Evening Thread

post from Eschaton on 22 August 2007 05:36:00 PM. © Eschaton

Because this day has been too damn long already.

--Molly I.

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After Only 10 Hours In Iraq, Sens. Corker And
Alexander See ‘Clear Success’

post from Think Progress on 22 August 2007 05:25:00 PM. © Think Progress

Returning from a trip to Iraq, Sens. Lamar Alexander (R-TN) and Bob Corker (R-TN) “gave an upbeat report on progress in Iraq” to reporters this morning, saying they saw “clear success, province by province“:

Alexander said a strategy devised by Petraeus to work with local leaders and win them over to the U.S. cause has shown “clear success, province by province.”
“They are fed up with random murders of their children” by al-Qaida terrorists, he said.

“There are probably seven provinces where enough progress has been made to involve Iraqis in their own security,” claimed Alexander during the call with reporters.

Unmentioned in press accounts of Alexander and Corker’s trip, however, is the fact that they only spent half a day on the ground in Iraq.

Sen. George Voinovich (R-OH), who organized the trip (which also included Sen. David Vitter), told reporters that only 10-14 hours out of their four-day trip was spent in Iraq. Voinovich’s communications director, Chris Paulitz, confirmed the duration of the delegation’s trip to ThinkProgress.

Despite the superficial, in and out nature of their trip, Corker and Alexander are pronouncing “significant progress” on the ground in Iraq. As former Washington Post Baghdad correspondent Jonathan Finer wrote this weekend, “there is good reason to be skeptical of such snapshot accounts“:

It goes without saying that everyone can, and in this country should, have an opinion about the war, no matter how much time the person has spent in Iraq, if any. But having left a year ago, I’ve stopped pretending to those who ask that I have a keen sense of what it’s like on the ground today. Similarly, those who pass quickly through the war zone should stop ascribing their epiphanies to what are largely ceremonial visits.

While politicians who spend a few hours in the “dog-and-pony show are claiming “significant progress,” soldiers who have been on the ground for 15 months are seeing a very different picture: “mounting civil, political and social unrest.”

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http://thinkprogress.org/2007/08/22/10-hours-success/

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Sectarian Divide of Humanitarian Aid

post from IraqSlogger.com on 22 August 2007 05:24:35 PM. © IraqSlogger.com

BAGHDAD, 22 August 2007 (IRIN) - Aid workers are struggling to find safer ways to deliver aid to displaced and vulnerable families in Baghdad.

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Iraqi Papers Thur: Duri Suing for Peace

post from IraqSlogger.com on 22 August 2007 05:24:32 PM. © IraqSlogger.com

Al-Hayat published an interesting report today claiming that the leader of the - banned - Ba'th party, and Saddam's henchman, 'Izzat al-Duri is considering striking a deal with the US occupational forces and the Iraqi government, which would involve putting a stop to operations against the US Army in Iraq and Iraqi government forces.

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Eric Harrington: Talking Points '08

post from BuzzFlash.org - Progressive News and Commentary with an Attitude | Fight Ignorance: Read BuzzFlash on 22 August 2007 05:19:10 PM. © BuzzFlash.org - Progressive News and Commentary with an Attitude | Fight Ignorance: Read BuzzFlash

A BUZZFLASH READER CONTRIBUTION
by Eric Harrington

With the elections approaching, there is endless speculation as to what message the Democratic Party can bring to the contest that can stem the tide of ignorance and fear and combat the Republican slander factory.

Technorati Tags: Reader Contribution Eric Harrington 2008 race Democratic Party commonality honest government

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http://www.buzzflash.com/articles/contributors/1253

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CLIPS: Limbaugh revived concept of Clinton's
"testicle lockbox"

post from Media Matters for America on 22 August 2007 05:17:14 PM. © Media Matters for America

On the August 21 broadcast of his nationally syndicatedradio show, Rush Limbaughplayed audio clips fromSen. Hillary Rodham Clinton's (D-NY) August 20 speech to the Veterans ofForeign Wars (VFW) and labeled her position on Iraq "the 'noonions' strategy from the womanwith the testicle lockbox." As MediaMatters for America documented, Limbaugh has used theexpression "testicle lockbox" on numerous occasions whilediscussing Clinton.Additionally, Limbaugh repeatedly claimed that Clinton[...]

