Preview of coming attractions
Is everybody ready for the granting of the reconstruction contracts in New Orleans? I'm sure they will be fairly and honestly chosen in such a way that they provide the most efficient use of our tax dollars while contributing the best boost to the local economy possible. Politics will play no part in the granting of contracts.
Saturday, September 03, 2005
Probably bad
I'm not a person who says nice things about people I disliked just because they're dead. At most, I'll hold my silence out of respect for the living. Obviously, Rehnquist was not my favorite member of the court. I disagreed with most of his decisions. But I respected him for one very important thing. At a time when the conservative dogma requires hatred of the very concept of the supreme court, William H. Rehnquist defended the independence of the judiciary. That will be a powerful loss.
So, what now? Bush gets to name another member of the court. In one respect, this won't matter much. Rehnquist was in the conservative third of the court. Bush will name a conservative. This won't change the balance of power nearly as much as replacing O'Connor, who was in the swing third. On the other hand, Rehnquist was the chief justice and Bush gets to name or promote someone to that position. No doubt, Bush and his cronies will show the proper level of respect for the dead by high-fiving each other and shouting, "Yee-haw, a twofer!" The chief justice decides which cases the court will or will not hear. In getting to name the next chief, Bush gets to screw us for years after he has retires to Crawford.
Shit.
Chief Justice William H. Rehnquist died Saturday evening at his home in suburban Virginia, said Supreme Court spokeswoman Kathy Arberg.
I'm not a person who says nice things about people I disliked just because they're dead. At most, I'll hold my silence out of respect for the living. Obviously, Rehnquist was not my favorite member of the court. I disagreed with most of his decisions. But I respected him for one very important thing. At a time when the conservative dogma requires hatred of the very concept of the supreme court, William H. Rehnquist defended the independence of the judiciary. That will be a powerful loss.
So, what now? Bush gets to name another member of the court. In one respect, this won't matter much. Rehnquist was in the conservative third of the court. Bush will name a conservative. This won't change the balance of power nearly as much as replacing O'Connor, who was in the swing third. On the other hand, Rehnquist was the chief justice and Bush gets to name or promote someone to that position. No doubt, Bush and his cronies will show the proper level of respect for the dead by high-fiving each other and shouting, "Yee-haw, a twofer!" The chief justice decides which cases the court will or will not hear. In getting to name the next chief, Bush gets to screw us for years after he has retires to Crawford.
Shit.
Fox News vs. reality
Neal Cavuto:
Reality:
There is something patalogical about this kind of behavior. He admits that the facts probably won't to back him up, but he still has to haul out he conservative persecution complex and ladle on a good helping of xenophobia. Those foreigners are picking on us. This noise might be understandable from an ill informed neighbor or relative spouting off after a few drinks, but this is professional journalist. It's his job to know the facts, especially when one ofthose facts is that the president of his country and the leader of his political faction is out there telling the world, "we don't want your help."
I guess people like Cavuto just can't help themselves. What's reality compared to a good self-righteous persecution narrative?
Neal Cavuto:
Maybe I missed it, but I have a question: Where's the global relief effort for us today?
New Orleans is under water. Mississippi is a disaster. Scores are dead. Homes are destroyed. Businesses are shut down.
When this kind of stuff happens to other folks, we're there. When this kind of stuff happens to us, who's here?
I know we're a rich country. But I think it a bit rich so few call to wish us well in this country. Perhaps some have and perhaps I've missed it.
[...]
Maybe some countries have offered rescue personnel. I just haven't seen them. I'll keep looking. I'll keep waiting. I'll keep wondering.
All I know is for now, the silence is deafening. And the water in New Orleans isn't the only thing that stinks.
Reality:
The State Department said offers so far had come from Belgium, Canada, Russia, Japan, France, Germany, Britain, China, Australia, Jamaica, Honduras, Greece, Venezuela, the Organization of American States, NATO, the Netherlands, Switzerland, Greece, the Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Mexico, South Korea, Israel and the United Arab Emirates.
