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Countdown Tuesday: The War Tax

Posted: Tuesday, October 02, 2007 8:59 PM by Countdown
Filed Under:

Paying For The War: Amid reports tonight that the first State Department report about the alleged killing of Iraqi Civilians by Blackwater contractors, was written by a Blackwater contractor...A sobering conflation of the old Benjamin Franklin bromide about nothing being certain but death and taxes. Our fifth story on the Countdown: three Democrats proposing something that might actually stop the madness: an Iraq War... Tax. The burgeoning Blackwater scandal in a moment... First, the proposed answer to the President's four and a half year fraud, that the war in Iraq would pay for itself.

Doctor Limbaugh:  Rush Limbaugh caught doctoring the tape in which he called service-men critical of the war quote "Phony Soldiers"...the latest, plus Rachel Maddow...

ODDBALL:  The return of the foot in the smoker and artists living in a mall.

The Money Race: In the campaign for president... cash is king.  Except this year when it appears that cash... is queen.  Our third story.. the Countdown to 2008, and a surge of summer dollars for the leading Democratic candidates. Including a startling 35% fundraising leed  for one of them.

No Nukes: Democratic Presidential candidate Barack Obama has endorsed a plan to create a "world free of nuclear weapons," beginning by having the major powers reduce their own stockpiles and research efforts -- he says it, and sanctions, are the best strategy to deal with any possible nuclear threat from Irahnian President Ahmadinejad. And when the Republican National Committee tried to slap Obama around for it... it wound up kicking itself in the rear end. Our number two story on the Countdown: Iran and Satire... intentional and otherwise.

WORST PERSON IN THE WORLD: Pat Robertson, a certain large headed host of a Fox News show, and the Buffalo Bills football team vie for tonight's top honors.

The Brits Keep On Coming:   Just one day after losing physical custody of her kids... there's a chance Britney Spears may lose control... over the use of her likeness... in the worst possible way. As in, reportedly, a sex tape, which, according to her paramour -- quote -- "lasted for about 25 minutes and then we passed out." And her lip-synching was apparently way off.

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Comments

OJ – These blank posts are really starting to scare me.  I thought I was the mad one.

“Well!  I’ve often seen a cat without a grin,” thought Alice; “but a grin without a cat!  It’s the most curious thing I ever saw in all my life.”

Red Queen (Sent Wednesday, October 03, 2007 12:01 PM)

Man, am I depressed. The prez vetoed the SCHIP bill, continues to lie and be delusional about everything (Iraq, domestic spying and the economy) and we're living in a severely damaged nation. At least Keith is a voice of sanity (OK, with celebritard news too).

Stu Shiffman (Sent Wednesday, October 03, 2007 12:02 PM)

Keith, you need conservatives to boost your ratings. In the flesh. Get with it!
full moon (Sent Tuesday, October 02, 2007 10:29 PM)

Full Moon, my friend, I’m glad to hear you want to increase Countdown’s ratings.  I just can’t figure out why.  I mean, besides the fact that Billo and Rush are not nearly as much fun.  Any thoughts to share on that?

Anomaly (Sent Wednesday, October 03, 2007 12:09 PM)

Off topic from last night but hopefully to be covered tonight...GWB just vetoed the SCHP bill for health insurance for children. Sounds like some members of Congress need to get "creative" in crafting future appropriations bills or maybe ANY OTHER BILLS that may be heading to 1600 Penn. Ave.

So, let me get this straight...there's a spare $190 billion or so for Iraq but not a spare $35 billion for kids' health insurance. O....K....

Krista Swisher, Indianapolis, IN (Sent Wednesday, October 03, 2007 12:13 PM)

Not Sure if this is true.
I heared yesterday from a British Friend of mine that the Bullit Proof  BMW ordered by Tony Blair was delivered to him with 4 Illegal Alliens hiding inside of it??

