Brokeback White House

Bush seeks State of the Union bounce

and for once I agree with President Bush.
I, too, would like to see him get a big BOUNCE.
I'd like to see him bounce back to Crawford in disgrace!!

It's the End of the World as We Know It...

and I DON'T feel fine!

We Just Won't Deal With You!

"The Bush administration refuses to deal with Chavez."
"The Bush administration says it will refuse to deal with a nuclear Iran"
"The Bush administration will cut aid to Palestine and refuse to deal with Hammas."

Guess what, George? When all the above become firmly entrenched realities, YOU WILL DEAL WITH THEM! Whether you like it or not. You may think you're all that, but you're just about ready for a strong dose of reality. And I couldn't be happier!

In Case You've Missed the Demonizaton of Joel:

Warriors and wusses
I DON'T SUPPORT our troops. This is a particularly difficult opinion to have, especially if you are the kind of person who likes to put bumper stickers on his car. Supporting the troops is a position that even Calvin is unwilling to urinate on.I'm sure I'd like the troops. They seem gutsy, young and up for anything. If you're wandering into a recruiter's office and signing up for eight years of unknown danger, I want to hang with you in Vegas. And I've got no problem with other people — the ones who were for the Iraq war — supporting the troops. If you think invading Iraq was a good idea, then by all means, support away. Load up on those patriotic magnets and bracelets and other trinkets the Chinese are making money off of.But I'm not for the war. And being against the war and saying you support the troops is one of the wussiest positions the pacifists have ever taken — and they're wussy by definition. It's as if the one lesson they took away from Vietnam wasn't to avoid foreign conflicts with no pressing national interest but to remember to throw a parade afterward.Blindly lending support to our soldiers, I fear, will keep them overseas longer by giving soft acquiescence to the hawks who sent them there — and who might one day want to send them somewhere else. Trust me, a guy who thought 50.7% was a mandate isn't going to pick up on the subtleties of a parade for just service in an unjust war. He's going to be looking for funnel cake.Besides, those little yellow ribbons aren't really for the troops. They need body armor, shorter stays and a USO show by the cast of "Laguna Beach."The real purpose of those ribbons is to ease some of the guilt we feel for voting to send them to war and then making absolutely no sacrifices other than enduring two Wolf Blitzer shows a day. Though there should be a ribbon for that.I understand the guilt. We know we're sending recruits to do our dirty work, and we want to seem grateful.After we've decided that we made a mistake, we don't want to blame the soldiers who were ordered to fight. Or even our representatives, who were deceived by false intelligence. And certainly not ourselves, who failed to object to a war we barely understood.But blaming the president is a little too easy. The truth is that people who pull triggers are ultimately responsible, whether they're following orders or not. An army of people making individual moral choices may be inefficient, but an army of people ignoring their morality is horrifying. An army of people ignoring their morality, by the way, is also Jack Abramoff's pet name for the House of Representatives.I do sympathize with people who joined up to protect our country, especially after 9/11, and were tricked into fighting in Iraq. I get mad when I'm tricked into clicking on a pop-up ad, so I can only imagine how they feel.But when you volunteer for the U.S. military, you pretty much know you're not going to be fending off invasions from Mexico and Canada. So you're willingly signing up to be a fighting tool of American imperialism, for better or worse. Sometimes you get lucky and get to fight ethnic genocide in Kosovo, but other times it's Vietnam.And sometimes, for reasons I don't understand, you get to just hang out in Germany.I know this is all easy to say for a guy who grew up with money, did well in school and hasn't so much as served on jury duty for his country. But it's really not that easy to say because anyone remotely affiliated with the military could easily beat me up, and I'm listed in the phone book.I'm not advocating that we spit on returning veterans like they did after the Vietnam War, but we shouldn't be celebrating people for doing something we don't think was a good idea. All I'm asking is that we give our returning soldiers what they need: hospitals, pensions, mental health and a safe, immediate return. But, please, no parades. Seriously, the traffic is insufferable.

