Happiness is a warm thread.
February 2009 archive
Feb 05 2009
Empires Decline!
Is my rapturous joy about this subject premature or is it just another one of those movements that go nowhere. For sure you won’t see it in lamestream “news” and once again people who still have half a brain in America-stan are in the minority.
Feb 05 2009
Docudharma Times Thursday February 5
Gonzales Claims U.S. Attorneys Were Not ‘Fired for Political Reasons
Of Course They Weren’t
They Were Fired For Failing To Attend
Pat Robertson’s Law School
Obama puts the heat on Republicans
He says the ‘half steps’ now urged by the GOP for the stimulus bill are the same ideas that led to the financial crisis.
By Peter Nicholas
February 5, 2009
Reporting from Washington — President Obama abruptly changed tactics Wednesday in his bid to revive the economy, setting aside his bipartisan stance and pointedly blaming Republicans for demanding what he cast as discredited “piecemeal measures.”Obama’s comments were a marked departure from the conciliatory tone he has maintained as he courted Republican votes for his stimulus package through compromise. Against the wishes of his own party, Obama crafted a plan that relied heavily on tax cuts rooted in Republican economic doctrine.
But in an unusual opinion piece in today’s Washington Post, and in remarks he made at two White House appearances, the president seemed to acknowledge that his approach wasn’t working.
Evidence of torture ‘buried by ministers’
Judges condemn secrecy over files detailing treatment of suspect by CIA
Richard Norton-Taylor
The Guardian, Thursday 5 February 2009
The government was accused last night of hiding behind claims of a threat to national security to suppress evidence of torture by the CIA on a prisoner still held in Guantánamo Bay.An unprecedented high court ruling yesterday blamed the US, with British connivance, for keeping the “powerful evidence” secret, sparking criticism from lawyers, campaigners and MPs, who claimed the government had capitulated to American bullying.
Two senior judges said they were powerless to reveal the information about the torture of Binyam Mohamed, an Ethiopian-born British resident, because David Miliband, the foreign secretary, had warned the court the US was threatening to stop sharing intelligence about terrorism with the UK.
USA
Senate Advances Tax Break for Homebuyers
By DAVID M. HERSZENHORN
Published: February 4, 2009
WASHINGTON – The Senate on Wednesday voted to expand the economic stimulus package with a tax credit for homebuyers of up to $15,000, a provision championed by Republicans as addressing a root cause of the recession.
The vote to add the tax credit, at a cost of about $18.5 billion, came as Senate leaders seemed to be nearing completion of negotiations. The majority leader, Senator Harry Reid of Nevada, suggested that a final vote on the stimulus plan could come on Thursday.Moderate lawmakers in both parties are pushing to reduce the overall cost of the measure and to focus it more tightly on provisions that will quickly spur spending and create jobs. The vote came as President Obama met with centrist lawmakers to address concerns about the package.
Feb 05 2009
NIAGRA
Or was it “Poko Moko“?
“Slowly I turn, step by step, inch by inch…”
Like a burlesque show’s post-hypnotic suggestion, the revenge has begun; they will not stop until they wring the last breath out of our scrawny necks.
Just as predictable as this well-worn skit, both the Republicans and the Democrats are treading the boards in their anticipated role, as type-cast as Shatner…. only, if it can be imagined, far less likable.
I mean, who would have thought that the Republican’s would be looking for any or all inane bullshit scandals to bring down people in an Obama administration? Are you shocked?
Are you shocked any less that President Obama stepped into his victim’s role like a brilliant second dying to fill the shoes of an aging Democratic Party who have long lost their chops?
“I made a mistake.”
MY ASS!
Feb 05 2009
Muse in the Morning
 Muse in the Morning |
 Focusing a Blind Eye
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Feb 05 2009
The Greatest Depression
1929. The stock market crashes. The Great Depression hits America. It was a depression that took 10 years before America recovered.
In 2009, we could see the Greatest Depression…
Feb 05 2009
Male Template Expired: No More Extensions (Bailouts)
Imagine a United Nations body responsible for the recall of faulty human systems. Surely they would recall the “male template.” Its 10,000 year warranty has expired. Further extensions or bailouts will only exacerbate a doomed strategy.
Its faulty wiring system has resulted in a deranged habituation to violence and war since the beginnings of “civilization” and history. As to the previous hunter-gatherer period, when women had a voice in decision-making, we are in the dark. I wonder who turned out the lights
Feb 05 2009
A Song for Obama
This is meant as encouragement. Of course, he might want to pay particular attention to the second verse!
Feb 05 2009
Pony Party: Dance Yer Heart Out
Pure Elegance:
Pony Party is an Open Thread. Please not to rec the party! & add your own favorite stuff in the comments!
Feb 05 2009
Petition: Stop Land Run Re – Enactments (Edited)
Stop Land Run Re – Enactments in Oklahoma Public SchoolsWHEREAS, S.P.I.R.I.T is working for the rights of Oklahoma Indians, all American Indians, Indigenous people and the peaceful solution to all differences; and
WHEREAS, the Oklahoma History and US History does not provide the whole and true history of Oklahoma Indians or American Indians (Native Americans), and
WHEREAS, re-enacting the Land Run in public schools and in communities in Oklahoma is demeaning and humiliating to Oklahoma Indians, and
– snip –
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the undersigned and S.P.I.R.I.T, the group formed to help American Indians with matters such as these, formally requests the Oklahoma School Boards, Department of Education, Legislators and public officials to abolish the Land Run re-enactments held annually in this state.
Feb 05 2009
More Confusion on Renditions: The Role of Ostensibly Liberal Bloggers
This diary explores the serious problems with the justifications for a limited, legal, and supposedly humane system of renditions to be run by the CIA (or other governmental agency). Such justifications would thus inform the review ordered by President Obama on interrogations and rendition in general.
In contradistinction to the views of Scott Horton, Glenn Greenwald, Andrew Sullivan, and TalkLeft’s Scribe, among others, I maintain that any program of extraordinary rendition, i.e., any extrajudicial abduction of a foreign citizen from foreign soil, violates international law. Furthermore, the liberal bloggers mentioned above have either ignored or downplayed or misrepresented that fact.
The issue seems to bring out a lot of passion, as it should. For one thing, it raises some criticisms of Obama and the left at a time when we are fighting the right-wing on the economy, torture, military policy, etc. But the torture/renditions issue goes to the heart of civilized international relations, and must not get lost in the shuffle. Please read on and certainly feel free to voice your comments. Substantive and respectful comments, even criticisms, are always appreciated.