Baha, Winter PArk, Florida (Sent Wednesday, October 03, 2007 12:52 PM)

George Bush is the worst thing to happen to the United States since the Civil War. The damage he has done to the country and it's people is a crime I hope it and they can recover.

tony tedaldi roatan Honduras (Sent Wednesday, October 03, 2007 12:54 PM)

Since we are paying way too much for private soldiers (contractors) to avoid having a draft which would surely have sunk Bush's re-election, how about if Bush makes a few sacrifices.

Maybe we could pay for the war if he would donate his salary back to the coffers.  Ted Kennedy does.

Maybe he could stay in the White House on weekends instead of spending the fuel to go to Camp David or Crawford every weekend.  

Perhaps he could stop his endless "chamber of commerce" type speaking engagements all about the country, although they do provide comic relief on Dubyaspeak.com.

Perhaps we could discontinue providing insurance benefits for Congressmen and Senators whose income exceeds $500,000 per year.  They can well afford their own private insurance far more easily than the people Bush wants to keep off SCHIP.

I welcome other suggestions.

Disgusted TX (Sent Wednesday, October 03, 2007 12:59 PM)

Please enough about Britney, A lot of selfish woman give up their kids. I don't see where she was really doing anything to try to keep custody. I don't see why she was ever a star. She was just a pretty girl that at one time could dance. I never thought she could sing. P.S. I love Countdown with Keith Olberman.

Lynette Huston (Sent Wednesday, October 03, 2007 1:00 PM)

Both Bill O'Reilly and Rush Limbaugh can certainly dish it out, but they can't take it.  When their comments are taken "out of context" they are up in arms, but they are the best at taking someone else's comments out of context.  Give 'em hell, Keith!

Connie, Denver CO (Sent Wednesday, October 03, 2007 1:24 PM)

The few times I watch O'Reilly's show-for amusement or lack of alternative programming-I find it very difficult to actually pay attention to him.  Instead I get distracted by the Fox news ticker running on the bottom of the screen.

S.Bolinger (Sent Wednesday, October 03, 2007 1:44 PM)

One advantage to starting impeachment proceedings against Bush/Cheney is that they will have no time to invade Iran.  

We should probably also include Condi in the process as well.  

And while the impeachment circus is going on, all the generals need to tell Gates that "invading/attacking/threatening Iran is off the table".  

If we keep it up for the rest of this term, maybe we can prevent them from 'dealing' with Iran.  

Carol, Long Valley NJ (Sent Wednesday, October 03, 2007 1:49 PM)

True Liberal (Sent Wednesday, October 03, 2007 11:46 AM)

True -- Do I detect sarcasm and irony in your post?  More tricks of the advanced liberal.  And no spelling mistakes.  You're making progress.  Well done.

Anomaly (Sent Wednesday, October 03, 2007 1:50 PM)

The Pointless Nightmare in Iraq ISN'T about oil.  Well, not entirely.  It's also about corporate profits;  enabling tax dollars to be shifted to military contractors' coffers.

BushCo, who can't give even a small salary raise to our own soldiers (or increase the hazardous duty pay), can earily afford to shell out 10 times as much to each mercenary plus another big bundle of bucks to their corporate employer.  Not only that, but allow them to recruit employees out of our own military - particularly our Special Forces, who have been extensively trained with taxpayer dollars.

We have the best government corporations can buy.

Taxpayer dollars -----> corporations -----> campaign donations to politicians who will continue to support corporate profit ------>  pro-corporation legislation -----> more campaign donations to corporate supporters ---> taxpayer dollars ----> corporations ---->  (continue the endless circle)

The circle needs to end.

The solution is public financing of campaigns so politicians will no longer need to kiss corporate or lobbyists butts to get cash to get elected.  They will need to run solely on their merits.

Sue, West Allis, Wisconsin (Sent Wednesday, October 03, 2007 1:51 PM)

Those that cannot fix problems are always the first to ridicule them
Steve in Arizona (Sent Wednesday, October 03, 2007 10:28 AM)

Believe me, Steve, I'm not ridiculing any problems -- the problems are deadly serious.  But as to fixing them, my suggestion is to study everything George W. Bush has done ... and then do the exact opposite.  I figure it couldn't hurt.

