treat!

TREAT!

Oh twolf. That’s what I get for hitting the shift key first.

Fast, peeps!
My screen went from 0 comments to two in nano seconds.

fitz

At the moment, I can’t think of a suggestion or recommendation that will merit a stamp of approval; I will try to think of something…

there is a refreshing humility in that clip; these guys are confident and are having fun.

Good treat. Thanks!

bah-dap bap bah-dap baaaaah !!!!!!!!!!

TREAT!!!!

Thank you, Christy!
Thank you, Thirtysomething Dems!
Oh yeah, and THANK YOU, AMERICA!

Ah, I feel so much better now. : )

Happy St. Nicholas Day

punaise at 7 — they crack me up. *g* I thought you guys could use a giggle today, too. :)

I just realized that I’m old enough to be these guys mother. Wow! Where did the time go? I remember going out to march, coming back and hanging out, passing the pipe around… Feeling a little moldy… YOU GO GUYS! I’ve got your back - still!

Oh, and your other surprise treat? This just into my in box:

Senator Feingold will be on Countdown w/ Keith Olbermann tonight to talk about the ISG report. He’ll be on around 8:30 pm ET.

Whatever they decide, I still would like to see it put right in front of the doors of Congress on the last day.
Make every one of those sonsabiches have to walk right past it on their way out.

Oh yeah, and have some big dude there to kick them in the ass for good measure.

Renee in Ohio @ 11

Happy St. Nicholas Day

I’ve been eating cookies this morning, and am only about 1/128 Swedish. It’s enough.

Christy Hardin Smith @
14

Oh, and your other surprise treat? This just into my in box:

Senator Feingold will be on Countdown w/ Keith Olbermann tonight to talk about the ISG report. He’ll be on around 8:30 pm ET.

Bonus treat!

Russ! KO!

If you’re like me, you can’t throw out a rubber stamp, because you just know that someday it will come in handy. so you stick it in the back of your desk drawer.

Unless you presented it to the White House Press corpse. In honor of their role.

My own cranky suggestion:

Display it prominently in the Capitol lobby, with one of those helpful plaques that reads:

“This is the ‘Republican Rubber Stamp’, a symbol of the 109th Congress Democratic caucus’ successful campaign to earn majority status in the House. It symbolizes the idea that playing it safe, going along with one’s party leaders, and neglecting the constitutional duties of an elected representative is a path to political failure.”

Leave it there as a warning to the 110th Congress, and future congresses as well.

Think anyone will listen? I don’t.

…where the rubber hits the Rove…

Unless you presented it to the White House Press corpse.

Yes. How appropriate — with the exception of Helen.

ten troops killed today.CNN

How about this…
I want it kept around. Tape a big ‘X’ over the ‘Republican’ part so it will still stamp but it can be used for reminding Democrats not to be rubber stamps for anyone—big business, lobbyists, DCCC, DSCC, anyone.

I’m not in a real trusting mood, you know? I’m happy we won but a little wary.

omg, here’s one of the thug rubberstamp congresscritters “welcoming the assassination of Fidel Castro”. On youtube.

whoa.

http://www.informationclearing.....e15822.htm

she also says she is representing freedom fighters here and in Cuba.

Steve Soto at the Left Coaster:

Jack Kingston: Lazy-Assed Whiner

So Steny Hoyer tells the House that they should be ready to work five days a week in the 110th Congress, soon to be under Democratic control. And the first thing out of Georgia GOP representative Jack Kingston’s mouth is a whine about how tough this is on congressional families:

“Keeping us up here eats away at families,” said Rep. Jack Kingston (R-Ga.), who typically flies home on Thursdays and returns to Washington on Tuesdays. “Marriages suffer. The Democrats could care less about families — that’s what this says.”

