Daily Kos

ALERT: Bush Orders Homeland Security To Help Religious Groups

Tue Mar 07, 2006 at 09:44:00 PM PDT

I am still processing this, but it seems that the President of the United States has just ordered the Department of Homeland Security to do everything in its power to help expand religious organizations in this country.

This executive Order just now posted on the White House website, instructs the DHS to establish a 'Center for Faith-Based and Community Initiatives' and orders that center to 'strengthen' the 'capacity' of 'faith-based' organizations to serve the needs of the country.  

So, the President's 3-step plan to protect us from terrorist attacks and hurricanes appears to be this:  (1) Watch hurricanes on TV, (2) Sell the ports to the UAE, and (3) Funnel money to mega-churches.

Excellent...

Here are the key parts of the order, which you can also see at the White House website:
For Immediate Release
Office of the Press Secretary
March 7, 2006

Executive Order: Responsibilities of the Department of Homeland Security with Respect to Faith-Based and Community Initiatives

By the authority vested in me as President by the Constitution and the laws of the United States of America, and in order to help the Federal Government coordinate a national effort to expand opportunities for faith-based and other community organizations and to strengthen their capacity to better meet America's social and community needs, it is hereby ordered as follows:

Section 1. Establishment of a Center for Faith-Based and Community Initiatives at the Department of Homeland Security.

(a) The Secretary of Homeland Security (Secretary) shall establish within the Department of Homeland Security (Department) a Center for Faith-Based and Community Initiatives (Center).

(b) The Center shall be supervised by a Director appointed by Secretary. The Secretary shall consult with the Director of the White House Office of Faith-Based and Community Initiatives (WHOFBCI Director) prior to making such appointment.

(c) The Department shall provide the Center with appropriate staff, administrative support, and other resources to meet its responsibilities under this order.

(d) The Center shall begin operations no later than 45 days from the date of this order.

Sec. 2. Purpose of Center. The purpose of the Center shall be to coordinate agency efforts to eliminate regulatory, contracting, and other programmatic obstacles to the participation of faith-based and other community organizations in the provision of social and community services.

Sec. 3. Responsibilities of the Center for Faith-Based and Community Initiatives. In carrying out the purpose set forth in section 2 of this order, the Center shall:

(a) conduct, in coordination with the WHOFBCI Director, a department-wide audit to identify all existing barriers to the participation of faith-based and other community organizations in the delivery of social and community services by the Department, including but not limited to regulations, rules, orders, procure-ment, and other internal policies and practices, and outreach activities that unlawfully discriminate against, or otherwise discourage or disadvantage the participation of faith-based and other community organizations in Federal programs;

(b) coordinate a comprehensive departmental effort to incorporate faith-based and other community organizations in Department programs and initiatives to the greatest extent possible;

(c) propose initiatives to remove barriers identified pursuant to section 3(a) of this order, including but not limited to reform of regulations, procurement, and other internal policies and practices, and outreach activities;

(d) propose the development of innovative pilot and demonstration programs to increase the participation of faith-based and other community organizations in Federal as well as State and local initiatives; and

(e) develop and coordinate Departmental outreach efforts to disseminate information more effectively to faith-based and other community organizations with respect to programming changes, contracting opportunities, and other agency initiatives, including but not limited to Web and Internet resources.

[...]

Sec. 5. Responsibilities of the Secretary. The Secretary shall:

(a) designate an employee within the department to serve as the liaison and point of contact with the WHOFBCI Director; and

(b) cooperate with the WHOFBCI Director and provide such information, support, and assistance to the WHOFBCI Director as requested to implement this order.

Sec. 6. General Provisions. (a) This order shall be implemented subject to the availability of appropriations and to the extent permitted by law.

(b) This order is not intended to, and does not, create any right or benefit, substantive or procedural, enforceable at law or in equity by a party against the United States, its agencies, or entities, its officers, employees, or agents, or any other person.

GEORGE W. BUSH

THE WHITE HOUSE,

March 7, 2006

So, this new person at the DHS is basically in charge of making sure that large sums of taxpayer money,  that are supposed to be used to protect this country and keep it safe, actually end up in the hands of organizations run by James Dobson. And to make sure this operation goes smoothly, this person at the DHS is supposed to work closely with the person at the White House whose job it is to make sure that large sumes of taxpayer money ends up in the hands of organizations run by James Dobson.

In summary...

The President's plan to protect Americans from the hurricanes and terrorists who kill Americans at roughly equal success rates--his plan is to (1) sell the ports to the UAE and then (2) give homeland security to Dobson.

And the President unveils both of these initiatives, of course, not in major announcements to the American people--not by standing proudly before the public and saying, "This is my plan to protect you!"  Instead, he sneaks this information out in the dead of night.

From the yankee towns of Vermont, to the San Francisco Bay--let freedom ring.

 

Tags: President, executive order, religion, faith-based initiatives (all tags) :: Previous Tag Versions

Permalink | 325 comments

  •  I just don't get the connection (4.00 / 9)

    between the Dept. of Homeland Security and ... churches. Unless he's hoping the churches will make up for the ample lacks of FEMA. Or maybe it has something to do with that praying thing, like he prayed in the Katrina video that there would be no loss of life.

    What a fuckhead.

    •  I know what this means (4.00 / 37)

      My dad, the wingnut who always spouts the Bushco talking points, was saying this after Katrina--how it should be up to the churches to help the people, not the government. This is part of the "drowning the government in the bathtub." They believe that the government should not be responsible for aiding people; all aid should come from the churches, "just like it used to be when I was a boy, back before FDR and those libruls expanded government so much," he said.
      •  Also... (4.00 / 22)

        Then the churches can be free to dictate who gets help and who doesn't.

        The "righteous and Godly ones" will get help. The "wrong sort of people" will not.

        The Shapeshifter's Blog -- Politics, Philosophy, and Madness!

        by Shapeshifter on Tue Mar 07, 2006 at 10:30:52 PM PDT

        [ Parent ]

        •  That's one of the things that pisses me off most (4.00 / 10)

          Religious blackmail. If you aren't converted to whatever religion/denomination, you won't get as much (or any) care. How very fucking Christian.
          •  It's official: (3.93 / 16)

            The United States of America, a once great democracy has officially jumped the shark and has taken a right turn down fascism lane.

            Most unfortunate.

            He who gives up liberty in exchange for security is deserving of neither

            by joby on Tue Mar 07, 2006 at 10:40:48 PM PDT

            [ Parent ]

            •  Here's a companion to this : (4.00 / 2)

              I wrote a recommended diary on dKos about two weeks ago detailing the advance of the "Faith Based Initiative":

              $500 Million for federal "bigotry based" initiative ?

              The backdrop : The year was 1999, and the outlook for many Christian right organizations, wrote Esther Kaplan in 2004 for The Nation, seemed grim :

              Five years ago the Christian right was in a tenuous position. Its standard-bearer, the Christian Coalition, was under investigation by the IRS and the Federal Election Commission, and many of its state chapters were nearing collapse. Its lead organizers were fleeing so fast that one former field director called the organization "defunct." Groups such as the Family Research Council and Concerned Women for America, undergoing their own leadership transitions, had not yet risen to take the coalition's place. The movement had staked nearly everything on the drive to impeach Bill Clinton, and after that effort collapsed, its leaders projected a palpable sense of gloom.

