++President Obama wished the country a happy New Year and likened the Syrian refugees to the pilgrims.
++Josh Marshall wants to remind us that if you are concerned about the threat of the Syrian refugees then check out the number of immigrant visas given to all those from the Muslim countries this past year. It dwarfs the minuscule number of Syrians by hundreds of thousands.
++The Donald made fun of a disabled New York Times reporter, who had previously written about him. Similar to his remarks about Charles Krauthammer.
++Been binge-watching the Man in the High Castle. A Phillip Dick story that actually put me off the prophetic writer for years when I read it in high school.
But the point is in episode One when Joe is traveling to the "Neutral Zone" he stops in the Midwest where the sky is filled with snow-klike flakes. The cop who is helping him commented, "It was the hospitals day to burn the infirm and crippled." A perfect Donald Trump society.
++Heard Rush on a car radio and he said something true. The more the media writes about the Donald's lies,the more the Republican base supports him. Because they have been trained to hate the media.
++Pope Francis warns that if "special interests" try to derail the climate talks in Paris, it would be catastrophic.
++Right on cue, my rightwing friends e-mail me a Breibart article quoting a German scientists saying NASA has made up the climate data for years. The e-mail started by quoting Franz Fanon. Why don't they get some conservative quotes? Like Reagan's "Trees create pollution."
++Read Bob Woodward's "The Last of the President's Men". This is Woodward's metier--Richard Nixon, the creator of the EPA. Nixon comes off especially creepy and misanthropic. Based on Alexander Butterfield's archives and taped interviews, Woodward returns to the scene of the crime.
++The "scoop" for Woodward is the handwritten memo from Richard Nixon to Henry Kissinger that the bombing program in Vietnam has produced "zilch" and that it had fizzled. Woodward even calls Henry on the Amtrak to verify. Henry couldn't but he said the bombing of Vietnam had no effect on the war--except the thousands dead. Great read and shorter than Woodward's other books.
++Makes you wonder what effect President Obama's 7,000 sorties have had on ISIS. In Woodward's interview with Butterfield, he said the "Christmas Bombings" of Vietnam solely had to do with ensuring re-election. Polls said the Americans favored bombing. So what's President Obama's excuse?
++Happy Thanksgiving to everyone. Sorry I couldn't be in New York.
Showing posts with label Pope Francis. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Pope Francis. Show all posts
Thursday, November 26, 2015
Monday, June 22, 2015
Monday Morning
++With the soltisce and father's day behind us,we await the decisions of the Supreme Court. As we get further toward the end of the session,we have close decisions.
++The country keeps mourning the deaths at Mother Emmanuel and reactions still get confusing. Republicans are now admitting it was a racist attack. Within 24 hours, Lindsey Graham went from the confederate flag as part of us heritage to an emblem of racism.
++The shooter's manifesto shows influence of the CCC website. The CCC has numerous Republican politicians as members. Now true Guardian and the New York Times discover that the CCC and its leader Mr. Holt donated to presidential candidates such as Rand Paul, Ted Cruz and Senator Rob Portman. You will remember that CCC participation led to the removal of Trent Lott from the Senate.
++I was treated yesterday to conservative e-mails saying that the NRA was created by religious Republicans to protect blacks in the South. What a great distance they have come.
++The CCC took down their website once it was learned that the shooter was inspired by them. However,they soon returned to defend the shooter's point of view.
++Charles Blow this morning reminds us that racism is like cockroaches after a nuclear explosion,they keep on living. Blow warns us that the shooter is a millennial and millennials are as susceptible to racism as the older generation.
++Timothy Egan says that the United States should apologize for slavery. Not that it would do anything but raise the issue to a greater awareness. He thinks there would be no better a spokesman than President Obama who has the skin but not the history in his life.
++Sheriff Arpaio sent his posse to protect black churches in Phoenix whether they wanted it or not.
++Nell Painter wrote an op-ed in the New York Times that said the real issue is that whites don't know who they are. She linked the shooter and the NAACP head who wants to pass as Black. She argues that blacks have a clear culture and a shared history but whites are a melange of ethnic groups who often were;t even considered white until close to the mid-mark of the last century.
++The shooter also turns out to be anti-semitic, something just being written about. For some reason, my rightwing e-mailers say that Jews and liberal Democrats resent the fact that the Southern Democrats were the racists. I tend to remember Jews being killed during the civil rights movement.
++President Obama looked defeated unlike after the bi-elections, a man deflated by the lack of action both here and around the country after the mass killings. His skin has grown ashen and his voice weary as he said someday soon this country will have to deal with gun violence.
++My right-wingers attacked him for a "politicized" speech that ignored other mass murder in modern Europe. They even argued that the Austria knife killings were compatible.
++A sensible blogger suggested that just put handguns and AR-15s on the National Gun Registry, which actually is a type of gun control that works. Some one commented that recent Supreme Court cases made that impractical.
++Pope Francis was on a roll this weekend. He basted the major powers for fostering war and not doing enough to prevent the Holocaust and the Armenian genocide. He was particularly rich in condemning arms manufacturers who prolong wars for profit.
++Mike Huckabee who not only defended the Confederate Flag and said he would stick the pole in someone where the sun don't shine. He also said that climate change is not a settled science, in a shot at the Pope's encyclical.
++The Bernie Surge continued with massive crowds in Denver. CNN says that he could win in Iowa or New Hampshire. A leftwing blogger posted photos of the crowds Ron Paul used to draw as a warning not to get one's hopes up.
++The Catholic Church sent out spokespeople to calm the right who are hysterical that Pope Francis buys into the "hoax" of climate change. You know no other country pretends to ignore the science of climate change, if anything it is too conservative. We are boiling up faster than they acknowledge.
++Wikileaks released thousands of Saudi diplomatic cables that showed the Kingdom bribed and bought their way in favor.
++The Iranian nuclear talks continued and it appears yes that the Iranian negotiators agree to allow inspections at military sites. The majlis however in Tehran voted against allowing such inspections. It seems we have a war of two different sets of tea baggers.
