Propaganda Run Amok

It's not enough that our government paid so-called journalists in this country to play nice with them (Maggie Gallagher, Armstrong Williams), but we're also doing it in Iraq.

Not that a little good news coming out of Iraq is a bad thing. It's just that it should be news, and not some planted story put there by the Ministry of Truth to make the average Iraqi in the Baghdad street think that we're the fucking liberators or whatever.

Truth be told, I don't think we're fooling the average Iraqi in the streets of Baghdad. Would you be fooled if you read in the paper that the strangers kicking in your door and setting off willy-peter rockets up your ass was actually your friend, come to liberate you from the evil dictator?

Yeah, me neither.

Execution Milestone Postponed

What was scheduled to be the United States' 1000th execution since the reinstatement of the death penalty and the Utah firing squad execution of Gary Gilmore in 1977 will not occur as planned today.

Instead, Virginia governor Mark Warner -- said to have presidential ambitions -- yesterday commuted the sentence of Robin Lovitt to life in prison without parole.

Leave it to the wingnuts to jump all over soft-on-crime Warner for this act of compassion. That's what they do best. They're the "pro-life" people you know. They're the ones who believe in promoting the "culture of life". I actually heard that fucking smarmy crypto-fascist wacko-waco-cultist Orrin Hatch (R-Polygamist) say one time that "the death penalty is how we demonstrate our respect for life". Jesus, talk about some Orwellian bullshit there!

But the big milestone is only postponed, not avoided. And postponed most like only a couple of days -- two more victims of this state-sponsored terrorism are scheduled to walk the green mile on Friday, one each in the two Carolinas.

BTW, Texas leads the pack in total numbers of executions at 355. That's 261 more than its nearest competitor, Virginia, and 276 more than number three, Oklahoma.

Jesus Christ, people. Simple math ought to tell you that the death penalty isn't a deterrent in Texas. And if it isn't a deterrent in Texas, then it sure as hell isn't a deterrent anywhere else.

Isn't it about time we ended this barbarous practice and got out of the business of killing people?

Oh, wait. I forgot where I am. This is the good ole USA, and that's what we do best.

We kill people.

One Veteran's Voice: A Must Read

For an excellent brief analysis of the Mess-o-potamia and the actions of one George W. Bush, see One Veteran's Voice As goes Israel. He actually holds out some hope, something I haven't seen for a while.

His blog is a must-read -- I have it on my "daily list" set of tabs (Firefox) and never miss it. It's a welcome new voice here in Left Blogistan, bringing the unique perspective of the recently returned Iraqi War veteran to the blogosphere.

Here is an excerpt that sounds like the thoughts of just about every Vietnam veteran that I know:

I simply cannot stand by idly as more people die. It stains my conscience. I can accept that the cause I fought for was true and just, but ultimately foolhardy. Truth is--when I was fighting I was more concerned with my the immediate survival of myself and my comrades than any political goals. Democracy was the furthest thing from my mind when I was blasting people with a 7.62mm machine gun.

Check out his blog over at One Veteran's Voice. You'll be glad you did.

One Down, Several Hundred to Go

It's the arrogance, really, more than anything else, that bothers me so fucking much about the Repugnican thugs that have swaggered in and taken over my country.

So it was with great, brimming, undisguised pleasure that I absorbed the news today about one of my favorite guys-you-love-to-hate, Randy "Duke" Cunningham, who pleaded guilty to various charges of bribery and corruption.

Like my good friend RJB over at Words Have Power has been saying for a long time, it was time for Duke to go.

But Duke, before you go, I gotta say, $2 million???!!! Don't you think that was just a little excessive?

Like I say, it's the arrogance. I almost feel sorry (not really) for the fucker, a guy just a little older than me, looking at a stiff prison term, resigning in disgrace from the US House, dragged into a courtroom in front of an "activist" judge... Well, you know the whole story by now.

See ya, Randy. And oh, by the way, if somebody asks you in the shower if that's your soap on the floor, deny it.

Weekly "Bush Twins in Uniform" Watch

It has now been 557 days since Jenna and Not-Jenna Bush, the slacker offspring of Preznit Numnutz, graduated from college and they are still not in the uniform of the US armed services.

Why? Because they have other priorities. They are too busy partying down in Georgetown to show their support for the war by enlisting their chickenhawk-child selves into the military service, that's why.

One of the more memorable cadence chants at the September protest in DC went like this: "Not our sons, not our fathers. If you want war, send your daughters."

