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Three Card Monte
The Truth is a potent weapon and one that the Democrats need to wield far more effectively against a persuasive and devious adversary. Masterful at dissembling and obfuscation, the Bush/Rove juggernaut is also highly practiced in the sly art of distraction. Our pressured entry into Gulf War Two, under the ominous threat of a toxic mushroom cloud, is a prime example. Not only was the entire operation empowered by exaggerations and outright deception, but the real motivating ideas were largely obscured and buried under a demagoguery-inspired fear. Barely a handful of words in the mainstream media dealt with the neoconservative/PNAC plan for global hegemony and its precondition of an American power center established in the oil-rich Middle East. Perhaps if the Democrats had spoken loudly and clearly about the truth behind the military push into Iraq instead of getting caught up in the squabbles about how many weapons and how much actual danger, things might have turned out differently. Instead, we kept looking at the wrong issues and went round and round, while Bush planned and executed his crusade for an American power grab. Now, as we enter the second Bush term, we are once again being badgered by trumped up charges of danger in order to ensure a policy, like Iraq, fraught with enormously problematic consequences. Like a card shark taking your money with a three card monte, using distraction and deception to keep you from guessing where the ace is hiding, Bush is focusing our attention on a bogus Social Security crisis while distracting us from his ideologically-inspired attempts to destroy New Deal social welfare policy, as well as from two imminent and potentially disastrous tsunamis that are about to hit our shores. The first impending cyclone stems from our grotesquely out-of-balance fiscal situation. The multi-billion dollar US trade deficit has grown at an alarming rate due to the fact that we borrow huge sums from foreign nations – most notably from the Asian countries led by China - so that we may continue to purchase their products. Meanwhile, as our deficit swells to gargantuan proportion, the dollar’s value is eroding. And plummeting with it is the world’s once unshakable faith in the dependability and strength of the greenback. With a growing trickle that could easily become a torrent, international investors are moving their money out of dollars and into the newly strong and stable euro. A significant increase in US interest rates may be the only way to attract foreign investment and stem this hemorrhaging of capital. But a sharp rise in interest rates would weaken our already tepid economic growth and thereby decrease government revenue, deeply aggravating the other aspect of the current fiscal crisis, the rapidly growing domestic deficit. Moreover, Bush’s new Social Security proposal, if enacted, will add yet another $2 trillion to this already enormous unfunded government outflow of money. Ultimately, this huge and growing internal deficit will lead to a massive level of inflation and a further weakening of the dollar, completing the cycle by feeding into the fear of international investors and further increasing the outflow of capital. The Democrats should be screaming about this dangerous and precarious situation, as well as Bush’s dishonest attempt at covering it up with false budget numbers. Let the Democrats boldly point precisely to the one intervention that would increase investor faith in the dollar and decrease the deficit: significantly pruning back Bush’s signature tax cuts for the rich, something our Ostrich-in-Chief, with his head in the sand, has declared anathema. As for the Social Security boondoggle, it should be immediately exorcised from anyone’s agenda for adding even one penny, let alone $2 trillion, to this fiscal sinkhole. The second impending disaster about which the Bush administration and its toadies in the media are in complete denial is global warming. With very few exceptions, the entire scientific community and most of the world’s leaders are deeply concerned about the dangerous climate changes that are already taking place on our planet. With every international meeting of experts on the subject, a more urgent warning emerges. In short, if we don’t energetically pursue a drastic reduction in greenhouse gases by decreasing the use of fossil fuels, we will be inundated with major environmental disasters, including flooding of low-lying areas, droughts, famines, wild weather conditions, etc., by mid-century or sooner. What is called for here is leadership with vision, able to educate the American people of the dangers, creatively support the use of alternative fuel sources, and rally the nation to do what must be done, including a certain amount of lifestyle change, in order to wean us away from our gluttonous oil addiction. Ironically, such a campaign would also go a long way in soothing the waters in the War on Terror by removing our obsessively controlling need to keep a firm grasp on the oil-rich Middle East. But, as Tom Engelhardt recently described: … while the native peoples of the north plead for their future; while polar bears starve and coral reefs whiten; while Europeans struggle to take modest steps toward controlling global-warming minus the United States; while even the Bush administration's chosen man for the chairmanship of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, Dr. Rajendra Pachauri, tells an international conference that "very deep" cuts in greenhouse-gas pollution must happen fast or "we are risking the ability of the human race to survive"; while the Chinese and Indian economies are on a fossil-fuel based upward trajectory; while under-funded scientists and environmentalists look for alternative, non-fossil fuel methods or wonder whether, caught in the Scylla and Charybdis of planning for a catastrophe, even nuclear power might be a better path than our present one; while political leaders elsewhere, including Bush ally Tony Blair of Britain, worry about how much warming is already "built into the system" and unavoidable given what's gone into the atmosphere in the past three decades; the fossil-fuel-besotted Bush administration ignores the whole matter or does its best, which is pretty good, to slow down or undermine any multinational planning or progress whatsoever on global warming; our media acts as if it's largely a problem of distant climes; and most Americans simply chug on with their lives, buy their SUVs, and go about their business. In the words of Carl Jung: Neurosis is always a substitute for legitimate suffering. This concept is amply demonstrated by the modern Republican Party, led by George W. Bush, which breaks out in hives at the mere thought of a progressive increase in taxes to pay for the necessities of the nation. As with all neurotic avoidance, extraordinary contortions are used to dodge the one obvious, though painful, thing that needs to be faced. Although he is the supposed Caretaker of the Nation (sic), Bush wants to slash food stamps, public housing, and health and education projects while compulsively shunning any increase in taxes on the wealthy. It is a bit like spending all your money on jewelry while not having enough left over for food and rent. Regarding global warming, the denial is total: for Bush, it doesn’t even exist. To admit to it would mean significant regulation of the polluting industries (his biggest donors) and forcing them to clean up their toxic waste products. Like tax cuts, regulation is another thing that is pathologically anathema to Republicans, even when the need is excruciatingly obvious. In addition, admitting to the existence of global warming would necessitate that Bush rethink his entire geopolitical world view which is based on feeding our fossil fuel addiction. This, of course, includes the need for all those defense-industry-jackpot military bases in the oil-saturated Middle East, as well as the avoidance of the serious development of cheap, non-polluting alternative fuels. For someone with such a rigid thought structure and such good and generous corporate friends, it seems easier to just pretend the whole thing doesn’t exist. But that doesn’t mean it is not a terrific issue for Democrats to pound away at. There is a complete and total leadership vacuum on this issue. While the rocks from an avalanche are beginning to fall all around us, we are squabbling like children on a grassy hillside about not enough hot dogs at the picnic. Marching into this bizarre state of affairs, with alarm bells sounding but little being done to respond, is Howard Dean, in his new role as Chairman of the Democratic National Committee. Governor Dean is known for his quick wit and his courage to speak the truth, usually in catchy memorable phrases. He is likely to bring boldness and focus to the Democratic Party and help mold a coherent and potent message. To be fair, the Democrats in Congress have shown an increasing amount of determination and valor of late by taking a daring stand against numerous significant issues: during the Rice confirmation hearings, against the administration’s dishonesty about Iraq; during the Gonzales confirmation hearings, against the administration’s torture policy; and, more recently, against the administration’s misbegotten fiscal policies revealed in both Bush’s budget and his Social Security demagoguery. United with Howard Dean at the DNC, our legislators are likely to manifest increasing clarity and forcefulness in the coming months and years. Perhaps the Democrats have finally learned that if you bend over for a bully, you will only get stepped on and kicked…or worse.
Another indication of Howard Dean’s high energy and determination this year is the transit of Pluto conjunct his natal Mars, which began in late December 2004 and will continue through November 2005. Interestingly, this partly overlaps and then is followed by progressed MC square progressed Pluto (9/05 – 9/06) and then progressed MC square natal Pluto (5/06 – 5/07). All of these aspects, running from late December 2004 through mid-2007, suggest a strong, focused, and relentless push by Dean to make his mark upon the world despite significant power struggles attempting to thwart him along the way. Particularly interesting will be the period from April 22 through July 7, 2005, when Uranus will square Dean’s Moon, the ruler of his chart, for the first time. This transit will be overlapped in part by the retrograde crossing of Pluto to Dean’s Mars (4/26 – 6/10). He will be moving at a fast pace, with unexpected and upsetting events unfolding rapidly around him, while he aggressively tackles numerous issues. With Jupiter stationary square his Ascendant (5/4 – 6/13), he is likely to be successful at getting his message across during much of this period. Moreover, it is not unlikely that these events will be related to the agitated developments that will be impacting the administration during late March through mid-August 2005. Dean’s Moon is 10Gemini34; Bush’s Mars is 9Virgo18; the Inaugural Moon is 9Gemini20; and the US Uranus is 8Gemini55. Transiting Uranus will make its station at 10Pisces45 before it turns retrograde, thus making “hard” (difficult, stressful and highly energized) aspects to all of these positions during roughly the same 5-month period. We can expect some high drama swirling around Washington and in the country at this time, with Dean likely to be relentlessly snapping at the administration’s heels, and perhaps being snapped at himself, as things unfold. The general tenor of Dean’s term as DNC Chairman looks quite positive. The chart (2/12/05, 11:11 AM, in Washington, DC) suggests great effectiveness (Sun exactly sextile both Node and Pluto), tremendous idealism (Venus/Neptune trine Jupiter), and success and optimism (Jupiter trine 4-planet stellium in Aquarius). Saturn in the third house of communication, similar to its position in Dean’s natal chart, suggests that Dean will have some tense moments due to speaking out more directly than people can easily handle and some difficult moments with the press. The Saturn station in March 2005, semisquare his natal Saturn, may bring about some such moments. But on the whole, this issue will not be overly problematic given the abundance of positive and harmonious energy in the Chairmanship chart. Given the current trending of economic and international events, it seems likely that George W. Bush will go down in history as having led America into a self-destructive spiral of decreasing power, wealth, and prestige in the world. His policies are reckless, irresponsible, and belligerent, and are likely to lead to untold misery if left unchecked. But the Bush Brigade has the ball and continues to play a rigorous, vicious, and relentless offence, while Democrats have been relegated to an increasingly weak defensive position. With Howard Dean as the new linebacker, there is some hope that the team can coalesce into a leaner, meaner fighting force. Whether they can intercept the ball and change the outcome of the game remains to be seen. The stakes are enormous.
Nancy Waterman on Feb 15 | Link
Comments
Nancy, well here's there next salvo in the Three Card Monte... Bush Renominates 20 Failed Judicial Nominees By Thomas Ferraro WASHINGTON (Reuters) - President Bush (news - web sites) set up a showdown with Senate Democrats on Monday by renominating 20 failed judicial nominees, many of whom had been denounced by critics as "right-wing extremists." Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist, a Tennessee Republican, has threatened to change the Senate's rules to prevent any more procedural hurdles known as filibusters against judicial nominees. Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid of Nevada has vowed Democrats are "not going to cut and run" from any such fight. ~ snip ~ http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=584&e=1&u=/nm/20050214/pl_nm/bush_judges_dc Posted by: Morgana on February 15, 2005 01:18 AMAnother great article Nancy, thanks. Re: Gannon/Bush's boytoy? There really isn't anything in a person's natal chart to show their potential sexual inclinations is there? I always though that was just some silly pop astrology gag. Unless dubya's Mars is conjunct Gannon's Venus; how would you make an educated guess on something like that? Posted by: Jill G on February 15, 2005 01:25 AMThanks Nancy. WASHINGTON – As official Washington plunges into the proposed budget for the 2006 fiscal year, there's a quieter race to move a decade of controversial judicial reforms through the Congress and to the president's desk. Timing is critical. Looming battles over Social Security and judicial nominations could deepen partisan rancor. That's one reason key Senate negotiators and their highly mobilized business allies want to move quickly toward their goal of changing the rules of the game in US courts over everything from class actions and medical malpractice to how workers are compensated for exposure to asbestos. http://www.csmonitor.com/2005/0214/p02s02-usju.html
"There really isn't anything in a person's natal chart to show their potential sexual inclinations is there?" Yes, Jill. There is. :) and nope, it's not a gag.
So - If you have a Charles Schwab account, CLOSE IT, and be sure to let them know why - as I am in the process of doing. grrrrrrrr. Posted by: Pallas18 on February 15, 2005 02:11 AMsomething about the gannon story just doesn't add up...the whole thing really has a repug m.o. with the sexual smear. he's probably just the plame fall guy and then they will tie him in with some democrat to finish the deal. i picture them all laughing, while they weave the next deep dark trick. the question is how did he get inside in the first place? he's being used. Posted by: rubaiat on February 15, 2005 02:17 AMYeah, Rubaiat, he's being used, and I think boytoy was his first job. Palla18 how do you tell then; except for jabs at bad scorpio aspects I've never read about it? So tell me what dubya has in his chart that points to bi- or homosexuality? Does anyone have Gannon's chart? Posted by: Jill G on February 15, 2005 02:45 AMThanks for the article, Nancy. It's not going to be a cakewalk for Ho Ho, but I think he's the only one who can undertake this extraordinary task and have a good chance of success. I don't know where he gets the strength! Nice little tid-bit, while Kindasleazy did get the SOS appointment, news is surfacing that Cheney's dau, Elizabeth, will be very high up in the State Department. Hee-hee. Imagine being caught between Smirky & Snarly! The job from hell. Posted by: shylurker on February 15, 2005 02:49 AMI don;t believe that Gannon was dimwit's boy toy - I think he was either placed there by the same people who hired other reporters,or by the political arm of the gop, or is good friends with some conservative in the WH who had the power to get him in - say in the Pentagon's "disinformation" unit, or that he is Jill, this really isn't the place for individual astrology lessons - Sally has frowned upon that... For those who are interested, Lebanon was "born" on Nov.22, 1943. The charts do not look promising for the Natal chart with Sun in 9th at 29 Scorpio, and MC at 7 Sag. Uranus is playing havouc both in progressed and Solar Return charts...also with with progressions. Rafik Hariri, the assasinated Prime Minister was born Nov. 1, 1944. No time given. I am so sad. I was born there, grew up there...father (now deceased) was a professor at the American University of Beirut. When I relocated back to the US after the civil war watching Lebanon from afar, I was truly grateful for Hariri's efforts. Oh, Beasley, please accept my condolences. Beirut, the beautiful, promising city! Shameful, shameful loss!! Posted by: shylurker on February 15, 2005 04:13 AMUranus is also dancing death to Lebanon's chart by transit. Forgot to mention that. When will this madness end? Is there any indication astrologically? It just goes on and on, the intrigue, the deaths, the maiming, the mysteries, the horrendous violence, disappearings, "renditions"? Man, under the bed is starting to look pretty tempting again.
That is interesting about the 40 judicial nominations resurfacing now. We are just entering a very angry and aggressive period on Congress. 2/10 to 2/28 transiting Uranus is exactly square natal Mars in the 109th Congress swearing in chart. The natal square has a 2 degree orb. Uranus has now moved into one degree orb and is closing in on exact til 2/28. I expect it to get very ugly and nasty. Posted by: Nancy on February 15, 2005 05:24 AMOooh, but do tell us, Nancy, if it's obvious: Who wins? Posted by: shylurker on February 15, 2005 05:28 AMBeasley my heart goes out to you... I read the news yesterday of the assassination... Shylurker, please don't go back yet... Nancy, Such a magnificant article... so much to digest. Wonderful news about Dean and the months to come. I like the aspects you focus on. He will do much to bring people both into and BACK to the DP... his appeal to the grassroots is exactly what we need to bring about true transformation of the party. I'm not looking for a savior, but he will give structure --- different structure --- to the party, from the bottom up, rather than the top down, which is how it has been. Thank you so much for your time and effort --- we're on a roll now, Morgana's view and then Sally's and now yours. And we can add another Dem to our Hall of Fame -- HOYER STATEMENT ON "JEFF GANNON" CONNECTION TO VALERIE PLAME LEAK "Valid questions are being raised regarding the Bush White House's relationship with James Guckert, also known as "Jeff Gannon," and his access to documents that revealed the identity of Undercover CIA Operative Valerie Plame. "This issue is important from an ethical as well as from a national security standpoint. It is hard to understand why a man with little real journalism experience was given a White House press corps credential let alone access to sensitive security documents. In fact, it only raises questions as to the nature of the relationship between "Jeff Gannon" and the White House, and whether there was an alliance of interests that did not conform to ethical and security standards. President Bush's father, President George H.W. Bush, called the disclosure of an undercover operative's identity treason. "This most recent revelation is only the latest in the growing list of ways that Republicans in Washington are attempting to manipulate the American people through the media and avoid accountability. When the Bush Administration had trouble selling its domestic policies, it unethically paid journalists to promote its policies under the guise of journalism. When the Ethics Committee held Majority Leader Tom DeLay accountable for improper actions last year, the Republican leadership simply removed Chairman Joel Hefley (R-CO) and other Republicans from the Committee. "I encourage the Special Counsel looking into the Plame matter to include "Jeff Gannon's" ties to the issue in his investigation." ------- In my opinion, he framed the matter precisely as it should be --- go Dems! Backbones appear to be intact...