Anomaly (Sent Wednesday, October 03, 2007 1:55 PM)

It's time to upgrade from "Comedian" Rush Limbaugh to "Phony American" Rush Limbaugh.

Since the Senate is NOT outraged about lower ranking soldiers being "disgraced" with disgusting, derogatory names, it's time to put put the ex-Comedian into the Media Crock-pot, and put it on slow, slow cook.

John Stanley (Sent Wednesday, October 03, 2007 1:57 PM)

Larry, SC (10:39 AM Post): No Larry, Bill Mahr does not support the war in Iraq. Only those who support the war will be taxed to pay for it. Pony up Larry.  

C A, Tuscaloosa, AL (Sent Wednesday, October 03, 2007 1:57 PM)

Believe me, Steve, I'm not ridiculing any problems -- the problems are deadly serious.  But as to fixing them, my suggestion is to study everything George W. Bush has done ... and then do the exact opposite.  I figure it couldn't hurt.


Anomaly (Sent Wednesday, October 03, 2007 1:55 PM)

You would think it would be so easy

Steve in Arizona (Sent Wednesday, October 03, 2007 2:10 PM)

UPDATE AND MEDIATE THIS PROPOGANDATE

BAD T (Sent Wednesday, October 03, 2007 2:11 PM)

"Believe me, Steve, I'm not ridiculing any problems -- the problems are deadly serious.  But as to fixing them, my suggestion is to study everything George W. Bush has done ... and then do the exact opposite.  I figure it couldn't hurt.


Anomaly "

John Kerry tried that. He ridiculed our allies and fawned over our enemies.
So you admit you would have not deposed the Taliban?
You would not have captured or killed almost the entire pre 9/11 al-Queda leadership including those who actually planned the 9/11 attacks?
You would not have brought saddam to justice for his mass murders thats for certain.
You'd have done nothing to convince Libya to give up its nuclear program and rat out the AQ Khan proliferation ring.
Yep I bet theres a lot of things you'd have done the exact opposite of.

Wayne, TN (Sent Wednesday, October 03, 2007 2:15 PM)

Anomaly: kudos on the re-worked Macbeth.
Jan from CA (Sent Wednesday, October 03, 2007 8:55 AM)

Jan -- Sorry to mislead you with a vague reference.  The "re-do" is from something else.  That was pretty much a direct quote, maybe minus an ellipsis.  I would never mess with perfection like that.  (Or would I?)

Gotta go now ... you know how it is.  Tomorrow, tomorrow, and tomorrow creeps in this petty pace from day to day ...  

Anomaly (Sent Wednesday, October 03, 2007 2:18 PM)

I say all in favor of the war in Iraq should pay for it.  All in favor of the draft get themselves (and/or their kids) bumped to the absolute top of the list.  That way, those who want the war to continue can fund it, as well as providing warm bodies to feed into the meat grinder of Iraq!

People aren't so keen to make such choices when it's their own resources on the line.

Kevin, Lincoln, NE (Sent Wednesday, October 03, 2007 2:21 PM)

If this president and his republican minions want this war they need to pay for it.  They can increase taxs or sell war bonds.  NO MORE DEBT FOR WAR!!!  

jen,il (Sent Wednesday, October 03, 2007 2:24 PM)

Pat in Boston, Unlike W. there are kernels of wisdom in Yogi's malapropisms.

Bill Rochester NY (Sent Wednesday, October 03, 2007 2:27 PM)

Hi Pat (10:22 am post), I don't mean to step on Pam's toes, and she'll correct me if I'm wrong, but I read a good bit of the SAN FRANCISCO CHRONICLE everyday on their website. Cindy Sheehan is running against Nancy Pelosi for her seat in Congress. She'd set a deadline for Speaker Pelosi to begin impeachment proceedings against GWB and the "Dictator Wanna Be", and, when she didn't, Cindy threw her hat into the proverbial ring.

