A look at the many fine blogs that've been brought to our attention simply confirms what we already knew: the blogospere is bursting with talented writers, acute observers, useful information, and amusing people. Some more examples... click here, or go to "Mike's Blog Round Up"
Oh, thank you very, very, very fucking much people for bringing my attention to this little goodie from Michelle Malkin. Well, it's only appropriate, I guess, to end a truly Malkin'd week with the sort of really busy fisking of a wing nut that you craaave. Especially since Auguste is off somewhere on hiatus and someone's got to take out the trash.
I'm not sure why it has to be me though. What about the Liberal Avenger? Can't he avenge this cold blooded murder of brain cells and bandwidth that Malkin saw fit to shove in our faces like we were Scott McClellan and her column was Jeff Gannon's cock?
No, seems he's got his own problems.
Oh, OK. (pinches nose shut). Damn, you know I'm going to boof.
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Yeah, yeah, we get it: She's a communist or, rather, she writes for a communist newspaper, a difference there that seems entirely lost on Malkin, like so much else.
Commie! Commie! Neener-neener-neener!
Go ahead, Michelle, get it out of your system. We'll wait. Forever. read on...
In Praise Of...Flavia Colgan and Lawrence O'DonnellLiberal Avenger? Can't he avenge this cold blooded murder of brain cells and bandwidth that Malkin saw fit to shove in our faces like we were Scott McClellan and her column was Jeff Gannon's cock?
No, seems he's got his own problems.
Oh, OK. (pinches nose shut). Damn, you know I'm going to boof.
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Yeah, yeah, we get it: She's a communist or, rather, she writes for a communist newspaper, a difference there that seems entirely lost on Malkin, like so much else.
Commie! Commie! Neener-neener-neener!
Go ahead, Michelle, get it out of your system. We'll wait. Forever. read on...
Pressed on the subject of the Bush Administration’s private “torture” jet earlier this week, Attorney General Alberto Gonzalez insisted that the American is assured the human treatment of detainees turned over to foreign governments for interrogation, but was forced to concede that the US has no safeguard to ensure that prisoners are not tortured upon their transfer to these nations notoriously hostile to human rights. This brilliantly evasive position leaves the Bush Administration virtually blameless in the systematic network of torture they have funded around the world, which has facilitated the transfer of over 100 detainees to several nations where they are allegedly tortured. Furthermore, this policy stands as the latest in a series of tell-tale indications that the Bush Administration has no intention of allowing international human rights standards to interfere with intelligence gathering in its “War on Terror”. As the Bush Administration’s support for torture remains increasingly unchallenged in America, a dangerous precedent is being set on for future standards of international human rights, based on the American prioritization of individual life over international human standards of conduct, which has been largely unquestioned in the public discourse...More
For instance, today we found out that the rockin' guitar over the commercial for "Sin City" is a song called "Cells" by UK outfit The Servant. According to their site (2 strikes... 1 because it's Flash-based and 2 because all the downloads are Real Audio), the song heard in the trailer is "a specially commissioned instrumental version". Well, whatever... it rocks ass.
FWIW, we thought it might be a song by ("Sin City" director Robert Rodriguez's band) Chingon... shows what we know!
For instance, today we found out that the rockin' guitar over the commercial for "Sin City" is a song called "Cells" by UK outfit The Servant. According to their site (2 strikes... 1 because it's Flash-based and 2 because all the downloads are Real Audio), the song heard in the trailer is "a specially commissioned instrumental version". Well, whatever... it rocks ass.
FWIW, we thought it might be a song by ("Sin City" director Robert Rodriguez's band) Chingon... shows what we know!
",0] ); D(["ce"]); D(["ms","1fc0"] ); //--> unconfirmed at this point, but Ian, who writes confessions of a mediaholic may be appearing on XM radio today.
Many progressives accept that we need to follow George Lakoff's advice and "reframe" issues to our advantage, as Republicans have actively been doing for years now (i.e. tax "relief", "war on terror", tort "reform"). Linguistically inept Democrats repeated their new terminology without a clue as to its long term consequence (i.e., losing elections). Taking back our language, though, isn't as easy as it sounds—just ask any parent who's tried to rid her teenager's vocabulary of, like, "LOL" or "word" or "your mom". It's, like, hard!
Where to start? Communications expert Parker Blackman, writing for TomPaine.com, has a few ideas:
We all know that the current leaders of the Republican party—be it President Bush, Tom Delay or Bill Frist – represent the extreme right wing of their party. But most of America doesn’t see them that way, because nobody has successfully framed them as such. It's time we start calling them what they are—irresponsible, reckless, extreme and radical. These are four adjectives that most accurately describe their agenda. More important still, these adjectives imply un-American values and speak to a flaw in their collective character.
