Monday’s Mini-Report

July 30, 2007

Today’s edition of quick hits.

* Details are still a little sketchy, but Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts was taken to the hospital this afternoon after falling at his summer home in Maine. A spokesperson for the court said the hospital visit was just a “precaution.”

* The O’Hanlon/Pollack op-ed that we talked about earlier is continuing to cause quite a stir. In an interesting twist, the scholars at the Brookings Institution appear to have contradicted the data on Iraq produced by — you guessed it — the Brookings Institution. In fact, much of the discouraging data on the war comes from the Brookings Iraq Index, which is overseen by Michael O’Hanlon himself.

* On a related note, Jonathan Schwarz reminds us of this classic Pollack quote from 2002: “Saddam has a twenty-eight year pattern of aggression, violence, miscalculation, and purposeful underestimation of the consequences of his actions that should give real pause to anyone…. Even when Saddam does consider a problem at length…his own determination to interpret geopolitical calculations to suit what he wants to believe anyway lead him to construct bizarre scenarios that he convinces himself are highly likely.”

* It hasn’t generated a lot of attention, which is a shame, but BlogHer, a national feminist blogger conference, kicked off today in Chicago. Regrettably, the presidential campaigns are not taking the event particularly seriously — only the Edwards and Clinton camps sent representatives to the conference.

* As part of his new-found obsession with the Daily Kos, Bill O’Reilly will reportedly go after the site (and, presumably, Markos) again tonight. This time, the Fox News blowhard will apparently show viewers some kind of ugly, photoshopped image that will reportedly “bury” the Kos website. An O’Reilly lackey even emailed Democratic presidential hopefuls, seeing “statements.” Markos added, “O’Reilly now has people contacting Democratic presidential candidates to ask them what they think about random pictures posted by random users of a website? Are we serious?” It’s almost as if O’Reilly wants to be a pathetic joke.

* On a related note, David Neiwert has done some interesting research on hate speech on O’Reilly’s show — from the host, not the guests.

* Anonymous Liberal, who’s been doing some terrific work on Alberto Gonzales and his recent deceptions, has another gem on getting additional information on the NSA surveillance programs by pursuing perjury charges.

* On a related note, did Dick Cheney send Gonzales into Ashcroft’s hospital room?

* Late last week, Jim Mills, a congressional producer for Fox News, announced he is leaving the Republican network for a Republican campaign, joining Fred Thompson’s communications team. Insert joke here.

* As much as I appreciate Sen. Chuck Schumer’s (D-N.Y.) leadership on the Senate Judiciary Committee, he really shouldn’t write a book about the importance of taking care of the middle class, and then advocate a twisted tax provision that benefits hedge-fund billionaires.

* Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen is helping finance a documentary film about the Dover intelligent-design creationism case from last year. Sounds cool.

* Murdoch hasn’t quite wrapped up his WSJ purchase yet. (thanks, SKNM)

* Bush’s proposed arms deal with Saudi Arabia isn’t exactly going over well on the Hill.

* Iraq’s Interior Ministry is about as chaotic as, well, the rest of Iraq.

* On a related note, the NYT has a fascinating piece today on Baghdad’s “legal Green Zone,” where even judges and defendants are housed to prevent them from being killed.

* And finally, it’s probably not of any great interest outside New York, but there’s been an ongoing controversy about some Spitzer administration staffers using state resources to gather dirt on Senate Majority Leader Joe Bruno (R). Today, Gov. Spitzer cleared the air in an NYT op-ed: “We made mistakes. Though two independent investigations proved that no illegal activity occurred on my watch, it is crystal clear that what members of my administration did was wrong — no ifs, ands or buts.” Spitzer has suspended one of his longtime advisers indefinitely and transferred the other out of the governor’s office. I’m curious — can anyone even imagine Bush showing similar leadership skills?

Anything to add? Consider this an end-of-the-day open thread.

Obama sent no one to BlogHer and Gravel and Kucinich whose support is almost entirely web based sent no one?

This smack more of poor outreach execution than a general Democrat snub. What did they do? Write to info@obama2008.com the day before? Something smells.

  • “* As much as I appreciate Sen. Chuck Schumer’s (D-N.Y.) leadership on the Senate Judiciary Committee, he really shouldn’t write a book about the importance of taking care of the middle class, and then advocate a twisted tax provision that benefits hedge-fund billionaires.”

    To Chuck Schumer
    Dance monkey dance.
    From the “poor” Hedge Funds who own your ass.

    “* Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen is helping finance a documentary film about the Dover intelligent-design creationism case from last year. Sounds cool.”

    It does indeed. Looks like the dipshits at the Discovery Institute are going to be on their hands and knees pleading for a few more bucks from their fundie sugar daddies to counteract Allen’s dough.

    * Bush’s proposed arms deal with Saudi Arabia isn’t exactly going over well on the Hill.

    Wow, I’m shocked. Despite being caught with US Secrets, AIPAC (Franklin Spy case) surely has balls.

