Open Thread and Diary Rescue

This evening's Rescue Rangers are Louisiana 1976, shayera, vcmvo2, grog, Wes Opinion and jlms qkw (thanks for the save), with jennyjem as editor.

Here are the diaries up for rescue tonight:

• DWG alerts us to a pending environmental rape bigger than anything ANWR would be in Pebble Mine: The biggest environmental threat in Alaska. (grog)
• In A moment of silence for China and Burma, mofembot reminds us that today marks the first of three official days of mourning in China for the victims of this latest disaster. (vcmvo2)
• pkgoode reminds Kossacks that although Katrina and the flooding caused by the failure of federally-maintained levees happened close to two years ago, the disaster is still current reality in the lives of many in New Orleans in Witness. (Louisiana 1976)
• JedReport tells Kossacks about McCain's soft spot on terrorism: Opposed clinic bombings ban. (shayera)
• admill recommends that Kossacks use a form of transportation that is not only "green" and economical, but also good exercise and just plain fun, in Bike to Work Week/Day. (Louisiana 1976)
• Jeff Huber vividly describes just how close General Petraeus came to "proving" Iran was supplying arms for al Sadr's Mahdi Army but his case fell apart, yet the MSM Fumbles Iran Narrative Again. (vcmvo2)
• DCLaw analyzes and gives Kossacks some more information On the GOP "Brand" (Updated). (shayera)
• Whether or not Dick Morris is an idiot is up for debate, although XStryker gives us an excellent example of why he could very well be considered an idiot of colossal proportions in Dick Morris: Wrong on Iran. (Wes Opinion)
• shirah reports that the latest Bush Administration plan to modernize the system for security clearances is long on detail but short on security in Let's Go Shopping for Security Clearances. (vcmvo2)
• iampunha continues a series of excellent historical reviews in May 19, 1795: A man for all people is born. (jlms qkw)
• Karen Hedwig Backman comes to the realization that maybe she's not as peace-loving as she thought in Confessions of a Pro-War Anti-War Demonstrator. (Wes Opinion)
• aimeeinkc challenges us to act in Is McCain going to kick our ass? (WDYDTW?) (jlms qkw)

jotter has High Impact Diaries - May 18, 2008.

va dare brings Top Comments 5.19.08 "Subdivided We Fall".

Enjoy and please promote your own favorite diaries in this open thread.

::

•  JIM WEBB ON LETTERMAN TONIGHT

  (apologies for the caps)

  by Yirmiyahu on Mon May 19, 2008 at 08:13:15 PM PDT

  •  His was my favorite

    State of the Union response (of the ones I've heard.)

    by NMDad on Mon May 19, 2008 at 08:27:19 PM PDT

•  I saw a Bush interview (via Olbermann, I think)

  where Dumbya bragged of how Iraq is "a success" and how troops are coming back in August; of course, he didn't mention that 40K more are going back in the fall.

  "Surging Forward" into the quagmire yet again.

  :/

  Never, never brave me, nor my fury tempt:
    Downy wings, but wroth they beat;
  Tempest even in reason's seat.

  by GreyHawk on Mon May 19, 2008 at 08:13:36 PM PDT

  •  arrogant bastard actually thinks we won't figure

    these things out.  He gets asked about American involvement in a war and he answers repeatedly with slogans.  Disgraceful.

    by St Louis Woman on Mon May 19, 2008 at 08:15:49 PM PDT

    •  It seems that Bush's top Communications

      staff are all gone.  That reporter asked the tough questions, usually the White House makes sure the interviews are just puff pieces.  I am sure they are scrambling over that PR fiasco.  I am sure the Bush Admin wants that reporter fired, or some sort of retraction.

      by kanuk on Mon May 19, 2008 at 08:22:21 PM PDT

      •  That's essentially how they started his Admin.

        They immediately communicated that anyone who challenged them would be banned from the Press room, and the media immediately cowed.

        It's only fitting that, finally, the media is beginning to step up and challenge him. Eight years too late, but at least he's not riding out on a white horse.  Now, it's more of a dung-covered a$$.

        Never, never brave me, nor my fury tempt:
          Downy wings, but wroth they beat;
        Tempest even in reason's seat.

        by GreyHawk on Mon May 19, 2008 at 08:34:09 PM PDT

        •  Bush's top handlers are all gone,

          that's what happens when you are a lame duck, no one sticks around.

          by kanuk on Mon May 19, 2008 at 08:37:55 PM PDT

          •  I think they're also giving him space in case the

            walls fall completely down and leave him exposed for war crimes and other charges.

