ledge of liberty

RNC: Simplification & Testiculation

Okay, in a nutshell, McCain’s speech...

Saddam Hussein, 9/11, hate our freedom, grab balls, cough, repeat. Saddam Hussein, 9/11, hate our freedom, grab balls, cough, repeat. Saddam Hussein, 9/11, hate our freedom, grab balls, cough, repeat. Saddam Hussein, 9/11, hate our freedom, grab balls, cough, repeat. Etc...

B-B-But, what about Osama Bin Laden? Wasn’t he responsible for 9/11? It’s mind blowing to watch a group of people spend a whole night in the city of New York, pontificating about September 11th and never once mentioning the person behind it. Interesting indeed.

Moving Hell: No time for blogging

The past few days have been blogless -- I'm sorry, I’m in moving hell. Blogging time is pretty much non-existent, so it’ll be threadbare here for the next 2 weeks. Once things are settled -- all shall return link-a-licious.

Until then, there’s always this.

Operation Handover of Links: Just bought a PowerBook edition

• GOP snags the Amish vote, further proving -- you’d have to live under a rock or be Amish to vote Bush [AP/MSNBC]
• Bulk up on your Cockney, rap, and creole slang -- you might just need it when you end up in Gitmo [Independent]
• Tourist helicopters, the latest in New York terror chatter [Reuters/Yahoo]
• Andy and Kickel rock the vote [Liquid Generation]
• Swift brats for Bush led by GOP bankrolled operative -- wow, that’s a surprise [CHB]
• "When I watch you eat, when I see you asleep, when I look at you lately, I just want to smash your face in." [War of the Roses]
• Mmmmm delicious new PowerBook [Apple Store]

Abu Ghraib: The musical

This has Christopher Guest written all over it. Off, off, way off Broadway -- it’s called 'A New Middle East' and it hit the Jordanian stage Wednesday. It’s the story of Abu Ghraib featuring one spike-heeled Lynndie England [Suhair Fahed], a handful of detainees, and various acts of rape and torture.

I haven’t found any reports on this one, no playbills either -- so, for now, you'll just have to settle for the pictures.

Scenes from 'A New Middle East' [Reuters/Yahoo]

The Struggle Against Ideological Extremists Who Do Not Believe in Free Societies Who Happen to Use Terror as a Weapon To Try To Shape The Conscience Of The Free World -- Formerly Known as "The War on Terror"

I think it’s official -- Bush isn’t the guy who comes up with all those short little easy to parrot sound bytes that the Bush administration is so fond of. Today, while addressing the "Unity Journalists of Color Convention," Bush decided to toss out "The War on Terror" in favor of a more, well "detailed" catchphrase.

"We actually misnamed the War on Terror. It ought to be the Struggle Against Ideological Extremists Who Do Not Believe in Free Societies Who Happen to Use Terror as a Weapon To Try To Shape The Conscience Of The Free World." –George Bush 07/06/04

Bush renames 'war on terrorism' [News24]
Remarks by the President to the Unity Journalists of Color Convention [WH]

Sex Aid comes to Alabama by Way of Bush

When we reported, "sexually frustrated red state Alabamians will have to resort to sex with their husbands due to new anti sex toy legislation" -- we didn’t expect Bush to offer up such a viable alternative.

Alabama: Dildo-free zone  [Ledge of Liberty]
Federal Court OKs Ban on Sale of Sex Toys  [AP]
Crimson Cry: Court OKs Alabama ban on Sex Toys  [Wonkette]

Operation Handover of Links: No coffee edition

• New York State Senator Thomas Libous (R-C) is looking for a secretary with [finger quotes] "Performing Arts" [nudge wink] experience [Monster.com]
• Political intelligence -- officially oxymoron [Dean Nation]
• Nuestro Presidente el pandering idiota [GeorgeBush.com]
• White people whispering on aiplane -- courteous. Ethnic people whispering on airplane -- terrorists [UnMedia]
• The latest angle in the swift brats for Bush campaign [Daily Kos]
• Kerry criticizes Bush’s fondness for Pet Goats [USA Today/Yahoo]

New Ways to Harm Our Country: Elect the village idiot

Must...resist...temptation...to make...fun of...Bush...growing weak...can’t resist...too powerful...too funny...too stupid...