Hey smiling Jack, do you really want to talk about which party could care less about families? You voted to send thousands of Americans to a debacle in Iraq, and you vote to keep them there. I have no sympathy at all for you, when your war has just ruined Christmas for another ten families, who will never see their loved ones again. And you’re complaining about working five days a week, when you can’t even get the budget done on time, let along accomplish anything of substance these last two years?

Jack Kingston, you and Lindsey Graham should drag your sorry asses to Iraq and see real hardship and family sacrifice. You can empathize with Jack for his weekly two-hour taxpayer-paid plane rides to and from Georgia here.

It needs to be stamped by a larger rubber stamp marked VOID…in blue.

put a bunch of nails in the handle, sharp points facing out (The Stamp Tacks?), so that it can never be used again.

Christy:
I still think we should bury the stamp’s handle in Cheney’s backside, he has acquired enough circumference over the time of his evil reign.

Oooohh, I like the nails in the handle idea punaise!

Re Jack Kingston–he also voted against way too many minimum wage bills. It’s OK for folks to miss family time because they’re working 2 and 3 jobs, but ask him to work a 40 hour week? Naaah!

Give it to Lieberman

Everythingseemssoneat @ 30

Give it to Lieberman

He’d then think it was his idea….

American soldiers killed in Iraq lie dead and cold in the ground. Silently. But I hear your voices. And so shall George Bush. One of these days.

OT - James Kim’s body recovered from the OR woods :(

Very sad, indeed about Mr. Kim– the poor sheriff and trooper aren’t holding up very well.

;(

more people mourning lost loved ones.

I want justice. Nothing more.

Oklahoma kiddo @ 12:47 pm (#32)

American soldiers killed in Iraq lie dead and cold in the ground. Silently. But I hear your voices. And so shall George Bush. One of these days.

That will be about the time he pulls his fingers out of his ears and stops humming, I suspect.

How about we drop it from a great height onto a repugnican to be named later?

Leave it where it is- the jury’s still out on whether or not goopers are gonna follow GW Clusterfuck further into the wilderness. They may need it.

Need ta send goopers an entire GW Clusterfuck followership kit:

rubber stamp

compass

first aid supplies

Nose condoms ta keep the brown stains off the nose and teeth.

I want out of Iraq. A “two-state solution” in Palestine. And I want all politicians, regardless of political party, who continue to support the killing in Iraq and the Gaza, held mightily accountable.

10 more troops killed in Iraq today–GW Clusterfuck off ta hug the widows.

I haven’t seen Rita Cosby yet, but the Iraq Group recommendation has been swept from the news.

Very sad story. But holy cow, at least MSNBC is in full Jon-Benet mode. Bleccchhhh.

A medical expert (sounds like Henry Kissinger) said he could have died from any of several different things.

He may even have been attacked and eaten by bears.

Well, gotta go for now. Thanks for the video, Christy. Any chance to remind the incoming Congress that they face the same fate as the last one if they don’t do better at governing is a good one. Like I said, I don’t think too many of them will listen, but we’ve seen that there’s a cure for that.

Looking at Snow and David Gregory spar earlier, clearly Snow is out of his depth.

Snow? Depth?

Balrog– you’re right, this is the typical tabloid treatment, yet again.

Having an uninvolved ME on the phone giving his ideas is just so disgusting. Maybe the family (who asked not to be contacted by the media) can hear about the bears, too.

No respect is accorded just endless speculation by the damned news corporations.

It would seem that if the guy was eaten by bears- it would be reasonably obvious to the casual observor.

Shorter MSNBC meteorologist:

It would be interesting to know how long James Kim survived out there, cuz Holy Cow, it was like cold out.

2 ISG members on CNN

OT - It seems that Circuit City has adopted the moniker firedog (sm-trademark) for a new business line. They also just happen to be promoting Rudy Guilliani (he must be running for something.

http://www.tompaine.com/articl.....uliani.php

Personally, I think this gets a little too close for comfort. Especially if they are dabbling in politics. Time to get the FDL legal team on their asses with a cease and desist order?

seems the neocons are all a-twist with Baker. Maybe he is the right guy…

Doing steak chili, ala Cuervo Classico Joven tequilla, in the crock-pot for tonight, with hot iron skillet sweet buttered corn bread on the side on this clear, cool blue-sky Oklahoma afternoon. Should be ready about the time Olbermann makes his appearance.

