From Holden: When the Army Corps of Engineers’ most senior civilian contracting official witnessed Army officials granting special access to Halliburton and awarding no-bid contracts to Dick Cheney’s former company that were not warranted she blew the whitle. The Army responded by cutting her out of major decisions involving Halliburton and threatening her job, so she went to Congress. Now the integrity of the federal contracting program” is in shambles. The top civilian contracting official for the Army Corps of Engineers, charging that the Army granted the Halliburton Company large contracts for work in Iraq and the Balkans without following … Continue reading Blowing the Whistle on Halliburton

A. Continue reading Happy Kerry Photo: Gooooooo TEAM!

In the kind of country I imagine we will be in the next four years, this woman will be our national poet: The dream’s forfeit was a night in jail and now the slant light is crepuscular. Papers or not, you are a foreigner whose name is always difficult to spell. You pack your one valise. You ring the bell. Might it not be prudent to disappear beneath that mauve-blue sky above the square fronting your cosmopolitan hotel? You know two short-cuts to the train station which could get you there, on foot, in time. The person who’s apprised of … Continue reading The U.S. Poet Laureate

50 Iraqi police found shot to death, most likely executed. Driving through Wisconsin this weekend to visit family, I saw Kerry sticker after Kerry sticker. A guy in a van with Minnesota plates was sticking Kerry signs in the grassy medians of the parking lot at the gas station we stopped at; we rolled down the window and thanked him. Walking down the street where I used to live, I saw no less than three GOTV people walking with clipboards, handing out buttons and signs. Something not enough people realize: This election is not just about firing George W. Bush … Continue reading And then there’s the stuff you can’t snark about

Via pontificator’s diary at Kos, we get the funniest goddamn thing I’ve read in a long time. Apparently the Freepers were none too pleased with the documentary Sinclair ran, thus proving definitively that nothing pleases them no matter how hard people try to suck their collective cock: I WAS JUST ABOUT TO POST A THREAD ON THIS HORRIBLE SO CALLED DOCUMENTRY. It came on here on MD @8pm, I turned it off after 40 minutes. �Honestly the POW Story that Sinclair put together makes Kerry look very sympathetic. I just quit watching this travesty. I am furious! More attention was … Continue reading Free Republic Eats Its Own Head

From Holden: One of my first posts while subbing for Atrios last summer was this one on the Beastie Boys. I never considered it one of my best (and since I rate an open thread as one of my most successful posts the bar is not too high), chalk it up to poor communication skills. I’m following up on it anyway because I saw the Boys here in Austin last night. They were smokin’, they rocked, they were awesome – however you want to put it, they do a great show. And as expected, the Beaties Boys did talk about … Continue reading Beastie Boys in Austin

I’m pretty sure the Bush campaign was watching this when they came up with this. Listen to the music. Puppies puppies puppies puppies puppies … Seriously, if this is the best they can do, bring it, bitches. Pun intended. A. Continue reading The Puppy Channel

“A sore arm is like a headache or a toothache. It can make you feel bad, but if you just forget about it and do what you have to do, it will go away. If you really like to pitch and you want to pitch, that’s what you’ll do.” — Warren Spahn A. Continue reading Happy Kerry Photo: World Series Edition

From Holden: That pesky John McCain… Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., disagreed with Bush that Kerry had “a fundamental misunderstanding” of the war in Iraq… Little Scottie must really hate him. Q Scott, this morning Senator McCain said that he disagreed with the things that President Bush has said about Senator Kerry misunderstanding the war on terror. What do you guys have to say to that? MR. McCLELLAN: I think what Senator McCain said was that he believes that the President is the best one to lead us forward in the war on terrorism. He spoke about how the President is … Continue reading Today on Holden’s Obsession with the Gaggle

From Holden: An anonymous commenter tipped me to a rumor that my hometown paper, the Austin American-Statesman, is planning to endorse Bush this weekend. Frankly, I’m shocked. The Statesman’s editorial page has been quite critical of Bush lately, and they’ve been endorsing several democrats in local races such as Mark Strama and Kelly White for state representatives over DeLay-whores Jack Stick and Todd Baxter. But this is no time to take anything for granted. Make your views known. Anon suggests contacting publisher Mike Laosa: mlaosa@statesman.com or calling the paper at (512) 445-3500. You might also try editorial page editor Arnold … Continue reading Hold Them Responsible!

