November 14, 2009 archive

Scooter Libby Justice

Glenn Greenwald

A restoration of the rule of law — meaning an end to immunity for high-level political officials who commit crimes — was a central prong of the Obama campaign.  Those who called for a pardon of Lewis Libby — even on the oh-so-clever “progressive” political grounds concocted by Bauer — were as antithetical to that pledge could be.  Yet here is that pro-pardon Washington lawyer now being named as White House counsel.

Then again, one of the few positions more expressive of “Scooter Libby justice” than calling for a pardon of Libby himself is the view that all high-level Bush officials should be immunized from prosecution — even those who committed grievous war crimes and other serious felonies — because it’s more important that we “look to the future” than it is to apply the rule of law equally. If immunity for high-level war criminals — and for lawbreakinng telecoms — isn’t “Scooter Libby justice,” what is?

Viewed that way, Bauer will seem to fit in well in his new position.

In the same host.

Gary Johnson, the Libertarian-minded former two-term Governor of New Mexico, is raising his profile as he looks at a possible 2012 run for the GOP presidential nomination. In October, Governor Johnson, who remains popular in the Land of Enchantment but largely unknown outside it, told the Santa Fe New Mexican that he will be launching a political action committee called Our America PAC to promote his libertarian, small-government ideas. He would neither confirm nor deny, however, that he is entertaining a presidential run.

Late Night Karaoke

Open Thread

Another way the corporatists f**cked up America

Ever wonder why the right wing corporate shills disparage “Europe” and everything “European” and they associate liberalism with “european” ideals?    

Because many countries in Europe are better off than we are, that’s why.   And because the Corporatists don’t like that.  They want Americans to think that “America is the greatest country in the world” and all of that jingoistic bullshit, because, well, that fits into their brainwashing plan for the American worker.

Check this out.   Turns out that the economic downturn in Germany was just as bad as it was here, save for one particular aspect:   there wasn’t the mass unemployment that there was here.   Far more people kept their jobs in Germany.  

It’s no accident.  It’s because they have these things there called “laws”.   Apparently they haven’t yet had their German version of the heroic Ronald Reagan asshole to come in and convince them that that piss dripping down on them was actually rain.    They actually know what’s going on, and they have this concept of “the common good” where they actually take care of their own.  

For the communication host.

Big process news: White House Communications Director Anita Dunn is resigning. Deputy Dan Pfeiffer will take over. This is not a rebuke for Dunn; she made it clear from the get-go that her job was a temporary one.

Homeless in Carlsbad

The Homesteader

http://www.currentargus.com/ca…

They don’t leave links open for long (you have to pay $2.95 per article) so I thought I should get this out now.

This is a freaky story. It’s a GOOD article, but I worry about this woman. And the Topix comments are really disturbing. There’s lots more. I’m trying to talk to these people (and some see it my way) about how wrong it is to be down in this lady. I’m inclined to think that Valerie Cranston (with whom I’m acquainted) shouldn’t have run this, but since she did, well now we go with it, right?

Random Japan

IF IT FEELS GOOD

It was reported that a bunch of guys in Harajuku, known as the “skirt tribes,” have taken to wearing women’s clothing. I always thought those guys were called Scots.

Actress Noriko Sakai said at her drug trial that she was ready for a lifestyle change, vowing to dump her loser hubby and take courses to become a nurse.

Romi, the 38-year-old daughter of jazzman Terumasa Hino, ‘fessed up to using stimulants during her own trial in Tokyo.

In a classic case of you-grab-mine, I’ll-grab-yours, a 35-year-old Korean purse snatcher was caught in Osaka when one of his elderly victims grabbed his bag as he made off with hers. The thief’s ATM card with his name on it was in his bag.

A group of Chinese women working at an underwear factory in Nagasaki filed a complaint after being paid ¥400 or less per hour when working overtime. They also said their break times were deducted for trips to the loo.

Got Candy At Big Candy Store At Teh Malls!!!!!!!

FRIDAY NIGHT DISTRACTIONS

With all that`s going on right now, it may be difficult to distract you, or you may need to be distracted all the more.

These are images I`ve taken as early as today to some from years gone by.

There should be something for everybody in the mix.

Although it would be great if nobody needed to be distracted, I do fear those days are not soon to be.

I hope these help.

I`ll start with one of my cactus blooms from a large new cactus garden I`ve almost completed.

Garden Beauty

(one of my cactus blooms)

DSCN0018

Overnight Caption Contest

Smash the State?

Back in the late 60’s I was part of a loose left-wing collective and we liked to chant “Smash the State” — we were sort-of anarchists and we were young and stupid. We held pep rallies, concerts and LSD was freely being taken. We ran from cops and kept moving.

I don’t think we really understood what we were trying to do. But I think all of us felt we needed to encourage our fellow humans to be fully human and less machine-like. We wanted to break laws and rules not just for the thrill of doing so but to liberate ourselves from our dreadful inheritance as Americans — something we dimly perceived but instinctually understood.

Let’s Put Sarah Palin for President to Bed

I am sitting here watching Chris Matthews and his guests consider Palin possibilities.  They are talking about her book and her inability to take responsibility but her ability to get people to support her.  They spoke on her comment to Couric about being able to see Russia from Alaska, therefore being able to understand foreign policy with Russia and I swear I can’t tell if they are serious or not.  They are saying she is short on smarts and ability, but through all of this she IS a contender for president.  And it really seems like they are trying to be serious.

What is this?  I don’t have to go into her history as a character on the scene since her nomination for vice president, but how can you devote a segment of your show to bolster/ponder/consider this , I’m sorry, polarizing nitwit, as a real contender for president?

Something is wrong.  With Chris Matthews.  He offers that Palin impresses him even though her thoughts aren’t clear.  How can you try to propel this woman?  Chris better get out of town with this nonsense.

Why on earth does this woman not have to earn it?  Why are they giving her this?  Because she can move a crowd?  Because she can form a crowd?  The media has the ability to make or break or pass altogether.  And they are opting to give her handicap ponits?  This lady is Carrie Prejean on steroids.  Orly Taitz on a mild sedative, but not presidential,  Not smart.  Not a leader.  She quit her job.  She whines.  She attacks.  She polarizes.  She is currently at war with her daughter’s baby father, a mere teen, if twenty.  She believes there are 2 Americas and that it is her job to make the America she sides with win.

I am baffled by Chris’ segment on her.  I am not going to go backward from a sensible leader to insanity.  

In short, I want an apology from Chris from this segment of his show, or I want Chris to admit he’s a troublemaker.

Load more