              Well, what a difference a new presidency, a few years, and a few billion dollars can make ! President George W. Bush has just quietly signed legislation adding even further - by half a billion dollars, to be spent over 5 years - to growing rivers of federal cash flowing, under Mr. Bush's presidency, to "Faith Based" initiatives allowed to both practice religious discrimination in hiring and also, by mandate of federal law, enjoined - claims the Bush Administration - from using federal "faith based" money targeted at strengthening marriages to help gay couples who are married or have domestic partnerships and civil unions.

              Talk To Action Special Feature: To get a glimpse of where "Faith Based" initiatives" may be headed, check out Talk To Action contributor moiv's series on the impact of "Faith Based" initiatives on reproductive rights in Texas. Last installment : "Pregant ? Need Help ? Call 1-800-PROPAGANDA"

              Meanwhile, no one actually seems to know how much federal money - from the pool of up to $100 BILLION DOLLARS available to grant applications from "faith based" organizations - has been dispursed.

              Very few people - Esther Kaplan and Bill Berkowitz ( who forged the way ) and myself ( I just essentially packaged the existing information ) have  paid attention to the SHEER SCALE of what the Bush Adminstration is attempting to do:

              See "Slouching Towards Theocracy: $100 Billion For "Faith Based" ?

          •  American Taliban (4.00 / 16)

            And i think there are plenty of them who'd feel just fine with stringing a lot of us up.

            This is a bad sign.

            "They're telling us something we don't understand"
            General Charles de Gaulle, Mai '68

            by subtropolis on Wed Mar 08, 2006 at 12:04:53 AM PDT

            [ Parent ]

            •  They can (4.00 / 7)

              kill my body but they can't take away my dignity and they can't tell me I don't have rights and it doesn't make their beliefs right

              I'm kind of stalling for time here...They told me what to say. George W Bush, 03-21-2006 10:00 EST Press Conference

              by Tamifah on Wed Mar 08, 2006 at 02:25:06 AM PDT

              [ Parent ]

              •  Infuriating (3.80 / 5)

                This move by Bush is infuriating, but your post reminded me of a movie I saw years ago called Closetland.  If you can find it, see it!  Two actors (Madeline Stowe, Alan Rickman), black and white (but in color, if that makes sense), three characters (Rickman plays both the govt agent and the evil torturer)--about a children's book author who is accused of writing seditious books and is hauled in in the middle of the night for questioning and torture for the purpose of wringing a confession from her.  

                She just keeps repeating, "You can break my body, but you cannot break my mind.  You can break my body, but you cannot break my mind."

                Excellent film, sponsored, I believe, by Amnesty International, and dedicated to all people being held as political prisoners around the world.

                I've never forgotten it.  See it if you can!

                •  Whoa. (3.33 / 3)

                  I'm skeptical too when I see this admin. use the term "faith-based," and I'm skeptical that this will work any better at making us more secure than the first $150 billion over 4 years thrown at Tom Ridge, Michael Chertoff, and company. I'm skeptical that in the event of a disaster or terrorist attack (whatever that is; I still haven't seen an adequate definition of what separates a mere violent crime from terrorism) this office will work any better than FEMA during Katrina and Rita.

                  That said -

                  If I were an Islamic fundamentalist terrorist, al-Qaeda or not, I would see 2,000+ people going to a megachurch and think, "Target!" Check out how many Iraqi mosques are getting blown up recently.

                  It is certainly in our interest to make such large public gatherings better secured against suicide bombers, gun attacks, and other such things. I lived through the DC/Richmond sniper episode, and I remember thinking that what they did was exactly what I'd do if I were al-Qaeda. More can be done to protect discrete gatherings of thousands than the more diffuse society at large (which Muhammad and Malvo threatened).

                  Probably that's all this is. That does not detract from the point the rest of you are making that eternal vigilance is required to keep this from becoming more. But a piece of evidence for fascism this is not. Fascism is coming down from different trees.

                  •  Whoa, talk about stirring up a hornets nest (none / 0)

                    Just imagine the reaction if what you alluded to actually came to pass.  If OBL wants the US to overreact and precipitate a major clash between east and west just think of what would happen if AQ coordinated three or four Oklahoma City size explosions at some fundy Mega-churches scattered throughout the country.

                    Crusade wouldn't even begin to describe the resulting whiplash.

                    /International treaties? We don't abide by no stinkin' international treaties./

                    by sigmarthebad on Wed Mar 08, 2006 at 10:14:47 AM PDT

                    [ Parent ]

                    •  No. I think it's a good idea. (none / 0)

                      What we'll do is fortify the Mega Churches.

                      First what you want to do is surround them with concrete barriers to slow down the car bombers. Inside that a ring of concertina wire to slow down the suicide bombers.

                      We'll have Blackwater mercs man the checkpoints. and we can build machine gun nests onto the corners of the building. Make sure to set those interlocking fields of fire.

                      Ooh! ooh! Snipers in the steeples. That's a good idea. And for good measure a patina of chickenwire and plaster around the outside to deflect the RPGs.

                      And don't forget to emblazon the cross out front with a big fat DHS eagle...make that a two headed eagle...hypervigilant.

                      Now make the cross crooked...there you are. Perfect!

                      The Multinationals and the Religious Right have identical goals: Profit from war, ignorance and fear...and the GOP is their Party.

                      by dj angst on Wed Mar 08, 2006 at 10:43:29 AM PDT

                      [ Parent ]

                      •  Sounds like (none / 0)

                        a few of those mosques in Iraq.

                        And doing that would expose conservative Christianity as being fearful, not especially popular, and in the service of Mammon.

                        Of course blowing up a megachurch isn't the only way to stir up a hornet's nest. Ben Bova in Powersat posits a "Day of the Bridges," in which terrorists with connections in oil shipping firms rig up three oil tankers, park one each under the Golden Gate, Brooklyn Bridge, and Sunshine Skyway and blow them up during rush hour. A friend of mine thinks they'll go after parking decks next.Then of course there's the Last Best Chance, about Bushco's inability to secure stores of radioactive materials abroad.

                        To NSA, FBI, CIA, and other monitors of this thread: I live a mile from the Richmond Federal Reserve. Plans of the building were reportedly found in, I believe, Mohammad Atta's car at Logan Airport. If something happened there my neighborhood, along with downtown, would be the first to feel the consequences. So I'm very interested in not seeing any more violent acts like 9-11. The anger I feel has nothing to do with you. It has everything to do with a president who consciously does things that make me less safe, not more, because they are more likely to bring on another terrorist attack or demonize innnocent citzens.

                        Signed, one angry American.

          •  another way (4.00 / 2)

            of imposing their will on us.  How shameful is this or what.  Again, it's your with us or against us, we are dealing with a maniac in the WH.
          •  reminds me of Ireland in the famine (4.00 / 4)

            The Anglican church had soup kitchens, or whatever they were then, and you had to renounce catholicism to get fed.  I hate my president.  DHS are you listening?
          •  Not to mention... (4.00 / 3)

            ...a really rotten idea theologically.  Once you start making religion a bribe, your pews will fill with unbelievers.  Come to think of it, that's likely what's already happened.  Church membership has become a status symbol.  The pews are filled with unbelievers.  The actual faith is shrinking and will be slipping out the back door any minute now.

