Petulant Rumblings

MOVING

2007-08-28T15:13:00.001-04:00

Petulant Rumblings is now located at http://petulantrumblings.com.

Update your bookmarks and update your RSS feed with the link in the top right hand corner of the new site.

Hurry now before I change my mind.

Morning Readings

2007-08-28T10:35:00.000-04:00

I have other projects today.

Go here to read about Larry Craig and his bathroom behavior. It must all be true because Michelle Malkin called him a weasel.

Robotic defenses of Alberto Gonzales

The world's only penis museum has appealed for a human specimen.Curator Sigurdur Hjartarson opened the museum in 1974 in Husavik, Iceland, and has collected 195 penises from various animals.

His collection includes penises from hamsters, horses and whales.

But now he is appealing again for a human organ.

He said people from the UK, Germany and the US had contacted him offering their penises in the past but that none of the offers had ever been serious. (Ananova)

Senatorial LEWD Behavior-Larry Craig

2007-08-27T19:17:00.001-04:00

Damn! The only way I am going to get any action is by switching to Republican!

Sen. Larry Craig, R-Idaho, was fined earlier this month for a misdemeanor disorderly conduct charge stemming from his arrest in June at the Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport, according to Minnesota criminal records.

While the criminal records did not provide details of why Craig was arrested, Roll Call newspaper reported Monday that he was apprehended by a plainclothes police officer investigating complaints of lewd behavior in an airport men's room.

In a statement released Monday evening, Craig denied any inappropriate conduct and said he now regrets his guilty plea.

"At the time of this incident, I complained to the police that they were misconstruing my actions. I was not involved in any inappropriate conduct," he said. "I should have had the advice of counsel in resolving this matter. In hindsight, I should not have pled guilty. I was trying to handle this matter myself quickly and expeditiously."

Craig, 62, paid a $500 fine when the case came up for disposition Aug. 8 in Hennepin County Municipal Court in Bloomington, according to state criminal records. (CNN)

Everyone else wants some action from Senator Craig also. His Senate site " is experiencing technical difficulties. The Webmaster has been alerted."

The Congressional webMASTER must be busy these days.

Delusional Days Come to an End

2007-08-27T19:02:00.000-04:00

Alberto Gonzales Resignation- Video

2007-08-27T12:29:00.000-04:00

Bush loves Alberto. LOVES HIM I SAY! He will miss his little pet. AND, Gonzales does not need praise for the Patriot Act and the Military Commissions ACT! Jeebus me! Alberto also has integrity! HA!!!

Transcript is on the White House site.

Here is Bush's pet announcing his resignation by his little old self.

Transcript

Update:

Here is Senator Chuck Shumer's remarks about Gonzales' resignation.

Morning Readings

2007-08-27T09:36:00.000-04:00

Another Monday morning, another resignation. This one is bigger than Karl Rove. I swear I am going to have to get my ass out of bed earlier on Monday mornings

Bush Best Friend For Life, Alberto Gonzales resigns. It's about damn time!

The Washington Post

Gonzales' resignation marks the loss of another Bush loyalist at a time when his support in public opinion polls has been lagging. Though Bush had voiced continued support for Gonzales, a longtime ally from Texas, the attorney general's support in Congress had withered after a series of run-ins that prompted some lawmakers to allege he had committed perjury.

The New York Times

Mr. Gonzales, who had rebuffed calls for his resignation, submitted his to President Bush by telephone on Friday, the official said. His decision was not immediately announced, the official added, until after the president invited him and his wife to lunch at his ranch near here.

Mr. Bush has not yet chosen a replacement but will not leave the position open long, the official said, speaking on condition of anonymity because the resignation had not yet been made public.

Mr. Bush had repeatedly stood by Mr. Gonzales, an old friend and colleague from Texas, even as Mr. Gonzales faced increasing scrutiny for his leadership of the Justice Department, over issues including his role in the dismissals of nine United States attorneys late last year and whether he testified truthfully about the National Security Agency’s surveillance programs.

The Washington Times

A frequent Democratic target, Gonzales could not satisfy critics who said he had lost credibility over the Justice Department's botched handling of warrantless wiretaps related to the threat of terrorism and the firings of several U.S. attorneys.

As attorney general and earlier as White House counsel, Gonzales pushed for expanded presidential powers, including the eavesdropping authority. He drafted controversial rules for military war tribunals and sought to limit the legal rights of detainees at Guantanamo Bay – prompting lawsuits by civil libertarians who said the government was violating the Constitution in its pursuit of terrorists

USAtoday

Michael Chertoff, secretary of the Department of Homeland Security, is a possible successor, according to the official.

A second administration source, who also confirmed the Gonzales resignation on condition of anonymity, said that if Chertoff should move over to the Justice Department, a likely contender for his successor is Clay Johnson, deputy director of the Office of Management and Budget.

Comcast Cuts Off Heavy Internet Users

2007-08-26T17:46:00.001-04:00

If this is true, this is not a good sign.

Comcast has warned broadband Internet customers across the country to curb their downloading or wind up on the curb.

The company has a bandwidth limitation that, if broken, can result in a 12-month suspension of service. The problem, according to customer complaints, is that the telecom giant refuses to reveal how much downloading is too much.

The company, which a few years ago advertised the service as “unlimited” has an “acceptable use policy” which enforces the invisible download limit.

The 23-part policy, states that it is a breach of contract to generate “levels of traffic sufficient to impede others' ability to send or retrieve information.” But nowhere does it detail what levels of traffic will impede others.
Michael, of Speedway, Ind., uses Comcast Internet to transfer large work files while his son uses it for school research. In 2004 he received letters threatening to disconnect his Internet if he doesn't restrict his bandwidth.

“Unfortunately, neither the letter, the AUP, the Comcast websites, nor any printed Comcast materials specify what those bandwidth usage limitations are,” Michael wrote to ConsumerAffairs.Com. “Essentially, what they are doing is drawing an invisible line, then threatening to disconnect anyone who crosses it.

"I am more than willing to curb my usage to meet any limitations set by Comcast...if only they would actually make those limitations available to their subscribers,” he said. (Consumer Affairs)

Bob Schieffer

2007-08-26T14:00:00.000-04:00

I always enjoy Bob Schieffer on Face the Nation. He still gets to the meat of an interview and isn't afraid to ASK a question. His commentary at the end of the show is pointed and sometimes fun. Today's commentary involved New Hampshire and wacky campaigns of the past.

Here we are back in New Hampshire – sooner than ever but not too soon.

The way these other states keep moving their primaries up, New Hampshire may have to hold this year's contest before Christmas if it wants to be first.

Whenever it happens, what I love about New Hampshire is the wackiness it always brings out.

Like back in '84 when Democrat Gary Hart showed that he could throw an axe better than anyone.

Now, there's a skill that every president needs. (Transcript)

John Warner on Meet the Press

2007-08-26T13:33:00.000-04:00

Old Warner sat down with DC buddy Tim Russert for another episode of "Whose showing teeth?" I am sick of everyone acting like Warner is calling for some grand exit of Iraq. Warner is merely appeasing the Republican base who are conflicted about the President and Iraq. There are no teeth to his plan and Senator Warner can play the "elder statesman" role as much as he likes. He and Arlen Specter are the same creatures. They act all tough, but then relent when President Bush needs his ass wiped.

MR. RUSSERT: If the president on September 15th receives these reports but decides not to withdraw troops, decides to go forward with the surge, what do you do?

SEN. WARNER: That’s his right to do that, and I will respect it. But I would say, “Mr. President, in the absence of trying to do something like I’m suggesting to get the Iraq government motivated to begin to perform, Mr. President, what they committed to you circa January 10th of this year as a predicate, as a foundation, as a reason for starting the surge—namely, the coalition forces, notably the United States working with Iraqi forces, will give you the security, then prime minister and the government, you make national reconciliation.” Now, that hasn’t been filled, I would—I’m looking for, in that message of the 15th, what the president’s going to do to get this government jump-started to deliver on its commitment to our troops, “You fight and die, get the security, I will deliver Iraq as a reconciled unity government.” (Transcript)

Regardless of anything Warner says with "symbolic teeth," he continually holds that the President is Commander-in-Chief and he will "respect" his decisions. What's the point of offering recommendations when he knows damn well Bush is going to do what he likes?

Warner needs to shut-up till he truly develops "teeth" and votes to correspond with his words. IF he truly wants the troops home, then offer something more substantial than tepid recommendations to the president.

Previously Elizabeth Taylor's Ex-Husband Gums the President

The Forgotten Toy Box

2007-08-25T13:04:00.000-04:00

Skull Crushing Entertainment and Channel Frederator.

Three shorts.
The Forgotten Toy Box by Mike Bell,

Bad Ass Mofos by James "Bad Ass" Jaculina, CF Promo by Justin Johnson & Lee Rubenstein,

Monkey Business by Alex Donne Johnson

I am partial to Bad Ass Mofos around the 7:30 mark, but a giant baby causing havoc in the Forgotten Toy Box is very engaging and shows the true threat to America! HA!

God's Warriors

2007-08-25T12:04:00.000-04:00

Thursday's airing of Christine Amanpour's God's Warriors featured Christian Warriors. Here are two segments.

This segment is titled Patriot Pastors. Amanpour interviews Rick Scarborough of Vision America and Russell Johnson of the Ohio Restoration Project. (Ohio needs allot of help, but I don't think Christ is the answer.) Both men believe in "restoring" this country to the "Original American Vision." The only "restoring" I want done is to a house, not a backwards bastardization of founding father's intent!

The term "patriot pastors" pisses me off. In particularly, the way these men use it. They see it as doing something good for America and patriotic to dictate what is best for everyone and "restore" what they see as traditional values. It would be one thing if they merely did this from the pulpit, but they are on a crusade to change legislation and suspend any sort of equality for all.

Pastor Greg Boyd, whom Amanpour calls the heretic, has a simple plan. Worship Jesus' teachings and get out of politics because Jesus didn't like them.

Greg Boyd writes on his blog:

Jesus was a revolutionary on social issues, so his followers are to be revolutionaries on social issues. Jesus entered into solidarity with the poor, so his followers are to enter into solidarity with the poor. Jesus revolted against racism by the countercultural way he treated and spoke about non-Jews , so his followers are to revolt against all forms of racism. Jesus revolted against classism by the way he embraced social and religious “rejects,” so his followers are to revolt against classism. Jesus revolted against sexism by the counter-cultural way he treated women -- even women of ill-repute -- so his followers are to revolt against sexism. Jesus revolted against legalistic religion that oppressed people, so his followers are to revolt against legalistic religion that oppresses people.

Jesus was a radical social activist, so his followers must be the same. It’s just that Jesus never once placed any trust in the government of his day to address social issues. He rather just addressed social issues by how he lived and taught. So too, we who are Jesus' followers are to place no trust in government to address social issues. We’re simply called to address them by how we live.

Following Jesus’ example, we’re to place our trust in the power of the cross – the power of self-sacrificial love – not the power of the sword. We’re to trust the power of Calvary, not Caesar. And this is why I believe those who spend their time and energy trying to control the political arena “in Jesus' name” are profoundly missing the point. Our job is to love, serve and sacrifice for sinners – not argue about passing laws against them. For we are to know that, whatever sin we see in others, our sin is much worse (Mt. 7:1-3).

hmmm...

Creationism Videos on A Saturday Morning

2007-08-25T10:17:00.000-04:00

This first video is from BBC NewsNight about the Creationism encroachment in UK schools. I love Professor Lewis Wolpert of the British Humanist Association. When the moderator asks him if Darwinism is a merely theory, he shrieks, "CERTAINLY NOT! There is a theory, but there are millions of experiments relating to Darwinism and genetic selection."

Unfortunately, even Springfield Elementary teaches Creationism.

Coy Privette Pleads Guilty

2007-08-24T13:49:00.000-04:00

Former NC State Representative, Cabarrus County Commissioner and President of the North Carolina Christian Action League, Coy Privette pleaded guilty to aiding and abetting prostitution.

Cabarrus County commissioner Coy Privette pleaded guilty Wednesday morning to charges of aiding and abetting prostitution.

Privette, 74, faces six charges -- all are misdemeanors. According to the warrants, Privette rented a hotel room and paid for sexual acts six different times between May 4 and June 25.

Rowan County district attorney Bill Kenerly revealed Wednesday that the woman Privette hired for sex took pictures of him with her camera phone and gave the pictures to investigators. He also said Privette used his own name to check into two local motels and security cameras at those motels showed Privette and the woman at the motel on several different dates. (News 14)

Nice to see that Coy accepts his god-fearing pimping ways!

previously- He Ain't Coy About Ho's

Bill Kristol on Senator Warner's Symbolic Gesture

2007-08-24T09:20:00.000-04:00

If I believed in Hell, I would so be heading there. Bill Kristol of the Weekly Standard was on the Today Show this morning to defend the Surge and the National Intelligence Estimate (PDF), but also comment on Senator Warner's "recommendations" to the president for 5,000 troops home by Christmas. I never, ever, never, ever agree with Bill Kristol, but regarding Warner I do.

I hope it doesn't happen again.

General Peter Pace Wants SIGNIFICANT Troops Cuts.

2007-08-24T08:53:00.001-04:00

While Senator John Warner wants a symbolic 5,000 troops redeployed by Christmas, The Chairman of the Joint Chief of Staff, General Peter Pace recommends deeper cuts in troop levels.

From the LA Times.

The chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff is expected to advise President Bush to reduce the U.S. force in Iraq next year by almost half, potentially creating a rift with top White House officials and other military commanders over the course of the war.

Administration and military officials say Marine Gen. Peter Pace is likely to convey concerns by the Joint Chiefs that keeping well in excess of 100,000 troops in Iraq through 2008 will severely strain the military. This assessment could collide with one being prepared by the U.S. commander in Iraq, Army Gen. David H. Petraeus, calling for the U.S. to maintain higher troop levels for 2008 and beyond.

Homo Hating, Marine General Pace wants more troops home than Elizabeth Taylor's ex-husband. What a muddied web in Washington. Pace's comments WILL "collide" with the Petraeus report, written by the White House. If the CHAIRMAN of the Joint Chiefs of Staffs, who supposedly has the pulse of the military, wants such a huge reduction of troops, Warner's recommendations yesterday are completely impotent, regardless of his standing on the Armed Services Committee.

Morning Readings

2007-08-24T00:38:00.000-04:00

The John Warner Express chugging along. The Washington Post calls him the " one of the most influential Republican voices in Congress." The New York Times calls Warner's withdrawal plan "symbolic" and "a demand, if you will." The Politico classifies Warner's troop withdrawal as a "suggestion" and "political cover for Republicans. "

I call it bullshit. (see below) Watch Warner tow the Republican line when time to vote.

"Britain's long-awaited and much-postponed pull-out from the Basra palace, its last remaining base in the Iraqi city, is imminent, sources have told the Guardian."

