prosecutor reveals the depth of the continuing Republican split in Kansas and suggests challenges faced by the GOP nationwide as it tries to recover from its Nov. 7 losses and build toward 2008.
Republicans lost their U.S. House and Senate majorities and 350 seats in state legislatures across the country. The early post-election Kansas experiences show that a recovery could be difficult because the splits inside the party between social conservatives and moderates will not be easily healed.
Given the defeats in Kansas of religious conservatives such as Kline, U.S. Rep. Jim Ryun (R) and some members of the State Board of Education, one Kansas political analyst expected the GOP "would be ready to mend fences and move forward."
But that has not yet happened. "I think the divide between the moderates and conservatives is deepening rather than closing," said Kansas State University professor Joseph Aistrup. "This type of politics is continuing into our future, at least another four years."
The Kansas political divide has drawn outsized attention in recent years. The state was the setting for an influential 2004 book by Thomas Frank, "What's the Matter With Kansas? How Conservatives Won the Heart of America."
Sunday, December 31, 2006
Friday, December 29, 2006
NonStop Radio Project Goes Online!
Hello Stephanie,
Here's another great web site that is put together by Aldous Tyler, one the good fighters from Madison, Wisconsin. It's just up and promises to grow into a real movement. Check it out:
http://www.NonStopRadio.com/
Cheers,
Faye in Tulsa, OK
Here's another great web site that is put together by Aldous Tyler, one the good fighters from Madison, Wisconsin. It's just up and promises to grow into a real movement. Check it out:
http://www.NonStopRadio.com/
Cheers,
Faye in Tulsa, OK
Thursday, December 28, 2006
Steph Gets Press in Rochester
"Sometimes in life, you end up using everything you are and you've become. It kind of just falls together, even though you don't plan it that way."
Stephanie Miller, City article, Dec. 27, 2006
ADDED NOTE: Perhaps the best news is found at the end of this article, apparently CNN has talked with Steph about launching her own TV show. Read on...
From City - Rochester's Alternative Newsweekly
DECEMBER 27, 2006
Left Laughing: Stephanie Miller Moves from Sister Sleaze to Progressive Radio Queen
BY RON NETSKY
Stephanie Miller's ambitions were not political. She wanted to be a comedian like her idol, Carol Burnett. And after majoring in theater at the University of Southern California, she landed her first professional radio gig. In the mid-1980s, Rochesterians got to know her as Sister Sleaze, sidekick to Brother Wease....
The Stephanie Miller Show, which airs locally (weekdays from 9 a.m. to noon) on News Talk 950 WROC AM, is arguably the most creative talk show on the air. Miller and her sidekicks improvise their way through political and social criticism with sound effects, guest appearances by Washington luminaries (channeled by impressionist Jim Ward), and an unrelentingly wicked satirical bite. It's a fast-moving, irreverent good time. And Miller has definitely not left all elements of Sister Sleaze behind....
"I think my dad and Goldwater would be appalled at what's become of their party," says Miller. "Goldwater was pro-gay-rights and pro-choice. He talked about the undue influence of the religious right. And that was back in the 1980's."...
When the family members get together, they often argue about what their father would think of current issues. Miller says her two sisters, who have always been Republicans, have become disgusted with the party. They both voted for Kerry. Her brother, who remains a Republican, has grown apolitical....
"I hired her as soon as I heard her tape," says Wease (Alan Levin), whose show remains popular today. "She's very manic, very bright, very funny and creative." When friends asked Wease, "how come you give that girl so much mike?" he had a simple answer: "Because she's phenomenal. Don't try and compete; let people fly. I let her fly, and we had a ball." ...
Between her stint as Sister Sleaze and her current persona, Miller held a variety of jobs, from playing small roles in films to co-hosting "Equal Time" with Bay Buchanan on CNBC. With her current show, she seems to have finally found her niche.
"Sometimes in life, you end up using everything you are and you've become," she says. "It kind of just falls together, even though you don't plan it that way."...
"They say it's theater of the mind," she says. "Radio is the most creatively free medium. That's why I enjoy it more than television. Television tends to be over-produced and over-prepared. It's not as authentic as radio."
Depending on how much she has prepared the previous day, Miller wakes up at 3 or 4 a.m. and arrives at the station at 5. She goes on live on KTLK in Los Angeles at 6 a.m.
No small part of her show's success is due to her two well-chosen cohorts, the extraordinary impressionist (and sometime conspiracy theorist) Ward and producer-sidekick Chris Lavoie. They are not only radio partners, but they are also among Miller's best friends off the air.
"They are genuinely funny," says Miller. "Jim Ward says something at least once a day that literally makes me fall out of my chair. Most of it's off the cuff, so you don't see it coming."...
Miller points out that her show, which is syndicated by Jones Radio Networks, is not part of Air America....
By contrast, Miller has long conversations with her adversaries...
On air, Miller is self-deprecating, joking frequently about her appearance and her love life, or lack thereof....
It may say something about the absurdity of our time, but people increasingly are turning to comedians for political commentary. The success of "The Daily Show," "The Colbert Report" and "Real Time with Bill Maher"has not gone unnoticed by serious news stations. CNN recently called Miller to talk to her about doing a television show.
If she does, she will join comedians like Colbert, Maher, and Jon Stewart, who, in addition to being funny, are among the most astute political commentators in the media.
"Comedians tend to be truth-tellers," says Miller. "For a time now, we just seem to have the facts on our side. We're at a point where all the good comedy targets are on the right."
Stephanie Miller, City article, Dec. 27, 2006
ADDED NOTE: Perhaps the best news is found at the end of this article, apparently CNN has talked with Steph about launching her own TV show. Read on...
From City - Rochester's Alternative Newsweekly
DECEMBER 27, 2006
Left Laughing: Stephanie Miller Moves from Sister Sleaze to Progressive Radio Queen
BY RON NETSKY
Stephanie Miller's ambitions were not political. She wanted to be a comedian like her idol, Carol Burnett. And after majoring in theater at the University of Southern California, she landed her first professional radio gig. In the mid-1980s, Rochesterians got to know her as Sister Sleaze, sidekick to Brother Wease....
The Stephanie Miller Show, which airs locally (weekdays from 9 a.m. to noon) on News Talk 950 WROC AM, is arguably the most creative talk show on the air. Miller and her sidekicks improvise their way through political and social criticism with sound effects, guest appearances by Washington luminaries (channeled by impressionist Jim Ward), and an unrelentingly wicked satirical bite. It's a fast-moving, irreverent good time. And Miller has definitely not left all elements of Sister Sleaze behind....
"I think my dad and Goldwater would be appalled at what's become of their party," says Miller. "Goldwater was pro-gay-rights and pro-choice. He talked about the undue influence of the religious right. And that was back in the 1980's."...
When the family members get together, they often argue about what their father would think of current issues. Miller says her two sisters, who have always been Republicans, have become disgusted with the party. They both voted for Kerry. Her brother, who remains a Republican, has grown apolitical....
"I hired her as soon as I heard her tape," says Wease (Alan Levin), whose show remains popular today. "She's very manic, very bright, very funny and creative." When friends asked Wease, "how come you give that girl so much mike?" he had a simple answer: "Because she's phenomenal. Don't try and compete; let people fly. I let her fly, and we had a ball." ...
Between her stint as Sister Sleaze and her current persona, Miller held a variety of jobs, from playing small roles in films to co-hosting "Equal Time" with Bay Buchanan on CNBC. With her current show, she seems to have finally found her niche.
"Sometimes in life, you end up using everything you are and you've become," she says. "It kind of just falls together, even though you don't plan it that way."...
"They say it's theater of the mind," she says. "Radio is the most creatively free medium. That's why I enjoy it more than television. Television tends to be over-produced and over-prepared. It's not as authentic as radio."
Depending on how much she has prepared the previous day, Miller wakes up at 3 or 4 a.m. and arrives at the station at 5. She goes on live on KTLK in Los Angeles at 6 a.m.
No small part of her show's success is due to her two well-chosen cohorts, the extraordinary impressionist (and sometime conspiracy theorist) Ward and producer-sidekick Chris Lavoie. They are not only radio partners, but they are also among Miller's best friends off the air.
"They are genuinely funny," says Miller. "Jim Ward says something at least once a day that literally makes me fall out of my chair. Most of it's off the cuff, so you don't see it coming."...
Miller points out that her show, which is syndicated by Jones Radio Networks, is not part of Air America....
By contrast, Miller has long conversations with her adversaries...
On air, Miller is self-deprecating, joking frequently about her appearance and her love life, or lack thereof....
It may say something about the absurdity of our time, but people increasingly are turning to comedians for political commentary. The success of "The Daily Show," "The Colbert Report" and "Real Time with Bill Maher"has not gone unnoticed by serious news stations. CNN recently called Miller to talk to her about doing a television show.
If she does, she will join comedians like Colbert, Maher, and Jon Stewart, who, in addition to being funny, are among the most astute political commentators in the media.
"Comedians tend to be truth-tellers," says Miller. "For a time now, we just seem to have the facts on our side. We're at a point where all the good comedy targets are on the right."