            Never, never brave me, nor my fury tempt:
              Downy wings, but wroth they beat;
            Tempest even in reason's seat.

            by GreyHawk on Mon May 19, 2008 at 08:40:04 PM PDT

•  More Sunsets

  And a few other photos too in a Monday Got a Happy Story.

  Got a Happy Story? Weekend Edition

  There is a poll too.

  by Eddie C on Mon May 19, 2008 at 08:13:59 PM PDT

•  I watched House tonight

  In one scene one of the doctors was sitting on the toilet talking to House through the stall walls (yes, it opened with an obligatory wide-stance joke).  On the wall of the bathroom behind the doctor was a bumper sticker that said Vote Change '08

  The scene lasted a minute or so and the bumper strip was shown for most of it.  I think fans of Obama got a little love note from the show tonight.

  by St Louis Woman on Mon May 19, 2008 at 08:14:12 PM PDT

  •  And the Craig reference

    which everyone knew was coming, but which was hilarious nonetheless.

    by iampunha on Mon May 19, 2008 at 08:40:59 PM PDT

    •  and that :-D

      the episode overall was very sad.

      by Alyosha Popovich on Mon May 19, 2008 at 08:55:51 PM PDT

  •  i saw that :)

    by Alyosha Popovich on Mon May 19, 2008 at 08:55:16 PM PDT

•  Today (May 19) is my birthday

  Send mojo in lieu of gifts.

  :-)

  by Trix on Mon May 19, 2008 at 08:14:34 PM PDT

  •  done.

    But you've only got 45 minutes left (EST) to milk this.

    by Yirmiyahu on Mon May 19, 2008 at 08:15:31 PM PDT

    •  Well...

      it'll still be my birthday somewhere in the world for another few hours.

      :-)

      by Trix on Mon May 19, 2008 at 08:18:39 PM PDT

    •  awww...I think he can stretch it out

      for a week if he tries...that is what I do. :)

      Happy Birthday, Trix.

      by cfk on Mon May 19, 2008 at 08:42:12 PM PDT

  •  Happy birthday dude!

    by Rex Manning on Mon May 19, 2008 at 08:15:37 PM PDT

    •  Thanks, Rex :) n/t

      by Trix on Mon May 19, 2008 at 08:15:57 PM PDT

      •  So, what are you now

        like 12 or something?  :)

        by socratic on Mon May 19, 2008 at 08:19:09 PM PDT

        •  I'm almost 38 years younger than McCain :) n/t

          by Trix on Mon May 19, 2008 at 08:22:47 PM PDT

          •  Coming soon:

            ThingsThatAreAlmost38YearsYoungerThanJohnMcCain.com

            by Crashing Vor on Mon May 19, 2008 at 08:33:19 PM PDT

            •  I wish ICANN would get off their asses...

              and approve the .old top level domain.

              by Trix on Mon May 19, 2008 at 08:35:29 PM PDT

            •  Crashing Vor -- re: your sig and "the Surge" --

              ...did you see this?

              Apparently, nearly 40,000 new troops being activated to go to Iraq and Afghanistan this fall.

              If the "surge" is working, then why is he having to keep surging forward?

              :/

              (sorry for the depressing news)

              Never, never brave me, nor my fury tempt:
                Downy wings, but wroth they beat;
              Tempest even in reason's seat.

              by GreyHawk on Mon May 19, 2008 at 08:42:14 PM PDT

              •  Well, GreyHawk, if one multivitamin

                makes you healthier, just think what the whole bottle will do!

                Nothing succeeds like excess.

                by Crashing Vor on Mon May 19, 2008 at 08:49:00 PM PDT

          •  the same age as my oldest son

            a good age, I say!

            by cfk on Mon May 19, 2008 at 08:43:05 PM PDT

            •  I assume you're referring to my age...

              and not that of Sen. McCain.

              ;-)

              by Trix on Mon May 19, 2008 at 08:47:56 PM PDT

              •  lololol

                I did the math, first...

                by cfk on Mon May 19, 2008 at 08:54:31 PM PDT

  •  I know--go put a birthday note in every diary

    Happy birthday.

    by St Louis Woman on Mon May 19, 2008 at 08:16:33 PM PDT

    •  Some people...

      think their birthday deserves its own diary.