There is something patalogical about this kind of behavior. He admits that the facts probably won't to back him up, but he still has to haul out he conservative persecution complex and ladle on a good helping of xenophobia. Those foreigners are picking on us. This noise might be understandable from an ill informed neighbor or relative spouting off after a few drinks, but this is professional journalist. It's his job to know the facts, especially when one ofthose facts is that the president of his country and the leader of his political faction is out there telling the world, "we don't want your help."
However, in Moscow, a Russian official said the U.S. Federal Emergency Management Agency had rejected a Russian offer to dispatch rescue teams and other aid.
[...]
Bush told ABC-TV: "I'm not expecting much from foreign nations because we hadn't asked for it. I do expect a lot of sympathy and perhaps some will send cash dollars. But this country's going to rise up and take care of it.''
I guess people like Cavuto just can't help themselves. What's reality compared to a good self-righteous persecution narrative?
Friday, September 02, 2005
A new record
Sadly No! discovered this gem while digging through the comments on Lucianne.com.
For once, my sarcasm fails me.
Sadly No! discovered this gem while digging through the comments on Lucianne.com.
An earlier post said that New Orleans is 400+ years old. If our country is 229 years old, how is this possible? The Indians had a city here?
For once, my sarcasm fails me.
Squids in space
Last week, PZ Myers, noted cephalapod fanatic, mentioned a site called Talking Squids in Outer Space that is run by the author Vonda McIntyre and dedicated to our tentacled friends in science fiction. When I checked it out, I noticed that she was missing Ken MacLeod's Engines of Light series. I dropped her a line to point out the lacuna and she has since, not only added MacLeod, but added a bunch of new squidy space opera. Tentacled beings have a long and honerable role in science fiction and it's about time they got the credit they deserve. So, go check out McIntyre's site and order a few of the books.
Last week, PZ Myers, noted cephalapod fanatic, mentioned a site called Talking Squids in Outer Space that is run by the author Vonda McIntyre and dedicated to our tentacled friends in science fiction. When I checked it out, I noticed that she was missing Ken MacLeod's Engines of Light series. I dropped her a line to point out the lacuna and she has since, not only added MacLeod, but added a bunch of new squidy space opera. Tentacled beings have a long and honerable role in science fiction and it's about time they got the credit they deserve. So, go check out McIntyre's site and order a few of the books.
Thursday, September 01, 2005
This is your government at work
Go to the FEMA page on Hurricane Katrina. Scroll down to the heading "Donations." After a warning about fraud and tax-deductability, there is an alphabetical list of organizations through which you can donate cash and/or volunteer. A few groups have been pulled out the alphabet and placed at the top of the list. They are: the American Red Cross and Operation Blessing.
We all know who the American Red Cross is but who is Operation Blessing? Take a big breath; you'll need it to scream. Operation Blessing is Pat Robertson.
Just for the record, most of the recommended charities are religion based.
Go to the FEMA page on Hurricane Katrina. Scroll down to the heading "Donations." After a warning about fraud and tax-deductability, there is an alphabetical list of organizations through which you can donate cash and/or volunteer. A few groups have been pulled out the alphabet and placed at the top of the list. They are: the American Red Cross and Operation Blessing.
We all know who the American Red Cross is but who is Operation Blessing? Take a big breath; you'll need it to scream. Operation Blessing is Pat Robertson.
Just for the record, most of the recommended charities are religion based.
Fats Domino is missing
New Orleans is a special city that holds a unique position in the American psyche. As a human tragedy, Hurricane Katria would have been just as bad wherever it happened. But as a cultural tragedy, there is something extra horrible about smashing New Orleans. For years to come, we'll still be sorting out the losses for food, for architecture, for language, and for music. The city has probably done more for American music than any other city in the country. That's why this story stood out for me more than any other story.