It is so nice to see the Democrats speaking out and not mincing words. It is so needed and will do more than anything to strengthen the party. From the Hoyer statement posted by Jo: "This most recent revelation is only the latest in the growing list of ways that Republicans in Washington are attempting to manipulate the American people through the media and avoid accountability." Finally they are telling it like it is. I hope they keep talking and loudly. Posted by: Nancy on February 15, 2005 05:35 AMOK, cheer up. Here are some of the "ripples" the clever 'jm' referred to in the last thread. These two links talk about UNH students who have a prototype to suck CO2 out of the atmosphere. Pretty interesting stuff and students, I love it. The next link talks about how the AIDS virus is a model for anti-cancer therapies. I've always felt that there would be a nexus between AIDS and most other diseases. oh, and i left off the americablog link. i must be in a good mood. ***HAPPY VALENTINES DAY*** TO ALL OF YOU Posted by: mike on February 15, 2005 06:32 AMBeing on TV was a thrill, though I have not seen it yet myself. Given all the stuff going on in Aquarius right now, and given that my birthday was in the middle of last week, I'm not surprised that an Aquarian such as myself would pop up on TV in this kind of a context. Whatever was going on in astrology over the weekend thrust me into the spotlight in ALL areas of my life. And I do mean ALL areas. I'm interpreting the brief media appearance as an effect of this. Moreover, I was having some problems with my parents, who were on the verge of kicking me out the house over going to DC for this thing. They thought I was wasting my time. When all their friends started calling them to say they saw me on TV, I think that made my parents rethink their position. Instead of threatening to kick me out, they're really proud now. Ahh, how the universe works in mysterious ways! Posted by: Dave on February 15, 2005 06:46 AMPallas, do you know of any "good" traders (i.e. those who positively have not come out in favor of Bush's privitizing boondoggle)? Posted by: Larry on February 15, 2005 08:05 AMBesides being insightful, articulate, and 'individualistic', you guys are really spirited. Thank you all. Here is a very encouraging article I thought you would like: http://www.truthout.org/docs_2005/021205Y.shtml ~snip... "What can I do?" The question is thrust at me again and again as if I possessed some mysterious solution unknown to others. The odd thing is that the question may be posed by someone sitting in an audience of a thousand people, whose very presence there is an instance of information being imparted which, if passed on, could have dramatic consequences. The answer then is as obvious and profound as the Buddhist mantra that says: "Look for the truth exactly on the spot where you stand." For M. and others, there's a lovely pic at dKos of the beautiful and brave Sen Boxer surrounded by roses and roses and roses http://www.dailykos.com/story/2005/2/15/0356/08583 Posted by: Jo on February 15, 2005 01:17 PMI just joined MoveOn.org and got on their volunteer list last week but no one has contacted me so far. Has anyone had any experience with them and if so were you ever contacted and told where you could meet others so you can get out in the field and get this show on the road. On Dean, I am so damn sick of the MSM's coverage of Dean but Tweety aka Chris Matthews makes me want to puke. Everytime he mentions Dean all he can think of is Dean called abortion a medical procedure well duh he's a freaking doctor what do you expect him to call it. Plus he has had that Republican shill Byron whatever his name on there asking him what he thinks of Dean as the new chairman. As you would expect Mr. Byron was none too thrilled, but he wouldn't be happy with any choice for DEMOCRATIC chair unless it was some perennial loser like Shrum. Next does anyone think that the Democrats should get into the direct-mailing business big time like all of those right-wing organizations do. I think that is a good way to educate the red-states about the real facts about issues like *'s Social Security scam as well as the keep them up to date about all of the other ways * and the Rethugs are screwing them. Show them how complex and wrong headed it is in a way that a 30 second commercial can't. We could also send out stories like the one about the fake press reporter/gay escort. I'm sure that a lot of red-state moms who watch soaps during the day would be interested in how this fake reporter/gay escort got access to this the supposedly most conservative of White Houses (NOT!) I know that my post doesn't have anything to do with astrology but I would like some feedback. Posted by: Roderick on February 15, 2005 01:56 PMRoderick, More good news - each piece helps. MSNBC: Appeals Court rules Journalists must testify in CIA leak case Court: Reporters Must Testify in Plame Case
The three-judge panel ruled that New York Times reporter Judith Miller and Matthew Cooper of Time Magazine must comply with a subpoena from a grand jury investigating whether the Bush administration illegally leaked the agent's name to the news media. "There is no First Amendment privilege protecting the evidence sought," Judge David Sentelle wrote in the opinion that went against the two journalists. The decision upheld a ruling by a federal judge that Miller and Cooper were in contempt of court and should be jailed for refusing to testify about their confidential sources. Plame's name was published by syndicated columnist Robert D. Novak in July 2003. http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A25744-20... Thanks, Nancy, for such an interesting and well-written article. Posted by: Sharon on February 15, 2005 04:43 PMRoderick, Sharon, Thanks so much for that WONDERFUL news re Plame! Pat QOP and others, re media http://www.crisispapers.org/features/samizdat.htm http://www.independent-media.tv/item.cfm?fmedia_id=10401&fcategory_desc=Under%20Reported http://www.thenation.com/special/bigten.html http://www.thenation.com/doc.mhtml?i=20020107&s=mcchesney Posted by: Jo on February 15, 2005 05:11 PMLoved it, Nancy -- especially the tie to Three Card Monte. Reminds me of something i saw long ago using the analogy of the silk-gloved hand extended, the iron fist waiting to strike. karen Posted by: farrout on February 15, 2005 05:15 PMBoomerangs at their best - how making statments Secondly its that foot in his mouth comments by Brilliant David Podvin article about what is needed to turn the tide. http://makethemaccountable.com/podvin/more/050214_TheLiberalMedia.htm Conservatives insist that the major problem with American politics is the bias of the liberal mainstream media, but the liberal mainstream media is a childish myth, not unlike unicorns or leprechauns or William Bennett’s virtue. The real problem is that democracy becomes a farce when votes are cast based on corporate propaganda, and in a nation where a network anchorman recently was fired for telling the truth about his employer’s amoral political benefactor, corporate propaganda is the coin of the realm. As George Soros and other wealthy Democrats analyze the best ways to subsidize the improvement of the American political system, they should realize that nothing would improve this country more than having a powerful liberal media to counteract the reportorial charlatans of the Fortune 500. If journalists were allowed to expose the Republican Party’s blatant criminality, the conservative movement would quickly be discredited and disempowered. As a result, there would be no wars of conquest resulting in massive loss of innocent human life. The Treasury would not be looted for the benefit of multinational conglomerates. Federal judgeships would not be reserved for segregationists and theocrats. The environment would not be used as an industrial septic tank. Posted by: Nancy on February 15, 2005 05:48 PM
http://rawstory.com/news/2005/index.php?p=73 Posted by: wv on February 15, 2005 05:52 PMWOOOOOOOW! Paul Krugman comes out strong for Howard Dean! http://www.nytimes.com/2005/02/15/opinion/15krugman.html?hp Posted by: Nancy on February 15, 2005 06:02 PMPat - Will this be a controlling share in Time Warner? It should certainly give Soros some influence. Maybe he read the Podvin article! Posted by: Nancy on February 15, 2005 06:08 PMOn September 9 gold fell back a bit and the high for gold was 413.00 and the low for trading that day was 410.00 I think I missed the opportunity. Today Sept 15, gold opened at $426, the hi so far today is $427 and the low is $423.50 "Monday's Commodities Roundup"
CBC News - Canada
_____ Soros buying mega shares of Newscast couldn't be better news. As a shareholder he can make waves and certain demands at meetings, if he has friends buy enough share, they could remove Rupert Murdoch .... Soros has a goal - he lived through fascism and doesn't like what he sees.. Buffett is not an activist, although his statement Soros has a website and a newsletter...which you can probably find by googling. Maybe we should start a run on buying up Newscorp stocks and help Soros out...but it would be good to see what his newsletter says.
Dear Jo - Thank you for posting about the roses pic. I have been looking forward to this ever since I put my order in as I thought it would present a wonderful and effective visual message. Sadly, the MSM, spoken of above did not see fit to carry the story, at least as far as I could see and I was looking everywhere I could. I had hoped KO would have at least picked it up. Posted by: M. on February 15, 2005 06:45 PM
and Talon's anti-Sematism.... http://www.truthout.org/docs_2005/printer_021505Z.shtml Posted by: wv on February 15, 2005 07:50 PMI JUST HAVE TO SEE THIS POSTED ONE MORE TIME!
THANK YOU SO MUCH PatQOP Quake jolts Japanese capital Temblor measures 5.4; no damage reported advertisementThe 5.4-magnitude quake was centered in southern Ibaraki prefecture, just north of the capital, and struck at 4:46 a.m. Wednesday (2:46 p.m. ET Tuesday), the Meteorological Agency said. Its epicenter was 25 miles below the surface. National broadcaster NHK showed monitoring cameras around central Tokyo shaking, and the rumbling was felt in surrounding areas such as Yokohama. A magnitude 5 earthquake can cause damage to homes if it occurs in a residential area. There was no threat of tsunami, or potentially dangerous waves triggered by seismic activity, the agency said. Japan, which rests atop several tectonic plates, is among the most earthquake-prone countries in the world. On Oct. 23, a magnitude-6.8 earthquake struck Niigata, about 160 miles northwest of Tokyo, killing 40 people and damaging more than 6,000 homes. The jolt was the deadliest to hit Japan since 1995, when a magnitude-7.3 quake killed 6,433 people in the western city of Kobe. © 2005 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. from: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/6975359/ Posted by: SuzieLiberal on February 15, 2005 10:24 PMhttp://bluememe.blogspot.com/2005/02/judge-sentelle-delivers.html Judge Sentelle delivers Posted by: Pat C on February 15, 2005 10:31 PMLike the lightbulb going off, I had to jot this here;solving a cross word puzzle,answer to the clue was gray and had to do with civil war.Then "And one day, too late, your principles, if you were ever sensible of them, all rush in upon you. The burden of self deception has grown too heavy ... and you see that everything, everything, has changed and changed completely under your nose. The world you live in – your nation, your people – is not the world you were in at all. The forms are all there, all untouched, all reassuring, the houses, the shops, the jobs, the mealtimes, the visits, the concerts, the cinema, the holidays. But the spirit, which you never noticed because you made the lifelong mistake of identifying it with the forms, is changed. Now you live in a world of hate and fear, and the people who hate and fear do not even know it themselves; when everyone is transformed, no one is transformed. Now you live in a system which rules without responsibility even to God. The system itself could not have intended this in the beginning, but in order to sustain itself it was compelled to go all the way. ..."Suddenly it all comes down, all at once. You see what you are, what you have done, or, more accurately, what you haven’t done (for that was all that was required of most of us: that we do nothing). You remember those early meetings of your department in the university when, if one had stood, others would have stood, perhaps, but no one stood. A small matter, a matter of hiring this man or that, and you hired this one rather than that. You remember everything now, and your heart breaks. Too late. You are compromised beyond repair. "Once the war began,” my colleague continued, “resistance, protest, criticism, complaint, all carried with them a multiplied likelihood of the greatest punishment. Mere lack of enthusiasm, or failure to show it in public, was ‘defeatism’. You assumed that there were lists of those who would be ‘dealt with’ later, after the victory." -------- No, the above was not written about America and Americans... it was written about Germany and Germans. It is from an essay called Principiis obsta :: Finem respice --------------- http://liberalstreetfighter.com/ee/index.php?/trifecta/comments/principiis_obsta_finem_respice/
I meant to post this link also, to the entire essay... by Milton Mayer. http://www.polarbearandco.com/thought.html "What happened here was the gradual habituation of the people, little by little, to being governed by surprise; to receiving decisions deliberated in secret; to believing that the situation was so complicated that the government had to act on information which the people could not understand, or so dangerous that, even if he people could understand it, it could not be released because of national security. And their sense of identification with Hitler, their trust in him, made it easier to widen this gap and reassured those who would otherwise have worried about it." ------------- This is what I find so disturbing about Americans, at least the half who so vigorously support this concept of perpetual war... we are creating a 'holocaust' in the Middle East... we are killing Arabs and Muslims ... just as we did the Native Americans... and for the same reason, greed disguised as "fear"... and we simply move about our day... as the Germans did. Posted by: Jo on February 16, 2005 12:43 AMAs George Soros and other wealthy Democrats analyze the best ways to subsidize the improvement of the American political system, they should realize that nothing would improve this country more than having a powerful liberal media to counteract the reportorial charlatans of the Fortune 500. Posted by: Nancy on February 15, 2005 05:48 PM Buffett's firm doubles holdings in Comcast; Soros buys Time Warner, Echostar. Posted by: Pat QOP on February 15, 2005 05:59 PM Although what you say is true, Jo, I think we should be cautious about comparing this situation to prewar Germany. It is a different culture and a different time. The same thing could happen, but I think it requires close scrutiny before reaching a conclusion. In the end it might come down to mind control and a battle of wits. The MSM is locked in a cage and becoming increasingly frustrated, while the blogosphere is taking on the task of hard journalism and all the excitement that comes with a new and revolutionary movement. Even though the readership is limited, there might be more people involved than were in Germany. I don't know. I believe that something will be resolved before Pluto leaves Sagittarius. The fact that the Moon placement for the earthquake and tsunami and 911 were exact, is telling. Could there be a wave of truth coming? I don't think Pluto will leave us hanging entirely. Posted by: jm on February 16, 2005 01:32 AMGreat work Nancy, especially enjoyed reading the links to the economic articles, thanks. Dean does look strong through 2007, agreed. Posted by: Vis on February 16, 2005 01:54 AMAnother important factor is that Bush has nowhere near the power over the people that Hitler had. The majority here don't like him and think he is doing a pretty lousy job. That number is increasing, in spite of the propaganda. He's stupid sounding, dull, and uninspiring, so we might be in luck. Even though the machinery operates behind him, I think they would need a more charismatic front man. Heres another Democrat that has earned roses.......................... http://www.dailykos.com/ Totally off topic, but I bet one of you could help me find a site with a recording of Melissa Etheridge's Janis Joplin tribute on the Grammy's last night (she sang "Piece of My Heart!") I searched the net and couldn't find it. My husband missed it, except snippets on the news, and it was one of the best *ing performances I ever heard. She appeared bald and I heard today that it was due to have had chemo, but she is now cancer free. What a woman!!! Posted by: Sharon on February 16, 2005 03:17 AMIs this cool or what? The Kyoto Protocol goes into effect on MY BIRTHDAY, tomorrow!! I didn't realize it until I read this piece about Big Al speaking out tomorrow in LA. http://www.buzzflash.com/alerts/05/02/ale05029.html Posted by: Nancy on February 16, 2005 03:35 AMWe all know about * classifying all his records and his Poppy's and Clinton's --- word comes today that "Scoop Jackson" --- the godfather of the Neocons is falling into the category of the "protected". Strange indeed. What in the world could Scoop Jackson have in his records that needs to be scrubbed today? It must have to do with someone currently in the administration, but we're talking about 22 year old records so whatever it is, it must be huge even by today's nonaccountability standards. http://www.dailykos.com/story/2005/2/15/201851/101 Posted by: Jo on February 16, 2005 03:36 AMWishing you a happy, healthy, joyful day and year, Nancy. It's fitting that the Kyoto Protocol would go into effect on your birthday. Mine is just a couple days away. Sharon Posted by: Sharon on February 16, 2005 03:38 AMSharon I found Piece of my heart on Kazaa; it was outstanding, wasn't it? She had breast cancer. Nancy, best wishes for a fantastically beautiful, love & flowers & chocolate filled day! Posted by: Peg on February 16, 2005 03:43 AMThank you, Sharon and Peg! Sharon, when is your birthday? Aquairus or Pisces? Posted by: Nancy on February 16, 2005 03:50 AMThe Asia Times weighs in on the assassination of Hariri: http://www.atimes.com/atimes/Middle_East/GB16Ak02.html "Sooner or later we will hear an accusation from Washington that Syria was behind the killing of Rafik, and then new controversies will be carved out which will question the Syrian presence in Lebanon. Of course, the situation will finally force Syria to pull out its troops, and of course a vacuum will be created, which will be filled by NATO [North Atlantic Treaty Organization] troops once again in the region," said veteran Palestinian writer Samir Allawi, who is an expert on Middle Eastern affairs. "The plot seems to be multi-faceted to fix several issues," Allawi elaborated. "It is aimed at both Syria and Lebanon, which are a permanent pain in the sides of Israel," he said. "Syria is the only home left for the three top powerful militant groups - Hamas, Islamic Jihad and Hezbollah - and Syria unofficially serves as a strategic back yard for the Palestinian resistance movement. Pressure on Syria will be used as a bargaining chip to minimize the presence of these organizations until their operations become null and void [as previously happened in Jordan]. "There are groups in Lebanon which are in favor of the presence of Syrian troops in the region, including among the rulers, but there is a powerful opposition as well. Rafik Hariri's killing will ignite controversies concerning the Syrian presence and thus create divisions in society, which will finally give the US a role in this region in the shape of a NATO presence and a chance to manipulate Lebanese internal and external policies," Allawi maintained. Posted by: Nancy on February 16, 2005 03:54 AMAn upbeat preospective! B**$ must be knashing his teeth! But among all these luminaries one shone brighter than the rest by far. There was only one real superstar present and his name was Bill Clinton. http://www.thedailystar.net/2005/02/16/d502161503115.htm PQOP Posted by: Pat QOP on February 16, 2005 04:03 AMwv, wasn't avoiding the question. just had to do my research. they're all pimpin for each other, which reminds me of the very old saying for purdue chicken (in nyc subway posters): "it takes a tough man to make a tender chicken." -- President Bush, May 27, 2004 January 2004. Mr. Bush wandered over during Mr. [Scot] Reid's [senior strategist to Canadian Prime Minister Paul Martin] chat with the Prime Minister. Mr. Reid introduced himself and shook hands with Mr. Bush. The President chuckled. "Well, you got a pretty face," he told the surprised Mr. Reid. He wasn't done. "You got a pretty face," he said again. "You're a good-looking guy. Better looking than my Scott anyway." ----------- I'm Feb 20th, Nancy, 0 Pisces, with Mercury at about 18 Aquarius opposite Moon & Pluto in 17 Leo. I have a definite Aquarian slant on things. Posted by: Sharon on February 16, 2005 04:17 AMThanks for the tip, Peg. I download Kazza and did a search, but couldn't find it. How'd you locate it? Posted by: Sharon on February 16, 2005 05:10 AMSyria accuses Israel of killing Al Hariri While the opposition to the pro-Syrian government in Beirut claimed that Syria was behind the assassination of the former Lebanese Prime Minister Rafiq Al Hariri, the Syrian media on Tuesday pointed the finger of suspicion at Israel. "What happened was an attempt to shatter national unity in Lebanon, to sow anarchy and divisions which lead to a climate of civil war," said government newspaper Tishrin. http://www.aljazeera.com/cgi-bin/news_service/middle_east_full_story.asp?service_id=6991 WASHINGTON The Bush administration, condemning the assassination of the former Lebanese prime minister, Rafik Hariri, is suggesting that Syria is to blame and moving to get a new condemnation of Syria's domination of Lebanon at the UN Security Council. Remember Archduke Ferdinand? [The assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand, heir to the Austro-Hungarian throne, on 28 June 1914, set in train a series of diplomatic events that led inexorably to the outbreak of war in Europe at the end of July 1914.] Guess charging Syria with having WMD won't sell... --------------
A war of words is developing between Washington and Damascus, with the U.S. recalling its ambassador to Syria, and Syria shrugging off criticism of its troop presence in Lebanon and U.S. claims that it supports terrorism. U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said Tuesday Syria was "unfortunately on a path right now where relations are not improving, but are worsening". Rice did not blame Syria for Monday's bomb attack that killed Hariri and 16 others, but she did challenge Syria's longstanding claim that its troops were needed in Lebanon to provide security. "There is no doubt that the conditions created by Syria's presence there have created a destabilized situation in Lebanon," she said. Syria's Ambassador to the U.S., Imad Moustapha, was quick to return the verbal blows. "If anyone is trying to politically score some points against Syria, I would say ... this would be shameful," he told CNN. "It should be very clear to everyone that if anybody is insinuating about a Syrian role in the criminal atrocity that happened in Beirut, I think they are lacking logic," he said. In a thinly-veiled jab at Washington, he said accusations that Syria is supporting terrorism are akin to the claims, later disproved, that Iraq possessed weapons of mass destruction in the lead-up to the war. "Syria does not support terrorism. We have said this time and again," he said. http://www.cnn.com/2005/WORLD/meast/02/15/beirut.explosion/index.html Posted by: Jo on February 16, 2005 05:32 AMSomething odd Jo about the assassination of PM Hariri, it was to, to, to convenient for the US and Israel to have Syria jump into this fray in Jordon. They've been there for quite awhile amid Jordanian unrest and haven't done anything like this. I don't think it was Syria, this assassination doesn't benefit Syria, it doesn't benefit the terrorists, it does benefit a couple of other countries. Do we know the time of this assassination in Beruit. Beasley, I am sorry, this must be hard for you and all those who have wonderful memories of Beruit. Posted by: Sally on February 16, 2005 05:34 AMI also had the good luck to get a ticket to hear Clinton speak this past summer. The man is electric - and he could have been elected again - From Pat QOP's article above Re: Clinton at Davos- I especially enjoyed the truth that being democrat and pro-Clinton does not really count as being an American. harrrrr. -snip- "The respect and the awe in which the crowd held him had to be seen to be believed. The only other person on the planet I can think of who might have commanded similar respect is Nelson Mandela. Clinton mesmerized the audience and the buzz in the air after his interview was electric. It was all anyone wanted to talk about."