      ;-)

      by Trix on Mon May 19, 2008 at 08:20:36 PM PDT

  •  happy birthday trix!!!

    everyone's excited about it!
    

    by nonnie9999 on Mon May 19, 2008 at 08:20:20 PM PDT

    •  Thanks, nonnie :) n/t

      by Trix on Mon May 19, 2008 at 08:20:52 PM PDT

  •  done

    Don't spend it all in one place. Hope it was a great day.

    by keirdubois on Mon May 19, 2008 at 08:25:22 PM PDT

    •  Thanks

      Being that it's a Monday and I had to work, I didn't get to do anything too exciting... but I did have a nice dinner with my parents, sister and girlfriend.

      :-)

      by Trix on Mon May 19, 2008 at 08:27:15 PM PDT

  •  Happy Birthday Trix !

    And many many more.

    by jnhobbs on Mon May 19, 2008 at 08:29:15 PM PDT

    •  Thank you, jnhobbs :) n/t

      by Trix on Mon May 19, 2008 at 08:30:43 PM PDT

  •  mojo for you, trix!

    happy birthday!
    

    by jlms qkw on Mon May 19, 2008 at 08:33:17 PM PDT

  •  Wow, I remember being 19.

    That was a great week.

    by NMDad on Mon May 19, 2008 at 08:33:26 PM PDT

  •  I'm so glad you're merely a mojo whore.

    You're easy to buy for.  Don't even have to do the gift card thang.

    Happy Bday!

    by MTmofo on Mon May 19, 2008 at 08:37:22 PM PDT

    •  That gives me a great idea...

      pre-paid Mojo gift cards.

      :-)

      by Trix on Mon May 19, 2008 at 08:40:25 PM PDT

      •  LMAO! Always with the angle... :) n/t

        by MTmofo on Mon May 19, 2008 at 08:42:40 PM PDT

        •  Give the gift of TU status :) n/t

          by Trix on Mon May 19, 2008 at 09:11:29 PM PDT

  •  Mojo and more

    

    

    by Patriot Daily News Clearinghouse on Mon May 19, 2008 at 09:36:21 PM PDT

    •  Godless hugging machines :) n/t

      by Trix on Mon May 19, 2008 at 09:39:05 PM PDT

    •  Just too cute! :) n/t

      by Louisiana 1976 on Tue May 20, 2008 at 08:57:17 AM PDT

  •  Happy belated birthday! n/t

    by Louisiana 1976 on Tue May 20, 2008 at 08:55:49 AM PDT

•  I just watched part of that interview that

  has the whole White House up in arms at NBC.  Is it any that FOX and The White House both attacked NBC the same day.  I sure hope NBC's ratings go up.

  I see why the Bush Admin is so angry, Bush looks like an absolute tool, and an embarrassment to have him representing America abroad.

  Watch it here:

  http://www.msnbc.msn.com/...

  by kanuk on Mon May 19, 2008 at 08:14:52 PM PDT

  •  Correction:

    I meant to say, it is a strange coincidence that both Fox news and the White House are going after NBC today.

    by kanuk on Mon May 19, 2008 at 08:17:49 PM PDT

    •  Bring it on! n.t

      by NMDad on Mon May 19, 2008 at 08:25:45 PM PDT

      •  They must not be happy with the way Tweedy

        called out that Right wing Blow hard on Hardball.  Tweedy ruined their whole talking point on Appeasement.

        by kanuk on Mon May 19, 2008 at 08:33:28 PM PDT

        •  Poor Loser...

          couldn't remember is talking points and then he didn't do any research on Neville and didn't know the back story.  

          awwww I almost feel sorry for the republican HACK, NOT!!!  :)

          by Moxie Gurl on Mon May 19, 2008 at 09:11:12 PM PDT

•  Tonight's Sunset

  

  

  

  by Eddie C on Mon May 19, 2008 at 08:15:08 PM PDT

  •  Thanks for my fix, Eddie : )

    gorgeous as always.

    by cfk on Mon May 19, 2008 at 08:45:32 PM PDT

•  I have a question.

  Perhaps this will seem terribly ignorant to many who know, but indulge me.

