Nov 11, 2005 at 3:53 PM by Political Chase
Drudge Report has some excerpts of Arthur Sulzberger from the NYTimes discusing the Judith Miller situation on Charlie Rose.
As Talking Points Memo points out today:
He really doesn’t get it, does he? Sure, Jayson Blair’s transgressions were open-and-shut journalistic capital offenses. No question it was terrible and that his career was over. But, honestly, what were the real world consequences of his misdeeds? Pretty minimal. And the Miller fiasco? Well, yes, more complicated. But the real world consequences? Immeasurably greater. And the paper’s dragged out, compromised way of dealing with the whole mess? He really doesn’t seem to grasp what happened.
Once again it seems that people involved are not realizing the implications of this “technicality.” Is it because it’s been 5 years of an administration that hasn’t been held accountable for any of their actions that has made us all say, “ah well, it’s no big thing?” Is it because there are really dire consequences to the definition of our country’s values and beliefs that there is an avoidance of how important it is, and thereby making it just go away?
Nov 11, 2005 at 3:48 PM by Political Chase
The latest Fox News Poll shows George Bush’s approval rating at a record low.
Until this week, Bush’s approval rating had been at 40 percent or above — buoyed in large part by consistent strong support among Republicans; however, in mid-October approval among Republicans fell below 80 percent for the first time of his presidency and now sits at 72 percent.
In addition, Bush’s approval rating is down by double digits among other demographic groups. Since the beginning of his second term, his approval is down 26 percentage points among independents, 16 points among women, 15 points among whites and 11 points among men.
Nov 11, 2005 at 7:57 AM by Political Chase
It’s Veteran’s Day today and my mind travels to all the soldiers that have fought in the many wars that our nation has been a part of. If you want a reality check, look at the timelines of every conflict on this globe. The amount of fighting crushes me. When you learn the past, and how we don’t ever really learn from it, you realize how much conflict there always has been between human beings of different beliefs.
That is why today we honor the men and women who put themselves purposely into harms way for the rest of us. Politics aside for the moment, these human beings are fighting for our beliefs. And even if we don’t agree with the reasons for the conflict, there are families that are dealing with the loss of their loved ones daily. It takes an incredible human being to be so self-sacrificing. And today I thank all of them from the past to the present who have fought for our belief of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.
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Nov 11, 2005 at 7:42 AM by Political Chase
In USAToday:
As the House prepares to take up a proposed ban on abusive treatment of terrorism suspects, the Republican-led Congress appears headed toward a collision with President Bush.
Bush is threatening to veto two major defense bills because they include an amendment to ban abusive treatment of detainees that the Senate has attached to both measures. Bush has never vetoed a bill, but it’s unclear if that prospect will be enough to persuade the House of Representatives to excise the ban.
In the House, the ban is backed by Vietnam combat veteran, Rep. John Murtha. Murtha says that to win over public opinion in Iraq, the United States must dispel any notion it is engaging in torture. In his letter to House colleagues, he says the absence of a clear policy against torture “endangers U.S. servicemembers who might be captured.”
The CIA and the White House refuse comment on abuse prisons overseas. Avoidance is a form of deception. By not saying anything it’s like admitting that we do torture when we need to.
And:
Congress shouldn’t interfere with “what we are trying to do to detain and interrogate the worst of the worst,” says Senate Intelligence Committee Chairman Pat Roberts, R-Kan., a supporter of the administration’s position.
It’s still illegal in the eyes of the UN and the world…
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Nov 11, 2005 at 7:31 AM by Political Chase
Today in the NYTimes:
A federal investigation of Halliburton’s pension plans has uncovered three violations of the law, including charging some costs of Halliburton’s executive pension and bonus plans to the workers’ pension fund, correspondence from the Labor Department shows.
Two of the violations began while Vice President Dick Cheney was the company’s chief executive. But the third, which involved the largest amount of money, took place after he resigned in the summer of 2000.
To correct its violations, Halliburton was required to pay more than $8.6 million. This administration is so full of con men. Why is it they all still have their jobs and security clearance? These are the people that are in control of our welfare?
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Nov 11, 2005 at 7:19 AM by Political Chase
In the last two weeks Karl Rove has been more visible around the White House. In a NYTimes article today:
“I’ve noticed a big difference,” said one Republican in regular contact with Mr. Rove who declined to speak for attribution because the White House did not authorize it. “There’s a spring in his step, more focus, more - something. Some sort of weight off his shoulders.”
Oh this makes me nervous. He is apparently driven about something. Right now they are speculating that it’s the upcoming 2006 elections. Now, I think this man is never working on the side of good and I have to think that the recent bombings (that Al Qaeda took credit for) have him more focused on instilling fear again.
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