The Dean boys are first in these parts.

112.

Monica Smith
Wed, 10/31/07
3:00 pm
So, is Karen Hughes one of the Sadies?

---

I've always wondered if she was HW's love child. She looks enuf like W to be his Sis.

Here's a couple of fun headlines before I head off to work:

AP
Fed Cuts Interest Rate by Quarter Point
Wednesday October 31, 3:06 pm ET
By Martin Crutsinger, AP Economics Writer
Fed Cuts Key Interest Rate for a Second Time to Guard Against Recession Threats

http://biz.yahoo.com/ap/071031/fed_inter...

AND MY FAVE:

By MATTHEW LEE, Associated Press Writer 1 hour, 53 minutes ago
WASHINGTON - Several hundred U.S. diplomats vented anger and frustration Wednesday about the State Department's decision to force foreign service officers to take jobs in Iraq, with some likening it to a "potential death sentence."

In a contentious hour-long "town hall meeting" called to explain the step, these workers peppered the official who signed the order with often hostile complaints about the largest diplomatic call-up since Vietnam. Announced last week, it will require some diplomats - under threat of dismissal — to serve at the embassy in Baghdad and in so-called Provincial Reconstruction Teams in outlying provinces.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20071031/ap_o...

See y'all later.

WASHINGTON, Oct. 31 — Karen P. Hughes, one of the few remaining members of President Bush’s circle of longtime Texas advisers, said today that she will return to private life, stepping down as the head of public diplomacy at the State Department sometime in December.

Karen P. Hughes, with Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, announced her decision to resign as the head of public diplomacy at the State Department.

Ms. Hughes is credited with injecting new energy into the administration’s efforts to improve America’s image around the world, more actively spreading good news about the United States while more aggressively addressing bad news.

But Ms. Hughes herself has said that hers was “the work of generations,” an imposing challenge at a time when the United States was fighting wars in two Muslim countries and when terms like waterboarding and names like Abu Ghraib have entered the world’s vocabulary.

The rest here. 

crap!  sorry, kiddles. . . .

<a href="http://icanhascheezburger.com/2007/06/29/i-m-in-ur-internet/"><img src="http://icanhascheezburger.wordpress.com/files/2007/06/i-m-in-ur-internet-cloging-ur-tubes.jpg" alt="i-m-in-ur-internet-cloging-ur-tubes.jpg" /></a>

sure would be nice to have a preview function like the *old* *bad* version did. . . .

puddle,

Watch your language:))

Oh, well, I'm taking my toyz and going home. . . .

9.

Very cute. Your kitty puddle?

121.

Phil Specht
Wed, 10/31/07
3:17 pm


the people can seize the power at the ballot box if they were participants in the primaries first
----------

I can't disagree with that, (never did).
It is possible, ultimately, imo, even likely (independent who'll become next President).

However ones who believe THE "conflict" will be resolved then..., might turn out to be mistaken. Unfortunately or not, "the conflict" resolution IS NOT a trade but rather fight..., Bush&Co. understands it too well..., time to another side to realize it too.

Total Votes: 0 as of Wed, 31 Oct 2007 15:49:09 -0400

All the uproar over everyone going after Hillary. I recall a wonderful doctor from Vermont not only being thrown under the bus by every Democratic candidate out there (and they were personal) - but the MSM delivered as well.

I believe Bill Clinton made some sort of comment concerning Dean during the last primary season - that you have to be able to take the heat during the primaries to be successful in the general election. Does Hillary want to take her marbles and go home now?

Go Rosi!

 Go Linda Stender!

 Linda will be a great Representative and definitely qualifies as part of the better in "more and better democrats!"

Someone sit Harold Ford down and have a long talk with him about telling the activists in the party not to question what happened in the past about Iraq.   We are starting to do the same pre-emptive thing in Iran, and he wants us to hush?

http://journals.democraticunderground.com/madfloridian/1614

14.

mary vb

YES...but the entire DLC crowd partook. I remember when Governor Dean had a call with McAwful about them all attacking him and they leaked it (handed the information) to Begala and all to talk about on CNN and the like. Real nice. They put out "Dean complaining to DNC Chair.......".....And gee, how did they know.....? Watch out, that's a knife coming at your back. ..."for the good of the party"....my @ss.

