Slots bill tinkering may open door for hockey arena
Slots bill tinkering may open door for hockey arena. I am what you might call a hockey freak so the following comments may come as a surprise. The idea that the only way the State of Pennsylvania can pass the proposed gambling legislation is by tying it into keeping the Penguins in Pittsburgh is sad. As much as I love hockey, I don’t think holding the team hostage for a new arena is the right thing to do. Any new arena is going to bring increased ticket prices, considering that we can barely fill half of Mellon Arena when the Pens play now what makes anyone believe that people will come out in droves to pay higher ticket prices at a new arena? The only way the Penguins are going to increase ticket sales is to put a decent team on the ice which they have failed to do for the past several years. If I had a choice between a new arena funded by slots vs. no new arena and the chance of the Pens being sold I vote for the latter.
America is Asking… About Felon Voter Purges in Florida
America is Asking… About Felon Voter Purges in Florida – Center for American Progress. Could it be possible that the word is finally starting to leak out regarding the truth of the 2000 Florida election debacle?
If you are black then you must read this article, One million black votes didn’t count in the 2000 presidential election.
For a full accounting of the Florida election head on over to Greg Palast’s website.
BRB…
The past several days have been extremely busy for me. I was in NYC Monday through Wednesday for a meeting. While there I had the pleasure of seeing a double-feature of Supersize Me and The Hunting of the President at the Angelika Film Center with a friend Tuesday night. Both movies were excellent but my friend and I agree that one should not consider seeing these two movies as well as Fahrenheit 9/11 within a 24 hour period because it will lead to a certain head explosion reminicient of Scanners.
On a different note, a close friend of mine is taking the plunge into marrital bliss this weekend, so I will be be leaving for Detroit shortly. Expect little to no posting activity until early next week.
The Name Game
In what has become a predictable pattern of deception, Newsday is now reporting [CIA: No Iraqi Officer Link] that comments from John Lehman on Sunday’s Meet the Press that a member of Saddam’s administration “was a very prominent member of al-Qaida” were not true. The name of the Iraqi official who was in Saddam’s Fedayeen was Ahmad Hikmat Shakir, the name of the person who met with al-Qaida was Ahmad Hikmat Shakir al-Azzawi. Gee, those names sound sorta alike, yeah, that’s the ticket. Is is possible that Leeman employed Katherine Harris’ friends over at ChoicePoint to look at this list of names?
GOP Takes on PBS
As if they have not already infested every other (formerly) respectable news service in this country, now they are taking on PBS. PBS’s new weekly standard: Tucker Carlson … [Media Matters for America]
Is Neoconservatism Born of Fascism?
I found this interesting article, Flirting with Fascism, in The American Conservative. In short, John Laughland sets his sights on one of the neoconservative movements preeminent thinkers Michael Ledeen, calling out his roots as a “fascist-movement apologist.”
Like his claim that the common ground between Nazism and Italian fascism was “exceedingly minimal”—Ledeen writes, “The fact of the Axis Pact should not be permitted to become the overriding consideration in this analysis”—Ledeen’s careful distinction between fascist “regime” and “movement” makes him a clear apologist for the latter. “While “fascism-movement” was overcome and eventually suppressed by “fascism-regime,’” he explains, “fascism nevertheless constituted a political revolution in Italy. For the first time, there was an attempt to mobilize the masses and to involve them in the political life of the country.”
Laughland goes on to draw what he calls “prophetic” connections between the the American neoconservative movement and the fascist movement in Italy.
As Ledeen shows, the Italian fascists expressed their desire “to tear down the old order” (his words from 2002) in terms that are curiously anticipatory of a famous statement in 2003 by the Defense Secretary, Donald Rumsfeld. In 1932, Asvero Gravelli also divided Europe into “old” and “new” when he wrote, in Towards the Fascist International, “Either old Europe or young Europe. Fascism is the gravedigger of old Europe. Now the forces of the Fascist International are rising.” It all sounds rather prophetic.
Morpheus
Just for fun I decided to take this little quiz professing to tell which of the Greek Gods one is most like. Here are my results (sorry about the text in the image, my blog template will not allow me to publish the picture at full size, ugh).
Morpheus
?? Which Of The Greek Gods Are You ??
brought to you by Quizilla
News Audiences Increasingly Politicized
Overview: News Audiences Increasingly Politicized
The above report by the Pew Research Center for the People and the Press is worth reading but the biggest shocker is this:
Who the hell are the 21% of Democrats watching Fox News? If you know one please beat them about the head and shoulders.
