Oh, really?
Kevin McCullough reports this morning that’s what Ed Asner said recently.
It gets better;
When asked:
“…..if you had the chance to play the biographical story of a historical figure you respected most over your lifetime, who would it be?”
“I think Joe Stalin was a guy that was hugely misunderstood,” said Asner. “And to this day, I don’t think I have ever seen an adequate job done of telling the story of Joe Stalin, so I guess my answer would have to be Joe Stalin.”
Much is explained in each statement, even exclusive of each other.
In combo, these comments speak volumes. It’s a comment to keep in mind as you watch liberals like Asner attacking America.
Wizbanglog, linked at the right, has noted a ground shift of sorts…
DU Losing Steam?
From this thread at Democratic Underground…
United for Peace and Justice (UFPJ) and Act Now to Stop War & End Racism (ANSWER) are joining forces to call on all those who oppose the war, invasion and occupation of Iraq, to unite on Saturday, October 25 in Washington, D.C., for a truly massive outpouring reflecting the growing popular opposition to the Bush Administration’s foreign and domestic program.
Whizbang says:
Turnout doesn’t look so hot. So far the “massive outpouring” looks to be about 30 people. That’s some awesome force! Remind me to stay out of DC on the 25th, what with all the road closings that’s going to cause…
An really fine BIT in TOWNHALL today, from Ken Joseph.
Money line:
“Coming back to family members and telling them of progress in the talks at the United Nations on working some sort of compromise with Iraq I was welcomed not with joy but anger. `No, there is no other way! We want the war! It is the only way he will get out of our lives`
Once again going back to my Japanese roots I began to understand. The stories I had heard from older Japanese of how in a strange way they had welcomed the sight of the bombers in the skies over Japan.
Of course nobody wanted to be bombed but the first sight of the American B29 Bombers signaled to them that the war was coming to an end. An end was in sight. There would be terrible destruction. They might very well die but finally in a tragic way there was finally hope.
Then I began to feel so terrible. Here I had been demonstrating against the war thinking I had been doing it for the very people I was here now with and yet I had not ever bothered to ask them what they wanted.”
Time magazine, of all places is saying a chunk of Saddam’s money showed up in Syria… To the tune of around 3 billion dollars worth. Big shock, huh?
DEMOCRAT DEBATE FACT CHECK
Democrats Gather In Phoenix To Pander, Mislead And Get The Facts Wrong
CLARK ON MILITARY FAMILIES
Clark Claims:
Clark Claims Military Personnel Do Better Under Democrat Administrations. “I think there’s a fundamental difference between Republicans and Democrats on this issue, because it’s simply true, the Republicans do like weapon systems and Democrats like people. And so, I can tell you, and I would speak for anybody up here, when we take this government back in 2005, we’re going to look after pay.”
(Wesley Clark, CNN’s Democrat Candidate Debate, Phoenix, AZ, 10/9/03)
But Fact Is:
President Bush Has Provided Historic Increases In Military Compensation Over Clinton. Under former President Clinton, military pay decreased an average of almost 2% per year relative to Consumer Price Index. Since President Bush took office, military pay increased an average of 5.2% per year relative to Consumer Price Index.
(“Military Pay In Comparison With ECI And CPI,” Department Of Defense;”Defense Spending Highlights,” CQ Almanac, 2000, pp. 2-29 – 2-46)
Kerry Voted Against Military Pay Increases At Least ELEVEN Times.
(S.1087, CQ Vote #397: Passed 62-35: R 48-4; D 14-31; I 0-0, 9/5/95; H.R.2126, CQ Vote #579: Adopted 59-39: R 48-5; D 11-34; I 0-0; H.R.1530, CQ Vote #399: Passed 64-34: R 50-3; D 14-31; I 0-0, 9/6/95; H.R. 1530, CQ Vote #608: Adopted 51-43: R 47-2; D 4-41; I 0-0, 12/19/95; S.1124, CQ Vote #5: Adopted 56-34: R 42-3; D 14-31; I 0-0, 1/26/96; S.1745, CQ Vote #187: Passed 68-31: R 50-2; D 18-29; I 0-0, 7/10/96; H.R.3230, CQ Vote #279: Adopted 73-26: R 50-3; D 23-23; I 0-0, 9/10/96; S.Con.Res.18, CQ Vote #72: Motion agreed to 54-44: R 2-40; D 52-4, 3/24/93; S. Con. Res. 18, CQ Vote #73: Motion Agreed To 55-42: R 2-39; D 53-3, 3/24/93; H.R. 1335, CQ Vote #98: Motion agreed to 51-49: R 0-43; D 51-6, 4/1/93; S.Con.Res.18, CQ Vote #46: Adopted 69-30: R 31-12; D 38-18, 3/23/93)
Lieberman Voted Against Military Pay Increases At Least THREE Times.
(S.Con.Res.18, CQ Vote #72: Motion agreed to 54-44: R 2-40; D 52-4, 3/24/93; H.R. 1335, CQ Vote #98: Motion agreed to 51-49: R 0-43; D 51-6, 4/1/93; S.4, CQ Vote #26: Passed 91-8: R 52-3; D 39-5, 2/24/99)
Gephardt Voted Against Military Pay Increases At Least Once.
(H.R. 1530, CQ Vote #865: Adopted 267-149: R 209-17; D 58-131; I 0-1, 12/15/95)
KERRY ON VETERANS’ HEALTH CARE
Kerry Claims:
Kerry Claims President Not Addressing Veterans’ Health Care. “We have 135,000 veterans waiting six months to see a doctor for the first time just to get their prescription drugs.”
(Sen. John Kerry, CNN’s Democrat Candidate Debate, Phoenix, AZ, 10/9/03)
But Fact Is:
“President’s FY2004 Budget Is The Largest Annual Increase For …
Veterans Affairs Ever Requested …” (“The President’s Budget Briefing Book, FY 2004,” The White House, 2/3/03)
President’s FY 2004 Budget Proposal Fixes Six-Month Waiting Period, Which Exists Due To Rapid Growth Of Low-Priority Veterans. “In this budget, the President proposes to refocus attention on VA’s core medical care mission of providing needed services to veterans with military disabilities, low incomes, and special needs such as spinal cord
injuries by charging other lower-priority veterans in the system an annual enrollment fee and increased drug co-payments. Lower-priority veterans have grown from two percent in 1998 to over 31 percent of VA enrollees in 2002. As a result, 236,000 veterans now must wait six months or longer today for an appointment – a situation that will be
eliminated with this budget.”