Finally, a viable option to the newly bush-lite Canada!

WASHINGTON (Reuters) -- A new planet-hunting technique has detected the most Earth-like planet yet around a star other than our sun, raising hopes of finding a space rock that might support life, astronomers reported on Wednesday.
"This is an important breakthrough in the quest to answer the question 'Are we alone?'" said Michael Turner of the National Science Foundation.
"The team has discovered the most Earth-like planet yet, and more importantly, has demonstrated the power of a new technique that is sensitive to detecting habitable planets," Turner said in a statement.
I'm declaring myself queen of this planet before GWB finds out about it and finds a new slave planet to rule!
All Hail Queen Scorpiano!

That work piled up on your desk will wait....

This is much more fun and educational:
http://www.funnystrange.com/quiz/

WE WILL MISS YOU, CHRIS.

It is a loss to us, but a new beginning for you.
Peace and love, Chris.

It's Time to Lighten UP

It's early afternoon and I need a good laugh. How about you?

Take a Good Look at This!

http://www.dailykos.com/storyonly/2006/1/21/165738/106

This May Help You, Anonymous

All this effort on the part of USraelis, however, has so far failed to produce the desired result. Having lied too many times, USraelis have had a hard time convincing the rest of the world that Iran’s missiles will soon rain on London, Paris, Berlin and southern Russia. Exasperated by their futile efforts, in late November, 2004, the “bad” and the “ugly” had to watch with dismay a deal finalized between the “good” and what the USraelis call the “mullahs” (this is a pejorative and demonizing term used by the USraelis in reference to the primitive nature of the ruling clergy in Iran, as if the Zionist rulers of the “Jewish State” or the Christian fundamentalist rulers of the US are any more modern!).

May I Present the "Leader" of the "Free" World

Good v. Evil ---- You Decide

Iran-Venezuela-Cooperation Iran's Ambassador to Cuba Ahmad Edrisian conferred on Monday with Venezuelan Foreign Minister Ali Rodriguez, who is currently visiting Havana, on the expansion of trilateral cooperation among Iran, Cuba and Venezuela.
According to the Information and Press Bureau of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, at the meeting, the Venezuelan foreign minister described current relations between Iran and Venezuela as 'excellent'.
Joint economic cooperation, such as manufacturing of tractors, and construction of cement factory, indicates the depth of such friendly ties, he said.
Welcoming trilateral cooperation among Iran, Venezuela and Cuba, he called for implementation of agreements signed earlier by the three countries.
Supporting Iran's peaceful nuclear activities, Rodriguez said, "Countries which are capable of destroying life many times over are determined to hinder the development of developing countries." "We reject the hypocrisy of the West and call for nuclear disarmament throughout the world," he pointed out.

Hmmmm..... Is it just me...

or was the bin Laden tape missing the usual and very appropriate "inshallahs?" What do you think that might mean? Has he converted to Christianity or did some US operative make the tape? Which is more likely? Think about it and get back to me!

Book Reviews: GWB and OBL

In his taped message to American Osama bin Laden recommended that all Americans read the book "Rogue State." Not to be outdone, GWB came out with a book recommendation of his own.

"WASHINGTON When President George W. Bush met with Chancellor Angela Merkel of Germany in the Oval Office this month, the talk turned to Merkel's childhood under Communism, then wandered into the subject of Bush's latest bedtime reading: "Mao: The Unknown Story," an 814-page biography that presents the Chinese dictator as another Hitler or Stalin."

Well, I'll be reading Rogue State because I already know all I need to know about dictators in the same vein as Hitler or Stalin. Hello! I am living under the Bush administration. Now that's a no-brainer!

We think we are so special.......... NOT!

