BartBlog

August 31, 2007

Bush Gets Away with Lies, Lies and More Lies in History-Illiterate America

Filed under: Opinion — Volt @ 7:58 pm

Larry Beinhart, AlterNet, August 27, 2007

George Bush and other Iraq War supporters have argued that if we withdraw from Iraq the result will be like the killing fields of Cambodia — an odd comparison considering that the US has direct responsibility for that holocaust.

Here are the facts:

* The killing fields were real. The genocide against their own people was committed by the Khmer Rouge.

* The Vietnamese — the Communist Vietnamese — were the people who went in and put a stop to it.

* The United States then supported the Khmer Rouge.

Here’s how that came to happen.

The United States got involved in the war in Vietnam in an attempt to keep South Vietnam from going communist. Which it would have if nationwide elections had been held as promised.

Cambodia is next to Vietnam. It was ruled by Prince Sihanouk. He attempted to be neutral. Both sides abused that neutrality.

The North Vietnamese send arms, support and men through Cambodia on the “Ho Chi Minh Trail” to go around South Vietnamese and American forces. They also used Cambodian ports.

The United States, which was not at war with Cambodia, officially or unofficially, secretly sent armed forces into Cambodia to interrupt North Vietnamese use of that route. In 1969, Nixon began a campaign of carpet bombing sections of Cambodia. Ultimately about 750,000 Cambodians were killed by the bombings (though the numbers are hard to verify.)

Read More Here

Home Alone

Filed under: Toon — Volt @ 4:55 pm

Nina Burleigh: Satan’s in the Stall Beside Me

Filed under: Opinion — Volt @ 4:28 pm

Nina Burleigh, The Huffington Post, August 30, 2007

The demise of mountain state Republican Senator Larry Craig amuses those of us who enjoy watching right-wing heroes crash to the ground, spiked on their own hypocrisy. It further confirms my theory: prick any conservative and the kink oozes out. The rockier the rib, the more likely you’ll find pink lingerie under the trousers or a bullwhip and manacles in the bedside drawer. You can bet those Beltway dominatrices, madams and escorts (gay and straight) have been able to buy second homes — maybe even in Sun Valley! — with their haul during W’s reign.

However, because we are people of compassion, we should also feel a little horrified by this tortured man’s sad, humiliating demise. He’s obviously lived his whole life afflicted by the religious psychobabble and outright bigotry of people who say homosexuality is a sickness and a lifestyle decision instead of an innate state of being that has nothing to do with illness or choice.

The sickness, of course, is in the suppression, which is why closeted men seek love in rank public bathroom stalls.

The Republican Party got Bush re-elected in 2004 by playing the homophobe card. In Ohio, their minions went door-to-door in Amish country and warned the historically non-secular inhabitants that if they didn’t get out and register Republican, gay marriage would be the law of the land. Tens of thousands of Amish men and women hitched horses to buggies, cracked their whips, and raced to the nearest polling place to vote to repel the Sodomites. With their unprecedented help, Ohio, that crucial state, slid ever so narrowly into the red column, sending the Bush regime back to the White House with four more years to plot how to bomb Tehran.

Read More Here

Reid offers to cave in early

Filed under: Uncategorized — Bart @ 9:52 am

Link

Saying the coming weeks will be “one of the last opportunities” to alter the course of the war, Harry M. Reid (D-Wimp) said he is now willing to compromise with Republicans to find ways to limit troop deployments in Iraq.

Reid acknowledged that his previous firm demand for a spring withdrawal deadline had become an obstacle for a small but growing number of Republicans who have said they want to end the war but have been unwilling to set a timeline.

“I don’t think we have to think that our way is the only way,” Reid said of specific dates during an interview in his office here. “I’m not saying, ‘Republicans, do what we want to do.’ Just give me something that you think you would like to do, that accomplishes some or all of what I want to do.”

Bart says: How did I get in a party that pre-caves?

August 30, 2007

Thompson To Finally Announce Candidacy

Filed under: Uncategorized — N @ 7:25 pm

Former Senator Fred Thompson has finally decided to announce that he will run for president as a Republican in 2008. How nice to let us know that what he was doing over the last few months wasn’t running yet just kind of hanging out and talking about running and skirting election laws.

According to some Thompson people the announcement is set for September 6th. This timing allows Thompson to again skip a debate, in this case the Republican debate scheduled for September 5th in New Hampshire. You would think that Thompson, if he is confident that he is a viable candidate, would want to take part in the New Hampshire debate given its history of anointing presidents.

Many people believe that Thompson is a savior for Republicans who are stuck with Rudi Guiliani, Mitt Romney, Senator John McCain and the rest. Its unclear why Republicans think that Thompson is the one to carry the conservative banner.  After all,  Thompson was a sub par senator that did little in the way of substantial legislation and often complained that he had to “work too hard.” In addition, Thompson is and was a sub par actor that basically plays every character the same way every time. Now he wants to take on the role of president, a role he is definitely not qualified to play. Hey but wait there’s more. Thompson also was a lobbyist on K Street doing work for pro-abortion groups. Not exactly conservative credentials there.

Only time will tell if Thompson is a viable candidate or a media story that unfortunately came true. Whatever the case, there seems to be plenty of baggage in Thompson’s past to make the next few Republican debates kind of interesting. The more damage the Republicans do to each other the more the Democrats can use it against them later. It could be an interesting few months for Republicans.

Smear Against The Fair Tax -Grim

Filed under: Uncategorized — grimgold @ 9:58 am

Be Fair to FairTax — Throw the Red Herrings Back in the Water
August 29, 2007; Page A13 of The Wall Street Journal

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB118835673922011955.html?mod=googlenews_wsj

It is apparently getting so difficult to defend the current income tax system that its guardians must use smear tactics to slow down its best replacement. Bruce Bartlett (“FairTax, Flawed Tax,” editorial page, Aug. 25) is the latest status quo defender to use fiction to slander the FairTax plan.

The FairTax was developed many years ago, totally independently of any other proposal, group or movement. It is a product of more than $20 million of advanced economic research, as well as detailed conversations with citizens as to their preferences defining the best possible national tax system. Many groups and individuals have agitated to replace the deeply flawed income tax system, including, apparently, the Church of Scientology. As a founder of Americans For Fair Taxation, I can state categorically, however, that Scientology played no role in the founding, research or crafting of the legislation giving expression to the FairTax.

Mr. Bartlett is equally wrong about many other aspects of the FairTax. We are disappointed but hardly surprised by such distortions about it coming from the very economist who once opined that the income tax system just needed a little “tweaking.”

Leo Linbeck
Chairman and CEO
Americans for Fair Taxation
Houston

Legendary CBGB Owner Hilly Kristal Has Died

Filed under: Music Review — N @ 9:13 am

Hilly Kristal, owner of the legendary New York club CBGB, has died. Kristal died after battling lung cancer during the last year.

Kristal and his legendary bar, located in New York’s Bowery district, were the catalysts behind the birth of punk and underground music. Bands and musicians like Blondie, Patti Smith, Television, the Talking Heads and later bands like Living Color, were given their first shot at CBGB. However, it was Kristal’s decision to let the Ramones play the club that made rock and roll history. The Ramones are credited with stoking the fires that brought Punk Rock, and all the alternative music that has followed. Without Kristal’s openness to the music and the shows he booked in his club, music today would look a whole lot different, and certainly not for the better.

CBGB was forced to close last year after a dispute about back rent and future agreements with the building’s owner. The club was given a proper farewell with a set of concerts that was capped by a three and a half hour show by Patti Smith. Right to the end Kristal promised to open a new CBGB in Las Vegas with pieces from the Bowery club including urinals from its infamous bathroom.

An accidental rock legend has died and will be sorely missed.

August 29, 2007

The Wild Pigs Are At It Again! -Grim

Filed under: Uncategorized — grimgold @ 9:47 pm

Well folks, it looks like the wild pigs are at it again, defecating all over spinach (this was just on the news). The Dept of Ag. just couldn’t keep the diapers on those pigs! So here’s the answer:
Product Details
The Ramsay Highlander Spinach/Spring Mix Mechanical Harvester represents a revolution in the harvesting of Baby Leaf, Spinach and other small leaf produce. Built completely in stainless steel for food safety and longevity. Reports from the field indicate that Ramsay’s machine has reduced harvesting cost from .28 cents per pound to less than .01 cent per pound. With a capability of cutting over 15,000 Lbs. per hour you can see how these savings can be achieved. With hydrostatic drive and rear wheel steering Ramsay’s machine is reliable and user friendly. With harvesting speeds from 0 mph to over 3 mph you can imagine how well you will gain control of your harvesting cost. You will reduce labor while increasing quality and production output.

Pretty Pictures Here

Evil Capitalism Hard At Work. -Grim

Filed under: Uncategorized — grimgold @ 7:25 pm

Biodiesel plant to open in Grays Harbor County

By Rachel La Corte
Associated Press Writer

HOQUIAM, Wash. (AP) — Thousands of gallons of canola-based biodiesel will flow daily from a new plant here, bringing hope for the economic resurgence of a region that has faced tough times after a decline in the timber industry.

The Imperium Renewables plant, which officially opened earlier this month, will produce 100 million gallons a year by the end of this year, using not only canola, but soy and other crops, company officials say.