(“The President’s Budget Briefing Book, FY 2004,” The White House, 2/3/03)
American Legion National Commander Called President’s 2004 Budget “Substantial Request And A Good Sign From The Administration.” (The American Legion, Press Release, 2/4/03)
FY2004 Budget Proposal Increases Discretionary Funding 7.4% From FY2003. (Department Of Veterans Affairs, Press Release, 2/3/03)
FY2004 Budget Proposal Provides $2 Billion Increase In Veterans’ Health Care Funding.(Department Of Veterans Affairs, Press Release, 2/3/03)
President’s FY2003 Budget Requested $1.2 Billion Over FY2002 Veterans’ Medical Care. (U.S. Senate Republican Policy Committee Website, http://rpc.senate.gov, Accessed 3/4/03)
KERRY ON OVEREXTENDED MILITARY
Kerry Claims:
Kerry Claims “We Have Overextended The Military.”
(Sen. John Kerry, CNN’s Democrat Candidate Debate, Phoenix, AZ, 10/9/03)
But Fact Is:
But Kerry Proposed Massive Defense Cuts Of Billions Of Dollars And Numerous Key Programs Throughout His Career.
(S. 1580, Introduced 2/29/96; S. Con. Res. 13, CQ Vote #181: Rejected 28-71: R 2-51; D 26-20, 5/24/95, Kerry Voted Yea; S.1163, Introduced 6/24/93; S. Con. Res. 18, CQ Vote #73: Motion Agreed To 55-42: R 2-39; D 53-3, 3/24/93, Kerry Voted Yea; S. Con. Res. 106, CQ Vote #73: Motion Agreed To 53-40: R 38-1; D 15-39, 4/9/92, Kerry Voted Nay; H.R. 2707, CQ Vote #182: Motion Rejected 28-69: R 3-39; D 25-30, 9/10/91, Kerry Voted Yea; S. Con. Res. 29, CQ Vote #49: Motion Rejected 22-73: R 1-39; D 21-34, 4/25/91, Kerry Voted Yea)
EDWARDS ON TAX CUTS FOR RICH
Edwards Claims:
Edwards Claims Bush Tax Cuts Hurts Middle Class. “This president is in the business of shifting the tax burden in America from wealth and the wealthy, to work and the middle class, and it’s wrong for two reasons.”
(Sen. John Edwards, CNN’s Democrat Candidate Debate, Phoenix, AZ, 10/9/03)
But Fact Is:
Middle Class Workers Benefit Most. “The percentage of federal income taxes paid by families with incomes of $50,000 or less before the 2001 and 2003 tax cuts was 5.6 percent. The percentage of federal income taxes paid by families with incomes of $50,00 or less after the president’s pro-growth 2001 and 2003 tax cuts is 2.9 percent. The
proportion of the tax burden borne by poor working families in America has been cut in half by the president’s tax cuts. For comparison, the top one percent pays 37 percent of total income taxes and the top 5 percent pays 56 percent – and those proportions have gone up.”
(Robert Grady, Op-Ed, “Would You Buy This Idea?” The Washington Post, 9/28/03)
Tax Burden Not Taken Away From Upper Class. “[F]amilies with income of $100,000 or more receive a smaller than average percentage reduction in income taxes so they will pay a larger share of the total income tax burden under [the Jobs and Growth Act].”
(“Distribution Of The President’s Growth Package,” Office Of Tax Analysis, Department Of The Treasury, 1/7/03)
CLARK ON HIS IRAQ POSITION
Clark Claims:
Clark Claims Iraq Position “Very Clear.” “I think my position on Iraq has been very, very clear from the outset.”
(Wesley Clark, CNN’s Democrat Candidate Debate, Phoenix, AZ, 10/9/03)
But Fact Is:
October 2002: Clark Indicated His Support For Use Of Force Resolution And Said He Would Advise Congressmen To Vote For It. “Retired U.S. Army Gen. Wesley Clark said Wednesday he supports a congressional resolution that would give President Bush authority to use military force against Iraq, although he has reservations about the country’s move toward war. Clark … endorsed Democrat Katrina Swett in the 2nd District race. He said if she were in Congress this week, he would advise her to vote for the resolution, but only after vigorous debate.”
(Stephen Frothingham, “Gen. Clark Supports Swett, Raises Concerns About Iraq Policy,” The Associated Press, 10/9/02)
August 2003: Clark Ducked Question On How He Would Have Voted On Iraq Resolution.
CNN’s BOB NOVAK: “So you would be the same as Senator Kerry and Congressman Gephardt? You vote yes, but then you start dancing when a few — when you have some casualties in Iraq? Is that fair?”
CLARK: “I’m not dancing. I’m not dancing one bit. I’m telling you exactly what was wrong with that resolution. That resolution was a carte blanche to the administration to go to the U.N. and then do what they wanted.”
(CNN’s “Crossfire,” 8/1/03)
One Day After Becoming Candidate, Clark Says He Would Have Voted For Use Of Force Resolution. “‘At the time, I probably would have voted for it [Use of Force Authorization], but I think that’s too simple a question,’ General Clark said. A moment later, he said: ‘I don’t know if I would have or not. I’ve said it both ways because when you get into this, what happens is you have to put yourself in a position – on balance, I probably would have voted for it.'”
(Adam Nagourney, “Clark Says He Would Have Voted For War,” The New York Times, 9/19/03)
Two Days After Becoming Candidate, Clark “Would Never Have Voted For War.” “‘I never would have voted for war,’ Clark … said during an interview with The Des Moines Register. Reports published Friday quoted Clark as saying he probably would have supported the resolution.”
(Thomas Beaumont, “Clark Says He Wouldn’t Have Voted For War,” The Des Moines Register, 9/20/03)
KERRY ON BUSH TAX CUT
Kerry Claims:
Kerry Claimed 10% Tax Bracket Was Democrats’ Idea. “If you get rid of the whole Bush tax cut, you’re getting rid of the Democratic part of the cut that we put in, the 10 percent bracket.”
