Open Thread
By bluegal Sunday Nov 18, 2007 10:30pm
Larry Doyle: Why We Strike.
A more serious look at the writers' strike from its unofficial blog. And go hear 93-year-old screenwriter Irv Brecher (Meet Me In St. Louis, Bye Bye Birdie and many more) offer his perspective on the writers' strike in a video called "Same Old Story."
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first in love and war
I support the writers, but am wondering if anybody really notices, especially the network watching masochists.
Wow, that Hardball clip with Maddow, talk about guys picking on a girl! That's what it looks like, Senator Clinton.
US plans case against AP photographer
By BRIAN MURPHY, Associated Press Writer
The U.S. military plans to seek a criminal case in an Iraqi court against an award-winning Associated Press photographer but is refusing to disclose what evidence or accusations would be presented.
An AP attorney on Monday strongly protested the decision, calling the U.S. military plans a "sham of due process." The journalist, Bilal Hussein, has already been imprisoned without charges for more than 19 months.
A public affairs officer notified the AP on Sunday that the military intends to submit a written complaint against Hussein that would bring the case into the Iraqi justice system as early as Nov. 29. Under Iraqi codes, an investigative magistrate will decide whether there are grounds to try Hussein, 36, who was seized in the western Iraqi city of Ramadi on April 12, 2006.
Despite what Republiscum would like to believe, racism still exists.
As Bill Maher once said, "Zero tolerance is zero thought."
Another
priest gets caught with his pants down. Katrina may not just be a product of global warming, but it may have made it worse. Stocks still slide.
The U.S. hates Freedom of the Press.
Ever heard of Salee?
One can start helping War Reparations at - No More Victims.
And just why has not another Republican done a Willie Horton on Huckabee? Wonder if Chuck knew about that?
On Tuesday, November 20th, President Bush will reveal the identity of the National Thanksgiving Turkey, which in keeping with the annual White House tradition, will receive a presidential pardon. But according to well placed White House sources, the jailbird this year was selected months ago and is known internally by his code-name "Scooter."
For the details, see:
"Thanksgiving Turkey 'Scooter' Receives Bush Pardon."
tyree @ 1:
Tyree, you rule!
Our economy is going to hell. The war is going to hell. The Constitution is going to hell.
George Bush is going to...
...be just fine, thank you.
bit nola @ 2:
you can bet the advertisers are noticing:
the advertisers are seriously considering asking for some of their upfront money back for this tv season.
more at skippy.
also at skippy, details on how you can, for a mere dollar, support the writers' project to send a whole crap load of pencils to the studio execs in a symbolic gesture about writing and not writing.
but the good news is, the two parties are returning to the negotiating table at the end of this month.
Anyone seen that video on Youtube about the "plants" at the CNN debate last week? Apparently all of the undecided voters were actually people who have been quite active in the Democratic Party and/or activists of some sort.
Here's the video
And apparently Maria Luisa (the "Diamonds or Pearls?" questioner) wrote on her Myspace page that she was forced to ask that question by CNN. Here's a link to that story
Your thoughts? I'd expect nothing less than something like this for Fox, but CNN? C'mon folks....
Troy @ 12:
Really? You're SHOCKED? why? these people have shown themselves to be ready to do anything to win, for ratings to grab power. CNN may not be as obvious as Fox, but all of them are big business and act as such. I'd expect no less from ABC, NBC, or CBS. And there are the political parties, the leadership of same and the politicians. All. The. Same.
It's business as usual.
miss_kitty @ 13:
Oh and Troy, she was FORCED? Did someone hold a gun to her head? Were they holding family member or pets as hostage? I believe she was rumbled as a Democratic party op as well...
Maria Luisa blasts CNN over being forced to ask dumb question…
miss_kitty @ 14:
Yep.... totally missed that post on CnL. I guess I was just more taken back by how sad our media has become over the years to have to stoop to this level. I have known that Fox has been doing it for a while, but I thought higher of CNN. Not anymore.
If you are not listenihg to the old timers, you are are missing out on some the best knowledge you will ever be able to acquire.
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O M G !!!
A writer's strike!!!
What ever shall we do?
Watch reruns?
Maybe now, we can stop inventing our reality and start paying attention to the fact that our reality has been dictated to us.
Maybe now America can pay attention to this reality that has been set aside for Hero's or Housewives or, gawd forbid, Leno write his own material and instead tune in to what their Government is doing to the people they claim to be helping (name ANY country in the M.E. and BINGO!) or to the people they claim to be governing.