  What has happened to Ninepatch's troop care package diaries?  I was searching for them today and every one I tried to open yielded the "I'm sorry, I can't find that story" message.  Has something dreadful happened or is Ninepatch simply rearranging the relief efforts?

  Information is sincerely appreciated.

  by Crashing Vor on Mon May 19, 2008 at 08:16:35 PM PDT

  •  i am qualified to answer this!

    First of all, there is a secret project being planned for Netroots Nation!  

    Second of all, the information doesn't change very often.

    Thirdly, I will let Ninepatch know, (I even have her phone number) and also search for the older ones.  Back soon.

    by jlms qkw on Mon May 19, 2008 at 08:34:52 PM PDT

    •  Whew!

      Now for the bonus question:

      Is there a single site, diary or other link you could hep me to that I could link in a soon-to-appear blockbuster diary encouraging people to offer succor to our troops?

      by Crashing Vor on Mon May 19, 2008 at 08:38:24 PM PDT

      •  they aren't there

        i will 1.  email ct and 2.  email Ninepatch and get back to you.  

        I will get you a link in 24 hours if I have to write it myself!  

        by jlms qkw on Mon May 19, 2008 at 08:51:24 PM PDT

        •  Thank you for this, jlms qkw.

          I've recently been driven to do something for those who serve.  My email's at the profile.

          by Crashing Vor on Mon May 19, 2008 at 09:02:48 PM PDT

          •  start with

            Any Soldier .com

            they're not on my hotlist either.  

            there's a certain postal package Ninepatch finds efficient to use.

            and pictures and letters are always appreciated.  

            i recall that this is not the time of year to send chocolate or other meltable treats.

            by jlms qkw on Mon May 19, 2008 at 09:08:02 PM PDT

•  chimpy over a barrel (of oil)

  
  larger version

  by nonnie9999 on Mon May 19, 2008 at 08:17:39 PM PDT

  •  brilliant!

    fancy oils there, cannes prize (for  bad acting?) and is that really opec's symbol?  

    is it 245 now?  it is so painful.  

    by jlms qkw on Mon May 19, 2008 at 08:37:41 PM PDT

    •  thanks jlms....

      yes, that is opec's symbol, with a little bit of embossing added.  you would think with all that money they could come up with something better--maybe a gun and a mask.

      by nonnie9999 on Mon May 19, 2008 at 09:03:03 PM PDT

    •  If that's the Cannes prize

      does that mean he's finally Canned? Oh, would it were true!

      by sardonyx on Mon May 19, 2008 at 09:05:33 PM PDT

      •  if he is canned....

        he will undoubtedly be packed in oil!  ;-)

        by nonnie9999 on Mon May 19, 2008 at 09:24:12 PM PDT

        •  That would take care of our shortages

          right there!

          by sardonyx on Mon May 19, 2008 at 09:35:45 PM PDT

        •  Not to mention lowering the prices

          Who would pay a lot for that oily bush?

          by sardonyx on Mon May 19, 2008 at 09:36:35 PM PDT

          •  now that just sounded nasty!....n/t

            by nonnie9999 on Mon May 19, 2008 at 10:03:57 PM PDT

  •  Another wonderful nonnie original

    I wonder if Georgie looked deep into their eyes, and forgot that black pupils do not mean oil gushers.

    by sardonyx on Mon May 19, 2008 at 09:07:22 PM PDT

    •  silly sar....

      you've seen no child left behind, chimpy doesn't give a shit about pupils!

      by nonnie9999 on Mon May 19, 2008 at 09:26:35 PM PDT

      •  It's his revenge

        for having had to go to school. He wants everyone to be as ignorant as he is. After all, it's worked so well for him...

        by sardonyx on Mon May 19, 2008 at 09:34:54 PM PDT

        •  worked well enough....

          for another lousy student to try for his job.  capt underpants was 5th from the bottom of his class at the naval academy.  what a great message for the kids, huh?

          by nonnie9999 on Mon May 19, 2008 at 10:09:35 PM PDT

•  an unceremonious burial to emphasize her disgrace

  It has now fallen off the rec list so i am listing it here in case any one is interested.