(Sen. John Kerry, CNN’s Democrat Candidate Debate, Phoenix, AZ, 10/9/03)
But Fact Is:
In January 2000, The Washington Post Noted Candidate Bush’s Tax Cut Proposal Set Lowest Tax Rate At 10%. “For example, the first $43,050 of a married couple’s taxable income is now taxed at 15 percent. Under the Bush plan, the first $12,000 would be taxed at 10 percent and the next $31,050 at 15 percent.”
(Eric Pianin and Albert B. Crenshaw, “GOP Fight Bares Schism On Taxes,” The Washington Post, 1/22/00)
KERRY ON PRESCRIPTION DRUG PLANS
Kerry Claims:
Kerry Claims We Need “President Who Is Determined To Have A Medicare Prescription Drug Benefit …” (Sen. John Kerry, CNN’s Democrat Candidate Debate, Phoenix, AZ, 10/9/03)
But Fact Is:
Kerry Voted Against 2004 Budget That Included $400 Billion For Prescription Drug Benefit And Medicare Modernization. The Fiscal 2004 Budget Resolution included a ten-year, $400 billion Medicare overhaul with prescription drug benefit.
(S.Con.Res.23, CQ Vote #108: Adopted 56-44: R 50-1; D 6-42; I 0-1, 3/26/03, Kerry Voted Nay)
Kerry Opposed Bipartisan Prescription Drug Benefit. “Senator John F. Kerry, a Massachusetts Democrat who was at presidential campaign events in California, missed the vote. ‘He opposed the legislation in the Finance Committee and he had his ‘no’ vote recorded today,’ said Kelley Benander, a spokeswoman for the Kerry campaign.”
(S.1, CQ Vote #262: Passed 76-21: R 40-10; D 35-11; I 1-0, 6/27/03, Kerry Did Not Vote; Wayne Washington, “‘Full-Court Press’ By Bush Plays Part In Medicare Victory,” The Boston Globe, 6/28/03) Kerry Missed All 35 Votes On Prescription Drug Bill Because He Was Campaigning.
GEPHARDT ON CLINTON TAX HIKE
Gephardt Claims:
Gephardt Touts Clinton Economic Program. “We got a great story for the American people and the middle class and all the people of the country. We did this. I led the fight for the Clinton economic program in 1993. It created 22 million new jobs. We didn’t get a Republican vote in the House or the Senate. We passed it by one vote in both houses. And it’s clear, we get this. We know how to do this.”
(Rep. Dick Gephardt, CNN’s Democrat Candidate Debate, Phoenix, AZ, 10/9/03)
But Fact Is:
But In 1998, Gephardt Said Economic Status Quo Was Not Working For Everyone. “The economic status quo is not working for everyone. This isn’t meant as a criticism of anyone. It’s simply a reminder that we have more work to do to make the economy grow for all Americans.”
(Rep. Gephardt, “Taxes: The Time To Reform Is At Hand,” Press Release, 1/20/98)
In 1998 He Also Said Wages Were Stagnant And Struggling Families Needed Relief. “Americans are enjoying increased levels of employment but stagnant wages, it is imperative to give some relief to those struggling to support their families.” (Rep. Gephardt, “Taxes: The Time To Reform Is At Hand,” Press Release, 1/20/98)
In 1995, President Clinton Admitted That He Raised Taxes Too Much. “Probably there are people in this room still mad at me … because you think I raised your taxes too much. It might surprise you to know that I think I raised them too much, too.”
(President Bill Clinton As Quoted In E. J. Dionne Jr., “…And Clinton’s Blunder,” The Washington Post, 10/24/95)
And In 1998, Even Gephardt Said Taxes Were Too High. “Just days ago, millions of tax forms started arriving in mailboxes all across the country. … They see a tax return that takes far too much time and effort to calculate. And to add insult to injury, they see taxes that are simply too high.”
(Rep. Gephardt, “Taxes: The Time To Reform Is At Hand,” Press Release, 1/20/98)
DEAN AND GEPHARDT ON SMALL BUSINESS
They Claim:
Dean Claimed They Would Support Small Business Owners. “The way to help this country’s economy is to invest in small businesses, allow them to have health insurance and help them pay for health insurance, and get them capital.”
(Howard Dean, CNN’s Democrat Candidate Debate, Phoenix, AZ, 10/9/03)
Gephardt Claimed They Would Support Small Business Owners. “A small business like yours is having to pay a lot of tax [sic], and my plan would help you and your employees and the employees of every corporation in the country.”
(Rep. Dick Gephardt, CNN’s Democrat Candidate Debate, Phoenix, AZ,
10/9/03)
But Fact Is:
Both Gephardt And Dean Want To Eliminate All Of Bush Tax Cuts, Which Would Severely Impact Small Business Owners, Who Receive 79% Of Savings Of Cut In Top Tax Rate. “Of the 750,000 tax filers that would benefit from a reduction in the highest marginal tax rate, more than two-thirds (over 500,000 filers) have some small business income from a sole proprietorship, partnership or S corporation. These small business owners would receive 79 percent of the $13.3 billion in tax savings from reducing the top marginal rate to 35 percent in 2003 instead of 2006.”
(“How The Top Individual Income Tax Rate Affects Small Businesses,” Joint Economic Committee, 5/6/03)
National Review Online columnist Deroy Murdock reports that may be happening soon.
“Greenpeace has devised a system for diverting tax-exempt funds and using them for non-exempt — and oftentimes illegal — purposes,” Hardiman said in unveiling the grievance. “It’s a form of money laundering, plain and simple.”
Concurrent with its IRS filing, PIW released a report titled “Green-Peace, Dirty Money: Tax Violations in the World of Non-Profits.” The ten-page paper details PIW’s claim that Greenpeace Fund, Inc. directed $24 million in tax-exempt contributions into Greenpeace, Inc.’s non-exempt programs during tax years 1998, 1999 and 2000. According to the most recent tax returns available for both groups, in 1999, Greenpeace, Inc.’s total revenues equaled $14.2 million. “Of this amount, $4.25 million (or 30 %) came from Greenpeace Fund, Inc.,” PIW’s report states.
Copy of a note to Boortz, this morning: I doubt he’ll even see it.
First time I’ve disagreed with you enough to take the time to write.
