Left of Center: By Yukkione: April 2006
Sopranos Episode 8
Sunday, April 30, 2006
Time : 9:10 PM

Spoilers in Comments.

posted by Yukkione at 9:10 PM | Permalink | 12 comments
John Kenneth Galbraith: Dead at 97

Time : 1:23 AM


He was brilliant and kind.

"The modern conservative is engaged in one of man's oldest exercises in moral philosophy; that is, the search for a superior moral justification for selfishness." -- John Kenneth Galbraith

posted by Yukkione at 1:23 AM | Permalink | 3 comments
Ground Zero Still a Hole in the Ground
Friday, April 28, 2006
Time : 10:58 PM


Half a decade after the planes destroyed the World Trade Center, we finally have a start to the construction of their replacement, the freedom Tower. All the party's involved have agreed to a final design, the T's have been crossed and the I's dotted.... We think. Isn't it ridiculous though? That it took this long to get going on this project. Christ, I mean a movie has come out on the events of 9/11 and we still have a hole in the ground there. George Bush has waged two wars, and is on to his third. Gas has gone from $1.70 a gallon to over $3.50 in some places, and America has gone from victim, to world wide kidnappers, torturers, incinerators of civilian families, and domestic spyers. So much accomplished in so little time. Yet nothing to fill the hole at ground zero. You think that in that 300+ billion dollars we've spent, that a monument of some kind could have been built.

posted by Yukkione at 10:58 PM | Permalink | 6 comments
Henry Rollins Show
Thursday, April 27, 2006
Time : 11:08 PM


Did you know that Henry now has his own show. New ones every Saturday at 10:00. He does alittle rant then an interview. Yes it's the Henry we know and love, raw, intelligent, real. If your lucky enough to get IFC (Independent Film Channel) you should check it out.
Check out the performance of Ben Folds here, doing All U Can Eat. A great commentary on American excess.

posted by Yukkione at 11:08 PM | Permalink | 17 comments
I Got an MRI Today

Time : 2:50 PM

So I had an MRI (magnetic resonance imaging ) today. Probably one of the most uncomfortable experiences of recent memory. I'm having it done because I'm sick of having chronic lower back pain. I'm a big guy with broad shoulders, the tube in the MRI machine in narrow. I had to scrunch in my shoulders to slide into the tube, head first. As soon as I got in the I realized I was completely encapsulated, I couldn't breath the machine was so tight around me. I nearly freaked out. I told the tech to let me out. It was horrible. I was suppose to stay in there for nearly 40 minutes, getting a shot of dye half way through. So they told me I could go to another location with whats called an open MRI. I did, and while the machine is not totally encasing you, it is still tight around your mid section and you cannot move at all for over 40 minutes. Needless to say five minutes into the session I developed an itch...I hope you never have to have one of these.

posted by Yukkione at 2:50 PM | Permalink | 10 comments
The Nation in the Mirror
Wednesday, April 26, 2006
Time : 4:11 PM

Much has been made of late of the leaking of information regarding the use of ``extraordinary renditions''. (the kidnapping of a person and transporting them to another country to be interrogated and face possible charges.) Recently a career CIA officer has been accused of leaking information on rendition practices and fired. The European Union cites over 1000 undeclared flights by the CIA. Our government conceded that 100 to 150 people have been seized in such actions. For me those numbers don't add up and and also do not speak of the number of flights and people not documented in less litigious areas of the world. Why is it that we can do things in other countries that would be illegal here? Why do the laws of other countries become unimportant when it concerns US operations? To be sure, it's without doubt that these efforts have taken some very bad people out of circulation, but at what cost? As the preeminent nation of law, our actions stand in bold contrast to what this nation has historically stood for. Yes nit pickers can cite many violations of law and human rights over the two centuries of our existence, but for all that, we do stand in stark contrast to other nations in the world. So here we are... the most powerful nation in the world, and unlike so many of our predecessors we are in fact admired by many people around the world. How long will this last as we take it upon ourselves to kidnap, torture, hold without charges, start unprovoked wars, and violate native peoples for our own corporate enrichment? Electing a Democratic congress may go along way to help us, but it should only be a start. We need to reevaluate our purpose, and commit ourselves to be better world leaders. Our empire won't last forever, and our place in history is yet to be written.

posted by Yukkione at 4:11 PM | Permalink | 8 comments
Sopranos Episode 7
Tuesday, April 25, 2006
Time : 12:07 PM


Spoilers in comments.

posted by Yukkione at 12:07 PM | Permalink | 14 comments
You'll have to fashion your own marital aids in South Carolina
Saturday, April 22, 2006
Time : 6:28 PM