Krista Swisher, Indianapolis, IN (Sent Wednesday, October 03, 2007 2:28 PM)

Senator Frank R. Lautenberg (D-NJ) has a petition to try to override the "heartless one's" veto of the SCHIP bill.  

http://www.democratsenators.org/o/19/t/70/petition.jsp?petition_KEY=77

Message from the Senator

Please sign my petition calling on my colleagues in Congress to join me in voting to override President Bush’s cruel decision to undermine the health of our nation’s children. I will use your support to help convince other members of Congress to do the right thing.

Sincerely,
Frank R. Lautenberg

Carol, Long Valley NJ (Sent Wednesday, October 03, 2007 2:28 PM)

Too bad we taxpayers don't have more control of how our tax dollars are spent (er wasted) by Exederin headache # 43's regime.  Those citizens who support the occupation of Iraq could put their tax dollars into a fund to pay for it.  Of course with less than 30% of citizens in favor of this occupation that wouldn't really wouldn't cover the cost would it?  And of course no deficits or borrowing without taxpayer approval.  It sickens me that my tax dollars have been wasted on this mess in the mideast, I would gladly approve of my tax dollars to fund the SCHIP bill.  How pathetic that the neocon nut jobs who got us into this debacle will never be held accountable for their misdeeds.  They'll all walk away uber rich while everyone else in this country pays and pays and pays......many with their lives and limbs.  Now if we can just figure out how to watch the Rockies game here at work this afternoon without gettin' busted.      

Rocky Mountain Guy, Colorado (Sent Wednesday, October 03, 2007 2:28 PM)

Great balls of fire...how could I forget this??!!

GO CUBS!!!!

Krista Swisher, Indianapolis, IN (Sent Wednesday, October 03, 2007 2:30 PM)

CA , checks in the mail. I like the idea of only paying taxes on what you support. My tax bill will be next to naught ! How about you ?

Larry Charleston, SC (Sent Wednesday, October 03, 2007 2:31 PM)

Jen and Kevin , likewise. You pay for all of the nonsensical programs the liberals propose. I guarantee my taxes will be lower !

Larry Charleston, Sc (Sent Wednesday, October 03, 2007 2:33 PM)

R. NorCal (Sent Wednesday, October 03, 2007 5:38 AM)

The KBE is an honorary title and carries no real weight. In addition it is not a granting of nobility. English nobilty consists of dukes, marquesses, earls, vicounts and barons, none of which Rudy is, so the constitutional prohibition does not apply.

I'm not a Rudy backer, just clarifying the situation.

Rory, Oakland, CA (Sent Wednesday, October 03, 2007 2:36 PM)

Off topic, but important -- an article about the health effects of lead paint on children's toys.

http://www.marketwatch.com/News/Story/Story.aspx?guid=%7BCFE65790%2D9CF7%2D4727%2D9AD2%2D94C9286473BE%7D&siteid=nwtpf&print=true&dist=printTop

Carol, Long Valley NJ (Sent Wednesday, October 03, 2007 2:41 PM)

I am afraid the only thing that might stop this war is to bring back the draft. It will never happen, of course, but if it did and politicans kids got drafted, it would bring everyone home. A war tax to pay for this war..no..the only tax I'll gladly pay is for health insurance for the kids.

Rush has taken on anybody to go on his show and to his face say he is unpatriotic..that includes any soldier, politican, anyone.  He said he will welcome anyone. Ha..his audios seem to speak for themselves.

Oddball: more carne asada anyone? (grilled meat)..yikes!

Well Obama has his heart in the right place, but he is living in a bit of a dream world.

This Blackwater thing is getting better and better all the time.  Tip of the iceberg. More to come.

and..Poor Britney. Well it's her fault. She should have done what was required to keep those kids.  I don't think KFed will do much better with them..a shame.

Have a great day everybody..







Laura with a bit of a stuffy nose..In Los Angeles (Sent Wednesday, October 03, 2007 2:47 PM)

Oooh Krista, hey how much could you and I have with a Rockies/Cubs series this fall?  What the heck, GO CUBS!  But mostly, GO ROCKIES!!!!