            And someone should remind the pinhead in charge that Al Qaeda is a faith-based initiative, too.

            He Lied. He Spied. He Must Be Tried!

            by athenap on Wed Mar 08, 2006 at 10:22:04 AM PDT

            [ Parent ]

        •  think even broader... (3.92 / 13)

          used to work for a guy who was one of bush's "platinum partners." also, serious born-again, with the direct numbers to falwell, robertson et. al. in his rolodex. had of course met bush, knew ppl in his campaign(s) and (presumably) administration. guy also was a firm believer that Bush was anointed by god to usher us through the "end times" - i.e., the big apocolyptic war, to take place in the mideast & pitting the US, UK, and israel vs. the godless russkies and chinese and arabs. had bible quotes to back up the whole line of prattle.

          now, if you're in charge of "homeland security" during the apocolypse, when the lamb o' god is gonna pop outta the sky and hoover the faithful up to heaven, who do you want to be doing business with...? way I see it is that even if Shrubzi doesn't buy all this hoogle-poogle, enough of his dipshit followers do - and this is a nod to them to be ready for "the big one." call me paranoid, but I know the way these wackjobs think, and yeah, they believe.

          It's called the american dream because you have to be asleep to believe it. - G. Carlin

          by RabidNation on Tue Mar 07, 2006 at 11:42:48 PM PDT

          [ Parent ]

          •  06/06/06 (4.00 / 6)

            666 ... it's coming to a calander near you.
            •  Oh man. (4.00 / 3)

              I'm sure you're right. In fact I'm surprised we haven't heard it already.

              On the bright side, it's only 3 months away, and then it'll be over and the fundies will be left, for the hundredth time, trying to explain why the world didn't end on schedule. Remember the millenium?

              The only thing we have to fear is fear itself.

              by sidnora on Wed Mar 08, 2006 at 05:23:46 AM PDT

              [ Parent ]

            •  Or is Bush the (4.00 / 5)

              Antichrist?
              Me, I'm not a believer, but this site could chill you if you were.

              Wherefore do ye toil; is it not that ye may live and be happy? And if ye toil only that ye may toil more, when shall happiness find you?

              by keefer55 on Wed Mar 08, 2006 at 05:34:50 AM PDT

              [ Parent ]

              •  amazing (4.00 / 3)

                Thanks for that link.  The gematria (letters=numbers) section where Bush's name totals 666--that is worth a diary.  Incredible...

                ---
                Tired of violent language from right-wing pundits? Buy my book: Outright Barbarous

                by Jeffrey Feldman on Wed Mar 08, 2006 at 05:47:43 AM PDT

                [ Parent ]

                •  616 (none / 1)

                  Sadly, biblical scholars have concluded that the number of the beast is actually 616 instead of 666.  Somebody should let this guy know.

                  "The heart of the matter is found not in the voting nor in the counting ... but in the process by which the majority is formed." ~ John Dewey

                  by Theolog on Wed Mar 08, 2006 at 06:43:52 AM PDT

                  [ Parent ]

                  •  Whew (none / 0)

                    I about blew my own brain reading that site.  Interesting, but man even though I'm not the most religious of persons, I almost began to BELIEVE!

                    This quote here in the article you provided, is interesting: "It just shows you that when you study something as cryptic and mystic as the Book of Revelation there's an almost unlimited number of interpretations."

                    Never knew that Revelations is written in "coded language and riddles".  Just goes to show you what I know about the Bible.  Heh.

                    O 4 O: Oregon for Obama!

                    by smugbug on Wed Mar 08, 2006 at 06:57:28 AM PDT

                    [ Parent ]

                  •  Our Numbers are Dazed (none / 1)

                    More important than the vision of a crazed, starving christian locking themself in a Greek cave 2000 years ago to brood on the apocalypse is the beliefs of hundreds of millions of modern people with the capacity to destroy the world. After 1500 years of programming, we've created our own myth. The self-fulfilling prophecy is up to us, and we worship the idol "666".

                    "When the going gets weird, the weird turn pro." - HST

                    by DocGonzo on Wed Mar 08, 2006 at 07:20:09 AM PDT

                    [ Parent ]

                  •  bush is about (4.00 / 2)

                    50 bricks short of a load so lets call it even

                    I'm kind of stalling for time here...They told me what to say. George W Bush, 03-21-2006 10:00 EST Press Conference

                    by Tamifah on Wed Mar 08, 2006 at 07:37:02 AM PDT

                    [ Parent ]

                  •  It's just humorous ... (none / 1)

                    unless it's not ???

                    The thought about 666 came to me filling out my time card.

                    All my posting is about is that somewhere there is a wingnut that might take it seriously.  And, then we get to watch them go through some big mass hysteria.  And, if you try to convince them it's really 616, they'll get all confused and go home.

                    Think Kossacks can cause the Christians to panick.  It's Y2K all over again!!!

                    •  yeah, the wingnuts will take it seriously (none / 0)

                      Don't forget all the outcry a few years ago about the pressing need to renumber U.S. Route 666. The New Mexico State Highway and Transportation Department's application explained the reason for the change thus:

                      There has been such an outcry from people living on or near US 66 in New Mexico and from the traveling public who avoid traveling on US 666, that House Joint Memorial 60 and Senate Joint Memorial 49 were passed by the 2003 Legislature of the State of New Mexico, to request assignment of a new designation for US 666 as quickly as possible.

                      The identical Joint Memorial Resolutions said:

                      WHEREAS, people living near the road already live under the cloud of opprobrium created by having a road that many believe is cursed running near their homes and through their homeland; and
                      WHEREAS, the number "666" carries the stigma of being the mark of the beast, the mark of the devil, which was described in the book of revelations in the Bible; and
                      WHEREAS, there are people who refuse to travel the road, not because of the issue of safety, but because of the fear that the devil controls events along United States route 666; and
                      WHEREAS, the economy in the area is greatly depressed when compared with many parts of the United States, and the infamy brought by the inopportune naming of the road will only make development in the area more difficult.

                      It was first numbered 666 in 1925. It was in 2003 that the public's superstition forced the change. Obviously much of American society is regressing to a more primitive mindset.

                      From the Federal Highway Administration's website.

                •  this gematria not so convincing... (none / 0)

                  For starters, I'm pretty sure the author's hebrew spelling of "George Bush" is incorrect. There is no reason to have a "heh" in George Bush, let alone two. The 'ayin' would more properly be a 'vav,' and the final 'cheth' is totally unecessary. It's safe to say that the author gamed the spelling to come up with 666. a huge no-no in gematria. Also, the author uses "George Bush" and "George WAlker Bush" interchangeably, another big no-no in gematria where a great importance is placed upon "true" names.

