Dissento's (Culture) War Journal
Monday, June 28, 2004
Quick Exit
You'd think Paul Bremer might stick around for a day or two, y'know, to answer questions and stuff, but no. He was out of there like bat out of hell. I don't blame him, really -- He's been a walking bullseye for insurgents. But perhaps he had some other reasons to bolt:
1) He left the sole working indoor toilet in Iraq clogged
2) Ordered 18 CDs from Iraqi Columbia house; did not fulfill commitment to buy two at full price
3) His TIVO back home was getting full
4) He was anxious to see to Farenheit 9/11
5) He botched Saddam's paperwork and accidently handed him over to North Korea
6) It was his turn to host a John Kerry Meetup
7) "It's not the Iraqi heat; it's the humidity...and the gunfire, carbombs, and kidnappings."
Any other ideas?
You'd think Paul Bremer might stick around for a day or two, y'know, to answer questions and stuff, but no. He was out of there like bat out of hell. I don't blame him, really -- He's been a walking bullseye for insurgents. But perhaps he had some other reasons to bolt:
1) He left the sole working indoor toilet in Iraq clogged
2) Ordered 18 CDs from Iraqi Columbia house; did not fulfill commitment to buy two at full price
3) His TIVO back home was getting full
4) He was anxious to see to Farenheit 9/11
5) He botched Saddam's paperwork and accidently handed him over to North Korea
6) It was his turn to host a John Kerry Meetup
7) "It's not the Iraqi heat; it's the humidity...and the gunfire, carbombs, and kidnappings."
Any other ideas?
Saturday, June 19, 2004
Thanks to Fink at the Daily Kos for reminding us that today is the 20th anniversary of the great collaboration between Iraq and our Sec'y of Defense:
Still Trying to 'Kick Around' Clinton
Despite refusing to air a MoveOn ad during the last Super Bowl, CBS will be airing an attack ad on Bill Clinton during his 60 Minutes interview this Sunday. It almost goes without saying this is shockingly blatant hypocricy on the network's part. But I'm just as amazed that there are still groups looking to spend their money on kicking dirt on the Clinton Legacy. Man, did he get under their skin!
Perhaps this is a blessing. Every dollar spent on tearing down Clinton is one less dollar spent on attacking John Kerry. Some democrats feared that Clinton would overshadow Kerry with all his book publicity. But perhaps Bubba will instead run 'interference' for Big John and divert the right-wingnut's attention. And if history tells us anything it's that Clinton's popularity in impenetrable to the sleazy attacks. I say, bring it on!
Despite refusing to air a MoveOn ad during the last Super Bowl, CBS will be airing an attack ad on Bill Clinton during his 60 Minutes interview this Sunday. It almost goes without saying this is shockingly blatant hypocricy on the network's part. But I'm just as amazed that there are still groups looking to spend their money on kicking dirt on the Clinton Legacy. Man, did he get under their skin!
Perhaps this is a blessing. Every dollar spent on tearing down Clinton is one less dollar spent on attacking John Kerry. Some democrats feared that Clinton would overshadow Kerry with all his book publicity. But perhaps Bubba will instead run 'interference' for Big John and divert the right-wingnut's attention. And if history tells us anything it's that Clinton's popularity in impenetrable to the sleazy attacks. I say, bring it on!
Friday, June 11, 2004
Morality Does Not Register with Bush
On the torure subject here's a Q&A with Bush from yesterday:
Q Mr. President, I wanted to return to the question of torture. What we've learned from these memos this week is that the Department of Justice lawyers and the Pentagon lawyers have essentially worked out a way that U.S. officials can torture detainees without running afoul of the law. So when you say that you want the U.S. to adhere to international and U.S. laws, that's not very comforting. This is a moral question: Is torture ever justified?
THE PRESIDENT: Look, I'm going to say it one more time. If I -- maybe -- maybe I can be more clear. The instructions went out to our people to adhere to law. That ought to comfort you. We're a nation of law. We adhere to laws. We have laws on the books. You might look at those laws, and that might provide comfort for you. And those were the instructions out of -- from me to the government.
What a very telling non-answer. Usually this guy leaps at a chance to preach morality, but when applied to him -- it's "Just ignore it." His answer bears no relation to the question. And his little "I'm going to say it one more time" bit is so tiresome. This is Scott McClellan little trick -- pretend you've really answered the question when you have not.
On the torure subject here's a Q&A with Bush from yesterday:
Q Mr. President, I wanted to return to the question of torture. What we've learned from these memos this week is that the Department of Justice lawyers and the Pentagon lawyers have essentially worked out a way that U.S. officials can torture detainees without running afoul of the law. So when you say that you want the U.S. to adhere to international and U.S. laws, that's not very comforting. This is a moral question: Is torture ever justified?