A Scottish Koala Bear met an Austrian Koala Bear and it's all sex, sex, sex. (Ananova)

Romanov remains in Russia- "The remains of the last czar's hemophiliac son and heir to the Russian throne, missing since the royal family was gunned down nine decades ago by Bolsheviks in a basement room, may have been found, an archaeologist said Thursday." (Yahoo)

The Okinawa dugong threatened by US Military base. (NG)

Dark side of Uranus reveals dramatic changes. (SCIAM)

The Beat Museum in San Francisco.

Plans are underway for the 2009 Darwin Festival-the bicentenary of Darwin’s birth and the 150th anniversary of the publication of his seminal work ‘On the origin of Species’.

Mitt Romney could care less about the film, September Dawn, that depicts the killing of 120 Arkansas settlers by Mormons in 1857 Utah. (MSNBC)

Elizabeth Taylor's Ex-Husband Gums The President

2007-08-23T20:14:00.000-04:00

My "don't give a shit" attitude changed after watching this press conference.

Republican Senator John Warner of Virginia held a press conference today to offer “recommendations” to the President. Warner spent four days in the region and is ready to tell the world and the president what his “respectful” recommendations are.

One of the many comments he made at the presser was:

WARNER: It seems to me the time has come to put some meaningful teeth into those comments, to back them up with some clear, decisive action to show that we mean business when those statements and others like it have been made.

And so, therefore, I make a recommendation to the president. I respectfully say to them in his consultation with the military here in the coming weeks — actually, that consultation is going along quite steadily.

Excuse me, I’ve got a bit of a cold.

That consultation is ongoing. Take into consideration the need to send a sharp and clear message throughout the region, to the United States, and one that people can understand.

I think no clearer form of that than if the president were to announce on the 15th that, in consultation with our senior military commanders, he’s decided to initiate the first step in a withdrawl of our forces.

I say to the president, respectfully, pick what ever number you wish. You do not want to lose the momentum, but certainly in 160,000- plus, say, 5,000 could begin to redeploy and be home to their families and loved ones no later than Christmas of this year.

That’s the first step.

Let the president establish the timetable of withdrawal, not the Congress. Under the Constitution, as commander in chief, he has that authority.

He need not lay out a totality of a timetable. I would advise against it. Take each step at a time, then make an evaluation of the impact of that step, that it did not lessen the momentum, did not lessen the ability of our forces to continue to supply a greater degree — provide a greater degree of security, be it Baghdad or where else we can do it, and to determine what is the reaction of the neighboring countries and the region. Perhaps they’ve all been sitting there, waiting to see what we would do.

And given the NIE, which says, Mr. President, it’s up to 12 months before we can expect any particular degree of reconciliation, we simply cannot, as a nation, stand and put our troops at continuous risk of loss of life and limb without beginning to take some decisive action which will get everybody’s attention.

That simple announcement of a single redeployment of some several thousand individuals under the military tradition — first-come, first-served in Iraq, first to depart — you’ve got to be careful how those selections — they can pick them from various units; put together a group and send them back. Then evaluate, re-evaluate how successful it has been. Then perhaps, at the president’s discretion, select a second date and time for a contingent to be redeployed.

Hmmm… These comments taken at face value, sort of, kind of, seem that Warner is calling for some real action. He isn’t. If this is showing teeth, someone get my dentures off the nightstand. Warner isn’t calling for anything more than what FOX NEWS calls “a symbolic gesture.” He wants the president to redeploy 5,000 troops by Christmas to show the Iraqi government that the US means business and that US troops are not going to be there forever. Is Senator Warner not aware of Bush’s 50 year Korean model for Iraq? I guess he forgot to turn on his hearing aid. This entire press conference is nothing more than a floorshow for Warner to gum the president and don his motorcycle jacket and proclaim, "I am a Rebel with a Cause." He wants a withdrawal of troops by December, BUT since the President is Constitutionally Commander in Chief, he is the DECIDER and must ULTIMATELY decide what is best.

Warner feels it is necessary to issue an impotent recommendation yet congratulates the president for a job well done. The TROOP SURGE is working as Warner saw it, in his four day whirlwind trip with stops in Jordan and Kuwait. Since the surge is working, Warner advises to bring home 5,000 troops and show America what a compassionate president Bush is. This whole sham of a press conference was to make Warner look more appealing at re-election because the majority of public sentiment is against the war. He stood up to the president and “asked respectfully” for him to bring home 5,000 out of 160,000+ by Christmas. WOW! I am in awe!

Many sites are spinning his words because he is a Republican, but Senator Warner’s recommendations are of no value and have no teeth.

Hell, at least Fox News reported the insignificant 5,000 number that Warner seeks. CNN didn’t even bother to report it.

After that 5,000 redeployment, Warner recommends an evaluation, of no determined duration, to formulate the next increment of redeployment. All of this is at the president’s leisure and what the Defense Department feels is necessary. I’ll place my bet on this lame horse.

Warner "politely and respectfully" recommends his plan during the entire press conference before agreeing with Bush’s Vietnam analogies (which before weren't popular) and informs the press that he spent 5 years, 4 months, and 3 days in the Defense Department during Vietnam. What about the hours, minutes, and seconds, Senator Warner? He agrees with Bush that a withdrawal from Iraq as in Vietnam would be disastrous, but then tries to distance himself by proclaiming that these are two different countries and that Vietnam wasn’t a threat to American security as Iraq is. He also throws in some sound bites about Iran and Syria aiding the insurgents to cover all his bases. This imbecilic, symbolic withdrawal plan that he asks of our “brave” president is all that seems to matter.

The only thing he said that makes the damndest of sense is that the soldiers in Iraq are not getting the necessary equipment they need to perform their god forsaken duty. He did proclaim that Congress would do something about it. Hmmm… Congress had four+ years to do something about it, but they didn’t seem in any hurry. Now, it is imperative! Keep supporting the troops because Bush lackey General Petraeus says so on that guided tour of the safer sections of Iraq.

This press conference is a tactile move to position his political career as he has done for the last eight months. The majority of Americans understand what Iraq is doing to this country without having to read a National Intelligence Estimate declassified by the White House that Senator Warner so graciously uses as his guide for this press conference. Fathers, Mothers, Sisters, Brothers, Husbands, and Wives are dying and Senator Warner’s puny "bring 5,000 home as a show of faith" is an insult. The only faith this President understands is his own self importance and the “respectful” recommendations of this Senator have already been flushed.

Here is Senator Warner’s press conference in segments via YouTube. You decide if he is worthy of praise. There is also a download link for the full press conference.

One of the more humorous aspects of this press conference is Warner announcing that he has “telephonic” communication with the White House. Work that technology!

Part One

Part Two

Part Three

Part Four

Full Download 150MB Divx.

Thanks to Icaia and Melissa.

Morning Readings Rituals

2007-08-23T10:28:00.000-04:00

I have an extreme case of the "don't give a shit." No morning readings, but rituals.

Wake-up!
Deal with hungry kitty who demands love and tuna.
Open eyes.
Gulp one cup of coffee, sip the second.
Receive phone call from Icaia, who knows better than to call me in the morning. She is lost and needs guidance. HA!
Survive frustrating call from Icaia, and drink another cup of coffee.
Don sunglasses and brave the morning sun to water the garden. I really need one of those PhilipTreacy veils for Alexander McQueen.
Avoid neighbors who are always pulling weeds. ALWAYS, EVERY DAY! They must have OCD issues.
Return to the safety of indoors.
Drink another cup of coffee-moderately awake.
Try to watch and flip maddeningly to Fox News, CNN, MSNBC, and CSPAN. Take something for the pain and start watching 120 minutes that VH1 Classics shows at 4 in the morning. Groovy, XTC- the Mayor of Simpleton.
Stare at this console in the middle of the room and wonder where the fuck to put it.

Drink more coffee.
Contemplate existence.
Smoke a cigarette.
Read yet another article about Bush and Vietnam.
Smoke another cigarette
Dance around a bit to The Jam- A Town Called Malice
Remember simpler times.
Complain out loud about achy bones.
Bob head to The Cure- Close to Me.
Drink more coffee, light another cigarette.
End this post bobbing my head to Midnight Oil- Power and Passion.

Update: Checking site statistics and one of my friends is googling herself. hehehe...
Hey Heather, Here is the back of your head on page 26 and my southernly gentleman ensemble is on page 27. God that photo makes me look fat! Never wear VESTS!

White House Proclamations- Something Will Kill You Month!

2007-08-22T21:28:00.000-04:00

Blogger was broken this morning, so I said "boo hoo" and did something else than sit my miserable ass in front of the computer.

I love a White House Proclamation and Bush issued a slew of them for September, of which WE WILL ALL DIE!

If the alcohol and drugs don't kill ya, the prostate or ovarian cancer will. O' beautiful September will bring a harvest of death.

Three cheers for Bush's awareness and keeping the citizenry informed.

National Prostate Cancer Awareness Month

National Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month

National Alcohol and Drug Addiction Recovery Month

Remember to mark your calendars for Women's Equality Day on Aug 26 and Constitution Day on Sept 17. There will be a bonfire at the White House to celebrate.

An Announcement

2007-08-21T23:55:00.000-04:00

With the Dynasty fascination that emerged over the last few weeks, it is time for another theme day here at Petulant Rumblings. On the left hand side, there are links for the previous theme days- Butt Pirate and Cunt Day. The next theme day is from a quote by Blake Carrington in season one of Dynasty.

“The American Psychiatric Association had decided that it (homosexuality) is no longer a disease. That’s too bad. I could have endowed a foundation- the Stephen Carrington Institute for the treatment and study of Faggotry.”

THE INSTITUTE OF FAGGOTRY Coming soon!

Thanks to Aaron Logan for the fabulous image he made accessible to all.

Hell, it might last more than a day! HA!
Unlike Blake Carrington, this Institute is Pro-Faggotry.

More Sluggish Bush!

2007-08-21T22:07:00.000-04:00

He sure gets animated when he talks about Iraq though! More video from the Conference of Security and Economic Issues with Canadian Prime Minister Harper and Mexican President Calderon.

PRESIDENT BUSH: The way I view Iraq is from the security perspective and a political perspective. I made a decision to send more troops into Iraq to provide enough security for reconciliation to have the time to take place. It appears to me -- and I certainly don't want to prejudge General David Petraeus's report back home -- but there is some progress being made. In other words, one aspect of my decision is working.

There are two types of political reconciliation that can take place in a new democracy: One is from the top down, and one is from the bottom up. Clearly, the Iraqi government has got to do more through its parliament to help heal the wounds of years -- having lived years under a tyrant. It's not easy to go from a tyrannical society where the tyrant brutalized his people and created deep suspicions into one in which people are willing to work more closely together.

The Iraqi people made a great step toward reconciliation when they passed the most modern constitution in the Middle East, and now their government has got to perform. And I think there's a certain level of frustration with the leadership in general, inability to work -- to come to get, for example, an oil revenue law passed or provincial elections.

On the other hand, I do want to point out that the Iraqi parliament has met and passed 60 different pieces of legislation. They do have a budgeting process that is in the process of distributing a significant amount of money from the central government to the provincial governments, and the money they're distributing is oil revenues. So there may not be an oil revenue distribution law, but there's oil revenues being distributed.

There's bottom-up reconciliation taking place. It's noticeable and tangible and real, where people at the grassroots level are sick and tired of the violence, sick and tired of the radicalism, and they want -- and they want a better life. And they're beginning to reject the extremists that have the desire to have a safe haven, for example, from which to launch further attacks on America. In other words, there's a process taking place. And the fundamental question is, will the government respond to the demands of the people? And if the government doesn't demand -- respond to the demands of the people, they will replace the government. That's up to the Iraqis to make that decision, not American politicians. The Iraqis will decide. They have decided they want a constitution, they have elected members to their parliament, and they will make the decisions, just like democracies do.

And the question that we have to face in America is, is it worth it? Does it matter whether or not this young democracy survives? Is it in our national interests that this difficult experiment with democracy in the Middle East work? And I've come to the conclusion that it is. It's in our interests, because a failed Iraq could easily yield a safe haven from which the extremists and radicals who once attacked us could attack us again. A failed Iraq would become a recruiting tool for the very same people that still want to attack America. And so it's in our interests.

I told you the other day at a press conference -- I don't know if you were there or not -- but if you don't believe it's in American interests to be there, you won't find any political reconciliation that is -- that is worth defending. If you do think it's in our interests, our security interests, then you'll be able to see political reconciliation taking place, some at the top and some at the bottom.

Now, Ambassador Crocker and General Petraeus will be coming back to brief the Congress in about a month's time, and I'm looking forward to hearing their briefing. And I would hope that members of Congress from both political parties listen very carefully to the report they bring back, as we all make decisions about what's best for our national security in regards to this one theater in the war against the extremists and radicals. (WH)

Download 37MB

Bush Talks Real SLOW

2007-08-21T21:30:00.000-04:00

President Bush was at a press conference with Canadian Prime Minister Harper and Mexican president Calderon for the Conference on Security and Economic Issues. One of the questions was asked by a Fox News correspondent about the dreaded joining of the United States with Mexico and Canada. Bush doesn't really answer the question but the sluggish nature of his answer makes me wonder about other things. Hmmmm...

Question from FoxNews: Thank you. As you three leaders meet here, there are a growing number of people in each of your countries who have expressed concern about the Security and Prosperity Partnership. This is addressed to all three of you. Can you say today that this is not a prelude to a North American union, similar to a European Union? Are there plans to build some kind of superhighway connecting all three countries? And do you believe all of these theories about a possible erosion of national identity stem from a lack of transparency from this partnership?

Bush answers:"We represent three great nations. We each respect each other's sovereignty. You know, there are some who would like to frighten our fellow citizens into believing that relations between us are harmful for our respective peoples. I just believe they're wrong. I believe it's in our interest to trade; I believe it's in our interest to dialogue; I believe it's in our interest to work out common problems for the good of our people.

And I'm amused by some of the speculation, some of the old -- you can call them political scare tactics. If you've been in politics as long as I have, you get used to that kind of technique where you lay out a conspiracy and then force people to try to prove it doesn't exist. That's just the way some people operate. I'm here representing my nation. I feel strongly that the United States is a force for good, and I feel strongly that by working with our neighbors we can a stronger force for good.

So I appreciate that question. I'm amused by the difference between what actually takes place in the meetings and what some are trying to say takes place. It's quite comical, actually, when you realize the difference between reality and what some people are talking on TV about."

Download 10MB

YouTube is giving me the hassle from hell this evening. Hopefully, I will have this video and more posted to my channel in the morning.

Life Lessons from Dynasty

2007-08-21T13:47:00.000-04:00

Over the last two weeks I watched Dynasty Seasons One and Two. Through these hours and hours of viewing, I learned a few pertinent life lessons.