Our big election here in Virginia is November 6

I am setting up the precincts here in Newport News for John Miller. He is running in the 1st Senate District including part of N News, Hampton, Yorktown, and Poquoson.

Always been a rethug district but we are going to turn it blue. They have a lot of paid staffers from the DNC and the Va Dem party working.

I have finally finished my football leaque photos and am going to finish calling my precinct captains, all 25 of them.

I am making up foldiers for each precinct with info., sample ballots, flyers, hand outs, and all the pertinent info our people need.

I was going to make copies but someone locked my keys in my car so am waiting for my hubby to get home to open the car door. Who could have done that???????????/

Yikes.

Oh well, been so busy here. Haven't been on the blog for long as I am going full speed here.

This is a realy important election to take control of the senate so WE can do the redistricting in a few years.

Keep me in your thoughts.

" title="" class="" />

what is wrong with the youtube link? hello?????????????/

114.

Joan* In*Florida
Wed, 10/31/07
3:08 pm

answer: Al Gore

Source: Colbert to file for S.C. Democratic primary

Story Highlights

Filing for state GOP ballot too costly for Stephen Colbert, source says

South Carolina panel meets Thursday to decide which candidates meet criteria

Two requirements: Candidate must be viable nationally, campaign in state

Opponents argue that comedian makes a mockery of the political process
(no, they do)


By Peter Hamby

CNN



COLUMBIA, South Carolina (CNN) -- Funnyman Stephen Colbert's presidential campaign is apparently no joke.

The host of Comedy Central's "The Colbert Report" will file papers late Wednesday or early Thursday to put his name on South Carolina's Democratic primary ballot, a source familiar with the comedian's strategy said.

Stephen Colbert, a South Carolina native, made two "campaign" stops in the Palmetto State last weekend.

The South Carolina native will not file papers as a Republican because the $35,000 required to get on the GOP ballot is apparently too high a threshold.

"They priced us out of range," the source told CNN.

The South Carolina Democratic Party demands a candidate pay $2,500 or garner 3,000 signatures to get on the ballot. Surrogates of "The Colbert Report" star will file the hand-signed papers at state party headquarters before the November 1 filing deadline.

http://www.cnn.com/2007/POLITICS/10/31/colbert.sc/index.html 

21.  Don't ask me.  It worked for me ONE time only.  

Giuliani donor gave money to Calif. electoral college measure

09/28/2007

(AP)SACRAMENTO, Calif.—A top donor to presidential candidate Rudy Giuliani was the source of the one and only contribution to a proposed California ballot measure that would have made it much harder for Democrats to win the White House, according to a published report.

The campaign to qualify the measure for next year's ballot collapsed Thursday when two of its top consultants quit, complaining they had not been told who gave the money.

The donor, hedge fund giant Paul Singer, came out of the shadows Friday in a statement to the New York Daily News. Singer, a founding partner of the hedge fund Elliot Associates, said he gave $175,000 to a mystery-shrouded Missouri-based corporation called Take Initiative America.

The money was given to a California group so it could gather signatures to qualify the measure for next year's June primary and alter the rules before the November vote. ...full article: http://www.mercurynews.com/search/ci_703...

Al Gore on Domestic Spying

Colbert to file for S.C. Democratic primary

If there's no Gore I may just vote for him if he's on the AZ ballot.  

<>Someone sit Harold Ford down and have a long talk with him about telling the activists in the party not to question what happened in the past about Iraq. We are starting to do the same pre-emptive thing in Iran, and he wants us to hush?

There are unfortunately some activists who are willing to forget what happened in order to help some candidates. 

28. You and me both.

Always an environmentalist, Mr. and Mrs. Gore. 

Iraq, Afghan vets at risk for suicides
Mary Gallagher did not get a knock at the door from a military chaplain with news of her Marine husband's death in a faraway place. Instead, the Iraq war veteran committed suicide eight months after returning home. ...full article: http://www.fresnobee.com/649/story/17872...

