As someone affiliated with the coffee business (I own an espresso bar) news of Starbuck's always garners attention... know your enemies. I don't necessarily see SB as an enemy (they are indirectly why I now have a business), but it's always appreciated when the media unveils links in their armor.
So it was both interesting and appalling when I caught wind of Fox interviewing a coffee industry consultant concerning McDonald's coffee being preferred over Starbuck's, not because I care for either company's choice for a basic brew, but because of this: "McDonalds and Fox News Team Up in Product Placement Deals." I'm not rooting for Starbuck's, but find it interesting that FOX would take sides while cashing a check from their preferred choice! Whodathunk?

We are in agreement Bush can not write his own speeches. As is obvious from the recent politico.com interview, the man is incapable of thinking on his feet, he's completely inept and really does appear to be stupid.

Watching his speech to the Israeli Parliament, he makes the office of the president, or position of Commander in Chief, look like a joke. His facial features -- silly eye scrunching and inability to maintain composure -- lack of pronunciation of the English language and trademark smirk (second only to Dick Cheney's sneer) are embarrassing.

It seems so bizarre that John C. Yoo is a professor at one of the icons of student unrest and anti-war activities of the 60s.

I appreciate academia maintains it's highest levels of learning and freedom by not caving to criticism concerning faculty, and in fact standing behind the principles and decisions that create positions for specific educators/academics is what sets unique levels for higher education. But this seems to be a blemish on academia, the employment of someone that worked meticulously to circumvent both the law and common decency.

So the Pentagon is slowly having to expose the truth about how out of control and inappropriate they have been in attempting to charge anyone with direct terrorist activity. Without obvious proof of inexplainable terror related actions, it appears necessary to force admissions. Thusly, so you might not miss a whisper of proof, tape interogations. Then destroy what may look inappropriate, I guess.

How is it that so little concrete evidence has been extrated over the course of five years that we still don't have much in the way of guilty verdicts against terrorists?

It's really hard to fathom the extent healthcare provider's go to undermine themselves. My wife works for a "non-profit" provider, and from the way I understand it – a biased but educated opinion – the waste within is so sizable it's ridiculous. While streamlining process would reduce cost, there is little being done to eliminate personnel that does little more than collect a check. I appreciate people need an income, but eliminating incompetent employees could eventually streamline processes, reducing costs and increasing efficiency, leading to reduced expense for healthcare coverage.

Additionally, if the time spent trying to rip-off consumers was instead spent trying to improve the system, the saved time and money might greatly reduce coverage costs exceeding the money saved by insurance companies, instead of wasting funds trying to screw the patient. Let alone taxpayer dollars spent employing government employees manipulated by lobbyists.

to fuck them too," Wolfowitz was quoted as saying." And qouted in the Guardian Business section, no less.

How's that for an appropriate response from our distinguished representative, Preznit Bush's pick to lead the World Bank. Now, understand this is someone (Xavier Coll, the bank's head of human resources) stating they heard Wolfie making said comment, but how lovely for diplomacy. And to think he used saliva from that potty mouth to slick down his hair!

Nice little lead up to tomorrows Gonzales grilling:

"Two former U.S. attorneys said today they believe ongoing investigations into the dismissals last year of eight federal prosecutors could result in criminal charges against senior Justice Department officials."

So Al's on the hot seat and this kind of heresy is floating about: "they believe White House political operative Karl Rove and his aides instigated the dismissals and ultimately decided who among the nation's 93 U.S. attorneys should be fired." They being none other than John McKay and David Iglesias.

What's with the obsession of big business to screw technological advancement if it gives people something for free? Why can't they leave a good thing alone, and let progress prosper? My apologies if this subject has been diaried to any extent, but I did not find anything and feel a need to attempt to circulate some information amongst this community.

I moved to Pittsburgh, PA, in 2000, and was sincerely sad to lose such a personally appreciated resource, KEXP.org, a Seattle based radio station (affiliated with the University of Washington). Low and behold, Paul Allen of Microsoft fame and money offered to finance the station a new facility and live streaming capability (got my issues with billionaires, but Mr. Allen has made a few good investments I can appreciate). I have been in heaven since (I have been and always will be a donating supporter of the station, a "listener member" as they claim). Then along comes Copyright Royalty Board (CRB), a potential Public Service travesty.

The international community has yet to really make a bold statement to the Bush administration; you've somewhat rolled over while these warmongers and thieves have basically had their way. Now is an opportunity to make a statement. Fire Wolfie.