I am licking my chops, politically and gastronomically.

Oklahoma kiddo @ 53

Doing steak chili, ala Cuervo Classico Joven tequilla, in the crock-pot for tonight, with hot iron skillet sweet buttered corn bread on the side on this clear, cool blue-sky Oklahoma afternoon. Should be ready about the time Olbermann makes his appearance.

I am licking my chops, politically and gastronomically.

Droooooolllll…

kemo @
52

seems the neocons are all a-twist with Baker. Maybe he is the right guy…

If the neocons don’t like him, he is the right guy.

Baker didn’t give adequate thought to the effect of his policies on Armageddon and the holy land..

If Israel doesn’t hold onto the Golan Heights- then maybe it won’t find the red heifer and without the red heifer- they won’t build the temple and unless they build the Temple- Jesus won’t come and consign em all to hell- which is the REAL outcome of the middle east peace process.

Oklahoma kiddo @
53

Doing steak chili, ala Cuervo Classico Joven tequilla, in the crock-pot for tonight, with hot iron skillet sweet buttered corn bread on the side on this clear, cool blue-sky Oklahoma afternoon. Should be ready about the time Olbermann makes his appearance.

I am licking my chops, politically and gastronomically.

Yum. Sounds better than Orc Gumbo, Goblin Kiev, and TrollTarts.

JF @ 54

Oklahoma kiddo @ 53

Doing steak chili, ala Cuervo Classico Joven tequilla, in the crock-pot for tonight, with hot iron skillet sweet buttered corn bread on the side on this clear, cool blue-sky Oklahoma afternoon. Should be ready about the time Olbermann makes his appearance.

I am licking my chops, politically and gastronomically.

Droooooolllll…

for desert: Medrooool dates

rw: Zionist-Christians: an oxymoron?

punaise @ 58

for desert: Medrooool dates

Yuppie prunes.

Senate vote on Gates @ 5PM eastern

rwcole @ 56

Baker didn’t give adequate thought to the effect of his policies on Armageddon and the holy land..

If Israel doesn’t hold onto the Golan Heights- then maybe it won’t find the red heifer and without the red heifer- they won’t build the temple and unless they build the Temple- Jesus won’t come and consign em all to hell- which is the REAL outcome of the middle east peace process.

Don’t forget that Jerusalem also has to be on the verge of being destroyed before the Savior comes back to rock and roll. This is why it is really important to destabilize the middle east so that all of the Arabs turn against the Jews. Only as the city is falling will the jews recognize thier true messiah — or so rumor has it.

kemo @ 52– thanks so much for that article.

From Atrios, this one is pretty funny…

NY Post’s Peyser on Obama

Did Karl Rove at one time work on the presidential campaign for George Bush Sr.? And did he get fired off that same campaign. Is this just a rumor, or is this a fact? Anyone.

No way they’re gonna get that Temple in the right place until someone blows up the Dome of the Rock!!

Kiddo- I believe that’s correct.

Oklahoma kiddo @ 64

Did Karl Rove at one time work on the presidential campaign for George Bush Sr.? And did he get fired off that same campaign. Is this just a rumor, or is this a fact? Anyone.

Yes, apparently true. As I recall the story, Rove had some competition in the campaign consulting department–a fellow Repug who was friendly with GHWB–and Rove started doing what he could to undermine the other guy’s standing and reputation (as usual). When GHWB got wind that Rove was behind the smear campaign, he let Rove go.

cnn video - Anti-Bush sign for Christmas

Too bad we can’t just buy tickets and view Armageddon from the bleachers. Then go home. As it is we all seem to be holding season passes (whether we want them or not) to this Christian fundie/Israeli government engineered spectacle.

