Good Thursday afternoon. OK...the nit-picky English professor is coming out in me. It's "privilege." SORRY! But, don't worry about it; I have to look it up all the time, and I'm supposed to know better! ;)

So, do we have a possible contempt of Congress citation down the road to look forward to for Turd Blossom? It sounds like it!

As far as our "esteemed" AG, I'm starting to believe that he might actually end up being some kind of sacrificial lamb for the administration and a way for Congress to look like they're actually being tough on someone; whether he is "eased out" by his boss or does the proverbial dive on a live grenade on his own is unknown. I base some of this on an interview I heard with Senator Joe Biden in hour #1 of today's DIANE REHM show. Senator Biden came right out and admitted that there isn't the will or the stomach in Congress for an impeachment battle over GW or our Dictator-Wanna-Be (GGGGRRRR....). I won't bore you all with the details of my personal reaction upon hearing that, but Congress is all over trying to kick Fredo to the curb. He thinks there's a much easier less time-consuming track to getting rid of Gonzales. So, like I've clumsily have tried to say, both sides win. The administration gets rid of an incompetent black eye, and Congress gets to look like they've exercised the "oversight" they should have been doing all along.

As usual, doing what's expedient wins over doing what's right. Ugh...

Maybe no one will notice I was a no show at the Judiciary Hearing today.

Karl Rove
Hiding from Subpoenas
In an undisclosed location
On an undisclosed email server
This email will self destruct

HERE'S THE INTELLIGENCE!!

IT'S ALSO REVEALS YET ONE MORE LIE, ONE MORE COVER-UP AND YET ONE MORE TIME GEORGE W. BUSH AND HIS ADMINISTRATION ARE ACTIVELY PROTECTING THEIR BUDDIES AT THE EXPENSE OF AMERICANS – THE SAUDI ROYAL FAMILY!!

NEW YORK For years, polls have shown that very large numbers of Americans continue to falsely believe that some of the 9/11 hijackers came from Iraq. In reality, the overwhelming number hailed from the land of a U.S. ally, Saudi Arabia.

Now it turns out that Saudi Arabia is also home to the largest number of so-called "foreign fighters" in Iraq, despite administration efforts -- aided by many in the media -- to paint Iran and Syria as the main outside culprits there.

The Los Angeles Times reports today that according to a senior U.S. military officer and Iraqi lawmakers, about 45% of all foreign militants "targeting U.S. troops and Iraqi civilians and security forces are from Saudi Arabia." Only 15% are from Syria and Lebanon; and 10% are from North Africa. This is based on official U.S. military figures made available to newspaper by the senior officer.

Nearly half of the 135 foreigners in U.S. detention facilities in Iraq are Saudis, he said.
"Fighters from Saudi Arabia are thought to have carried out more suicide bombings than those of any other nationality, said the senior U.S. officer, who spoke on condition of anonymity because of the subject's sensitivity," the Times' Ned Parker writes. "It is apparently the first time a U.S. official has given such a breakdown on the role played by Saudi nationals in Iraq's Sunni Arab insurgency.

"He said 50% of all Saudi fighters in Iraq come here as suicide bombers. In the last six months, such bombings have killed or injured 4,000 Iraqis.

"The situation has left the U.S. military in the awkward position of battling an enemy whose top source of foreign fighters is a key ally that at best has not been able to prevent its citizens from undertaking bloody attacks in Iraq, and at worst shares complicity in sending extremists to commit attacks against U.S. forces, Iraqi civilians and the Shiite-led government in Baghdad."

Yet hardly a word has been directed at Saudi Arabia (which also drew relatively little criticism after 9/11) by the White House and Pentagon. Some observers suggest the Saudis are happy to have militants leave, which alleviates some of the threats in-country.

"U.S. officials remain sensitive about the relationship," Parker explains. "Asked why U.S. officials in Iraq had not publicly criticized Saudi Arabia the way they had Iran or Syria, the senior military officer said, 'Ask the State Department. This is a political juggernaut.'