++Nancy Letourneau at Washington Monthly skewered Dana Millbank about why liberals are getting more numerous. Millbank argued that it was a reaction against the tea baggers. CNN argued that the Democrats have gone far left unlike the republicans going Right. Nancy says that the days the Democrats have to pretend to play by the GOP rules is over. The reason, the largest jobs creation in our history and the Affordable Care Act and gay marriage validate the Democratic values and liberal positions.
++Nancy also had pieces on racism in the South that were worth reading.
++Josh Marshall gave a shot at explaining Michael Oren's complaints about "Jewish" journalists. The former Israeli ambassador to the United States said that op-ed writers are predominantly Jewish but they are "too" critical of Israel. He noted his run-ins with Abe Rosenthal at the New York Times. Josh tries to fathom this strange position and finds out that Oren's account of the meeting is wrong.
++Desmond Tutu called on the United Church of Christ to divest from Israel because of its policies. The divestment campaign is gathering momentum and facing blowback from right-wing donors like Adelson.
++The country keeps mourning the deaths at Mother Emmanuel and reactions still get confusing. Republicans are now admitting it was a racist attack. Within 24 hours, Lindsey Graham went from the confederate flag as part of us heritage to an emblem of racism.
++The shooter's manifesto shows influence of the CCC website. The CCC has numerous Republican politicians as members. Now true Guardian and the New York Times discover that the CCC and its leader Mr. Holt donated to presidential candidates such as Rand Paul, Ted Cruz and Senator Rob Portman. You will remember that CCC participation led to the removal of Trent Lott from the Senate.
++I was treated yesterday to conservative e-mails saying that the NRA was created by religious Republicans to protect blacks in the South. What a great distance they have come.
++The CCC took down their website once it was learned that the shooter was inspired by them. However,they soon returned to defend the shooter's point of view.
++Charles Blow this morning reminds us that racism is like cockroaches after a nuclear explosion,they keep on living. Blow warns us that the shooter is a millennial and millennials are as susceptible to racism as the older generation.
++Timothy Egan says that the United States should apologize for slavery. Not that it would do anything but raise the issue to a greater awareness. He thinks there would be no better a spokesman than President Obama who has the skin but not the history in his life.
++Sheriff Arpaio sent his posse to protect black churches in Phoenix whether they wanted it or not.
++Nell Painter wrote an op-ed in the New York Times that said the real issue is that whites don't know who they are. She linked the shooter and the NAACP head who wants to pass as Black. She argues that blacks have a clear culture and a shared history but whites are a melange of ethnic groups who often were;t even considered white until close to the mid-mark of the last century.
++The shooter also turns out to be anti-semitic, something just being written about. For some reason, my rightwing e-mailers say that Jews and liberal Democrats resent the fact that the Southern Democrats were the racists. I tend to remember Jews being killed during the civil rights movement.
++President Obama looked defeated unlike after the bi-elections, a man deflated by the lack of action both here and around the country after the mass killings. His skin has grown ashen and his voice weary as he said someday soon this country will have to deal with gun violence.
++My right-wingers attacked him for a "politicized" speech that ignored other mass murder in modern Europe. They even argued that the Austria knife killings were compatible.
++A sensible blogger suggested that just put handguns and AR-15s on the National Gun Registry, which actually is a type of gun control that works. Some one commented that recent Supreme Court cases made that impractical.
++Pope Francis was on a roll this weekend. He basted the major powers for fostering war and not doing enough to prevent the Holocaust and the Armenian genocide. He was particularly rich in condemning arms manufacturers who prolong wars for profit.
++Mike Huckabee who not only defended the Confederate Flag and said he would stick the pole in someone where the sun don't shine. He also said that climate change is not a settled science, in a shot at the Pope's encyclical.
++The Bernie Surge continued with massive crowds in Denver. CNN says that he could win in Iowa or New Hampshire. A leftwing blogger posted photos of the crowds Ron Paul used to draw as a warning not to get one's hopes up.
++The Catholic Church sent out spokespeople to calm the right who are hysterical that Pope Francis buys into the "hoax" of climate change. You know no other country pretends to ignore the science of climate change, if anything it is too conservative. We are boiling up faster than they acknowledge.
++Wikileaks released thousands of Saudi diplomatic cables that showed the Kingdom bribed and bought their way in favor.
++The Iranian nuclear talks continued and it appears yes that the Iranian negotiators agree to allow inspections at military sites. The majlis however in Tehran voted against allowing such inspections. It seems we have a war of two different sets of tea baggers.
++Nancy Letourneau at Washington Monthly skewered Dana Millbank about why liberals are getting more numerous. Millbank argued that it was a reaction against the tea baggers. CNN argued that the Democrats have gone far left unlike the republicans going Right. Nancy says that the days the Democrats have to pretend to play by the GOP rules is over. The reason, the largest jobs creation in our history and the Affordable Care Act and gay marriage validate the Democratic values and liberal positions.
++Nancy also had pieces on racism in the South that were worth reading.
++Josh Marshall gave a shot at explaining Michael Oren's complaints about "Jewish" journalists. The former Israeli ambassador to the United States said that op-ed writers are predominantly Jewish but they are "too" critical of Israel. He noted his run-ins with Abe Rosenthal at the New York Times. Josh tries to fathom this strange position and finds out that Oren's account of the meeting is wrong.
++Desmond Tutu called on the United Church of Christ to divest from Israel because of its policies. The divestment campaign is gathering momentum and facing blowback from right-wing donors like Adelson.
Sunday, March 15, 2015
Mud Flies in the Last days of Israeli campaign
++Jon Voight made an ad saying that Obama doesn't love Israel and that Herzog is Neville Chamberlain. Voight loves Israel.
++The Likud spokesperson campaigned against Hussein Obama--get it.
++Mitch McConnell said that Obama is on the cusp of a bad deal with Iran--get it "bad deal".
++Liberman said he represented the right-wing in Israel, not Bibi.
++Tehran Tom Cotton said he did not regret his letter at all. Romney's old spokesperson said the letter read like a civics lesson.
++John Boehner is opening an investigation into Hillary's e-mails.
++Karl Rove said that Hillary's e-mails will be a problem. He said all of his were recovered--eventually.