That Monday phone call was the last confirmed contact with him. But, Harry Shearer told Reuters that he had heard from friends that Domino had made it to the Superdome, where the equally-legendary singer-songwriter Allen Toussaint was also among the refugees. In one respect, these are just two more old men among the refugees. Their hunger, thirst, and exhaustion is no more special or tragic than anybody elses. But for me, they are two old men that have made my life a little better, so I'll pay extra attention to their fate. I hope they, and all the other tired old men of the city, get out okay.
New Orleans is a special city that holds a unique position in the American psyche. As a human tragedy, Hurricane Katria would have been just as bad wherever it happened. But as a cultural tragedy, there is something extra horrible about smashing New Orleans. For years to come, we'll still be sorting out the losses for food, for architecture, for language, and for music. The city has probably done more for American music than any other city in the country. That's why this story stood out for me more than any other story.
Fats Domino is among the tens of thousands of New Orleans residents unaccounted for after floodwaters swamped the city famed for its musical heritage, friends said on Thursday.
The 76-year-old musician, beloved for his boogie-woogie piano style and such hits as "Ain't That a Shame" and "Blueberry Hill," told his manager Al Embry on Monday that he planned to "ride out" Hurricane Katrina at his home in New Orleans...
That Monday phone call was the last confirmed contact with him. But, Harry Shearer told Reuters that he had heard from friends that Domino had made it to the Superdome, where the equally-legendary singer-songwriter Allen Toussaint was also among the refugees. In one respect, these are just two more old men among the refugees. Their hunger, thirst, and exhaustion is no more special or tragic than anybody elses. But for me, they are two old men that have made my life a little better, so I'll pay extra attention to their fate. I hope they, and all the other tired old men of the city, get out okay.
Leadership
By the leader of the free world:
By the man whose agency includes FEMA:
By the number three person in the executive branch:
The spokesman for the leader ofthe free world:
That's the word from the administration that has shamelessly whored the greatest terrorist attack in our history for maximum partisan advantage for four years without break. That's the word from the administration that invariably treats truces and calls to set aside politics as signs of weakness and invitations to attack. That's the word from the administration that will be on the receiving end of many of those pointing fingers.
At a time like this, our first priority must be to aleviate pain and suffering. Our second priority, however, must be to determine how much humans are to blame for that pain and suffering, to find them and to make them pay. Bush did not cause the hurricane (unless you believe the HAARP theory). Nature caused the hurricane. But nature isn't the only source of pain and suffering in a disaster like this. People bear a lot of responsibility. Bush is not the only person responsible. Certainly some state and local officials will bear some responsibility for the failures of preparation and response. Human predators who try to profit from pain and misery will bear total responsibility for their actions. I think when everything is added up and sorted out, the Bush administration will have a lot to answer for.
No amnesty for Bush.
By the leader of the free world:
"I don't think anyone anticipated the breach of the levees."
--George Bush
By the man whose agency includes FEMA:
"The critical thing was to get people out of there before the disaster," he said on NBC's Today program. "Some people chose not to obey that order. That was a mistake on their part."
--Michael Chertoff, Secretary of Homeland Defense
By the number three person in the executive branch:
According to Drudge, Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice has recently enjoyed a little Broadway entertainment. And Page Six reports that she’s also working on her backhand with Monica Seles. So the Gulf Coast has gone all Mad Max, women are being raped in the Superdome, and Rice is enjoying a brief vacation in New York. We wish we were surprised.
What does surprise us: Just moments ago at the Ferragamo on 5th Avenue, Condoleeza Rice was seen spending several thousands of dollars on some nice, new shoes (we’ve confirmed this, so her new heels will surely get coverage from the WaPo’s Robin Givhan). A fellow shopper, unable to fathom the absurdity of Rice’s timing, went up to the Secretary and reportedly shouted, “How dare you shop for shoes while thousands are dying and homeless!” Never one to have her fashion choices questioned, Rice had security PHYSICALLY REMOVE the woman.