Wednesday, December 27, 2006
Power to the People!!!
ADDED NOTE: While this is great news for Madison, the fight is beginning anew in Columbus, Ohio, where the owners of radio station WTPG (1230 AM) are planning to flip the station's format and make a decidedly right turn in its programming - let's do in Columbus what the folks did in Madison. I live in Tulsa, OK, but am willing to do whatever I can to help out. Just let me know. We don't have much time. Buddy, Dave, Paul - I know you all are out there, can you help out? Here's the fabulous person who led the fight in Madison - Valerie Walasek (keira066@hotmail.com). Contact her or me here at this blog if you can lend a hand. Thanks mucho!
Station's Format to Turn Right
http://www.dispatch.com/features-story.php?story=dispatch/2006/12/23/20061223-B6-02.html
Saturday, December 23, 2006
Tim Feran
THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH
Liberal listeners in central Ohio will lose their only radio voice next month when WTPG (1230 AM) drops its format of "progressive talk" and makes a hard right turn.
Out: Al Franken, Stephanie Miller, Ed Schultz and Randi Rhodes. In: Michael Savage, Laura Ingraham and a mix of sports and consumer shows featuring Jim Rome and Dave Ramsey.
The station will change its call letters to WYTS on Monday; the new format will begin at 9 a.m. Jan. 9.
Clear Channel Keeps Air America Station In Madison
http://cbs5.com/entertainment/entertainment_story_355220844.html
Dec 21, 2006 10:01 pm US/Pacific
(AP) MADISON, Wis.
After a backlash from this liberal city, Clear Channel Radio is keeping its Air America affiliate on the air instead of switching the progressive talk format to sports on Jan. 1.
Citing the overwhelming negative reaction to the planned change, the nation's largest radio station operator said it would keep The Mic 92.1 FM on the air as a progressive talk station. The planned change to Fox Sports Radio, announced three days after the Nov. 7 election, had sparked outrage in Madison, a city long known for its liberal activism. Clear Channel said the station, WXXM-FM, had struggled to attract advertisers despite high ratings and a sports format would be more profitable.
But thousands of people protested the end of their favorite station through e-mails, phone calls and a petition delivered to station officials this week. A rally last week drew 500 people, and politicians such as Mayor Dave Cieslewicz and U.S. Rep. Tammy Baldwin, D-Wis., denounced the decision. The two-year-old station is among the most popular affiliates of Air America, which launched two years ago as an alternative to conservative talk show hosts like Rush Limbaugh. It is now undergoing a reorganization after filing for bankruptcy protection in October.
In addition to Air America personalities like Al Franken, WXXM features local shows that focused on progressive causes from city politics to animal rights. "We are overwhelmed by the recent outpouring of support for our progressive talk format from the public, some of our community leaders and some dedicated local advertisers," said Jeff Tyler, Clear Channel's market manager in Madison. "We deeply appreciate the local business leaders who are pledging their advertising support. They are playing an enormous role in helping to keep progressive talk on the air in our community."
Tyler planned to announce the decision on the airwaves Friday morning. He said Clear Channel had to end an agreement with Fox Sports Radio to make the deal possible. The announcement came just as the opponents of the change appeared to give up, staging a mock funeral procession from the Capitol to Clear Channel's local offices Wednesday to mourn the death of the station.
Valerie Walasek, a 28-year-old listener who organized the protests, said she had shifted her focus to other options, such as trying to buy a new station. She was shocked by the company's last-minute change of heart. "It's evidence that as people stand up and demand what they want and demand they are going to take back the airwaves, somebody will listen," she said. "Maybe Clear Channel just came to their senses because it never made sense for them to get rid of it. They were making money."
Tyler said he hoped to improve the quality of the local shows and was encouraged that Air America would do the same for its programming when it emerges from bankruptcy. The radio network said this week that it is close to a sealing a deal with an undisclosed buyer. "We're here to make it work. We're going to put all of our resources into it," he said. "People have spoken out in Madison and said, `This is a great radio station and we support it.' We encourage them to prove it." San Antonio, Texas-based Clear Channel Communications Inc., owns nearly 1,200 radio stations.
(© 2006 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)
Station's Format to Turn Right
http://www.dispatch.com/features-story.php?story=dispatch/2006/12/23/20061223-B6-02.html
Saturday, December 23, 2006
Tim Feran
THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH
Liberal listeners in central Ohio will lose their only radio voice next month when WTPG (1230 AM) drops its format of "progressive talk" and makes a hard right turn.
Out: Al Franken, Stephanie Miller, Ed Schultz and Randi Rhodes. In: Michael Savage, Laura Ingraham and a mix of sports and consumer shows featuring Jim Rome and Dave Ramsey.
The station will change its call letters to WYTS on Monday; the new format will begin at 9 a.m. Jan. 9.
Clear Channel Keeps Air America Station In Madison
http://cbs5.com/entertainment/entertainment_story_355220844.html
Dec 21, 2006 10:01 pm US/Pacific
(AP) MADISON, Wis.
After a backlash from this liberal city, Clear Channel Radio is keeping its Air America affiliate on the air instead of switching the progressive talk format to sports on Jan. 1.
Citing the overwhelming negative reaction to the planned change, the nation's largest radio station operator said it would keep The Mic 92.1 FM on the air as a progressive talk station. The planned change to Fox Sports Radio, announced three days after the Nov. 7 election, had sparked outrage in Madison, a city long known for its liberal activism. Clear Channel said the station, WXXM-FM, had struggled to attract advertisers despite high ratings and a sports format would be more profitable.
But thousands of people protested the end of their favorite station through e-mails, phone calls and a petition delivered to station officials this week. A rally last week drew 500 people, and politicians such as Mayor Dave Cieslewicz and U.S. Rep. Tammy Baldwin, D-Wis., denounced the decision. The two-year-old station is among the most popular affiliates of Air America, which launched two years ago as an alternative to conservative talk show hosts like Rush Limbaugh. It is now undergoing a reorganization after filing for bankruptcy protection in October.
In addition to Air America personalities like Al Franken, WXXM features local shows that focused on progressive causes from city politics to animal rights. "We are overwhelmed by the recent outpouring of support for our progressive talk format from the public, some of our community leaders and some dedicated local advertisers," said Jeff Tyler, Clear Channel's market manager in Madison. "We deeply appreciate the local business leaders who are pledging their advertising support. They are playing an enormous role in helping to keep progressive talk on the air in our community."
Tyler planned to announce the decision on the airwaves Friday morning. He said Clear Channel had to end an agreement with Fox Sports Radio to make the deal possible. The announcement came just as the opponents of the change appeared to give up, staging a mock funeral procession from the Capitol to Clear Channel's local offices Wednesday to mourn the death of the station.
Valerie Walasek, a 28-year-old listener who organized the protests, said she had shifted her focus to other options, such as trying to buy a new station. She was shocked by the company's last-minute change of heart. "It's evidence that as people stand up and demand what they want and demand they are going to take back the airwaves, somebody will listen," she said. "Maybe Clear Channel just came to their senses because it never made sense for them to get rid of it. They were making money."
Tyler said he hoped to improve the quality of the local shows and was encouraged that Air America would do the same for its programming when it emerges from bankruptcy. The radio network said this week that it is close to a sealing a deal with an undisclosed buyer. "We're here to make it work. We're going to put all of our resources into it," he said. "People have spoken out in Madison and said, `This is a great radio station and we support it.' We encourage them to prove it." San Antonio, Texas-based Clear Channel Communications Inc., owns nearly 1,200 radio stations.
(© 2006 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)
Tuesday, December 19, 2006
Best of 2006 - "Kay to the Jay to the Eye El in the Hizzie" Syndrome
Hello emailstosms readers,
Here's a "best of 2006" - it is one of the few e-mails that Stephanie read in its entirety on the air on October 11, 2006 (Hour 1). I just wanted to share it with you all. Happy 2007!!!
Cheers,
mfhadley
Hey there Stephanie,
Since you seem to be adding new affiliates quite regularly and Kim Jong Il finds himself in the headlines lately, I thought I would offer up the following testimonial to a little known side effect of listening to The Stephanie Miller Show - it's known as the "Kay-to-the-Jay-to-the-Il-in-da-hiz-house"-syndrome. The main symptom of this affliction is the inability to take the nuclear crisis in North Korea seriously because of Jim Ward, Stephanie Miller, and Chris Lavoie and their hilarious portrayal of Kim Jong Il. Try as I might, and as serious as I understand the situation in North Korea to be, I just can't get the image of a gentle, yet shallow and egotistical little dictator who rules with a whimsical fist over the northern half of the Korean Peninsula out of my mind.
This is an open letter to all listeners of the Stephanie Miller Show: Are you all having a hard time taking in the reality that North Korea just tested a NUCLEAR WEAPON, due in large part to the fact that every time you think of North Korea you conjure up Jim Ward's fabulous "Kay to the Jay in the Hizzzie"? That's Kim Jong Il for those who are new to this beat. Thanks to Mr. Ward's remarkable characterization, I can't help but imagine Kim Jong Il as an awkward little buffoon who happens to be a dictator of a country of about 23 million people. Who can forget his original demand for a "tricked out Pacer with fuzzy dice," and a lifetime's supply of Zagnut candy bars,"(suggesting brilliantly as it does that negotiation between the U.S. and North Korea is the only way to forestall a nuclear crisis).