There is no other way to put this. Bill Clinton was the undisputed King of Davos. So I think that it is a bit far-fetched to suggest that "the Davos crowd" is anti-American unless one accepts the Republican position that being pro-Democrat and pro-Clinton doesn't really count as being pro-American as Democrats and Bill Clinton don't really count as real Americans.
Sally, The Chinese newspaper Xinhua Iran leader vows "scorching hell" for attackers By Reuters, The Associated Press; Reuters and Los Angeles Times TEHRAN — Iran, facing mounting U.S. pressure over its nuclear program, promised yesterday a "scorching hell" for any aggressor as tens of thousands marched to mark the 26th anniversary of its Islamic revolution. A month after President Bush warned that the United States hasn't ruled out military action against Iran, President Mohammed Khatami responded before a crowd gathered on a snowy square in Tehran. The U.S. accuses Iran of maintaining a nuclear-weapons program, which Iran says is for peaceful energy purposes. "Will this nation allow the feet of an aggressor to touch this land?" Khatami asked at the crowd. "If, God forbid, it happens, Iran will turn into a scorching hell for the aggressors." His statements drew chants of "Death to America!" from the crowd. Khatami is widely recognized as a leader of a moderate faction in Iran. Indeed, Khatami himself indicated in his speech that the talk of a possible U.S. invasion was pushing him into a united camp with Iran's hard-liners against foreign meddling. "The Iranian nation is not looking for war, violence and confrontation," Khatami said. "But the world should know that the Iranian nation won't tolerate any aggression and will stand united against aggression despite differences," he said, referring to the internal divide in Iranian politics between reformers and the more conservative clerics. http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/nationworld/2002177190_iran11.html Posted by: Jo on February 16, 2005 06:06 AMWatch out surfers. Here come the Ruppert Murdoch Blogs: Financial Times.com Home UK Print article | Email article Murdoch executives to map out net vision About 50 senior News Corporation executives, including Rupert Murdoch, the chairman, will meet in New York on Wednesday to map out an internet strategy for the global media company. News Corp which owns satellite broadcasters in the US, Europe and Asia, the Fox cable channels and movie studios, and newspapers around the world will determine after the day-long brainstorming session how it should tackle the sharp growth in internet advertising and changing viewing habits. Wednesday's meeting marks the group's most intensive look at web plans since James Murdoch, the chairman's second son, oversaw its new media strategy in the late 1990s. Those efforts, including a plan for an entertainment website, proved abortive. There's a little program called kitcometals.com that puts the price of silver and gold in your For instance, right now Silver is $7.21 going down BUT Allan Greenspan is making some announcement tomorrow...so it could go either way big time. Speculation is that once gold goes over resistance level of $430. it will jump to $450 big time. And no, I'm not in a brokerage company. :) Posted by: Pallas18 on February 16, 2005 07:05 AMJohn Kerry is going to support Bush's request for additional billions for Iraq. I surely wonder what it is that Bush has on Kerry because he must have something. Why would anyone think that they would do better with more money when they have so badly and corruptly managed the nearly 200 billion they already have. Posted by: Sally on February 16, 2005 07:37 AMa great big OOPS. the "gannon" story has just surfaced in the CM (corporate media). howie kurtz has a major article in today's WaPost on "gannon." just to let you know how improtant this is, john aravosis, of Americablog.com, the guy who broke the story, is thrilled because it's finally out there. i think the word's out, its bye bye for * boy: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A27730-2005Feb15.html sally, i was in beruit for a while just before the '73 war (egypt also). what a lovely city, beautiful people. what a tragedy! it will never be the same (in our lifetimes). Posted by: mike on February 16, 2005 07:55 AMJo, one thing led to another in my mind on this Nazi thing, and I came across this article which I think you will find fascinating; http://news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/ap/20050213/ap_en_mo/film_nazi_resistance It's about a brother and sister who defied the Nazis and were beheaded. But what's really interesting is how aware I am becoming that this problem is not just in the USA: ~snip Cause for concern, I would say. Posted by: jm on February 16, 2005 09:05 AMSharon and Nancy -- sending white light wishes for your special days. Happy, happy birthday! Has anyone read anything about the national ID being snuck into the Iraq appropriations bill? Apparently national ID mandates extend way beyond identifying (or not) "alien" residents. karen I did find this re: national ID http://www.antiwar.com/paul/?articleid=4817 karen Posted by: farrout on February 16, 2005 02:08 PMI lived in Germany along the Rhine for a year and 1/2 in 1994/1995 (not in the military - doing work for a private corporation) and I found a HUGE cultural difference between Americans and Germans. I can't tell you how frightened I became of Germans. There were the small things that happned everyday. I am a vegetarian and in Germany that seemed to mean only small pieces of pork in the dish. I was called rude more than once for refusing to eat meat - at restaurants - by waitressess. When you add to that the fact that although I drink beer occasionally - I don't like it and will drink almost anything else if given the chance, Germans really get annoyed. I also have dark hair, dark eyes and somewhat olive skin, that in and of itself seems to be a crime in Germany. Maybe they thought I was Turkish - and they seem to be very distrustful of the large Turkish population. When I left for vacation and needed to show my passport to get back in the country - I was frequently held for questioning. I didn't care usually because if I couldn't get back in the country that meant I didn't have to go to work. I watched the Police do things while no one said a word. I listened to my boss and people at parties say "if only we had done .... we might have won the war." Germans seemed much more distressed about losing the war than they did about the Holocaust. I had to listen to my boss and German co-workers constant vulgar and sexist statements. I was taking a German language class from a Greek woman and she would tell me horror stories about how she was harrassed on a weekly basis. One time she got on a train and a man said in German "I see Hitler forgot a few." Another time some Germans neo-nazis destroyed her daughter's bike while she and her daughter were riding through town. I also lived in Spain and Cameroon, where Americans were able to blend in quite easily with the local culture. Spain is especially wonderful. However, most Americans in my company never were able to fully assimilate into the German culture. Most business publications blame the poor results of the merger between Dailmer Chrysler on cultural differences. I think the biggest difference is that Americans are much less inclined to follow rules. Most culures seem to have a ratio of value of the Individual to the value of Society. I think in Germany they give Society more value in relationship to the value they give the individual. Here in the U.S., we have many, many laws meant to protect the individual like freedom of speech, etc. Of course Germany has many great things going for it. They take recycling VERY seriously, for example. I met so many wonderful Germans during my time there, but I was scared of their society as a whole. German is the #1 ancestry in the U.S., (http://www.infoplease.com/ipa/A0762137.html) (maybe the problem here?) and some of my ancestors were probably German, but I think our cultures are quite different. I DO think the current Bus* regime is facist, and I am so worried about our country today. But, having lived in Germany, I still have hope that more Americans will fight back. I'd like to know more about the Italians and Mussolini. Posted by: SuzieLiberal on February 16, 2005 02:26 PMHappy Birthday to you Nancy.................. I want to make it clear that when I was hassled for not eating dishes with meat - it was not because I asked for my money back or another dish. I ordered dishes after asking if they had meat - and when the dishes came, many times they did in fact have meat. I did not complain. I was acutely aware that I was foreign and was much more timid than I would be in the U.S. But I also did not eat the dish. This angered the waitresses and they would start hasseling me and calling me rude. Thankfully there were a number of Italian restaurants in the town where I was working, so I was able to have a meal I enjoyed without a lecture. I'm mostly of Irish decent - but who doesn't love Italian food? Posted by: SuzieLiberal on February 16, 2005 02:43 PM"Here in the U.S., we have many, many laws meant to protect the individual like freedom of speech, etc." Really SuzieLiberal? Have you tried wearing an anti-Bush Tshirt?
Oh We're a "different time and culture" alright. Bush Robot Army Pentagon Sees Robot Army In Ten Years, Infantry Robots Arriving In Iraq, nyt http://www.bushwatch.com/e-mail.htm
I sent the Gannon story (americablog.org) to Read the following story and weep.... http://mparent7777.blog-city.com/read/1076868.htm Posted by: wv on February 16, 2005 03:53 PMHappy Birthday Nancy! I am lurking these days. The new cable networks with Soros and Buffet gave me a big smile and it lifted this heavy feeling I've had since the (s)election. Posted by: bhakti on February 16, 2005 03:55 PMSally, There's been a blast in Iran near the nuclear reactor... conflicting reports... witnesses say an unidentified plane dropped a missile... others are saying an Iranian jet dropped a fuel tank (fuel tanks don't ignite an explosion!)... two incidents involving two countries in ME I checked astro.com for USA progressions and transits against natal chart... tJupiter is exactly conj pMars at 18 degrees Libra... expanded aggression? Posted by: Jo on February 16, 2005 05:19 PMSuzie Liberal, my father was olive-skinned and of German descent. In my late thirties I met a women who could have been my father's sister. Same chiseled features more common to the true americans, slight angular build, dark hair and olive skinned. She had visited Germany and found ancestors in the north. She was pleasantly surprised and felt most at home there. She was flaming liberal as well. ;-) Just like blue states/red states in here, there are pockets of "civilized" human beings everywhere including Germany. On to another, personal subject. . . I've been having lucid and vivid UFO dreams of late. I've attempted to research and find dream resources, others who are experiencing the same thing. Anyone on this site having extraordinary dreams of this sort? karen Posted by: farrout on February 16, 2005 05:20 PMJo, Good cartoon from San Francisco Chronicle http://www.sfgate.com/comics/meyer/ Posted by: wv on February 16, 2005 05:56 PMNot to worry...................... if this LOT makes robots they won't work right anyway! http://www.kvia.com/Global/story.asp?s=2953317 PQOP Posted by: Pat QOP on February 16, 2005 05:59 PMwv, i think that whould stir KO. he ran something last night that was pretty good. while he talked about maile excort services they ran video of mcclellan and bush. it was such an obvious "hint". we're in for an interesting ride. the pics of our "victory" are so sad. this whole iraq adventure is for no good reason. now the white house is complaining: BECAUSE SYRIA IS OCCUPYING LEBANON. GIVE ME A BREAK. WHAT ARE WE DOING IN IRAQ? Note: Sally. I come in on Mozilla Firefox. About 1/2 the time, the right margin is about double what it should be...text goes horizontally and the width of the page is double that of my screen. Am I doing something wrong? (Well of course I am, but in this instance haha) Posted by: mike on February 16, 2005 06:32 PMU.S. Uses Drones to Probe Iran For Arms
http://www.washingtonpost.com/ac2/wp-dyn/A19820-2005Feb12?language=printer ------------ drones = robotic airplanes Posted by: Jo on February 16, 2005 06:35 PMConservative Sycophants Lose Credibility The Republican House of Representatives saw fit to impeach President Clinton for lying about sex. The same Republicans defend to the hilt Bush's lies that launched America into an unjustified war that has killed and maimed tens of thousands of Iraqis and Americans, cost taxpayers hundreds of billions of dollars, ruined America's reputation, and lost forever the hearts and minds of Muslims. No decent or sensible person can have confidence in journalists and politicians who take partisanship to such extreme lengths. There is plenty of room in journalism and politics for arguments over issues and policies. But two solid years of lies is beyond the pale. Conservative journalists and Republican politicians not only lie through their teeth, but also seek to destroy everyone who utters a word of dissent or truth.