You say, in this morning’s show notes:
“What’s the deal here? You’re celebrating (as you should) Rush’s decision to seek treatment. If this is such a good option for Rush (and it is) then why isn’t it a good option for some sap from the inner city who succumbs to neighborhood peer pressure and gets hooked on drugs?”
The answer is simple.
There’s a major difference between someone becoming addicted to a pain med incidental to said meds being prescribed for a genuine need, and someone doing it for ‘kicks’. The former is a victim. The latter is a criminal. There will be some who won’t understand that difference…. Who won’t WANT to understand the difference. I would have hoped you weren’t one of them. apparently, I misjudged you. You’re often right, Neil, but on this one you’re dead wrong.
This is not a matter of defending Limbaugh; I doubt he needs it. However, as a libertarian, you’re aiming at personal responsability… And I understand and respect this. But that idea, that concept, assumes that the person is making an informed choice. So, tell me; do you really expect the average person to be able to make informed choices about such matters?, particularly when the person is in a great degree of pain?
Sorry, I can’t see it.
Look, say what you will about Pedro Martinez, I’ll likely agree with you. But I have a hard and fast rule in my life… If you come after me in a threatening manner, I don’t care WHO you are, you’re going to be on the ground looking up and wondering what the hell happened. I was a DJ for 30 years… and over that time I’ve played enough tough dives and seen my share of such nonsense. I’ve always reacted the same way. You come after me, don’t be planning on walking away without a limp, if you’re walking at all. It’s called the right to self-defense, and it’s the consequences you deal with when you move to attack me. It’s that simple. I don’t expect anything less from anyone else.
with that in mind, then, the question, both from a legal and a moral perspective is as regards whose fault the brawl becomes, “Who threw the first punch?” The answer is Zimmer, and he got what he deserved. There was *no* provocation that would justify the kind of attack he tried to pull on Martinez. The excuses the Thugs front office tried to float about it being Pedro’s fault, didn’t.
And of course the Bronx Thugs weren’t done, yet. Not satisfied that they were already being properly labeled as thugs by the press and the fans, they then commenced later in the game to pull fans out of the stands for a little free facial re-alignment. Nice guys, these Yankees, huh?
This all strikes me as a group of people who have for too long maintained a position of self-labeled royalty, and are now finding that position under threat and are reacting with intimidation tactics. We know the Baseball commissioner, Bud Selig, isn’t going to step in… not in any really serious way. We’ll see some small fines (small in comparison to what these people get paid) and it’ll all go away. And of course the biggest fines will end up in the Boston player’s laps. Watch, and see. This is a lock, gang. The Yankee Org holds far too much sway with *them* to be taken to task for this thuggery by MLB. The Yankees have a long history of this kind of nonsense.
Isn’t it time for the Law Enforcement community to react? Zimmer should have been arrested on the spot, his faking injury not withstanding, and charges should be laid against the thugs in the Yankee Bullpen that night.
If MLB wasn’t in the pocket of the Yankee ownership as they have been for the last two commissioners, they’d step in and declare the CS forfeit to Boston for NY’s thuggery. Do I sound annoyed? Good. I am. This coddling the Yankees is exactly why MLB is seeing a declining following.
Are you listening, Mr. Selig?
1012032232, Churchville, NY —
It’s about time.
The Bush White House is finally starting to deal with the PR problems involved with the war in Iraq and our actions afterward. So far, they’ve been letting the naysayers in on the left,rule public opinion. (Which as you will recall, includes the so-called mainstream press.)
The facts, however, are vastly different than the left makes them. While looking at the website for the Iraqi Provisional government, I noted the text of a speech by Paul Bremmer. I’ve been watching this site with some interest since it first went up. It is interesting how closely the events listed here parallel the events as reported by those leaving Iraq… and how wildly they differ from the leftist media.
Six months ago there were no police on duty in Iraq.
· Today there are over 40,000 police on duty, nearly 7,000 here in Baghdad alone.
· Last night Coalition Forces and Iraqi police conducted 1,731 joint patrols.
Six months ago those elements of Saddam’s military that had not been destroyed in combat had buried their airplanes and melted away.
· Today the first battalion of the new Iraqi Army has graduated and is on active duty.
· Across the country over 60,000 Iraqis now provide security to their fellow citizens.
Six months ago there were no functioning courts in Iraq.
· Today nearly all of Iraq’s 400 courts are functioning.
· Today, for the first time in over a generation, the Iraqi judiciary is fully independent.
Six months ago the entire country could generate a bare 300 megawatts of electricity.
· On Monday, October 6 power generation hit 4,518 megawatts—exceeding the pre-war average.
·· If we get the funding the President has requested in his emergency budget, we expect to produce enough electricity for all Iraqis to have electrical service 24 hours daily—something essential to their hopes for the future.
Six months ago nearly all of Iraq’s schools were closed.
· Today all 22 universities and 43 technical institutes and colleges are open, as are nearly all primary and secondary schools.
· Many of you know that we announced our plan to rehabilitate one thousand schools by the time school started—well, by October 1 we had actually rehabbed over 1,500.
Six months ago teachers were paid as little as $5.33 per month.
· Today teachers earn from 12 to 25 times their former salaries.
Six months ago the public health system was an empty shell. During the 1990’s Saddam cut spending on public health by over 90 percent with predictable results for the lives of his citizens.
· Today we have increased public health spending to over 26 times what it was under Saddam.
· Today all 240 hospitals and more than 1200 clinics are open.
· Today doctors’ salaries are at least eight times what they were under Saddam.
· Pharmaceutical distribution has gone from essentially nothing to 700 tons in May to a current total of 12,000 tons.
· Since liberation we have administered over 22 million vaccination doses to Iraq’s children.
Six months ago three-quarters of Iraq’s 27,000 kilometers of irrigation canals were weed-choked and barely functional.
· Today a Coalition program has cleared over 14,000 kilometers of those canals. They now irrigate tens of thousands of farms. This project has created jobs for more than 100,000 Iraqi men and women.
Additionally, we have restored over three-quarters of pre-war telephone services and over two-thirds of the potable water production.
Before the war there were 4,500 Internet connections and important services, such as instant messaging were forbidden.
· Today there are 4,900 full-service connections.
· We expect 50,000 by January first.
Six months ago Iraq’s economy was flat on its back.
· Today anyone walking the streets can see the wheels of commerce turning. From bicycles to satellite dishes to cars and trucks, businesses are coming to life in all major cities and towns.
