Monday’s Mini-Report

October 1, 2007

Today’s edition of quick hits.

* Less than a week after Rush Limbaugh attacked U.S. troops who disagree with him on the war in Iraq, Rep. Jack Kingston (R-Ga.) introduced a House resolution to commend the right-wing blowhard for “supporting” the troops. Do you ever get the feeling House Republicans just aren’t very bright?

* In criticizing Limbaugh for his remarks, Sen. Tom Harkin (D-Iowa) said, “Maybe he was just high on his drugs again. I don’t know whether he was or not. If so, he ought to let us know. But that shouldn’t be an excuse.” Ouch.

* Russian President Vladimir Putin’s take on executive power is a little scary: “[Putin] said Monday he would lead the dominant party’s ticket in December parliamentary elections and suggested he could become prime minister, the strongest indication yet that he will seek to retain power after he steps down as president early next year. Putin is barred from seeking a third consecutive term in the March presidential election, but has strongly indicated he would seek to keep a hand on Russia’s reins. He agreed to head the United Russia party’s candidate list in December, which could open the door for him to become a powerful prime minister — leading in tandem with a weakened president.”

* I foolishly believed Homeland Security Chief Michael Chertoff couldn’t appear any more ridiculous. I stand corrected: “Today, Homeland Security Chairman Michael Chertoff on Monday defended the construction of the border fence, by arguing that it’s good for the environment. ‘Illegal migrants really degrade the environment. I’ve seen pictures of human waste, garbage, discarded bottles and other human artifact in pristine areas,’ he said. ‘And believe me, that is the worst thing you can do to the environment.'”

* One of the 36 countries included in Bush’s “coalition” in Iraq is Iceland, which had a single person in the country. The lone Icelandic soldier is officially heading home.

* A budget showdown in Michigan shut down the state government this morning — for about four hours. Policy makers quickly agreed to a modest increase in the state income tax, which ended the stalemate and brought the state government back online.

* Retired Gen. John Batiste, a conservative Republican who served in both Iraq wars, isn’t happy with Rush Limbaugh right now.

* They’re starting to get it: “The [DCCC] has launched a series of radio ads against eight House Republicans who voted against the expansion of a popular children’s health care program. Borrowing a page from the Republican campaign playbook, Democrats have simplified the children’s health care issue (President Bush versus the children) and have been beating GOP lawmakers over the head with the pointed message.” The targets include Reps. Steve Chabot in Ohio, Thelma Drake in Virginia, Tom Feeney in Florida, Sam Graves in Missouri, Joseph Knollenberg in Michigan, John R. Kuhl in New York, Jim Saxton in New Jersey and Tim Walberg in Michigan.

* Rudy Giuliani has interrupted at least 40 campaign appearances to answer his cellphone. That’s … kind of bizarre.

* Publius is right; David Ignatius’ latest is pretty awful.

* Debra Cagan, the Deputy Assistant Secretary for Coalition Affairs to the Secretary of Defense, told British officials that she hates “all Iranians.” Wow. (thanks to B.H. for the tip)

* Lieberman isn’t even reliable on environmental policy anymore.

* I knew real estate prices in New York City were bad. I didn’t know they were this bad.

* McClatchy: “Afghanistan is currently suffering its most violent year since the 2001 U.S.-led intervention, according to an internal United Nations report that sharply contrasts with recent upbeat appraisals by President Bush and his Afghan counterpart, Hamid Karzai.”

* Former U.N. ambassador John Bolton believes regime change in Iraq went so well, we should do it all again in Iran. He did not appear to be kidding.

* AT&T continues to make a powerful case for net neutrality. (thanks to R.S. for the heads-up)

* Subtle Rupert Murdoch humor on The Simpsons.

* And finally, Rep. Duncan Hunter (R-Calif.) is seriously trying to cut off funding for Columbia University because the school hosted a forum for Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad last week. His bill is called the “Restore Patriotism to University Campuses Act.” Do you suppose someone will tell him it’s unconstitutional for Congress to punish colleges based on the content of political speech? Will it matter?

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

and other human artifact in pristine areas,’

Such as… human bodies?

  • If I were at a Giuliani speech, I wonder if I could get a chant going? “Phone call! Phone call! Phone call! Wooooo!”

  • Hunter’s bill bears the appropriate short form, RePUC.

    And just for JKap, since he is always complaining that Ron Paul gets left out, the MSM finally gave Ron a little love this afternoon. Must be that subliminal “love” in the funky Revolution logo.

  • Kind of bizarre?

    What’s so bizarre about the third wife of a notorious philanderer making sure she knows where here husband is? After reading about Rudy’s past, I don’t blame her for being paranoid…

  • “And believe me, that is the worst thing you can do to the environment.”

    So, Chertoff is in line with the Bush positions on more drilling, more strip mining, more mountaintop removal, and decreasing investigation and regulation of polluters by lthe EPA. No surprises there. However, I am a little concerned that he appears not to have thought about the consequences of a nuclear attack by terrorists.

  • File this one under “Not surprising, considering the shit that’s been happening of late:”

    Rep. Duncan Hunter (R-Calif.) is seriously trying to cut off funding for Columbia University because the school hosted a forum for Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad last week. His bill is called the “Restore Patriotism to University Campuses Act.”

    Gee, I wonder were Duncan Donut Hunter could have gotten the idea this sort of thing is OK. [rolls eyes]

  • Do you ever get the feeling House Republicans just aren’t very bright?