"Our enemies are innovative and resourceful, and so are we. They never stop thinking about new ways to harm our country and our people, and neither do we." -George Bush 07/05/04

Bush Misspeak Cites U.S. Readiness to Harm U.S. [Reuters]
The Wit and Wisdom of the Anti-Bush Crowd: It's Funny Because He's Evil! Evil and Dumb! [Wonkette]

Oddments: Freedom fries or terror treats edition

Overheard on a Train in New York [Political Wire]

Q. Do you really think George Bush would scare New Yorkers about a potential terrorist attack if it was only based on four year old information?

A. They invaded a country based on 12 year old information.

Katherine Harris (R-FL 13th) spreading bogus terror threats. [AP/Yahoo]

She told the audience that while in the Midwest recently, a mayor told her about a plot in Carmel and how a man of Middle Eastern heritage had been arrested and hundreds of pounds of explosives were found in his home.

"He had plans to blow up the area's entire power grid," she said, according to the newspaper.

City officials in Carmel said they know of no such plot.

Bullying at Bush event. [AP ]

When gatekeepers announced final seating for those with tickets, protesters with tickets tried to get in, but their tickets were grabbed and torn up, and police threatened them with arrest if they argued back. One woman screamed, "You're tearing up my ticket," and hit back at the man when he started shoving her with his chest, trying to shut her up. The police arrested the woman.

The Ozzy Vote

[Bush bites head off baby -- nabs MTV vote]

Bankgate

Why is it that wherever politicians go -- money disappears?

3 Banks Robbed During Bush, Kerry Visit [AP]
Robbers Get Busy During Candidates' Visits [Reuters]

North Korea, Missiles, and Rev Moon

Putting aside the "3-4 year-old" intelligence [oxymoron] that has Washington and the media freaking out at the moment, there seems to be a more immediate issue. North Korea is deploying nuclear sea-based missiles that could be used to target the west coast. [Reuters]

U.S. Defense Intelligence Agency documents show -- North Korean dictator Kim Jong-Il received the warheads by way of the Reverend Sun Myung Moon. [Gorenfeld]

Reverend Moon, owner of the Washington Times and the self proclaimed 2nd coming of Christ, was recently crowned in front of 81 Congressmen in a bizarre coronation ceremony. With a long financial and political relationship with the Bush family, Rev Moon has declared “There will be a purge on God's orders, and evil will be eliminated like shadows. Gays will be eliminated, the 3 Israels will unite. If not then they will be burned. We do not know what kind of world God will bring but this is what happens. It will be greater than the communist purge but at God's orders.”

For all things Moonie, visit John Gorenfeld’s blog.

Oddments: 'Just say no to terror' edition

Turkmenistanians will now be tested on scripture when applying for a driver’s license. [Reuters/Yahoo] Lets just hope John Ashcroft doesn’t get any ideas – like singing “ Let the Eagle Soar” when applying for a liqueur ID.

Is it coincidence – the day Tom Ridge sends New York into a police state panic zone with 3-4 year old intelligence , Bush launches a campaign ad called “Together ” featuring images of September 11th?

A Japanese man was arrested for writing down the words "suicide bomb" while flying en route to Ohio. Apparently, he was teaching himself English by copying the newspaper. A Transportation Security Administration employee offers, "We caution people not to write about bombs because if they're going on vacation, their travel plans will be disrupted." [AP/Yahoo] Maybe a ban on pencils? Boycott France?

FOX News: Now with extra paranoia

Top 10 Terror Tips Countdown

10. "Terror Tip: Carefully inspect mail before opening; check for return address, post mark, excessive postage, ect..."
9. "Terror Tip: Try to fly on wide-body planes; terrorists often avoid them."
8. "Terror Tip: Never take the first taxicab in line; hail a moving cab instead."
7. "Terror Tip: Spend as little time at the airport as possible; avoid heavily glassed areas."
6. "Terror Tip: When in a foreign country, don’t advertise that you’re an American by speaking loudly, holding up maps, exchanging currency at airports, showing American flags, etc..."
5. "Terror Tip: Never stay in a hotel with an underground parking garage and never park on such a garage -- terrorists love car bombs."
4. "Terror Tip: Try to avoid crowded areas; Especially in large cities; avoid public transportation and tunnels and bridges during heavy commuting times."
3. "Terror Tip: Only carry essential money cards and identification."
2. "Terror Tip: Do not live or work in a highly urban area that most likely would be a terrorist’s target, such as New York City, Washington D.C., or San Francisco."
1. "Terror Tip: Make out a will and letter of instruction in case you die. Get fingerprinted, get your blood samples and obtain dental X-rays so your body can be identified incase you fall victim to an attack."

