Countdown Friday: Blank Check, No Balances

Posted: Friday, May 25, 2007 8:20 PM by Countdown
Filed Under: Blogging the Countdown

Signing of the Times: This weekend President Bush will mark his sixth Memorial Day as a wartime president. This nation, to mark the more than 34-hundred Americans that have been killed for his war in Iraq. And any talk of supporting the 162,000 troops still serving in Iraq -- by bringing them home -- is on indefinite hold with tonight's signing of the war funding bill by President Bush.

The Intelligence: So much for his having credibility because he "reads the intelligence". A newly-released report: almost everything that happened in Iraq after we invaded -- the insurgency, the economic chaos, the rise of Al Qaeda -- was predicted by the CIA before the war...and the President knew it.

ODDBALL: a shocking theft, committed by an elderly woman on a motorized scooter -- caught on tape! ... Plus, when stage diving goes bad and the newest coolest gadget of the week.

"A Mighty Heart": Countdown brings you NBC's Ann Curry's exclusive interview with Angelina Jolie, who is playing the role of Marianne Pearl, the widow of slain journalist Daniel Pearl.

Out with a Bang: There's a reason why very few TV companies let hosts stay on their live shows even after they've announced they're leaving. Rosie O'Donnell's tenure on "The View" comes to an end, three weeks early.

WORST PERSON IN THE WORLD: Senator John McCain has missed more votes than anyone other than Tim Johnson, who is recovering from a brain hemmorage... Fred Thompson is the possible new face in the '08 campaign, too bad he's using the same old fear tactics as everyone else... and former Undersecretary of Defense Douglas Feith did not just use bad intel in the march to war with Iraq, he's now accused of simply making some of it up.

One Shining Moment : Is our long National nightmare over? Not yet. It's time for the season recap of American Idol, Our retrospective on the finest that this season of Idol had to offer. It's a very short retrospective.

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Comments

WHERE WAS THE STORY ON KING BUSH'S NEW DICTATORIAL POWERS?? Plenty of time for crap, but not on stuff scaring us crapless. Enough already of Angelina, Rosie and Idol.

Sue; West Allis, Wisconsin (Sent Friday, May 25, 2007 9:07 PM)

Where's the Beef?

David - IN (Sent Friday, May 25, 2007 9:14 PM)

I for one think that what the Democrats did was a stroke of genius! First you flex your muscles and try and make the other guy look like he is stubborn. Then you say you have done every thing possible (without taking ownership). You let your presidential candidates vote against the bill (now they can say they were apposed to it and thought it was wrong!) And lastly you continue to "try" but that nasty old President still won't corporate. Talk about having your cake and eating it to! The Dems have done it all! Accept for what the people asked them to do .......

Gerald Von Riesen (Sent Friday, May 25, 2007 9:30 PM)

They [the administration] weren't trying to prevent an Iraqi civil war. THEY WERE HOPING FOR ONE in order to destabilize the region and gain the excuse they need for an even broader war with IRAN. Just think for a minute. Iraq was a nation WIDELY known for tremendous sectarian tensions. For them to know this and yet only send 150,000 troops (not even enough to fill two stadiums) to secure a country the size of California, was not a lack of planning, it was - to me - an outright attempt to give sectarian tensions the green light to escalate. After the very first bombing, an Egyptian newspaper even accused the U.S. of being responsible by saying 'divide and conquer' was the goal of ALL such colonial actions. The Iraqi civil war, which the neocons could only lay awake dreaming about at night, has now, unfortunately, methodically worked its magic and has given us all the excuses we need for us to stay in Iraq or the excuse we need to expand the war and attack Iran and Syria, which has been the goal all along. Also unfortunately, everyone takes this administration as just plain stupid and doesn’t believe they could be so divisive as they indeed are.

Author Chris Eldridge, Harrisburg PA (Sent Friday, May 25, 2007 9:54 PM)

Mr. Olbermann, your world's worst person tonight is a prime example of why we should never politicize this process. I talked to a former Intellegece officer who told me that ninety percent of the time, their intel is spot on, but politicians and soldiers with axes to grind manipulate it, or even ignore it. He told me about how he would patiently explain that X Terrorist had been in that building three months ago, but he wasn't there now. The officer still ordered the bombing of a building that had no connection to the terrorism. It's appauling what people are doing with the intellegence that is there. Too much of what is going on is to give a song and dance routine so that we support a war that has killed more Iraqis than Saddam Hussein ever did. (Saddam Hussein killed approximately 30,000 Iraqis in his entire reign. Imprissoned a lot more, but only about those were wantonly killed for political reasons. So far, the US has killed around ten times that or more. The Iraqi government refuses to track those statistics.)

