Check out this terrific site SIMPLY LEFT BEHIND which has the ENTIRE crystal clear version of COLBERT at White House Correspondents' Dinner...
My friend John Amato at Crooks and Liars put this up yesterday: WATCH COLBERT GIVE HALF OF IT TO BUSH
FROM EDITOR & PUBLISHER
NEW YORK E&P's article on Stephen Colbert's speech at the White House Correspondents' Association dinner was one of our most read articles ever, touching a nerve with people on all sides of the political spectrum. E&P's opinionated readers sent over a hundred responses to the article, many of which we will attemp to include in this week's letters pages. Here is our first edition.
The Colbert Retort:
Great article. As far as Colbert's lampoon, he was right in doing what he did--and doing it in front of the whole world.
Bush should be run out of town for what he has done to this country and especially the misuse of our military and their families. We tire of him hiding behind the few soldiers continuing to support him. I also blame the corporate owned media for their part in cheerleading this country, ill prepared, into a war of choice.
I wonder which one of Bush's children he would sacrifice for this war. After all, he expected me to willingly sacrifice my son. He expects Cindy Sheehan to be pleased sacrificing her son's life for lies. Most military families (the educated ones, anyway) found no humor when Bush at a previous press dinner pretended to look for WMD in the Oval office. Not a drop of class in his supposed blue blood...
Teresa Dawson
Coordinator
Military Families Speak Out
Central Ohio Chapter
***********
I watched the whole show and I was deeply offended for my country, the President and the military. Stephen Colbert proved beyond a doubt that liberals are worthless human beings, a danger to all of our freedom and lack any sense of decency. Their contributions and value to the country are nil.
Tom Wegmann
Seattle, Wash.
I totally applaud Colbert for his "comedy talk". In a gathered, gala event, it would have been a mistake not to nail the atrocious conditions to which this president and his administration have unshamefully brought our country, our reputation, and the Iraqis. I was cheering. This had to be done because Bush's miserable policies have to stop and he must go. It's no joke and I'm glad he and Laura weren't smiling.
I also applaud C-span and the WH Correspondents Assn. for letting things roll.
Susan James
************************
OF NATIONAL URGENCY! Got this from Larisa at RAW STORY: FYI, this is remarkable and the silence is even more so:
Bush challenges hundreds of laws
President cites powers of his office
By Charlie Savage, Globe Staff | April 30, 2006
WASHINGTON -- President Bush has quietly claimed the authority to disobey more than 750 laws enacted since he took office, asserting that he has the power to set aside any statute passed by Congress when it conflicts with his interpretation of the Constitution.
Among the laws Bush said he can ignore are military rules and regulations, affirmative-action provisions, requirements that Congress be told about immigration services problems, ''whistle-blower" protections for nuclear regulatory officials, and safeguards against political interference in federally funded research.
Legal scholars say the scope and aggression of Bush's assertions that he can bypass laws represent a concerted effort to expand his power at the expense of Congress, upsetting the balance between the branches of government. The Constitution is clear in assigning to Congress the power to write the laws and to the president a duty ''to take care that the laws be faithfully executed." Bush, however, has repeatedly declared that he does not need to ''execute" a law he believes is unconstitutional.
http://www.boston.com/news/nation/washington/articles/2006/04/30/bush_challenges_hundreds_of_laws/
__________________
Larisa Alexandrovna
Managing Editor - News
Raw Story Media, Inc.
http://www.rawstory.com
larisa@rawstory.com
tips: alexandrovna@cryptoheaven.com
LYDIA CORNELL: AFI Best Actress Nominee, People's Choice Award winner; Actor, Writer, Director, Producer; woman and children advocate; teen mentor, comedienne, talk show host, inspirational pubic speaker best known for her starring role on ABC's "Too Close for Comfort" as TV legend Ted Knight's daughter 'Sara'; HBO's Curb Your Enthusiasm, and over 250 shows, episodes and movies worldwide. Turns tragedy into comedy, life-saving issues for women and equal pay for equal work...
Lydia you speak the Truth so clearly, it's as if God is speaking through you.
ReplyDeleteI love hearing what you have to say; it's changing my life. Thank you. I always try to be the first post. It makes my week.
Blessings,
OMG
Steve Colbert was dead-on, but too close for comfort. He made everyone uncomfortable because he was telling the truth.
ReplyDeleteLydia,
ReplyDeleteC&L only managed to copy half the show and the vid is really piss poor quality.
I have the entire thing linked thru my blog and the vid is crystal clear.
Yea, I agree. No one at the dinner laughed, because they pretty much all realized he was skewering everyone in the room, and it was dead on.
ReplyDeleteSo he let Bin Laden getg away and let Zarqawi live so he would have an Al Quaeda figure in Iraq after he invaded........go figure.
ReplyDeleteFROM THE AUSTRALIAN BROADCASTING COMPANY. SO FAR, UPI IS THE ONLY CORPORATE MEDIA OUTLET IN THE U.S. WITH THE GUTS TO PICK IT UP:
Bush turned down chances to kill Zarqawi: ex-CIA spy
A former top CIA spy says the United States deliberately turned down several opportunities to kill terrorist Abu Musab al-Zarqawi in the lead-up to the Iraq war.
Mike Scheuer headed the CIA’s bin Laden unit for six years before resigning in 2004.
He has told the ABC’s Four Corners program the Bush administration had Zarqawi in its sights almost every day for a year.
He says a plan to destroy Zarqawi’s training camp in Kurdistan was abandoned for diplomatic reasons.
“The reasons the intelligence service got for not shooting Zarqawi was simply that the President and the National Security Council decided it was more important not to give the Europeans the impression we were gunslingers,” he said.
“Mr Bush had Mr Zarqawi in his sights for almost every day for a year before the invasion of Iraq and he didn’t shoot because they were wining and dining the French in an effort to get them to assist us in the invasion of Iraq.”
The full story will air on Four Corners tonight on ABC television.
Comment by Bush Bites — May 1, 2006 @ 1:59 pm
http://thinkprogress.org/2006/05/01/mission-accomplished-by-the-numbers/#comments
According to the Washington Post today,
ReplyDelete"President Bush today called the selection of Iraq's new leaders a turning point, for the country and hailed their dedication to a "unified Iraq" with a government representing all people."
How many elections have we heard Bush say this same or similar comment in the past?
If Iraq ever does get a " government representing all people" they will have more from their government than Americans do.
Larry..... three elections and the selection of the president four turning the corner points...
ReplyDeleteThus they have gone around the block and are about back where they started before the first election see it was nolt that hard to figure out.
Bush is now going in circles and he thinks he's going somewhere......
ABC.net.au has an article that an ex-CIA agent says Bush turned down several chances to kill Zarqawi, nearly everyday for a year right before the Iraq invasion.
ReplyDeleteSounds credible to me. After all right after 911 they let Bin Laden escape, when they had him cornored.
They must have been in business with Zarqawi as well as Bin Laden.
I watched the whole show and I was deeply offended for my country, the President and the military. Stephen Colbert proved beyond a doubt that liberals are worthless human beings, a danger to all of our freedom and lack any sense of decency. Their contributions and value to the country are nil.
ReplyDeleteTom Wegmann
Seattle, Wash.
I've been deeply offended for my country for a long time after watching the actions of Bush and his Neo Con Cabal, they have proved time and time again to be a danger to our freedom and that they lack the smallest shred of decency. Its about time someone stood up to these lying dirtbags and called them on their riddiculous hippocrissy.
ReplyDeleteTom Wegmann
ReplyDeleteSeattle, Wash.
How brave of you to sit in you living room(unless mr. Scaife needed servicing) and FEEL ashamed for everybody when the stupidest pResident ever got a truthocution in front of a national audience......too bad you are not asshamed of something worthy of shame like prisoner tourture, or an illegal aggressive war...or the paltry way the pResident and congress treats the Katrina victums....or the horrible way the congress and pResident run thre nations finances...something really worthy of all the shame you have to give....
Stephen Colbert proved beyond a doubt that liberals are worthless human beings,
I for one think thay GOD himself might beg to differ, and you might actually one day in the future have a very real oppertunity to discuss your views of HIS children with him up close and real personnal like....
a danger to all of our freedom
Like violating the freedoms of the constitution and curtailing civil liberties those freedoms....well it ain't liberals doing that snuffy....
and lack any sense of decency.
Like not wanting people tortured or illegally held for years with out any charges and when they are let go like nothing wrong has happened?
Like letting people suffer in one of the nations major cities while the states Natiopnal guard unit is 7000 miles from homebase fighting a illegal war of aggression, and the federal government that issued a national disaster emergency declaration never took the first step in replacing the missing state national guard troops.
Like cutting the funding for the returning veterans wounded from the very war YOU started, and raising the costs to those and other veterans in order not to raise the costs to the richest members of the society who have virtually no family members in the fight
Like cutting the poorest members from medicare...food stamps funding for educating the children to give the richest more tax cuts...
is that the decency you speak of?
Their contributions and value to the country are nil.
remember this foole...
“If Americans have a common fault, however, it’s our tendency to suffer from historical amnesia. Too many of us have forgotten, or never learned, what kind of country America was under the conservative rule that preceded the century of liberal reform. And too many of us have no idea whose ideas and energy brought about the reforms we now take for granted.
“If your workplace is safe; if your children go to school rather than being forced into labor; if you are paid a living wage, including overtime; if you enjoy a forty-hour week and you are allowed to join a union to protect your rights - you can thank liberals. If your food is not poisoned and your water is drinkable - you can thank liberals. If your parents are eligible for Medicare and Social Security, so they can grow old in dignity without bankrupting your family - you can thank liberals. If your rivers are getting cleaner and our air isn’t black with pollution; if our wilderness is protected and our countryside is still green - you can thank liberals. If people of all races can share the same public facilities; if everyone has the right to vote; if couples fall in love and marry regardless of race; if we have finally begun to transcend a segregated society - you can thank liberals. Progressive innovations like those and so many others were achieved by long, difficult struggles against entrenched power. What defined conservatism, and conservatives, was their opposition to every one of those advances. The country we know and love today was built by those victories for liberalism - with the support of the American people.”
and
Day in the Life of Joe Middle-Class Republican
Joe gets up at 6:00am to prepare his morning coffee. He fills his pot full of good clean drinking water because some liberal fought for minimum water quality standards. He takes his daily medication with his first swallow of coffee. His medications are safe to take because some liberal fought to insure their safety and work as advertised.
All but $10.00 of his medications are paid for by his employers medical plan because some liberal union workers fought their employers for paid medical insurance, now Joe gets it too. He prepares his morning breakfast, bacon and eggs this day. Joe’s bacon is safe to eat because some liberal fought for laws to regulate the meat packing industry.
Joe takes his morning shower reaching for his shampoo; His bottle is properly labeled with every ingredient and the amount of its contents because some liberal fought for his right to know what he was putting on his body and how much it contained. Joe dresses, walks outside and takes a deep breath. The air he breathes is clean because some tree hugging liberal fought for laws to stop industries from polluting our air. He walks to the subway station for his government subsidized ride to work; it saves him considerable money in parking and transportation fees. You see, some liberal fought for affordable public transportation, which gives everyone the opportunity to be a contributor.
Joe begins his work day; he has a good job with excellent pay, medicals benefits, retirement, paid holidays and vacation because some liberal union members fought and died for these working standards. Joe’s employer pays these standards because Joe’s employer doesn’t want his employees to call the union. If Joe is hurt on the job or becomes unemployed he’ll get a worker compensation or unemployment check because some liberal didn’t think he should loose his home because of his temporary misfortune.
