Juliet by Waterhouse

"Elbow pads is awesome."
- Giambatista Vico, Nuovo Scienza, 1567

Bush Approves Arafat's Assassination

Bush declares: "We must get rid of Arafat"
Israel's security cabinet approved Arafat's "removal" in September, with one minister even suggesting that he could be assassinated, but Washington warned Israel not to attempt to expel him.

Bush was non-commital about Sharon's speech, saying that he would wait to see what happened on the ground.

"Speeches are good things, but they are words. I am waiting for action," he was quoted as saying.

U.S. News: The Bush administration is doing the public's business out of the public eye. Here's how-and why. A secrecy timeline(12/22/03)

U.S. News: The Bush administration is doing the public's business out of the public eye. Here's how-and why. A secrecy timeline(12/22/03)

Uh. Really?

Did Bush Know about 9-11?

At the press conference on 9/15/03, a reporter asks about Dean's comments that Bush had 9-11 foreknowledge...



Anyone who saw the press conference must surely have thought Bush's response...strange. See the video yourself here.

And read and see much more on the "mysteries" of 9-11 here.

No Americans were killed by Saddamites under Clinton

Saddam was a tyrant. It is a good thing he is no longer in power.
How many more tyrants are there that we can remove? 10? 20? 100?
Hell, all we have to lose are a few hundred billion dollars, a few thousand poor Americans, and a few hundred thousand foreigners. A real bargain! At least for Bush's 1%ers...who not only refrain from actually fighting the wars, and who also refrain from paying for it...they are actually PAID for it! Big time!

So look out poor people! He'll trade you in for cash any day.

Watch the Lips: They hold back lies

The lips betray the lies held back. Look at pics of other RepCons!

A few decades ago I was talking to the photographer, Richard Avedon, who said the darnedest thing. He said that you can tell a Conservative (or maybe he said Republican) because he will have thin, pursed lips. After years of pondering and noticing this phenomenon, I have come to the realization that they have thin lips because they are trying to hold back...something. Usually lies. I know...I remember doing it myself.

Pay attention to the images you see of these politicos, and ask yourself: What are they holding back.

I think it goes deeper though. I think they are sending signals to their co-conspirators to keep their mouths shut. Not unlike that image of the gun pointing face-on with the words, "Whistle Blower" above it...so prevalent in the early months of the Bushreich.

Yesterday, I was reading a post on the Freeper site, FreeRepublic.com. One of the wingnuts had the moniker, "DenyDenyDeny".

How sad to have to live a lie, much less a whole host of them.

Long live luscious-lipped liberals! Sunlight of the world!

Bad Weather Follows Bush to Wright Brothers Centennial

Mr. Bush travelled to the Outer Banks today in order to participate in the Centennial of the first flight by the Wright Brothers...and it was rained out.
Sound familiar? His inaugural was rained out, as were a host of other events associated with Bush. Weather has basically sucked since Bush was Selected. But Gore warned us of Bush's effect on weather:

Al Gore also made two predictions for Wednesday's mood and weather. He then asked which of the two the people at the rally preferred. "You wake up early on Wednesday morning with a headache. Look out the window outside your window and there is a cold, driving rain with sleet and hail tapping on your window. The clouds have blackened out the dawn. You get out of bed slowly and walk toward the door and you stub your toe along the way. You push the door open and the newspaper is soaked through and through and is stuck to the front stoop. You peel the newspaper off and hold it up to the light in the gloomy darkness and through that light you barley make out a headline that says Bush wins."

The crowd booed and then Gore offered his second alternative.

"Now, imagine that on Wednesday morning, just before you awaken, a golden shaft of sunlight flickers on your eyelids," he continued. "You awaken refreshed and feeling wonderful. The aroma of fresh-brewed coffee wafts in from the kitchen. There are fresh cut flowers by your bedside table. Kathy Mattea is singing on the radio. You leap out of bed and dance your way to the front door. You hear birds chirping on the front porch. The sunlight is now making your face feel warm. You reach down and pick up the newspaper and it says Gore, Lieberman win."

The crowd cheered and then began to chant "We want Gore."

Well...his prediction was true...and it has remained true. The weather, the environment, it seems, is like 7-Up. You like it, It likes you.

And Bush has no respect for the environment. And it doesn't much care for him either.


Let's not make the same mistake twice!

Who wants to live like a Republican? Gephardt and Lieberman!