This group of leaders is endangering our country's safety, our children’s future, our health and other things we hold close to our hearts. Most Americans are moderate in their views; extremism on either side of the political spectrum makes them uncomfortable. Reckless behavior makes them very uncomfortable. Americans would rather that their leaders be conservative in the true sense of the word. The majority of Americans don’t want Social Security dismantled. They don’t want us to fight an endless war in Iraq with more of their sons and daughters maimed or killed. They don’t want their air polluted and their water poisoned, and they don’t want their public school system destroyed.
Reframing is about more than learning new words; it's also about NOT
Where to start? Communications expert Parker Blackman, writing for TomPaine.com, has a few ideas:
We all know that the current leaders of the Republican party—be it President Bush, Tom Delay or Bill Frist – represent the extreme right wing of their party. But most of America doesn’t see them that way, because nobody has successfully framed them as such. It's time we start calling them what they are—irresponsible, reckless, extreme and radical. These are four adjectives that most accurately describe their agenda. More important still, these adjectives imply un-American values and speak to a flaw in their collective character.
This group of leaders is endangering our country's safety, our children’s future, our health and other things we hold close to our hearts. Most Americans are moderate in their views; extremism on either side of the political spectrum makes them uncomfortable. Reckless behavior makes them very uncomfortable. Americans would rather that their leaders be conservative in the true sense of the word. The majority of Americans don’t want Social Security dismantled. They don’t want us to fight an endless war in Iraq with more of their sons and daughters maimed or killed. They don’t want their air polluted and their water poisoned, and they don’t want their public school system destroyed.
Reframing is about more than learning new words; it's also about NOT using other words, Blackman says. Like "conservative", a positive word that most Americans associate with making good decisions, showing good judgment, being cautious. And "neo-conservative" is no better:
“Neoconservative” doesn’t mean a damn thing to anyone living outside of the Beltway or not heavily involved in politics."
He suggests, instead, we say “the reckless right wing of the Republican Party."
This works for me. As an extra bonus, it's alliterative.
Here's a practice phrase: "Word: Tom DeLay is, like, a reckless right wing Republican."
Rinse, repeat, rinse, repeat...
Torture Oh, That's Rich
Pressed on the subject of the Bush Administration’s private “torture” jet earlier this week, Attorney General Alberto Gonzalez insisted that the American is assured the human treatment of detainees turned over to foreign governments for interrogation, but was forced to concede that the US has no safeguard to ensure that prisoners are not tortured upon their transfer to these nations notoriously hostile to human rights. This brilliantly evasive position leaves the Bush Administration virtually blameless in the systematic network of torture they have funded around the world, which has facilitated the transfer of over 100 detainees to several nations where they are allegedly tortured. Furthermore, this policy stands as the latest in a series of tell-tale indications that the Bush Administration has no intention of allowing international human rights standards to interfere with intelligence gathering in its “War on Terror”. As the Bush Administration’s support for torture remains increasingly unchallenged in America, a dangerous precedent is being set on for future standards of international human rights, based on the American prioritization of individual life over international human standards of conduct, which has been largely unquestioned in the public discourse... using other words, Blackman says. Like "conservative", a positive word that most Americans associate with making good decisions, showing good judgment, being cautious. And "neo-conservative" is no better:
“Neoconservative” doesn’t mean a damn thing to anyone living outside of the Beltway or not heavily involved in politics."
He suggests, instead, we say “the reckless right wing of the Republican Party."
This works for me. As an extra bonus, it's alliterative.
Here's a practice phrase: "Word: Tom DeLay is, like, a reckless right wing Republican."
Rinse, repeat, rinse, repeat...
Many progressives accept that we need to follow George Lakoff's advice and "reframe" issues to our advantage, as Republicans have actively been doing for years now (i.e. tax "relief", "war on terror", tort "reform"). Linguistically inept Democrats repeated their new terminology without a clue as to its long term consequence (i.e., losing elections). Taking back our language, though, isn't as easy as it sounds—just ask any parent who's tried to rid her teenager's vocabulary of, like, "LOL" or "word" or "your mom". It's, like, hard! in the Post of a compromise that might bridge the theological gaps. No creating human embryos for experimentation—which would require growing embryos that were designed not to develop further—but using left-over embryos from fertility clinics. In other words, we should be able to use embryos created for the potential development of human life but not those created to be destroyed. Krauthammer, a conservative, separates himself from President Bush’s position banning federal funds for these experiments, pointing out that, however, it only is a ban on federal funds, not the experimentation itself.
