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:: 9.30.2004 ::
Iraq war predicted to be a disaster in January of 2003
Tom Tomorrow caught this story: The same intelligence unit that produced a gloomy report in July about the prospect of growing instability in Iraq warned the Bush administration about the potential costly consequences of an American-led invasion two months before the war began, government officials said Monday.
The estimate came in two classified reports prepared for President Bush in January 2003 by the National Intelligence Council, an independent group that advises the director of central intelligence. The assessments predicted that an American-led invasion of Iraq would increase support for political Islam and would result in a deeply divided Iraqi society prone to violent internal conflict.
One of the reports also warned of a possible insurgency against the new Iraqi government or American-led forces, saying that rogue elements from Saddam Hussein's government could work with existing terrorist groups or act independently to wage guerrilla warfare, the officials said. The assessments also said a war would increase sympathy across the Islamic world for some terrorist objectives, at least in the short run, the officials said.
[emphasis added] Why, oh why, does it not surprise me that Bush completely ignored two separate reports that told him in no uncertain terms that invading Iraq would in fact HELP TERRORISTS.
:: Deb 10:56 AM :: permalink ::
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:: 9.29.2004 ::
Networks defy (silly) debate rules The rules, signed by the managers of the two campaigns, also prohibit the cameras from panning to members of the audience during the question-and-answer periods.
Fox News Channel, whose turn it is under a rotation system to operate the "pool" cameras for all the networks in the first debate on Thursday in Coral Gables, Florida, said it would follow its own editorial judgment in operating its cameras.
"They don't want reaction shots," said Fox News spokesman Paul Schur told Reuters. "We're not going to bow to outside pressure. We're not going to follow these restrictions."
His comments were echoed by executives of cable news rival CNN and the Big Three commercial broadcasters -- ABC, CBS and NBC -- all of which plan to mix their own production from the feeds supplied by Fox News.
"I think the campaigns and candidates should do the debating and leave the television and the journalism to the networks," said one broadcast news executive.
In addition, all four broadcast journalists chosen as moderators for the debates -- Charles Gibson of ABC and Bob Schieffer of CBS, and Jim Lehrer and Gwen Ifill of the Public Broadcasting Service -- have refused to sign the 32-page agreement governing conduct of the events. This is a Reuters story, c/o YahooNews.
Notes: by pure chance, it is Fox's turn in to operate the "pool" cameras for all networks. That worked out well, eh? Thought I'm not sure if it's better to draw the first debate or the last one... guess we'll see.
Remember to watch the debate tomorrow!!! 6pm, PST. KQED will be carrying it, as will all major networks.
:: Deb 6:38 PM :: permalink ::
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Another Patriot Act provision ruled unconstitutional U.S. District Judge Victor Marrero, in the first decision against a surveillance portion of the act, ruled for the American Civil Liberties Union in its challenge against what it called "unchecked power" by the FBI to demand confidential customer records from communication companies, such as Internet service providers or telephone companies. From YahooNews.
:: Deb 4:55 PM :: permalink ::
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A moving voice Real Voices is engaged in a critical campaign to bring home to American voters the true human cost of George Bush's reckless war in Iraq. In our extraordinary television spot, "A Mother's Tears", Cindy Sheehan, of Vacaville, CA, talks about her son, Spc. Casey Sheehan, who was killed in Iraq on April 4th, 2004. The Sheehan family blame George W. Bush for the deceptive campaign that led America into the needless war in Iraq. Casey died bravely, attempting to save fellow soldiers caught in an ambush in Sadr City.
By sponsoring "A Mother's Tears" in a battleground state you can help educate tens of thousands of voters in one of the most effective TV messages ever produced. Take action today to make a difference in this election... there has never been a more important time to act, nor a more effective way to do so. You can watch the ad yourself here.
To sponsor "A Mother's Tears", please click here.
Followup
Here's a Reuters story on these ads.