  There is a practice that occurs in other parts of the world and in other cultures that has expanded in Iraq and truly exposed the failure of our occupation. On 16 March 2008, Ali Abdel-Qader was released without charges two hours after his arrest for murdering his daughter. Ali murdered his 17-year-old daughter, Rand Abdel-Qader, for becoming infatuated with a 22-year-old British soldier. He committed an Honor Killing. Mr. Abdel-Qader stamped upon, suffocated and stabbed his daughter and instead of being punished he went free.

  http://www.dailykos.com/...

  by Liberal Youth on Mon May 19, 2008 at 08:17:49 PM PDT

  •  Am I the only person who saw that diary title...

    ... and thought it was about Hillary?

    Tell the truth now.

    by Joe Beese on Mon May 19, 2008 at 08:34:58 PM PDT

•  McCain realizes he's a perfunctory candidate

  http://tromployal.blogspot.com/

  http://www.dailykos.com/...

  by Tromp Loyal on Mon May 19, 2008 at 08:18:53 PM PDT

•  Confused by Oregon's elecitons system?

  Find a FAQ on it here: http://www.dailykos.com/...

  by skywaker9 on Mon May 19, 2008 at 08:20:14 PM PDT

•  Really nice Obama slide show MSNBC

  Go to the link, scroll down and click on
  Slide Show: A call to serve.

  Some of these are great, and I hadn't seen them before. http://www.msnbc.msn.com/...

  by heart4idaho on Mon May 19, 2008 at 08:21:43 PM PDT

•  Yeah DR

  (h/t Noweasels for original photo)

  Wonderful group of diaries: excellent rescuing by jlms qkw, shayera, Wes Opinion, me, Louisiana 1976, and grog. Beautiful editing by jennyjem. Well done Rangers! Now go read and rec,  or leave a comment, the diarists appreciate it!

  by vcmvo2 on Mon May 19, 2008 at 08:22:19 PM PDT

•  Self-Rescue

  Shameless, major pimpage: my entire DKos career. Liner notes for a whopping 17 diaries from 2004-2008.

  And why not? A little ego is healthy. A little more is...healthier?

  by keirdubois on Mon May 19, 2008 at 08:23:13 PM PDT

  •  lol

    by beijingbetty on Mon May 19, 2008 at 08:56:03 PM PDT

•  My wife's totally

  rocking out to Guitar Hero right now.

  by NMDad on Mon May 19, 2008 at 08:24:53 PM PDT

•  Main Core? (prepare to polish your tinfoil hat)

  Okay I found this link to a new article in Radar magazine via digby (and now emptywheel and Boing Boing are picking it up)

  Digby summarizes at the end:

  I don't know about you, but I sort of go with the assumption that there will be another terrorist attack on US soil at some point. I don't know if it will be Islamic or homegrown. (After all we've had big attacks from both in the last 15 years.) The difference now is that we have a big new police apparatus built up during the Bush years and an entire propaganda machine organized around the idea that the boogeyman is trying to kill us all in our beds. It's not a stretch to think that under pressure, any government could, (*ahem*) overreach just a tad and decide that certain political undesirables need to be dealt with. If they've built the capability, there is every chance they will use it. It's how these things work.

  You remember the whistleblower Russell Tice's freaky testimony way back a couple years ago about a surveillance program so heinous that noone should know about it for 200 years? I'm wondering if this is the program he was talking about.

  by Gryn on Mon May 19, 2008 at 08:32:16 PM PDT

•  James Howard Kunstler on Hillary

  The spectacle of Hillary's un-making has been pretty horrible to witness, the efforts to stage her as a lumpenprole Nascar mom drinking boilermakers while celebrating her latest hunting exploits. (How worried is Hillary about making her mortgage payments, or filling her gas tank?) Naturally, the final act of this nauseating play takes place in Hillbilly Heaven, the states of West Virginia and Kentucky, where Hillary expects to make a big "statement" about exactly whom voters will go for. She'll win big and the effort will symbolically disgrace her.

  She's carrying on now like William Jennings Bryan at the Scopes Trial -- an obvious, gibbering loser unwilling to shut up and go home, even after every measure of consensus from the bailing super delegates to the cover of Time Magazine has made it clear who the preferred party nominee will be.

  http://jameshowardkunstler.typepad.c...

  by Joe Beese on Mon May 19, 2008 at 08:33:03 PM PDT

•  Monday night tunage.

  by lockewasright on Mon May 19, 2008 at 08:33:34 PM PDT

•  Dick Morris

  Whether or not Dick Morris is an idiot is up for debate...