AP: Iran on Sunday said Israel would be making a "fatal mistake" should it resort to military action against Tehran's nuclear program and dismissed veiled threats from the Jewish state as a "childish game."
On Saturday, Israel repeated its stand on the issue, saying it would not accept a nuclear Iran* under any circumstances and was preparing for the possible failure of diplomatic efforts.
While Defense Minister Shaul Mofaz stopped short of an outright threat of military action, he said Israel "must have the capability to defend itself...and this we are preparing."
Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Hamid Reza Asefi said Israel was only trying to add to Western pressure on Iran to give up its nuclear program.
"We consider Mofaz's comments a form of psychological warfare. Israel knows just how much of a fatal mistake it would be (to attack Iran)," Asefi told reporters. "This is just a childish game by Israel."
Iran on Sunday said Israel would be making a "fatal mistake" should it resort to military action against Tehran's nuclear program and dismissed veiled threats from the Jewish state as a "childish game."
On Saturday, Israel repeated its stand on the issue, saying it would not accept a nuclear Iran under any circumstances and was preparing for the possible failure of diplomatic efforts.
While Defense Minister Shaul Mofaz stopped short of an outright threat of military action, he said Israel "must have the capability to defend itself...and this we are preparing."
Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Hamid Reza Asefi said Israel was only trying to add to Western pressure on Iran to give up its nuclear program.
"We consider Mofaz's comments a form of psychological warfare. Israel knows just how much of a fatal mistake it would be (to attack Iran)," Asefi told reporters. "This is just a childish game by Israel."

A message from me to Israel: If You have nuclear weapons to aim at Iran they are ENTITLED to nuclear weapons to aim at you. Contrary to popular opinion you have not be "chosen" for anything other than killing Palestinians and thinking yourselves above the law and above any moral or ethical code known to man. You are nothing special. Just another country who has nukes and threatens to use them. Hopefully, soon Iran will turn the tables on you and you'll get a taste of your own medicine. Threatening people who are virtually unarmed is NOT NICE. And you think any God would CHOOSE YOU?!!!! You must be out of your mind(s)! You are warmongers just like your Siamese twin the US.

No Nukes for Iran!!!!!

Why not? If I'm not mistaken, we have more than anyone else in the entire world. If I'm not mistaken Israel has them. Who died and made you God to tell an independent country that they have no right to self-defense. Get over yourself. You are NOT all that. If we can have nukes so can EVERYONE else. If we want to end the threat then we should set the example and get rid of ours. Until we do, all's fair in love and WAR. Go drink some Kool-Aid and leave Iran alone. They are only following your example US/GWB!

Personally, I find it quite LIBERATING

to know the NSA and GWB are spying on my email transmissions. Now I can be 100% sure they know what murderous terrorists I think they all are. Yipee!!! Do you read me? Get those handcuffs ready. I'm absolutely a threat to the security of the US because I have a brain and I know how to use it. No sleeping drone here. Sometimes, though, I wonder what these (you) guys were like as toddlers. Were you sweet, cute and innocent or were you already tearing wings off flies? Kisses!

Propaganda, yes.... but whose????????

From CNN.COM:
An audiotaped message purported to be from al Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden warns the American people that plans for terror attacks in the United States are under way.
"I would also like to say that the war against America and its allies will not be confined to Iraq," the voice said, adding that "Iraq has become a magnet for attracting and training talented fighters.
"Our mujahedeen were able to overcome all the security measures in European countries, and you saw their operation in major European capitals. "As for similar operations taking place in America, it's only a matter of time. They are in the planning stages, and you will see them in the heart of your land as soon as the planning is complete," the voice on the tape said.
The message also offered a truce.
"It is obvious now that Bush has been misleading the people. It is better for you not to fight the Muslims on their territory and we offer a long-term truce.
"We are a nation that will not stab people in the back. We would like to rebuild Iraq and Afghanistan. There is nothing wrong in this approach. We are aware that the warmongers are against this option," the voice said.
CNN could not immediately confirm that the voice on the poor-quality audiotape, which was aired on Arabic-language network Al-Jazeera on Thursday, was that of bin Laden. However, CNN Senior Editor for Arab Affairs Octavia Nasr said it does sound like the al Qaeda leader.
There is also no way to determine when the message was recorded, but the reference to attacks in European cities could indicate it was recorded after the July 7 bombings on London's transportation system. The morning rush-hour attacks on three subways and a double-decker bus killed at least 52 people.
Also not mentioned in the broadcast portions of the tape was the CIA strike on a home in Damadola, Pakistan, last Friday. The CIA had targeted senior al Qaeda members, who were expected to attend a dinner, and it is not clear if any were among the 18 people who were killed.
If the voice on the tape is determined to be that of bin Laden, it would be the first message from the al Qaeda leader since he released two audiotaped messages in December 2004.
The first of those messages mentioned the attack on the U.S. Consul offices in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, earlier that month that left five people dead. In the second message, bin Laden anointed terrorist Abu Musab al-Zarqawi as his deputy in Iraq.
The last videotaped message from bin Laden was seen just before the U.S. presidential election in 2004.

