March 5, 2009 archive

Senator? Call Your Lawyer. You’re Going to Jail

That’s right, Senator. You know who you are. Everyone who matters knows who you are. Your worst nightmare is about to come true.

Whistle blowers and witness? Step forward, patriots. It’s time.

Obama takes aim at costly defense contracts

President Barack Obama said on Wednesday the U.S. government was paying too much for things it did not need and ordered a crackdown on spending “plagued by massive cost overruns and outright fraud.”

The Democrat, under fire from Republicans for the $3.5 trillion price tag for his 2010 budget plan, also took aim at predecessor George W. Bush and noted the cost of government contracts had doubled to more than half a trillion dollars over the past eight years.

“The days of giving defense contractors a blank check are over,” Obama told reporters in a briefing on his reforms.

“Far too often spending is plagued by massive cost overruns, outright fraud and the absence of oversight and accountability,” said Obama, who campaigned on promises of sweeping change and greater accountability in Washington.

Late Night Karaoke

Nikai Thursday

Birth of a Whitewash: Who Testified at Leahy Torture Commission Hearings?

There has been plenty of controversy on the issue of conducting a Congressional or independent investigation into the interrogations policy and torture activities of the Bush administration over the last seven or eight years.

One of the primary worries by those who oppose a “truth and reconciliation”-style investigation is that it would preempt possible prosecutions, or at worst, be a cover-up of some of the worst crimes involved. Those who favor such an investigation believe that is only with a broad investigation will all the information really be unearthed.

The hearing today by the Senate Judiciary Committee — “Getting to the Truth Through a Nonpartisan Commission of Inquiry” — chaired by Senator Patrick Leahy (D-VT), was called to explore options for investigating past torture and counter-terrorism policy.  The committee called six witnesses, some for, some against such an investigation. But a close look at the backgrounds and affiliations of even most of the pro-investigation witnesses should give us deep pause, and ask what kind of commission are we being set up for?

The Media Wars

It’s pretty well accepted that to participate on the grand stage in the 21st century (and this was obviously true of the 20th century as well) requires a media strategy and that the major players will, of course, have competing media strategies that seek to further their own goals and impede those of their ideological opponents.

It’s interesting to consider two recent multi-day stories in this light.

First off, just this afternoon, over at Talking Points Memo, I saw what is evidently a new development in the the whole “Rush Limbaugh is the leader of the Republican Party” imbroglio.

Just to backtrack a little – it’s certainly been interesting to watch the whole Michael Steele/Rush Limbaugh fiasco especially in light of the power that Limbaugh unquestionably holds in the party.  Back at the end of January President Obama reportedly told Republican congressional leaders “You can’t just listen to Rush Limbaugh and get things done.”

Are We Lame

Instead of surfing the usual Apocalyptic channels I thought I’d check the normal channels for what is popular on the internet.  

Pony Party: Fun with Charts

song chart memes
more music charts

Pony Party is an Open Thread.  Please do not rec the party.

Damn Those Welfare Queens: Health Care

Imagine vice presidents, Board of Directors, and stock holders all cashing in on denying you benefits while collecting your premiums.  If you are uninsured, try calling any one of the 23 CEOs listed below and see if they will give you free insurance.  

Image:  Seppo LeinonenPhotobucket

Dystopia 1: The Old Future’s Gone



Cause the old future’s gone

The old future’s gone

You can’t get to there from here

The old future’s gone

The old future’s dead and gone

Never to return

There’s a new way through the hills ahead

This one we’ll have to earn

This one we’ll have to earn

Hunters in October

Raise their guns in sport

Is war another animal or

A beast of last resort

The beast of last resort

The old future’s gone

The old future’s gone

All passengers must disembark

The old future’s gone

Fear took down the winged life

The winged life we’ve led

So kiss the joy as it goes by

Poet William said

Blake the poet said…

John Gorka “The Old Future’s Gone”

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