The House Judiciary Committee voted against adopting a resolution demanding Bush agencies turn over all credentialing information related to James D. Guckert 21-10, the discredited conservative reporter and prostitute who wrote under the nom de guerre "Jeff Gannon".
Rep. John Conyers (D-MI), the ranking Democrat on the committee, said the resolution was imperative to ensuring that the line between reporters and activists remains clear.
"If we don't investigate this matter thoroughly," Conyers said, "where and when will be draw the line? I plead with my committee members in the Judiciary to support this very plain but necessary [amendment]."
[Rep.] F. James Sensenbrenner [(R-WI)], chairman of the committee, said he felt that "the Administration, in my opinion, has substantially investigated this matter."
"The Secret Service has determined that Mr Guckert did not pose a danger to the President or his family," Sensenbrenner said.
How does a man gain press access to the White House for two years straight without undergoing the rigorous three-month FBI background check required for a hard press pass? Who got this guy in and circumvented normal security checks? Sheesh, if a three-year-old girl gets on an airplane with a pocketknife, you're not worried that she might hijack the plane, you're worried about how that pocketknife got through your screening process.
The Republicans closed ranks and voted along party lines. Nothing to see here, move along. Nobody's even curious as to how an internet gay male hooker and tax dodger couging up partisan softball questions while writing for a GOP front organization disguised as "news" managed to get into the White House press briefings for two years, even though accredited journalists like Maureen Dowd, writing for esteemed news organizations like the New York Times, failed to get in.
Who did he know? Or more tellingly, who did he blow? Perhaps Gannon has some real dirt on some of these hyper-repressed Repugnican self-loathing gay homophobic closet cases.
Move along, nothing to see here. Now, let's get to the bottom of the issue of steroids in baseball, that's of monumental national importance! [Click here for full post...]
The Republicans closed ranks and voted along party lines. Nothing to see here, move along. Nobody's even curious as to how an internet gay male hooker and tax dodger couging up partisan softball questions while writing for a GOP front organization disguised as "news" managed to get into the White House press briefings for two years, even though accredited journalists like Maureen Dowd, writing for esteemed news organizations like the New York Times, failed to get in.
Who did he know? Or more tellingly, who did he blow? Perhaps Gannon has some real dirt on some of these hyper-repressed Repugnican self-loathing gay homophobic closet cases.
Move along, nothing to see here. Now, let's get to the bottom of the issue of steroids in baseball, that's of monumental national importance! [Click here for full post...]
“I've said he's a man of good experiences. He helped manage a large organization. The World Bank is a large organization; the Pentagon is a large organization -- he's been involved in the management of that organization. He's a skilled diplomat, worked at the State Department in high positions. He was Ambassador to Indonesia where he did a very good job representing our country. And Paul is committed to development. He's a compassionate, decent man who will do a fine job in the World Bank. And that's why I called leaders of countries and that's why I put him up.”
John Perkins has written a book entitled, Confessions of an Economic Hit Man: How the U.S. Uses Globalization to Cheat Poor Countries Out of Trillions. Although I have not read his book, I have heard several extensive interviews with Perkins. One of those was with Amy Goodman on Democracy Now. In these interviews, Perkins laid out a clear and convincing case for his own involvement in a number of these economic “hits”.
Put simply, an economic hit consists of enticing poor countries to borrow vast sums of money for development projects which is then handed to huge U.S. contractors in payment for that development work. The contractors would typically be in the Bechtel and Halliburton league. Later, the poor country discovers that they are disastrously over-extended and it is then that the “hit” part of the plan takes place. According to Perkins, at the point where the victim realizes it can’t pay the enormous debts, the U.S., through this network of “hit men” moves to take over industries such as oil or demands favors such as U.N. votes. The whole operation works much like a simple extortion scam. In the end, U.S. interests pocket most of the money and gain control over foreign interests.
In his interview with Goodman, Perkins described dealings in South and Central America, especially in Panama and Ecuador. He describes, in detail, the financial maneuvers and also the mysterious deaths of politicians who resisted the pressure, namely Omar Torrijos of Panama and Jaime Roldos, the first democratically elected President of Ecuador.
Now for the connection to Wolfowitz. Remember, Wolfie is one of the
John Perkins has written a book entitled, Confessions of an Economic Hit Man: How the U.S. Uses Globalization to Cheat Poor Countries Out of Trillions. Although I have not read his book, I have heard several extensive interviews with Perkins. One of those was with Amy Goodman on Democracy Now. In these interviews, Perkins laid out a clear and convincing case for his own involvement in a number of these economic “hits”.