Bridgette Beneshe, Brunswick, GA (Sent Saturday, May 26, 2007 12:09 AM)

How much, if any, of the NIE estimate from January, 2003 was available for review by members of Congress or the media? My guess is that it was only for members of the Intelligence committees, who are pledged to secrecy and not allowed to reveal the contents of these reports. Am I correct? The vote that gave the President the authorization to go to war occurred in October, 2002. Obviously, Kerry, Clinton, and other Dems who voted in favor of the authorization were under the impression that the president would consider and act on new, updated intelligence such as this. Equally obviously, they f**ked - they trusted this President. The decision to go to war was made long before the October, 2002 vote and was not going to be changed. The authorization vote was little more than a political tool that the GOP could use to club Democrats as 1) Saddam sympathizers if they voted against; or 2) complicit in the decision to go to war, if they voted in favor. Either way, in the short term, the Dems would lose.

Bob W, Chicago (Sent Saturday, May 26, 2007 12:51 AM)

Re: >> "A Mighty Heart": 'Countdown brings you NBC's Ann Curry's exclusive interview with Angelina Jolie, who is playing the role of Marianne Pearl....' I hated that interview. Ann Curry seemed to be staring Angelina down. She didn't let up, even after Angelina complained that the interrogation was making her nervous. The bigger question is why does Keith waste his precious hour on celebrity fluff? Keith is the only guy on Big TV who confronts the right-wing lunatic-fringe morons and comes out on top every time. If the empty suits in management order him to cover American Idol and celebrity scandals, then give him another hour. I'll watch the first hour on politics and government. The kids can watch the second hour, on who fathered Anna Nicole's baby, who fathered Tom Cruise's baby, Sequin, and what is Rosie O'Donnell's testosterone level? I have no time for the escapades of entertainers: pop musicians, actors, athletes, and their celebrity scandals. I watch Keith O. for his serious political disclosures and interviews with respected commentators. Celebrities be damned.

alan barlow, Seattle WA (Sent Saturday, May 26, 2007 4:05 AM)

keith, you know i love ya, but a 10 minute interview with angelina jolie??? first of all, i dont care what she thinks. she's a bloody actor. and second, ugh, ann curry, and her cloying, treackly, vapid interview style, making the most inane thing sound serious. pa-tooey. i turn her off on the today show, and i turned her off on countdown last nite. it appeared that she was being interviewed about playing marianne pearl, not about what happened to daniel pearl. PLEASE! if you need time to fill on a friday, how about a weekly wrapup on that week's high points. there were plenty this week. and why no discussion of that executive order -- albeit sponsored by a kook who swiftboated Kerry - but some truth within... scary truth. you could have had john dean on to discuss that, and if it is an overblown piece of nonsense, well, your pundits could blow the lid on that.... and, al gore has a new book out, and i hope you cover it next week. one of his points is that we've blurred the line between news and entertainment, and have dumbed down our electorate....dont add to that keith, you're smarter than that!!! Countdown is the smartest news program on tv today, dont cave in to the lowest common denominator of news programs. a couple minutes of keeping tabs - ok, funny and not important, but the point is that it ISNT important. but 10 minutes of angelina jolie is 9 minutes too much for countdown viewers. keep fighting the good fight. i know, even edward r murrow interviewed celebrities. but ann curry is hardly murrow.keep her off your program. bleah. just my humble opinion.

Barb G, albany ny (Sent Saturday, May 26, 2007 9:46 AM)

Tim Johnson ought to resign since he cannot fulfil his senatorial duties.

Bill, SD (Sent Saturday, May 26, 2007 10:25 AM)

Keep pounding the drum, Sue! I want to hear more about King Bush, the Man Who Would Be Dictator for Life, than I do about Angelina Jolie and how "tough" it was for her to portray Marianne Pearl. Excuse me...I think it was more difficult to BE Marianne Pearl than it could ever be to play her in a movie.