Its noon time, Joe needs to make a Bank Deposit so he can pay some bills. Joe’s deposit is federally insured by the FSLIC because some liberal wanted to protect Joe’s money from unscrupulous bankers who ruined the banking system before the depression.
Joe has to pay his Fannie Mae underwritten Mortgage and his below market federal student loan because some stupid liberal decided that Joe and the government would be better off if he was educated and earned more money over his life-time.
Joe is home from work, he plans to visit his father this evening at his farm home in the country. He gets in his car for the drive to dads; his car is among the safest in the world because some liberal fought for car safety standards. He arrives at his boyhood home. He was the third generation to live in the house financed by Farmers Home Administration because bankers didn’t want to make rural loans. The house didn’t have electric until some big government liberal stuck his nose where it didn’t belong and demanded rural electrification. (Those rural Republican’s would still be sitting in the dark)
He is happy to see his dad who is now retired. His dad lives on Social Security and his union pension because some liberal made sure he could take care of himself so Joe wouldn’t have to. After his visit with dad he gets back in his car for the ride home.
He turns on a radio talk show, the host’s keeps saying that liberals are bad and conservatives are good. (He doesn’t tell Joe that his beloved Republicans have fought against every protection and benefit Joe enjoys throughout his day) Joe agrees, “We don’t need those big government liberals ruining our lives; after all, I’m a self made man who believes everyone should take care of themselves, just like I have”.
Hope you don't mind all the liberal contributions that actually make you and you families lives safer and better...
Mike 1 "s" in the word: hypocrisy
ReplyDeleteWorfeus I think Crissy wanted the job Tony Snow got.....and he hopes John McCain gets elected because he sucks up to McCain so much he might get that job then...
ReplyDeleteMore than likely television censors had him not address this issue at this time
ReplyDeleteClif,you forgot the part where the conservative paid the lib to wipe his ass after he took a dump.
ReplyDeleteAnonymous said...
ReplyDeleteClif,you forgot the part where the conservative paid the lib to wipe his ass after he took a dump.
other than your association with Scaife ....do you have a link to offer,
besides we know you do it because you love it.
Did You get booted out of the DOJ John, or does Scaife just pay better?
ReplyDeleteGangs claim their turf in Iraq
ReplyDeleteBY FRANK MAIN Crime Reporter
The Gangster Disciples, Latin Kings and Vice Lords were born decades ago in Chicago's most violent neighborhoods. Now, their gang graffiti is showing up 6,400 miles away in one of the world's most dangerous neighborhoods -- Iraq.
Armored vehicles, concrete barricades and bathroom walls all have served as canvasses for their spray-painted gang art. At Camp Cedar II, about 185 miles southeast of Baghdad, a guard shack was recently defaced with "GDN" for Gangster Disciple Nation, along with the gang's six-pointed star and the word "Chitown," a soldier who photographed it said.
The graffiti, captured on film by an Army Reservist and provided to the Chicago Sun-Times, highlights increasing gang activity in the Army in the United States and overseas, some experts say.
Military and civilian police investigators familiar with three major Army bases in the United States -- Fort Lewis, Fort Hood and Fort Bragg -- said they have been focusing recently on soldiers with gang affiliations. These bases ship out many of the soldiers fighting in Iraq.
"I have identified 320 soldiers as gang members from April 2002 to present," said Scott Barfield, a Defense Department gang detective at Fort Lewis in Washington state. "I think that's the tip of the iceberg."
Of paramount concern is whether gang-affiliated soldiers' training will make them deadly urban warriors when they return to civilian life and if some are using their access to military equipment to supply gangs at home, said Barfield and other experts.
http://www.suntimes.com/output/news/cst-nws-gangs01.htm
Yea right Reagan and Bush 41 trained Osama and the jihadists so not to be out done Bush 43 and Rummy are giving military training to the very same street gangs that civilian law enforcement call one of the worst law enforcement problems this country face......
hopefully Jeb won't run to try and out do both georges the country couldn't take it...
Breaking News
ReplyDeleteReport: Turkey won’t let U.S. attack Iran from its land
Turkish Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul said Sunday that his country refused a request from the United States to attack Iran from its Air Force base in Incirlik, despite the U.S. offer of a nuclear reactor, according to a report in Al Biyan.
In an interview for the United Arab Emirates newspaper, Gul noted that America’s efforts to attack Iran are “imaginary” and that Turkey’s stance is “strategic” and refuses the use of its land for any belligerent activity against neighboring countries. (Roee Nahmias)
http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3245382,00.html
We promise nuke help to India and turkey to keep Iran from getting it, somebody is fallen down the rabbit hole and ate BOTH pills....
Carls video of Colbert is far superior.
ReplyDeleteCant wait for the Colbert Repor tonite.
Im kinda in disbelief Steven used the term "backwash" to describe the few followers of Bush.....with Bush sitting right beside him!
Man did Bush ever look uncomfortable.
YUK YUK!
Colbert has balls of steel!
Id follow Colbert into battle any day of the week!
A pack of smokes, pound of back bacon, and a couple of Molsons to Colbert from JMM.
Mike this ones for you....you called this a while ago,
ReplyDeleteDollar starts the big slide against major currencies
DAVID SMITH, ECONOMICS EDITOR
THE dollar has embarked on a big decline that will see it fall against all leading currencies, according to analysts.
The plunge is being prompted by America’s $800 billion (£438 billion) current-account deficit, they say.
The dollar has been under pressure following last weekend’s meeting of G7 finance ministers and central bankers, which emphasised “global imbalances” and said currencies should reflect economic fundamentals. Then China raised its key interest rate to 5.85%, its first hike for months, and Ben Bernanke, the new Federal Reserve chairman, hinted that American rates would pause at 5% after a rise in May.
Analysts say that without interest-rate support, the dollar will be weighed down heavily by America’s imbalances.
“I think this is it,” said Tony Norfield, global head of currency strategy at ABN Amro. “The dollar has been supported by high yields but markets are saying that is no longer enough. The question for policymakers is going to be how to manage the dollar’s decline. It won’t be a one-way street but the fall is likely to be biggest against Asian currencies.”
The euro has already risen to an 11-month high of more than $1.26, while the dollar is at a three-month low of 113.70 against the yen. The Canadian dollar, known by traders as the “loonie”, rose to a 28-year high on Friday, boosted by a hike in Canadian interest rates.
Sterling climbed back above $1.80, closing above $1.82 in New York on Friday.
The Bank of England’s monetary policy committee is set to leave rates unchanged at 4.5%, despite a call from the National Institute of Economic and Social Research for a pre-emptive rise.
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,2095-2157799,00.html
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/
0,,2095-2157799,00.html
Larry said
ReplyDelete"President Bush today called the selection of Iraq's new leaders a turning point.......
How many elections have we heard Bush say this same or similar comment in the past? "
Now, now, Larry, your not using the power of "Positive Thinking."
Perhaps Bush is right this time and means it.
Ooops, I forgot, the power of "Positive Thinking" has limits. Therefore its neccesary we learn from our mistakes/past and realize some goals are just plain unrealistic or unachievable......period!
A president runs criminally amok, dismantling the American democracy.
ReplyDeleteThe press, cowering, forgets its obligation to the citizenry.
A comedian emerges as the Edward R. Murrow of our day.
This site is a Thank You to Mr. Colbert.
Colbert Speaks Truth to Power at the White House Correspondents Dinner
http://thankyoustephencolbert.org/wordpress/archives/3#comments
http://thankyoustephencolbert.org/
wordpress/archives/3#comments
17533 Responses to “Thank You.”
That was when I got there....that many hits in less than 48 hours, the repugs must be nervous.....
17607 Responses to “Thank You.” when I finished my comment74 comments in about ten minutes......they should be scared....stephen colbert has opened a new side of the political-press dance that they might not be able to control......
ReplyDeleteClif, what Colbert did has needed to be done for a long time, he got in their face and read them the riot act and he didnt hold back a bit, he hit them with both barrels.
ReplyDeleteit speaks volumes that most of the news hasnt covered this though, it shows that Bush has the media in his pocket, but that will change as people see the "decider" is a paper tiger and an A$$clown
BTW, Clif I read your blog article this morning, i'll probably go back and reread it tomorrow, but it was an excellent article, I saw author Joel Klein speaking this weekend, and he said similar things to what you said.
ReplyDeleteClif, did you see what I wrote in the last blog about Bolivia seizing and nationalizing their natural gas assets, it looks like the resource wars have begun, hence the invasion of Iraq and push to invade Iran.
ReplyDeleteYes I have read that several places, what about the article I posted here about the begining of the fall for the dollar?
ReplyDeleteMike go to the Thank you Stephen Colbert site, it is amasing that this is only an internet thing that is obviously growing....
ReplyDeleteWhat that says about the dollar is ominous clif, it shows the world is not buying what bernanke and bush are selling, they know bernanke will not raise interest rates much more to defend the dollar and they know Bush is a fool that got us involved in a quagmire and the deficit will only go up, so foreigners are diversifying out of dollars and buying gold. and that portends disaster for both the economy and the stock market. the market isnt buying the phony inflation numbers or rhetoric bernanke is spewing, he made a dovish comment he was done raising rates and foreigners hit the exits because they know doesnt have any credibility as an inflation fighter and if they wont be compensated by higher interest rates then they will hit the exits and move to gold.
ReplyDeleteWhat could the media be afraid of from Bush though, do you think its FCC retaliation, i've seen his hold over the media for years now and never understood it, conservatives always says the media was liberal biased, but once this clown got in office its obvious they are in his pocket
ReplyDeleteWorfeus check out the thank you stephen colbert site, I posted #17607
ReplyDeletearound 8:50 est
now at 12:39 est
18211 Responses to “Thank You.”
or over 600 people in less than 3 hours....think about it, no advertising except by web page, blog, and word of mouth.....the MSM and repugs should be worried...
Rove Rage: How His Treasonous CIA Leak Has Damaged the U.S.'s Ability to Track Iran Nukes
ReplyDeleteA bombshell revelation was made Monday on MSNBC's Hardball With Chris Matthews that directly ties embattled former Bush policy advisor Karl Rove to the United States' inability to keep tabs on the proliferation of nuclear weapons in Iran. In leaking the identity of covert CIA agent Valerie Wilson to reporters, Rove not only put the operative's career and life in danger, as well as those who worked alongside her, his actions also served to put the nation at grave risk.
According to Hardball correspondent David Shuster, "Intelligence sources say Valerie Wilson was part of an operation three years ago tracking the proliferation of nuclear weapons materials into Iran. And the sources allege that when Mrs. Wilson's cover was blown the administration's ability to track Iran's nuclear ambitions was damaged as well."
The news of this breach comes just days after Bush once again reiterated the need to toughen the U.S. stand against Iran, which has vowed to continue ignoring demands by the United Nations Security Council that it suspend its uranium enrichment.
"Iranians should not have a 'nukular' weapon, the capacity to make a 'nukular' weapon, or the knowledge as to how to make a 'nukular' weapon, and now that we have the goal in mind, we're working on the tactics," Bush said on April 28. Tough talk from a president who despises leaks and the despicable leakers who leak them, yet who renegs on his promise to the American people to punish them if they are caught.
That "Bush's Brain" Karl Rove is responsible for this devastating intelligence setback pertaining to Iran's nuclear build-up--and still has his highly coveted security clearance--is utterly reprehensible and should be considered an act of treason.
go to this link
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/3036697/
and click on the tag called;
Video: Rove's role in CIA case
Beloved Saint Germain's Words:
ReplyDelete"You do not yet know, My Dear Ones, the Joy of living for the Whole World. You can qualify every ounce of energy which flows through your bodies every morning when you awaken with Invincible Heavenly Perfection and Joy, with Heavenly Action and Cosmic Power of the Cosmic Flame of Cosmic Love and Mercy--or you can go through your daily business activities feeling it is a struggle and everybody has abused you--you are full of human problems and you do not know how you are going to get through the day!"