                  The author's additive numerological method is not terribly convincing either. The fact is, any number no matter how large MUST ultimately reduce to a number between 1 and 9. Finding numbers that reduce to 6 is not that hard. First, just use a calculator to see if the number is divisible by 3. If it is, then you already have improved your chances that the number will ultimately reduce to 6 to 1 in 3. When you think about how many important dates there are in a person's lifetime, it can't be hard to find a date that reduce to 6 given these chances.

                  Anyway, that's just after a brief glance....

            •  I've always liked (4.00 / 6)

              668: The Neighbor of the Beast!

              Conservatives love America like four-year-old kids love their mommies. -Al Franken

              by leftilicious on Wed Mar 08, 2006 at 08:30:31 AM PDT

              [ Parent ]

          •  Apocolypse? (4.00 / 2)

            Civil War between the Christian right and the rest of the population in the US would be bad, but not what could be called the apocolypse.  Gee, something that's not about us...go figgur.

            We're going to have to have a draft implemented soon to fill the ranks with fresh cannon fodder.  I should get interesting then.

            •  Heh... (4.00 / 3)

              I'm not so sure it would be a bad thing.  Fortunately, nobody on the left has been as eager to pull a Timothy McVeigh/Eric Rudolph and start attacking megachurches; the RR will certainly respond that such attacks are evidence of their persecution.  I'm wondering how the arson cases against black churches in Alabama are going to play out...I'm sure the law & order types have knots in their knickers over their own thugs getting out of hand.  

              You are quite right: given Bolton's sabre-rattling, which will only further strengthen and embolden the Mullahs & Ahmadinejad, it seems like Bush is itching to get into it with the Iranians.  We will have to reinstate a draft, and soon, if we're going to get the young men through the pipeline.  The intrusion of reality through spin will make for some interesting results.  

          •  Connections b/n policy and religion? (4.00 / 2)

            The connection is getting the permanent campaign back in gear. Whether it's defunding secular programs to try Faith-Based Treatment for Sex Offenders instead, or usshering the study of Paleyontology into our classrooms, it's a preference for party message over constiutional mission.

            If they treat science as something that can be trumped so easily by their own beliefs, then thnk how little your beliefs must matter! For now, an example from the world of science:

            1. Deutch at NASA, thanks to party connections:

            Inquirer 06 February 2006

            A BUSH presidential appointee to NASA told a web designer for the research agency that he would have to go through the site and stick the words 'theory' before every reference to the big bang.

            ...

            He said that the Big Bang is not a proven fact it is just opinion. "It is not NASA's place, nor should it be to make a declaration such as this about the existence of the universe that discounts intelligent design by a creator. This is more than a science issue, it is a religious issue. And I would hate to think that young people would only be getting one-half of this debate from NASA," he wrote.

            2. Hansen speaks on Censorship:

            Wash Post 10 February 2006

            NEW YORK, Feb. 10 -- James E. Hansen, the NASA climate scientist who sparked an uproar last month by accusing the Bush administration of keeping scientific information from reaching the public, said Friday that officials at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration are also muzzling researchers who study global warming.

            Hansen, speaking in a panel discussion about science and the environment before a packed audience at the New School university, said that while he hopes his own agency will soon adopt a more open policy, NOAA insists on having "a minder" monitor its scientists when they discuss their findings with journalists."

            3. The scary part, message trumps mission, and party apparatus outranks career civil service:

            Courier-Jorunal (free version of 29 January 2006 NYT quote)

            " . . . Hansen said it would be irresponsible not to speak out now, particularly because NASA's mission statement includes the phrase 'to understand and protect our home planet.'

            "He said he was particularly incensed that the directives affecting his statements had come through informal telephone conversations and not through formal channels, leaving no significant trails of documents."

            4. Deutch not there anymore, thanks to blogger:

            Cavalier Daily 14 February 2006

            After studying journalism at Texas A&M University, Deutsch was appointed by the Bush administration to work with NASA on public affairs. One might wonder how a 24-year-old journalism major could be qualified to judge the work of NASA scientists, but when we consider the performance of past presidential appointees, his appointment should come as no surprise.

            As one might expect, NASA scientists were not thrilled to receive orders from a 24-year-old with no background in science, but more appalling than his initial placement are the directives he tried to impose upon the scientists. He demanded, for example, that scientists add the word "theory" to every mention of the "Big Bang."

            In an e-mail to a NASA web designer, Deutsch wrote that the Big Bang theory was just an "opinion," adding, "This is more than a science issue, it is a religious issue. And I would hate to think that young people would only be getting one-half of this debate from NASA." Deutsch continued ironically, "That would mean we had failed to properly educate the very people who rely on us for factual information the most."

            In addition to censoring the NASA Website, Deutsch tried to prevent reporters from speaking with Dr. James Hanson, a NASA scientist who studies global warming. Hanson had incurred the wrath of the administration when he spoke out against government censorship of scientists, and his research on global warming represented a threat to the administration's position that more sun means more fun for everyone. When Hanson spoke out about the administration's attempts to limit his access to the public, Deutsch found himself in the public spotlight, where his lack of credentials made him an easy target.

            Deutsch eventually became a victim of his own dishonesty when a blogger, Nick Anthis, discovered that he had never actually graduated from Texas A&M, despite indicating on his resume that he had a degree in journalism. He resigned after the university confirmed that he never received a degree.

            Why is there a Confederate Flag flying in Afghanistan?

            by chimpy on Wed Mar 08, 2006 at 09:50:03 AM PDT

            [ Parent ]

        •  and all paid for indiscriminately (none / 1)

          with our money, religious or not.

          A society of sheep must beget in time a government of wolves. Bertrand de Jouvenel

          by Little Red Hen on Wed Mar 08, 2006 at 06:26:12 AM PDT

          [ Parent ]

        •  Why do you think so? (none / 0)

          Currently the vast majority of main stream religious groups that provide some sort of assistance do so with no such strings attached. What makes you think they would suddenly change course?
      •  What it really means (4.00 / 5)

        is that Bush has screwed over our nation and our only hope is to pray for a miracle.

        congratulations on your foreskin -- osteriser

        by bartman on Tue Mar 07, 2006 at 10:59:44 PM PDT

        [ Parent ]

        •  What I think it really means... (none / 1)

          is tht the DHS is tasked with breaking down the walls that seperate church and state.

          The church will now become the state.

          •  any time (none / 0)

            anything goes wrong, any where, organized religion is going to use our government treasure like its the atm card from hell

            I'm kind of stalling for time here...They told me what to say. George W Bush, 03-21-2006 10:00 EST Press Conference

            by Tamifah on Wed Mar 08, 2006 at 07:38:51 AM PDT

            [ Parent ]

            •  Dead On Wrong (4.00 / 2)

              The Methodists, the Episcopalians, and the Lutherans are not raiding the treasury and they are certainly organized.  Make sure you know who you are talking about before making such statements.

              Your statement is the equivalent of, "Mexicans are wetbacks" or "Jews are cause of the problems in the Middle East." Both remarks are wrong, bigoted, and stupid.  So was the remark about organized religion.

              •  Thank you... (none / 1)

                ...for this comment. The prejudice that exists among many against "organized religion" as a whole does a great disservice to the overall cause of peace and justice.

