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Travel Day, Open Thread

I'm off to Connecticut today to hang out with Jane Hamsher of Firedoglake. I'll be staying with her through Monday, as she continues her battle with breast cancer.

We planned the visit while in D.C. at the Scooter Libby trial. I'm really looking forward to it. Jane is an inspiration, a warrior and a total trooper. She's going to win this battle.

Except for Wednesday and Monday which are travel days, I'll be blogging here as usual. Big Tent Democrat, TChris and Last Night in Little Rock will be here in my absence, as their schedules allow.

Let's start the day off with an open thread, where you can all weigh in with what's on your mind. I'll be following along as internet access allows.

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    Morning. Chuckles. Sort of :-) (5.00 / 1) (#2)
    by Edger on Wed Mar 28, 2007 at 06:50:39 AM EST
    Neil Steinberg, Man enough to cop to it?, Chicago Sun-Times:
    Maybe the residents of Washington, D.C., are lucky they can't elect a representative to Congress. After all, the Capitol is right there, directly under their noses. Giving them the vote would be like sending blood sausages to the neighbors of a meat-packing plant.
    And
    Last week I pointed out the lack of Hispanic support for embattled Attorney General Alberto Gonzales, and a great many readers argued Gonzales surrendered his benefits as a Latino when he became a Republican -- in the same way Condoleezza Rice ceased being black, in many eyes, when she curled up in George W. Bush's lap.
    And
    President Bush, meanwhile, supports [Gone-zales] unconditionally, under what we can fairly dub "The Bush Doctrine," which, stated succinctly, is: It isn't a mistake if you don't admit it.


    Don't forget, Al. (5.00 / 1) (#5)
    by Edger on Wed Mar 28, 2007 at 08:12:26 AM EST
    In keeping with that doctrine, don't forget it was George who corrupted you. Dale a la Madre. It wasn't your fault, Al. Really.

    Unless you're man enough to cop to it.

    Parent
    Need a spy glass?? (1.00 / 1) (#3)
    by jimakaPPJ on Wed Mar 28, 2007 at 07:25:02 AM EST
    Gotta watch those black folks who run off the reservation, eh??

    Parent
    Impeachment (5.00 / 2) (#4)
    by profmarcus on Wed Mar 28, 2007 at 07:38:42 AM EST
    it ain't goin' away, nor should it, says john nichols in the nation... to hideously paraphrase the iran discussion, when a gang of criminals has taken over the executive branch of our government, all options for getting rid of them MUST be ON the table...
       The impeachment threat is real, argues The Nation's John Nichols, as shown by talk show pundits who have begun to discuss it seriously.

        "Former Republican Congressman Joe Scarborough had me on his MSNBC show Monday night to talk about impeachment," Nichols writes. "It was smart, civil discussion that treated the prospect of impeaching the president as a serious matter."

        "No, Scarborough is not jumping on the impeachment bandwagon," Nichols adds. "He is simply treating the prospect seriously, as did CNN's Wolf Blitzer earlier in the day."

        According to Nichols, "We are nearing an impeachment moment."

        "The Alberto Gonzales scandal, the under-covered but very real controversy involving abuses of the Patriot Act and the president's increasingly belligerent refusals to treat Congress as a co-equal branch of government are putting the discussion of presidential accountability onto the table from which House Speaker Nancy Pelosi has tried to remove it," Nichols writes.


    my daily prayer: a revelation so staggering in its scope and illegality that the bush administration's house of cards will come tumbling down, thus obviating the need for a horribly painful, long and drawn-out impeachment process...

    And, yes, I DO take it personally


    Thoughts for Jane (5.00 / 2) (#6)
    by Oliver W Holmes the 3rd on Wed Mar 28, 2007 at 08:17:42 AM EST
    JM-
    Please let Jane know people ALL over are pulling for her and sending her their Best Wishes.  Never met her but like her lots and enjoy her blog postings.

    A US court was never gonna put Rumsfeld... (5.00 / 1) (#7)
    by dutchfox on Wed Mar 28, 2007 at 08:32:52 AM EST
    in the dock.

