Month: March 2008

Uncategorized5 Comments

Alphonso Jackson Expected to Announce Resignation on Monday

Hopefully this is true… Housing and Urban Development Secretary Alphonso Jackson, buffeted by allegations of cronyism and favoritism, is expected to announce his resignation Monday, sources close to the matter told the Wall Street Journal. WSJ link AndFrom NYT: Mr. Jackson has scheduled a news conference for 9:45 a.m., 15 minutes before Treasury Secretary Henry M. Paulson Jr. is supposed to outline plans for dealing with the financial crisis set off by the risky mortgage lending. If Mr. Jackson steps down, it would remove a key player from the administration team dealing with the problem. UPDATE: For some background here … Continue reading Alphonso Jackson Expected to Announce Resignation on Monday

Your President Speaks

Your President Speaks!

Friday, inFreehold, New Jersey. We Have Got A Issue And the reason why I’m here is because we have got a issue in housing in America. There Is Some Homeowners There’s some homeowners who have made responsible buying decisions, and who could keep their homes with just a little help, some information and some help. He Became Working He got — he called HOPE NOW, and he became working with a mortgage counselor named Penny Meredith. Gives Out Wrong Number — Twice And so one of my purposes is to make it clear there is a place where you can … Continue reading Your President Speaks!

Geek Cred9 Comments

Told Me That I’d Done All Right: Panel Day

Preface. Preamble. Disclaimer. I am not a photographer. So here’s some blurry photos, and some notes, and the full schedule and such can be readhere. Quick hits: The crack van got huge applause. Scout got a round of applause when I talked about her on the journalism panel, about citizen reporting and how we’re all our own presses now and it scares the shit out of the insecure among us. Spocko got a standing ovation that went on for about three minutes, whichfuck yeah and also the least he is due. My full presentation to the media panel will be … Continue reading Told Me That I’d Done All Right: Panel Day

Your President Speaks4 Comments

Your President Speaks! AGAIN!

Today, inWashington. Brainwreck But the commitment of Afghanistan is not to leave Iraq alone; it’s to change mission. Develop A Capacity To Develop We talked about Iran, and our joint commitment to continue to work together to see to it that the Iranians do not develop the capacity to develop a nuclear weapon. A Decision That Talks! The decision to move troops — Iraqi troops into Basra talks about Prime Minister Maliki’s leadership. The Other That’s Interesting And so — the other that’s interesting about this, by the way — this happens to be one of the provinces where the … Continue reading Your President Speaks! AGAIN!

Stupid Republican Tricks6 Comments

Today on Athenae’s Obsession with the Freepi: 4,000 Dead, Way To Go!

Sicko math, binge drinking, the enemy within, PMSNBC, and all kinds of fun to be had in the thread.Jesus, sometimes they disgust even me: Wow. That’s amazing. Only 4000 deaths during a 5 year war (a fraction over 2 deaths per day). Never has so much been accomplished at the cost of so few lives. Congratulations US military. Job extremely well done. The fact that 4,000 heroes lost their lives thus far— five years later— is a testament to the incredible success of the war in Iraq. Far more have died in binge drinking at colleges than in the war. … Continue reading Today on Athenae’s Obsession with the Freepi: 4,000 Dead, Way To Go!

Diary6 Comments

‘My Wife’s Vagina Is Enough’

An open letter for Mr. A. Darling, You ever talk about my vagina in public, by itself or vis-a-vis its purpose as it relates to you, I swear to God they will never find your body. I love you, sweetheart, you’re my whole life, but I’m just saying. Kisses, Your Adoring Wife How in the unholy blue fuck do these people stay married? Honestly, no wonder they need the threat of hell and hope of heaven to guide their every move, because can you think, just off the top of your head, of a more moronic thing to say in … Continue reading ‘My Wife’s Vagina Is Enough’

Political Crack5 Comments

Kissed Me Till The Morning Light: Philadelphia

Just a quick thing before I head off to the panels. Confidential to the lovely German-speaking (mostly) lady next to me on the plane who was going to a funeral: I hope you and yours are safe and well today. It wasn’t the worst flight I’ve ever been on out of O’Hare, but it was close. Chicago was like, “You leaving us? Fine. We’ll make it WORTH IT.” And it has been. I’m never not inspired by meeting people I’ve met here on the blogs, but last night, having talked to people who come from all over, who are here … Continue reading Kissed Me Till The Morning Light: Philadelphia

Your President Speaks3 Comments

Your President Speaks!