Rocky Mountain Guy, Colorado (Sent Wednesday, October 03, 2007 2:55 PM)

R.Pierce 1:20am.
By your skewed logic, because Keith isn't a politician, he doesn't have the right to a political opinion. In that case, why do we bother to have elections? Why don't the incumbents just vote themselves back into office?
That'll save all of us non-politicians a trip to the polling station.
Baa baa!

Nanalinda, San Antonio, TX (Sent Wednesday, October 03, 2007 2:56 PM)

Larry Charleston, SC (Sent Wednesday, October 03, 2007 2:31 PM)

No Larry, you support the occupation of Iraq, so your tax bill will quadruple, at a minimum.  The cost for that debacle is fast approaching $1 trillion.  Get ready to second mortgage your house.  LOL

Carol, Long Valley NJ (Sent Wednesday, October 03, 2007 2:58 PM)

Larry, SC (2:31 PM Post): You're on Larry and I would not assume that my tax bill would be low when given the billions spent on this Iraq invasion and conflict, the money yet needed to clean the mess up, and the costs incurred over the years as a result of the mess versus the number of people who truly suppport the same. Tell you what Lerry, I'll write a check for 35 billion spread out over 5 years to extend health care to more unfortunate kids who have no health care in this country, and you write a check for 190 billion now to continue this fiasco in Iraq. Deal?  

C A, Tuscaloosa, AL (Sent Wednesday, October 03, 2007 2:58 PM)

CA , checks in the mail. I like the idea of only paying taxes on what you support. My tax bill will be next to naught ! How about you ?
Larry Charleston, SC (Sent Wednesday, October 03, 2007 2:31 PM)
unless you no longer support your car (or the gasoline that goes into it) you better make sure we can secure the oil required to fuel it (pony up)

OIL (Sent Wednesday, October 03, 2007 2:59 PM)

Wayne, TN (2:15 PM Post): Won't work Wayne. Your criticism of Kerry or anyone else to excuse or defend the incompetence of Bush won't work. Try again.  

C A, Tuscaloosa, AL (Sent Wednesday, October 03, 2007 3:01 PM)

--"How pathetic that the neocon nut jobs who got us into this debacle will never be held accountable for their misdeeds.  They'll all walk away uber rich while everyone else in this country pays and pays and pays......many with their lives and limbs.  
Rocky Mountain Guy, Colorado (Sent Wednesday, October 03, 2007 2:28 PM)"--

I've been reading some thoughts that the Repugnikants are deliberately planning on losing control of Congress and the White House because they have no idea how to clean up this mess and want to sit back, criticize the clean up, and get ready to overtake power once the country is back up and running and our debt has been paid off.  Interesting.

Sue, West Allis, Wisconsin (Sent Wednesday, October 03, 2007 3:24 PM)

Carol (2:28 pm post), don't know what good it'll do for a "Hoosier" to sign it, but I did anyway. Thanks for the link!!

Krista Swisher, Indianapolis, IN (Sent Wednesday, October 03, 2007 3:25 PM)

Pat (9:55 am post), I can't believe you wonderful words from this morning have just sunk in; I'm slowing coming out of my Nyquil haze. My dad and I went to Cubs games every summer until I went off to college; we'd spend the day. We'd go to the Sears Tower (and I did the FERRIS BUEHLER thing on the observation deck after the movie came out), catch a game, then eat at THE ORIGINAL Pizzeria Uno - no big bright well-lit "copies" for me! To this day, I haven't been to a night game at Wrigley Field; somehow, it just wouldn't feel "right." Call me old fashioned and set in my ways.

Thanks for reminding me of great times!

Krista ("You Kids, Get Off My Lawn!") Swisher, Indianapolis, IN (Sent Wednesday, October 03, 2007 3:32 PM)

Sue, West Allis, Wisconsin (Sent Wednesday, October 03, 2007 3:24 PM)

Uh... The Republicans don't have control of congress, and based on what congress looks like right now, I think loseing the next election would be harder than winning it

J. Freeman, WI (Sent Wednesday, October 03, 2007 4:02 PM)

Krista, Glad you liked it. And I have to say, I LOVED your story.