Returning Wounded Warrior Recovery Coordinators

VA and the Dept. of Defense signed an agreement on Oct. 31 to provide "federal recovery coordinators" to help ensure medical services and other benefits are provided to seriously wounded, injured and ill active duty service members and veterans. The agreement puts into place one of the top recommendations of the President’s Commission on Care for America’s Returning Wounded Warriors. http://www.va.gov/

Wounded Warrior Project http://www.woundedwarriorproject.org/ind...

On October 23rd, the U.S. Senate passed the Labor, Health and Human Services, Education funding bill (H.R. 3043) for Fiscal Year 2008 by a vote of 75-19. The bill marked three milestones for suicide prevention funding: an increase in dollars allocated for grants under the Garrett Lee Smith Memorial Act (GLSMA); an increase in dollars allocated for the National Violent Death Reporting System; and a strong provision with respect to the importance of research. http://www.spanusa.org/

Johnson-Klein testifies about sexual advances by ex-athletic director

12:40 p.m.: Stacy Johnson-Klein had been at Fresno State for only a few months when then-athletic director Scott Johnson began trying to seduce her, the former women's basketball coach testified Wednesday morning in Fresno County Superior Court.

Johnson-Klein said Johnson gave her a ride to a service-club meeting in May or June 2002 where she was to give a promotional speech for her program.

On the way to the service-club meeting, Johnson-Klein said, Johnson told her about his sexual adventures with other women. On the trip back to Fresno State, Johnson-Klein said, Johnson decided he first wanted to get his car washed.

The two stayed in the car while it went through the automated service, she said. When the process began, she said, the car jerked and Johnson leaned toward her. ... read full story: http://www.fresnobee.com/updates/photo/s...

Clueless Condi apparently supports forced (i.e., coerced) labor.

It's not as if the State Department was ever keen on the Iraq venture ... but the putz-appointed Secretaries certainly have been. Powell let the world down with his dog and pony show at the UN and Clueless has let the country down ... first with her refusal to listen to warnings about 9-11 and second with her total inability to accomplish anything positive in the world, even with the best-trained diplomats in the world, simply because she does not listen to their advice.

Condi should definitely be among those impeached, for her betrayal of trust ... among so many other reasons.

The whole lot are rotten through and through.

=====================
Diplomats upset over forced postings to IraqBy Matthew Lee, Associated Press October 31, 2007 WASHINGTON (AP) --
Several hundred U.S. diplomats vented anger and frustration Wednesday about the State Department's decision to force foreign service officers to take jobs in Iraq, with some likening it to a "potential death sentence."
In a contentious hour-long "town hall meeting" called to explain the step, these workers peppered the official who signed the order with often hostile complaints about the largest diplomatic call-up since Vietnam. Announced last week, it will require some diplomats - under threat of dismissal - to serve at the embassy in Baghdad and in so-called Provincial Reconstruction Teams in outlying provinces.
Many expressed serious concern about the ethics of sending diplomats against their will to serve in a war zone, where the embassy staff is largely confined to the so-called "Green Zone," and the safety outside the area is uncertain while a review of the department's use of private security contractors to protect its staff is under way.
"Incoming is coming in every day, rockets are hitting the Green Zone," said Jack Crotty, a senior foreign service officer who once worked as a political adviser with NATO forces.
Employees directly confronted Foreign Service Director General Harry Thomas, who approved the move to so-called "directed assignments" late last Friday to make up for a lack of volunteers to go to Iraq.
"It's one thing if someone believes in what's going on over there and volunteers, but it's another thing to send someone over there on a forced assignment," Crotty said. "I'm sorry, but basically that's a potential death sentence and you know it. Who will raise our children if we are dead or seriously wounded?"
"You know that at any other (country) in the world, the embassy would be closed at this point," Crotty said to loud and sustained applause from the about 300 diplomats who attended the meeting in a large State Department auditorium.
Thomas responded by saying the comments were "filled with inaccuracies" but did not elaborate until challenged by the head of the diplomats' union, the American Foreign Service Association (AFSA), who like Crotty and others, demanded to know why many learned of the decision from news reports.
[...]
http://govexec.com/dailyfed/1007/103107a...