The Voice of the "I AM" 51.4:14
"We are what we think. All that we are arises with our thoughts. With our thoughts we make the world.
ReplyDeleteSpeak or act with a pure mind and happiness will follow you as your shadow, unshakable."
The Dhammapada
Colbert delivered the finest set of political comedy I've ever seen--the stiff audience of journalists was stunned at Colbert's blast furnace of realism, but the word on the street is that TV viewers were ROFL.
ReplyDeleteAnd now we're hearing about Bush's aides s**tting their shorts because Bush was about to blow a gasket.
I'm loving it!
Anonymous said...
ReplyDeleteStephen Colbert proved beyond a doubt that liberals are worthless human beings, a danger to all of our freedom and lack any sense of decency.
Really? Cuz...he's was being a conservative. Doing a pretty good job of it, too...
Clif,
ReplyDeleteInteresting that UPI would pick that story up, seeing as it's owned by the Unification Church...you know them, Rev. Sun Myung Moon, the self-appointed (coronated by Curt Weldon of Pennsyvania) second Messiah of Christianity, and a heavy Bush supporter.
Worfeus, thanks for the compliment. I tries muh hardest and does muh best.
Just curious if Ol' Tom there felt the same way when Imus was the comic relief during that dinner in the Clinton administration (1998?), about, you know, disrespecting the President and all....
ReplyDeleteJust curious, Tom...or do you save your anally-retentive umbrage only for liberal comics?
According to everything I've read and heard,both Lib and Conservative
ReplyDeleteColbert bombed out.
Anonymous said...
ReplyDeleteAccording to everything I've read and heard,both Lib and Conservative
Colbert bombed out.
Only if your unfunny do you think that...and based on the fact you couldn't even bother to come up with a clever handle....UNFUNNY!!!!!!!!
Tell me, did someone else make your wife pregnant, too?
Worf wrote: "What Colbert did was lay out in plain, clear language just how damn stupid you would have to be to believe the administrations lies on everything from Valerie Plame to the War in Iraq."
ReplyDeleteWhat Colbert actually did was lay out in plain, clear language just how damn stupid you would have to be to believe FAKE NEWS.
You people need to start getting your news from legitimate sources, not COMEDIANS.
I can't believe what I read here sometimes. I saw the bit, and part of it was clever, but ALL OF IT WAS A COMEDY BIT. And you people seem to take current events like they were a joke, and treat comedians as having serious news credentials.
These episodes are a result of failures in our education system. When purported grownups mistake FAKE NEWS for real news, we are in serious, serious trouble. The way you talk, I'm not suprised that you are not backing Colbert in '08.
How about opening the Washington Post or turning on a real news program, like the NBC Nightly News with Brian Williams, or Special Report with Brit Hume on Fox.
And before you start ranting about how Fox News is some lunatic fringe news source, it has been cited by a least a couple news watchdog groups as being more fair and balanced than the other two. Also remember that Fox gets more viewers than CNN and MSNBC combined. If you want links to support my assertion, I can certainly provide them, and most certainly provide them in a more convincing manner than Lydia did to backup her claim that Rummy had dirt on Bush and Cheney (which she never did, by the way, because she CAN'T back it up).
To add insult to injury, Worf now claims to be mind reading Colbert's subjective intentions. Do I need to bring back the Pyschic Friends Network analogy back? Did Worf consult with Miss Cleo to read the mind of Colbert?
Worf's fawing on Colbert is very close idol worship. I forget which one of you guys are aetheists, so I suppose that point wouldn't be a problem for you.
STEVEN COLBERT FOR PRESIDENT IN 2008!
ReplyDelete:D
And since Freedom Fan made me an honorary American, I'll be Colberts "Minister of Wine and Chix."
ReplyDeleteWorf, I love and appreciate effective political satirists and humorists. They are amusing. That is their job, but I would never make the mistake of getting my hard news information from comedians.
ReplyDeleteYou, on the otherhand, don't seem to care whether you get your information from Miss Cleo or Saturday Night Live.
Tell me, is there a REAL news program that you watch with the same regularity as the pretend news on the Comedy Channel?
Worf, did I hit a nerve with you? So defensive about your "intelligence." Speaks volumes.
ReplyDeleteWorf wrote: "Like I said earlier, go frack yourself."
ReplyDeleteIf you are going to curse, go for the gold.
Worf, have you considered Sanka Brand coffee?
ReplyDeleteI thought that Colbert solved all your problems, but you seem like one very unhappy camper tonight.
Then again, what was I thinking? When we captured Saddam, that was a bad day for you, no? The fact that our economy is raging somehow goes against your view that anything bad that happens to America under Bush is good news for you.
I know your knind. It's all about rage and emotion, so just let it out.
Worf, aren't you getting ready for the Monster Truck Extravaganza in greater Maryland this weekend? Free John Deere caps, and all the ribs and grits you can eat. Focus on that and it might improve your mood.
ReplyDeleteSounds like you are describing the dot com bubble. Oh, I forgot, that was under Clinton, so it must have been real wealth (while he decimated our intelligence agencies, paving the way for 9/11). Are you proud of your boy. (And I never voted for a guy named "Bubba," but you sure did.)
ReplyDeleteWere you happy with Gore, who was in charge of improving airline safety when he nixed a proposal to reinforce cockpit doors, even after evidence came to light that the 1993 WTC bombers wanted to fly a plane into the WTC. They had eight years, and all they did was trade our state secrets to the Chinese.
Are you proud of that?
Which question?
ReplyDeleteLooks like Ken Blackwell is winning the Ohio GOP nomination for governor tonight.
ReplyDeleteTT said
ReplyDeleteTroll Texan said "Then again, what was I thinking? When we captured Saddam, that was a bad day for you, no? The fact that our economy is raging somehow goes against your view that anything bad that happens to America under Bush is good news for you.
ReplyDeletethe economy is raging huh genius, its inflation that is raging thats why gold has gone from $250 to 0ver $650 the last several years while thye stock market has not even passed its high of 6 years ago, if you new a shred about economics you would know we arte on the edge of a cliff. As for Saddam it would be far more significant to me if they captured or killed Osama you know the guy who attacked us on 9/11 instead of some tyrant of an oil rich country. Your JackAss in Chief Dubya said it all when he used a deck of cards to illustrate how bad he wanted people dead or captured and Saddam was the ace of spades, dont ya think Osama should have been the Ace of spades, dont ya think he should have been the most wanted?
"Osama, I dont think much about Him" GWB
But they are hacving PROBLEMS with the diebold machines, wonder what that could mean....
ReplyDeleteCleveland Polling Place Delays Statewide Election Results
Absentee Election Results To Be Delayed
UPDATED: 9:17 pm EDT May 2, 2006
CLEVELAND, Ohio -- The state of Ohio refused to release election results after the polls closed Tuesday, based on a judge's decision to keep one polling place open late.
Secretary of State Kenneth Blackwell, a GOP candidate for governor, made the decision to hold results until all polling locations were closed.
A judge ordered the Cuyahoga County Board of Elections to keep the polling location at Garden Valley Neighborhood House at 7100 Kinsman Ave. open until 9:30 p.m. Tuesday
When poll workers had trouble setting up the equipment in the morning, the polling place didn't open until 1:30 p.m. for voting.
Rep. Stephanie Tubbs Jones and Democratic Gubernatorial candidate Bryan Flannery were at Cuyahoga County Common Pleas Cout in front of Judge Nancy McDonnell requesting that the polls stay open late. The judge only ruled on the Garden Valley location.
With all the problems reported at the polls Tuesday, NewsChannel5 has learned that the absentee results will be delayed.
About 17,000 absentee votes will have to be hand counted because of a problem with optical scanners.
There were also reports of problems with the new electronic machines. Both machines are made by Diebold, NewsChannel5's Duane Pohlman reported.
http://www.newsnet5.com/news/9144311/detail.html?subid=10101081
http://www.newsnet5.com/news/9144311
/detail.html?subid=10101081
I'll let you waste your time with the resident einstein, Worf, I have better things to do than talk to a brick wall.
ReplyDeleteDemocratic Congressman Wins Nomination In Ohio
ReplyDeleteUPDATED: 10:52 pm EDT May 2, 2006
COLUMBUS, Ohio -- U.S. Rep. Ted Strickland handily won the Democratic nomination for Ohio governor on Tuesday, signaling the party's best chance in years to regain control of bellwether Ohio amid an investment scandal that has swept through the GOP-controlled state. In early results, Strickland had 90 percent of the vote.
Colbert walk-out: The Comedy Central host “won a rare silent protest from Bush aides and supporters Saturday when several independently left before he finished.” One Bush aide “said that the president was visibly angered by the sharp lines that kept coming. ‘I’ve been there before, and I can see that [Bush] is [angry],’ said a former top aide. ‘He’s got that look that he’s ready to blow.’”
ReplyDeletehttp://thinkprogress.org/2006/05/02/thinkfast-may-2-2006/#comments
http://thinkprogress.org/2006/05/02/
thinkfast-may-2-2006/#comments
My favorite comment from the think progress thread;
ReplyDelete#
He’s got that look that he’s ready to blow.’”
And this is why the Republican majority in both the House and Senate are afraid of him. This is why Senator McCain has forgotten the title on this own book, “Worth the Fighting For”. And yes, this is the man that has his finger on the nuclear bottom. And believes in Armageddon, I may add. Holy mushroom cloud batman!
What to Do With an Unreachable President?
To me it means that Specter understands that Bush has no respect for the law or lawmakers, and no understanding of the Senate. It is clear that he was never disciplined as a child, that he got away with everything, from wetting his bed until he was 11 to setting fires until he was 14 (two things told to me in private after the book came out and that I never before mentioned in public), to shooting at his siblings with a bee bee gun, to drinking himself into oblivion, to being arrested for DWI, and on and on. He was always rescued by his father, by friends of his father, by his money, by his personal charm (when sober). Now he expects the next president to rescue him from Iraq.
We have a drunk as president, a drunk with a history of being able to do whatever he wants to — with the possible exception of privatizing Social Security (though he is poised to bankrupt it in stead by draining the Treasury). The only way to stop him is with an intervention, just as it is done with alcoholics.
Bush kids around like a fraternity boy…
HHmmm,,, Do you think Bush is angry because Colbert routine was far better than his and his Jay Leno Bush look alike? I don’t know. All I can remember is the previous media event when Bush was lunatic enough to joke about sending our kids, fathers, and mothers to war to find WMD he knew weren’t there. It was terribly disturbing to see people so desensitized or politically loyal that they lost all sense of decency. That pukey feeling you get in the pit of your stomach when the world as you know it is about to crumble, is how I felt when our President made fun of sending our loved ones to war, when our President made fun of WMD’s. Our President knew he lied, knew he exposed a CIA agent, people were dying and our President was joking about it.
Comment by Jack — May 2, 2006 @ 12:09 pm
Where Jack got his quote from;
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/justin-frank/what-to-do-with-an-unreac_b_20003.html
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/justin-frank
/what-to-do-with-an-unreac_b_20003.html
Wonder if they are sorry that they let Colbert use the white house to film the clip with Helen Thomas....think the chimp has calmed down or a few underlings who USED to work in the white house looking for a new job...
ReplyDeleteOr in Bush's case an actual plan A that works....
ReplyDeleteThought, you'd like that....LOL
ReplyDeleteClif do you think you will be back home by the 21?