Put simply, an economic hit consists of enticing poor countries to borrow vast sums of money for development projects which is then handed to huge U.S. contractors in payment for that development work. The contractors would typically be in the Bechtel and Halliburton league. Later, the poor country discovers that they are disastrously over-extended and it is then that the “hit” part of the plan takes place. According to Perkins, at the point where the victim realizes it can’t pay the enormous debts, the U.S., through this network of “hit men” moves to take over industries such as oil or demands favors such as U.N. votes. The whole operation works much like a simple extortion scam. In the end, U.S. interests pocket most of the money and gain control over foreign interests.
In his interview with Goodman, Perkins described dealings in South and Central America, especially in Panama and Ecuador. He describes, in detail, the financial maneuvers and also the mysterious deaths of politicians who resisted the pressure, namely Omar Torrijos of Panama and Jaime Roldos, the first democratically elected President of Ecuador.
Now for the connection to Wolfowitz. Remember, Wolfie is one of thecharter participants in the Project for a New American Century, a thinly veiled plan for U.S. global domination. Wolfowitz is widely considered the architect of U.S. policy in Iraq. But that still doesn’t tell us why the World Bank.
Perkins, in his Democracy Now interview, gives us the link.
“And we do this, typically -- well, there are many ways to do it, but a typical one is that we identify a third-world country that has resources, which we covet. And often these days that's oil, or might be the canal in the case of Panama. In any case, we go to that third-world country and we arrange a huge loan from the international lending community; usually the World Bank leads that process.” (emphasis added)
“And Paul is committed to development.”
Perkins, in his Democracy Now interview, gives us the link.
“And we do this, typically -- well, there are many ways to do it, but a typical one is that we identify a third-world country that has resources, which we covet. And often these days that's oil, or might be the canal in the case of Panama. In any case, we go to that third-world country and we arrange a huge loan from the international lending community; usually the World Bank leads that process.” (emphasis added)
“And Paul is committed to development.”
Random Observations on Movies & Politics
We’ve got to give credit to the conservatives in at least one area: they are extremely well organized. Every week Grover Norquist gets the troops together so they can plan a coordinated message and distribute the talking points, around which conservative talk show hosts can build their shows.
We liberals have some great spokespeople, but unfortunately the guest lists on the talk show circuit are skewed heavily to Republicans and conservatives: the typical talk show’s idea of balance is to have ONE person (a Democrat or a moderate/liberal or a journalist who in theory represents the “liberal” media but who is more likely a centrist) on a panel with THREE right-wingers (seemlying the more far-right the better.) And that doesn’t count the (generally) conservative host! Even when we get our opportunities it’s evident that many of our people are not quite ready for Prime Time because they don’t really know how to play the talk show game (“Don’t answer the question, just use it as an opportunity to get your talking points out,” “Continually interrupt your opponent,” “Run out the clock towards the end of the segment so you are sure to get the last word,” etc.) Robert Reich and Katrina Vanden Huvel know how to play and win this game. Ever since his abortive campaign for President Wesley Clark has done quite well for himself in these situations, and Paul Krugman has really gotten it together in the last year.
But as is pointed out virtually every day by Bob Somerby of The Daily Howler, we still lag behind the conservatives and our spokespeople/pundits rarely fully capitalize on the few opportunities offered to us.
Random Observations on Movies & Politics
We’ve got to give credit to the conservatives in at least one area: they are extremely well organized. Every week Grover Norquist gets the troops together so they can plan a coordinated message and distribute the talking points, around which conservative talk show hosts can build their shows.
We liberals have some great spokespeople, but unfortunately the guest lists on the talk show circuit are skewed heavily to Republicans and conservatives: the typical talk show’s idea of balance is to have ONE person (a Democrat or a moderate/liberal or a journalist who in theory represents the “liberal” media but who is more likely a centrist) on a panel with THREE right-wingers (seemlying the more far-right the better.) And that doesn’t count the (generally) conservative host! Even when we get our opportunities it’s evident that many of our people are not quite ready for Prime Time because they don’t really know how to play the talk show game (“Don’t answer the question, just use it as an opportunity to get your talking points out,” “Continually interrupt your opponent,” “Run out the clock towards the end of the segment so you are sure to get the last word,” etc.) Robert Reich and Katrina Vanden Huvel know how to play and win this game. Ever since his abortive campaign for President Wesley Clark has done quite well for himself in these situations, and Paul Krugman has really gotten it together in the last year.
But as is pointed out virtually every day by Bob Somerby of The Daily Howler, we still lag behind the conservatives and our spokespeople/pundits rarely fully capitalize on the few opportunities offered to us.