Be sure to sign the Buzzflash petition and demand that the Bush offspring enlist, or else bring the troops home. If it's not a cause noble enough for any of the children of the Bush Dynasty to join, then it's not noble enough for our sons and daughters to die for.

Note: I got some Monkey Mail about this issue on a previous post -- check it out and see what fish people are saying about it. Among other things, that we have a "voluntary military" -- yeah, that's the fucking point.

Today's Quiz

It's time for another episode of Who Said It and When. Put on your thinking caps and see if you can identify the big-time Repugnican thug who said the following:

1. "So many minority youths had volunteered that there was literally no room for patriotic folks like myself." -- Explaining at the 1988 GOP convention why he and vice presidential nominee Dan Quayle did not fight in the Vietnam War.


2. "Now tell me the truth boys, is this kind of fun?" -- To three young hurricane evacuees from New Orleans at the Astrodome in Houston, Sept. 9, 2005.


3. "I AM the federal government." -- To the owner of Ruth's Chris Steak House, after being told to put out his cigar because of federal government regulations banning smoking in the building, May 14, 2003.


4. "I am not a federal employee. I am a constitutional officer. My job is the Constitution of the United States, I am not a government employee. I am in the Constitution." -- CNN interview, Dec. 19, 1995.


5. "Nothing is more important in the face of a war than cutting taxes." -- March 12, 2003.

You probably already guessed it: It was the Bugman himself, our old buddy Tom Delay, soon to be appearing in prison blues.

What an asshole. And god damn those minorities for preventing him and Danny Quayle from doing their patriotic duty and fighting in Vietnam.

Motherfucker.

Winter Soldier

Last night I had the opportunity to see Winter Soldier, the documentary about the three-day Winter Soldier Investigation held in Detroit in late January and early February 1971. The film, long unavailable for public viewing, is currently making the rounds of art houses and film societies throughout the country.

Filmed in stark black and white, the film contains snippets of the testimony given by some of the more than 100 participants and parts of interviews given by those men and others who talked of atrocities and war crimes they participated in or witnessed while they were in Vietnam.

Controversial since day one, both the Winter Soldier Investigation and the film made during it have come under fire over the years, most recently during the last presidential election when the rightwing attempted to use it as ammunition against John Kerry.

Occasional inserts of color photos taken of the participants while they were in country were added to the film later and serve to blunt some of the over-the-top criticism by many on the right that none of the participants were actually veterans who had served in Vietnam.

From my own time in Vietnam (1968-69), I can tell you that while I personally saw no atrocities of the kind described in the WSI testimony, it was "in the air" that they were taking place, and taking place on a regular basis.

One of the criticisms of the film (and the testimony itself) has been, basically, "yeah, so what -- shit happens in war". Well, yes it does. But does that make it right? If every invading army since the beginning of time has done these things, does that make them any the less war crimes?

Wikipedia (of course) has an excellent overview article on WSI, and be sure to read the companion talk section to get a feel for some of the flavor and the heat of the controversy surrounding the WSI.

The Sixties Project has the complete testimony of the participants -- read their statements for yourself and see if you think it's all lies.

In the meantime, if you get the chance to see this powerful film, be sure to take it. A Google search for "winter soldier film schedule" turns up over 14,000 hits. You ought to be able to find a showing near you.

Friday Cat Blogging

The Fun Never Stops

As if the fucking bitch Jean Schmidt wasn't already in enough hot water, now it comes out that the poor state representative who she blamed for calling Murtha a coward never even said it.

From the Cincinatti Enquirer story:

Danny Bubp, a freshman state representative who is a colonel in the Marine Corps Reserve, told The Enquirer that he never mentioned Rep. John Murtha, D-Pa., by name when talking with Schmidt, and he would never call a fellow Marine a coward.

How about now, Cincinatti? Any regrets on sending that fucking bitch to Congress? You could have had Paul Hackett, but no-o-o-oooo, not you. Instead you sent the lying fuckweasel bitch of the century, and this is what you get.

It kind of makes you feel sorry for Schmidt, doesn't it? Not!

Beware Buyer

Indiana Rep Stephen Buyer, that is, the Repugnican lapdog chairman of the House Veterans Affairs Committee, a koolaid-drinking party loyalist who took over this critical committee after the overthrow of Chris Smith, who was an activist for veterans in spite of the fact that he was also a Repug.

Buyer earlier this year referred to veterans as "whiny" because we complained about proposed cuts in VA benefits. When someone called him on it, he pulled one of those typically slimy Repug tactics and claimed that he didn't say it, he was just quoting someone else.