ReplyDeletedid they show the look on Bush's face when Colbert ripped him, I would have paid $100 to see the look on that arrogant fools face, I would have loved to have been a fly on the wall afterward to hear what was said.
ReplyDeleteOF May probably do not know when i will be going yet, the car I am getting for my daughter is not ready yet...
ReplyDeleteyeah of may, thats when I will be in your neck of the woods.
ReplyDeleteI saw the clip of Colbert leaving the podium and he shook Colberts hand and smiled, but the few clips I saw of bush while colbert was speaking Bush didn't look happy but neither did the losers that pass for the press in DC
ReplyDeleteI could be here....let me know the exact date and I'll try to keep it in my travel plans...
ReplyDeleteSunday may 21 I should be in your area
ReplyDeleteOK remind me, my memory is not all that it should be after Bambi bummed a ride last May
ReplyDeletegoodnight, i'm gonna ead some American theocracy then hit the hay.
ReplyDeleteCan we say a second "mission" that was not accomplished;
ReplyDeleteTaliban Threat Is Said to Grow in Afghanistan
TIRIN KOT, Afghanistan, April 27 — Building on a winter campaign of suicide bombings and assassinations and the knowledge that American troops are leaving, the Taliban appear to be moving their insurgency into a new phase, flooding the rural areas of southern Afghanistan with weapons and men.
Each spring with the arrival of warmer weather, the fighting season here starts up, but the scale of the militants' presence and their sheer brazenness have alarmed Afghans and foreign officials far more than in previous years.
"The Taliban and Al Qaeda are everywhere," a shopkeeper, Haji Saifullah, told the commander of American forces in Afghanistan, Lt. Gen. Karl Eikenberry, as the general strolled through the bazaar of this town to talk to people. "It is all right in the city, but if you go outside the city, they are everywhere, and the people have to support them. They have no choice."
The fact that American troops are pulling out of southern Afghanistan in the coming months, and handing matters over to NATO peacekeepers, who have repeatedly stated that they are not going to fight terrorists, has given a lift to the insurgents, and increased the fears of Afghans.
Uruzgan, the province where President Hamid Karzai first rallied support against the Taliban in the months after the Sept. 11 attacks, is now, four years later, in the thrall of the Islamic militants once more, and the provincial capital is increasingly surrounded by areas in Taliban control, local and American officials acknowledge. A recent report by a member of the United Nations mission in Afghanistan shown to The New York Times detailed similar fears.
The new governor, Maulavi Abdul Hakim Munib, 35, who took up his position just a month ago, controls only a "bubble" around Tirin Kot, an American military officer said. The rest of the province is so thick with insurgents that all the districts are colored amber or red to indicate that on military maps in the nearby American base. Uruzgan has always been troublesome, yet the map marks a deterioration since last year, when at least one central district had been colored green, the officer said.
"The security situation is not good," Governor Munib told General Eikenberry and a group of cabinet ministers at a meeting with tribal elders. "The number of Taliban and enemy is several times more than that of the police and Afghan National Army in this province," he said.
http://www.nytimes.com/2006/05/03/world/asia/03afghan.html?ex=1147233600&en=58187da8088a3e5e&ei=5009&partner=MSN_NYTHOME
Seems George pulled the military assests out of Afghanistan to go fight in Iraq, a wee bit too soon, they weren't allowed enough time to finish the job of defeating the enemy and securing the place....
Think the dead eyed dickster might be a wee bit paranoid?
ReplyDeletePurdum reports that Cheney travels with a chemical-biological suit at all times. When he gave his friend Robin West and his twin children a ride to the White House a couple of years ago, West commented on the fact that Cheney’s motorcade varied its daily path. “And he said, ‘Yeah, we take different routes so that “The Jackal” can’t get me,’” West tells Purdum. “And then there was this big duffel bag in the middle of the backseat, and I said, ‘What’s that? It’s not very roomy in here.’ And [Cheney] said, ‘No, because it’s a chemical-biological suit,’ and he looked at it and said, ‘Robin, there’s only one. You lose.’”
http://www.drudgereport.com/flash6mc.htm
Texan asked Worf:
ReplyDelete"Tell me, is there a REAL news program that you watch with the same regularity as the pretend news on the Comedy Channel?"
Worf had already answered in a previous post:
"And BTW, my news day includes the BBC World News,
Mcneil Leher News Hour,
Hardball,
Countdown,
Situation Room,
NBC Evening News,
and CNN is on all day in the office.
Sundays include:
Meet the Press,
Face the Nation
and This Week,
as well as Mclaughlin Group and Capital Gang.
Once a week I watch 60 Minutes as well, not to mention reading the Post daily as well as online blogs and news sources."
Strange, but the rest of us saw ALL of Worfs answers - why don't you?
"Can't we all just get along?"
Rodney King
"Stop the insanity"
Susan Powter
THE WORDS OF SAINT GERMAIN
ReplyDelete"The hour strikes in the evolution of every planet and its humanity when they must express the full peace, harmony, Perfection and the Divine Plan of the system to which they belong. When that hour strikes, humanity either moves forward and fulfills that plan, or whatever portion will not come into alignment with the new Activity removes itself to another school room of the Universe, until those personalities learn obedience to life. . .
"Human beings are the only creator of 'hell'. They can accept and obey the Law of Life and enjoy every good thing of the 'Kingdom' or they can disobey and be broken as a reed before the storm, by their own self-generated discord. Each individual carries his own heaven or hell with him every moment, for these are but the results of mental and emotional states which the individual has created, because of his own attitude. There is no other cause for them.
"Over the humanly generated chaos of the past, there are being poured out by the Ascended Masters and Great Cosmic Messengers, great streams of Love and harmony upon which peace depends. Mankind, having so long pulled against the Great Cosmic Current of Love which ever seeks to bless, is now being compelled to turn around and seek the Light in order to survive in the midst of its own destructive emanations of the past."
Let's not forget Canada is ripping turban in Afghanistan and has significant forces deployed there.
ReplyDelete"While Canada remains committed to the rebuilding of democracy in Afghanistan, there are significant risks involved in these types of operations, but the Canadian Forces remain one of the best trained, and most experienced and professional militaries in the world."
www.forces.gc.ca
Remember Dieppe? We were the first western nation to fight the Germans and suffered heavy casualties; kinda like a mini D-day in August of 1942 when the Germans were still very powerful.
We lost, but we tried!
Tall Texan said...
ReplyDeleteSounds like you are describing the dot com bubble. Oh, I forgot, that was under Clinton, so it must have been real wealth (while he decimated our intelligence agencies, paving the way for 9/11). Are you proud of your boy. (And I never voted for a guy named "Bubba," but you sure did.)
Were you happy with Gore, who was in charge of improving airline safety when he nixed a proposal to reinforce cockpit doors, even after evidence came to light that the 1993 WTC bombers wanted to fly a plane into the WTC. They had eight years, and all they did was trade our state secrets to the Chinese.
Lemme see, Clinton stopped the assassination of Pope John Paul II, stopped the Milennium Bomb Plot, stopped the hijacking of seven American airliners over the Pacific that were to be crashed.....errrr, the GOP was paying attention, right, TT?...caught, prosecuted and CONVICTED the people responsible for the '93 Trade Center bombing...
Your problem with Clinton's anti-terror program is, again? :-)
Have a nice day, TT, and remember, history didn't start ten minutes ago, shithead.
Tall Texan said...
ReplyDeleteWorf wrote: "What Colbert did was lay out in plain, clear language just how damn stupid you would have to be to believe the administrations lies on everything from Valerie Plame to the War in Iraq."
What Colbert actually did was lay out in plain, clear language just how damn stupid you would have to be to believe FAKE NEWS.
Oh really? So none of what he talked about was true? McLellan, for example, didn't quit? The President's approval ratings aren't lower than Barry Bonds'?
Interesting take on the news, TT. Do you take Xanax or are you just naturally dormant?
Rene said "Texan asked Worf:
ReplyDelete"Tell me, is there a REAL news program that you watch with the same regularity as the pretend news on the Comedy Channel?"
"Strange, but the rest of us saw ALL of Worfs answers - why don't you?"
So I see you noticed that trait about our little green friend as well Rene, He never sees or acknowledges anyone's answer if they dont agree with him Rene, thats the sign of a troll.
Washington Post, Wall Street Journal, NBC Nightly News, Special Report with Brit Hume, but Mike will still think that I am troll no matter what.
ReplyDeleteTall Texan said...
ReplyDeleteWashington Post, Wall Street Journal, NBC Nightly News, Special Report with Brit Hume, but Mike will still think that I am troll no matter what.
We didn't ask what you line your bird cage with, TT. We asked where you get your news from...
Based on your ignorance, I'm guessing it's just Brit "I never met a Bush I didn't blow" Hume....
Wufuss/dufuss the anger you have bottled up is scary,I could see you or Mike with guns up on a water tower someday.Nah,forget that you guys are too pussified.
ReplyDeleteonce again my little green friend you fail to see or acknowledge the point/question, see what you watch is irrelevant because that wasnt the topic being discussed , the point was you made a point of attacking what worf watches and he responded which you ignored, so I have to ask you do you have some kind of reading comprehension problem or suffer from ADDH or is it simply that your a troll and ignore any response that doesnt agree with your dirt dumb rhetoric and prepackaged talking points because you do that over and over again when someone asks you a question or to defend your position or counters one of your points.
ReplyDelete"And it's important too, to note how upset Bush was. His anger tells us several things.
ReplyDelete"First and foremost it tells us Colbert's stuff is right on the money. If it weren't it would'nt hurt so much."
I don't agree with your observation about Bush, but what does your anger tell you about you? Maybe it's because I'm right on the money, as you observed.
Worf wrote: "And it's important too, to note how upset Bush was. His anger tells us several things.
ReplyDelete"First and foremost it tells us Colbert's stuff is right on the money. If it weren't it would'nt hurt so much."
I don't agree with your observation about Bush, but what does your anger tell you about you? Maybe it's because I'm right on the money, as you observed.
Did You get booted out of the DOJ John, or does Scaife just pay better?
ReplyDeleteTall Texan said...
ReplyDelete11:34 AM
Tall Texan said...
11:36 AM
And your self-parrotting says that you're too wound up in your own right to pass judgement, Mr. Log-In-His-Eye... LOL!
Wufuss, I'm guessing you were the guy they always stuck the "kick me" sign on in school.Come on tell us,I'm right are'nt I?
ReplyDeleteWufuss, you hit that "dojo" today?
ReplyDeleteListen to the little slug, cryin away.
ReplyDeleteWhats the matter boy?
Your inbred momma only taught you 2 taunts?
Another revenge of the nerds heard from.
ReplyDeleteWorf writes: "So the REICH wing tosses you out there because you're their lapdog, to try and fend off the hoardes at the gates."
ReplyDeleteLike anyone would be concerned with a Web site that gets about 9 unique visitors per day.
TT said "Like anyone would be concerned with a Web site that gets about 9 unique visitors per day."
ReplyDeleteyou sure see to be concerned with distracting most of the posters with your drivel Troll texan, and I think unique is a good way to describe you, although I could think of other less flattering terms.
although a lapdog is more appropriate than unique because trolls like you are a dime a dozen, although I have to say the nice guy dumb troll act is slightly unique.
ReplyDeleteMooooooooo.....
ReplyDeleteRemember the episode when Fred and Barney shared a cow suit to apprehend cattle thieves in Texas Rock.
And Fred repeatedly said:
Moo moo...ahhhh...moo moo moo!
LOL
What about the episode when a stoned Fred only said......yes, yes, yes..
ReplyDeleteAnd a stoned Barney just said ...no, no, no...