I personally have snarfed more coffee onto my keyboard listening to the Voice Deity doing his hilarious impression of the "Gentre Reeeder," who suffers from a penchant for alcoholic beverages, sexual depravity, and self-indulgent behavior all the while sporting a black belt in Feng Shui and a rather limp Tae Poe Dong (if you know what I mean?) So the only piece of advice I can impart to fellow listeners is that when a North Korean missile takes off the end of the Aleutian Islands, we must appear solemn if not horrified, as if we didn't see this coming...Thanks Steph, Chris and JIM!!! Kim OUT!!!
Cheers - your radical militant librarian,
Faye in Tulsa, OK
Here's a "best of 2006" - it is one of the few e-mails that Stephanie read in its entirety on the air on October 11, 2006 (Hour 1). I just wanted to share it with you all. Happy 2007!!!
Cheers,
mfhadley
Hey there Stephanie,
Since you seem to be adding new affiliates quite regularly and Kim Jong Il finds himself in the headlines lately, I thought I would offer up the following testimonial to a little known side effect of listening to The Stephanie Miller Show - it's known as the "Kay-to-the-Jay-to-the-Il-in-da-hiz-house"-syndrome. The main symptom of this affliction is the inability to take the nuclear crisis in North Korea seriously because of Jim Ward, Stephanie Miller, and Chris Lavoie and their hilarious portrayal of Kim Jong Il. Try as I might, and as serious as I understand the situation in North Korea to be, I just can't get the image of a gentle, yet shallow and egotistical little dictator who rules with a whimsical fist over the northern half of the Korean Peninsula out of my mind.
This is an open letter to all listeners of the Stephanie Miller Show: Are you all having a hard time taking in the reality that North Korea just tested a NUCLEAR WEAPON, due in large part to the fact that every time you think of North Korea you conjure up Jim Ward's fabulous "Kay to the Jay in the Hizzzie"? That's Kim Jong Il for those who are new to this beat. Thanks to Mr. Ward's remarkable characterization, I can't help but imagine Kim Jong Il as an awkward little buffoon who happens to be a dictator of a country of about 23 million people. Who can forget his original demand for a "tricked out Pacer with fuzzy dice," and a lifetime's supply of Zagnut candy bars,"(suggesting brilliantly as it does that negotiation between the U.S. and North Korea is the only way to forestall a nuclear crisis).
I personally have snarfed more coffee onto my keyboard listening to the Voice Deity doing his hilarious impression of the "Gentre Reeeder," who suffers from a penchant for alcoholic beverages, sexual depravity, and self-indulgent behavior all the while sporting a black belt in Feng Shui and a rather limp Tae Poe Dong (if you know what I mean?) So the only piece of advice I can impart to fellow listeners is that when a North Korean missile takes off the end of the Aleutian Islands, we must appear solemn if not horrified, as if we didn't see this coming...Thanks Steph, Chris and JIM!!! Kim OUT!!!
Cheers - your radical militant librarian,
Faye in Tulsa, OK
Saturday, December 16, 2006
Happy ChristmaHanaKwanzica to you and yours!
A holiday message to readers of "emailstosms":
The postings will be less frequent over the next two weeks as Stephanie & crew will be on vacation - returning to the airwaves on Tuesday, Jaunary 2, 2007. Just a reminder, a StephCast (http://www.stephaniemiller.com/premium_registration/Itemid,118/Gift,1/) makes a loverly holiday gift for all your progressive friends and is sure to drive your right-wing acquaintances around the bend. Steph also has a fabulous assortment of t-shits, ball caps and other crap that you can order from her web site (http://www.cafepress.com/stephaniemiller), so go and load up on as much of the StephStuff as you can, and don't forget the boxed wine (I actually prefer this year's Beaujolais Nouveau, although if you didn't stock up, you may have a difficult time finding a bottle at your favorite liquor store - it sold out especially quickly this year). In all honesty (which is a hallmark of this blog), please know that I'm wishing you and all of the folks in your life a very happy holiday season and if you wish for anything this year, let it be peace.
In Peace and For Justice,
mfhadley
The postings will be less frequent over the next two weeks as Stephanie & crew will be on vacation - returning to the airwaves on Tuesday, Jaunary 2, 2007. Just a reminder, a StephCast (http://www.stephaniemiller.com/premium_registration/Itemid,118/Gift,1/) makes a loverly holiday gift for all your progressive friends and is sure to drive your right-wing acquaintances around the bend. Steph also has a fabulous assortment of t-shits, ball caps and other crap that you can order from her web site (http://www.cafepress.com/stephaniemiller), so go and load up on as much of the StephStuff as you can, and don't forget the boxed wine (I actually prefer this year's Beaujolais Nouveau, although if you didn't stock up, you may have a difficult time finding a bottle at your favorite liquor store - it sold out especially quickly this year). In all honesty (which is a hallmark of this blog), please know that I'm wishing you and all of the folks in your life a very happy holiday season and if you wish for anything this year, let it be peace.
In Peace and For Justice,
mfhadley
Friday, December 15, 2006
Darth "Secrecy" Cheney Appeals
White House Contests Post On Providing Visitor Logs
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/12/13/AR2006121301923.html
Thursday, December 14, 2006
The Bush administration asked an appeals court yesterday to overrule a federal judge and allow the White House to keep secret any records of visitors to Vice President Dick Cheney's residence and office.
To make the visitor records public would be an "unprecedented intrusion into the daily operations of the vice presidency," the Justice Department argued in a 57-page brief to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit.
"The Bush administration asked an appeals court yesterday to overrule a federal judge and allow the White House to keep secret any records of visitors to Vice President Dick Cheney's residence and office."
The government was responding to an October order, by U.S. District Judge Ricardo M. Urbina, to release two years of White House visitor logs to The Washington Post. The Post, researching the access that lobbyists and others had to the White House, sought Secret Service records for anyone visiting Cheney, his legal counsel, chief spokesman and other top aides and advisers.
In his ruling, Urbina questioned the government's primary argument against releasing the records: that the logs are protected by Cheney's right to executive privilege.
The government's response was twofold, focusing largely on the ownership of the records.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/12/13/AR2006121301923.html
Thursday, December 14, 2006
The Bush administration asked an appeals court yesterday to overrule a federal judge and allow the White House to keep secret any records of visitors to Vice President Dick Cheney's residence and office.
To make the visitor records public would be an "unprecedented intrusion into the daily operations of the vice presidency," the Justice Department argued in a 57-page brief to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit.
"The Bush administration asked an appeals court yesterday to overrule a federal judge and allow the White House to keep secret any records of visitors to Vice President Dick Cheney's residence and office."
The government was responding to an October order, by U.S. District Judge Ricardo M. Urbina, to release two years of White House visitor logs to The Washington Post. The Post, researching the access that lobbyists and others had to the White House, sought Secret Service records for anyone visiting Cheney, his legal counsel, chief spokesman and other top aides and advisers.
In his ruling, Urbina questioned the government's primary argument against releasing the records: that the logs are protected by Cheney's right to executive privilege.
The government's response was twofold, focusing largely on the ownership of the records.
Senatorial Disability
Dear Stephanie,
I hope that this doesn't even, ever become an issue for Senator Johnson, but if he does need time to recover (and who wouldn't after having brain surgery) there is certainly precedent for him staying in office. See the information below.
Karl Earl Mudnt - Republican Senator from SOUTH DAKOTA
After suffering a severe stroke in 1969, he remained in office through the end of his term on January 3, 1973, but was unable to attend sessions of Congress and was stripped of his committee assignments by the Senate Republican Conference in 1972. He did not seek reelection in 1972. He was succeeded in the Senate by James Abourezk.
Senator Mundt NEVER stepped foot in the Senate Chamber again after suffering his stroke.
It is also known that Senator Strom Thurmond was non compos mentis for many of his final years in office where he was propped up to wink and smile.
Senator Johnson will recover fully from this problem, I hope, anyway.
I hope that this doesn't even, ever become an issue for Senator Johnson, but if he does need time to recover (and who wouldn't after having brain surgery) there is certainly precedent for him staying in office. See the information below.
Karl Earl Mudnt - Republican Senator from SOUTH DAKOTA
After suffering a severe stroke in 1969, he remained in office through the end of his term on January 3, 1973, but was unable to attend sessions of Congress and was stripped of his committee assignments by the Senate Republican Conference in 1972. He did not seek reelection in 1972. He was succeeded in the Senate by James Abourezk.
Senator Mundt NEVER stepped foot in the Senate Chamber again after suffering his stroke.
It is also known that Senator Strom Thurmond was non compos mentis for many of his final years in office where he was propped up to wink and smile.
Senator Johnson will recover fully from this problem, I hope, anyway.