South Carolina may be joining a list of States that bans the sale of sex toys. You heard right, sex toys. Ol' Doc Johnson might be packing his bags and moving on if Christocratic legislators get their way. People convicted under obscenity laws face up to five years in prison and a $10,000 fine. It seems other states have laws similar to the one being considered in SC. Among these are Texas, Georgia and Alabama. Apparently in Alabama Cucumbers can only be sold pre-cut or pickled, and Passion Fruit has to be renamed The Passion of the Christ Fruit. South Carolinians may be forced to order their dildos online from Canada, though our government has floated stories of fake dildos to scare people from ordering. Sharon Smillburg of Turnupville SC said “ They can take my Dildo when they pry it from my cold dead fingers!” Read more here.

posted by Yukkione at 6:28 PM | Permalink | 20 comments
Dear Red States

Time : 9:28 AM

Dear Red States...

We've decided we're leaving. We intend to form our own country, and
we're taking the other Blue States with us.
In case you aren't aware, that includes Hawaii, Oregon,Washington,
Minnesota, Wisconsin, Michigan, Illinois and all the Northeast. We
believe this split will be beneficial to the nation, and especially
to the people of the new country of New California.
To sum up briefly: You get Texas, Oklahoma and all the slave states.
We get stem cell research and the best beaches. We get Elliot
Spitzer. You get Ken Lay.
We get the Statue of Liberty. You get Dollywood.
We get Intel and Microsoft. You get WorldCom.
We get Harvard. You get Ole' Miss.
We get 85 percent of America's venture capital and entrepreneurs. You
get Alabama.
We get two -thirds of the tax revenue, you get to make the red states
pay their fair share.
Since our aggregate divorce rate is 22 percent lower than the
Christian Coalition's, we get a bunch of happy families. You get a
bunch of single moms.
Please be aware that Nuevo California will be pro-choice and
anti-war, and we're going to want all our citizens back from Iraq at
once. If you need people to fight, ask your evangelicals. They have
kids they're apparently willing to send to their deaths for no
purpose, and they don't care if you don't show pictures of their
children's caskets coming home. We do wish you success in Iraq, and
hope that the WMDs turn up, but we're not willing to spend our
resources in Bush's Quagmire.
With the Blue States in hand, we will have firm control of 80 percent
of the country's fresh water, more than 90 percent of the pineapple
and lettuce, 92 percent of the nation's fresh fruit, 95 percent of
America's quality wines (you can serve French wines at state dinners)
90 percent of all cheese, 90 percent of the high tech industry, most
of the U.S. low-sulfur coal, all living redwoods, sequoias and
condors, all the Ivy and Seven Sister schools, plus Harvard, Yale,
Stanford, Cal Tech and MIT.
With the Red States, on the other hand, you will have to cope with 88
percent of all obese Americans (and their projected health care
costs), 92 percent of all U.S. mosquitoes, nearly 100 percent of the
tornadoes, 90 percent of the hurricanes, 99 percent of all Southern
Baptists, virtually 100 percent of all televangelists, Rush Limbaugh,
Bob Jones University, Clemson and the University of Georgia.
We get Hollywood and Yosemite, thank you.
Additionally, 38 percent of those in the Red states believe Jonah was
actually swallowed by a whale, 62 percent believe life is sacred
unless we're discussing the death penalty or gun laws, 44 percent say
that evolution is only a theory, 53 percent that Saddam was involved
in 9/11 and 61 percent of you crazy b*****ds believe you are people
with higher morals then we lefties.
By the way, we're taking the good pot, too. You can have that dirt
weed they grow in Mexico.

Peace out,
Blue States ·

This was sent to me today from a wonderful freind

posted by Yukkione at 9:28 AM | Permalink | 8 comments
Secretary of State Rice leaked info to Israel
Friday, April 21, 2006
Time : 10:17 PM

President Bush hates leakers! (you know, the kind of leak that he hasn't personally authorized) It seems that Condoleezza Rice has leaked national defense information to an Israeli lobbyist, the same type of crime that a low level Pentagon official was jailed for 12 years for. This looks like it will be a big story and we may see Rice testifying under oath. I suppose she is looking like the two faced shit bird we thought she was. You can read the full story here in the WAPO.
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posted by Yukkione at 10:17 PM | Permalink | 4 comments
Medicare cost to go up

Time : 9:11 AM

The Medicare drug plan will increase this year by about 7%. This means the $250 annual deductible could rise to $265. Premiums and co-payments might also change. And the coverage gap known as the doughnut hole could expand from $2,850 to $3,051 next year. After meeting the deductible, seniors would be covered for up to $2,400 of prescriptions, but beyond that they would have to pay the full bill until drug costs reached $5,451, with an out-of-pocket maximum of $3,850. Medicare would pay 95 percent of further costs.