LOL
Hey Worf, Isn't South Park coming in your time zone in a little while. They might break some news, so tune in.
ReplyDeleteyour a dumb as dirt Troll, Troll texan, in fact being a dumb as dirt moron is probably just about the only thing you are good at.
ReplyDeleteWufuss/dufuss,you really should have Mike send you some of his Prozac.Your mood swings are frightning.Are you bipolar? Or maybe bisexual.
ReplyDeleteNow here's something interesting.Michael Savage's new book Political Zoo outsold Ted Kennedy's book this week 7,065 to 2,870.Maybe ole Teddy should write a driving manual next time.
ReplyDeleteMike, you and Worf should be more sensitive. After all the Tall Tennessean is trying to score points here, by attacking the followers of Lydia to impress Cold-Heart Coulter, and if he succeeds, maybe she will let him blog a little on her hate-loving site.
ReplyDeleteDidn't you guys see those "wanna be's" in grade school?
They "wanna be" playing on the varsity squad just like the High School Varsity squad.
Same senario applies here.
You can always tell when it's Spring time in Boston; Ted Kennedy is driving on the sidewalk.
ReplyDeletehic,hic
ReplyDeleteAnd we wonder why they do not like us............
ReplyDeleteIn the chaos of Iraq, one project is on target: a giant US embassy
From Daniel McGrory in Baghdad
THE question puzzles and enrages a city: how is it that the Americans cannot keep the electricity running in Baghdad for more than a couple of hours a day, yet still manage to build themselves the biggest embassy on Earth?
Irritation grows as residents deprived of air-conditioning and running water three years after the US-led invasion watch the massive US Embassy they call “George W’s palace” rising from the banks of the Tigris.
In the pavement cafés, people moan that the structure is bigger than anything Saddam Hussein built. They are not impressed by the architects’ claims that the diplomatic outpost will be visible from space and cover an area that is larger than the Vatican city and big enough to accommodate four Millennium Domes. They are more interested in knowing whether the US State Department paid for the prime real estate or simply took it.
While families in the capital suffer electricity cuts, queue all day to fuel their cars and wait for water pipes to be connected, the US mission due to open in June next year will have its own power and water plants to cater for a population the size of a small town.
Officially, the design of the compound is supposed to be a secret, but you cannot hide the giant construction cranes and the concrete contours of the 21 buildings that are taking shape. Looming over the skyline, the embassy has the distinction of being the only big US building project in Iraq that is on time and within budget.
In a week when Washington revealed a startling list of missed deadlines and overspending on building projects, Congress was told that the bill for the embassy was $592 million (£312 million).
The heavily guarded 42-hectare (104-acre) site — which will have a 15ft thick perimeter wall — has hundreds of workers swarming on scaffolding. Local residents are bitter that the Kuwaiti contractor has employed only foreign staff and is busing them in from a temporary camp nearby.
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,7374-2162249,00.html
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/
0,,7374-2162249,00.html
And they said there were no good news stories from Iraq.... we can fix much for the country but America's largest embassy is on time, and will be the envy of all of baghdad...oops that might even make them madder right?
ReplyDeleteJust think we're only one month away from the launch of Ann Coulter's new best seller.I dont know about you people but I'm having trouble sleeping due to the anticipation.I'm more than willing to send copies to Clif,Wufuss and Mike,perhaps reading the book will expand their views past the ends of their noses.
ReplyDeleteReuters Updated: 12:35 p.m. ET May 4, 2006
ReplyDeleteMOSCOW - The Kremlin on Thursday rejected as “completely incomprehensible” remarks by U.S. Vice President Dick Cheney that Russia was backsliding on democracy and using its vast energy supplies to bully its neighbors.
“The speech of Mr. Cheney in our opinion is full of a subjective evaluation of us and of the processes that are going on in Russia. The remarks ... are completely incomprehensible for us,” said Kremlin deputy spokesman Dmitry Peskov.
Renewed criticism
But Cheney’s harsh remarks could further antagonize Russia, which holds a veto in the U.N. Security Council where Washington intends to push for a resolution demanding that Iran curb its nuclear ambitions. Russia opposes any sanctions.
“No legitimate interest is served when oil and gas become tools of intimidation or blackmail, either by supply manipulation or attempts to monopolize transportation,” he said.
Moscow, for its part, suspects the U.S. policy of promoting global democracy is really an instrument to establish itself as the dominant power in the post-Soviet states.
Cheney said "“No legitimate interest is served when oil and gas become tools of intimidation or blackmail"
ReplyDeletesomeone should introduce Mr Cheney to mr kettle or mr pot, because if he practiced what he preached may be we could have avoided 100,000s of deaths in Iraq and countless deaths in Iran could be avoided in the future. too bad old Dead Eye Dick doesnt belive what he's selling, because
May 04, 2006, 9:02 a.m.
ReplyDeleteThe Birth of the Boom
We can source the current prosperity to around April 2003 -- a date congressional Republicans would be well-served to remember in 2006.
By Donald Luskin
There can be no doubt that the American economy is in the midst of a strong economic expansion. Growth of gross domestic product is booming, inflation and unemployment are low, household net worth and disposable income are at all-time highs, and more Americans own their own home than ever before.
For all that, it’s no mystery why 30 percent of Americans, according to recent polls, think we’re in an economic recession. That’s any easy one. They’re all Democrats. A much more interesting question is: What started today’s economic expansion in the first place? If we knew the answer to that question, we’d know what to do to create economic growth — and what not to do — so that today’s strong growth won’t be derailed.
The best way to find out what caused today’s prosperity is to go back to when that prosperity began and take a hard look at those circumstances.
According to the National Bureau of Economic Research, the official end of the last recession — and the origin of the current expansion — was November 2001. It’s true that since November 2001 lots of economic indicators have markedly improved. Real GDP has grown by 14.8 percent. The unemployment rate has fallen from 5.5 percent to 4.7 percent, as 4.1 million new payroll jobs having been created. The S&P 500 is up 24 percent and corporate earnings are up 67 percent. Manufacturers’ new orders are up 31 percent, and private sector non-residential fixed investment is up 33 percent. Federal income-tax receipts are up 12 percent.
Those are big numbers. But what catalyst triggered their birth in November 2001?
All I can think of is what happened the prior month — the 9/11 attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon. Terrorism causes prosperity? How’s that for an economic theory?
That might not be as far-fetched as it sounds. Many economists believe that wars can trigger economic booms, so why should the war on terrorism be any different?
But I have a better theory. It depends on using a different date for the end of the recession and the beginning of the expansion. Let’s see what happens if we use April 2003. I’m going to throw a lot of numbers at you here, but try to follow along. It’s going to be worth it.
In the 17 months from November 2001 (NBER’s official recession end-date) to April 2003 (my proposed recession end-date), real GDP grew 3.2 percent. But in the 36 months from April 2003 to now, real GDP has grown much more: 11.3 percent.
From November 2001 to April 2003 the unemployment rate actually went up — from 5.5 percent to 6 percent. And 1 million payroll jobs were destroyed. Talk about a jobless recovery! But from April 2003 to now, the unemployment rate has fallen to 4.7 percent and 5.1 million payroll jobs have been created.
From November 2001 to April 2003 the S&P 500 fell 18 percent. Some bull market! But from April 2003 to now, it is up 51percent. Now that’s a bull market.
From November 2001 to April 2003 corporate earnings grew a paltry 7 percent. But from April 2003 to present they’ve grown a stunning 56 percent, and are now at all-time highs.
From November 2001 to April 2003 manufacturers’ new orders fell 5 percent and private sector non-residential fixed investment fell 1 percent. Not exactly a big vote of confidence in growth. But from April 2003 to now, new orders have swelled 38 percent and fixed investment has surged 35 percent.
From November 2001 to April 2003 federal income tax receipts fell 11 percent, contributing to record government budget deficits. But from April 2003 to present, tax receipts have exploded by 26 percent, and now stand at all-time highs. In fact, it was reported this week that tax money is pouring into the Treasury at such a torrid pace that our government now holds a record $94 billion in excess cash.
Sure, economists at the NBER can trot out their own numbers and make November 2001 look like the turning point. But I’m not buying it. Today’s booming economy was born just after April 2003. The numbers that really count — the ones I’ve listed above — prove that beyond the shadow of a doubt.
So what caused it? What happened in the world just after April 2003 that triggered so much prosperity?
Haven’t you guessed? It was the 2003 tax cuts on personal income, dividends, and capital gains. They were enacted into law in May 2003. The rest is history. Very prosperous history.
It’s really so simple. Tell people they will get to keep more of the fruits of their labors and the fruits of their investments, and they will labor more and invest more. The economy will grow.
It will grow despite the Sarbanes-Oxley Act. It will grow despite the ever-present threat of strike suits from the plaintiff's bar — or from the Inquisitor General of the State of New York. It will grow despite how the Patriot Act makes it harder to move money and assets across national borders. It will grow despite threats of protectionism. It will grow.
So there’s no mystery about how to create prosperity. The only mystery is why the Republican majority in Congress hasn’t been able to extend the tax cuts on dividends and capital gains for another two years so that they will not automatically expire after 2008. A bill to do just that was supposed to be enacted last year, but is still mired in petty personal feuding between Senate Finance Committee chair Chuck Grassley and House Ways and Means Committee chair Bill Thomas.
In a risky election year, the Republican party should be taking well-earned credit for our prosperity — pointing to those tax cuts as the crown jewel of their economic-policy legacy. But if those tax cuts cannot be extended while the Republicans control Congress, then the GOP will be responsible for bringing our prosperity to an end. If that happens, the Republican majority will deserve to lose — and lose big — this November.
— Donald Luskin is chief investment officer of Trend Macrolytics LLC, an independent economics and investment-research firm. He welcomes your visit to his blog and your comments at mailto:%20don@trendmacro.com.
http://article.
nationalreview.com
/print/?
q=ZjQ4NjI5Z
jczNjc5MzEzNzZ
iMDA5ZjA4NzB
iYzJiM2M=
TT, of course the tax cuts spured the present economic groth,thats why its so important they be made permanent.The left continually cries and moans about tax cuts for the "rich" but they never give a dollar amount of what rich is.Is rich $75,000 a year or is it 750,000? The more money the top 20% of earners have the more robust the ecomomy will be,they are the job creators.
ReplyDeleteI would say rich is over $200,000 a year, and your "The more money the top 20% of earners have the more robust the ecomomy will be,they are the job creators." coment is laughable as unequal distribution of wealth and high debt levels are the two factors most indicative of a depression or severe recession, your trickle down theory is utter BS as is your statement that inflation is low most of the GDP growth is phony due to inflation. you guys are two of the stupidest guys I know, if the economy is so good tell me why gold is $670 genius. its because people KNOW the government is dishonest and their inflation and GDP stats are bogus.
ReplyDeleteperfect analogy, they even made a movie about 2 idiots just like you guys.
ReplyDeleteBTW Worf was exactly Right it was a War Boom, see your boys mortgaged this countries future with their tax and interest rate cuts as well as the stimulative war spending, see the economy is more distorted now than it was 6 years ago debt levels are MUCH higher and people cant spend when they are in debt, factor in rising interest rates and rising energy prices and people have even less to spend, you'd have to be a complete idiot to think the economy is great right now, or a dirt dum repug with more money than brains.
Anonyfool said "The more money the top 20% of earners have the more robust the ecomomy will be"
ReplyDeleteNo the more money EVERYONE has the more robust the economy will be, dumbo.
You two pessimists wouldn't know good news if it came out of the toilet and bit you.
ReplyDeleteWhat makes you and Mike smarter that Donald Luskin?