Quote for our times
Stephanie,
I can't believe the audacity and ignorance of this man (boy). He has the nerve to delay his decision ("Don't rush me!") while brave men and women are dying in Iraq and untold numbers of Iraqis are being blown to bits. I don't think he should be sleeping at all - there should be no rest for the wicked.
Happy Holidays ;(
"I must tell you, I’m sleeping a lot better than people would assume."
George W. Bush - People magazine, December 14, 2006
I can't believe the audacity and ignorance of this man (boy). He has the nerve to delay his decision ("Don't rush me!") while brave men and women are dying in Iraq and untold numbers of Iraqis are being blown to bits. I don't think he should be sleeping at all - there should be no rest for the wicked.
Happy Holidays ;(
"I must tell you, I’m sleeping a lot better than people would assume."
George W. Bush - People magazine, December 14, 2006
Thursday, December 14, 2006
George Bush: A dangerous, cornered animal
"Fuck 'em. I'm the President. I'm the one who decides what's best for this country."
George Bush
"Whatever the 'real figure' is or is not, one inescapable fact remains: Many more Americans will die in Iraq and/or other actions spawned by Bush's illegal invasion of a country that posed no threat to this nation. And many, many more will come home physically maimed and/or emotionally scarred for life."
Doug Thompson
George W. Bush: A dangerous, cornered, rabid animal
http://www.capitolhillblue.com/news2/2006/12/george_w_bush_a.html
December 13, 2006
By DOUG THOMPSON
My gut tells me the President of the United States has become a cornered animal - wary of a party that has all but shunned him, distrustful of even his closest advisors, angry at an American public that has rejected him and fearful of his own inability to cope with his growing madness. White House insiders tell me George W. Bush grows more sullen and moody with each passing day. His paranoia, they say, is increasing to manic levels as he launches into tirades about traitors in his own party, in the press and among his allies.
They describe a man living on the edge and stepping too often over it. Bush, they say, feels betrayed by former Secretary of State James Baker who he now feels held his administration up for public humiliation in the Iraq Study Group report. Although he told the press after meeting with ISG co-chairs Baker and Lee Hamilton that the White House will take the group's recommendations "very seriously," Bush says privately that he has no intention of going along with their plan.
George Bush
"Whatever the 'real figure' is or is not, one inescapable fact remains: Many more Americans will die in Iraq and/or other actions spawned by Bush's illegal invasion of a country that posed no threat to this nation. And many, many more will come home physically maimed and/or emotionally scarred for life."
Doug Thompson
George W. Bush: A dangerous, cornered, rabid animal
http://www.capitolhillblue.com/news2/2006/12/george_w_bush_a.html
December 13, 2006
By DOUG THOMPSON
My gut tells me the President of the United States has become a cornered animal - wary of a party that has all but shunned him, distrustful of even his closest advisors, angry at an American public that has rejected him and fearful of his own inability to cope with his growing madness. White House insiders tell me George W. Bush grows more sullen and moody with each passing day. His paranoia, they say, is increasing to manic levels as he launches into tirades about traitors in his own party, in the press and among his allies.
They describe a man living on the edge and stepping too often over it. Bush, they say, feels betrayed by former Secretary of State James Baker who he now feels held his administration up for public humiliation in the Iraq Study Group report. Although he told the press after meeting with ISG co-chairs Baker and Lee Hamilton that the White House will take the group's recommendations "very seriously," Bush says privately that he has no intention of going along with their plan.
Dobson Denounced as Hack
Stephanie,
Here is the real truth behind the Dobson piece in Time magazine, right from the professors' mouths. I think that Time owes its readers an apology, plus I think that they should denounce Dobson as a hack.
Yale Professor Says James Dobson ‘Cherry Picked’ His Research In Time Magazine Article
Kyle Pruett, M.D., is Second Professor In Two Days To Challenge Dobson’s Use Of Research
Miami Beach, FLA. - Truth Wins Out urged Time Magazine today to renounce a guest column written by James C. Dobson in this week’s magazine after a second professor, Kyle Pruett, M.D. of the Yale School of Medicine, expressed concerns that the Focus on the Family leader “cherry picked” his work. In a letter to Time and Dobson, Dr. Pruett asked that Focus on the Family, “not quote from my research in your media campaigns, personal or corporate, without previously securing my permission.”
Yesterday, New York University Professor Carol Gilligan, PhD, also wrote a letter to Time and Dobson saying that her research was distorted and twisted.
“Time Magazine should take Dobson’s article off the web and pledge that they will never again use his group as a source on family issues,” said Wayne Besen, Executive Director of Truth Wins Out. “Focus on the Family has damaged its credibility and should stop misleading Americans by misquoting respected researchers.”
Here is the real truth behind the Dobson piece in Time magazine, right from the professors' mouths. I think that Time owes its readers an apology, plus I think that they should denounce Dobson as a hack.
Yale Professor Says James Dobson ‘Cherry Picked’ His Research In Time Magazine Article
Kyle Pruett, M.D., is Second Professor In Two Days To Challenge Dobson’s Use Of Research
Miami Beach, FLA. - Truth Wins Out urged Time Magazine today to renounce a guest column written by James C. Dobson in this week’s magazine after a second professor, Kyle Pruett, M.D. of the Yale School of Medicine, expressed concerns that the Focus on the Family leader “cherry picked” his work. In a letter to Time and Dobson, Dr. Pruett asked that Focus on the Family, “not quote from my research in your media campaigns, personal or corporate, without previously securing my permission.”
Yesterday, New York University Professor Carol Gilligan, PhD, also wrote a letter to Time and Dobson saying that her research was distorted and twisted.
“Time Magazine should take Dobson’s article off the web and pledge that they will never again use his group as a source on family issues,” said Wayne Besen, Executive Director of Truth Wins Out. “Focus on the Family has damaged its credibility and should stop misleading Americans by misquoting respected researchers.”
New Judge in Cobell Case
"We want to see this case resolved quickly. We will work in good faith with Judge Robertson to end this century-long injustice that the government has done to Native people."
Elouise Cobell, Lead Plaintiff in Cobell v. Kempthorne
Indianz.Com
http://www.indianz.com/News/2006/017364.asp
New Cobell judge has experience with DOI
Wednesday, December 13, 2006
The new judge for the Cobell trust fund lawsuit has experience with the Interior Department, though it hasn't always been a positive one.U.S. District Judge James Robertson has sat on the bench since 1994, after being appointed by President Bill Clinton. In those years, he has several Indian law disputes on topics like land-into-trust, gaming and sovereignty.But it's a recent case on federal recognition that tested Robertson's patience with the Bureau of Indian Affairs.
He blasted the agency for failing to make a timely decision on the petition for the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe."The people involved in making the decisions at the BIA have completely lost track of the whole concept of deadlines," Robertson said at a February 2005 hearing.
Here's a link to the entire history of this case (including all documents filed):
http://www.indiantrust.com/
Elouise Cobell, Lead Plaintiff in Cobell v. Kempthorne
Indianz.Com
http://www.indianz.com/News/2006/017364.asp
New Cobell judge has experience with DOI
Wednesday, December 13, 2006
The new judge for the Cobell trust fund lawsuit has experience with the Interior Department, though it hasn't always been a positive one.U.S. District Judge James Robertson has sat on the bench since 1994, after being appointed by President Bill Clinton. In those years, he has several Indian law disputes on topics like land-into-trust, gaming and sovereignty.But it's a recent case on federal recognition that tested Robertson's patience with the Bureau of Indian Affairs.
He blasted the agency for failing to make a timely decision on the petition for the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe."The people involved in making the decisions at the BIA have completely lost track of the whole concept of deadlines," Robertson said at a February 2005 hearing.
Here's a link to the entire history of this case (including all documents filed):
http://www.indiantrust.com/
People Trust Dems More than Bush
Please hold Senator Tim Johnson (D - South Dakota) in the Light and send him good thoughts for a speedy recovery!
New Congress Is More Trusted Than President
By Charles Babington and Jon Cohen
Washington Post Staff WritersThursday, December 14, 2006
Americans trust Democratic lawmakers more than President Bush to handle the nation's toughest problems, including the Iraq war, and a quarter of Republicans are glad that Democrats have won control of Congress, a Washington Post-ABC News poll finds.
At the same time, however, most Americans want lawmakers and the president to work together rather than pursue separate agendas. They also have modest hopes about how much the new Congress will be able to accomplish.
New Congress Is More Trusted Than President
By Charles Babington and Jon Cohen
Washington Post Staff WritersThursday, December 14, 2006
Americans trust Democratic lawmakers more than President Bush to handle the nation's toughest problems, including the Iraq war, and a quarter of Republicans are glad that Democrats have won control of Congress, a Washington Post-ABC News poll finds.
At the same time, however, most Americans want lawmakers and the president to work together rather than pursue separate agendas. They also have modest hopes about how much the new Congress will be able to accomplish.
Wednesday, December 13, 2006
JibJab's Homage to 2006
Nuckin' futs
http://www.jibjab.com/nuckin_futs
The fellows at JibJab have put up their latest animation. It's a fairly apt and amusing summary of 2006, once again, demonstrating why "I believe that children are the future..."
http://www.jibjab.com/nuckin_futs
The fellows at JibJab have put up their latest animation. It's a fairly apt and amusing summary of 2006, once again, demonstrating why "I believe that children are the future..."