To our legislators who wrote the new Medicare bill a couple years ago this doesn't seem like much. But to millions of seniors who live on small fixed incomes this may prove devastating. (correction: Our legislators didn't write the new Medicare... the health industry did) You can bet that the number of serious illnesses among senior citizens will increase as more begin to decide food or medicine, housing or medicine. We've already seen an increase in the amount of amputations due to diabetes. Is this how the wealthiest country in the world cares for it's elderly? read more here.

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posted by Yukkione at 9:11 AM | Permalink | 12 comments
New Computer BackGround Image
Thursday, April 20, 2006
Time : 4:08 PM


If your contrast is not properly set up you wont enjoy this very much.

posted by Yukkione at 4:08 PM | Permalink | 11 comments
WTF!

Time : 2:40 PM

What the hell is Bush thinking here? Grabbing the sleeve of the most powerful man in the world is just stupid. Hu is like.. "Pardon me asshole. Unhand me or I'll go all kungfooey on your ass!"

posted by Yukkione at 2:40 PM | Permalink | 7 comments
Protester at Chinese Presidents Whitehouse Speech.

Time : 10:50 AM

As Chinese President Hu gave his hello speech on the grounds of the Whitehouse, a Chinese woman stood up near the press section and began shouting in Mandarin. It took sometime for security to whisk her away. On CNN the channel I was watching Fredrika Whitfield went on and on about security and how embarrassing this was for the Chinese President. Fuck that.. what was this woman saying. Did she have a relative who was shot in the back of the head for dissension? Was she protesting prisoners being used as human organ farms, or religious expression being outlawed. CNN needs to get in tune with what is really happening in China.

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posted by Yukkione at 10:50 AM | Permalink | 6 comments
Religion and Politics a Discussion Topic
Wednesday, April 19, 2006
Time : 9:56 PM

The religious community has to decide whether they want to be tax exempt or involved in politics. - Howard Dean

posted by Yukkione at 9:56 PM | Permalink | 10 comments
Fear

Time : 11:58 AM

I saw another report from Iraq today that troubled me.(as if anything coming from there isn't troubling)In the piece, children were saying how they are always scared. I've seen many reports about kids in Iraq being in a perpetual state of fear. They aren't safe to play outside or inside. Parents can't negate their nightmares because it isn't all ok. I've seen my children in fear. Briefly after they've done something quite wrong, and knowing there may be a spanking waiting for them. Yes, I do occasionally spank my children. But that fear they experience before a spanking is not something that can be compared to the fear a child experiences when they think they could be shot or blown to bits at any moment, day after day. The fear of American soldier storming into their home in the middle of the night because of some anonymous tip or suspicion. What does living in continuous fear do to a child? What will they be like as they grow up. Will they love America?

posted by Yukkione at 11:58 AM | Permalink | 5 comments
Whitehouse Press Secretary resigns

Time : 9:43 AM

Scott McClellan resigned today as the Whitehouse Press Secretary during an outdoor press event with the President. The President said it was McClellans idea, and that he will always remember Scotts service fondly. Not really big news, we all knew it was coming.

sniff sniff....goodbye Pig Vomit.


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posted by Yukkione at 9:43 AM | Permalink | 3 comments
Tuesday, April 18, 2006
Time : 10:51 PM


Vanity Fair contributing editor CARL BERNSTEIN has written the definitive argument for a Bipartisan investigation into the Bush Whitehouse. This is a MUST read. People with A.D.D (like me) are warned.. this is a long but very high powered piece. Please get a glass of water, then read it here.

posted by Yukkione at 10:51 PM | Permalink | 5 comments
Bush: Worst President in History

Time : 10:16 PM

According to a blurb in Drudge, Rolling Stone is coming out with a issue that features George Bush on the cover as the worst President in history. Hey Rolling Stone, tell us something we don't know. Oh, and the new Pearl Jam cd is awesome.