ReplyDeleteIt's obvious these two mooks are from the "lets redistribute the wealth" bunch.My guess neither one has the ambition to go out and make a few bucks but would be more than willing to stand in line for a government handout.
ReplyDeleteI guess Worf would get his financial news from the Flintstones, while I get it from acknowledged financial professionals.
ReplyDeleteThese two idiots cannot accept nor can they admit any good news while conservatives hold power.I really feel a bit sad for them.
ReplyDeleteIts amazing,if Colbert or Stewart wnet on and said "the sky is falling" Clif,Wufuss and Mike would be writing back and forth.... this is huge,the sky is falling,its Bush's fault,he's gonna get impeached now,this is huge.
ReplyDeleteThese are two of the 150 people that watch Keith Oberman.
ReplyDeleteAnonymiss said;
ReplyDeleteMy guess neither one has the ambition to go out and make a few bucks but would be more than willing to stand in line for a government handout.
LOL. Oh, that hurts so bad.
I guess I will have to close my corporations doors, fire my employees, sell my private ranch, all my cars, toys and tractors, and go stand in a food line with anonymiss and his family so he can feel vindicated, LOL.
Stop anonymissy, you're killin me.
All that,plus the fantasy dojo.
ReplyDeletePoor guy,your whole life is a fantasy,just like that dojo crap.Never been any where and not going and angry at everything because of it.
ReplyDeleteSee what I mean wufuss,you always revert to name calling,its that pissed off at the world thing.Its a bit immature.
ReplyDeleteDo these employees work at the dojo?
ReplyDeleteGee I guess all my toys, the new house I just built and the $11,000 a year raise I just got dont exist either because anonytroll says so, Hell the economy must be in the best shape EVER as well I mean if a slimy slanderous cowardly dumb as dirt anonymous troll says so then it must be true I mean who wouldnt take this geniu's word for anything, just look at what kind of a slam bang job his idols have done the last 5 years.
ReplyDeleteIs that your whole act?What about the inbreeding part? Wufuss,you're a sad case.
ReplyDeleteMike,"slimy," "slanderous," "cowardly," "dumb as dirt." You should really go wash your own mouth out with soap.Tisk,tisk.
ReplyDeleteMike,what do you mean toys? You get some new lago's?
ReplyDeleteno your the one who regurgitates the same spitel and rhetoric over and over again just like your pathetic Neo Con Buddiesw, doesnt it get old using the same tited material over and over are you guys capable of an original thought eve, take you guys out of your talking points and self serving agenda nd its all insults name calling and 10 year old babytalk, you guys are a disgrace.
ReplyDeleteI'd bet a couple bucks that in the past two hours wufuss has eaten a hot pockets and drank a mountain dew.
ReplyDeleteMike,take it easy.Go to your happy place.Get those bad thoughts out of your head.Dont think about jumping.
ReplyDeleteYeah and I think I'll take the motorcycle for a quick spin before I head downtown for a meeting be back tonight.
ReplyDeleteIf everyone is doing so well, where is the problem with the economy?
ReplyDeleteWe're off to see the wizard,follow the yellow brick road boys,watch out for flying monkeys.
ReplyDeleteTall Texan said...
ReplyDeleteIf everyone is doing so well, where is the problem with the economy?
Oh duh! This is like the jackass standing in Southern California during a hurricane in Miami and saying, "Why are we spending so much on hurricane relief?"
WORFEUS said...
ReplyDeleteEither that or he has a nervous tick.
I'll bet he's a stutterer.
Bet he plays banjo too...and has only one toof...
Great News For Republicans!
ReplyDeleteAccording to the Evans-Novak (Right-Winger Robert Novak) Political Report, Republican Chairman Ken Mehlman met with Republican members of Congress, and told them with the bad opinion polls, they face a major catastrophe this November.
Even their own leader can see how the right wing has brought about their own demise.
Isn't this GREAT news for the Republicans?
Oh boy,two more aliens.
ReplyDeleteAccording to the New York Times, Cheney said the "Russian Government unfairly and improperly restricted people's rights."
ReplyDeleteCheney also said Russia sought to use the countries oil and gas resources as " tools of intimidation".
Sounds like Russia is doing the same thing as Bush. Why is Cheney complaining?
Worf said; Where the Hell is Cheney?
ReplyDeleteSomeone has to stay behind the scenes and tell Bush how to
mismanage the governent, since Rove has to spend more time trying to stay out of prison.
Scooter is out so Cheney has to sit behind the throne and pull Bush's strings.
Dead-Eye-Dick can't shoot straight. Just look at all that weight he carries, he constantly has to lean one way to walk.
ReplyDeleteOf course with a head as big as his ego, and his nose constantly in the air, no wonder he can't shoot straight.
Cheney has so much arrogance and hate built up inside of his body that he looks like he will explode.
ReplyDeleteLou Dobbs is showing the ex-CIA officer arguing with Rummy.
ReplyDeleteRummy denies he said they knew where the WMD's were.
This is great,Patrick Kennedy (D-R.I.)crashed into a security barricade at 2:45 a.m.,did'nt have his headlights on and officer George Baird said "the driver exited the vehicle and he was observed to be staggering." This is the son of the lion of the senate,yes ole Ted Kennedy's boy.Its obvious this acorn did'nt fall far from the tree.At least some innocent young girl was'nt killed.Damn,the senate should pass a bill forbidding any member of the Kennedy family to get behind the wheel of a motorized vehicle.
ReplyDeleteHow can Rummy know what the Intelligence information is.
ReplyDeleteHe is to busy getting troops killed and maimed, he can't do both at once.
The way those modern day dictators are threatening everyone in site, you never know where their nukes will land.
ReplyDeleteThat was horrible!
ReplyDeleteOne of Bush's supporters on Lou Dobbs promoting his new book about how insecure America really is.
This long time friend of Bushy is very disappointed in his leader.
Another Republican member to the anti-Bush club.
Larry wrote: The way those modern day dictators are threatening everyone.....you never know where their nukes will land.
ReplyDeleteI found something out today and it horrified me - it's the answer to your question and the answer is 'globally'
DID YOU KNOW;
1. yourselves in America (because of Trade Winds) and myself in Britain (because of depressions and anticyclones) are eating and inhaling large amounts of Depleted Uranium (DU) from the Gulf War(s)?
2. this has been confirmed by measurements from a British military facility?
3. sand and dust from the middle-east was present on the Atomic Weapons Establishment (AWE) filters in Britain that trapped these DU particles?
4. the said British military facility, AWE in Aldermaston, Berkshire, England was bought out by Halliburton 3 years ago?
5. the purchase of AWE by Halliburton coincided with a huge spike in atmospheric DU – a level of 1700 – when background (normal) levels are 30?
6. the said spike in atmospheric DU coincided with 'Shock and Awe', when huge quantities of DU were used?
7. Halliburton illegally refused to hand over the data from AWE confirming this and this is why it has taken 3 years to come into the public domain – that this information is available thanks to one of the UK's top scientists (Chris Busby) having to file a Freedom of Information Act request to obtain it?
8. DU is almost atomised on impact with it's target and 10-35% becomes a metal fume of nanoparticle size?
9. nanoparticles are so small they become suspended in the air and travel around the globe?
10. so much DU has been used since 1991 that the entire earth is contaminated to the equivalent of 400,000 Nagasaki bombs or 10 times more than atmospheric nuclear testing?
11. whenever DU has been used, Afghanistan, Kosovo, Bosnia, Gulf War 1 and 2, there have been atmospheric DU spikes around the globe?
12. all these spikes globally coincide with increases in diabetes and infant mortalities?
13. a Presidential candidate '08, Karl Schwarz, was told by the Canadians “Oh, for the record, the reason we didn’t go to Iraq is we are already seeing some huge health issues on the Canadian troops that participated in Desert Storm, Bosnia, and Afghanistan. We’re not going to be exposing our folks to this stuff anymore. We’re against it.”
Do you think this is all crap? Go to
http://lonestaricon.com/2006/Archives/09/news04.htm
Love how you guys say that Rummy can't handle any intelligence matters, but you take the word of a two-legged yeast infection that he has dirt on Cheney and Bush.
ReplyDeleteI never met such lemmings in my life.
Immediately after Shock and Awe there was a Chernobyl right in America and a second in Britain and neither of us have been told!
ReplyDeleteThe fallout from DU is global.
There will be another Chernobyl over us all again if/when Bushco invade Iran!
Worf, I didn't register. Get your facts straight.
ReplyDeletedid you know about this Worf?
ReplyDeleteWorf, I'll register when I'm good and ready, but thanks for your concern.
ReplyDeleteOn a serious note, Worf, I think we might have some friends in common: are you part Dutch?
I am in disbelief you insulted Lydia TT you moronic, skid mark sniffin, ass commando!
ReplyDeleteIf I wanted to hear from an asshole ,Id fart!
No offense or anything, but Ann Coulter's ugly!
LOL
Johnny, that's quite a vocabulary you have there. Do you know any other words?
ReplyDeleteLydia may be a little guilty of operating from reasonable instinct, but she has never attacked your person or insulted you.
ReplyDeleteOK, I take back that one intemperate comment, with apologies, but "reasonable instinct" is a contradiction in terms. She thought it had to be true, and convinced herself it was fact, and posted it as fact, when all it was was abject speculation.
ReplyDeleteAnn Coulter is so ugly that when she walks down the street the dogs howl and the cats meow in pain.
ReplyDeleteEven the mice squeek!
LOL
OK TT, I just thought the yeast insult was going to far.
ReplyDelete????????????
ReplyDeleteWorf, you damn well better learn to watch your mouth, before one day it will be one day too late, and you get your butt kicked up and down the street
ReplyDeleteWorf, you should be in Iraq, that temper you have would win us this war, AMERICA has never lost a war and by, God never will, for we are the mightiest of all the world
ReplyDeleteWorf the best part of you dripped down your mama's leg.
ReplyDeleteOr maybe your Daddy should have shot his load against the wall rather you having been born.
"Go Frack yourself", you living pantywaist son of a bitch
Worf is dirt poor and living in a homeless shelter,don't anyone here believe that this bastard son of a bitch has any money, Worf I would rather be a hillbilly than a worthless bum, pick yourself up and be a man for once in your miserable pathetic life. God, why did you allow Worf into this world
ReplyDeleteFor a little levity, click on my handle. It's Metallica meets the Beatles. Pretty darn hilarious.
ReplyDeleteI guess that didn't work. Try this link:
ReplyDeletehttp://www.beatallica.org/2004ep/Beatallica%20-%2007%20-%20I%20Want%20To%20Choke%20Your%20Band.MP3
Troll Texan just proved what i've been saying all along, he is nothing more than a pathetic smarmy lying right wing blog troll worthy of no more than a scroll by.
ReplyDeleteMerely your opinion, Mike.
ReplyDeletethats real funny troll, posting under a handle then denying its you then admiting its you then denying its you all over again, boy I was wrong about you you arent completely useless and good for nothing, you have being a blog troll down pretty good you are also good at being a DUMBER than dirt clueless repug.
ReplyDeleteit's always hilarious when we get Worf all pissed off...Worf you talk worse than any human being alive
ReplyDeleteyou are so full of anger, and many people have commented on it over tha last few months, I'm wrong to respond back in anger, I know better you don't....sorry
ReplyDeleteI mean, the way he talks to TT, is abominable, Worfs parents didn't teach their children the basic qualities of respecting life, rather than all the name-calling, and killing Worf, approves of
ReplyDeleteAlright lets chill out!
ReplyDeleteI believe TT is quite capable of being a good debater(even though his philosophy is wrong, lol) were it not for the name calling and insults directed towards him.
When he first came here he insulted no one or used childish name calling.
