Tuesday, January 27, 2009

How to Get Labeled a Terrorist

Just disagree with a flight attendant.

Monday, January 26, 2009

Happy New Year!

From the NYT:
This is William Kristol’s last column.

Saturday, January 17, 2009

Fox: Bush "Inherited" 9/11

Huh?

Happy Birthday Michelle Obama

Our next First Lady is 45 years old today.

Web Threat Leads to Arrest

From Reuters:
Authorities on Friday arrested a U.S. man on suspicion of threatening to kill President-elect Barack Obama based on statements he posted on a website about UFOs and aliens, the Justice Department said.

Wednesday, January 14, 2009

BART's Killer Cop is Caught

He was apprehended in Nevada.

Friedman Supports Terrorism

At least when it's done by Israel. Except he calls it education.

Tuesday, January 13, 2009

Abolish the Media

"Joe the Plumber" doesn't like reporters.
"Now everyone's got an opinion and wants to...down soldiers. You know, American soldiers or Israeli soldiers...I think media should be abolished from, uh, you know, reporting. You know, war is hell. And if you're gonna sit there and say, 'Well, look at this atrocity,' well, you don't know the whole story behind it half the time. So I think the media should have no business in it."

The New Fail Whale

Karl Rove is the latest to Twitter.

Last Bush Presser Padded With Interns

It would be sad except for all the damage he's done.
The White House had high expectations for yesterday's final, historic news conference. "ONE CORRESPONDENT PER ORGANIZATION," proclaimed the bulletin sent to reporters. "STANDING ROOM ONLY FOR NON-SEAT HOLDERS." But when the appointed hour of 9:15 a.m. arrived, the last two rows in the seven-row briefing room were empty, and a press aide told White House interns to fill those seats.

Olmert Drives U.S. Policy

Well, isn't that this special?
Upon receiving word that the US was planning to vote in favor of the resolution - viewed by Israel as impractical and failing to address its security concerns - Olmert demanded to get Bush on the phone, and refused to back down after being told that the president was delivering a lecture in Philadelphia. Bush interrupted his lecture to answer Olmert's call, the premier said.

Monday, January 12, 2009

Isreal Bans Arab Political Parties

That's democracy for you.
Parliament spokesman Giora Pordes said the election committee voted overwhelmingly in favor of the motion, accusing the country's Arab parties of incitement, supporting terrorist groups and refusing to recognize Israel's right to exist. Arab lawmakers have traveled to some of Israel's staunchest enemies, including Lebanon and Syria.

Suicide Hotline Calls Increase

They say the reason is the bad economy.
It's unknown if the economic meltdown will lead to more suicides, says Lanny Berman, executive director of the Washington-based American Association of Suicidology. "Maybe the fact that so many are calling is a positive sign. They're seeking help."

Teen Dead After Being Tasered

The list of people who died after being Tasered just keeps growing.
17-year-old Derrick Jones of Martinsville was pronounced dead at a local hospital following an encounter with a police officer that ended in a Taser blast and immediate attempts to revive him by the officer, and later paramedics.

Friday, January 09, 2009

Illegal for UAW to Strike GM

From Raw Story:
A little-noticed provision buried in the Bush Administration's $13.4 billion loan package to General Motors will prohibit the United Auto Workers from launching a strike as long as the company receives funds from the federal government.

Thursday, January 08, 2009

Army Apologizes for "Dear John" Letters

They were sent to thousands of families of dead soldiers.
The letters also had improper address information at the top of the correspondence. Instead of the receiving family's name and home address, the letters said "Army Long Term Case Management."

Hackers Target Progressive Blogs

They were all published using the same framework, making them all susceptible to the same attack.

Cherry-Picking Science

It's a G.O.P. specialty.

Wednesday, January 07, 2009

LAPD Tried to Sway Coroner

From the L.A. Times:
The Los Angeles Police Department waged an aggressive behind-the-scenes campaign to convince coroner's officials to change their finding that a SWAT officer's bullet killed a 19-month-old girl held hostage by her father three years ago, according to records reviewed by The Times.

Wiretap Lawsuit Continues

From Wired:
A federal judge ruled Monday that "sufficient facts" exist to keep alive a lawsuit brought by two U.S.-based lawyers for a Islamic charity who say they were eavesdropped on without warrants.

Tuesday, January 06, 2009

T-Shirt Leads to $240K Settlement

Harassed because he wore a T-shirt saying "We Will Not Be Silent" in English and Arabic, Raed Jarrar has now reached a $240,000 settlement with Jet Blue and the TSA.
"The outcome of this case is a victory for free speech and a blow to the discriminatory practice of racial profiling," said Aden Fine, senior staff attorney with the ACLU First Amendment Working Group and lead attorney on the case. "This settlement should send a clear message to all TSA officials and airlines that they cannot discriminate against passengers based on their race or the ethnic content of their speech."

No Purple Hearts for PTSD

The Pentagon has decided it will not award the Purple Heart to military service members suffering from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder.
"It’s not a qualifying Purple Heart wound," said Defense Department spokeswoman Eileen Lainez, although she added that "advancements in medical science may support future re-evaluation."

"Islamic Militants" Mock Dead Cat

They have now stepped over the line.

Monday, January 05, 2009

Legal if Not Impeached

This seems to be the argument when Cheney compares Bush to Lincoln.

Sunday, January 04, 2009

Bill Richardson Withdraws

Bill Richardson has withdrawn his nomination as the next commerce secretary. In a statement, he says an investigation into a contract awarded to a campaign donor would be too much of a distraction.
"I have concluded that the ongoing investigation also would have forced an untenable delay in the confirmation process," Richardson said. "Given the gravity of the economic situation the nation is facing, I could not in good conscience ask the president-elect and his administration to delay for one day the important work that needs to be done."