From AL JAZEERA:
In an audio tape broadcast on Aljazeera, Osama bin Laden has warned that al-Qaida was preparing an attack very soon, but also offered Americans a "long-term truce".
"The new operations of al-Qaida has not happened not because we could not penetrate the security measures. It is being prepared and you'll see it in your homeland very soon," the voice attributed to bin Laden said, apparently addressing Americans.
But the voice on the tape, which appeared to be aimed at the American public, also offered a truce: "We do not mind establishing a long-term truce between us and you."
The tape, broadcast on Thursday but dated to December last year, comes after a year of silence from the al-Qaida leader.
"This message is about the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan and how to end those wars," it began.
"It was not my intention to talk to you about this, because those wars are definitely going our way.
"But what triggered my desire to talk to you is the continuous deliberate misinformation given by your President [George] Bush, when it comes to polls made in your home country which reveal that the majority of your people are willing to withdraw US forces from Iraq.
Americans want peace
"We know that the majority of your people want this war to end and opinion polls show the Americans don't want to fight the Muslims on Muslim land, nor do they want Muslims to fight them on their (US) land.
"The new operations of al-Qaida has not happened not because we could not penetrate the security measures. It is being prepared and you'll see it in your homeland very soon"
Osama bin Laden "But Bush does not want this and claims that it's better to fight his enemies on their land rather than on American land.
"Bush tried to ignore the polls that demanded that he end the war in Iraq.
"We are getting increasingly stronger while your situation is getting from bad to worse," he told the US, referring to poor US troop morale and the huge economic losses inflicted by the war.
"The war in Iraq is raging and the operations in Afghanistan are increasing."
Truce offer
"In response to the substance of the polls in the US, which indicate that Americans do not want to fight Muslims on Muslim land, nor do they want Muslims to fight them on their land, we do not mind offering a long-term truce based on just conditions that we will stick to.
"We are a nation that Allah banned from lying and stabbing others in the back, hence both parties of the truce will enjoy stability and security to rebuild Iraq and Afghanistan, which were destroyed by war.
"In response to the substance of the polls in the US, which indicate that Americans do not want to fight Muslims ... we do not mind offering a long-term truce based on just conditions that we will stick to"
Bin Laden"There is no problem in this solution, but it will prevent hundreds of billions from going to influential people and warlords in America - those who supported Bush's electoral campaign - and from this, we can understand Bush and his gang's insistence on continuing the war."
Addressing Americans again, he said: "If your desire for peace, stability and reconciliation was true, here we have given you the answer to your call."
Bin Laden, who had not been heard of since a 27 December 2004 audiotape in which he anointed Abu Musab al-Zarqawi, Iraq's most wanted man, as al-Qaida's leader in Iraq, also said his network was winning the war against the US.
"I would like to tell you that everything is going to our advantage and the number of your dead is increasing, according to Pentagon figures."
Ayman al-Zawahiri, bin Laden's deputy, said in a September videotape that his leader was still alive and leading the jihad against the West.
Aljazeera

Bad News for Some US Troops in Iraq

If your family sent you body armor because the military failed to provide you with adequate protection, you will not be eligible for death benefits, should you be killed in action. Please let the Pentagon know just how much you appreciate their support and concern for your wellbeing.