IMPEACH NOW!!

What a crock of Sh|t! A lie is purjury isn't it? I am so sick of it! It's looking like for sure it's all show! This however doesn't surprise me.. I'm just frustrated that all in all, they are just trying to appease us! If this goes any farther, and something is truely done that will surprise me! I hope they do!

Apparently and dreadfully there is a bridge for sale and it is not in Brooklyn but in Minneapolis. I hope that Mr. Bush will remember that Minneapolisians will not fire upon contractors who rebuild its infrastructure unlike Iraqis who will fire upon those same contractors in Baghdad. Something which Mr. Bush should take very special note!

no need to cover the bridge collapse.  there is already enough coverage of that. get back to the normal programming.  otherwise people loose focus of what's going on in washington

What Jim says

Krista, couldn't agree more.  

"No stomach" for impeachment???  I'm a defense attorney.  DOJ ALWAYS seems to have stomach enough to prosecute my clients.  Even the 84 year old man who sold his morphine prescription to supplement his inadequate SS, and the man who has hospice care and less than 6 months to live, dying from cancer.  Absolutely no discretion allowed.  Prosecute everyone & throw them in prison.  Just shows the inequality in the system once again.  Needless to say, I'm very disappointed in those weenies in Congress.  Politics drives all, whether its bridge repair, war or impeachment.

I found it fascinating that the FIRST public reaction from the WH re the Bridge was Snow-job proclaiming "its the state's responsibility!"  Don't blame us -- its someone else's fault!  Yet Ted Stevens got how many millions in federal funds to build his "Bridge to nowhere?"  

Canada is looking better and better......

Sid Blumenthal has a pretty godd article of why Bush will NEVER let Alberto go over on salon.com if anyone is interested.....

Jim I agree. It's a tragic thing that happened, I feel sorry for those hurt and killed. I don't want to seem I'm not sympathetic but they don't have to spend 24/7 on this. An update once in awhile is fine. There are bigger fish to take care of or we will not have to worry about anything else in this country.

I guess we all knew all of that already Krista, it was just the matter of Biden (or any one of those other cowards), coming out and saying it!  On one hand you have several Republicans denouncing Bush & Co-until it comes time to vote.  On the other, you have a bunch of Democrats that were elected because of or in spite of, the Republican congress, and they are a bunch of folks that have no plan on putting the money where their mouths are!

I hate to say I give up on our government, but I really do.  Those that have the intelligence and the fight in them, don't have the Beltway 'power', nor are they running for President-hence, the don't get noticed.  It's very sad.

We the people have spoken time and time again, and yet the school bully is still in power, doesn't play by the rules, and the principal lets him get away with it all.  Sigh!

Jim & Holly:  No offense, but this is just a note from the left side of the blog page-Countdown isn't just about politics-it's about news.  Although this thread is about the politics, that isn't the only news happening.

"So here it is. Covering the big news, the small news, medium-sized and irregular, The News Hole strives to bring everything you love or hate about Countdown to the internets.

Your feedback and hate mail is encouraged."

I'm sure no ditto head, but "what Jim and Holly said".

let's not take our collective eye off the ball for one minute with these guys.  They seem to know nothinng BUT all the tricks.

Hey, Res Ipsa Loquitor...your name is familiar to me... I believe I may have seen it in the writings of one Hunter S. Thompson, but I may be confused - easy to do to me these days. Is this week going as SLOOOWWWLLLYYY for anyone else as it is for me?! Any way, thanks for the kudos and good comments in your 2:49 pm post.

As the saying goes, whoever has the most toys (or $$$) wins...fat lotta good that does for us "normal" people.

My disgusted friend, Jamie (2:52 pm post), I know and understand what you mean about giving up on our government. I was thinking that today when I was signing and stuffing my latest round of letters to Congress. Why the f--- am I wasting time and spending money on all this?! I don't know; I'm going to keep going though and continue sending my letters. I think I've said this before, but I have to feel like I tried SOMETHING. Yep, I'm a naive doofus, but I'll be a naive doofus with a "clean" conscience.