    I don’t think of Republicans as being bright at all. They are just very well programmed. But I’m also sure that Kingston’s resolution will get a vote and pass because the Democrats in Congess are cowards. Just take a look at the Senate vote on MoveOn. 23 Democartic Senators voted to condemn an ad by a private group. Nothing done on budgets, nothing on reducing troop levels, but plenty of time to spend being bullied into this vote.

    I’ve been a Democrat since 1973 and I have never seen a bunch of cowards with out the couage of their convictions to match the current Democrats in Congress.

  • One of the 36 countries included in Bush’s “coalition” in Iraq is Iceland, which had a single person in the country. The lone Icelandic soldier is officially heading home.

    Congratulations!

    I foolishly believed Homeland Security Chief Michael Chertoff couldn’t appear any more ridiculous. I stand corrected: “Today, Homeland Security Chairman Michael Chertoff on Monday defended the construction of the border fence, by arguing that it’s good for the environment. ‘Illegal migrants really degrade the environment. I’ve seen pictures of human waste, garbage, discarded bottles and other human artifact in pristine areas,’ he said. ‘And believe me, that is the worst thing you can do to the environment.’”

    Weird statement- sounds like a political statement. Of course, litter isn’t the worst thing that can be done to the environment, and everyone knows this (think of Chernobyl, Three Mile Island, carcinogenic chemical contamination, etc.)

    Debra Cagan, the Deputy Assistant Secretary for Coalition Affairs to the Secretary of Defense, told British officials that she hates “all Iranians.” Wow. (thanks to B.H. for the tip)

    That is really reprehensible. This person should not be in government. It’s common coin that a lot of anti-establishment Iranians are basically Westernized in their thinking, secularists, and don’t support the regime. This person probably knows this, too, and is just making a deceptive political statement.

    Rudy Giuliani has interrupted at least 40 campaign appearances to answer his cellphone. That’s … kind of bizarre.

    Maybe trying to cover up his stunt with his wife and the phone. Sub-text: “See, it wasn’t a stunt, he just thinks it’s ok to answer his phone for some reason. Not the worst quirk you could have.” Only thing is, it sticks out like a sore thumb- no one thinks it’s ok to answer a phone in the middle of a presentation- it’s common sense.

    “Afghanistan is currently suffering its most violent year since the 2001 U.S.-led intervention,

    That’s very regrettable.

  • But you’ve got to cut Giuliani a little slack- I mean, he probably hates leaving PaRappa the Rapper alone long enough to make a campaign appearance. You’ve got to let him get one or two calls on his phone.

  • Hey! We’ve got to get our priorities straight.

    The big story is THE CLINTON CACKLE. Haven’t you guys been watching? I saw it on CNN, Fox, MSNBC.

    While Rome burns, Hillary cackles.

    Seriously, though. Aren’t we overdosing on political incorrectness? Enough of this Moveon.org crap, and Rush Limbaugh’s phony soldiers, and McCain’s Christian Constitution theory. Can we talk about issues for Christ sakes?

    I don’t mean this blog. I mean the whole political sick theatre, where what matters doesn’t matter, and what doesn’t does.

    Quote of the day: Sy Hersh, commenting on the White House’s latest criticism of his reports: “How dare you commit journalism,” is how he characterized it on Keith Olbermann tonight.

  • Hey, I’m not one to diss somebody’s looks usually, but the Iranian hater Debra Cagan doesn’t deserve an iota of respect anyway so I’ll make an exception in its case. Since when has Bush been hiring transvestites for duty in the upper levels of government in Iraq? Cagan makes Ann Coultergeist look absolutely feminine. Yikes!

    No disrespect meant to transvestites, but this Cagan just can’t pull it off.

  • Actually, the ‘environment’ at Chernobyl is fine. It doesn’t care about raised cancer and mortality rates.

    But honestly, that thing about Harlem is scary. Those condos do not a neighborhood make… And if they’re anything like condos in urban CA, half are empty.

    I learned last week there’s enough bedrooms in my country for every man, woman, and child to have their own and some to spare… And yet I live in an area with apartments all occupied at about 3 people per bedroom, with not a unit empty.

  • I feel so good for all those Icelandic protestors who spent months marching with their signs that said: “BRING OUR TROOP HOME!”

    As for teh Georgia Senator… how many votes do you suppose a Georgia Republican loses by supporting a popular conservative radio entertainer who’s main goal was to support a Republican president? I think the end not justifying the means may evade many voters and many will love that thumb-in-the-eye of any Republican detractors thing regardless of long term wisdom involved.
    Republicans may not be bright, but this is no evidence to the contrary. This may simply be a case of an incumbent playing to the base.

  • Actually, the ‘environment’ at Chernobyl is fine. It doesn’t care about raised cancer and mortality rates.

    I was going to mention that, damn you…

    Yes, those 2 nuclear accidents were “not so good.” But 3 mile was not even close to bad.

    What is bad, coal. Coal mining, burning coal, watching more people die EVERY YEAR digging for coal than TOTAL killed from Nuclear Power. Thinking of all the damage done to the entire globe via burning coal.

    Don’t get started on the waste. Remember all of coals highly toxic and radioactive waste just gets pumped into the atmosphere. A miniscule amount of waste in comparison comes from Nuclear power, this stuff can be reprocessed (if you’re not in the US at least) and safely stored.

    Sorry, I have to rant, when it comes to saving the planet, I don’t like people throwing out the best way to save it because of ill-informed answers.

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