THE PRESIDENT: Look, I'm going to say it one more time. If I -- maybe -- maybe I can be more clear. The instructions went out to our people to adhere to law. That ought to comfort you. We're a nation of law. We adhere to laws. We have laws on the books. You might look at those laws, and that might provide comfort for you. And those were the instructions out of -- from me to the government.
What a very telling non-answer. Usually this guy leaps at a chance to preach morality, but when applied to him -- it's "Just ignore it." His answer bears no relation to the question. And his little "I'm going to say it one more time" bit is so tiresome. This is Scott McClellan little trick -- pretend you've really answered the question when you have not.
Thursday, June 10, 2004
"Good Job, Now Get Back To Work"
That's what Bill Clinton said in a recent Kerry campaign e-mail, and this article made me think about it:
National Poll Gives Kerry Solid Lead - LA Times
Of course, it's all about the electoral college (hey, thanks for all that post-2000 election reform congress!) but the trend is positive. Let's keep up the good work.
(I still think there will be a small Reagan related bump for Bush -- I'm not sure why it hasn't registered yet).
That's what Bill Clinton said in a recent Kerry campaign e-mail, and this article made me think about it:
National Poll Gives Kerry Solid Lead - LA Times
Of course, it's all about the electoral college (hey, thanks for all that post-2000 election reform congress!) but the trend is positive. Let's keep up the good work.
(I still think there will be a small Reagan related bump for Bush -- I'm not sure why it hasn't registered yet).
Tuesday, June 08, 2004
The Gipper Continues to Vex, Even From Hell
NYSE to Close on Friday, June 11 to Observe National Day of Mourning for President Ronald Reagan
NEW YORK, June 7, 2004 -- The New York Stock Exchange will be closed on Friday, June 11 in observance of the national day of mourning for President Ronald Reagan.
"President Reagan was a great champion of free people and free markets," said NYSE CEO John A. Thain. "He believed strongly in the ability of capitalism to foster opportunity and prosperity. It is appropriate that the nation's markets on Friday will honor President Reagan's contributions to freedom and democracy."
Well, this screws up my whole work week -- what a nightmare (I work at a financial service company and this unplanned closure creates a nightmare for me).
Rather than a whole day off for the market, wouldn't a more fitting tribute be a mass afternoon nap?
NYSE to Close on Friday, June 11 to Observe National Day of Mourning for President Ronald Reagan
NEW YORK, June 7, 2004 -- The New York Stock Exchange will be closed on Friday, June 11 in observance of the national day of mourning for President Ronald Reagan.
"President Reagan was a great champion of free people and free markets," said NYSE CEO John A. Thain. "He believed strongly in the ability of capitalism to foster opportunity and prosperity. It is appropriate that the nation's markets on Friday will honor President Reagan's contributions to freedom and democracy."
Well, this screws up my whole work week -- what a nightmare (I work at a financial service company and this unplanned closure creates a nightmare for me).
Rather than a whole day off for the market, wouldn't a more fitting tribute be a mass afternoon nap?
Monday, June 07, 2004
Reagan Remembered
Here's one of the best reflections on Reagan, by Greg Palast.
I can remember the 1980 race, just barely. I was 8. My mother always voted for democrats, and my dad for republicans. I was rooting for Carter only because I liked my mother more at that point. In 1984, I wanted to Mondale to win. I had recently seen The Day After and it scared the shit out of me. I only knew that Reagan wanted to build more MX missles while Mondale did not. Still seems like sound judgement. Unfortunately it set me on a streak of backing various losing campaigns over the years. Hopefully, his protege, the idiot-boy-king-chimp, will reverse that luck this year.
Here's one of the best reflections on Reagan, by Greg Palast.
I can remember the 1980 race, just barely. I was 8. My mother always voted for democrats, and my dad for republicans. I was rooting for Carter only because I liked my mother more at that point. In 1984, I wanted to Mondale to win. I had recently seen The Day After and it scared the shit out of me. I only knew that Reagan wanted to build more MX missles while Mondale did not. Still seems like sound judgement. Unfortunately it set me on a streak of backing various losing campaigns over the years. Hopefully, his protege, the idiot-boy-king-chimp, will reverse that luck this year.
Thursday, June 03, 2004
Tenet Resigns, A "slam-dunk" for Al Gore
At a recent Moveon speech, Al Gore called for the resignations of six Bush officials. Here's what the list looks like today:
Donald Rumsfeld
Paul Wolfowitz
Douglas Feith
Stephen Cambone
Condoleeza Rice
George Tenet
Next?
At a recent Moveon speech, Al Gore called for the resignations of six Bush officials. Here's what the list looks like today:
Donald Rumsfeld
Paul Wolfowitz
Douglas Feith
Stephen Cambone
Condoleeza Rice
Next?
