Sunday Morning Bobblehead Thread
Sara Bareilles - Many the Miles
How far do I have to go, to get some truth? Many the miles...many the miles. Obviously, the news this Sunday revolves around Obama's decision to send a surge to Afghanistan: Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and Secretary of Defense Robert Gates will be on no less than three of the bobblehead programs. Maybe on one of them, someone will ask them how we can justify $1,000,000 per year per troop to hunt down the less than 100 al Qaeda left in Afghanistan. At least soon-to-be GMA host George Stephanopoulos will have on Russ Feingold, who has been openly questioning the wisdom of the surge. And I know you've been missing him...John McCain back for his 878,967,543rd appearance on the Sunday shows. Will anyone ask him about his hypocrisy on his cozy relationship with big PhRMA lobbyists, despite decrying them on the Senate floor yesterday. Or judging by the Meter Questions on The Chris Matthews Show, maybe it doesn't matter, and the chance for health care reform has slipped by.
ABC's "This Week" - Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton; Defense Secretary Robert Gates; Sen. Russ Feingold, D-Wis.
CBS' "Face the Nation" - Clinton; Gates.
NBC's "Meet the Press" - Clinton; Gates; Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz.
NBC's "The Chris Matthews Show" - Panel: John Heilemann, Katty Kay, Gloria Borger, Michael Duffy. Topics: Can Obama Do Anything Big Enough and Fast Enough to Help Unemployment? The Fame Game Behind the Grifters Who Crashed the White House State Dinner. Meter Questions: Will Obama Push A Big Jobs Bill Next Year? YES: 6 NO: 6; Will President Obama Sign a Health Care Reform Bill This Year? YES: 5 No: 7.
CNN's "State of the Union" - Gen. Jim Jones, national security adviser to President Barack Obama; Sens. Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif., and Jon Kyl, R-Ariz.; former Gov. Mitt Romney, R-Mass.
CNN's "Fareed Zakaria GPS" - Afghanistan: what will happen now that the president has announced a surge of troops? Fareed speaks with Richard Holbrooke, President Obama's Special Representative to the region, and Thomas Friedman. Plus, Mohamed ElBaradei -- who just left his post as head of the International Atomic Energy Agency - on whether we are reaching a dead end with Iran.
CNN's "Amanpour" - Afghanistan's President Hamid Karzai on President Obama's new military strategy in Afghanistan.
"Fox News Sunday" - Gen. David Petraeus, commander of the U.S. Central Command; Sens. Dick Durbin, D-Ill., and John Cornyn, R-Texas.
So what's catching your eye this morning?
Well, its almost a year now. All I've seen is more of the same. I'd like some hope for Xmas cuz my hope tank is dry.
http://www.afterdowningstreet.org/node/48197
http://www.afterdowningstreet.org/node/48117
Merry Christmas!
"The US has an army of 90,000 soldiers in Afghanistan and is spending $100bn a year, but has still been unable to defeat 20,000-25,000 Taliban who receive no pay at all." - Patrick Cockburn
that NONE of them are as concerned about American citizens, as they are about murdering people in other countries!! I actually don't believe a word any of them say anymore. Lying about everything seems to be the "normal" anymore.
that's a bit of a straw man argument. I don't think this surge is about a hundred Al Qaeda hiding in caves. Frankly I think it is about suppressing ideological extremists (you can never eliminate them) before it so destabilizes Pakistan that their nuclear weapons fall into the wrong hands. The war Obama has is not the war Bush started. You could argue that this is the wrong approach to that issue and I'm inclined to agree that political support and economic aid would do more than military action can but it's not about Al Qaeda any more.
Hasa Diga Eebowai
Obama just stated it was about Al Queda. That was the essence of his speech, was it not?
In his speech--and in the appearances his aides have had since--they use the terms "al Qaeda" and "Taliban" interchangeably. I've been listening very closely and it concerns me to see such weaseling, counting on Americans not to be sophisticated enough to realize the difference. I really think it's akin to the way the Bush administration started saying "Saddam" and "those who harbor terrorists" interchangably.
I'm really conflicted about this stance, Peter. From everything I've read, our "surge" in Afghanistan is really to serve as a staging arena to move the battle to Pakistan and frankly, if the President want to take the battle to another sovereign country--and likewise decimate that country and its population, as we have in Iraq and Afghanistan--then I want him to have the stones to say it to the American people.
as the bogeyman for trying to maintain public support for the current policy but realistically they aren't worth the candle barring OBL. I confess that I too am very conflicted about the policy although I agree something must be done to keep Pakistan stable. If you compare this strategy to past US foreign policy successes like the Marshall plan it doesn't look as promising. I can see the need to provide some sort of peace so economic and infrastructure rebuilding can give the Afghanis and the Pakistanis a vested interest in actually maintaining peace but that would take a lot more time than they have. I hope they don't enter Pakistan but use a carrot and stick combination of foreign aid to the lamentable Pakistani economy and diplomatic pressure to encourage them to get control (which they never really had) of the tribal areas. I wish them luck in trying to figure out which horse to back politically in Pakistan. Political leaders with integrity in that part of the world seem to have a very short shelf life.