Even the sick have to face reality.

Scotch and Champagne are good while pregnant.

Liquor, if decanted, is appropriate at any time of the day.

If there is ever a problem, just look in the mirror for the source.

When accessorizing, more is better and furs are mandatory regardless of season.

Homosexuals pretending to be straight are major Drama Queens.

If Heather Locklear struts around in hot pants and Candies, men pay attention and homosexuals will marry her.

ONE lit stick of Dynamite is an efficient way to blow-up a limousine.

Fucking in the afternoon is called a matinee.

Saxophone solos during sex are cheesy.

If someone is having a heart attack, it is best to slap their face repeatedly.

Dragged miles by a horse may cause a miscarriage, but hair will remain perfectly coiffed.

In a fit of anger, never start a shoving match with your son’s homosexual lover as death will ensue. Of course, only homosexuals die. So if straight, you are safe.

Homosexual experimentation is acceptable if performed outside of the home.

Catfights should only occur when there is a full servant staff to clean the mess.

Drug use in Middle Eastern countries leads to arrest and eventual suicide.

Oil is a precious commodity and all who block the flow will be squashed.

ALWAYS be wary of shotgun-wielding women dressed in red.

I will probably add to this as I feel the impact of Dynasty in my daily life. If anyone else has some important life lessons learned from Dynasty, please leave a comment and I will add to the list. Since I lack the Soap Channel, I will wait eagerly for the release of season three and hopefully learn how to live my life to its potential.

Here is the ultimate catfight between Alexis and Krystal from season two ep. 31 The Baby.

See also Dynasty and My Inner Fag which Icaia thinks is redundant.

Morning Readings

2007-08-21T08:22:00.000-04:00

Bush Hates The Children! "The Bush administration, continuing its fight to stop states from expanding the popular Children’s Health Insurance Program, has adopted new standards that would make it much more difficult for New York, California and others to extend coverage to children in middle-income families." (NY)

They are coming to get you! "The research, the Marijuana Signature Project, relies on stable isotopes, which are forms of an element like nitrogen or oxygen, that have distinct atomic masses. Long employed in ecological research, stable isotopes are increasingly used for forensic purposes, including investigations into blood doping, arson and trafficking in contraband like drugs and endangered species." (NY)

Virginia loves gun. "Law enforcement authorities traced more than 10,000 guns recovered in Virginia, Maryland and the District last year -- and nearly half came from Virginia, according to federal data released yesterday." (WP)

Wal-Mart is secretive. (Yahoo)

NOT THE DWARVES! Please not the DWARVES! "A dwarf performer at the Edinburgh fringe festival had to be rushed to hospital after his penis got stuck to a vacuum cleaner during an act that went horribly awry." (Raw Story)

Two Students play frisbee with land mine. (Ananova)

Vampire bats attack cattle. (NG)

"Chemical Ali" goes to trial. "Former commanders of Saddam Hussein's military go on trial in Baghdad on Tuesday for their role in crushing a Shi'ite rebellion in southern Iraq at the end of the 1991 Gulf War in which tens of thousands were killed.
Standing alongside the military officers are Saddam's former defense minister at the time and his personal secretary. The most high profile of the 15 defendants is Saddam's feared cousin, Ali Hassan al-Majeed, known as "Chemical Ali". (Reuters)

Hamlet.doc? Literature in the digital age. (Chronicle)

Rational Atheism (SciAm)

Away

2007-08-20T10:06:00.000-04:00

Icaia's baby must have spread her germs through the telephone. I am a snotty mess and miserable!

Democratic Debate Iowa- GOD GOD GOD!

2007-08-19T18:53:00.001-04:00

There was another debate today in Iowa and this question was asked:

"My question is to understand each candidate's view of a personal god. Do they believe that through the power of prayer disasters like Hurricane Katrina or the Minnesota bridge collapse could have been prevented or lessened?"

I think the question they meant to ask was how can the government fix existing infrastructure in the United States when so much money is going abroad for needless wars?

I don’t care what kind of personal god a candidate has as long as it doesn’t dictate what he thinks is best for me.

So, according to this question all anyone had to do is PRAY and Hurricane Katrina or the Minneapolis bridge collapse wouldn’t have occurred. YOU HAVE TO BE FUCKING KIDDING ME! This is a question ABC chose for the debate. Personal god and prayers? So Hurricane Katrina’s destruction had nothing whatsoever to do with levees that were in much needed repair. The lack of funding for needed infrastructure repairs to bridges and highways had nothing to do with the collapse. These events happened because people didn’t pray enough! SHOOT ME! JUST SHOOT ME!

Mike Gravel believes in love and that the many who pray are the ones who want to go to war. Amen to that! Richardson is a Roman Catholic and won’t wear his religion on his sleeve. Joe Biden mentions his dead wife and child. Edwards loves CHRIST. Hillary has prayed all her life, but____. Obama believes in prayer and empathy and dealing with problems we do control and have the power to change. Kucinich is praying to god for George Stephanopoulos to call on him and then quotes Biblical peace verses. ARGHHHHH!

I SAY SO WHAT! Ask something bloody important!

Download here 25MB

Melissa at Shakesville has her always insightful analysis of this question at the debate.

But most of all, I love how this video totally proves all those rightwing paranoid fantasists right: The Democratic Party truly is the soil in which germinates the seeds of radical secularism and godlessness.

A Blog Note

2007-08-19T18:43:00.000-04:00

From now on when I post video to YouTube and embed it here, I will include a download link if you want a personal copy. Most of the video is in Divx format and I will upload either to megaupload or sendspace depending on size.

Enjoy.

John McCain on Face the Nation

2007-08-19T16:19:00.000-04:00

John McCain was on Face the Nation this morning and said:

"I know what's right, and I'm going to do what's right, and at the end of the day, I'm going to sleep well at night, because I know what's right for America."

I will sleep so much easier knowing that John McCain and his let's keep fighting mentality is right for America.

He also touted the OLD line that the Democrats will cause chaos in Iraq

"We have got our opponents wanting to go back to a strategy that failed for four years, and abandon a strategy we have really only been pursuing for about four months, which is succeeding," McCain said. "If you set a date for withdrawal — and that's what the Democrats are going to be proposing in the middle of September — my friend, that's a date for surrender... It's going to be chaos, genocide, not only in Iraq but in the region." (CBS)

I know I am feeling safe with John McCain to protect me!

Even today's headlines from FOX NEWS paint a grim picture unlike McCain's the surge is a success speeches. Say it enough and it becomes truth. Hmm... That sounds like old Georgie's philosophy: "See, in my line of work you got to keep repeating things over and over and over again for the truth to sink in, to kind of catapult the propaganda."—Greece, N.Y., May 24, 2005.
Keep it up McCain and you will definitely win. HA!

Fox also shows a flag draped coffin. I guess it is ok for them.

Here is McCain on Face the Nation trying to save the world with his indignation.

Download available here. 30Mb Divx

Soldier Perspectives

2007-08-19T14:42:00.000-04:00

The New York Times has an editorial written by soldiers that ALL should read.

VIEWED from Iraq at the tail end of a 15-month deployment, the political debate in Washington is indeed surreal. Counterinsurgency is, by definition, a competition between insurgents and counterinsurgents for the control and support of a population. To believe that Americans, with an occupying force that long ago outlived its reluctant welcome, can win over a recalcitrant local population and win this counterinsurgency is far-fetched. As responsible infantrymen and noncommissioned officers with the 82nd Airborne Division soon heading back home, we are skeptical of recent press coverage portraying the conflict as increasingly manageable and feel it has neglected the mounting civil, political and social unrest we see every day. (Obviously, these are our personal views and should not be seen as official within our chain of command.) (more)

Karl Rove Does the Sunday News Show Circuit

2007-08-19T13:29:00.000-04:00

Karl Rove was everywhere this morning. He has a tale to spin and regardless of what any interviewer asks he is going to spin it. While Rove was diligently defending his record, Boing Boing posted a story that is far more interesting.

Shannon Larratt, founder of the body modification online publication BMEzine, pointed us a few days ago to a first-person essay that a person named Yard[D]og was writing, regarding the adoptive father of Deputy White House Chief of Staff Karl Rove (shown in the image at left). Yard[D]og claims to have been a close personal friend of the now-deceased elder Rove.

About the essay's contents, Mr. Larratt said:

"Karl Rove's father was not only gay, but a part of the early body piercing scene and a regular at 70s piercing parties... There are pictures of him on BME."

Go read the essay and learn about SOLID GOLD COCK RINGS. I want one!!

Here are videos of Rove on Fox News Sunday and the "Nice Try" interview and the full interview on Face the Nation. I am going to post the Meet the Press interview as a full download. So check back shortly when I am finished processing.

Fox News "Nice Try" interview concerning subpoenas, executive privilege, and Joe Wilson and Valerie Plame.

Face the Nation Full Interview.

Meet the Press with Karl Rove full interview

Download: 432x320 divx file 90MB
or alternate download

Morning Readings

2007-08-17T09:56:00.000-04:00

Merv Griffin liked cock. The Heavens parted and the angels sang. Blah. (HR)

Speaking of gay-"KEVIN Spacey cruising Capri with a handsome young man over the weekend ." Hmmm... in the sightings sections of Page Six.

Why stocks are tanking in simple terms. (Bonddad)

Stop WRITING MONKEYS! (Global Voices)

Who the fuck needs a solid gold Koran anyway? (Telegraph)

"South Africa's former law and order minister, Adriaan Vlok, today became the only senior politician in the country's white regime to be convicted of apartheid-era crimes when he pleaded guilty to the attempted murder of a prominent cleric." Ok.. that's good at all but how did he try to kill the cleric. He POISONED the cleric's UNDERWEAR with NERVE AGENT! (Guardian)

A couple in China want to call their child @. (Ananova)

Authorities in Liberia said on Wednesday a large ammunition cache they thought they had discovered while investigating a possible coup plot was in fact scrap metal destined for recycling. (Liberia)

I AM RELAXING!
Going to massage my scalp I am!

Another Bush is going to Breed for the Nation

2007-08-16T16:55:00.000-04:00

Ho Hum! Jenna Bush, daughter of Papi Bush, is engaged to Henry Hager. Inside Edition claims they have dated for three years. Wonkette has documented the world romp of Jenna and her affairs. I assume it was an open relationship. Daddy Hager is a loyal Republican, chairing the Republican Party of Virginia and contracted polio in 1974 when one of the sons was vaccinated. Ok, that came from Wikipedia, and if true- I WOULD HATE MY KIDS! Hager also worked for American Tobacco which sold its shares of British American Tobacco and then BAT turned around and bought them. I cannot speak too much EVIL as my precious Dunhills are made by BAT.

The White House issued a simple statement.

President and Mrs. George W. Bush are happy to announce the engagement of their daughter, Jenna Bush, to Mr. Henry Hager, son of the Honorable and Mrs. John H. Hager of Richmond, Virginia. Miss Bush and Mr. Hager became engaged Wednesday, August 15, 2007.

No wedding date has been set.

SO I have some questions.

How far along is she?
Is this another ruse to distract the nation?
Will the twin Barbara announce her engagement and the nation will be subjected to endless airings of The ~~Brady~~ Bush Girls Get Married?

Kim McFriendly wants to be President

2007-08-16T11:15:00.000-04:00

Kim McFriendly wants to be President. From her website:

It was the year 1964 and America would never be the same again, for deep in the throes of the Cuban Missile Crisis, General Davis "Buddy" Pallerton made an executive decision to launch his own projectile, deep into the fertile American Soil of his wife’s womb. Nine Months later, Kimberly, was born. Deep in the heart of the Heartland, the little girl blossomed into womanhood surrounded by family values, morals, and the Southern beauty pageants on which she would base her political ideals.
------
With a love of democracy given to her by her father, she would attend America State University and earn her law degree specializing in frontier justice. Education wasn’t the only thing she found in the hallowed halls of America State, it was there that she would meet her future husband Senator Richard McFriendly, in a hall. In the following years, Senator McFriendly would become her mentor, lover and additional father figure.
----
Through the sanctity of heterosexual marriage, Kimberly Pallerton became Kim McFriendly. Fully embracing the role of Senator’s wife, she did it all: from hosting state dinner, to looking KimTastic®. Word soon spread across the Senate floor of her famous cranberry oatmeal cookies, which were as delicious as they were low in fat. Then tragedy struck . . . .
While on his way to his Senate Barbershop Quartet rehearsal, Senator McFriendly, was involved in an unfortunate accident. America lost one of its greatest leaders that day, and the Senate lost one of its finest baritones.

She believes in de-emboldening the enemy and wants to form a "federal gay-to-lesbian matchmaking program. This, of course, is only a short-term solution til federal scientists finish the antidote." She also has recipes for Anti-Terrorist Pie, Cherry Pie A LA God, and Patriotic Pâté which sounds scrumptious. She is good honest American!

She also appeared at the recent Republican Debate on ABC. Here are some of her remarks.

Portia de Rossi on Nip/Tuck

2007-08-16T10:58:00.000-04:00

Icaia and I LOVE Nip/Tuck. Her more so than me. Nevertheless, this is some exciting news via Nick Ausielle at TV Guide.

One piece of major Nip/Tuck scoop coming your way! You already know that Portia de Rossi will be joining the cast for nine episodes playing a lesbian mom whose teen daughter wants to go under the knife. But what I'm 100 percent certain you don't know is that Portia's character is going to be involved in a torrid relationship with — holy lipstick lesbians, Batman! — Joely Richardson. That's right, Julia's switching teams for Ellen's honey. And word on the set is the pair's sex scenes are anything but tame. Of course, this is Nip/Tuck, so that much is a given.

Nip/Tuck is not tame regarding sex scenes and Richardson and Rossi between the sheets will be delicious. Yes, I am a gay boy, but I can still appreciate some HOT girl on girl action. Don't even get me started about Catherine Deneuve and Susan Sarandon in the Hunger.

Jon Soltz on War with Iran

2007-08-16T10:39:00.000-04:00

Jon Soltz of VoteVets was on Hardball yesterday to discuss a segment called "Does Bush Want War with Iran?" Also appearing is Sal Russo of Move American Foward. Think Progress caught an exchange between the two and described it as:

Soltz argued Cheney was “out to lunch when it comes to protecting America, supporting the military, destroying al Qaeda.” Russo responded, “Dick Cheney is one of the finest men that I’ve ever met.” Soltz shot back, “The difference between you and I is real simple: You’re a Republican communications strategist; I’m an Iraq war veteran.”

I love when Jon Soltz speaks. He is articulate, knowledgeable, has the credibility of being an Iraq War Veteran, and holds the interests of the troops first.