++Pope Francis said military force was permissible against ISIS.
++John Kerry said that the United States will probably have to talk to Assad to end the conflict in Syria. John Brenner said Assad can't be overthrown because ISIS would take control of Syria.
++John Kerry said that only political disagreements now stand in the way of an Iranian nuclear deal. The technical side has been taken care of.
++Maureen Dowd still hates Hillary Clinton.
++Hezbollah sent 800 soldiers to attack ISIS in Mosul, Iraq.
++Bibi's last rally was ruled illegal so it can't be shown on TV.
++The Iraqi parliament may vote not to allow American troops back into the country.
++What Obama is up to in Venezuela escapes me. Venezuela a national security threat? Human rights abuser and corrupt ,yes? But really a national security threat. President Maduro threatens to come to Washington and duke it out with the President.
++The Likud spokesperson campaigned against Hussein Obama--get it.
++Mitch McConnell said that Obama is on the cusp of a bad deal with Iran--get it "bad deal".
++Liberman said he represented the right-wing in Israel, not Bibi.
++Tehran Tom Cotton said he did not regret his letter at all. Romney's old spokesperson said the letter read like a civics lesson.
++John Boehner is opening an investigation into Hillary's e-mails.
++Karl Rove said that Hillary's e-mails will be a problem. He said all of his were recovered--eventually.
++Pope Francis said military force was permissible against ISIS.
++John Kerry said that the United States will probably have to talk to Assad to end the conflict in Syria. John Brenner said Assad can't be overthrown because ISIS would take control of Syria.
++John Kerry said that only political disagreements now stand in the way of an Iranian nuclear deal. The technical side has been taken care of.
++Maureen Dowd still hates Hillary Clinton.
++Hezbollah sent 800 soldiers to attack ISIS in Mosul, Iraq.
++Bibi's last rally was ruled illegal so it can't be shown on TV.
++The Iraqi parliament may vote not to allow American troops back into the country.
++What Obama is up to in Venezuela escapes me. Venezuela a national security threat? Human rights abuser and corrupt ,yes? But really a national security threat. President Maduro threatens to come to Washington and duke it out with the President.
Thursday, February 5, 2015
Pope To Address Joint Session of Congress
++Pope Francis will become the first pope to address a joint session of Congress on September 24.
++President Obama at the National Prayer Breakfast sparked outrage because he reminded his audience that Christians did awful things during the Crusades and the Inquisition. These remarks were denounced by the Religious Right. But he didn't mention the fact that the Crusades started off the first pogroms in the Rhine Valley. Maybe Bibi could talk about that in his Joint Session of Congress speech. Bibi did present Pope Francis with the book his father wrote on the Spanish Inquisition.
++President Obama at the National Prayer Breakfast sparked outrage because he reminded his audience that Christians did awful things during the Crusades and the Inquisition. These remarks were denounced by the Religious Right. But he didn't mention the fact that the Crusades started off the first pogroms in the Rhine Valley. Maybe Bibi could talk about that in his Joint Session of Congress speech. Bibi did present Pope Francis with the book his father wrote on the Spanish Inquisition.
Sunday, October 19, 2014
Before I forget
++Marriage equality expands everyday so it is hard to keep up. Arizona,Alaska and now Wyoming have joined the increasing number of states that recognize same sex marriage.
++ Andrew Sullivan wrote a joyous piece on Pope Francis' statement urging the Catholic Church to open its arms to the talent of their gay laity. No sooner did the Pope issue his statement, which had deep implications for Catholic doctrine than the American Catholic Bishops struck back to get the document modified in a less friendly way.
++ Andrew Sullivan wrote a joyous piece on Pope Francis' statement urging the Catholic Church to open its arms to the talent of their gay laity. No sooner did the Pope issue his statement, which had deep implications for Catholic doctrine than the American Catholic Bishops struck back to get the document modified in a less friendly way.
Friday, July 11, 2014
BFD
++Bill McKibben of 350.org is right that the announcement by the World Council of Churches about divesting from oil, gas and coal is a big thing. For all the talk about the NSA being used to crack down of domestic dissidents,my candidate for most endangered person is Bill and environmentalist groups. If Fusion Centers were used against Occupy Wall Street,the same will happen against groups that protest the XL Keystone Pipeline and the fossil fuel industry.
++The statement by the WCC, which represents 345 Christian denominations,covers 590 million people worldwide.
++Its action has been supplemented by Pope Francis speaking for the Catholic Church and issuing a statement on the Sustainability of the Planet.
++In the United States, smaller actions have been taken by Union Theological Seminary in New York and the United Church of Christ,the first denomination to divest from the fossil fuel industry.
++The Unitarian/Universalist Association's National Assembly also voted to divest.
++Otherall the momentum to divest from fossil fuels has gained speed.
++The statement by the WCC, which represents 345 Christian denominations,covers 590 million people worldwide.
++Its action has been supplemented by Pope Francis speaking for the Catholic Church and issuing a statement on the Sustainability of the Planet.
++In the United States, smaller actions have been taken by Union Theological Seminary in New York and the United Church of Christ,the first denomination to divest from the fossil fuel industry.
++The Unitarian/Universalist Association's National Assembly also voted to divest.
++Otherall the momentum to divest from fossil fuels has gained speed.
Saturday, May 24, 2014
Odds and Ends
++John Boehner wants to privatize the VA.
++Mitch McConnell says KYNECT,the Kentucky health exchange, has nothing to do with Obamacare. BRAINWRAP,Charles Gaba, disagrees.
++Bibi Netanyahu says Obama got Syria right. He says 92% of the chemical weapons have been removed.
++Rasmussen has Michelle Nunn ahead of all Republicans in the Georgia Senate race. Warning: it is of registered voters, not likely.
++North Dakota remains the only state where their law against same sex marriage hasn't been challenged.
++The House passed a law to reign in the NSA but it doesn't go far enough according to Google and Facebook.
++The Senate Energy Efficient Act, which allocated funds for Solar, was filibustered by the GOP, even though it was bipartisan and took two years to design.
++The House voted to prohibit the military from even considering climate change as part of national security.