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posted by Yukkione at 10:16 PM | Permalink | 4 comments
The Price Of Gas

Time : 8:56 AM

The other day I mentioned the ludicrous retirement package that Exxon chief Lee Raymond would be receiving. To get a $400 million package is just astounding to any reasonable person. This to a person who when asked about the crises of the price of fuel said "We're all in this together, everywhere in the world," Glad to see he's working so hard for us, you know .. coming together and all. So we're looking at $3 dollars a gallon here in the states, I know that compared to many parts of the world, that is cheap. However, we plan our family's and personal budgets based on relatively cheap fuel. Adjusted for inflation, prices were "above records reached during the oil shocks of the late 1970's and early 1980's. Prices have risen with crude oil climbing to $70 per barrel. According to Think Progress, some are trying to blame Ethenal.

BLAME ETHANOL: Last week, as members of Congress returned home for spring recess, Big Oil took the opportunity to pass along some misinformation about why it is not responsible for the high gas prices. In a letter circulated to every member of Congress, the American Petroleum Institute (the oil industry's main lobbying group) blamed current prices on ethanol. The gist of its argument: last year's energy bill ended an "oxygenate requirement" (oxygenates are fuel additives "that contain oxygen which can boost gasoline's octane quality, enhance combustion, and reduce exhaust emissions"). The oil industry had previously relied on a noxious chemical called MTBE to oxygenate its fuel. According to the letter, the end of the oxygenate requirement was "leading to the phase-out of MTBE" and the phase-in of ethanol. "While refiners are working day and night to meet this requirement," Big Oil told Congress, "they face complicated challenges in switching to ethanol, which has numerous logistical difficulties in its transport," and which is "currently more expensive than gasoline." The Wall Street Journal in turn protested the "Ethanol Tax," stating that today's higher prices are "the result of the ethanol love-fest that Congress engaged in last summer as part of its energy bill." NBC's Nightly News also featured a segment repeating the oil industry's line, backed up by analysis from the American Enterprise Institute, a conservative think-tank funded extensively by the oil and gas industry, and where Vice President Dick Cheney once served as a fellow.

Brazil has reached energy independence by using biofuels in combination with traditional fossil fuels. It's important to know that they started planning and acting twenty years ago. Seems to me if Brazil can have advanced long term plans that work, so should we. However if we keep letting people like Lee Raymond write our energy policy, we will never get a handle on our problems.

What really pisses me off about this is how even a small increase in gas prices affects families. My wife and I have three small boys. We drive a minivan and a mid sized sedan. Both are good with gas; one reason we choose them. However, one can't avoid driving, and with gas at three dollars a gallon, it all adds up. Spending more on gas means less of other things we want, and need. Things such as retirement/savings, school clothes, travel to visit relatives. The price of gas affects the price of milk and other items we need. Unlike many families that have two working parents, we choose to have one of us stay home and parent our kids. This means a lot of tight budgets, and skimping on some things that families with two working parents take for granted. The price one pays for not having someone else raise your kids. So gas is maybe 25 cents per gallon more.. who cares right? I do.
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posted by Yukkione at 8:56 AM | Permalink | 9 comments
Sopranos Episode 6
Sunday, April 16, 2006
Time : 10:01 PM

Spoilers in Comments

posted by Yukkione at 10:01 PM | Permalink | 11 comments

Time : 8:48 PM

Lee Raymond of Exxon is getting a $400 million dollar retirement package. This in the wake of the highest fuel prices ever, and an ever increasing squeeze on working Americans. Mr. Raymond is a fat lamprey sucking the blood out of the underbelly of the country. His fat ugly ass should be liquefied into cheap fuel. How in the world can such excesses pass by corporate boards and shareholders? It sickens me to see these decadent bastards rape us in the pursuit of more money.

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posted by Yukkione at 8:48 PM | Permalink | 4 comments
A murderers blog

Time : 8:01 PM

Kevin Underwood confessed this weekend to the murder of a ten year old girl. He was a blogger. Interested in reading his bog? I found it here. There is an interesting discussion going on in his last post. So glad they caught him , as he planned to become a serial killer. Also, his Amazon profile and wishlist. A Yahoo groups message. He was a poster at Something Aweful, and there is a big thread there. His CafePress storefront.

posted by Yukkione at 8:01 PM | Permalink | 0 comments
Rumsfeld and Torture
Friday, April 14, 2006
Time : 4:48 PM

According to Salon, Secretary of Defence Donald Rumsfeld knew much more about the day to day interrogations and techniques than he admitted to. Poor Rummy... the Generals are out to get him, and he supports torture. Time for Bush to just let him go. He needs to enjoy his last few years before he gets the daily pineapple in hell. Read more here.

posted by Yukkione at 4:48 PM | Permalink | 6 comments
Email? What Email?