Tuesday, December 12, 2006
Ada Woman Attacked
Stephanie,
Having lived in Oklahoma for the last five years I am not surprised to learn that sexual oreintation is NOT a protected category here, dismayed, but not surprised. I think that this woman should sue the pants off the Ada Police Department - I can't believe that they didn’t even take any photos.
Local woman attacked
http://www.adaeveningnews.com/local/local_story_345113821.html
By Derek Frazier
Violence continues to trouble Ada as one resident found out Monday evening.
According to 20-year-old Ada resident Sarah Kaspereit, she said she was attacked late Monday evening after returning home from work.
"I was driving home from work and saw a small pickup in front of my house," she said. "It really wasn't a strange sight. There are different cars there [at my neighbor’s] every day and I didn't think anything of it, so I went ahead and pulled in my driveway, and when I got out of my car, two guys got out of the truck. One called me a 'faggot' and they started running towards me. One guy wrestled me to the ground and pinned me down while the other carved on my arm."
The word "Lesbian" was carved into Kaspereit’s forearm.
Having lived in Oklahoma for the last five years I am not surprised to learn that sexual oreintation is NOT a protected category here, dismayed, but not surprised. I think that this woman should sue the pants off the Ada Police Department - I can't believe that they didn’t even take any photos.
Local woman attacked
http://www.adaeveningnews.com/local/local_story_345113821.html
By Derek Frazier
Violence continues to trouble Ada as one resident found out Monday evening.
According to 20-year-old Ada resident Sarah Kaspereit, she said she was attacked late Monday evening after returning home from work.
"I was driving home from work and saw a small pickup in front of my house," she said. "It really wasn't a strange sight. There are different cars there [at my neighbor’s] every day and I didn't think anything of it, so I went ahead and pulled in my driveway, and when I got out of my car, two guys got out of the truck. One called me a 'faggot' and they started running towards me. One guy wrestled me to the ground and pinned me down while the other carved on my arm."
The word "Lesbian" was carved into Kaspereit’s forearm.
Monday, December 11, 2006
Open, Ready to Mentor!
Stephanie,
Courtney makes a sponsor I'd be proud of, especially if I just started A.A.. I'm sure Britney will need a sponsor or is it Lindsay Lohan ? Any of them could definitely hook you up... ;
L.A. Judge Dismisses Cases Against Love
http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/news/celebrity/sns-ap-people-courtney-love,0,5019185.story?coll=la-celebrity-news
By SOLVEJ SCHOU,
Associated Press Writer
December 11, 2006
Courtney Love
LOS ANGELES -- Sobbing with joy, Courtney Love thanked a judge Monday after he terminated her probation and dismissed three misdemeanor cases, including two drug-related charges.
"Thank you for not taking me into custody," Love told Superior Court Judge Rand Rubin. "Thank you for giving me an opportunity. You've been a good, fair judge. Sorry for crying."
After the hearing, Allred and Deputy District Attorney Gina Satriano both declined to comment. Allred's client passed by Love and said loudly, "Ah karma."
Love, kissing and hugging her attorney and manager outside court, said she would remain committed to her sobriety.
"All she has left to do is continue as she's been doing," talking to Alcoholics Anonymous counselors and mentoring others, Weitzman told The Associated Press.
"Out of my own free will!" Love added.
http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/news/celebrity/sns-ap-people-courtney-love,0,5019185.story?coll=la-celebrity-news
Courtney makes a sponsor I'd be proud of, especially if I just started A.A.. I'm sure Britney will need a sponsor or is it Lindsay Lohan ? Any of them could definitely hook you up... ;
L.A. Judge Dismisses Cases Against Love
http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/news/celebrity/sns-ap-people-courtney-love,0,5019185.story?coll=la-celebrity-news
By SOLVEJ SCHOU,
Associated Press Writer
December 11, 2006
Courtney Love
LOS ANGELES -- Sobbing with joy, Courtney Love thanked a judge Monday after he terminated her probation and dismissed three misdemeanor cases, including two drug-related charges.
"Thank you for not taking me into custody," Love told Superior Court Judge Rand Rubin. "Thank you for giving me an opportunity. You've been a good, fair judge. Sorry for crying."
After the hearing, Allred and Deputy District Attorney Gina Satriano both declined to comment. Allred's client passed by Love and said loudly, "Ah karma."
Love, kissing and hugging her attorney and manager outside court, said she would remain committed to her sobriety.
"All she has left to do is continue as she's been doing," talking to Alcoholics Anonymous counselors and mentoring others, Weitzman told The Associated Press.
"Out of my own free will!" Love added.
http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/news/celebrity/sns-ap-people-courtney-love,0,5019185.story?coll=la-celebrity-news
Nicole needs a meal!!!
Stephanie,
I believe that the real crime here is that Richie only weighs 85 pounds!!!
Nicole Richie arrested for DUI
http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/news/celebrity/la-121106richie,0,4906333.story?coll=la-headlines-entnews
By Andrew Blankstein
I believe that the real crime here is that Richie only weighs 85 pounds!!!
Nicole Richie arrested for DUI
http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/news/celebrity/la-121106richie,0,4906333.story?coll=la-headlines-entnews
By Andrew Blankstein
Peace Prize Winner Speaks Out
"Till now over $ 530 billion has been spent on the war in Iraq by the USA alone I believe terrorism cannot be won over by military action. Terrorism must be condemned in the strongest language. We must stand solidly against it, and find all the means to end it. We must address the root causes of terrorism to end it for all time to come. I believe that putting resources into improving the lives of the poor people is a better strategy than spending it on guns."
Muhammad Yunus, Nobel Peace Prize Winner 2006
From DemocracyNow!
http://www.democracynow.org/article.pl?sid=06/12/11/155220
Muhammad Yunus, Nobel Peace Prize Winner 2006
From DemocracyNow!
http://www.democracynow.org/article.pl?sid=06/12/11/155220
Frank Rich on the ISG
"As bad as things may seem now, they can yet become worse, and not just in Iraq. The longer we pretend that we have not lost there, the more we risk losing other wars we still may salvage, starting with Afghanistan. The members of the Iraq Study Group are all good Americans of proven service to their country. But to the extent that their report forestalls reality and promotes pipe dreams of one last chance for success in this fiasco, it will be remembered as just one more delusional milestone in the tragedy of our age."
Frank Rich
From Mr. Rich's column in Sunday's NYTimes (12/10/06)
The Sunshine Boys Can’t Save Iraq
http://select.nytimes.com/2006/12/10/opinion/10rich.html?n=Top%2fOpinion%2fEditorials%20and%20Op%2dEd%2fOp%2dEd%2fColumnists%2fFrank%20Rich
Frank Rich
From Mr. Rich's column in Sunday's NYTimes (12/10/06)
The Sunshine Boys Can’t Save Iraq
http://select.nytimes.com/2006/12/10/opinion/10rich.html?n=Top%2fOpinion%2fEditorials%20and%20Op%2dEd%2fOp%2dEd%2fColumnists%2fFrank%20Rich
Got Christians?
Christianists force conversion on the powerless using your tax dollars
http://www.correntewire.com/christianists_force_conversion_on_the_powerless_using_your_tax_dollars
"The program — which grew from a project started in 1997 at a Texas prison with the support of George W. Bush, who was governor at the time — says on its Web site that it seeks 'to ‘cure’ prisoners by identifying sin as the root of their problems' and showing inmates 'how God can heal them permanently, if they turn from their sinful past.' Actually, the program reaches farther back into the dank recesses of Republican theocracy-building than Bush; the corporation (InnerChange, 2006 revenues $56 million) that runs the Iowa program is Prison Ministries, run by Nixon hatchetman and Watergate felon Chuck Colson. The past isn’t dead. It isn’t even past."
Lambert on CorrentWire.com (blog)
"For Robert W. Pratt, chief judge of the federal courts in the Southern District of Iowa, this all added up to an unconstitutional use of taxpayer money for religious indoctrination, as he ruled in June in a lawsuit challenging the arrangement. Judge Pratt noted that the born-again [SIC] Christian staff was the sole judge of an inmate’s spiritual transformation. If an inmate did not join in the religious activities that were part of his 'treatment,' the staff could write up disciplinary reports, generating demerits the inmate’s parole board might see. Or they could expel the inmate."
Lambert on CorrentWire.com (blog)
"Jay Hein, director of the White House Office of Faith-Based and Community Initiatives, said the Iowa decision was unfair to the ministry and reflects an 'overreaching' at odds with legal developments that increasingly 'show favor to religion in the public square.' Yeah, what’s wrong with using public money to finance conversions to Christianity? My goodness, I can’t imagine! Yet another Bush program that should not be compromised with, in some Moderate, Centrist, Bipartisan way, but repudiated and eradicated. Not only does this crap finance our enemies, it finances enemies of the constitutions, and it’s evil to use your power over others to force your beliefs on them."
