Breaking News Events

[dreadgeek]

I wasn't sure whether or not to put this in the news thread or the political mythbusting thread but since no one here has (yet) said that the Afghanistan war is one that Obama chose, it'll go here.

See below:

Republican National Committee Chairman Michael Steele expressed an unusual interpretation of the relationship between Barack Obama and the war in Afghanistan at a Connecticut fundraiser Thursday.

"This was a war of Obama's choosing," Michael Steele said at the event. "This is not something the United States has actively prosecuted or wanted to engage in."

Steele also accused Obama of "demonizing Iraq while saying the battle really should be in Afghanistan."

"Well, if he's such a student of history, has he not understood that, you know, that's the one thing you don't do is engage in a land war in Afghanistan, alright, because everyone who's tried over a thousand years of history has failed," Steele continued.


Yes, that's right Barack Obama (or as I like to refer to him as Darth Obama) started the Afghanistan war.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/0..._n_633730.html

The thing is, I expect that within a week this meme will catch hold in conservative circles.

Cheers
Aj

[Bob]

Originally Posted by dreadgeek

"Well, if he's such a student of history, has he not understood that, you know, that's the one thing you don't do is engage in a land war in Afghanistan, alright, because everyone who's tried over a thousand years of history has failed," Steele continued.

"You fool! You fell victim to one of the classic blunders - the most famous of which is "never get involved in a land war in Asia!"

-Vizzini
The Princess Bride

[dreadgeek]

Originally Posted by Bob

"You fool! You fell victim to one of the classic blunders - the most famous of which is "never get involved in a land war in Asia!"

-Vizzini
The Princess Bride

"...only slightly less well known is this, never go in against a Sicilian when DEATH is on the line!" HAHAHAHAHA! (collapse)

Cheers
Aj

[AtLast]

Originally Posted by MsDemeanor

Oregon gets it - at least the Democrats do. The usual suspects - those pro-business anti-people Republicans - voted against the bill.
New (Oregon) law prohibits credit history checks by most employers


linkyloo

Its about freakin' time! The whole credit bureau thing makes me crazy with employers being able to use it in hiring practices. People have difficult financial times and gee, ya' think securing a job might help that? Plus the damn credit bureaus are only interested in keeping negative info up to date, not removing negative reports as they are to do within certain time frames. This is such an attack on working class people and a whole new type of oppression.

Thanks for this link!

[MsDemeanor]

Fifty bucks says that by the time the 2012 election gets close, 9/11 will have happened on Obama's watch...

In other news, Chicago sends a big fat fuck you to the activist Roberts Court with swift new handgun legislation. All those gun nuts and keep and bear all their arms, but they can't buy them in the city, and they can't walk out their door with one.

Key provisions include:
*Applicants would need a Chicago firearm permit, costing $100 every three years, as well as an Illinois firearm owner's ID card. They would be required to register all their guns with the city, at a cost of $15 per gun every three years.
*Firearm sales would be banned in the city.
*Chicago residents could register no more than one handgun per month for each qualifying adult in a home.
*People who now own firearms illegally would get a 90-day grace period after the new law takes effect to register the guns without penalty.
*Gun training totaling four hours in a classroom and an hour on a firing range is required before getting a permit. But firing ranges are banned, so training would need to be completed outside Chicago.
*To transport a gun, it would have to be "broken down," not immediately accessible, unloaded and in a firearm case.
* Firearms could be possessed only inside the dwelling. It would be illegal to have a gun in the garage, on the front porch or in the yard. Guns also would not be allowed in hotels, dorms and group living facilities.
*Only one firearm per permit holder can be kept in ready-to-fire condition. Other guns must be taken apart or have trigger locks in place. In homes with minors, all guns must be secured when they are not in the possession of the owner.
*Permit applicants must be at least 21 years old, unless a parent signs for someone 18 or older.
*Assault weapons are banned, as are sawed-off shotguns and "unsafe" handguns, as defined by the Chicago Police Department, which will maintain an online list of prohibited guns.

linkyloo

[AtLast]

Originally Posted by MsDemeanor

Fifty bucks says that by the time the 2012 election gets close, 9/11 will have happened on Obama's watch...