Here is the entire segment:

Siouxsie Sells Shirts

2007-08-16T09:52:00.000-04:00

One of the icons from my youth, Siouxsie Sioux is joining forces with Worn By to release some of the T-shirts she wore as a youngin. Via Vogue

EVER taken a look at images of music legends rocking out in their faded T-shirts and wished you could steal their style? If so, you'll love Worn By - a label dedicated to recreating iconic fashion pieces using original imagery of the stars who wore them - and its limited edition collaboration with punk goddess Siouxsie Sioux. The label has teamed up with Sioux to release three of her favourite pieces, worn during a meteoric career that kicked off with an impromptu gig at the 100 Club's Punk Rock Festival of 1976 (which was organised by Vivienne Westwood's then-partner, music impressario Malcolm McLaren). The deliciously covetable items include a devil T-shirt inspired by cult Japanese film Ouibaba, an op art dress - a nod towards Sioux's love of optical abstract artist Bridget Riley's work - and a T-shirt worn during the 1980 world tour for Siouxsie and the Banshees's critically acclaimed third album, Kaleidoscope. Worn By is available at Urban Outfitters and online at www.wornby.co.uk - the Sioux tribute collection debuts in October, but there are plenty of other uber-cool goodies available to keep your fashion schedule full until then.

I love the Japanese Ghost Story Film, Onibaba and will be ordering that t-shirt (pictured above) when available. Worn by have allot of other cool t-shirts on their website from the likes of Madness, Joy Division, Keith Richards, Debbie Harry and more.

Morning Readings- The "Ghost Written" Petraeus Report

2007-08-16T08:52:00.000-04:00

The Petraeus Report concerning the SURGE is due in September and heralded as one of the most important documents of the war. This tidbit drifted through the tubes at a maddening speed yesterday.

From the LA Times:

Despite Bush's repeated statements that the report will reflect evaluations by Petraeus and Ryan Crocker, the U.S. ambassador to Iraq, administration officials said it would actually be written by the White House, with inputs from officials throughout the government.

Is it any surprise?

Today the Washington Post reports that the White House wants to shield General Petraeus from congressional scrutiny.

Senior congressional aides said yesterday that the White House has proposed limiting the much-anticipated appearance on Capitol Hill next month of Gen. David H. Petraeus and Ambassador Ryan C. Crocker to a private congressional briefing, suggesting instead that the Bush administration's progress report on the Iraq war should be delivered to Congress by the secretaries of state and defense.

The Post details this incident as a skirmish between the White House and Congress. Seems more like another bloody demand from the White House to me. Since Petraeus and the Generals on the ground aren't writing the report, we will most definitely get the whole, truthful story of the SURGE in Iraq!

Last night on Olbermann, he tackled the "Ghost-Written" Petraeus Report.

Not from the Pen of Petraeus: It was the Roman Emperor and unintentional philosopher Marcus Aurelius who observed that we each encounter deceit, greed, falsehood, and failure every day. And yet we're constantly stunned by it. "How ridiculous and what a stranger he is," he wrote, nearly 1900 years ago as he led an army through the forests of Germany, "who is surprised at anything which happens in life." So in this Bush Administration, the cell phone service "You-Didn't-Read-The-Fine-Print" contract of Presidencies, why are we surprised that it turns out today that the report on the surge by the latest white knight of Iraq, General David Petraeus, will not be written by General David Petraeus, but will be written by the White House. As Marcus Aurelius would probably say, "You dummies are the ones providing the surprise, not Bush."

Here are two videos from Olbermann's Countdown. In the first video, Keith Olbermann and Congressional Quarterly reporter Craig Crawford discuss the report and how it affects the Democrats and Bush's continual "rope a dope" as Crawford says.

In the second video, P.J. Crowley of the Center For American Progress discusses the military validity of the report being written by the White House. They also discuss the sad statistic that US soldiers are committing suicide at alarming rates and at a 26 year high.

Ann Coulter- JOBLESS!

2007-08-15T14:35:00.000-04:00

Here is an amusing video with an original song by the Oogie Boogie Rockers.

Morning Readings

2007-08-15T07:31:00.000-04:00

This will be another light week. I need to get the house and the paper studio into some order. Order I SAY!

"The Bush administration is preparing to declare that Iran’s Revolutionary Guard Corps is a foreign terrorist organization, senior administration officials said Tuesday." (NY)

Four truck bombs kill 200 Kurdish in northern Iraq. (NY)

More toy recalls. Just destroy them all and give kids wooden blocks. Don't paint them though! (WP)

The Chinese toy group knew about the problems in March. (Reuters)

Asian and European shares dipped Wednesday as markets continued to battle jitters over a credit crunch started by problems in the U.S. subprime credit sector and as broader concerns emerged about the U.S. economy. (USAToday)

The Murdoch train- First Stop, The Wall Street Journal; Second Stop, The New York Times? (HuffPo)

'Lunar Ark' Proposed in Case of Deadly Impact on Earth. (NG)

The world's most expensive desserts. (Forbes)

I am SO UPSET! Fox News cancelled their version of the Daily Show. How can I survive this cruel world without a sporadic, poorly scheduled, half-hour of not funny, bad right wing humor? (TP)

Poor me will have to continue to watch the Daily Show and watch Bill Kristol's neo-con ideals destroyed by an intelligent comedian.

Video Interlude- Pilobolus

2007-08-14T08:30:00.000-04:00

The Pilobolus Dance Troop

Pilobolus dance company members Otis Cook and Jennifer Macavinta perform the sensuous duet "Symbiosis." Does it trace the birth of a human relationship, or the co-evolution of a pair of symbiotic species? That's left for you to decide. Gorgeous, organic choreography blurs the boundaries between the two performers, who use the body's own geometry to lift, move and combine. The music, recorded by the Kronos Quartet on Nonesuch Records, is a compilation of works: "God Music" from Black Angels by George Crumb, "Fratres" by Arvo Pärt, and "Morango ... Almost a Tango" by Thomas Oboe Lee. (YT)

Morning Readings

2007-08-14T08:06:00.000-04:00

"The Chinese toy factory owner at the centre of the storm over lead-tainted Sesame Street figures has committed suicide, the state-run media reported yesterday." (Guardian)

The bail out of Hedge funds begins. "Goldman Sachs revealed that its Global Equity Opportunities (GEO) fund lost nearly a third of its value last week - a drop of some $1.8bn (£890m). Its deficit was due to so-called "herd mentality" as scores of computer-driven funds sparked each other in unwinding positions." (Guardian)

Rove, Rove, and more Rove.

"The Justice Department is putting the final touches on regulations that could give Atty. Gen. Alberto R. Gonzales important new sway over death penalty cases in California and other states, including the power to shorten the time that death row inmates have to appeal convictions to federal courts." (LATimes)

SCITOPIA-Search over 3 million documents, plus patents and government data.
Fifteen societies spanning 150 years of sci-tech scholarship help you with your queries.

The Edinburgh Festival- FRINGE

A drunken barrister who was best man at a wedding exposed himself to the bridesmaids before launching a "savage" and "ferocious" attack on a fellow guest after being confronted over his behaviour, a court was told. (Telegraph)

An oil stain on a garage floor that vaguely resembles the face of Jesus has fetched more than £750 in an online auction. (Ananova)

There is only one true Icon- The Blessed Virgin Wonton

IT WAS SO CUTE, I HAD TO!

2007-08-13T23:12:00.000-04:00

This picture was just too damn ADORABLE AND I COULD NOT RESIST!

This is from the Daily Kitten and the kitten is Belang from Malaysia. He is the August 11 kitten. The Daily Kitten publishes a new kitten picture every day at 3.07pm GMT, (10.07am EST). We hope you enjoy it.

Dick Cheney's Statements in 1994

2007-08-13T19:31:00.000-04:00

This video of Dick Cheney in 1994 is making the rounds with a vengeance. Hell, CNN just showed this same YouTube footage. Yes, he calls Iraq a quagmire and that toppling Saddam in the first Gulf War isn't feasible. Yes, such premonitions by the Dark Lord seem legitimate today, but does anyone think that Cheney loses any sleep over his statements from over a decade ago? His previous statements are only valid to express the contradictory nature of this administration. Does anyone think this administration gives a shit about contradictions? Cheney said invading Iraq would be a failure. OK! That didn't stop him from doing it! There is no such thing as consistency in politics. Opinions and ideas "flip-flop" on a daily basis and are the nature of the beast. I am one of the last people to defend DICK and more than happy to post this video to show the endless contradictions, but all it really shows is that he KNEW what would happen in IRAQ and with the help of CONGRESS, DID IT ANYWAY. So, bitch about his precognition, but DICK isn't the only one culpable in the quagmire that is Iraq. He may have predicted the outcome, but war is war and his pants were aflame.

It takes more than one person in our "Democracy" to wage war. One person can beat the drum, but the rest have to follow suit. John Edwards was a co-sponsor of the authorization to invade Iraq. Hillary voted Yea! Edwards has retracted that opinion. Hillary- who knows? Dick helped orchestrate this disastrous war and SHOULD be held accountability, BUT if the most ignorant of souls like myself know that the words of politicians are only relevant in the immediate present and at the time DICK made these remarks because it was politically feasible to say them. Bush SR. lacked approval from the United Nations to continue the defense of Kuwait into Iraq. Cheney's response was their justification and that is all it is- a political reasoning to define what they couldn't accomplish at the time. Does anyone think he truly believed what he was saying in this video? The man says what is necessary for his political future and it has nothing to do with what is good for anyone else. Welcome to politics! I am sure a decade from now when Karl Rove releases his third book about the integrity of the Bush Administration, there will be an endless litany of videos to contradict his claims. Hell, if my external hard drives survive and I haven't died from my Dunhill habit, my video channel will fuel the contradictions. I will also say then what I am saying now, for I doubt things will have changed.

The problem isn't what anyone said in the past. It is how to correct their inadequacies and their misguided notions NOW! I, like many others, can bitch on my blog and hopefully there can be a unified front to ACTUALLY affect a change, but if the people we vote to represent us sway with the political climate or act like Cheney and direct wars that they believe are beneficial to this nation, then we better smoke up and enjoy. Otherwise, it is Russian Roulette with our future.

O... here is that video, but remember the context. This is 1994 not 2007. Yes, what he says is occurring now, but then it was a political excuse. Now, it is 3500+ lives and Cheney isn't the only scapegoat.

More Rove!

2007-08-13T18:48:00.001-04:00

After his tearful farewell, my heartless being thought that all was finished for the day regarding Karl Rove. Alas, the peoples keep talking and cocktail hour makes their words more tolerable.

More video and "analysis" of Rove's abrupt departure churns on the "news" networks.

Here is more Fox News footage with former White House Chief of Staff Andrew Card. His carefully calculated words paint a White House that is open to all ideas and if Rove expressed his opinion about policy it was carefully considered by all the powers that be. I cream my pants like Bill Kristol at a neo-con barbeque of the Constitution over such statements. Praise be!

Mister Smug himself, Chris Matthews HAS to be the pulse of any story. So, he spent the first minutes of Hardball showing lots of footage of Rove entering this or that mechanical contraption or looking busy behind a conference table. Enlightening TV! That is not part of this video. This video has Monsieur Smug Blondie chatting with Wayne Slater, the co-author of Bush's Brain. That would be ROVE by the way. In this White House, BRAINS are outsourced. Pat Buchanan speaks also as he is a MSNBC fixture these days. Another big ALAS, as sometimes Pat makes a comment and I unfortunately agree. Those are the minutes, I am glad I do not have a gun. Thankfully this video isn't one of those moments. Press play.

Rove Resigns- Press Conference

2007-08-13T12:01:00.000-04:00

Bush and Karl Rove had a press conference to formally announce Rove's resignation. I think Rove is on the verge of tears during his "Ode to the Integrity of George Bush" speech. Good Gracious Me! I knew Rove worships his creation, but PLEASE STOP! My favorite part of this video is the Fox News Anchor after the press conference. With finger quote gestures, she says upon Rove's reason for leaving to be closer to his family. "He (Rove) has a son who just entered college. I am not sure how many college kids want to spend more 'quality time' with their family." HA!!!!

Also in this video are Carl Cameron, Fox News best propagandist,Brian Kilmeade, the Sports Guy, and the JUDGE with their opinions. ARGHHH!!! Poor Carl is covering the Iowa State Fair and motorcycles drown out his "analysis." Hooray for motorcycles!

In Memoriam- Tony Wilson

2007-08-13T09:08:00.000-04:00

Tony Wilson, who died on Friday aged 57, was a television journalist-turned entrepreneur whose domination of the Manchester popular music scene over some 20 years spanned the launch of his Factory record label, its infamous spin-off the Hacienda nightclub, and the signing - in his own blood - of such iconic groups as Joy Division, New Order and the Happy Mondays; he enjoyed a fresh lease of notoriety when Steve Coogan parodied him in the fictionalised film biography 24 Hour Party People (2002).

Nor was Wilson a difficult target for parody: with his extravagant gesticulations, monstrous ego and faintly sinister habit of peering knowingly over his glasses, he guyed himself every time he appeared on television or radio, which, although not often enough for his coterie of dedicated fans, who admired his erratic flashes of wit and wisdom, was rather too often for his detractors, who considered him an arrogant, smug, preening and pretentious loudmouth. (Telegraph)

Here is a live video of Joy Division from 1980- Day of the Lords

And New Order from 1983- Confusion

Morning Readings

2007-08-13T07:31:00.000-04:00

What a way to wake-up! The only news today is that Karl Rove is resigning. As they always say, he is leaving the White House to be closer to his family.

from the Wall Street Journal interview with Paul Gigot

If that quinella pays off, however, Mr. Rove will have to savor it from somewhere other than his West Wing office. He's resigning effective Aug. 31 -- 14 years after he began working with Mr. Bush on his campaign for Texas governor, 10 years after they began planning a White House run, and after 79 months in the political cockpit of a tumultuous presidency.

"I just think it's time," he says, adding that he first floated the idea of leaving to Mr. Bush a year ago. His friends confirm he had been talking about it with others even earlier. But Democrats took Congress, and he didn't want to depart on that sour note. He then thought he'd leave after the State of the Union, but the Iraq and immigration fights beckoned. Finally, Chief of Staff Josh Bolten told senior White House aides that if they stayed past a certain point, they were obliged to remain to Jan. 20, 2009.

"There's always something that can keep you here, and as much as I'd like to be here, I've got to do this for the sake of my family," Mr. Rove says. His son attends college in San Antonio, and he and his wife, Darby, plan to spend much of their time at their home in nearby Ingram, in the Texas Hill Country.

From the Washington Post:

Rove's influence extended far beyond the politics of electioneering, deep into policymaking. He helped craft the first-term Bush agenda of tax cuts, which succeeded, and the second-term agenda of Social Security private accounts, which did not. More broadly, he provided the intellectual and historic framework for the Bush presidency and hoped to use it to open a new era of Republican political dominance, a project that today looks potentially crippled by the unpopularity of both the president and the Iraq war.