Tru M., Cleveland, Ohio (Sent Saturday, May 26, 2007 11:08 AM)

Re: Blank Check, No Balances: It is tragically apparent that America's alleged two party system is the biggest lie of all. At this point, there's scarce difference between the two, as neither party honors the will of the American people. Party agendas are determined by Big Business, as are most of the candidates. Thus, we're left with a bunch of corporate employees masquerading as "public servants." What if we collectively refused to re-elect any incumbent? Cut the corporate cords, so to speak. Could we reinvigorate representative government? Could we reclaim our country?

Kitty Connell, Nederland, Colorado (Sent Saturday, May 26, 2007 11:29 AM)

Is it not an impeachable offense to deliberately mislead the public? Up until the release of this CIA info, Bush and Co. could have said they didn't know all of this was going to happen. But they knew very well what would happen and stuck with their plans anyway. Damn you Mr. Bush. I am so sick of these lies.

Chad, Madison, WI. (Sent Saturday, May 26, 2007 12:38 PM)

I think it is sad that some American people and politicians don't get the importance of linking together to winning this war. This is not a PS3 game that you can reset and start over. Once we voted to be committed let's stop trying to change our minds about how committed we are to winning it. The soldiers that gave up thier lives deepend on politicians with a back bone. If you can't take the heat "get out of the kitchen" I support President BUSH!

Bryan F, Cleveland, OH (Sent Saturday, May 26, 2007 1:35 PM)

Another lightweight topic, cause I'm tired of roaring radicals of either sort: Thanks for mentioning the late Lindsey Nelson in your lead-in to Oddball. Down here in East TN we have very fond memories of General Neyland's handpicked Voice of the Vols. Our farm team's stadium is even named for Nelson. (However, must admit that his loud jackets never quite caught on. One of his successors, though, the legendary John Ward, was consistently on the list of the best dressed men in Knoxville, probably because he didn't adopt Lindsey's signature look.) Thanks again; we still miss Lindsey, and always will.

KT, TN (Sent Saturday, May 26, 2007 2:09 PM)

Even the mighty is susceptible to believing their own blather on occasion. And sadly, Keith, you have fallen into that old trap. While I absolutely love your special comments, I must take exception to your most recent "The entire government has failed us on Iraq." The confusion in our government reflects the confusion in the electorate. While the consensus view supports pulling our troops out of Iraq, a majority of Americans oppose defunding the war. Last November, the electorate delivered slim Democratic majorities, but almost all of the new seats were from conservative states or districts. The Democratic leadership stuck it in the President's eye for as long as they reasonably could. Had they not finally delivered the war funding, they would have been buried in Memorial Day celebrations across the country. So instead of bringing your considerable angst against the Congressional Republicans who continue to withhold enough votes to override the President's veto, you choose to bury the Democratic leadership for failing to end a war they did not start, nor had the votes to override a veto, nor were able to defend defunding through inaction in their own Congressional districts and states. Why are we on the Left so anxious to eat our own? Herein lies a possible explanation for the birth of conservative popularism, an intellectual oxymoron.

Kevin Howard, Peoria, Arizona (Sent Saturday, May 26, 2007 2:16 PM)

Well said Bob. Jeez I thought I was cynical!

Bill Rochester NY (Sent Saturday, May 26, 2007 2:34 PM)

I think your special comments are right on the money, even tho in this case, it's like yelling down a rat hole. Not that pressure on the Dem's should let up. Au contraire! Keep it up. But the reality lies in the numbers! The Dem's just don't have the numbers to override "Imbie". Perhaps after the '08 elections. But until then we just can't cut the monies for the kids fighting HIS war! THAT's the REAL reality! We're sadly trapped by the already announced plan that the coward - checked his military record . . . the REAL one . . . lately - the MORAL coward who has already said that his successor will have to worry about getting those kids out of Iraq. He just won't admit that this travesty and tragedy was a mistake! Expecting him to do otherwise would be akin to expecting Cheney to support Hillary in '08.