                "I suppose your guess is more or less as bad as mine." - The Replacements

                by turnover on Wed Mar 08, 2006 at 11:49:55 AM PDT

                [ Parent ]

                •  Disagree (none / 0)

                  your assumption is that religion promotes peace and justice, but it is a fact that religion, especially orgainized religion, have caused more war and death than land and gold combined, do the math.  

                  there is never time to do it right, but always time to do it over -6.88/-4.31

                  by DeadB0y on Wed Mar 08, 2006 at 01:11:25 PM PDT

                  [ Parent ]

                  •  DeadB0y (4.00 / 2)

                    I think it's always really about the land and the gold. Religion is just the cloak the kings, popes and presidents hide the real reason behind to fool the populace - from the Crusades to the Conquistadors. They use religion to hide their real motives.

                    Thrice is he armed who hath his quarrel just. Sherlock Holmes.

                    by Carnacki on Wed Mar 08, 2006 at 01:23:49 PM PDT

                    [ Parent ]

                    •  Bingo. (none / 1)

                      "I suppose your guess is more or less as bad as mine." - The Replacements

                      by turnover on Wed Mar 08, 2006 at 01:31:40 PM PDT

                      [ Parent ]

                    •  Control (4.00 / 2)

                      I agree the end result might be to gain more land, gold power but the tool used to control the people is the religion.  I just always thought that the term "orgainized religion" almost seemed to be a ozymoron, belief is such a personal thing and to have a organization instruct you on what to believe just to me seemed wrong. Think for yourself. IMHO.

                      Perhaps my upbringing avoiding nail bombs in Scotland might have something to do with my bias view, I never saw any relgion as a whole do anything good, individual people yes, religions no. I don't mean to offend, but I usually do.

                      there is never time to do it right, but always time to do it over -6.88/-4.31

                      by DeadB0y on Wed Mar 08, 2006 at 01:41:14 PM PDT

                      [ Parent ]

                  •  That is not at all what I imply. (none / 1)

                    Indeed, I agree with you that many organized religions have a long and undistinguished history of either promoting or passively condoning violence. However, rebuking organized religion as a whole, as opposed to selectively calling out those individuals and sects that operate to the detriment of peace and justice, does no service to the cause, and only results in the furtherance of division.  

                    "I suppose your guess is more or less as bad as mine." - The Replacements

                    by turnover on Wed Mar 08, 2006 at 01:29:36 PM PDT

                    [ Parent ]

                    •  I agree (none / 0)

                      I just meant the causes of peace and justice are not exclusive to religion.  Religions can participate in the causes of peace and justice, but so can non religious people. Thats all I meant, wow I am clear as mud today.

                      there is never time to do it right, but always time to do it over -6.88/-4.31

                      by DeadB0y on Wed Mar 08, 2006 at 01:44:36 PM PDT

                      [ Parent ]

                •  you know what? (none / 1)

                  Woo hoo for them! That's great! The fact is they are religions and it is against the law for them to be funded by our government.

                  A religion is a lifestyle that people choose to participate in. Our safety, security, and emergency preparedness is not something that we all should be forced to rely on them to have.

                  I'm kind of stalling for time here...They told me what to say. George W Bush, 03-21-2006 10:00 EST Press Conference

                  by Tamifah on Wed Mar 08, 2006 at 02:49:28 PM PDT

                  [ Parent ]

      •  Wingnut Dad... (4.00 / 5)

        probably also believes that churches are better equipped at building roads and other important infrastructure, too.

        They used to do that, a few centuries ago, in Europe, why not here?

        People in Eurasia on the brink of oppression: I hope it's gonna be alright... Pet Shop Boys: Introspective

        by rgilly on Wed Mar 08, 2006 at 04:28:53 AM PDT

        [ Parent ]

      •  seriously, let's just cut out the middle man (4.00 / 3)

        if they were serious about 'drowning the government,' they would just give the power to tax and spend directly to the churches.

        if the church is now responsible for life, liberty and the pursuit of  happiness godliness, then why shouldn't they have taxing ability. it's only the logical next step.

      •  with strins attached (4.00 / 2)

        just like jesus did in the bible
      •  FOX-based Initiative (none / 1)

        Why not FOX? It does the best job at communicating Bush's vision.

        Bush's initiatives are "based" upon his "base."

        The church, the corporation, the rich, and FOX.

        Bush gets SUCH a benefit from contributing tax dollars to the church. And he can even turn around and use the shortfall based upon his new spending to justify more social program cuts in the future.

        Why isn't this faith-based spending deemed unConstitutional?

        Can some sharp Kossack lawyer explain this to me?

        "The best way to determine what a person wants is by surveying what he gets." -Erle Stanley Gardner

        by KOTCrum on Wed Mar 08, 2006 at 08:27:55 AM PDT

        [ Parent ]

        •  Dead on Wrong - 2 (none / 1)

          There is no "THE CHURCH"  If you don't want to appear to be a bigot, it might be well to do a little reading. I'd suggest http://www.talk2action.org might be helpful.
          •  Unfair to Monoliths? (none / 0)

            Guilty as charged.

            But in a format such as this, with limited space to convey thoughts, people often use a broad brush (in case you hadn't noticed).

            I said "the church" as in "church and state." Innuendo being that the 2 should be separate, not blurred together by cross-purposed funding.

            Corporations are as equally nuanced as "the church" but I assume that you would see that I am referring to the fact that Bush favors corporations with huge tax breaks and lax enforcement of environmental and labor laws.

            And I have no clue how your link has any impact on what I wrote.

            "The best way to determine what a person wants is by surveying what he gets." -Erle Stanley Gardner

            by KOTCrum on Wed Mar 08, 2006 at 02:35:25 PM PDT

            [ Parent ]

      •  asdf (none / 1)

        Of course the "the government should not be responsible for aiding people", they have their hands full aiding Big Business!
      •  I fear that you are right.... (none / 1)

        and this is the second stealth effort I have seen recently in support of this kill the New Deal agenda.  The other was sneaking into the 2007 budget an entry for funding private social social security accounts beginning in 2010.

        It has now come to this...if they can't engage in a successful dialog with congress or the citizens on these matters, then find an opaque, covert way to sneak them in.  Their arrogance is unprecedented, and no one is calling them on it.  This is disgusting.  

      •  It is a dastardly long range plan (4.00 / 2)

        1. Fund churches and shift responsibility to them.

        2. Indoctrinate people so that they will look to the churches for these services and not the government.

        So far, it probably sounds pretty good to the churches - but they haven't seen the whole plan.

        3. Government reduces funding from the churches to fund ever more tax cuts - the demand for which will never be sated.

        Law of unintended consequences - churches will have to fund these projects on their own or face alienating a populace brainwashed into relying on them in times of need.

        This sort of crappy gaming of the system will always come back to bite them in the keister.  But a lot of what makes our country great is going to be seriously harmed before it does.

        If you want something other than the obvious to happen - you've got to do something other than the obvious...Douglas Adams

        by trillian on Wed Mar 08, 2006 at 10:43:53 AM PDT

        [ Parent ]

      •  Yeah, and we can see how well that worked! (none / 1)

        Was he there in the Great Depression?  Or did the Civilian Convervation Corp just slip by him, unnoticed?