The spokesman for the leader ofthe free world:
As I have indicated, this is not a time for politics. This is a time for the nation to come together for those in the Gulf Coast region and that's where our focus is. This is not a time for finger-pointing or politics.
That's the word from the administration that has shamelessly whored the greatest terrorist attack in our history for maximum partisan advantage for four years without break. That's the word from the administration that invariably treats truces and calls to set aside politics as signs of weakness and invitations to attack. That's the word from the administration that will be on the receiving end of many of those pointing fingers.
At a time like this, our first priority must be to aleviate pain and suffering. Our second priority, however, must be to determine how much humans are to blame for that pain and suffering, to find them and to make them pay. Bush did not cause the hurricane (unless you believe the HAARP theory). Nature caused the hurricane. But nature isn't the only source of pain and suffering in a disaster like this. People bear a lot of responsibility. Bush is not the only person responsible. Certainly some state and local officials will bear some responsibility for the failures of preparation and response. Human predators who try to profit from pain and misery will bear total responsibility for their actions. I think when everything is added up and sorted out, the Bush administration will have a lot to answer for.
No amnesty for Bush.
Bad History? Yes, Bad History!
The Carnival of Bad History # 3 is here. Horatio at Dodecahedron has the latest edition for your reading pleasure. He's made it a very special Michael Jackson edition. Michael Jackson? Yes Michael Jackson! Horatio has something for everyone. He has Nazis. He has terrorists. He has Intelligent design. He has Paul Harvey. Paul Harvey? Yes, Paul Harvey!
History isn't just that highschool class taught by coaches (badly), history is everything. Culture, politics, movies, the good, the bad, and, yes, the ugly. Bad history is mostly the ugly. Go, read up, get inspired, and track down your own bad history for the next carnival.
The Carnival of Bad History # 3 is here. Horatio at Dodecahedron has the latest edition for your reading pleasure. He's made it a very special Michael Jackson edition. Michael Jackson? Yes Michael Jackson! Horatio has something for everyone. He has Nazis. He has terrorists. He has Intelligent design. He has Paul Harvey. Paul Harvey? Yes, Paul Harvey!
History isn't just that highschool class taught by coaches (badly), history is everything. Culture, politics, movies, the good, the bad, and, yes, the ugly. Bad history is mostly the ugly. Go, read up, get inspired, and track down your own bad history for the next carnival.
Wow. My first deathwish
I've never really had a problem with trolls or attracked the attention of some of the more eliminationist members of Right Blogistan, but today that changed.
Tony the Pony wants me killed.
Of course Tony wants all of us liberals to die, but I got a specific link on the word "differently" in the first paragraph. I feel so honored. I'm right up there with the big bloggers.
Tony's upset because all we liberals do is complain, but we never offer constructive solutions, like mass deportation to certain death for those who annoy us. Now that he's shown me how to do it, I'll be much better in the future.
I've never really had a problem with trolls or attracked the attention of some of the more eliminationist members of Right Blogistan, but today that changed.
Tony the Pony wants me killed.
ive thought long and hard about what we could do to remedy these people who do nothing more than complain about how bad our lord and president is but have never said how they would do things differently...its so easy to criticize, especially when you're worthless.
here is my solution. since the "people" in the liberosphere dont really add anything to our country, we should send them to iraq to hug the terrorists and to talk the terrorists into leaving us alone. hopefully the terrorists will show them the same hospitality as they showed Daniel Pearl.
Of course Tony wants all of us liberals to die, but I got a specific link on the word "differently" in the first paragraph. I feel so honored. I'm right up there with the big bloggers.
Tony's upset because all we liberals do is complain, but we never offer constructive solutions, like mass deportation to certain death for those who annoy us. Now that he's shown me how to do it, I'll be much better in the future.
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