Marty Winner, Boynton Beach, FL (Sent Saturday, May 26, 2007 3:39 PM)

EVIL PURE EVIL that is what this administration is about. they don't care about the will of the american people. this evil group of criminals in the white house must be not only be stopped but punisheed for their abuse of power and destruction of the constitution of the united states. its so sad those evil bast_rds don't care one bit. they know they can't be stopped without 67 votes in the senate and are sure that their heavy handed RNC run by rove will keep the minimum of the gop senators in line. menwhile are kids die in iraq and the liars in the wh keep sounding the same fear mongering lies to scare the%28 of those surveyed believing. this group doesn't care. they will and have done everything up their sleeve to get their way. jail is the only accepteble outcome for this gang.

g arce, tucson, az (Sent Saturday, May 26, 2007 9:01 PM)

Re: Out With A Bang--I understood Rosie to mean Bush and his administration when she said, "Who are the terrorists?" When attacked by FOX and others for calling the troops terrorists, she clarified what she meant, when she shouldn't have had to. It was obvious she meant Bush. When Rosie asked Ms. Hasselbeck who she thought she was calling terrorists, Bush or the troops, Ms. Hasselbeck refused to answer. Rosie was also correct in calling her a coward. Fire Hasselbeck, and get a conservative on that show that actually has the courage of her convictions!

R. Northern California (Sent Sunday, May 27, 2007 8:43 AM)

Yes, the Democratic leadership (and the more calculating candidates) failed spectacularly to represent the electorate. But when they try to spin it as a triumphant beginning and claim they will never give in, it is becoming clear that they also have no "Plan B".

Andy Hornick (Sent Sunday, May 27, 2007 11:53 AM)

#1. Dubya is still the #1 American Idol to the 29% of Americans who Idolize him. #2. Well, once they announce, they turn into 'Potty-Mouths', don't they? #3. Angelina? Huh? When's she gonna do 'Midnight Cowgirl'? #4. Dubya don't want nobody tuh call him part of the 'in-tell-uh-JENTZ-ee-uh'. #5. Don't let nobody say he don't. Dubya supports the troops. The Blackwater Troops.

Steve Turner Cedar Falls Iowa (Sent Sunday, May 27, 2007 1:13 PM)

For what it's worth: '(a) Ensuring the continued functioning of our form of government under the Constitution, including the functioning of the three separate branches of government;'

Jamie, Chula Vista, CA (Sent Sunday, May 27, 2007 5:23 PM)

Oh.. I can't wait until until tuesday's program. I hear the number three story is all about Lindsay Lohan. Time to break out the popcorn!

David, In. (Sent Monday, May 28, 2007 12:09 PM)

When I informed my family the other day of Bush's secret signing of a document that would give him dictatorship powers in times of well... what ever he thinks is an emergency, yeah, they complained and then went right back to watching their comedy movie. Ignorance may be bliss but INACTION is so much better! You get to complain and feel as if you alone stand for what is right, but in the end do nothing but capitulate. Thinking everything will be just fine by January of '09 is like patently listing to the band as the Titanic Sunk beneath the waves. Glug... Glug... Glug...

Chris Eldridge, Harrisburg PA (Sent Monday, May 28, 2007 12:13 PM)

For what it's worth, I had stopped watching THE VIEW long before Rosie O appeared on the scene, and the reason I stopped was Elizabeth Hasselbeck. I stopped watching when she replaced Lisa Ling. There is nothing more disgusting than a smug, self-righteous neocon bimbo who talks like a baby doll, dresses like a slut, and thinks with her ovaries.

KT, TN (Sent Monday, May 28, 2007 12:34 PM)

Ok, to everyone who is going 'OMG- the two party system is broken, just look at what the Dems did!'. It's back to Civic/Poli-Sci 101. Sigh. . .people in India know this, why don't Americans? Ok, the Constitution is VERY clear on this subject. The Congress passes laws it sees fit to, and the President vetoes or signs them. If Congress is still adamant about passing a law, they can override the veto by a two-thirds majority. What happenned here was just that. Bush vetoed the law and Congress did not have the votes to override it. Congress did not even have enough Democratic votes to reintroduce the same bill again. So, Congress got the shaft. (All of this, btw, was explained by one of Olbermann's guests). If anything, the two party system is working too well. People in the middle don't have a voice, and thus the extremes run the parties. This means that neither side is willing to compromise and every single bill becomes a staring contest to see who's side blinks first. Thus, while many Moderates might feel the need to vote against their party, they won't because they'll get punished by their leadership. Sorry this had to be a hard lesson, but look, this passed bill cost Bush a lot. It was, in essence, a Pyrrhic victory. He had to give up his party's positions on the minimum wage, as well as a host of other issues important to the Dems that he was threatening to veto. So, strictly politically speaking, Bush won on this tiny little thing of no time tables, and lost on a lot of other issues. *(for those who do not know, a Pyrrhic victory is where one looses more in victory than the other side in their defeat. It is a reference to King Pyrrhus of Epirus who suffered greater losses in winning against the Romans than the Romans did in their defeat.)