LA, San Francisco mayors criticize Schwarzenegger's health plan

The Democratic mayors of Los Angeles and San Francisco added their voices Wednesday to labor's campaign to portray Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger's health reform plan as unaffordable to middle-class people.

Antonio Villaraigosa of Los Angeles and Gavin Newsom of San Francisco criticized the governor's proposal in a letter to Schwarzenegger that the unions released during a legislative hearing.

The governor's administration is fighting with unions for the upper hand in the health care debate, as both sides seek to influence Democratic lawmakers. ...full article: http://www.fresnobee.com/552/story/17905...

Two more ... and these will likely be my last for some time to come ... until my new ISP kicks in.

***********
First, yet another reason for our increasing isolation from the global mainstream.

IMPEACH!!

=====================
Published on Wednesday, October 31, 2007 by Inter Press Service
UN Spurns Cuba Embargo for 17th Year
by Haider Rizvi

UNITED NATIONS — The United Nations General Assembly Tuesday snubbed the United States for its hostility towards Cuba, amid fresh calls for an end to the 45-year economic and financial embargo imposed on the socialist island.

On Tuesday, as many as 184 countries voted in favor of a General Assembly resolution demanding the U.S. lift 45-year-old restrictions on international trade with Cuba.

The vote broke last year’s record, when 183 countries endorsed the resolution against the U.S. embargo. The 192-member General Assembly has adopted 16 similar resolutions since 1992.

Like last year, in addition to the United States itself, the negative votes were cast by just three countries: Israel, the Marshall Islands and Palau. The only abstention was the small island nation of Micronesia.

Before and after the vote, speaker after speaker deplored the U.S. policy and said the sanctions against Cuba violate international law and the U.N. Charter.

The U.N. support for Cuba comes just a week after the U.S. President George W. Bush described Cuba as a “tropical gulag” and signaled his administration’s readiness to take more hostile measures to force an economic and political change on the island’s people.

In a major policy speech last Wednesday, Bush assured his support for those in and outside Cuba seeking to replace Cuba’s socialist democracy with a pro-U.S. economic and political system.

[...]
http://www.commondreams.org/archive/2007...

How's this for On the Offense word economy?

"Democrats should Goldwaterize the Republicans by saying that they’re a bunch of anti-science, bigoted, religious wackos who want to bring America back to the Dark Ages, who preach morality but engage in bathroom butt-sex with children while having a dildo lodged in their rectums, who are against medical marijuana but pop speed and pills like Hitler in the bunker, who want to repeal the Constitution, and who want to bring about nuclear Armageddon because they think it will speed up the second coming of Christ.

In short, they must define who the Republicans are rather than the other way around. Instead of waiting for Republicans to define us as a bunch of latte-sipping elites, we should define them as a bunch of white hooded, blood-thirsty, know-nothings with shit for brains who still think the world is flat. Instead of waiting for Republicans to attack us for being soft on national security, we should attack them for being psychotic on national security. After all, Johnson ran on portraying Goldwater as an unstable psycho and it worked wonders for him."
____________________

I know you all can go to dailykos yourself, but I thought this deserved highlighting.

http://www.dailykos.com/storyonly/2007/10/31/18239/043

Vt. town launches new immigration policy

A small town in Vermont is implementing a policy designed to encourage immigrant farm workers to cooperate with police - even if they are in the country illegally.

Under the new policy, Middlebury officers will check the immigration status of a person only if they are suspected of committing a crime. Police Chief Thomas Hanley proposed the policy, which was adopted unanimously by the town Select Board last week.

"There's a potential for a subculture to develop where people don't report things here. They are easily subject to predation from others because they know they won't report anything," Hanley said.

"I'm worried about somebody seeing a fire or somebody that needs help not picking up the phone and calling us because they're afraid somebody will find out who they are and deport them," he added.

Middlebury police will assist in any federal immigration operations in the area if needed, the chief said. And they will contact immigration authorities if someone is suspected of committing a crime.

"If they've committed a crime, then let the chips fall where they may," Hanley said. "Some guy that's working on a farm here that minds his own business, he's of no interest to us."

