There is finally a succinct article on the front page of the NYT about Bush's missing year. Written by Sara Rimer.

Portrait of George Bush in '72: Unanchored in Turbulent Time

Yes it mentions the CBS memo controversy and presents some positive quotes in the mix. But overall it shows a 26 year-old living the life of a rich juvenile. I caused me to think about what I was doing at that same age. Also what I was doing that same year. Maybe we should ask our Republican friends to draw that comparison.

I found this link to a pdf of retired Army Colonel Gerald A. Lechliter's assessment of GWB's service in the last paragraph of Nicholas Kristof's NYT article "Missing in Action".  Kristof's article is only gently critical but then he posts the link (see"here") to a full pdf of Lechtiter's assessmentin the 2nd to last paragraph.

Just took a look at truthout.org and watched two videos of Gen. McPeak. He makes a courageous, sane and truthful response to this week's RNC sideshow.

General McPeak DNC Morning Briefing

Scroll down to the video link on the right. Further down there is yesterday's "Republican General McPeak
Slams Bush, War".

Well my sentiments exactly. But I wonder how Bush was able to say this without breaking into a giggle fit.

Can't figure out how to link to an earthlink news article so here is an excerpt from the AP article.

I woke up early to go to work because I have to have take my car to the shop. My neighbor accidentally blew concrete dust all over it. (Yes I have bad luck!)

But what really ticked me off is seeing this incredible article on Earthlink news page:
Kerry Promise on Iraq Rings of Nixon

I've seen a few diaries and press articles about Riggs Bank. And Moore's film F9-11 also mentions it. Today's New York Times has the most informative article that I have read so far.

Riggs seems to cater to some very high class (read filthy rich) clients. Saudis can trust them for discretion. No background checks necessary. Dictators are not discriminated against. And Riggs is very service oriented... will deliver the cash in suitcases for its preferred customers.

MSNBC has a poll on the Edwards announcement article and a question....that we should all answer for them.

Poll: Who you would vote for if the election were today?
Question: Can Kerry/Edwards beat Bush/Cheney?

Sorry if this was posted before. Just go tell them.

http://msnbc.msn.com/id/5365307

Halliburton subsidiary Kellog, Brown & Root seems to have been doing worse than just overcharging. This 5/23 Contra Costa Times article presents claims by KBR drivers that one third of the runs KBR sent them on were involved empty tankers. The drivers called it running "sailboat fuel". Apparently there are also some videotapes to back this up.

War profiteering at its best or worst?

excerpt:

WASHINGTON - Empty flatbed trucks crisscrossed Iraq more than 100 times as their drivers and the soldiers who guarded them dodged bullets, bricks and homemade bombs.

Twelve current and former truckers who regularly made the 300-mile re-supply run from Camp Cedar in southern Iraq to Camp Anaconda near Baghdad told Knight Ridder they risked their lives driving empty trucks while their employer, a subsidiary of Halliburton Inc., billed the government for hauling what they derisively called "sailboat fuel."

I know kos has talked about his take on merenary contractors already but an AP story today brought it to my attention again.

http://start.earthlink.net/newsarticle?cat=7&aid=D822R3L81_story

I hope this is not a duplicate diary/story. If so tell me how to check the search more effectively.

There is a salon.com interview that is very damning to the administration.

http://www.salon.com/news/feature/2004/04/02/hart/index.html

The RNC is pressing the Federal Election  Commission to redefine non-profit interest groups as "political committes"

http://www.fec.gov/press/press2004/20040312rulemaking.html

Such as MoveOn.org could be effectively gagged should this be approved.

I am sorry if I am breaking a rule on topics. I will not do this again. I am trying to find cancer advocacy group for my sister's partner. Specific to cancers caused by welding fume. And I am having no luck on searches. They live in RI. He has been diagnosied with squamous cell carginoma. He was a welder for twenty years. This is his second battle. This one is very bad. 1 to 2 years. No health insurance.

Am I paying for this? This will be the news the Pentagon thinks is fit to print.

Please submit your best Pentagon Press headlines!

Safire hit a new record for scifi in his NYTimes editorial today. Kinda like Invasion of the Bodysnatchers. Does he want me to get optimistic and quit the negativity about that new worker pod body they have picked out for me? Quit being a Gloomy Gus?

My Anti-Stump Speech

Excerpts below

Once again and this time the appointee is Alabama AG Pryor who supported the 10 Commandment display.

AP: Bypassing Senate Democrats who have stalled his judicial nominations, President Bush will use a recess appointment to put Alabama Attorney General Bill Pryor on the 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals at least temporarily, government sources said Friday.  

That unemployment figures are not reflecting the job situation accurately is no surprise to anyone here. This article has some interesting figures.

Jobless Count Skips Millions

Molly Ivin's 12/4 Mother Jones article on Bush nails it again. She has a straight to the heart of it approach and a Texas insider's knowledge on her subject. It's a good read. (Also less stressful than reading all of Bushwhacked.)

The GOP prescription drug bill is a first step in their long-range goal of dismantling Medicare. There have been a few diaries on this topic but it needs more attention. So I am posting my reply to Chazz's diary post so it shows up on the fast moving diary list. I hope this can be a main topic of discussion on KOS.