When the Titanic was sinking, do you think any one cared what the band wore, if they were "in tune", or "on time", or if they were paid well enough for their encore performance?
I don't mean to dis the writers. Their interests are well founded and all, but why is their strike so overshadowing the FACTS concerning the Government of the USA? What it's doing to other nations, UNJUSTLY SO, and how it's tearing our very foundation apart? Why is treason NOT front page news, but instead, issues concerning the payment of money?
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The good thing is we are smarter than that.
Irv,
I'm 51.
Dad's 84.
We love "Bye Bye Birdie".
We love "Meet Me...".
God bless you & the writers.
.
I have but one question for Ron Paul supporters:
When Congressman Ron Paul voted to "Table" Kucinich's H.Res. 333, the Impeachment of the Vice President of the USA, did he do it because Kucinich was wrong or was it because if he wins either Office, then he too can be held unaccountable, a precedent he would have set for himself?
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Ron @ 18:
I don't know Ron,
The SNL skits have been getting good, you know.
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Max-1 Says: .
I have but one question for Ron Paul supporters:
----------------------------------------------
This has what to do with the writers strike?
(Though Amy does a great DK).
So if the actors strike...
The real unofficial blog is http://www.unitedhollywood.com --
the "insider" news blog is http://www.deadlinehollywooddaily.com
Enjoy
whizkid @ 22:
It's an "OPEN THREAD"...NO?
And here's the LINK betwixt the two.
Yes, Amy did it well. Nice and funny. What else is funny? Clinton's position on Iran. Now that's a gut buster. Too bad they didn't portray that angle, even if just for the "chuckles".
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Max-1 @ 17:
1) Because you cannot write this shit.
2) Because overshadowing the facts is corporate media's main purpose.
3) Because a lot of people feed their families if they have fair jobs.
4) Because writers are people in the arts, and intelligent people love artists.
Credit to MSNBC putting on Fire Chief Jim Riches , but was it to finally get the truth about the phony story of Giuliani being ' America's Mayor " or to make Chief Jim Riches some kind of Swift Boat nut. Four people on took up too much time , so I guess that's why it's done , to limit the time allowed to make his case . But after giving a quick laundry list of Rudy Giuliani's costly Failures , incorrect radios ordered, bad respirators ; locating the Emergency Response Center in the WTC, when he was WARNED not to and calling him out for being part of a gang " that became millionaires after 9/11 , Abrahams played a common trick , out of the box instead of discussing the merits of the charges or even pointing out they seem to be TRUE , the radios ; local of ERC ; he challenges his legitimacy by asking how many people he represented , also given the FACT the MSM spun this INACCURATE MYTH about Giuliani and didn't bother with the HARD facts , he should have spent more time making clear what happen in NY with the facts like WHY he was walking around the dusty streets of NY during 9 /11 , was because he put the damn Emergency Response Center EXACTLY where he was WARNED him NOT to . what the hell is going on with these people , do they ever tell the true story , everything comes out in a dribble and Finally Chief Jim Riches comes on with about 2 1/2 minutes to tell everything this fraud did .
But asking Chief Riches is he was going to put together a group " like the Swift Boats " , was absurd , when the facts about What he did and NOT do are not in dispute , compared to some river incident in Nam , many years . So Abrahams was either totally ignorant to the facts or was trying to smear him again , by labeling him with the " Swift Boat " label .
Anyone else watching the Sibel Edmonds story heating up again. Reports have her ready to speak out if the reporting entity has a large enough legal department...In other words an MSM outlet.
With your permission http://www.bradblog.com/?p=5260
This story will turn the establishment on its head and Crooks and Liars can paly an important role here. Turn up the heat. Edmonds claims several mainstream media outlets have the info from other sources but are of course sitting on it.
Case in point. Hassert's resignation. This from Vanity Fair in 05
...http://www.informationclearinghouse.info/article9774.htm
Somewhere I am sure investigators and prosecutors are looking at this info however can you imagine the institutional resistance they would encounter.
Suppose a completely wasted, stoned writer submitted the following script:
The world's superpower, the US, in cahoots with Britain, the dying empire responsible for screwing up the middle east in Britain's arrogant days, attacks and invades a middle-eastern nation, Iraq, which poses it no threat, and possess only a miniscule armed force. It does this by compiling a list of lies, propaganda to persuade the US public that protecting Israel and securing oil are not the true reasons for the invasion.
The Iraq populace, awakened by a deluge of 'smart bombs' in the initial 'shock and awe'
unprovoked attack, which comes crashing into their cities, through their roofs, and killing and maiming their families before their eyes, get pissed, and resist the following invasion of their millenia-old civilization.