Additionally, he's doing what republicans do best.......being sneaky and pushing liberals buttons. However, thats all part of the fun/game.
And he does it quite well I might add.
Is it really that hard to make a point without calling someone a name?
anonymissy said"it's always hilarious when we get Worf all pissed off...Worf you talk worse than any human being alive"
ReplyDeleteWE????? So there is a bunch of you lowlifes, or are you just so mentally disturbed you have multiple personality disorder.
name one valid debate TT engaged in one question he answered or one valid legitimate point he made, he is nothing but a CHEAP HACK REICH WING BLOG TROLL
ReplyDelete"There are none so blind as those who can not see"
On the Verge of Collapse
ReplyDeleteBy Bernhard Zand
The British and the Americans are guarding Iraq's Persian Gulf oil platforms -- the troubled country's only real sources of revenue -- like crown jewels. But Iraqi oil is flowing sluggishly at best, while hoped-for investments haven't materialized and the Iraqi oil industry is on the verge of collapse -- both technical and political.
The world's most vulnerable economy
Because its northern pipeline into Turkey has been out of commission for months as a result of ongoing terrorist attacks, Iraq currently processes all its oil exports through the two terminals on the Gulf, where it earns about 80 percent of its revenues. No other country or economy in the world is quite as vulnerable at a single point.
That's because oil revenues represent the only leverage remaining to the government in Baghdad. This became abundantly clear last week when Prime Minister Ibrahim al-Jaafari withdrew his bid for reelection and, in doing so, eased a months-long stalemate and reopened the wrangling for the government's 32 unoccupied ministerial positions. The Kurds promptly made it clear that they were interested in the oil ministry. According to Kurdish member of parliament Mahmoud Osman, the Kurds would even be willing to part with the post of foreign minister, which they currently hold, in exchange for the oil or finance ministry.
To this day, many Iraqis see the West's interest in Iraqi oil as the real reason behind the 2003 US-led invasion. However, a look at the actual state of the oil sector three years after coalition forces marched into the country calls this view into question
It's a diplomatic way of describing a potentially devastating problem. Before the Iraq war, Mohammed Said, then manager of the Subeir pumping station 250 kilometers (155 miles) inland, warned against an environmental catastrophe in the Persian Gulf. He claimed that the pipelines, installed in the 1960s and 1970s, were full of holes and had defective valves, and that a reserve basin for emergencies was nonexistent. "Whenever a tanker docks at the offshore terminal and I start up the pump, I pray to God that nothing happens," he says.
At the time Iraqi oil engineer Said, toeing the government's propaganda line, blamed the problems on damage from the first Gulf war in 1991 and sanctions the United Nations subsequently imposed on the Saddam Hussein regime. Baghdad, he said, simply didn't have the means to repair its oil facilities.
But to this day, three years after the invasion and the lifting of UN sanctions against Iraq, there has been no significant improvement in the condition of these facilities. The Southern Oil Company's (SOC) ailing equipment continues to operate on the verge of collapse. The safety valves on the Fao Peninsula, the last sluice before the giant 48-inch pipelines drop to the ocean floor, are permanently open. "They're so heavily corroded," says a British engineer on board the "Bulwark," "that they probably can't even be closed completely anymore."
http://service.spiegel.de/cache/international/spiegel/0,1518,druck-413981,00.html
http://service.spiegel.de/cache/international
/spiegel/0,1518,druck-413981,00.html
Wonder if this was what they thought was acceptable when they invaded......
And how they planned to put Iraq's oil infrastructure back together to pay for the war and rebuilding?
'Good economy' remains an illusion
ReplyDeleteWith the Iraq debacle, the Washington establishment campaigns for the elections in November on: "The economy is good, the economy is good." As in the old movies, let's have a "preview of coming attractions."
First, Washington hasn't paid a bill in five years. Inheriting a budget "with surpluses as far as the eye can see," the president and Congress have been spending. In five years they have added $2.5 trillion to the national debt. Beginning in 1789, we paid for all the costs of wars and government before this nation reached a trillion dollar debt in 1982. The $300 billion Iraq war didn't cost $2.5 trillion. The Congressional Budget Office now projects that interest costs on the national debt next year will exceed $1 billion a day ? $399 billion. Spending $1 billion a day for nothing. We have just paid personal income taxes to the government ? amounting last year to $927 billion. This means that with interest rates rising the government will spend almost half of its personal income tax take for nothing. To keep the government going we have to borrow about $2 billion a day.
How have we gotten by with this scandalous conduct? The answer is by China and Japan financing our deficits. Japan now directly holds $673 billion of our Treasuries and China $265 billion. China could stop financing our deficits and we would be in trouble.
To observe a good economy, everyone cites that the GDP (Gross Domestic Product) grew last year by 3.6 percent and today's unemployment is low at 4.7 percent. No influence in finance is more corrosive or less recognized than the systematic distortion of U.S. economic reality by government agencies. The government's greatest deception is quoting a deficit less than it is. For example, rather than subtracting spending from revenues, the government credits Social Security surpluses to Social Security and then spends the surplus, reporting a less than actual deficit. I authored the law forbidding the president and Congress from citing a deficit figure that includes Social Security money.
Ignoring the law, President Bush states on page 4 of the U.S. Government Budget for FY 2007: "We now project that the 2006 deficit will come in at 3.2 percent of GDP, or $423 billion ?"
But turn to page 334 of the same budget where it shows the gross federal debt from FY 2005 to FY 2006 increasing $706 billion ? a deficit of $706 billion instead of $423 billion.
The same monkeyshines are employed by the government in reporting the GDP, the CPI (Consumer Price Index), and unemployment. After World War II, the government measured GDP with consumption as 70 percent of the measure. At the time, all we consumed we produced. But today, half of the goods that we consume are produced abroad, and the reported GDP is flawed. For example, the official government GDP figure for the fourth quarter of last year is 1.7 percent. But according to John Williams, a respected conservative Republican economist, the figure "should be close to 2 percent contraction." Alan Greenspan and the Boskin Commission appointed by Congress jimmied the CPI to lessen Social Security payments. Rather than about 3.4 percent, Williams reports that "real CPI right now is running at about 8 percent."
Ernest F. Hollings served as a U.S. senator from South Carolina from 1966-2004.
http://www.charleston.net/stories/?newsID=84520§ion=commentary
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
ReplyDeleteOne of the contributing factors in our call for a financial crash is a collapse in the U.S. dollar.
ReplyDeleteRecent pronouncements by world policymakers suggest they are willing to let the dollar fall in an attempt to cure large global imbalances. By asking for a devaluation of the dollar, policymakers
are unwittingly sowing the seeds of the forthcoming financial crash.
We now believe the medium-term and long-term direction for the dollar is down. Further dollar
weakness from here will cause a continued loss of confidence in the dollar and ultimately dollar-
based assets. The spillover effects of the dollar collapse will create upward pressure on interest
rates that will cause the U.S. bond market to crash. The final spillover effect will be an extended
crash of the U.S. stock market.
Last month's issue of The View detailed how the U.S. government is pressuring China to revalue
their currency upwards, which in effect will weaken the U.S. dollar. 1 This month, The View
extends our currency analysis to include key pronouncements from world policymakers.
Collectively, policymakers now agree the dollar must fall……
World Policymakers want the Dollar to Devalue
Policymakers' worry over global imbalances has finally reached a crescendo. At a meeting ten
days ago in Washington, D.C. the finance ministers and central bankers from seven large countries
(the Group of Seven or G7) hammered out an agreement to "fix" the global imbalances. 5
Here is an excerpt from the G7 communiquéé released after the meeting:
"In emerging Asia, particularly China, greater flexibility in exchange rates is critical to
allow necessary appreciations……" 6
So one of the G7 solutions is to engineer an appreciation of the Chinese currency. Since the
Chinese currency is pegged to the U.S. dollar, the G7 is essentially asking for to devalue the U.S.
dollar. And who represents the United States at G7 meetings? The Secretary of the U.S.
Treasury, John Snow and the Chairman of the U.S. Federal Reserve, Ben Bernanke.
When governments seek to devalue the purchasing power of a currency, every citizen suffers a
loss. Historically, emerging countries like Thailand, Argentina and Mexico have struggled
mightily after the devaluation of their currencies. Now, the largest developed market in the world,
the United States, is asking for its currency to decline.
Following the release of the communiquéé last week, the U.S. dollar fell 2.3% against the euro
currency and the Japanese yen. We believe this is only the tip of the iceberg. Years from now,
when financial commentators look back, we believe the G7's April 21, 2006 communiquéé will be
regarded as historic. The request for non-dollar appreciations (U.S. dollar weakness) will be seen
as unleashing a torrent of market forces that eventually cause the global monetary system to break
apart.
Remember the last time the developed countries got together and announced their wish for an
appreciation of non-dollar currencies (a dollar devaluation)? It was the G5's (the predecessor to
the G7) September 1985 meeting at the Plaza Hotel in New York, dubbed the Plaza Accord.
Fifteen months later the dollar collapsed, a few months after that the U.S. bond market collapsed
and then stock markets around the world collapsed in October 1987.
How US investors can best profit
ReplyDeletefrom the trashing of their currency...
Clive Maund
Many United States investors need to wake up fast and start “thinking outside the box” if they are to preserve their capital. Here is a fact of life - if your assets are denominated in US dollars and the dollar falls in value on world markets by say 50% over the next year or two, as is possible, you will have lost half your capital. It may not seem like it at first as you go about your local shopping, but just watch the inflation that comes down the pipe and you’ll discover the new reality soon enough. Better still, try going on a foreign holiday and see how far you get.
The numbers behind the lies
ReplyDeleteEconomist John Williams says ‘real’ unemployment and inflation numbers -- figured the old-fashioned way -- may be two or three times what the government admits. Here’s why, and what it means for Social Security.
Corporate America likes to play that game, the better to boost stock prices. Folks might be surprised to learn that "Governmental" America also plays the game in its compilation of macroeconomic data. Beneath the surface are undesirable, sobering consequences for us all.
Last weekend, the always-terrific Kate Welling published an interview with an economist named John Williams. It will be available on the free portion of her "pay" site via
http://www.weedenco.com/welling/Downloads/2006/0804welling022106.pdf.
http://www.weedenco.com/welling/
Downloads/2006/0804welling022106.pdf.
starting March 11. This article is the first one that I have seen in which all the flaws in the government data, pertaining to the Consumer Price Index, unemployment, Gross Domestic Product, etc., are disclosed in one piece by someone who's been following the data for a long time.
I have been aware of nearly all the statistical tricks used by the government since they were implemented. Nonetheless, seeing them collectively described in one article is incredibly sobering. Having said that, there is a bit more "black helicopter" insinuation and fewer data points than I would like to see in an article such as this. However, the main points are the math that most folks need to know, but likely do not.
Once you read it, think about it and understand it, you will see why so many thoughtful people -- like Jim Grant, Warren Buffett, Marc Faber, Bill Gross, Fred Hickey and Paul Volcker -- have grave concerns about the future of the dollar (due to the macro imbalances that exist today). In fact, reading this article, you will conclude that there's no way out, short of running the printing presses. The problem with that end game: At some point, foreigners will revolt. One can only hope that, somehow, there will be a way out. But without an understanding of the issues, folks will have no way to react as events unfold, and adjust their assets as we get more clues as to how all this will play out.
Jobs data don't count the down-and-out
Williams starts by discussing the headline economic data: "Real unemployment right now -- figured the way that the average person thinks of unemployment, meaning figured the way it was estimated back during the Great Depression -- is running about 12%. Real CPI right now is running at about 8%. And the real GDP probably is in contraction." (By "real," he means calculating the data the way they used to be calculated, not as inflation-adjusted.)