1980 George H. W. Bush presidential campaign
In 1977, Rove was the first person hired by George H. W. Bush for his official (ultimately unsuccessful) 1980 presidential campaign, which ended with Bush being selected as Ronald Reagan’s vice-presidential nominee. Reagan and Bush won the election, but Rove was fired in the middle of the campaign for leaking information to the press.

In 1977, Rove was the first person hired by George H. W. Bush for his official (ultimately unsuccessful) 1980 presidential campaign, which ended with Bush being selected as Ronald Reagan’s vice-presidential nominee. Reagan and Bush won the election, but Rove was fired in the middle of the campaign for leaking information to the press.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Karl_Rove

you’re mighty quick, rwcole.

rwcole @ 71

1980 George H. W. Bush presidential campaign
In 1977, Rove was the first person hired by George H. W. Bush for his official (ultimately unsuccessful) 1980 presidential campaign, which ended with Bush being selected as Ronald Reagan’s vice-presidential nominee. Reagan and Bush won the election, but Rove was fired in the middle of the campaign for leaking information to the press.

Does anyone else see a pattern here?
Valerie?

montag @
68

Yes, apparently true. As I recall the story, Rove had some competition in the campaign consulting department–a fellow Repug who was friendly with GHWB–and Rove started doing what he could to undermine the other guy’s standing and reputation (as usual). When GHWB got wind that Rove was behind the smear campaign, he let Rove go.

Can we assume that George befriended Karl simply because Daddy fired him?

Yes, we can.

So even Clusterfuck Senior could see early on that Rove was an asshole- what took Clusterfuck Junior so long? He still don’t get it.

It could have been Ronnie that let him go, you know…

UPDATE GANG: Feingold’s appearance on Countdown with Keith O. will be at the top of the hour nearer to 8:00 pm ET, rather than at 8:30. AND the 30 Somethings will likely be on C-Span around 8:30 pm ET or so.

Ronnie let him go?

Naw- Ronnie thought that he was actin in a world war two movie- had ta be Nancy.

rwcole @ 78

Ronnie let him go?

Naw- Ronnie thought that he was actin in a world war two movie- had ta be Nancy.

LOL!

Ronnie thought he was skipper of a BIG fuckin ship- and that he would always get chipped beef an coffee fer breakfast.

Lil Georgie hired Rove as yet another “in your face dad” statement. Having done that, he is unable to fire Rove, because that would mean dad was right and he was wrong.

montag @
68

Oklahoma kiddo @ 64

Did Karl Rove at one time work on the presidential campaign for George Bush Sr.? And did he get fired off that same campaign. Is this just a rumor, or is this a fact? Anyone.

Yes, apparently true. As I recall the story, Rove had some competition in the campaign consulting department–a fellow Repug who was friendly with GHWB–and Rove started doing what he could to undermine the other guy’s standing and reputation (as usual). When GHWB got wind that Rove was behind the smear campaign, he let Rove go.

Rove was fired from the 1992 Bush Sr. campaign for trashing Robert Mosbacher, Jr., who was the chief fundraiser for the campaign and an avowed Bush loyalist. Rove accomplished this trashing of Mosbacher by planting a negative story with columnist Bob Novak

Remember when Mrs Cheney said John Kerry
was a “bad man” when he mentioned their daughter
being gay?
The Cheney’s can’t handle the truth…
How can Cheney continue in this adm after the
aftermath?

Jack

Christy Hardin Smith @ 77

UPDATE GANG: Feingold’s appearance on Countdown with Keith O. will be at the top of the hour nearer to 8:00 pm ET, rather than at 8:30. AND the 30 Somethings will likely be on C-Span around 8:30 pm ET or so.

This could be good.