Lambert on CorrentWire.com (blog)
http://www.correntewire.com/christianists_force_conversion_on_the_powerless_using_your_tax_dollars
"The program — which grew from a project started in 1997 at a Texas prison with the support of George W. Bush, who was governor at the time — says on its Web site that it seeks 'to ‘cure’ prisoners by identifying sin as the root of their problems' and showing inmates 'how God can heal them permanently, if they turn from their sinful past.' Actually, the program reaches farther back into the dank recesses of Republican theocracy-building than Bush; the corporation (InnerChange, 2006 revenues $56 million) that runs the Iowa program is Prison Ministries, run by Nixon hatchetman and Watergate felon Chuck Colson. The past isn’t dead. It isn’t even past."
Lambert on CorrentWire.com (blog)
"For Robert W. Pratt, chief judge of the federal courts in the Southern District of Iowa, this all added up to an unconstitutional use of taxpayer money for religious indoctrination, as he ruled in June in a lawsuit challenging the arrangement. Judge Pratt noted that the born-again [SIC] Christian staff was the sole judge of an inmate’s spiritual transformation. If an inmate did not join in the religious activities that were part of his 'treatment,' the staff could write up disciplinary reports, generating demerits the inmate’s parole board might see. Or they could expel the inmate."
Lambert on CorrentWire.com (blog)
"Jay Hein, director of the White House Office of Faith-Based and Community Initiatives, said the Iowa decision was unfair to the ministry and reflects an 'overreaching' at odds with legal developments that increasingly 'show favor to religion in the public square.' Yeah, what’s wrong with using public money to finance conversions to Christianity? My goodness, I can’t imagine! Yet another Bush program that should not be compromised with, in some Moderate, Centrist, Bipartisan way, but repudiated and eradicated. Not only does this crap finance our enemies, it finances enemies of the constitutions, and it’s evil to use your power over others to force your beliefs on them."
Lambert on CorrentWire.com (blog)
Leave Iraq Now
"There may be 50 ways to leave your lover, but there's only one way to leave Iraq: Load our people up on their trucks and tank transporters and Bradleys and Humvees and head for the border. Now."
Joe Galloway
From Leave Iraq Now, by Joe Galloway December 08, 2006
http://www.military.com/opinion/0,15202,120227,00.html
Joe Galloway
From Leave Iraq Now, by Joe Galloway December 08, 2006
http://www.military.com/opinion/0,15202,120227,00.html
Outsourcer-in-Chief
"According to U.S. News & World Report, President Bush has told aides that he won’t respond in detail to the Iraq Study Group’s report because he doesn’t want to 'outsource' the role of commander in chief. That’s pretty ironic. You see, outsourcing of the government’s responsibilities — not to panels of supposed wise men, but to private companies with the right connections — has been one of the hallmarks of his administration. And privatization through outsourcing is one reason the administration has failed on so many fronts."
Paul Krugman
"In July 2004, Government Executive magazine published an article titled 'Outsourcing Iraq,' documenting how the U.S. occupation authorities had transferred responsibility for reconstruction to private contractors, with hardly any oversight. “The only plan,” it said, 'appears to have been to let the private sector manage nation-building, mostly on their own.' We all know how that turned out."
Paul Krugman
These quotes were taken from today's NYTimes Op-ed piece by Paul Krugman (http://select.nytimes.com/2006/12/11/opinion/11krugman.html?hp).
Paul Krugman
"In July 2004, Government Executive magazine published an article titled 'Outsourcing Iraq,' documenting how the U.S. occupation authorities had transferred responsibility for reconstruction to private contractors, with hardly any oversight. “The only plan,” it said, 'appears to have been to let the private sector manage nation-building, mostly on their own.' We all know how that turned out."
Paul Krugman
These quotes were taken from today's NYTimes Op-ed piece by Paul Krugman (http://select.nytimes.com/2006/12/11/opinion/11krugman.html?hp).
Sunday, December 10, 2006
ISG Report
Here's the best series of articles and commentary that I've read thus far on the ISG Report and its reception (or lack thereof) by BushCo. It, of course, comes from across the pond:
http://news.independent.co.uk/world/politics/article2054657.ece
http://news.independent.co.uk/world/politics/article2054657.ece
Quotes from Krugman's Friday Column
“I am increasingly troubled by the seemingly shifting justifications for an invasion at this time. ... When the administration moves back and forth from one argument to another, I think it undercuts the credibility of the case and the belief in its urgency. I believe that this practice of shifting justifications has much to do with the troubling phenomenon of many Americans questioning the administration’s motives.”
Senator Russ Feingold
“I am deeply concerned that the course of action that we are presently embarking upon with respect to Iraq has the potential to seriously damage our ability to win the war against terrorism and to weaken our ability to lead the world in this new century.”
Al Gore
"When we go in, the occupation, which is now being called the liberation, could be interminable and the amount of money it costs could be unlimited.”
Speaker Nancy Pelosi
“The outcome after the conflict is actually going to be the hardest part, and it is far less certain.”
Representative John Spratt
“I don’t oppose all wars. What I am opposed to is a dumb war. What I am opposed to is a rash war. What I am opposed to is the cynical attempt by Richard Perle and Paul Wolfowitz and other armchair, weekend warriors in this administration to shove their own ideological agendas down our throats, irrespective of the costs in lives lost and in hardships borne.”
Senator Barack Obama
“I firmly believe that the president is focusing our diplomats, our military, our intelligence agencies, and even our people on the wrong war, at the wrong time. ... Iraq is a divided country, with Sunni, Shia and Kurdish factions that share both bitter rivalries and access to large quantities of arms.”
Governor Howard Dean
They Told You So
http://select.nytimes.com/2006/12/08/opinion/08krugman.html
NYTimes
Paul Krugman
Senator Russ Feingold
“I am deeply concerned that the course of action that we are presently embarking upon with respect to Iraq has the potential to seriously damage our ability to win the war against terrorism and to weaken our ability to lead the world in this new century.”
Al Gore
"When we go in, the occupation, which is now being called the liberation, could be interminable and the amount of money it costs could be unlimited.”
Speaker Nancy Pelosi
“The outcome after the conflict is actually going to be the hardest part, and it is far less certain.”
Representative John Spratt
“I don’t oppose all wars. What I am opposed to is a dumb war. What I am opposed to is a rash war. What I am opposed to is the cynical attempt by Richard Perle and Paul Wolfowitz and other armchair, weekend warriors in this administration to shove their own ideological agendas down our throats, irrespective of the costs in lives lost and in hardships borne.”
Senator Barack Obama
“I firmly believe that the president is focusing our diplomats, our military, our intelligence agencies, and even our people on the wrong war, at the wrong time. ... Iraq is a divided country, with Sunni, Shia and Kurdish factions that share both bitter rivalries and access to large quantities of arms.”
Governor Howard Dean
They Told You So
http://select.nytimes.com/2006/12/08/opinion/08krugman.html
NYTimes
Paul Krugman
Saturday, December 9, 2006
Bush's worst joke
Rebekah,
I realize that I've already shot my wad, so to speak, today (meaning I don't think that I can call in twice in one day), but Steph keeps mentioning Bush's horribly insensitive "joke" about searching for the WMDs. I just wanted to call your attention to the video below - it is a fabulous illustration of just how appalling Bush's sense of humor is. You all might want to post it on the web site. Thanks for all you do!
Cheers,
Faye
From: Hadley, M FayeSent: Fri 12/8/2006 6:40 AM
To: stephanie@stephaniemiller.com
Subject: Bush's Horrible "Joke"
Stephanie,
You've mentioned several times on your show that Bush's "joke" about hunting for the WMDs in his office was the height of insensitivity. I couldn't agree more. Here's a video that brings that point home all too clearly:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OTVJ_vFMoqg
Cheers,
Faye
I realize that I've already shot my wad, so to speak, today (meaning I don't think that I can call in twice in one day), but Steph keeps mentioning Bush's horribly insensitive "joke" about searching for the WMDs. I just wanted to call your attention to the video below - it is a fabulous illustration of just how appalling Bush's sense of humor is. You all might want to post it on the web site. Thanks for all you do!
Cheers,
Faye
From: Hadley, M FayeSent: Fri 12/8/2006 6:40 AM
To: stephanie@stephaniemiller.com
Subject: Bush's Horrible "Joke"
Stephanie,
You've mentioned several times on your show that Bush's "joke" about hunting for the WMDs in his office was the height of insensitivity. I couldn't agree more. Here's a video that brings that point home all too clearly:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OTVJ_vFMoqg
Cheers,
Faye
Another Zinger from Mo
Stephanie,
Once again, your cerebral twin has penned a classic zinger. Were you two separated at birth? I think the only difference between you two is that Mo missed out on the slutty gene and she's also not klassy with a "K." I've pulled a few of the more memorable lines from this column:
Cheers - your radical militant librarian,
Faye in Tulsa, OK
"It is not a happy mood in the Oval Office. Poppy is sobbing, his face in his hands, slumped in one of the yellow-and-blue striped chairs. Laura is screaming the words “Oscar de la Renta” and “rendition” into her cellphone, still seeing red after showing up at a White House gala in the same $8,400 red gown as three other women...Bob Gates is grim-faced, but not as grim-faced as Barbara, whose look could freeze not only the Potomac but the Tigris and the Euphrates."