  Oh, I strongly disagree.

  by phenry on Mon May 19, 2008 at 08:33:47 PM PDT

  •  I wrote my own Dick Morris critique today.

    Here

    by DCLaw on Mon May 19, 2008 at 08:57:21 PM PDT

  •  Well yeah

    But in the interest of butt coverage I figured I should express some doubt.

    by Wes Opinion on Mon May 19, 2008 at 09:14:37 PM PDT

•  Don't you wish Obama would say:

  "I have no doubt Senator Clinton will support me energetically and enthusiastically.  I have no doubt former President Clinton will do so as well.  I have no doubt that they will call upon all Democrats to rally together for this election.  These stories about Clinton supporters choosing to support Senator McCain...why, I'm sure both of the Clintons would be horrified at the prospect and would do everything in their power to dissuade anyone even considering such an action."

  You know.  Set them up so that everyone, everyone, will know that if the election is lost, they will be blamed.

  It goes with Jim Webb's father's idea about fighting: Don't start a fight, but if you have to be in one, make sure your opponent is marked.

  I have been visiting my dark, vicious side today.

  by algebrateacher on Mon May 19, 2008 at 08:34:10 PM PDT

  •  Well...

    from the exchange between Obama/Bush and McCain that is how Obama will fight the republicans.  But I agree it's time to throw Billary under the fucking bus and get it over with.

    Wouldn't it be sweet that before we wake up tomorrow Obama would have 25 Supers and another 50 come foward throught the day for a total of 75 Supers.  So by the time the Ore election returns come in he will be over the 2025 number and we end this bitch tomorrow.  

    A girl can dream can't she...?

    by Moxie Gurl on Mon May 19, 2008 at 09:15:47 PM PDT

    •  Can't throw the Clintons under the bus.

      Face the fact that they would be useful.  They need to be cornered into doing the right thing, loudly and with feeling.  One benefit of this long primary fight has been to force Democratic politicians everywhere to take stands; no one can hide and pop their head up later saying "I knew better but was not heard."

      And careful with that b term.  I'm sure many different nouns would have described how you feel more accurately and appropriately.

      by algebrateacher on Mon May 19, 2008 at 09:26:43 PM PDT

      •  I love your bright eyed optimism...

        it's refreshing and charming, don’t change.  

        But after the way they have conducted themselves do you really think Billary will be cooperative with Team Obama and the DNC?

        by Moxie Gurl on Mon May 19, 2008 at 09:34:21 PM PDT

        •  Nah, basic blood-sport politics

          The Soviet Union, during its war with the Nazis, used penal battalions as its first wave troops.  They had no choice but go forward; they were shot down if they tried to retreat.  These battalions were made up of men considered to be criminals (political criminals, of course) by the State.

          The Clintons need to be pushed out front.  If they don't go forward...

          by algebrateacher on Mon May 19, 2008 at 09:41:34 PM PDT

•  In South Africa

  The police recovered the body of a Malawian man who was chopped up and burned. Another man, who has still not been identified, was barely alive after a mob threw a burning mattress on to him. He appeared to have been beaten with a concrete pillar first. Two other people, one of them identified as Mozambican from the papers in his pocket, were killed there as scores of shacks were burned.

  http://www.guardian.co.uk/...

  More than 1,000 people - Mozambicans, Malawians, Zimbabweans - are sheltering in Alexandra's police station.

  Over the weekend, the violence spread to the heart of Johannesburg, including poorer residential areas crowded with African immigrants. Street traders were beaten up on the streets and their goods stolen. Gangs went through blocks of flats banging on doors, identifying foreigners and ordering them to leave without their belongings, which were then looted.

  by SingleVoter on Mon May 19, 2008 at 08:35:35 PM PDT

  •  That is some pretty fucking savage shit!! n/t

    by kanuk on Mon May 19, 2008 at 08:45:31 PM PDT

  •  And how many Americans know about this

    My guess is very few. Not to turn this political too quickly, but I think that Republicans have managed to stay in power by keeping the people ignorant. If Americans were truly exposed to the rest of the world, they would see the damage that Bush's policies have done. I'm very ashamed of that the American MSM have just whored themselves out for profit.

    by margotb822 on Mon May 19, 2008 at 09:09:30 PM PDT

•  Bush thinks of war like golf: a game.