:: Deb 4:47 PM :: permalink ::
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Finally, Kerry speaks out against the war "We should not have gone to war knowing the information that we know today," Kerry told ABC. "Knowing there was no imminent threat to America, knowing there were no weapons of mass destruction, knowing there was no connection of Saddam Hussein to Al Qaida, I would not have gone to war. That's plain and simple." From a story in YahooNews in which he explains that his oft-quoted "I actually did vote for the $87 billion before I voted against it" statement was "one of those inarticulate moments." Hm. Wasn't there some other candidate that occasionally misspeaks? Can't think who that might be...
:: Deb 11:17 AM :: permalink ::
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:: 9.28.2004 ::
Sick again
Sorry about the intermittent-ness of my posts lately. Will try my bestest to get back on track.
In the meantime, you can check out these PSA's that will be show on Comedy Central over the next few weeks.
:: Deb 10:46 AM :: permalink ::
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:: 9.22.2004 ::
Silly senior photos
Courtesy of PlanetDan - be sure to click thru 'em all! This must be a recent trend, because we were not allowed to personalize our yearbook photos at ALL when I was in high school. We couldn't even wear our own clothes; girls got this awful fake-velvet drape - basically a big square with a smaller square cut out of it - to put around their neck after taking off their shirt. Blech.
Thanks to Ty for this one.
:: Deb 11:31 AM :: permalink ::
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Kerry 269, Bush 253
Such is result the election would return today, according to the Electoral Vote Predictor 2004, a site that combines the results of several polls in an effort to offset any inherent biases.
A gem found after scrolling down a bit on this page: In voting news, the Pentagon has restricted access to the website overseas voters, both military and civilian, can use for registering to vote, citing attempts to hack it. The story was first reported by the International Herald Tribune. Is the Pentagon, with its billions of dollars, incapable of building a simple website that is difficult to break into? And is the answer to attempted break-ins to disenfranchise overseas voters, including the servicemen and women who are defending this country with their lives? Is this how we support the troops? By taking away their right to vote?
Microsoft and other companies are attacked all the time, and their reaction is to put up strong defenses. Surely the Pentagon is capable of doing what the computer industry does every day?
I recently talked to a knowledgeable source who has been in Iraq for a long time and his impression is that the reservists and national guardsmen there are quite unhappy, especially about having their tours of duty extended. It is not unthinkable this unhappiness might be expressed if they were allowed to vote.
Fortunately, overseas voters, including members of the armed forces, who haven't registered yet can fill in the necessary registration forms online via overseasvote2004.com and then print them. Instructions for sending the printed forms to the U.S. are given on the Americans abroad page. But time is running out. Yeek.
:: Deb 11:04 AM :: permalink ::
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:: 9.20.2004 ::
Our savage numbness
Fantastic post by Bob Harris on Tom Tomorrow's blog. Read it, and weep.
:: Deb 4:19 PM :: permalink ::
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A house that's designed to produce as much energy as it uses
Great idea! Linked from Fark.
:: Deb 1:46 PM :: permalink ::
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:: 9.17.2004 ::
More on Kerry's record
Check it out.
Kerry's 1971 testimony before Congress
The complete transcript of the statement he read before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee on 4/22/71 is here, but I'm still hoping I can find video somewhere.
(Both links found on the Kerry/Edwards blog referenced below)
:: Deb 5:40 PM :: permalink ::
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Kerry's done nothing in the Senate? Well, it's not for a lack of trying
Found while looking for online video of Kerry's 1971 testimony before Congress (quite an impressive, heartfelt speech, by the way): The following are ten Senate bills or resolutions introduced and sponsored by Senator Kerry in 2003.
1. S.CON.RES.84 : A concurrent resolution recognizing the sacrifices made by members of the regular and reserve components of the Armed Forces, expressing concern about their safety and security, and urging the Secretary of Defense to take immediate steps to ensure that the reserve components are provided with the same equipment as regular components. Introduced by Senator Kerry 11/29/03, Stalled in committee
2. S.318 : A bill to provide emergency assistance to nonfarm-related small business concerns that have suffered substantial economic harm from drought. Introduced by Senator Kerry 2/5/2003, stalled in committee.
3. S.530 : A bill to amend title 5, United States Code, to create a presumption that a disability or death of a Federal employee in fire protection activities caused by any of certain diseases is the result of the performance of such employee's duty. Introduced by Senator Kerry 3/5/2003. Stalled in committee.