Hasa Diga Eebowai
Amanda Knox trial and how a young American has just been made scapegoat for the last 8 years of Republican warmongering? Can anyone imagine the world reaction there would be if an American jury convicted an Italian while wearing American flags to the verdict when reasonable doubt still existed as to the guilt of the accused? What if vast crowds in America cheered "Italian Assassin," celebrating miscarriage of justice like a nationalist victory over Europe?
I could not help but hear the same cries for blood in those Italian crowds that must have been heard by gladiators. They wanted American blood and they got it.
Now, maybe I'm remembering incorrectly, but the 2004 election was so close it was decided by less than 10,000 votes in Ohio (ignoring voter disenfranchisement issues).
And how often did these shows have on John Kerry? (I'll look it up.)
ADDENDUM: According to the Internet Movie Database, Kerry appeared on talkshows & news programs exactly four times in 2005 after losing the 2004 election:
1. Meet the Press - Jan 31, 2005
(McCain actually appeared MtP more often to talk ABOUT Kerry in 2005 than Kerry himself was on.)
2. Larry King Live - June 28, 2005
3. Face the Nation - Dec 4, 2005
4. NBC Nightly News - May 12, 2005
Meanwhile, John McCain has made 14 appearances to date on news shows (NOT including ABC's "This Week") since losing the 2008 election:
"Hannity" - 5 times
"Jay Leno" in Primetime - 1 time
Larry King - 3 times
Jimmy Fallon - 1 time
Tonight Show (with Conan) - 1 time
Today Show - 1 time in 2009
Colbert - 1 time
Tonight Show (with Leno) - 1 time
As for ABC's The Week - Not even imdb can keep up with this list.
* There are two types of Republicans: millionaires and suckers.
"Mugsy's Rap Sheet": Recording history for those who seek to rewrite it.
ABC News on Stimulus - WOW!
I know the economy is still woefully underperforming and there is a new narrative that is starting to take hold that the stimulus hasn't done a thing except put us further in debt. Despite the fact that the CBO explicitly states that 1.6 million jobs were generated"
*****
This from Charlie Gibson? Amazing.
"I know that there are people who do not love their fellow
man, and I hate people like that! " ~ Tom Lehrer (1928 - )
John McCain Gets Mad On Senate Floor During Health Care Debate
WOWSER - this little jerk could have been president with Palin in the second slot?
Count your blessings and then count them twice we didn't end up with McCain/Palin.
I guess we could still end up with some crazy person in the WH again. Let's hope not.
"I know that there are people who do not love their fellow
man, and I hate people like that! " ~ Tom Lehrer (1928 - )
Baucus really was breaking the Senate rules by speaking out of turn and consuming McCain's allotted time.
I saw that clip of McCain on the Floor of the Senate and it sounded like he's living his second childhood. I thought for sure he was going to stick his tongue out and yell, Na Na Na Na.
We are putting up our tree today so politics will have to wait outside for a day or two. It's chilly here today and clear. It's just to pretty a day to foul it up with the dirtiness of political bs.
Say what you mean. Mean what you say. But don't say it mean.
Four or five quetions in a row, Wallace is trying his hardest to get Gen. Petraeus to "concede" pulling troops out "by 2012" or "on a timeline/timetable" is irresponsible. But the General will have none of it.
Finally, frustrated, Wallace comes right out an asks Petraeus if he'd of "preferred a timetable had never been set?", but again, Petraeus rebuffs him.
Wallace also tries repeatedly to compare this to "the surge in Iraq", but again, Petraeus stresses how different the two are, even mentioning how he explained that to Rumsfeld in 2004.
* There are two types of Republicans: millionaires and suckers.
"Mugsy's Rap Sheet": Recording history for those who seek to rewrite it.
Wallace will be pissed that Petraeus isn't reading from the telepropmter like a good guest should. That'll be Petraeus's last appearance on this show.
Hasa Diga Eebowai
Petraeus is simply being a good soldier now.
Two money moments on Fox today. First when Wallace reminded General Petraeus they were playing the interview by "lightning round rules" and Petraeus said to Wallace, You are playing by lightning round rules.
In other words telling Wallace that he, the general, didn't play by any rules Wallace set down.
Then when Wallace pushed Petraeus about did he plan to run for office and the second time he pushed the question Petraeus said it reminded him of a country song about what part of no don't you understand.
Two moments I will always admire and remember about the general
Say what you mean. Mean what you say. But don't say it mean.
Report: CNBC Was Considering Hiring Dobbs Until Latino Groups Pushed Back
[...]
This is a big win for the Latino community…we’re showing our power by collaborating with other groups and putting pressure on networks to do the right business thing. We’re ready to take on the antagonists.
Dobbs is opportunistic. For years he’s been hitting on us [Latinos] on every front — immigration, health care, the economy — and then all of a sudden he says he’s our champion. You’d have to be blind or stupid to believe that he’s our friend or that he’s going to help Latinos advance in society…as far as we are concerned, the damage is done.