The conservative media has blown its great chance to gain credibility by holding Bush accountable as it did Clinton. Instead, the conservative media and talk radio have shown themselves to be political partisans who fight against truth. Justify Bush at all costs is their operative rule. At least the German press and the Soviet press were forced into these roles by Hitler and Stalin. The American conservative media willingly adopted the role on its own. The function of a journalist is to speak truth to power and to hold accountable those with power. Abandoning this role, the conservative media cheers for war, incompetent leaders, and a police state. http://www.antiwar.com/roberts/?articleid=4854 We know how much reliable drones=robotic airplanes were in educating the uneducated, imbecile shrub/cheny/rummy and the whole bunch of corrupt cronies in the presence of WMD in Iraq. Posted by: Raj on February 16, 2005 07:57 PM
Arianna thinks so... http://www.ariannaonline.com/columns/column.php?id=759 Posted by: wv on February 16, 2005 08:01 PMFebruary 16, 2005 "U.S. and Polish soldiers are still stealing treasures today and selling them across the borders with Jordan and Kuwait, where art merchants pay up to $57,000 for a Sumerian tablet," said Báez, who was interviewed during a brief visit to Caracas. The expert on the destruction of libraries has helped document the devastation of cultural and religious objects in Iraq, where the ancient Mesopotamian kingdoms of Sumer, Akkad, and Babylon emerged, giving it a reputation as the birthplace of civilisation." Whoever You Vote For, Washington wins http://electroniciraq.net/news/1875.shtml Hey SuzieLiberal, I have had some bad experiences too in Germany. I'm very fair skinned but have dark hair, dark eyes, and very native-american facial features. Growing up in a bilingual Spanish-English enviroment, I just felt the German's couldn't deal with my easy-going attitude and lack of punctuality. I DO feel sorry for the many Germans who feel so much shame for what happened in the name of their country. While it is certainly true that there is a growing racist movement in Germany, I think there are alot of Germans who are totally against it and they feel this deep anxiety about what happened. I think it's sad, because I would hate to feel the weight of every atrocity committed by the American government. To be honest, I grew up with prejudice against Germans. Growing up with a my mother's French background, the Germans could do nothing right. My mother's best friend was black, which was great, but German was a different matter(I even had to remind my mother about the French-Algerian war). Like I mentioned earlier, many Germans are trying to change their culture. Those are the German's that I feel are the best representatives of a better German culture. Posted by: Travieso on February 16, 2005 09:25 PMThere really is a unique character to every country. That's why some South American countries, for example have brutal dictatorships repeatedly, and some do not, or at least less oppressive. Posted by: jm on February 16, 2005 10:12 PM Sharon, type in Melissa Etheridge; it's audio only (sorry, I should've said that).I'll keep looking for you & Happy early Birthday! Here's a good article on the bombing: http://www.atimes.com/atimes/Middle_East/GB17Ak05.html Posted by: Peg on February 16, 2005 10:15 PMIn recent years there have been quite a few Germans moving to NZ - a surprising number to the rural area where I grew up. One lady I was talking to recently said they moved here because Germany had changed from what it used to be (she was born in the late 40's). She said there seemed to be an increasing climate of "so much anger" and she did not want her boys raised around that. It was a comment made in a sort of social situation and it was not appropriate to question her further, but at some point, when I get to know her better, I'll ask her more about it. Posted by: Jeanie on February 16, 2005 10:15 PMTravieso - I'm NEVER on time!! Posted by: SuzieLiberal on February 16, 2005 10:33 PMSuzieliberal, I'm afflicted by a Mercury in detriment in Pisces (thank God, bonafide by Venus), so you can imagine that details, time schedules, etc. are not my forte. Anyway, I bet the Germans also felt that you were exotically beautiful at the same time. They probably didn't know how to deal with you. Posted by: Travieso on February 16, 2005 10:40 PM My skin is fair but olive toned - I didn't look exotic - just foreign. I think they didn't like my personality more than they didn't like my coloring. I know they didn't know how to deal with me - for sure. I like to order off the menu, wear tennis shoes on weekends, cross the street when there are no cars coming even if the "no walk" sign is lit, etc. I'm constantly laughing - and I have a very loud laugh - and I think that's a no-no in Germany. But I'm always about 40 pounds overweight - so I'm sure they didn't think I was beautiful. Altough I lost weight over there - I think it was the wine and Italian food. Still a bit chubby though. Also, my life has been one big bad hair day!!! But - it WAS so much easier to meet men in Europe. I think because we are in our cars so much over here it isolates us (I say as I sit in my bedroon talking to a computer.) There you'd meet people waiting for the train, walking down the street. I miss that. Posted by: SuzieLiberal on February 16, 2005 10:57 PMmike - I am on mozilla firefox too. I think the only reason the width of material is so wide is because there is a link way back on the thread that is so long, the rest of the thread gets extended. Scroll up and you will see it. Regarding Arnold: I wrote and article called Terminator IV a long while back saying he would start to have a lot of trouble when Saturn came onto his Ascendant and Venus and then his Sun. Here is the relevant quote:
The transit of Saturn to natal Venus is then followed by a 10-month transit of Saturn to natal Sun, from August 2005 through May 2006, also likely to bring tremendous frustration and extremely difficult problems that are not easily managed. Financial troubles in California could be quite extreme since the Sun rules Arnold's second house. Overlapping the Saturn transit to the Sun will be a Saturn transit square to Arnold's Sacramento location chart Midheaven (10 Scorpio) from October 2005 through July 2006. This suggests challenges to his reputation and increasingly difficult career issues. If Arnold runs for Governor again in 2006, it is not at all clear that he would win. There are no strong Venus aspects to confer an aura of appeal and charisma. It may well be that the Governator will be recalled during the long Saturn period coming between mid 2004 and mid 2006, or he may be run out of town for his long string of past sexual predations. No longer blinded by Arnold's photogenic celebrity after May 2004, Californians may choose to terminate his contract. end quote http://starlightnews.com That is encouraging, Nancy. I don't care where Arnold goes as long as it isn't to DC. A couple of threads back I can't remember which AWorlder told us about Bremmer making a law in Iraq that farmers there have to destroy their seeds after harvest. To plant again they would have to buy new seeds from Monsanto. Just got this from another board: "Consumers, farmers, and environmental organizations across the globe are mobilizing to stop the legalization and commercialization of the "Terminator Gene Technology" whereby seeds are genetically engineered to commit suicide after one growing season. The biotech industry and big agriculture support the Terminator Technology because it prevents farmers from saving their seeds and forces them to buy seeds every year. (Goodbye, heirloom tomatoes, and heirloom everything else-- my comment) Scientists are concerned that this could lead to killing off a wide range of plants, as pollen from plants with the Terminator gene spreads unpredictably in the wind. more http://www.organicconsumers.org/us.htm and also http://www.organicconsumers.org Power madness seems to be a suicide gene, doesn't it? Posted by: Barbara on February 17, 2005 02:30 AMThanks, everyone, for the pre-BD wishes. I wish you the same 1000-fold. Nancy, I hope you're having an extra special day. I hadn't heard "Gropenfuher" before & it cracked me up. Meanwhile, our Howard is off to a running start - does my heart good - And...I didn't know he was going to debate Richard Pearle. Can't picture Terry McAuliffe doing that. http://news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/ap/20050216/ap_on_re_us/dean_media_blackout_1 I also heard Gore gave a great pro-environment speech today. Tomorrow, Boxer, Kerry, Stephanie Tubes Jones, Hillary are holding a press conference to announce the need for election reform. Things are looking up, the fight has only begun and we've got a lot of feist on our side. Posted by: Sharon on February 17, 2005 02:33 AMSorry, that first link to organic consumers should be http://www.organicconsumers.org/un.htm That is "un" instead of "us" Posted by: Barbara on February 17, 2005 02:34 AMI also want to thank everyone for all the birthday wishes. It has been a nice day, though nothing too big and fancy. Sharon, I have a Jupiter /Pluto opposition right on your Moon/Mercury/Pluto configuration! We will be getting the Neptune conjunction/opposition soon and the Jupiter trine and sextile. Posted by: Nancy on February 17, 2005 02:57 AMThanks for letting me know. I'm a little worried about the Neptune thing. I think I feel it already. I felt pretty spacey today but it could be something else :-) Posted by: Sharon on February 17, 2005 03:26 AMJust read a very insightful article on the situation Jo and jm were discussing upthread. http://www.consortumnews.com/2005/021205.html The article is Bush & the Rise of "Managed-Democracy" by Robert Parry. Posted by: Barbara on February 17, 2005 03:29 AMAnd I'd like to add my happy, happy birthday wishes to Nancy and Sharon. Posted by: Jeanie on February 17, 2005 03:38 AMSally, The time for the assassination of Hariri given by most press is just before 1:00 pm Beirut time.. Hariri was born Nov. 1, 1944 in Sidon, Lebanon. No time given. Hey guys, I wonder if any of you are following "Gannongate"-the male prostitute in the White House. I really have a sick feeling about this. After looking at Bush's second term chart, I see some things that fit with this story. The Pluto/Mars conjunction in the 8th shows that there are some military action abroad(esp. in Sagittarius), however, Mars/Pluto conjunct can also express itself in sometimes strange sexual behaviors involving control and hidden desires. Take into account the Mars/Pluto squared with Uranus in the 11th house that means that an insecurity and, in my opinion, flirtation with less then disreputable elements. I think this Pluto squared Uranus shows hidden relationships, backdoor dealings, yet with explosive and detrimental results. The Plutonian drive for regeneration is 'blocked' by the liberating effect of Uranus. I see this trend also with Chiron on the Midheaven. With this Chiron/Sun cunjunction this administration (perhaps the GOP) will not never overcome its future reputation for scandal. I think this will involve the whole administration because of Capricorn in the 10th (Capricorn expressing itself through large corporations and bureaucracies) Add the Neptunian influence in the 10th house and you can see that Bush will be self decieved of the true nature of actions of his administration. And, in true Neptunian fashion, it will be expressed through that Neptunian religion-Christianity. Of course, I can't say that this scandal will stick, I just see some interesting patterns. I would love to get other's opinions. Let me know. Peace. Posted by: Travieso on February 17, 2005 05:57 AMSo a male prostitute actively operating at least five "military stud" call boy web sites with no journalism experience has been a white house press "reporter" with seemingly unfettered access to Sctt McClellan, and sits rows away from Bush, + has been there for several years. What a coincidence that his questions are always framed in strong anti-Democrat language? Also he is the first reporter to have received the leak about Valerie Plame!! The White House is not aware of his background? Oh pleaseeeee.... Even Mo Dowd of the NYT picked up the story today. As someone from Daily Kos just said "the Dems are being handed a major brewing scandal on a silver platter. If they don't run with it they deserve to keep on losing". Calling Dr. Dean1 Posted by: on February 17, 2005 06:14 AMGrizzly here! Sorry I forget to put my name in the last post to take the credit/blame for it (and the typos). There also is a good new article in the Guardian by Sidney Blumenthal today re Gannon/Guckert. I certainly hope the story has real long legs! Posted by: Grizzly on February 17, 2005 06:42 AMOne more thing, then I promise to stop posting and shut up and go to bed: THIS GANNON/GUCKERT SITUATION GIVES A WHOLE NEW MEANING TO THE TERM "MEDIA WHORES!" P.S. Do you think the initial client was Rove or W himself?! Posted by: Grizzly on February 17, 2005 07:02 AMGrizzly, Question ~ Would an unqualified FEMALE prostitute be able to get a daily press pass at the Cheney/Rove/Bush WH? Answer: Nope! It “suspiciously” appears only a favored MALE prostitute gets to ask the President of the United States staged questions at staged news conferences ~ Somebody hanging out or around the oval office fancied Mr. Gannon/Guckert ~ Don’t you think ~ Looks like good judgment lost out to lust/testosterone Anyway “they” feel that they are above any scrutiny ~ So far “they” have gotten away with every type of atrocious/monstrous/outrageous crime one can think of ~So why not have a clever forked tongue boy-toy around for entertainment and allow him to ask some perfectly bias questions? Who would dare question them ~ They know they have silenced the real press Posted by: Starrynights/SN on February 17, 2005 08:41 AMMebbe it's a 3-way, Grizzly. ;O) Posted by: JoannaOregon on February 17, 2005 09:55 AMBarbara, Is anyone suprised? We have missing nucs in Russia!!!!! Didn't Kuchinich have something to say about that last year???????? Pat QOP Posted by: Pat QOP on February 17, 2005 12:28 PMBeasley, news in Israel. Is Sharon letting his son take the fall for him? Prosecution had evidence on Sharon but couldn't touch him while he was in office. Now, his son is in the Parliament, but "The attorney general, Meni Mazuz, is now expected to ask the Knesset to remove Omri Sharon's parliamentary immunity from prosecution." And they're going to close the evidence file on Sharon. Smacks of sacrificial lamb to me. http://www.guardian.co.uk/israel/Story/0,2763,1416584,00.html Posted by: Jo on February 17, 2005 02:30 PM
Announcement made at 10:02:30 AM 2/17/05 Posted by: wv on February 17, 2005 03:04 PMOMG on Negrapointe! Remember Sally saying his was one of the darkest charts she'd ever seen? Posted by: M. on February 17, 2005 03:10 PMWV, Where did you hear? Link? Posted by: Jo on February 17, 2005 03:16 PMNevermind, I googled: This is the Czar of intelligence they were talking about, that many didn't want... so, does the position itself have to been approved? And what in the name of everything that is holy is this entity doing here? Sally said his was THE darkest, not one of the darkest (if my recall is correct)... this is death-squad Negroponte we are talking about... WV thanks for the time... but this can't be official because I am sure he has to be approved. Right? Posted by: Jo on February 17, 2005 03:24 PMYou're right about the darkest bit, and yes he does have to be confirmed but right now they are going on with the blather of how he is the "most repected, so able" etc. blah, blah, blah, that means they probably don't see any obstacles to him being confirmed. Posted by: M. on February 17, 2005 03:33 PM
Here's a couple of columns from the NY Times... February 17, 2005 I am very impressed with James Guckert, a k a Jeff Gannon. How often does an enterprising young man, heralded in press reports as both a reporter and a contributor to such sites as Hotmilitarystud.com, Workingboys.net, Militaryescorts.com, MilitaryescortsM4M.com and Meetlocalmen.com, get to question the president of the United States? Who knew that a hotmilitarystud wanting to meetlocalmen could so easily get to be face2face with the commander in chief? It's hard to believe the White House could hit rock bottom on credibility again, but it has, in a bizarre maelstrom that plays like a dark comedy. How does it credential a man with a double life and a secret past? "Jeff Gannon" was waved into the press room nearly every day for two years as the conservative correspondent for two political Web sites operated by a wealthy Texas Republican. Scott McClellan often called on the pseudoreporter for softball questions. Howard Kurtz reported in The Washington Post yesterday that although Mr. Guckert had denied launching the provocative Web sites - one described him as " 'military, muscular, masculine and discrete' (sic)" - a Web designer in California said "that he had designed a gay escort site for Gannon and had posted naked pictures of Gannon at the client's request." And The Wilmington News-Journal in Delaware reported that Mr. Guckert was delinquent in $20,700 in personal income tax from 1991 to 1994. I'm still mystified by this story. I was rejected for a White House press pass at the start of the Bush administration, but someone with an alias, a tax evasion problem and Internet pictures where he posed like the "Barberini Faun" is credentialed to cover a White House that won a second term by mining homophobia and preaching family values? At first when I tried to complain about not getting my pass renewed, even though I'd been covering presidents and first ladies since 1986, no one called me back. Finally, when Mr. McClellan replaced Ari Fleischer, he said he'd renew the pass - after a new Secret Service background check that would last several months. In an era when security concerns are paramount, what kind of Secret Service background check did James Guckert get so he could saunter into the West Wing every day under an assumed name while he was doing full-frontal advertising for stud services for $1,200 a weekend? He used a driver's license that said James Guckert to get into the White House, then, once inside, switched to his alter ego, asking questions as Jeff Gannon. Mr. McClellan shrugged this off to Editor & Publisher magazine, oddly noting, "People use aliases all the time in life, from journalists to actors." I know the F.B.I. computers don't work, but this is ridiculous. After getting gobsmacked by the louche sagas of Mr. Guckert and Bernard Kerik, the White House vetters should consider adding someone with some blogging experience. Does the Bush team love everything military so much that even a military-stud Web site is a recommendation? Or maybe Gannon/Guckert's willingness to shill free for the White House, even on gay issues, was endearing. One of his stories mocked John Kerry's "pro-homosexual platform" with the headline "Kerry Could Become First Gay President." With the Bushies, if you're their friend, anything goes. If you're their critic, nothing goes. They're waging a jihad against journalists - buying them off so they'll promote administration programs, trying to put them in jail for doing their jobs and replacing them with ringers. At last month's press conference, Jeff Gannon asked Mr. Bush how he could work with Democrats "who seem to have divorced themselves from reality." But Bush officials have divorced themselves from reality. They flipped TV's in the West Wing and Air Force One to Fox News. They paid conservative columnists handsomely to promote administration programs. Federal agencies distributed packaged "news" video releases with faux anchors so local news outlets would run them. As CNN reported, the Pentagon produces Web sites with "news" articles intended to influence opinion abroad and at home, but you have to look hard for the disclaimer: "Sponsored by the U.S. Department of Defense." The agencies spent a whopping $88 million spinning reality in 2004, splurging on P.R. contracts. Even the Nixon White House didn't do anything this creepy. It's worse than hating the press. It's an attempt to reinvent it. Posted by: wv on February 17, 2005 04:09 PMFebruary 20, 2005 Let me explain. On "Countdown," a nightly news hour on MSNBC, the anchor, Keith Olbermann, led off with a classic "Daily Show"-style bit: a rapid-fire montage of sharply edited video bites illustrating the apparent idiocy of those in Washington. In this case, the eight clips stretched over a year in the White House briefing room - from February 2004 to late last month - and all featured a reporter named "Jeff." In most of them, the White House press secretary, Scott McClellan, says "Go ahead, Jeff," and "Jeff" responds with a softball question intended not to elicit information but to boost President Bush and smear his political opponents. In the last clip, "Jeff" is quizzing the president himself, in his first post-inaugural press conference of Jan. 26. Referring to Harry Reid and Hillary Clinton, "Jeff" asks, "How are you going to work with people who seem to have divorced themselves from reality?" If we did not live in a time when the news culture itself is divorced from reality, the story might end there: "Jeff," you'd assume, was a lapdog reporter from a legitimate, if right-wing, news organization like Fox, and you'd get some predictable yuks from watching a compressed video anthology of his kissing up to power. But as Mr. Olbermann explained, "Jeff Gannon," the star of the montage, was a newsman no more real than a "Senior White House