""No stomach" for impeachment???  I'm a defense attorney.  DOJ ALWAYS seems to have stomach enough to prosecute my clients.  Even the 84 year old man who sold his morphine prescription to supplement his inadequate SS"
Sounds like your clients could use a better attorney.
Morphine that ends up in a teenagers arm is just as deadly no matter where it comes from.
If you client sold his morphine he apparently didn't need it as much as his doctor thought he did.

The Bridge to nowhere sounds like an expensive project, until you take into account just how many people have died in ferry accidents, more than a few of those in Alaska.
Cold water kills in minutes.

No one seemed to get bent out of shape when they built the causway through the Florida Keys.

Keith; please ask General Clark about his "third way"
plan for Iraq----outlined in statement before the House Armed Servcies Committee in July.
(that can be accessed at securingamerica.com)

thank you

I must respectfully disagree with statements on other threads that we must ignore the political landscape in deference to the injuries and loss of life in Minneapolis.  Sorry, but I can't and I won't.

We did that after 9/11.  So did the media.  And BushCo took full advantage of that to strip away our rights, establish a monarchy for himself, spend all our money, continue media consolidation, reduce or eliminate federal inspections and oversight, give no-bid contracts to political supporters, provide tax breaks to the richest of Americans and large corporations, turn our government into a partisan political machine, stifle dissent, start wars, and declare himself and his political operators above the law.

Never again.

I may be a little biased here, but the Minneapolis story is less than 24 hours old, and it is indeed a big deal here.

Don't get me wrong guys, I'm with most of the regulars here most of the time, but this seems to be a perfect example of why we should be angry with those in charge who are wasting lives over there while we literally falling apart at the seams.

Nard, your investigative reporting is great however your ability to understand your own information leads me to believe that there might just be a NOS leak some where in your trailer..Please have it checked for your own piece of mind. Of course there are factions from within Saudi Arabia that have their fingerprints all over the killings and turmoil in the M.E....THATS WHERE THE MONEY COMES FROM! Thats were business is done to fund the killers operations. (OBL?) HOWEVER...they are NOT connected to the Royal family OR the government of Saudi Arabia. If you have information to the contrary, lets see it. The Saudis are the 4th largest suppler of oil to the US, they are not stupid, they in no way would jeopardize this relationship for a few IED's. THINK!

Obama in 08, lets roll!

Why did Keith spend the ENTIRE HOUR covering the bridge collapse?  I can understand 15, 20 or even 30 minuted, but the whole hour!???

What perfect right-winged timing this had to prevent keith from focusing on the true tragedy occuring dailing in our nations capital.  Cause a well timed event to pre-empt Keith from exposing the corrupt underbelly of the bush administration...well you cannot cover up all the lies forever 'loyal bushies'.

Impeach em all!

Sue, West Allis, Wisconsin (Sent Thursday, August 02, 2007 3:21 PM)

ek, mpls, mn (Sent Thursday, August 02, 2007 3:34 PM)

Thank you!!

EK, You have to understand the mind of the FAR left! Never give up slinging S**T, because SOME of it will stick!

You're not a doofus Krista-you're doing what you think is right-keep on rockin' in our still, somewhat, freeworld.

I'm fortunate to have two people that really do try:  Barbara Boxer and Bob Filner, and try they do. I will keep supporting them, but they have an uphill battle.

The remedy for ME right now, is to print out a picture of the Dick and Bush and attach it to my new boxing/kickboxing bag and workout-it may not acommplish anything in DC, but it will make me feel a whole lot better.:)

Someone ask Senator Ted Stevens if he is ready to donate his #250-300 million for a bridge to nowhere to help repair some of the existing bridges that need maintenance before more of them come crashing down.