“Starboard ta larboard–fire when ready- all astern full- fill the ballast tanks–DING DING–DING DING- take the con Mr. Bush- DIVE DIVE”

Ronnie as president.

rwcole @ 85

“Starboard ta larboard–fire when ready- all astern full- fill the ballast tanks–DING DING–DING DING- take the con Mr. Bush- DIVE DIVE”

Ronnie as president.

Junya dives under the desk. Mommy!

“city on the hill- ding ding”

btw, huge thanks to everyone who helped the other day with the Christmas tree lights problem. Thanks to Twisted’s suggestion, I found the offending bulb and The Peanut and I are now decorating the tree. MUCH appreciated, gang!

These guys are hilarious.

Go 30 somethings! Shred or burn that “rubber stamp republican congress” thing. Or, whittle that icon into a peace symbol. Best $29 I ever spent.

Is tweety still on vacation? What does he think he is- a Congressman?

powwow at 89 — oh, they aren’t done yet…that’s the best part. *g* There are plans in the works for more…

rw at 90 — rumor has it that Matthews is having some difficulty with his diabetes at the moment…I heard that here earlier, as well as from a couple of other folks off the blogs. No source on it that I can quote, though, as yet.

Senators Nelson and Reed are on cspan 2 rationalizing their upcomming vote for Gates.

Another pathetic bipartisan crude oil soaked game of senate twister love to hear our own voices festival. Where’s Lieberman?

Redd–So that’s why he quit drinking?

Anybody here seen my old friend Pickles.

-GW

rwcole @ 66
No way they’re gonna get that Temple in the right place until someone blows up the Dome of the Rock!!

Don’t for a minute think that someone will not do it. Part of the prophesy is that a pure red bull must be born. In at least 3 states there are xtianist/zionist cattle breeders working on it.

The annoucement of such a birth could be the spark some fanatic or group of fanatics need to attempt it. America’s faux xtian wingnuts cannot wait for the return of their messiah and they will do anything they can to hurry the process along.

Congresspersons. I’m advised they get approx. $160 thou per/yr for 2 - three days a week. Oh. Plus perks and ‘legal’ bribes. Yuk.

Last night, MSNBC’s Hardball had their kick off event for the 2008 Presidential election at the Castle at the Smithsonian. The only thing missing was the host, Chris Matthews.

MSNBC’s Vice President of Washington, Tammy Haddad, told the crowd that Chris was in the hospital due to complications from diabetes and he was doing fine and would be home Friday.

NBC News uber-reporter Andrea Mitchell moderated the fiesty panel which included the Hotline’s Chuck Todd, MSNBC’s Norah O’Donnell, Patrick Buchanan and Howard Fineman.

http://www.mediabistro.com/fis....._48471.asp

ISG: US underreports violence

The panel pointed to one day last July when U.S. officials reported 93 attacks or significant acts of violence. “Yet a careful review of the reports for that single day brought to light 1,100 acts of violence,” it said.

“The standard for recording attacks acts as a filter to keep events out of reports and databases.” It said, for example, that a murder of an Iraqi is not necessarily counted as an attack, and a roadside bomb or a rocket or mortar attack that doesn’t hurt U.S. personnel doesn’t count, either. Also, if the source of a sectarian attack is not determined, that assault is not added to the database of violence incidents.

“Good policy is difficult to make when information is systematically collected in a way that minimizes its discrepancy with policy goals,” the report said.

Bending data around policy? I am shocked…

Congresspersons. I’m advised they get approx. $160 thou per/yr for 2 - three days a week. Oh. Plus perks and ‘legal’ bribes. Yuk.

(plus all the pages they can eat)

GSD @ 95

Anybody here seen my old friend Pickles.

-GW

Pickles?

thanks angie- I liked that somethin Brown woman who did the show monday.

angie at 97 — ooh, thanks! Wow, that was FAST!

angie oakley….)

As to Rover.

A cancer stricken and sick from chemotherapy Lee Atwater apologized for his gutter political tactics before he died.

Rove will never express contrition for sending America to the poltical asheap decades sooner than it would have with able stewardship.