From Holden: Hey, kids, are you into challenging, vocabulary-enhancing crossword puzzles? Then you should try the Bill O’Reilly crossword puzzle! Guaranteed to entertain or your falafel back. Continue reading The Bill O’Reilly Crossword Puzzle

Swiped shamelessly from Kos. Because it’s just so cool. Look at all of them. Look. That’s us. It’s happening now. Just a few more days. A. Continue reading Happy Kerry Photo: We Are Many

From Holden: Your preznit, today in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania. THE PRESIDENT: He considers the war on terror primarily a law enforcement and intelligence gathering operation. His top foreign policy advisor has questioned whether it’s even a war at all, saying that’s just a metaphor, like the war on poverty. I’ve got news. Anyone who thinks we are fighting a metaphor does not understand the enemy we face and has no idea how to win the war and keep America secure. Your preznit, August 6, 2004 at the Unity Journalists of Color Convention, Washington, DC. THE PRESIDENT: We actually misnamed the war … Continue reading Bush vs. Bush

From Holden: Last Friday DeLay refused to participate in any candidate debates: House Majority Leader Tom DeLay on Friday said that he would not debate Democratic challenger Richard Morrison before the Nov. 2 election. [snip] On Friday, DeLay said that his latest poll put his support at 56 percent, while Morrison’s was much lower. “His name ID is nothing,” DeLay said. [snip] “I want to know why he’s ducking me,” Morrison said last week in a visit to The Daily News. “What’s he scared of?” At least so far, DeLay, the No. 2 man in the House, has calculated that … Continue reading Tom DeLay Must Be Worried

From Holden: Two men tried to hit Ann Coulter with pies during her appearance at the University of Arizona last night. As Coulter addressed a question about terrorism, she stopped mid-statement: “You take away the terrorism and liberals would hate…” at that Coulter gasped as she looked to her left, and began backing away from the podium. Two men ran by, on-stage, and each threw a pie a her. They were mobbed as they tried to exit the auditorium. I do not advocate acts of violence against anyone exercising his or her First Amendment rights, even someone as abhorrent and … Continue reading Drive-by Pie-ing Fails

You do, on occasion, have to give them baths. Most hate it. This one thinks he’s an otter. A. Continue reading Friday Ferretblogging

From Holden: Our pouched friend skippy brings us Needlenose’s glorious “Visualize Kerry Winning” animation. Continue reading Visualize Winning

From Holden: That’s a tough question, one that this recent survey by the University of Maryland’s Programme on International Policy Attitudes (PIPA) and Knowledge Networks cannot answer outright. No matter what the answer is, it’s obvious that Dubyer’s fans don’t really know the man they want to keep as president. Three out of four self-described supporters of President George W Bush still believe pre-war Iraq had weapons of mass destruction (WMD) or active programmes to produce them, and that Iraqi President Saddam Hussein gave “substantial support” to al-Qaeda terrorists, according to a survey released Thursday. Moreover, as many or more … Continue reading Bush Supporters: Willfully Ignorant or Just Rock Stupid?

From Holden: Big Time Dick, yesterday: Cheney said Kerry’s camouflage jacket was “an October disguise — an effort he’s making to hide the fact that he votes against gun owner rights at every turn.” “This cover-up isn’t going to work,” Cheney told supporters in an upscale Toledo suburb that borders the Ohio-Michigan state line. “The Second Amendment is more than just a photo opportunity.” George Bush, 1994: [W]hile campaigning against incumbent Gov. Ann Richards, Bush thought it would be a great photo opportunity to show the people of Texas that he was the bold epitome of Lone Star Macho, a … Continue reading Yo, Dick Cheney – Shut the Fuck Up

From Holden: I checked out early yesterday and thus did not post an image for the caption contest. Fortunately, Hesiod had my back. Here’s one for today. My entry: Another term? ULP! I think I just threw up in my mouth. Continue reading Caption Contest

From Holden: The Washington Post is speculating today about what a Kerry Cabinet might look like. I love to see confidence in a Kerry win expressed so boldly among the major media. Here are the top candidates for key positions according to the Post’s Jim VandeHei: Secretary of State Sen. Joseph Biden Amb. Richard Holbrooke Sen. Chuck Hagel [Fart noises from Holden.] Sen. Richard G. Lugar [See Hagel, above.] Former Sen. Warren Rudman Secretary of Defense Sen. Chuck Hagel Sen. Richard G. Lugar Sen. Warren Rudman Dep. Secretary of State Richard L. Armitage [NO WAY! Armitage is complicit in Bush’s … Continue reading The Kerry Cabinet

