I suspect this has something to do with all the Halliburton scandals (kickbacks, overcharging, etc.), as well as how we’ve been outsourcing our military/intelligence operations to a bunch of non-accountable mercenary companies: Established by an act of Congress in 1979, the Federal Procurement Data System was a rare island of public information, the only complete record of federal contracts. Using … Read More
Rush On Armed Forces Radio
Before I rant, a smattering of statistics: Number of USO tours done by Al Franken: 4Number of USO tours done by Rush Limbaugh: 0 Number of well-received USO tours done by Al Franken: 4Number of well-received USO tours done by Rush Limbaugh: 0 Just thought I would throw it out there. You know, for perspective. So here’s one question — … Read More
Outrage Fatigue
It’s almost hard for me to get angry at the Bush White House anymore. The parade of lies and obfuscations over the past few months has left me so jaded-exhausted that each new piece of offensive news relating to the Bush Administration is greeted by me with ho-hum-so-what-else-is-new ennui, rather than the indignation it properly reserves. Here’s the latest in … Read More
New York Times Embarrassed By Its Lack Of Rigorous Reporting
I know many on the right like to paint the New York Times as ultra-liberal, but today’s editorial in the NYT — which borders on an apology — points out just how the NYT failed its readers by being too accepting of many of the claims being made by the White House about Iraq. In most cases, what we reported … Read More
More Abu Ghraib Photos
Some have justified the abuses at Abu Ghraib, claiming that it was necessary for interrogation purposes, and if we can get information that saves ONE American soldier’s life, it was worth it blah blah blah . . . This guy is dead. He died while in U.S. custody at Abu Ghraib. What information was Army Spc. Sabrina Harmon of the … Read More
D’oh!
As reported here: A German couple who went to a fertility clinic after eight years of marriage have found out why they are still childless – they weren’t having sex. The University Clinic of Lubek said they had never heard of a case like it after examining the couple who went to see them last month for fertility tests. Doctors … Read More
U.S. Reportedly Kills 40 Iraqis at Party
BAGHDAD, Iraq – A U.S. helicopter fired on a wedding party early Wednesday in western Iraq, killing more than 40 people, Iraqi officials said. The U.S. military said it could not confirm the report and was investigating. Dr. Salah al-Ani, who works at a hospital in Ramadi, put the death toll at 45. Associated Press Television News obtained videotape showing … Read More
Bush “ForAgainst” Many Many Things
Today, the New York Times reports that the Bush administration has been trumpeting a number of programs that they actually tried to cut or even eliminate: For example, Justice Department officials recently announced that they were awarding $47 million to scores of local law enforcement agencies for the hiring of police officers. Mr. Bush had just proposed cutting the budget … Read More
I Belong To A Cult
Yes, it came as a surprise to me, too, but here it is in black-and-white (bullsh*t registration required) in the Dallas Star-Telegram: According to the office of Texas Comptroller Carole Keeton Strayhorn, a Denison Unitarian church isn’t really a religious organization — at least for tax purposes. Its reasoning: the organization "does not have one system of belief." Never before … Read More
Quote of the Day
“Treat them with humanity, and let them have no reason to Complain of our Copying the brutal example of the British army in their Treatment of our unfortunate brethren.” – George Washington. Yes, that George Washington, speaking to the officer he placed in charge of 211 prisoners taken at Princeton. Any right wingnut care to attack his patriotism? (P.S. After … Read More
Vindication?
The press is reporting on the discovery (and detonation) of a roadside bomb discovered in Iraq, which released a “small quantity” of sarin gas. The gas temporarily bothered two American soldiers, and (presumably) put them off their lunch. But that’s about it. Clearly relieved to finally have some "happy" news to crow about, the right-wing blogosphere is all over this, … Read More
It Gets Worse For Bush
As most of you probably know, Sy Hersh at The New Yorker has placed blame for the Abu Ghraib scandal directly at the feet of Rumsfeld. But this independent Newsweek investigation brings it directly to the Oval Office. The money quote: But a NEWSWEEK investigation shows that, as a means of pre-empting a repeat of 9/11, Bush, along with Defense … Read More
Bush to Seek Another $25B for Iraq War
As reported here. As the story reports, this request for additional funds is a "retreat from the White House’s earlier plans not to seek such money until after the November elections. " In my view, the request for more money — and the apparent necessity of asking for it now instead of after the elections — forces Bush to admit … Read More