Six months ago all banks were closed.
· Today 95 percent of all pre-war bank customers have service and first-time customers are opening accounts daily.
· Today Iraqi banks are making loans to finance businesses.
· Today the central bank is fully independent.
· Today Iraq has one of the world’s most growth-oriented investment and banking laws.
· Next week Iraq will get a single, unified currency for the first time in 15 years.
Six months ago there was no freedom of expression. Satellite dishes were illegal. Foreign journalists came on 10-day visas and paid mandatory and extortionate fees to the Ministry of Information for “minders” and other government spies.
· Today there is no Ministry of Information.
· Today there are more than 170 newspapers.
· Today you can buy satellite dishes on what seems like every street corner.
· Today foreign journalists and everyone else are free to come and go.
Six months ago Iraq had not one single element—legislative, judicial or executive– of a representative government.
· Today in Baghdad alone residents have selected 88 advisory councils. Baghdad’s first democratic transfer of power in 35 years happened when the city council elected its new chairman.
· Today in Iraq chambers of commerce, business, school and professional organizations are electing their leaders all over the country.
· Today 25 ministers, selected by the most representative governing body in Iraq’s history, run the day-to-day business of government.
· Today the Iraqi government regularly participates in international events. Since July the Iraqi government has been represented in over two dozen international meetings, including those of the UN General Assembly, the Arab League, the World Bank and IMF and, today, the Islamic Conference Summit. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs today announced that it is reopening over 30 Iraqi embassies around the world.
Six months ago Shia religious festivals were all but banned.
· Today, for the first time in 35 years, in Karbala thousands of Shiites celebrate the pilgrimage of the 12th Imam.
An amazing list of accomplishments, made al the more amazing that we’re not hearing them from the leftist press. And, let’s call this waht it is; These are all things the left would have us not doing. Had they their own way, Iraq would still be ruled by SoDamn Insane.
I should give Kudos here to Andrew Sullivan, who apparently also monitors that Provisional site. His take on the subject bears repeating:
It’s simply beyond me how anyone can describe this war as about “oil” or about “imperialism” or about “greed” or “militarism.” It remains one of the most humanitarian acts in modern history. And, if successful, it could turn an entire region around – a region that has been the main source of real danger to itself and to the West in my lifetime. I’m banging on about this not simply because it’s by far the most important issue in our politics right now, but because a wilful and petty disinformation campaign is being waged to distort this achievement, undermine it, and reverse it. We mustn’t let that happen. We cannot let these people – and ourselves – down again.
Sullivan is correct, here. Can’t one Democrat come forward and say that we’ve done a good thing over there? Or is it as I’ve suggested in the past, that there ARE no good Democrats?
What it is…. I guess I shouldn’t be surprised by their omission; Clearly these being good things, run afoul of their worldview. They’d rather stand on the sidelines and claim Iraq HAD no WMD program, and was never a threat to us. They even point to the recently released Kay report, claiming it proves their point; that Saddam had no WMD. They must not be reading the same report I have on file here.
Here’s what Kay has to say on those subjects:
“We Have Discovered Dozens Of WMD-Related Program Activities And Significant Amounts Of Equipment That Iraq Concealed From The United Nations During The Inspections That Began In Late 2002.” (David Kay, Statement On The Interim Progress Report On The Activities Of The Iraq Survey Group, 10/2/03)
“A clandestine network of laboratories and safehouses within the Iraqi Intelligence Service that contained equipment subject to UN monitoring and suitable for continuing CBW [Chemical and Biological Weapons] research.” (David Kay, Statement On The Interim Progress Report On The Activities Of The Iraq Survey Group, 10/2/03)
“A prison laboratory complex, possibly used in human testing of BW [Biological Weapons] agents, that Iraqi officials working to prepare for UN inspections were explicitly ordered not to declare to the UN.” (David Kay, Statement On The Interim Progress Report On The Activities Of The Iraq Survey Group, 10/2/03)
“Reference strains of biological organisms concealed in a scientist’s home, one of which can be used to produce biological weapons.” (David Kay, Statement On The Interim Progress Report On The Activities Of The Iraq Survey Group, 10/2/03)
“New research on BW-applicable agents, Brucella and Congo Crimean Hemorrhagic Fever (CCHF), and continuing work on ricin and aflatoxin were not declared to the UN.” (David Kay, Statement On The Interim Progress Report On The Activities Of The Iraq Survey Group, 10/2/03)
“Documents and equipment, hidden in scientists’ homes, that would have been useful in resuming uranium enrichment by centrifuge and electromagnetic isotope separation (EMIS).” (David Kay, Statement On The
Interim Progress Report On The Activities Of The Iraq Survey Group, 10/2/03)
“A line of UAVs [Unmanned Aerial Vehicles] not fully declared at an undeclared production facility and an admission that they had tested one of their declared UAVs out to a range of 500 km, 350 km beyond the permissible
limit.” (David Kay, Statement On The Interim Progress Report On The Activities Of The Iraq Survey Group, 10/2/03)
“Continuing covert capability to manufacture fuel propellant useful only for prohibited SCUD variant missiles, a capability that was maintained at least until the end of 2001 and that cooperating Iraqi scientists have said they were told to conceal from the UN.” (David Kay, Statement On The Interim Progress Report On The Activities Of The Iraq Survey Group, 10/2/03)
“Plans and advanced design work for new long-range missiles with ranges up to at least 1000 km – well beyond the 150 km range limit imposed by the UN. Missiles of a 1000 km range would have allowed Iraq to threaten
targets through out the Middle East, including Ankara, Cairo, and Abu Dhabi.” (David Kay, Statement On The Interim Progress Report On The Activities Of The Iraq Survey Group, 10/2/03)
“Clandestine attempts between late-1999 and 2002 to obtain from North Korea technology related to 1,300 km range ballistic missiles –probably the No Dong — 300 km range anti-ship cruise missiles, and other prohibited
military equipment.” (David Kay, Statement On The Interim Progress Report On The Activities Of The Iraq Survey Group, 10/2/03)
“With regard to Iraq’s nuclear program, the testimony we have obtained from Iraqi scientists and senior government officials should clear up any doubts about whether Saddam still wanted to obtain nuclear weapons.