Yesterday, at theWhite House. Marines And Their Enablers THE PRESIDENT: And the United States, to that end, will make it clear that we do take our obligations seriously. We’ve committed 3,500 Marines — 3,200 Marines — 3,700 Marines? MR. HADLEY: 3,200. THE PRESIDENT: — 3,200 Marines, plus their enablers. Inside joke. Brainwreck I have been public in my statements that I believe that NATO benefits, and Ukraine and Georgia benefit, if and when there is membership. In The Interests But I’ve analyzed the situation and I believe it’s in the interests that there is that clear path forward. Cerebral Vortex … Continue reading Your President Speaks!

Immoral Values6 Comments

The Sacred and the Profane

Or, Robert … When Jeremiah Wright changed “God bless America” to “God damn America,” he did no more than Jesus did in the beatitudes. But he did it to America’s secular religion, which is, of course: America the Beautiful. At least, he did that when he was quoted out of his context, when the words of his sermon were cut away and that phrase was left standing, looking more like a raise middle finger than the flowering tree it had been. What does this have to do with Ricouer? America’s secular religion is, in Ricouer’s words, “centered upon a kernel-event,” … Continue reading The Sacred and the Profane

Diary2 Comments

NOTHING Is Happening Right Now

So. About 40 things need to happen in order and I’m on number eight. If the snow stops, and my flight isn’t cancelled … If my laptop doesn’t get any sicker than it already is … If O’Hare airport and American Airlines’ web site aren’t lying to me … If I can manage to figure out where I left my cell phone charger … If I don’t get lost in any one of the 20 ways it’s possible to get lost from here to Philadelphia … Then throughout the weekend you will have me blogging fromEschaCon. Said blogging may simply … Continue reading NOTHING Is Happening Right Now

Your President Speaks1 Comment

Your President Speaks!

Today, inWashington, before a meeting of the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce. Prove The Agreement! Members of both parties should come together, members of both parties should demonstrate their support for freedom in our hemisphere, and members of both parties should prove the — approve the Colombian free trade agreement. Treat America Unequally! I can’t understand a mentality that doesn’t recognize that causing America to be treated equally is not in our interests. Drain Bamage We want negotiations to come from — as a result of meaningful contributions by all folks. There Is Neighbors There’s neighbors worrying about neighbors losing jobs. … Continue reading Your President Speaks!

Jude, Terrorism6 Comments

Trust Us. We’re the Government.

Revised and updated. This is why you don’t pass shit like the Patriot Act. Now, before some jackass jumps up and says that drug dealers and gang members are scum, blah blah blah, remember–the fucking Patriot Act was put in place to fight “terrorism.” We already have lots and lots of laws regarding drug dealing and gang activity–activities which can only be described as “terrorism” if that term is so broadly defined as to include virtually any illegal acts. And the government swore up and down that the powers granted to it under the Patriot Act would be used judiciously … Continue reading Trust Us. We’re the Government.

Jude, Stupid Republican Tricks, War in Afghanistan5 Comments

Brethren, Again We Gather to Worship the Free Market. Join the Chant: “Business Is More Efficient than Government…”

We sacrifice this one to appease Freede-Munn, the god of deregulation. Today, we have yet more evidence that the government under Bush has been converted into a giant patronage machine to reward incompetent businesspeople. Turns out that we care so much about our Afghan allies in the war against the Taliban and al-Qaeda that we ship them defective ammunition. Who’s responsible for this, shall we say, massive fuck up? Why, a private business, of course! Those entities run by Randian supermen who can do no wrong, the generators of wealth, the embodiments of the American spirit!  Finished gagging yet? Good. … Continue reading Brethren, Again We Gather to Worship the Free Market. Join the Chant: “Business Is More Efficient than Government…”