Bridgette Beneshe, Brunswick, GA (Sent Monday, May 28, 2007 1:07 PM)

Barb G. I hate to say this this way, but you may actually want to know what Angelina Jolie has to say. She seems to be one of the few people on this planet who knows how to build up a nation without throwing money at corrupt politicians. Yes, the interview about Daniel Pearl wasn't really that important, but the stuff she has done is. This is a woman who realized that the best way to help the people in the poorest parts of Cambodia was not to hand them a wad of $100 bills, but to hand them a cow or two. The cow provides milk and fertalizer which has helped to improve the living standards of those people in the remotest parts of that nation. She has tirelessly worked to try and get attention focused on Darfur, only to have the Republican Congress shaft her efforts by not funding what they passed. She's donated large chunks of her earnings to helping the poor by getting them the supplies the need to improve their lives rather than handing them money that they can't spend, or worse, handing that money to a corrupt political machine. You know, she isn't just some dumb Hollywood type snorting cocaine and drinking all the time like Lindsey Lohan or Paris Hilton. Instead, this is a woman who has tried to use her popularity to improve the lives of those less fortunate. Incidentally, the movie about Pearl is one of the last films she's making before taking a long hiatus from film making so that she can concentrate on her family and upon her charities. I'm sorry for being so strong about the statements here, but she is far more of an important person than most would think. All most people see is the garbage in the tabloids. I just wish that people would ask her questions that relate to her work than to her personal life.

Bridgette Beneshe, Brunswick, GA (Sent Monday, May 28, 2007 1:16 PM)

The ratio of our Iraq KIA's to our Afghan KIA's, is roughly ten to one. 3425 to 325. Osama Bin Laden is in Afghanistan. Anybody Suicidal is in Iraq. Dubya has chosen to put most of our troops with the latter bunch. I think I know why.

Steve Turner Cedar Falls Iowa (Sent Monday, May 28, 2007 1:41 PM)

Yes, Tru from Cleveland, I'm going to keep on banging the drum for the "dictator story" and at the same time directing all of you to another story - probably the REAL reason that Monica Goodling really was pleading the 5th on her testimony. Her testimony made world news except here, of course. Read about it at ..... http://www.gregpalast.com/the-goods-on-goodling-and-the-keys-to-the-kingdom/ .... In a sense not at immediately scary as King George declaring himself as dictator, but scary in that these techniques were to steal at least 2 previous elections and are in place better than ever for the 2008 election. Remember Tom Delay was the guy talking about a "permanent Republican majority" and they are making it so (all they need is a president with the veto pen to ensure that what the president wants is what the country gets). Sad but true. Wish I had better news for all of you.

Sue; West Allis, Wisconsin (Sent Monday, May 28, 2007 2:09 PM)

Barb G and Others, Keith thanks for the Angelina Jolie interview,she has probably done more for the betterment of mankind in the past six years than Bush,his cronies,and lot of folks bitching on here will do in a lifetime. She gives 1/3 rd of here salary to charitable works,and folks like Kieth O,Clooney,Martin Sheen,Michael Moore,Jimmimy Carter,because of their voice to bring social awareness to issues we who care get to be heard.I am kind of glad they are there to beat the drums of awareness.It's okay to join some volunteer organization(ONE) in your neighborhood and to be of service to others.You know some of you all who were bitching about that interview take some positive action instead of words,words,words.Lighten up.As far as Bush,Rove,Cheney his cronies and the Congress they would do well to go some trash bags and trash tongs and pick up paper, cigarette butts, beer cans, around the Mall and Washington DC. Bring home the Troops and do the Job they were elected to do and stop putting off people with those damn comment lines. For the politicians they could be of more service to the Country picking up cigarette butts in D.C. They don't listen to the electorate and are worthless.Yes thank you Angelina,Brad,George Clooney,and the lady over at Francis house in Sacramento,who every day serves others so they may be served.Folks who wash dishes in soup kitchens and work with alcoholics and addcict do Way more than The Clowns of Power ever do,Give me more Clowns of God and we will be all right as Clarence Jordan said through the 9 inning and extra innings if needed.