        "I believe in compulsory cannibalism. If people were forced to eat what they kill, there would be no more wars." - Abbie Hoffman

        by Jensequitur on Wed Mar 08, 2006 at 11:20:24 AM PDT

        [ Parent ]

        •  he was young then (none / 0)

          Maybe it didn't impact him as dramatically as it should. I don't know how all these people who want to get rid of all the aspects of the New Deal think we're not going to slip right back into what was going on before FDR established them--a return of the Great Depression. That's the only result I can foresee from it.

          But he was completely snookered by Reaganomics and has some totally illogical belief that the free market wasn't being properly employed back then, and now it is, so it'll all work out wonderfully.

      •  As long as they convert them to Christianity huh? (none / 1)

        Why churches and not Government?  You ever asked him why?

        A Spirit with a Vision is a Dream with a Mission

        by CO Democrat on Wed Mar 08, 2006 at 12:00:23 PM PDT

        [ Parent ]

        •  yes, I asked him (none / 0)

          He said because when the churches do it, people can give however much they want, but when the government does it, they force everybody to pay set amounts as taxes, so you have no say over what you give. And then the government wastes so much of your tax money. (I have to agree with him on this last point, especially under Bush.)

          My response to this was that I've seen so many people slip just $1 or $2 into the offering plate each week, and yeah, right, that'll go real far! How many people does he think that's going to aid?

    •  That is why they cut funding to FEMA (4.00 / 5)

      because they want to privatize everything and they needed FEMA money to fund the churches.  

      It would also seem to me that this will require that more taxpayer money will get spent in multitudes of administrative functions (at least one for each church group) plus FEMA and more for Homeland Security to keep up with so less money will be available to actually help those needing the help.

      •  sick corrupt surreal illegal unconstitutional (4.00 / 7)

        •  If you mean the entire Bush administratrion (none / 0)

          You're right!
        •  Notice this little tidbit: (3.87 / 8)

          Sec. 6. General Provisions. (a) This order shall be implemented subject to the availability of appropriations and to the extent permitted by law.

          What this means this is going nowhere. It's just another bone to gnaw on for the wingnuts.

          I find it hilarious that Bush issues EOs that he isn't sure of, neither with relevance to the law or if congress will pay for it.

          Restore Democracy! Denounce the GOP (Georgie's Orwellian Party)!

          by high5 on Tue Mar 07, 2006 at 11:23:07 PM PDT

          [ Parent ]

          •  yeah... if he was really gonna do it (none / 0)

            he wouldn't let laws (or proper appropriations) get in the way.
          •  I wouldn't be so sure of that (none / 1)

            How much respect does Fearless Leader have for either the law or the Constitution?

            Looking for intelligent energy policy alternatives? Try here.

            by alizard on Wed Mar 08, 2006 at 12:31:58 AM PDT

            [ Parent ]

          •  I agree (4.00 / 2)

            This seems like a symbolic gesture by Bush, but one, of course, that Dobson et al will no doubt trumpet to their brainwashed followers as proof of their influence in the government and the need to keep pushing to "christianize" America. Speaking of which, forget how I got directed to this site yesterday, may have been from C&L, but GEEZUS is it scary! Oh, yeah, that's right, I think Katherine Harris is supposed to be a keynote speaker there!

            "We didn't create this fetid political swamp, we just live in it." - Digby

            by Whigsboy on Wed Mar 08, 2006 at 05:28:20 AM PDT

            [ Parent ]

          •  Bucking the Establishment (none / 1)

            "Section 1. Establishment of a Center for Faith-Based and Community Initiatives at the Department of Homeland Security.

            [...]

            Section 6. General Provisions. (a) This order shall be implemented subject to the availability of appropriations and to the extent permitted by law."

            US Constitution Amendment I
            "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion"

            That order is clearly unconstitutional. There must be repercussions for unconstitutional orders. Maybe a hangman's rope, so Bush can take it up with his maker?

            "When the going gets weird, the weird turn pro." - HST

            by DocGonzo on Wed Mar 08, 2006 at 07:25:33 AM PDT

            [ Parent ]

      •  church (none / 0)

        ...not to mention the fact that the men who run the mega-churches are con men.

        As long as people believe in absurdities, they will continue to commit atrocities. - Voltaire

        by elephty on Tue Mar 07, 2006 at 11:02:25 PM PDT

        [ Parent ]

        •  On the whole, you're right (4.00 / 2)

          but the better test of where the con men are is the list of funders and the list of associations.  Some mega churches are with us.  We don't want to tar the wrong guys. All mega churches are not fundamentalist and all evangelicals are not conservative.  We're the Democrats, we have a responsability to be fair.
          •  I worked with a mega church (0+ / 0-)

            after I returned from Vietnam.  I was spotted by a couple of recruiters in a restaurant.  They took me to a community of some of the nicest people I have had the opportunity to meet.

            The leaders thought I was more cynical than the followers so they took me inside their planning sessions.  They put on large events.

            It was the most professional method I have witnessed from the inside to work a crowd to get them to voluntarily give up their money to the ring masters.  It was manipulation from beginning to end, but I will admit some people were saved during their stage shows.  That's how good they were.

            As long as people believe in absurdities, they will continue to commit atrocities. - Voltaire

            by elephty on Thu Mar 16, 2006 at 12:23:08 PM PDT

            [ Parent ]

          •  In all fairness (0+ / 0-)

            I would have to say that both conservatives and liberal religious leaders are very good at getting people to voluntarily give them their money to help spread "the good word".

            As long as people believe in absurdities, they will continue to commit atrocities. - Voltaire

            by elephty on Thu Mar 16, 2006 at 12:26:42 PM PDT

            [ Parent ]

    •  When the Constitution is suspended (4.00 / 2)

      no doubt the megachurches will be used as temporary 'housing centers' for local political prisoners.

      Sponge Bob, Mandrake, Cartoons. That's how your hard-core islamahomocommienazis work.

      by Benito on Tue Mar 07, 2006 at 10:28:47 PM PDT

      [ Parent ]

      •  more like (4.00 / 3)

        re-education camps

        I'm kind of stalling for time here...They told me what to say. George W Bush, 03-21-2006 10:00 EST Press Conference

        by Tamifah on Tue Mar 07, 2006 at 10:46:22 PM PDT

        [ Parent ]

        •  Re: (none / 0)

          They've already got them in place with the ex-gay ministry and camps.

          I'm glad I came out long ago - the closets are infested with Republicans these days.

          by grada3784 on Wed Mar 08, 2006 at 06:23:27 AM PDT

          [ Parent ]

          •  survived (none / 0)

            an ex-gay ministry but it left me twisted and broken inside

            im better now though

            i think

            I'm kind of stalling for time here...They told me what to say. George W Bush, 03-21-2006 10:00 EST Press Conference

            by Tamifah on Wed Mar 08, 2006 at 07:31:33 AM PDT

            [ Parent ]

            •  Re: survived (none / 0)

              Here's some love from a gay guy who sees God as a friend, not a sadistic bully.