Time : 3:34 PM

Sorry AOL users. Not only do you use the crappiest ISP in the world, but they censor your Email. I would laugh, but I really hate censorship. It seems that bulk Email from groups like MoveOn.org are being filtered even though they are legitimate and were subscribed to. Then they take a page from the Bush administration, and say it never happened. Of course with any good story, timing is key, so please check out the links I have provided and see how the truth gets filtered.
WebPro
MoveOn

posted by Yukkione at 3:34 PM | Permalink | 4 comments
Good News, Bad News
Thursday, April 13, 2006
Time : 10:21 AM


There are over 45 million Americans without health Insurance. Many that have insurance are not very well covered and are unlikely to get some services when they need them, which brings me to my topic: Medical testing. Today we have made huge strides in medical testing. We have decoded the entire human genome and have begun deciphering the meaning of each gene that makes us tick. The Beauty of this is that we can also find defective genes, and genes that are passed down from generation to generation. We can do a test to determine if a cancer is treatable and whether it has a chance of reoccurring. (read more about new testing methods) But there is a problem here. We are familiar with tests for high cholesterol, and other common illnesses. These test may run as little as a few dollars. New genetic testing however may run over $3000. Some insurance companies may not want to pay for this type of testing, and people without insurance certainly will not opt to get these tests. More and more we are becoming a country where the wealthy can buy their way to better health, while the poor take whatever they can get at hospital emergency rooms. Studies recently indicate that those that have no insurance are actually billed more than insured patience during hospital stays. This is because they have no group bargaining power, and will be taken to court should they default on payments. I foresee hospitals using these expensive tests on the uninsured as a way to make a buck, even when these tests may not be fully warranted. Remember also that our wonderful Congress and President passed a law that makes filing for bankruptcy harder. A large portion of people that file for bankruptcy are for medical reasons.

I think that the progress we have made in science and medicine is wonderful. I also think that it's a shame that socially, we are so far behind counties that treat all it's citizens to top notch medical treatment. So as we go forward we will see an ever increasing number of bankruptcies filed, more middle class families slipping into poverty, and more millionaires in the pharmaceutical and medical testing business.

posted by Yukkione at 10:21 AM | Permalink | 9 comments
The REAL Crime in the Whitehouse
Tuesday, April 11, 2006
Time : 1:28 AM

Greg Palast has written a really great piece that makes the mainstream media look like a bunch of nit wits, (not hard to do) and cuts right to the bone of what crimes the Bush Administration is really guilty of. While the press scurries around quibbling about dates and and what pig vomit Scott McClellan said. Palast says that the whole grand jury and everything is a sham engineered by the Whitehouse. Please read Gregs article, and see for yourself.

posted by Yukkione at 1:28 AM | Permalink | 9 comments
Lazy Posting

Time : 1:05 AM

My Posts have sucked the last few days. I really messed up my back last Friday, and cannot really concentrate or sit for more than a few minutes. I'm on some serious pain killers and muscle relaxers. If I'm usually reading your blogs, then I'll be back as soon as I can. I have so many I try to read everyday but just can't concentrate right now. So bear with me and hopefully I'll be back in shape soon. I've been through this before. Part of the sproblem in having a spine, is that sometimes it gets messed up.

posted by Yukkione at 1:05 AM | Permalink | 15 comments
Meet the New Boss, Same as the Old Boss
Monday, April 10, 2006
Time : 8:16 AM


We won't be fooled again: The Who

We'll be fighting in the streets
With our children at our feet
And the morals that they worship will be gone
And the men who spurred us on
Sit in judgement of all wrong
They decide and the shotgun sings the song

I'll tip my hat to the new constitution
Take a bow for the new revolution
Smile and grin at the change all around
Pick up my guitar and play
Just like yesterday
Then I'll get on my knees and pray
We don't get fooled again

The change, it had to come
We knew it all along
We were liberated from the foe, that's all
And the world looks just the same
And history ain't changed
'Cause the banners, they all flown in the last war

I'll tip my hat to the new constitution
Take a bow for the new revolution
Smile and grin at the change all around
Pick up my guitar and play
Just like yesterday
Then I'll get on my knees and pray
We don't get fooled again
No, no!

I'll move myself and my family aside
If we happen to be left half alive
I'll get all my papers and smile at the sky
For I know that the hypnotized never lie

Do ya?

Yeaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah!

There's nothing in the street
Looks any different to me
And the slogans are replaced, by-the-bye
And the party on the left
Is now the party on the right
And the beards have all grown longer overnight

I'll tip my hat to the new constitution
Take a bow for the new revolution
Smile and grin at the change all around
Pick up my guitar and play
Just like yesterday
Then I'll get on my knees and pray
We don't get fooled again
Don't get fooled again
No, no!

Yeaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah!

Meet the new boss
Same as the old boss

posted by Yukkione at 8:16 AM | Permalink | 3 comments
Sopranos Episode 5
Sunday, April 09, 2006
Time : 9:59 PM


Spoilers in chat.

posted by Yukkione at 9:59 PM | Permalink | 5 comments
Bush Tries to Stop the Leaks.

Time : 7:00 PM


Here George is pictured in an early attempt to stop a leak. However, he soon realizes that his finger just isnt big enough, and that the sensation in his nose is to deadened from years of cocaine use. The leaks will just have to continue.

posted by Yukkione at 7:00 PM | Permalink | 4 comments
Lies beget lies

Time : 4:26 PM


Plamegate is just the tip of the iceberg of lies, deception and outright lawbreaking that is linked to the Bush administration. The links, and documents that the Administration used to tie Iraq to Nigerian yellow cake nuclear material were concocted and forged. But listen, the time line and facts are complicated and murky, so please follow this link to (The Truth Will Set You Free). They have quite accurately told a tale that I would do an injustice too if I paraphrased. This was also reported here at (What really happened).

"Sin has many tools, but a lie is the handle which fits them all."
Oliver Wendell Holmes (1809–1894)

posted by Yukkione at 4:26 PM | Permalink | 4 comments
WTF

Time : 2:01 AM

They Say all the kids are doing it. Hey, I wasn't using my freedoms anyway.

Mmmm, Boogers and Lace!

posted by Yukkione at 2:01 AM | Permalink | 2 comments
Bush Madness Continues
Saturday, April 08, 2006
Time : 5:37 PM

Seymore Hersh reports in The New Yorker that the Bush administration is actively planning attacks on Iran. Attacks that include the use of nuclear bunker busting bombs to hit deeply buried Iranian facilities.
A government consultant with close ties to the civilian leadership in the Pentagon said that Bush was “absolutely convinced that Iran is going to get the bomb” if it is not stopped. He said that the President believes that he must do “what no Democrat or Republican, if elected in the future, would have the courage to do,” and “that saving Iran is going to be his legacy.”
The run up to action is typical... UN resolution based on flimsy information, rhetoric about Iran not being a real Democracy, exporters of terrorism, etc, etc. all this planning is going against the advice of senior Pentagon officials and military advisers. Some who say they will resign if this action is actually put into play. Hmm, like General Anthony Zinni? The real motive here is not destroying the nuclear labs and such, but rather to weaken the theocratic structure of the Iranian leadership, and force them to bow under popular pressure from the populace. One official even said that while many think Bush's focus has been Iraq since 9/11 it has actually been Iran which is perceived as the greater threat. Having Iraq as a stepping stone and a fuel depot certainly helps. To my mind this is all insanity. These plans have to be stopped asap. Should Bush continue with this scheme, it would certainly confirm we have a madman in the Oval Office.

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posted by Yukkione at 5:37 PM | Permalink | 7 comments
Thank you Harry Taylor
Friday, April 07, 2006
Time : 10:16 AM

Kos blogger Grokgov has started a site to thank Harry Taylor for speaking out at a recent Bush speech. Please head over to the page to sign and lend your support. We need to support brave Americans who speak up against corrupt power. Mr. Taylor is not alone in being embarrassed about the state of affairs in the US.

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posted by Yukkione at 10:16 AM | Permalink | 12 comments
AT&T Loves NSA
Thursday, April 06, 2006
Time : 10:10 PM


An AT&T technician became a whistle blower when he brought to light information that the company was secretly, and illegally providing network access to the NSA. The Electronic Frontier Foundation brought a suit against the telecom giant in January. The Bush administration objected to some of the information being brought into the case, but the EFF circumvented the objections. When the whole NSA spy story opened, I had the thought that they really couldn't do all that unless the telecoms were involved. So now it turns out that at least one probably was. So where does this leave us? Attorney General Gonzales has said to Congress recently that he wouldn't say whether completely domestic spying isn't taking place. If the Bush record stands, this means they probably are doing domestic spying without one of the partys being outside the US. Who's helping the NSA?