    BBC News: Rumsfeld torture suit dismissed

    The nine men suffered abuse including being:

    hung upside-down and slapped until they lost consciousness
    stabbed with knives
    subjected to electric shocks
    deprived of sleep by loud noises and bright lights
    grabbed by aggressive dogs

    They also were subjected to sexual humiliation.

    None was ever charged with a crime.



    Friends (5.00 / 2) (#9)
    by Dulcinea on Wed Mar 28, 2007 at 08:59:07 AM EST
    Jeralyn,

    Jane is lucky to have many good friends and vice versa.

    Dissonance (5.00 / 1) (#12)
    by Edger on Wed Mar 28, 2007 at 09:47:00 AM EST
    ....we have a President with a sustainable home that's off-grid, features geothermal cooling and heating, passive solar, and a grey water system.

    ?

    .....................
    The planet's getting hotter, ecosystems are going haywire, government scientists know it -- and still the president denies there's a problem. Guess which industry continues to fuel his campaign?

    "You're talking about a president who says that the jury is out on evolution, so what possible evidence would you need to muster to prove the existence of global warming?" says Robert F. Kennedy Jr., author of the new book "Crimes Against Nature."  "We've got polar ice caps melting, glaciers disappearing all over the world, ocean levels rising, coral reefs dying. But these people are flat-earthers."

    In fact, Bush's see-no-evil, hear-no-evil stance on global warming is so intractable that even when his own administration's scientists weigh in on the issue, he simply won't hear of it.
    ...
    "Since the first time President Bush has marginally said global warming could be real, he has delayed, denied or tried to derail any advancements to address it," says Betsy Loyless, vice president for policy for the League of Conservation Voters,  which has endorsed John Kerry for president in 2004.

    The Bush administration has refused to allow climate experts to even participate in climate policy discussions, asserts Rosina Bierbaum, a former director of the White House science office. Rather than consult with its own scientific advisors when devising a strategy on climate change, the White House constructed a plan primarily from conversations with the National Economic Counsel.

    "I wasn't asked anything," says Bierbaum, now dean of the University of Michigan's School of Natural Resources and Environment. "In fact, I was told to stop sending weekly science updates to the White House, as had been the tradition with the previous administration."

    --Bush: Global warming is just hot air
    .....................

    edger (1.00 / 1) (#20)
    by jimakaPPJ on Wed Mar 28, 2007 at 10:20:16 AM EST
    Man made GW is as phony as a Las Vegas Blackjack dealer's smile.

    Get out of the equipment room little IT budy.

    Look up in the sky.

    See that big orange yellow thing??

    It's called the "sun." And guess what?

    They have coordinated sun spots with the earth's tempereature changes.

    Wow! Who would have thought earth's temperature has anything to do with the sun~~~

    Parent

    The GWOT will be declared won in Oct. 2008 (5.00 / 1) (#13)
    by scribe on Wed Mar 28, 2007 at 09:50:19 AM EST
    So says the Deputy Secretary of Defense, as noted in this article.

    It's nice to know that the victory over an emotional state will be finally won just in time for the next election.

    Who wants to try to figure out the politics of this one?

    The bases will be completed and secure? (none / 0) (#16)
    by Edger on Wed Mar 28, 2007 at 10:07:30 AM EST
    The 'combat' troops can come home. The rest can stay for thirty or forty or fifty years?

    Parent
    What a coincidence!!! (none / 0) (#39)
    by kdog on Wed Mar 28, 2007 at 06:46:56 PM EST
    I was planning to declare victory in the global war on athlete's foot in Oct. 2008.

    It means just about as much.

    Parent

    A Radical Proposal (3.33 / 3) (#1)
    by terryhallinan1 on Wed Mar 28, 2007 at 03:37:51 AM EST
    I am after all a liberal.  Perhaps I might be forgiven for suggesting that the gawddam name-calling and personal attacks not be sanctioned.  I don't think it is out of line but others seem to disagree.