B. A. Buddusky (Sent Monday, May 28, 2007 6:38 PM)

Wartime president?!? What a joke!!! REVOLUTION IS THE SOLUTION!!!

George Warmonger (Sent Monday, May 28, 2007 9:49 PM)

Bryan F, Cleveland, OH (Sent Saturday, May 26, 2007 1:35 PM) Yeah Bryan, you keep supporting or Bush-thanks.:( I haven't supported that moron from day 1, and I never will. I'm living in that kitchen Bryan, and guess what? The heat of the fire will be turned up for my family AGAIN, starting this Friday! 'We' didn't commit to anything. Please keep my brother and SIL, not to mention my nephew, in your thoughts and prayers, and hope that they make it home to us safe and sound. Get it Bryan? THAT is MY kitchen! PEACE!

Jamie, Chula Vista, CA (Sent Tuesday, May 29, 2007 1:04 AM)

Revoution like in Hugoland? Bet the people who backed Hugo now are quaking in their shoes. Danny Glover and the rest of you nitwits, is this what you want? Is this the futue of the democratic party in America? I don't need to know what Joilee is saying, I get it every week when my wife buys the Star and the other rag mags.

jerry/corpus christi texas (Sent Tuesday, May 29, 2007 12:02 PM)

angelina may be a good person, a doo-gooder.... but sorry, her input just doesnt warrant a 10 minute prime time interview on a program that needs every minute to get out the more important messages about democracy, and saving our government, if that is possible. maybe if someone serious were interviewing her. no, no, i just didnt want to hear from her. sorry, but she falls into my 'who cares' category.

Barb G, albany NY (Sent Tuesday, May 29, 2007 12:28 PM)

Countdown should know that the only connection Bush might ever get to "intelligence" is to "read" it. It might help if the book wasn't upside down, however.

Bonnie, Madison (Sent Tuesday, May 29, 2007 1:33 PM)

Slightly off topic but just wondering why the main stream media is not picking up the story of Bush's signing of the National Security Presidential Directive on May 9th! It seems our Decider has signed a directive stating that HE should be given extraordinary powers in the event of a "national emergency" (what qualifies for an emergency can be determined by the WH). This directive, although very similar to the Homeland Security directive circumvents any Congressional oversight! Read about it here: worldnetdaily.com/news/article.asp?ARTICLE_ID=55825 If you don't think this Administration is geared up for an end run, the time has come to THINK AGAIN! Where is the media and public outrage over this? In a time of emergency do we want THIS man making decisions with no oversight or restraint?

Bobby D, West Islip, NY (Sent Tuesday, May 29, 2007 2:18 PM)

Bryan in Cleveland is apparently inacapable of distinguishing how one can be supportive and committed to a war on terror yet not be supportive and committed to this administration. Until people like Bryan can learn to separate their blind loyalty to a foireign policy that has failed miserably under this administration and to learn to think out of the box as to how one fights such a war, he will go on thinking this administration is right on target and then blame those who disagree when Iraq becomes a total failure. Unfortunately for Bryan, this blind obediance to Bush has shut down the thought process called common sense which would have enlightened him to the fact that this conflict was doomed from the beginning. Not because many Americans no longer support this policy, but simply because it was doomed from the beginning. So those of us who do not support this administration and this conflict will go on taking our hits, especially when our kids come home and Iraq is left a dirty, filthy mess filled with warring factions, further death and destruction. It will be our fault. Those of us who have not and do not support the manner in which this war on terror is being fought will be the reason that we fail in Iraq. So-be-it Bryan. Now leave us alone. Thanks

C A, Tuscaloosa, AL (Sent Tuesday, May 29, 2007 3:25 PM)

To: Bryan F, Cleveland, OH (Sent Saturday, May 26, 2007 1:35 PM)... Yes, Bryan, over 34 hundred US soldiers know now, for a fact, that Iraq is not a PS3 game. That's part of the point. WE shouldn't have been dragged into a war without properly THINKING about it. War is not a game. Death is not a game. Given the recent revelation about the CIA reports on estimated post-invasion Iraq problems, it seems Bush & Co. weren't too concerned with bi-partisanship for the good of the USA when they withheld this information from us... The only ones who think this is a PS3 game seems to be the White House... It appears that if they indeed gave the potential outcome some thought, they ignored common sense and reason along the way... How do you not realize this, Bryan? Is self-righteous pride really that blinding? Are you that obsessed with beating your chest that you missed the hypocrisy of your own words?

