Bushism Uncovered

Very funny.

I can't sign because....

My latest favorite of why they could not sign the petition just to get the anti-war statement, I paraprase; "get the fuck out of Iraq," on the ballot: "I can't because it doesn't say how many Wisconsin National Guard and reserves are in Iraq."

See Darwin's Nightmare

The face of capitalism. Matt Cale reviews the latest indictment on the invisible hand. Just screened at Milwaukee's third international film festival.

Is Scooter Dumb?

The common concensus on the Rove/Cheney White House is that they are political giants that have made very few mistakes. Cockburn and St. Claire dissent. I don't think their dumb I think they assume the press is so compliant and the masses so easily flummoxed and distracted to that they think they can get out of any jam by straight out lying.

AR on Meet the Press

Arianna Huffington writes well on the problem with Tim Russert and the Washington press club.

Alito's Way

Bush is gambling here and I think he is going to win. By nominating a reactionary Bush gets his troops marching again. They need something to rally around because of his perceived weakness as a result of Katrina, Miers, the Plame outing/Libby indictment and the war. The question will be the weight of Democratic senatorial cajones and the "moderate" Republican. This is the weakness in the gambit. Alito is a Scalia reactionary. He is into nutty ideas like natural law, original intent and other 18th century pablum. Things like rights of privacy don't exist for him because the quill pen of providence did not mark the parchment of Philadelphia in 1787. For instance he dissented in the Casey case which depended on Justice O'Connor, who "Scalito" would replace, which required spousal concent for an abortion. This appointment will change the court. Right wingers know this and want to have the debate and more importantly, the power, when they win.

The pro-abortion crowd has been crying wolf on the issue for awhile when it comes to the generic right but now they will be correct when they say Roe v. Wade is in trouble. They have lots of clout and money (or should I say money and clout?) so look for Mrs Clinton to be out front on this one even though she likes to straddle (not Bill though from what I here) most of the time. Feingold will be key. They need his vote but he's on record as allowing the President leeway on judicial nominations unless they are incompetent. I bet he also follows the NARAL/NOW money given his presidential ambition.

For the vote to fail all the pwogwessives need is 1 more than a third of the Senate to uphold a filibuster. Are the Democrats up to the task? I doubt it.

Judge Alito's views on the Family Leave Act.

The Supreme Court As Agent of Change

Howard Zinn on the Supreme Court's role historically.

What Does 2000 Look Like? To Say Nothing of the 100,000

2000 dead. Take a look.

The Media and War

Iraq is not Vietnam but the US is the US. Norman Soloman on war and the US media.

Supply and Demand

"Flood of earnings are to continue during the coming week with the earnings of oil companies to come under sharp focus. Market for the year is expecting oil companies to top annual industry profit of $63 billion. For the third quarter profits at Exxon Mobil is expected to jump 45%, Chevron 50%, Conoco Phillips 79%, Amerada Hess 91%, Marathon Oil 100%, Apache Corp 76% and Anadarko Petroleum 15% from a year ago."

So actually there is a reason for prices for your natural and refined gas to go down. But it seems that they demand more profit and we supply the surplus.

Who Is Scooter Libby?

Scooter.

Bleak

Misanthrope Matt Cale on relationships and Carnal Knowledge.

Cockburn on Dowd v. Miller and the Dersch Defends His Toture Calls

Two classics from Cockburn.

Torture In Iraq

Implications for the "support our troops" crowd. I met lots of them this weekend. At least the rightists have a consistant position. The liberals have hundreds of reasons why the US shouldn't withdraw, number one being "we" can't just leave now that we have broken things (so Bush wants to "fix" things?). What do they mean by fix things? Create a democracy? They only want this if it suits their interests. Re-distribute oil wealth? Privatization is the top demand of the US, it's now in the constitution. Stop the violence? The US is the CAUSE of the violence. Oh, and let's not forget my favorite reason for not wanting to even vote on the issue here in Milwaukee, it's not a local issue!!!!!

Gore Vidal

Is the empire on the decline?

What's Wrong With the Patriot Act?

A whole lot.

Late Capitalism

A sure sign that people have too much time on thier hands and too much surplus. Are you going to buy the new chestnutter?

"Conservatives," Strict Constructionists and the Supreme Court

Growing up in the latter part of the 20th century the Supreme Court was always seen by most as if not a progressive institution at least a liberal one that advanced racial and gender equality. Beyond a vocal and well fundeed group of right wing cranks and out right Confederates, most people saw the court as a positive force that made the country a better place. The court however has historically been a festering nest of reactionaries and lackeys of the plutocracy. Since the 1990's the court has been tacking right and the right wants it to swing farther. I think Bushes nominees will maintain the current direction rather than move it righter.

Here's a good article on the historic role that the court has played.

Pimping for the Brew City

Today begins the Milwaukee International Film Festival. Last year Wong Kar Wai got a showing. The film about mass games in North Korea is first on my list.

Mass games and "State of Mind."

Ruthless

Please read the Forrest Gump review on this top ten worst films of all time. The Boxing Helena review is spot on also. What would you add?