  • I’m sure that even if Spitzer threw the two advisers in Jail, the Bushies would say that’s not enough and would scream for Spitzer’s head. Meanwhile Scooter Libby walks free after being convicted of multiple felonies, Karl Rove is in the whitehouse, guilty of burning a CIA asset, and Cheney plots more crimes against the constitution.

    And the suckass media bobbleheads will say the corruption is bipartisan.

  • This time, the Fox News blowhard will apparently show viewers some kind of ugly, photoshopped image that will reportedly “bury” the Kos website.

    Yeah, bury it in hits. Let me see. No one who watches Fux would be caught dead visiting dKos. No one who regularly reads dKos would be caught dead watching Shrill. So Shrill will tell his dKos avoiding viewers to avoid dKos which will…what?

    I really think this shows that the NoiseMachine is getting desperate for something, anything to talk about besides the big stinking mess they’ve been cheerleading for so long. Delightful.

    Bush’s proposed arms deal with Saudi Arabia isn’t exactly going over well on the Hill.

    I’m really looking forward to this fight, but they just need to point out that 40% of detainees in Iraq are Saudi. Using BushMadmin reasoning about Iranian detainees it should be a “slam dunk” that the Saudi government countenances this sort of thing. If they can also ask why we’re giving money to the Saudis when the troops are poorly equipped…

    Heh. I look forward to watching Snowjob spin himself into a knot on this one.

  • Tell you the truth, I wasn’t that impressed with the Spitzer apology. For one thing, he used the standard line about “now, it’s time to move forward and deal with the important issues, blah blah blah.” Where have we heard that one recently? (Bush on Scooter, Vitter, etc.).

    For another, his top two aides refused to testify. Sound familiar?

    I don’t think his troubles are over yet. Nor do I think they should be.

  • *** This time, the Fox News blowhard will apparently show viewers some kind of ugly, photoshopped image that will reportedly “bury” the Kos website.***

    So, the shrill little man-cub is going to pull a Geraldo stunt, and try to “Al-Capone’s-Vault” the Kos into oblivion?

    Foxnoise—the artificial news network that’s too pathetic to qualify for even yellow-rag-tabloid status thanks in great part to the Ringling Brothers clown-college dropout. I’ll have to email “Das Roop” and ask him why he keeps this pretending-to-be-a-Larry-Flint-look-alike buffoon on his payroll….

  • Obama sent no one to BlogHer and Gravel and Kucinich whose support is almost entirely web based sent no one?

    This smacks more of poor outreach execution than a general Democrat snub. What did they do? Write to info@obama2008.com the day before? Something smells.

    Comment by williamjacobs

    I tend to agree. Even Shakespeare’s Sister hasn’t written about Blogher. Seems like they would be all this.

  • * Details are still a little sketchy, but Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts was taken to the hospital this afternoon after falling at his summer home in Maine. A spokesperson for the court said the hospital visit was just a “precaution.”

    I always get a little excitement when one of the Elephants falter. Be still my heart! No, I mean be still Cheney’s “heart”.

  • John Roberts’ tumble today at his Maine vacation home might be the perfect metaphor for tenure as Chief Justice. Advertised by even some of his detractors as a first-rate intellect with an ideal judicial temperament, Roberts’ unsettling term is bringing a firestorm of criticism from friend and foes alike. Worst of all, he’s losing the American people.

    For the details, see:
    “The Fall of John Roberts.”

  • Here’s an interesting idea you might like to chew over:

    Suppose there was a poll that asked Americans if they hated Hillary Clinton.
    I know… there won’t be… but just suppose.
    What percent of Americans do you think would answer yes?

    I think it is probably around 30%.

    Here’s another interesting idea you might like to chew over:

    If you were running for President and found out that 30% of Americans hated you and will always hate you no matter what you do… would you think that maybe your candidacy might not be such a good idea?

    No?

    Well supose 40% of Americans hated you outright?

    Still no?

    Okay then: At what percentage would your desire for an America not torn to hateful shreds overcome your arrogance to power? At what number would you say to yourself: Maybe one of the 300 other million people in this country, who likely doesn’t have this terrible hate-baggage I do, maybe one of them might make a better choice than me?

    Well… we know what the answer is with McCain don’t we?
    Hillary’s blind ambition is no different.
    They really are a couple of clueless clowns aren’t they?
    Indeed, I like to suggest they join forces and form a ticket that will unite the country in one big melting pot of hate…
    Because really, that’s ALL they have to offer the future of America.
    If you don’t believe me…
    Just watch.

  • Re: John Roberts, taken to hospital as “precaution”,

    And big f*cking deal. I’ve haven’t been able to afford a hospital visit in decades. He gets a trip to make sure he didn’t stub his toe and WE get to foot his bill.

    John Roberts – bugger off.

  • I think we should all post comments on O’Reilly’s website telling him he is a genius and can we have sex with him – and do use a male name.

    Re John Roberts – I really do try not to wish bad things on bad people but is it awful to hope he has osteoporosis?

  • News just said that Roberts suffered some sort of seizure. This is the second time that Roberts has suffered a seizure, the first one was in 2003. Doctors were unable to determine the cause of the first seizure.