    There is a recent thread in another blog in which John McCain's recent erratic behavior is ascribed to PTSD.  Not to unseemly ambition, not to deterioration of his mental faculties from age, not to some undiagnosed mental failings but to his brutal treatment in captivity as a POW long ago.

    Haven't we veterans done enough that we can not only get the Rove treatment from the Bushies but serve again as cannon fodder for lefties and not-so-lefty Democrats?

    Many interesting threads here but it is not overly pleasant to have ad hominems replace reasoned discussion.

    Take care, BTD.  I am out of here.  Keep up the good work.

    Best,  Terry

    What happened? (none / 0) (#15)
    by Big Tent Democrat on Wed Mar 28, 2007 at 10:02:47 AM EST
    Provide a link please. I can assurew you that namecalling is not allowed.

    Do you think I would be as tame as I am if it was?

    Link please.

    Parent

    Stupid me (none / 0) (#23)
    by Big Tent Democrat on Wed Mar 28, 2007 at 10:31:16 AM EST
    I just saw the OTHER blogs phrase.

    Parent
    Ya gotta love it (1.00 / 1) (#10)
    by jimakaPPJ on Wed Mar 28, 2007 at 09:26:48 AM EST
    This is a link to ecorazzi, an environmental type blog who does a piece on Bush's Crawford, TX home.

    ....we have a President with a sustainable home that's off-grid, features geothermal cooling and heating, passive solar, and a grey water system.
    ....The Bushes installed a geothermal heating and cooling system, which uses about 25% of the electricity that traditional heating and air-conditioning systems consume. Several holes were drilled 300 feet deep, where the temperature is a constant 67 degrees...

    Now you would think that an environmental group would shower some compliments on someone who is "walking the walk" as compared to Algore who just wants to tell us what to do. I mean wouldn't you??

    Guess again my Leftie buds...

    (Did Bush design it) Probably not. In fact, I'm going to bet it was not Bush who designated these eco-friendly additions but rather an architect.

    Pardon me while I fall down laughing at such a dumb hit piece.

    Jim, (none / 0) (#11)
    by Peaches on Wed Mar 28, 2007 at 09:35:13 AM EST
    Don't let me interupt you, but I answered your question about my garden here. I'm still waiting to hear how yours is progressing.

    Parent
    Peaches (none / 0) (#17)
    by jimakaPPJ on Wed Mar 28, 2007 at 10:13:43 AM EST
    Sorry I missed it...

    Been a warm March after a record cold January and February... I have my tomatoes, cabbages, onions, bell peppers, bananna peppers and lettuce in the ground and thriving. I have the radishes planted and up...next week it will be planting okra (candy when deep fried), beets (for cannning pickles), watermelons, cucumbers for salads and canning (pickles)... In about three weeks...time for corn, peas, green beans and a second row of tomatoes for canning.

    Best I can tell I'll have veggies about three weeks early, which will help the grocery bills and relieve the stress of the outrageous heating bills on the Palatial Retirement Compound.... thank goodness for Global Warming...  :-)

    Don't forget to mulch!!

    Parent

    Global Warming (none / 0) (#24)
    by Peaches on Wed Mar 28, 2007 at 10:34:02 AM EST
    Couple of more years and I think my vegies might get as early a start here in the polar tundra as yours do. ;)

    Parent
    We can only hope. (none / 0) (#31)
    by jimakaPPJ on Wed Mar 28, 2007 at 02:06:51 PM EST
    Mmmm, okra. (none / 0) (#26)
    by Gabriel Malor on Wed Mar 28, 2007 at 10:39:17 AM EST
    I love a guy who can appreciate okra. You'd think the nut 'n' crunchy types here in SoCal would like and approve of this wonderful vegetable. Sadly, many have never heard of it and good luck finding it in any restaurant except for Indian places.

    I want to go home...fried okra, and pickled okra, and grilled okra, and bhindi, and okra gumbo. Gaaaahr.