OMG!

"There is a "very high" probability that a terrorist group will strike using nuclear, chemical or biological weapons, a senior U.S. counterterrorism official said in comments published Tuesday." (source CNN.com)

What a GREAT way to get Americans to focus on fear and terror and forget all about that lying bastard we have for a president! FISA? What's FISA? Illegal spying? Oh, we can't think about that now. We're under a terror alert!!!!!

Have a Nice Weekend...

Knowing that you are in good hands.

A Blight on Christianity of the Jesus Variety

CNN) -- Television evangelist Pat Robertson suggested Thursday that Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon's stroke was divine retribution for the Israeli withdrawal from Gaza, which Robertson opposed.
"He was dividing God's land, and I would say, 'Woe unto any prime minister of Israel who takes a similar course to appease the [European Union], the United Nations or the United States of America,'" Robertson told viewers of his long-running television show, "The 700 Club."
"God says, 'This land belongs to me, and you'd better leave it alone,'" he said.

Someone please tell this man that his God of Retribution never existed.
Concerned relatives should definitely look into an involuntary commitment on this nut case!
A self-identified Christian would not be vengeful, hateful, and bitter. Let's hope he's way off the mark regarding God and retribution (as I know he is) because if not he would definitely be next in line and long past due. Is there anyone who is not a Pat Robertson clone that he does not hate?! And where are the "real" Christians? Why are they not out in droves renouncing this lunatic?

PLEASE READ THIS:

http://byrd.senate.gov/speeches/2005_december/law_for_all.html

How Many Lies Can One Man Tell?

BAGHDAD, Iraq (CNN) -- In the deadliest day since the December 15 elections, at least 118 people were killed in Iraq and scores were wounded in separate insurgent-bomb attacks, authorities said Thursday.
Among the dead were five U.S. soldiers with Task Force Baghdad, according to a U.S. military news release.
The soldiers were on patrol near the Iraqi capital, the release said.
With the deaths, 2,187 U.S. service members have been killed in the Iraq war.
Meanwhile in Ramadi, 68 people were killed and dozens were wounded when a bomber detonated near an Iraqi police recruitment and screening drive, according to a U.S. Marine news release.

Remember the Bush speech about how things would quickly begin to improve after the Iraq elections? Maybe if he'd quit spending his time on the ranch and listening in on soccer moms he'd have more time to re-think his plethara of HUGE MISTAKES!

Head Trauma

I heard something on C-Span this weekend that really made me stop and think. I, like most folks I know, aren't exactly slaves to political correctness, but we do keep it in the the forefront of our minds. I have my little Toyota Tercel rearend papered w/bumper stickers. One of my bumper stickers says, "Support Our Troops, Impeach Bush." Now, I thought that was pretty cool and was pretty much how I felt about the whole Iraq situation. Afterall, I do have a son who was in the AF and a daughter-in-law who still is. Neither were ever candidates for Iraq, because of their specialties. I belonged to a local peace group and we trot along with our "wall" which lists the names, home towns, ages, etc. of every soldier who has thus far been killed in Iraq. I was comfortable w/my stance. And then a C-Span caller said, "Do we really want to support the troops? Afterall, we are committing genocide over there and is that something we really want to support? Even though the soldiers are not making the decisions, but only following orders, do we really want to say we support people who go about killing other people?" And I have to admit, my answer is "NO!" I don't believe in killing for any reason, except possibly in defense of self or family, and I think a lot about that one. So now my position has changed and I'm not feeling too good about it. Because I can't "support the troops." And I know that to be politically correct I should. But in the end it's the soul and the conscience that really matter and both of mine are screaming...... IT IS WRONG TO KILL! Well, at least it's something you might want to think about. As an aside, I have always supported the "Refuseniks" in Israel and have written to them several times. Would it be too much to ask that maybe within the US military in Iraq we might come up w/some refuseniks of our own?