"No one seemed to get bent out of shape when they built the causway through the Florida Keys. "

That's because anybody not a moron knows there are quite a few more than 50 people living in the Florida Keys, which is exactly how many people Steven's "bridge to nowhere" was going to serve.

I do give you credit for not mentioning Sandy Berger though.

Sue, I'm with you. I think it's sinful that we have to keep our eyes on the D.C. ball all the time.
We shouldn't have to feel guilty about having to do this, but these reprobates will take and use anything they can to silence any criticism of any action or inaction they take.
They've neither earned nor deserved our trust.
Unlike the current administration we can & do manage to tackle multiple problems in our everyday lives.
My prayers go out to those who have lost their lives.

The bridge story is the most important story in America today because it can happen anywhere.  What all the bush tax cuts have done is shrink money for things republicans consider big government.  Things like inspectors, and infrastructure.  They have spent the last 6years privatizing everything they can and shifting federal expenses to states.  States cannot afford the federal highway system or the SCHIP program for childrens health care.  Americans need to decide what is worth paying for, a strong infrastructure and childrens health care or war and the private contracts that have left New Orleans a wreck and made a half dozen cronies wealthy.  

It is time to take the power of government away from people who don't believe in government.  

In my opinion, this IS the type of leader our country needs!!

Senator Obama does understand the catastrophes, devastation and trauma created by George W. Bush, he does understand our global morality is shattered, he does understand our credibility amongst the community of nations has been crushed, he does understand our brave men and women must never be betrayed and must removed from Iraq, he does understand how George W. Bush has created an atmosphere of arrogance, and finally, he DOES understand he needs "we the people" to accomplish his goals!!

A letter from Senator Obama:

“Dear Pam,

America must stop fighting the wrong war and start fighting the war we need to win:

After September 11th, we had a calling to write a new chapter in American history.

Americans were united. Our friends around the world stood shoulder-to-shoulder with us. We had the opportunity to devise new strategies, build new alliances, safeguard our values, and serve a just cause.

If only we had seized that opportunity.

Unfortunately, we did not finish the job against al Qaeda in Afghanistan. We did not capture or kill Osama bin Laden. And this administration drove us into war on the wrong battlefield with no appreciation of how many enemies we would create and no plan for how to get out.

Now, six years later, we are overdue for a major change of course in our foreign policy. America must stop fighting the wrong war and start fighting the war we need to win.

The next president must end the war in Iraq, refocus on Afghanistan and the Taliban resurgence, and pressure Pakistan to root out al Qaeda once and for all.

Most importantly, the next president must make sure that Osama bin Laden and al Qaeda’s core leadership are captured or killed. If Pakistan or any other nation won't act against bin Laden and his cohorts, we will.

Sign on to my plan and spread the word.”

I WISH YOU THE BEST OF LUCK SENATOR OBAMA!!

barackobama.com/newleadership

I do think that mentioning how the Bush administration is already shoving Gov. Pawlenty under the bus is worth mentioning.  Considering that he helped run his campaign in MN in the last election and gentlemanly stepped aside when the Veep wanted Norm Coleman to run for Senator instead of him, you would think that he would try to help out a fellow Republican Governor.  

Oh, that's right.  It's been rumored that McCain would have liked him for Vice-President.  Bushy doesn't like him, either.  

EK, my thoughts are with you and everyone affected by this horrific accident. I hope you or no one you know or care about were directly affected.

If I were in MN, I wouldn't be concerned about much else, either. Distance changes perspective; please don't interpret this statement to mean I don't care, but it's human nature, sadly, to compartmentalize and prioritize events.

Once again, my thoughts are with you.

The bridge collapse does not need to be covered on every news channel all day and all night. All too often, national cable news networks cover local news as if it affects all of us around the country. Whenever there is a car being chased by police, the national networks show it live. While the bridge event is a tragedy for Minneapolis, it does not need extended coverage on a national cable news network, let alone ALL OF THEM.

The current state of government in this country deserves more coverage and analysis than has already been given.

It's less disrespectful to be political on this page, than it was on the 'bridge' pages.  