In other news, Chicago sends a big fat fuck you to the activist Roberts Court with swift new handgun legislation. All those gun nuts and keep and bear all their arms, but they can't buy them in the city, and they can't walk out their door with one.

Key provisions include:
*Applicants would need a Chicago firearm permit, costing $100 every three years, as well as an Illinois firearm owner's ID card. They would be required to register all their guns with the city, at a cost of $15 per gun every three years.
*Firearm sales would be banned in the city.
*Chicago residents could register no more than one handgun per month for each qualifying adult in a home.
*People who now own firearms illegally would get a 90-day grace period after the new law takes effect to register the guns without penalty.
*Gun training totaling four hours in a classroom and an hour on a firing range is required before getting a permit. But firing ranges are banned, so training would need to be completed outside Chicago.
*To transport a gun, it would have to be "broken down," not immediately accessible, unloaded and in a firearm case.
* Firearms could be possessed only inside the dwelling. It would be illegal to have a gun in the garage, on the front porch or in the yard. Guns also would not be allowed in hotels, dorms and group living facilities.
*Only one firearm per permit holder can be kept in ready-to-fire condition. Other guns must be taken apart or have trigger locks in place. In homes with minors, all guns must be secured when they are not in the possession of the owner.
*Permit applicants must be at least 21 years old, unless a parent signs for someone 18 or older.
*Assault weapons are banned, as are sawed-off shotguns and "unsafe" handguns, as defined by the Chicago Police Department, which will maintain an online list of prohibited guns.

linkyloo

WOOT!!! Sanity can happen!

I bet you are right about 2012 and Obama... the GOP has an amazing capacity to re-write history. For awhile, I felt both major parties had little in the way of differences... NO MORE!


Another tid-bit via the Boner-

GOP Leader Boehner Floor Speech Opposing Democrats' Trillion-Dollar Spending Bill

[nomedia="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CvnwOjDjnH4"]YouTube- GOP Leader Boehner Floor Speech Opposing Democrats' Trillion-Dollar Spending Bill[/nomedia]

[Toughy]

I can listen to the rapture lady longer than I can listen to Boner.........I only last about 10-20 secs with Boner..........

[Andrew, Jr.]

All I can say is that our country needs help like yesterday. When are the politicians going to wake up? Why are we helping everyone else but ourselves?

[AtLast]

Barney Frank And Ron Paul Join Hands To Call For Military Budget Cuts


Read more: http://www.businessinsider.com/barne...#ixzz0t3DIdjO8



In a piece at the Huffington Post, Barney Frank and Ron Paul jointly call for spending cuts to reduce the deficit.

While they may not see eye to eye on much ideologically (although Frank has a libertarian streak that he's not often given credit for), there is one area where they'd both like to see cuts: the military.

It's here that Frank's liberalism, and Ron Paul's non-interventionism align. And beyond that, the military eats up A LOT of our budget, so if you're looking for a juicy place to cut, this is it.

Here's the nut of it:

In order to create a systematic approach to reducing military spending, we have convened a Sustainable Defense Task Force consisting of experts on military expenditures that span the ideological spectrum. The task force has produced a detailed report with specific recommendations for cutting Pentagon spending by approximately $1 trillion over a ten year period. It calls for eliminating certain Cold War weapons and scaling back our commitments overseas. Even with these changes, the United States would still be immeasurably stronger than any nation with which we might be engaged, and the plan will in fact enhance our security rather than diminish it.

To keen observers of the political winds, this is not all that surprising.

The cover story of the latest American Conservative magazine asks whether the Tea Party, and its odd assortment of anti-taxers and Ron Paul-niks are about to turn anti-war. Whereas in the past, it'd be hard to convince rock-ribbed Republicans to push for lower spending, a strong budgetary angle, combined with the core conservative belief that more government intervention in anything usually produces worse results could make for a perfect storm.

Whereas most pundits look to entitlement spending for budget-cutting opportunities, this is something you should pay attention to, especially if a fierce anti-spending crowd wins in November, and if America's disgust with our foreign wars continues to escalate.



Read more: http://www.businessinsider.com/barne...#ixzz0t3DiW4dS

OK, my take on this is that it will be used in Nov. as Demos not supporting the troops- even with Paul as a co-sponsor. Also, I do want to know what others think about this- is it really what this says it is?