From Holden: A new poll shows that Iraqi’s favor religious leaders in the proposed January elections over secular leaders like Allawi, the Bush administration’s “worst-case scenario”. Leaders of Iraq’s religious parties have emerged as the country’s most popular politicians and would win the largest share of votes if an election were held today, while the US-backed government of interim Prime Minister Iyad Allawi is losing serious ground, according to a US-financed poll by the International Republican Institute. [snip] Within the Bush administration, a victory by Iraq’s religious parties is viewed as the worst-case scenario. Washington has hoped that Allawi and … Continue reading Gave Birth to a Little Tehran*

Thing is, I know neighborhoods where this would guarantee a huge turnout. The white-on-blue sticker reads, “Vote for Daschle & Vote for SODOMY.” A disclaimer alerts readers that fees were “Paid for by someone who loves Jesus and friends of swlJ. This ad is not authorized by any candidate of (sic) candidate committee.” Not that there’s ever been much doubt that these people are exactly this nasty and stupid and no more, but I’m glad the point is being hammered home for the last six people who’ve been under a rock for the past few years. A. Continue reading Vote Sodomy!

From Holden: Just a quick gaggle today. First, a Pat Robertson update: still a liar. Q Pat Robertson is sticking by his story. I know you spoke on this yesterday, but — MR. McCLELLAN: I think what I — what I said yesterday still stands. You know, the — what I said yesterday still stands. And finally, I believe the answer to the next question is, “Sometime in January”. Q You’re still not able to say when the leaving the White House, not coming back day is going to be? Continue reading Today on Holden’s Obsession with the Gaggle

there is a breaking story up at the DCCC blog that Tom Delay has been served with a subpoena to appear in Houston on October 25. The subpoena commands Delay to appear to give a deposition in the lawsuit filed by Representative Lon Burnam, Texas State District 90. Specifically, the suit challenges the Department of Public Safety’s use of public funds to achieve political ends and its destruction of documents following the exodus of Texas Democratic legislators who left the state to break a quorum on redistricting. Delay’s office is calling the subpoena a “campaign stunt.” I wonder what Delay … Continue reading Delay served

From Holden: I was listening to the Bloated Addict show during lunch, as is my habit. Always good for a laugh, the man has been spinning desperately since the first debate. Today I heard him slur with great bluster that “George Soros and some other guy have given John Kerry $18 million.” Well, this is an obvious lie as no individual can give that much money to John Kerry’s campaign. But it got me thinking. The Pill-popping Prick thinks George W. Bush is great, fantastic, practically the second coming. I wonder how much money he has given to the Bush … Continue reading Is Rush’s Money Where His Mouth Is?

Don’t ever say I don’t listen to our readers: “This is the precise size of the asskicking I intend to lay down on you on Nov. 3, you unfunny, pointless, embarrassing putz.” Continue reading Happy Kerry Photo: John Edwards Edition

Jeb Hensarling has been a major recipient of Tom Delay’s largesse with dirty money. In fact, Hensarling took $20,000.00 from Delay. Hensarling is my representative and I’ve written to him 3 times about this. All I’ve gotten back from him are form “thank you for the support” letters. The Dallas Morning News has endorsed Hensarling. So I wrote to them – twice. So far, the News is ignoring me just like Hensarling is. If any of you out there feel so inclined, I would appreciate it if you would email or write to the Dallas Morning News yourselves and tell … Continue reading A call to arms

From Holden: So, you ask, what’s with this never-ending search for your Bush Boom? Isn’t the gaggle obsession bad enough without an additional compulsive search for the elusive Bush Boom? Well, you see, in August of 2003 Jerry Bowyer announced in the National Review Online that the Bush Boom, which would eclipse the economic surge we enjoyed during the Clinton administration, had begun. Bowyer placed so much confidence in the Bush Boom that he cranked out a quickie book, The Bush Boom: How a Misunderestimated President Fixed a Broken Economy. I thought, “Gee, a Bush Boom. I want one of … Continue reading If You See My Bush Boom, Say Hello