Rove was investigated for his role in leaking the identity of Valerie Plame, a CIA operative whose husband publicly criticized the administration's handling of prewar intelligence. Although White House spokesman Scott McClellan initially spoke with Rove and publicly denied that Rove had anything to do with the leak, the investigation later determined that he had in fact divulged or confirmed Plame's identity to columnist Robert Novak and Time magazine reporter Matthew Cooper.

From the New York Times:

“He’s been talking with the president for a long time — about a year, regarding when might be good to go,” said Dana Perino, a White House spokeswoman. “But there’s always a big project to work on, and his strategic abilities — and our need for his support — kept him here,” she said.
-----
Throughout Mr. Bush’s tenure, Mr. Rove vilified Democrats, and they vilified him right back, complaining about his infamously bare-knuckled political tactics on the campaign trail and what they considered his overt politicization of the White House.

from the LA Times:

Since Democrats won control of Congress in November, some top administration officials have announced their resignations. Among those who have left are White House counselor Dan Bartlett, budget director Rob Portman, chief White House attorney Harriet Miers, political director Sara Taylor, deputy national security adviser J.D. Crouch and Meghan O'Sullivan, another deputy national security adviser who worked on Iraq. Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld was forced out immediately after the election as the unpopular war in Iraq dragged on.

Rove is expected to write a book after he leaves.

from the Chicago Tribune:

Rove has steered his party’s highly developed “micro-targeting’’ campaign of communications with likely voters and swing voters for not only the president’s elections, but also for congressional candidates – and he would argue that the party’s loss of Congress in the midterm elections of 2006 was only a marginal loss, counted in small margins of defeat in several districts around the country – a reversible loss, in the mind of Rove.

Yet Rove is also weary – claiming now that he’d like more time to spend with his family. This is a common refrain cited by many leaving the White House near the end of the president’s term – most recently presidential counselor Dan Bartlett.

President Bush, who is on vacation, will make a statement later today.

Mitt Romney- The Dog Saga Continues

2007-08-12T12:25:00.001-04:00

Thanks to FOX NEWS. This morning on Fox News Sunday, Chris Wallace brought up the dog controversy from a few weeks ago. In 1983, Mitt strapped his dog Seamus, in a kennel, to the roof of his station wagon during a family vacation. The dog, supposedly, shat all over the top of the car. Mitt doesn't say anything that he hasn't said before about this controversy, EXCEPT he refers to the kennel as airtight. AIRTIGHT? More than likely the wrong choice of words, as Mitt is prone to do, but if poor Seamus was in an AIRTIGHT kennel- how on earth did he breath? Ha!

Mitt, also, retracts his statement about his sons serving this country by helping to get him elected instead of military service. Even his retraction, is as smug as his initial comments.

Video Interlude- Coulrophobia

2007-08-10T12:08:00.000-04:00

I am away, but I HAD to post this video from National Geographic of a woman who is afraid of clowns. I believe it is from a series NG aired several years ago called the World of Fear.

Clowns are creepy, but this woman verges on full throttle PANIC. She does, however, have her stuffed animal PARSLEY to comfort her. HA!

The Daily Show- Florida Rep. Bob Allen

2007-08-09T10:50:00.001-04:00

Sheer terror of black men caused Florida State Rep. Bob Allento offer cock services to a policeman.

Morning Readings

2007-08-09T09:41:00.000-04:00

I am involved in non internet-related activities, so my posts are sparse for awhile.

Tonight is yet another debate/pulpit/ Q&A for the Democratic Candidates. Hosted by the Human Rights Campaign and Logo, it airs at 9 tonight on Logo or online here. I will not be watching as my cable system does not offer Logo and I have other plans than sitting in front of the computer watching it. Tonight's forum, or whatever the hell they are calling it, is basically 15 minutes with each candidate discussing GLBT issues. Woo Hoo... How exciting! Of all the candidates, Mike Gravel and Dennis Kucinich are the best candidates regarding all gay issues. The rest sway like pampas grass in a hurricane. I know my gay "orthopedic nightmare" bones shiver with anticipation. HA!

Here is some other crap that's happening.

Turmoil in the American home mortgage loan industry is causing problems abroad. (NY)

Bush wants more tax cuts for corporations. Who saw that coming? HA! (WP)

IT IS FUCKING HOT! (USAToday)

"Subtly but unmistakably, rhetoric from the military and Congress has begun to soften on the controversial policy known as "don't ask, don't tell." Powell himself has changed his tune, acknowledging that attitudes have shifted. A House bill that would lift the ban on gays serving openly has gained support from military veterans in that chamber. And the pressures of the Iraq war and the 2008 presidential campaign have focused more attention on the merits of a repeal." (LATimes)

The true face of America-"It does not matter to most voters in three key U.S. states whether a presidential candidate has the backing of gay rights groups, according to a new poll on Wednesday." (Reuters)

Catholic priests perform ancient rites of sexual abuse in Mexico. (Reuters)

"Gen Pervez Musharraf, Pakistan's embattled president, has said he will not resort to emergency law to consolidate his power amid vicious internal feuding." (Telegraph)

Pygmy elephants are in jeopardy. (Guardian)

Giant pike in Austrian lake attacks swimmers. (Ananova)

President Bush is talking pretty at a press conference today before he flees to Crawford AND the Bush Compound in Yankee Territory for another vacation. (Yahoo)

O' The Dilemma!

2007-08-07T19:48:00.000-04:00

There is yet ANOTHER Democratic Presidential~~Debate~~ Forum, sponsored by the AFL-CIO, occurring now on MSNBC and hosted by Keith Olbermann. I am watching it, well sorta. I hear raised voices proclaiming to protect America but Chris Dodd's shiny hair is distracting.

My Dilemma- Do I spend the rest of the evening encoding video clips of YET ANOTHER ~~debate~~ forum and upload them to my YouTube channel or do I say fuck it? Hmmm...

I say fuck it and will watch Dynasty instead. There will be so many damn pulpit shows in the future and sometimes, all the time, I grow tired of hearing the same words with different inflection.

Deja Vu! Home Castration Strikes Again!

2007-08-07T16:08:00.000-04:00

Here in Asheville we had our own case of Home Castration. Now it seems, Minnesota not only has to worry about a collapsed bridge, but a team of "professionals" who perform castrations.

Via Boing Boing and the Star Tribune

A St. Paul man, complaining of chronic pain, wanted to have his testicles removed. When conventional medical staff refused to do the job, he hired other "professionals" to take off his testicles, according to a search warrant affidavit filed Monday in Ramsey County District Court.

Two or three people operated on the man, Russell Daniel Angus, 62, a couple weeks ago at his home in St. Paul. He was unconscious during the surgery, and when he woke up, his testicles had been removed.

And the "professionals" were gone.

His groin area was bleeding heavily, so he called his daughter. She called for help. When police arrived, they found a makeshift operating room set up in the upper level of the house. There were bright lights, an apparent operating table, medical supplies and equipment, and a camera. Angus was still bleeding, and there was blood in the living room, hall and bathroom, the affidavit said.
-----
St. Paul police spokesman Tom Walsh said he has seen a lot in his years on the force, but this case is remarkable. "I have never in my life seen anything quite like that."

Come to Asheville Tom! HA!

Censure of the President- hmmm...

2007-08-07T13:43:00.000-04:00

Senator Russ Feingold (D-WI) and U.S. Representative Maurice Hinchey (D-NY) introduced two censure resolutions condemning the president, vice-president, and attorney general.

From Sen. Feingold's site:

U.S. Senator Russ Feingold (D-WI) and U.S. Representative Maurice Hinchey (D-NY) have introduced two censure resolutions in their respective chambers condemning the president, vice president and the attorney general for misconduct regarding our military involvement in Iraq and for their repeated assaults on the rule of law at home. Senator Tom Harkin (D-IA) is a cosponsor of both Senate censure resolutions and Senator Barbara Boxer (D-CA) is a cosponsor of the Senate censure resolution regarding Iraq. The House resolutions have 19 original cosponsors.

“Congress cannot stay silent when the American people are demanding that this administration be held accountable for its blatant misconduct regarding Iraq and its attack on the rule of law,” Feingold said. “These censure resolutions will let future generations know that Congress stood up to the destructive policies of this administration that have weakened our national security, cost more than 3,600 American lives, and undermined the principles on which our country was founded. I applaud Congressman Hinchey for leading this charge for accountability in the House of Representatives.”

“From misleading this country into invading Iraq to establishing a warrantless domestic spy program, this White House has continuously misled and deceived the American people while disregarding the rule of law that guides our democracy,” Hinchey said. “The Bush administration has placed an extraordinary burden on this and future generations to recover from the damage done to our Constitution and national security. While it will take time to get our country back on the right track, we in Congress can act now by passing these censure resolutions to hold the White House accountable and to let the historical record show that an equal branch of government found the actions of this administration undeniably reprehensible. I am honored to be working with Senator Feingold on these censure resolutions and look forward to gathering support in order to pass them in both chambers.”

Yeah, Yeah, Yeah... A slap on the wrist will show them! Bad President! Bad! When this Congress actually considers holding this administration accountable, then I will pay attention. They can have "hearings" and issue "harsh letters" and talk about oversight, but when it is time to vote, the majority continues to pander to Bush's "needs." I commend Feingold as he as been an outspoken critic of this administration, but unless he can change the minds of his fellow Senators, then this is all futile.

HA! HA! FUDGE PACKER!

2007-08-07T13:03:00.000-04:00

via DListed and The Smoking Gun:

AUGUST 6--A Maryland woman who had fudge packed in her purse was arrested last week on charges that she burglarized an Annapolis candy store. Catherine Anne Delgado, 35, was nabbed after police responded to the Maryland House Hotel, where they found her crying in the lobby. According to an Annapolis Police Department report, Delgado had chocolate smeared on her arms and shirt, and there was so much unwrapped chocolate in her purse that it was spilling out onto a hotel sofa. (TSG)

She also tried to dispose of the fudge by "packing" it in a toilet!

This world is full of IDIOTS! Stealing FUDGE? Her chocolate craving was so fierce she resorted to stealing. I LOVE ME some fudge- hee hee- but my craving never reached critical mass to steal. I suspect a fetish! Chocolate smeared all over her arms, crying in ecstasy. There is no mention if the police checked down yonder for chocolate residue.

Let's not forget the true fudge packer:

Former CIA Director says BE AFRAID!

2007-08-07T12:43:00.000-04:00

They are coming... they are coming...

Former CIA Director R. James Woolsey tells NewsMax in an exclusive interview that terrorists could strike the American homeland — possibly with a weapon of mass destruction — this summer or early fall.

He also warns that if Iran fails to comply with international efforts to stop its nuclear weapons program, the U.S. will have no other option than to bomb it.
"I think the threat of a serious attack in the next few months is very real," Woolsey said. A terrorist strike with a dirty bomb or with biological weapons was "a real possibility." Woolsey's comments echo those of FBI Director Robert Mueller, who told NewsMax in May that al-Qaida's paramount goal is clear: to detonate a nuclear device that would kill hundreds of thousands of Americans. (Newsmax)

Since the Summer is almost over, the attack must be early fall. And when fall comes, it will be winter, early spring... ad infinitum... If, as most of the Republican presidential candidates say, George Bush has protected us so well over the last 6 years and Congress is gifting him all his intelligence needs, how will we be attacked if he is so thorough? Is the Commander-Guy not doing his job? OR is it the same old fear tactics to keep us quivering in our boots and duct-taping the windows?

ARGHHHH!!!

Dynasty and My Inner Fag

2007-08-07T11:46:00.000-04:00

There are few things in life that make me squeal like a fag in a cock shop. Yes, those Hugo Boss monk straps got a half-squeal, the Indian wedding slippers a little more than half, but what gets a full squeal is the release of Dynasty Season Two on DVD. It has been two years since the release of season one and any self-respecting gay boy knows that Dynasty did not get interesting until Alexis Carrington whipped off those sunglasses in the courtroom in the first episode of season two. Then it took off and was every drag queen’s desire to have Nolan Miller design their pageant gown. I started re-watching season one in anticipation of next Tuesday’s release and yes it is a weak season, but it is still entertaining. Fallon is a whore, sleeping with anyone that will provide her pleasure or help out daddy Blake’s business interests. Steven Carrington is the stereotypical gay boy yearning for Daddy’s approval. Krystal is Krystal, a whiny, certain age woman who can’t accept all the wealth. Thankfully, she does later, but watching her act embarrassed about 2 carat diamond studs is ludicrous. Any self-respecting trophy wife would have asked for bigger studs!

Regarding Stephen and his “homosexuality,” Blake Carrington says some of the most ludicrous, but all too true statements of someone who cannot accept the gays. Such remarks wouldn’t surprise me one damn bit from certain presidential candidates.

Here are some of his choice remarks from the first three episodes of season one.

“How the hell can you respect the opinions of a man who puts his hands on another man?”

“…And I was prepared to say, a little homosexual experimentation is acceptable as long as you didn’t bring it home with you.”

“The American Psychiatric Association had decided that it (homosexuality) is no longer a disease. That’s too bad. I could have endowed a foundation- the Stephen Carrington Institute for the treatment and study of Faggotry.”

Damn Blake! Tell us how you really feel! I feel another theme day coming soon. The Institute of FAGGOTRY! Yes, his remarks are antiquated and do not represent the politically correct world that the Human Rights Campaign wants now, but they are feelings that still exist with many people. So, they cannot be discredited because they are from an 80’s nighttime soap. Nor should anyone go on a backlash campaign of boycotts because they exist. Too many gay (since all other words are verboten) people take issue with the pettiest issues like Snicker’s commercials, or a transsexual scene in Rush Hour 3 because they don’t depict the perfect Stepford Gay. If we can’t laugh along, then we might as well retire “the gay agenda” and settle into the suburbs with a baby and a manicured lawn. O’ wait, that is happening! I think I will call it the (a friend recommended) ~~homo- heterosexual~~ heterocentric complex. If you want to live your life that way, you have that right, but don’t expect us other faggots to follow suit or belittle us because we do not want that life. Personally, I get enough satisfaction playing part-time Uncle Petulant, buying cute dresses for friend’s children. I would never want one FULL-TIME ruining my oriental rugs. O’ wait can I even say Oriental any more? I mean rugs of an Asian variety. BLAH!!!!

I digress, the true excitement though is Alexis Carrington, the most iconic character of 80s television. Joan Collins resurrected her career with Alexis’ ruthless, back-stabbing, shoulder pad ways and many a gay boy went “damn I want to be her!” Perhaps even a few lesbians too. So my excitement builds for next Tuesday to watch Alexis plunder Denver with all her might. Simple pleasures for my inner fag.

Here is a Krystal and Alexis catfight shown during the Reunion Show last year. Good Times!