*****
Dobbs has no political career thanks to his own words and deeds.
It couldn't have happened to a more deserving fellow.
:)
"I know that there are people who do not love their fellow
man, and I hate people like that! " ~ Tom Lehrer (1928 - )
Sen. Durbin rebukes Sen. Cornyn AND Chris Wallace on healthcare reform and the public option.
Durbin gives an excellent long commentary on how Republicans seek to protect "billions in subsidies" to an industry that is raking in record profits. Clip-worthy.
* There are two types of Republicans: millionaires and suckers.
"Mugsy's Rap Sheet": Recording history for those who seek to rewrite it.
Perino tells Wallace that the "Climate Change Reports that came out of the Bush Administration" that they were criticized for "playing with the numbers" was actually... as these hacked emails prove... was actually closer to the truth.
* There are two types of Republicans: millionaires and suckers.
"Mugsy's Rap Sheet": Recording history for those who seek to rewrite it.
According to Dana Perino, we have President Bush to thank, for refusing to join with the Kyoto Treaty because China and India refused to attend, that China and India are attending this latest Accord President Obama will be attending this week.
Can I just point out for a moment that (one of) THE REASONS China and India thought they could skirt the Kyoto Accords was BECAUSE the U.S. was refusing to support it as well.
* There are two types of Republicans: millionaires and suckers.
"Mugsy's Rap Sheet": Recording history for those who seek to rewrite it.
Reliable up to the second information Americans can count on.
And now a word from Chevron . . "Your partner in life"
McCain tells Gregory that we must Stay [in any conflict] till we "break the enemy's spirit".
If their spirit hasn't been broken after 8 years (if not felling EVEN MORE confident now), just how long does he think that will take?
* There are two types of Republicans: millionaires and suckers.
"Mugsy's Rap Sheet": Recording history for those who seek to rewrite it.
just like we did in Viet Nam?!?!?
"Egotism is the anesthetic that dulls the pain of Stupidity" - Frank Leahy
McCain tells Gregory that we must Stay [in any conflict] till we "break the enemy's spirit".
He knows NOTHING about the Middle East.
There's always free cheddar in the mousetrap, baby. - Tom Waits
to see if they are going to stop being ripped off for gasoline over there. $400 dollars a gallon is what i've heard.
Sabathia on a seven-year, $161 million contract.
A.J. Burnett agreed to a five-year, $82.5-million contract.
(To throw a stupid ball at guys holding a stick.)
It is because idiots will pay $20 for a shitty seat and buy $7 beer and $5 hot dogs and 32 peanuts. I use to go to games in the 70s and 80s (not so much in the 80s) until they were so blatantly ripping me off that I could not possibly have any fun with the thought of being ripped off the primary thought all during the game. Now my 14 year old son has not been to a MLB game and I feel terrible about it but to spend over $100 dollars to watch these multimillionaires and feel ripped off is not my idea of fun. We will go to a collage game or a high school game or a semipro game and have a much better and more exciting time.
Horrible what has happened to major sports. And people look at me funny when I tell them I don't watch or follow any of them. Olympics included.
And we had college football on from 9 a.m until 9 p.m. last night.
I kept looking at the $40 million big screen TV in the new Cowboys Stadium wondering how much fun it would be to go there and watch a Turner Classic Movie all by myself. Ha!!!!
My sons get so mad when I say, "There's only one way to watch sports...the highlights at eleven. You can literally watch a whole days worth of sports in about five minutes!"
"The US has an army of 90,000 soldiers in Afghanistan and is spending $100bn a year, but has still been unable to defeat 20,000-25,000 Taliban who receive no pay at all." - Patrick Cockburn
Whenever someone complains that athletes and entertainers aren't worth millions of dollars, I ask who, then, should get the millions of dollars we pay to watch the millionaires?
that a little propoganda for the "surge" in Afghanistan will spew forth from their lying lips and do ya think that if you put them side by side on a monitor they would say exactly the same thing?
Sounds one jhell of a lot like the push for Iraq to me.
Hope that will highten your desperation.
Whatever happened to the word "soldier"? I never see it anymore. Instead everyone uses the word "troop", which is misleading, since it's a plural noun and not singular.
Is there something politically incorrect about "soldier" now? Because I think it's a fine word, and it saddens me that we seem to be losing it.
There's always free cheddar in the mousetrap, baby. - Tom Waits
because I was corrected several times in the In Memoriam segment I do each week, "soldier" refers to Army personnel only. Marines are not soldiers.
Personally, I've opted to use "servicemembers" as an umbrella term for all our troops.
to get in a bar fight is to call a marine a soldier. That opinion came from a business associate who was a marine and I have no reason to doubt it.
Hasa Diga Eebowai
I did not know that. Thank you for the info!
There's always free cheddar in the mousetrap, baby. - Tom Waits
I thought Andy Rooney and I were the only ones who still understood that "troop" is a plural noun. As others have pointed out, "soldier" implies Army, but "service member" is the appropriate generic term.
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