CNET News.com asked telecommunications and Internet companies about cooperation with the Bush administration's domestic eavesdropping scheme. We asked them: "Have you turned over information or opened up your networks to the NSA without being compelled by law?"
Adelphia Communications Declined comment
AOL Time Warner No [1]
AT&T Declined comment
BellSouth Communications No
Cable & Wireless* No response
Cablevision Systems No
CenturyTel No
Charter Communications No [1]
Cingular Wireless No [2]
Citizens Communications No response
Cogent Communications* No [1]
Comcast No
Cox Communications No
EarthLink No
Global Crossing* Inconclusive
Google Declined comment
Level 3* No response
Microsoft No [3]
NTT Communications* Inconclusive [4]
Qwest Communications No [2]
SAVVIS Communications* No response
Sprint Nextel No [2]
T-Mobile USA No [2]
United Online No response
Verizon Communications Inconclusive [5]
XO Communications* No [1]
Yahoo Declined comment

* = Not a company contacted by Rep. John Conyers.
[1] The answer did not explicitly address NSA but said that compliance happens only if required by law.
[2] Provided by a source with knowledge of what this company is telling Conyers. In the case of Sprint Nextel, the source was familiar with Nextel's operations.
[3] As part of an answer to a closely related question for a different survey.
[4] The response was "NTT Communications respects the privacy rights of our customers and complies fully with law enforcement requests as permitted and required by law."
[5] The response was "Verizon complies with applicable laws and does not comment on law enforcement or national security matters.
We're just fish in a fishbowl. Our lives, communications, and movements are not private and no one seems to care. But hey, we are safe from the terrorists right?

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posted by Yukkione at 10:10 PM | Permalink | 9 comments
DeLay nasty tactics Continue

Time : 5:19 PM

Down in Texas, home of Toms DeLay's Congressional district, his Democratic rival Nick Lampson tried to give a speech. However an email from DeLays campaign manager went out to DeLay followers to meet so they could "wreck" the press conference. One DeLay support even got violent with a 69 year old retired woman. Texas Republicans should be proud of their homegrown bug man. He doesn't discriminate. He is nasty to everyone who doesn't blindly follow him. Thanks to Glenda in the Land of Oz. for the link to the link to our fellow lefty Juanita over at The Worlds most Dangerous Beauty Salon inc. Juanita has some great pictures that I believe someone she knows took.

The Photo is from Jaunita's site

posted by Yukkione at 5:19 PM | Permalink | 4 comments
What are we fighting for?
Wednesday, April 05, 2006
Time : 11:43 AM


CarolynC967, at the Daily KOS has written a piece that should scare the hell out of anyone who thinks we live in a free country. Is this what we are fighting for? Is this what so many have died for? That incidents like this are happening make me want to scream to these people that would sit on their asses as our freedoms are stripped away one by one for some obscure sense of security. Please read it here.

posted by Yukkione at 11:43 AM | Permalink | 15 comments
The Past, The Future

Time : 11:29 AM


The words of Tom Delay as he leaves office spell out exactly what is wrong with American politics. All he could talk about was what he had done for the Republican Party, and what he wants to do for the party. He never mentioned a word about working for the American people. It was all about party loyalty. Most Democrats I know put principle before party. I would never stick to a party line if it were wrong or vote for a Democrat who I didn't think represented my views. For instance, if Hilary Clinton became the Democratic candidate in 2008, I would not vote for her. I think she is a phony, and panders to whoever she wants to impress. Today when Tom Delay returned to DC, he was greeted as some kind of rock star. They lined the corridors of the congressional entrance, high 5ing him and clapping like adoring fools. He walked in like he owned the place. Well I suppose he does. We need to remain clear in our objectives, and keep in mind who our representatives are serving. We mustn't let them forget. If we once again take over the majority we have to keep ourselves in check and renounce those that would misuse their power. We have to learn from history. We also have to let the Republicans be partners in governance, unlike they have with us. We do not want to become that which we despise.

posted by Yukkione at 11:29 AM | Permalink | 5 comments
Feingold kicks ass on FOX
Tuesday, April 04, 2006
Time : 9:50 AM


Monday, While on the Chris Wallace show (The Fox News network) Sen. Russ Feingold kicked ass. He answered every question promptly and intelligently leaving Wallace with little in the way of ammunition. Finally we have a Democrat who will talk honestly, and candidly about the issues. I encourage you to read the full transcript and see for yourself how a Democrat with courage and conviction behaves.
From the Fox transcript:
WALLACE: But none of them have talked about censure. So if you change the law, why not just change the law? Why do you have to call for censuring a president during the middle of wartime?