This, BTW, is one of those hallmark Repug actions, just like Jean Schmidt did just the other day to John Murtha, calling him a coward.

But I digress. Like most of the rightwing, Buyer hates veterans. He's the last person who ought to be the chairman of this committee, and yet there he is. I hope some bold Democrat in his district -- preferably a returned Iraq War vet -- will have the balls to take him on and rub his smarmy face in the brown Indiana dirt.

See the always-incisive Larry Scott's commentary on Buyer at military.com, and then let's all prepare to kick some bucks loose for Buyer's opponent next year. This asshole has to go.

Weekly "Bush Twins in Uniform" Watch

It has now been 549 days since Jenna and Not-Jenna Bush, the slacker offspring of Preznit Numnutz, graduated from college and they are still not in the uniform of the US armed services.

Why? Because they have other priorities. They are too busy partying down in Georgetown to show their support for the war by enlisting their chickenhawk-child selves into the military service, that's why.

One of the more memorable cadence chants at the September protest in DC went like this: "Not our sons, not our fathers. If you want war, send your daughters."

Be sure to sign the Buzzflash petition and demand that the Bush offspring enlist, or else bring the troops home. If it's not a cause noble enough for any of the children of the Bush Dynasty to join, then it's not noble enough for our sons and daughters to die for.

Hating the Veterans -- Nothing New for Repugnicans

As I've argued before in this forum (here and here, for example), the right wing hates the military and hates veterans.

It's nothing new. At least as far back as 1932 and the infamous "Bonus Army" march on Washington DC it's been that way.

For a good brief summary of the sad chain of events that led up to the killing of two WWI veterans by DC police and the subsequent routing of the veteran encampment by infantry, cavalry and six tanks of the US Army under General Douglas MacArthur (assisted by two other future big names, Dwight D. Eisenhower and George Patton), see The Bonus Army on the Eyewitness to History website.

A Lot of Fucking Nerve

That would be Jean Schmidt (R-Flaming Bitch), getting up on the floor of the People's Chamber of Deputies (aka the House of Representatives) and calling fellow Congesssman, retired Marine Colonel and decorated Vietnam vet John Murtha a coward. Check out the great picture on Think Progesss and watch the video of her imploding.

If you recall, she was the assclown bitch who beat Iraq vet Paul Hackett in that special election for the open seat in Ohio. I wonder if the people in her district have buyer's remorse yet? And for chrissake, check out that fucking outfit she's wearing. And these are the people who want a "flag desecration" amendment? I can see why -- she'd have to stop wearing shit like that. I guess it's one of those cry-for-help things, like "stop me before I kill again"...

As soon as she called Murtha a coward, the House exploded into catcalls and boos, and ultimately she had to back down and issue an apology.

What a fucking bitch -- and I do apologize to all bitches everywhere for this odious comparison.

House Democrat Calls for End to Iraq War

US Rep John Murtha (D-Penn), a retired Marine colonel and someone who is considered a hawk on defense issues, gave a stinging rebuke to the Busheviks yesterday when he called for a swift withdrawal of US forces from Iraq.

The coalition forces "have done all they can," Murtha said. "It's time for a change in direction." He also described our Iraq misadventure as a "flawed policy wrapped in an illusion".

Predictably, little Scotty McWeewee called for Murtha's head on a platter, saying it was "surrender" and compared Murtha to Michael Moore. Michael Moore???

And Speaker I'm-a-Fat-Moron Hastert (R-Idiot), not to be outdone, said this about Murtha and Nancy Pelosi: "They would prefer that the United States surrender to the terrorists who would harm innocent Americans."

CNN has the whole story. Can this be finally be the beginning of the end for our Iraq misadventure? Maybe, but so far, only two dozen Democrats and just three Repugs have signed on to measures or other calls for an end to the war.

It's our job to hold our own congressional reps accountable, hold their feet to the fire, and demand that they join the calls for withdrawal. I love a protest march as much as the next guy, and they do have their place in sending a message to the world and the American people, but the real action takes place in Congress.

The only way that the Vietnam War finally ended was that we, the people, demanded from our Congress an end to the war, and finally they voted to end the funding.

That's what we need now, so be sure to contact your own representative and demand that he or she join with John Murtha to end the war.

Now.

Friday Cat Blogging

Who Said It and When?

Today's quiz: Which prominent politician said the following, and when did he say it?