    Parent

    Roasted bell peppers? (none / 0) (#30)
    by jimakaPPJ on Wed Mar 28, 2007 at 02:05:24 PM EST
    Bananna peppers?

    Okra should grow well in So Cal. Two 97 cent bags of seed will grow enough to feed a small family..

    Be careful though, the leaves are quite suggestive..

    Just keep picking the pods when they are about 1.5 inches for best eatung. As the plant grows. trim your bottom branches and it will probably grown 6' to 7' tall in your climate.

    Parent

    Pots? (none / 0) (#35)
    by Gabriel Malor on Wed Mar 28, 2007 at 02:20:26 PM EST
    I wonder how well they'd grow in a few pots (I live in an apartment)?

    And yes, I'd already been warned to have a good edible plant book with pictures to assuage the ever vigilant SMPD. Although, the city passed its "Lowest Law Enforcement Priority" ordinance with respect to marijuana crimes.

    Parent

    Peaches/jim (none / 0) (#29)
    by sarcastic unnamed one on Wed Mar 28, 2007 at 12:40:22 PM EST
    Good stuff. I have a vineyard and it's come to life over the past week or so. Some shoots are 3-4" already. Little green leavs fluttering in the breeze.

    Blue skies, green growth, belly shirts. Spring has sprung.

    Parent

    They see no virtue in voluntary action (none / 0) (#25)
    by roy on Wed Mar 28, 2007 at 10:38:59 AM EST
    You only get green brownie points by trying to force others to act, not by acting yourself.  

    It makes a sick kind of sense.  Individual choice is of so little value to the environmental extremists that it would be hypocritical to praise people for choosing to do right.

    Parent

    Roy (none / 0) (#33)
    by glanton on Wed Mar 28, 2007 at 02:18:01 PM EST
    I understand you detest government but contrary to libertarian orthodoxy, not everything can be solved by "individual choices."

    Again, as President, Bush's Environmental Policy is far, far more important to Environemtnal Issues than whatever personal gestures he might make.  If you can't see that it's too bad.

     

    Parent

    Their houses (none / 0) (#32)
    by glanton on Wed Mar 28, 2007 at 02:14:12 PM EST
    and life choices in general are far less important than their policies.  

    Parent
    glanton (none / 0) (#40)
    by jimakaPPJ on Wed Mar 28, 2007 at 11:37:59 PM EST
    You realize, of course, that what you are saying is that the end (a desired policy) justifies the means (putting with a person who is less than deseriable).

    Awfully slippery slope old chum.

    Parent

    That's a leap (none / 0) (#41)
    by glanton on Wed Mar 28, 2007 at 11:53:14 PM EST
    The end at times can justify the means.  It depends on the situation.  I know, I know, that makes it hard, cause you have to look at things carefully instead of trying to capture it all with a little soundbite.  Ahh, such is life.

    So yes, I'd rather have a politician promote good policies than anything else. That is in the end all I really care about in terms of politicians.  Those among them who lead exaemplary lives to boot, well hey, bonus.     His or her personal conduct is irrelevant to me, much like yours is.  

    On the Other hand, a politician whose policies are destructive might give to charity all he or she wants, and have as eco-friendly a house as possible, and it won't change the destructive policies not one whit.  

    How sad that such things must be explained to you.  Stay alert, and stay with Fox.

    Parent

    I was all wrong about Bush (none / 0) (#14)
    by Che's Lounge on Wed Mar 28, 2007 at 10:02:40 AM EST
    Gee Jim, I guess he's not the genocidal, war making, lying, drugged up, hypocritical, out-of-touch, AWOL, elitist son of true b**ch that I thought he was.

    Che (1.00 / 1) (#18)
    by jimakaPPJ on Wed Mar 28, 2007 at 10:15:52 AM EST
    Che... He will always be yours to hate...

    BTW - What have you done to aid the environment??

    Parent

    Britain breaks off diplomatic relations with Iran (none / 0) (#19)
    by scribe on Wed Mar 28, 2007 at 10:16:21 AM EST
    over captured Royal Marines.  This was reported by German MDR/ARD radio in their 1700 (Euro-time) news (finishing as I write this).  The text currently posted on the website currently says that Britain has frozen its relations with Iran, but it appears there has been a change in the half-hour since that text was last updated.