Correspondent" like Stephen Colbert on "The Daily Show" and he worked for a news organization no more real than The Onion. Yet the video broadcast by Mr. Olbermann was not fake. "Jeff" was in the real White House, and he did have those exchanges with the real Mr. McClellan and the real Mr. Bush. "Jeff Gannon's" real name is James D. Guckert. His employer was a Web site called Talon News, staffed mostly by volunteer Republican activists. Media Matters for America, the liberal press monitor that has done the most exhaustive research into the case, discovered that Talon's "news" often consists of recycled Republican National Committee and White House press releases, and its content frequently overlaps with another partisan site, GOPUSA, with which it shares its owner, a Texas delegate to the 2000 Republican convention. Nonetheless, for nearly two years the White House press office had credentialed Mr. Guckert, even though, as Dana Milbank of The Washington Post explained on Mr. Olbermann's show, he "was representing a phony media company that doesn't really have any such thing as circulation or readership." How this happened is a mystery that has yet to be solved. "Jeff" has now quit Talon News not because he and it have been exposed as fakes but because of other embarrassing blogosphere revelations linking him to sites like hotmilitarystud.com and to an apparently promising career as an X-rated $200-per-hour "escort." If Mr. Guckert, the author of Talon News exclusives like "Kerry Could Become First Gay President," is yet another link in the boundless network of homophobic Republican closet cases, that's not without interest. But it shouldn't distract from the real question - that is, the real news - of how this fake newsman might be connected to a White House propaganda machine that grows curiouser by the day. Though Mr. McClellan told Editor & Publisher magazine that he didn't know until recently that Mr. Guckert was using an alias, Bruce Bartlett, a White House veteran of the Reagan-Bush I era, wrote on the nonpartisan journalism Web site Romenesko, that "if Gannon was using an alias, the White House staff had to be involved in maintaining his cover." (Otherwise, it would be a rather amazing post-9/11 security breach.) By my count, "Jeff Gannon" is now at least the sixth "journalist" (four of whom have been unmasked so far this year) to have been a propagandist on the payroll of either the Bush administration or a barely arms-length ally like Talon News while simultaneously appearing in print or broadcast forums that purport to be real news. Of these six, two have been syndicated newspaper columnists paid by the Department of Health and Human Services to promote the administration's "marriage" initiatives. The other four have played real newsmen on TV. Before Mr. Guckert and Armstrong Williams, the talking head paid $240,000 by the Department of Education, there were Karen Ryan and Alberto Garcia. Let us not forget these pioneers - the Woodward and Bernstein of fake news. They starred in bogus reports ("In Washington, I'm Karen Ryan reporting," went the script) pretending to "sort through the details" of the administration's Medicare prescription-drug plan in 2004. Such "reports," some of which found their way into news packages distributed to local stations by CNN, appeared in more than 50 news broadcasts around the country and have now been deemed illegal "covert propaganda" by the Government Accountability Office. The money that paid for both the Ryan-Garcia news packages and the Armstrong Williams contract was siphoned through the same huge public relations firm, Ketchum Communications, which itself filtered the funds through subcontractors. A new report by Congressional Democrats finds that Ketchum has received $97 million of the administration's total $250 million P.R. kitty, of which the Williams and Ryan-Garcia scams would account for only a fraction. We have yet to learn precisely where the rest of it ended up. Even now, we know that the fake news generated by the six known shills is only a small piece of the administration's overall propaganda effort. President Bush wasn't entirely joking when he called the notoriously meek March 6, 2003, White House press conference on the eve of the Iraq invasion "scripted" while it was still going on. (And "Jeff Gannon" apparently wasn't even at that one). Everything is scripted. The pre-fab "Ask President Bush" town hall-style meetings held during last year's campaign (typical question: "Mr. President, as a child, how can I help you get votes?") were carefully designed for television so that, as Kenneth R. Bazinet wrote last summer in New York's Daily News, "unsuspecting viewers" tuning in their local news might get the false impression they were "watching a completely open forum." A Pentagon Office of Strategic Influence, intended to provide propagandistic news items, some of them possibly false, to foreign news media was shut down in 2002 when it became an embarrassing political liability. But much more quietly, another Pentagon propaganda arm, the Pentagon Channel, has recently been added as a free channel for American viewers of the Dish Network. Can a Social Security Channel be far behind? It is a brilliant strategy. When the Bush administration isn't using taxpayers' money to buy its own fake news, it does everything it can to shut out and pillory real reporters who might tell Americans what is happening in what is, at least in theory, their own government. Paul Farhi of The Washington Post discovered that even at an inaugural ball he was assigned "minders" - attractive women who wouldn't give him their full names - to let the revelers know that Big Brother was watching should they be tempted to say anything remotely off message. The inability of real journalists to penetrate this White House is not all the White House's fault. The errors of real news organizations have played perfectly into the administration's insidious efforts to blur the boundaries between the fake and the real and thereby demolish the whole notion that there could possibly be an objective and accurate free press. Conservatives, who supposedly deplore post-modernism, are now welcoming in a brave new world in which it's a given that there can be no empirical reality in news, only the reality you want to hear (or they want you to hear). The frequent fecklessness of the Beltway gang does little to penetrate this Washington smokescreen. For a case in point, you needed only switch to CNN on the day after Mr. Olbermann did his fake-news-style story on the fake reporter in the White House press corps. "Jeff Gannon" had decided to give an exclusive TV interview to a sober practitioner of by-the-book real news, Wolf Blitzer. Given this journalistic opportunity, the anchor asked questions almost as soft as those "Jeff" himself had asked in the White House. Mr. Blitzer didn't question Mr. Guckert's outrageous assertion that he adopted a fake name because "Jeff Gannon is easier to pronounce and easier to remember." (Is "Jeff" easier to pronounce than his real first name, Jim?). Mr. Blitzer never questioned Gannon/Guckert's assertion that Talon News "is a separate, independent news division" of GOPUSA. Only in a brief follow-up interview a day later did he ask Gannon/Guckert to explain why he was questioned by the F.B.I. in the case that may send legitimate reporters to jail: Mr. Guckert has at times implied that he either saw or possessed a classified memo identifying Valerie Plame as a C.I.A. operative. Might that memo have come from the same officials who looked after "Jeff Gannon's" press credentials? Did Mr. Guckert have any connection with CNN's own Robert Novak, whose publication of Ms. Plame's name started this investigation in the first place? The anchor didn't go there. The "real" news from CNN was no news at all, but it's not as if any of its competitors did much better. The "Jeff Gannon" story got less attention than another media frenzy - that set off by the veteran news executive Eason Jordan, who resigned from CNN after speaking recklessly at a panel discussion at Davos, where he apparently implied, at least in passing, that American troops deliberately targeted reporters. Is the banishment of a real newsman for behaving foolishly at a bloviation conference in Switzerland a more pressing story than that of a fake newsman gaining years of access to the White House (and network TV cameras) under mysterious circumstances? With real news this timid, the appointment of Jon Stewart to take over Dan Rather's chair at CBS News could be just the jolt television journalism needs. As Mr. Olbermann demonstrated when he borrowed a sharp "Daily Show" tool to puncture the "Jeff Gannon" case, the only road back to reality may be to fight fake with fake.
M., You're right we have to get on it... he was confirmed to US Ambassador to Iraq 95-2... There's something I really don't understand here. This is a terrible person... where was/is the Senate opposition to him? Does he have SOMETHING on everybody? Director of National Intelligence (well, I didn't know we had any at the national level, they're all pretty stupid in my opinion) means they are bringing him "home" to do what he does best... death squads... he was in Iraq from time of fake "handover"... he got the interim constitution hammered out... and signed... now that the 'elections' have been held, and the US is still in control (until the NEW constitution is ratified, signed, the interim one is the bible, google it and read it... the US still calls the shots) his work is done... in Iraq... We must get to the Dem caucus... to Reid... this cannot happen. First Gonzales, yesterday Chertoff (who imho is a clone of Gonzales) and now Negroponte! Three card monte alright! *'s request for more money for war is being fully supported by Dems, criticized by Repugs... war drums are pounding and Negroponte is hovering over the internet and all dissent... and dKos is jubilant over mainstream focus on Gannon. Time to wake up people! Different culture and different time my foot... we are in the midst of a fascist regime. Some physists are saying that the characteristics of a black hole may be such that we could be in one now and not realize it. Sound familar? Are we just going to speculate about when "it's coming"... heck "it's" here. (sorry for the rant, and please 'scuse the spelling, I don't have dendrites or time for such) http://news.ft.com/cms/s/dab5e2da-7fb1-11d9-8ceb-00000e2511c8.html http://www.washingtonpost.com/ac2/wp-dyn/A30679-2005Feb16?language=printer Posted by: Jo on February 17, 2005 04:24 PMCAN YOU BELIEVE IT????? I knew you Astroworlders would be on-the-spot with this horrific news. Negroponte? This guy is the personification of evil incarnate. On the Gannon case. . .just got me to thinking about Ashcroft draping the dreaded bare-breasted justice statue, the new fines imposed on media who break some sort of ambiguous indencency rule (again instigated by the bare-breasted Janet Jackson incident). WHAT IS INDECENT ABOUT A BREAST? Those who find a breast indecent have some serious psychological/spiritual inadequacies. There were stories circulated some time ago about the "boy" parties in the white house. I'll attempt to find them. Now i wonder who hosted these events. Wonder if the name Gannon was attached. Does anyone else remember this? karen Posted by: farrout on February 17, 2005 04:39 PMThis negroponte is all corrupt to the core,CROOKED Well, I had CNN on when the story first broke and they had Barbara Starr, David Ensor and a few I didn't catch because I was distracted by something else. Of course there were the CNN talking heads and then we had *ush. Oh and Nancy Pelosi got on to ask , "why when he was sent to Bagdad, with the rez saying how crucial his presence was there, was he leaving that position? Then the press conference started and I couldn't bear it so turned it off. The interesting thing is that it has already been said that the Pentagon doesn't want to give up intel money, but that Negropointe is every bit as tough as Rumsfeld. So I am wondering why the rez would set these two against each other? It was also said that Goss would report to N'ponte. Posted by: M. on February 17, 2005 04:46 PMM., Intelligence 'czar' not needed, CIA chief says
The acting head of the CIA yesterday said there is no need to create a national security "czar" to oversee the nation's intelligence community — something the commission investigating the September 11 attacks is expected to recommend this week. "I see the director of central intelligence as someone who is able to do that and empowered to do so under the National Security Act of 1947," Mr. McLaughlin told "Fox News Sunday." http://www.washtimes.com/national/20040719-124722-4029r.htm ----------- In our LTEs we need to remind that the position itself is in question, and certainly the nominee is... (you are going to write Boxer, et al right?) Posted by: Jo on February 17, 2005 05:08 PMHello, Astroworlders! I wanted to drop a hot scoop here: A commenter at americablog.org found a site where "Jeff Gannon"/James Guckert gives his birthdate. He claimed (in an escort profile) that he was born on May 25th, and listed his age as 45 in 2002. The age, at least, synchs up with JimmyJeff's statement that he is now 47. He used an alias in the profile, Jon Dean, but using the initials JD is a recurrent theme with this character.
Guckert and shrub (may) share:
There are a couple of Romantic Super Aspects, as well, for added hilarity. The clashes are also worth noting. Most ominously for shrub, Gannon/Guckert's Saturn clashes with his Sun, Mars and Pluto, giving the hooker a great deal of control over shrub's fate. These are powerful aspects, indicating that Gannuckert is in a position to make or break shrub if he so chooses. They indicate that a relationship will seem fine for a time, then sour completely into bitterness and rancor. If JJGG gets angry enough, or feel threatened and rejected, he could very well do something drastic to retaliate against the preznit. Like sit down for a tell-all interview to blow the White House wide open, perhaps? There is another extremely important factor to add to this strange brew. Currently, Uranus is transiting a sensitive point in the US chart, one associated with the downfall of many presidents. From my survey of presidential death and scandal in office, transits of the outer planets through 6-14 degrees of the mutable signs has repeatedly been a trigger for serious threats. Clinton was impeached when Pluto hit 8 Sagittarius. (Of course, Monicagate brewed whilst Pluto was in the earlier degrees of Sag.) Nixon resigned when Neptune was at 6 Sagittarius. Saturn transited the same part of Sagittarius during Reagan's Iran/Contra scandal. The long-forgotten Teapot Dome scandal of the Harding administration was in full roar when Uranus was around 10 Pisces. It is clear, to me at least, that these transits coincided with eerie exactitude to presidential scandal and intrigue. At the current moment, Uranus is at 6 Pisces, and it will stay in the vicinity for quite some time. Given past presidential history, I take that as a clear indication that some scandal -- whether it be L'affaire Gannon or some other brewing controversy -- will bring Bush low. If the birthdata for the pseudonymous Gannon is correct, I would be willing to place my bet on the hooker-cum-press-whore as the man who will bring shrub to his knees -- in every sense of the term.
When you read this, you'll wonder if the world is turning upside down or what? Pope and the Vatican See news on right side Posted by: Raj on February 17, 2005 05:22 PMNew York Times Clarke's Report to Rice Published: February 17, 2005 To the Editor: Re " '01 Memo to Rice Warned of Qaeda and Offered Plan" (front page, Feb. 12): Whether or not Richard A. Clarke's report to Condoleezza Rice constitutes a "plan" is irrelevant. Beyond any doubt, it put her and the administration on notice of a serious threat, heightened by a series of planned or successful strikes. If Dr. Rice didn't consider Mr. Clarke's report a plan, why didn't she ask for a plan? In anything but the current political climate, her failure to act would be construed as gross incompetence. Richard E. Evans, Hastings-on-Hudson, N.Y. Feb. 12, 2005 http://www.nytimes.com/2005/02/17/opinion/l17clarke.html Posted by: Pat C on February 17, 2005 06:00 PMFreedom of Information Comes at a $372,799 Cost 01-31-2005 A Washington public interest group's attempt to discover the extent to which the government has sought to hide legal proceedings involving immigrant detainees since Sept. 11 has been stymied by a huge, upfront tab for research. People for the American Way Foundation has been told it must pay nearly $400,000 before the Department of Justice will process its Freedom of Information Act request. The general counsel for the group, which hopes to publish a public report about government secrecy efforts against hundreds of unidentified detainees, called the unusually large fee requirement "outrageous." "The government should not be able to levy that kind of fee as a precondition for getting information," said Elliot Mincberg. "We regularly file these requests against not only the Department of Justice but other federal agencies, and we've never had a situation like this before. It's hard to reach any other conclusion than they're stonewalling." Freedom of Information Far From Free The Justice Department has informed the People for the American Way (PFAW) that responding to the group’s Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request for all records related to the decision to seal the records of immigrants detained in the wake of the 9/11 terrorist attacks will cost nearly $400,000. The unusually large price tag appears to be the agency’s latest move in an ongoing struggle to withhold the information. PFAW, a leading civil rights organization, filed the FOIA request more than a year ago on Nov. 25, 2003. The Justice Department immediately denied the request on the grounds of privacy and then denied the organization’s appeal. PFAW, unsatisfied with the Justice Department’s claims, filed a lawsuit in August 2004 seeking the records. Then on Jan. 11, two days before the deadline for arguing why the lawsuit should be summarily denied, the Justice Department reported that it had changed its position and would search for the requested records. The organization was told that an initial canvass of U.S. Attorneys’ offices led to an estimated search time of 13,314 hours, which at $28 an hour, would make the total search fee approximately $373,000. Justice also cautioned that this was only an estimate and the final cost could be higher. Denying the public access to information a danger to democracy "The first casualty when war comes is truth," thundered Hiram Johnson, senator from California, on the floor of the Senate in 1917. But the essential component of truth, information, is so heavily guarded these days that truth, if not a casualty in the war on terrorism, certainly goes missing in action all too often. In a war setting, of course, the right information in the wrong hands can be lethal. The same is true for homeland security. But there's also this: The right information in the public's hands can prove embarrassing, inconvenient or worse for our elected and appointed leaders. It is no wonder, then, that information is heavy on the minds of government officials. First and foremost, it is a kind of currency, used for bartering, brokering, managing, safeguarding, hoarding. It is used to purchase influence. It even comes in various denominations: "raw data," described in a recent government report as having no assessment of its accuracy or implications; "knowledge," having "a high degree of reliability or validity"; and "intelligence," which has been "carefully evaluated concerning its accuracy and significance, and may sometimes be credited in terms of its source." The hole keeps getting deeper and deeper, and every time they try to cover-up ("he only had day passes"), their refusal to get out of the hole ensures they will be caught in it. http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=104x3129327#3129831 Posted by: shylurker on February 17, 2005 06:39 PMGo tell CNN what you think about Negroponte: Posted by: shylurker on February 17, 2005 06:52 PMdone Posted by: Pat C on February 17, 2005 07:20 PMHey Shylurker, Thanks for the heads up on the poll... Diary at dKos with interview with Dana Milbank... he says JimJeff had a "hard" pass... not a day pass... Posted by: Jo on February 17, 2005 07:25 PMDid some searching. Here's the link to the scandal re: boys in the whitehouse (during the reagan admin.) The Gannon story has some deep roots. http://www.thelawparty.com/FranklinCoverup/franklin.htm karen Posted by: farrout on February 17, 2005 08:20 PMFarrout, descriptions of dreams and UFOs can be found at:
http://www.truthout.org/docs_2005/printer_021705Y.shtml Re the Gannon story, I go with Xeno, it is a sex With the Gannon thing bursting on the scene in the coporate nooze, they're surely ratcheting up their terror, fear and war talk. What do "the stars" say? Thnx! Posted by: shylurker on February 17, 2005 09:23 PM
The division of peoples based on super-tribes has always led to battles, fights and wars. By Manuel Valenzuela We are all in this together, forged out of one common African ancestor. We are human, one and all, born without flags, without borders and without nations, spawned naked to politics and in harmony with nature. The nation is man-made, as is patriotism and nationalism, creations of our animal selves. Our loyalty should be to the Earth and one another, not to the intangible fantasies of division or the imaginary lines of control.