4. S.842 : A bill to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to provide tax relief for small businesses, and for other purposes. Introduced by Senator Kerry 4/9/2003. Stalled in committee.
5. S.875 : A bill to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to allow an income tax credit for the provision of home ownership and community development, and for other purposes. Introduced by Senator Kerry 4/10/2003. Stalled in committee.
6. S.1112 : A bill to amend title 38, United States Code, to permit Department of Veterans Affairs pharmacies to dispense medications on prescriptions written by private practitioners to veterans who are currently awaiting their first appointment with the Department for medical care, and for other purposes. Introduced by Senator Kerry 5/22/2003. Stalled in committee.
7. S.1411 : A bill to establish a National Housing Trust Fund in the Treasury of the United States to provide for the development of decent, safe, and affordable housing for low-income families, and for other purposes. Introduced by Senator Kerry 7/15/2003. Stalled in committee.
8. S.1885 : A bill to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to provide tax incentives for manufacturing businesses in the United States. Introduced by Senator Kerry 11/18/2003. Stalled in committee
9. S.1991 : A bill to require the reimbursement of members of the Armed Forces or their family members for the costs of protective body armor purchased by or on behalf of members of the Armed Forces. Introduced by Senator Kerry 12/9/2003. Stalled in committee. (Only one other sponsor!)
10. S.2266 : A bill to amend the Small Business Act to provide adequate funding for Women's Business Centers. Introduced by Senator Kerry 3/31/2004. Stalled in committee.
Notice that all are Stalled in Committee. Who are the chairmen of those committees? Republican Senators. Who can schedule committee matter to go to the floor for a vote? Republican Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist.
Doesn't it seem peculiar that all these bills (and another 39) are stalled in committee and Dick Cheney and George Bush are on the campaign trail claiming 'What has John Kerry done in the Senate?"
Notice these are not frivilous feel good resolutions, they are bread and butter to millions and live saving to our men in Iraq. Posted on the official Kerry/Edwards Blog on August 26th, by gbm.
:: Deb 5:35 PM :: permalink ::
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:: 9.16.2004 ::
More new blog "features"
You can now click on images (like the one of the rose, below) to see bigger versions, and you can navigate to other blogs, if you want to, by using the navbar at the top of this page.
:: Deb 2:39 PM :: permalink ::
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Here's a recent attempt at a still-life... 
:: Deb 2:37 PM :: permalink ::
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Blog updates
You can now email posts to yer friends! Check out this nifty new feature (next to the "comments" link, below).
:: Deb 1:18 PM :: permalink ::
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:: 9.08.2004 ::
Hey look, it's a survey about the election
Quick n' easy. Results will be published in October.
:: Deb 11:12 AM :: permalink ::
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:: 9.07.2004 ::
Wow, I have no memory of this at all
A child-prostitution scandal involving Bush the Elder and other top Republicans in the 1980s? Covered by The Washington Times and The New York Times, among others? Nope, never heard of it. Anyone remember this? Link thanks to Atrios.
:: Deb 6:12 PM :: permalink ::
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Guantanamo on the Hudson
If you believed the news reports about the people NYPD arrested during the Republican National Convention (i.e. they were all protestors, they got violent, they purposefully clogged the booking system, they were housed under humane conditions for less than 24 hours, they were given access to phones and their lawyers, etc.) this story might change your mind. There are also some links toward the end of the story that you should check out.
:: Deb 4:35 PM :: permalink ::
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Michael Moore's success story
Found in this morning's email from Michael Moore: In Pennsylvania, a Keystone poll showed that 4% of Kerry's support has come from people who decided to vote for him AFTER seeing "Fahrenheit 9/11" -- and in an election that will be very close, 4% is a landslide. A Harris poll found that 44% of Republicans who see the film give it a “positive” rating. Another poll, to be released this week, shows a 21-point shift in Bush's approval rating, after just one viewing of the movie, among audiences of undecideds who were shown "Fahrenheit 9/11" in Ohio. Fantastic!!!
:: Deb 1:48 PM :: permalink ::
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