He then explains how the employment data are compiled, noting that 5 million chronically unemployed people are not included in the statistics. In fact, there are seven or eight different employment statistics. One called U-3 is the official one. The broadest one, U-6, currently shows unemployment as running around 8.4%. As he explains, the one that's the most historically consistent is running around 12%.
What festers underneath the data
Next, he strings together the stock-market and housing bubble, for a summation of where we are: "When that (stock) bubble burst (in 2000), without a foundation of strong income growth, or a financially sound consumer, it triggered a recession that was a lot longer and deeper than the government would have you believe.
"In fact, I contend that what we are in now is a protracted structural change that goes back to the beginning of that 2000 recession, which eventually may be recognized as a double-dip downturn. We did have some recovery in 2003, but in 2005, you started to see signs of a downturn in a variety of leading indicators that I use."
That's not so far off from what I believe. In other words, if you really looked at the data and understood them, you'd see that what appears in the headline numbers is nowhere near what the real supporting data show. Our financial condition is a ticking time bomb. What none of us knows is when it implodes.
http://moneycentral.msn.com/content/P146055.asp?Rating=10&PageID=146055
http://moneycentral.msn.com/content/
P146055.asp?Rating=10&PageID=146055
Bbbbbut we all know the stock market is doing ssoooo goood...
See the Repug clowns want to try to inflate their debts away to keep the game going, its all smoke and mirrors with these guys who will do anything to stay in power and keep the game going, just like Clif said inflation is closer to 8% so if you factor out inflation GDP is negative and the economy isnt growing at all its all phony price gains due to inflation.
ReplyDeleteThe arrogance and Hubris from these people is unreal, they seem to think they can devalue the dollar and pay back our debts to the Chinese and Japanese with dollars that are either worth less or dollars that are worthless and they will accept the losses and say what whatever you want Georgie boy. Our dunce in chief just doesnt understand people arent going to continue doing what he wants or whats best for him indefinately and unfortunately there will be severe consequences for his incompetence and stupidity.
Mike I am reading the interview of John Williams and it is very interesting, I for one am glad I have everything paid for right now...
ReplyDeleteGood article Clif, I posted similar information about 2-3 months ago, the government is using different formulas to calculate statistics than they did historically, as well as a sham known as hedonics to vastly under report inflation and overstate GDP.
ReplyDeleteWorf said "I like how Clif comes in and just blows away the trolls in a couple of detailed posts."
ReplyDeleteyou noticed that as well, we should really try to do the same, TT is just a scummy troll like I said all along, thats obvious after today, he should just be ignored because his drivel isnt worthy of a retort, it just empowers him and helps him hijack the blog by replying to him.
Mike the article is * pdf pages long and he does a real good job explaining what is going on that si not being reported accurately, how the figures got fugged, and what they should say, and what is probably going th happen. scary stuff if you have a significant amount of debt or rely on stocks for your income growth for retirement...
ReplyDeleteI'm going to try and pay all my debts off as quickly as possible too Clif, I just got a big raise and its going to go right toward debt reduction.
ReplyDeleteClif I dont wish for anything bad to happen, but it will almost be poetic justice to see all these blind repug fools that think they are on top of the world and the economy or stock market has never been better humbled. It will be interesting to see if they still have faith in their corrupt clueless leaders after the storm hits.
ReplyDeleteI learned that from my maternal grandfather who lived thru the great depression, and had most of his debt paid off before the depression hit, he did not lose a lot where people around him lost quite a bit but he had not bought a new car until prices fell and lived in the same house for most of his life.... he always said never finance anything you can honestly live with out.
ReplyDeleteSo you expect interest rates to fall?
ReplyDeleteWell, there are a lot of crosscurrents affecting rates here.
Under normal circumstances, the inflation that is coming
into the system through higher oil prices would be spiking
long-term interest rates, but it is not. However, the reason
that you’re not seeing long-term interest rates rising is not
because bond investors are anticipating a weakening in the
economy, it’s because of the strong demand for Treasury
securities by foreign investors. The catch is that demand like
that can turn overnight. If I were looking for one factor here
to signal the onset of some really serious problems, I would
watch the dollar. If you start to see a sharp sell off, or if selling
starts to pick up a little steam and begins to look a little bit
like a panic, or if you start to hear talk of maybe an Asian
country dumping a little extra in the way of dollars, it will be a
sign of some really bad times to come. Because what will happen
in the process is that the liquidity in our system will tend
to dry up. There suddenly will be an excess supply of
Treasuries on the market and you’ll see a sharp spike in interest
rates, along with a sharp spike in inflation—despite the
weakness in the economy.
A really pretinent paragraph, that might have an effect on stocks too.....
http://moneycentral.msn.com/content/
P146055.asp?Rating=10&PageID=146055
clif can you post that link, i'd like to read that article tomorrow.
ReplyDeleteMike the link is right above your 11:00 post, you will have to reassemble it...maybe someday worfeus will feel kind hearted and teach me how to do a link the way he does...
ReplyDeleteThe worst of all possible worlds. But suppose we avoid
ReplyDeleteArmageddon for a while?
I still think you’ll see the dollar down 10% to 20% from
where it is today, on a trade weighted basis. I think the pound
and the Swiss franc will be shining stars against the dollar.
The euro has some problems as does the yen, but they will
rise as well.
And the metals? They are awfully high already—
True, and they can be quite volatile. But there are reasons
that the metals are awfully high. I am not the only person out
here saying that there is something awry with the system
here. This is not normal. This does not have a happy, easy
ending. You see the problems with the oil, you see the political
risks. Part of what you’re seeing in gold is a reaction to
what is beginning to unfold here.
Same article...seems that everything is not as rosy as some would have us believe....but propaganda is king until liberal(cu-dos to Stephen Colbert) reality crashes it, like Baghdad Bob found out, (he's living in the UAE now...) And much to the propaganda's chagrin reality ALWAYS wins...
Happy Cinco de Mayo Everyone!
ReplyDelete"The 5th of May is not Mexican Independence Day, but it should be! And Cinco de Mayo is not an American holiday, but it should be. Mexico declared its independence from mother Spain on midnight, the 15th of September, 1810. And it took 11 years before the first Spanish soldiers were told and forced to leave Mexico.
So, why Cinco de Mayo? And why should Americans savor this day as well? Because 4,000 Mexican soldiers smashed the French and traitor Mexican army of 8,000 at Puebla, Mexico, 100 miles east of Mexico City on the morning of May 5, 1862.
The French had landed in Mexico (along with Spanish and English troops) five months earlier on the pretext of collecting Mexican debts from the newly elected government of democratic President (and Indian) Benito Juarez. The English and Spanish quickly made deals and left. The French, however, had different ideas.
Under Emperor Napoleon III, who detested the United States, the French came to stay. They brought a Hapsburg prince with them to rule the new Mexican empire. His name was Maximilian; his wife, Carolota. Napoleon's French Army had not been defeated in 50 years, and it invaded Mexico with the finest modern equipment and with a newly reconstituted Foreign Legion. The French were not afraid of anyone, especially since the United States was embroiled in its own Civil War.
The French Army left the port of Vera Cruz to attack Mexico City to the west, as the French assumed that the Mexicans would give up should their capital fall to the enemy -- as European countries traditionally did.
Under the command of Texas-born General Zaragosa, (and the cavalry under the command of Colonel Porfirio Diaz, later to be Mexico's president and dictator), the Mexicans awaited. Brightly dressed French Dragoons led the enemy columns. The Mexican Army was less stylish.
General Zaragosa ordered Colonel Diaz to take his cavalry, the best in the world, out to the French flanks. In response, the French did a most stupid thing; they sent their cavalry off to chase Diaz and his men, who proceeded to butcher them. The remaining French infantrymen charged the Mexican defenders through sloppy mud from a thunderstorm and through hundreds of head of stampeding cattle stirred up by Indians armed only with machetes.
When the battle was over, many French were killed or wounded and their cavalry was being chased by Diaz' superb horsemen miles away. The Mexicans had won a great victory that kept Napoleon III from supplying the confederate rebels for another year, allowing the United States to build the greatest army the world had ever seen. This grand army smashed the Confederates at Gettysburg just 14 months after the battle of Puebla, essentially ending the Civil War.
Union forces were then rushed to the Texas/Mexican border under General Phil Sheridan, who made sure that the Mexicans got all the weapons and ammunition they needed to expel the French. American soldiers were discharged with their uniforms and rifles if they promised to join the Mexican Army to fight the French. The American Legion of Honor marched in the Victory Parade in Mexico, City.
It might be a historical stretch to credit the survival of the United States to those brave 4,000 Mexicans who faced an army twice as large in 1862. But who knows?
In gratitude, thousands of Mexicans crossed the border after Pearl Harbor to join the U.S. Armed Forces. As recently as the Persian Gulf War, Mexicans flooded American consulates with phone calls, trying to join up and fight another war for America.
Mexicans, you see, never forget who their friends are, and neither do Americans. That's why Cinco de Mayo is such a party -- A party that celebrates freedom and liberty. There are two ideals which Mexicans and Americans have fought shoulder to shoulder to protect, ever since the 5th of May, 1862. VIVA! el CINCO DE MAYO!!"
Johnny Pork Pie moo moo said...
ReplyDeleteLet's not forget Canada is ripping turban in Afghanistan and has significant forces deployed there.
"While Canada remains committed to the rebuilding of democracy in Afghanistan, there are significant risks involved in these types of operations, but the Canadian Forces remain one of the best trained, and most experienced and professional militaries in the world."
Right On Canada! You guys rock. At least you know who the "real" (Osama) enemy is!
Bush only goes by his mistaken "gut feelings" lead by probable indigestion. Maybe he should have some Tums or Maalox so he can hear his gut more clearly.
Osama sounds a lot different then Sadam.
Worf said: "I like how Clif comes in and just blows away the trolls in a couple of detailed posts."
ReplyDeleteSo that's how you feel when you agree with something, and when you don't, it's SPAM?
Thanx fot the compliment Rene - I must admit I learned something today about the Civil War and Mexicans......interesting.
ReplyDeleteOne thing for sure, Canada wont spend half a billion bucks on a giant embassy.
BTW, I also have to admit I like Olivia Newton John as well; I have her greatest hits CD.
Is that your pussy playing one of her albums?
My extraordinary powers of being able to see into the future suggest Lydia is going to post today!
ReplyDeleteBut I must not abuse my powers!
Top 9 Suggested Ann Coulter Book Titles
ReplyDeleteWe here at The Nose On Your Face are big fans of best-selling conservative authoress Ann Coulter. As a friendly gesture to her, our staff have compiled a list of potential titles for any upcoming books she may be planning.
9. Ann Coulter's Guide To Self Defense Against Non-violent, Tolerant, Peace Protesters
8. Ted Kennedy Is To Politics What Ted Kennedy Is To Designated Drivers
7. Reasoning With Liberals, Stapling Jell-O To Your Shoe & Other Exercises In Futility
6. Barbara Boxer: The Unauthorized Biography
5. Harry Reid & The Filibuster of Azkaban
4. Republicans Are From Mars, Democrats Are From Uranus
3. The Liar, The Bitch & The Wardrobe: A comprehensive overview of the Clinton/Lewinsky affair
2. Letters From My Mom's Basement: A look at hippie contributions to society
1. Liberalism: Logic's Retarded Cousin
(Disclaimer: Any similarities between TNOYF's "Top 9" lists and other organizations "Top 10" lists are purely coincidental. As you can see, our lists have 9, theirs have 10. Way different.)
http://www.thenoseonyourface.com/the_nose_on_your_face/2005/06/top_9_suggested.html