++Pope Francis issued a proclamation that not dealing with climate change is a sin.
++Marco Rubio said that if God wants to make the earth hotter we can't stop him.
++Pat Sajak said that "global warming alarmists are unpatriotic racists."
++Jerry Brown said that "Humanity is on a collision course with Nature."
++President Obama became the first sitting President to visit the Baseball Hall of Fame.
++John Kerry said he would be delighted to testify before Darryl Issa's Benghazi committee. Boehner says Kerry may have to testify before both.
++Common Ground reports that the counter-terrorism Fusion Centers were used to monitor Occupy Wall Street.
++Former Congressman West questioned the patriotism of Tammy Duckworth and whether she would uphold her constitutional oath when serving on the Benghazi Committee. Congresswomen Duckworth is a multiply wounded, paraplegic Veteran. Sort of reminds one of the smears against Max Cleland.
++President Obama went on a stroll in the National Mall and wasn't arrested by the American Spring.
++Speaking of which,American Spring says Roaring Thunder, which rolls in here this weekend, backs them. Rolling Thunder vigorously denied this.
++The Washington Post,always disappointed Obama hasn't invaded anywhere,criticized the Administration on its Syria policy.
++Bernard Henri-Levy writes from the Ukraine that both East and West are eager to vote. Helsinki Watch,the International Republican Institute and the National Democratic Institute have sent swarms of observers. Vladimir Putin says he will work with the winner whoever it is.
++Pope Francis is in Jordan,the West Bank and Israel for a three day visit.
++BE SURE YOU WATCH FRONTLINE's UNITED STATES OF SECRETS. It trace the NSA programs from 9-11 through today with an excellent expose of the legal fights within the Bush Administration and how the FISA COURT signed off on its constitutionality.
++Read Think Progress' piece on how a journalist almost got arrested by Canadian authorities for having the gall to fly up to Alberta to report on the Tar Sands--"oil" sands as the Canadian government calls them.
++The European elections might yield scary results this weekend as the far-right parties mount a campaign against the whole European project. UKIP in England shocked the establishment with its massive wins in town council elections.
++Mitch McConnell says KYNECT,the Kentucky health exchange, has nothing to do with Obamacare. BRAINWRAP,Charles Gaba, disagrees.
++Bibi Netanyahu says Obama got Syria right. He says 92% of the chemical weapons have been removed.
++Rasmussen has Michelle Nunn ahead of all Republicans in the Georgia Senate race. Warning: it is of registered voters, not likely.
++North Dakota remains the only state where their law against same sex marriage hasn't been challenged.
++The House passed a law to reign in the NSA but it doesn't go far enough according to Google and Facebook.
++The Senate Energy Efficient Act, which allocated funds for Solar, was filibustered by the GOP, even though it was bipartisan and took two years to design.
++The House voted to prohibit the military from even considering climate change as part of national security.
++Pope Francis issued a proclamation that not dealing with climate change is a sin.
++Marco Rubio said that if God wants to make the earth hotter we can't stop him.
++Pat Sajak said that "global warming alarmists are unpatriotic racists."
++Jerry Brown said that "Humanity is on a collision course with Nature."
++President Obama became the first sitting President to visit the Baseball Hall of Fame.
++John Kerry said he would be delighted to testify before Darryl Issa's Benghazi committee. Boehner says Kerry may have to testify before both.
++Common Ground reports that the counter-terrorism Fusion Centers were used to monitor Occupy Wall Street.
++Former Congressman West questioned the patriotism of Tammy Duckworth and whether she would uphold her constitutional oath when serving on the Benghazi Committee. Congresswomen Duckworth is a multiply wounded, paraplegic Veteran. Sort of reminds one of the smears against Max Cleland.
++President Obama went on a stroll in the National Mall and wasn't arrested by the American Spring.
++Speaking of which,American Spring says Roaring Thunder, which rolls in here this weekend, backs them. Rolling Thunder vigorously denied this.
++The Washington Post,always disappointed Obama hasn't invaded anywhere,criticized the Administration on its Syria policy.
++Bernard Henri-Levy writes from the Ukraine that both East and West are eager to vote. Helsinki Watch,the International Republican Institute and the National Democratic Institute have sent swarms of observers. Vladimir Putin says he will work with the winner whoever it is.
++Pope Francis is in Jordan,the West Bank and Israel for a three day visit.
++BE SURE YOU WATCH FRONTLINE's UNITED STATES OF SECRETS. It trace the NSA programs from 9-11 through today with an excellent expose of the legal fights within the Bush Administration and how the FISA COURT signed off on its constitutionality.
++Read Think Progress' piece on how a journalist almost got arrested by Canadian authorities for having the gall to fly up to Alberta to report on the Tar Sands--"oil" sands as the Canadian government calls them.
++The European elections might yield scary results this weekend as the far-right parties mount a campaign against the whole European project. UKIP in England shocked the establishment with its massive wins in town council elections.
Sunday, December 15, 2013
Sunday Misc.
++The article of the Day is by Francis Schaeffer,"The Slow Motion Lynching of President Barack Obama" at www.patheos.com. Frank defends the President from his critics on both the Right and the Left.
++Pope Francis, Time Magazine's Person of the Year, says to his critics he isn't a Marxist but has known many fine Marxists as people.
++Nate Silver sort of agrees with Charlie Cook that the GOP stands a 50-50 chance of getting the Senate. He predicts the GOP will have 50-51 seats after the 2014 election. Harry Reid says this is hogwash. Silver says the cause is the retirement of three Democrats.
++Peter O'Toole is dead at 81.
++Madiba is buried in his hometown of Qunu.
++Paul Ryan says the GOP will be meeting during the Holidays to discuss what they will demand for raising the debt ceiling. But he admits that no one knows when that will be.
++The AP has a story that the "so-called" stand-down order in Benghazi was issued by the CIA station chief and fights broke out among CIA officers in Libya. But no one would say anything could have been done to save the Ambassador's life.
++President Obama is withholding the release of the CIA report on the Bay of Pigs fiasco. He is also trying to prevent the Senate from releasing its 6,000 page report on the use of torture by the United States.