Pat, Boston, MA (Sent Wednesday, October 03, 2007 4:15 PM)

Sue, West Allis, no doubt.  Most kids learn it's much easier to get into trouble than to get out of trouble.  Of course most kids are smarter than Exederin headache # 43.  Krista, sorry, in my earlier post I meant to say "how much FUN could you and I have with a Rockies/Cubs series this fall".  My typing can't seem to keep up with my thoughts.  BTW Rockies are up 3-0.  

Rocky Mountain Guy, Colorado (Sent Wednesday, October 03, 2007 4:19 PM)

Sue, West Allis, I think you have hit on something there. The Repubs don't have any idea how to put Humpty Dumpty back together, but you can be sure they will be glad to find fault with anyone who tries. The Lame D-ck broke it, but never had any idea of how to fix it. He probably doesn't even know it's broken yet.

Bob, Birmingham, OH (Sent Wednesday, October 03, 2007 4:48 PM)

Wayne, TN (2:15 p.m. post) --

People wiser than I am have advised me not to talk to you, but since you asked, I'll give it one shot:

1.  John Kerry didn’t get elected, so don’t try to tell me what he would or wouldn’t have done.  This mess is not John Kerry's fault.
2.  I’m not sure Bush really “deposed” the Taliban in a meaningful way.  Our policy of neglecting Afghanistan in favor of Iraq has re-empowered the regional warlords and permitted the Taliban to re-emerge and strengthen to near pre-9/11 levels.
3.  Gosh, I thought Osama Bin Laden and his #2 guy were still out there.  I could swear I saw some tapes recently.  Must be my mistake.  And I’m not sure we really got the 9/11 masterminds, either, because those confessions were achieved by torture, which our own generals repeatedly tell us does not yield reliable information.
4.  If I had a chance to bring Saddam to justice without committing mass murder myself, I certainly would.  However, given that this was not the original rationale for the war, I don’t think it was worth more than 4,000 coalition lives and countless additional innocent Iraqi lives just to replace one form of madness and brutality with another.  Non sum zero.
5.  I think the real impetus for Khaddafi’s surrender was when we bombed Tripoli  and killed Khaddafi’s son.  Bush didn’t do that.  By the way, many people believe Khaddafi was merely yanking Bush’s chain, and that he may still be a threat.

Anomaly (Sent Wednesday, October 03, 2007 5:28 PM)

ROCKIES WIN! ROCKIES WIN! ROCKIES WIN!

Rocky Mountain Guy, Colorado (Sent Wednesday, October 03, 2007 6:05 PM)

Strap on the seat belt everyone because I'm going to be shifting gears quite a bit here in this post!

First, the Senate is losing another Republican - AND one who was probably responsible for a US attorney being fired. Could this be considered "cutting and running"?

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20071003/ap_on_el_se/domenici_retiring

Pat (4:15 pm post), thank you for your kind words. The last Cubs game I saw at Wrigley Field was the summer before my junior year in college - too stinkin' long.

Rocky Mountain Guy (6:05 pm post), congrats on your Rockies winning! After one too many heart aches, I've learned to not get my hopes up for the Cubs. Even in the year of the "Barton ball," my husband, who hates baseball (COMMIE!) was actually watching the game with me and commented, "They may just do it this year!" This was said in the inning or so before Mr. Barton. I replied, "Let's see where we are in the bottom of the 9th." Double and triple UGH!

Krista Swisher, Indianapolis, IN (Sent Wednesday, October 03, 2007 6:33 PM)

War Tax this may get some Conservatives attention, but with all the mercenaries working for GWB in Iraq, lets bring our military home and let the Cowboys finish the War.
rojo, ms.

D.E. Dawsey Columbia, Ms. (Sent Wednesday, October 03, 2007 7:33 PM)

Thanx Krista, unless the Cubs are playing the Rockies, I root for the Cubs.  I'm a sucker for underdogs and the Cubs are certainly due!  Hmmm, one less Republican senator eh, well good!  Maybe the Dems will actually get serious about ending this occupation....maybe.

Rocky Mountain Guy, Colorado (Sent Wednesday, October 03, 2007 7:49 PM)



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