As a matter of general principle, I believe there can be no doubt that criticism in time of war is essential to the maintenance of any kind of democratic government ... too many people desire to suppress criticism simply because they think that it will give some comfort to the enemy to know that there is such criticism. If that comfort makes the enemy feel better for a few moments, they are welcome to it as far as I am concerned, because the maintenance of the right of criticism in the long run will do the country maintaining it a great deal more good than it will do the enemy, and will prevent mistakes which might otherwise occur.

Okay, any guesses? How about Ted Kennedy talking about Bush's failed Iraq war? No. How about William Fulbright talking about Nixon and the Vietnam War? No.

Give up? Well it was Mister Republican himself, Robert Taft, conservative senator from Ohio, and the date was December 19, 1941.

Yes, 1941. Just a little over two weeks after Pearl Harbor.

Now fast forward to 2005 and Baby Doc proclaiming constantly that those who criticize him (and his failed policies) are giving aid and comfort to the enemy. Aid and comfort to the enemy. Think about that phrase -- it's the constitutional definition of treason.

So my fellow traitors, someone ought to throw that quote up to Sean Hannity, ask him if he agrees with it, and then ambush him with the source. That's something that he loves to do to nearly every liberal that shows up on his show (and amazingly, seems to catch them more often than not). It's about time we fight fire with fire. Will one of you talking heads from the left ambush the fucker already?

War Crimes. Lying Pentagon. Another Day at the Office

W-P. White phosphorus. It's a chemical weapon.

In Vietnam we called it "willy-peter" and it is nasty stuff. If it gets on your skin, it will eat its way to the bone before it stops. The pain is excruciating, I'm told.

Using it is a war crime. Period.

So after months of denying it, the Bushevik Pentagon, when faced with incontrovertible proof from an Italian television production, finally admitted that we used it in Fallujah. But they still deny that using it constitutes a war crime. A carefully nuanced statement from a Pentagon spokesman, LTC Barry "Flunky" Venable, held in essence that since the US was not a signatory to Protocol III of the Conventional Weapons agreement, our using W-P was not illegal and not a "war crime".

Yeah, big surprise there. Nobody is going to freely admit to committing war crimes. But the fact remains that we did use it, we lied about it to cover it up, and now we've had to admit it, once we got busted.

Jeez, the poor colonel -- he's just like everyone else in the Baby Doc Maladministration, another member of the Gang that Can't Think Straight.

Another nail in the Impeachment Coffin. Time for the whole corrupt lot of them to go.

Finally, Some Good News Coming out of the VA

The VA finally figured out that its plan to subject 100% of the totally-disabled PTSD veterans to a humiliating and potentially financially disastrous review of their claims just wasn't worth it.

Citing "clerical error", the VA cancelled the review.

Clerical error my ass. I'll bet good money that enough of us squawked about it loudly enough so that they could see that it was a no-starter.

Keep the pressure on, guys. The fight has just begun.

Weekly "Bush Twins in Uniform" Watch

It has now been 542 days since Jenna and Not-Jenna Bush, the slacker offspring of Preznit Numnutz, graduated from college and they are still not in the uniform of the US armed services.

Why? Because they have other priorities. They are too busy partying down in Georgetown to show their support for the war by enlisting their chickenhawk-child selves into the military service, that's why.

It has now become The Question: If it is such a noble cause, why aren't the Bush Twins in uniform and in Iraq? We will ask it every chance we get, at every place Bush speaks, to anyone who will listen.

Remember The Question! And be sure to sign the Buzzflash petition and demand that the Bush offspring enlist, or else bring the troops home. If it's not a cause noble enough for any of the children of the Bush Dynasty to join, then it's not noble enough for our sons and daughters to die for.

You Can't Make This Stuff Up #344

Word has it from The Prince of Darkness himself, Bob Novak, that Baby Doc was angry at his staff for the arrangements at the Argentine summit last week.

Seems our petulant Boy-King didn't like staying up past his beddy-bye time to attend a dinner that started at 10 PM. Like any cranky two-year-old, Little Georgie picked at his food and then stomped off to bed, wearing his Doctor Dentons and carrying his molestation-victim teddy bear under his arm.

Jesus Christ, and this is the Leader of the Free World? This is what we get when we allow ourselves to be made fools of by a president who never left the country before he got to doin' that prezdintin' stuff (which, don't forget, is hard work). If he'd managed to take just one trip abroad, he'd discover that in much of the civilized world, meals are eaten much later than they are in the USA.

But I guess that was too much to expect. My only expectation now is that the little fucker won't get us all blown up when he launches one more reckless Rovian misadventure in another country (can you say "Iran"?) to take the focus off his failed administration and the heat that the Dems are going to bring to bear on the BFEE criminal conspiracy after next year's elections.