++Walter Jones,(R-N.C.) is asking for the release of the censored portion of the 9/11 Report concerning the Saudi government and diplomats' involvement in assisting the hijackers. The New York Post today printed a summary of the findings.
++The NSA is offering an amnesty if Snowden will tell him everything he stole.
++Danish and Norwegian ships are ready to transport 500tons of Syria's most dangerous chemicals as part of the agreement they dispose of their chemical weapons.
++American officials will be meeting with the Islamist part of the Syrian opposition after they overran the Free Syrian Army and chased General Idriss into exile.
++There are now 23 million Syrian refugees, who may become permanent exiles. Their humanitarian plight has become catastrophic with the winter weather.
++John McCain is in the Ukraine urging peace. He does say that more sanctions against Iran are inevitable.
++Pope Francis, Time Magazine's Person of the Year, says to his critics he isn't a Marxist but has known many fine Marxists as people.
++Nate Silver sort of agrees with Charlie Cook that the GOP stands a 50-50 chance of getting the Senate. He predicts the GOP will have 50-51 seats after the 2014 election. Harry Reid says this is hogwash. Silver says the cause is the retirement of three Democrats.
++Peter O'Toole is dead at 81.
++Madiba is buried in his hometown of Qunu.
++Paul Ryan says the GOP will be meeting during the Holidays to discuss what they will demand for raising the debt ceiling. But he admits that no one knows when that will be.
++The AP has a story that the "so-called" stand-down order in Benghazi was issued by the CIA station chief and fights broke out among CIA officers in Libya. But no one would say anything could have been done to save the Ambassador's life.
++President Obama is withholding the release of the CIA report on the Bay of Pigs fiasco. He is also trying to prevent the Senate from releasing its 6,000 page report on the use of torture by the United States.
++Walter Jones,(R-N.C.) is asking for the release of the censored portion of the 9/11 Report concerning the Saudi government and diplomats' involvement in assisting the hijackers. The New York Post today printed a summary of the findings.
++The NSA is offering an amnesty if Snowden will tell him everything he stole.
++Danish and Norwegian ships are ready to transport 500tons of Syria's most dangerous chemicals as part of the agreement they dispose of their chemical weapons.
++American officials will be meeting with the Islamist part of the Syrian opposition after they overran the Free Syrian Army and chased General Idriss into exile.
++There are now 23 million Syrian refugees, who may become permanent exiles. Their humanitarian plight has become catastrophic with the winter weather.
++John McCain is in the Ukraine urging peace. He does say that more sanctions against Iran are inevitable.
Monday, March 18, 2013
What I've learned in the Last Week
++Gun registries will be hacked by China and then given to Mexico, according to Wayne La Pierre.
++Paul Ryan has to close over 6.5 trillion in tax loopholes to balance his budget in ten years.
++John Boehner agrees with Paul Krugman that we don't have a debt problem for ten years.
++Pope Francis really was for Argentina in the Malvinas war with Britain.
++A majority of Americans now think the Iraq War wasn't a good idea. Paul Wolfowitz claims it was badly managed. David Frum regrets it but not the phrase "Axis of Evil", his lonely contribution to the debate.
++The RNC released a report that a majority of Americans find Republicans scary.
++At CPAC the diversity panel debated the merits of slavery.
++Because they need some outreach, Republicans will support immigration reform. Both the Senate and House committees have completed their work.
++President Obama is going to end global warming by executive order according to the National Review.
++The Obama Administration is trying to feed alternative energy futures in pension funds for the military.
++David Pflouffe says that Hilary Clinton is the strongest candidate on either side for 2016.
++Hillary Clinton came out today and endorsed same sex marriage.
++ Over two-thirds of Southern Baptists believe same sex marriage is inevitable. What's nice is that over 3/4rds of those responding did not believe they should face discrimination in either accommodations for the celebration or hotel rooms.
++Evangelist Rick Bell came out and endorsed same sex marriage.
++Pope Francis does not. But he did choose the name after St. Francis of Assisi not the founder of the Jesuits. Interestingly he said he thought of all the wars when he chose the name, not the issue of poverty. Economically Pope Francis seems to be a Peronista. His first public speech called on the Church to serve the poor.
++Hugo Chavez will not be embalmed because the Russian technicians say he would have to stay 6-8 months in Russia for preparations.
++Vice President Madura wants President Obama to stop plotting against his opponents. The previous day he said that Otto Reich was planning to kill his opponent. Previous to that he said President Obama gave Hugo Chavez cancer.
++Pope Francis' parents fled to Argentina to escape Mussolini, the hero of Father Koch, the man who founded the Koch fortune.
++Cliff Kincaid told the CPAC audience that the Vatican had been infiltrated by Marxists and President Obama and George Soros had been manipulating the Papal Conclave.
++Iran has launched their first home-grown Destroyer into the Caspian City, a stunt which will please Vladimir Putin.
++Bibi Netanyahu is on his best behavior for President Obama,stopping settlement construction on the West Bank.
++Annie Leibowitz did her magic on Michelle Obama for this week's Vogue magazine.
++John Boehner, the second highest Catholic in the U.S. government, turned down the White House offer to send him and Joe Biden to the Vatican to greet the new Pope.
++Rob Portman decided to endorse same-sex marriage after his son came out. He assured his audience that the Romney camp said that he had not been turned down for Vice President because his son was gay. Wanna Bet. His announcement brought condemnation from conservatives who said that family matters should never change one's principles like in the case of, say, Dick Cheney who actively campaigned for same sex marriage in Maryland.
++Willard Romney told CPAC not to be pessimistic because the best is yet to come or some such pablum.
++Bill Kristol attached Rand Paul's criticism of John McCain and Lindsey Graham as ignoring 50 years of GOP foreign policy. The problem with Kristol's Weekly Standard piece was that it equated war with foreign policy.
++The Guardian and BBC magazine printed LBJ's tapes about Richard Nixon sabotaging the Vietnam peace talks in 1968. The tape was the subject of the quest of the Plumbers who brought about Watergate. Nixon feared that it would get out that he committed treason and had the Plumbers go to the Brookings Institute. Robert Parry did a good piece on this for the Alternative News Consortium.