[MsDemeanor]

I saw a piece on their joint efforts yesterday. Interesting co-conspirators! The military budget in this country is waaayyyy out of line; I'm glad to see folks making this proposal.

[Mrs. Strutt]

From act.credonation.com:

Discovery Channel is giving a nature show to Sarah Palin, and paying her more than $1 million per episode. And if you visit Disneyland or buy a Mickey Mouse watch, you may be paying for it, unless you take action now.

Disney is a long-time advertiser on The Learning Channel, and unless the company specifically demands that its ads not be shown during this Palin show, that ad revenue may be funding this monstrosity.

We can stop this. Disney is very sensitive to customer feedback, and has done the right thing in the past when challenged. Write Disney today, and demand it not support this show.

Sign the petition at:

http://act.credoaction.com/campaign/...lin_Dis_FBetal

A separate petition for Discovery Channel itself can be found at:

http://act.credoaction.com/campaign/...lin__hl_palin1

[SuperFemme]

Originally Posted by Toughy

I can listen to the rapture lady longer than I can listen to Boner.........I only last about 10-20 secs with Boner..........

i knew you loved my rapture lady.

bwahahahaha.

[AtLast]

Originally Posted by MsDemeanor

I saw a piece on their joint efforts yesterday. Interesting co-conspirators! The military budget in this country is waaayyyy out of line; I'm glad to see folks making this proposal.

Oh, I agree with you there. I wonder about the actual funds that do go to the troops, however. But, as I read this, that is not what they are going after. Hummmm............ but I think the GOP will make it sound that way, even with Paul on it. Also, it is interesting to me that they are kicking this out there before the mid-term elections. Any thoughts, there?

[Zimmeh]

This is something that caught my attention this morning...It made me sick to my stomach and I hope the police catch this monster...

http://www.wesh.com/news/24178196/detail.html

Zimmy

[Zimmeh]

I signed this petition..Another reason why I dislike the Mouse..

Originally Posted by Mrs. Strutt

From act.credonation.com:

Discovery Channel is giving a nature show to Sarah Palin, and paying her more than $1 million per episode. And if you visit Disneyland or buy a Mickey Mouse watch, you may be paying for it, unless you take action now.

Disney is a long-time advertiser on The Learning Channel, and unless the company specifically demands that its ads not be shown during this Palin show, that ad revenue may be funding this monstrosity.

We can stop this. Disney is very sensitive to customer feedback, and has done the right thing in the past when challenged. Write Disney today, and demand it not support this show.

Sign the petition at:

http://act.credoaction.com/campaign/...lin_Dis_FBetal

A separate petition for Discovery Channel itself can be found at:

http://act.credoaction.com/campaign/...lin__hl_palin1

[AtLast]

Originally Posted by ZimmygLrL

This is something that caught my attention this morning...It made me sick to my stomach and I hope the police catch this monster...

http://www.wesh.com/news/24178196/detail.html

Zimmy

UGH.. this is very disturbing.

[rockybcn]

Texas GOP Official Platform Calls for Imprisonment of Homosexuals and Supportive Heterosexuals.

http://jaysays.com/2010/06/texas-gop...heterosexuals/

[MsDemeanor]

If anyone uses this thread to post anything related to King Jame's announcement tonight, I will throw a fit, a major fit.

Y'all have been warned.

And the Texas GOP can go fuck themselves. Ignorant bunch of hating assholes.

[AtLast]

Johannes Mehserle was convicted of involuntary manslaughter in the Oscar Grant killing today.

Watching some news on this right now. Of course the risk of racial rioting in Oakland, CA are being thrown all over. This is a very emotionally charged case for Oakland residents, especially African American youth. But, I think this presumptive thinking is racist. Am I wrong to think this? It just feels to me that this is always the stereotypic reflex- all the black people are going to riot because the verdict is less than many of them may feel is due.

It is a tragic case all around.

[nowandthen]

"Injustice Anywhere is a threat to Justice Everywhere!" ~MLK~
Sad for his family, justice was not served.

Oscar Grant was Murdered, plain and simple and the value of his life is measured by a system if injustice.
I am disheartened :-(