They have told ISG [Iraq Survey Group] that Saddam Husayn remained firmly committed to acquiring nuclear weapons.” (David Kay, Statement On The Interim Progress Report On The Activities Of The Iraq Survey Group, 10/2/03)
“In Addition To The Discovery Of Extensive Concealment Efforts, We Have Been Faced With A Systematic Sanitization Of Documentary And Computer Evidence In A Wide Range Of Offices, Laboratories, And Companies Suspected Of WMD Work.” (David Kay, Statement On The Interim Progress Report On The Activities Of The Iraq Survey Group, 10/2/03)
I think it clear that all we’re seeing out of the socialist left is spinning, lies, and omissions, issued for the purpose of putting the worst spin possible on President Bush, so as to regain political power. Apparently, they’re working on the same principal that another infamous socialist relied on: A lie, often enough told, become truth.
Just remember; if we followed them Saddam would still be in power.
And 9/11 would have been merely a prelude.
It’s about time.
The Bush White House is finally starting to deal with the PR problems involved with the war in Iraq and our actions afterward. So far, they’ve been letting the naysayers in on the left,rule public opinion. (Which as you will recall, includes the so-called mainstream press.)
The facts, however, are vastly different than the left makes them. While looking at the website for the Iraqi Provisional government, I noted the text of a speech by Paul Bremmer. I’ve been watching this site with some interest since it first went up. It is interesting how closely the events listed here parallel the events as reported by those leaving Iraq… and how wildly they differ from the leftist media.
Six months ago there were no police on duty in Iraq.
· Today there are over 40,000 police on duty, nearly 7,000 here in Baghdad alone.
· Last night Coalition Forces and Iraqi police conducted 1,731 joint patrols.Six months ago those elements of Saddam’s military that had not been destroyed in combat had buried their airplanes and melted away.
· Today the first battalion of the new Iraqi Army has graduated and is on active duty.
· Across the country over 60,000 Iraqis now provide security to their fellow citizens.Six months ago there were no functioning courts in Iraq.
· Today nearly all of Iraq’s 400 courts are functioning.
· Today, for the first time in over a generation, the Iraqi judiciary is fully independent.Six months ago the entire country could generate a bare 300 megawatts of electricity.
· On Monday, October 6 power generation hit 4,518 megawatts—exceeding the pre-war average.
·· If we get the funding the President has requested in his emergency budget, we expect to produce enough electricity for all Iraqis to have electrical service 24 hours daily—something essential to their hopes for the future.Six months ago nearly all of Iraq’s schools were closed.
· Today all 22 universities and 43 technical institutes and colleges are open, as are nearly all primary and secondary schools.
· Many of you know that we announced our plan to rehabilitate one thousand schools by the time school started—well, by October 1 we had actually rehabbed over 1,500.Six months ago teachers were paid as little as $5.33 per month.
· Today teachers earn from 12 to 25 times their former salaries.Six months ago the public health system was an empty shell. During the 1990’s Saddam cut spending on public health by over 90 percent with predictable results for the lives of his citizens.
· Today we have increased public health spending to over 26 times what it was under Saddam.
· Today all 240 hospitals and more than 1200 clinics are open.
· Today doctors’ salaries are at least eight times what they were under Saddam.
· Pharmaceutical distribution has gone from essentially nothing to 700 tons in May to a current total of 12,000 tons.
· Since liberation we have administered over 22 million vaccination doses to Iraq’s children.Six months ago three-quarters of Iraq’s 27,000 kilometers of irrigation canals were weed-choked and barely functional.
· Today a Coalition program has cleared over 14,000 kilometers of those canals. They now irrigate tens of thousands of farms. This project has created jobs for more than 100,000 Iraqi men and women.Additionally, we have restored over three-quarters of pre-war telephone services and over two-thirds of the potable water production.
Before the war there were 4,500 Internet connections and important services, such as instant messaging were forbidden.
· Today there are 4,900 full-service connections.
· We expect 50,000 by January first.Six months ago Iraq’s economy was flat on its back.
· Today anyone walking the streets can see the wheels of commerce turning. From bicycles to satellite dishes to cars and trucks, businesses are coming to life in all major cities and towns.Six months ago all banks were closed.
· Today 95 percent of all pre-war bank customers have service and first-time customers are opening accounts daily.
· Today Iraqi banks are making loans to finance businesses.
· Today the central bank is fully independent.
· Today Iraq has one of the world’s most growth-oriented investment and banking laws.
· Next week Iraq will get a single, unified currency for the first time in 15 years.Six months ago there was no freedom of expression. Satellite dishes were illegal. Foreign journalists came on 10-day visas and paid mandatory and extortionate fees to the Ministry of Information for “minders” and other government spies.
· Today there is no Ministry of Information.
· Today there are more than 170 newspapers.
· Today you can buy satellite dishes on what seems like every street corner.
· Today foreign journalists and everyone else are free to come and go.Six months ago Iraq had not one single element—legislative, judicial or executive– of a representative government.
· Today in Baghdad alone residents have selected 88 advisory councils. Baghdad’s first democratic transfer of power in 35 years happened when the city council elected its new chairman.
· Today in Iraq chambers of commerce, business, school and professional organizations are electing their leaders all over the country.
· Today 25 ministers, selected by the most representative governing body in Iraq’s history, run the day-to-day business of government.
· Today the Iraqi government regularly participates in international events. Since July the Iraqi government has been represented in over two dozen international meetings, including those of the UN General Assembly, the Arab League, the World Bank and IMF and, today, the Islamic Conference Summit. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs today announced that it is reopening over 30 Iraqi embassies around the world.Six months ago Shia religious festivals were all but banned.
· Today, for the first time in 35 years, in Karbala thousands of Shiites celebrate the pilgrimage of the 12th Imam.
An amazing list of accomplishments, made al the more amazing that we’re not hearing them from the leftist press. And, let’s call this waht it is; These are all things the left would have us not doing. Had they their own way, Iraq would still be ruled by SoDamn Insane.
I should give Kudos here to Andrew Sullivan, who apparently also monitors that Provisional site. His take on the subject bears repeating:
It’s simply beyond me how anyone can describe this war as about “oil” or about “imperialism” or about “greed” or “militarism.” It remains one of the most humanitarian acts in modern history. And, if successful, it could turn an entire region around – a region that has been the main source of real danger to itself and to the West in my lifetime. I’m banging on about this not simply because it’s by far the most important issue in our politics right now, but because a wilful and petty disinformation campaign is being waged to distort this achievement, undermine it, and reverse it. We mustn’t let that happen. We cannot let these people – and ourselves – down again.