              I needed to recover from the terrorism that they used on me in the 1950's.  I just loved knowing that I was going to burn in Hell for all eternity for eating meat twice on an ember day.  I drank myself into a stupor for almost 20 years to escape that blasphemy foisted off as god.

              God was generous enough to dropkick me into a 12th step program, where I could find Him for real.  That too was almost 20 years ago.  I've been sober now just about as long as I was drunk.  Sober's a lot better.

              God didn't make a mistake when he made you as you are, no matter what the manicheans of the religious right may say or think; to me, it seems they believe more in the devil than in God.  They can't understand that there's a lot more to morality than just sex.

              Be at peace with yourself and forgive those who abused you.  They just don't know any better.

              I'm glad I came out long ago - the closets are infested with Republicans these days.

              by grada3784 on Wed Mar 08, 2006 at 01:39:23 PM PDT

              [ Parent ]

    •  I find it very sinister... (4.00 / 2)

      It's yet another step in establishing an official religion that is funded by, and beholden to the state.
    •  maybe what it means is (none / 1)

      all Bush is going to do is pray something bad doesn't happen.

      Politics isn't everything, it's the only thing.

      by tc59 on Tue Mar 07, 2006 at 11:00:30 PM PDT

      [ Parent ]

    •  The connection? (4.00 / 8)

      Why, it makes it so much easier to approach something like this:

      Poll numbers be damned. These fuckers are going for the brass ring here. I knew, as soon as they started talking about their "faith-based" bullshit, that it was going to be used to—not just siphon funds for health & welfare—but to further empower the religious-right. We've reached a very dark place, here.

      Hey poppy—what's up?

      "They're telling us something we don't understand"
      General Charles de Gaulle, Mai '68

      by subtropolis on Wed Mar 08, 2006 at 12:00:14 AM PDT

      [ Parent ]

      •  My brother's atheist group (4.00 / 3)

        helped a great deal with intake of Katrina victims in TN. They, uh, didn't proselytize to those they were helping. I remember they were talking about seeing whether they qualified as a faith-based organization, but I can't remember what happened with that. (I hope they looked into it and got that status - every little bit to counter the Christofascists. And I'm a Christian!)

        I'm hanging, subtropolis. Howeryoo?

    •  In a theocracy... (4.00 / 4)

      such a connection is crucial.

      If Bush had put this into play even 3 years ago, millions of americans would be in the streets protesting wildly.

      In 2006, we have outrage fatigue.

      And, so, I could get all hot and bothered by this... but I know in my core that we may blather about this INSANITY... but we won't come forward as a people to stop this.

      This country is lost.

      Every dollar a for-profit insurance company spends on your care, is a dollar that goes against the coroporate balance sheet. --nyceve

      by letsfight on Wed Mar 08, 2006 at 01:00:39 AM PDT

      [ Parent ]

      •  outrage fatigue (4.00 / 5)

        It just deserved to be in a title.

        I know I have it.  Everyday is a new adventure in illegal corrupt politics.  And, it seems all we can do is wait for November and hope Bush does not make the situation unrecoverable.  

        On a TV show, a girl described being raped, "You close your eyes and wait for it to end."  Sounds pretty close to my feelings.

      •  I'm gradually concluding that the fight is over (4.00 / 3)

        We're not going to stop them, and we're not going to prevent fascism from happening here.  We gave it our best shot, but it wasn't enough.

        I'm not knocking our movement; I'm just saying, as I see it, they have consolidated control -- the Congress, the Courts, the Media, Big Religion, the voting machines -- to the point to which their advantage is simply too large for us to ever overcome.

        The struggle will continue, but the outcome is no longer in doubt.  Welcome to the Unitary Fascist States of AmeriKKKa.

        JUST SAY NO TO HILLIEBERMAN!!! "The truth is there is something terribly wrong with this country, isn't there?" ---"V"---

        by asskicking annie on Wed Mar 08, 2006 at 04:20:02 AM PDT

        [ Parent ]

        •  This isn't over yet my dear....... (none / 1)

          and I'm not giving up.  We'll be taking it to the streets soon.  I have only just begun to fight!  I'm not laying down and rolling over............I will fight!!

          If the people lead, the leaders will follow.

          by Mz Kleen on Wed Mar 08, 2006 at 04:57:00 AM PDT

          [ Parent ]

          •  is it time (none / 1)

            for a new declaration?

            some guy said this in a response to a post i made the other day

            "my rights are my own. they belong to me. they are not given to me"

            i paraphrased a bit, couldnt remember the exact words

            I'm kind of stalling for time here...They told me what to say. George W Bush, 03-21-2006 10:00 EST Press Conference

            by Tamifah on Wed Mar 08, 2006 at 07:36:06 AM PDT

            [ Parent ]

        •  We haven't even come close to our best shot yet. (4.00 / 4)

          The Repugs took 40 years to get themselves into this position, spending $400 million a year during that time, and it's already falling apart. Take a look at the poll numbers - and that's in spite of corporate media control. We've been seriously organizing, with little money, for how long - four years? maybe five? It may get still worse before it gets better, but it will get better.

          People are waking up, and there will come a point where fixed elections will be obvious to all, and they will not be meekly accepted. For better or worse, the libertarian impulse is too deeply ingrained in the American psyche, and equally for better or worse, so is the 2nd Amendment. I am a strong believer in gun control, and I pray every day that it doesn't come to this, but I am convinced that this country will resort to armed rebellion before they become another Nazi Germany.

          Only after that fight is lost am I prepared to give up.

          The only thing we have to fear is fear itself.

          by sidnora on Wed Mar 08, 2006 at 05:39:54 AM PDT

          [ Parent ]

          •  By the time the republican schtick unravels (none / 0)

            totally...

            What.will.be.left.of.this.nation?

            There won't be republicans or democrats or elections or a congress or a judiciary.

            I have never seen such a demolition job.

            Every dollar a for-profit insurance company spends on your care, is a dollar that goes against the coroporate balance sheet. --nyceve

            by letsfight on Wed Mar 08, 2006 at 05:48:14 AM PDT

            [ Parent ]

            •  I'm not saying there won't be (none / 0)

              tons of damage. There's already plenty, and I don't doubt there will be more. We'll be working to repair the mess for the rest of my life, at least.

              What I'm saying is that this country, which practically invented individualism as a political philosophy, has had that habit too long for a truly totalitarian state to succeed. There are too many people on the right (libertarians) who wouldn't swallow it, and they are often armed.

              As frightening as the Bushco agenda is, we're still nowhere near Nazi Germany. If we were, you and I would be having this discussion in a concentration camp. And as much as Bushco may wish this country were as homogeneous as the Germany that Hitler took over, because that would make it easy for them, it is rather gloriously diverse, which will be its salvation.

              We need to do as our enemies did: take the long view and take nothing for granted. Commit to the idea that this is a lifetime's work. And then we will win.

              The only thing we have to fear is fear itself.

              by sidnora on Wed Mar 08, 2006 at 06:06:41 AM PDT

              [ Parent ]

              •  And I think that's the real saving grace here (none / 1)

                The fact that we're SO mixed, so diverse, and so damn BIG. And we have so many guns.