For more fun filled tips, there’s “Staying Safe: The Complete Guide to Protecting Yourself, Your Family, and Your Business” available from amazon.com.

Plan for America: Thank God someone has one

Leave it to Kerry and Edwards -- they've released a free to download book called Our Plan for America. The aptly named 252 pages outline what the Kerry/Edwards ticket has planned for the presidency.

The book focuses on three main objectives; security, opportunity, and family – sounds like your basic broad-stroke election punditry, but Our Plan for America goes beyond empty sound bytes to explain in simple terms what the Kerry/Edwards team has to offer. My only criticism -- the book uses the word "America" 871 times. That's a whole lot of America.

Basic Summary... To rebuild "a strong, respected America" looking to leadership of Presidents past -- Wilson, Roosevelt, Truman, and kennedy. To create an "energy independent America" by putting an end to America’s dependence on Mideast oil. To Build a strong economy by raising up the middle class. To go beyond the empty promises of “No Child Left Behind”, to raises teachers salaries, and to provide quality, affordable, health insurance for every American. Conclusion? 'One America' where everyone has access to the American Dream. A more detailed summary here.

Kerry also embraced recommendations by the commission that investigated the Sept. 11 attacks, including a national intelligence director to oversee the numerous government agencies that collect and decipher threat information.

"John and I know that we can build a safer America by reaching out to other countries, bringing people to our side and remembering that never does the United States of America go to war because it wants to, we go to war because we have to," Kerry told supporters at a discount mall in Springfield, Ohio, on Sunday.

The Bush campaign said the president has already acted on most of Kerry's ideas, detailing actions in 31 of 33 cases where Kerry has called for change.

Bush also asked Congress to increase homeland security spending 14% next year to add money for law enforcement, vaccines and other terror prevention and response programs. Most of the rest of the budget, except for defense, proposed little to no additional spending to limit growing budget deficits. [AP/USA Today]

Pissing Off Bush: Puppet edition

It's the Southpark creators Trey Parker and Matt Stone who have the Whitehouse fuming today. Their new film, Team America: World Police, uses marionettes to tell the story of an elite special missions team that combats both global terrorism and leftist celebrities. It also hits the box office 2 weeks before the November election.

"I really do not think terrorism is funny, and I would suggest PARAMOUNT give respect to those fighting and sacrificing to keep America safe," a senior Bush adviser told the DRUDGE REPORT this weekend.

The senior White House adviser, who asked not to be named, fumed after seeing the movie's website and trailer.

"This is just unconscionable. Not funny..." [Drudge]

It’ll be interesting to watch how the Bush administration and the right wing reacts to the film over the next weeks. Paramount has sunk $20 million bucks into the project, and while I don’t think they’ll succumb to the browbeating, as did Disney, I do think there'll be quite a bit of media criticism.

So there it is -- in theaters October 2004, Team America: World Police, another thing to piss off George Bush.

Vague Terror Threats: Can’t swing a dead cat

Always with the vague, non-specific, non-detailed, unnamed, unsubstantiated, uncorroborated, yet credible terrorist chatter. Last week it was Boston, then it was California and New Mexico, and today it’s New York. Let’s just hope the FBI isn’t still getting their intelligence from a guy named Curveball.

[CNN] New intelligence indicates al Qaeda is threatening to attack corporate and financial institutions in New York City, a federal law enforcement official has told CNN.

The official said on Saturday the information suggests "there is a new plan in the works."

There are no details on possible methods of attack, and authorities are aware of no specific time frame.

Although the information has not been corroborated, its source is considered credible, the official said.

A New York City official said Saturday that police and members of the Joint Terrorism Task Force, which includes representatives of federal agencies, have met this weekend. The official said city agencies are on high alert.

The New York Police Department issued a statement Saturday, warning, "Intelligence reporting indicates that al Qaeda continues to target for attack commercial and financial institutions, as well as international organizations, inside the United States.