Sullivan is correct, here. Can’t one Democrat come forward and say that we’ve done a good thing over there? Or is it as I’ve suggested in the past, that there ARE no good Democrats?
What it is…. I guess I shouldn’t be surprised by their omission; Clearly these being good things, run afoul of their worldview. They’d rather stand on the sidelines and claim Iraq HAD no WMD program, and was never a threat to us. They even point to the recently released Kay report, claiming it proves their point; that Saddam had no WMD. They must not be reading the same report I have on file here.
Here’s what Kay has to say on those subjects:
“We Have Discovered Dozens Of WMD-Related Program Activities And Significant Amounts Of Equipment That Iraq Concealed From The United Nations During The Inspections That Began In Late 2002.” (David Kay, Statement On The Interim Progress Report On The Activities Of The Iraq Survey Group, 10/2/03)
“A clandestine network of laboratories and safehouses within the Iraqi Intelligence Service that contained equipment subject to UN monitoring and suitable for continuing CBW [Chemical and Biological Weapons] research.” (David Kay, Statement On The Interim Progress Report On The Activities Of The Iraq Survey Group, 10/2/03)
“A prison laboratory complex, possibly used in human testing of BW [Biological Weapons] agents, that Iraqi officials working to prepare for UN inspections were explicitly ordered not to declare to the UN.” (David Kay, Statement On The Interim Progress Report On The Activities Of The Iraq Survey Group, 10/2/03)
“Reference strains of biological organisms concealed in a scientist’s home, one of which can be used to produce biological weapons.” (David Kay, Statement On The Interim Progress Report On The Activities Of The Iraq Survey Group, 10/2/03)
“New research on BW-applicable agents, Brucella and Congo Crimean Hemorrhagic Fever (CCHF), and continuing work on ricin and aflatoxin were not declared to the UN.” (David Kay, Statement On The Interim Progress Report On The Activities Of The Iraq Survey Group, 10/2/03)
“Documents and equipment, hidden in scientists’ homes, that would have been useful in resuming uranium enrichment by centrifuge and electromagnetic isotope separation (EMIS).” (David Kay, Statement On The
Interim Progress Report On The Activities Of The Iraq Survey Group, 10/2/03)“A line of UAVs [Unmanned Aerial Vehicles] not fully declared at an undeclared production facility and an admission that they had tested one of their declared UAVs out to a range of 500 km, 350 km beyond the permissible
limit.” (David Kay, Statement On The Interim Progress Report On The Activities Of The Iraq Survey Group, 10/2/03)“Continuing covert capability to manufacture fuel propellant useful only for prohibited SCUD variant missiles, a capability that was maintained at least until the end of 2001 and that cooperating Iraqi scientists have said they were told to conceal from the UN.” (David Kay, Statement On The Interim Progress Report On The Activities Of The Iraq Survey Group, 10/2/03)
“Plans and advanced design work for new long-range missiles with ranges up to at least 1000 km – well beyond the 150 km range limit imposed by the UN. Missiles of a 1000 km range would have allowed Iraq to threaten
targets through out the Middle East, including Ankara, Cairo, and Abu Dhabi.” (David Kay, Statement On The Interim Progress Report On The Activities Of The Iraq Survey Group, 10/2/03)“Clandestine attempts between late-1999 and 2002 to obtain from North Korea technology related to 1,300 km range ballistic missiles –probably the No Dong — 300 km range anti-ship cruise missiles, and other prohibited
military equipment.” (David Kay, Statement On The Interim Progress Report On The Activities Of The Iraq Survey Group, 10/2/03)“With regard to Iraq’s nuclear program, the testimony we have obtained from Iraqi scientists and senior government officials should clear up any doubts about whether Saddam still wanted to obtain nuclear weapons.
They have told ISG [Iraq Survey Group] that Saddam Husayn remained firmly committed to acquiring nuclear weapons.” (David Kay, Statement On The Interim Progress Report On The Activities Of The Iraq Survey Group, 10/2/03)“In Addition To The Discovery Of Extensive Concealment Efforts, We Have Been Faced With A Systematic Sanitization Of Documentary And Computer Evidence In A Wide Range Of Offices, Laboratories, And Companies Suspected Of WMD Work.” (David Kay, Statement On The Interim Progress Report On The Activities Of The Iraq Survey Group, 10/2/03)
I think it clear that all we’re seeing out of the socialist left is spinning, lies, and omissions, issued for the purpose of putting the worst spin possible on President Bush, so as to regain political power. Apparently, they’re working on the same principal that another infamous socialist relied on: A lie, often enough told, become truth.
Just remember; if we followed them Saddam would still be in power.
And 9/11 would have been merely a prelude.
The Wall Street Journal Online posted its October economic forecasting survey this morning and the results are more good news for the recovery! The economists surveyed raised their estimate for third-quarter growth to 5%, up from the 4.7% rate they predicted in a September survey and from 3.6% in August.
The economists surveyed attributed the recent strengthening of the economy to President Bush’s pro-growth policies.
Many economists attributed the strength in consumer spending to the latest federal-tax reductions. Some economists said they were caught off-guard by the extent of the stimulus created by the cuts, which included rebate checks for some families of as much as $400 per child.
Consumer spending rose a strong 0.8% in August from July, after a 0.9% advance the previous month. September data aren’t yet available, but if the rate continued — and economists have their doubts, given a slowdown in auto sales last month — that could mean quarterly spending growth not seen in more than 15 years.
Says Talon News:
New applications for unemployment benefits fell to 382,000 for the week of October 4. This was the lowest level they have been at since the week of February 8. Financial experts had predicted that the number of jobless claims would only fall to 395,000.
“The [drop in unemployment] number confirms that there could be a turn in employment, backing up last Friday’s monthly unemployment report,” Infinity Brokerage Services analyst John Person told the Associated Press. “The stock market is receiving a barrage of good news from the employment front, from the earnings front, and it’s obviously looking very strong.”
Indeed, the stock market reacted to the positive employment news about unemployment and retail sales on Thursday.