++Rand Paul continued his family's tradition of winning the CPAC Straw Poll,edging out Marco Rubio and Rick Santorum.Conservatives will have to square the younger libertarians with the Tea Baggers. Not pretty.
++The big brouhaha on the Drone attacks may have come too late. It looks like this year's drone attacks are far less than last year and that the Administration is now trying to create a legal regime for future Presidents.
++The Right is upset that President Obama's endless campaigning will make him look like a Washington insider. Okay. Isn't that better than a Kenyan Muslim Socialist?
++But never fear Dinesh DeSouza is coming back to your screens with a second film about how Obama is destroying America. This should be as good as his last.
++The Easter Egg Hunt will take place at the White House despite sequestration. It is funded privately.
++George Will says that the issue of procreation is what will make the Supreme Court reject same sex marriage. Come again.
++Fans--like me--of Bayard Rustin are urged to sign onto the White House petition to award Bayard on his 101th birthday The Medal Of Freedom. DOJ had previously wanted to honor Bayard but after thousands and thousands of pages of wiretaps that seemed inappropriate unless accompanied by an apology.
++A young experimental percussionist who happens to have my last name surpassed his goal of raising funds for his debut album on kickstarter,com. Way to go!
++Jack DeJohnette, Jazz great, played at the Kennedy Center as part of his 70th Birthday Tour. Great and I hope the young percussionist has as accomplished a career.
++According to John Thanis in his Vatican Diaries, Pope Benedict secretly drilled into St.Paul's tomb to see whether any body was there. It was. Now who it was is open to debate.
++There must be a congressional recess because I haven't heard any nonsense all day.
++Paul Ryan has to close over 6.5 trillion in tax loopholes to balance his budget in ten years.
++John Boehner agrees with Paul Krugman that we don't have a debt problem for ten years.
++Pope Francis really was for Argentina in the Malvinas war with Britain.
++A majority of Americans now think the Iraq War wasn't a good idea. Paul Wolfowitz claims it was badly managed. David Frum regrets it but not the phrase "Axis of Evil", his lonely contribution to the debate.
++The RNC released a report that a majority of Americans find Republicans scary.
++At CPAC the diversity panel debated the merits of slavery.
++Because they need some outreach, Republicans will support immigration reform. Both the Senate and House committees have completed their work.
++President Obama is going to end global warming by executive order according to the National Review.
++The Obama Administration is trying to feed alternative energy futures in pension funds for the military.
++David Pflouffe says that Hilary Clinton is the strongest candidate on either side for 2016.
++Hillary Clinton came out today and endorsed same sex marriage.
++ Over two-thirds of Southern Baptists believe same sex marriage is inevitable. What's nice is that over 3/4rds of those responding did not believe they should face discrimination in either accommodations for the celebration or hotel rooms.
++Evangelist Rick Bell came out and endorsed same sex marriage.
++Pope Francis does not. But he did choose the name after St. Francis of Assisi not the founder of the Jesuits. Interestingly he said he thought of all the wars when he chose the name, not the issue of poverty. Economically Pope Francis seems to be a Peronista. His first public speech called on the Church to serve the poor.
++Hugo Chavez will not be embalmed because the Russian technicians say he would have to stay 6-8 months in Russia for preparations.
++Vice President Madura wants President Obama to stop plotting against his opponents. The previous day he said that Otto Reich was planning to kill his opponent. Previous to that he said President Obama gave Hugo Chavez cancer.
++Pope Francis' parents fled to Argentina to escape Mussolini, the hero of Father Koch, the man who founded the Koch fortune.
++Cliff Kincaid told the CPAC audience that the Vatican had been infiltrated by Marxists and President Obama and George Soros had been manipulating the Papal Conclave.
++Iran has launched their first home-grown Destroyer into the Caspian City, a stunt which will please Vladimir Putin.
++Bibi Netanyahu is on his best behavior for President Obama,stopping settlement construction on the West Bank.
++Annie Leibowitz did her magic on Michelle Obama for this week's Vogue magazine.
++John Boehner, the second highest Catholic in the U.S. government, turned down the White House offer to send him and Joe Biden to the Vatican to greet the new Pope.
++Rob Portman decided to endorse same-sex marriage after his son came out. He assured his audience that the Romney camp said that he had not been turned down for Vice President because his son was gay. Wanna Bet. His announcement brought condemnation from conservatives who said that family matters should never change one's principles like in the case of, say, Dick Cheney who actively campaigned for same sex marriage in Maryland.
++Willard Romney told CPAC not to be pessimistic because the best is yet to come or some such pablum.
++Bill Kristol attached Rand Paul's criticism of John McCain and Lindsey Graham as ignoring 50 years of GOP foreign policy. The problem with Kristol's Weekly Standard piece was that it equated war with foreign policy.
++The Guardian and BBC magazine printed LBJ's tapes about Richard Nixon sabotaging the Vietnam peace talks in 1968. The tape was the subject of the quest of the Plumbers who brought about Watergate. Nixon feared that it would get out that he committed treason and had the Plumbers go to the Brookings Institute. Robert Parry did a good piece on this for the Alternative News Consortium.
++Rand Paul continued his family's tradition of winning the CPAC Straw Poll,edging out Marco Rubio and Rick Santorum.Conservatives will have to square the younger libertarians with the Tea Baggers. Not pretty.
++The big brouhaha on the Drone attacks may have come too late. It looks like this year's drone attacks are far less than last year and that the Administration is now trying to create a legal regime for future Presidents.
++The Right is upset that President Obama's endless campaigning will make him look like a Washington insider. Okay. Isn't that better than a Kenyan Muslim Socialist?
++But never fear Dinesh DeSouza is coming back to your screens with a second film about how Obama is destroying America. This should be as good as his last.
++The Easter Egg Hunt will take place at the White House despite sequestration. It is funded privately.
++George Will says that the issue of procreation is what will make the Supreme Court reject same sex marriage. Come again.
++Fans--like me--of Bayard Rustin are urged to sign onto the White House petition to award Bayard on his 101th birthday The Medal Of Freedom. DOJ had previously wanted to honor Bayard but after thousands and thousands of pages of wiretaps that seemed inappropriate unless accompanied by an apology.