  Unfortunately, playing with his balls and confusing real soldiers with toy soldiers is a deadly, costly mistake...

  

  ...and McCain is simply more of the same.

  

  ________________________

  Notes
  ________________________

  * Morph function created using Squirlz Morph 3.2 by xiberpix.  Also used FaceGen Modeller 3.2 by Singular Inversions to create the soldier's face.  The angry golf ball is actually from here; it's a golf ball Halloween mask.

  Never, never brave me, nor my fury tempt:
    Downy wings, but wroth they beat;
  Tempest even in reason's seat.

  by GreyHawk on Mon May 19, 2008 at 08:39:11 PM PDT

  •  .

    

    ...dunno who created it, but it says far more than words alone.

    Never, never brave me, nor my fury tempt:
      Downy wings, but wroth they beat;
    Tempest even in reason's seat.

    by GreyHawk on Mon May 19, 2008 at 08:46:45 PM PDT

    •  Excellent post!

      If you'd like to read some rare good news out of New Orleans and read about the MSM's doing something right for a change, don't miss this diary.

      by Louisiana 1976 on Tue May 20, 2008 at 09:00:29 AM PDT

      •  Thank you -- checking it out now. :) n/t

        Never, never brave me, nor my fury tempt:
          Downy wings, but wroth they beat;
        Tempest even in reason's seat.

        by GreyHawk on Tue May 20, 2008 at 09:29:50 AM PDT

        •  You're welcome! n/t

          by Louisiana 1976 on Tue May 20, 2008 at 11:50:58 AM PDT

•  more : )

  Water News May 08 Roundup  
  by Asinus Asinum Fricat
  http://www.dailykos.com/...

  Let's Deep Six the Great Pacific Plastic Island!  
  by fatherofdragonwagon
  http://www.dailykos.com/...

  As I told some other friends on the net, my hubby took me to the auditorium at Michigan State to see the film of LaBoheme when we were dating. I was entranced. It is a good opera to start a new listener on and it was in stupendous color. The film was made by Franco Zeffirelli and the orchestra was directed by Herbert von Karajan. (Orchestra Del Teatro Alla Scala...the Scala Theater Orchestra) in 1961.

  The singers are Freni, Raimondo, Martino, Panerai, Maffeo and Vinco.  Other than Mirella Freni, the others are not well know to me, but I love them. The part of Musetta sung and acted by Adriana Martino in a red dress is really well done.

  Well, for years I wished I had the film. A few months ago, someone at DKos with whom I was talking about my memories, found it for me and I
  put it on my wish list at BN and then let it sit there...and sit.

  Last week, I finally bought it and it came on Saturday.  I was worried it might not be what I remembered it to be and that I would be
  disappointed, but I am happy to report that it is still WONDERFUL!!

  I do recommend it highly for Netflix people or people with a good library.

  by cfk on Mon May 19, 2008 at 08:39:25 PM PDT

  •  it now occurs to me

    that no one will be looking at the red dress, but at other rather obvious assets while Musetta is in it or sort of out of it, as the case is...sigh.  

    by cfk on Mon May 19, 2008 at 10:15:09 PM PDT

•  Will EPA Chief Resign Tuesday?

  This story is wicked scandal.

  And he is going in front of a Senate committee in the AM.

  WASHINGTON - The head of the Environmental Protection Agency initially supported giving California and other states full or partial permission to limit tailpipe emissions — but reversed himself after hearing from the White House, a report said Monday.

  Not looking good for Administrator Johnson (I swear, his real name.)
  http://news.yahoo.com/...

  by greendem on Mon May 19, 2008 at 08:42:43 PM PDT

  •  Calls for resignation

    "Steve Johnson should come out and finally tell the truth about this situation," said Frank O'Donnell, president of Clean Air Watch. "And he should resign for agreeing not only to be a White House pawn but for trying to deceive the public about what happened."

    by greendem on Mon May 19, 2008 at 08:57:21 PM PDT

•  Medically unexplained physical symptoms

  Medically unexplained physical symptoms (Mups) are one of the most common problems in modern medical practice, accounting for somewhere between 15% and 30% of primary care patients. "Without a diagnosis, I can't be sure I'm getting the right treatment and more importantly still, I don't know what the chances are of me ever recovering," says Beaton, who wears a neck collar. "Then there is the sheer exhaustion of trying to find out what's wrong with me. It takes up a lot of time and effort going to see experts and having more tests. I've decided that, for the time being, I actually can't cope with any more doctors. It doesn't help that I suspect that some of them see me as a troublemaker."