But there are two liberal Democrats out there who near always acquit themselves well and I wish had wider exposure: Flavia Colgan and Lawrence O’Donnell, political analysts for MSNBC. Especially last Fall they were turning up regularly on many MSNBC shows, most often on Hardball and on Scarborough Country, a show which I find hard to watch unless one of them is on. Flavia and Lawrence can also occasionally can be heard on Air America Radio (she on Majority Report, he on Al Franken.) O’Donnell can also been seen periodically on The McLaughlin Group,
Joe Scarborough obviously likes to have Flavia Colgan on because she’s both articulate and attractive – which makes for “good TV.” (Actually there are quite a few conservative bloggers who find Flavia “hot” and wish she were on their side; I’m not aware of any liberals – and, no, I don’t count Bill Maher as one - who consider Anne Coulter to be “hot” – and certainly none would want that wacko on our side!)
On Scarborough Country, Flavia always acquits herself quite well, and she’s especially good when attacking the usual conservative charges of liberal bias in the media. as the did in this memorable appearance on January 15th which Bob Somerby immortalized in a recent Daily Howler.Somerby immortalized in a recent Daily Howler...More
But there are two liberal Democrats out there who near always acquit themselves well and I wish had wider exposure: Flavia Colgan and Lawrence O’Donnell, political analysts for MSNBC. Especially last Fall they were turning up regularly on many MSNBC shows, most often on Hardball and on Scarborough Country, a show which I find hard to watch unless one of them is on. Flavia and Lawrence can also occasionally can be heard on Air America Radio (she on Majority Report, he on Al Franken.) O’Donnell can also been seen periodically on The McLaughlin Group,
Joe Scarborough obviously likes to have Flavia Colgan on because she’s both articulate and attractive – which makes for “good TV.” (Actually there are quite a few conservative bloggers who find Flavia “hot” and wish she were on their side; I’m not aware of any liberals – and, no, I don’t count Bill Maher as one - who consider Anne Coulter to be “hot” – and certainly none would want that wacko on our side!)
On Scarborough Country, Flavia always acquits herself quite well, and she’s especially good when attacking the usual conservative charges of liberal bias in the media. as the did in this memorable appearance on January 15th which Bob Somerby immortalized in a recent Daily Howler...More
Craig's Thoughts, Theories, and Tantrums
Ouch... that has to hurt. "Read my lips... no new taxes"
The Friday Fisking of Michelle Malkin You Crave.
Oh, thank you very, very, very fucking much people for bringing my attention to this little goodie from Michelle Malkin. Well, it's only appropriate, I guess, to end a truly Malkin'd week with the sort of really busy fisking of a wing nut that you craaave. Especially since Auguste is off somewhere on hiatus and someone's got to take out the trash.
I'm not sure why it has to be me though. What about the Craig's Thoughts, Theories, and Tantrums
Ouch... that has to hurt. "Read my lips... no new taxes"
This is what Republican compassion and morals means:
Republicans: We will raise your taxes to "save social security"
Blunt: Akin Race Becomes a Debate About Control of the Senate
'Gun Rights' Heckler Tasered at Gun Control Event in N.H.
Disgraced NBA ref spills the beans about how league uses 'superstar' calls, builds game around hyping stars 
Meet The Press: Noonan Is Frightened By Richardson's Beard, Relieved To Know Clintons Are Not Puppetmasters
Countdown's Bushed! - Justice Department's Do As I Say, Not As I Do Edition |
Actor James Gandolfini Dead at 51 |
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The Daily Show: Obama Quest |
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Disgraced NBA ref spills the beans about how league uses 'superstar' calls, builds game around hyping stars |
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Steve King: Secret Income Is 'Part of Freedom' |
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'Gun Rights' Heckler Tasered at Gun Control Event in N.H. |
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Colbert Skewers WSJ's Rabinowitz for Rant Against Citi-Bike Program |
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Larry Flynt 'Never Met a Republican Who Wasn't... in His Heart a Racist' |
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Colbert Skewers WSJ's Rabinowitz for Rant Against Citi-Bike Program |
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Maher Savages 'Cryptkeeper' Congressmen in New Rules Segment |
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Palin Writing 'Legalese' Book to Fight the 'War on Christmas' |
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Ryan's Freudian Slip: 'We are Not Going to Give Up on Destroying the Health Care System' |
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Romney Stunned by Debate Moderator's Fact Check on Libya Attacks |
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Jon Stewart: Every Time Cheney Laughs, an Angel Gets Stabbed in the D*ck |
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Big Gulp: Rubio Takes Water Break During SOTU Rebuttal |
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Jon Stewart Has a Field Day With Marco Rubio's State of the Union Response |
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