Politics

Tom Tomorrow pointed out this jaw-dropping exchange in the midst of the President’s press conference from a couple days ago:

Thank you, sir. Since taking office you signed into law three major tax cuts — two of which have had plenty of time to take effect, the third of which, as you pointed out earlier, is taking effect now. Yet, the unemployment rate has continued rising. We now have more evidence of a massive budget deficit that taxpayers are going to be paying off for years or decades to come; the economy continues to shed jobs. What evidence can you point to that tax cuts, at least of the variety that you have supported, are really working to help this economy? And do you need to be thinking about some other approach?

THE PRESIDENT: Yes. No, to answer the last part of your question. First of all, let me — just a quick history, recent history. The stock market started to decline in March of 2000. Then the first quarter of 2001 was a recession. And then we got attacked in 9/11. And then corporate scandals started to bubble up to the surface, which created a — a lack of confidence in the system. And then we had the drumbeat to war. Remember on our TV screens — I’m not suggesting which network did this — but it said, “March to War,” every day from last summer until the spring — “March to War, March to War.” That’s not a very conducive environment for people to take risk, when they hear, “March to War” all the time.

Well, gee, you’re right, that attitude doesn’t contribute to a safe, healthy, stress free environment. Especially when you’re the idiot pounding those war drums every chance you get.

Unbelievable.

Unfortunately, the rest of the press conference is just as bile-inducing.

Wow — Tony Blair’s in trouble, and the British press are taking no prisoners.

Finally, one British reporter shouted out: “Have you got blood on your hands, Prime Minister? Are you going to resign over this?”

Blair froze. He stood uncomfortable and silent at the lectern for what must have seemed like the longest 30 seconds of his political career, until Koizumi called a merciful end to the press conference.

If only the American press corps had as much gall and backbone when questioning our leaders as the British press does when questioning theirs.

(via Daily Kos and Lane)

Pentagon officials says Americanizing Iraq is difficult because Iraqis have had little to no reliable information for the past 35 years, and have lived on a diet of innuendo, rumor, conspiracy theories, fear, and propaganda. Sounds like the problem is they’re too Americanized.

— Bill Maher (No permalink, July 29^th^ entry)

It looks to me like Bill’s weblog is using MovableType. Who can we contact to at least get him (or his webmaster) to turn on permalinks?

This is flat-out amazing.

Last Friday, it was announced that tomorow, Monday the 28^th^, there would be a special fundraising dinner in Columbia, South Carolina to benefit the Bush/Cheney re-election campaign. This dinner is a \$2000 per plate fundraiser, expected to raise \$250,000 (from 125 people).

The good folks over at the Dean campaign decided to turn this into a challenge, and “brought back the bat“. Their goal was to see if in three days — this weekend, from Saturday through Monday at midnight — they could match that \$250,000 goal through their grassroots fundraising efforts.

Today, just before 11pm eastern time, with a full 24 hours left before the Monday midnight deadline, they hit the \$250,000 mark.

As of 11 pm EDT, 4,629 Americans have contributed \$250,733.20 to the Dean Team vs. Bush-Cheney Challenge.

We know that many of you have waited to contribute until tomorrow, the day of Cheney’s fundraiser.

You’ll notice the second bat doesn’t have a goal. It will be up to you and thousands of other Americans to fill that bat up to whatever amount you can by midnight, tomorrow. We’ve matched the Bush-Cheney fundraising machine. Tomorrow, let’s see by how much we can surpass them.

And wait til you see what we plan on doing with the additional money you help raise tomorrow. It’s top secret, but we can tell you this — it will surprise everyone.

We’ll be giving you half hour updates all day tomorrow, beginning at 8 am.

This is what it’s all about. Not \$2000 a head dinners so the fat cats can buy their “special interests” by keeping the status quo, but by people all across the country giving what they can, because they believe in a candidate, and because they want to make a change for the better.

Just in case you were wondering how much President Bush really respected the flag:

The flag should never have placed upon it, nor on any part of it, nor attached to it any mark, insignia, letter, word, figure, design, picture, or drawing of any nature.

— US Code, Title 4, Chapter 1, Sec. 8 (g)

(via John Hoke and Daily Kos)

This is great:

Bush needs to order new bumperstickers, but needs help with the slogan. Can anyone help?

(via Kirsten) Some favorites:

• Cheney/Bush 2004: Making the world a better place, one country at a time.
• Bush/Cheney: Four more wars!
• Compassionate Fascism
• Bush – because the truth just isn’t good enough.
• In Africa the elephants screw each other – In America the elephants screw the people.
• Because I’m the President, That’s why!
• Bush/Cheney – less CIA, more CYA
• Thanks for not paying attention
• Re-elect Pass the Buck and Wag the Dog in 2004 (actually mine — Kirsten tossed it up — thanks!)
• What recession? My friends are still rich.
• Bush — He Sees Beyond the Truth
• “Dictatorship sure would be easier!”
• Bush/Cheney – if at first you don’t succeed, lie, lie again
• Bush/Cheney ’04: We’re Gooder
• Bush/Cheney ’04: Because civil liberties are for wussies.
• Bush/Cheney 1984
• Bush/Cheney ’04 – Because FOX says so.
• Why Think? Vote Bush!

The full congressional inquiry into the events surrounding Sept. 11^th^, 2001 (well, minus the sections pulled by the White House) is available online.

In February 2002, the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence and the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence agreed to conduct a Joint Inquiry into the activities of the U.S. Intelligence Community in connection with the terrorist attacks perpetrated against our nation on September 11, 2001. This report (available as both S. Rept. 107-351 and H. Rept. 107-792) consists of 832 pages that presents the joint inquiry’s findings and conclusions, an accompanying narrative, and a series of recommendations.

(via Lambert, who’d also like to know if there’s an easy way to convert the report to HTML…I’m clueless)

Mike Walsh’s plans to register to vote for the first time in 54 years got me wondering how many other people might finally be moved to register during this election cycle.

Myself, I’ve been registered since I was 18. When I moved to Washington, one of the first things I did was switch my registration — after two years I still haven’t switched to a Washington driver’s licence, but I can vote! I’ve also made my feelings on voting and participating quite clear in the past.

The one and only good thing I can say about Bush’s presidency is that he’s got me paying far more attention to all this political stuff than I ever have before. If that same effect can start spreading across the country as more and more of his lies and evasions come to light, and more people register to vote and participate in the political process, it can only be a good thing.

Don’t vote? I don’t want to hear it. Read my two self-links above (especially this one) for everything I have to say on the matter.

And congratulations, Mike, for deciding it’s time to stand up and make your voice heard.