Maureen Dowd
"But Junior is trying to wriggle away completely, offering a decidedly cool response to the attempt to yank him into the reality-based community. He rallied his last two allies — his English poodle and his Scottish terrier, Blair and Barney."
Maureen Dowd
"Junior snaps. 'I just actually read 96 pages of your friends’ judging me in that cowpie report.' Barney woofs in support. Barbara can be heard muttering from across the room. 'We were right about Jebbie.'"
Maureen Dowd
"There are sounds of feet stomping. 'You say I can’t stay the course but I can too stay the course!' Junior yells. 'I can! I can! You say I have to put the two trillion dollar war cost in the budget, but I don’t! You say we have to cuddle up to evildoers in Iran and Syria. Why do you hate the troops? Where’s Condi? I want my Condi!'"
Maureen Dowd
"Baker gently nudges Laura aside. 'Now son, hear me out. We’ve disabled your enablers. Rummy has written his last self-serving memo. Dick’s got his hands full explaining his darlin’ new grandchild’s Two Mommies. Don’t bother calling for Condi. She’s at the bottom of Foggy Bottom. You’ve got to know when to hold ’em, know when to fold ’em.'"
Maureen Dowd
NYTimes
December 9, 2006
The Oval Intervention
http://select.nytimes.com/2006/12/09/opinion/09dowd.html
by MAUREEN DOWD
It is not a happy mood in the Oval Office.
Poppy is sobbing, his face in his hands, slumped in one of the yellow-and-blue striped chairs. Laura is screaming the words “Oscar de la Renta” and “rendition” into her cellphone, still seeing red after showing up at a White House gala in the same $8,400 red gown as three other women who did not happen to be first lady.
Bob Gates is grim-faced, but not as grim-faced as Barbara, whose look could freeze not only the Potomac but the Tigris and the Euphrates. Scowcroft is over on the couch, trying to nap while Kissinger drones softly in his ear.
And, of course, there is the Deprogrammer for the Decider, James Baker, perfectly suited in bright green tie and suited perfectly for his spot behind the president’s desk.
The Council of Elders had hoped this Apocalypto moment wouldn’t be necessary. They had assumed that the scorching Iraq Study Group report would have the same effect on Junior as the bucket of cold water that Mr. Baker’s strict father, a lawyer known as “the Warden,” used to throw on his face to wake him up as a boy.
But Junior is trying to wriggle away completely, offering a decidedly cool response to the attempt to yank him into the reality-based community. He rallied his last two allies — his English poodle and his Scottish terrier, Blair and Barney.
He is loath to give up his gunslinger pose to go all diplo. He cleaves to the neocon complaint that it is the realists who are now being unrealistic, thinking the administration can bargain with Syria and Iran, or that the Army can train Iraqi security forces (or, as they are known there, death squads) in a matter of months when they haven’t been able to do it in years.
The Velvet Hammer is undeterred. He’s doing an all-out intervention, locking Junior and Barney in the little study next to the Oval. To stress the seriousness of the situation, they don’t give the president his feather pillow.
The group gathers at the door of the study. “My boy,” his dad tells him between sobs. “We love you. We’re here for you. We’re worried about you. You’re not just hurting yourself, you’re hurting others. This is a safe place. No one’s judging you ...”
“What are you talking about, Dad?” Junior snaps. “I just actually read 96 pages of your friends’ judging me in that cowpie report.” Barney woofs in support.
Barbara can be heard muttering from across the room. “We were right about Jebbie.”
Henry the K lumbers up to the door and in a low Teutonic rumble says: “It’s time we stopped taking care of you and started caring about you. Would you like a peanut butter and jelly sandwich?”
Junior is getting even more furious. “You all think you’re so realist. But you’re unrealist. I’m realist. Are you sitting at my desk, Baker? Get out of there! Everyone says you’re so Mr. Ride to the Rescue, but none of your surrender monkey ideas would work. Talk about Pretend Land — Israel giving up the Golan Heights? Yeah, right. And they call me delusional.”
Baker glides up to the door and says, in his most satiny drawl, “Son, I just threw a few D.O.A. ones in there for you to reject so you could preserve your manhood.”
There are sounds of feet stomping. “You say I can’t stay the course but I can too stay the course!” Junior yells. “I can! I can! You say I have to put the two trillion dollar war cost in the budget, but I don’t! You say we have to cuddle up to evildoers in Iran and Syria. Why do you hate the troops? Where’s Condi? I want my Condi!”
Realizing the president is getting hysterical, the group looks at Laura, hoping she can calm him down.
She approaches the door and coos in a soft voice: “Bushie? Listen, now, this is important. How do you get someone audited? Can’t we send Oscar de la Loser to Gitmo?”
Baker gently nudges Laura aside. “Now son, hear me out. We’ve disabled your enablers. Rummy has written his last self-serving memo. Dick’s got his hands full explaining his darlin’ new grandchild’s Two Mommies. Don’t bother calling for Condi. She’s at the bottom of Foggy Bottom. You’ve got to know when to hold ’em, know when to fold ’em.”
It’s not sinking in. “We must achieve our objective,” Junior sputters. “Our objective is success. To succeed we must have success. If we don’t win, we lose. We are the winners. We can’t let the ... we’re in an ideological struggle and that’s why we have a strategy ... AL QAEDA! We must help democracy in Iraq succeed because ... ISLAMOFASCISTS! ... that is the objective of a successful ...”
Barney scratches at the door, trying to cut and run.
Copyright 2006 The New York Times Company
Once again, your cerebral twin has penned a classic zinger. Were you two separated at birth? I think the only difference between you two is that Mo missed out on the slutty gene and she's also not klassy with a "K." I've pulled a few of the more memorable lines from this column:
Cheers - your radical militant librarian,
Faye in Tulsa, OK
"It is not a happy mood in the Oval Office. Poppy is sobbing, his face in his hands, slumped in one of the yellow-and-blue striped chairs. Laura is screaming the words “Oscar de la Renta” and “rendition” into her cellphone, still seeing red after showing up at a White House gala in the same $8,400 red gown as three other women...Bob Gates is grim-faced, but not as grim-faced as Barbara, whose look could freeze not only the Potomac but the Tigris and the Euphrates."
Maureen Dowd
"But Junior is trying to wriggle away completely, offering a decidedly cool response to the attempt to yank him into the reality-based community. He rallied his last two allies — his English poodle and his Scottish terrier, Blair and Barney."
Maureen Dowd
"Junior snaps. 'I just actually read 96 pages of your friends’ judging me in that cowpie report.' Barney woofs in support. Barbara can be heard muttering from across the room. 'We were right about Jebbie.'"
Maureen Dowd
"There are sounds of feet stomping. 'You say I can’t stay the course but I can too stay the course!' Junior yells. 'I can! I can! You say I have to put the two trillion dollar war cost in the budget, but I don’t! You say we have to cuddle up to evildoers in Iran and Syria. Why do you hate the troops? Where’s Condi? I want my Condi!'"
Maureen Dowd
"Baker gently nudges Laura aside. 'Now son, hear me out. We’ve disabled your enablers. Rummy has written his last self-serving memo. Dick’s got his hands full explaining his darlin’ new grandchild’s Two Mommies. Don’t bother calling for Condi. She’s at the bottom of Foggy Bottom. You’ve got to know when to hold ’em, know when to fold ’em.'"
Maureen Dowd
NYTimes
December 9, 2006
The Oval Intervention
http://select.nytimes.com/2006/12/09/opinion/09dowd.html
by MAUREEN DOWD
It is not a happy mood in the Oval Office.
Poppy is sobbing, his face in his hands, slumped in one of the yellow-and-blue striped chairs. Laura is screaming the words “Oscar de la Renta” and “rendition” into her cellphone, still seeing red after showing up at a White House gala in the same $8,400 red gown as three other women who did not happen to be first lady.
Bob Gates is grim-faced, but not as grim-faced as Barbara, whose look could freeze not only the Potomac but the Tigris and the Euphrates. Scowcroft is over on the couch, trying to nap while Kissinger drones softly in his ear.
And, of course, there is the Deprogrammer for the Decider, James Baker, perfectly suited in bright green tie and suited perfectly for his spot behind the president’s desk.
The Council of Elders had hoped this Apocalypto moment wouldn’t be necessary. They had assumed that the scorching Iraq Study Group report would have the same effect on Junior as the bucket of cold water that Mr. Baker’s strict father, a lawyer known as “the Warden,” used to throw on his face to wake him up as a boy.
But Junior is trying to wriggle away completely, offering a decidedly cool response to the attempt to yank him into the reality-based community. He rallied his last two allies — his English poodle and his Scottish terrier, Blair and Barney.
He is loath to give up his gunslinger pose to go all diplo. He cleaves to the neocon complaint that it is the realists who are now being unrealistic, thinking the administration can bargain with Syria and Iran, or that the Army can train Iraqi security forces (or, as they are known there, death squads) in a matter of months when they haven’t been able to do it in years.