The invaders label these patriotic, 'homeland' defenders, as 'terrorists' and 'insurgents', and are ordered to shoot them at will. All of the tens of thousands of civilian 'collaterals' shot, bombed, napalmed and otherwise massacred as the interminable invasion continues for a period of five years are 'terrorists' and 'insurgents', not a single 'bystander' or 'innocent civilian' is harmed, according to the invading army (except for a few slaughtered by the mercenaries hired by the US).
In the fifth year of the war, a photographer hired by a national news service of the invader, is charged with 'aiding insurgents', a charge punishable by death. And the stalwart invader, the US, which charges the photographer, does not permit him to see an attorney, and refuses to let attorneys who want to defend him have access to 'evidence' against him, thus making his defense impossible. This from the 'bastion of freedom in the world', the 'nation of laws', the 'good old US of A'.
This is the story of Bilal Hussein, Iraqi AP photographer, currently languishing in a US-controlled Iraqi prison.
Who would buy this fantasy?
Apparently the american public did, at least for four+ years. Are they now coming to their senses?
If so, they will demand IMPEACHMENT, of the craven, lying cowards, the war-mongering neocon zionists, and BigOil, and their lackeys who got them into this horrific travesty, the Iraq war.
And a fair and just defense for Bilal Hussein.
Fran Townsend was all over tv this morning saying we have to fear the terrorist during our next election. When pressed she said they had no info to back this up, they were just basing it on what happened in England and Spain during their last elections and the UBL tape we received just before the elections in 04.
Anyone want to bet there will be another tape before the 08 elections? It would either help the repubs with their "fear factor" or remind everyone that UBL is still running around and in seven years the repubs failed to catch him.
Daily Reading pt 1...
'Final Warning To Humanity' - http://www.americanprogressaction.org/progressreport
After a rigorous multi-stage review process that includes 2,500 scientific expert reviewers, 800 contributing authors, and 450 lead authors representing 130 countries, the IPCC warns that "all countries" will be affected by climate change if carbon emissions continue to spiral. By 2100, global average surface temperatures could rise by between 1.1 and 6.4 degrees celsius, and carbon dioxide in the atmosphere could lead to an eventual rise in sea levels of up to 1.40 meters.
With "strikingly" blunt language, the report reads like "a final warning to humanity," notes Time magazine. "What we do in the next two to three years will determine our future. This is the defining moment," declared IPCC chairman Dr. Rajendra Pachauri.
Speaking on the Presidential Forum on Climate Change: With "little disagreement among them" on the urgency of climate change, Clinton and Edwards emphasized the need to reduce emissions by 80 percent by 2050, consistent with the goals of the IPCC, along with a mandatory cap on greenhouse emissions. Such plans to combat global warming can be undertaken with a very modest reduction in global annual GDP growth of 0.12 percent, notes Pachauri.
A review of the 1st ever Presidential Forum on Climate Change - http://gristmill.grist.org/story/2007/11/19/02938/435
Facts: ALL PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATES FROM ALL PARTIES WERE INVITED, 3 SHOWED UP Edwards, Kucinich, Clinton (yep...no Bill Richardson....) And Obama likes Nuke & gave shout out to Coal industry on CNN's debate...sponsored by the 'clean' coal industry (oxymoron)
Edwards policies on a new energy direction in this country are the most solid, Clinton's tendencies to bow to big business only bodes well for Oil, Nuke, & Coal....Kucinich was good as usual but needed to give more specifics
If you're going into the booth with climate change & the environment in mind....then your candidate should be Edwards
In his current campaign for president, Edwards has been more aggressive on the issue of climate change than other Democratic candidates, who've ended up following his lead - http://www.grist.org/feature/2007/07/31/edwards_factsheet/
Powell: Iran Far From Nuclear Weapon. "There is no base of support among Americans for such an action, Powell said, adding that the U.S. military already has enough on its hands in Iraq and Afghanistan." On Page 27 of today's Stars And Stripes, in which the same AP article appears, sits this ad: "AT WHAT COST IRAN? Second thoughts on opening up a new theater www.Buzzflash.com" We understand the ad was placed by an avid Buzzflash reader. Nice work.
- http://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory?id=3884702
The fast shrinking moderate republicans beginning to realize bombing Iran equals wholesale losses at polls next year (except in the South)
BradBlog: Daniel Ellsberg Says Sibel Edmonds Case 'Far More Explosive Than Pentagon Papers' - http://www.bradblog.com/?p=5260
As Edmonds has also noted, Ellsberg pointed to the New York Times, who "sat on the NSA spying story for over a year" when they "could have put it out before the 2004 election, which might have changed the outcome."