Here Is What We Are Dealing With
I would not normally do this but I thought it was worth it to illustrate a point. Earlier today a Republican ‘friend’ of mine took it upon himself to send me this message from the ghost of Gen. Patton [PDF]. Now this is the third time I have received this stupid email in one form or another but this time it really ticked me off. In light of the obvious misinformation campaign the adminstration is waging to try and hold up the Saddam-9/11 link I had to respond back. Following is the dialogue that ensued across several email messages, my comments are in bold while his are in italics:
———-
Funny, Goebbels would be proud of you. Now get back to work and quit wasting my time.
———-
I’ve got [mutual friend’s] email while he’s in Iraq with Marines [division name removed] letting the terrorist take pot shots at him instead of having the terrorist focus on us at home. All while his wife and 5 and 2 year old girls are here missing their daddy. I’ll be sure to let him know that your mind has become so warped with leftist propaganda that you compare what he’s doing with the nazis. Just so you know what really going on, here are some of his emails to me….
[remainder of message deleted to protect mutual friend's idenity]
———-
I was not comparing what [mutual friend] or anyone else over in Iraq is doing to the Nazi’s, I was comparing your propaganda email to Joseph Goebbels, the Nazi Minister of Propaganda. Big difference! By the way, [mutual friend] should not be there in the first place and that is my whole point. What the f!@# does Iraq have to do with 9/11? Nothing. It is irresponsible crap like you sent me that keeps people thinking that somehow Saddam was tied to 9/11. In the mean time, we are pouring billions ($150 Billion to date) and countless American lives into this war instead of focusing on truly fighting terror at home. Believe what you want about my position but I will tell you this, it is solely based on giving a shit about [mutual friend] and every other soldiers who could potentially lose their life over in W’s extracurricular war.
PS those underlined words are hyperlinks from two conservative newspapers, give them a read.
———-
Bush never said the war with Iraq had anything to do with 9/11 directly. It had to do with terrorism. Find me the quote that said we were going into Iraq because of 9/11! He said Saddam posed a threat to the US. It’s a fact that he tried to put a terrorist group together and assasinate Bush 1. We had a leader of an oil rich country that wanted a way to strike out at the US. He had plenty of money and 9/11 showed it was possible. So we took him out. Rightfully so. If you don’t believe me, how about believing our old arch enemy. Click the link if you want to open your eyes.
Russia ‘warned U.S. about Saddam’
———-
First question, why would Putin only now make these claims? If they were so true then why were they not a part of the pretext for war instead of WMD? It certainly would have made more sense wouldn’t it?
Next, to answer your “find me the quote” request…
Text of a Letter from the President to the Speaker of the House of Representatives and President Pro Tempore of the Senate
March 21, 2003
Dear Mr. Speaker: (Dear Mr. President:)
On March 18, 2003, I made available to you, consistent with section 3(b) of the Authorization for Use of Military Force Against Iraq Resolution of 2002 (Public Law 107-243), my determination that further diplomatic and other peaceful means alone will neither adequately protect the national security of the United States against the continuing threat posed by Iraq, nor lead to enforcement of all relevant United Nations Security Council resolutions regarding Iraq.
I have reluctantly concluded, along with other coalition leaders, that only the use of armed force will accomplish these objectives and restore international peace and security in the area. I have also determined that the use of armed force against Iraq is consistent with the United States and other countries continuing to take the necessary actions against international terrorists and terrorist organizations, including those nations, organizations, or persons who planned, authorized, committed, or aided the terrorist attacks that occurred on September 11, 2001. United States objectives also support a transition to democracy in Iraq, as contemplated by the Iraq Liberation Act of 1998 (Public Law 105-338).
Consistent with the War Powers Resolution (Public Law 93-148), I now inform you that pursuant to my authority as Commander in Chief and consistent with the Authorization for Use of Military Force Against Iraq Resolution (Public Law 102-1) and the Authorization for Use of Military Force Against Iraq Resolution of 2002 (Public Law 107-243), I directed U.S. Armed Forces, operating with other coalition forces, to commence combat operations on March 19, 2003, against Iraq.
These military operations have been carefully planned to accomplish our goals with the minimum loss of life among coalition military forces and to innocent civilians. It is not possible to know at this time either the duration of active combat operations or the scope or duration of the deployment of U.S. Armed Forces necessary to accomplish our goals fully.
As we continue our united efforts to disarm Iraq in pursuit of peace, stability, and security both in the Gulf region and in the United States, I look forward to our continued consultation and cooperation.
Sincerely,
GEORGE W. BUSH
———-
Wow! Now you are really stretching. You think Russia is lying to help Bush? The same Russia that all along opposed the war. Please! I am assuming you wanted me to pay attention to the RED section. So here..
“I have also determined that the use of armed force against Iraq is consistent with the United States and other countries continuing to take the necessary actions against international terrorists and terrorist organizations, including those nations, organizations, or persons who planned, authorized, committed, or aided the terrorist attacks that occurred on September 11, 2001.”