Have at it.  And no Wayne TN, I still don't care what you think.

update please

Sue: No one is saying ignore the political landscape but it is just as ludicrist to blame only Bush and this administration for the bridge tragedy as it is for Michael Savage to blame the Dems for Justice Robert's seizure. Bridges, highways and other infrastructure issues nationwide, statewide and municipalwide have been neglected for years under both republican and democratic administrations who have failed to maintain the same due to poor money management policies. Sure, Bush and his administratiion could have pumped more money into these problems rather than into Iraq, but so too could have other administrations over the years versus their spending priorities. Additionally, repairs, replacements and the like are only as good as the contractors who are awarded the bids and we all know how both Republicans and Dems award such contracts, cronism and favors rather than to those who would ensure better quality of work. The poor maintenance of the infrastructure is not solely a Republican or Democratic issue but a problem that both political parties and administrations are responsible for. And that also applies to some Governors and Mayors. So one can certainly call Bush on this Iraq mess and many other issues where telling the truth and providing leadership appears to have evaded him and his administration, but to only blame Bush and just the current political lanscape for the poor infrastructure conditions in this country is just a bit unrealistic and over the top.

Krista Swisher, Indianapolis, IN (Sent Thursday, August 02, 2007 3:09 PM)
Krista, it's at least knowing you are trying and not giving up.. I've given up and then I think to myself, I have to try over and over again.
I feel in order to do anything we have to show these people we mean business by going September 15, for gawd sakes carpool or something tell friends that you know who feel as you do.. that's what we are doing, cause otherwise we couldn't do it by ourselves.. We have a right to be very angry, but still keep our wits about us.. Krista if it helps you then keep doing what you are. At least you are doing more than some are.. and if it all goes down, you can say I tried and should have a clear conscience! I know I will! Cheers Sweets!

Sue, West Allis, Wisconsin (Sent Thursday, August 02, 2007 3:21 PM)
KUDOS!!!

Pam, I can't express my appreciation enough for your informative posts!  I worked as a civilian contractor on a defense contract for the USAF from '86 through to '93 and was surprised to learn of the seething hatred the Saudi's have for the United States.  Whenever an Airman returned home from being stationed in Saudi Arabia they were all to a man, relating stories of the difficulties of living in a Monarchy.  They hate us, and it's not because of our "freedoms" it's because of a country called Isreal.  Don't misunderstand me I believe we should stand by Isreal (although some of their actions have left me shaking my head) because Isreal is a model of Democratic process in the Middle East.  In Saudi Arabia your phone calls are monitored, all mail coming or going is read and sometimes even censored.  Women are not considered equals, no wonder the Sauds and tbe Bush family are so close.  They have so much in common.  If we let these neocons keep grabbing unprecidented powers our phone calls we be monitored, oh wait, they already are, we are the ones going to be living in a Monarchy!  Oh yeah, you can't have booze in Saudia Arabia either.  No wonder those people are so pissed off.    

From my best source -- google and wikipedia.

Res ipsa loquitur is a legal term from the Latin meaning literally, "The thing itself speaks" but is more often translated "The thing speaks for itself". ...

On another note, I got my official email notification from Dow Jones.  

Dear Dow Jones Customer:

Dow Jones has some very exciting news to share. As you may have heard, Dow Jones announced Wednesday that its board of directors has agreed to a merger with News Corp. With a definitive merger agreement in hand, the next step is for all shareholders of Dow Jones to vote on the proposed merger.

One thing remains unchanged – our focus on you, our customer. Our business operations will continue as usual in the weeks and months ahead and your sales team will be communicating with you regularly with any new developments. Our global sales teams remain committed to being your advocates and advisors. We will continue to develop rich, award-winning, job-specific products to help professionals and organizations drive productivity, and therefore organizational competitive advantage, every day. These offerings, built on the indispensable content and technology assets of Dow Jones, will be further strengthened by the global reach and resources of the News Corp. franchise.