"There will be phone calls going out to the media saying 'don't even think of touching it, you will be prosecuted for violating national security,'" he told us.
She has previously indicated a litany of criminal corruption, malfeasance, and cover-ups concerning the penetration of the FBI and Departments of State and Defense by foreign agents in senior positions; influence-peddling and bribery by shadowy Turkish interests throughout the U.S. government over several administrations; undisclosed information related to 9/11; including alleged illegal activities of former Speaker of the House Dennis Hastert, and, most recently, two other "well-known" members of Congress whom she will now name to the mainstream media.
To see a bulleted list of the things she's ready to disclose see this link - http://www.bradblog.com/?p=2498
Daily Reading pt 2...
Latest Poll: Toss-up In Iowa for Top Three Dems. Obama gaining; Edwards up close; Hillary stalling. - http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/11/19/AR200711...
Obama = Coal Industry has bought him. Clinton = not convinced she won't only push Nuke, 'Clean' Coal Edwards = Only candidate serious about renewable energy....choice is clear
Big Pharma Conspired to Drain Medicare, Lawsuit Alleges - http://www.nytimes.com/2007/11/18/business/18whistle.html?_r=2&hp=&adxnn...
A lawsuit that could become one of the largest whistle-blower lawsuits ever argues that improper sales practices, together with erroneous accounting, are invisibly draining millions of dollars out of vital public programs like Medicare through overcharges or unauthorized uses. While whistle-blower cases typically involve, at most, a handful of companies, this lawsuit alleges systemic fraud across a whole network of companies (including Johnson & Johnson and Merck) and more than 7,000 health care institutions.
Yet another reason why 'free market' & privatization is a big steaming pile of BS...
New York Firefighters to Oppose Giuliani - http://www.guardian.co.uk/international/story/0,,2213070,00.html
A group of American firefighters opposed to Rudy Giuliani, the Republican front-runner in the 2008 presidential race, are planning to run damaging adverts expressing scepticism about his 9/11 leadership. The deputy New York fire chief, Jim Riches, whose son, also a firefighter, was killed in the Twin Towers' collapse, said: "TV made him a hero, and we'll use TV to take him down."
9/11 Firefighters for Truth....has a nice ring to it...
Web site that Documents Sexual Trafficking in the Middle East Blocked by the UAE - http://www.feministpeacenetwork.org/2007/11/19/website-that-documents-se...
Don’t look for the Bush administration to launch a protest anytime soon, these folks are 'our allies' and Halliburton is moving its headquarters there…
David Sirota: The Immigration Con Artists - http://www.creators.com/opinion/david-sirota/the-immigration-con-artists...
Wall Street Plans $38 Billion of Bonuses as Shareholders Lose - http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601087&sid=ahE8xVisWsbE&refer=w...
Shareholders in the securities industry are having their worst year since 2002, losing $74 billion of their equity. That won't prevent Wall Street from paying record bonuses, totaling almost $38 billion.
Ah....Bush's base, the investment class, the paragons of virtue, the right wingnuts Gods of choice...
"A quick stroll down memory lane clearly shows otherwise. I get the sense most of the most of the media has forgotten how classless McCain really is."
McCain isn't "classless," he's clueless. He should have shushed that old harpy whore the minute she called Hillary a bitch. His immediate response -- "That's a good question" -- put his seal of approval on the old bag, and when he later gave lip service to the "let's be nice" position, he once again showed how two-faced he can be. Remember, this is the guy who made disparaging remarks about Pat Robber's Son and Rev Faultwell, then kissed and made up to the latter at his "university's" commencement ceremonies. To paraphrase Brando (in the one movie he himself directed, "One-Eyed Jacks"), "[McCain's] a one-eyed jack, but I've seen the other side of your face." It has a surgical scar from skin cancer excision. He never lets anyone pose him from that side. It's symbolic of his duplicitousness. I mean, really, he's a guy who was captured and tortured by the Vietcong but won't vote against Mukaskey when the latter refuses to brand waterboarding as torture. What shitheads they both are!
An interesting article and a comment about Ellen DeGeneres at
http://writers-strike.blogspot.com/ which leads me to
my take on this issue which has matured to a better understanding of the Union movement and it’s inherent relationship to fundamentals in the Constitution, the Free Market, and a real desire for Truth in Education. Also, the important Minority Triangle, Gays, Black’s, and Latino’s. I support the writers strike and more over feel anything an individual writes in e-mail or on the Internet should be a personal copy right that should not only be an instant “Copy Right” for ideals and context and should be viewed free of government secret viewing. NO SECRET SPYING, All, Internet writing is in jeopardy from this fundemental let alone any compensation methods.