    I'll follow later, once the report updates.

    ppj (none / 0) (#21)
    by jondee on Wed Mar 28, 2007 at 10:20:16 AM EST
    are you saying black folks are too dumb to know who's really looking out for their interests: i.e., you and the rest of the Republican Party?

    What other explanation could there be? Stick your "reservation".


    Are you saying (none / 0) (#34)
    by jimakaPPJ on Wed Mar 28, 2007 at 02:19:03 PM EST
    only black people can comment on a political point regarding the actions of black people??

    Okay. Now. Does this mean we hear no more from you??

    (I hope not. You're a lotta fun.)

    Parent

    Yeah, (none / 0) (#22)
    by jondee on Wed Mar 28, 2007 at 10:21:40 AM EST
    I know, "Im a social liberal".

    No you're not. (none / 0) (#36)
    by jimakaPPJ on Wed Mar 28, 2007 at 02:21:33 PM EST
    Oh, you mean me? Well, yes, now that you mention it, I am.

    You know. Freedom of speech, religion...the right to join whatever political party you want to..

    And your next question??

    Parent

    lies and obstruction ... (none / 0) (#27)
    by Sailor on Wed Mar 28, 2007 at 11:11:54 AM EST
    ... no wonder sge wants to take the (and probably drink a) fifth:
    An attorney for Monica Goodling says she will cite her Fifth Amendment protection against self-incrimination.

    Goodling was involved in an April Sixth, 2006, phone call between the Justice Department and New Mexico Republican Senator Pete Domenici.



    Bob Geiger rpts... (none / 0) (#28)
    by desertswine on Wed Mar 28, 2007 at 12:01:09 PM EST
    In an act of big-time face-saving, George W. Bush today withdrew the nomination of major Swift-Boat donor Sam Fox, a wealthy St. Louis businessman and GOP benefactor, to be the new U.S. Ambassador to Belgium. Fox's nomination was in trouble based on a $50,000 donation he made to the so-called Swift Boat Veterans for Truth to help them smear John Kerry in the 2004 presidential race.

    Good riddance.

    Good riddance? (none / 0) (#37)
    by scribe on Wed Mar 28, 2007 at 02:25:13 PM EST
    Nah, they're like crabgrass.  He'll be back.

    Parent
    In general... (none / 0) (#38)
    by desertswine on Wed Mar 28, 2007 at 03:14:45 PM EST
    you are correct about noxious lawn pests and their human counterparts.  In particular though, this clown is 77 yrs old and in all probability this is his last hurrah.

    I hope the Belgians are dancing.

    tappity-tap-tap-tap...

    Parent

    pp (none / 0) (#42)
    by jondee on Thu Mar 29, 2007 at 09:35:19 AM EST
    did anyone say you shouldnt comment? On the contrary, please continue: tell us how massas Jim, Sean and Mista George is better doin' black folks thinkin for 'em; them bein happy jest livin on a reservation and all.

    Throw in a Hiram Evans link too, if you want.

    "Freedom of speech" (none / 0) (#43)
    by jondee on Thu Mar 29, 2007 at 09:55:12 AM EST
    , unless theres a war on and it might embolden the enemy.

    "Freedom of religion", as long as you dont mind being constantly associated with enemies of the U.S by warmongering morons if you practice the wrong religion. Etc, etc.

    I might add (none / 0) (#44)
    by jondee on Thu Mar 29, 2007 at 09:58:18 AM EST
    that with the Right (Wrong), there's always some kind of "war on".

    regarding cancer (none / 0) (#45)
    by Kristofer Dale on Mon Apr 02, 2007 at 01:40:11 PM EST
    If anyone is interested, I have composed an open letter to Governor Bill Richardson concerning his recent public stance on the problem of cancer and provided a copy here:

    http://www.nmia.com/~barefoot/misc/murky.htm