During and after the merger with News Corp. our goal is to continue to produce real benefits for you and your organization.  Our commitment to innovation and creativity is stronger than ever as we develop new ways to deliver the business news and information you need when, where and how you need it.

Over the last several months leading up to this acquisition, Dow Jones has garnered a lot of media attention. One message that has been highlighted in the press around the world is the unique value of premium business news and information.  Strategically, this merger positions Dow Jones for continued growth and further investment in our trusted business news and information products and services. Dow Jones customers base their business decisions in significant part on its reporting.  News Corp. and Dow Jones know well the journalistic and business rationale for retaining the highest standards of journalism for which Dow Jones is – and will continue to be – renowned.

I hope you share our enthusiasm about our merger.  Thank you for your business and continued confidence in Dow Jones.

As always, I welcome your comments via e-mail.
Best regards,

Clare Hart
President, Enterprise Media Group
Executive Vice President, Dow Jones & Company

"Clare Hart" <factiva1@factiva-us1.ed10.net>

my take -- renowned or infamous.  

Res Ipsa Loquitur:  "a thing that speaks for itself."  Love your screen name.  

Response to Wayne, TN 3:11pm post

Wayne post:

The Bridge to nowhere sounds like an expensive project, until you take into account just how many people have died in ferry accidents, more than a few of those in Alaska.
Cold water kills in minutes.

No one seemed to get bent out of shape when they built the causway through the Florida Keys.

My response:

If you had a clue you would be dangerous. Who do you think you are kidding? I normally refuse to have a battle of wits with an unarmed person, but you have tipped my hand. So here it goes, bend over and take it.

First of all, just because someone sells their prescription to pay for food and shelter does not mean they do not need it. It’s a little thing called survival, you can survive without morphine but you cannot survive without food. Even my 8 year old son knows that.

Second, if you look at the actual statistics for the "bridge to nowhere" it would replace a ferry that serviced a couple thousand civilians a year. The ferry only goes one place, to an airport that is mainly used for shipping goods and service personnel. So my thought is the companies that use it the most should pay for the bridge.
And if you look at how many people die from Ferry accidents you would see it is a minor risk, more people die from toxic waste dumped in our environment by the same companies that want us to pay for their bridge, so put that in your pipe and smoke it.

The bridge at Florida Keys services several thousand people every couple of hours. So you’re obviously biased and fact-less piece is wrong on so many levels that it isn't even funny. You are just like the administration, you take an one case, twist the facts so they meet your point of view, then tuck and run like the coward you are.

If you want I can destroy several other of your fantasies, just let me know what you think and I will gladly tell you why you are wrong.

I think people like you should be seen and not heard; children have more common sense than you do. When you look at "W" I bet you feel proud for having voted for him don’t you. That is so sad, do you actually believe the slop you spew, or are you smarter than we think you are.

One pissed Marine

Just want to mention that Keith's broadcasting during the bridge collapse coverage was stellar. I knew the man was smart and opinionated, but wow! I didn't realize how good he would be in a situation like that.

Sue, West Allis, Wisconsin (Sent Thursday, August 02, 2007 3:21 PM)We did that after 9/11.  So did the media.  And BushCo took full advantage of that to strip away our rights, establish a monarchy for himself, spend all our money, continue media consolidation, reduce or eliminate federal inspections and oversight, give no-bid contracts to political supporters, provide tax breaks to the richest of Americans and large corporations, turn our government into a partisan political machine, stifle dissent, start wars, and declare himself and his political operators above the law.
Never again.

I'll concur on that one.My posts haven't been coming up so maybe I have been censored.I'm okay by that . You guys and K.O. are much more articulate than I on any day of the week and Pam twice on Sunday.

I sure everyone has noticed this but one side of that bridge was different than the other.The before of the collapsed side looked lie it was weaker and only held in place by steel beams,where the  other side was both steel and concrete.The other side was probably a two way bridge at one time?I'm no engineer but you can see
they were working on the side that collapsed or why the porta potty in the middle of one span.