http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/local/bal-negroponte4,0,2660805,print.story For other stories about Gannon and Negroponte go
The Bush administration is making the same mistakes with Iran that it made with Iraq. It makes allegations unsupported by facts, refuses to negotiate and threatens sanctions or military action, neither of which is feasible. In short, it has no rational Iran policy. Negroponte is EVIL. He must be stopped. Posted by: Dave on February 17, 2005 10:16 PMNot only with Iran, it is with any and all countries of the world, shrub and cronies have no rational policy in Africa,Europe,Asia or SAmerica.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/print/0,3858,5128691-103677,00.html Posted by: wv on February 17, 2005 11:49 PM
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- - - - - - - - - - - - Feb. 17, 2005 | James Guckert's mysterious career as a White House correspondent for Talon News just took another strange twist. And once again, the newest revelation raises the central question: Who broke the rules on Guckert's behalf to give him access to the White House? Despite administration claims that Guckert simply followed established protocol in order to routinely slip inside the White House briefing room, it now appears clear that Guckert, who just months before his 2003 debut as a cub reporter was offering himself up online as a $200 an hour male escort, benefited from extraordinarily preferential treatment, likely granted by someone inside the White House press office. Thanks to the continued digging by online sleuths, there's now documented evidence that Guckert attended White House briefings as early as February 2003. Guckert, using his alias "Jeff Gannon," once boasted online about asking then-White House press secretary Ari Fleischer a question at the Feb. 28, 2003, briefing. The date is significant because in order to receive a White House press pass, Guckert would have needed to prove that he worked for a news organization that, in the words of White House press secretary Scott McClellan, "published regularly," in itself an extraordinarily low threshold. Critics have charged that while Talon News may publish regularly, it boasts a nearly all-volunteer news team that includes not a single person with actual journalism experience. (The team does, though, have quite a bit of experience working on Republican campaigns.) In other words, the outfit is not legitimate or independent, two criteria often used in Washington to receive press credentials. But what's significant about the February 2003 date is that Talon did not even exist then. The organization was created in late March 2003, and began publishing online in early April 2003. Gannon, a jack of all trades who spent time in the military as well as working at an auto repair shop (not to mention escorting), has already stated publicly that Talon News was his first job in journalism. That means he wasn't working for any other news outlet in February 2003 when he was spotted by C-Span cameras inside the White House briefing room. And that means Guckert was ushered into the White House press room in February 2003 for a briefing despite the fact he was not a journalist. Whereas it was once suspected that White House press officials in charge of doling out coveted press passes went easy on Guckert, a Republican partisan working for an amateurish news outlet who would routinely ask softball questions, it now appears those same unnamed White House officials simply ignored all established credential standards -- including detailed security guidelines -- and gave Guckert White House access, even though he had no professional standing whatsoever. For more than a week White House officials have refused to answer any of Salon's questions regarding the credential process used for Guckert's press passes. Democrats on the Hill are also looking for answers. Last week, Sen. Frank Lautenberg, D-N.J., requested from McClellan all documents related to Guckert's press passes. On Wednesday, Rep. John Conyers, D-Mich., and Rep. Louise Slaughter, D-N.Y., filed a Freedom of Information request with the Department of Homeland Security, in search of all information related to Guckert's credentials and security clearance to cover the White House. On Wednesday Slaughter noted, "With each new revelation it becomes more and more clear that the relationship between the White House and Jeff Gannon was anything but typical. It is time for this administration to stop the stonewalling and come clean with the American people." President Bush called on Guckert during a Jan. 26 press conference. "It is a huge deal for Bush to pick on you at a press conferences," says a member of the White House press corps. "There are people in the press room who have covered Bush for four years and haven't had a chance to ask him a question." Ironically, it was Guckert's time in the spotlight on Jan. 26 that triggered his downfall. After asking a loaded, partisan question, in which Guckert mocked Democratic leaders for being "divorced from reality," liberal critics online began digging into his qualifications, Talon's partisan ties, and eventually into Guckert's unusual past. Guckert resigned as Talon White House correspondent on Feb. 9. The question about credentials remains key. The vast majority of reporters covering the White House have what's called a "hard," or permanent, pass. To obtain one they have to verify they work for a recognized news organization with job responsibilities covering the White House. They have to submit to a lengthy security background check conducted by the FBI, which can take months to complete and requires being photographed and fingerprinted. Journalists also must verify to the White House they already have credentials to cover Capitol Hill. Without them, the White House won't complete a hard pass request. In late 2003 Guckert applied for a Capitol Hill pass and was denied because Talon, which enjoys close ties to GOPUSA.com, was not deemed to be a legitimate, independent news outlet. That in and of itself should have been a red flag for the White House press office. Yet for nearly two years, it allowed Guckert to circumvent the hard pass system by using a day pass whenever he needed White House access. The day pass requires just a minimal background check. It was designed to be used on a temporary basis, such as for reporters coming in from out of town to cover the White House for a brief period. Guckert, though, with the help of somebody inside the press office, turned the day pass system into his own revolving door. That was when he was at least working for Talon News. To learn Guckert was waved into the White House for fourth estate briefings even before he was affiliated with any kind of news outlet is startling.
About the writer Hey Xeno, I posted earlier on this thread of my own interpretation of this scandal and how this maybe the scandal that brings Bush down. Of course, I don't know Gannon's chart, but looking at Bush's second-term chart, shows some really interesting trends. I follow Traditional Astrology and the Psychological school of Astrology, but I came up with many of the same conclusions you did. The Mars/ Pluto conjunction in the 8th house of Sagittarius shows violent upheaval involving those outside Bush's inner-circle. This terrifies Bush's Cancerian Sun, especially so close to his Leo Ascendent. (Both signs loaded with planets in his natal). This will involve very unsavory and disreputable elements, because of the Mars/Pluto conjunction squared with Uranus in 11th (in Pisces, the sign of suffering). While Pluto transforms, this is a violent transformation with issues of control and inner-sexual dynamics. Pluto's need to transform and "liberate" (the impulse of Uranus), but this is blocked by this horrific square to Uranus. To deal with this frustating situation, the Bush admin gives into the wills of those threatening the "inner circle". Pisces is coloring the way Uranus acts on these relationships. Was this giving Gannon this job as hush money? Uranus in the 11th also means unusual relationships, bonds, and non-traditional alliances. What could be more unusual then a male-prostitute? Add Chiron on the Bush's second term Midheaven in Capricorn, it shows that this administration will never overcome the scandal....and i say the administration because Capricorn works on the whole bureaucracy or corporation. Also, Bush and the admin will not know what is happening until it hits them right in the face. The Sun/Chiron/Neptune conjunct on the Midheaven shows alot of self disception, especially through the ultimate Neptunian religion - Christianity. I would love replies to this. What do you all think? Posted by: Travieso on February 18, 2005 12:19 AMMy head is spinning ~ My husband calls to tell me the “Supreme Torturer Anti ~Christ” Negroponte has been Bush anointed for Intelligence Czar. This is beyond upsetting . . . .Do you think Negroponte will only sanction torture in secret or the Negroponte/ Bush/thugs will start a gradual PR process for desensitizing the American public, through fear, for the need for torture? What a dark/foul and evil road Bush is dragging us down.
Now they are dragging old Ari to help cover their *ss NEW YORK ~ Former White House Press Secretary Ari Fleischer was so concerned about Talon News reporter James Guckert's potential ties to the Republican Party that he stopped calling on him at press briefings for about a week in 2003, Fleischer told E&P today. CONTINUED~ http://199.249.170.220/eandp/news/article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1000807754 Starrynight, Hate to disappoint you, but the pics at BartCop show * with someone else, not jimjeff... this is a Black soldier ... dKos did a diary on it... and they named him but I don't recall... That in no way diminishes your instincts. Here's a comment he made at the White House Correspondents Dinner last year: "I am sorry Laura couldn't be here. And I'm sorry Secretary Rumsfeld is not here, either. The guy constantly surprises me. Do you know what Rummy's favorite TV show is? "Queer Eye for the Straight Guy." (Laughter.) My Cabinet could take some pointers from watching that show. In fact, I'm going to have the Fab Five do a make over on Ashcroft. (Laughter.)" full text link: Is that off-the-wall or what? WV All --- Well Reid needs to hear from us... Also heard that Brian Williams on NBC did a nice job on reporting on jimjeff... report framed nicely even tho it didn't mention the back taxes and Plame... simply asked how somebody... could get into the press room... namaste
Sally, That wonderful Henry Waxman is at it again!! BREAKING: Request for new hearings with Rice Thu Feb 17th, 2005 at 15:43:20 PST This is going to be a quick and dirty diary so, I apologize now- my day's almost done but I wanted to get this out there. From TruthOut, Rep. Henry A. Waxman; Congresswoman Carolyn Maloney are calling for new hearings to ascertain EXACTLY who knew what, when, and whether this administration has continued to lie about warnings involving 9/11. You can see the full text of the letter to Tom Davis, Chairman
Jo, I'll have to pass your revelation on to my friend that sent me the pictures ~ No
Sally, Nancy, all... So much is happening now... anybody notice the compression? USA pMars is conj tJupiter and there's other stuff --- talk to us... re the aspects... My head is swimming with all that's happening. Can't keep up --- Pat C., WV, help! Shylurker, what's going on at DU? Pallas where are you? Posted by: Jo on February 18, 2005 12:52 AMI am also watching with extreme interest the Saturn heading towards Bush's Ascendant and Pluto. Posted by: jm on February 18, 2005 01:00 AMAnd of course, Mercury. Will the cosmic foot end up in his mouth? With those horrid little teeth? Posted by: jm on February 18, 2005 01:04 AMDon't know where that "No" came from at the end of my last post ~ Guess I am just to freaked to type today ! The Negroponte news has left me with icy feelings around my heart ~ I'm a better lurker I'll have to pass your revelation on to my friend that sent me the pictures ~ No (huh?) Posted by: Starrynights/SN on February 18, 2005 01:24 AMIn my better moments I see the blogosphere, with all its flaws, as the force of truth attacking the lies like phagocytes within the human body. If it is in the intererst of our survival, it will work. Don't let Negroponte make you lose control. Better that he is out in the open rather than behind the scenes. Everyone has weaknesses and can fall. He is extremely creepy, so we need all the strength and control we can muster. We are stuck with this right now, and we have to do something.It is our current reality. Posted by: jm on February 18, 2005 01:34 AMI just watched Harry Reid on NPR. Absolutely wonderful on SS! No bending there, calmly explained how the Prez is creating a crisis out of none!, while getting rid of SS altogether.......... ( As if explaining to his 5 yr. old Grandkid.)
I've been around long enough to know that when By the way, Negroponte was 3rd choice. Posted by: wv on February 18, 2005 01:48 AMOne last quickie...... We can't counteract evil unless it's revealed. So much is surfacing now. Can you imagine what would happen if all of this were to continue to be held inside, in a container too small? Posted by: jm on February 18, 2005 01:57 AMwv, Then who was Bushy Boys first and second choices ~Lucifer and Belzebub ? Posted by: Starrynights/SN on February 18, 2005 01:58 AM
For more stories on Negroponte from the Balitmore http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/local/bal-negroponte5,0,2391591.story You may want to use these stories when contacting JM Could you imagine what would happen if it was the
Bush Picks Longtime Diplomat for New Top Intelligence Job Published: February 18, 2005
Advertisement Jo - Here is how I see the aspects right now: Transiting Jupiter station conjunct Prog US Mars which is quinunx prog US MC - Tertiary progressed Inaugural Asc square natal Neptune (2/1 - 2/24) - Jeff Gannon scandal! Transiting Neptune moving to Condi's Mars - She won't be able to get anything concrete done, just a lot of hot air with inflated expectation that amounts to zero. Her swearing in chart with Mars Pluto conjunction shows lots of aggression that gets continually thwarted and frustrated by the abundance of tight Saturn aspects. Bush still is protected by Jupiter return through early March, including residual benefits for him due to Iraqi election's seeming success. Expect a big event in either late March or April, or series of events, that cause upsets and changes in a moment. This will upset and anger Bush, upset and irritate the administration, and cause a stirring among the masses both American and Iraqi, though perhaps for different reasons. Uranus opposite Bush Mars, square Inaugural Moon, square US Uranus, conjunct Iraqi Uranus. Posted by: Nancy on February 18, 2005 03:43 AM
http://www.michaelmandeville.com/earthmonitor/ecbulletins/2005/ecb_Feb_16_05.htm Posted by: wv on February 18, 2005 03:45 AMHi Guys. Calm down. There's not much you can do But putting 2 and 2 together, and it was either Jo, or Pat, of WV recently who posted the article I'm going to quote downthread- Think of it this way: 1) we became a banana republic when Bush was allowed to steal the election with the blessings of the low Supremes. 2)Pappy Bush repeatedly talked about "The New World Order" 3) If there was any question of who is running the show, think this: Reagan/Bush had Negroponte in Honduras in the 80's covering up the CIA trained death squads who "disappeared" protesters, labor leaders, and student organizers and leaders, who were never seen again - to this day. 4) Now think about the policies at Gitmo and Abu Graib where there were and are secret prisoners and prisons, who are not allowed to see anyone, no legal representation, no habeus corpus,many of whom no one knows who they are or where they are - beatings, killings - disappeared people. Same policies. the coup d'etat is complete. We are now a third world country with no rights of speech, expression, protest. Get used to it. Be aware of it. Don't stand up in front of a crowd. 5) Negroponte in charge of the intel agencies in I've only quoted parts I found pertinent http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/local/bal-negroponte4,0,2326054.story -snip- "In August 1982, Col. Leonidas Torres Arias, ousted chief of intelligence for the Honduran military, issued a public warning about Battalion 316. In a news conference in Mexico City, he told reporters about "a death squad operating in Honduras led by armed forces chief General Gustavo Alvarez." The story made headlines in Mexico and across Central America. reporter from the Honduran newspaper El Tiempo asked Negroponte about the colonel's allegations. Said Negroponte in an article that appeared Oct. 16, 1982: "Democracy is being consolidated in this country. The armed forces have supported that process. It was the armed forces that turned over power to the civilian constitutional leaders of Honduras. So, I have a lot of difficulty taking those kinds of accusations seriously." The Committee of the Relatives of the Disappeared in Honduras (COFADEH)turned to the U.S. government for help. On June 13, 1983, COFADEH addressed an open letter to .. President Reagan's special envoy to Central America, complaining that the Honduran military was holding dissidents in clandestine jails. At the U.S. Embassy, there was fear that if the story got to the United States it might damage carefully assembled public support for the Central America program operating out of Honduras. Cresencio S. Arcos, then the embassy press spokesman, alerted Negroponte that the Honduran military had abducted the Reyeses. "The ambassador did approach [General] Alvarez about this to manifest his concern," Arcos said. The case clearly shows that Negroponte knew of the Reyeses' abduction and that the ambassador acted in such cases when he felt compelled to do so. Reyes and his wife were released from the clandestine jail after a week. They were taken before a public court and sentenced to six months in prison. Two weeks before their sentences ended, they were allowed to leave for the United States on condition that they keep quiet about the torture they endured.That condition was laid down personally by Alvarez, said the Reyeses, who now live in Vienna, Va. The U.S. Embassy also kept quiet publicly about the Reyes case. It was not mentioned in the human rights report for 1982, even though it was widely covered in the Honduran press and illustrated the Honduran military's violation of human rights on several counts: illegal abduction, secret incarceration, torture and suppression of press freedom. Instead, the 1982 report asserted: "No incident of official interference with the media has been recorded for several years." Negroponte's aides at the embassy told The Sun that they knew about serious human rights abuses by the Honduran military, and that the violence was a subject of constant discussion. a junior political officer was assigned in 1982 to gather information for the embassy's annual report on human rights, a task that usually fell to a junior officer.... he interviewed human rights advocates and journalists who provided him with information that the Honduran military was illegally detaining, torturing and executing people."I had allegations about vans coming up to police cells and taking out people they [the Honduran military] didn't want ... and shooting them," "I had allegations that, as part of the interrogation techniques, torture was being used." Instead of telling Congress what was going on in Central America, the Reagan administration employed the State Department (Ambassador Negroponte) human rights reports as instruments to advance policy objectives. Consequently, the human rights reports differed sharply in tone, depending on whether the government was a friend or foe.The 1982 report on Nicaragua -- where the United States was trying to topple the Marxist Sandinista regime -- made strong charges against that government. (BUT)In the same section of the Honduras report for 1982, the State Department said: "Allegations that death squads have made their appearance in Honduras have not been substantiated." In a letter to the New York Times, published on Sept. 12, 1982, (egroponte wrote) "Honduras' increasingly professional armed forces are dedicated to defending the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the country, and they are publicly committed to civilian constitutional rule." October 1982, he wrote to The Economist: "Honduras' increasingly professional armed forces are fully supportive of this country's constitutional system." On Aug. 12, 1983, the Los Angeles Times published a Negroponte column in which he acknowledged that there were ""credible allegations of some disappearances." he added: "There is no indication that the infrequent human rights violations that do occur are part of deliberate government policy. Indeed, disciplinary action has been taken against members of the police and military (including officers) who have abused their authority." Even years after he left Honduras, Negroponte would not publicly acknowledge the crimes of kidnapping, torture and murder that were committed by the Honduran military.During his Senate Foreign Relations Committee confirmation hearing as ambassador to Mexico in 1989, Negroponte was asked about Battalion 316 (in Honduras)abuses. "I have never seen any convincing substantiation that they were involved in death squad-type activities," he said. Posted by: Pallas18 on February 18, 2005 04:39 AMHere's some good news: MSNBC did a whole long thing on the power of the internet and the bloggers - in fact that mainstream is picking up news from the bloggers... CNN Headline News channel telling the whole story of Negroponte and the accusations from Honduras -
But - what a whore Greenspan is - waiting in the dentists' office, with Blumberg playing Greenspan before Congress yesterday saying the US economy is in great shape and privatizing Social Security Then Bernie Saunders got hold of him and skinned him alive about the condition of the US economy and privatizing. You didn't even have to say Go Bernie...cause he was THERE! with Corzine next to him trying not to smile. If you want someone to tell it like it is whose in Congress - look to Bernie Saunders (and don;t pay attention to his New York accent.) Posted by: Pallas18 on February 18, 2005 05:06 AMPay attention to the CBS Mary Mapes story. She's the producer who was fired over the Dan Rather - Bush AWOL story. She's hired a lawyer and the word is she believes the information was correct... Now that should be some court case...she'll be fighting being fired for telling the truth - inother words, if Plame and Gannon don't bring down the neo-con admin, there's a strong possibility Mary Mapes will and could. In order to prove her being fired for unfounded reasons, she has to prove she's right about awol this should be interesting. Wish I had her chart. Posted by: Pallas18 on February 18, 2005 05:24 AMPallas, is this the same person? I googled him up and found an interesting site on the Sanders/Saunders family in the U.S. Congress. http://www.geocities.com/~rewoodham/sandcong.html Bernard Sanders In 1972 and 1973, he was an unsuccessful independent candidate for the US Senate from Vermont. In 1972, 1976 and 1986, he also was an unsuccessful independent candidate for governor of Vermont. He was elected Mayor of Burlington, Vt. and served from 1981 to 1989. In 1988, he was unsuccessful in a bid for the US House of Representatives. In 1990, he was finally successful and won a set in the House as an independent candidate and began his service on 3 Jan 1991 and has been re-elected to five terms since then. Posted by: Sharon on February 18, 2005 05:37 AMHi Sharon, yes that's him. Our "liberal" press likes to refer to him as a socialist. Funny, nowhere in that bio does it say anything about his being a "socialist". But anyway....he gets out about one sentence before he begins shouting at his target with anger and rage and energy. Should be more of him in the democratic party.