Both Dick and Joe have said: "If you want to live like a Republican, vote for a Democrat".
Well, thanks but no thanks. I live, and want to live, like a Democrat. I am comfortable in my own skin. I do not envy Republicans. Envy is their albatross. But if you guys want to...by all means...join Breaux. Go to Zell. I mean, Joe! You're a nice guy, but Chris Parnell you're simply not. And a damn shame. He's one of the few lights left on TV.

General Clark had a choice. And he is wealthy enough to live any way he wants. But what did he choose? He chose to live like a Democrat, and, in fact, to BE one. And he was proud of his decision. Lieberman seems embarrassed...and way too beholdened to Daddy Warbucks to be of much use to the guardians of the grail; the common well. Gephardt is a better Democrat, but he is too wooden and mechanical to represent conscious Democrats -- whose very illumination keeps America from sinking into darkness and corruption.

Short-sighted Lieberman sits there, amid boos and swindling (Oops! Freudian Slip!), I mean dwindling numbers, and spews the very ads the Republicans will launch against Dean when and if he rises to the Number 1 or Number 2 position. (I'm beginning to think a Clark/Dean ticket would be the strongest, given the zeitgeist they would be inheriting.)

Ogilvy could do no better than Lieberman and other "Democrats-in-name-only". Boys, snap to before the door snaps shut. Act your age not your shoe size.

One thing we bloggers know is that there are people who just cannot act like a gentleman, and try to win honestly and honorably, without resorting to self-destructive behaviors as viewed from the Party and the People.

Take a hint. Clay Aiken was voted best-behaved person of the year. Forget that he came in second. He wins nevertheless. Was not that first competition just a preliminary? An Iowa Caucus? Has he not been at least as much a winner has Rubin? And why? Because he was gracious and kind.

Be gracious and kind to one another. Treat each other like Clay. You may be amazed at the response. And win or lose...you still win.

A president doesn't just solve math problems (thank God especially now!). He or she has to be a shining example of what is best in America, because it is his or her face that means far more than a mere flag to our friends and neighbors abroad.

We need to truly restore honor and integrity, and a host of other virtues to America and the White House. Be the example. Be the Miracle.

You all have been given great gifts.

Pay it forward...

Yet another Bush lie: "I inherited a recession"

...and when Bush said that to Diane Sawyer, what did she do?
She moved on to another question.

Good job, Diane! A real journalist!

According to economists, the recession began in March 2001...under Bush's watch.

Why do so many people hate Barbara Walters?

And she thought people hated Martha Stewart!

Barbara Walters used to have such class. What happened?? Now she is reduced to generating hateful buzz against Martha Stewart and collecting bucks by sitting on "The View".

Personally I think she is jealous that Letterman may like Martha better...

Girls!

David Horowitz Exposes Grover Norquist as a Possible Terrorist Aid

Sure Grover Norquist looks evil, but who would have thought that he actually was? Here is a damning article by David Horowitz on Grover's shady buddies and their shenanigans:

A few questions arise:

- Is this just an ego battle?
- Is Horowitz just "thinking with his blood"?
- Is Norquist really a facilitator to Islamic extremists?

And perhaps more importantly...

- Is Norquist just a fall guy to keep the heat off the White House?

For more on this, see Iddybud, who summarizes the article quite well.

mudshark has a point there!

I couldn't help but be amused by this post from the ever-amusing Mudshark:

PRACTICAL GOOGLEBOMBING
Atrios and his regular commenters have been busy thinking up variations on Old Fashioned Patriot's "miserable failure" project of a couple months ago...this time the search terms are unelectable and vast right wing conspiracy.

Now, no offense to these fine people -- because, hey, I love the idea myself, as I've posted before -- but after giving this a bit of thought, I'm thinking there just might be an even better way to do it. The conclusion the ol' Mudshark has come to is: if ya wanna spread what some folks call memes (yeah, I know, I said I wouldn't use that word) about Shrub, then ya gotta use search terms that people will actually search for -- say, when doing research for a term paper or whatever. I mean, yeah, he may well be unelectable (without the aid of Diebold, at least), and he's indisputably a miserable failure, but how many people are actually gonna type those phrases into a Google searchbox?

Here's the way you do it, y'all:

FASCISM (or FASCIST)

WAR CRIMES

MACHIAVELLIAN

TOTALITARIANISM

1984

DRAFT EVASION

ALCOHOLISM

COCAINE ADDICTION

...and as one commenter states, it takes longer to Googlebomb more common words and phrases, so remember to use these (and more...use your imagination!) on comment and message boards as well as main blog pages. So whaddaya waitin' for? Let's go!

My vote for the New Weblog Showcase

From The Truth Laid Bear's New Webblog Showcase:
It's Craptastic!: What is the Point?