My Prayers go out to those Folks and their Families.
In the end we are all hurt when these things happen,the ones that are controllable and happen do to Insanity and Fear the compassion their is Heartfelt by us ALL as Well.

K.O. you did a fine job last night.

I have to listen to this and read scripts on the net and am glad you all are there.What the heck I was radio listener for many
years and my wife still reads to me.Trust me I am older than you but politically we are pretty much on the same page.

Jamie/Disgusted: Well I certainly know how you feel. I have said over and over again on this blog that the career politicians on both sides of the isle are either spineless, corrupt and/or owned by special interests. And I still contend there efforts to gain higher political office is based more on self-interest than other-interest (that goes for both republicans and dems). If other-interest some would go way out on a limb to be different and to truly take the chances necessary to represent what the people want and desire rather than playing to whatever group they happen to be speaking to at the time. If those seeking legal status here dont like the proposals on illegal immigration that a majority of Americans support then someone needs to have the guts to say this is the way it is going to be. If those who want to continue this Iraq conflict don't like the proposals to get us out of Iraq as most American's desire then that person needs to be able to say this is the way it is going to be. If the NAACP, Religious Right, AARP, NRA you name it organization are opposed to the direction of those policies that the majority of Americans feel is appropriate for our country then we need leaders and representatives with the guts and strength to tell these groups this is the way it is goin to be rather than playing to each group when speaking to them. But none do. Some have trhe moments but these turn out to be barks rather than bites. Many in here strongly support only the Dems and a few called trolls only support the Republicans. Unfortunately in both cases these folks just don't get it. Unless the entire process can somehow be changed and the common man / woman can have more say in our affairs we will continue to be under the poor and sel-interested representation of those with money regardless if Dem or Republican. Money talks and those with it run this country. I don't care what political party they belong too. I have been supportive of Bill Clinton and like him and even knowing that he fits this same mold as the rest, at least the man is able to talk and give good speeches and eulogies so he is interesting to listen too. I know those are not the core reasons one should have for supporting someone but hell, what else do we have. What else will we have. At least get someone in office that likes to fool around a little so we can giggle and talk about it at the water coolers the next day, who can play the sax fairly well on the Tonight show, does not have a damn dog named Barney, and who has that slick smile and can keep you fairly interested more then a quarter of the way through a State of the Union Address.

I stumbled across this by accident -- http://keitholbermann.org/ko_forum/  has any one else been to this site?  

I remember when Bill Clinton was savaged for his "parsing" of the word "is". Now, we have an Attorney General who is "parsing" what he was discussing with the select senate committee. "Parsing" is a political attribute whether a democrat or republican engages in it. So, who has stooped to the lows of Clinton cannot condemn the very fabric of that gesture if it is engaged by those who make such claims. Gonzales must go if any semblance of law is still maintained in this teetering lawless country, Specter!

Update: Bush is arming the Sunni in Iraq and selling weapons to the Saudis. I guess we've picked sides in the civil war.

We understand your impatience when the sight is not updated as frequently as you like, but the "update" comment doesn't help.  We update as often as we can and never leave comments intentionally un-posted.  If we haven't updated in a while it's because we're busy working on the show.  Thanks for your patronage and your patience.

Countdown team - in covering the bridge collapse, some nuances to consider:

In the debate about who's responsible, this is an interstate bridge, so it's not totally in the hands of local or state officials nor totally at their mercy for funding. States' DOTs have to qualify for Fed funds, so they may or may not have enough money to repair their infrastructure, and obviously king george has not invested in infrastructure (whether his predecessors did or not).

Also, while "user" taxes on gas, vehicles, tires, etc. are supposed to go to state DOT's construction and maintenance, many state legislatures have tapped transportation funds and swept their monies into the states' general funds. Illinois and Tennessee are two I know of for sure. Ask the governors how much money that could have been spent repairing crumbling bridges was spent shoring up medicaid programs.

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