Morning Readings

2007-08-07T09:52:00.000-04:00

The FBI allows former drug users now! (WP)

Foot and mouth strikes Britain. (USAToday)

British forces fail in Basra. (Telegraph)

The White House launches a PR campaign to defend the episonage law that a whipped Congress passed. Here all us silly people thought there was a change with Democratic control. Silly, Silly people! (LA Times)

A Doll's House with "little people" in the male roles hits the UK Stage. (Guardian) Why did I not hear about the US production? I LOVE LITTLE PEOPLE! Icaia, you are the theater gal- KEEP ME INFORMED ABOUT THE LITTLE PEOPLE!

Teenage Hobos in the Great Depression. (NHM)

Winning recipes of the Napa Valley Mustard Festival. (MFO)

The "Sex Tree" in Uganda faces extinction. (NG)

Bush met with Afghan President Hamid Karzai yesterday to discuss the "size of things." (WH)

Morning Readings

2007-08-06T11:02:00.000-04:00

I feel like crap. So, go read the Protect America Act of 2007 and say goodbye to certain civil liberties for six months. All Democrats who voted for this bill, yes you HEATH SHULER, should be ashamed. Speaker Pelosi and Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid want the bill amended. This bill gives the Attorney General Alberto "I do not recall" Gonzales the power to wiretap US Citizens calling abroad. Better watch that language kiddies, one well placed fuckhead remark might put you in Gitmo.

To amend the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act of 1978 to provide additional procedures for authorizing certain acquisitions of foreign intelligence information and for other purposes.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

This Act may be cited as the `Protect America Act of 2007'. more...

from the Associated Press:

Bush signed the bill into law on Sunday afternoon at his retreat at Camp David, Md.

"When our intelligence professionals have the legal tools to gather information about the intentions of our enemies, America is safer," Bush said. "And when these same legal tools also protect the civil liberties of Americans, then we can have the confidence to know that we can preserve our freedoms while making America safer."

The administration said the measure is needed to speed the National Security Agency's ability to intercept phone calls, e-mails and other communications involving foreign nationals "reasonably believed to be outside the United States."

The law is designed to capture communications that pass through the United States.

Civil liberties groups and many Democrats say it goes too far, possibly enabling the government to wiretap U.S. residents communicating with overseas parties without adequate oversight from courts or Congress.

The new law updates the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act, and it will expire in six months unless Congress renews it. Bush wants deeper, permanent changes.

"We must remember that our work is not done," Bush prodded. "This bill is a temporary, narrowly focused statute to deal with the most immediate shortcomings in the law."

Bye bye for now

Klaus Kinski's Illegitimate Son Celebrates Birthday

2007-08-05T19:23:00.000-04:00

Barnaby Whitfield, rumored to be Klaus Kinski's illegitimate son, celebrated his birthday this weekend at the 31 Grand Gallery in the Lower East Side on Ludlow Street. He turned a certain age, but no one mentions it because he is still a bastard baby.

Hillary Clinton- Is She Still a Gay Matchmaker?

2007-08-05T18:33:00.000-04:00

Newsweek has a story in the August 13 issue that details how the GAYS and the LESBIANS love the Hillary. Usual story, gay activists say that she hasn't done much through legislation, but on a state level there has been great strides for civil partnerships and equal treatment. Hillary raises more money from the gays and lesbians though Obama is a close second. The one part of the article that made me perk up was:

In her personal life, accepting gays has always seemed to come easy to Clinton. As First Lady, she encouraged gay White House staffers to serve openly. Shortly after being offered a job as Clinton's press secretary, Neel Lattimore approached her in the Map Room. "I want you to know that I'm gay," Lattimore told her. "I don't want you and the president to get attacked because of me." Clinton told him not to worry; she and Bill could handle it. From then on, Clinton took the same active interest in Lattimore's love life as she did with female staffers. "She would always tell me, 'So-and-so is coming to dinner tonight—I don't think he has a partner'," he says.

While hubby Bill signed the Defense of Marriage Act in 1996, which protected marriage that all the right wingers scream about now but it doesn't count because he was a Democrat, Hillary is playing gay matchmaker in the White House. Who would have thunk it? I know there was allot of LOVE - wink, wink- happening in the Clinton White House, but some gay action too. Please bring back the simple days of sex. It was sooooooo much easier!

Robert Gates on the Meet The Press

2007-08-05T16:16:00.000-04:00

Defense Secretary Robert Gates, who accompanied Little Miss Condi on her whirlwind tour of the Middle East, was on Meet The Press this morning touting the "possibility" of troop withdrawal this year. Can I have a show of hands who believes this? Gates is the only one of Bush's Cabinet who even remotely talks about withdrawal and he is SECRETARY OF DEFENSE. This Mark Foley look-alike is sent out to give the people HOPE; when Bush and everyone else even remotely associated with BUSH know damn well US troops are not going anywhere. These continued disinformation campaigns grow so tedious, but hey, that's the only thing this administration does well.

MR. RUSSERT: Back in February you were before the Senate Armed Services Committee and Robert Byrd asked you this question: “How much longer do you think we’re going to be in Iraq before we begin to bring our people home?”

And Secretary Gates said, “It seems to me that if the plan to quiet Baghdad is successful and the Iraqis step up, accept their responsibilities, and successfully assume the leadership in trying to establish order and then carry out their political reconciliation process, I would hope that” we’d “be able to begin drawing down our troops later this year.” That would be the end of ‘07. Do you stand by that timetable?

SEC’Y GATES: Well, I think what we have to wait for now is the report from General Petraeus and Ambassador Crocker and for the president to make that judgment.

MR. RUSSERT: Is there a possibility we could draw down troops by the end of this year?

SEC’Y GATES: A possibility.

MR. RUSSERT: A good possibility?

SEC’Y GATES: There is a possibility.

MR. RUSSERT: Would you bet on it?

SEC’Y GATES: I think I’d just leave it at that. (Transcript)

Gates then defends the letter Senator Hillary Clinton received from the Pentagon about even asking for plans of withdrawal is aiding the enemy. Give me a hanky!

Some Condoleezza Rice on a Sunday Afternoon

2007-08-05T15:21:00.000-04:00

Little Miss Condi is back in the States after a whirlwind week of selling weapons of war to Saudi Arabia and demanding Egypt release opposition leader Ayman Nur. So, like the trooper she is, Condi does the Sunday Morning Shows to spread the word of how well things are going in the Middle East.

Here Condi tries to charm Bob Schieffer on Face the Nation, but Bob just wants her to answer his questions.

QUESTION: Well, Senator Obama said, the other day, one of the things that needs to be done and that what he would do were he the President -- he said that if he discovered there were high-value targets in that area, in what has become this safe haven, and Pakistan wasn't willing to do anything about it, he would invade Pakistan and do something about it. What's your reaction to that?

SECRETARY RICE: Well, let me just talk about what we are going to do and what we are doing --

QUESTION: Well, let me just ask you to answer the question, with all due respect.

SECRETARY RICE: No, I -- look, it's not for me to comment on what Senator Obama has said. It is for me to talk about American policy. And American policy --

QUESTION: Well, let me ask you, then: Would the Administration --

SECRETARY RICE: Bob, Bob, you asked --

QUESTION: -- would the Administration, if it found high-value targets there, invade Pakistan?

SECRETARY RICE: Bob, you asked what the United States would do and what the United States -- has been very clear about what it would do. We have a cooperative arrangement with Pakistan. Pakistan is an ally in the war on terror. Pakistan is a state that has lost a great deal and has a great deal at risk in the war on terror, including Musharraf himself, who has been targeted for assassination several times by al-Qaida. I am quite certain that if there are high-value targets, that we are all going to do everything that we can to capture or kill them.

The idea that somehow we have a greater interest in the capture and kill of high-value targets who are threatening Pakistan itself, as was shown by the extremists -- who brought about all that trouble at the Red Mosque, who are bringing about trouble in the frontier areas -- I think is just not right. Yes, Musharraf has constraints, but we believe that the future with Pakistan is to be very active in that region. Of course we are going to go after targets and after extremists. But so are the Pakistanis because they have a lot at risk too. (Transcript)

Of course, Condi visited Fox News Sunday because she loves them so much.

WALLACE: Madam Secretary, it's now been 15 months since Maliki took over. It's been 7 months since the surge began.

I know, as you just mentioned, there has been some progress in the provinces where some of the Sunni sheiks have turned against Al Qaeda.

But I want to ask you specifically about Baghdad. How do you explain the total failure over 15 months of the central government — the failure to pass any of these key laws of national reconciliation?

RICE: Well, Chris, these key laws go right to the heart of what kind of Iraq it's going to be, and it's hard. They could have passed these laws by majority votes.

There's no doubt that they have enough votes in coalition to pass a national oil law, that they could pass de-Baathification laws. They could do that.

But they're trying to do this by consensus. They're trying to do it in a way that brings all Iraqis together regardless of what sectarian or what confessional group they come from. And that's very, very hard.

But it's not inconsequential that these very powerful party leaders are represented in this presidency council, that they're using the structure of the presidency council plus the prime minister to try and forge a compromise on some of these issues.

It's not inconsequential that money is really now starting to flow from the center into the provinces which will help the reconciliation that is happening from the localities upward and from the national government downward. They do need to make more progress. (Transcript)

By these videos, little Miss Condi is showing the wear and tear of her position as Secretary of State. She may be at Camp David, but she needs to spend some time at the spa and not use so much blush. O' and stop spinning a thicker web of lies too.

50 Pounds of Tomatoes

2007-08-04T16:03:00.000-04:00

Since Congress is catering to all the president’s needs by handing him even more presidential powers via “upgrading” FISA, I spent the day stocking up for the apocalypse. HA!

50lbs of Roma Tomatoes purchased for $14 from the local farmer’s market became:

14 quarts of canned tomatoes
8 pints of salsa
(There would have been 10 or 12 but I had to set some aside to eat NOW!

Also, my new favorite kitchen gadget is a food mill. When peeling and seeding the tomatoes for canning, I reserved the liquid, skin, cores, and various other bits of tomato in a bowl. I popped all that “refuse” into a stock pot and cooked for 30 minutes. Then, I strained it all and ran the bits and pieces left in the strainer through the food mill. Voila! I have a wonderful tomato sauce that will be used to make a big batch of marinara. I must say that the strained juice makes a lovely addition to vodka with a hefty dose of Tabasco. MMMMM…. It is a nice way to relax after a hard day’s work. Ahhh

MORE IMPORTANT NEWS!

2007-08-03T20:45:00.000-04:00

I have been so consumed by a bickering Congress that I missed this VERY IMPORTANT NEWS STORY!!!

Mikhail Gorbachev is the new face of Louis Vuitton!

Seated in a car, a bag at his side, Mr Gorbachev is pictured beside the Berlin Wall in a new ad campaign.

As part of the deal, the firm made a donation to Mr Gorbachev's Green Cross International environmental group.

The series of ads also features tennis stars Steffi Graf and Andre Agassi and French actress Catherine Deneuve.

The images were taken by American photographer Annie Leibovitz.

Company officials said it was Mr Gorbachev's idea to pose beside the Berlin Wall. (BBC)

The Deauville beauty bag and the Keepall 55 will never look the same.

House Resolution- 8.3.07 Angry Representative Committee

2007-08-03T19:13:00.000-04:00

So after last night's "technical failure," the House is voting to convene an investigative committee of three Democrats and three Republicans of "honorable" nature to find out what went wrong. Good Luck with that! Rep. Steny Hoyer and Rep. Boehner just had a "potential" cockfight with Rep. Roy Blunt thrown in the middle to tease. Hoyer is holding his ground and Boehner is whining. Blunt is just pissed because his name is Roy.

Of course the Republicans are pissed because they lost the vote, and the Democratic side aren't saying any differently. This all concerns an amendment to an agricultural funding bill that the Republicans claim will stop the Democrats from giving food stamps or insurance-depending on what source- to illegals. As always, there is such minutiae. More than likely all sides are full of shit. I haven't read the bill. Unfortunately I have been more entertained by the "debate" than whatever the hell they are fighting about. Hell, these people would fight over a dead kitten preservation amendment. The Republicans would want the kittens used for research, while the Democrats would want them entombed in marble. Such is the ways of our Congress.

RandyH left a comment at Balloon-Juice (Thanks Melmanda) that sums up the entire controversy so much better.

What happened is the presiding speaker called the vote (with the gavel) at 214-214. The vote would have failed. But then several Republicans raced to the vote machines and changed their votes AFTER it had been called. Then several Democrats did the same, still after it had been called. Anything after the 214-214 should have been disregarded. But mass confusion and fake outrage ensued. By the way, the vote at the time was on a motion to recommit (send bill back to committee and not vote on final passage now) because the Republicans wanted language added to the farm bill that you must prove citizenship of your entire family to receive food stamps, which has never been in the law before and was not included this time either because if you are in this country there is no reason for your kids or anyone else’s to go to sleep hungry regardless of your legal status.

Anyhoo, the Republicans raised a stink and the Dem leadership asked to vote to reconsider and re-vote on that motion to recommit, but the Republicans decided they could get more mileage out of this by turning it into a scandal and walked out. At least 100 of them walked out. The House continued on and passed the Farm Bill without them.

Today, the Republicans have their PR strategy together have taken several contentious debate issues from the whole week, over several bills and have rolled them all into one. Their argument goes something like this: “The Democrat Leadership has broken every rule in the book and given up on all semblance of good faith to make sure that we take away Medicare Advantage from senior citizens to make sure we feed, clothe, house and provide free health care to Illegal Immigrants. We Republicans are fighting for the American people who don’t want to give away welfare and free health care to illegal immigrants when so many senior citizens will have to pay more for their health care and struggling, hard-working Americans don’t qualify for welfare but them freeloadin’ Brown People get all the benefits and y’all get stuck with the bill.”

You get the picture. This major blow-up the day before they go home to their districts for a month. I wonder if this wasn’t a set-up to create a fake scandal. The Republicans did not have the votes and they are PISSED about how the SCHIP bill (unless it’s vetoed) pretty much killed the “Medicare Advantage” (HMO alternative to plan for seniors) program by stopping the practice of paying the extra 12% or whatever it is to HMOs than they pay to private practice doctors per procedure under regular Medicare. It was about time the for-profit insurance companies got kicked out because they don’t provide care as efficiently as the government-run Medicare program does. But the most important constituents to the Republicans (the insurance and Pharmaceutical industries) got stepped on so they had to find something to declare war with.

So, IT was politics as usual with a good dose of "I was wronged" with a splash of "I have a bigger cock," and a heaping mound of manure festering with flies. Sounds about right. Thank ye RandyH!!!

On a side note:
My DEMOCRATIC Rep. Heath Shuler voted against SCHIP because it was taking away that "private insurance" monies from Medicare. Hmmm... Does Heath Shuler not care about the childrens? Does he hate the childrens as much as the homos?