    Karl Rove must be beside himself, Clarence Thomas or Antonin Scalia for Chief Justice should Roberts have to step down? And who for a new Associate Justice? My money’s on Monica Goodling or Joe Lieberman.

  • “* And finally, it’s probably not of any great interest outside New York, but there’s been an ongoing controversy about some Spitzer administration staffers using state resources to gather dirt on Senate Majority Leader Joe Bruno (R). Today, Gov. Spitzer cleared the air in an NYT op-ed: “We made mistakes. Though two independent investigations proved that no illegal activity occurred on my watch, it is crystal clear that what members of my administration did was wrong — no ifs, ands or buts.” Spitzer has suspended one of his longtime advisers indefinitely and transferred the other out of the governor’s office. I’m curious — can anyone even imagine Bush showing similar leadership skills?”

    Someone on Dan Drezner’s blog, maybe Dan himself, suggested that what Spitzer’s people and possibly Spitzer himself did was in “Nixon territory.” I haven’t been following this case that much, but is that even a remotely fair comment? It doesn’t seem like it.

  • Father Coughlin, Bill O’Reilly – Father Bill, Coughlin O’Reilly – Bill Coughlin, Father O’Reilly – Father Bill Coughlin O’Reilly! -Kevo

  • Re: Chuck Schumer – this was in the NYT article and I tend to agree:

    He has long been a pro-business Democrat and a fund-raising machine for the party, as well as a vociferous supporter of Wall Street issues in Washington, much the way Michigan lawmakers defend the auto industry and Iowa politicians work on behalf of corn farmers.

    I am not anti-business, nor am I anti-capitalism. I think Schumer does have an obligation to his constituency. Those hedge funds employ an awful lot of people in NY and the businesses that they own/deal with, etc., are a big part of NY’s economy and reputation in the world.

    He’s been pressing hard on a lot of issues that we all find very important. I don’t find what he’s doing to be unethical, immoral, etc.

    I don’t think he has to toe the party line on every issue, nor do I want any of them to do so. It’s that kind of thinking that, for my money, gets the GOP in trouble.

  • ROTF, the 28% who are Karl Rove’s trained circus animals will “hate” anyone and anything that appears on a ballot with a “D” next to it.

    Allowing what amounts to a fairly classic “heckler’s veto” – or suggesting that someone who has (along with her husband) been the target of the most aggressive, protracted, expensive, coordinated smear campaign ever should just accept that the Right has beaten her by raising her negatives – is to condone what the Right has done to politics and to encourage them to do more of the same.

  • The BlogHer conference was last Thursday through Sunday. Conference organizers did extend invitations to all the candidates, but only the Clinton and Edwards campaign’s sent representatives. And, Elizabeth Edwards was the closing session speaker — and she was great!

    Don’t fault the organizers, take a hard look at the candidates.

    It’s really a shame that so many candidates have decided to write women off — when the majority of registered voters, and people who actually turn out to vote — are women. It’s a huge mistake.

    This was my first time to attend BlogHer, but I will go back again next year.

    BAC

  • “…Jim Mills, a congressional producer for Fox News, announced he is leaving the Republican network for a Republican campaign, joining Fred Thompson’s communications team.

    He will still keep getting paid by the RNC, however.

  • Bush has a six year pattern of aggression, violence, miscalculation, and purposeful underestimation of the consequences of his actions that should give real pause to anyone…

    Even when Bush does consider a problem at length…his own determination to interpret geopolitical calculations to suit what he wants to believe anyway lead him to construct bizarre scenarios that he convinces himself are highly likely.

    Amazing what a little name substitution can do to a quote, isn’t it?

  • #10

    Suppose you had a poll named The Gallup Poll. Let’s say that it had you favored for the nomination with 54% of the Democrats responding, compared to 28% for the guy running second and 13% for the guy in third place.

    Do you think your candidacy is a good idea?

    Suppose the same poll showed that 54% of all Democrats think that ROTFLMLiberalAO is pulling numbers out of his orifice and parroting Fox News talking points re how many people “hate” Hillary Clinton.

    Do you think he’ll respond by looking for some facts from the reality-based community instead?

  • From Think Progress.

    Specter aides released a statement late Monday that suggested a bombshell to come on Tuesday afternoon.

    “Given the difficulty of discussing classified matters in public, I think it is preferable to have a letter addressing that question [of Gonzales’ veracity] from the administration … by noon tomorrow, which will be made available to the news media,” Specter wrote in the statement. “The administration has committed to producing such a letter.”

    Specter expects the letter clarifying the attorney general’s testimony to be addressed to himself and Judiciary Chairman Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.), who declined to comment on the matter.

    Specter was equally cagey, telling reporters to wait until Tuesday for any further comment from him.

  • regarding # 20 (uncle Ted).
    If you think Ted Stevens affairs are fun to watch, try watching his son’s.
    Ben Stevens is our state version of corruption. Y’all had Huey long pulling pork and we got Ted bringing home the pig. c’mon whats the matter if he gets alittle on his tie?

  • Hey Madison Guy,

    The “forever war” will be a reality when Republican can pull troops out of their ass like polyps found in the colons of Republican presidents (Reagan & Bush II). See article.

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