Immoral Values11 Comments

Well, We’ve Brought SOMETHING Out in the Open

The Chicago Tribune gets about what you’d expect from asking people to be honest about race. Such as that black people haven’t used their freedom the way whitey approved. Whites have some issues, too. You see all these grandchildren had parents who supported integration of schools, Martin Luther King…and yet they now find out black churches support Hamas and teach White hate and Damn America. How do we get past that, when we know whitey and being Jewish is hated. Also, where’s whitey’s iced tea? I am of white color. White is a color you know. PHEAR the Negro elites! … Continue reading Well, We’ve Brought SOMETHING Out in the Open

Holden's Obsession with the Gaggle1 Comment

Today On Holden’s Obsession With The Gaggle

Gordon JohnD’Oh Does Not Give Or Receive Pause Q Does it give you any pause that in two days they haven’t been able to establish control — the government, that is — in the second largest city in Iraq? MR. JOHNDROE: You know, Iraq faces a lot of challenges. So I would say that 48 hours is hardly a lengthy amount of time to regain control in a city that has been dealing with these criminal gangs and special militias for some time. Stuck On Empty Q Gordon, you mentioned political progress in Iraq. What’s the status of the law … Continue reading Today On Holden’s Obsession With The Gaggle

Uncategorized7 Comments

O’Hanlon’s Homeresque Odyssey–D’oh

So it seems bad things are happening in Iraq due to all thatsurge success and it has left many wondering what the heck is going on. Now you could read a summary byPaul Kiel over at TPM but let’s be honest, by the time you hit the fifth paragraph your head will hurt so, what with the splinter groups, Sadr, Shite miltias, Iraqi forces and rogue militias not to mention who we do or do not support, that incredulously you’ll be reaching for a fifth of this… There must be a simpler easier way to get a grip on this … Continue reading O’Hanlon’s Homeresque Odyssey–D’oh

Your President Speaks

Your President Speaks!

Today, at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base inDayton, Ohio. The Sectarian Violence In Baghdad, we’ve worked with Iraqi security forces to greatly diminish the sectarian violence and civilian deaths. What Are They Strengthening? Civic organizations are springing up. Institutions that sustain a free nation are strengthening. Returning Back It is a sign normalcy is returning back to Iraq. What They Got You know, they got their budget passed, and sometimes it takes our Congress a while to get its budget passed. What They/It Got Iraq has great economic potential — they’ve got a young, energetic population, it’s got a lot of … Continue reading Your President Speaks!

War in Iraq2 Comments

“people making the decisions can’t handle that responsibility anymore”

Face it there isn’t a number that could make theFreepi think it wasn’t such a good idea. But somelocal families who lost loved ones to this war think 4000 is enough… It’s nearly been three years since Mark Maida died while serving in Iraq. At his parents home their is a whole room dedicated to the fallen soldier. Pictures, plaques and even Mark’s drivers license. There isn’t a day that goes by that they don’t think of him. “I get up at 4am because that’s when he use to call. I still think about him and can’t go back to … Continue reading “people making the decisions can’t handle that responsibility anymore”

Hurricane Katrina & Federal Flood11 Comments

Bush Administration Turned Down Post Katrina Foreign Aid

scoutprime2014

This has been known for some time but through FOIA’s CREW has uncovered the extent to which the Bush administration delayed, declined and failed to collect foreign aid pledged after Katrina.The Washington Post reports that CREW obtained over “10,000 pages of cables, telegraphs and e-mails from U.S. diplomats around the globe” and made them available to the paper. It is damning evidence of yet another Katrina failure by the administration of which CREW executive director Melanie Sloan stated, “It’s clear that they’re trying to hide their ineptitude, incompetence and malfeasance.” Allies offered $854 million in cash and in oil that … Continue reading Bush Administration Turned Down Post Katrina Foreign Aid