You, as we, were conned by supporting this administration after 9/11. You supported America, and this administration abused that support by taking us, and you, into a disaster of a war with Iraq.

December will bow out as the most deadly month in Iraq for coalition troops. The daily average, 3.79 dead, is the fourth worst month since the war began. What exactly can Bush be planning to say that will right a wrong of this magnitude. Things are getting better?!! Delusional is an understatement.

George, message to self: I am an idiot. I am not a decider, I am a loser. The longer I take deciding what to do, the more men die, without cause.

There is no good that can be derived from the war in Iraq, and each new day emphasizes that fact. Sectarian violence, the rush to execute Saddam, building unrest in the Middle East, etc, etc, etc. May 2007 hold new hope for a better year.

Alberto R. Gonzales is such a fucking jackoff: In Germany, U.S. Official Addresses Rift With Allies

I really don't know how much longer I can take this shit we must call representatives of our country. These people don't represent a single thing I believe in. How in the world did this prick make it to the position he did? Oh yeah, somehow this country reelectd his boss, an even bigger jackoff (not quite as big a prick).

I just saw a segment on CNN where an army official was interviewd. He spoke about how time is advantageous to gathering information from prisoners, that after four years of incarceration, you wouildn't believe the information that is forthcoming.

O.k., so after four years of no communication with other "terrorist's" exactly what kind of information is useful? After four years, what advances have terrorists made that make old information useless? After four years, what kind of bogus stories could one concoct that, even if a lie, is now believeable to the detainee? What exactly can be gained from a prisoner that may have been innocent the entire time, but now offers stories in order to buy potential freedom?

In a land that one might have second thoughts about criticizing government, [Iranian] "Reporters Challenge Iranian Leader Even as He Challenges Bush." Amazing that there are honest reporters digging for honest answers. Too bad it's the so-called "enemy" that seems to be stepping up to the plate, questioning authority.

Someone recently posted a diary theorizing Bush is once again being fed his press breifing points. I hadn't watched the occurance, but was interested in the diary because Bush is such a fool, it seems so likely that it could be true.

After just watching his breifing concerning the UK terrorist arrests, he seems to be mimicking the same descriptions to the tee: staggered sentences as if he's waiting for a feed, and carefully listening so as not to make a mistake.

Is this what this president and presidency has come to, a mere puppet to a staff of manipulating bozos -- the gang that couldn't shoot straight (I'm not hearing a lot about American security uncovering much of the recent plot)? In answer to the top recommended diary, "please stop with the conspiracy theories," before we stop theorizing, this might be one to totally scrutinize.

Was it really going to be a suprise?: "Drug Prices Up Sharply This Year"

The most annoying element of these types of articles is that the obvious is bound to happen, yet so many of the population don't pay attention until it's too late. As the article states, "Prices ... rose sharply in this year's first quarter, just as the new Medicare drug coverage program was going into effect."

Waste no time, profiteers.

Just posted on the NYTimes Web site:

"...the Bush administration is exploring a more radical measure to protect information it says is vital to national security: the criminal prosecution of reporters under the espionage laws."

Rather than simply play by the books and run an honest war on terror, the crooks in the WH lean back on their favorite weapon: fear.

I can't help but notice the extent of security shown in media reports surrounding the case of Jose Padilla. While we are a country that expounds our freedom of representation and the opportunity for our day in court, what has the expense of prosecuting Padilla really done for the war on terraism?

I'm not an expert on legal issues by any means, and I have extreme concerns about the security of the country; the arrest of Jose Padilla may in all respects have prevented catastrophe. However, to the extent that the government made a show of the arrest, and the high level of charges made against Padilla, what exactly has come from it? The shuffle to reduce charges (to proceed with some form of prosecution: "An appeals court panel had all but called for the court to deal with the case, saying it was troubled by the Bush administration's change in legal strategy -- after holding Padilla more than three years without charges.") may end in a successful results in the eyes of the administration, but how stupid were the original charges?

The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, a fair (actually quite good) newspaper in a land 'o growing rednecks (i.e. Rick Santorum, Melissa Hart, etc.), published an article out of Philly today. The interesting thing is, in the land of Steelers, if Swanny wins the votes it'll be simple proof how totally stupid people are. They won't be voting for this talking head for any other reason than he was a Steeler!! I grew up thinking Pittsburgh was a Democratic town, but I'm here to tell ya, it ain't so no mo.'

So here's the "chosen" Republican candidate for guv who's only public credits appear to be a friggin Super Bowl ring. wohooee!