"The New York City Police Department has deployed its resources accordingly."

On Friday, the FBI issued a threat advisory to law enforcement officials in New York.

The nation's threat level is at category "yellow," or elevated, but New York City's has been at "orange," or high, since the September 11, 2001, attacks.

Homeland Security officials spoke with New York Police Commissioner Ray Kelly Friday night and indicated that the attacks might be carried out with car or truck bombs.

Federal officials also met with Homeland Security Secretary Tom Ridge. There were meetings Friday night and Saturday.

New York police recommended Saturday that companies consider taking precautions, including:

-Posting security at the fresh-air intake in heating, ventilation and air conditioning rooms, if they are accessible to the public, and keep the rooms locked

-Challenging maintenance workers when maintenance has not been requested, and watching for unexpected deliveries

-Testing alarm systems, including those on rooftop doors

New York is preparing for the Republican National Convention, which will begin August 30.

The Department of Homeland Security has named the convention a national special security event, meaning the Secret Service will coordinate security.

Ridge said in early July that al Qaeda was planning a large-scale attack in "an effort to disrupt the democratic process" before the elections in November.

Dems Must Sign Bush/Cheney Loyalty Oath

Do you [insert name here] solemnly swear to take Dick Cheney and George Bush for another 4 years -- to love, honor, and protect them. For richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, for as long as they both shall live?

I'm sure the official pledge is a bit different, but surely the overall gist is the same. So if you're a registered Democrat, curious to hear your President or Vice President speak -- unless you sign the Bush/Cheney "loyalty oath" -- you’ll be refused tickets.

[AP/Star Tribune] Some Democrats who signed up to hear Vice President Dick Cheney speak here Saturday were refused tickets unless they signed a pledge to endorse President Bush.

The measure was a security step designed to avoid a disruption, which Bush campaign spokesman Dan Foley alleged Democrats were planning. Democratic Party officials denied it.

Several Democrats, at least, encountered the screening measures Thursday after calling from a line that self-identified as ACT, America Coming Together, an activist group that supports Kerry, Foley said. Others attempted to give false names and were denied tickets, he said.

Two men who had sought tickets reported they were required to give name, address, phone number, e-mail address and driver's license number, then were presented the pledge of endorsement when they arrived to pick up the tickets Thursday.

One of them, John Wade of Albuquerque, said he signed the pledge because he wanted the tickets but then changed his mind.

"I got to thinking this is not right," Wade said. "They're excluding people -- that's what has me so upset."

He returned the tickets and campaign workers returned his pledge.

Vietnam veteran Michael Ortiz y Pino said he refused to sign the pledge and was refused tickets.

Ortiz y Pino said he was asked if he associated with veterans, pro-life, gun rights or teacher groups.

Neither man wanted to give driver's license numbers but did so.

"I said why do you need that?" Ortiz y Pino said.

A campaign worker, he said, replied: "Secret Service stuff."

Kerry campaign spokesman Ruben Pulido Jr. said there had been no plan by the campaign to disrupt Cheney's event.

"I think that every American should have the right to see their vice president and hear from him firsthand what he plans to do for our country," Pulido said.

He also said the Kerry campaign had not attempted to screen Bush supporters out of Kerry's appearance at the National Hispanic Cultural Center in Albuquerque on July 9.

On that occasion, about a dozen Bush supporters wearing flip-flop beach sandals began chanting "Viva Bush" and waved their flip-flops over their heads. They contend Kerry has flip-flopped on the war.

The incident ended peacefully.

For Saturday's event, Foley, a New Mexico legislator, said the Cheney campaign didn't want supporters denied places that might be taken by detractors.

Some Democrats who are Bush supporters were welcomed without signing anything, he said.

The endorsement pledges, he said, were for screening purposes, not for any advertisement listing names of Democrats who support Bush.

Foley asked of the Kerry-Edwards campaign: "How many tickets did you give to Bush-Cheney supporters from New Mexico to hear Senator Kerry's speech tonight at the Democratic National Convention?"

Asked if Cheney might discuss a terrorism warning issued Thursday for New Mexico, Foley said he did not know.

Richard Fox, a political science instructor at a local community college, said attempts to screen political events is commonplace.

But he said: "This pledge or this 'loyalty oath' -- quote-unquote -- to me is unheard of."

05:36 AM in News | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack