Brett's Blog

Ridden like animals

2004-05-21T10:05:00.000-05:00

More on the prison abuse scandal. I don't quite think this is how to win hearts and minds.

'US soldiers started to shoot us, one by one'

2004-05-21T09:57:00.000-05:00

Story from the Guardian about the wedding party incident in Iraq. This cost 42 innocent Iraqis - and for what?

Video: Prison Abuse

2004-05-21T09:52:00.000-05:00

From today's Washington Post, warning - graphic.

Bush gives stump speech to... Republicans?

2004-05-21T09:44:00.000-05:00

Link: In a "meeting" with Congressional Republican'ts, President Bush gave a 35 minute stump speech meant to "rally the troops", following the recent scandal and problems in Iraq. However, Bush simply gave the speech and left, not taking questions from his OWN party!

"The meeting did not satisfy dissidents in the party. "There was nothing you haven't heard at other, public appearances," said Sen. John McCain (Ariz.), whose commitment to the GOP was questioned this week by Hastert. Asked whether he felt better because of Bush's assurances about improvement in Iraq, McCain replied with feigned relief: "Oh, much better."" - John say you will!

Two months in a row!

2004-05-21T09:38:00.000-05:00

Kerry raised twice as much money than Bush in April, while Bush has spent an estimated $150 million so far in the campaign to lie to the American people about John Kerry.

WaPo: "Kerry is now in a position to be competitive with [the president] through the convention," when both candidates will be limited to $75 million in federal campaign funds, said Anthony Corrado, a campaign finance expert at the Brookings Institution. "The issue was, could Kerry raise the money he needed to get his message out and campaign aggressively through the summer? He's done that. This is a completely different race from the last two because of his fundraising success."

Rumsfeld apologizes to Iraqi prisoners

2004-05-07T12:08:00.000-05:00

Well, I guess the polls said it was acceptable for administration officials to apologize, following W.'s apology yesterday Rumsfeld did so today.

Former Army secretary warned Pentagon on private contractors

2004-05-07T12:00:00.000-05:00

Link: There are now at least 20,000 contract killers providing security for U.S. officials in Iraq. However, the Pentagon has no way of tracking how many of these contractors are actually there - so there are several people running around paid with taxpayer dollars that are unknown to the government. These contractors are also those responsible for the torture of Iraqi prisoners, but they are uncontrollable.

Workers leaving Iraq

2004-05-07T11:57:00.000-05:00

Three out of 10 "reconstruction" workers in Iraq have left since April, because of security concerns.

"It is a common thing to abuse prisoners''

2004-05-07T10:14:00.000-05:00

From a military policeman talking about prisoner abuses in Iraq. From today's New York Times.

Harkin to Rumsfeld: Resign!

2004-05-06T11:23:00.000-05:00

Tom Harkin (D-IA) demanded that Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld resign, and saying that if he doesn't resign right away - the President should fire him! Rumsfeld is scheduled to testify publicly tomorrow. My personal favorite Conservative, John McCain, also said today that "the Secretary has a lot of explaining to do". Also, in today's STL Post-Dispatch, their editorial board demanded that Rummy resign, and take the Wolf-man and Doug Feith with him.

Times editorial on soldier images

2004-05-06T11:19:00.000-05:00

The NYTimes talks about the images of the prisoners being tortured, and how this, and not our soldiers amazing performance in the war, has become the lasting image of our occupation. It's a damn shame.

New prisoner images in today's WaPo

2004-05-06T11:14:00.000-05:00

Link

"The dumbest policy on the face of the Earth"

2004-05-06T10:37:00.000-05:00

That's Larry Wilkerson, Colin Powell's Chief of Staff, on Bush's foreign policy.

47,000 more to Iraq

2004-05-04T12:26:00.000-05:00

AP: 37,000 Guardsmen and Reserves and 10,000 Marines will be sent to Iraq for one year.

Children Left Behind

2004-05-04T12:21:00.000-05:00

Kerry is attacking Bush's record on education today. It's a big target, so have fun John.

Kerry in a race to define himself

2004-05-04T12:12:00.000-05:00

John F. Kerry has now released a series of biographical ads attempting to introduce himself to the American people before Rove and the boys finish and make him look like a big softy Liberal. These ads, which are excellent in my totally biased opinion, will cost $25 million in ad buys. The ads also feature his lovely wife, Teresa, and daughter Vanessa.

Bush secrecy being exposed...again

2004-05-04T12:08:00.000-05:00

The Bush Administration's secrecy comes under fire in today's Boston Globe. Relating to the Gorelick memo, as well as the 8/6/2001 PDB that was finally released after much pressure from the 9/11 Commission. The secrecy of this President is rivaled only by that of "Tricky Dicky" Nixon.

Battlefield of Dreams

2004-05-04T12:01:00.000-05:00

Krugman today. Basically talking about the private contractors and general privitization in the on-going Iraqi transition, and how it is a conservative's wet dream, including a flat-tax.

Bush's love and support for Murderiel Sharon angers diplomats

2004-05-04T11:56:00.000-05:00

Sixty former U.S. diplomats signed a letter to Bush scolding him for his unabashed support of Ariel Sharon, and saying that it is costing our country friends and prestige all over the world.

More on the prisoners

2004-05-04T11:53:00.000-05:00

The U.S. now says that military prison guards will no longer be allowed to use hoods to blindfold Iraqi prisoners. I don't really agree with what I'm about to say, but isn't this starting to look more and more like Vietnam?

More Iraqis come forward

2004-05-04T11:46:00.000-05:00

Not good news:
"I was blindfolded and handcuffed, we were dumped outside on a gravel yard for 10 days, we were given one bottle of water all day for cleaning and drinking"

W. in Ohio today

2004-05-04T11:44:00.000-05:00

Good luck, 222,000 jobs have been lost in that state. It's John Kerry's state to lose, and it's his election to lose.

"The beginning rather than the end"?

2004-05-04T11:41:00.000-05:00

That's what Ted Kennedy thinks of the prison abuse allegations, as well as John McCain, Carl Levin, and John Warner.

Credibility is on the ballot in November

2004-05-03T09:56:00.000-05:00

And Bush has none, thanks to his support of the murderous Sharon.

Small donors

2004-05-03T09:54:00.000-05:00

Small donors are defining the fund-raising in this election. Good news for us.

On this anniversary

2004-05-01T16:42:00.000-05:00

Since a year ago today, when Bush declared an end to major military operations in Iraq, 594 soldiers have died. He needs to go.

Next stop on the war path:

2004-05-01T16:37:00.000-05:00

Latin America. General James Hill, head of U.S. Southern Command, told a congressional panel that America needs to strenthen its Latin America armed forces. Can you smell a war?

Fallujah families return to their homes, or what was once their home.

2004-05-01T16:21:00.000-05:00

"My books have been burned so how will I study?," he asked. "Where will we live? Where will we live?" he cried.

The families of the Iraqi city of Fallujuh have returned to their homes after a U.S. military siege ended. Many returned home to rubble, but saw the absence of U.S. troops as a victory.

Story

Iraq? Condi?

2004-05-01T16:18:00.000-05:00

Chevron (Condi Rice's old company, and one of the biggest oil companies in the country) reported massive profit gains of about 33%. Could this have anything todo with the military intervention in Iraq, or Chevron's friends in high places at the White House? You decide.

British troops guilty of atrocities, too

2004-05-01T16:13:00.000-05:00

American soldiers are not alone in their mistreatment of Iraqi prisoners. They have a willing and able ally in the Brits. THIS is what happens when you leave your troops in the battleground for too long - they become insane.

Veteran calls out Bush Administration

2004-05-01T16:09:00.000-05:00

A National Guard leader from Iraq calls out Bush's leadership in this war:

"Our troops are still waiting for more body armor. They are still waiting for better equipment. They are still waiting for a policy that brings in the rest of the world and relieves their burden" - Well said!

Sinclair sex offender

2004-05-01T16:01:00.000-05:00

Via Atrios - Republican values

New DNC Video

2004-05-01T16:00:00.000-05:00

Mission not accomplished

Sinclair responds via its website

2004-04-30T17:41:00.000-05:00

Link.

Vietnam's Giap Gives Warning on Iraq

2004-04-30T13:37:00.000-05:00

THIS is ironic.

PBS Frontline

2004-04-30T13:29:00.000-05:00

Frontline is airing a show called "The Jesus Factor" about Bush's religiosity, you can watch the full program online here, starting tomorrow.

Today's Progress Report

2004-04-30T11:38:00.000-05:00

Two more today, so far

2004-04-30T11:36:00.000-05:00

Two Marines killed in Fallujah attack today.

Update on Koppel

2004-04-30T11:12:00.000-05:00

He is going to be on the O'Franken Factor today. It is on live right now on Air America Radio.

More on Sinclair Broadcasting

2004-04-30T10:50:00.000-05:00

In 2000 and 2001, Sinclair Broadcast Group gave a total of $132,400 to Republican causes.

And a quote from Sinclair:
"While the Sinclair Broadcast Group honors the memory of the brave members of the military who have sacrificed their lives in the service of our country, we do not believe such political statements should be disguised as news content," said Barry Faber, Sinclair's counsel, in a prepared statement issued in response to a request for comment.

Read Sinclair's entire statement.
Some Sinclair background info.
Article summing up the entire situation.

John McCain is a class-act

2004-04-30T10:36:00.000-05:00

Yes, I know, John McCain is a Conservative. However, he is a hero to our country because of his service to our country and his honesty. He wrote this letter to Sinclair Broadcasting, a Republican contibutor, about the company's refusal to show tonight's Nightline. The company says that Nightline is pushing a political message, but how is HONORING our fallen men and women political?

McCain Letter to Sinclair Broadcast on Preemption of Nightline
Fri Apr 30 2004 11:29:49 ET

Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator John McCain (R-AZ) issued the following letter today to Mr. David Smith, President and CEO of Sinclair Broadcast Group, in response to the preemption of this evening's Nightline program:

I write to strongly protest your decision to instruct Sinclair's ABC affiliates to preempt this evening's Nightline program. I find deeply offensive Sinclair's objection to Nightline's intention to broadcast the names and photographs of Americans who gave their lives in service to our country in Iraq.

I supported the President's decision to go to war in Iraq, and remain a strong supporter of that decision. But every American has a responsibility to understand fully the terrible costs of war and the extraordinary sacrifices it requires of those brave men and women who volunteer to defend the rest of us; lest we ever forget or grow insensitive to how grave a decision it is for our government to order Americans into combat. It is a solemn responsibility of elected officials to accept responsibility for our decision and its consequences, and, with those who disseminate the news, to ensure that Americans are fully informed of those consequences.

There is no valid reason for Sinclair to shirk its responsibility in what I assume is a very misguided attempt to prevent your viewers from completely appreciating the extraordinary sacrifices made on their behalf by Americans serving in Iraq. War is an awful, but sometimes necessary business. Your decision to deny your viewers an opportunity to be reminded of war's terrible costs, in all their heartbreaking detail, is a gross disservice to the public, and to the men and women of the United States Armed Forces. It is, in short, sir, unpatriotic. I hope it meets with the public opprobrium it most certainly deserves.

Thanks, John, now please accept the VP position on the John Kerry ticket.

Editorial on Pat Tillman

2004-04-30T10:28:00.000-05:00

This is some pretty strong stuff, from the UMass Daily Collegian.

Wife of accused soldier speaks out

2004-04-30T10:15:00.000-05:00

Following the 60 Minutes II piece that aired the other night, family members of the soldiers in charge of Iraqi prisons are speaking out against our military's leadership.

"Martha Frederick, of Buckingham, Va., said her husband, in Iraq since April 2003, told her his unit wasn't given proper training and equipment.

"I feel like things are being covered up. What has come to light has fallen on the burden of my husband," she said." - AP story

17 soldiers have now been suspended for their conduct, including a General.

Pictures from the broadcast can be found here.

A more complete overview of the piece can be found here, including more pictures.

YOU should know this, Paul

2004-04-30T10:07:00.000-05:00

"It's approximately 500, of which -- I can get the exact numbers -- approximately 350 are combat deaths" - no, jackass, its 724 military deaths in Iraq, and 522 were combat deaths. Paul Wolfowitz yesterday.

More massive job cuts

2004-04-30T10:03:00.000-05:00

Winn-Dixie to cut 10,000 jobs

Krugman today

2004-04-30T10:01:00.000-05:00

Link: Commemorating the one year anniversary of "Mission Accomplished".

Who's the guy that cut defense?

2004-04-30T09:54:00.000-05:00

That would be Dick Cheney, NOT John Kerry. Cheney cancelled numerous programs while Sec. of Defense, yet he goes out and makes outrageous charges about John Kerry's patriotism! Cheney also managed to find time to tout Fox News as "the most accurate" - could it be because Fox owner Rupert Murdoch's company (NewsCorp) donated hundreds of thousands of dollars to the Bush team in 2000?

They need your help

2004-04-29T15:18:00.000-05:00

John Podesta and the awesome folks at the Center for American Progress have set up a Claims vs. Facts Database compiling a list of lies by the Bush Administration. So far, they have over 400 entries. Check it out.

Sharon losing in Israeli polls

2004-04-29T14:24:00.000-05:00

Link: Hopefully he resigns - he's a freakin' murderer, yet we fully support his actions.

Colin's thoughts on Iraq losses

2004-04-29T14:20:00.000-05:00

Powell said today, in Denmark (who has contributed a whopping 500 troops to coalition efforts), that when lives are lost it reflects in the polls. I was lead to believe that this administration was not affected by polls!

Kerry pulls slightly ahead

2004-04-29T13:15:00.000-05:00

According to today's Rasmussen Report poll, John Kerry has pulled ahead of Bush by a tally of 46% - 44%. Today is the first time he has lead since April 19, when the tally was 46-45. Good news, I guess.

Nightline tomorrow

2004-04-29T13:12:00.000-05:00

Ted Koppel plans a moving tribute to our soldiers who have passed away while fighting in Iraq on tomorrow's Nightline. Koppel plans to read off the names, as well as show photos of the soldiers who have died in Iraq. Please tune in, this is quite admirable of Koppel and the Nightline team.

"Jobs First Express" struggling

2004-04-29T13:05:00.000-05:00

JFKerry's bus tour through the midwest has been struggling to pick up steam, according to the AP. This exchange appears to be a typical one, according to the article:

"In Cleveland, the bus stopped at a site where houses are being built. The workers are stood with their feet in the mud.

Kerry appeared and said to one black worker: "It's a good job isn't it."

"It's all right," replied the man.

"You got a better job in mind," said Kerry.

"Yeah, your job," quipped the construction worker."

Can't the idiots running this campaign do a better job than this garbage? Bush is ripe for the picking, and Kerry is struggling to gain a little traction in any area. He may need to pick a VP now just for the positive jump in the polls that it will likely incur. Come on!!!

Gephardt on O'Franken in a few minutes

2004-04-29T12:59:00.000-05:00

In relation to the VP article posted earlier, Rep. Richard Gephardt (D-MO) is going to be on "The O'Franken Factor" with Al Franken and Katherine Lanpher on Air America Radio in just a few minutes. Franken thinks Dick will be the running-mate.

Bush's statement on Commision

2004-04-29T12:50:00.000-05:00

"The commission found the president and the vice president forthcoming and candid." - Link

60 Minutes II piece

2004-04-29T12:42:00.000-05:00

You can't win hearts and minds by treating the Iraqi people as garbage. Apparently, that is exactly what happened in a prison in Baghdad, where U.S. troops abused prisoners and threatened and humiliated Iraqis. Thankfully, these troops and their commanders are facing court martial for their actions.

A link between ALS and military service?

2004-04-29T12:30:00.000-05:00

Could it be the deadly chemicals our military uses that causes this link between ALS, "Lou Gehrig's Disease", and people who have served in the 20th century? I wonder!

The VP search goes on

2004-04-29T12:26:00.000-05:00

The search for John F. Kerry's running-mate continues, as background checks are being done on several possible candidates. Some include Dick Gephardt, John "Boy Toy" Edwards, and Tom Vilsack. I don't know about you, but "Kerry-Vilsack" doesn't have a pretty ring to it. Bill Richardson is my pick, but I don't think he will leave his post as Gov. of NM.

Blumenthal in today's Guardian

2004-04-29T12:13:00.000-05:00

Pulp fictions triumph over truth

Dowd sums it up

2004-04-29T12:06:00.000-05:00

In today's NYT: "W. sees the war on terror 'as a religious war': 'He doesn't have a P.C. view of this war. His view of this is that they are trying to kill the Christians. And we the Christians will strike back with more force and more ferocity than they will ever know.'"

New York Times/CBS News Poll

2004-04-29T11:55:00.000-05:00

Link: Only 47% now say that our country has done the right thing in Iraq, and 46% say we should have stayed away. Yet, for some unknown reason, the race is still a dead-heat.

House Dems give Kerry an idea - "Bring it on"

2004-04-29T11:51:00.000-05:00

Why does John Kerry lay on the ground day by day like a dead fish being filleted by Conservatives? He needs to fight back, and House Democrats told his surrogates he needs to follow his own advice - "Bring it on"!

10 more soldiers die today

2004-04-29T11:44:00.000-05:00

On the day where a "plan" was announced that will replace U.S. forces in Fallujah with Iraqi forces, which will be commanded by one of Saddam's ex-generals. I thought we "would not bow to the pressure" of these small groups of "insurgents". What is THIS then?

More job cuts

2004-04-29T11:41:00.000-05:00

I thought that the economy was thriving, but apparently its not, as Dow Chemical is cutting 3,000 jobs - a 6.5% cut in its workforce.

Will anything come from this?

2004-04-29T11:36:00.000-05:00

Cheney and Bush met jointly with the 9/11 Comission today. Will any truths come out of this? Or will these two continue to hide things from a comission that they reluctantly created, begrudgingly funded, and whose request for an extension was repatedly denied? Of course, we will most likely never know, since no transcriptions or recordings were allowed.

...And now for something completely different

2004-04-28T13:01:00.000-05:00

I've been saying this for quite some time now.

Gore gives

2004-04-28T12:55:00.000-05:00

Al Gore is giving over $6 million from his 2000 warchest to different factions of the Democratic party, including $4 million to the DNC. He is also giving $240,000 to the Florida Democratic Party.

"Enemy Combatants" case before Supreme Court today

2004-04-28T12:41:00.000-05:00

Following Cheney's case being heard yesterday at the SCOTUS, the cases of Jose Padilla, the "dirty bomb" suspect, and Yaser Esam Hamd, the Saudi caught in Afghanistan, are being heard today. Both are American citizens denied their right to a lawyer following their captures. Hamdi has lost in the lower courts, and is appealing to the high court, and Padilla has won in the lower courts, forcing an appeal by the Government.

Good news for WI seniors

2004-04-28T12:35:00.000-05:00

Link: A new website has been set up to help Wisconsin citizens in need of prescription drugs.

I imagine Republicans will blame Kerry for this, too?

2004-04-28T12:33:00.000-05:00

Tanks Sought to Protect Soldiers in Iraq

The count is now at 122 for April

2004-04-28T12:26:00.000-05:00

That's United States soldiers killed in action in Iraq this month, and 723 total KIA's. Find detailed specifics here, courtesy of a list compiled by Buzzflash.

A Republican's thoughts on John Kerry

2004-04-27T20:22:00.000-05:00

A quick quote from Republican-in-disguise Joe Lieberman from today's Imus in the Morning show:

Senator Joe Lieberman: "I think in the long run
and in the short run, Senator Kerry has got to talk
about his vision for America's future and what he
is going to do differently than this President has
done. How he is going to deal with the economy, protect
peoples jobs, get tough on trade and protect the
environment, but also, bring himself up to the
threshold. Once he reaches the threshold then he
can make the case about why he would be better
on the 'economy stupid' as Carville said. This
time I think in addition to presenting his
vision of how he is going to do better at all
those domestic policies, Senator Kerry obviously
has to convince the American people that he is
going to be as strong on security that he crosses
that threshold and gives him a sense of confidence
that he will deal with the things that they worry
about everyday when they get up like their jobs,
healthcare costs or their kids education, better
than this President. There are six really important
months ahead in this campaign."

Hibbitty Habba Tonight

2004-04-27T17:13:00.000-05:00

The future President of the United States, John F. Kerry, is on Hardball with Chris Matthews tonight. The show airs at 6:00 CST (7:00 EST). Kerry is on his "Jobs First Bus Tour" through midwestern towns hit hardest by this administration's reckless fiscal policies. Most of the show tonight is devoted to JFKerry, and is part of the show's 7th Anniversary celebration this week. Don't miss it, and try not to EVER miss Hardball. Chris Matthews is awesome, although some say he is a "Media Whore", which I tend to disagree with. Enjoy the President.

Ronald Reagan University? No!

2004-04-27T16:29:00.000-05:00

"I love his legacy, and I will do anything I can to perpetuate it and memorialize it," said Steve Schuck. Link

Why Steve? Do you people realize that when Reagan ruled the land, deficits were huge (topped only by this President), and we had an unemployment rate of 20% - that's 1 in 5 for future Reagan University graduates. People were tired of being trickled on then by Reagan's economic plans, and are tired of getting the same treatment from Bush.

"No one can say that this family has not done enough to serve our country"

2004-04-27T16:16:00.000-05:00

I'm sure you are familiar with the three Witmer sisters who served in Iraq as members of the Army National Guard. One sister, Michelle was killed April 9 in Baghdad. The other sisters decided today that they would choose not to return to Iraq. This hits especially close to home considering I live in Wisconsin. I thank those who made it possible to allow them to stay home.

Mislead on Prescription drugs

2004-04-27T15:47:00.000-05:00

"Less than a year ago, President Bush promised Americans that he would "provide seniors with a drug discount card that saves them 10 to 25% off the cost of all drugs, so they'll start seeing savings immediately" on their medications. But, as the program launches next week, experts have concluded that the cards don't guarantee seniors any savings at all. Additionally, instead of admitting this, the President used millions in taxpayer money to promote the cards through television ads - ads that government regulators later said were misleading."

From today's Daily Mislead

I thought Saudi Arabia was our ally

2004-04-27T15:12:00.000-05:00

According to this, Americans are facing more attacks in the kingdom of Saudi Arabia, and that the targets of Al-Qaida will be "Jews, Americans, and crusaders". Yet, we take no military action in this country, no no only in Iraq where NO Americans were harmed prior to our occupation!

Future First Lady

2004-04-27T13:00:00.000-05:00

The future FLOTUS is on the cover of the May 3 issue of Newsweek. Great article - and to think, some people say she may be a hinderance to his campaign. How could she possibly hurt him?

It's official

2004-04-27T12:33:00.000-05:00

Pat Tillman has been claimed by the Conservatives of this country. I, and most football fans, knew of Tillman prior to his death in Afghanistan last Thursday night. Now, however, Conservatives have decided that he is now theirs and President Bush's property. This is quite sickening, but of course not surprising. Tillman did not sign up to fight (and eventually give his life) for Republicans and Conservatives. He signed up to fight for America, not political beliefs, so let him rest in peace.

The Human Cost

2004-04-27T12:27:00.000-05:00

From Newsweek's May 3 issue. "Many soldiers who are there say the Pentagon is failing to protect them with the best technology America has to offer."

Thank You Jim!

2004-04-27T12:23:00.000-05:00

My Governor, Jim Doyle (D-WI) vetoed a bill that would have named a highway in my state (U.S. 14) Ronald Reagan Highway. Thank you Gov. Doyle.

Cheney told Reagan to cut defense

2004-04-27T12:20:00.000-05:00

From David Sirota's blog

If Reagan "doesn't really cut defense, he becomes the No. 1 special pleader in town...The severity of the deficit is great enough that the president has to reach out and take a whack at everything to be credible...If you're going to rule out the other two [Social Security cuts and a tax increase], then you've got to hit defense."
- Dick Cheney quoted in the Washington Post, 12/16/84

Very interesting.

Conason strikes back at Hughes

2004-04-27T12:17:00.000-05:00

From Salon.

THIS is important?

2004-04-27T12:10:00.000-05:00

This is Drudge's top news as of right now: $1000 HAIRCUT?

Also, a related picture of W just before announcing the start of the Iraq War.

115!

2004-04-27T12:03:00.000-05:00

That's the body count this month in AmIraqa.

More eating their own

2004-04-27T10:06:00.000-05:00

Richard Lugar on the Situation in Iraq:
"We are going to have to spend the money: The issue is for us to face that up front - for the president to indicate we need the troops [and] the money, as opposed to [Congress during hearings] trying to wheedle this out of reluctant [administration] witnesses."