  http://lifeandhealth.guardian.co.uk/...

  by SingleVoter on Mon May 19, 2008 at 08:43:26 PM PDT

•  thanks shayera!

  by DCLaw on Mon May 19, 2008 at 08:44:38 PM PDT

•  Always an honor

  and I hope folks will learn something useful about the namesake of so much good in Maryland -- and, as an extension, this country.

  by iampunha on Mon May 19, 2008 at 08:44:45 PM PDT

•  Katrina Was THREE Years Ago this August

  Katrina and the flooding caused by the failure of federally-maintained levees happened close to two years ago

  Katrina flooded New Orleans on August 30, 2005. May 19, 2008 is closer to three years after that date than to just two years.

  And yes, New Orleans and New Orleanians are still devastated. I just returned from Jazzfest, which I attend every year. I had a ball, like every year, as New Orleans functions as a tourist town entirely well enough that everyone should go and spend some time and money having the time of their lives. But it was also blatantly obvious that just stepping off the tourist path would lead one into tracts of devastation.

  And I can assure you that when it comes fully three years in a few months, New Orleans will still be devastated.

  by DocGonzo on Mon May 19, 2008 at 08:48:15 PM PDT

  •  That's so unbelievable to me

    And we here we have the first lady berating Burma (Myanmar? Which one are we going with?) for keeping aid from it's people. Uhhhh, HELLO?! WTF does she think happened and is still happening in NO?

    by margotb822 on Mon May 19, 2008 at 09:11:16 PM PDT

    •  the people are burmese

      the current government is myanmar - a military takeover.  

      i don't like to acknowledge the illegitimate government, so i use burma.  

      by jlms qkw on Mon May 19, 2008 at 09:48:02 PM PDT

      •  Burma Was British

        "Burma" was the name the British gave it when their military took it over.

        by DocGonzo on Mon May 19, 2008 at 10:06:49 PM PDT

  •  Well said!

    I'm inviting you to share your experience in and views of New Orleans in the NOLA/Gulf Blogathon that will be taking place this Thursday and Friday. There are two time slots open that need to be filled, and both are on Friday--7AM Pacific and 5PM Pacific.

    Hope you're interested!

    by Louisiana 1976 on Tue May 20, 2008 at 09:04:26 AM PDT

•  In the South Atlantic

  What is horrifying ornithologists is that the British house mouse has somehow evolved, growing to up to three times the size of ordinary domestic house mice, and instead of surviving on a diet of insects and seeds, has adapted itself to become a carnivore, eating albatross, petrel and shearwater chicks alive in their nests.

  http://www.guardian.co.uk/...

  by SingleVoter on Mon May 19, 2008 at 08:48:23 PM PDT

•  In Britain

  Labour support is in freefall, according to a Guardian/ICM poll published today. It shows that the party's position - 14 points behind the Conservatives - is worse than at any time since May 1987, just before Margaret Thatcher won her third election by a landslide.

  http://www.guardian.co.uk/...

  by SingleVoter on Mon May 19, 2008 at 08:57:41 PM PDT

•  You can't make this shit up

  He sees victory slipping away and is clinging to hope out of desperation.

  His superdelegate endorsements have slowed to a trickle, if even that.

  He is behind in the popular vote if we still value democracy and this is still a country made up of 50 states. ...

  The inequity of the delegate system is being questioned, particularly with the involvement of Obama's caucus thugs. ...

  HILLARY CLINTON FOR PEACE AND PROSPERITY

  http://www.talkleft.com/...

  by Joe Beese on Mon May 19, 2008 at 08:59:10 PM PDT

  •  I've had intimate contact with delusional women

    Is my mysogony showing? Wait, let me hitch up my skirt.

    My aplogies in advance. I've had the female day from hell.

    by SecondComing on Mon May 19, 2008 at 09:13:46 PM PDT

    •  edit function required on primative website

      "apologies"

      Damn sticky keyboard, damn sticky brain..

      by SecondComing on Mon May 19, 2008 at 09:19:28 PM PDT

  •  Is this for real?

    Is this a letter her campaign sent out? That's ridiculous!