Congrats to Crappy who has apparently beaten Anti-Anti-War.
As an anti-anti-anti-war kinda guy, this makes me ebullient. Yay! I'm excreted!

Breaking News! 750.000 US Dollars and Top 1%er Saddam Hussein FOUND

750.000 US Dollars and Top 1%er Saddam Hussein FOUND Wallowing in Money, Karma & Humiliation inside a Filthy Hole in a Backward Country In the (snicker, snicker) Middle East

The ever-nutty Middle East kecked up their posterboy for riches today, and all the poor bastard had on him was a gun, a change of clothes, and a stack of American cash amounting to, oh, seven hundred and fifty thousand dollars. My guess is that hideholes in Iraq don't take Visa, otherwise he would have put it on credit, like every other sucker.

Let this be a lesson to anyone who thinks they can horde riches, kill innocent people, and strut around like a cock-of-the-walk. These are not the ingredients of a virtuous life.
This is the behavior of a megalomaniac. And megalomaniacs suck.

Do Americans horde riches? Do Americans kill innocent people? Do Americans strut around like cocks-of-the-walk? Generally, no. And unfortunately those that do wind up in positions where they can get more bang for their buck...which they also get.

We are not innocent, as a nation. Our leaders have put innocence to rest. Not to the extent that Saddam did, but enough that I would suggest that we question our own little megalomanias.

Why did Saddam feel like he needed great palaces in order to be happy and whole? Indeed, why does anyone? Maybe Saddam bought into the myth of that equation. And sadly many met their death that Saddam might actualize his ambition and greed.

Is there something innately wrong with ambition and greed? Something wrong with championing the overdog?

But alas, I wax philosophic. Today is a day for celebration, or at least relief that a murderous dictator has had his comeuppance.

Here's to an end to dictators! Long live the underdogs!

Blogs and Blogrolls for Bush

Blogs for Bush
People who champion lying, cheating, stealing and warring. The Goofuses of the world.


Blogroll for Bush
The Blogroll For Bush is a growing list of bloggers all over the internet who support our President George W. Bush and want him to be reelected.
Footmen for the Lying Liars

Shut your Keiko

Free Willy now truly free

GOOD RIDDANCE!


(just kidding!)

Contentment with poverty is fortune's best gift

Riches and Honour are the handmaids of Disaster

"A Gentle Wind"

A gentle wind fans the calm night;
A bright moon shines on the high tower.
A voice whispers, but no one answers when I call:
A shadow stirs, but no one comes when I beckon.
The kitchen man brings in a dish of lentils:
Wine is there, but I do not fill my cup.
Contentment with poverty is fortune's best gift:
Riches and Honour are the handmaids of Disaster.
Though gold and gems by the world are sought and prized,
To me they seem no more than weeds or chaff.

~Fu Hsuan translated by Arthur Waley


See Jude's excellent illustration of this great poem at Iddybud.

When will America be Allowed to Grow Up?

Nasty Language on Live TV Renews Old Debate (TechNews.com)

When will America be allowed to grow up? Like other countries. Must our people forever be regarded as children and sheep? Ooh bad language! If you hear it, you will go to Heck! Give me a fucking break!

Death of Credentials: Part Two

Got this in the mail. Think it originated on Buzzflash.
Pretty much sums up the death of credentials in America....

---

RESUME: George W. Bush
The White House, USA

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

Law Enforcement: I was arrested in Kennebunkport, Maine in 1976 for
driving under the influence of alcohol. I pled guilty, paid a fine,
and had my driver's license suspended for 30 days. My Texas driving
record has been "lost" and is not available.

Military: I joined the Texas Air National Guard and went AWOL. I
refused to take a drug test or answer any questions about my drug
use. By joining the Texas Air National Guard, I was able to avoid
combat duty in Vietnam.

College: I graduated from Yale University. I was a cheerleader.



PAST WORK EXPERIENCE:

I ran for US Congress and lost.

I began my career in the oil business in Midland, Texas in 1975. I
bought an oil company, but couldn't find any oil in Texas. The
company went bankrupt shortly after I sold all my stock.

I bought the Texas Rangers baseball team in a sweetheart deal that
took land using taxpayer money.

With the help of my father and our right-wing friends in the oil
industry (including Enron CEO Ken Lay), I was elected Governor of
Texas.



ACCOMPLISHMENTS AS GOVERNOR:

I changed Texas pollution laws to favor power and oil companies,
making Texas the most polluted state in the Union.

During my tenure, Houston replaced Los Angeles as the most
smog-ridden city in America.

I cut taxes and bankrupted the Texas treasury to the tune of billions
in borrowed money.