UPDATE: I have done searches looking at websites of various Representatives who have been the most vocal in today's Congressional crazy and none of them seem to have posted any statements to their websites regarding this O' SO IMPORTANT fight. Hmmm... I guess their staff has been too busy making travel arrangements than post floor statements. Have fun on that vacation! Even Pelosi on her "staff" blog is silent. Oh well...

More Congressional Chaos

2007-08-03T15:33:00.001-04:00

HA! Just like the rest of the country, the voting machines in Congress are broken. Crazy old "grandma" Virginia Fox of NC makes an appearance on the floor in this video. The always "lovely" Rep David Dreier of California looks dapper in his stylish suit. Too stylish for Congress if you know what I mean. The sheer insanity of our Congress over the last 24 hours is appalling. Both parties have shown their collective ass and if there was ever a time for a third party it is NOW! Unfortunately we are stuck with these type of people FOREVER!!!

MY BRAIN IS HEMORRHAGING!

Rep Bob Allen of Florida Scared of Black Men

2007-08-03T15:03:00.000-04:00

OMG! Florida State Rep. Bob Allen was arrested for soliciting a blow job from a police officer on July 11. HIS EXCUSE:

"This was a pretty stocky black guy, and there was nothing but other black guys around in the park," Allen, who is white, told police in a taped statement after his arrest. Allen said he feared he "was about to be a statistic" and would have said anything just to get away. (Orlando)

HE WAS AFRAID OF THE BLACK MEN! Play the race card OJ! It had nothing whatsoever to do with his cravings for male genitalia. O' NO! "I had to offer that policeman a blow job otherwise all the black men would beat my white ass." Think of a better excuse Rep. Allen! Or hey, admit you like cock!

Leave Brian Lamb Alone!

2007-08-03T13:32:00.001-04:00

A caller to Washington Journal this morning decided to take CSPAN founder Brian Lamb to task for not being a good citizen. I beg to differ with the caller as Brian Lamb is one of the reasons we are able to watch government in action. Lamb presents an objective view and as he says in the video, Washington Journal allows all Americans to call the show with whatever ridiculous notion they may have. Good job Mister Lamb!

Rep. Patrick McHenry Calls Democrats Cheats!

2007-08-03T09:55:00.000-04:00

Rep. Patrick McHenry isn't my representative,but he is from my state and he is a fiery little dickens. I assume he screams to compensate for his diminutive stature and to let the big boys know he can play games just like them.

After the Parliamentary Chaos that ensued last night, (thanks DramaQueen) Patty needs to tell everyone how evil the Democrats are for using the same tactics that Republicans use on a DAILY BASIS. Welcome to Democracy! Everyone's fair game and everyone's full of shit.

Go to Pat Go Bye-Bye for all your Patrick McHenry shenanigans. DramaQueen covers this unfortunate representative with gusto and will point out all his overcompensating ways.

UPDATE:

Here is footage from the Congressional Screaming FloorShow last night. At the beginning, is a C-SPAN commentator reading from the Politico story linked above and then followed by the screams from House Republicans.

Rep.McNulty, acting speaker last night, claimed it was a technical error, but the Republicans are still crying foul which seems to be par for the course when a party is in the minority. Business as usual, my brain swells.

Video of Rep. McNulty's apology and Rep. Hoyer's call for an ethics inquiry from this morning are on my Youtube Channel

I might resume regular posting but it will probably be on Monday unless another Baptist Pastor decides to don drag and engage in some unchristian behavior. THEN, I am so here! Alas, REAL LIFE activities are kicking my ass at the moment and probably destroying my shoulder, but oh well. See ya soon. I decide to post anyway. Damned be Real Life! Congress is Crazy! More Congressional Chaos here.

Video Interlude For Pastor Tester

2007-08-01T18:24:00.000-04:00

"C'est Ci Bon" Madleen Kane

Tommy Tester- A Victim of Fowl Play?

2007-08-01T16:58:00.000-04:00

This is a comment left on an article about Tommy Tester- the Bristol, Virginia Baptist pastor who was arrested for indecent exposure. Possible charges of driving under the influence of vodka and oxycodone may follow. Baptist pastors sure know how to have a good time.

I suspect fowl play. Tommy has been a personal friend of our family for as long as I can remember. I've never heard a more powerful man speak about God as he. He will not even go to places where people are wearing short because he finds it offensive. I fully believe he was either drugged or set up. Tommy, if you read this, we love you and our hearts are pooring prayers for you.

Fowl Play? Is there a mysterious BIRD CONSPIRACY to destroy all the god-fearing baptist pastors who like "immoral" activities while not performing god's will?

Tommy has issues with shorts. I DEMAND to know what kind of skirt he was wearing. Was it a mini or something demure below the knee? The people need to know!

"Tommy was drugged and set-up." Is this the work of the aforementioned Bird Conspiracy? I assume all the birds of Virginia and Tennessee banned together to plant pills and booze in Pastor Tester's car and flew by Talbots to pick up a cute skirt for him. Of course, the birds lifted up his skirt so he could urinate in front of children. Such helpful birds. They are always there when a drunk, pill-popping pastor needs to shower his god-given charms upon the children.

"pooring prayers" I think this is what all the good little children will be doing when President Bush VETOES and denies them health insurance. So dear commenter, perhaps you should "poor" your prayers towards someone truly worthy.

As was mentioned in the below article, Pastor Tester resorted to the honorable practice of cock-sucking to help relieve his suffering.

Hallelujah! Praise be!

Wanted Dead or Alive!

2007-08-01T15:24:00.000-04:00

What's Your Blog Wanted For?

Via Phydeaux Speaks

Baptist Minister In SKIRT Urinates Near Children

2007-08-01T13:17:00.000-04:00

Pastor Tommy Tester of the ~~Tennessee~~Virginia Gospel Baptist Church also wanted to perform oral sex on a policeman.

Police said 58-year-old Tommy Tester of Bristol, Va., was wearing a skirt when he was arrested last week after allegedly relieving himself in front of children at a car wash.

A report also accuses Tester of offering police officers oral sex and says an open bottle of vodka and empty oxycodone prescription bottle was found in his car when Tester was arrested Friday.(WGAL)

AND

According to the Johnson City Press article, Tester allegedly pulled up in a blue 2007 Toyota Camry and offered to give Johnson City police officers oral sex when they arrived at 308 S. Belmont Street to investigate a report of indecent exposure.

Tester, allegedly wearing a skirt, then reportedly got out of his car at the Belmont Car Wash and urinated in a wash bay in public view with children present.

A search of Tester’s vehicle reportedly revealed a half-empty pint-sized bottle of vodka and an empty bottle of Oxycodone in the passenger floorboard. Morris said Tester had told him about the painkiller prescription, which he'd said was prescribed due to previous back surgeries.

According to reports, Tester also allegedly admitted to police that he had been drinking and failed all field sobriety tests. (Tri-Cities News)

I just love ole time religion!

Omnipotent God talks with Banal Host

2007-07-31T22:49:00.000-04:00

I haven't been in a mood to post and politics is leaving my brain riddled with holes and spongy anti-matter. Unfortunately, Our Dark Supreme Leader graced our teevees with his presence. So, I must come out of hibernation to post videos of the Devilish Lord of All.

Dick Cheney was answering questions from the most banal interviewer of all time- Larry King. Two lonely souls sit at a gigantic table while a robot heart beats in unison with the click click of electricity brainwashing the masses.

Dick speaks and all is lost in his murmurs.

Dick speaks of Gonzales, the love of his life Scooter Libby, and the Saudi King he sees behind Scooter's back. Dick discuses his place in our government- he is all knowing and the overlord of all information from every branch of government.

Dick wants to bomb the shit out of Iran, "WE DO NOT TORTURE," unless it is necessary i.e. all the time, and his robot heart has new batteries.

I resume my hibernation.

A note

2007-07-29T18:18:00.000-04:00

I am away for a few days.

Creationism in a Nutshell!

2007-07-28T09:44:00.000-04:00

A MAGIC MAN DONE IT! HA!

Creationism Videos on a Saturday Morning

2007-07-28T09:27:00.001-04:00

Here is a couple of video concerning Creationism. Anyone who has read this blog, knows that I am 100% against Intelligent Design and GAWD.

The first video is a lovely stand-up routine from the brilliant Ricky Gervais.

The next video is a Tour of the Creationism Museum of Kenneth Ham's design

From the Youtube description:
3 students decide to attend the grand opening of the controversial creationism museum.
Hope you enjoy
reporter: Brian Greivenkamp
Cameramen: Nolan Rutschilling and Brian Koenig
*IMPORTANT*
This video is not meant to take any side. Our intentions were to simply get peoples opinions. We did not try and make a thesis out of this project.

My favorite part of the museum tour, is the lovely red-headed woman who says that creationism should be taught in philosophy classes and that it is BAD BAD science. She also threatens to sue if she ever sees public school buses bringing students to the museum. She doesn't want her tax dollars supporting it.

And the man who says the Bible is bullshit. Ha!

Todd Turner Brock Heads to Prison

2007-07-28T07:54:00.000-04:00

Actually he never left.

Back in April, Baptist Pastor Todd was arrested for a slew of charges involving an underage boy. Well, Pastor Todd accepted his guilt and pled to 10 months in prison for soliciting a minor for prostitution and disseminating obscenity. I believe that any sentencing of HOLY MEN should be immediately doubled. Hell, triple the time for their hypocritical, do as I say, not as I do, existence. There should also be stiffer penalties when they MOLEST minors.

Todd Turner Brock, 42, pleaded guilty Friday in Forsyth County Superior Court to three charges. He will get credit for the four months he has already spent in jail and Brock will have to register as a sex offender.

Brock resigned from his position at Tabernacle Baptist Church before he was arrested in March. Brock, of 507 Old Mill Road in High Point, was charged with first-degree sexual exploitation of a minor, dissemination of obscenity, promoting prostitution of a minor and solicitation of another to commit a felony. (News & Record)

His Attorney, David Freeman said:

"He’d like to continue to serve people in any way he can," Freedman said. "His goal is to return to serving people. He expressed remorse for what he’s done and hopes this doesn’t overshadow the good he’s done over the last 18 years."

Once someone is caught diddling underage boys, I suspect all previous good works are thrust asunder!

GOP Bailing on YouTube Debate

2007-07-27T18:49:00.000-04:00

Most of the GOP presidential hopefuls are bailing on the CNN/YouTube Debate. Of course, pretty-boy Mitt won't attend. Melissa at Shakesville summed Mitt up the best.

I particularly like Romney's haughty sniff that "the presidency ought to be held at a higher level than having to answer questions from a snowman," referring to a questioner during the Dem debate having used a silly animated snowman to ask a serious question about global warming. Quite a spectacular obfuscation when what he's actually saying is that he simply doesn't think Important Men like him should have to subject themselves to a rumble with the hoi polloi. And after his last fumbled excursion among the great unwashed, I can understand his hesitation. Answering questions asked by reg'ler folks about what an asshole you are can be uncomfortable, I suppose.

Here's some video of Mitt Romney this afternoon on C-SPAN answering questions via email and telephone. Of course, the topic of Mitt attending the debate was a question and he gave his "haughty" answer. What was particularly funny, was that directly before he gave his "questionable" answer and inability to attend the debate, he answered a YouTube question. I guess when C-SPAN plays a cheesy YouTube video question, it is RESPECTFUL, but not on a national news network. Hmmm.... Also, the video C-SPAN used, was one of the videos eligible for the Democratic CNN/YouTube Debate. First up is Mitt's refusal to attend the debate, followed by his ANSWER to a YouTube video question.

Morning Readsing

2007-07-27T08:24:00.000-04:00

Drunk Astronauts are now a priority for NASA. (WP)

The Washington Post says that FBI Chief Mueller disputed Gonzales' testimony.

The New York Times says that FBI Chief Mueller account is at odds with Gonzales's testimony.

USA Today and the Chicago Tribune say that Mueller contradicts Gonzales.

Who will be the first to call Gonzales a LIAR?

"The White House is defiantly standing behind Gonzales on the perjury matter. Press Secretary Tony Snow yesterday flatly denied there's any contradiction between what Gonzales told the Senate Judiciary Committee this week and comments by FBI Director Robert Mueller. Gonzales insisted that the president's secret wiretapping program was not the topic of a hospital room dispute between administration officials. Mueller says it was." (KITV)

Condi and Secretary Gates head to the Middle East for regional support for the SURGE. (Reuters) They might want to work on some support at home too.

The Army may save the BEES. (Popular Mechanics)

Since last fall, the strange phenomenon known as Colony Collapse Disorder (CCD) has killed off a quarter of America's honeybee population, and threatened 25 percent of our food supply. (A wide variety of crops rely on pollination.) This past spring, a nationwide effort by top DNA scientists determined that CCD is probably caused by a number of factors, including multiple bee-killing viruses. But identifying specific viruses with DNA sequencing is a slow, painstaking process.

That's where Charles Wick (then the leader of the chemical and biological detection team at the Army's Aberdeen Proving Grounds in Maryland) came in, volunteering a microwave-size invention to help the cause. Originally used to screen drinking water for pathogens, Wick's 50-pound Integrated Virus Detection System (IVDS) hits a sample with an electric charge, then counts and sizes the particles making up the sample to identify viruses. By measuring to the nanometer, the IVDS can pin down a disease in 10 minutes.

NC Couple Arrested for Flag Desecration

2007-07-26T19:58:00.000-04:00

Via Scrutiny Hooligans

ASHEVILLE — A couple who said they were protesting the state of the country by flying the U.S. flag upside down with signs pinned to it found themselves in jail following a scuffle with a deputy Wednesday morning.

Mark and Deborah Kuhn were arrested on two counts of assault on a government employee, resisting arrest and a rarely used charge, desecrating an American flag, all misdemeanors. The Kuhns were released from custody Wednesday afternoon
This is surreal,” Deborah Kuhn, 52, said moments after her son Mark Stidham paid $1,500 bond to get the couple out of jail.

Arrest reports show Buncombe County Sheriff’s deputy Brian Scarborough went to the Kuhns’ home on 68 Brevard Road about 8:45 a.m. Wednesday to investigate a complaint of an American flag on display after being desecrated.

State law prohibits anyone from knowingly mutilating, defiling, defacing or trampling the U.S. or North Carolina flags. Lt. Randy Sorrells of the Buncombe County Sheriff’s Office said the Kuhns desecrated the flag by pinning signs to it, not by flying it upside down.

An upside-down flag typically is flown as a distress signal. The Kuhns said they flew it this way not out of disrespect but to symbolize the state of the country.

Deborah Kuhn said the signs pinned to the flag included an explanation on the meaning of an upside-down flag and asked to “help our country.” One of the signs was a photo of President Bush with “Out Now” written on it, they said.