Sid Watts, general manager of plant operations for the new Imperium biodiesel plant in Hoquiam, Wash., holds a bottle of biodiesel. The plant will produce 100 million gallons of fuel a year, using not only canola, but soy and other crops.

“Obviously we think it’s the wave of the future,” said Martin Tobias, CEO of Seattle-based Imperium Renewables. “We are adding roughly 30 percent to the United States capacity in one fell swoop.”
Last year, national biodiesel production was 250 million gallons, more than triple the production just the year before, according to the Missouri-based National Biodiesel Board. By the end of the year, that number is expected to climb to between 300 million and 350 million gallons.

to continue click here

BartCop.com Volume 2031 – Foot Tappers

Filed under: BartCop Page — Chicago Jim @ 11:58 am

BartCop.com Volume 2031 – Foot Tappers.

BartCop.com Volume 2031 - Foot Tappers - top toon

In Today’s Tequila Treehouse…

Arrow Democrats & Losing
Arrow Craig Hypocrisy HOT
Arrow Another 9-11 Coming?
Arrow Monkey Mail HOT
Arrow FOX: Larry Craig who? HOT
Arrow Screwed by Bush
Arrow Gonzo legitimized torture
Arrow Bush’s Bogus History
Arrow Jessica Alba’s walk

Ye Olde Scribe Presents- Having Fun with Game Boards Not on the Market… YET

Filed under: Uncategorized — Ye Olde Scribe @ 10:43 am

Spam, Spam, Spam, Spam…
“Featuring only the kinda spam you can enjoy… A LOT.”

Found in Scribe’s E-box…

ONE LAWYER YOU HAVE TO LOVE

As most of you receiving this know, New Orleans residents are challenged often with the task of tracing home titles back potentially hundreds of years. With a community rich with history stretching back over two centuries, houses have been passed along through generations of family, making it quite difficult to establish ownership. Here’s a great letter an attorney wrote to the FHA on behalf of a client that was priceless.

A New Orleans lawyer sought an FHA loan for a client. He was told the loan would be granted, if he could prove satisfactory title to a parcel of property being offered as collateral. The title to the property dated back to 1803, which took the lawyer three months to track down. After sending the information to the FHA, he received the following reply:

(Actual letter): “Upon review of your letter adjoining your client’s… loan application, we note that the request is supported by an abstract of Title. While we compliment the able manner in which you have prepared and presented the application, we must point out that you have only cleared title to the proposed collateral property back to 1803. Before final approval can be accorded, it will be necessary to clear the title back to its origin.”

Annoyed, the lawyer responded as follows…

(actual letter): “Your letter regarding title in Case No. 189156 has been received. I note that you wish to have title extended further than the 194 years covered by the present application. I was unaware that any educated person in this country, particularly those working in the property area, would not know that Louisiana was purchased, by the U.S. , from France in 1803, the year of origin identified in our application. For the edification of uninformed FHA bureaucrats, the title to the land prior to U.S. ownership was obtained from France, which had acquired it by Right of Conquest from Spain. The land came into the possession of Spain by Right of Discovery made in the year 1492 by a sea captain named Christopher Columbus, who had been granted the privilege of seeking a new route to India by the Spanish monarch, Isabella.

The good queen, Isabella, being a pious woman and almost as careful about titles as the FHA, took the precaution of securing the blessing of the Pope before she sold her jewels to finance Columbus ‘ expedition. Now the Pope, as I’m sure you may know, is the emissary of Jesus Christ, the Son of God, and God, it is commonly accepted, created this world. Therefore, I believe it is safe to presume that God also made that part of the world called Louisiana. God, therefore, would be the owner of origin and His origins date back, to before the beginning of time, the world as we know it AND the FHA. I hope you find God’s original claim to be satisfactory. Now, may we have our damn loan?”

The loan was approved.

Mean, Yet FUN Practical Jokes

“Like replacing a guide dog with a wild boar, something no one should do, but tickles imagination’s funny bone.”

Ya know those Mommy shopping carts with the truck or car so kiddies can ride while “steering?” Hook up the wheel so it works: OCCASIONALLY. Twill drive Mommy bonkers and probably make her curse, “What the %$#@ is wrong with this thing?” Very educational when it comes to profanity.