The Velvet Hammer is undeterred. He’s doing an all-out intervention, locking Junior and Barney in the little study next to the Oval. To stress the seriousness of the situation, they don’t give the president his feather pillow.
The group gathers at the door of the study. “My boy,” his dad tells him between sobs. “We love you. We’re here for you. We’re worried about you. You’re not just hurting yourself, you’re hurting others. This is a safe place. No one’s judging you ...”
“What are you talking about, Dad?” Junior snaps. “I just actually read 96 pages of your friends’ judging me in that cowpie report.” Barney woofs in support.
Barbara can be heard muttering from across the room. “We were right about Jebbie.”
Henry the K lumbers up to the door and in a low Teutonic rumble says: “It’s time we stopped taking care of you and started caring about you. Would you like a peanut butter and jelly sandwich?”
Junior is getting even more furious. “You all think you’re so realist. But you’re unrealist. I’m realist. Are you sitting at my desk, Baker? Get out of there! Everyone says you’re so Mr. Ride to the Rescue, but none of your surrender monkey ideas would work. Talk about Pretend Land — Israel giving up the Golan Heights? Yeah, right. And they call me delusional.”
Baker glides up to the door and says, in his most satiny drawl, “Son, I just threw a few D.O.A. ones in there for you to reject so you could preserve your manhood.”
There are sounds of feet stomping. “You say I can’t stay the course but I can too stay the course!” Junior yells. “I can! I can! You say I have to put the two trillion dollar war cost in the budget, but I don’t! You say we have to cuddle up to evildoers in Iran and Syria. Why do you hate the troops? Where’s Condi? I want my Condi!”
Realizing the president is getting hysterical, the group looks at Laura, hoping she can calm him down.
She approaches the door and coos in a soft voice: “Bushie? Listen, now, this is important. How do you get someone audited? Can’t we send Oscar de la Loser to Gitmo?”
Baker gently nudges Laura aside. “Now son, hear me out. We’ve disabled your enablers. Rummy has written his last self-serving memo. Dick’s got his hands full explaining his darlin’ new grandchild’s Two Mommies. Don’t bother calling for Condi. She’s at the bottom of Foggy Bottom. You’ve got to know when to hold ’em, know when to fold ’em.”
It’s not sinking in. “We must achieve our objective,” Junior sputters. “Our objective is success. To succeed we must have success. If we don’t win, we lose. We are the winners. We can’t let the ... we’re in an ideological struggle and that’s why we have a strategy ... AL QAEDA! We must help democracy in Iraq succeed because ... ISLAMOFASCISTS! ... that is the objective of a successful ...”
Barney scratches at the door, trying to cut and run.
Copyright 2006 The New York Times Company
A Modern Conundrum
Help Me Momma!
Having recently become aware of "RaptureReady.com" thanks to The Stephanie Miller Show, I spent some time perusing their none-too-helpful or reassuring FAQs. After reading about the imminent Rapture and who will and won't be included (I, for one, have NO desire to spend eternity with this particular brand of Fundamentalist Evangelical nut bags). However, I am still confused by one of their precepts - their simultaneous wish for the second-coming of the Lord Gee-ee-sus and their threatening campaign point that electing Democrats will leave the country open to more terrorists attacks. I am having a diffcult time wrapping my mind around this modern-day conundrum. Recently, I heard with my own ears, George Bush say that the Democrats can't have it both ways (not exactly sure what he was referring to, but neither did he, so I guess it doesn't much matter). I've been wondering how the fundamentalist Christians who are so keen on Bush can both gleefully anticipate the rapture and at the same time embrace the right-wing party line that the Democrats are not protecting us from terrorists? How can they have it both ways? Which is it? Are they eagerly awaiting the end-times or do they want to stop the Democratic party from allowing terrorists from destroying the planet? They cannot have both. Any light you can shed on this duplicitous stance would be most appreciated.
Cheers - your radical militant librarian,
Faye in Tulsa, OK
Having recently become aware of "RaptureReady.com" thanks to The Stephanie Miller Show, I spent some time perusing their none-too-helpful or reassuring FAQs. After reading about the imminent Rapture and who will and won't be included (I, for one, have NO desire to spend eternity with this particular brand of Fundamentalist Evangelical nut bags). However, I am still confused by one of their precepts - their simultaneous wish for the second-coming of the Lord Gee-ee-sus and their threatening campaign point that electing Democrats will leave the country open to more terrorists attacks. I am having a diffcult time wrapping my mind around this modern-day conundrum. Recently, I heard with my own ears, George Bush say that the Democrats can't have it both ways (not exactly sure what he was referring to, but neither did he, so I guess it doesn't much matter). I've been wondering how the fundamentalist Christians who are so keen on Bush can both gleefully anticipate the rapture and at the same time embrace the right-wing party line that the Democrats are not protecting us from terrorists? How can they have it both ways? Which is it? Are they eagerly awaiting the end-times or do they want to stop the Democratic party from allowing terrorists from destroying the planet? They cannot have both. Any light you can shed on this duplicitous stance would be most appreciated.
Cheers - your radical militant librarian,
Faye in Tulsa, OK
Holiday Hangover Tips
Steph, Jim, Chris & Rebekah,
Hope you all enjoyed your holiday party. Did Melissa Etheridge show up and participate in the Karaoke? Inquiring minds want to know. Did Steph get drunk and spoon between Jim and Chris? Did you all set a new dwarf-tossing record? (How in the world did Jim Ward know that the world record for dwarf-tossing is 12 feet 9 inches? - he is freakin' amazing!!!) Who puked? Did anybody fall into the pool? Did the squirrels pelt the guests with avacados? Did Max steal the show? Did Jim and Chris take their bottle rocket war outside? Those and many, many other questions are on the minds of SMS listeners this morning. Please say that you took lots of photos and will post them on the web site... Hope you all have a very Merry Holiday and a Fabulous 2007!!!
Cheers - your radical militant librarian,
Faye in Tulsa, OK
A few ways to deal with a holiday hangover...
A Few Suggestions as to how to Deal with Steph's Post-Holiday Party Hangover:
(A Radical Militant Librarian Top Ten List)
10. Do a bong hit and laugh like hell about "Comadant KooKoo Bananas in charge!." .(SMS, 12/08/06 HR2)
9. Throw away a box of wine - do another shot of tequila.
8. Find your panties and head to Denny's.
7. Forget your panties and head to Denny's.
6. Renege on your promise to serve as a live stand-in in Steph's Nativity Doll Scene.
5. Take a refreshing dip in the cement pond and retrieve the Karaoke mike.
4. Use left-over Guacamole as a rejuvinating facial.
3. Post secretly filmed video of Steph's dance moves on YouTube.
2. Teach Max, Puff and Poo-bear how to make mean bloody marys.
1. Look up at Steph with your blood-shot eyes, wink, and then let out a monster fart....
Hope you all enjoyed your holiday party. Did Melissa Etheridge show up and participate in the Karaoke? Inquiring minds want to know. Did Steph get drunk and spoon between Jim and Chris? Did you all set a new dwarf-tossing record? (How in the world did Jim Ward know that the world record for dwarf-tossing is 12 feet 9 inches? - he is freakin' amazing!!!) Who puked? Did anybody fall into the pool? Did the squirrels pelt the guests with avacados? Did Max steal the show? Did Jim and Chris take their bottle rocket war outside? Those and many, many other questions are on the minds of SMS listeners this morning. Please say that you took lots of photos and will post them on the web site... Hope you all have a very Merry Holiday and a Fabulous 2007!!!
Cheers - your radical militant librarian,
Faye in Tulsa, OK
A few ways to deal with a holiday hangover...
A Few Suggestions as to how to Deal with Steph's Post-Holiday Party Hangover:
(A Radical Militant Librarian Top Ten List)
10. Do a bong hit and laugh like hell about "Comadant KooKoo Bananas in charge!." .(SMS, 12/08/06 HR2)
9. Throw away a box of wine - do another shot of tequila.
8. Find your panties and head to Denny's.
7. Forget your panties and head to Denny's.
6. Renege on your promise to serve as a live stand-in in Steph's Nativity Doll Scene.
5. Take a refreshing dip in the cement pond and retrieve the Karaoke mike.
4. Use left-over Guacamole as a rejuvinating facial.
3. Post secretly filmed video of Steph's dance moves on YouTube.
2. Teach Max, Puff and Poo-bear how to make mean bloody marys.
1. Look up at Steph with your blood-shot eyes, wink, and then let out a monster fart....
INTRODUCTION
INTRODUCTION: This blog will consist of a compilation of e-mails that I have actually submitted to the Stephanie Miller Show. It will feature stories that reference topical news (ISG Report) as well as original pieces ("A Modern Conundrum"). Not all posts (in fact a majority of the posts) will ever be heard on the radio, but I was spending so much time every day trolling the internet and compiling all these newsy tidbits, that I figured that other StephHeads might appreciate the inside jokes and show references. Come on, I know you're out there fellow StephHeads (Buddy in Columbus, Jenna in Boston, Mondo in Jacksonville, etc...), come on out and enjoy this StephBlog!
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