The couple flew the flag for about a week before Wednesday. (Citizens-Times)

Here is some video from our local Asheville station that is pretty damning for the sheriff's department. Witnesses interviewed for this report have a different version than the police department.

NASA Finds Apparent Sabotage

2007-07-26T17:30:00.000-04:00

Via CNN Breaking News that arrived in a timely manner for ONCE.

The U.S. space agency NASA on Thursday confirmed it had discovered the apparent sabotage of a noncritical component of the international space station due to be carried up by the space shuttle Endeavour. It launched an investigation after finding cut wires in a piece of computer equipment intended to transfer data from station sensors to the ground, the agency said.

(CNN)

US Embassy in Iraq Oversight Hearing

2007-07-26T16:19:00.000-04:00

Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi's blog The Gavel has lots of video pertaining to the lack of oversight and abuses of contractors who are building the BEHEMOTH US Embassy in Baghdad. This is video between delegate Eleanor Holmes Norton and Karl Demming of KBR. Kellogg, Brown, and Root is a subsidiary of the all-powerful Halliburton.

Whenever I see KBR, I can't help but think of the time I checked Site Meter and this entry:

Pagan Deflowering. Heee... heee....

Related post from last year.

Gay Artist Burns Qur'an

2007-07-26T13:38:00.000-04:00

From a Press Release at Earth Times

Charles Merrill, the artist who recently edited the Holy Bible with a black marker and pair of scissors, has lately burned a rare Islamic Holy Book, The Koran, valued at $60,000.00, in an undisclosed Chicago location. "The purpose of editing and burning Abrahamic Holy Books is to eliminate homophobic hate," Merrill stated. "Both ancient books are terrorist manuals."

He continues, "I inherited the rare Islamic book from my late wife, Evangeline Johnson Merrill. As the daughter of the founder of the international pharmaceutical giant, Johnson and Johnson, Inc., doors of kings and queens opened to her around the world. Evangeline was given the rare manuscript by the late King of Jordan when she was on a mission for the United Nations in the 1950's."

"Airplanes are flown into buildings because of words, and hate crimes against gays," Merrill said.

Merrill is a self-made millionaire, artist, fervent atheist and cousin of the co-founder of Merrill Lynch.

h/t Queerty

Senator Patrick Leahy on Executive Privilege and the Constitution

2007-07-26T12:42:00.000-04:00

Senator Patrick Leahy (D-VT) was just on the Senate floor talking about the White House stone-walling, claims of executive privilege, and the US Attorneys. About midway through the video, Leahy comments on Sara Taylor's "Oath to the President." (TPM has the footage of that exchange during a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing.) Public officials swear an oath to the CONSTITUTION not ANY president.

I forgot to mention the ROVE SUBPOENA that Leahy mentions in the video. Silly me!

A former political director at the White House made a revealing admission in her recent testimony before the Senate Judiciary Committee when she refused to answer questions citing the oath she took to the President. In this constitutional democracy, the oath taken by public officials is to the Constitution, not any particular President of any particular party. The Constitution itself provides the oath of office of the President. Every President since George Washington has shown to “preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States.” The oath for other federal official is prescribed by Congress through statute and provides that every federal officer’s duty is not to support and defend any particular President or Administration but “to support and defend the Constitution of the United States” and “to bear true faith and allegiance” to our founding principles and law.

I pointed out to Ms. Taylor that the oath I have been privileged to take as a United States Senator is likewise to the Constitution. I proudly represent the people of Vermont. I know it is a privilege to serve as a temporary steward of the Constitution and the values and protections for the rights and liberties of the American people that it embodies. My oath is not to a political party and not even to the great institution of the United States Senate, but to the Constitution and the rule of law. As a former prosecutor, I feel strongly that independent law enforcement is an essential component of our democratic government, and that no one is above the law.

Despite the constitutional duty of all members of the Executive branch to “take Care that the Laws be faithfully executed,” the message from this White House is that the President, Vice President, and their loyal aides are above the law. No check. No balance. No accountability.

FULL transcript of Leahy's remarks and more on the Rove subpoena are on Senator Leahy's Site.

Breaking- Senate Democrats Call for Special Counsel for Gonzales' LIES

2007-07-26T11:53:00.000-04:00

From the Houston Chronicle

A group of Senate Democrats called today for a special counsel to investigate whether Attorney General Alberto Gonzales perjured himself regarding the firings of U.S. attorneys and administration dissent over President Bush's domestic surveillance program.

"We ask that you immediately appoint an independent special counsel from outside the Department of Justice to determine whether Attorney General Gonzales may have misled Congress or perjured himself in testimony before Congress," four Democratic senators wrote in a letter today, according to a draft obtained by The Associated Press.

"It has become apparent that the Attorney General has provided at a minimum half-truths and misleading statements" to the Judiciary Committee, they added.

"We do not make this request lightly." wrote Sens. Charles E. Schumer of New York, Dianne Feinstein of California, Russ Feingold of Wisconsin and Sheldon Whitehouse of Rhode Island in a letter to Solicitor General Paul Clement.

A spokesman for Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Colo., said he supports the request.

Video from the press conference will be posted shortly. Damn you CNN for always cutting away!

Here is partial footage from the press conference. This footage is Sen. Schumer's remarks.

UPDATE:
TPM has a copy of the letter Senate Democrats sent to Solicitor General Paul Clement.

Lughnasadh- Harvest Festival

2007-07-26T11:31:00.000-04:00

I had posted a link in the Morning Readings to a site with lots of information regarding Lughnasadh, a Celtic Harvest Festival that occurs on August 1. The Festival is named after the Irish God Lugh who dedicated the festival to his foster mother Tailtiu, "who died from exhaustion after clearing a great forest so that the land could be cultivated."

One interesting facet of the festival was:

This was also an occasion for handfasting, or trial marriages. Young men and women lined up on either side of a wooden gate in a high wall, in which a hole was carved, large enough for a hand. One by one, girl and boy would grasp a hand in the hole, without being able to see who was on the other side. They were now married, and could live together for year and day to see if it worked out. If not, the couple returned to next year’s gathering and officially separated by standing back to back and walking away from each other. (Lughnasadh)

I LOVE IT!! A trial period before you fully commit. I think everyone, gay or straight should participate in a trial period. Especially all the straight folks who extol marriage values, but then proceed to commit every act known to man that is against their traditional theories. If these folks believe in marriage so much, they should participate in a trial period FIRST before they condemn the rest of us.

The Muppets Retire to Atlanta

2007-07-26T11:05:00.000-04:00

photo by Erik S. Lesser for The New York Times

Time’s fun when you’re having flies, Kermit the Frog once said. And how time has flown: Kermit, or more precisely one of the many puppets that have played Kermit, will be retired to Atlanta on Wednesday, part of a major gift being made by the Jim Henson Foundation.

-snip-

Ms. Henson, Jim Henson’s second-oldest daughter, and Jane Henson, her mother and Mr. Henson’s first performing partner, expected to be in Atlanta on Wednesday to announce the gift: 500 to 700 puppets, including some of the first Muppets built; props; scenic elements; posters; sketches; and drawings that Mr. Henson created for shows like “The Muppet Show,” “Sesame Street,” “Fraggle Rock” and “Sam and Friends” (where the Muppets first appeared). Cheryl Henson has also pledged $1 million of her own money to the center. (NY)

The Center for Puppetry Arts in Atlanta is the recipient. The Muppets should meet the puppets of Creepy Puppet Theater that performed at the Center in 1997. The Creepy Puppet Theater performed two shows- The Sad Story of Fifi and Pierre and Our Favorite Positions From the Kama Sutra. I want to see Miss Piggy perform positions from the Kama Sutra!

One Million + Views

2007-07-26T10:14:00.000-04:00

On my Youtube channel. Those statistics sure aren't happening here.

Daily Show - Contempt of Congress

2007-07-26T09:52:00.000-04:00

The Daily Show always offers the best commentary and last night they skewered Alberto Gonzales appearance before the Senate Judiciary Committee.

The Daily Show highlighted the exchange between Senator Dianne Feinstein (D-CA) and Alberto Gonzales where he was bewildered and contradictory why the US Attorneys were fired. Below is the full exchange between Sen. Feinstein and Gonzales.

Morning Readings

2007-07-26T08:49:00.000-04:00

We had fun with Butt Pirate today, but now back to the real world.

Alberto Gonzales commits perjury on "spy" programs. He will probably just get another LETTER from Congress telling him what a bad bad boy he is. (TP)

Sen Leahy (D-VT) threatened a perjury probe. A PROBE? ANOTHER GD PROBE? (WP)

Congress filed Contempt charges against Harriet Miers and Josh Bolten for failing refusing to appear before the Judiciary Committee. Of course, Bush claimed executive privilege and said "Hell No!" to the subpoenas. WELL, further action regarding the contempt charges is a DOJ matter. And guess what? The DOJ basically said NO to further prosecution. (TPM)

I might as well go back to bed. SOMEONE WAKE ME IN 18 MONTHS.

Bush suddenly cares about the soldiers. He put together a panel and "the commission’s report went beyond just the problems at Walter Reed. It proposed fixes for longstanding concerns about disparities in treatment and benefits at Department of Defense facilities, for active-duty military personnel and the Department of Veterans Affairs facilities, which treat the retired. It also recommended cutting the red tape that frustrates military families. The same day, the Senate "approved a 3.5 percent pay raise for military personnel and the creation of programs to improve the oversight of injured service members as they move through the system, and to improve the treatment of brain injuries and stress disorders." (NY)

CREEPY! a cat named Oscar who so far has foreshadowed the deaths of 25 nursing home patients by curling up beside them in their last hours. (USA Today)

Military talks between the two Koreas to ease tensions on the Cold War's last frontier broke down in acrimony on Thursday over a nautical border set more than a half century ago. (Reuters)

Global Warming threatens coffee collapse in Uganda. (NG)

Ian has a site devoted completely to SHOELACES! (Ian's Shoelace Site)

The Celtic Harvest Festival, Lughnasadh occurs on August 1. A history of the festival and traditional recipes is here.

The Darwin Correspondence Project went live in May. The main feature of the site is an online database with the complete, searchable, texts of around 5,000 letters written by and to Charles Darwin up to the year 1865. This includes all the surviving letters from the Beagle voyage - online for the first time - and all the letters from the years around the publication of Origin of species in 1859.

New Salt Hotel Built in Bolivia. (NG)

BUTT PIRATE DAY BEGINS!!

2007-07-25T21:13:00.000-04:00

Today is another theme day here at Petulant Rumblings. Icaia suggested it and now it will happen.

This post will remain at the top all day, so scroll below.

Butt Pirate Fashions For Every Day

2007-07-25T18:35:00.000-04:00

While not on par with the ultimate Butt Pirate John Galliano, these t-shirts get the point across.

Buy this shirt in assorted colors at GayLand

Are you a Butt Pirate with children? Then this infant t-shirt is perfect!

Available at Flippin Sweet Gear

Butt Pirate Music Lyrics

2007-07-25T13:57:00.001-04:00

I don't have a copy of this song or I would post it to Petulant Music. The lyrics are more than worthy for Butt Pirate Day!

"Friggin' In The Riggin'"
by the Sex Pistols

It was on the good ship Venus
By Christ, you should've seen us
The figurehead was a whore in bed
And the mast was a mammoth penis

The captain of this lugger
He was a dirty bugger
He wasn't fit to shovel shit
From one place to another

[Chorus:]
Friggin' in the riggin'
Friggin' in the riggin'
Friggin' in the riggin'
There was fuck all else to do

The captain's name was Morgan
By Christ, he was a gorgon
Ten times a day sweet tunes he'd play
On his fucking organ

The first mate's name was Cooper
By Christ he was a trooper.
He jerked and jerked until he worked
Himself into a stupor

[Chorus]

The second mate was Andy
By Christ, he had a dandy
Till they crushed his cock with a jagged rock
For cumming in the brandy

The cabin boy was Flipper
He was a fucking nipper
He stuffed his ass with broken glass
And circumcised the skipper

[Chorus]

The Captain's wife was Mabel
To fuck she was not able
So the dirty shits, they nailed her tits
Across the barroom table

The Captain had a daughter
Who fell in deep sea water
Delighted squeals revealed that eels
Had found 'er sexual quarters

[Repeat Chorus to Fade]

Art Pause- Butt Pirates in Action

2007-07-25T11:58:00.001-04:00

Image from the Pirate Image Archive

I can't find any information about this lithograph. If anyone knows its origin, please leave a comment.

Butt Pirate Icon

2007-07-25T11:40:00.000-04:00

How can one have Butt Pirate Day without mentioning the best (Out) Butt Pirate today- John Barrowman aka Captain Jack Harness aka performer extraordinaire!

Not to mention one of the cutest Butt Pirates!

John Barrowman Official Site

Butt Pirate Grub- Salmagundi

2007-07-25T11:22:00.000-04:00

A typical early 17th century recipe is:

"Cut cold roast chicken or other meats into slices. Mix with minced tarragon and an onion. Mix all together with capers, olives, samphire, broombuds, mushrooms, oysters, lemon, orange, raisins, almonds, blue figs, Virginia potatoes, peas and red and white currants. Garnish with sliced oranges and lemons. Cover with oil and vinegar, beaten together."

from The Good Huswives Treasure, Robert May, 1588-1660

Salmagundi is also purportedly a meal served on pirate ships. It is a stew of anything the cook had on hand, usually consisting of chopped meat, anchovies, eggs, and onions, often arranged in rows on lettuce and served with vinegar and oil, and spiced with anything available. (WIKI)

Butt Pirate DVD Release

2007-07-25T11:03:00.000-04:00

All the Butt Pirates across the land, raise your Black Jack of Grog in honor of the Queen of Butt Pirates new release- The Pirate starring Judy Garland, Gene Kelly and directed by Butt Pirate Director Vincent Minnelli hit the stores yesterday.

Young Manuela (Judy Garland) is pledged by her Aunt Inez (Gladys Cooper) to be married to the town mayor (Walter Slezak.) He's much older and "round as a pumpkin," but very rich, much to the delight of greedy Aunt Inez. In the meantime, Manuela dreams of being swept away by the infamous Macoco, "Mack the Black of the Caribbean Sea." (IMDB)

With Cole Porter writing the music and Minnelli's superior use of color, Butt Pirates of the world will "Shiver thee timbers."

Buy the DVD at Amazon.

Petulant's Pirate Name

2007-07-25T10:09:00.000-04:00

Mad Ethel Kidd aka Icaia posted a link to get a pirate name. I am

My pirate name is:

Dirty Jack Bonney

You're the pirate everyone else wants to throw in the ocean -- not to get rid of you, you understand; just to get rid of the smell. You can be a little bit unpredictable, but a pirate's life is far from full of certainties, so that fits in pretty well. Arr!

Get your own pirate name from piratequiz.com.
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