++A young experimental percussionist who happens to have my last name surpassed his goal of raising funds for his debut album on kickstarter,com. Way to go!
++Jack DeJohnette, Jazz great, played at the Kennedy Center as part of his 70th Birthday Tour. Great and I hope the young percussionist has as accomplished a career.
++According to John Thanis in his Vatican Diaries, Pope Benedict secretly drilled into St.Paul's tomb to see whether any body was there. It was. Now who it was is open to debate.
++There must be a congressional recess because I haven't heard any nonsense all day.
Thursday, March 14, 2013
Don't Cry for Me, Argentina
++We have a new 76-year old Pope named Francis. The first Pope from the Americas is also the first Jesuit elected Pope. Not surprising, he is conservative on cultural issues,very homophobic, against contraception and abortions. But economically, he has been outspoken about bankers,Argentina's debt problems and the poor. At first people thought he took his name after St.Francis of Assisi but it was after the founder of the Jesuits. The runner-up at the last Conclave, Francis has escaped the sex scandals that faced the other candidates. There remains dispute about his failure to protect priests and Jesuits during the Dirty War. Overall,it seems he is a caretaker Pope for a Church mired in sex and banking scandals and seen far removed from modern reality. The good news for science fans is that Pope Francis has a degree in science and as a Jesuit isn't against advances in modern science and medicine. The Italians got their digs in when they said he couldn't be Francis I until he dies. The question is whether he can get any control over the Vatican bureaucracy.
++The Sandman exits. Yes, Mariano Rivera did announce his retirement this past weekend. His exit was wonderfully covered by the New York Post.
++Kobe Bryant did live up to his promises that the Lakers would make a run for the playoffs--until last night when he suffered a knee injury when he blew the potential game-winning shot against the Hawks.
++The Washington Post is hosting an event for the Donald, who will speaking on Washington real estate. Think that is strange? The Post ran a piece the other day about how Alexandria is divided on the fate of two warehouses on the waterfront. Of course, they are owned by the Washington Post and I have yet to hear anyone in town talk about the warehouses.
++Waiting for a half an hour to enter the Russell Building for an event on Iran's nuclear program, a motorcade whizzed around the building and the President entered the building from the back for a meeting with Democratic Senators about their budget proposals. The next day he showed up at the House to meet with the Republican Caucus, who complained that he was still campaigning.
++David Bowie's first wife doesn't like "The Next Day", his first recording in ten years. I do. David Bowie returns with an album that is more sober than the past but still outshines any competitors. It is an amalgam of all his styles and is impeccably produced.
++Jimi Hendrix hit #2 on Billboard the other day. I guess if you want to make money,it's best you are dead.
++Speaking of dead, Random House has re-issued John MacDonald's The Quick Red Fox and A Deadly Shade of Gold. My old friend Doug Payne used to read Travis McGee in the old paperbacks. The main character reminds me of Doug.
++Cara Black has a new Aimee Leduc mystery out Murder Below Montparnasse. An old Trotskyite calls Aimee to retrieve a stolen Modigliani. He does so at the recommendation of Aimee's mother, who has been missing the whole series. Wanted for terrorism since the 1970s, her mother has been an elusive presence in the series throughout. The novel has a wonderful premise --that Modigliani painted Vladimir Lenin during his Paris days and gave the painting to the old Trotskyite's grandfather as a gift because Lenin refused it. I found the meaning of the painting more intriguing than Aimee running around Paris avoiding attempts on her life. And,yes, dear readers, we finally get to meet Aimee's mother.
++And speaking of the Left, Venezuela has decided to embalm Hugo Chavez like Lenin so all can see him for the future. The Venezuela government still believes the United States gave Chavez cancer and conservative Americans want to assassinate the anti-Chavez candidate. Why, who knows?
++Paul Krugman didn't declare bankruptcy. The piece circulated in the right-wing blogosphere was a lampoon. The telling part, in my mind, was the reference to a Tiffany charge account--reminiscent of New Gringrich's problems the last year.
++President Obama still seems to be reading Krugman as he mentioned that we don't have a debt problem right now but will in ten years--a position Krugman has maintained all along as he urged Congress to stay away from more austerity.
++In case you missed it, Paul Ryan unveiled his new super duper Budget this week to ridicule and yawns. Even Fox News on several shows said it was dead on arrival. Reporters punched back by questioning Ryan on the results of last year's election and didn't this mean his budget was rejected. Ryan admitted that repealing Obamacare was unlikely but his dream. Medicare vouchers have been transformed into a Super Premium Plan. I guess this was the advice of Frank Luntz. But don't be amused,the draconian cuts to the social welfare net are still priority number 1 of the tea baggers and will form the basis for the 2014 election. The GOP gamble is that 2014 will have as low a turnout as 2010 and enable them to maintain control of the House and Senate.
++President Obama has sent shivers up the spines of Democrats with his talk about entitlement reforms and tying Social Security to the CPI. Anyone who has read this blog over the years knows my position on Social Security. Lower the tax rate and end the cap and Social Security will live at full function for another 75 years. Repeat after me--There is no problem with Social Security.
++CPAC is in town with more attendees than in the past. The sparkling line-up of speakers include The Donald,Sarah Palin, Dick Morris,Mitt Romney,Rand Paul,Vishnu Jindal, Ted Cruz, and thousands more celebrities. After picking Romney in a landslide,Dick Morris wrote yesterday that Pope Francis was an answer to the Left in Latin America and a counterweight to the influence of Hugo Chavez.
++Sequestration is taking hold. Don't go to any national parks. They may be closed. Special ed programs in the DC area, at least, are being cut back. Virginia is bracing to lose 200,000 jobs soon. It does not look like there will be a solution soon.
++The Dow ran 9 consecutive days of gains, the best performance since 1999 and is nearing its peak. But as everyone now knows, Dow performance hasn't even generated the much touted trickle down benefits for the average American. American corporations stashed about a $1 trillion bucks abroad this year to avoid taxes.