Union types have been bashed over the years basically due to failed education. For me, and regretfully that it took so long, looking back over time some of the basics in the Constitution, most baby boomers would agree, that after wading through a Mainstream Media of deceit and corruption, will recognize the Union approach to problem solving is basic and inherent in the first amendment of our Constitution.
Amendment I
Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances.
What jumps out here at me is the “right of people to peaceably assemble, and to petition the government for redress of grievances.” Perhaps many will argue to strike or stop work to a business is not right because it’s not the government.
Simply put all business’s are established and given a public decree by a license to operate or certified document to conduct business to serve the public endorsed by the government which has representatives by the people, of the people and for the people.
If not, these people, Americans as we are today with a dysfunctional first amendment, will parish. Obviously as All Americans are watching today as privacy and personal rights are in decline, while Congress, Bush and Company continue to secretly classify things behind closed doors coming out eventually asking for explosive costs to solve problems, has placed a cynicism and uncertainty worse than the fear of Islamic terrorism. Moreover, because of the rampant corruption, and most of all the deception, corruption of Mainstream Media is licensed with it’s failed responsibility to serve and educate the public with truth, deliberately, is fueling confusion and causing chaos to thinking in solid Constitutional core of fundamentals.
Needless to say, Ellen DeGeneres does not want to be one of those ditched “Queers” later on that took a side with the union. But those who decline the basic appeal to the Constitution and personal prosperity are only eventually hanging themselves by eroding liberty following that bogus path of that part, the free will that chooses the wrong way. Just as Any American has that free will so does business have that free “At Will Principle” to deny any American a job for any reason. But, regretfully over the years I have realized the Union approach helps Americans as an over sight principle connected to a basic right in government. This done by documenting and educating the public for the best approach in the people’s personal achievements, prosperity, liberty, and happiness. Other wise Americans would not enjoy a forty hour work week, over time pay, vacation time, sick pay, long term or short disability, good working conditions, etc. All which Unions are responsible for every day labor benefits the electorate takes for granted.
Vote Democratic 2008
[Deleted. Off topic and blogwhoring-Sitemonitor]
33 joze46
Even though the right to strike is not mentioned in the Constitution the right to pursue happiness is.
Further, the Constitution is a framework (a fairly common sense framework) and as such does not have to cover every single right we have in order for us to have it. If we can not strike or refuse to work are we not slaves? Even though slavery was not discussed in the Constitution (for the reasons of conveinience) it created the framework to end it.
ldzppln @ 4:
The suspension of Habeas Corpus at work.....coming soon to a city near you. Why should Baghdad have all the fun? Concerning the writers strike, it's good thing I don't watch regular television or it might bother me. Strikes are good thing though. Wouldn't it be interesting if every person who punches a clock or makes a dead-end salary in AmeriKa refused to go to work until the occupation of Iraq ended and the Cheney/Bush regime resigned?
On Nov. 20, 1945, 24 Nazi leaders went on trial before an international war crimes tribunal in Nuremberg, Germany.
Food for thought!
Is California still on fire?
Israel admits targeting civilian areas in Lebanon with cluster bombs
http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/789876.html
Hail detonates leftover IDF cluster bombs in Lebanon
http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/926144.html
Senate: Stop Israel from buying cluster bombs with U.S. aid
http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/877501.html
Israel: We fired more than a million cluster bombs in Lebanon
http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/761781.html
"...Seeking representation...because his agent died."
That is some funny shit. Oh, some one had to right that, I bet.
miss_kitty @ 13:
CNN disgusts me these days. I've sent them several letters (e-mai), but doubt it will make any difference. At least I've done it. Cafferty and a few others are good, but there are lots of GOP shills. (Wolf, Tom Foreman, John Roberst... etc., and I don't get the American version, which I assume is way way worse, than the International one)
CoIntelPRo @ 37:
Ahhh,
The good old days when Justice reigned.
Now-a-days, it's "Just-US" that reign.
.
Effort to remove Pelosi -- and make way for impeachment -- has incorporated lessons from other proclamation efforts in organizing. Congressional candidate involved and supports effort. ( Details )
This blog, http://www.uclaextensionwritersprogram.blogspot.com/ has a couple of good interviews with writers who are on strike. (Scroll down a bit.)
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