I set the record for the most executions by any Governor in American
history.

With the help of my brother, the Governor of Florida, and my father's
appointments to the Supreme Court, I became President after losing by
over 500,000 votes.


ACCOMPLISHMENTS AS PRESIDENT:

I invaded and occupied two countries at a continuing cost of over one
billion dollars per week.

I spent the US surplus and effectively bankrupted the US Treasury.

I shattered the record for the largest annual deficit in US history.

I set an economic record for most private bankruptcies filed in any
12-month period.

I set the all-time record for the biggest drop in the history of the
US stock market.

I am the first president in US history to enter office with a
criminal record.

I set the all-time record for most days on vacation in any one year
period.

After taking-off the entire month of August, I presided over the
worst security failure in
U.S. history.

I am supporting development of a nuclear "Tactical Bunker Buster," a
WMD.

In my State Of The Union Address, I lied about our reasons for
attacking Iraq, then blamed the lies on our British friends.

I set the record for most campaign fundraising trips by a US
president.

In my first year in office over 2-million Americans lost their jobs
and that trend continues every month.

I set the all-time record for most foreclosures in a 12-month period.

I appointed more convicted criminals to administration than any
president in US history.

I set the record for least amount of press conferences than any
president since the advent of television.

I presided over the biggest energy crisis in US history and refused
to intervene when corruption involving the oil industry was revealed.

I presided over the highest gasoline prices in US history.

I have cut health care benefits for war veterans and support a cut in
duty benefits for active duty troops and their families -- in war
time.

I have set the all-time record for most people worldwide to
simultaneously protest me in public venues (15 million people)
shattering the record for protest against any person in the history
of mankind.

I've broken more international treaties than any president in US
history.

I'm proud that the members of my cabinet are the richest of any
administration in US history. My "poorest millionaire," Condoleeza
Rice, has a Chevron oil tanker named after her.

I am the first president in US history to order an unprovoked,
preemptive attack and the military occupation of a sovereign nation.
I did so against the will of the United Nations, the majority of US
citizens, and the world community.

I created the Ministry of Homeland Security, the largest bureaucracy
in the history of the United States government.

I am the first president in US history to have the United Nations
remove the US from the Human Rights Commission.

I withdrew the US from the World Court of Law.

I refused to allow inspectors access to US prisoners of war
"detainees" and thereby have refused to abide by the Geneva
Convention.

I am the first president in history to refuse United Nations election
inspectors (during the 2002 US election).

I am the all-time US and world record-holder for receiving the most
corporate campaign donations.

My largest lifetime campaign contributor, and one of my best friends,
Kenneth Lay, resided over the largest corporate bankruptcy fraud in
US history. My political party used the Enron private jets and
corporate attorneys to assure my success with the US Supreme Court
during my election decision. I have protected my friends at Enron and
Halliburton
against investigation or prosecution. More time and money was spent
investigating the Monica Lewinsky affair than has been spent
investigating one of the biggest corporate rip-offs in history.

I garnered the most sympathy for the US after the World Trade Center
attacks and less than a year later made the US the most hated country
in the world, the largest failure of diplomacy in world history.

I am first president in history to have a majority of Europeans (71%)
view my presidency as the biggest threat to world peace and security.

I changed the US policy to allow convicted criminals to be awarded
government contracts.

I have so far failed to fulfill my pledge to bring Osama Bin Laden
and Saddam Hussein to justice.

RECORDS AND REFERENCES:

All records of my tenure as Governor of Texas are now in my father's
library, sealed, and unavailable for public view.

All records of SEC investigations into my insider trading and my
bankrupt companies are sealed in secrecy and unavailable for public
view.

All records or minutes from meetings that I, or my Vice-president,
attended regarding public energy policy are sealed in secrecy and
unavailable for public review.

Please consider my experience when voting in 2004 -

War and Serial Killing: Not the same thing.

War is also Parallel Killing

Some people want to equate war and serial killing, and there can be made fairly convincing arguments to that point...but war is not serial killing. War is much worse, at least in its outcome. War is not just serial killing...it is also parallel killing. And no matter how hard marketers try to make it out like something praeternatural, it is, in many ways, quite an unsavory repertoire of behaviors. It's a darned good thing everyone does not find it appealing. Most probably wish it were made obsolete. Like land mines.
But I jump ahead....

The soldiers are not to be faulted for their having to do the deeds of those in leather chairs. Rather, the folks in comfy chairs ought to grow a conscience and then vow to spend their remaining years fighting to avert and prevent war...and in its vaccuum...spread peace. A positive. Really. Ask any disinterested collateral.