                Look at Germany on a map. It's small. Very small in comparison to the US. And remember - it was much harder to get around in the 30s.

                The other big huge difference is that Germany was, as you so rightly pointed out, pretty homogeneous a society. Most people looked pretty much like each other.

                Not here. We have all kinds of people, and it's pretty hard to tell just by looking at someone who 'belongs' and who doesn't. Especially if you're trying to figure it out based on ideology.

                •  Other differences... (none / 0)

                  Keep in mind, too, that Germany had the crap kicked out of it after WWI and was in a total shambles. There was a lot of unity based on feeling rather unfairly oppressed post-war and Hitler made major use of that in rallying the people.

                  I don't think even 9/11 had that kind of impact on the US... not to the extent that would line the US population up on a historical parallel with post-WWI Germany.

        •  Kicked (none / 0)

          My sense of outrage has only grown, in the last 5 years exponentially, as I've watched the fascism tide rise into a theocrat flood.

          But if you want to drop the "asskicking" half of your handle, you are of course free to surrender.

          "When the going gets weird, the weird turn pro." - HST

          by DocGonzo on Wed Mar 08, 2006 at 07:28:37 AM PDT

          [ Parent ]

          •  OK, Pollyanna, (none / 0)

            whatever you say.

            JUST SAY NO TO HILLIEBERMAN!!! "The truth is there is something terribly wrong with this country, isn't there?" ---"V"---

            by asskicking annie on Wed Mar 08, 2006 at 09:15:52 AM PDT

            [ Parent ]

            •  Kicking Yourself (none / 0)

              I say that Pollyanna means cheerfully optimistic". I said that I am more outraged all the time - neither cheerful nor optimistic, but rather obviously the opposite.

              You say you're "asskicking". But you just described getting your ass kicked. Now you're earning some asskicking from me.

              You can wallow in your well-deserved tears, as I noted is your right. But don't take your problems out on me. Your nickname is increasingly appearing to be a reflexive verb.

              "When the going gets weird, the weird turn pro." - HST

              by DocGonzo on Wed Mar 08, 2006 at 09:59:51 AM PDT

              [ Parent ]

              •  Reality (none / 1)

                All I'm doing is looking at the odds we're facing in taking control of this country away from the Republicans.  Collectively our movement IS getting its ass kicked, whether or not you are willing to acknowledge that fact.

                For all our efforts, what have we actually achieved?  Last cycle, we succeeded in electing total DINO Ken Salazar to the Senate.  And we managed to hold off nutjob Alan Keyes in blue Illinois.  In 2002 our "huge" victory was retaining mega-DINO Mary Landrieu's seat in the Senate.  Maybe when all's said and done in 2006 we can console ourselves with the knowledge we kept Roy Moore out of the Alabama statehouse.

                Sorry you don't want to hear it, but I think it's important to acknowledge how grim this country's outlook is.

                JUST SAY NO TO HILLIEBERMAN!!! "The truth is there is something terribly wrong with this country, isn't there?" ---"V"---

                by asskicking annie on Wed Mar 08, 2006 at 12:36:57 PM PDT

                [ Parent ]

            •  hey, lemme know if you want to do dueling posts... (none / 0)

              some day.  Maybe even get into a fight. Then everyone can use as the PRIMARY argument against us our usernames:

              "Letsfight, huh?  I can see why you get along so well here."

              And the comment to you.

              I know I have diminished the debate of 'the other' everytime they issue an attack on my friggin username.

              Every dollar a for-profit insurance company spends on your care, is a dollar that goes against the coroporate balance sheet. --nyceve

              by letsfight on Wed Mar 08, 2006 at 03:56:52 PM PDT

              [ Parent ]

              •  I'm sick to death of the Pollyannas (none / 0)

                Just sick to death of them.  Fuck them and fuck their denial.

                At this point all I want is to live in a country without a psycho government, and between the Rethugs stealing everything and three quarters of the Dems going along with it, there's just no chance of ever having that here.

                JUST SAY NO TO HILLIEBERMAN!!! "The truth is there is something terribly wrong with this country, isn't there?" ---"V"---

                by asskicking annie on Wed Mar 08, 2006 at 04:13:12 PM PDT

                [ Parent ]

                •  But are they pollyannas? (none / 0)

                  I make this point again and again on here.

                  I am not so afraid of these worthless goons running our gov. I am MORE AFRAID of the Amerian people who let it happen. God, we have so much power. And we just escort more and more trouble to this republic through apathy and ignorance and inactivity.

                  I don't see any light at the end of the tunnel either.

                  Every dollar a for-profit insurance company spends on your care, is a dollar that goes against the coroporate balance sheet. --nyceve

                  by letsfight on Wed Mar 08, 2006 at 08:07:22 PM PDT

                  [ Parent ]

    •  What a policy (none / 0)

      Cover Your Ass and Pray. Obviously this administration has no plans to fix or fund FEMA.

      With a big ol' lie And a flag and a pie And a mom and a bible Most folks are just liable To buy any line Any place, any time ~ FZ

      by f furney on Wed Mar 08, 2006 at 04:45:38 AM PDT

      [ Parent ]

    •  Bush has been trying to dump (none / 1)

      humanitarian assistance (welfare of any kind) on the Churches since he came into office. He wants them to provide education, day care, homes for the aged, food, shelter all the time just as they did in colonial days. It's part of his plan to destroy the New Deal.

      Getting Churches involved in Homeland Security will strengthen his desired role for them in social welfare in general.

      This above all: to thine own self be true...-WS

      by Agathena on Wed Mar 08, 2006 at 07:34:37 AM PDT

      [ Parent ]

    •  This is the new republican patronage (none / 0)

      Rethugs view the "welfare state" as a democratic machine, whereby Dems use government programs to funnel money to the poor and blacks in exchange for votes to maintain power.

      This is their counter-offensive.

      If Dems don't see it that way, are afraid to be called "hostile to rleigion", then they will be permanetly out of power.

    •  Praying (none / 0)

      I think it is more like they are praying that none of this criminal activity comes to light.

      "War is Peace, Freedom is Slavery, Ignorance is Strength", George Orwell, "1984" -7.63 -5.95

      by dangoch on Wed Mar 08, 2006 at 12:10:46 PM PDT

      [ Parent ]

    •  The connection... (none / 0)

      Given the ineptitude of DHS, we all better be praying there isn't another terrorist attack!
  •  asdf (4.00 / 7)

    (a) This order shall be implemented subject to the availability of appropriations and to the extent permitted by law.

    I suppose it would be silly to point out that this order is unconstitutional. Separation of church and state?

    Senator McCain, we don't have to twist everything that comes out of a Republican's mouth - you guys come pre-twisted.

    by PatsBard on Tue Mar 07, 2006 at 09:48:07 PM PDT

    •  By the time (4.00 / 10)

      it's made it's way to the SCOTUS, it will have been in operation for years.  Your tax dollars ... funding Moonies, Scientologists and Dominionists.  Why the fuck are we paying for America to be dismantled?

      "You can't negotiate with reality" - James Kunstler

      by Bob Love on Tue Mar 07, 2006 at 09:50:18 PM PDT

      [ Parent ]

      •  Absolutely.