look to August for some information about Jeffrey The Pluto square Venus/Neptune would be the exposure of the gay-gate, but the financial status of the US will be in the news big time when US Gemini chart here: http://www.astrodatabank.com/NM/images/USAChart2500.gif Posted by: Pallas18 on February 18, 2005 05:46 AMAt the beginning of the Clinton destruction attempt, I posted on CNN. I would hear direct quotes from my posts on the shows. It was astounding. Later, when they were transforming into a twin of the old Pravda, they would not only not quote me, but would delete my posts. I was awakened to a strange world I had not anticipated. Posted by: Pat C on February 18, 2005 05:53 AMPallas I see this common theme in so many charts dealing with the US, Bush's natal, and Bush's second-term chart. Whatever this scandal is, it will effect not only Bush but the whole Administration. The Chiron/Sun/ Neptune conjunction on the midheaven in Capricorn shows that not only Bush will be implicated but an array of Administration and GOP leaders. Could this also be the explosive nature of Pluto in Leo on Bush's ascendent? By God I'm not saying that all people with Pluto on the Ascendent have Bush's penchent for scandal, but his pluto is not well aspected. What do you think Pallas? You seem to really know your astrology and I would love to get a reply. Posted by: Travieso on February 18, 2005 06:00 AMHi Travieso - I'll take a look at dimson's chart tomorrow... I'm leaning toward Mary Mapes and lies told by the administration, the Chiron Sun Neptune could be "old" lies, an old wound re-opened...and I daresay something he's ashamed of...if it isn't Mary Mapes, it'll still be an old lie he told. Meanwhile, the UK Guardian has this headline
Bush appoints all-powerful spy chief http://www.guardian.co.uk/usa/story/0,12271,1417267,00.html
John Negroponte's nomination by President Bush yesterday to be his chief of intelligence represents the pinnacle of rehabilitation for a man who, for many people, will always be associated with US involvement in the "dirty wars" in Central America in the 1980s. While Mr Bush has restored to office other figures from that period of American history, none has been promoted to the same extent as the former ambassador to Honduras, Mexico, the Philippines, the UN and Iraq. " -SNIP- Had Mr Negroponte reported this to the US Congress, military aid to the country could have been suspended and their cooperation in the war on the Sandinistas might thus have ended. For their cooperation with the US, the Honduran government had its military aid increased from $4m to $77m a year. Reed Brody of Human Rights Watch has accused Mr Negroponte of "looking the other way when serious atrocities were committed". BUT THIS IS THE BEST LINE FROM NEGROPONTE Last year, Mrs Negroponte told the Washington Post that the Honduras accusations made in the media were "old hat" and added: "I want to say to those people: Haven't you moved on?" No, I guess those people whose relatives "disappeared" while Negroponte looked the other way haven't moved on . Starrynights, thanks for your insightful and spot on reply to my last post re "Gannongate". I would have answered earlier but was 'hibernating' as I live in Warsaw, so my time clock is different now. It is so obvious to me that Many astrologers (sorry, but I am not one) have been talking about a really bad event for the whole Bushco. crew in March/April. I am hoping to finally have an excuse to open my one bottle of Veuve Cliquot which has obviously remained on ice after the last "selection" in Nov. P.S. has anyone seen the picture of Bush and Gannon canoodling in the white house? It is on bartcop.com Just came across this on a website and thought it rather fascinating - another indication of cycles repeating... 2005, a yin rooster year. ...the last time we had a Yin Rooster year following a Yang Monkey year. It was in 1945: Grizzly, My AH ~HA post earier today~ "Back to Gannon Gate: Please check out Bartcop if you want to see some very “touchy/feeleeey/TELL IT LIKE IT IS PICTURES OF BUSH AND GANNON. A picture is worth a thousands words. . . .My intuitions have rarely lead me in the wrong direction and I am standing by em’ ~ Bush has major conflicted sexual issues ~ among other mental problems, of course". For a few fleeting moments I had this big smile ~ but then dear Jo gently burst my gleeful bubble~ "Starrynight, Maybe some real photos will surface ~ I can hope ~ but it seems I am forced to live in the land of perpetual political disappointment Re Negroponte http://www.dailykos.com/story/2005/2/17/1017/63104 http://www.dailykos.com/story/2005/2/17/171120/554 I recall we searched for JDP's birthdate and time and talked about his chart sometime last summer. I searched the archives; some of the articles threads were hacked and comments lost. I had previously copied some of the threads but that info is on my other hard drive which I have yet to put onto the new computer. Google says Negroponte's dob is born July 21, 1939, I also recall comments about the darkness of this entity. I cannot bear to look at pictures of him. Gonzales looks like an angel in comparison... imho Does someone want to go for his chart? I don't recall the time Sally used... We are not powerless. We can make noise about this appointment NOW. We can email Reid and the caucus and our Senators. We can also support the mainstream that is talking about him. Right? Posted by: Jo on February 18, 2005 01:18 PMOMG! I found this just this morning. I had forgotten about the child porno ring that almost reached the Bush Senior's White House in 89. Maybe the waay out there assertations of David Icke about Bush,Sr. are true? http://www.onlinejournal.com/Media/021805Madsen/021805madsen Posted by: Patricia on February 18, 2005 01:50 PMIt's frightening, Jo. Like doing a root canal and trying to find the bottom. 'America would back Israel attack on Iran' President George W Bush added a new twist to the international tension over Iran's nuclear programme last night by pledging to support Israel if it tries to destroy the Islamic regime's capacity to make an atomic bomb." "And in that Israel is our ally, and in that we've made a very strong commitment to support Israel, we will support Israel if her security is threatened."
As you read the above, realize that "There has never been a treaty between Israel and the United States." The official U.S. government position is that there is a "special relationship" between Israel and the United States. * is going to send MORE American children and then MORE... talk about tribal warfare... all in the name of "security"... there is no such thing as SECURITY... that's a noun, a euphorism ... check out WV's link above at Feb 17 9:26 pm Long article, but worth the read... Y'all go ahead and flame me, call me anti-Semitic. But at the rate this regime is going we're going to be at war with Russia and China and there won't be an opportunity to protest our children being used for fodder. We'll all be fried. Posted by: Jo on February 18, 2005 03:05 PMP.S. I'm not anti-Semetic. I am a pragmatist. namaste Shalom Posted by: Jo on February 18, 2005 03:37 PMFrom SLATE Elliott Abrams Hours before the president's State of the Union address earlier this month—a perfect moment for burying inconvenient news—the White House announced the ascension of Elliott Abrams to the highest ranks of its foreign-policy team. Abrams has moved from the staff of the National Security Council to the post of deputy national security adviser. It's a significant promotion, one that gives Abrams both an elevated stature and new management powers. Specifically, the White House says Abrams will be in charge of "global democracy strategy," effectively making him Bush's democracy czar. In other words, Abrams is now the brains behind George Bush's grand mission to fix the world. Over the next four years, he may come to represent, more than anyone, the id of the Bush administration's foreign policy. http://slate.msn.com/id/2113690/
Elliott Abrams: It's Back! How would you feel if your wife and children were brutally raped before being hacked to death by soldiers during a military massacre of 800 civilians, and then two governments tried to cover up the killings?" It's a question that won't be asked of Elliott Abrams at a Senate confirmation hearing--because George W. Bush, according to press reports, may appoint Abrams to a National Security Council staff position that (conveniently!) does not require Senate approval. Moreover, this query is one of a host of rude, but warranted, questions that could be lobbed at Abrams, the Iran/contra player who was an assistant secretary of state during the Reagan years and a shaper of that Administration's controversial--and deadly--policies on Latin America and human rights. His designated spot in the new regime: NSC's senior director for democracy, human rights and international operations. (At press time, the White House and Abrams were neither confirming nor denying his return to government.) Thomas Eagleton blasted Abrams for having misled legislators, noting that Abrams's misrepresentations could lead to "slammer time." Abrams disagreed, saying, "You've heard my testimony." Eagleton cut in: "I've heard it, and I want to puke." On another occasion, Republican Senator Dave Durenberger complained, "I wouldn't trust Elliott any further than I could throw Ollie North." Even after Abrams copped a plea with Independent Counsel Lawrence Walsh, he refused to concede that he'd done anything untoward. Abrams's Foggy Bottom services were not retained by the First Bush, but he did include Abrams in his lame-duck pardons of several Iran/contra wrongdoers. So Bush the Compassionate may hand the White House portfolio on human rights to the guy who lied and wheedled to aid and protect human-rights abusers. As Adm. William Crowe Jr. said of Abrams in 1989, "This snake's hard to kill." http://www.thenation.com/doc.mhtml?i=20010702&s=corn The Neocon's Neocon http://rightweb.irc-online.org/ind/abrams/abrams.php
coming to you from your nations capitol, it's Guido ("I'm here to leave both marks and impressions"). it's time to link a few disparate points. 1) previous suggestions that ms. bush will leave GW* are validated by the current scandal. she will 'high tail it' out of the peoples crash pad as soon as she gets some pics of her guy and the stud muffin. 2) the CM (corporate media) has gotten the word from its masters (who dominate them...haha). open the gates on "gannon." there is a bunch of media today but yesterday, i believe, Today ran a piece. that's it. when the nyt starts talking about the sex part in the news sections, you know it's over. 3) negraponte!?! lets see, wow, we may get planes flying all over the globe torturing people; or blatant sexual abust/torture of innocents in countries we've attacked for no reason; or corruption in government. better watch out, this is just more of the same. hate the game not the player. 4) explosive pictures will be posted in the next 72 hours of guido and ouida may suggesting their mutual involvement in a bon bon fetish ring exploiting older adults (link later). thus sprak guido Posted by: mike on February 18, 2005 04:01 PMBREAKING NEWS: Gannon reportedly knew about "Shock and Awe" four hours before it happened A news producer for a major network just told me that Gannon told the producer the "shock and awe" campaign launching the Iraq war was about to happen four hours before President Bush announced it to the nation. According to the producer, Gannon specifically told them that in four hours the president was going to be making a speech to the nation announcing the "shock and awe" campaign had begun. The producer told me they were surprised that Gannon, working with such a small news outfit, could have access to such information, but "what did you know, he was right," the producer said today. The producer went on to say that Gannon often had correct scoops on major stories, including information about Mary Mapes and the Dan Rather BUSH/AWOL scandal that this news outlet got from Gannon before any had the information publicly. http://americablog.blogspot.com/ Posted by: Jo on February 18, 2005 04:44 PMI've not seen here any comments about Laura shrub' "The producer went on to say that Gannon often had correct scoops on major stories, including information about Mary Mapes and the Dan Rather BUSH/AWOL scandal that this news outlet got from Gannon before any had the information publicly." So, it looks like JG was privy to inside information from the WH. If the WH was the source of JG's information about the Mapes/Rather scandal - makes me think even more that Rove set up Rather. Posted by: SuzieLiberal on February 18, 2005 04:58 PMSo Jorge's good buddy Putin has jumped in on Iran's side. One might say Jorge's knickers gotta be in a twist, man he's losing boy toy's faster then he can schmooze them, or is that bamboozle? Rove has taken over cheerleading the GOP wanna bails.
February 18, 2005 Four years ago, the Fed chairman lent crucial political support to the Bush tax cuts. He didn't specifically endorse the administration's plan, and if you read his testimony carefully, it contained caveats and cautions. But that didn't matter; the headlines trumpeted Mr. Greenspan's support, and legislation whose prospects had previously seemed dubious sailed through Congress. On Wednesday Mr. Greenspan endorsed Social Security privatization. But there's a difference between 2001 and 2005. In 2001, Mr. Greenspan offered a convoluted, implausible justification for supporting everything the Bush administration wanted. This time, he offered no justification at all. In 2001, some readers may recall, Mr. Greenspan argued that we needed to cut taxes to prevent the federal government from running excessively large surpluses. Even at the time it seemed obvious from his tortured logic that he was looking for some excuse, any excuse, to help out a Republican administration. His lack of sincerity was confirmed when projected surpluses turned into large deficits, and he nonetheless supported even more tax cuts. This week, Mr. Greenspan offered no excuse for supporting privatization. In fact, he agreed with two of the main critiques of the administration's plan: that it would do nothing to improve the Social Security system's finances, and that it would lead to a dangerous increase in debt. Yet he still came out in favor of the idea. Let me make a detour here. The way privatizers link the long-run financing of Social Security with the case for private accounts parallels the three-card-monte technique the Bush administration used to link terrorism to the Iraq war. Speeches about Iraq invariably included references to 9/11, leading much of the public to believe that invading Iraq somehow meant taking the war to the terrorists. When pressed, war supporters would admit they lacked evidence of any significant links between Iraq and Al Qaeda, let alone any Iraqi role in 9/11 - yet in their next sentence it would be 9/11 and Saddam, together again. Similarly, calls for privatization invariably begin with ominous warnings about Social Security's financial future. When pressed, administration officials admit that private accounts would do nothing to improve that financial future. Yet in the next sentence, they once again link privatization to the problem posed by an aging population. And so it was with Mr. Greenspan. He painted a dark (and seriously exaggerated) picture of the demographic problem, and said that what we need is a "fully funded" system. He then conceded that Bush-style privatization would do nothing to improve the system's funding. But privatization "as a general model," he said, "has in it the seeds of developing full funding by its very nature." Nice metaphor, but what does it mean? Clearly, he was trying to create the impression of links where none exist. Mr. Greenspan went on to concede that the opponents of privatization are right to worry about the huge borrowing that Bush-style privatization would entail. Privatizers claim that financial markets won't be disturbed by all that borrowing because the Bush plan prescribes offsetting cuts in guaranteed benefits for the workers who open private accounts. Mr. Greenspan, who does know a thing or two about markets, put his finger on the reason why those prospective future benefit cuts wouldn't offset current borrowing in the eyes of investors: "Well, the problem is that you cannot commit future Congresses to stay with that." Yet the chairman managed to avoid admitting the obvious - that borrowing on the scale the Bush plan requires would substantially increase the risk of a financial crisis. And the headlines didn't emphasize his concession that crucial critiques of the Bush plan are right. As he surely intended, the headlines emphasized his support for privatization. One last point: a disturbing thing about Wednesday's hearing was the deference with which Democratic senators treated Mr. Greenspan. They acted as if he were still playing his proper role, acting as a nonpartisan source of economic advice. After the hearing, rather than challenging Mr. Greenspan's testimony, they tried to spin it in their favor. But Mr. Greenspan is no longer entitled to such deference. By repeatedly shilling for whatever the Bush administration wants, he has betrayed the trust placed in Fed chairmen, and deserves to be treated as just another partisan hack. Posted by: wv on February 18, 2005 05:54 PMMilitary Draft Inevitable... http://forum.truthout.org/blog/story/2005/2/18/9166/09308 Posted by: wv on February 18, 2005 06:04 PMFrom Salon To print this page, select "Print" from the File menu of your browser
Feb. 17, 2005 | Mexico City -- Central American politicians and human rights activists issued stinging criticism Thursday of John Negroponte, nominated to become America's first intelligence director, citing the career diplomat's active backing for the Contra rebels and support for a government involved in human rights abuses. John Negroponte, now U.S. ambassador to Iraq, served as ambassador to Honduras from 1981 to 1985, a time of intense conflict in Central America in which the United States played a central role. The Reagan administration feared that leftist rebels were leading Central American countries toward totalitarian regimes. Negroponte assisted the U.S.-backed Contra rebels in their attempt to overthrow Nicaragua's left-wing Sandinista government. In the process, activists claim, he ignored human rights abuses by the rebels and their Honduran hosts. The effort to oust Daniel Ortega's Moscow-leaning Sandinista regime produced a huge scandal in the United States when it was learned the United States secretly sold arms to Iran and used the money to fund the Contra operation. "What an outrage!" said Bertha Oliva, the coordinator of the Committee for Relatives of the Disappeared in Honduras, an independent group representing civilians believed to have vanished while in government custody. "The United States has invented a position to reward someone who was a dangerous person." In Nicaragua, Tomas Borge, former interior minister for the Sandinista regime and a current leader of the Sandinista opposition party, said Negroponte "is the most efficient and ideal representative for the Bush administration's primitive international security policy." "He is faithful to Bush's excessive and ultra-right policy in Iraq and other parts of the world," he said. Borge is the only surviving founder of the Sandinista movement, and was in charge of domestic political control as the Sandinistas battled U.S.-backed opponents. The new U.S. intelligence chief has denied accusations that his reports to Washington dramatically underplayed human rights problems in Honduras. During 2001 confirmation hearings for his U.N. ambassadorship -- an appointment that was delayed for six months because of the controversy over his tenure in Honduras -- Negroponte testified that he did not believe death squads were operating in Honduras. However, a 1993 Honduran government human rights report said 184 suspected leftists had disappeared in government custody, many of them at the hands of a U.S. trained Honduran army battalion. "It was obvious that he knew what was happening," said Leo Valladeres, a law professor in Honduras who wrote the report. "They used outlaw methods to kill ... and it is absolutely impossible to believe that a diplomatic mission such as that of the United States was unaware of the situation faced by Honduras and Central America." In neighboring Guatemala, a U.S.-supported government that was engaged in battle with left-wing rebels trained paramilitary squads that were found later to have committed large-scale civilian massacres. In El Salvador, U.S.-trained army squads hunted down leftist rebels in offensives fraught with human rights abuses. Peter Kornbluh, a senior analyst at the National Security Archives in Washington, said declassified documents on the Iran-Contra scandal also showed that Negroponte was involved in seeking more guns for the Contras -- "the role that normally would be reserved for the (CIA) station chief." Kornbluh also said the documents he cited showed that Negroponte helped clear the way for a secret agreement under which the United States would provide more CIA money to Honduran army generals and additional military and economic aid to the country. In exchange, he said, Honduras agreed to allow the Contras to continue operating on Honduran soil. Ironically, Kornbluh said, the controversy surrounding Negroponte's past helps qualify him for the job. "Someone who is a career diplomat ... on paper doesn't seem to have the intelligence background needed," he said. "The fact that he certainly departed from his diplomatic role and was involved in paramilitary operations against Nicaragua ... means he has had a relationship with covert operations in the past."