Please direct me to where he says Iraq aided in 9/11. You do see the comma after “international terrorists and terrorist organizations” right? Seems that sums up Saddam pretty well. He then includes other groups that aided in 9/11 putting them on notice they are coming after them too. Please learn puncuation in the english language!
———-
Man you are dense…read the ENTIRE sentence. “The use of armed force against Iraq is consistent with…the necessary actions against international terrorists… OR aided the terrorist attacks that occurred on September 11, 2001.” Either he is saying that Iraq is a terrorist organization, not, or that they planned, authorized, committed, or aided the terrorist attacks. Pretty straight forward. But you will obviously believe what you want so I will allow the country to decide in November. Good luck.
Costume
by Thomas Burns
Republished with the permission of Thomas Burns.
Chairman of Shell "Really Worried For the Planet"
In and interview that will undoubtedly anger the “global warming is a hoax” bunch in Washington, Ron Oxburgh, Chairman of the British division of Shell told The Guardian,
No one can be comfortable at the prospect of continuing to pump out the amounts of carbon dioxide that we are at present. People are going to go on allowing this atmospheric carbon dioxide to build up, with consequences that we really can’t predict, but are probably not good.
Many scientists claim that the White House denies climate change even exists, supressing any studies that do not suit it’s policy agenda. Case in point, in February The Observer reported in a piece entitled, “Now the Pentagon tells Bush: climate change will destroy us” that a secret report [PDF], commissioned by Pentagon defense adviser Andrew Marshall, said climate change “should be elevated beyond a scientific debate to a US national security concern.” Marshall, a Pentagon icon originally appointed by Nixon, quickly downplayed the report saying, “the study reflects the limits of scientific models and information when it comes to predicting the effects of abrupt global warming.”
Now if you want to do something about climate change head on over Native Energy and do something about it.
The People’s Media Reaches More People Than FOX
The People’s Media Reaches More People Than FOX Does
9/11 Panel Finds No Ties Between Iraq & Al Qaeda
Contrary to persistent statements from the Dick Cheney, most recently Monday, the 9/11 Commission has found no credible evidence of a tie between Iraq and Al Qaeda.
washingtonpost.com: 9/11 Panel Finds No Collaboration Between Iraq, Al Qaeda
Hopefully this confirmation will have an effect on the prevailing American belief, purposely created by the White House, that Saddam was responsible for 9/11? USATODAY.com – Poll: 70% believe Saddam, 9-11 link
Finally, have a look at the full report from the 9/11 Commission.
Detroit 100 Los Angeles 87
R-E-S-P-E-C-T
Have a look at the front page of today’s Detroit Free Press!!!
Now enjoy a break from politics with another fantastic piece from Motown’s own Mitch Albom, It’s guts over glitz for title.
Lastly, I seriously hope that my friend TCF’s statistical vodoun holds true, that way President John Kerry will get the pleasure of welcoming the 2004 World Champion Detroit Pistons to the White House. Chauncey Billups put it so well when he said, “Never stop dreaming.”
20 Outrageous Assertions, Shameless Lies and Broke…
20 Outrageous Assertions, Shameless Lies and Broken Promises
With Senator Kerry holding onto a slim seven point lead (hey I was sweating until the Pistons were up by 20) in the a recent poll, I thought it pruden to remind Americans of the bill of goods the GOP sold America in 2000. Revisiting the 2000 GOP Platform: 20 Outrageous Assertions, Shameless Lies and Broken Promises – Maureen Farrell at BuzzFlash.com
Don’t read this rant if you are squeamish, in the …
Don’t read this rant if you are squeamish, in the KKK, or are in any way considering or have ever voted Republican. The Cold Truth Vol. 11: The Stupid Americans
Incestuous Marriage of Church and State Help me…
Incestuous Marriage of Church and State
Help me out here, at what point do the actions of the Christian Right cross the line between Church and State? The Southern Baptist Convention, which has a long and sordid history of right-wing political activism, is at it again. According to this piece from the South Florida Sun-Sentinel, Citing anti-American thinking, Southern Baptist Convention quits Alliance, the SBC is pulling out of the Baptist World Alliance because it has “adopted liberal theology and ‘anti-American’ thinking.” When they say liberal thinking they mean, quite simply LIBERAL. Remember these are the same people who complained when Al Gore spoke at a Buddhist Temple in 2000. Now I could care less what the SBC does or does not do so long as when their activities become political that they lose their damned tax exempt status! You and I should not have to subsidize their xenophobic agenda.
On the subject of Church/State issues, the leader of the pack when it comes to blurring the lines between Church and State has to be the Christian Coalition of America. These people have no shame. They have hijacked Christianity and claimed it as their own PAC. Have a look at the list of issues posted on their website. Now the administration is trying to get Catholics to join them in their incestuous marriage of Church and State.
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