Having Fun with Game Boards, Not on the Market… YET

Scribe’s note: These ideas are free to any enterprising young, or “olde” and quite crotchety, Marketeer. (As in the more corporate friendly replacement for The Mouseketeers.) Scribe does try to remain ahead of the curve, but it’s possible he’s a “little behind…” maybe the Chinese already have them in production? (Scribe’s sure Maiden Millie would say “a whole lot of behind.”) Some of these games might help your children become more Junior-like. Some might help them learn to turn the tables on the little murderous, spoiled-brat, dictator wannabe. Scribe does not take responsibility for any problems created by any government or corporation evil, idiotic, or CHINESE enough to actual sell these concepts to the American public, but too much of the public may well be moronic enough to buy…

(more…)

August 28, 2007

Inflation Creates Poor People. – Grim

Filed under: Uncategorized — grimgold @ 3:40 pm

Inflation is not prices going up. That’s a result of greater demand or short supply.
Inflation is the dollar becoming worth less, because the government is printing more of them. Obviously, if the dollar is worth less, all prices will rise – but not because of market forces.
FDR took us off the gold standard and began printing fiat money in an attempt to get the country out of the Great Depression. This was supposed to be a temporary answer, not permanent, so don’t blame FDR.
But for whatever reason, we’ve had fiat currency and the resulting inflation ever since. Do I think we need to go back on a gold standard? Not necessarily, but we need a currency that has a net zero inflation because inflation slowly, silently, insidiously, creates more poor people as their buying power melts away. Today’s dollar is worth about four cents.
This is a problem all democrats should be concerned about because it adversely affects the poor and elderly.

I’m exempt, of course. Being an evil republican, I’m supposed to be concerned about the needs of the rich (just a minnit, lemme take a sip of my martini… ahhh!).

The fact is that only the federal government benefits from inflation. Everyone else suffers especially the poor and those on fixed incomes. Inflation creates poor people and the Fed can put a stop to it any time it wants to.
Inflation should not “be under control.” That just means the poor are being screwed more slowly. Inflation should be non-existent.
Please think about this – it should be an issue.
Inflation creates poor people.

BartCop.com Volume 2030 – Why Rove Left

Filed under: BartCop Page — Chicago Jim @ 2:57 pm

BartCop.com Volume 2030 – Why Rove Left.

BartCop.com Volume 2030 - Why Rove Left - top toon

In Today’s Tequila Treehouse…

Arrow Ds Wrong on Iraq 
Arrow Senator’s Perv Sex HOT
Arrow They knew about Craig 
Arrow GOP’s Bathroom Problem HOT
Arrow Paula Zahn – sex bomb? HOT
Arrow Nugent shat his pants 
Arrow Dug his Own Grave 
Arrow War Drums for Iran
Arrow Hilary Duff Heaving 

August 27, 2007

Note Sent to the President. – Grim

Filed under: Uncategorized — grimgold @ 10:42 pm

Dear Mr. President,

The Contra Costa times reports:

SAN DIEGO — Nearly a year after Congress passed legislation calling for the construction of 700 miles of new fencing along the U.S.-Mexico border, about 15 miles have been built, according to the Department of Homeland Security.
Rep. Duncan Hunter, R-El Cajon, a longtime fence backer, said in a letter to President Bush last week: “This lack of progress is unacceptable, especially when adequate funding is available to earnestly proceed with fence construction.”

Will you quit stalling? Build the damn fence!
Grimgold

Gonzales Finally Resigns As Chief Bush Protector

Filed under: Uncategorized — N @ 3:38 pm

Attorney General Alberto Gonzales has finally resigned his position as chief Bush protector. After months and months of criticisms from both Republicans and Democrats regarding his handling of the Department of Justice, including approving torture and questionable actions related to the firing of Federal Prosecutors, Gonzales finally has given in. Nice job Berto! If there is one thing this administration has shown us its that eventually all the useless, lying, unqualified people resign. So what do you suppose George and Dick are waiting for?

Now that Gonzales is gone Bush will need to scramble to find a replacement be for the end of the Congressional recess. Bush needs a complete loyalist that will make sure he is not brought down by his lies and corruption. If Bush appoints someone now, he can slide in anyone without needing Congressional approval. Harriet Meyers where are you when Bushie needs you?

Congress cannot stop a recess appointment so they will have to take different action. If Bush does make a recess appointment then the Judiciary Committee must be up his or her ass from day one. The Gonzales appointment was a disaster from day one and the DOJ needs solid leadership to keep it from completely melting down. Also, there is too much at stake leading in the 2008 election for Bush and this corrupt administration to continue to get away with its governmental madness. Now its time to see if the Democratic leadership really has the stones to take on this administration.

TV writers are terrible

Filed under: Uncategorized — Bart @ 2:05 pm

We started watching The Closer this season and we liked it.

I’d say it’s in the Top Ten because it’s a cop show with brains. Kyra Sedgwick is “the closer,” meaning if she gets you in “the box,” she’ll coerce you or trick you or convince you to confess and we all know how badly the LA cops need to get the bad guys off the streets.

So why do they always fuck up a good show when they get the chance? Two weeks ago, our hero’s parents show up, and of course, they are nosey and over-bearing and bullying and they are exactly the thing the viewer is trying to excape when they turn on the goddamn TV, so why do they do that to us?

(more…)

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