DaveB, Huntsville, AL (Sent Tuesday, May 29, 2007 3:38 PM)

By the way, back in the day having a "back bone" meant not only being man enough to stand up for what's right, but to stand up and admit when you've made a mistake and then making amends. So far, up until last week, the Dems were the only ones showing a true "back bone" (albeit, Bush has had many a chance blow past him)... Unfortunately, now it looks like you could swap out Capital Hill with the invertebrate section at the local zoo without skipping a beat...

DaveB, Huntsville, AL (Sent Tuesday, May 29, 2007 3:39 PM)

For the record, Bridgette Beneshe, Brunswick, GA (Sent Monday, May 28, 2007 1:16 PM) is right. Angelina Jolie is one of the few celebrities out their who actually has a soul... Regardless of her acting career, everyone could learn something from her humanitarian efforts. Or at least they should...

DaveB, Huntsville, AL (Sent Tuesday, May 29, 2007 3:42 PM)

Will your blog be updated soon?

Countdown Fan (Sent Tuesday, May 29, 2007 4:20 PM)

Bridgette - I respect your opinion of Angelina Jolie; however her "morality" is a far cry from decency in a human being. Her behavior resulting from her affair, which was deplorable, showed her blatant disregard for the feelings of another human being, the "wife". Being the public figure she is, she acted despicably!! She went out of her way to give the “in your face” as often as she could. She can do her good deeds all she wants, as I do believe she assists many; however, I will NEVER have one ounce of respect for how she behaved, in addition to handling a delicate situation, which she placed herself squarely in the middle of. I am a firm believer that everyone has the right to be happy in their lives; however, one should try to take the moral high ground when causing such destruction in the life of another. Sorry, Bridgette, she can give, give, give until she is blue in the face; I will NEVER have ANY admiration for her OR the biological father of her baby, Brad Pitt!! And PLEASE DON’T blame the tabloids, the behavior of these two was more than appalling and shameful both during and after the filming of their movie!!

Pam Bignardi, San Pedro, California (Sent Tuesday, May 29, 2007 4:42 PM)

Bridgette Beneshe, Brunswick, GA...."OMG- the two party system is broken".. Thank you for lecture on Govt 101. The idea here was to SAVE LIVES not the Texas goverment two step and hat trick.The President could have used his veto pen until it ran out of ink and still not had what he wanted.You seem so naive,try contacting your Congress Person and see who runs Washington.Then head on over to "K" Street put a couple down payments,with millions in your Lobby Firm, for a campaign contribution and if it's enough they will chit chat with you.No my dear color anyway you want to this was the old stab in the back that will cost more of those lives you wisely quote and votes come next election.Thank's for the Govt 101 lesson though,welcome to reality.

B. A. Buddusky (Sent Tuesday, May 29, 2007 5:37 PM)

Pam, from your comments I can tell one thing. You believe all the tabloid rubbish that has been pushed about her. From what I understand from other non-tabloid sources is that Jennifer Aniston was having an affair long before she and Brad Pitt broke up. Stop acting like she's the one who broke up a 'wonderful' marriage where everything was light and goodness. Unless you are a close personal friend of them, don't judge what happened, and don't condemn someone for something that you know, maybe, a tenth of the situation. Close to 100% of the garbage sent at us by the tabloids has little or no basis in reality. I'm sorry to break it to you, but the tabloids loved this because they could portray Jennifer Aniston as the victim of the 'harpy' Angelina Jolie who came sweeping in and broke her 'wonderful' 'happy' 'hollywood' marriage to Brad Pitt. What's more, these were the same tabloids that had been predicting that the Aniston and Pitt were at each others throats, that he wanted kids and she refused, that they were barely civil with each other, and that they were having affairs behind each others backs. Sorry, but wake up and smell the manure that the tabloids are spreading about everyone. What ever happened, be it wrong or right happened, but unless you personally know their story, don't judge.