The move is a response to the growing number of immigrant workers in Vermont. A study conducted two years ago estimated there were about 2,500 immigrant farm workers in the state, many of whom are illegal, said Middlebury College Spanish Professor Gloria Estela Gonzalez-Zenteno, who is a Mexican citizen. full story: http://www.fresnobee.com/641/story/17875...

I was quite startled and disheartened to see the results of the recent Zogby poll saying that 52% of Americans were in favor of bombing Iran.

It is being taken quite seriously over here ... and the story warranted half a page in the Tribune de Geneve (the local newspaper).

If this is a true measure of American sentiment, then I am truly disheartened and I really do not know my country at all. After nearly seven years of nothing but lies and betrayals from putzCo and more than half of the population STILL believes their lies?

Yes, I know that many idiots in Congress voted for the Kyl-Lieberputz (the traitor) bill, Hillary among them, and if that act and such idiocy as the sentiments expressed in the Zogby poll lead to war with Iran, then I believe that there will be no going back for us ... ever ... to any hope of being respected and admired again.

Feared and hated, yes. And left to twist ... alone ... in the wind on the petard of our valueless dollar.

=======================
Published on Wednesday, October 31, 2007 by CommonDreams.org
Attacking Iran for Israel?
by Ray McGovern

Secretary of State Condoleeza Rice is at her mushroom-cloud hyperbolic best, and this time Iran is the target. Her claim last week that “the policies of Iran constitute perhaps the single greatest challenge to American security interests in the Middle East and around the world” is simply too much of a stretch.

To gauge someone’s reliability, one depends largely on prior experience. Sadly, Rice’s credibility suffers in comparison with Mohammed ElBaradei, head of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). Basing his judgment on the findings of IAEA inspectors in Iran, ElBaradei reports that there is no evidence of an active nuclear weapons program there.

If this sounds familiar it is, in fact, déjà vu. ElBaradei said the same thing about Iraq before it was attacked. But three days before the invasion, American nuclear expert Dick Cheney told NBC’s Tim Russert, “I think Mr. ElBaradei is, frankly, wrong.”

Here we go again. As in the case of Iraq, US intelligence has been assiduously looking for evidence of a nuclear weapons program in Iran; but, alas, in vain. Burned by the bogus “proof” adduced for Iraq-the uranium from Africa, the aluminum tubes-the administration has shied away from fabricating nuclear-related “evidence.” Are Bush and Cheney again relying on the Rumsfeld dictum, that “the absence of evidence is not evidence of absence?” There is a simpler answer.

Cat Out of the Bag

The Israeli ambassador to the US, Sallai Meridor, let the cat out of the bag while speaking at the American Jewish Committee luncheon on Oct. 22. In remarks paralleling those of Rice, Meridor said Iran is the chief threat to Israel. Heavy on the chutzpah, he then served gratuitous notice on Washington that countering Iran’s nuclear ambitions will take a “united United States in this matter,” lest the Iranians conclude, “come January ‘09, they have it their own way.”

[...]
http://www.commondreams.org/archive/2007...

22.

Susan

Thanks for being honest in choosing Gore. Gore and Dean are honest and trustworthy. My own first, second and third choices would be Dean.

This is the Democrat who can win the White House in 2008.

I've made no secret that I think Hillary can win. But I find it a sad commentary when her sorry record is ignored  by friend and foe alike.

42.

Indeed

America just can not afford another 8 years of a Republican or any Republican-lite Democrat in the White House.

Clueless Condi apparently supports forced (i.e., coerced) labor. -- Diplomats upset over forced postings to Iraq

Gulag Guantanamo, meet Gulag Iraq.

It was OK when it was someone else.

I hope you're right Sitka. I certainly won't vote for her, along with a lot of other Indies.

Kerry was my last "lesser of evils" vote.

Scientists note brain's reaction to fear

Science is getting a grip on people's fears. As Americans revel in all things scary on Halloween, scientists say they now know better what's going on inside our brains when a spook jumps out and scares us. Knowing how fear rules the brain should lead to treatments for a major medical problem: When irrational fears go haywire.