Let’s hope China doesn’t export their tyranny along with their cheap products.

-GSD

new thread

omg - the ISG made 79 recommendations?

GWB won’t get through the reading of 7, let alone 79.

Oklahoma kiddo @ 100

GSD @ 95

Anybody here seen my old friend Pickles.

-GW

Pickles?

Laura Bush.

you’re welcome!

thanks for the moniker eureka!

I think I’ve become the new epu.

GSD @ 108

Oklahoma kiddo @ 100

GSD @ 95

Ah. Does this then make THE “twins” the gherkins?

Pickles?

Laura Bush.

UPDATE: Schedule change for the House — no 30 Somethings this evening. Will update when I get something firm on the schedule. (The GOP only controls the floor schedule for a few more days…repeat after me…)

angie –

I’m late as usual! I was just gonna jump in and report that Tweety was in hospital last week for diabetes complications. You are quick on the draw, and I’m slow as molasses these days.

But I can add this — I read in an article (where?!?) that Tweety is now home, discharged from the hospital, but that he won’t be returning to work until next week.

It’s unclear from what I read whether he’s home for a week on account of serious doctor’s orders, or if he’s taking some time off just to relax.

Maybe he has to learn a new regimen to handle his worsening diabetes…

kemo @
99

ISG: US underreports violence

The panel pointed to one day last July when U.S. officials reported 93 attacks or significant acts of violence. “Yet a careful review of the reports for that single day brought to light 1,100 acts of violence,” it said.

“The standard for recording attacks acts as a filter to keep events out of reports and databases.” It said, for example, that a murder of an Iraqi is not necessarily counted as an attack, and a roadside bomb or a rocket or mortar attack that doesn’t hurt U.S. personnel doesn’t count, either. Also, if the source of a sectarian attack is not determined, that assault is not added to the database of violence incidents.

“Good policy is difficult to make when information is systematically collected in a way that minimizes its discrepancy with policy goals,” the report said.

Bending data around policy? I am shocked…

And of course that leads us back to the Lancet study. How is it that this Baker rpt is actually reality-based? Me, grateful for small favors.

Ahhh, the joys of EPU. Whale, i’m gonna just hunker down here ‘n stay the course, like Mr. Snow said we never said.

Crazy Horse, good point. Hamilton was supposed to be part of the 9/11 commission phase II rpt? They were supposed to look at misused intel, IIRC… Seems at least he will know it when he sees it.

That is an interesting hypothesis, Kemo. i didn’t think to consider from what faction produced that section. Still, interesting that it was included, and i’d be impressed with a resurgence of democracy in amurka if this point went farther in the various media spheres.

If I happen to miss the byline on a post and then find mention of popcorn in the text, it always seems to be CHS - just noticing…

Get Bill Frist, Tom DeLay, John Boehner, Dennis Hastert, all former committee chairs, George Bush, Dick Cheney, Jack Abromoff, the CEOs of major pharm, oil, and finance companies, and all voted out Republican incumbents to sign the rubber stamp. Then put it in a nice trophy case.

Christy,

As you suggest, hope the 30 somethins are gonna be rockin.

I say drape the Rubber Stamp Republican Congress stamp with an American flag, like that with which a casket returning from Iraq is draped.

Although, now that I think about it, there is one major difference.

One of our fallen, who died bravely over in Iraq, has his or her casket adorned with an American flag to honor their service, their sacrifice and their courage.

On the other hand, to do the same with the Rubber Stamp Republican Congress stamp would actually demean our American flag, our troops and our nation, especially since the outgoing Republican members of Congress completely trashed their oath to uphold and defend our U.S. Constitution, our Bill of Rights and our democracy.

Therefore, I suggest that incoming Democrats burn this stamp on the steps of the U.S. Capitol and have a huge wienie roast.

jayt @ 107

omg - the ISG made 79 recommendations?

GWB won’t get through the reading of 7, let alone 79.

Dubya reads???