Bridgette Beneshe, Brunswick, GA (Sent Tuesday, May 29, 2007 8:00 PM)

Scooter Baby is Vice President Dick Cheney's chief of staff and he is going to be sentenced to as many as three years in prison for perjury. The wolves are knock, knock, knocking at the door and Gonzalez has to have pissed off at least a fleet of real lawyers at Justice and I hope they keep gathering heads. There was no great victory in watching Nixon's head chopped off in the village square because he was such a pissant maggot and created such pain, people were just happy he had been put out of his misery. The same with Junior Oil Boy, the chemically bombing maniac from Crawford. When he is finally dragged screaming across the South Lawn by the Public Will, there will be no great rejoicing, just the slow, inevitable process of trying to put this country and world back together again after the control room was ravaged by a Republican madman from Big Oil fetchin up his legacy for Jesus.

Bob Pensacola (Sent Tuesday, May 29, 2007 8:03 PM)

"Slightly off topic but just wondering why the main stream media is not picking up the story of Bush's signing of the National Security Presidential Directive on May 9th!" Bobby, I think the plan is to just ignor him and hope he quietly goes away. ...a fatal mistake I would think given his overwheming pre-disposition to attack Iran and land us in another even more bloody war than Iraq. Perhaps the dems and the media are afraid to see how much power he really has? I repeat my claim that I hope to "MOVE" before we find out.

Chris Eldridge (Sent Tuesday, May 29, 2007 8:59 PM)

You know, I really don't give a damn about Angelina Jolie or what the tabs have to say about her. I'm real glad she's such a humanitarian and all, but let's be honest: her good-doing wouldn't be getting one smidge of attention if she wasn't a beautiful and famous actress, so please, let's not act like she's some saint, OK? There are plenty of people out there in the world doing good, but no one spent 10 minutes airing an interview with them. Could it be they didn't plump up their lips with enough collagen?

Tru M., Cleveland, Ohio (Sent Tuesday, May 29, 2007 10:20 PM)

Hopefully "W" will pull a Clinton and pardon MR Libby , just like Bill did with that criminal Dan Rostenkowski.

John, Phila (Sent Tuesday, May 29, 2007 10:44 PM)

No one in here really knows Angelina Jolie's heart so no sense in dicussing. However, if one is to look for the true heros of humanity it is those who do good works with the poor and needy of this world while sharing the same living conditions and circumstances of those they are assisting. These are also the people who seek no other form of personal fulfillment except by way of their total sacrafice to humanty. Sister Teresa comes to mind. She sought no publicity but brought the inhumanity of starvation and poverty to world attention by her good works in the same dunghills that she herself resided. She needed no other stage. If you believe in God then you must believe that this was a person who is now sitting next to Him and receiving all of His glory. Now I am not suggesting that Jolie lead the same kind of life, and although giving her some credit for helping the starving and the needy, it is easier when you know you can and will leave to take refuge in much more pleasent surroundings. Sister Tereasa was at home in the slums in all her glory. Her heart would not allow her to live any other way even if for a temporary period. When away in conference with the Pope her heart ached to return to her starving children. And that is the difference. I commend Jolie, I kneel ,bow with honor, respect and praise for Sister Tereasa.

C A, Tuscaloosa, Al (Sent Tuesday, May 29, 2007 10:56 PM)

C.A.my friend from Alabama, Amen to that brother. I commend MS. Jolie, I too,bow with honor to anyone who is of service to another in the spirit of altruism, respect and praise for Sister Tereasa.I see the Christ in the eyes of the troops who serve like your sons and those we see on the news,in the eyes of the pictures of the fallen souls of Ours and Iraqis who bear witness to how little power or control we have no matter how much we try to exert our will on other people how many surges we have or how much money we spend.What we have left is to do what we can do like the intention of Angelina,of the folks like Pitt who have supported her,of Clooney,but more important folks like you C.A ,Cindy,the Dorthy Day's who have gone out and stood in the trenches and felt the heartbeat of humanity without a thought of themselves.One on One like Jimmy Carter over in the Coast building homes pounding away with that hammer to bring shelter,and all those who give so much with so little. As far as Angelina her and Brad they can come over for Chicken at my place any time and bring the kids, my wife is from UT and is good with kids,you and Keith O. too.The place a little messy but the company is great I can feel my wifes cosmic bitch slap now for the invitation without asking but what the heck.Thanks for everyones great posts and thanks for Baseball,Countdown,and Keith.

B. A. Buddusky (Sent Wednesday, May 30, 2007 2:26 AM)

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