FEINGOLD: Well, how — are we going to have a system, Chris, where whenever the president wants to make up his own law, he goes ahead and does it, and we say, gee, Mr. President, you broke the law, that's too bad. Let's make a law to make what you're doing legal. What kind of a government is that? What kind of a system is that? And what kind of a message to our kids? If you don't like the law, just make up whatever you want to do and keep going. Frankly, it's outrageous. And if there isn't some accountability, apart from the need to possibly look at legislation, if there isn't some statement that the president can't just make up his own laws, what have we come to? Who are we? It's an outrage, and every member of Congress and every American should say to the president, Mr. President, we respect your commitment in the fight against terrorism, but you've got to return to the law. You've got to return to the way we do things in this system.




posted by Yukkione at 9:50 AM | Permalink | 14 comments
Hammer time!

Time : 6:29 AM

Tom (The Hammer) Delay has announced his retirement. He says he can do more for the Republican party outside of government. But, how much can he do while behind bars? Methinks not much. Delay said he informed the President a day befor making his announcement. This speaks volumes as to what his priorities were. He served the President, not the Congress or his own voters. Party before the people. It's been nice knowing you Tom, adios as they say in Texas.

Tag:

posted by Yukkione at 6:29 AM | Permalink | 7 comments
Drudge posts doctored pic
Monday, April 03, 2006
Time : 11:41 AM

Today the Drudge Report headline story is about Rep. Cynthia McKinney. She is accused of hitting a security officer with her cell phone. However the picture Drudge posted of Rep. McKinney is doctored to make her look like some actor is a Al Jolson review. Her eyes and teeth have been altered in the picture to appear overly white and contrast sharply with her dark skin. The pupil of her right eye is badly applied and is smudged. if Drudge wants to be a serious news outlet, he can't post this kind of inflammatory material. Look at the picture close up here.
I added a blow up here with what you need to look at. It doesnt matter where this photo comes from, it's doctored.
Tags:

posted by Yukkione at 11:41 AM | Permalink | 14 comments
Couric to be NBC anchor

Time : 11:19 AM

I just read that Katie Couric is the NBC choice for their evening news anchor person. Edward R. Murrow is turning in his grave, and Walter Cronkite is wishing he hadn't lived so long. Yea, it's great that a woman is being made head anchor person. But I give Couric no props for ever being a journalist. This is just another step towards the corporate news media becoming a big fluffy nothingness. Mrs Couric is cute and perky and everything else alot of baby boomers find attractive in a morning personality, but keep the big chair for REAL reporters and journalists.

posted by Yukkione at 11:19 AM | Permalink | 7 comments
Evil I am.
Sunday, April 02, 2006
Time : 11:04 PM

You Are 64% Evil

You are very evil. And you're too evil to care.
Those who love you probably also fear you. A lot.

You Are a Punk Rocker!

When it comes to rock, you don't follow any rules
You know that rocking out is all about taking down the man
You've got an incredible stage presence and rock persona
You scare moms, make bad girls (or boys) swoon, and live life on the edge!




Your World View


You strongly reject traditional values.

Above everything else, you value honesty.

For you, morality and truth are one and the same.



You hate to be thought of as weak or insecure.

You abhor hypocrisy and have troubles with authority.

You are impulsive and somewhat unpredictable.


posted by Yukkione at 11:04 PM | Permalink | 9 comments
Sopranos Episode 4

Time : 8:15 PM


So what cha think?
Spoilers in comments.

posted by Yukkione at 8:15 PM | Permalink | 10 comments
Strange news out of North Carolina.
Saturday, April 01, 2006
Time : 5:46 PM

According to the Associated press: Read Story here.
Three men have been arrested on charges of performing castrations on apparently willing participants in a sadomasochistic "dungeon" in a rural house, authorities said Friday.
"It's extremely bizarre," District Attorney Michael Bonfoey said in a telephone interview. "It's incredible the amount of ways that people can find to run afoul of the law." ...
Sheriff's investigators said Richard Sciara, 61, Danny Reeves, 49, and Michael Mendez, 60, admitted performing at least eight surgeries, including castrations and testicle replacements, on six consenting clients over the past year. None of the three is licensed to practice medicine, officials said. ...
Each man faces 10 felony counts _ five each of castration without malice and conspiracy to commit castration without malice _ as well as eight misdemeanor counts of performing medical acts without a license. Each felony carries a maximum three years and three months in prison, Bonfoey said.
Stranger still, is that found among several file cabinets and hundreds of records kept by the three, were commercial flight receipts and travel itineraries for many members of the House and Senate of the United States. It's uncertain why so many elected representatives would be coming to visit the men, but photographic evidence seized at the scene suggest that they were having their balls removed. Several Democrats contacted about the allegations declined comment. It's suspected that it is all part of the Democrat Enforced Pussiliency Project or DEPP as it's known on the hill.

posted by Yukkione at 5:46 PM | Permalink | 11 comments
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