All three of the major stock indexes benefited from busy trading at their highest levels in over a year. The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose by 85 points to 9716, while the Nasdaq Composite Index grew by 31.50 to end the day at 1925.30. The S&P 500 increased 8.30 to finish up at 1042.10.
Analysts say the decrease in unemployment is a direct result of the job market picking up as the U.S. economy enters what is expected to be a robust fourth quarter, when companies generally make most of their yearly profits.
The best evidence that the economy has been revived can be found in the unexpectedly strong September sales data for mega-retailers such as Wal-Mart and Target. Retail sales comprise two-thirds of the American economy.
Same-store sales for Wal-Mart jumped 6 percent in September, higher than the 4.9 percent rise that was projected. Overall, Wal-Mart’s sales went up by 13 percent.
As for Target, same-stores sales grew by 5.4 percent, higher than the 4.1 percent rise that was predicted. However, Target’s total sales were down slightly by 0.8 percent.
A payrolls report for the month of September released today reveals that more jobs were added to the economy in September than taken away. This was the first time this has occurred since February. This additional good economic news has given investors and businesses solace for the upcoming holiday season.
The unemployment rate in the U.S. currently stands at 6.1 percent, with over 3.6 million out-of-work Americans still collecting weekly checks.
This latest news does not bode well for the Democrat Party, which has been hoping to capitalize on unemployment and the economy as major issues against President George W. Bush in the 2004 presidential election.
All I have to do is cut and paste this one.
It speaks louder to the point than most.
By Jeff Gannon
Talon News
October 10, 2003
WASHINGTON (Talon News) — Denouncement of a racial slur against Indian-American Republican Bobby Jindal began to mount on Thursday after an exclusive Talon News report of an offensive memo sent by College Democrats president Ashley Bell. In a message distributed to his organization’s membership he called Louisiana’s gubernatorial candidate “Bush’s ‘Do Boy’.” He also accused the Republican party of “tokenism”.
Additionally, Bell inaccurately referred to Jindal as “Arab American”, when in fact, the Republican is the American-born son of Indian immigrants. In a subsequent message, he corrected his misidentification of Jindal’s ethnic background, but did not retract his offensive epithets.
Bell did not respond to Talon News requests for comment, but a representative of the College Democrats contacted Talon News Thursday to discover the source of the memo. That official also offered no comment about the memo’s content.
Sen. Tom Daschle (D-SD), the group’s honorary chairman, did not respond to Talon News request for comment about the offensive remarks.
The organization’s Executive Director, Stephanie Sanchez contacted Talon News late Thursday to say, “Ashley’s comments aren’t reflective of the Democratic Party,” but indicated that she had not spoken with the CDA leader.
Kapil Sharma, an Indian-American and a Democrat told Talon News, “If that’s what a token candidate is, I’ll go out and support token candidates.” He continued, “A token candidate would not have the impressive credentials that Jindal has.”
Sharma added, “For us as Democrats to play the race card goes against everything we stand for.”
Jason Hebert, Executive Director of the Louisiana Republican party told Talon News, “It’s ridiculous to make race an issue. It goes against everything Bobby stands for. We’re going to focus on the positive aspects of his campaign over the next 5 weeks.”
Lt. Governor Kathleen Blanco’s campaign did not respond to a Talon News request for comment.
Christine Iverson, a spokesperson at the Republican National Committee told Talon News, “This is completely unacceptable and inappropriate, but indicative of the kind of personal attacks Democrats have been launching against Republican candidates all over the country.”
Text of the CDA memo:
We have less than a month before we convene in New Orleans at the biggest CDA Campaign Invasion in History. Registration has already exceeded South Dakota and our numbers are ahead of last years convention this far out to the event.
On Saturday – we nominated Kathleen Blanco the Lt. Governor to be our nominee to take on Bush’s personal “Do Boy” Bobby Jindal. Jindal is Arab American and the Republicans token attempt to mend bridges long burnt with the Arab American community. With your help Blanco will be the first women Governor of Louisiana an already rarity for the Deep South. Blanco is a great example of our Parties ability to nominate great candidates without bowing to tokenism.
She fought off tooth and nail the southern good ole boy network in our own Party to pull together a winning coalition of women and minorities to place her on the verge of history.
The Lt. Governor is counting on us! As Jindal calls in the Bushes – she is calling on us the progressive foot soldiers of the Democratic Party – to take it to Bush and show Republicans what can happen when College Democrats get mobilized! Its not too late to sign up for the invasion – but because of overwhelming reservations we had to move hotels to the La Quinta Inn on the West Bank – a great location down town that can accommodate our entire army of activists. Details and directions to the new location will be on the website shortly – no price change what so ever.
Get excited – Less than a month to GO!!
See you in Bayou!!
Ashley D. Bell
CDA President
Text of CDA correction:
College Dems –
I love the energy we all put into being politically correct – it keeps us all on our toes. In a recent email describing the Republican Nominee in Louisiana Bobby Jindal, I used what local news has termed Arab American – But in Fact Indian American is the politically correct terminology.
So thank you to the curteous college dems – who let us know of the terminology mix up. We in no way meant to offend anyone and aplogize for any offense if taken.
Secondly – The hotel address to the La Quinta on the West Bank will be posted ASAP and there will not be any increase in charges – we are actually working to include Friday’s meal! Stay tuned!
Respectfully,
Ashley Bell
CDA President
I didn’t hear it myself, but reportedly, Limbaugh said publicly today he is addicted to pain meds.
Good for him. Apparently, he’ll be off for rehab. Again, good for him. Unlike so many, he’s willing to face the issue and deal with it.
Be prepared for the leftists who have been trying to make Pot legal etc, to leap into this fray, and alongside them, the ones who’ve spent years trying to tear the man down. The comparison holds not a drop of water, in my view.
Thing is, there’s a major difference between someone becoming addicted to a pain med incidental to said meds being prescribed for a genuine need, and someone doing it for ‘kicks’. The former is a victim. The latter is a criminal.
There will be some who won’t understand that difference…. Who won’t WANT to understand the difference.
It should be pointed out that this info was being held in someone’s hip pocket at the smear rags, for just the right moment… What I referred to a few days ago as ‘carpet bombing’. Limbaugh, by his actions today defused that situation utterly.
Like millions of Americans, I’m looking forward to Rush’s return.