++Gun control legislation is passing around the states and moving forward in D.C. But controls on assault weapons and large magazines look out of reach.
++SCOTUS will probably decide against the Voting Rights Act. Already red states are gearing up for massive voter suppression in 2014 and rigging electoral vote counts in 2016. Weirdly enough, I am still hopeful that DOMA will be declared unconstitutional and Prop 8 will bite the dust.
++Immigration Reform is moving in the Senate and the House Republican leadership claims it can pass there.
++The Conservative Crack-up continues. No one can future out what conservatives stand for--if anything--and right now we are experiencing the flavor of the week. This week it is Rand Paul because he warns that President Obama will send a drone at you while you are drinking a latte at an outdoor cafe. Next week it will be someone different, who wants to profile Muslims. I expect Rand Paul to win the CPAC straw poll for President in 2016.
++The Sandman exits. Yes, Mariano Rivera did announce his retirement this past weekend. His exit was wonderfully covered by the New York Post.
++Kobe Bryant did live up to his promises that the Lakers would make a run for the playoffs--until last night when he suffered a knee injury when he blew the potential game-winning shot against the Hawks.
++The Washington Post is hosting an event for the Donald, who will speaking on Washington real estate. Think that is strange? The Post ran a piece the other day about how Alexandria is divided on the fate of two warehouses on the waterfront. Of course, they are owned by the Washington Post and I have yet to hear anyone in town talk about the warehouses.
++Waiting for a half an hour to enter the Russell Building for an event on Iran's nuclear program, a motorcade whizzed around the building and the President entered the building from the back for a meeting with Democratic Senators about their budget proposals. The next day he showed up at the House to meet with the Republican Caucus, who complained that he was still campaigning.
++David Bowie's first wife doesn't like "The Next Day", his first recording in ten years. I do. David Bowie returns with an album that is more sober than the past but still outshines any competitors. It is an amalgam of all his styles and is impeccably produced.
++Jimi Hendrix hit #2 on Billboard the other day. I guess if you want to make money,it's best you are dead.
++Speaking of dead, Random House has re-issued John MacDonald's The Quick Red Fox and A Deadly Shade of Gold. My old friend Doug Payne used to read Travis McGee in the old paperbacks. The main character reminds me of Doug.
++Cara Black has a new Aimee Leduc mystery out Murder Below Montparnasse. An old Trotskyite calls Aimee to retrieve a stolen Modigliani. He does so at the recommendation of Aimee's mother, who has been missing the whole series. Wanted for terrorism since the 1970s, her mother has been an elusive presence in the series throughout. The novel has a wonderful premise --that Modigliani painted Vladimir Lenin during his Paris days and gave the painting to the old Trotskyite's grandfather as a gift because Lenin refused it. I found the meaning of the painting more intriguing than Aimee running around Paris avoiding attempts on her life. And,yes, dear readers, we finally get to meet Aimee's mother.
++And speaking of the Left, Venezuela has decided to embalm Hugo Chavez like Lenin so all can see him for the future. The Venezuela government still believes the United States gave Chavez cancer and conservative Americans want to assassinate the anti-Chavez candidate. Why, who knows?
++Paul Krugman didn't declare bankruptcy. The piece circulated in the right-wing blogosphere was a lampoon. The telling part, in my mind, was the reference to a Tiffany charge account--reminiscent of New Gringrich's problems the last year.
++President Obama still seems to be reading Krugman as he mentioned that we don't have a debt problem right now but will in ten years--a position Krugman has maintained all along as he urged Congress to stay away from more austerity.
++In case you missed it, Paul Ryan unveiled his new super duper Budget this week to ridicule and yawns. Even Fox News on several shows said it was dead on arrival. Reporters punched back by questioning Ryan on the results of last year's election and didn't this mean his budget was rejected. Ryan admitted that repealing Obamacare was unlikely but his dream. Medicare vouchers have been transformed into a Super Premium Plan. I guess this was the advice of Frank Luntz. But don't be amused,the draconian cuts to the social welfare net are still priority number 1 of the tea baggers and will form the basis for the 2014 election. The GOP gamble is that 2014 will have as low a turnout as 2010 and enable them to maintain control of the House and Senate.
++President Obama has sent shivers up the spines of Democrats with his talk about entitlement reforms and tying Social Security to the CPI. Anyone who has read this blog over the years knows my position on Social Security. Lower the tax rate and end the cap and Social Security will live at full function for another 75 years. Repeat after me--There is no problem with Social Security.
++CPAC is in town with more attendees than in the past. The sparkling line-up of speakers include The Donald,Sarah Palin, Dick Morris,Mitt Romney,Rand Paul,Vishnu Jindal, Ted Cruz, and thousands more celebrities. After picking Romney in a landslide,Dick Morris wrote yesterday that Pope Francis was an answer to the Left in Latin America and a counterweight to the influence of Hugo Chavez.
++Sequestration is taking hold. Don't go to any national parks. They may be closed. Special ed programs in the DC area, at least, are being cut back. Virginia is bracing to lose 200,000 jobs soon. It does not look like there will be a solution soon.
++The Dow ran 9 consecutive days of gains, the best performance since 1999 and is nearing its peak. But as everyone now knows, Dow performance hasn't even generated the much touted trickle down benefits for the average American. American corporations stashed about a $1 trillion bucks abroad this year to avoid taxes.
++Gun control legislation is passing around the states and moving forward in D.C. But controls on assault weapons and large magazines look out of reach.
++SCOTUS will probably decide against the Voting Rights Act. Already red states are gearing up for massive voter suppression in 2014 and rigging electoral vote counts in 2016. Weirdly enough, I am still hopeful that DOMA will be declared unconstitutional and Prop 8 will bite the dust.
++Immigration Reform is moving in the Senate and the House Republican leadership claims it can pass there.
++The Conservative Crack-up continues. No one can future out what conservatives stand for--if anything--and right now we are experiencing the flavor of the week. This week it is Rand Paul because he warns that President Obama will send a drone at you while you are drinking a latte at an outdoor cafe. Next week it will be someone different, who wants to profile Muslims. I expect Rand Paul to win the CPAC straw poll for President in 2016.
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