Sally admitted that [after Dommael guessed right] Negroponte has the chart more chilling than Hitler's back in April 2004. Jill G.
http://www.sfgate.com/comics/fiore/ Posted by: wv on February 18, 2005 07:58 PM http://slate.msn.com/id/2113690/ Posted by: wv on February 18, 2005 08:40 PM
http://www.counterpunch.com/lindorff02182005.html Posted by: wv on February 18, 2005 08:48 PMThis should do it on JDN....you'll have something to discuss with your Senators... http://www.counterpunch.com/birns02182005.html Posted by: wv on February 18, 2005 08:53 PMOMFG - CNN just had a segment on how people want CondiLying Rice to run for Pres in 2008. They even have a website http://www.rice2008.com/ and a song "Condoleezza will lead us into a Brave New World". My faith in humanity is diminishing!!! Posted by: SuzieLiberal on February 18, 2005 09:10 PMJill G. "Metals traders picked through a second day of testimony by Federal Reserve chief Alan Greenspan on Capitol Hill. See full story. "Gold has resumed its major uptrend because it realizes talk is cheap -- even if it's out of the mouth of Alan Greenspan," said market analyst Peter Grandich, noting "enormous U.S. deficits and debt loads." Grandich said it's "realistic" to think that gold can climb to $500 an ounce and higher this year. Gold for April delivery ended up $1.70 to $428.60 an ounce on the New York Mercantile Exchange." dKos has a front page piece on Iran-Contras, drugs and Negroponte --- good read http://www.dailykos.com/story/2005/2/18/1329/93549#90 Posted by: Jo on February 18, 2005 11:08 PMhttp://fpc.state.gov/fpc/c14214.htm Dubya has to play nice next week during his trip to Europe. Jupitar will probably pull him through again. Wish the unedited film clips would make it on American TV, so the public could see what he's really like. Assuming the European press can ask whatever they want; it would be a dozy! Posted by: Jill G on February 18, 2005 11:10 PMJill G., A European Kossack posted a diary on Condi's visit... said her appearances were staged... public screened and in small numbers... and that her comments were mostly for the USA media. Her reception among the heads of state was "cool"... expect more of the same for * --- hope he keeps the 'troops' out of the Queen's garden this time! Wonder if any of the American press, particularly the WH press corps will be traveling with him... hmmmm? Posted by: Jo on February 18, 2005 11:30 PMPoll: 60% of Americans Want Democrats to STAND UP to Bush "American want Democrats to stand up to Bush," the Wall Street Journal's Washington Wire reports. "Fully 60%, including one-fourth of Republicans, say Democrats in Congress should make sure Bush and his party 'don't go too far.' Just 34% want Democrats to 'work in a bipartisan way' to help pass the president's priorities." I don't have a subscription to the Wall Street Journal, so I can't reach the original source. Poll: 60% of Americans Want Democrats to STAND UP to Bush "American want Democrats to stand up to Bush," the Wall Street Journal's Washington Wire reports. "Fully 60%, including one-fourth of Republicans, say Democrats in Congress should make sure Bush and his party 'don't go too far.' Just 34% want Democrats to 'work in a bipartisan way' to help pass the president's priorities." I don't have a subscription to the Wall Street Journal, so I can't reach the original source. My info for Negroponte is: 7/21/1939 In London, no time given. He has an EXACT T square between Pluto, Saturn, and Mars, with Sun conjunct Pluto by a 3 degree orb. The exact T square is at 00 degrees of the fixed signs and will therefore be set off by the transit of Uranus at 15 Pisces which has an 8th harmonic hit to them all. The year 2007 will be the time of this transit and it is the same year that Uranus will be square to US Ascendant. Did anyone get the time for the swearing in of our new Homeland Security Chief Chertoff? I got 6:30 PM on the 15th but I wondered if anyone had seen anything more precise. Posted by: Nancy on February 18, 2005 11:51 PMPROTESTOR THROWS SHOE AT RICHARD PERLE Protester Throws Shoe at Former Pentagon Adviser Perle As He and Dean Debate in Oregon Howard Dean, the newly minted leader of the Democratic Party, and former Pentagon adviser Richard Perle made clear their opposing views on the war in Iraq during a debate marred by a protester who tossed a shoe at Perle. Perle had just started his comments Thursday when a protester threw a shoe at him before being dragged away, screaming, "Liar! Liar!" CONTINUED~ Hope you don't mind Sally, but since the subject has reappeared, I'm re-posting your comments on Negroponte from that past thread. Have you seen this? Now we have Federal News Radio http://www.federalnewsradio.com/index.php?nid=82&sid=181668 Pat QOP Posted by: Pat QOP on February 19, 2005 12:27 AMJust a lurker but decided to come out of the shadows 'cause this was just to bush bizzaro not to pass on The smoking scalp? Pat QOP - did a quick search on that Federal News Radio. It appears at first glance to be govt. but it is owned by a Bonneville International Corporation which is headquartered in Salt Lake City. They own "6 stations in the washington market." Started in Feb 2000, looks like more 'down the rabbit hole' stuff. Jeanie, Just announced Another earthquake, 6.9 in Indonesia...only this Not sounding good for that particular piece of land...sounding more like Lemuria re-visited every day. Posted by: Pallas18 on February 19, 2005 01:36 AMPlease pull this together for me. Negroponte has that nasty Pluto (Leo) Mars (Aq) and Saturn (Tau) in very early degrees of those signs. Saturn will be crossing over that mess beginning mid-July, I believe. Of course, it will also be bearing down on Smirky's Asc. Insights into how this (and the other transits and so forth) will play out? Tnx! Posted by: shylurker on February 19, 2005 01:47 AMJust read an interesting headline linked thru Buzzflash regarding "12 Australians" wanted in connection with Hariri's death. http://www.keralanext.com/news/indexread.asp?id=121073 Jeanie, please keep us updated about that Australia-Lebanon (!?!) connection. I saw it today but couldn't find more about it. It is my understanding that Australia just elected a right wing, very pro Bush leader. Posted by: jm on February 19, 2005 02:33 AMPat QOP - The Federal News Radio is mostly for information for all the federal workers around here. They explain things like health benefits, etc. shylurker - The Saturn transit to Negroponte's chart will be brief which is why I didn't focus on it. It crosses 00 degrees of Leo only once in mid-July. But he will get a heavy hit from Saturn 3 times in late 2006 and early 2007 when it crosses his Mercury. I think he will also feel the Uranus transit in 2007. It will be semisquare his Mars, sesquiquadrate (135 degrees) his Pluto, and semisquare Saturn, simultaneously. The Mars/Saturn/Pluto/Sun configuration is a really ruthless control freak type of aspect, as Sally so well described. Uranus could put him though some sudden crises, and this will run around the time of Uranus square US Ascendant. So we can wonder about upped intelligence, covert actions, etc., around then, possibly in response to events here at home. Posted by: Nancy on February 19, 2005 02:52 AMMany thanks, Nancy, for addressing my questions. I will be giving a proper look at those transits and your interpretation tonight. I'm just hoping that the whole tired, scary fascist gang gets ripped apart and soon. And while there are others who can step in if/when Smirky goes, I'm hoping most of their attempts to destroy this country (and whatever of the rest of the world they desire) will be stopped solid with Smirky's exit. Hope springs eternal, does it not? I've still got April 9th in the bank. Captain Sally said. Again, many thanks! Posted by: shylurker on February 19, 2005 03:06 AMMy new favorite blog: http://www.americablog.org/ Did a whole heck of a lot of people do a 180-degree in the last 3 & 1/2 mos or did the machines win? http://politicalwire.com/archives/2005/02/17/americans_want_an_opposition_party.html Posted by: shylurker on February 19, 2005 03:25 AMIt might be interesting to take a look at Negroponte's chart during the whole Iran Contra thing and see how he handled whatever transits were happening to him at that time. Also, and this is more of a general question, when doing Solar Arc work, does one use the Inconjunct? I know you only use the so-called Hard Angles and I thought the Inconjunct was considered such, but have recently been told otherwise. Any thoughts? Jonathan Posted by: Jonathan on February 19, 2005 03:51 AMShylurker, you asked: "Please pull this together for me. Negroponte has that nasty Pluto (Leo) Mars (Aq) and Saturn (Tau) in very early degrees of those signs. Saturn will be crossing over that mess beginning mid-July, I believe. Of course, it will also be bearing down on Smirky's Asc. Insights into how this (and the other transits and so forth) will play out? Tnx!" Since we don't have Negroponte's time, we would have to do a lot of guessing about which houses When was it that he is going to be through with Iraq? SAturn is Retro now at 21 Cancer, moves back to 20 Cancer and then hits 21 Cancer again in the latter half of April...might that be when he would be confirmed? Saturn on the MC can be a change in job and it can also be hitting the peak of your career. My opinion of his relationship with dimson? I think he's being put in there to control him....meaning the leader of the U.S. is not the current occupant of the WH. Why do I think NP is being put in to control dimson? NP's Pluto at 0 Leo is conjunct dimson's Ascendant. That's manipulation and control. His Saturn is square dimson's Ascendant. His Mars And this is interesting. NP's Chiron is on dimson's 12th house Sun. Opening old wounds having to do with ego and the father ? There's going to be a lot of deception, a lot of talking, and great diplomacy going on from NP to Dimson's chart deserves review for August when Saturn is on his Ascendant and Uranus opposes his Mars, Jupiter conjuncts his third house Chiron and Moon, Mars squares his first house Mercury, Pluto, and Mercruy Retro conjuncts his natal first house Pluto. Posted by: Pallas18 on February 19, 2005 03:51 AM"My opinion of his relationship with dimson? I think he's being put in there to control him....meaning the leader of the U.S. is not the current occupant of the WH." I forgot to add, I wonder who it was who suggested NP to the resident. Also did anyone see the newsclip tonite of dimson talking about "no pres wants to go to war..it's not a prez's first choice - diplomacy is always the first choice..." body language...his eyes were darting around and blinking and blinking as he was saying this....the more he lied, the more blinky he got. :)0 it was actually funny - Posted by: Pallas on February 19, 2005 03:59 AMOk, Shylurker, Guido is very hurt that you have ignored his predictions. He's out and about looking for republicans who deserve a spanking. (Note Guido's prediction of major media break out today). Sharon, great post of the WSJ Poll. This is the perfect way to generate real leadership. From the public to the leaders, a message, go do something. But Pallas18, you are a genius. I totally agree on the NG thing. Bush is a real fruit cake. No telling what he'll do when we find out he's into major kink (or is that Maj. Kink). Therefore, NG, a true tough guy, is there to protect the franchise, i.e., the US of Corporatism. No wars, no military take overs (would ruin the stock market big time and forever; name one true dictatorship or military junta with a real stock market), no whatever runs through *'s brain to keep him in power; just a rapid good bye as the evidence mounts. Therefore, Sally's comment on NG being truly viscious and your's on his "dominant" and contrnolling roll are highly compatible. Leaving no marks but lasting impressions & channeled through Guido, Posted by: mike on February 19, 2005 04:20 AMJust want to mention: Negroponte's father had a greek shipping company and it was that shipping company that brought them to the US (oil connections maybe?????) and his brother founded MIT Media Lab during the 90's, and still heads it today. Posted by: Jeanie on February 19, 2005 04:45 AMYou always crack me up, Mike. Thanks. :-) Posted by: Jonathan on February 19, 2005 04:45 AMHollywood Vandals Brand Bush a Nazi click here for picture of billboard http://www.humaneventsonline.com/story-images/billboard_van.jpg Posted Feb 18, 2005 "We previously reported the conservative group, Citizens United, planned to erect two pro-Bush billboards in Hollywood "thanking" Hollywood for Bush's reelection. As planned, the signs were created, coinciding with the buildup to Oscar night. However, one of those tongue-in-cheek billboards was seriously vandalized Wednesday night, when a Swastika was painted on President Bush's forehead. Few Angeleans saw the disfigured sign though, since Citizens United anticipated the vandalism, and had previously arranged with the sign company that their billboards would be immediately repaired if, in fact, they were damaged." tsk - how could they think that of our leader! Posted by: on February 19, 2005 05:33 AMALERT: CBS news just posted an article on its website speculating about a "Rove/Gannon connection" (!) Maybe if I keep my paws crossed and pray very, very hard... Posted by: Grizzly on February 19, 2005 06:32 AMBeasley I tried to workout time of birth for Late Rafik Hariri and best I could come out with is 11 pm. this would give him PLuto rising ruling his fourth house , Progressed Moon conjunct Natal Pluto and would give Natal Pluto crossing over the Middle East region, gives Jupiter and Chiron in Virgo in his second house ( his generosity and philanthropy at large) and gives progressed Mars Mercury in Sagitarius with Mars ruling 9th house of movement and Mercury 11th House of friends and companions. His Progressed Venus in Aquarius ruling his 10th house having transiting Sun triggering it indicates the popularity and mass appeal and public sympathy that this sad event generated. curiously PLuto in his astrochart crossing over Australia and the fake claim that men from Australia of Lebanese origin killed him..curious and absurd. classicaly see his Mercury Sun Mars in Scorpio conjunction over Riyadh Saudi Arabia where he amassed his fortune and received support and power. What do you think ?? Janan Posted by: Janan on February 19, 2005 04:18 PMJeanie.. just read your message on the Australian connection if your theory stands of fake passports etc..then it fortifies my assumption that Hariri was indeed born at 11 pm :) Ref Hariri birth hour...missed to say the most important!! PLuto transiting in Sagittarius conjunct midpoint of Mercury Mars progressed in Sagittarius and Mercury as I mentioned before would rule 11 th house and Mars 9 th House ..If my assumption of 11 pm birth for Hariri is correct Re: Bonneville Broadcasting, posted upthread in response to Pat's pist on "Federal Radio Network," Bonneville is a wholly owned subsidiary of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, aka the Utah Mormons. Although one might get nervous thinking that the Federal Network from Paul Verhoeven's 1997 classic 'Starship Troopers' had manifested overnight. And this whole Gannon/Guckert scandal is sweet, by the way. The guy was a gay Sgt. Carter version of a classic dominatrix with a clientele of CEOs. And one wonders who the Sarge's Gomer Pyle is. Jethro Mussolini, or (for another 'Starship Troopers' reference), the Brain Bug? Posted by: RobArctor on February 20, 2005 09:19 AMThanks Janan, Beasley I do not see how anyone who can apply a fair amount of reason and logic can deduce it is Syria and that the Australian thing is a fabrication ( it might be but that does not mean it is Syria) Look at who is benefiting from all that it is only isreal and the American interest.Look at the losers in all this : Syria, the present government and Hizbollah, its like Syrians shooting themselves in their feet. CIPPlanner Corporation is the leader in web-based enterprise class software for government agencies to manage their entire capital improvement and maintenance programs from planning to implementation. Posted by: Wayne Sheih on June 8, 2005 09:26 AMTop Consolidators is a new group of student loan experts dedicated to getting you the best rate, or the plan that best fits your financial goals. 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