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Beck: All bloggers ‘live in their
mom’s basement.’

post from Think Progress on 22 August 2007 05:11:00 PM. © Think Progress

Yesterday, GQ writer Ben Wallace, who recently wrote a profile on Glenn Beck, told the CNN Headline News host that he was “good at pushing the buttons of a certain, you know, set of bloggers, and so.” Beck responding by dismissing bloggers: “I mean, they all live in their mom’s basement anyway, so what difference does that make?” Watch it:

video details and more

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Barbara's Daily BuzzFlash Minute for August 22,
2007

post from BuzzFlash.org - Progressive News and Commentary with an Attitude | Fight Ignorance: Read BuzzFlash on 22 August 2007 05:10:31 PM. © BuzzFlash.org - Progressive News and Commentary with an Attitude | Fight Ignorance: Read BuzzFlash

BARBARA'S DAILY BUZZFLASH MINUTE

Just to elaborate a little on experience versus judgment! Take a look at the most experienced bunch of ignoramuses ever in leadership positions in America's government -- where exactly has their experience gotten us -- in a never-ending insane war that never should have been! As a matter of fact, they weren't even intelligent enough to follow their own advice -- Dick Cheney 1994, "if we were to invade Iraq, it would become a quagmire"! So much for "experience"!

Technorati Tags: Barbara's Daily Buzz George W. Bush Dick Cheney Constitution destroyed American values

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http://www.buzzflash.com/articles/dailybuzz/372

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Midday open thread

CO-Sen: Republicans think that they have a sacrificial lamb in this Senate race -- former Rep. Bob Schaffer. However, he doesn't sound committed to the race.

Asked for his opinion on the proposed expansion, the former 4th District congressman declined to give one.

"Next year, when and if I announce my Senate candidacy, it will be a more appropriate time to speak out on this important subject," he said, choosing his words carefully in a telephone interview.

"If"? The NRSC is hailing him as their candidate. They might want to double-check to make sure he's still got plans to make the race.

Rep. Walter Jones of NC was the "mastermind" behind "freedom fries". Now, he's taking flack for being among his party's top anti-war voices.

For the first time in more than a decade, Jones faces a serious primary challenger in Onslow County Commissioner Joe McLaughlin, a former Army Ranger, and their race will test how opposition to the Iraq war plays out in conservative and pro-military America.

The Club for Growth is looking to get involved as well.

Bolton wants to attack Iran within the next six months. Interesting that he's not volunteering to lead the charge. These people are simply insane.

Open Left is taking aim at the Bush Dogs -- you know, those Democrats that are more interested in backing Mr. 25% than they are in protecting our Constitution or people. You can check out more here and here.

Damn those filthy-mouthed bloggers!

A battle between the offices of Sens. Tom Coburn (R-Okla.) and Ben Nelson (D-Neb.) over a controversial earmark intensified earlier this month, displaying how debates on Capitol Hill sometimes can turn personal.

The senators had been at odds over the matter for much of the summer, but it would reach a new level when John Hart, communications director for Coburn, forwarded a news article detailing his boss’s request for an investigation of a defense contractor.

The target of the would-be investigation, 21st Century Systems Inc. (21CSI), employs Patrick Nelson, the son of the centrist senator.

Sen. Nelson had requested an earmark for 21CSI, triggering a heated battle between the senators that has raged for weeks.

“This will shut that fucker up,” Hart stated in an Aug. 1 e-mail sent from his Senate account to several of his colleagues. “I can’t wait to send an In Case You Missed It to Nebraska press that will be forwarded to assface.”

I helpfully filled in the dashes The Hill put in to protect the virtues of its readership. They don't want anyone getting the vapors!

In any case, aside from the colorful language, crazy-a-- Coburn is in the right on this one. Requesting earmarks for companies employing your family is f---ed up and Nelson shouldn't be playing those games. He's not a Republican. Ultimately, that earmark request was withdrawn by Nelson -- a victory for good government.

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http://feeds.dailykos.com/~r/dailykos/index/~3/147048969/6721

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George W. Bush: Not A “Stickler” For
Mine Safety

Sadly, it seems that miners suffer an injustice akin to that referenced in the well known adage, "Out of sight, out of mind". It's time to prioritize their well-being and enact measures focused upon improving mine safety in America.

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http://allspinzone.com/wp/2007/08/22/george-w-bush-not-a-stickler-for-mine-safety
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