Eating Their Own

2004-04-27T09:52:00.000-05:00

News on the Specter-Toomey (PA) primary election. The Republicans are eating their own, and you've gotta love it. Even though I personally don't mind Specter (for a Republican), you have to pull for Toomey to win tonight, as it will be almost an assured victory for Democratic challenger Congressman Joe Hoeffel. The following comes from ABC's "The Note".

"ABC News Vote 2004: the Senate:

In the end, it may come down to anecdotes about how many Toomey signs you see in Bucks County.

Make no bones about it - Pennsylvania is electoral college gold, and the White House much prefers to run in the general election with Specter on the ballot. And, with all due respect to Mr. Toomey, Democrats have a much better chance at this seat against a non-incumbent.

This primary has been bruising. Specter, a former prosecutor, has gone after nearly every aspect of Toomey's life and career, labeling him a "former Hong Kong dealmaker who now votes to send our jobs to China … .An out-of-control bar owner who flip-flops on abortion, depending on the election … ." etc.

Toomey's ad are just as fierce. "Finally, there is a conservative," a radio ad blares. A TV spot running now says Specter "joined John Kerry in cutting the intelligence and defense budgets … "

Toomey's low cash reserves have been buttressed by spending from an independent group, the Club for Growth, which has listed Specter as RINO — Republican in Name Only, for years, and would love nothing better than to knock off a Senator they consider to be insufficiently conservative (he supports abortion rights). Specter is backed by the Establishment — President Bush campaigned for him and Senator Rick Santorum endorsed him. But the swell behind Toomey is clear evidence that Specter is not well liked by many of his more conservative constituents. His favorability rating among Republicans is quite low.

Specter has been a real target ever since he voted against President Clinton's impeachment, but conservative anger against him dates back to his decision to vote against the Supreme Court nomination of Robert Bork. Toomey hails from the Lehigh Valley, where old-city factory jobs are slowly (and often painfully) giving way to high-tech new commerce ones. First elected in 1998, Toomey is Catholic, gets high marks from conservative groups, and has staked his reputation in the House as a no-nonsense tax cutter. Specter's base has come from moderate and liberal Republicans in Philadelphia and its suburbs. And he's been helped by outside groups, too."

Go Toomey!

Vietnam all over - again, again, and again.

2004-04-27T09:44:00.000-05:00

More on the Kerry vs. Bush/Cheney on Vietnam war records/protests. From MSNBC's First Read.

Zinn on Iraq

2004-04-27T09:13:00.000-05:00

From June's issue of "The Progressive", by Howard Zinn. At Common Dreams.

Contractors in Iraq

2004-04-27T09:06:00.000-05:00

What??? Halliburton is corrupt?

Cheney case at the Supreme Court

2004-04-27T09:04:00.000-05:00

Will Cheney finally be the one to pay the price for this administration? His secrecy case goes before duck hunting buddy Tony Scalia and the rest of the Supreme Court today.

Pay them off!

2004-04-27T08:58:00.000-05:00

The best way to capture Iraqi hearts and minds? Money!

Mercenaries

2004-04-27T08:55:00.000-05:00

On the hired guns providing "security" in Iraq.

Jim Moore tells it like it is

2004-04-27T08:52:00.000-05:00

Awesome Jim Moore article on Bush's military records from Salon.

Off with their heads

2004-04-27T08:44:00.000-05:00

Good to see have a much more humane government in place in Afghanistan now that the Taliban has been removed.

Liberal Radio

2004-04-27T08:39:00.000-05:00

Please listen live to Air America Radio. Very engaging and humorous political talk radio, from the left side of the plate. Check it out.

Blair gets a dose of his own medicine

2004-04-27T08:37:00.000-05:00

Tony Blair is now being hammered about his support of the Iraq "War".

Krugman

2004-04-27T08:35:00.000-05:00

"What Mr. Cheney is defending, in other words, is a doctrine that makes the United States a sort of elected dictatorship: a system in which the president, once in office, can do whatever he likes, and isn't obliged to consult or inform either Congress or the public." - Krugman from today

Fighting mad and fighting back, finally

2004-04-27T08:28:00.000-05:00

John Kerry fights back at the Administration in today's NYTimes.