Uncategorized11 Comments

We’re #1 We’re #1 We’re #1

Well something like that… Madison’s Snow Total Reaches 100 Inches Truly a historic day in Madison weather history.  As of about 5:30 Sunday evening, the Dane County Airport received 0.4 inches of snow, sending our seasonal snowfall total over the century mark at 100.1 inches.  This is a first for Madison, and 27 Weather Central meteorologists say it’s likely something you will never see again.  49.9 inches is average for the entire season. We have more than doubled that.  A passing cold front is responsible for the snow showers and flurries we saw on Easter Sunday. What an awful winter … Continue reading We’re #1 We’re #1 We’re #1

Jude, Of Interest7 Comments

Opening Day

Hey, everyone. Sorry I’ve been MIA lately. Things have been somewhat crazy. But these things happen. Today, as you may know, was the first day of the 2008 Major League Baseball season. My beloved Boston Red Sox won their first game of the year in Japan. In honor of this momentous day, I present the 1946 Warner Brothers cartoon entitled “Baseball Bugs.” This short contains my very favorite quote from all of animation: “Meh, watch me paste this pathetic palooka with a powerful, paralyzing, perfect pachydermous percussion pitch.” Enjoy! Continue reading Opening Day

Your President Speaks1 Comment

Your President Speaks!

Yesterday, at theWhite House. Memories of JimmyJeff I’m a good fisherman; sometimes I’m a good catcher-man. Later, also at theWhite House. Who? Ambassador Kakouris of — to Cyprus is with us — from Cyprus to U.S. is with us. Parts Is Parts We miss you around these parts. I don’t know if you miss these parts, but we miss you around these parts. The Many Governments Of Greece Please thank your governments [sic] for those strong signals that liberty is universal, and that liberty will bring the peace we all hope. Continue reading Your President Speaks!

Immoral Values12 Comments

Your Feelings Don’t Matter

Look. Maybe it’s just that I spent a weekend drinking and talking about writing and the art of avoiding being a pussy with people who don’t have the particular problem of not being able to separate their own personal bullshit from, you know, the things that happen in the world, but I am just about full up to my fucking ears with this sudden need tovalidate the feelings of people like this. On the other hand, I am sick to death of black people as a group. The truth. That is part of the conversation Obama is asking for, isn’t … Continue reading Your Feelings Don’t Matter

Diary12 Comments

Friday Ferretblogging: In Which We Learn That Not All Pet Gates Are Created Equal

Our kitchen door, which we use to keep the ferrets from crawling under the stove or behind the refrigerator, is busted at the moment. While we wait for Mr. A to get tired of looking for another solution and just let me weld the damn hinge back together already, we put up a gate to keep them in the dining room. It’s working out really well: (We got a new plexi-glass gate off Amazon the next day.) A. Continue reading Friday Ferretblogging: In Which We Learn That Not All Pet Gates Are Created Equal

Stupid Republican Tricks6 Comments

Summer Camp

Allison Hantschel

I regret that I have but one country to give for my ego: Only two weeks after the elections in November of 2008, The United States of America, a nation of former greatness lay in absolute desolate ruin. Within the previous 72 hours a series of eight successive, delayed nuclear devices had been detonated. Indescribably large portions of metro Washington D.C., Boston, Los Angeles, Chicago, Dallas, and two thirds of the island of Manhattan have been turned into steaming craters. Millions are dead, President George W. Bush is in intensive care, two-thirds of the Cabinet – including the Vice President … Continue reading Summer Camp

Immoral Values6 Comments

Creationists Rock

Allison Hantschel

At least their idiocy gives rise to this: I HAVE A REALLY BAD IDEA. So the other day I mentioned the Creationist Museum where dinosaurs are depicted as coexisting alongside human beings. I realized the main reason why I know it isn’t true, or at least the reason why they couldn’t have been around as late as Jesus’ time: the Roman Empire. Because dammit, if the Romans had had access to dinosaurs, they woulda had twelve-year-old boys fighting as mounted skirmish archers on Deinonychus (the only dromaeosaurid big enough to carry an adult was Utahraptor, and its name should tell … Continue reading Creationists Rock