"We're making a lot of progress," said University of Michigan psychology professor Stephen Maren. "We're taking all of what we learned from the basic studies of animals and bringing that into the clinical practices that help people. Things are starting to come together in a very important way."

About 40 million Americans suffer from anxiety disorders, according to the National Institute of Mental Health. A Harvard Medical School study estimated the annual cost to the U.S. economy in 1999 at roughly $42 billion.

Fear is a basic primal emotion that is key to evolutionary survival. It's one we share with animals. Genetics plays a big role in the development of overwhelming - and needless - fear, psychologists say. But so do traumatic events.

"Fear is a funny thing," said Ted Abel, a fear researcher at the University of Pennsylvania. "One needs enough of it, but not too much of it." ...photos and full article: http://www.fresnobee.com/640/story/17935...

----

Trick-or-treat overload

People to spend more money on Halloween this year.
Halloween cinematic slasher Michael Myers could be walking the streets tonight -- with his pet dog dressed as a princess.

Movie-related outfits and pet costumes are selling big this year, as shoppers flood seasonal Halloween stores and other stores.

Customers are expected to spend more money this year nationally and especially in the Valley as new local retailers participate in the Halloween scene and others plan to leave. ...photos and full article: http://www.fresnobee.com/business/story/...

42.

Joan* In*Florida
Wed, 10/31/07
6:49 pm


btw, Howard Dean is always first, always!

If this is a true measure of American sentiment, then I am truly disheartened and I really do not know my country at all. After nearly seven years of nothing but lies and betrayals from putzCo and more than half of the population STILL believes their lies?

When most DCDems continue to repeat NeoCon lies, it easy for many to fall for them who otherwise wouldn't. 

<>And every one of the top polling Dem prez candidates has spoken of the, "threat from Iran," amd how Iran, "must be stopped."

<>And worst of all is how some of our friends on this blog are willing to ignore such bellicosity from their own favorites.

OK, so this is funny:

Ecuador Demands Military Base In Miami



[Thanks to Mark Shapiro, who sent this in.]



Oct 22, 2007 By Phil Stewart, (Reuters)




Ecuador’s leftist President Rafael Correa said Washington must let him open a military base in Miami if the United States wants to keep using an air base on Ecuador’s Pacific coast.


Correa has refused to renew Washington’s lease on the Manta air base, set to expire in 2009. U.S. officials say it is vital for counter-narcotics surveillance operations on Pacific drug-running routes.

“We’ll renew the base on one condition: that they let us put a base in Miami -- an Ecuadorean base,” Correa said in an interview during a trip to Italy.

“If there’s no problem having foreign soldiers on a country’s soil, surely they’ll let us have an Ecuadorean base in the United States.”

Correa, a popular leftist economist, had promised to cut off his arm before extending the lease that ends in 2009 and has called U.S. President George W. Bush a “dimwit”.

He rejected the idea that the episode reflected on U.S. ties at all.

“This is the only North American military base in South America,” he said.

“So, then the other South American countries don’t have good relations with the United States because they don’t have military bases? That doesn’t make any sense.”

 


 

I certainly won't vote for her, along with a lot of other Indies.

I can't say what I'll do a year from now. But I hope there's a Green on my ballot so I'll have a real choice. Last time Kerry and Bush were it. 

did u know that a texas firm is   sending electric chairs to iraq?

for what?

omg.

and they have no electricity. that is the only saving grace.

Ecuador’s leftist President Rafael Correa said Washington must let him open a military base in Miami if the United States wants to keep using an air base on Ecuador’s Pacific coast.

interesting Judge.


Long waits on death row cruel for prisoners, victims: judge

Letting California's death row prisoners wait through more than 20 years of appeals is cruel for the families of both the victims and the convicts, said a veteran federal judge who wants to see appeals move more quickly through the courts.

"For the victim's family, it is inexpressibly cruel to wait and wait for a final resolution. That's also true for the family of the accused. It's cruel both ways," said Judge Arthur Alarcon, senior judge with the U.S. 9th Circuit Court of Appeals in Los Angeles.

Alarcon spoke Tuesday at a luncheon meeting of the Fresno County Bar Association's appellate law section. ...full article: http://www.fresnobee.com/local/crime/sto...