previous issue July 30

Sucking Up to the Bankers A Bipartisan Lovefest by Robert Scheer This is a time to condemn the bankers, not to embrace them. They are the scoundrels who got us into the biggest economic mess since the Great Depression, lining their own pockets while destroying the life savings of those who trusted them. Yet both of our leading presidential candidates are scrambling to enlist not only the big-dollar contributions but, more frighteningly, the “expertise” of the very folks who advocated the financial industry deregulations at the heart of this meltdown. Let's Give "Blue Dogs" the Boot by Glenn Greenwald That a Democratic Congress is so deeply unpopular even among Democrats may be historically unusual, but it is hardly surprising or difficult to understand. On key issue after key issue, it is the Bush White House and Republican caucus that have received virtually everything they wanted from Congress, while the base of the Democratic Party has received virtually nothing other than disappointment and an overt repudiation of its agenda. Since the American people gave them control of Congress, the Democrats in Congress have given the country the following: Unlimited and unconditional funding for the Iraq war. Vast new warrantless eavesdropping powers and retroactive amnesty for their telecom donors — measures the administration tried, but failed, to obtain from the GOP Congress. The ability to ignore congressional subpoenas with utter impunity. A resolution formally decreeing parts of the Iranian government to be a "terrorist organization." A failure to outlaw waterboarding, to apply the torture ban to the CIA, to restore the habeas corpus rights abolished by the Military Commissions Act of 2006, to impose the requirement of congressional approval before President Bush can attack Iran. Confirmation of highly controversial Bush nominees, including Michael Mukasey as attorney general even after he embraced the most radical Bush theories of executive power and repeatedly refused to say that waterboarding was torture. Unitarian Forgiveness by Nicole Belle My anger is concentrated on those people who callously use such vulnerable people, stirring up their bigotry and discontent, egging them to acts of violence. People like Michelle Malkin, Michael Savage, Bill O’Reilly, and Rush Limbaugh who have made lucrative careers out of liberal-bashing. People who write things like “Liberalism is a Mental Health Disorder”, “Let Freedom Ring,” and “The O’Reilly Factor,” - all literature found in Adkisson’s home after the shooting. People like Ann Coulter who advocated attacking liberals with baseball bats. The hate-filled spewage from the right-wing media mavens is and should be held accountable for inciting such acts of violence and murder, those heartless, soulless, conscienceless opportunists who have gleefully participated in encouraging the Adkissons of America to take out their anger and hatred and frustration on liberals. Video: The Commander in Chief Test by Humanitainment Video: Don't Ask, Don't Tell from The Daily Show Music: Is America Ready? by Roy Zimmerman

Today's Quote:

"A grandfather talking to his young grandson tells the boy he has two wolves inside of him struggling with each other. The first is the wolf of peace, love and kindness. The other wolf is fear, greed and hatred. 'Which wolf will win, grandfather?' asks the young boy. 'Whichever one I feed,' is the reply."

- Native American Proverb

Editor's Notes & Rants:

Senator Stevens. Senator Ted Stevens. Your prison cell is ready. He's the first US Senator to be indicted in 15 years. I'm not so sure that isn't more of an indictment of the American justice system, though.

Once a con man, always a con man. Are you dumb enough to give all your money to a disgraced preacher?

Next McCain campaign ploy, "Vote for me, I'm white"?

The audacity of hopelessness. Obama's snore list.

After flipping off the left, Obama falls behind in the polls.

House appologizes for slavery. But will they appologize for ignoring the Constitution? We might have to wait another 150 years for that.

KY Senate candidate called for the genocide of all Arabs. You'd think the fact that he's also porno star would have sent up a red flag...

House panel votes to hold Karl Rove in contempt of Congress. It's doubtful Pelosi will allow a full House vote, as her top priorities appear to be protecting the administration, and enabling Bush's crimes against America.